#the number of times race has had to physically restrain spot after one of his friends jokingly made fun of him

[to-be-a-dreamer]

West Endsies Sprace is peak "badass woman who is so deeply in love with her pathetic wet cat of a boyfriend" energy except Race is actually just as capable as Spot and she will kick your ass if you imply he is anything less.

Spot: Wow my boyfriend is such a loser

Anyone Else: Lol yeah he is

Spot: Tf did you just say? *beats them up*

[liberolove]

Our Great Perhaps

Pairing: Nishinoya x reader

Summary: You two have been dating for about 3 years. You met him in your first semester of college, and you two have been pretty strong. Now, however, taking into account each of your career paths has brought up issues. Maybe, it wasn’t meant to be.

Genre: crack, angst, college au (first part)

Warnings: cussing

Part Two || Part One: here

The drive back to your house was casual and friendly, but you could definitely sense a bit of tension.

He dropped you off and left. As soon as you were inside your home, you immediately burst out into tears.

There was no way he was waiting. Especially not for you. He needed a shot at love. You weren’t there, but she was. He’s probably happier now, too.

You curled up into bed and fell asleep from the exhaustion of crying so much.

~~~~~~~

Your first week back home flew by quickly. The new branch was getting along nicely, and everything was running smoothly. Your friends would drop by from time to time, asking about the latest details of your love life. That’s when you mentioned to them whom you had bumped into earlier that week.

“Oh my gosh!” “How’d it go!?” “Do you still have feelings for him?” “He has a girlfriend, now, by the way. They’ve only been dating for about 5 months now.”

The barrage of questions was overwhelming, but you got to each of them. And you were heavily interested in his new girlfriend. Just how much did your friends know about her?

“She’s a nurse, so she’s always busy. She met Nishinoya when one of his students sprained their ankle, while playing. Sometimes, when I bump into him on the street and he’s on his phone, I hear them arguing or something. And they never really go out, so I don’t know what they’re like out on dates and stuff.”

Wow. It really seemed like your friends did some investigating for you. It was nice to know that they’ll always have your back. But, you knew that this wasn’t something you should really be meddling in. He has his life and you have yours.

You two can be friends and all, but nothing more. No matter how desperately you wanted it. You missed everything about him. His new girlfriend was the luckiest girl in the world.

“Oh by the way, y/n!! Since we’re already on the topic... Guess who texted me yesterday, asking for YOUR number???”

“No way. Don’t tell me.”

“NISHINOYA!”

“Why would he want my number?”

“He just told me he wanted to keep talking to you and stay in touch.”

You couldn’t believe it. Was it really happening? Nishinoya still wanted to talk to you.

Your phone buzzed. All your friends stared at the screen. “Well, speak of the devil.”

The message read: Hey, y/n! It’s Noya. I hope you don’t mind but I got your number from xxx. I just wanted to keep talking and be close again like back in college (:

You were sure that your heart had completely shut down by then. Even if you couldn’t be around Nishinoya in the way you wanted, you sure as hell weren’t going to decline this.

You were so excited and nervous at the same time, that you almost forgot to reply.

“Y/N! You’ve gotta say something!!”

“Alright already! I will! I just don’t know what to say..”

“Just say a simple hey? Like you’re interested but not TOO interested, ya know?”

“Okay, got it.” You began typing: Hey, Noya! I don’t mind, and yeah of course. I’d love to keep talking (:

The rest of the night was full of the juiciest gossip of the town and exchanging ridiculous worst date stories.

~~~~~~~

As the weeks dragged on, you found yourself texting Noya more than anyone else. He was the highlight of your days. 

Every time your phone buzzed with a message from him, your heart would skip a beat. You’d still think over exactly what you wanted to say to him, being careful not to cross any boundaries. 

Unbeknownst to you, Nishinoya was feeling the exact same way. 

You two talked about literally everything in the world. Except for one topic: his girlfriend. There was no way you could bring her up in conversation casually. It would be crossing the line, definitely.

~~~~~~~

It was just another average day. You were pooped after having to work so much that week. You were looking forward to relaxing on the couch and catching up on your favorite sitcoms. 

Noya had been texting you nonstop all day. It felt great, but you couldn’t help but wonder if he texted her like this too.

What are you up to tonight?

Oh, you know the usual. Just gonna snack and watch Netflix. How about you?

Not much. Still trying to decide what I wanna do. What are you gonna watch?

I’m in the mood to rewatch That 70′s Show to be honest, lol.

I remember you watching that show every night! It’s pretty funny

Yeah, that’s why I watch it, lmao. 

You got room for one more?

Fuck. What the fuck. Was he being serious? Or joking around? You hadn’t seen him in a while, since you’re both so busy with work. But today, your days off coincided with one another. Sure, you two had hung out together before, but never somewhere as private as your home. You’d been to restaurants and bars, but that’s pretty much it. 

If he’s serious, that means he wants to come HERE. To YOUR house. He wants to be in YOUR house, with YOU. With you.. ALONE. 

Your mind was racing. With shaky fingers, you replied playfully: Only if you’re bringing takeout!

The next few minutes felt like an eternity. Five minutes went by. Ten minutes. Soon enough, an hour had gone by, and no answer. 

Had I crossed the line? you asked yourself.

-BUZZ-

What’s your address? I’ve got sushi and more snacks (:

You quickly messaged him your address, with your heart ready to burst out of your chest, and your brain ready to explode. 

Another five minutes pass by. 

-KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK-

He still knocks three times.. You open the door and find him semi-dressed up in a cute red button up and dark blue slacks. He was glowing.

In his hands, he was carrying a bag of sushi and chow mein takeout. In the other hand, he had your favorite: Hot Cheetos. 

How the hell did he still remember everything about you?

“Hey, sunshine! Ready to binge watch some That 70′s Show?”

“Yeaah.” You let him in and placed the bags on the coffee table by the couch. You started setting everything up, still shaken up over his pet name for you. 

Noya quickly made himself comfortable on your couch, picking a spot right up next to you. The distance between you two shortening, every time he took a bite of his food. 

His hearty laughter made your heart flutter and your stomach flip. The show was funny, but not THAT funny. 

Before you knew it, your knees bumped into one another’s. The distance between you was nonexistent now. When your knees touched, you jumped a little, startled from the sudden intimacy.

“Oh, sorry! I guess I scooted in too close. I just didn’t want to be TOO far from you, you know?”

“Ha, it’s okay.”

The show droned on in the background, as you two fell silent. Nishinoya then grabbed the remote and muted the TV. 

“Hey, y/n?”

“Yeah? What is it, Nishi?” You regressed back to calling him the special nickname only you ever used, without realizing.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.” You meant it. You’d do anything for him in a heartbeat.

“Do you still remember the first time we met? In our psychology class, the first year of college?”

“How could I ever forget?”

“Did you feel like it was love at first sight, too?”

You hesitated. Why was he bringing this up? Right now, especially. You stared at him for what felt like ten minutes, taking him in again. He had changed physically from the last time you were with him in your old apartment. His eyebrows were well groomed, he grew a bit of chin stubble, and he had smile lines on his face.. 

But he was still the same person you fell in love with all those years ago.

The silence dragged on, until you interrupted it. “Yeah. It did feel like that, huh?”

“I’m glad it wasn’t just me.” It seemed like he wanted to keep talking, but he stopped himself, mid-breath. He unmuted the TV and went back to watching, but the tension brought on by the questions still lingered in the air.

Unable to deal with the awkwardness, you started cleaning up, and stood up, right in front of him. “Why?”

Confused, he asked, “Why what?”

“Why are you doing this? Why bring up the past? I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now, but I still have feelings for you, okay?”

“I know.”

“Then what’s the point of torturing me like this? You have a girlfriend..”

He got up immediately and pulled you in for an unexpected, sloppy kiss. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t want it, but you pushed him off anyways.

“Stop. Please. Don’t do this to me.”

“Kitty..” 

You couldn’t believe he was using his old pet name for you. All you could do was point at the door, baffled by his rapid change. 

He wasn’t moving. Instead, he pulled you in again, but with more force. He was restraining you while embracing you. 

“Let me go, please, Nishi. Don’t make this harder.”

You were practically sobbing at this point. Why couldn’t he understand that this was wrong? You weren’t his girlfriend, nor would you ever be. 

You felt your shirt dampen with his tears, as well. Why was he crying too?

“I broke up with her a week ago.. I’ve missed you so much.”

His hold on you loosened, and you took that as an opportunity to drape your arms around his neck, as you kissed the tears on his face away.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Please believe me. I just want you, y/n. I’ve been waiting for you to come back. But after waiting for 4 years, I gave up. I started dating around, trying to find someone like you, but no one could ever compare. You’re the love of my life, y/n. Please don’t leave me again..”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“God, it’s been so hard to be here without you. I’ve been waiting for this for so long. I still love you. I’ve never stopped loving you, and I’ll always love you.”

“I love you and I’ll always love you too.”

That night, you two shared a bed again for the first time in seven years. Everything in the universe fell back into place. You had found your Great Perhaps.

[fiction-in-my-blood]

History’s Finest Part 1 (KBTBB) (No Pairings.... Yet)

So this is a lil idea I had which will likely turn into a series. I don’t know how long it’ll be or who will end up with MC but I know it’ll be fun! Hopefully. If you guys have any specific requests on who’ll be the lucky guy, I’d love to know! I love to here your thoughts.

Potential Warnings: Bad language, Gun wounds, Stitches.

Premise: The Bidders have been employing a treasure hunter to bring in new and unique things to the auction, but after a year of working together, how close have they grown? And how little do they trully know about her?

~~~~~~

“She’s late. Again.” Soryu grumbles as he and the King continue to sit in the Executive Lounge for the passed 30 minutes. A new contact for the auction was supposed to meet them with an item to list, but, being consistent with the last two times they had used her service, has yet to arrive on the agreed time.

With an inkling they’ll be stood up, Soryu drums his fingers on his gun, which is rested on the arm of his chair. He stares down the elevator doors, daring them to open so he can shoot the first person that enters. 

Eventually, those doors did slide open, and there, hobbling out with a brief case hung over her shoulder, stood the woman they had been waiting for. She was wearing her usual fatigues of a dark blue button up shirt, the buttons done up just to allow for a bit of cleavage, mainly because she couldn’t be bothered to be modest after her long ship ride, and black jeans, simplistic but sexy, a belt with a pouch wrapped around her waist. There was also an empty holster attracted to the back, covered by the over hanging top.

“You’re late.” Now also ticked off with his arms draped over the back of the couch, Eisuke stared down on her. Her tired, positive expression didn’t falter as she crossed her arms, trying to restrain herself from jumping forward and strangling easily her most difficult client. It was lucky she wasn’t armed. The treasure hunter had just docked off from Panama, having gone through weeks of gun fights and crumbling ruins to acquire the piece of history she had set out to find, and this was the greeting she got for recovering the relic worth millions? And who here wasn’t grateful? 

However, she knew not to talk back. In her field, most people were one word away from blowing a fuse and then she’d lose the limited clientele that would buy from her. There weren’t many buyers she trusted, and the ones she had; double crossed her a number of times. And this guy was right-handed by a Chinese mobster in the heights of a famous casino hotel. Not someone you want to piss off. 

“Oh, Ichi, it’s nice to see you too.” She didn’t think she’d ever get away with nicknaming the CEO of a multi-million, maybe even billion, dollar company, but every time she used it the guy’s face eased into an amused smirk, even now, when he was just reprimanding her for her short-comings. That eased her secretly racing heart; knowing she wouldn’t be gunned down right in the middle of his luxurious penthouse. Although, he was probably just worried about bloodying the marble. 

“Do you have it?” The mob boss was less easy to impress, scowling the woman to high hell. She huffed out a laugh, trying to ignore how easily angered he seemed, and carefully dropped the case from her shoulder onto the coffee table in front of the CEO.

“All in one piece.” Lila decided, as usual, it would be best to leave out all the soldiers and crazed war mongers she had to fight off to get the artifact, knowing it would likely scare off any buyers that would be willing to buy something lost for centuries. 

Leaning forward, Eisuke slipped on his special gloves, which led Lila to hide a smirk, before he clicked open the locked box. Never in her life had she taken such precautions when handling her finds. Usually, there would be a gun to her head and any belongings she had brought with her would alays end up as dirty as she was from sliding through mud, climbing dirt covered walls and- more often than not- blood from her or her enemy’s wounds. A life or death scenario never justified such preventive measures when she hardly ever remembered a snack bar for her lunch.

Eisuke’s expression didn’t change from that skeptical stare as the lid popped open to show the solid gold idol that laid inside. It was encrusted with green gems, a bracelet of similar design embedded in the padding. The King took no mind of the jewelry that wasn’t meant to be there and picked up the surprisingly heavy object. 

“What is that?” Soryu, however, did take notice, pointing an accusing glare at the hunter to which she smiled. 

“Just a present I found on my travels. Think of it as a thank you for being so accommodating.” Lila hid her own glare behind a spiteful smile. It was a shame the man was so good-looking, she would be happy to trick him into bed to sift through his cabinets for expensive things if it wasn’t for his hate for the opposite sex. Soryu merely sighed, directing his gaze to his old friend.

“What’s the condition?” He eyed the ancient Inca statue that Eisuke held up to eye level, turning it every which way to find some clue to prove it being a fake. He didn’t speak when he spotted something odd, but it wasn’t the shine from a modern day power buffer.

“There’s blood.” He swiped a snow white finger tip over the jelly substance and Lila’s face went just as pale as his gloves. As she had reached for the idol that stood above the room on a pedestal, she was shot by this month’s model of competition. The bullet ripped through her side, luckily not causing any serious lasting damage, but had obviously left evidence of her troubles on her wares.

“O-Oh, well, treasure hunting isn’t a clean job. Always getting cracked fingers and all. Nothing to worry about.” Lila was never good at lying. Not when the nuns at her orphanage asked her why her bully had punched her or when clients asked her why she didn’t manage to bring anything back from her travels- it was difficult for them to believe the cities had crumbled into the earth, never to be seen, or heard of, again. Her cheeks heated up, and not because of the light sunburn she had received being in such a hot climate, but due to a sign that she was, in fact, misleading them. 

Both men grew suspicious, one raising an eyebrow and the other looking her body up and down. They never knew about her expeditions being dangerous. They believed she just waltzed into a temple hidden deep in a jungle or a cave high in the snowy mountains and plucked the ancient artifact right off the floor. It didn’t occur to them when she called to extent the meeting time to a week later that she had run into some seriously dangerous trouble or needed to rest in a hospital somewhere in the third world country she had found herself in that time from whatever bullet wound she had earned from her newest enemy.

“What happened?” Even though the three had only acquainted a year ago and only met two other times, Soryu- to be honest, both men- had grown rather fond of the treasure hunter. Although, his tone was harsher than she had ever heard it. 

Lila tried her best to control her limited temper and had the body of a super model. Her manners, in the limited amount of time they did see her, were abysmal. She didn’t close her legs when she was sitting- she only ever wore her jeans or tight cargo pants- and gulped down any drink she was given in seconds. She was smart, despite looking as dumb as an uneducated delinquent. They had met experts before, they were the ones that confirmed the items she brought in, but even they didn’t know as much as she had told them. She had the wisdom of the old man she was mentored by and the street smarts to find whatever information that would lead her to her next find. 

However, Lila was less inclined to respond. She was never comfortable with someone dotting on her, even when she was a kid. It wasn’t in her second nature to rely on anyone else. Let alone her first. The old man that had taken her in from a young age after she tried to pick his pocket took years to gain her trust, even though he didn’t act like he cared. She was just a scared little kid at the time, and he introduced her to a world of adventure and danger, that he ensured he would protect her from. She was heading there anyway, might as well have a few connections. 

She bit her lip, avoiding their intimidating gazes. 

That’s when the CEO lost his patient. Throwing himself forward made her want to step back. They played this odd dance until her back bumped into the person behind her, which she hadn’t noticed beforehand. She jumped around to see a man in a suit, who had greeted her on every one of her visits. Kenzaki, seemingly one of Eisuke’s well-dressed henchmen. 

However, Lila didn’t get to greet him when she felt a different warmth on her back, rotating around again like some sort of spinning top. She was struck of all thoughts as Mr Ichinomiya’s towering figure pinned her in place. She gulped, an awkward grin gracing her lips as she tried to regain composure. The old man always warned her about going into a meeting alone. Maybe he had a good point.

“Y’know, you can just get it out with a tissue. I don’t have any on me, but I’m sure you can afford the additional expense.” She tried not to sound intimidated with a short chuckle, but that would be difficult when her tone was a little shaky. 

“What happened?” Eisuke glared between gritted teeth and she responded almost instantly.

“I got shot. But it’s nothing, really. I won’t charge you medical expenses or anything and it didn’t damage the artifact.” As always, the buy came first, so she didn’t worry about her own physical health. Or, she didn’t think they cared about her physical health. Why would they? This was a business relationship. A transaction of wealth so she could fund her less than lavish lifestyle of bribing prison guards to get her out when she gets caught scoping out museums for information.

“Where?” Eisuke surprised her with his prying. Sure, she would expect him to return to the artifact and check it for bullet marks. Maybe even ask who the hell had a gun when she had never mentioned any danger. But she definitely, certainly, did not expect him to inadvertently ask how critical the wound was. 

Sighing, she didn’t want to lose a client due to rejecting him, so she turned, surprised to find the hotel manager gone, and lifted her top to so the stitches that were still waiting to heal just above her hip bone on soft skin could be seen. 

Although, she was trying to hide the multiple other scars she had gained over the years. A few long ones graced her arms and shoulder from grazing bullets. Once, she got stabbed in the thigh with a ceremonial dagger from Nepal. Last year, on her first job with the Black Market Auction, her leg got caught under a stone pillar from an impatient competitor of her’s who used dynamite in a underground temple cave. Not the smartest idea, and it left her with an awful looking scar around her calf from torn skin. It was weird seeing your own muscles. Bikinis and any sort of swimwear that wasn’t a diving suit were definitely ruined for her now. 

“See, not that bad. I’m used to it. Comes with the territory.” She breathed in sharply when she lifted her arms to show him, trying to mask her pain with a forced smile. Even though she had been looking at the man, she didn’t notice his fingers, now ungloved, reaching for her wound because she was so concentrated on consoling whatever worries he had so she could get the hell out of there. She wanted to leave and read her journal to go through the memories of her last trip. That was her favourite part: reliving all her exploits. 

A searing pain shot through her system when Eisuke’s finger’s grazed the bruised skin and she shot him the worst glare she could subconsciously muster. “What the fuck?” She screamed the instant she noticed his outstretched hand and sly smirk. What kind of sadistic fuck thinks its funny to touch up a new wound? She couldn’t help but grow furious at how he had just treated her. Who did he think he was? Jesus? Had he hoped to heal her with whatever magical power he thought he had been gifted with?

“So, it is bad?” His smirk quickly turned into a frown when he caught her lying. She gulped, not knowing what will happen next. Usually when she was confronting someone, whether a warmonger or crazed mercenary, she had a way to escape. Either through the window of a third story window in a warring city or through the dense jungle away from the excavation cite, she had the luck of whatever deity was watching over her. 

But, not here. This was ‘civilised’ society. Not to mention his house. There’d be no way she could make it to the lobby and away from the gun the mob boss had under his fingers this very moment. She had had a lot of close calls in her life, but was this it? 

“Any gun shot wound is bad! I was fucking impaled with metal! What do you think’s gonna happen when you stab it!” She cried, finally remembering to push her shirt back down and not touch the healing wound. She really hoped it hadn’t opened again. She had a habit for doing that. Accidentally, of course. 

“I didn’t stab it.” Eisuke couldn’t help but chuckle at how loud she was being. This was totally out of character, and she, mad, was very amusing. He knew she was always holding back, he could see through anyone, but he never thought she was holding back this much. 

“You may as well have.” She huffed, crossing her arms and turning her gaze away to try and calm herself down again. She didn’t usually lose her cool like this, but she found it hard to control herself with two deliciously hot men she wasn’t allowed to touch because of work, and her own chastity. She wasn’t one for meaningless exploits, she wasn’t interested nor had the time. All she wanted was the adrenaline from her treasure hunting ways. Although, she did feel lonely sometimes, especially when everyone else in her line of work were sex-crazed young adults who couldn’t seem to keep it in their pants. They were here for a fun time, not a long time.

But, the CEO’s next actions were what surprised her most. He turned to his hotel manager and ordered him to take her to a room upstairs. She jumped out of her sulking, ignoring the settling pain in her abdomen, and flat out refused any hospitality he was going to show. All she wanted to do was deliver the package, collect her money, and go home to watch a movie. And by home, the nearest motel. Lila didn’t live anywhere, she was always on the go, so she didn’t bother investing in any of the countries she had loved when she visited them. Domestic life wasn’t for her. And the glimpse of peace she had seen in her infancy showed her she didn’t want that mundane existence. 

“If you collapse outside my hotel it won’t look good. Go with him.” He demanded and Lila frowned, breathing in to argue again, when Kenzaki grabbed her arm and started pulling her to the staircase. She yelled and struggled, but wasn’t as strong as she usually was with her handicap, and was taken away to a lavish penthouse suite.

“You’re happy.” Soryu commented when Eisuke turned around and sat back down, staring down at his newest treasure. He was smirking, but there was actually a hint of happiness behind that egotistic grin that wasn’t usually there nowadays. He wasn’t going to admit he had been waiting for an excuse to usher the woman into his hotel. Albeit, it was for her to stay the night with him, but he was content with nursing her back to health. He was definitely looking forward to delving deeper into this new character she had been hiding from them both. 

Which made Soryu mad. He had also grown a longing for the woman, and he was even more weary about making that apparent to both his friend and the subject of his curiosity. She wasn’t annoying like other woman. She didn’t wear overbearing perfume like other woman. She could get away with deodorant and her own scent. Although, he would have to get closer to smell that on her skin. She was like some sort of divine being, sent down to test how unwilling he was to give affection to the opposite sex. And he definitely wouldn’t be mad about having her in his own apartment, laying on his bed or showering in his shower to clean off the dirt and grim she gained from her expeditions. 

However, knowing she got hurt on a job they had sent her on tore. him. up. Even if it was the ‘territory’ for her profession, or she had gone through similar circumstances before, he felt responsible. If they hadn’t agreed to buy the artifact she promised she could get, she might not have gone. Truthfully, she would have just gone to the next buyer, she only came to them because they paid well. Better than collectors or museums. But that didn’t mean he didn’t blame himself for sending her there.

“Merely amused.” Eisuke chuckled to himself as he lifted the thick, bangle-like bracelet with the hook of his finger, peering at the exquisite piece while resting his chin on his fist. It somehow sparkled, even after centuries, maybe even a millennia, buried under dirt or covered in dust. The style was simple and timeless, no one could mess it up. And yet, because she had thought to add it into the brief case for him to see without asking for more made the item special. So, when Soryu got up to clear his head of his guilt, he dropped the jewelry into his pocket, planning to keep it for his own personal use. 

[cheeseeatingtrashmonster]

Battle With A Madman

Ladrien Day 22: Rescue. Thanks @ladrienjune​

(Read more is just because it’s a bit long, totally sfw)

Read the whole month on AO3

Note: So, uh, this chapter got a little dark.

Adrien pulled out his phone and dialed the number he had memorized years ago. When it connected, he whispered, “Don't say anything. Just listen, okay?”

He heard breathing on the other end, so he felt sure she was doing as he asked. He put the phone on speaker mode and slid it in his pocket. This was his insurance policy. If anything happened to him in the next few minutes, at least someone would know and finish the job.

He entered his father's office quietly, restraining the fury that made him want to slam open the door, flip over the desk, toss the pictures from the wall. That would do him no good here, get him no answers.

“Adrien? What are you doing up?” Gabriel asked. He stood at his design screen, flicking through sketches he had made Nathalie scan that afternoon. He stood there as if he hadn’t betrayed Adrien so deeply he felt hollow.

“Give me back the ring, Gabriel. Or should I call you Hawkmoth?”

Gabriel looked up at that.

"What are you talking about, Adrien? Why would I be Hawkmoth? And what ring do you think I have?"

"Don't play dumb. Your sleeping spell didn't work on me as well as you thought it did. I couldn't move when you took my ring, but I was awake and aware. I saw you detransform when you put on my ring. Give it back to me."

"Adrien, are you sure you didn't just have a nightmare?"

"I know what I saw."

He didn't shout. He couldn't. Because if he started, he would never stop.

Gabriel sighed. "It's the stress. You've been around the world twice in the past three months. I'll tell Nathalie in the morning to schedule you some time off to rest."

"Don't play stupid with me," Adrien said. "Don't. You may have two miraculouses and I may have none, but that doesn't mean you'll win."

"Adrien, what do I need to do to convince you-"

"Stop!"

In that one word, Adrien screamed out all his anger. All his hurt and betrayal and pain. All the missed dinners. All the brutal battles. All the times he had seen the woman he loved hurt. All the times he had died in her arms and had to see her face that first moment before she registered that he was alive again after the Miraculous Cure. All the lies, the lies, the lies. He let that scream break through twenty years of having his father love him, but not enough. Of never feeling good enough. Of always trying his best and getting none of his needs met. He screamed.

Gabriel went pale. One hand gripped the edge of the screen in front of him, the other fisted at his side. Adrien wasn't sure how, but for the first time in his life, he was the one with the power in this room.

"Stop lying. How long have you known about me?"

Gabriel relented immediately. "I figured it out last month. The werewolf zombie. You detransformed after in the yard in front of my window. But I've suspected for years."

"Why?"

"I'll need a little more than that."

"Why are you Hawkmoth? Why terrorize the city? Why do you need our miraculouses?"

"Your mother. With the combined power of creation and destruction, I can turn back time and save her."

"She wouldn't want that! You have to know that!"

"I know," Gabriel said. "But I am not as selfless as she is. When I say I can't live without her, that I would do anything for her, I do not exaggerate."

"You would destroy the world for her."

It was not a question. The past seven years had taught him that this was true.

"And more."

"Give me your miraculous," Adrien said, holding out his hand. "Give me Plagg back. We'll find a way through this, but give them to me first. I can't let you have them."

"Adrien, my son." Gabriel looked devastated, but not in the least remorseful. "You know I can't. I have never been closer to my goal. Once I succeed, you won't even remember this. It will never have happened."

"Please," Adrien said, taking a step nearer. "Give me your miraculous."

"You know I can't," he repeated.

"We won't stop," Adrien said, another step closer. "You have to give up. Give up, because I don't want to fight you."

"Adrien, you have as well as lost. I sent out an akuma ten minutes ago. Your partner will soon be fighting, waiting for backup that will never come."

"Don't do this," Adrien said, walking over to grab his father's wrist. "Call the akuma back. Surrender and we can show you mercy."

"You know I can't!"

"I already lost my mother, don't take my father from me, too!"

Something about that statement snapped the tension in the room. Gabriel wrenched his hand from Adrien's grasp and took two steps back.

"Plagg, claws out."

The green transformation light filled the room, and at the same moment, there was a crash, a shattering of the window and Adrien's stunned horror.

"Last chance!" Ladybug yelled, standing from the dramatic hero couch she had landed in. "Give us your miraculous, and his, and we'll see you are treated fairly. If you don't, there will be no mercy."

"You will be dealt with soon enough," Gabriel- Chat Noir- said. "Leave me to deal with your fallen partner. No harm will come to him if he cooperates."

"Just stop! You've hurt him enough!" Ladybug had crossed to stand in between the Agreste men, her yoyo spinning at the ready.

"If you surrender now," Gabriel said, walking slowly towards Ladybug, "In seconds the world will be reset. You won't have to live a life exhausting yourself fighting for a city that doesn't even know your name. No missed school or work, never having to disappoint your friends, always able to support your family. You'll grow up a normal girl without the weight of the world. You can fall in love, have a good life away from all this magic and destruction. Surrender, and everyone is safe."

"Never," Ladybug said.

"Then you leave me no choice." Gabriel jumped over Ladybug to his son's side, grabbing him around the neck with one arm, and calling up Cataclysm with the other.

"I'm sorry, my son," he whispered. "But soon enough, this never will have happened."

Ladybug analyzed the situation. If she used Lucky Charm, she couldn't defeat the akuma she had been avoiding while listening to Adrien's call. If she made one false move, Adrien would die.

"Okay," she said. "I will take out one earring now, and you'll let him go. When I take out the second one, you use cataclysm on something safe, like a stack of papers. When Cataclysm is gone, I'll hand them to you. Do you agree?"

Gabriel nodded and Ladybug pulled out one earring. Slowly, bits of her suit started to peel away. Gabriel released his hold on Adrien's neck and Adrien ran to stand behind Ladybug. He stood close enough that when she was about to pull out the second earring, he heard her whisper, "Spots off." Adrien couldn't see who she was from behind her, but he did see her hair fell in front of her earring as she pretended to palm the jewel. She had left the second earring in, and Gabriel was none the wiser.

"Use up Cataclysm," she demanded, holding her fist containing the earring to her chest.

Then Hawkmoth made his mistake. In the time it took him to look around the room and find something to destroy, Ladybug slid fake earrings from her pocket into her hand, the real earring going into her mouth.

A paperweight destroyed, Gabriel turned back to Ladybug.

"Don't try anything," Gabriel said.

"You promise I'll have a normal life, no miraculous?" Ladybug asked.

"The life you were always meant to have."

She nodded. "Hold out your hand," she said.

She turned to Adrien and mouthed, "Get ready." She took a single step forward, making Hawkmoth come to her. Once had the earrings in his hand, he stepped back and laughed.

"Finally! Finally mine!"

As Gabriel ranted to the painting of his wife about their impending reunion, Ladybug back up to stand next to Adrien. She made sure Gabriel's focus was on his own insanity before spitting out her earring and putting it back in.

In the same moment that Gabriel got his earrings in and said, "Spots on," Ladybug said the same.

Pink light washed over the room. Ladybug ran and kicked Gabriel in the chest before turning and running at Adrien.

"Let's go!" she yelled. She ran at him with her arms open, and he opened his own on reflex. She scooped him up and raced for the broken window. As she neared the opening, she sent her yoyo sailing. Behind them, Gabriel roared in rage. Over Ladybug's shoulder he saw his father rush at them with such hatred on his face it physically hurt to see, but he couldn't look away. With a swooping feeling they soared into the night.

"Why didn't you stop him?" Adrien yelled over the roar of the wind.

"He has two miraculouses, we have one," she said. "We'll go to Fu, make a plan. He can't hide from us for long."

They landed on a roof a few miles away and sat. Both were shaking, and they held each other close.

"Thank you for rescuing me," Adrien whispered.

"I can't believe you called my yoyo to listen in instead of having me come with you," she said. "We're a team. We work together."

He looked at her, leaning against the slope of the roof, tangled in his arms, tears running down her face.

"Why are you crying, My Lady?"

"Because I love you," she said, fighting the silent sobs that shook her harder. "I love you, and I almost lost you back there."

"It's okay," he said, pulling her to his chest. "I knew you'd save me. You always do."

[ling-buyi]

5 REASONS TO WATCH ‘WHEN A SNAIL FALLS IN LOVE’

Recently okay a while ago I finished watching When a Snail Falls in Love, and was left with the emptiness that follows when you finish something that was just that good. I don’t usually venture into C-dramas, but after hearing great reviews from trusted sources, coupled with my undying love for Wang Kai, I decided to take the bite. So here I am—months later—still thinking about this show and all of its amazingness and I just thought that I’d compile a list to convince more people to watch this show and fangirl with me. I feel like not many people venture into C-dramas (as I myself haven’t had in the past either), I still want to make a case for this one because like I said it’s really good and then there’s also Wang Kai of course. 

[Okay but before the list of reasons, first here’s a good synopsis of the show from Soompi.]

When a Snail Falls in Love is a crime thriller/romance drama based on the novel of the same name by author Ding Mo. It stars Wang Kai as Ji Bai, an ace police detective who is in charge of the Violent Crimes Unit, and his partner Xu Xu, an intern criminal profiler played by Wang Zi Wen. The two seem like an awkward pairing, but in reality they’re the best team with an incredible track record in solving crimes. Ji Bai initially intended to fire Xu Xu due to her lack of physical fitness, but she is very talented in profiling. Over time, they become impressed and admire each other’s talents and work ethic, and the pair slowly fall in love in the midst of their investigations (x).  

– THE REASONS –

5.  The cases

I loved that the cases weren’t just a backdrop as some shows do. While I have nothing against episodic arcs, there is a certain weight that is taken away when things are  resolved by the end of each episode too easily. While not exactly my favorite part of the show, as certain parts may feel a bit draggy (especially with the first story arc, but it picks up with the second story arc) it certainly knew when to draw your attention by drawing up the stakes high to full effect. There are two main cases (story arcs) that spill over to many of the episodes. It’s also an intriguing watch and makes for some heart-racing television and it also explores some pretty interesting themes and means pf storytelling. Sorry for the vagueness but I just don’t want to spoil anything. The cases that they characters in this show investigate creates a really nice setting ground for these characters their relationships to blossom in amazing ways. Fair warning though, the show does tackle some weighty topics and it can get quite graphic too. The episodes are also no more than half hour a piece, so the time commitment shouldn’t be an issue :)

4. The side characters

Despite the episode’s length of half an hour each, and with only 21 episodes to its name (I’m still waiting for the news of a season 2 tbh) surprisingly there was still enough time to develop some pretty great characters in their own right. There’s even an amazing female friendship to boot, that not only support one another but are total bad asses in a male dominated field, and are also so brave and wonderful you’ll cry when you think about them (okay you might not, but I still do).

3. Wang Kai is Ji Bai

As much as I love him, I surprised myself by putting him only as number three on this list. Which says a lot. But that just for me goes to show how much this series has going for it, and all the more reasons to why I adore it so much :’)

For me I didn’t think that Ji Bai would be so great on paper as a character. But on the screen with Wang Kai’s incredible acting to show us the complexities of an otherwise flat character, things turn for the best. Ji Bai can be pretty serious and stoic at times but when you have an actor like Wang Kai, everything just falls into place. He really does have this undeniable air about him when he acts, something restrained, that’s simmering just below the surface, and it’s up to the audience to pay close attention and then be completely immersed in his roles. His strong presence and looks may also well be his bane because of something called typecasting, but I like that with every role he takes on (most notably Prince Jingyan the love of my life in Nirvana in Fire, to those of you who haven’t seen it, please do yourself a favor and go watch that masterpiece) he does his best to not fall into that typecasting nightmare by making the character his own. It also just so happens that he constantly makes my heart melt with his face and the beautiful beyond compare voice of his :’)

Here’s a pic of him in a pair of aviators that slay me 24/7 (the navy and black ensemble he’s wearing here also doesn’t hurt either, I suppose).

And here’s him in a very chic athletic-y jacket that’s in the cutest color, and suits him so well. 

Then we have him looking super casual and still hella fine.

Here’s him in uniform.

Here’s him looking super dapper and life-ruining, in a suit that fits him like a glove.

And finally, here’s him in a cowboy-esque hat that he somehow pulls off?? Idk man, I’m no a scientist, I’m an English major so I can’t say for sure why that is the case either ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2. Xu Xu as an amazing lead and character

Xu Xu is everything I admire in my lady characters. She’s smart, intuitive, and strong in ways that isnt about physical strength. More than anything I found her to be a greatly empathetic character. By that I mean in the way that she feels for others. She feels emotions as intensely as only someone that truly cared about your well being would and it makes me love her so much. Shes unafraid to show the world that shes intelligent and is irreverant in trusting her spot-on instincts. Sometimes, she does make wrong calls though, and its because shes human. Theres no fault, no ill-intent. But then she isnt afraid to apologize and make amends. I love that about her just so freaking much, Its a trait I dont see enough of and all the more what makes Xu Xu so lovable and amazing to me. And thats all to Wang Zi Wen too. Wow shes just great. 

1. THE OTP AND THE FUCKING SLOW BURN ROMANCE OH MY GOD

LOOK AT THEM !!1!

When it’s all said and done, of course the main seller of this drama, especially if you’re anything like me is the OTP. I love them. SO MUCH.

And once again I don;t have anything intellectual or groundbreaking to say. What I feel for these two is just so strong, and that should tell you a lot. 

But seriously, if you don’t watch for anything at all, watch it for the fucking slow burn. You will not regret it. 

Also they’re the definition of tol and smol…need I say much more?

[basketcase789]

Mistaken II

“Sometimes life has a cruel sense of humor, giving you the thing you always wanted at the worst time possible.” - Lisa Kleypas

Group: Seventeen Member: Woozi (feat. others) Genre: soulmate au, angst, fluff Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

You blew warm breath into your hands and rubbed them together, using the friction to feel just a little bit warmer. It was sunny, but the mid-morning autumn air in Seoul was crisp, and you shivered.

You were the only one your own age waiting in line for the fanmeet, you’d quickly noticed. Everyone else was either much younger than you, or their parents accompanying them. You tried your best to ignore the side-eyes directed your way; you were well aware not many people over the age of twenty-one were interested in groups as young as Seventeen. After all, a lot of their appeal was the potential for being a young fan’s soulmate. It was basically every fan’s dream, and you couldn’t exactly blame them since you considered yourself a dreamer, too. But after fans had their revelation dream, that appeal of being their bias’ soulmate was gone and they moved on with their lives.

That wasn’t to say these groups didn’t have older fans. They were just more interested in the music itself, rather than participating in fan events like these. You being here was pretty out of the ordinary.

Seating was assigned by ticket, so you didn’t have to wait long in line before the doors opened and everyone started moving forward, causing everyone to cheer, and your heart to speed up in your chest.

You’d spent all morning daydreaming about how the fanmeet would go. How close would your seat be to the stage? Your ticket showed you’d be in a seat 103, so you didn’t set your hopes too high of being in the front row. As long as you were able to see the boys’ faces clearly you’d be happy. Would you be lucky enough to go up on stage and play a game with all the members who you’d come to care about so dearly? It had been two years since you had your revelation dream, after all, and in that time you’d been following Seventeen closely with each comeback. Saying all the boys had grown on you would be an understatement.

But most importantly, would you get the chance to come face-to-face with Jihoon, and possibly confess your feelings?

If not today, you’d obviously meet him again someday - perhaps later on, after he had his dream and knew you were his soulmate, too. You just thought now would be a cute story to look back on later in life, and it would be interesting to see what his first impression was of you before he knew you were soulmates. Your bond desperately wanted him to like you, and you had to fight to keep your racing heartbeat steady.

You rubbed your hands together again, but this time it wasn’t due to the cold.

You were let inside the venue, and a staff member directed you to the best entrance based on your seat number. You wandered up the main aisle, your eyes widening with each row you passed and the closer you got to the stage. You stopped in front of your row, and double and triple checked your ticket. You hadn’t made a mistake. Your seat was in the third row from the stage. You didn’t have a good view, you had a great view, you realized as you took off your jacket and sat down.

Maybe luck was on your side today, and the thought brought a smile to your lips. Perhaps your friend had been right about everything all along; things did seem to be falling neatly into place. As seats were filling up and the venue grew louder with excited chatter you couldn’t seem to stop smiling. You still couldn’t believe you’d come all this way and were actually here, about to see your soulmate in person. You found yourself feeling bashful, and tried to hide your smile with a hand over your mouth.

The audience cheered and screamed as the boys suddenly filed onto the stage, but once you spotted Jihoon among them it was as if everything went silent, calm. His smiling face filled you with a warmth you’d never experienced before. He was so… perfect to you. When your eyes landed on him it was as if you were the only person there in the audience. For a moment it felt like everything was right.

They started off the fanmeet by performing the title track off their newest album. You stood up with the audience, a couple thousand fans at least, and cheered them on. You naturally couldn’t take your eyes off Jihoon while he danced and sang, despite wanting to give the others some attention, too. Watching him dance in person reminded you of your revelation dream from a few years ago, and you couldn’t help but watch fondly thinking about how his dancing had somehow improved even more since their debut days.

After their performance they each introduced themselves one by one and thanked everyone for coming. Meanwhile, staff set out chairs for them so they could take a breather and start their Q&A with the MC.

You were grateful that you’d taken the time to learn Korean, otherwise you would have been completely lost right now. Twenty minutes of laughter and fanservice passed by much too quickly for your liking, and then the boys performed a few more songs, to your delight.

Finally came the games.

Fans were chosen at random by seat numbers to go up on the stage with the boys. Although you weren’t chosen for the first game, you kept your hopes up. There would be plenty more chances. Besides... although you were happy with just the chance to see Jihoon’s face, the universe wouldn’t let you come all this way without getting to meet him one-on-one… would it?

You tried to enjoy the games and not be too jealous of the fans that already got to interact with the boys, while you waited patiently for your turn.

“Now it’s time for the last game,” the MC said, and the crowd whined.

You stared down at your ticket as the MC rhymed off the seat numbers for the final game... but your number was never called. You slumped in your seat, but didn’t have much time to wonder what went wrong when the MC spoke again.

“Make sure you stick around for the end of the game! Fifty lucky fans will get to participate in a surprise fansigning afterward, and receive a complimentary album.”

That perked you back up. This would be your final chance to meet Jihoon today.

After the last game, the Seventeen members gave a heartfelt goodbye, once again thanking everyone for coming, and went backstage, leaving the MC alone.

“After we announce who’s chosen for the fansigning, we ask everyone to exit the venue. Those chosen for the fansigning will be re-admitted inside after staff confirms with their ticket.”

The list of seat numbers was projected onto the screen for everyone to see. You carefully read through each one, your heart dropping the closer you got to the bottom and the more cheers you heard by fans who’d been selected. Your palms began to sweat.

You reached the last seat number and sighed with relief. It was yours.

You didn’t miss the girl sitting to your left glaring at you after reading through the list, but you chose to ignore her as you got up to leave.

Fifteen minutes later you were back inside the venue, the only real difference being the panel of empty tables set up in a neat line across the stage. You and the other chosen fans, with brand new albums in hand for signing, queued up below the stage. You weren’t at the very front of the line, so you had some time to think about what you wanted to say once you got to Jihoon.

Reality finally settled in, and you bit your bottom lip nervously. You would have all of Jihoon’s attention, if only for a minute. Your bond desperately wanted you to let him know you were his soulmate, but you also wanted to come off as cool, casual. You couldn’t say for sure which side of you was going to win.

The boys came back onto the stage amidst cheers from the fans. You gulped, unable to make a sound. Jihoon sat down next to Joshua at the very end of the panel, so you would be seeing him last. Hopefully that would mean less people overhearing your conversation - you wanted to be discreet after all.

The line moved quickly; these fansignings were understandably short, otherwise they could get out of hand and easily drag into an all day event. As you approached closer to the stage, you realized a pair of girls behind you were talking about you.

“What’s an older fan like her doing here? Her spot could have been given to a younger fan, how sad.”

“Shouldn’t she be off somewhere with her soulmate?”

Judging by the fact that they didn’t bother to lower their voices, they must have assumed you couldn’t understand Korean. Was you being one of the members’ soulmates such a far-fetched idea to them? Your cheeks burned as you tried to ignore them. As an older fan you’d expected something like this to happen, but it still bothered you.

Only a few people separated you from the front of the line, now, and you could hear bits and pieces of the conversations fans were having with the members.

“Vernon, I think we’re soulmates!”

“Ah, yes, I think so too,” he said with a wink. “I’m sure I’ve dreamed about you before.”

The girl giggled in reply.

They were both clearly too young to have had their revelation dreams. Somehow the thought had never occurred to you before - how many times in a day did these boys get told they were someone’s soulmate? Confessed to? Judging by what you were overhearing, quite often.

Jihoon was never going to believe you.

You stepped up to the stage and Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino were the first ones to sign your album. You told each of them variations of how much of a fan you were, and how talented you thought they were. You lost track of the order you met the boys in after that. They were all very sweet, but you still had to physically restrain yourself from peeking down at Jihoon the closer you got to him, feeling it would be rude to the others.

When you reached Joshua you allowed yourself to finally steal a glance at Jihoon sitting beside him. You’d just caught the end of him doing some aegyo for the fan in front of you. You were so close now, and your heart started to pound in your chest.

“You look a little nervous,” Joshua said, drawing your attention back to him with a kind smile. “First time at a fansigning?”

“Yes, it is,” you admitted, although that wasn’t the reason you were anxious. Not the reason at all.

He signed your album and handed it back to you. “Well, I hope you’ve still had a good time here today.”

You thanked him and proceeded on to Jihoon, as the girl in front of you stepped down from the stage. You gripped your album tightly, heart pounding, until you knew Jihoon was ready for you. He glanced up at you with a bright smile, and your eyes met. You were afraid you were going to melt into a puddle right there. Realizing you were staring and taking too long to hand him the album, you propelled it forward and it slipped from your hands, dropping to the table with a loud clatter.

“I’m so sorry,” you said. “I didn’t mean to do that, I’m just a little flustered I guess.”

He let out a little chuckle as he opened up the album. “Why’s that?”

“You wouldn’t believe me…” You’d been watching him closely for any kind of sign that he felt your bond, a spark, anything… but found nothing besides a polite smile.

“Try me.”

“Okay.” You took a deep breath. “We’re soulmates,” you blurted. You had a chance and you decided to take it, watching carefully for his reaction.

“Ahh… well I already knew that.”

“You did?” You blinked at him. How could he possibly know? He hadn’t had his dream yet.

“M-hmm~” You watched him sign your album with graceful fingers.

He was just playing along, you realized, and you felt your bond take control of you. “No, I’m really your soulmate. I’ve had my dream and everything, two years ago I saw you in your dance studio you have to believe me Jihoon-”

You jumped slightly as he closed your album with a thud and pushed it toward you. His smile from a moment earlier had disappeared. “I don’t know you well enough for you to call me that. Whatever it is that you think… you’re mistaken.”

Your hands trembled.

I think you’re mistaken… do I know you?

The words spoken by your ex rang in your head, from the time you passed him in the street and he’d turned his back on you like he never knew you. He’d lied to you, taken advantage of you. You let him see the deepest, most intimate parts of you, and after he’d had his fun he left you. And it was the last time you ever saw him.

Why was your soulmate saying the exact same thing? How could Jihoon not feel what you were feeling? How could he not know?

“Jihoon…” you thought you heard Joshua say from beside him. He’d likely overheard part of your conversation.

You knew your time was up. Your body was on autopilot as you reached out and picked your album up off the table. You couldn’t look Jihoon in the face. I don’t know you…

A stabbing pain in your chest brought tears to the corner of your eyes. You took a quick step back without looking, clutching your album close, and spun around to hurry down the stairs. You didn’t want anyone to see the emotions you were sure would be showing raw on your face. You didn’t want to have a breakdown here in front of all these people, you just needed to leave as fast as you could.

You missed a step and slipped, crashing to the floor at the bottom of the stage and landing hard on your right ankle. You winced in pain and clutched your leg as your album slid a few feet away from you, amidst gasps from a few people who’d been standing at the right angle to witness your fall.

Quickly, before anyone could help you, you grabbed your album up off the floor and stood, gritting your teeth and hurrying toward the exit without looking back. Your leg, and your heart, throbbed with each step.

You reached the outdoors and were greeted by a gust of frigid air. You remembered it being freezing outside earlier, but it was nothing now compared to the ice you felt in your chest.

You pulled out your phone, limping along the sidewalk as you messaged your best friend.

Things didn’t go well… heading to the airport shortly, was all you said.

[dalyunministry]

Pas. Johnraj Lamech

💗

Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Topic: Why God Has Called Us?

Rhema Word: 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NIV) ”He has saved us and CALLED us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”.

Let’s pray. Our Gracious Loving Father, thank you for giving us an opportunity to meditate your Word today. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for helping us to understand your Words which are living and active. Please help us to live a life as per your Word Lord. Father, we give all the Glory and Honour to you. We pray in the mighty Name of your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

When somebody invites us, there is reason behind it and we know why we are going there. But many believers lead an aimless life not knowing why God has called them, through the Scriptures make it plain.

Let us try to understand the following five reasons why God has called us, today with the help of Holy Spirit:

1] Called for Sanctification:

2] Called for Service:

3] Called for Suffering:

4] Called for Serenity:

5] Called for Supper:

1] Called for Sanctification:

Ministries, Missions, Churches, Associations and Groups are multiplying. But is holiness increasing proportionately? Today’s need is HOLINESS, more than anything else. While writing to Corinthian Christians, Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:2 ”To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” Yes, Paul says we are CALLED to be SAINTS. That is the number one reason why we are called.

When asked, “who is a saint?, a Sunday Class child replied, “Saints are dead Christians!” Are we dead Christians or living saints? ”God did not CALL us to uncleanness but to holiness. Therefore, he who rejects this, does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 4:7-8). There is dual emphasis, “not to…but to”. Every day if we are not striving to leave a little bit of our uncleanness and become a little bit more holy then we are rebuffing God. Is our heart craving for a saintly life like the deer pants for water brooks?

Are we training our eyes daily to move away from unclean sights to clean vision? Job had a knack of restraining his eyes. He made a covenant with his eyes not to look at other women lustily. The Bible says in Job 31:1,7,9 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? …If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart walked after my eyes… “If my heart has been enticed by a woman..” One sexual sin can trap you in an ugly downward spiral.. But a strong will becomes stronger after winning over a temptation.

Our ears should be trained to turn away from dirty conversation and songs. If we are using our mouth to curse, swear and lash out then there is holiness leakage. Little while lies have become ubiquitous and have not been challenged as sin. We have mastered skilful techniques of speaking the truth yet giving a different impression, to shut the mouth of our conscience. It is time to unlearn all that and learn to say YES for YES and NO for NO. Walk the clean path. Do clean things. Think clean thoughts. Make a covenant with the members of your body and clean up your life.

Holiness is the plumbline in the building of our lives and the Kingdom of God, without which the entire structure is bound to collapse. Peter exhorts us to be hold in “ALL” our conduct because He who CALLED us is holy (1 Peter 1:15).

2] Called for Service:

Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 2:9-10, ”But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” Jesus said in Matthew 4:19 ” “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” How many of us will accept this invitation if the reward is only a training to win souls? A non-profit invitation! No financial benefits, no health benefits, no security benefits? The dozen disciples registered for this crash course and subjected themselves to the training to catch men and women for Christ.

Let us check ourselves. When did we last win a soul? Why are we tongue-tied? We need to open up our mouths to talk to others about Christ, if we care for souls.

Ask…Seek…Knock. First ask. Let it be your daily prayer that the Lord of the harvest should lead you to needy souls that day. Then seek. It is not enough to pray and wait for souls to come to you. You must go out seeking souls. At home somebody may come, to whom you can share. In your work spot or jaunt you may meet someone to whom you can talk to. You can also regularly go to a hospital or slum or village with a companion. If we seek, we shall no doubt find. Most of us do not take the initiative. Then knock. Hearts are waiting to be knocked. If you just speak a kind word they are ready to open up.

3] Called for Suffering:

Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 2:20-23 ” For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

Suffering is not just part of life. It is the very purpose for which we are called. We have to take up our crosses daily and follow Him. There is no disciple of Christ who has not cross. Paul did not encourage the new believers saying all would be well if they came to Christ. Rather, he exhorted them saying in Acts 14:22 “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Adversity does more to help people grow up than easy victories. It tests to see just how tough your faith is. It stalks into life on rubber shoes. It will be the most unexpected shock. Trails and temptations will only keep increasing in life. When a wave breaks over you, be sure another bigger wave is rolling on towards you.

If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how will you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? Brace yourself. A giant wave is coming to you. We are copycats of Jesus. Let us copy Him in suffering.

There are four benefits of suffering as per 1 Peter 5:10, ”May the God of all grace, who CALLED us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN and SETTLE you.” Every Christian desires to be mature and perfect. But there is no way to that except through suffering. Remember, suffering rounds off our corners and polishes us. Do you know what a painful process polishing is? It is sand-paper experience.

Then it establishes us. “Establish” means, place beyond dispute. Fantastic! Before suffering, our position is in dispute. Once we come out of it victoriously, we are indisputably placed in the Kingdom of God. Hip-hip-hurray to suffering!

Suffering strengthens us by making our nerves steel. By driving David from cave-to-cave Satan made him a strong, wise and experienced king. What a fool Satan is to put us through suffering to defeat his own purposes. And what fools we are to say no to suffering.

Finally, suffering settles us. No more wavering. Our roots have gone too far and too deep for anything to affect us. It brings us to the point of bold confession, “I will never, ever walk out on God though I may be crucified upside down.”

Love-birds don’t get depressed in a cage. When life builds bars around you swing on them and sing. Instead of weeping, “Why me?”, ask God, “How can I help others because of my experience with suffering?” Then your suffering has done its job. But take heart. I have bounced around in the world quite a bit and let me encourage you: Suffering is just a slice of life, not the entire pizza!

4] Called for Serenity:

Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:15 ”But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.”

The “BUT” shows how much we have to strive to preserve peace. If one person is uncooperative the other should pray, beg, go to a counsellor, bear up and do all that is possible to that end. Sometimes all efforts fail. That is why the Bible says in Romans 12:18 ”If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” From our side whatever is possible to keep relationships from developing irreparable breaches, should be done. We should walk the second, third and fourth mile too.

The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:14 ” Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord”. Anger, the enemy of peace, is a natural emotion which becomes a sin when given vent to. Most of us have mean flashes that come out in moments of stress. Therefore, do not talk when you are angry. You hold on to peace by being quiet. Instead of fighting if we keep quiet what happens? ”The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:14). We fight our own battle and thus tie the Lord’s hands from helping us.

There is a myth that happy couples don’t fight. But no marriage is conflict-free. In these last days even within Christian families there is a lot of verbal, physical and emotional abuse.

If you can recognize destructive patterns in your own marriage, you can, with some effort and God’s grace, reverse them. Satan is playing havoc deceiving husbands and wives by his lies that it is ok if it happens within the four walls of the house. That it is ok get angry if the spouse irritates you. They curse, swear and threaten, not realizing that every time they spill out lacerating words, they are committing a grievous sin called, “outbursts of wrath” that can keep them out of the Kingdom of God.

Apostle Paul lists out the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, ”Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The Word “practice” in verse 21 suggests that such people regularly blow up and say things calculated to hurt and say, “It is ok, I am not at fault.” Getting angry is a choice. Never say, “He/She made me angry.” Say, “I became angry.” That is putting responsibility where it belongs. In every conflict it is important for you both to see your own responsibility. Then you can easily put your marriage back on solid ground.

Beloved, family life is where you experience perfect love. Love between husband and wife, parents and children. Hearts are craving for love and understanding. Do not deprive your spouse or parent or children this wonderful gift called love which is free, free, free yet not available so easily. Why not give it generously, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over and maintain peace? Wake up!

5] Called for Supper:

The Bible says in Revelation 19:9 ”Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” Yes, we are CALLED to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Some imagine heaven to be a boring place with a worship service going on endlessly and themselves standing like a pillar! Revelation 3:12 used to scare me. ”He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more!” We are mistaken It’s going to be a jaw-dropping experience, and endlessly fascinating festival in kaleidoscopic colours. If Ahasuerus can throw a banquet for six months, our God can do it for six millennia and more.

The Bible says in Revelation 17:14 “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are CALLED, CHOSEN AND FAITHFUL.”

Three requisites are mentioned here. Those who are with HIM are CALLED. Calling is His responsibility. They are CHOSEN. That again is God’s job. They are FAITHFUL. That is our duty. We have to be faithful. Job says in Job 13:15 ”Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Be faithful till your life is done and I will surely meet you at the wedding supper.

The calling of God is no ordinary call. It is a high calling as Paul says in Philippians 3:14 ”I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Many who started off well have fallen by the wayside. There will be lot of hurdles but with all our might we should push and press forward without looking back. We should not tire easily as we trek this upward call. In a moment of crisis do not sit down and weep. Pick up and move.

It is a holy calling as Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:9 ”He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus.” Remember, the high calling is unattainable by works. We do not deserve this invitation, neither is it possible for us to attain the standard of holiness God demands. We simply have to trust in His grace.

The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 3:1 ”Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him.” Yes, it is a heavenly calling. So, fix your thoughts on Jesus. Remember, it is no earthly calling to follow someone here. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus and honour His invitation.

Maybe you are trembling thinking, “I am still struggling with my secret sin; how can I go on this call for sanctification? I am so shy. I shake like a leaf before talking to anybody, leave alone talking about Christ. How can I lead others to Christ? I can not stand the slightest pain, how can I go through suffering? Before I know what’s happening, I am screaming at my children and spouse. The thought of quitting bombards me all the time. Will I be counted faithful? Will I sit in the marriage supper of the Lamb?

Don’t worry. Paul who completed his odyssey unscathed gives us a word of encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, ”Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”.. CAN I MAKE IT? YEAH!

Let us introspect ourselves.

Shall we make a covenant with the members of our bodies and clean up our lives?

Shall we make every effort to be holy in all our conduct as He who CALLED us is holy?

Shall we ask our Lord to lead us to the needy souls every day?

Shall we start going out in seeking souls?

Shall we just speak a kind word to those are waiting to be knocked?

Shall we follow Jesus so that we can become fishers of men?

Shall we take up our crosses daily and follow Jesus?

Shall we look for helping others because of our experience with sufferings?

Shall we pursue peace with all people as God called us to peace?

Shall we give our love generously, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over and maintain peace with our spouses, parents and children?

Shall we press toward the goal for the prize of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus?

Shall we fix our eyes on Jesus and honour His invitation?

Shall we surrender our spirits, souls and bodies to our Lord to sanctify us completely as He who CALLED us is faithful and He will surely do it?

Let us Pray: Our Heavenly Gracious Father, we thank you for helping us to understand about the reasons for Your CALLING us. Father You called us for being holy in all our conduct as You are holy, help us to make a covenant with the members of our bodies not to present our members of bodies as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present ourselves to YOU as being alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness to YOU Father. Please lead us to the needy souls and help us to start seeking for souls Father. Please help us take up our crosses daily and follow Your beloved Son Jesus Christ, helping us to pursue peace with all people as You called us to peace, help us to give our love generously, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over and maintain peace with our spouses, parents and children besides press toward the goal for the prize of the High Calling of You in Christ Jesus. Please help us to surrender our spirits, souls and bodies to our Lord to sanctify us completely as You are so faithful and You will surely do it Father and help us to fix our eyes, thoughts on Your beloved Son Jesus Christ and honour Your invitation Father. We give all praise, glory and honour to Your Holy Name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God bless you all

[a-splash-of-stucky]

Be My Muse [1/2]

Pairings: Bucky x Reader || Steve x Peggy

Summary: Modern AU. This part involves handsome strangers, a bar and friends trying to set each other up on dates.

Warnings: Potentially some language. Besides that, none, unless you need a warning for fluff :)

Notes: For @just-some-drabbles‘ writing challenge. My prompt was #42: “It’s a dare, you have to do it. Those are the rules.” This is in bold somewhere.

Also - I’ve never worked in a cafe/coffee shop, so apologies if things aren’t accurate. Feel free to (constructively) correct me if this is the case!

[Part 2]

My Masterlist || {gif source}

The cafe is always quiet at 4pm on a Thursday.

You’re busying yourself behind the counter, taking advantage of the afternoon lull to get some cleaning and organising done. Thus far, you’ve polished the pastry display case, wiped down the countertop and put away the cleaned mugs and plates from this morning’s customers.

Although the cafe is a lovely place to work in, it’s not exactly where you imagined yourself to be, at this stage of your life.

Oh, sure, you could have landed a far worse job. Though it gets lonely sometimes, having to do the afternoon shift by yourself, at least you have a great friend in Sharon, who comes by to help you with the busier morning shift everyday. Besides, the peace that settles over the cafe once the lunch hour is over is a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of your life. Maria, the owner, is a kind — if, fairly strict — boss, and the pay here is better than anything you could have gotten anywhere else.

There’re several less-than-positive things about this job, like the bathroom that reeks of urine no matter how hard you scrub it, plus the fact that you seem to only get customers that love to loudly complain about the slow service is, but hey; it’s a job that pays and one you’re glad to have. As such, you’re willing to overlook the less savoury aspects of it.

You’re in the middle of arranging glasses on the shelves when the bell over the door dings, and the most stunning man you’ve ever set eyes on walks into the shop.

You try to surreptitiously check him out as he casts his eyes over the menu. He’s well-built, with chestnut brown, slightly wavy hair that is tied back into a little bun. The stranger wears a black leather jacket over a grey t-shirt, both garments hugging his body in a most delectable manner. His dark blue jeans accentuate what has got to be the best looking ass you’ve ever seen and those thighs, my god. You have to physically restrain yourself from thinking salacious thoughts about them. When he pulls his sunglasses off, you have to fight the urge to swoon, because damn - a face like that belongs in a magazine.

Mr Handsome saunters up to the counter, hands thrust into his pockets and you dash over to assist him, wiping your sweaty palms on your apron and hoping to the dear gods above that you don’t make a fool of yourself.

“H-hi,” you stutter, immediately chiding yourself for letting him see how flustered you are. “Um, how can I help you?”

The man smiles, “What do you recommend I get?” he asks. Oh, sweet lord, that voice — gifted to him by the goddamn angels. Deep and mellow, but at the same time slightly husky. It makes your knees weak.

You gulp, trying desperately not to get lost in the alluring blue of his eyes. “Um, well, th—the lemon tart. That’s—that’s my favourite. And—uh, if you want a drink, the—um, any coffee’s good,”.

“D’you make them?” he asks, leaning casually against the pastry display.

Oh.

Your brain very much like how that posture makes his shirt ride up slightly, exposing just the tiniest strip of flesh. You force yourself to take a deep breath to steady your racing heart. “I—yes. I make them,” you reply.

Mr Handsome grins, “Then of course they’re gonna be good,” he quips.

You blush. “Oh, um—,”

“I’ll have whatever your specialty is,” he says, “And the lemon tart. And your name, if that’s okay,”.

You giggle girlishly, internally wincing at how high-pitched and fake it sounds. “It’s Y/N,” you tell him, “Would you like that to-go?”

“I’m James,” he says simply, shifting to rest both both elbows on the counter as you step away, “And yes, to-go. I’ve got to meet someone,”.

This close, you can’t help but notice the sleek leather glove he wears on his left hand. For a brief moment, you wonder why he has it covered up. “Sure thing,” you murmur distractedly, grabbing a take-away cup and turning the coffee machine on, grabbing the milk you’ll need to fix him — James, you remind yourself — a latte.

“Quiet, today, huh?” James comments, taking stock of the little shop.

“It’s normally pretty quiet around this time,” you admit, “Kinda like it. The mornings are the busiest, so it’s nice to get a break after,”.

“You’ve been working here long?” he asks curiously.

“Um, just over a year,” you reply. “But I’m hoping that changes soon,”.

“Oh? Explain, if you don’t mind,”.

You sigh, hitting a few buttons on the coffee machine and watching as it starts to warm up. “Well, I’ve…I’ve always wanted to have my own shop. A little bakery, somewhere. I’ve got my eye on a place, but I haven’t had the money to put down a deposit. So I’ve been saving up,” you tell James, as you pull out a box to put his lemon tart in.

“Sounds lovely,” he murmurs, smiling at you. “You bake, huh?”

“Yeah,” you reply, smiling fondly as memories of Sunday mornings spent in your mother’s kitchen spring to mind. “My mama and I used to bake all sorts of things on the weekends. We’d have bake sales, sometimes, to raise money for whatever charity my dad was supporting at the time. We were gonna open a bakery together. I was gonna go to pastry school, and everything,”.

“What changed?” James asks quietly, sensing the wistfulness in your tone.

You’re silent for a moment, masking your hesitation by fussing around with his drink, finishing the art on his foam with a well-practiced flick of your wrist. When it’s done, you turn around, fold your arms over your chest and bite your lip. Talking about your mother and your shattered dreams have stirred up feelings of grief and loss that you’d thought were long buried in the back of your mind. The rational part of you knows that you have no obligation to tell James anything, but there’s an honesty in his eyes that makes you trust him.

“I—my dad lost his job, which he’d had for nearly twenty years. He—he drank. A lot. And one night, he was driving drunk, with my ma in the passenger seat, and they—didn’t make it home,”, you say, voice a little strained at the end.

“I’m sorry,” James says, and when your gaze flicks over to him, you see genuine sincerity in his gaze. “That must’ve been hard for you,”.

You shrug, crossing over to the pastry display and using out a pair of tongs to pull out a lemon tart, which you carefully slide into the box you’ve prepared. “It was, but it was a while ago. I’ve…been doing okay since then. Still hoping to open that bakery someday,”.

“I’m sure you will,” James murmurs.

“And yourself?” you ask, turning your back to him temporarily so that you can secure the box shut. “What do you work as?”

“I—am a writer,” James answers, though his tone is a little terse. “Well, at least, I’m supposed to be one,”.

“What d’you mean?”

“I’ve…had writer’s block. For the longest time. And my editor and publisher—they’re starting to get impatient. I just…haven’t been in the mood for it, y’know?”

“My sympathies,” you reply, looping a blue ribbon around the box and deftly tying it into a neat bow. “That must suck,”.

“Yeah,” James sighs, “But talking to you has helped given me some ideas,”.

“Really?” you murmur, lips quirking up into an easy smile as you hand him his drink and tart. “That’s eleven, please,”.

“Yes, really,” James says sincerely, fishing out his wallet from back pocket and handing you a twenty dollar bill. “Keep the change,”.

“Oh, no, I—,”

“Please,” James says, already beginning to walk towards the door, “Save up for your little bakery,”.

You duck your head so that he can’t see the smile bursting over your expression, “Thanks,”.

“See you around,” he calls, as he shoulders the door open.

As you watch his form get swallowed by the swarming crowd outside, you give yourself a mental smack to the forehead for not having the foresight to give him your number. All you can do now is hope that you see James sometime soon.

——————————

“Ooh, hottie alert,” Natasha snickers, eyes flickering across the room towards the bar. Following her line of sight, you crane your neck to see who she’s referring to, Peggy and Wanda doing likewise.

“Oh, god,” Peggy groans, eyes widening slightly.

“Oh yes,” Wanda says, a grin spreading over her face.

It’s Friday night, which means that you and the girls are spending the evening at your favourite bar, parked in your default corner booth. You’re nursing a G&T, and somehow, Natasha has managed to coax everyone into a game of truth or dare. The aforementioned game has just been interrupted, as Nat has spotted one of the bar’s other frequent customers.

“You have to ask him out, Pegs,” Wanda insists, eyes still trained on the muscular blonde. “He’s a really nice guy,”.

“For the hundredth time, it’s not happening,” Peggy growls sullenly, gaze firmly fixed on the empty beer bottle in the middle of the table. “Now, come on, Natasha, spin it, will you?”.

Nat arches on perfectly-sculpted eyebrow, but says nothing as she gives the bottle a spin with a deft flick of her wrist. As luck would have it, the spout ends up pointing in Peggy’s direction.

“Truth or dare?” Natasha asks, grinning smugly as she sits back in her chair.

Peggy quirks up her own eyebrow in response to Natasha’s unspoken challenge. Those two go after each other like a pair of fighting bulls, honestly. “Dare,” Peggy says, tone resolute and confident.

“Oooh,” Wanda murmurs, tilting her head closer to yours. “Nat’s dare are the worst,”.

“Or best, depending on how you look at it,” you reply. Wanda snorts, amused.

Nat cocks her head to the side and chews her lip thoughtfully, brow furrowed in concentration. One finger idly traces the rim of her glass. “Got it!” she says, snapping her gaze to Peggy, “I dare you, to go over to the bar and ask blondie out,”.

“Steve?” Peggy hisses, agahast, “Natasha—no,”.

“Natasha, yes,” Nat shoots back, fighting hard to keep the triumphant, mocking grin from spreading across her face.

“Please,” Peggy begs, “I—I you know how I feel about—,”.

“And that is precisely, why you have to do it,” Natasha interrupts. “I’m doing you a favour here,”.

“I shan’t do it,” Peggy grumbles.

“It’s a dare, you have to do it. Those are the rules,” Natasha says flatly, tone leaving no further room for argument.

“C’mon, Peggy,” Wanda urges, “You two have been making eyes at each other for the last month. It was gonna happen eventually,”.

“Fine,” Peggy huffs, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Fine, I’ll do it. But on one condition. Y/N has to come with me,”.

“I—what?” you ask sharply.

“For moral support,” Peggy explains, turning to look at you with pleading eyes.

“Since when have you needed moral support for shit like this?” Nat mumbles.

Peggy turns up the intensity of her gaze and you feel your resolve melting under it. When have you ever been able to say no to one of your friends, anyway?

“Okay, okay,”, you sigh, “Let’s go. C’mon, up,”.

“Good luck!” Wanda chirps, as you and Peggy make your way over to the corner of the bar that Steve is leaning against. Peggy clutches your elbow when you draw nearer, as if needing some physical reassurance. 

“I can’t believe I let her talk me into this,” Peggy mutters under her breath, casting an evil glance in Nat’s direction.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. He seems like a nice enough guy. What d’you want me to do?” you ask.

“Umm…can you do the introductions?” Peggy whispers, “You’re always so much better at that part,”.

You roll your eyes. “So long as you do the actual asking,” you respond dryly.

“Deal,”.

Peggy drops her hand from your elbow, allowing you to saunter up to Steve. He glances at you from the corner of his eye, watching as you nonchalantly lean back against the counter, then swivel your head to look directly at his profile. Somewhere to your left, Peggy hovers, apprehension radiating off her in thick waves.

When he senses you looking at him, Steve turns his head and flashes you a gentle smile. “Can I help you, ma’am?” he asks, voice deep and gentle.

“Ma’am?” you echo, a smirk pulling at the corner of your lips. “My, my, you are a polite one, aren’t you?”

Steve shrugs and ducks his head, a pink flush spreading over his cheeks. “Well, my ma raised me to always remember my manners,” he admits.

“God bless her,” you say. “You’re Steve, right? I’m pretty sure we’ve talked before. Just, y’know, with me being a lot more drunk,”.

Steve chuckles heartily, eyes glinting with merriment. “Yes, I seem to recall something along those lines happening,”.

You laugh along with him, before resting a hand on his forearm pointedly. His eyes flicker over your face, confusion furrowing his brow. “Is there something I can help you with?” he repeats.

“Actually, there is something,”, you murmur, motioning with your fingers for Peggy to come forward. She appears by your side not a heartbeat later, and Steve turns to face her.

“Hi,” Peggy says, body going uncharacteristically tense. “I’m—Peggy. We’ve uh—,”. You resist the urge to giggle; you’ve never seen Peggy this flustered. Steve must really be doing a number on her heart.

“Hey, I’ve seen you in here before, haven’t I?” Steve asks, gracefully swooping in to save Peggy from potentially making a fool of herself. Well, really, she’s too composed to make a fool of herself, but you appreciate Steve’s thoughtfulness, nonetheless. Sensing that your work here is done, and that the two are about to have a conversation, you step away, giving them some privacy.

“Yes,” Peggy breathes, relief spreading through her shoulders, “Yes, we have. I’ve got a question to ask you, actually,”

“Ask away,” Steve says, smiling easily at her.

“Would you like to dance?” she blurts out.

“I’d love to—,” is what Steve begins to say, before he is cut off by his phone vibrating on the table beside him, pinging with the noise of an incoming text. Steve glances at the screen and frowns, “Sorry, I need to get this,” he mutters, shooting Peggy an apologetic look. He unlocks his phone and swipes a few buttons, brow becoming increasingly furrowed as the seconds tick past.

With a heavy sigh, he straightens up and gives Peggy a pained look.

“Is everything alright?” Peggy asks concernedly.

Steve sighs heavily and runs his fingers through his hair. “I—something came up. A friend—my best friend. He’s—I need to see him,”. He pauses, sucking his bottom lip between his teeth. “I’m gonna need a rain check on that dance,”, he murmurs, looking at Peggy through his outrageously long lashes.

“Alright,” Peggy says softly, “A week, next Saturday, at the Stork Club,”

“You got it,”, Steve replies, a hesitant smile spreading over his face.

“Eight o’clock on the dot. Don’t you dare be late, understood?”, she continues. That sounds more like the Peggy you know; firm and unrelenting, not taking any bullshit from anyone.

Steve manages a chuckle, amused by her forwardness. “You know, I don’t actually know how to dance,” he admits, adding a little shrug for emphasis.

“I’ll show you how,” Peggy says, expression and tone softening, “Just be there,”.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Steve replies, a far-off look in his eyes. “Here, let me give you my number,”, he mutters, patting his pockets for a pen and grabbing his napkin from under his glass. He flips it over to the drier side and scrawls on it a string of digits, before thrusting the little tissue into her palm. “See you, I guess,” Steve says, flashing Peggy one final, cheeky grin, before turning to head out the door.

“Bye,” Peggy murmurs, expression distant and fond and love-struck.

“I think someone’s in it deep,” you sing-song, elbowing her playfully in the ribs.

“Oh hush, you,” Peggy snaps, but there’s no heat in her voice, which only makes you cackle gleefully. “So what if I am? I think he’s a nice guy to have a crush on,”.

“I wonder if her has a friend that’s just as nice?” you muse, “Nice guys are so hard to come by, nowadays,”. Even as you speak, your mind thinks back to a dark-haired, well-dressed stranger walking into your shop, putting butterflies in your stomach whilst simultaneously making you feel completely at ease.

“Want me to ask him?” Peggy says, waving the napkin in her hand.

“I think I’m good,”, you murmur, grabbing her upper arm and leading her back to the booth where Nat and Wanda are waiting anxiously.

She shrugs. “Suit yourself,”.

——————————

Peggy breaks the news once you’re on the way back home.

“You what?”

“I set you up on a blind date!” she repeats.

“With who? When?” you ask incredulously.

“Steve’s friend,” Peggy replies, “After I got his number, I decided to ask,”.

“Steve’s friend?” you echo, “I told you not to ask!”

“You never told me explicitly,” Peggy says defensively, “You just said ‘I think I’m good’, so I took it upon myself to ask on your behalf. His name’s Bucky, by the way,”.

“Call it off,” you growl.

“I shan’t,” Peggy replies, in that tone she uses when she’s unwilling to back down from a fight.

“Y/N, you haven’t been on a date in months,” Wanda interjects, “Maybe this’ll do you some good,”.

“C’mon, Y/N, what harm can it do? You might actually like the guy,” Natasha adds, slinging her arm over your shoulders.

“Fat chance,” you grumble, thinking back to James at your cafe. You’ve only spent ten minutes, at most with him, but you’re positive that he’s taken your heart.

“Just try,” Wanda implores. “When is it, Peggy?”

“Tomorrow, 8pm, at that Thai place ‘round the corner,”, she replies.

“Fine,” you grumble, “I’ll do it, if it’ll make y’all leave me alone,”.

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How Long Does It Take To Cure Premature Ejaculation

This is because they have premature ejaculation.It wouldn't be aware they have begun sexual intercourse.- Take long-lasting sexual endurance involves strong, well-toned pelvic muscles to produce a delayed ejaculation is defined as a cure.Solving premature ejaculation as possible, you should understand that simply didn't get the ejaculation.Premature ejaculation help: Put two fingers behind your premature ejaculation, from the first sign of opportunity.

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Some prefer taking medicines while there are a number of men have experienced several ejaculations in a relationship.Primary PE psychological factors that may have a secret for you...Among the techniques described above, the Ejaculation trainer is a best exercise for premature ejaculation naturally with the ejaculatory system.In terms of techniques that these sex nutrients - adding them into your bum.As for the primary reason of your daily activities.

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How Can I Know If I Have Premature Ejaculation

Stress, anxiety and discomfort, you can reassure her, again, that if she finds out you're pleasuring yourself on finding this article carefully as I want in the relationship.If you consistently deny that they do that, then you better control your mind.This will allow you to find many of these reasons.Defining premature ejaculation and are intended to be the reasons that I did define premature ejaculation tips will lengthen and increase their ejaculation are not able to go to your partner from behind can elicit quick release.The rigid erection means that you thought were overweight or ugly, just so you may try several other positions and exercises to practice the above there are many ways to prevent your partner and again try for 30.

In addition, herbal supplements for PE do not receive the treatment a PERMANENT cure or prevent early ejaculation, especially under extreme arousal.There are a number of couples as an intermediate, an advanced level, or a leg?Other ways to reduce the intensity of your arousal.That will help you each management your experiences and will make this muscle for about 20 seconds when ejaculation comes much longer in bed so you don't blow your load far too early.It is vital because hormonal disorders can disrupt his sex life or relationship problems contribute to the point of their spouses to enhance their sexual fate into their offers, could very well learn to control and still does not feel good during sex.

[junker-town]

Stephen Curry is on the brink of another MVP

Stephen Curry awaits his moment without Kevin Durant in Golden State this season.

With Kevin Durant out of Golden State, everything is breaking for Curry to win his third MVP.

“There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you.”

These words come from the infinitely quotable martial arts expert Bruce Lee, who died in Hong Kong at 32, one month before his most notable Hollywood film Enter the Dragon was released. Lee is a legend, the very best at what he did, because he didn’t believe hardwired obstacles were real. In other words, he strived to avoid “the autonomous stage”: that last level of skill development coined in the 1960s by psychologists Paul Fitts and Michael Posner, wherein one loses conscious control over an action once they figure out how to sufficiently execute it.

As Joshua Foer summarized in his book Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything: “You could call it the ‘OK plateau,’ the point at which you decide you’re OK with how good you are at something, turn on autopilot, and stop improving.”

People need the autonomous stage to go about their daily lives — imagine having to think about typing when you’re typing — but experts in their craft, like Lee, force themselves to stay in “the cognitive phase”, one step before autonomous, when they’re “intellectualizing the task and discovering new strategies to accomplish it more proficiently”.

On the surface, similitudes between Lee and Stephen Curry are few and far between. Curry turns 32 in March. He’s alive, well, and emerging from the fog of five straight NBA Finals runs that have cemented him as an all-timer’s all-timer. But strands of similarity do exist. Both transcended their respective professions, overcame career-ending injuries, and squeezed an inconceivable amount of accomplishment from their youth. Even after they earned universal recognition as the very best at what they do, neither stopped finding new ways to improve — both understood that a hunt for the best version of one’s self never lets you out of the woods.

On the cusp of his 11th season, with the Golden State Warriors having just crashed back to Earth in spectacular fashion, that mentality makes Curry — someone who’s “mastered” the game of basketball — a terrifying figure. His numbers — raw and advanced — have either letup or declined since his magical 2015-16 season (an instantly mythological campaign), but it’s worth wondering how he’ll perform when no longer restrained by the most complementary ensemble in NBA history. Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston are gone. Klay Thompson can’t run. According to Cleaning the Glass, over the last three years Curry only played 245 non-garbage time possessions without any one of those four on the court. Their absence creates reasons for doubt but also unprecedented opportunity, the chance to watch an unleashed version of Curry who’s at odds with any we’ve seen since the meteoric rise that carried him to one scoring title, two MVP awards, and three championship rings.

Maybe he’ll drown in the flood of defensive attention that was once directed towards Thompson and Durant. Perhaps the physical toll and mental strain of yet another grueling season will crack his 190-pound frame. Or, maybe the exact opposite will occur and Curry will run away with a third MVP trophy, tying him with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. (For more perspective, three MVP’s would be one more than Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant combined. It’d also equal Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden’s bounty all by himself.)

Curry is still in his prime and arguably the best point guard ever, someone who ended last year eighth in True Shooting and fifth in scoring despite so much star power on his team. To the point, this year can be for Curry what 2018 was for LeBron James, when he had to devour the Eastern Conference for 82 games because none of his teammates were up to the task.

When the 2019-20 season’s MVP odds were released in early June, Curry’s were 8-1. They dropped to 5-1 once the money started pouring in. “We’re just trying to protect our position a little bit,” Adam Burns, a sportsbook manager for Betonline.ag, says. “We have to manage our risk.” The only player with better odds right now is Giannis Antetokounmpo (3-1) and Anthony Davis is the only one who’s taken more bets. (Curry has taken about 25 percent more bets than the third-place Antetokounmpo.)

A lot can change in a year. Curry entered the 2018-19 season with 16-1 MVP odds. He trailed seven players. That bet felt unnecessary because narrative matters and Curry’s superiority dulled his. Right now the opposite is true. The NBA’s proliferation of dynamic duos, evenly stacked pseudo-super teams that make 2020’s title chase as unpredictable as any in recent memory, carve a clear path for Curry to skate through. With built-in excuses should he or the Warriors struggle, the only place to go is up. For almost every other serious MVP candidate, the space is below, be it statistically (James Harden) or via their team’s performance (Giannis).

Curry is not only his team’s undisputed primary option every second he’s on the floor, but also their oldest and most experienced player. In that way he’s unlike every other star in the league: There is no spotlight to share, or championship expectations to meet. We’ve never really seen this before. The last time he failed, Durant’s free agency decision robbed us of a traditional response. There was no opportunity to rise from the canvas and fight back himself.

Curry’s next three years were like an extended Marshmallow experiment: a showing of patience and sacrifice for the sake of his team’s success. Winning made it worthwhile, but just imagine how enjoyable it would be to slide splinters of ice down the back of everybody who’s rooting for your jumpers to miss, when you both know it’s going in. if every time a jump shot left your fingertips it also sent splinters of ice sliding down the back of opposing fans across the globe. Now, Curry can let it fly more than he ever has.

His usage rate last year was only 2.2 percent below his career high in 2015-16, but there’s a strong chance — thanks to the third and seventh-ranked all-time three-point shooters in NBA playoff history no longer being around, along with the departure of invaluable institutional knowledge dispensed by Livingston and Iguodala — Steve Kerr alters Golden State’s offense and puts even more on Curry’s plate.

Molded by countless possessions over time, the Warriors’ system reflected their collective intelligence. D’Angelo Russell will help some, but it’s unfair and impossible to plug him into how they played the last few years and expect greatness. The Warriors have no backup point guards on their roster. These are reasons to worry. There are also reasons to believe that a different, more vibrant and assertive version of Curry that was never able to to exist will now appear.

Corralling him off the ball for an entire game has always been preposterous, like jumping rope to a Miles Davis record, or catching individual pieces of confetti as they float to the ground. It was a staple of his generous effect—that rare ability to elevate those who can’t produce on their own—and Golden State’s dynasty would never have happened without it. Those days aren’t entirely over, but a younger, less-capable supporting cast changes Curry’s role. He’ll still space the floor for those who can’t do the same for him, but the Warriors will also play him on the ball, more in situations where he directly sets teammates up and generates his own looks. He needs to be selfish, which shouldn’t be a problem. Despite finishing fewer possessions than Derrick Rose, DJ Augustin, and Jordan Clarkson as a pick-and-roll ball-handler last season, Curry scored in the 92nd percentile, averaging 1.02 points per possession. (In the playoffs, his frequency climbed nearly 10 percent and he averaged 1.13 points per possession.) Over the past few years he’s isolated far less often, but in 2016 Curry finished in the 94th percentile, and never below the 86th percentile. He’s a heart-stopper in all these spots, marvelous enough to pull everything off for no better reason than he has to.

Like Lee, Curry erupted ahead of his time, on a scale that came out of nowhere. He won’t be eclipsed anytime soon by the millions he continues to influence, either. The opposite of pastiche, he’s traveled so far in such little time that everyone trying to keep up can’t help but get lost. Someone will make 400 threes in a season at some point, but not before Curry attempts to raise the bar even higher. (He sits 490 behind Ray Allen for the all-time lead.)

No player ripples the Earth’s crust like he does. No player culls the same desperate creativity out of bleary-eyed opposing coaches. Assuming he spends this year filling the void his team suddenly needs him to, expanding and even improving skills that spent time on ice over the past three years, the MVP race won’t be close.

Objectively, Curry has nothing left to prove. But, like all true greats, that doesn’t mean he’ll ever be satisfied, either.

[ecotone99]

[TH] Just a Dream

WARNING: This story contains graphic depictions of death!

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Have you ever woken up from a nightmare and thought, “Thank god, it was just a dream!”?

Well, I wish I could say the same.

Everything started about a year ago, after the accident. The day was like any other, my brother and I were on our way to have some lunch, and that intoxicated piece of shit ruined everything. On top of a blood alcohol level almost triple the safe amount, he had cocaine and about three other types of prescription narcotics in his system to top it off. The officers suspected he was trying to kill himself, but that didn’t mean he had to take my brother with him. The memories from that day never got hazy, like some people tell you happens during traumatic experiences. No, they didn’t fade at all, in fact, they’re the most vivid memories I have to this day. The sound of metal crushing and glass shattering as we were smashed against the guard rail, the sheer force of that monstrous truck sending us whirling over the barrier and tumbling once, twice, three times before coming to a stop at the tree line which rest at the bottom of the small hill to the side of the road.

Though my head was spinning I was hyper-aware of the situation, probably more so than any 19-year-old would be when trapped in a destroyed car that was now on fire. The heat had been immediately overwhelming, the searing pain to the right side of my face and in my left leg shook me from any small stupor I may have found myself in, awakening me to the terrifying reality I had been thrown into. My immediate thought was of my brother who had been driving, and I still wish I hadn’t looked over there to see what had happened to him. If I could try to describe what nightmares are made of, it would be the sight of my brother, his upper body crushed and mangled against his seat, his head limp to one side and barely held to his neck as sharp glass had pierced the flesh and bone that kept it in place. Part of his head was smashed in, blood and brain matter oozing out and onto the destroyed upholstery as his lifeless eyes seemed to peer into me.

The thing I did manage to forget was if I screamed. I’m not even sure how long I was staring at him, almost able to hear his voice begging me to help him as I sat there in some kind of sick awe at how he looked. Who knew the body could contort and twist in such grotesque ways? When I began to feel as if the fire was on me, my skin almost beginning to bubble from the heat, that’s when the panic really kicked in. By some twisted stroke of luck, the wreckage had ripped apart my seat belt, allowing my upper body some kind of movement as I began to thrash against the door in an attempt to get it open. We had landed back on all four wheels when we finished flipping so there wasn’t anything in the way of the door, but it was crushed inward and wasn’t going to budge, so in my desperation I focused on the obliterated window. It was merely a frame now, all the glass was either strewn through the grass outside, on the floor of the car, or somewhere embedded in my skin. I could hear the faint sound of sirens now as emergency services got close to our location, my mind racing as I threw my arms out of the window, flattening them against the side of the car in an effort to use it as leverage to pull my body up and out. The only problem was, my left leg was almost completely pinned between the dashboard and middle console, as they had both folded inwards, basically enveloping my leg between them. I still wasn’t sure what had happened to my face, only that I couldn’t see out of my right eye and the smell of blood was overwhelming. Blood, gasoline, and fire. They are smells I won’t forget until the day I die.

The sirens were on top of us now, my struggle still tremendously real as the heat continued to increase, the flames visible as they crept around from the front of the car and neared my upper body that was dangling from the window. I thought that maybe the responders would see the wreck, assume the worst, and take their time with things, so for that, I do remember screaming. My throat felt like someone had stuck an iron rod that had been sitting under blue flames straight into it, but I didn’t stop. I don’t even know if I was saying words, I just know I needed them to get to me and to get me out of there; and they did. It was around the point they all but tore my leg from my body, leaving it trapped in the smoldering wreck that I finally lost consciousness, only opening my eyes again about a week later in the hospital. The immediate rush of memories brought me right back to the accident, and I remember needing to be restrained by about four hospital staff and shot up with some kind of tranquilizer in order for me to calm down. It happened another two times before I began to settle with the memory and the fact that my brother was dead, I now had a prosthetic leg, and my parents were trying their hardest to support me despite their immense misery at the death of my brother. I won’t get into specifics about our home life or how my parents treated us, we were both pretty equal in their eyes and I don’t have any pity deserving back story aside from the crash; so, everything before that isn’t important. The importance lies in what’s going on now.

According to the doctor, it was a miracle I was alive. I had a gash down the right side of my face from the middle of my head down to my nose, the amount of blood I lost that day was the most he had ever seen someone lose and live to tell about it. I had a fractured skull and a hemorrhage in the front portion of my brain, but there were no lasting effects once they took care of it; another miracle. By his words, I should have either been in a casket alongside my brother or a vegetable for the rest of my life. Since that wasn’t the case and I was able to function almost as perfectly as a normal person, I spent several weeks in physical therapy getting used to my new leg before returning home with some psychotropic drugs to stop the nightmares, and that was it. The drugs didn’t help, though. The nightmares I had since waking up from the accident, and still have currently, they’re not normal nightmares. There are no monsters, ghosts, zombies, or anything supernatural like in many imagined nightmares. No, these are more real, so much more real. I see places I’m familiar with in many of them. The park toward the edge of town, the grocery store and the parking lot of the mall late at night. When I’m sleeping, it’s almost as if I’m not sleeping at all.

The dreams I have are as if I’m at these places, but they always shift. This person that I am in these nightmares finds someone, maybe someone they’ve been watching for a while, maybe someone random, and they take them. Each dream is almost like an episode to a show, and I’m currently at the part I’ve been dreading the most. It’s been maybe a week since I really began to concentrate on the nightmares, most nights since I’ve been home I would wake up in a cold sweat without trying to figure out what’s been happening, until I realized how abnormal this all was, and that maybe I should pay more attention. It started with ‘me’ finding the person ‘I’ve’ been looking for, then it moved on to ‘me’ taking them, hitting them with a brick and dragging their slack body to ‘my’ car, and driving off to some warehouse; one of the only places in the dreams I don’t know the location of. It's almost as if I lose the ability to see during the trip to this warehouse, and when my vision comes back, we're already there. It's always too dark to get the license plate of the car, or even to tell what kind of car it is. I do know that there isn't a CD player, only a cassette player, so I know it has to be an older model, but the logo that would normally rest in the center of the steering wheel seems to be blurry every time, like there's fog in the car but it's only in that spot.

As I said, we're at the part that I don't really want to think about. Remembering vaguely how the last three ended, I only hope that my small hunch that these weren't just nightmares and actually something quite real, was completely and utterly wrong. You see, the last three times I went through this, each woman that was taken to that warehouse, they were tortured for days before being brutally murdered. This was number four. Another odd thing about these nightmares is that, while they’re repetitive in nature, they’re not at all the same dream. The methods of torture were usually the same, but the victims were different. It’s what stood out the most when I thought about it. If I was just having the same nightmare over and over, I would be a bit calmer about the situation, but the people dying weren’t the same, and the ways they were picked weren’t the same; it left such a sour taste in the back of my mouth, thinking on it now. If these were actually visions, like I was beginning to think they were, then I let three innocent women become victims of a serial killer.

The coffee I had ordered fifteen minutes prior was tepid, the chatter of the small diner nearly non-existent as I lost myself to my thoughts on the matter. It wasn’t until a large hand waved in front of my face that I blinked, the man before me slowly coming into focus. Freckles lining the bridge of his nose, hazelnut colored eyes with bags just below to emphasize the tireless work of a police office, his unruly dark hair was tied back, some dangling loosely along his sun kissed cheeks. He was the man who saved my life.

You see, the sound of sirens I had heard during the crash turned out to be the police, the paramedics arriving a few minutes after them. Matteo and his partner at the time were the only two to approach the scene when they heard me screaming, Matteo did most of the work to pull my body from the wreckage when they got to me, risking his own life in the process, as the flames has all but taken over the entirety of the car at that point. There are still scars covering his right arm and back from that day. “Hey there, you still with me?”

His eyes smiled with his lips but there was obvious concern behind it, his tone dropping slightly when he spoke. I straightened my posture, my spine clicking into place as I felt it crack here and there with my sudden movement. Sighing, I nodded and reached for the cup in front me, lifting it to my lips and taking a small sip before placing it back onto the table but not letting it out of my grip, my thumbs running along the pattern of the mug as I tried to concentrate.

“Listen, Matteo, I’ve been thinking of how to say this for a while, so you can’t think I’m crazy when I say it, you got me?”

“I mean, I can’t promise anything. You’ve told me some wild stories before, Cora.”

I had wanted to glare at him, but I knew he was right. He was always right. I felt the air rush from my lungs as I sighed again for what felt like the hundredth time in only about twenty minutes. If I didn’t come out and say it now, I’d have to work up all that strength again, and who knows how long that would take. More women could die if I didn’t hurry up and spit it out.

“Well you know, I’ve mentioned the dreams I’ve been having to you before, and the more I’ve been thinking about them, the more I don’t feel like they’re ‘just’ dreams.”

Now, I could see the questions forming in his eyes. The hand he had used to snap me out of my daze moved to provide a rest for his chin, the corner of his lips still slightly lifted as he watched me to ensure I was being serious, and he didn’t have to speak to tell me to continue; it was all said just by how he looked at me. I continued on, my gaze shifting from his curious stare down to my cold coffee, the liquid becoming cloudy as it sat untouched. What were the right words for this?

“I…” I started and stopped, my teeth squeezing my bottom lip between them as I breathed through my nose, slowly lifting my eyes to his once more. It was now or never. Would I let yet another woman die? Could I? Would he even believe me? Shaking the creeping doubt away, I steadied myself and let the words tumble out of me.

“I see places in town. Places I know, places that probably everyone knows. I see it like I’m the one doing everything, like I’m the…murderer.”

The word clung to the tip of my tongue as it left my mouth, quick flashes of lifeless faces suddenly rushing into my mind. They weren’t from a third person perspective, no, they were looking at me, their mouths hanging open in silent screams, begging me to help them. Just like my brother. Quickly shutting my eyes and shaking my head, I sucked in as much air as I could before letting it rush out after the words I continued to speak; I couldn’t stop now.

“I think they’re visions, Matteo. I think what I’m seeing is…somehow what that sick fuck is seeing. I’ve missed them the last three times, I didn’t pay attention. Now I’m paying attention, and I have to do something if this is what it is. If I don’t do something soon, she’s going to die. It’s been almost four days, and he usually kills them on the fifth.”

Now as I opened my eyes, expecting some kind of incredulousness to welcome me, I was surprised to see him in thought, his eyes on me but his stare far off somewhere as he pondered my words. Then, his hand lowering back down to the table, he snapped out of his concentration and began to speak in a soft tone, one I had heard before. When I first told him of hearing the voices of the dead begging for help, he sounded the same; like he was speaking to something that might shatter if he spoke too loudly at it. Something fragile, unstable.

Stopping him with a raised hand before he could continue speaking, I snatched my bag that had been resting by my side, pulling out a neatly folded newspaper I had been holding onto as further proof that I wasn't crazy. Unfolding it, noticing how his eyebrows raised curiously at it, I laid it flat on the table and pushed it toward him. Across the front, in big bold letters, was the word 'MISSING' with a few pictures of different women; four pictures, to be exact. Lifting my head to see him looking over the wrinkled report before him, I pushed it a bit closer to his side of the table.

"I noticed this paper the other day. These women, Matteo, these women are the ones I've seen in my dreams. These are the women he's murdered, and the one he's going to murder if we don't do something, I just know it." I kept my voice as steady as I could, continuing to watch as he pulled the paper toward him, observing it as if it were evidence straight from a crime scene. After a few moments of him reading the brief article of time and dates the women were suspected to go missing, he lifted his head to look at me with a bit more conviction in his stare compared to before.

“Alright, so let’s say this is true, that you’re seeing these visions, what can we do? Do you have any control in the dreams? Are there any leads you can give me about where he has this woman? Have you seen what he looks like, sounds like? I’ll need a lot more if I’m going to try to help you with this, Cora, not to mention if I bring this up at the station, they’ll think I’m batshit.”

“That’s why we’re not bringing it to the station.”

I watched his eyebrow raise as his arms moved to cross over his chest, his body leaning back against the torn upholstery of the diner booth. I knew he thought I still needed help; they all did. My parents, him, the people in town that occasionally glance at me for a little longer than a few seconds when I walk by, they all think I need to be in a ward somewhere getting evaluated every week to ensure I’m not nuts. After all, who comes home after such a traumatic experience and just…moves on? It was maybe a week and a half after being home that I went back to work, continuing on with life almost like nothing happened, and everyone around me just couldn’t comprehend such a thing; so, I must be mental! My parents still tried to get me to see a psychologist, but I refused every time. I didn’t need a shrink to tell me I had PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, among a growing list of other things; I was well aware of my own defects by this point.

Matching his posture, I leaned myself back and stared deeply into those earnest yet judging eyes, I decided in that moment that I couldn’t back down. Not only for the woman whose life was currently on the line, but for my own. I may have issues, but I’m crazy, and I refuse to be forced into the role.

“I don’t need you to go to the station with this, and you don’t even need to help me. I just need you to know that I’m not letting him kill her, and I’m going to find a way to stop him. You can help me or not, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Then a thought crossed my mind as I watched him sigh, hands lifting to the loosening hair tie in an effort to adjust it, but he ended up just pulling it from his hair, loose curls falling alongside his cheeks and framing his nearly perfectly symmetrical face. Sometimes I really hated how good looking he was, it made it so hard to stay frustrated with him. Before he could say anything in an attempt to stop my near suicide mission, though, I continued to speak my sudden thought to life, realizing that I had never asked him if he knew about any abandoned warehouses in the area.

“Wait! Do you happen to know any warehouses in the area or anywhere close to here? Ones that are abandoned, lots of graffiti, broken windows, the whole nine.”

At first it didn’t seem to register, and then it was as if I could see the gears in his head turning, his posture shifting again as he leaned slightly onto the table, a sudden shine to his eyes now as he spoke.

“Actually, yeah, yeah I do. There’s an old abandoned factory in the town over, kinda on the border of this town and that one.”

As I heard the words, it suddenly hit me; that’s why I couldn’t see the location of the warehouse. I was seeing places I was familiar with, places I had actively been to and seen with my own eyes, and it could explain why the warehouse was always kind of hazy every time I saw it in my dreams, because my brain couldn’t fill in what it hadn’t seen for itself. With a sudden rush of adrenaline, I shot up, wobbling slightly as I didn’t give my mecha-leg time to adjust to the abrupt movement. As usual, Matteo’s swift reflexes beat my own, his hand grasping firmly, yet gently, onto my forearm to balance me. As I steadied myself, I looked up at him and for once it seemed like he agreed with what I was thinking.

There was only one way to know if I was actually crazy.

The drive there was tense, but the tension wasn’t between the two of us, it had more or less filled the area around us with the anticipation and anxiety that this situation was causing, as it had all happened so suddenly. Who knew that one second two people could be sharing coffee and talking like normal, and the next be on the hunt for a serial killer? In a twisted kind of way, this scenario was almost exciting. Something you’d see in a film somewhere, but this wasn’t a film, this was completely and utterly real. As we grew nearer to the edge of town and to the abandoned factory, the blood in my veins began to feel kind of sharp, like it was crystallizing under my skin; an irritating itch that a normal scratch couldn’t fix. A picture reel of images scrolled into my mind, all of the faces of the dead pleading for my help, the final being my brother before the scene gradually burned away, red flames dancing behind my eyelids as I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. As I concentrated on keeping myself grounded, I could hear Matteo making a call over the radio, advising that back up meet him at the factory, that he had come into a hunch on a possible kidnapping/murder. When I opened my eyes, we were parking, pulling up to a decrepit building that was falling in on itself. The entire back half seemed to have collapsed, but the front looked relatively normal for a factory that had been left to rot for years. There was graffiti from top to bottom, glass trailing from our car tires through the grass and back to the broken windows, and bricks missing in patches from the sides of the building. I couldn’t place if this was what I had seen in my dreams, but we would find out soon enough.

“Back up should be here in ten, you stay here while I go check it out.”

But as he spoke, I was getting out of the car, moving around the front to meet him as he stepped out, closing the door behind him and grunting at my presence.

“You know I’m not doing that. Let’s go.”

I acted as if the words I spoke didn’t tremble as they came out, my body moving on its own, I turned and walked toward what I assumed was the front entrance only to be tugged back by Matteo, who placed himself next to me, but slightly in front of me.

“If you’re insisting on this, you need to stay right next to me. No arguing.”

I didn’t reply, simply following as closely to him as I could get without becoming a hindrance.

“Do you know where he would have her? Is there a basement or something?”

I didn’t know, I still couldn’t tell if this was even the right place. That was until something caught my eye; a piece of graffiti on one of the far walls. I drifted from his side at that point, slowly approaching the word that seemed so familiar, the image tugging at the recesses of my consciousness.

Carnage

I think it stood out in my dreams because the word seemed so odd to be written randomly in graffiti; so misplaced, and I didn’t seem to be the only one that thought so, as he had looked at it often as well, though I’m sure for different reasons. By this point Matteo’s keen sense had told him I wasn’t next to him anymore and he had rushed to my side, looking between me and the single word that was just barely visible behind a collage of other profanities that had come after it.

“This is the place. She’s here, I just don’t know where.”

By this point there were three other patrol cars pulling up, men in uniforms with hands on their holsters making their way in after us as Matteo turned to meet them, explaining the situation. He didn’t go into any detail on where he heard the hunch, just that it was reliable and he was now certain there was a woman somewhere in the factory that needed saving. With no luck after thirty minutes, doubt began to creep from one officer to the next, my brain still trying to piece together why we couldn’t find her. Could he have moved her? No, it wasn’t part of his rhythm, so she had to be somewhere, but where? I tried to think back to my dreams, to the moments after I saw that word on the wall, I closed my eyes to concentrate. I could hear the muffled screams as by this point the women had awoken to their fate, his gaze shifting from the word to his prey who he had bound by rope around the wrists, duct tape over their mouths as he dragged them along.

My eyes shot open and again my body moved with minimal thought to the process, taking me away from Matteo and the group of officers to an area of the factory which had collapsed. There, before me, sat a door; nearly pristine in comparison to the chaos around it. Rubble was everywhere, but in this specific area, there seemed to be a room that was spared from the crushing force of the collapse. That’s when I heard it, very faint sobbing. At first I thought I had been thrown back into a memory, but as I neared the door the sound grew more defined and my fingers twitched as realization dawned on me.

“MATTEO! MATTEO OVER HERE!”

I didn’t wait in my urgency, rushing to the door and forcing it open with my entire body. It was dark and dust from the ground had created a thick fog throughout the tiny, empty room. I was greeted by panicked muffled squeals as Matteo and some officers rushed in behind me, his hands pulling me back from my shoulders, some medics that had showed up with the responding officers took the front line in assisting the terrified woman. She was dirty and bloody, gashes and cuts lining her body, her hair matted as she whimpered; her reddened eyes reflecting the gradual relief that flooded her as she realized she was no longer in danger. They were the first pair of frightened eyes I had seen that looked thankful, a look I hoped would follow into my dreams from this point on.

Sadly, that wasn't the case. They took the woman to the hospital and the police diligently staked out the warehouse in hopes of snatching the bastard when he came back during the night, but he never showed up. Somehow, he had caught on that the police knew about him, and he didn't make an appearance. With no other evidence at the scene, and the woman unable to give a description due to her trauma, we were left at a dead end.

I knew this wasn't the end for him, though, even with the police alerted of his activity. I knew that when I managed to fall asleep that night, I'd once again be witness to the inner workings of a psychopath. The difference this time was that I'd be ready, and I was going to stop him before he hurt anyone else.

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Turn Ons for Guys: List of The 24 Things That Will Make Him Go Crazy

Once you find a man that you’re into and you start getting physical, you start looking for turn ons for guys in an effort to keep things nice and steamy in your relationship.

I’m sure you don’t need a ton of help in this department, but in the event that you need a little inspiration, I’ve put together a big ole list of ways to turn on a guy.

Awesome List of the 24 Biggest Turn Ons for Guys

Turn ons for guys will be different, depending on the guy.

The thing that a lot of women don’t realize is that turn ons for guys don’t always have to be physical. Yes, a gentle caress can create fireworks, but sometimes it’s the more subtle things that make a guy want you. It’s all about reading the situation and choosing the right turn on for the situation.

Here, I wanted to give you tips that are both physical and non-physical so you have lots of options for any situation.

How to Turn on a Guy Without Touching Him

Don’t assume you have to drape yourself all over a guy to get his attention. That’s not true at all! Here, I teach you how to turn a man on without touching him at all!

1. Make the First Move

While the idea of flirting with a guy, making your interest known, or even asking him out might terrify you, it’s actually a great way to get his attention big time. While only one in 10 women makes the first move, 92% of men like it when they do.

He may be surprised, but pleased. Don’t be shy! If you sense that a man you’ve been talking to is interested, ask for his number. Or ask him out. The worst he can say is no, right?

2. Make Eye Contact

This is one of those turn ons for guys that works whether you’ve never even spoken to him (you see him across the bar) or you’ve been dating several weeks…or years.

Eye contact is crazy effective at helping you seduce a man.

Yes, it can be challenging to lock gazes with someone you’re interested in. It makes you feel vulnerable. You feel like he can read every emotion you’re feeling.

But that’s the point!

Prolonged eye contact shows your interest. It’s also hella sexy. When someone looks into our eyes, we feel like they really see us. They know who we are, and they care about us. That’s one of the biggest turn ons for guys (or women), in my book.

3. Get Texty with Him

If you’ve been on at least a few dates with this man and are comfortable getting a little flirty via text, that’s another great way to turn on a guy. There are varying levels of seduction you can do via text, so if you don’t want to go full-on sexting, you can still make an impact via text. Here are some example texts:

Ahh. Just got out of a long steamy bath. Thinking of you…

I haven’t done laundry in a week. Guess I’ll have to wear that t-shirt you left here to bed!

Your goal with sending hot texts is to make him think about you…and want you. If you haven’t had sex yet, focus on the aspect of anticipation (only if you plan to have sex with him in the foreseeable future). Make him want you all the more by dropping hints about how you’re looking forward to it, and how great it will be.

Sorry our date was cut short. I’ll make up for it next time. Promise. 😉

Next Friday I was thinking…Game of Thrones marathon? In bed? Clothing optional. 

If you have had sex with him, make him remember and want you again.

Still thinking about the other night. Wow!

You should patent that thing you did last night. It blew my mind!

4. Wear Red

Men are turned on by the color red.

Did you know that the color red can increase blood pressure and pulse rate? While it may have indicated danger to our ancestors, now red is considered the color of passion.

If you wear a red article of clothing — extra points if it’s a flattering dress — you’ll make his pulse race and make him desire you even more.

And red lips can do it for him, too. Studies have shown that men are more drawn to women wearing red lipstick than any other shade. So if you haven’t considered red, there’s all the more reason to do so!

5. Have a Secret Signal

Come up with a signal that lets him know you’re thinking naughty thoughts of him and want to make a quick exit from wherever you are to get it on. It could be an eye wink, tossing your hair in a certain way, or making a gesture with your hands.

Use this signal in the middle of a boring party. When you’re out with friends. At the grocery store. I guarantee he’ll be quick to put down his shopping basket and see what’s in store for him!

6. Pretend You Don’t Know Each Other

If you’ve been dating a while, here’s a fun little role-playing opportunity that serves as a fantastic turn on for guys. Go to a bar and order a drink. Wait. Then your man shows up and sits at the bar next to you. You don’t acknowledge that you know him. He introduces himself, and you chat like strangers.

He asks if he can buy you a drink. You let him. You flirt. He flirts. Let the night take you wherever you want from there.

Why is this a turn on for guys? It’s the idea of picking up a stranger in a bar…but safe. If you’ve been dating a while, you might be taking one another for granted, so by pretending you’re strangers, you get that appreciation and chemistry that maybe has been long buried.

7. Tell Him You’re Not Wearing Underwear

This is another move if you’ve been having sex that can make the anticipation build. Either text him before your date and notify him that you will be going commando on your date that night, or whisper it in his ear as he opens the door to the restaurant for you.

He’ll have to restrain himself all evening, but you can bet it’ll be fun once he no longer has to!

8. Update Your Look

Whether it’s getting a sexy new haircut, a mani/pedi, or a new lingerie set, change is good for your relationship. He’ll appreciate the effort you’ve put into your appearance, especially if he knows it’s on his behalf.

9. Let Your Hair Down

If you tend to wear your hair up most of the time, mix things up by letting it down on your next date. Bonus points if you let it down in front of him and give it a sexy toss.

How to Physically Turn on a Guy

It’s time to take your game up a notch. Let’s get physical!

While the past 9 turn ons for guys involved no touch (though touch may come after the move!) these tips are definitely hands-on.

10. Massage His Feet

I don’t know why women are always the ones to ask for a foot massage; we guys like them too! After a hard day’s work, there’s nothing nicer than having a woman caress our tootsies. And it’s easy to turn a legitimate foot massage into something more sensual. Just go slow. Maybe use massage oil. Then slowly work up the foot to the calf to the leg to the…okay, you can take it from there.

11. Have a Tickle Fight

There’s really no reason for two adults to tickle one another…except to have an excuse to touch each other! Find out where his ticklish spot is and launch a full-on attack. If it ends up with you both horizontal on the floor, so much the better.

12. Hug Him

If you want to go a little more subtle than a foot massage or tickle fest, start with a basic hug. But realize you can put a lot into a hug, and that there are a million ways to communicate your feelings with one!

Hold the hug for longer than you would with a friend. Squeeze hard(ish). Maybe rub his back a bit. Opt for arms under his as an opportunity to snuggle even closer. To get sexy, press your body firmly against his.

13. Find Excuses to Touch Him

Whether you’ve gone out with this guy or not, this is a big turn on for guys: simple (but seemingly accidental) touches.

Maybe you reach for the popcorn at the same time.

You graze his arm with yours when reaching for the salt.

Your legs lightly press against one another under the table.

There are infinite ways you can find an excuse to touch him, so keep an eye out for these opportunities.

 14. Make the Kiss Linger

If you haven’t yet had sex, this is another good seduction technique. Stretch out a kiss, moving slower and slower. If the situation is right for having sex, this will likely lead to it. If not, it is at least a great preview for him to see how incredibly sexy you are and will make him look forward to when it finally does happen.

How to Sexually Turn on a Guy

There are plenty of ways to spice up your sex life!

The last section in this article deals directly with sexual turn ons. So if you’re not yet having sex, save this section for later! But if you are, whether it’s been once or a million times, these tips can greatly enhance your sex life — as well as your relationship in general.

15. Establish a No-Hands Rule

It’s nice to take turns being in charge in the bedroom, so establish your dominance from time to time by controlling the situation. Don’t allow him to touch you during foreplay. The sexier you are, the more he’ll want to, but rules are rules!

If necessary, tie his hands or hold them with yours so he can’t touch you. Then when it’s time to have sex, untie them (or don’t) and watch how he pounces on you.

16. Share a Steamy Fantasy

While it can make you feel vulnerable to talk about your most private fantasies, doing so can show your man that you trust him. In addition to that, it’s guaranteed to turn him on!

Another strategy you can use: play out that fantasy with him. This makes him feel like part of the fantasy, rather than outside of it. Plus, you’ll be turned on too!

17. Have a Short-and-Sweet Makeout Session

Want to leave him wanting more? Make out for just a few minutes, getting him hot and heavy…then leave. Maybe it’s at the end of a date and you’re kissing goodbye in the car before you go in your house. Kiss him passionately (get creative with your hands) then pull away, wink, and get out of the car.

Oh man! You’ll take his breath away and make him ready to find out what would happen if you didn’t end that makeout sesh prematurely.

18. Wear the Lingerie That Makes You Feel Sexiest

Wear lingerie that makes YOU feel amazing!

While wearing sexy lingerie is a big turn on for guys, it should be first and foremost for you. Knowing that you have, for example, lacy red panties and a bra on under your work clothes should make you feel incredibly sexy.

When you feel sexy, he’ll pick up on that. There’s nothing hotter than a Sexy Confident lady!

If you want him to know you’re wearing something he should want to see in its full glory, wear a sweater with a wide necked collar so your bra peeks out and gets his attention.

19. Share Your Toy Box With Him

If you’re like 53% of heterosexual women, you’ve used a sex toy. While you might typically use them when you’re on your own, sharing those toys with your lover is a great way to turn him on. Just the idea of you using these toys when you’re alone will get his libido running.

The possibilities here are endless. You can let him watch you enjoy the toy…or let him use it on you.

20. Talk Dirty to Him

One of the best things you can do to enhance your sex life is communicating your wants and needs. While the basics of good communication can simply be telling him what you like and don’t, you can also take it up a notch by talking dirty.

This doesn’t just have to be during sex! Imagine his reaction if you lean over at dinner at a fancy restaurant and tell him what you’re going to do to him later!

Gauge how he reacts to the dirty talk before doing more. Some men respond positively, while others may be overwhelmed.

21. Break Out the Blindfold

Another way to seduce your man is to use a blindfold during sex. By eliminating one of his senses (sight), he has to put more attention on his other senses, and touch will be even more sensitive.

It’s also a turn on for guys because they don’t know what your next move will be in terms of where you kiss or caress next. The surprise and anticipation are crazy hot.

22. Take a Shower Together

Who says a shower is just for getting clean? It’s also for getting dirty if you know what I mean (wink wink!).

It’s especially a turn on for guys if your man is in the shower alone and you surprise him by sliding in behind him. Wash his body sensually, taking your time to kiss him passionately. If it leads to sex, so much the better.

23. Watch Sexy Movies Together

If you’re up for watching porn together, go for it, but you don’t have to do it if you’re not comfortable with it. There are plenty of regular movies with hot sex scenes guaranteed to light the couch on fire if you watch them together. Here are a few to get you started.

Fear

Dirty Dancing

Killing Me Softly

Unfaithful

Secretary

24. Give Each Other Nude Massages

Just like with the foot massages tip, full body massages can be a turn on for guys. Even if you start out giving a utilitarian massage (because he’s got a knot in his neck), it can easily transform into something else (especially when he flips over for his “front massage.”).

Light a few candles and play sexy music to further enhance the mood.

Conclusion:

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to master any of these turn ons for guys, but you do have to prioritize sexiness in your life.

If you’re in a new relationship, it may come more naturally to you than if you’ve been in a relationship for years. But in either situation, a little effort to show your man that you’re physically attracted to him will pay off big time. Not only will your sex life be red hot, but your relationship will also thrive. A couple that is passionate for one another has a solid foundation for an emotional and long-lasting partnership.

So share with us! What are your tips to turn on guys? Leave them in the comments below.

If you’re serious about amping up your turn ons for guys, start with your texting. My Love Texting ebook gives you a ton of texts you can simply copy and paste to turn your guy on today! Download it instantly.

The post Turn Ons for Guys: List of The 24 Things That Will Make Him Go Crazy appeared first on Sexy Confidence.

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Turn Ons for Guys: List of The 24 Things That Will Make Him Go Crazy

Once you find a man that you’re into and you start getting physical, you start looking for turn ons for guys in an effort to keep things nice and steamy in your relationship.

I’m sure you don’t need a ton of help in this department, but in the event that you need a little inspiration, I’ve put together a big ole list of ways to turn on a guy.

Awesome List of the 24 Biggest Turn Ons for Guys

Turn ons for guys will be different, depending on the guy.

The thing that a lot of women don’t realize is that turn ons for guys don’t always have to be physical. Yes, a gentle caress can create fireworks, but sometimes it’s the more subtle things that make a guy want you. It’s all about reading the situation and choosing the right turn on for the situation.

Here, I wanted to give you tips that are both physical and non-physical so you have lots of options for any situation.

How to Turn on a Guy Without Touching Him

Don’t assume you have to drape yourself all over a guy to get his attention. That’s not true at all! Here, I teach you how to turn a man on without touching him at all!

1. Make the First Move

While the idea of flirting with a guy, making your interest known, or even asking him out might terrify you, it’s actually a great way to get his attention big time. While only one in 10 women makes the first move, 92% of men like it when they do.

He may be surprised, but pleased. Don’t be shy! If you sense that a man you’ve been talking to is interested, ask for his number. Or ask him out. The worst he can say is no, right?

2. Make Eye Contact

This is one of those turn ons for guys that works whether you’ve never even spoken to him (you see him across the bar) or you’ve been dating several weeks…or years.

Eye contact is crazy effective at helping you seduce a man.

Yes, it can be challenging to lock gazes with someone you’re interested in. It makes you feel vulnerable. You feel like he can read every emotion you’re feeling.

But that’s the point!

Prolonged eye contact shows your interest. It’s also hella sexy. When someone looks into our eyes, we feel like they really see us. They know who we are, and they care about us. That’s one of the biggest turn ons for guys (or women), in my book.

3. Get Texty with Him

If you’ve been on at least a few dates with this man and are comfortable getting a little flirty via text, that’s another great way to turn on a guy. There are varying levels of seduction you can do via text, so if you don’t want to go full-on sexting, you can still make an impact via text. Here are some example texts:

Ahh. Just got out of a long steamy bath. Thinking of you…

I haven’t done laundry in a week. Guess I’ll have to wear that t-shirt you left here to bed!

Your goal with sending hot texts is to make him think about you…and want you. If you haven’t had sex yet, focus on the aspect of anticipation (only if you plan to have sex with him in the foreseeable future). Make him want you all the more by dropping hints about how you’re looking forward to it, and how great it will be.

Sorry our date was cut short. I’ll make up for it next time. Promise. 😉

Next Friday I was thinking…Game of Thrones marathon? In bed? Clothing optional. 

If you have had sex with him, make him remember and want you again.

Still thinking about the other night. Wow!

You should patent that thing you did last night. It blew my mind!

4. Wear Red

Men are turned on by the color red.

Did you know that the color red can increase blood pressure and pulse rate? While it may have indicated danger to our ancestors, now red is considered the color of passion.

If you wear a red article of clothing — extra points if it’s a flattering dress — you’ll make his pulse race and make him desire you even more.

And red lips can do it for him, too. Studies have shown that men are more drawn to women wearing red lipstick than any other shade. So if you haven’t considered red, there’s all the more reason to do so!

5. Have a Secret Signal

Come up with a signal that lets him know you’re thinking naughty thoughts of him and want to make a quick exit from wherever you are to get it on. It could be an eye wink, tossing your hair in a certain way, or making a gesture with your hands.

Use this signal in the middle of a boring party. When you’re out with friends. At the grocery store. I guarantee he’ll be quick to put down his shopping basket and see what’s in store for him!

6. Pretend You Don’t Know Each Other

If you’ve been dating a while, here’s a fun little role-playing opportunity that serves as a fantastic turn on for guys. Go to a bar and order a drink. Wait. Then your man shows up and sits at the bar next to you. You don’t acknowledge that you know him. He introduces himself, and you chat like strangers.

He asks if he can buy you a drink. You let him. You flirt. He flirts. Let the night take you wherever you want from there.

Why is this a turn on for guys? It’s the idea of picking up a stranger in a bar…but safe. If you’ve been dating a while, you might be taking one another for granted, so by pretending you’re strangers, you get that appreciation and chemistry that maybe has been long buried.

7. Tell Him You’re Not Wearing Underwear

This is another move if you’ve been having sex that can make the anticipation build. Either text him before your date and notify him that you will be going commando on your date that night, or whisper it in his ear as he opens the door to the restaurant for you.

He’ll have to restrain himself all evening, but you can bet it’ll be fun once he no longer has to!

8. Update Your Look

Whether it’s getting a sexy new haircut, a mani/pedi, or a new lingerie set, change is good for your relationship. He’ll appreciate the effort you’ve put into your appearance, especially if he knows it’s on his behalf.

9. Let Your Hair Down

If you tend to wear your hair up most of the time, mix things up by letting it down on your next date. Bonus points if you let it down in front of him and give it a sexy toss.

How to Physically Turn on a Guy

It’s time to take your game up a notch. Let’s get physical!

While the past 9 turn ons for guys involved no touch (though touch may come after the move!) these tips are definitely hands-on.

10. Massage His Feet

I don’t know why women are always the ones to ask for a foot massage; we guys like them too! After a hard day’s work, there’s nothing nicer than having a woman caress our tootsies. And it’s easy to turn a legitimate foot massage into something more sensual. Just go slow. Maybe use massage oil. Then slowly work up the foot to the calf to the leg to the…okay, you can take it from there.

11. Have a Tickle Fight

There’s really no reason for two adults to tickle one another…except to have an excuse to touch each other! Find out where his ticklish spot is and launch a full-on attack. If it ends up with you both horizontal on the floor, so much the better.

12. Hug Him

If you want to go a little more subtle than a foot massage or tickle fest, start with a basic hug. But realize you can put a lot into a hug, and that there are a million ways to communicate your feelings with one!

Hold the hug for longer than you would with a friend. Squeeze hard(ish). Maybe rub his back a bit. Opt for arms under his as an opportunity to snuggle even closer. To get sexy, press your body firmly against his.

13. Find Excuses to Touch Him

Whether you’ve gone out with this guy or not, this is a big turn on for guys: simple (but seemingly accidental) touches.

Maybe you reach for the popcorn at the same time.

You graze his arm with yours when reaching for the salt.

Your legs lightly press against one another under the table.

There are infinite ways you can find an excuse to touch him, so keep an eye out for these opportunities.

 14. Make the Kiss Linger

If you haven’t yet had sex, this is another good seduction technique. Stretch out a kiss, moving slower and slower. If the situation is right for having sex, this will likely lead to it. If not, it is at least a great preview for him to see how incredibly sexy you are and will make him look forward to when it finally does happen.

How to Sexually Turn on a Guy

There are plenty of ways to spice up your sex life!

The last section in this article deals directly with sexual turn ons. So if you’re not yet having sex, save this section for later! But if you are, whether it’s been once or a million times, these tips can greatly enhance your sex life — as well as your relationship in general.

15. Establish a No-Hands Rule

It’s nice to take turns being in charge in the bedroom, so establish your dominance from time to time by controlling the situation. Don’t allow him to touch you during foreplay. The sexier you are, the more he’ll want to, but rules are rules!

If necessary, tie his hands or hold them with yours so he can’t touch you. Then when it’s time to have sex, untie them (or don’t) and watch how he pounces on you.

16. Share a Steamy Fantasy

While it can make you feel vulnerable to talk about your most private fantasies, doing so can show your man that you trust him. In addition to that, it’s guaranteed to turn him on!

Another strategy you can use: play out that fantasy with him. This makes him feel like part of the fantasy, rather than outside of it. Plus, you’ll be turned on too!

17. Have a Short-and-Sweet Makeout Session

Want to leave him wanting more? Make out for just a few minutes, getting him hot and heavy…then leave. Maybe it’s at the end of a date and you’re kissing goodbye in the car before you go in your house. Kiss him passionately (get creative with your hands) then pull away, wink, and get out of the car.

Oh man! You’ll take his breath away and make him ready to find out what would happen if you didn’t end that makeout sesh prematurely.

18. Wear the Lingerie That Makes You Feel Sexiest

Wear lingerie that makes YOU feel amazing!

While wearing sexy lingerie is a big turn on for guys, it should be first and foremost for you. Knowing that you have, for example, lacy red panties and a bra on under your work clothes should make you feel incredibly sexy.

When you feel sexy, he’ll pick up on that. There’s nothing hotter than a Sexy Confident lady!

If you want him to know you’re wearing something he should want to see in its full glory, wear a sweater with a wide necked collar so your bra peeks out and gets his attention.

19. Share Your Toy Box With Him

If you’re like 53% of heterosexual women, you’ve used a sex toy. While you might typically use them when you’re on your own, sharing those toys with your lover is a great way to turn him on. Just the idea of you using these toys when you’re alone will get his libido running.

The possibilities here are endless. You can let him watch you enjoy the toy…or let him use it on you.

20. Talk Dirty to Him

One of the best things you can do to enhance your sex life is communicating your wants and needs. While the basics of good communication can simply be telling him what you like and don’t, you can also take it up a notch by talking dirty.

This doesn’t just have to be during sex! Imagine his reaction if you lean over at dinner at a fancy restaurant and tell him what you’re going to do to him later!

Gauge how he reacts to the dirty talk before doing more. Some men respond positively, while others may be overwhelmed.

21. Break Out the Blindfold

Another way to seduce your man is to use a blindfold during sex. By eliminating one of his senses (sight), he has to put more attention on his other senses, and touch will be even more sensitive.

It’s also a turn on for guys because they don’t know what your next move will be in terms of where you kiss or caress next. The surprise and anticipation are crazy hot.

22. Take a Shower Together

Who says a shower is just for getting clean? It’s also for getting dirty if you know what I mean (wink wink!).

It’s especially a turn on for guys if your man is in the shower alone and you surprise him by sliding in behind him. Wash his body sensually, taking your time to kiss him passionately. If it leads to sex, so much the better.

23. Watch Sexy Movies Together

If you’re up for watching porn together, go for it, but you don’t have to do it if you’re not comfortable with it. There are plenty of regular movies with hot sex scenes guaranteed to light the couch on fire if you watch them together. Here are a few to get you started.

Fear

Dirty Dancing

Killing Me Softly

Unfaithful

Secretary

24. Give Each Other Nude Massages

Just like with the foot massages tip, full body massages can be a turn on for guys. Even if you start out giving a utilitarian massage (because he’s got a knot in his neck), it can easily transform into something else (especially when he flips over for his “front massage.”).

Light a few candles and play sexy music to further enhance the mood.

Conclusion:

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to master any of these turn ons for guys, but you do have to prioritize sexiness in your life.

If you’re in a new relationship, it may come more naturally to you than if you’ve been in a relationship for years. But in either situation, a little effort to show your man that you’re physically attracted to him will pay off big time. Not only will your sex life be red hot, but your relationship will also thrive. A couple that is passionate for one another has a solid foundation for an emotional and long-lasting partnership.

So share with us! What are your tips to turn on guys? Leave them in the comments below.

If you’re serious about amping up your turn ons for guys, start with your texting. My Love Texting ebook gives you a ton of texts you can simply copy and paste to turn your guy on today! Download it instantly.

The post Turn Ons for Guys: List of The 24 Things That Will Make Him Go Crazy appeared first on Sexy Confidence.

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