#unethical coaches

[nethervoice]

SOME VOICE OVER COACHES CAN'T BE TRUSTED

You know what they say about commercials, right? “If things look or sound too good to be true, they usually are.” But it’s the job of a copywriter or advertising agency to make us believe the nonsense they’re trying to sell. And so many people are falling for it! Why? It’s because of a tried and true formula in advertising you have seen a million times.  It all starts with a problem, a need, or a…

[narniangirl1994]

Once again, very disappointed in Ted Lasso's take on abusive relationships. Even if that final montage was a dream sequence (which I'm telling myself it was), I really did Not want or need to see Jamie reunite with his dad.

Jamie reconnecting with his dad (which they hinted at last episode as well) is so horrible, because he deserves better than to let a man who physically and emotionally abused him for a decade (or more) - and caused him to be sexually assaulted as a teenager - back into his life.

Jamie could have let go of his anger and moved on without reintroducing someone into his life who caused him so much hurt for so long, and who could very well take advantage of him again.

Regardless of whether an abuser works to better themselves, their victims are in no way obligated to reconnect with and forgive them. Yet feel-good stories like Ted Lasso keep pushing the narrative that this is a happy ending, when it is both unrealistic and perpetuates the harmful idea that abuse victims owe something to their abusers or would be better off keeping toxic family members in their life. 🙄

They may have done an even worse job with Beard and Jane. At least the show pretended like Jamie's dad became a better person.. Meanwhile Jane is still employing her own toxic, abusive methods of controlling Beard (ie: shredding his passport to prevent him from leaving) without any indication she has changed or ever will.

Instead of Beard staying in England because he wanted to stay with their found family (which I could have accepted more), the show had him stay there because he prioritized a harmful romantic relationship over the positive and meaningful platonic one he has had with Ted for decades. And just like with Jamie's scene with his dad, they then imply through a possible dream sequence that Beard may actually marry Jane someday.

Why did the show demonstrate just how harmful this relationship is throughout the course of the show, and especially in Beard After Hours, and then keep Beard in that relationship until the very end with no sign he'll ever escape it? Why did they keep playing it for laughs when nothing about it is funny? And do they realize Jane got exactly what she wanted, since Beard is now further isolated from his closest friend and support system (Ted), which Jane felt threatened by since day one?

How is that a happy ending for Beard?

[hmmdelicioussoup]

Hc that the reason Wymack reacted badly to Kevin telling him that he's Kevin's dad is coz the realisation that it's his son's alcoholism that he's been enabling hit him.

[pangolin-404]

officially finished yellowjackets s2 I'm hrghrgnrghrnggnng <- rabid

[creativitycoach]

Why I am not a fan of Replica Surfaces as a company or Mandy Gleason

Replica Surfaces Biscotti Linen, Scandinavian Wood, Lush View

There are many pros and cons to consider when selecting backdrops and companies that provide them. Everything I do at this point is to fund the 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity I founded. As such, when selecting companies from which to purchase or partner, a key factor is philanthropy. A company that supports the community cares about the community. A company that does not support the community cares about lining its pockets.

Companies that are socially and environmentally conscious actually consider the environment and its peoples. It should not be a question to support a company that cares. They may support the community by working with charitable organizations, projects, offering discounts, or damaged items. My experience with Replica Surfaces is that they do none of these things. V-Flat World offers a modest discount and supports Humanity Showers. Poppybee Surfaces offers a modest discount but does not donate damaged goods. Regardless, those are at least two backdrop companies that seem to take an interest in people who devote their lives to helping others and making the world a better place.

V-Flat Coral and Terrazzo

As far as social media, V-Flat World has an exclusive Facebook group that supports their consumers without playing favorites. If they like your posts, they may feature them. Replica Surfaces VIP Facebook group is a high school clique. The few and the favored get benefits and are uncensored. Others in the group posted things for which I was flagged. They promote their favorite vendors by requesting free products and photographing them for their own ads. This is not quite an equal opportunity that I have witnessed.

Replica Surfaces Bathscape, Sunsoaked Terrazzo, Tuscany Styling Towel

We cannot forget things such as their styling towels and mystery gift. Their styling towels are great in photos, but I have found linen scarves and fabric remnants at local shops that perform just as well if not better in photos. The question remains, why pay Replica Surfaces $40.00 for three styling towels, when you can purchase scarves and fabric remnants for a fraction of the price?

As far as the mystery gift, it is simply a cheap set of three small, smaller, and even smaller wooden blocks. I literally bought a pack of 25 of the same size of the smallest block from the dollar twenty-five store, so what is so special about Replica Surfaces cheap styling blocks? Do they perform better than other blocks? No. Are they worth the price (purchasing five surfaces to receive the blocks for free)? No. Are they of workable size? Not unless you are shooting something as small as a coffee bean. The blocks are rather useless.

All this is not disputing the beauty of some of their surfaces. How you conduct business is personal preference. The surfaces are nice, but they are smaller, thinner, and single sided compared to V-Flat World, and they cost more. Why can Replica Surfaces not produce boards that are double sided and at least 24”x24”? Likely they want their 3mm thick boards to be incompatible with surfaces from other companies. Still, it does not answer why Replica Surfaces cannot make a more affordable and appealing product double sided. It seems like simple greed. However, that is one person’s postulation.

Their marketing tactics are genius but shady. Yes, it is nice to re release products, but to offer such small quantities and actually tell consumers to set alarms to fight other online shopping customers for their products that may or may not sell out is rude. They are driving up demand but not meeting supply. After they release a new limited collection, then have a sale as soon as the collection sells out can bankrupt consumers. Replica Surfaces has no conscience and have consecutive releases and sales without consideration of paydays of many consumers . They care only about their bottom line and how full they can get their pockets. It is great to have sales, but it is greater to allow consumers time to refill their wallets. It seems another point driven by greed than consumer mental health.

For simple surfaces such as Subway Tile, what really makes the selling point when competitors offer more superior products at lower prices?

What would convert me to a fan of Replica Surfaces when their competitors already have many more reasons to avoid Replica Surfaces? Perhaps if they were more community conscious, aided and supported community projects and nonprofit organizations, made their boards more standardized in size, and made their boards double sided to give consumers more options. That is all setting aside the bureaucracy of their Facebook group, where they censor and ban some people for stating and doing exactly what their favorites do uncensored and not banned. As if their sophomoric antics could not be predicted, I was banned from their Facebook group for reporting violations others committed but were not flagged, which were allegedly the same violations I committed. Why would anyone want to support such a juvenile company and immature owner, Mandy Gleason?

When I attempted to resolve the discrepancies with Replica Surfaces, Liz reiterated rules I had not broken and offered no explanation as to why I was penalized, and my white neurotypical counterparts were not. She stated the word “addict” is triggering for her due to her sister’s addiction. Yet, when given proof that over 57 posts and comments contained variations of the word “addict,” she did not apologize that I was the only one banned. She did not offer any words as to why when those other instances were reported, they were neither banned nor removed. Why would Replica Surfaces be extremely lenient and tolerant of consumers who more closely resemble her?

I offered to give away my boards for free, but that was considered sales. Yet crafters in the group share their product links and prices and made sales within the group. The company photographer promotes products from her favorite makers, so why is that open sales solicitation not considered a violation? Again, those makers share much in common by way of specific demographic to Mandy Gleason. At no point has the company apologized for favoritism and inequitable application of group rules. One can only postulate the rules are merely a way to cull unwanted minorities from the clandestine white washed culture of the group.

They shadowban comments about where people obtain resources except in the instance of badmouthing competitors such as VFlat. They censor all customer service reviews to give the appearance of flawless customer service. Even Leah is not knowledgeable as to which surfaces are limited, because of her conflicting statements.

When you uncheck the box to state you do want to continue receiving stands, they automatically recheck it then blame the customer for not checking it. It defaults to check marked, so they can have an excuse not to provide stands with their bundle deals that specifically state one received two sets of stands with purchase of five boards. When this was brought yo their attention, I was blamed for not removing the checkmark, although I kept removing it, and it kept defaulting back to checked. Then Leah stated to correct that five sets of stands owed to me were not included, she stated she mailed seven. Later, she mailed stands to Bowling Green, Ohio, then changed her story to say she was only allowed to send two of the five sets owed. At this point, Liz stepped in, added the five stands to my next order, but removed the mystery gift owed to me, from purchase of the five surface bundle. It is annoying they refuse to comply with their own website claims; however, I was not as nearly upset about the removal of the useless styling blocks owed to me, pursuant to their website bundle deal.

Will I continue to purchase Replica Surfaces? Only during steep sales if a client really is fixated with using a specific backdrop. For example, a client loves Replica Surface boards for their products, so I use this boards and charge enough to recover my “lost” expenses for the boards. Essentially, the client is paying for the boards as well as product photography services.

Will I promote them on social media when I use their boards? No. Will I continue to participate in the clique that is their Facebook group? No, because they are discriminating. Will I rant and rave about how great they are? No, because the company and its owner are not. The products are subpar to others on the market. Even the stands are $26.00 for two, which a set is supposed to be free with purchase of two boards. Similar stands of better quality are available on Amazon at $8.99 for four.

V-Flat Duo Boards are larger with higher resolution. It is easier to style props to create faux rooms rather than a smaller board with a scene of a room. Plus, you can style the props to create rooms in many ways. The solid colors and classic patterns of V-Flat are better for makeshift walls and floors. There is more room to zoom and crop.

V-Flat Coral, Terrazzo, remnant fabric from Jo-Ann

I found myself losing parts of the photos with Replica Surfaces, because the area is smaller. The stands did not hold the surfaces flush, so there was room where I had to sacrifice part of the product photo to avoid getting any parts of the surrounding background also known as my makeshift studio. V-Flat Duo Boards offer the flexibility to zoom out a bit to capture more scene. Their stands hold surfaces straight while Replica Surfaces did not. The Replica Boards were leaning and crooked, so it required cropping, which, again, meant part of the mood created had to be sacrificed.

Price gauging for substandard products and lure of a special mystery gift are definitely cons much like the greed of the company.

Replica Surfaces Florence, Wine Cask, linen scarf from Amazon

I have provided the company many opportunities in email and their Facebook group to rectify their actions. However, Mandy Gleason does not support charitable organizations, Asians, and differently abled, but she still wants their money. Their shipping had always been within hours in my experience, but my last order took three days to ship, and they failed to provide shipping confirmation via email as they typically had done previously. More disconcerting is they prompted a shipping exception and further delay with an illegible FedEx label. Perhaps this is Many Gleason’s way of punishing consumers who bring her shady, unethical business practices to her attention.

[obsidian-pages777]

Pick a Card: Career Guidance

Top Left to Right--> Pile 1, Pile 2

Bottom Left to Right--> Pile 3. Pile 4

================================================================================================

Pile 1

Current Situation: The Chariot

You are determined and focused on your career goals, moving forward with purpose and direction. There's a sense of control and determination driving your actions.

Challenges: Five of Wands

You may be facing competition or conflict in your workplace. There could be differing opinions and struggles that make it hard to progress smoothly.

Advice: Strength

Rely on your inner strength and patience to navigate through challenges. Maintain self-control and approach conflicts with compassion and understanding. Your resilience will lead you to success.

Ideal Careers:

Leadership Roles: Positions such as a manager, director, or CEO, where determination and leadership are crucial.

Entrepreneur: Running your own business where you can harness your drive and overcome competition.

Project Management: Roles that require strong organizational skills and the ability to navigate conflicts and challenges.

Military or Law Enforcement: Careers that require discipline, determination, and the ability to handle conflict and stress.

Athletics or Coaching: Where physical and mental strength, as well as resilience, are important.

================================================================================================

Pile 2

Current Situation: The Hierophant

Your career path is currently influenced by traditional structures and conventional methods. You may be working within an established system or organization.

Challenges: Seven of Cups

There may be confusion or too many options available, making it difficult to choose the right path. Avoid getting lost in illusions or wishful thinking.

Advice: The Hermit

Take time for introspection and seek inner guidance. Reflect on your true goals and values before making decisions. Solitude and self-reflection will provide clarity.

Ideal Careers:

Education: Teacher, professor, or academic advisor, where traditional knowledge and guidance are valued.

Religious or Spiritual Leader: Priest, minister, or spiritual counselor, providing guidance within established belief systems.

Legal Profession: Lawyer, judge, or paralegal, working within the structures of the legal system.

Research and Academia: Careers that involve deep study and reflection, such as a researcher or academic.

Counseling or Therapy: Roles that require introspection and helping others find clarity, such as a therapist or counselor.

================================================================================================

Pile 3

Current Situation: Ace of Pentacles

A new opportunity or beginning in your career is emerging. This could be a job offer, a new project, or a chance to start something new with strong potential for growth.

Challenges: The Devil

Be wary of falling into negative patterns or becoming too attached to material success. Avoid temptations that could lead to unethical behavior or burnout.

Advice: Page of Swords

Approach new opportunities with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Stay vigilant and gather information before making decisions. Be clear and honest in your communication.

Ideal Careers:

Finance: Banker, financial advisor, or investment analyst, where new opportunities for growth are abundant.

Real Estate: Real estate agent or property manager, involving new ventures and potential for substantial growth.

Technology: IT specialist, software developer, or tech entrepreneur, where continuous learning and vigilance are key.

Journalism: Reporter, editor, or content creator, focusing on gathering and disseminating information.

Consulting: Business consultant or analyst, providing strategic advice and insights to businesses.

================================================================================================

Pile 4

Current Situation: Three of Cups

Collaboration and teamwork are currently significant in your career. You may be part of a supportive group or network, enjoying camaraderie and shared goals.

Challenges: Four of Pentacles

There could be a tendency to hold on too tightly to security or resources, leading to stagnation. Fear of change or loss may be preventing growth.

Advice: The Star

Stay hopeful and keep a positive outlook. Trust in the universe and your vision for the future. This is a time for healing, inspiration, and aligning with your true purpose.

Ideal Careers:

Event Planning: Event coordinator or wedding planner, where collaboration and teamwork are essential.

Human Resources: HR manager or recruiter, fostering a positive and collaborative workplace environment.

Creative Arts: Artist, musician, or performer, involving collaboration and shared creative goals.

Non-Profit or Community Work: Community organizer, social worker, or NGO worker, focusing on collective well-being and humanitarian goals.

Healthcare: Nurse, doctor, or therapist, providing care and support with a focus on healing and hope.

[merrymongoose]

Ted lasso s4. It's mentioned offhandedly that jamie moved clubs because it would be unethical for a coach (roy) to be dating one of his players. We never see jamie. Anytime there is a scene in roy's house, jamie's always in the shower, or making dinner (don't go in the kitchen, it's a trainwreck - let's talk in the living room instead).

Jamie's ICOG hat is on the couch. Their richmond jerseys are hung up together side by side. There's a large framed version of brett goldstein's + phil dunster's prom-style photos hung above the fireplace. Jamie drops roy off at work. He's driving: you never see him. Domestic bliss.

[thatsmzbitchtoyou]

Sweet Pumpkin Chapter 4

Summary:  Bucky is struggling with the dating world and knows that if he ever hopes to have a serious relationship, that he needs to get through his touch deprivation issues.  It’s not that he doesn’t want to touch people, or them to touch him, but after decades of pain he doesn’t know how to accept physical intimacy from others, or how to give it himself.  He hires Y/N, an intimacy coach and professional cuddler, who comes highly recommended.  Will his heart be able to distinguish between a service given versus real love?

Warnings: mentions of past violence and past sexual assault, language, physical intimacy, eventual smut

**curvy reader

Previous chapter Next chapter

Bucky took her out on dates as often as he could, and when they weren’t going out, he was spending time with her in her apartment.  She came over to his apartment once in a while, but he preferred her space.  He was taking it slow with her, wanting to make sure they were both comfortable with each other and the way the relationship was progressing.  He was ready to go all in, but knew with her past and his past that it was going to have to be handled with care.  The farthest they had ever gone was making out with each other while Y/N straddled Bucky’s lap, and that was okay with him, as long as she was okay with it, too.  A couple of months later Sam came to visit him after a long stint of missions.

“Hey Buck,” he said, hugging him.

“Hey Sam,” Bucky greeted him, hugging him back.  “How were the missions?”

“A mess,” Sam rolled his eyes and sighed.  “But what else is new.  How are things going with you?  You still working with Y/N?”

Bucky blushed.  “Uh, yeah I was.  It was really helpful.”

Sam narrowed his eyes at him.  “What was that look?”

“What look?”

“Did you just blush?”

“No.”

“You did!  What did you do?”

“What do you mean what did I do?”

Sam frowned.  “You’re dating her now, aren’t you?”

Bucky fought a smirk.  “Maybe.”

Sam sighed again but smiled.  “I hope there was no unethical client-therapist type of relationship going on?”

“No, no no no,” Bucky quickly shook his head.  “We didn’t do anything like that.”

Sam nodded.  “But you’re happy?”

Bucky finally smiled at him.  “Yeah.”

He considered Sam a great friend, never needing to fully explain things or speak a lot.  They just understood each other silently.  Sam smirked.  “You better make her happy, or I’ll have to kick your ass.”

Bucky snorted.  “You wish, Birdman.”

***

It was a holiday weekend, and Y/N had taken the time off from her usual clients.  Bucky was laying with her on her bed in her room, talking and casually lounging on a slow Saturday evening.  They were cuddling together, Bucky being the big spoon this time with her back against his front.  His fingers slowly tickled along her side, over her hip and down the side of her leg and up again.  She was playing with his metal fingers.

“I can never get enough of this,” Y/N said suddenly.  “This is just the coolest thing.”

“What?  My arm?” Bucky asked, huffing a laugh.

“Yes!” Y/N exclaimed, pulling his hand up.  “Like…not just the technology aspect of it but the artistry!  To manipulate metal into something that looks lifelike, the ability to make it so you can feel things with it, adjust grip and strength like a normal hand.  And this gold peeking out,” she said in a breathy, reverent tone, her finger sliding along the edge of one of the plates in his palm, “it’s beautiful.”

Bucky smiled at how much she admired a part of him that he still was insecure about.  “It’s definitely useful,” he said nonchalantly.

“I’m sure,” Y/N laughed.  She flicked his palm.  “Can you feel that?”

“Yes,” Bucky said.  “It’s more like a pressure thing.  I can’t feel things like pain with it.”

Y/N hummed before pulling his hand closer to her face.  She glanced back at Bucky then focused on his fingers.  She moved her head forward and kissed the tip of his pointer finger.  “How about that?”

Bucky shakily inhaled.  “It’s…yeah, barely.”

Y/N started kissing along his other fingers, twisting his hand each way she wanted.  She then licked at his pointer finger and sucked it into her mouth.  Bucky eyes widened at her actions.  He could feel the pressure of the sucking, but it was watching her mouth lick and suck that had him hardening in his pants.  

“Fuck, pumpkin,” he groaned.

Y/N popped his finger out of her mouth then looked back up at him, feigning an innocent smile.  “Yes?”

“You little tease,” Bucky said lowly.

“You like it,” Y/N said, her ass pushing against his groin.  “I can feel you like it.”

Bucky’s forehead leaned against her shoulder as he restrained himself from thrusting his hips against her.  “Pumpkin,” he warned.

“What do you want, hot stuff?” Y/N asked quietly, rolling her hips back against him again.

Bucky peered up at her.  “I wanna…God, I wanna do a lot of things to you,” said.  “Do you want to?”  Y/N gave him a reassuring smile.  “I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for–”

She quickly turned in his arms to face him, her hands cupping his face and her leg hiking up over his hip.  “I’m ready,” she whispered, kissing him.  “I want to.  I trust you…with all of me,” she rubbed her nose on his then bit her lip.  “I…I love you, Buck.”  Bucky let out a sharp breath at her confession, his eyes widening again.  “I’m in love with you…a lot…probably way too much,” Y/N huffed a laugh, breaking eye contact and looking down.

Bucky lifted her head with his finger under her chin and kissed her deeply.  “I love you Y/N,” he breathed against her lips.  “I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you from the moment you let me touch your face that first day.”

Y/N’s eyes widened and turned watery.  “I want you,” she said, “but um…it’s been a long time, and I’ll need you to be patient and gentle with me.”

“I can’t remember the last time I ever did this,” Bucky said.  “So we’ll take our time.  As long as I get to have your softness,” he said, kissing around her face randomly, “all over and around me.”

Y/N sniffed and nodded at him frantically.  “Please,” she whispered.  

Bucky nodded then kissed her again deeply, his hands slipping up into her hair and down her neck to her back, pulling her close to him.  Y/N’s hands were everywhere, sliding from his neck to behind his back, to his front and down his chest.  He maneuvered himself so he was hovering above her, breaking the kiss so he could start to kiss down her throat, licking and sucking at her skin, learning all the little spots that made her writhe and squirm.  He pulled at the lower hem of her shirt, and she nodded, giving him permission to pull it up and off of her, revealing her nakedness up top.  His hands immediately went to her breasts, softly massaging them, his thumbs rubbing against her nipples.  Her fingers pulled at his shirt, and he quickly pulled it off.  Y/N stared up at his upper half, her fingers tracing along his scars and dips in the muscle.  Bucky dipped his head down and licked her left nipple then sucked it into his mouth, making her moan.  

He gave each of her breasts ample attention before kissing back up to her mouth.  “So beautiful, pumpkin,” he whispered, nipping at her lower lip.  “Can I see all of you?”  Y/N nodded again and he focused on her pajama shorts.  His fingers dipped into the waistband of her shorts and underwear and pulled them down, Y/N helping him by lifting her pelvis.  He threw them off to the side and stared down at her pussy.  “Fuck, you’re so pretty,” he breathed.  “Can I taste you?”

Y/N nodded again and he quickly shimmied down the bed until his face was aligned in between her legs.  He spread her legs wider with his hands then kissed right over her clit.  Y/N gasped and her hips jerked.  “I’ve got you, pumpkin,” Bucky said, licking her lower lips.  He licked, sucked, and kissed everywhere, alternating between sticking his tongue as deep into her as he could and then flicking her clit with the tip of his tongue until she was shaking.  He finally sucked her clit harshly, and it was enough to make her cum for the first time, a long, high pitched groan emanating from her throat as her fingers gripped at his hair harshly, her legs shaking against his shoulders.

“Oh my god,” Y/N breathed as she started to come down from the high.  “Bucky…honey, fucking hell.”

“I love it when you call me honey,” Bucky said, kissing her thighs as he sat up and crawled back up so he was hovering over her again.

“I thought you liked hot stuff,” Y/N said breathily as she laughed.

“Both.  Both are good,” he chuckled as he leaned down and kissed her.  

Y/N’s hands moved down and started to push at the hem of his pants.  Bucky quickly got out of his pants and underwear, kicking them off his legs until he was kneeling between her legs completely naked.  She stared at his cock, her eyes slightly widening.  “Now I’m nervous,” she said, looking hesitant.

Bucky laughed again.  “You’re making me feel really special, pumpkin,” he said.  “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.”  He gripped his cock in his hand, pumping himself a few times.  “Do we need a condom?”

“No,” Y/N shook her head.  “I’m on the pill, and I’m clean.”

“I’m clean,” he said, then shuffled forward and slid the tip through her slit, making her shudder.  “Are you sure you want this?” he asked quietly, watching her face carefully.

Y/N smiled up at him.  “I’m sure,” she agreed.

Bucky smiled, then aimed himself at her entrance.  “You ready?”  Y/N nodded, looking down.  Bucky tsked and his metal hand softly grabbed her chin to make her look at him.  “Words, pumpkin.  Are you ready?”  

“Yes,” Y/N said, nodding frantically.  Bucky smirked then let go of her chin.  He started to move forward, and Y/N gasped at the stretch.  He went slow, making sure she wasn’t in physical or emotional pain.  When he was finally in as far as he could go he huffed a heavy breath and Y/N whined.  “Holy shit,” she said.  “That’s…fuck, that’s amazing.”

Bucky tried to keep his wits about him.  She felt so good, and he hadn’t done this in so long he was afraid he’d cum too fast.  “Jesus Christ, Y/N,” he breathed, his top half folding over on top of her, his forehead resting against her shoulder.  “You feel so good.  So perfect.”

Y/N hummed and turned her head to kiss his ear.  “Please Bucky, please fuck me.”

Bucky groaned and his hips rutted into hers, pulling a high pitched grunt from her.  He lifted himself back up, his hands gripped her hips, and he started thrusting slowly.  The feeling of being swallowed up in her over and over again was addicting, and he knew he was ruined from that moment on for any other person.  Y/N reached down and pulled his hands away from her hips, then intertwined her fingers with his.  He leaned over her again so that their hands were up by her head.  She stared at him with those intense, knowing eyes of hers.  It all felt so incredibly intimate, soft, special, that he could barely look into those eyes.  He kissed her again, and she released her hands from his grip to wrap around his back, keeping him close and chest to chest with her.  

Bucky wrapped his metal arm under her neck, his forearm turned upward so his hand could tangle into her hair while he kissed her, his flesh hand reaching down and hiking her left leg higher over his hip, helping him drive further into her.  “Sweet pumpkin,” he murmured against her lips.  “Thank you.”

Y/N’s nails scratched down his back.  “For what?” she asked, looking at him curiously.

“For trusting me,” Bucky breathed.  “For wanting me.  For loving me.”  His hips started to move faster, chasing his release.  “Fuck, I’m close…”

Y/N hummed at his change of pace.  “Thank you for being so soft…and sweet…and gentle with me,” she whispered.  It was as if she was afraid of ruining the moment they were in.  “Please honey…”

Bucky moaned loudly at the pet name, hugging her tighter and keeping his face near her face.  He snuck his flesh hand between their bodies and started rubbing and flicking at her clit.  “I’ve got you, Y/N.  Can I cum inside you?  Please?”

Y/N moaned and nodded.  “Fuck yes,” she said lowly.

“Goddammit,” Bucky swore, his thrusts getting harder.  He flicked her clit quickly and then she stiffened, her back arching as she shook under him and came with a loud cry of his name.  The way her pussy squeezed him had him seeing stars and he came with a long groan, kissing her again and licking into her mouth.  They panted against each other’s mouths, Bucky resting his forehead against hers and staring at her.  He reveled in the exhausted, fucked-out look on her face, and kissed her everywhere he could reach, making her giggle.  “So good, pumpkin.  My god…so fucking good.  My pretty, sweet pumpkin…”

Y/N sighed, her breath huffing against his face.  “God, I love you,” she breathed, a tired smile on her face.

Bucky kissed her lips again, giving her short, chaste pecks and nuzzling his nose on her nose.  “I love you,” he said quietly.

@mishkatelwarriorgoddess @cjand10 @railmesebstan

[belleski]

-Consumes new piece of media

-Sighs and goes to add a tally to my 'unethical scientist blorbo' tally

-goes back to bed

[Image description] Image 1: A digital illustration of Dr Loboto from the Psychonauts series. He's drawn from the waist up at a 3/4 angle, with his gloved hand holding a golden dental tool. His other prosthetic arm is held slightly up as if in thought. He's grinning wildly, revealing a set of sharp teeth. The background is a warm brown and features sketches of various characters from the psyconauts franchise, such as Linda the lungfish, Loboto's family, Shegor and the fish gaurds from Rhombus of ruin. There is a bright magenta blood splatter covering the middle of the background. Image 2: A monochrome comic of Loboto, who has one hand up to his chest and the other gesturing of to the side. He's grinning and saying 'I have no relevant skills. I am unpleasant to work with. I like to cause problems.' Coach Oleander can be seen in the bottom right corner, glaring up at Loboto. Image 3: A continuation of the comic . Oleander stands to the right of the canvas with one hand on his hip and the other pointing up at Loboto who is standing in the foreground on the far left. With a sharp grin and a glare, he ignores Loboto's warnings and says 'Hired.' [End ID]

[stayconnecteed]

🪐˓⠀˚⠀underwater rendezvous⠀@⠀bang chan.

fluff fic to celebrate one year friendship w my soulmate @starlostastronaut ! this is the idea i had, which in reality is yours ㅤ—⠀⠀bangchan's part of the sport dates headcanon that made us start talking that july 31st... and because swimmer golden boy chris is just too delicious 🫶🏼 not proofread, enjoy! 🤍

SEE MORE.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀1.2k words. ⠀⠀general mlist.⠀⠀join taglist.

You took a step closer, unsure, and stood still, the door to the women's changing rooms at your back. A gentle breeze was blowing inside the room, shivers caressing the bare skin of your legs and shoulders, and you did not hesitate to hug yourself, slightly uncomfortable. It was dark, you could barely see the large pool in front of you, and Chan was taking too long. Being there without the coach, in off-training hours, felt illegal somehow.

But you had agreed to meet the golden boy. He had the keys to the campus pool because as the star of the swim team he got up early to train every day, had even earned the trust of professors and administrators, and the shadow of dimples on his cheeks when he smiled would charm anyone. Of course, no one would think it was wrong if he decided to invite a girl for a swim. Perhaps the only person who might object would be you —using communal facilities for personal leisure activities seemed unethical— but since you were the girl he had proposed the date to, you couldn't complain. Girlfriend privileges.

The lights suddenly went on, making you jump and clutch your arms tighter, turning towards the door where the electrical panel was located, and you heard a string of insults in deep English. You sighed, waiting for him to turn off the main spotlights and switch on the small underwater lamps instead. Being in the dark wasn't part of the plan, but neither did everyone need to know that there were people in the pool at midnight.

“Well, that's it,” he murmured, and you heard the loud thud of his flip-flops on the floor, approaching you, “all set.”

“There wasn't much to prepare,” you pronounced, raising an eyebrow, teasingly. He was still dressed in the tank top he'd worn to class in the morning, his hair a mess of salt water and sand —a reminder of the afternoon he'd spent at the beach with his friends. It was summer, and his mood reflected it.

You heard him repeat your words in a mocking tone before you felt him behind you, the softness of his chest deliciously warm against your bare back, and his arms slid around you. He rested his chin on your shoulder, his breath drifting down your throat as he spoke, and he asked you again, as he had texted you so often throughout the afternoon, if you were sure you wanted to be there. With him.

“We've already bathed in the sea at night, baby,” you replied, placing your hands on his, and running your thumb affectionately over his skin. “This won't be any different.”

“But I know you're panicking about getting caught.”

“If we get caught,” you replied, leaning your head against his temple, squinting your eyes. The smell of chlorine made you feel at home, after so many hours submerged under the waters of the swimming pool, and you had always felt at ease in his embrace.

“If we get caught,” he said, his voice a soft cascade of comfort, soaking in every shared breath.

“Wanna race?” you asked, tapping your feet with unspilled energy on the tiled edge of the pool.

“Is that even a question?”

You didn't wait for him to finish pronouncing the last letter, already twisting in his arms until he let you free, and you didn't hesitate either to run towards the pool, jumping, creating an elegant curve in the air before hitting the surface of the water and let it swallow you. Time stopped in the first moments, your mind emptying of thoughts and your heart of worries, and you floated. You slid in parallel to the deep part of the pool, feeling the coolness of the water surrounding you, and you heard the splash of your boyfriend's body as he threw himself next to you.

You smiled, opening your eyes, and began to move your legs at full speed, stretched like an arrow, surfacing to breathe but without losing pace. You didn't want to check how close you were to Chan, so you started moving your legs and hands in a rehearsed choreography, sticking your hands out and drawing an arc in the air before breathing again. You had it calculated. You had done that same exercise too many times. You needed only ten strokes to get to the other side.

Unfortunately, Chan just needed eight.

When you reached the other side, he was already waiting, chest flushed and breathing swiftly. He had arrived barely six seconds before you, but in the sport you both practised, every second counted. And he had a strength trained in the gym daily, which always managed to beat you when you competed against each other. One of the reasons why he was the star of the team.

You still entered championships from time to time, but you valued the little moments with him much more than the adrenaline of a victory. You hadn't demanded that he give up swimming for you when you had been injured, and even though he had offered it to you, you loved him too much not to allow him to dedicate himself to his greatest passion. That was why he had proposed starting those date nights, and that was why you always said yes.

You approached him, feeling your heart racing everywhere, your shoulder protesting about the effort you had put him through, and you rested your forehead against his chest. Every time you swam, you ended up hurting yourself more, and you both knew it. But you couldn't stop. Being underwater was as important as breathing for you. Chan understood that, and supported every decision you made.

He slid the tips of his fingers over your wet skin, following the droplets of water until they reached your shoulders, and left them there, applying just enough pressure to ease the discomfort. He knew where to touch to make you feel better, and you always breathed a sigh of relief when he massaged you like that.

“Thank you,” you whispered, “I don't know what I would do without you.”

You heard him hum, a sound that indicated he had heard you, and then he held your head in his hands, making you look into his eyes. Two quick touches against your jaw, one long caress. I. Love. You. You got lost in the depths of his gaze, dark as an autumn forest, or a hot chocolate on a cold afternoon, and you smiled. The skin of your cheeks stretched under his fingers, and he returned the curve of his lips, mirroing yours, eternally accompanied by those charming dimples.

You placed your hand over his, leaning against it, and let the moment last a little longer. Two quick kisses against the palm of his hand, one that lasted forever. I. Love. You. You didn't need words.

© stayconnecteed 2024 ★ do not copy, translate, repost or share this work as yours on other platforms ! consider leaving a comment or reblogging.

[kingsansa]

Figure skater Sansa and Russian Jon update ?

—A sneak peek of “dance to this,” the figure skater sansa/Russian hockey player jon fic coming this weekend, hopefully

The game—the one that starts it all—is the kind of ugly reserved for archived, grainy, hall-of-famer footage.

Cley gets a concussion after being slammed up against the glass by some red bearded Danish guy that is so huge, it borders on unethical, and Benfred actually leaves the goal to wrap his hands around the neck of the shittalking, gray haired forward and it takes the entire team to pull him off, and Theon loses three teeth after tripping over what the entire team swears was a well placed hockey stick, and when the referee doesn’t call it, Robb is caught on the Jumbotron telling him to go fuck himself in 4k ultra—

Even still, it starts with the shootout.

It’s supposed to end with the shootout.

Theon and Robb break through the defense, and the Oilers emerge victorious. Everyone—the entire stadium, the announcers, the coaches—erupt into chaos, and the game is over, the game is won.

That’s when the fight breaks out. Right in the middle of the instant replay.

Sansa is 15 years old, watching the game in the living room with the rest of her family, when her brother punches Jon Targaryen in the face.

In a few hours, it’ll be on YouTube. By the morning, it’ll have a million likes. For the next three years, fans, pundits, and hockey writers will call it “the punch heard around the world.” There will be memes, posters, WatchMojo videos, six figure brand deals, and sold out arenas—all thanks to this moment.

Onscreen, there’s a symphony of shrill whistling; the referees and the coaches spilling onto the ice. Robb is red faced with a swollen eye, shouting something that involves a whole lot of fucks, and Theon is shoving him backwards, like he’s been doing for essentially half of their lives.

A few feet away, not nearly far enough, Jon Targaryen is being hauled away by the huge Danish guy, swearing in Russian. He shoves his teammate back, sneering blood. He spits crimson onto the ice where Robb once stood.

In full view of the camera, he grabs his jockstrap, telling him to suck his dick in perfect English.

Technically, officially—that’s the first time that Sansa sees him.

[dimension20npcofalltime]

Round Four - Bracket Three [Dimesion 20 NPC of All Time]

Dale Lee vs Jawbone O'Shaughnessey vs Ragh Barkrock

Descriptions under the cut

Dale Lee - He/Him

Campaign: The Unsleeping City, The Unsleeping City: Chapter II

Who is he?

Dale Lee is the husband of Sofia Lee. It was originally believed that Dale left Sofia for Isabella Infierno, but it is later revealed that Dale is deceased.

Why is he the NPC of All Time?

He literally beat up a bunch of Angels just for a chance to see his wife, on a weekly basis. He is so supportive of Sofia and so completely in love with her.

Submitted by: Anonymous

Jawbone O'Shaughnessey - He/Him

Campaign: Fantasy High, Dimension 20 LIVE, The Seven

Who is he?

Jawbone O'Shaughnessey is a werewolf and former drug dealer for The Black Pit. He is now employed as a guidance counselor at Aguefort Adventuring Academy.

Why is he the NPC of All Time?

"He’s a werewolf, he’s a punk, he wears cardigans. He’s here to fuck shit up and help children. He once have head to a border patrol agent with genital warts. He’s a former drug dealer, current school guidance counselor, and your friend’s hot adopted dad. He definitely had passionate sex with Garthy O’Brien at least once. He’ll jump into a dragon’s mouth to protect a bunch of high school kids after giving you a hug and an unethical amount of anxiety meds. What more do you need to know?"

Submitted by: Anonymous

Ragh Barkrock - He/Him

Campaign: Fantasy High, Dimension 20 LIVE

Who is he?

Ragh is a huge, beefy-looking half-orc barbarian. Like most of the members of the Owlbears, he wears a letterman jacket.

He is a stereotypical dumb jock and is very violent most of the time, but he is much more insecure and friendly than he first seems. He had a crush on his best friend, Dayne Blayde, and struggled with his sexuality for a long time until he began to come to terms with it in Prompocalypse. His home life is stressful as his mother is unwell, and he still struggles with his anger a lot, but with the help of the school counselor, Jawbone, he's learning to deal with it in healthier ways. He helps run the LGBT+ alliance at the school and found some great friends in the Bad Kids, especially his fellow Owlbears, Fabian and Gorgug. Dayne and Coach Daybreak were never very nice to him, seeing him more as muscle than anything else, so he's very grateful for the kindness and support he receives from the Bad Kids.

Why is he the NPC of All Time?

"Reformed bully becoming proud of who he is and protecting his fellow bad kids"

"GLASS-EATING HOMOSEXUALISM KING."

Submitted by: @xvynth and Multiple Anonymous People

[nonbinarypirat]

I have never done a Ted lasso post despite the fact that when I first made my tumblr this was like, the first fandom I was apart of lol. But! I’m so fucking pumped for season 4, I really feel like the finale just didn’t do it justice fully for the show. Some thoughts I have so far:

I would love to see keeley, Jamie, and Roy be a thing but realistically probably not. Especially if it’s stays true that Phil Dunster will be too busy. But I hope they’ll repair Roy and keeley and Jamie and keeley relationship after the weird and awkward fight they threw in. I personally always thought that was a hamfisted ending for them, not to say people can’t relapse into old toxic behaviors but I just felt it was a lazy and overdone trope to end or have a conclusion to a love triangle

Speaking of, it’s still possible Phil dunster could reprise his role, everything is still be worked out and nothing is too set in stone. Hell, an actual season is not set in stone. I would be greatly disappointed if he couldn’t be in it, it wouldn’t feel the same. But if he can’t, at the very least I want a good reason and some cameos, over FaceTime if they have to.

Which brings me to Ted, idk if he’s actually going to be fully in it or just over zoom or something? Is he fully coming back? It would be interesting if they do something similar to the plethora of fanfics of Ted getting hit with mental health issues because “home” doesn’t feel like home anymore and causing conflict in his life and moving back with Henry. Adding to that, I want the ex wife (can’t remember her name rn and I have too much energy to look it up) to break up with the fucking therapist. Dump! That! Man! I don’t want them to get back together, I just want her away from that fucking unethical creep and move to England for her son. But maybe that’s wishful thinking.

Speaking of break ups, break up Beard and Jane. Point blank. One of the worst relationships in the show, toxic as fuck, and Beard deserves better. And get that man some therapy too

I also would like to see Roy’s progress with therapy on top of that. And more keeley with the crew again, I always wished she was included more in the show and not on a side quest. Bring her more in the fold again

We better see Trent Crimm, you can pry that man from my cold dead hands

Seeing Ted get in a new relationship could be fun since I think it’s been long enough distance and he’s grown enough for that. But tbh, I don’t care if Rebecca and Ted get together, I like seeing a platonic hetero friendship that doesn’t need to automatically be romantic. Sometimes people can vibe and just be friends and I always liked that about Ted and Rebecca. But I’m not opposed either if they write it well. Though I highly doubt they’d go down that route since they built up to the Dutch guy and with Rebecca possibly developing a relationship with his daughter, it’d be kind of heartbreaking if they breakup just to put her with Ted. So, if they don’t go the Ted and Rebecca route, I hope we see her relationship more and the daughter

More of Roy’s sister please, I love her. Also more Phoebe

Would love some of the other footballers get to shine. Want to see the women’s league. Love to see Roy struggling with being a new coach

Would like to learn Roy’s family situation since I feel like that’s an untapped well for trauma and issues that probably created and contributed to his anger issues

And I think as a final thing to this long ass post, I’d like to see the after affects of Collin essentially coming out and being the first openly gay player while playing in the league. People had to have seen him kiss his partner and while it was happy, it’s also going to open a floodgate so I hope we get to see that properly addressed and well written

[tani-b-art]

and then kp was making fun of the whole thing just awful https://x.com/kelseyplum10/status/1714889660957106277?s=46&t=QnOPd_tNZm2Sd6S-49-JCg

You saying A’ja “stood by it all” in that video. I don’t think there’s enough nuance in this 23 second clip that everyone wants to share to say that. I’m not really sure how you can determine all of that in this clip. Especially when she’s specifically talking about her coach’s suspension (that was the response to the question the reporter asked her) and still having to play a couple of games w/o her and saying they play for Becky because she is the team’s head coach and that’s who (the coach & team) she plays for. And, is what she said here an indication that she isn’t supporting Dearica or is somehow apathetic of Dearica’s situation (which it seems like you’re implying)? No. I can’t speak for everyone or A’ja but it can probably be said that if a camera was stuck in my face and I was asked about what I think of my boss and employer’s unethical involvement with a coworker/teammate of mine, contractually, what can you say? Without the risk of also possibly facing penalty. But again, A’ja is not who Dearica is suing. A’ja is not the person who promised her things in her contract and recanted and then forced her to vacate her employment. And what she said isn’t saying she doesn’t support Dearica or is she condoning what Becky did. She didn’t say or do any of what you messaged.

I’m trying to read her full lawsuit but from what I see so far, it doesn’t appear Dearica has stated any issues with her former teammates. This is an entity/front office matter.

The president, coach and gm are to hold all the accountability for their actions. They made offers and then basically retaliated in a sense.

The organization’s front office and it’s poor, immoral, unethical business decision against Dearica put everyone in the most terrible position in how they’d have to face it all. Mainly the players. Nothing is excused (the unethical practices) and no one (the president, coach & gm) is but wanting to bullseye A’ja by placing fault on her response in the clip you linked is misguided imo. Misplaced. And right now, it’s seeming like a lot of people have been keeping this in their arsenal waiting to pounce on A’ja. Which, I guess so. You don’t like the girl, then anything will help to push your dislike for her. Go ahead and project. But A’ja was not in conference meetings deciding Dearica’s fate. She isn’t/wasn’t involved.

The same can be said for Kelsey’s answer in this link too. They were sued as a team. She didn’t chuckle, the reporters did and found it comical which it isn’t/wasn’t. She may have felt to make light of the situation which there isn’t anything light about it but how embarrassing and uncomfortable and awkward that time was for Aces players and is and will always be. Who wants to be asked about a(n) corporation’s/organization’s (that you work for) wrong business practices? Now, yes she is the president for the WNBPA from what I’ve read so her making light with what she said is bad optics. But once again, Kelsey isn’t being sued. I’d have to read up on if she had direct involvement. It doesn’t seem so.

I think these comments very well explains the players’ response and why A’ja’s and Kelsey’s was perhaps this way:

What is fact is that Dearica was done horribly wrong and suffered and continues to suffer as a result of the Aces’ front office. They did this.

^part of a statement from Dearica from over a year ago.

[simplysedusa]

PPG Headcanons I Plan On Incorporating In My Fics

Elmer is albino, and he still has his glue powers. He's done quite well keeping it under wraps thanks to Professor Utonium and his pen-pal, Dexter.

Ms. Bellum is Princess Morbucks' maternal aunt. Penelope (Princess's mom, Sara's sister) and Sara were close as could be from a typical middle class family. That all changed when Penelope started dating Roy Morbucks. Ms. Bellum never liked the guy but her parents could be happier. The final nail in the coffin was when Penelope announced their engagement, and the two haven't spoken since her wedding day.

Prior to moving to Townsville, Mr. Morbucks had business in Townsville; some of it legal, but most of it wasn't. With the Powerpuff Girls being the beloved superheroes, it'd only be a matter of time until someone hired them to look into Mr. Morbucks' establishments and discovered his criminal underbelly. He decided to take Princess and enroll her in the very same kindergarten as the Powerpuff Girls to be her eyes and ears. He didn't expect her to become a supervillain out of spite, but he decided to fund her endeavors as a distraction.

Mitch has a tumultuous family background. His mom is dead, his dad's an alcoholic whose constantly in and out of jail with a different girl of the week living with him in the trailer, and his grandmother is hospitalized. Once Professor Utonium learned of this, he allowed Mitch to spend the night whenever he felt the need to. The constant exposure to the Powerpuffs allowed him to become friends with Blossom and Bubbles, closer with Buttercup, and a nicer person overall. He's still rather rebellious but he's no longer a bully. His interests are motorbikes (or any kind of car) and animals, surprisingly. He helps the volunteers to look after Twiggy during the summers on Monster Isle, who helps keep the monsters away from Townsville.

The Gangreen Gang (minus Ace, obviously) are a few of the aforementoined volunteers. Much to Buttercup's chagrin, Mitch and the reformed Gangreen Gang are on good terms.

Beebos are outlawed in Townsville, Farmsville, and Citiesville. All of them have been relocated to Monster Island. Mitch also helps keep an eye on the population and their feeding habits during his volunteer work over the summer. 

I can't decide if I want one of the Rowdyruff Boys or the Gangreen Gang to illegally have a Beebo, but one of those former delinquents definitely has one and are trying their hardest to keep it a secret lmao.

I've spoken about him here but Barnaby Mayer (aka "the Mayor") had been embezzling money from the city of Townsville for years. He came from a rather poverty stricken background and originally wanted to become mayor to help change Townsville for people like him. His newfound greed got to the better of him, and a certain someone close to him who I don't want to spoil just yet only helped push him further. Deforestation only allowed the growth of Townsville's infrastructure, at the expense of Fuzzy's property. Bribes from rich corporations in Townsville allowed the Mayor to turn a blind eye to wherever they dumped their toxic waste, which affected the Gangreen Gang and mutated the Amoeba Boys as their part of the city became the city wasteland. Sedusa's own court case was even rigged in the research lab's favor as a deal; the Mayor offers them funding and in exchange, they keep quiet about what he asks of them (future questionably unethical Chemical X experiments to extract a weakness against the Powerpuff Girls, silence on the ozone layer of Townsville and the radiation/pollution from monster waste, the Antidote X handcuffs, testing other animals which lead to the creation of the talking dog, White Kitty, and Roach Coach, etc). Most of Townsville's infamous villains link back to him (I got the idea from this post in particular, I just expanded on it).

Speaking of Sedusa's court case, I spoke a great deal about her here. Her real name is Annalise.

[missmaniac25]

Choi Jongho - Unprofessional

Therapist!Choi Jongho x gn!reader A little bit of hurt, a lottle of unethical behaviour (please do not fall in love with your therapist or vice versa) Word count: 2.5K Warning for reader being insecure, and unprofessional behaviour on Jongho's side

~ “First time here?” The receptionist asked, smiling kindly.

“Um, yes,” you answered as you squeezed your hands together. “Did everything come through from my previous therapist?”

She nodded before telling you to have a seat and that your slot would start soon.

Changing to a new therapist was stressful. Your previous mental health coach had suddenly up and left to go be with their partner in a different city. So reluctantly, you’d started the search and through a friend of a friend, you’d ended up here.

The second hand on the clock ticked slowly. As per usual, you’d arrived early and now had to play the waiting game, trying to sync your breathing with every five ticks of the clock. It kept you busy. So busy in fact that you didn’t even notice the door opening. It was only when you heard someone call your name that you became aware of how much time had passed.

It was time for your therapy session.

Dr Choi Jongho looked exceedingly comfortable in his cream-coloured cardigan and black slacks. A very clean pair of glasses sat on his noise, drawing your attention to his beautiful eyes.

“So, what brings you here today?” He asked, settling himself into his seat.

“Well, I’m sure you’ve seen what my previous therapist sent you.”

You tried your hardest to relax. Dr Choi seemed kind and open, but the new environment was still a tad bit unsettling.

“Yes, I did.” He replied and smiled, the happiness reaching his eyes. “But why today?”

“Honestly the worst of my problems are behind me,” you tell him. “But sometimes I still need help keeping my thoughts in order.”

Dr Choi nodded and scribbled something in his notepad.

“Tell me all about it.”

You left feeling far better than when you’d arrived, even feeling brave enough to give Dr Choi a little salute before heading off, which seemed to amuse him. Maybe this could work out after all.

~

3 months with Dr Choi

“To be perfectly honest with you, I think that you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”

Dr Choi seemed particularly done with you today. Three months since starting sessions with him, he’d gotten to understand you pretty well. And vice versa.

“But this is a big deal!” You pressed on, scooting closer to the edge of the couch the more worked up you got. “Going on a first date is a big deal!”

Dr Choi looked you up and down before sighing and leaning back in his chair.

“Fine, I’ll bite,” he mused. “Why is it such a big deal?”

“First impressions!” You jumped up off of your seat and started pacing. “Having to expose yourself to a complete stranger.”

The faint scribble of a pen on paper could be heard as you ranted.

“Like, there’s so much that could go wrong!” You continued. “Besides, I’m not dating material. I’m literally only going cause my friend set it up and I don’t want to let her down. Besides all that, what even do I have to offer someone romantically? He won’t even like me!”

“Why not?”

Dr Choi’s words made you stop as you stepped. He wore a strange look on his face; something between confusion and… regret?

“Why not what?” You asked back, still not moving.

He was slower to answer this time.

“Why would he not like you?”

There was a long stretch of quiet before you plopped back down where you had been seated before. Dr Choi kept an eye on you the entire time.

“Maybe…”

“Maybe?” He pressed gently.

“Maybe I’m just insecure,” you confessed. “Maybe… maybe I’m just saying that because I’m nervous and looking for any excuse not to go. Or for it not to work out.”

You heart thumped heavily in your chest. The beginning of a tear threatened to form in your eye but you blinked it away.

“Good,” Dr Choi said, a small smirk appearing on his lips.

“Good?” you queried.

“Good.” He reaffirmed. “But I’m afraid that’s our time for today.”

Quickly you glanced at the clock, seeing that he was right. You gathered your belongings and made for the door, thanking him like you always did.

“See you next time.” You gave a little salute, as had become tradition.

“Goodbye.” Dr Choi saluted back, his face blank. “Good luck with your date.”

It wasn’t until later that you thought about how stiff his goodbye had been.

‘Probably reading into it too much,’ you told yourself. ‘He’s probably exhausted, hearing my nonsense once a week’

That had to be it.

~

7 months with Dr Choi

The pitter patter of rain on the roof had you mesmerized. It was like a spell being cast, keeping you from thinking of anything else. Just the sound. Pitter, patter.

“Are you still with me?”

Dr Choi’s voice finally got through to you.

“Sorry.”

“Theres no need to apologise,” he answered, that soft smile that you’d gotten used to on his face.

It was a smile that never quite reached his eyes. Like it was just something he had to do rather than a genuine reaction.

It had started to bother you once you had noticed it, how closed off he’d become. How he’d stopped saluting back when you left his office every week.

“There you go again.” Dr choi adjusted his grip on the pen he was holding. “Tell me what you’re thinking. That’s why you’re here.”

The debate of what to do held you back for a second but Dr Choi called your name, forcing you to decide.

“You’ve changed,” you stated.

His eyebrows raised in intrigue.

“Oh?”

“Yes. For a while now, you’ve been acting differently.” You continued fulling facing him, “You used to be… friendlier.”

The two of you watched each other as though it were a stalemate; who was going to draw first?

“You noticed that?” Dr Choi finally said, voice quieter than usual.

“It was intentional?” There was a pang of hurt in your heart.

You really liked Dr Choi, as your therapist and as a person; to hear that he was purposefully acting differently towards you…

Dr Choi clearly could see how upset you’d become and tried to explain.

“No! No. Yes.” He stuttered. “I am behaving differently but it’s because…”

He shut his eyes, seemingly starting his own internal argument.

The air felt tense all of a sudden. The rhythm of the rain barely keeping you tethered to reality.

Were you really having a fight with your therapist?

“I think… I think I should go.” You stood up; Dr Choi finally looking at you again.

He said nothing as you made your way to the door, said nothing as you did your usual salute goodbye, and nothing as you shut the door and walked away.

~

It was only a day later when your phone rang. Hesitantly, you picked up, saying your name after greeting whoever was on the other side.

It wasn’t a voice you were expecting.

“Hi, it’s um… It’s Dr Choi Jongho.”

Everything froze. You didn’t move a muscle.

“Um, are you able to come in for ten minutes today?” He continued, voice sounding uneven. “I’d like to explain my behaviour yesterday. It was extremely unprofessional.”

“I still have work…” You began.

“You can come later,” Dr Choi interjected. “After hours. Free of charge.”

The majority of your brain wanted to say no. To say ‘forget everything’ and go back to normal. But there was that small part of you that was curious; that needed to know.

“Ok, I’ll be there.”

The receptionist had already gone home by the time you arrived and the door to Dr Choi’s room was already open. Cautiously, you knocked.

“Come in.”

With a deep breath, you went inside.

Dr Choi was putting away his notebook and pen into a drawer. He’d taken off his glasses and rolled his sleeves up.

“You can sit down,” he offered, watching as you shifted from foot to foot.

“Dr Choi…”

“Jongho.”

You swallowed nothing before he spoke again.

“Sorry.” He rubbed his hands along the legs of his pants. “That came out rather harshly.”

“You’re always telling me not to say ‘sorry’ but, seems like you do it too.”

Jongho smiled. And for the first time in a long time, it seemed to be genuine.

“Do as I say and not as I do,” he quipped back.

You tried to smile at him but something between you two still felt off.

“I suppose I should explain myself.” Jongho moved to stand in front of you.

“I’d appreciate that,” you said.

“I want to start by apologising again for my behaviour,” he said, looking at you earnestly. “It was unprofessional but more than that, it was rude.’

After a nod of acknowledgement from you, he continued.

“It also pains me to tell you that I can no longer be your therapist.”

“Why not!?”

The words flew from your mouth before you could stop yourself. “I forgive you for your weird behaviour today if that’s the problem!”

“No, no.” Jongho placed his hands on your arms. It was firm but still caring. “No, it’s something else. Something more than just that.”

In that moment, you were aware that this was the closest you’d ever physically been to each other. You could see the depth of his brown eyes, the freckle on his neck.

“I can’t be your therapist anymore because I’ve developed feelings for you.”

Out of all the possible things he could’ve said, that had not been at the top of your list. All you could manage was a quiet ‘oh’.

“I, uh.” He stepped back but the place where his hands had been still felt warm. “I tried to ignore my feelings. I had hoped that they wouldn’t get stronger but clearly in trying to ignore them, I’ve changed how I act towards you and… and I didn’t do a very good job of not letting it show.”

He glanced away for a second.

“And obviously I couldn’t stop those feelings from growing. And the more they grew, the worse I became.”

Jongho looked back at you, a shimmer of sadness in his eyes.

“So, that’s why you can’t be my therapist anymore,” you said, still trying to grasp this situation.

“Yes.” Jongho nodded. “But I have some people I can recommend you could go to, if you’d like their information.”

“Honestly.” You took a small step back. “I might need a break from therapists for a bit.”

The two of you stood in silence, neither of you sure what should happen next. You looked around, searching for guidance only to end up looking at Jongho again.

“I don’t want to take up anymore of your time.” He spoke up. “If you want those names, you can let my know.”

“I’ll think about it.”

With difficulty, you turned for the door, feeling your limbs fill with a heaviness. For old time’s sake, you looked back and lifted two fingers to your head. With a bittersweet look, Jongho saluted back.

You left for the last time.

~

One month without Dr Choi

Quiet. Nothing but quiet.

You’d thought about that day often especially in moments like these, when it was just you and your mind.

Quiet.

‘This is a bad idea,’ you told yourself as you picked up your phone and typed a message.

‘Hello Dr Choi, I was wondering if I could please get the names of the therapists you recommended. Sorry for the inconvenience.’

You sent it before you could change your mind. It was almost the end of the working day but contacting him after hours would’ve felt stranger.

Ping.

‘You don’t need to apologize, it’s no trouble at all.’

The next message is a list of names and numbers; some of them you recognised from your previous search before you had found…

‘Thank you.’ You sent back and before the confidence could wear off you added:

‘Are you ok?’

Theres a long stretch of nothing and you assumed that he had decided to ignore you. You’re about to get up and move on when…

‘Normally I’m the one asking that question. Its strange to be on the receiving end of it.’

Ping. Another message.

‘I’m alright. Thank you for asking.’

You answer with just ‘glad to hear it’ before you put the phone aside and found something to do that wasn’t over thinking.

~

6 months without Dr Choi

Hearing someone call your name while you are grocery shopping is always a little bit scary. Turning around to see your ex-therapist is even scarier.

“Oh, hi,” you manage to say as you stood with your shopping basket in one hand and a box of brownie mix in the other. “Dr Choi.”

“Just Jongho is fine. You’re no longer my patient.” He gave you a smile. That fake smile that ended at the corners of his lips.

“Right, sorry,” you said before internally groaning. If you had still been his patient, he would’ve scolded you for that.

“It’s been a few months now,” Jongho said. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Your heart skipped a beat and he realised what he had said and his eyes went wide.

“Oh, no!” He quickly tried to correct himself. ‘No, not like that! I meant professionally, not…”

Jongho took a deep breath and closed his eyes before muttering quietly to himself.

“Why does that only happen with you?”

You waited until he had had his moment, speaking once his eyes were open again.

“It’s ok.” You tried to give him a reassuring look. “I know what you meant to say.”

Letting the brownie mix fall into your basket, you continued.

“Professionally, yes.” You told him. “I’ve been going to Dr Park. He’s good just a little up tight.”

Jongho nodded as you spoke.

“Personally, no. I’ve, uh, I’ve been building up the courage to talk to someone again.”

You watched as he shifted his weight on his feet. He seemed uneasy.

“Oh, well, that’s good.” Jongho offered his two cents. “I hope that you find enough courage to follow through with it.”

It was now or never.

“Jongho,” you said, moving a little closer. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“Personally, or professionally?” He asked, eyebrows furrowed.

“Personally.”

His reply was a quick ‘no’ and a shake of the head.

“I, um.” Your heart pounded; like it was going to jump right out of your chest. “I don’t know if you still feel the same way about me as before or if this is even ethical but…”

“Yes?” Jongho gently pressed.

“Would you like to maybe have a coffee with me? At some point?”

A spark ignited in Jongho’s eyes and you could see his cheeks flush pink.

“Yes.” He finally smiled fully. “I’d love to have coffee with you.”

“Great!” You slowly started to shuffle around him. “I’ll send you a text.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

With one final nod, you turned your back and started to walk away.

“Hey!” Jongho called out.

When you looked at him, he had two fingers up to his forehead.

You couldn’t help but laugh a little as you did the same, giving the mock salute back.

“See you.”

“Yeah.” You smiled. “See you soon, Dr Choi.”