#we don’t flush for numer 1

[retiredteabag]

soft Toji dog-sitting for a generous!reader

pt. 1 - pt. 2 - next

synopsis: Toji takes up dog-sitting for you and learns to appreciate his new job, in more ways than one.

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Time came and went with Toji’s frequent dog sitting. Despite the workhorse owner seemingly never being home, the dog appeared well cared for and happy.  The place became a second home for the man. On one particular 8:00 o’clock morning, he found a long note… and a hundred dollars.

“Mr. Fushiguro, we will be getting lots of rain this week, I can’t ask you to walk him like you usually would but if it’s not too much trouble, please just take him outside and let him go to the bathroom. I’ve got a raincoat in the closet by the garage, a towel for the dog, and umbrellas by the door, please utilize whatever. There are towels for you in the guest bath, I will do the laundry when I get home, please just toss them on the floor.” – y/n  

Toji had never seen a dog so thrilled to be out in the rain. A scoff shook Toji when he found the raincoat. There was no universe where it would've fit him. The dog bounded to the door and sat patiently for Toji to open the umbrella.

It had been painfully humid that day, the rain was torrential, and he was drenched, even with the umbrella. He normally wouldn’t use someone else's shower and he rarely ever did in his previous line of work.

Back then he learned that using his client's utilities gave them the strange impression that they were more than a couple bucks to him. He liked to avoid messes like that and preferred his own (much smaller) shower anyway.

Even so, when the dog and he made it back, the pristine floors and counters stuck out more than ever. He would have to be at the house for a while that day, he figured he should probably clean himself.

If it weren’t for the loving pooch, the place would look unlived in. It was strange to think that before Toji got there and after he left anyone occupied the space at all.

The shower had been better than he’d ever remembered having. He tossed the towels in the wash and waited around. Toji was making more and more, working back-to-back days and he had learned to expect the apology text,

“I’m so sorry, I won't be making it back tonight, can you stay till 10?”

Toji always responded by liking the message. Their text logs looked like a line of grey text with numerous “thumbs up” reactions.  

Eventually, the day came when he did not have a note on the counter. The first day where there was a sign of life in the house, a mess. The dog had been anxiously circling Toji when he arrived. Tissues on the counter, trash not taken out, fridge empty, and what really stuck out to him, no money.

Toji couldn’t care less about how the owner lived, but if he was promised pay, he expected pay. No matter how generous the owner had been in the past. He knew it had been an honest mistake when he texted for the first time in weeks.

“Hey. Dog looks good. Were you planning on going to the bank this morning?”

It took a while for him to get a response but when he finally did, they came in quick succession.

“Oh my gosh”

“Mr. Fushiguro, I am so sorry!!”

“I promise it wasn’t intentional, I’ll be back early tonight, don’t worry about feeding him dinner, I’ll Zelle you for today and tomorrow.”

He hadn’t been upset or anything. The owner had been more than lavish with their money, Toji has never been so flush with cash from so little labor. That thought was what caused him to respond,

“No worries.”  

Toji arrived the next morning and for the first time, was met with…. Nothing? Usually, the dog was quick with its futile tackle attempts. Not today I guess Toji thought.

Toji called for the dog and he came running; just not in the way he usually did. Toji noticed immediately, the whining, the huffing, the wiggling, and the ever-constant pushing at his thigh.

“What? What is it, boy?” Toji asks.

The dog let out a particularly loud cry and ran back to the master bedroom. Toji looked around the kitchen, the first room from the foyer he entered. No note on the counter. But what he did find was a half-full glass of water, a ramekin with a cocktail of pills, and an iPhone with a silent alarm on the lock screen. An alarm was set for 5:42. It was 8:17.

The frantic dog rushed back to find Toji at the kitchen counter with the phone in his hand. He whimpered, nudging Toji with his face. It didn’t take long for the dog to practically drag Toji by the pantleg to the master bedroom.

“What? What?” Toji was looking around the room to see what had the big guy so agitated. It would be a lie to say Toji hadn’t done some snooping around the house. He'd wanted to see how the lavish owner lived. It's fair to say that he had never seen the bedroom look so…disrupted. Toji came around the bed where a potentially human-sized lump lay under a pile that consisted of sheets, a blanket, and an exceptionally fluffy duvet.

                “Excuse me?” Toji knocked his knuckles on the dresser by the bed. Still not totally sure if there was life under all the pillows. “Excuse me.” He said, firmer. Toji raised his eyebrows when a long…noise… escaped painfully from the frump on the bed.

                “Hello? You paid me for today, you know?”

There was a shaky stretch he could see from under the fluff. Then, as though burned with a branding iron, the shape jolted up. Toji was struck by the view of the women before him. Screaming in shock.

                The dog began to whine again between Toji and the woman on the bed. You were making loud, unintelligible exclamations. The dog was licking at his paw.

                “H-hello???!” You were nothing like what Toji was expecting. But then again, he wasn’t sure what he had expected from the ghost that was the owner of this place.

                “Ms. y/n? You paid me to come today.” Toji had taken a step back, he was well aware that he was a frightening presence, especially for the seemingly young and unarmed woman sitting up in her bed.

                “Mr. Fushi-“ a cough “guro?!” your eyes stretched comically wide, and made to jump out of bed, but then you saw how close Toji was, and thought again, “I-I didn’t!” Your hands fly to your head, “Oh God….”

Toji stepped back a ways, he wasn’t sure what he should do or say. The women before him seemed… unwell, to say the least. Weak, for sure, cold too maybe.

                “But it’s….” You began.

                “It’s Friday, you paid me last night for yesterday and today, I can leave if you’d like, but I ain’t got the cash on me…”  

                “No, no, no!” Finally, you stumbled from your bed, seemingly no longer frightened by Toji’s looming form, you seemed flushed, and damp? Definitely unwell. “I-I’m so sorry, I can’t believe I let this happen, I swear I set an alarm…”

You spin around and almost slam directly into Toji's chest. Shrieking, you pulled back and stumbled on your own footing. In the same breath Toji grabs you by the shoulder and righted your center of gravity.

Hot. He thinks She was irregularly warm. He let go and stepped back.

There was once a time when a touch like that would mean nothing, but now, he feels unsure if it was the right move. This woman was nothing like his previous clients.

                “I’m so sorry! But… My phone…” Your eyes survey the desk by the bed. A thermometer sat idly by the lamp.

“I’ve got it here.” Toji waved the device before your eyes, “You left it on the counter back there.” He tilted his head toward the kitchen.

The meek women seemed to no longer fear Toji at all, snatching her phone quickly and moaning loudly. “Oh God!” You echoed.

You shuffle on your feet, unsure of which direction to turn, then finally decide to turn to Toji where he stands staring.

                “I- cannot. Apologize. Enough. Please, you stay here, I need to go, I am so late. I- Thank you, for taking care of my boy.” You were huffing. Stress welled in your form but you squeezed the sides of your temples and rushed to slip shoes on.

                “Excuse me.” Toji felt uncomfortable and out of place in this woman's presence but she was insane if she thought she could work in this condition. Not only due to her clear illness, but also, she was currently wearing a professional pair of flats, green and black oversized plaid pajama pants, and a thick black crewneck. “You… can’t work like this.” He made a face.

You look down at yourself. “Oh, I’m-I’m so embarrassed, and I’m sorry. I have extra clothes in the office, I can change there… I can’t believe this happened.” Your hoarse voice had scratched and faded significantly from the screaming you had done moments before. “Thank you, for waking me, and staying with the dog.”

                “Erm…No, I mean, you can’t work…like this” Toji’s hand motioned to rake over your appearance. Like Hello? You are not presentable. “You're sick.”

                “I’m-no! I’m on the recovery side. I’ll be okay.” You state, wobbling on your “recovering” feet.

                “I don’t think so.” Toji wasn’t trying to be pushy but it was laughable to think someone in your condition was anything but grossly ill. “I think you should call out.”

Your eyes jump at the thought. “I can’t, I’m sorry that this happened, I’ll be sure it won't again. I can't believe-ugh!”

Your exasperation was clear, and no, you were not recovering. You had come home last night beyond exhausted. You had left that morning knowing you were sick. You had left work early, (by 5:30) in hopes that sleep would help you body. But the exhaustion had overtaken you. You can recall taking medicine, placing some out for this morning, and then…. Flopping in bed.

Damn it. This was your fault. And after all the work you had done. The panic had settled into disappointment. And the large man that was supposedly your very attentive and efficient dog sitter was still in your bedroom. Staring at you. In your pajamas. Nice.

“Ya can't work like that. How about I walk the dog, you take the drugs you’ve got in that little cup and go back to bed.” He pauses and. Blood rushes to your face. He gives you a once over, “Maybe wash up.”

You were gonna kill yourself.

There were a million “no!” arguments that came to your mind but they were so jumbled in your fuzzy mind. Another reason for your self-induced frustration. The man was already walking out of your bedroom, your big dog in toe. Your boy!? The dog who hated everyone (especially men) but you?? He was leaving YOU for HIM? That was it.

You waddle back to your bed and flop face first into your pillow and wail. No tears come but the embarrassment and anger fill you so full you need it out of your system in some way.

Checking your (nearly dead) phone you find that it is nearly nine, you weren’t THAT late, this could work. But at the realization that you wouldn’t arrive until almost ten, and the sweat pricking at your neck, all the motivation to make it flooded from your bones. You work from home on the weekend anyway, if you went in today you would likely just humiliate yourself more.

You resigned yourself to the bathroom after taking some medicine, desperate to get yourself clean before the dog sitter returned.

Toji decided to take a slower pace on their morning walk. He had an odd feeling in his stomach. All he could that was that this dogs mom was not what he had expected.

It had become a game for Toji- to guess what the homeowner was like. A decrepit golfer with time for nobody but himself? An old, entitled maid, desperate to appear young? A middle-aged guy like himself, too busy trading stocks to feed his own dog?

Yet today proved that all of his ideas were wrong... you were younger than he had envisioned. You had big, full eyes and you had smiled so shyly while thanking him.

He hadn't meant to embarrass you but your face when he told you you were unpresentable just made him laugh. Your eyebrows knitting together, and your (already heated) facade seemed to rush with more blood. Your downcast gaze had lifted to show a pathetically self-deprecating smile. Toji laughed despite himself.

You had seemed small. But in the moment he had spoken to you, you had shrunk even more. No. Not what he was expecting at all.

And despite himself and his greed. He couldn’t help but hope that he wouldn’t be needed here for a little while.

It seemed like you needed to stay home for a while.

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pt. 3

[fanfictionismyaddiction]

Whispers of Rome

Word count: 2.3k

Pairing: Toto Wolff x reader

Summary: On a summer night in Rome, Y/n and her friends meet Toto Wolff and his friend at their favorite bar. Despite exchanging glances, neither Y/n nor Toto can initially find the courage to speak. When their friends' coincidental bathroom trips lead to introductions, the two groups mingle, sparking deeper conversations.

Warnings: Older male younger female, age gap, size difference, soft smut

One Shot Masterlist

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It was a warm summer night in Rome, the kind that wrapped the city in a golden glow and made every moment feel like a scene from a movie. Y/n, 24, was out with her two best friends, Sarah, 30, and James, 26. They had just finished a delightful dinner at a quaint trattoria and were now headed to Y/n’s favorite bar, a cozy little spot known for its charming ambiance and exquisite cocktails.

Unbeknownst to Y/n, Toto Wolff, the legendary Formula 1 team principal, was also in Rome. He had come to the city for a brief respite, accompanied by his friend, Mark. After a day of sightseeing, they decided to unwind at a bar that had caught Toto’s eye earlier in the day—the same bar Y/n and her friends were headed to.

As Y/n and her friends settled into their seats, Toto and Mark took a table opposite them. The instant Y/n spotted Toto, she recognized him from the numerous races she had followed, but she never imagined she’d see him here. Throughout the evening, Y/n and Toto exchanged glances, each too shy to approach the other. The air between them crackled with an unspoken connection, a palpable tension that neither could ignore.

"Did you see that guy?" Y/n whispered to Sarah, nodding subtly in Toto's direction.

Sarah turned slightly and then back to Y/n, her eyes widening. "He looks familiar, but I can't place him. Who is he?"

Y/n leaned in closer, her excitement barely contained. "That's Toto Wolff, the handsome guy from Formula 1 I've been telling you about!"

Sarah's eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh really? Now I see what you mean. He does look good!"

Meanwhile, James, oblivious to Y/n’s secret glances, eventually excused himself to the restroom. Coincidentally, Mark did the same. In the restroom, the two men struck up a conversation. James, always the sociable one, mentioned their table and invited Mark and his friend to join them. Mark, sensing an opportunity, agreed.

When they returned, James announced, "Guys, I’ve invited these two gentlemen to join us. Hope you don’t mind."

Y/n’s heart skipped a beat as Toto and Mark took the seats next to them. Despite the shyness that lingered between Y/n and Toto, the group quickly fell into an animated exchange of stories and laughter. Toto introduced himself and Mark, and soon they were all sharing travel stories and favorite places in Rome.

As the conversation flowed, Y/n found herself stealing glances at Toto, admiring his easy smile and the way he listened intently to everyone. She gathered her courage and turned to him. "I have to confess, I know who you are," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I've followed Formula 1 for years."

Toto smiled warmly. "And I have to confess, I noticed you the moment I walked in. There's something about you, Y/n. I just like you."

Y/n's heart fluttered at his words. "Well, that makes two of us then," she replied, feeling a bit braver.

As the night went on, they continued to talk, their conversations becoming more personal. They discussed their passions, their dreams, and the serendipity of their meeting. Despite the shyness, a genuine connection was forming between them.

After a few rounds of drinks, Sarah suggested, “Hey, how about we go to the beach? It’s a beautiful night and the bar’s about to close.”

It was already 2 AM, but the idea of parting ways was the last thing on Y/n and Toto’s minds. Fueled by the courage from the evening’s libations, they all agreed and ordered an Uber.

At the beach, they laid out their jackets on the cool sand. The moon hung low, casting a silver path on the waves. Y/n and Toto found themselves sitting next to each other, the silence between them filled with unspoken words. Y/n broke the silence, turning to Toto with a mischievous grin.

"You know, we should go for a swim when the sun comes up," she said, her eyes sparkling.

Sarah and James eagerly agreed, but Toto hesitated. "I don't know, it's pretty cold," he said with a reluctant smile.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Y/n encouraged. Seeing his hesitation, she stood up and began to strip down to her underwear. "I’m going in!"

Toto watched her, captivated, as she confidently headed towards the water. Her boldness was infectious, and after a moment, he stood up as well, laughing. "Alright, you win," he said, quickly stripping down and following her.

As they waded into the water, the cool waves lapping at their legs, they continued their conversation. "So, what do you love most about Rome?" Toto asked.

"I think it's the history," Y/n replied. "Every corner of the city tells a story. What about you?"

"For me, it's the atmosphere," Toto said. "It's different from anywhere else. The people, the food, the energy—it's all so vibrant."

Y/n nodded. "And tonight has been...unexpectedly wonderful."

Toto smiled, moving closer to her. "It has been. I'm glad we decided to come here."

As they ventured deeper into the water, the coldness of the sea contrasted sharply with the warmth between them. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and as the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, the tension that had been building all night finally broke.

Y/n turned to Toto, her eyes reflecting the dawn light. "I've never met anyone quite like you," she said softly.

"And I've never met anyone like you," Toto replied, his voice husky.

The world around them faded as they leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender but electrifying kiss. The kiss deepened, becoming more passionate as the waves gently lapped around them. Their hands explored each other’s bodies, the water making their skin slick and the sensations more intense.

They finally pulled back, breathless. "This is crazy," Y/n whispered, a mix of excitement and disbelief in her voice.

"But it feels right," Toto replied, his eyes locked onto hers.

Y/n nodded, agreeing. "What happens now?"

Toto hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I don't want this night to end. Would you like to come back to my hotel? We can watch the sunrise from there."

Y/n smiled, feeling a thrill of anticipation. "I'd love that."

As the sun rose, casting a warm glow over the beach, they emerged from the water and rejoined their friends. Sarah and James smiled knowingly, glad to see Y/n so happy. The group sat together, drying off in the morning sun, exchanging phone numbers 

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The early morning air filled with the sounds of their laughter and chatter. Y/n found herself standing a little apart from the others, lost in her thoughts.

Sarah noticed Y/n's distracted demeanor and walked over to her. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, a knowing smile on her face.

Y/n looked at her friend, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Yeah, I’m just thinking about everything. It’s been... a lot."

Sarah chuckled. "I can imagine. You two were pretty cozy in the water. So, what’s the plan now?"

Y/n sighed, glancing over at Toto, who was talking to Mark and James a little further down the beach. "He invited me to his hotel. I want to go, but... I don’t know. What if this is just a one-time thing?"

Sarah placed a reassuring hand on Y/n’s shoulder. "Listen, Y/n. You’re one of the most confident and sexy women I know. You went after what you wanted tonight, and it paid off. Don't second-guess yourself now. If you want to spend more time with him, go for it. You deserve to enjoy this."

Y/n smiled, feeling a surge of confidence from Sarah’s words. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Sarah replied firmly. "And honestly, from what I saw, he seems really into you. Just go with the flow and see where it leads."

Encouraged by her friend's words, Y/n nodded. "Thanks, Sarah. You always know what to say."

"That’s what best friends are for," Sarah said with a wink.

Feeling more assured, Y/n walked back over to Toto, who smiled as she approached. "Ready to head out?" he asked, his eyes hopeful.

Y/n glanced back at Sarah, who gave her a supportive nod. "Yeah, I’m ready," she replied, her heart racing with excitement.

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The ride to Toto's hotel was filled with a charged silence, both of them acutely aware of the night's possibilities. The early morning light cast long shadows across Rome's ancient streets as their Uber navigated the winding roads. Y/n's heart raced with excitement and anticipation, her hand still entwined with Toto's, feeling the warmth and strength of his grip.

When they arrived, Toto led Y/n through the opulent lobby of the hotel, the grandeur of the place reflecting his stature. The staff greeted him with respectful nods, and Y/n couldn’t help but feel a bit awed by the whole experience. They took the elevator to the top floor, where Toto’s suite offered a breathtaking view of the city waking up under the rising sun.

Once inside the suite, Toto closed the door behind them and turned to Y/n. “Can I get you anything? A drink, perhaps?”

Y/n shook her head, stepping closer to him. “No, I’m good. I just want to...” She trailed off, glancing up at him. The height difference between them was more pronounced now, Toto towering over her with his 6'5" frame. Y/n, at 5'4", had to tilt her head back to look into his eyes, the difference making her feel both small and protected.

Toto smiled down at her, his eyes softening. “I’ve got you,” he murmured, closing the distance between them. He cupped her face in his large hands and leaned down to kiss her, his lips meeting hers with a mix of tenderness and hunger. Y/n responded eagerly, her arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer.

They slowly made their way to the large, plush bed, shedding the remnants of their damp clothing along the way. When they finally fell onto the bed, the feel of the soft sheets against their skin was a delicious contrast to the firm touch of their bodies.

Toto paused for a moment, looking down at Y/n with a mixture of desire and tenderness. “Are you sure about this?” he asked, his voice a low whisper.

Y/n nodded, her eyes locked onto his. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

With that, they surrendered to the moment. Their lovemaking was both urgent and tender, a perfect blend of passion and connection. Toto’s experienced touch and Y/n’s eager responses created a rhythm that felt both new and timeless. As they moved together, they spoke in whispers, sharing secrets and desires, each word deepening their bond.

Afterward, they lay tangled in the sheets, their bodies still humming from the intensity of their encounter. The sun had fully risen, casting a golden glow into the room. Toto brushed a strand of hair from Y/n’s face, his eyes filled with a softness she hadn’t expected.

“What happens now?” Y/n asked, her voice barely more than a breath.

Toto sighed contentedly, pulling her closer. “I don’t know. But I want to find out. I want to see where this can go.”

Y/n smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Me too.”

They spent the rest of the morning wrapped in each other’s arms, talking and laughing, exploring the depths of their connection. They ordered breakfast to the room, savoring the simple pleasure of sharing a meal together. Each moment felt like a discovery, every touch a promise of something more.

As the city buzzed to life outside, Y/n and Toto remained in their bubble, oblivious to the world beyond the walls of the suite. 

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As noon approached, the reality of the world outside began to seep back in. They reluctantly dressed, but the ease between them remained. Toto watched Y/n as she moved around the room, a soft smile playing on his lips.

“You know, you could stay,” he suggested, his tone casual but his eyes hopeful.

Y/n turned to him, considering. “I’d love to, but I should probably get back to Sarah and James. They’ll be wondering what happened to me.”

Toto nodded, understanding. “Of course. But maybe we can meet again tonight? Dinner, perhaps?”

Y/n’s heart fluttered at the thought. “I’d love that.”

Toto walked her to the door, their fingers reluctantly parting. “Until tonight, then,” he said, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

“Until tonight,” Y/n echoed, stepping out into the hallway.

As she made her way back to her friends, she couldn’t stop smiling.

When she finally reunited with Sarah and James, they bombarded her with questions. Y/n laughed, sharing the highlights of her night, though some details she kept just for herself.

[arcanarix]

Kinktober Day 1 - Satoru Gojo X Fem!Reader - Pussy Worship

18+

Cw // overstim, gojo is a thigh guy, squirting, cunnilingus, affectionate (??) derogatory names (slut, etc.)

Satoru Gojo loved nothing more than to worship you. He loved to take his time taking you apart. He loved to just make you stupidly drunk off of his attention.

And you of course loved every second of it too—even in moments like these where it became too much to bear for you. It was all part of the fun. The excitement. The thrill you both chased.

You liked to compare his lips on your pussy to suction cups. Maybe the unsexiest thing ever to imagine comparing him to, but you swear to God, that was the best way you could explain the likes of him. He latched them onto your clit and just remained there for a good moment, suckling and flicking at your oversensitive bundle of nerves. He’d look up at you with those vibrant sky-blue eyes, studying your reactions, purring in approval with each little moan and sigh you uttered.

Did you mention he was seriously too good with his mouth? Too often you arched your back or clawed at his shoulders, whining, whimpering. Grinding into his tongue to chase more of that friction you craved like the little slut you allowed yourself to be for him and for him only.

He cherished you. He cherished you so much. You knew he did. His little…fixation became one of the numerous ways he showed you.

You lost count how many times you’ve cum already in one sitting. Satoru had no intention of ceasing any time soon.

He suckled on you a bit harder than you expected, and you jumped in your spot, constricting your legs around his neck. You moaned, pushing yourself into him more. He chuckled in response, the sound vibrating against your oversensitive, sopping, dripping pussy.

You jolted beneath him, grasping at something, anything, and you opted for the crown of his head. Your fingers dug into his hair, and he laughed, tone melodious like a chorus.

“S-satoru…” you muttered weakly, even a little shyly in spite of everything.

He pried his lips off for just a moment, lips shining with your slick like a gloss. His eyes shone just as vibrantly as he lifted his head to get a good eyeful of your beautiful self, splayed out on their bed.

“Hmmm?”

“Can’t cum anymore,” you said, your protest came out in a broken whine. Satoru tilted his head, always looking like an adorable puppy like that. His lips pressed together as he assessed the situation, considering your plea.

Of course, if Satoru ever had the option to be a menace…he opted for that!

“Don’t lie to me,” he purred, teasing with that trademark shit-eating grin on his face. “We can get plenty more.”

He ran his tongue between his lips, humming in satisfaction at the taste of you fresh on his tongue. He dove back in, his tongue gliding between your folds. The squelching became grew louder with each pass of his tongue, and your face flushed from arousal and embarrassment. Even if by now you’d be used to these antics of his.

His hands ran up your thighs, spreading them further apart so he had more room. His thumbs massaged into your supple skin, eliciting soft sighs out of you.

“My beautiful girl,” he purred, lips and chin drenched in your slick. Some of it dripped off the tip of his chin. “I just wanna be crushed between these thighs for the rest of my life.”

Your flush deepened into a rich crimson as those words seeped into your skin. Boy, did he have a way to catch you off guard at the most infuriating of moments. He wouldn’t be Satoru Gojo if not for that little quirk of his!

“Satoru!” you shrieked, covering your mouth.

Satoru seemed pleased by your reaction.

“What?” he teased, sliding his tongue between your folds for good measure. You whined. “I’m just stating the facts.”

When you didn’t know what to say, he took action, curling his tongue against your entrance before letting the tip of the wet muscle catch inside.

“Satoru,” you moaned, voice softer before you keened as he plunged the eager muscle inside. He wiggled it between your spongy walls, and you writhed, gripping tighter on his cute, tousled hair.

Satoru moaned your name in response, coaxing orgasm out of you after another. Each one sharper, wetter, and lewder than the last.

“I can’t,” you panted between gasping breaths.

“You can,” he growled, nipping at your thigh, making you yelp. “I know you can, baby.”

“No more,” you whined, trying to pull away nit he held you in place, grip firm, tight, threatening.

“What’s that? You want more?” he taunted, suckling harder at your folds, making you shout.

He really was eating you stupid, wasn’t he?

Your arousal practically soaked the sheets beneath you. Satoru’s face was practically soaked in your arousal. It was a deliciously erotic and sensual sight to behold, but you didn’t think you could take much more than you already did. You really didn’t and yet…

You whimpered, everything becoming unbearable. The heat between your legs that he just kept building up and up and up. Satoru’s stupid face. The heady scent of sex and sweat and a hint of Satoru’s expensive Prada cologne.

“Satoru, please—!” you pleaded, desperate.

Another lick up your folds. More slick gushing out.

“—please what? Keep going? Because we’re far from finished. Besides, once I’m done with your pretty cunt, I still have your cute little asshole to bring attention to next.”

As if he couldn’t be more of a menace, he pinched the skin of your right butt cheek. Fingers inching closer until it rimmed the tight ring of your ass.

“Noooo….please! Have mercy!”

Satoru pushed the flat of his tongue against your folds, fingers pinching your clit and rubbing slightly.

You came in a crescendo.

“You are so—!” you shouted as you came down from the high, to which Satoru responded with a teasing light slap against your oversensitive pussy.

“That the thanks I get for the uhhh I don’t know… 20 or so orgasms I just gave you out of the pure selflessness of my heart?” he chuckled as he adjusted your legs, propping your ass up. “And there’s still plenty more to be had.”

Rather than protest (you’d lose every time you did, anyway), you buried your face into the feathery soft pillows from frustration. This man was the biggest menace in your world, but if his way to go was to be crushed between your thighs, then well, who were you to deny his dying wish?

[vivid-ink]

"To Know You Again" Chapter 1 - Homecoming

Pairing: Neteyam x fem!Omatikaya OC Summary: “Do you remember our last night here? The night before my family left?” The warm, rumbling timbre of Neteyam’s voice washed over her. “Yes,” Naia whispered. How could she forget?... She had replayed the memory of his lips over and over numerous times. One corner of Neteyam’s mouth lifted in a small smile as his eyes tracked over the delicate bridge of her nose and over her steadily flushing cheeks. His gaze stopped to rest on her lips, “You gave me something that night. I think it's time I returned it."

An exploration of what if Neteyam had to leave a girl he was close to behind when his family fled to the reefs to seek refuge. AU - Set 7 years after TWoW, exploring the many emotions and the eventual romantic reunion between Neteyam and his love. Warnings: Adult content 18+, MDNI Content: Romance, drama, angst, fluff, sexual content, smut, soulmates, bonding. Word Count: 6k Notes: This is my shorter chaptered piece, which is cross-posted on AO3 and Wattpad too. But I've noticed that the Avatar fandom seems much more active on here, so here is my story's Tumblr debut. I hope this brings you Tumblr folks much enjoyment! <3

Pronunciation note: Manaia – Ma-ny-uh, or Ny-uh for the shortened version of the OC's name.

Manaia’s disgruntled eyes seethed at the mortar and pestle before her as her hands furiously worked, grinding away at the tough roots in the wooden receptacle. If looks could kill, the implements she held would be smoking now, charred and blackened by her resentful gaze.

The tsahìk’s hut was filled with her mother’s exasperated voice, countered only by Mo’at’s unruffled words as the Omatikaya tsahìk sat by Manaia, grinding her own roots and herbs in a separate mortar.

“Talk to her, tsahìk!” Ayepni implored, gesturing avidly toward her daughter while she paced to and fro before the pair of women seated on the ground, “She will not be betrothed to Tupou!”

Ever unflappable, Mo’at took in a slow and meaningful breath and her voice was placating as she addressed Manaia, “Tupou is in line to be the next olo’eyktan and as tsakarem (trainee tsahìk), it is tradition that you will be mated to him when the time comes for you both to lead this clan.”

Manaia hissed acridly, repudiating the sentiment, “Well then perhaps the Omatikaya should appoint another tsakarem! Leylani perhaps?”

“You have trained as a healer and spiritual shaman for years! All through the Long War you have aided tsahìk Mo’at and studied under her. Will you throw all of the hard work she has put into you away?” Ayepni exclaimed, maddened, “All because of your silly feud with Tupou?”

“There isn’t any silly feud!” Manaia refuted, slamming her pestle down into her mortar with enough force that chunks of masticated root flew out of the vessel to spatter the mat beneath her. She did not have any feud with Tupou, they simply did not get along. They never had, even when they were younger. Tupou found her mouthy impudence unladylike and she found his cocksure demeanour infuriating. She continued, “We’re just very different people and we don’t get along. Besides, Leylani has trained with me under Mo’at too. There isn’t any reason the role of tsakarem can’t be passed to her.”

Mo’at surveyed the bickering mother and daughter with shrewd eyes. Manaia had been a conscientious student through the years and her bond with Eywa was strong. The girl had all the makings of a great tsahìk and Mo’at had sensed that this was to be the girl’s path since she was a child.

A mild headache bloomed behind her temples and Mo’at sighed quietly to herself. If only her daughter’s family had not had to leave the clan at the start of the Long War. Things would be so much simpler now with the hierarchy as it was then, with Jake as olo’eyktan and Neteyam as his successor. Neteyam and Manaia had been close as children…

“It has been many moons since the end of the Long War and you are a woman now, Naia. Time to grow up!” Ayepni admonished, ceasing her pacing to stand before her daughter, her tail swishing in annoyance behind her, “Tupou is an accomplished and well-respected warrior. He is handsome and well-bred. It would be an honour for you to have him as your mate.”

Manaia bristled at her mother’s patronising use of her shortened name. There had only ever been one person she accepted calling her by her nickname and she had not seen him in years. “I don’t wish to be betrothed to Tupou! I have prayed to our Great Mother and I don’t see him in my path. I don’t see myself mating any man!”

Naia knew her last words were a lie.Her heart belonged to a boy she once knew; a boy who would be a man now, living far away in the reef clans. She would mate him in a heartbeat if she could... Alas, dreams were free.

With a loud snarl of frustration, Ayepni swept out of the tsahìk’s hut, leaving Naia alone with her mentor.

“I apologise, tsahìk.” Naia breathed quietly, returning to her task of pulverising the contents of her mortar, “That argument should not have happened in front of you.”

To Naia’s surprise, Mo’at chuckled, “It’s alright child. Your mother has always had a hot temper and a quick mouth. You are more alike than you know. She just wants what is best for you.”

Naia grunted in acknowledgement, slowly decanting the mashed roots into a larger vessel. Her thoughts were running away with her now, leading her to the reefs of Pandora where she wondered how he was and how he was doing. Her heart whispered his name… Neteyam… How did he spend his days? Was he happy? Mated, perhaps? Naia banished the thought when it pricked sharply in her chest. It would not surprise her if he was. Now that the war was over, people had begun returning to their lives, finding love and happiness again. He was a world away from her…

The Long War against the sky demons had waged for six painful years. Many lives were lost and the balance of life had been upset. Victory had come about at the Great Mother’s hands when she fed a hallowed plague to the waters of Pandora, poisoning the sky demons. The sky demons had perished, but all who held faith in Eywa had escaped unharmed.

The clinking of the wooden bangles around Mo’at’s wrists as she worked was a pleasant and soothing sound, and Naia forced her thoughts away from Neteyam. He was a beautiful memory from her younger years and he would stay that way. There was no use stirring up her tender emotions from the past. After all, it was also a little awkward daydreaming of Mo’at’s grandson in her presence.

Mo’at watched as Naia refilled her mortar; a sprinkle of pungent herbs, a dash of seeds and a splash of oil to make an invigorating infusion to energise and revitalise. The young woman was lost in her thoughts and a small crease knitted her brows in a frown. Mo’at’s gaze trailed from Naia’s face, down her seated form, graceful and lithe. Gone was the tomboyish girl who had refused to keep her hair any longer than her chin, who had hated excessive jewellery and elaborate clothing.

Not that Naia was vain now by any means, but she had grown more feminine as she had matured into a young woman. Her head was shaven on one side, but the intricately beaded braids of her hair brushed her shoulders on her other side. Large, gold eyes sat in an oval-shaped face with a delicate nose and smooth, wide lips. She was pretty, though Mo’at knew Naia would never agree. Not when Naia’s days were spent learning alongside Leylani who was objectively considered one of the most beautiful young women among the Omatikaya.

Setting down her own implements, Mo’at reached out to clasp Naia’s wrist gently, getting her attention, “Do you want to be tsahìk after me, child?”

Naia’s eyes met Mo’at’s piercing but tender gaze. She could not lie to the woman. Mo’at often perceived things without ever being told, courtesy of Eywa, she supposed. Naia had never spoken to anyone of the tender feelings she had harboured for Neteyam all these years, but as Mo’at’s crinkled eyes bore into her, Naia could not help but feel as though the woman knew anyway.

Remembering then that she had been asked a question, Naia cleared her throat and replied, “I don’t want to be tsahìk if it means I have to mate Tupou or any other potential successor in this clan.”

“Because you think boys are gross?” Mo’at teased, chortling, and a toothy grin danced across her wizened features at the look of shock on Naia’s face. It was a sentiment that Naia often used to proclaim as a teenager when all her peers had gone through the starry-eyed phase of discovering the opposite sex. Mo’at knew there were rumours that ran rampant about Naia’s preferences. She had never so much as flirted or dallied with any of the clan’s young males and with her tomboyish past, many thought she maybe preferred women. But Mo’at knew better; Manaia had only ever had eyes for one boy…

Naia gawped at the older woman and she felt a flush heat her face. She proclaimed indignantly, “I don’t think boys are gross!” She pursed her lips and a sheepish grimace followed, “Not anymore anyway. I do like men, just not Tupou.”

Laughing heartily now, Mo’at hushed the young woman, “Don’t fret. I don’t believe the gossip that goes around the clan.”

“Good. People spout a lot of rubbish!” Naia gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes then, “Nimwey brought her boy in to see me the other day about the pustules on his face. It was just typical teenage skin, you know, hormones and all. Apparently she’s been telling him his skin is like that because he never cleans his food bowls off properly, and every grain of wheat he leaves behind causes a pustule on his face!”

Mo’at guffawed at the ridiculous old wives’ tale, and then her expression turned sombre as her laughter died down. She reached out to stroke Naia’s cheek, her eyes meaningful, “If the Great Mother does not mean for Tupou to be part of your path, then he won’t be. But you must be open to all possibilities, Manaia. Let not your heart cling on to tender hopes of the past, lest it forgo the opportunities of the future.”

Rumbles of discomfort rolled in Naia’s gut at Mo’at’s words. She knew exactly what the tsahìk’s implication was. While her mind agreed wholeheartedly, Naia could not snuff out the flame she held in her heart that seemed determined to burn bright for eternity. She had tried many times before and had failed miserably. Neteyam was her first thought in the morning and her last thought at night... The years that had passed since the Sully family’s departure had done nothing to change that.

“If Tupou will be olo’eyktan after Tarsem, then Leylani should be tsakarem. She is skilled in your teachings too, as I am.” Naia declared stubbornly, “They are close and Tupou much prefers her. They would certainly make a stronger partnership than Tupou and I.”

Mo’at exhaled with a resigned sigh. The young woman was stubborn. Unease prickled at Mo’at’s skin as she considered what arrangements would need to be made to formally appoint a new tsakarem. It was true that both Leylani and Manaia had trained competently under her, but Mo’at had always had a deep, unspoken sense that the tsahìk’s path was Manaia’s to walk.

Not wanting to cause any more dispute for the moment, Mo’at reluctantly acquiesced, “Alright, I will speak to the clan’s elders. The responsibility can be transferred to Leylani.”

“Thank you, Mo’at.” Naia said, swallowing the tight lump in her throat. Healing was her calling though and while relinquishing her role as tsakarem would mean she would no longer be a spiritual leader, she still wanted to practise her healing skills. The thought caused her to add in quickly, “I’d still like to work with you and heal though. If you’ll allow me to.”

The tsahìk’s expression softened and she graced Naia with an earnest smile, “Of course, child.”

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Naia’s parents had been less than impressed with her decision to step down from her role as tsakarem. She had returned each evening after her workday to the disappointed gaze of her father, and her mother’s cold shoulder was a silent force to be reckoned with. It had taken a few weeks for the storm to blow over before her mother started speaking to her again.

A chesty cough reminded Naia of her present surroundings and she returned her attention to the child before her. Little Entu was suffering from a severe bronchial infection and the toddler squirmed, fretting in discomfort as his lungs fought to draw in breath. She smoothed her cool fingers over the child’s forehead to soothe him. Bringing a pungent smoke roll of medicinal herbs to her lips, Naia sucked a breath into her mouth and blew the smoke out over the child. The tsahìk’s hut was already hazy with the spicy fumes and she prayed it would help relax the child’s airways.

“He is better than yesterday,” Mo’at remarked, tidying away a set of stoppered vessels from her work station in the corner, “Still coughing badly, but it is mostly an irritant to him than a threat to his life.”

Naia sighed and nodded, “The cough just sounds so awful coming from a little one so young. He will need to stay here tonight still.” Another whine escaped the child and she returned to pacifying him with gentle murmurs.

“Yes, Leylani will come and relieve you soon. She will take the night shift and watch him.”

Eclipse was nearing and the horizon had begun to paint itself in shades of auburn and pinks as the light began to fade. The beautiful light illuminated the vast crevice at the mouth of the Omatikaya’s High Camp stronghold, casting shadows against the rocky walls of the cave system as people milled about.

Naia stretched her neck from side to side, hearing the vertebrae pop and snap quietly from her movements. It had been a long day and she was looking forward to having some time to herself unwinding in her grotto. The grotto that had once been their spot.

There was commotion outside the hut then and Naia’s ears pricked upward in alertness. Gasps and cries of surprise sounded from the people outside, followed by ululating calls of joyous welcome. Something was happening. Mo’at rose to her feet and she padded over the carpeted floor to the entry of the hut, sweeping the draping cloth aside to peer out the entrance.

The older woman gave a sharp inhale and a beaming smile swept across her sage face. Naia heard it then; the words and cries being shouted outside.

“Toruk Makto!”

“Toruk Makto’s family have returned!”

She froze and a thick buzz settled over her ears. The only thing audible to Naia in that moment was the increasing rate of her beating heart. Was she dreaming?... Could it be true?

Naia’s gaze flicked to Mo’at who stood smiling at the mouth of the hut, one wrinkled hand over her mouth as tears of happiness began to pool in her eyes. Naia urged the woman, “Go, Mo’at! Go to them. I’ll stay with Entu.”

As much as Naia wanted to jump up and run outside to see for herself, she was still working, and of course Mo’at should be the first to see her family. Mo’at shot her a grateful look and promptly left to greet her kin.

Vaguely, Naia wondered to herself… Was Neteyam back too?... Her heart thundered with a myriad of emotions. Excitement, disbelief, nerves… She dared not to hope too much. Perhaps it was only Jake Sully and Neytiri who had returned for a visit. The Sullys had called the village reefs home for many years now, all through the Long War and even after. There was a real possibility that they would choose to remain there permanently.

Looking down, Naia discovered that Entu had fallen asleep, the child’s chest rising and falling in shallow but consistent breaths. The sounds of celebration and reunion continued outside, and the temptation to join the throng was strong. Glancing downward one last time at Entu, she figured a look would not hurt. She would not leave the hut, but she could at least watch from the entrance.

Approaching the flap at the entry, she reached for the draped cloth and shifted to stand in front of it, keeping it pushed out of the way with her body. Four splendid ikran stood perched on the edge of the cave mouth, heads tossing as a younger woman tended to them. Tuk? By Eywa, she had grown! Naia still pictured a gambolling seven-year-old when she recalled memories of the girl.

Naia recognised Jake and Neytiri immediately, surrounded by a happy horde of clan members who had rushed to welcome them. Hugs and clasped forearms were being exchanged, and she spotted Mo’at among them who held her daughter in a tight embrace. Three Sullys identified, but judging by the number of ikran, it meant there was still a fourth…

There was another individual standing on Jake’s left, also being warmly received by several of the clan’s younger warriors from Naia’s generation. Was it Lo’ak or Neteyam? Naia shifted her feet impatiently, realising that the individual was being blocked by another male who had his back to her. She would recognise that flamboyant hairstyle anywhere; cropped on both sides with an elaborate cluster of braids trailing down the centre, adorned with beads and feathers. She rolled her eyes. Move your fat head, Tupou…

After what felt like an eon, Tupou stepped aside to allow a shorter young woman to greet the individual. Naia blinked scratchy eyes, squinting. Leylani’s shorter stature allowed Naia to glimpse the individual and her breath hitched when she finally laid eyes on him then. Neteyam! She watched, speechless, as Leylani leaned up to speak into his ear and Neteyam graced her with a wide smile in response.

Naia’s heart skipped a beat. The details were fuzzy at the distance she was watching from, but she knew without a doubt it was Neteyam. Eywa, she had missed that smile… He looked older, of course, grown up now, but it was still the same smile in the same face she remembered from her memories. He was so handsome…

More young warriors and hunters pushed forward to greet him. These were the people they had both grown up with and many of them had been close in their younger years. The eagerness to welcome their old friend was understandable. However, Naia did not miss Neteyam’s distracted gaze in-between his politely returned greetings. She saw his head swivel about, looking through and around the gathered crowd. He was looking for someone.

A sliver of hope unfurled in the depths of Naia’s heart. She followed the line of his golden gaze, flitting from person to person until he looked up then and his gaze locked with hers. His brows raised a fraction, as if in recognition and his eyes settled firmly on her. Heat flushed through Naia, prickling at the surface of her skin, rushing out to her fingertips and trickling down to her toes which curled slightly into the rug beneath them.

Suddenly feeling incredibly shy, she whirled away from the entrance, breaking the piercing eye contact and strode back into the hut.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

It was stupid, it really was. She was being ridiculous.

Naia had spent the better part of the last seven years dreaming of this day, fantasising of Neteyam’s return to the clan. Yet here she was, holed up in her little grotto like a coward. She had fled the tsahìk’s hut the moment Leylani had arrived to relieve her of her duties. The other woman had attempted to strike up excited conversation about the Sullys’ return, but Naia’s nerves had gotten the better of her and she had waved Leylani away as politely as possible with a fib about being fatigued.

The flame in her lantern flickered, signalling its imminent expiry and she sat upright to add more oil to it so it kept burning. This grotto had been their spot years ago.

After the dreaded return of the sky demons and the forced move to High Camp in the Hallelujah Mountains, she and Neteyam had found this isolated system of small caves not far from the stronghold during one of their evening explorations. Its nooks and crannies had served as convenient hidey-holes away from the worries of life. The grotto had been a quiet place for them to just be themselves with each other.

Naia looked around herself at the rugs that cushioned the ground and the soft bolster rolls she had stolen from her family’s tent to make the place more comfortable. The blanket around her knees was not even a blanket at all, but an old flying shawl that once belonged to Neteyam. With a growl of frustration, Naia pressed her fingers to her tired eyes and lay back again, peering up at the starry night through a fissure in the cave’s ceiling. She knew why she was nervous, knew where the feeling of dread that plagued her now was coming from.

The reality of Neteyam’s return had brought with it a confronting possibility, one that Naia had not thought of before as his return had never seemed likely. What if he did not feel the same way? What if he had not missed her at all?

What if she was the crazy one clinging sentimentally on to youthful feelings that for most people, would have probably faded away with time? Her heart squeezed at the thought. She had wished so long for this day and now that it was actually here, Naia ashamedly felt like she was safer in the illusory retreat of her dreams.

Naia had never planned to feel this way. Her feelings had crept up on her younger self and before she knew it, she had fallen in love. She remembered the day she had realised…

*** FLASHBACK - 8 YEARS AGO ***

Naia hovered by the entrance of the Sullys’ family tent, wringing her hands absently. She tried her best to tamp down the roil of nauseous worry in her gut. It was a happy day after all. Neteyam had passed his final rite of passage; his Dream Hunt.

Only the males in the clan completed this last rite and it was a dangerous feat. There were Na’vi who died during this rite, where they were put into a chemically induced trance by swallowing a psychoactive alkaloid worm and stung by a toxic arachnoid. The men would then begin their spiritual hunt for their path in life until the trance wore off.

Neteyam had passed, but the exercise took people to the edge of death and Naia knew that the ordeal had been taxing on her friend.

The heavy cloth flaps of the tent parted then and Neytiri exited. She stopped at the sight of Naia, registering the look of deep concern on the girl’s face. Neytiri cast a reassuring smile at Naia, knowing the girl would be worried for her son, “Hello Manaia. He’ll be alright. He’s asleep but you can go in and see him if you like.”

“Thank you, I’d like that.” Naia responded graciously, and she disappeared without any further preamble into the tent.

Neytiri bit back a chuckle. For a tomboy who proclaimed often that she found the opposite sex unappealing, she was certainly very attached to Neteyam. Naia certainly did not think Neteyam was gross.

Inside the quiet embrace of the Sullys’ home, Naia padded carefully over to where Neteyam lay on his back on his sleeping mat. Folding her legs beneath her, she sat by his side and surveyed him. His breaths puffed slowly and evenly from slightly parted lips as he slept and apart from a slight sheen of sweat on his skin, he appeared otherwise healthy. Naia felt her worry dissipate at the sight.

Neteyam was her best friend. She did not know what she would do without him.

Naia knew she was not like the other girls who gushed over new jewellery and spent hours re-braiding their long locks into intricate styles. Naia considered herself groomed as long as she ran her fingers through her short hair in the mornings and put on clean clothing. She was not demure by any means and her smart mouth often took people by surprise. Her peers found her odd and she was often excluded from company as a result. But Neteyam had always accepted her as she was.

There was a large bowl filled with water by Neteyam’s head and a clean pile of folded cloth squares sat beside it. Taking a square of cloth, Naia submerged it into the cold water and wrung it dry. She folded it in half and lay it across his forehead and repeating the same process, she lay another wet cloth over his chest. The warm season was humid and the cloths would help to keep him cool.

He looked so peaceful as he slept and Naia let her eyes follow the unique patterns of bioluminescent freckles that dotted his cheeks and trailed up the bridge of his nose to disappear under the cloth over his forehead. Dreamily, her gaze fell to the curve of his lips then. What would they feel like under her fingertips?... What would they feel like against her own?...

The last thought startled Naia out of her reverie. Embarrassment heated the pointed tips of her ears. Had she really just been thinking about kissing Neteyam? One half of her was aghast at the thought, while the other half wistfully pointed out that he was a nice boy and very nice to look at too. As she confronted her embarrassment, Naia let an involuntary groan of mock disgust escape her and it disrupted Neteyam’s restful state.

Neteyam’s face contorted and a pained groan left him. Cursing silently, Naia chastised herself for forgetting her surroundings and placed a hand on his chest to settle him with soft hushing. He squirmed even more then and his scrunched eyelids opened to reveal bleary gold orbs. Leaning over him so she could check his pupils like Mo’at had taught her, Neteyam jumped then at the sight of her.

“Hey, it’s OK, it’s just me.” Naia breathed steadily, removing the wet cloth from his forehead to soak it again in the cold water.

Neteyam grunted and a wan smile lifted the corners of his lips, “Sorry, I thought you were Leylani for a moment.”

Naia’s brows lifted in question and irritation flashed through her, “Why’d you think that?”

A sleepy mumble, “Dunno. She’s on duty today isn’t she? I thought maybe Grandmother had sent her over to check on me.”

“Well, I’m sorry I’m not Leylani and that you didn’t wake to her beautiful face instead.” Naia said, attempting to sound calm, though she knew she had failed miserably when her words sounded like a sour hiss even to her own ears.

Neteyam snorted and coughed as his laughter escaped him, “No, I just meant that I wouldn’t want her to see me like this.”

His words did nothing to assuage Naia’s flaring annoyance.

“Ugh, you boys are all the same, honestly! Drooling after her big eyes and her pouty lips-”

“Naia-”

“She could easily lead all of you round by your cocks-”

“Manaia-” A slow and deliberate growl from Neteyam.

“What?!” Naia spat heatedly, further displeased by Neteyam’s use of her full given name and his interruptions. She much preferred it when he called her ‘Naia’. Only he called her that.

Neteyam pursed his lips impatiently at her and sighed, “Don’t misunderstand me. I only meant that I wouldn’t be completely comfortable with Leylani checking on me. I’m glad it’s you. I don’t feel like I have to put up any fronts with you.”

Naia felt her irritation fizzle out at his sincere words. She gave a half-hearted harrumph in response and placed the cool cloth over his forehead again.

“Thanks Naia,” Neteyam muttered, before a teasing glint sparked in his eyes and he asked, “Did you worry for me?”

“Yes, of course.”

Neteyam snickered and he reached out with a hand to curl it over hers, causing a flurry of tingles to erupt in Naia’s stomach, “I told you I’d be OK. I’m a mighty warrior.”

Naia giggled in response to his quip. And there it was again, that warm and prickling urge to touch him. She wanted to nuzzle his cheek and kiss him.

Eywa help her, she was falling for him. Hard.

*** FLASHBACK END ***

They had grown particularly close in the last year before his family’s forced departure, and their relationship had teetered on the delicate line between friendly and romantic affection.

The passing of Neteyam’s final rite had meant that he was busy during the days with the rostered patrols and hunts that formed a warrior’s duties to the clan. Their separation during the days had only served to bring them closer in the evenings once Jake and Neytiri were done with their own work and Neteyam was relieved of watching his siblings.

Naia rolled over onto her side, tucking her face against one of the bolster rolls as she recollected their evenings together, a pensive smile dancing on her lips. They would meet at the grotto after last meal and Neteyam would regale her with tales of what had happened during his day’s patrol or the day’s hunt. They would play a game of Five Stones and talk of menial things, and when the season got cold, they would lie alongside each other under the blankets by a small fire and watch the stars until they fell asleep.

There had been a secure comfort between them when they were curled around each other for warmth; their skin pressed against each other’s as she lay tucked against him with her cheek against his shoulder. However, that was as far as their affection had gone.

In hindsight, Naia realised that she and Neteyam had basked in the luxury of the time they thought they had, unhurried and shy in their blooming bond. They had been young after all, fifteen-year-olds new to the idea of potential romantic connections. At least, Naia had assumed Neteyam felt the same way. She had never spoken of her growing feelings for him, nor had he given any verbal indication of his own, but she felt the tenderness between them had been evident in the way they were around each other.

When Naia had eventually made her feelings known to him, it had been out of sheer desperation as her world had crumbled around her; when they had run out of time.

*** FLASHBACK – 7 YEARS AGO ***

Tomorrow? They were leaving tomorrow? Naia stood stunned before Neteyam as her chest heaved with mounting panic at the revelation. Jake and Neytiri had broken the news to the Omatikaya earlier that day that the family would be leaving the clan to seek refuge elsewhere from the sky demons. It was both to protect their family as well as to protect the people.

Neteyam had managed to sneak away amidst the anxious bustle of his family while they packed their belongings and readied their ikran for the gruelling journey the morning would bring. He had known she would be waiting at their spot.

“How long will you be gone for? When will you return?” Naia asked tremulously, her golden eyes wide and frantic.

The burgeoning lump in his throat was beginning to hurt and Neteyam swallowed it down tightly, “I don’t know. Probably not for a long time, not until the danger of the sky people is gone.”

“I don’t want you to go.” Naia’s voice was a keening moan as her throat constricted from her imminent tears.

“I don’t want to go either, but it’s not safe for the people if we stay. The demons are hunting my family!”

“I want to go with you!”

“No, you can’t! You must stay here. Your family is here!”

Naia’s expression twisted into a pained grimace and her vision blurred, her eyes pooling with barely contained tears. Her breaths hitched as her frame fought to suppress the sobs that threatened to tear their way from her soul. Neteyam was her truest friend. She turned to him for everything and losing him would leave a gaping hole in her heart.

“Don’t cry, Naia. Please don’t cry.” Neteyam’s voice wobbled unsteadily, his own emotion threatening to overwhelm him. Naia never cried and the pitiful sight of her now caused a painful stab in his chest.

Neteyam’s words broke her and the floodgates of Naia’s tears burst forth. Her hands moved to shield her face as she sobbed and she felt Neteyam’s arms encircle her in a tight hug. One of his hands cupped the back of her head, pressing her face into his shoulder, while his other hand rubbed slowly up and down her back.

A voice he recognised to be his father’s called his name in the distance and Neteyam muttered a strong curse. Burying his nose into the Naia’s short choppy locks, he sighed softly, “I have to go now. I’ll miss you.”

Naia clung on even tighter to his shoulders at Neteyam’s words of farewell. She could not deny the truth of her feelings anymore and it hurt to hold them in. She was in love with him and she had been for many moons now. She felt his hands come to rest at her hips, gently trying to pry her away.

By Eywa, she loved him. However, her words would not come to her amid her hitching breaths. No matter. She could show him all the same. Naia’s grief made her bold and, stepping back, she cupped her face with both hands and leaned in to press a salty, tear-stained kiss to his lips. She felt him stiffen in her hold and his breathing halted. His lips remained unmoving beneath hers and Naia pulled away at the realisation.

Neteyam’s face was stricken as she blinked perplexed eyes at him. Hurt speared through her chest and Naia wondered if she had made a gross miscalculation. He had not returned her kiss.

Jake’s voice sounded again, this time in the much nearer vicinity, and Neteyam began his slow retreat as he made to leave. He cast a pained grimace at Naia and his head shook sorrowfully, “I’ve got to go, I’m sorry. Goodbye Naia, take care of yourself.”

Naia’s gaze never left Neteyam’s back as she watched him stride away and she felt her wounded heart plummet like a stone into her stomach.

Goodbye my love…

*** FLASHBACK END ***

Cussing quietly to herself at the memory, Naia cringed. Perhaps he had not felt the same way after all. The recollection of her unreturned kiss twinged in her chest and she quickly pulled the shutters down over her heart. It had been seven long years and she was grown now. Time to let her daydreams and childish fantasies go. She would need to pay her respects tomorrow; it would be improper not to greet Toruk Makto’s family and welcome them home. She would bury her feelings and treat it as a fresh start.

Letting her heavy eyelids droop, she tucked her knees closer to her chest and curled into a more comfortable resting position. Naia pulled the flying shawl up around her shoulders and turned to press her face into the soft bolster roll next to her. She resolved to sleep in the grotto tonight. Her parents knew she was very independent and if her occasional overnight disappearances bothered them, they had never remarked on it.

Sleep was almost fully upon her when a deep voice startled her out of her drowsy state, “Naia?”

Fright rushed through Naia in a powerful torrent and she leapt up in an instant to face the intruder, instinctively crouching low into a defensive position with a snarl, her tail lashing behind her. No one had ever found her here and the disturbance was a shock to her system.

The male at the grotto’s entrance immediately took several steps back, holding open hands out before him in a non-threatening display of submission, “Whoa sorry! Hey, it’s alright! It’s just me.”

Naia took in the sight of the large male in the burnished gold of the lamplight. Strong legs and narrow hips flared out to a lean torso. His chest and shoulders were well-muscled and woven armbands sat snugly around impressive biceps. The musculature of his stature was unfamiliar to her, but as her scrutiny stopped to rest on his face, she found his visage to be a very familiar one indeed.

Neteyam.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Author’s Note: Can you feel the romantic tension in the air? :P Teehee! We will see their full interaction in Chapter 2! Thanks for reading and leave me a line with your thoughts!

Chapter 2 - A Kiss Long Awaited

[fixfoxnox]

Break Out (Gaz/Jackson)

More Gaz week content! The NSFW day 1 prompt was Monster, so I, naturally, took the opportunity to write Gaz getting railed by a monster version of Jackson. Enjoy!

Warnings: Biting, Tentacles, Smut, slight dub-con, slight size difference thing, marking/possessiveness

Word Count: 6.9k

“Well, well, look who's late once again.”

Gaz pushed past Soap to swipe his card through the reader, officially clocking in for the day, “Fuck off, traffic was terrible this morning.” He sighed and tossed his bag down on one of the benches before quickly digging into his locker. “I’m sure you were late too,” he joked while pulling on his lab coat and special lanyard.

“I am never late,” Soap turned his nose up at him, “I arrive exactly when I want to.”

Gaz snorted and slammed his locker shut, “Sure, bud. Try telling that to Price, I’m sure he’d love that one.” He looked Soap up and down for a moment, “Why are you still in here, by the way? Shouldn’t you be on the floor?”

“Nope,” Soap popped up from his seat and gave a big stretch, “Shepherd wants to try Jackson today, which means we were all waiting on you to show up.” 

Gaz could feel his face flush and he was quick to push past Soap, grumbling under his breath as he did, “There was no point in waiting for me.” He started down one of the long lab hallways toward the safety entrance for the lab around Jackson’s enclosure. 

“Please,” Soap was quick to catch up and match his pace, walking right beside him as they talked, “We both know that the only reason that creature behaves so well half the time is because of you. You’ve got some weird relationship going on with him.” 

“I don’t have a weird relationship,” Gaz was quick to argue back, “he just likes me because I’m not a dick like Shepherd. I advocate for him.” He stopped in front of the door to the lab and pulled his keycard out again, “Should we talk about your relationship with the mated creatures down the hall.”

Soap’s face went a bright red, “My relationship with Ghost and Roach is nothing like this!”

“Sure,” Gaz swiped his card and pushed into the small lab where most of the team was waiting, Soap followed after him. None of them had dared to go into the small lab yet and, though Gaz disagreed with Soap, he understood why. The last time they’d tried to run a day on Jackson without Gaz present and the creature had thrown a fit. They’d all been amazed that the glass of his enclosure had managed to hold up against the assault he’d hit it with. 

“There you are, about time you showed up!” General Shepherd was the government supervisor for their little organization. Gaz hated his guts. The man was constantly overstepping and always more than willing to hurt the subjects brought into the lab. He had no consideration for the fact that these were living breathing creatures and he only agreed to call them by the names they’d been given so he could differentiate between them when talking. He only saw the lab as a way to develop weapons for his little military exploits. Gaz hated to say it, but there certainly had been numerous times that he’d dreamt of one of the creatures escaping just to take care of the man. Though he knew that would never work out in a way that he liked. 

“Apologies, General,” he responded quickly, “Traffic kept me busy. If we’re ready to go inside?” He motioned to the door with his hand, trying to avoid getting an earful of nonsense from the man. It didn’t matter, it wasn’t like they could fire him. The fact that they were all waiting outside the lab for him just proved it. 

Shepherd seemed more than annoyed with him, but he didn’t do anything other than glare and shove past him to open the lab door and push his way inside. Gaz received a short smile from Price, a sort of quick greeting for the two until they could talk later, before he was motioned inside. He followed after Shepherd and the rest of the scientists, assistants, and, caretakers followed after him. 

The room was large and open with one-half of it converted into a large lab with cameras, data readers, computers, and much more. Practically anything their team would need could be found inside. The other half of the room had been converted into an enclosure for the creature. Gaz had personally designed and changed it over the creature’s stay, making sure that it was exactly what Jackson would need and be comfortable with. 

This half was transformed into a deep fake wooded area. The lights in the enclosure were kept dim at practically all times and there were a number of places where Jackson could hide. The biggest and most often used one was a little cave at the very back of the enclosure. The only time the lights were ever turned fully on were times like these when Shepherd insisted on being able to see Jackson perfectly as they ran their tests and conducted their research. Gaz had tried numerous times for at least dim lighting, but he’d continued to be overruled, much to his annoyance.  

While all of the scientists went to their stations and prepared for the day, Gaz moved toward the glass. He didn’t need any papers or pens, after all, he was just there as an aid. That’s what the caretakers were meant to do. Build a relationship with the creatures and aid the scientists in conducting their tests. He hated it sometimes, but at least the scientists were nice. They weren’t doing any of this for the same reasons as Shepherd, they were doing it for the sake of their own curiosity and intrigue. 

Peering inside the, now fully lit, enclosure told Gaz that Jackson was likely tucked back in his little cave to stretch himself out. Gaz didn’t call for him yet, he just stood by the glass, waiting for a command. He would let Jackson rest as long as he could. 

After several moments of idle chatter and moving around, it seemed that many of the scientists were finally ready to begin. “Alright Gaz,” the head scientist of the unit called out to him, “See if you can get him out here for us.” 

Gaz gave a short nod before turning toward the glass enclosure and stepping closer to it. He was quick to lift his hand and give two good taps to the glass. He waited a long moment, letting the noise vibrate around the room. The entire lab was silent, just waiting and letting him do what was needed. After a long moment, Gaz could see as two glowing white dots emerged from the darkness of the cave. He could very slightly make out the outline of Jackson’s body thanks to the full lights in the room. 

“Jackson,” he called out kindly, tilting his head at the eyes, “Would you come out, please?” There was another long moment of silence, but he never took his eyes away from Jackson’s. He knew how much the creature liked it when he looked at him. 

Finally, ever so slowly, Jackson emerged from his cave and into the light. Despite his strength and power, despite the fact that so many of the scientists were deathly afraid of him, and despite the fact that Gaz knew there was more to him than could be seen, Jackson didn’t look intimidating. He looked human. Like a regular person that you’d see walking past you on the street. It was somehow far more terrifying than if Jackson did look like some of the other creatures in the facility. 

Jackson walked all the way up to the glass and made a point to stop right in front of Gaz. His face was fixed into something surprisingly soft and Gaz found himself looking away, embarrassment and heat flooding down his spine as he felt Jackson’s eyes excitedly moving over his face. He cleared his throat nervously before giving the creature a small smile, “Thank you, Jackson. I appreciate your participation.” He turned back toward the scientists then, waiting for their first request of the day. 

“We’d like a chance to observe at least one of his other limbs in detail,” One of the scientists at the corner called out. “If you could get him to bring it out and hold it close to the glass, we would be grateful.”

Gaz nodded to them and turned back to Jackson. He found that the creature’s eyes were still locked onto him and he resisted the urge to shiver under the other’s gaze. It was that same soft look that he wore every day, and yet Gaz had never gotten used to it. He cleared his throat nervously, “Jackson, would you be willing to let us look at one of your, um, well, your tentacles? Up close?”

Jackson tilted his head at him, his lips quirking up a bit as though he was amused. Still, it wasn’t a moment later that there was a sort of wet sound followed by the clothes that they’d given him shifting. A moment later and out slithered an inky black tentacle. The appendage almost shined in the light and Jackson was quick to move it around and hold it just in front of Gaz so that he could see it clearly. It was a dark black color and, upon closer inspection, Gaz could see that as he moved the appendage in the light, it was as though rainbows shined across the appendage. It reminded him distinctly of an oil slick. 

Jackson didn’t move, even as several scientists moved closer to the glass, gathering around Gaz to make quick sketches, take notes, and snap quick pictures of the appendage. Gaz didn’t mind, he just stood still and allowed the scientists to work. Jackson did the same, though he seemed far more focused on Gaz than the various scientists who were very clearly interested in him. 

It wasn’t until one of the scientists accidentally bumped into Gaz, sending him stumbling forward that Jackson tore his gaze away from him. It moved immediately toward the scientist who’d bumped him and his gaze shifted from the softness that had covered it to something sharper. The guttural growl that tore from his throat sent many of the scientists scrambling away from the glass and, when Jackson’s tentacle slammed against the glass and rattled it in its hold, screams erupted from the room. 

Gaz was quick to act, slamming his hand against the glass with a strength that was sure to get Jackson’s attention. Sure enough, the man’s gaze turned toward him. As soon as he saw him he softened and he immediately moved toward where Gaz had his hand pressed against the smooth surface. Jackson practically pressed himself flat against the glass and took care to gently place his hand in the exact same place as Gaz’s.

Within a few moments, it was clear to everyone that Jackson was calm again. That meant that once again, Gaz found himself surrounded by curious scientists. The only difference was that this time they all kept a healthy distance away from him, worried about potentially bumping him and setting Jackson off again. Gaz stayed in his place, his hand pressed against the glass. Jackson seemed more than content with the placement, his own hand staying just where it was on the other side of the glass. 

Gaz noticed that the creature wasn’t looking at him now, but was rather observing their hands with a sense of wonder on his face. Gaz didn’t have small hands by any means, but Jackson was a creature beyond anything that he was sure he could ever understand. It was no surprise to him that the creature’s hands dwarfed his own, after all, Jackson was at least a good foot and a half taller than him. 

Despite this, Jackson was fixated on the sight for several minutes, just observing the way that his hand fit next to Gaz’s. When, finally, he looked back up to his face his entire demeanor had changed. Gone was the softness that Gaz was used to seeing and, in its place was something much darker. There was a look in Jackson’s eyes that Gaz couldn’t quite place, but it sent a shiver down his spine and a flush of heat through his system. 

Jackson’s gaze didn’t change for the rest of the session and even as Gaz and the others were leaving the room, the lights dimming behind them, Gaz could feel the creature’s eyes piercing into his back. He didn’t know what it meant, but he knew that it couldn’t spell anything good for him. 

It was around lunch when the alarms in the facility started going off. As was procedure when things like this happened, Gaz and the others immediately moved into a safe room as the security ran around the facility, trying to figure out what was wrong and what would need to be done to make things safe again. Gaz doubted it was an actual break out, nothing like that had ever happened at the facility before.

More likely than anything was that one of the creatures had damaged their enclosure in some way and set off the alarms around the base. It was part of the reason why he wasn’t surprised in the slightest when a knock came on the safe room door with Shepherd calling for him to come out. 

He gave a deep sigh, knowing that what had likely happened was that Jackson had damaged his enclosure in some way earlier in the day when he’d been shoved. He didn’t mind too much, he often found himself working on quick repairs to Jackson’s enclosure for one reason or another. It would be an easy fix. 

When he pushed his way out of the safe room, the door snapping shut behind him with an air of finality, something felt different. Shepherd’s face was more serious this time and a number of the security guards looked scared shitless. Perhaps the fix wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought. 

“Shepherd,” he acknowledged carefully, “what’s going on?” 

“It’s Jackson,” Shepherd crossed his arms over his chest, “We need your help.”

“Did something happen with his space?” Gaz asked carefully, trying to get a bit more information from the man, “If you tell me what happened I can tell you what I’ll need to fix it. Surely it can’t be that bad?”

There was a long pause. Shepherd shared a glance with the head of the lab’s security and Gaz tensed up at the looks on their faces. That wasn’t good. Something big had apparently happened. 

“It’s better if you see for yourself,” Shepherd landed on finally. He motioned for Gaz to follow him and set off down the hallway, leaving him with no choice but to make his way down the hallway after him. 

As soon as they stepped into the safety room that was connected to the lab and Jackson’s enclosure, Gaz knew that something bad had happened. 

The entire room was in disarray. It looked as though an earthquake had shaken the room. Shelves had fallen, tools were dropped to the ground, and glass was broken along the floor. But what really worried Gaz were the cameras. Each of the labs and connecting enclosures were covered with cameras to allow the security team to monitor everything without disturbing the creatures. Each of the cameras was behind a thick casing of bulletproof glass. The same casing that made up part of the glass blocking the creatures into their enclosures. Every single camera in Jackson’s enclosure had clearly had something happen to it. Rather than showing a live feed of the other room, they only displayed static. 

Gaz sent a questioning look toward Shepherd. Shepherd straightened up and met his eyes before admitting, “Jackson has broken out of his enclosure.” 

“What?” Gaz’s mouth fell open in shock and he had to lean against a nearby counter for support. This was not good. Not good in the slightest. “Wait, wait, if Jackson broke out of his enclosure,” he looked around the room nervously, spotting the two security members who were now blocking his only way out of the room, “what do you need me for?”

“You’re the only person who Jackson responds positively to,” Shepherd stated quickly, “we want you to go inside and convince him back into his cave. Once he’s in there we can activate the backup casing to hold him until the glass can be restored.”

“You’re crazy,” Gaz backed away from Shepherd quickly, “fucking nuts! I am not going in there!”

“It’s your job,” Shepherd told him quickly, his eyes glaring harshly into him, “You’ll do your job.”

“My job,” Gaz responded easily, “Is to help take care of the creatures while they are in their enclosures! Not to get them into the enclosures. That’s your job!” He pushed toward the two men at the door but was quickly shoved back away. “Let me out.” 

Suddenly, both of the men at the door rushed forward and seized his arms, holding him tight even as he struggled. He was dragged across the room and it didn’t take him long to realize where they were taking him. He tried to struggle harder, but it did nothing for him as the two men stopped in front of the door to Jackson’s enclosure. 

He could hear someone swiping their card for the room, but his attention was taken quickly by Shepherd. “Do your job, Garrick.” The man turned his nose up at him, “We won’t let you out until Jackson’s back in his cage. Let’s hope that that thing likes you enough to listen.” 

With that, the door was thrown open and Gaz was thrown into the dim room. He was scrambling back up as quickly as he could, but it was too late and he only managed to slam himself into the metal door. He slammed his fists against it several times, screaming every obscenity that he could think of toward Shepherd. 

He should have known not to be loud, that was what always got Jackson’s attention. Still, he wasn’t thinking clearly. Panic was building in him and it only seemed to increase when he felt something wrap carefully around his ankle. He only had enough time to look down and spot the inky black of a tentacle wrapped around him before the limb yanked and sent him tumbling to the ground. 

To his surprise, the fall didn’t hurt in the slightest and it only took a moment to realize that was because there were three other tentacles under him, cushioning his body. He only had a moment to realize this before he was moved across the floor, dragged halfway across the room in only a short moment. When he finally stopped moving, he found himself looking up at Jackson. 

The creature was hovering over him and Gaz could feel the four tentacles that had been wrapped around him move carefully away to wriggle around in the air behind Jackson. Like this, he could see the light reflecting off of them, giving them that oil-slick look once again. Jackson wasn’t moving, he was just standing over Gaz, looking down at him carefully. That same dark look from earlier was still in his eyes. 

“Jackson,” Gaz started to slowly push himself from the ground, but he was quickly pinned down with a tentacle. He took in several deep breaths to try and calm himself. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but what he did know was that he should at least try something. Even if it didn’t work, at least he’d tried. “Jackson, the others are worried,” he spoke carefully, keeping his voice soft and his face clear of any panic he felt, “Why don’t you go back into your cave for a bit so we can clean things up?” He looked around at the destroyed and torn-apart room, “This isn’t exactly the nicest thing to look at, is it?” 

Of course, there was no response from the creature above him, just more staring. Gaz wasn’t quite sure what to do. There was no way that he was going to be able to break out of Jackson’s hold or get away from him. He was completely at the creature’s mercy and he had no idea what the other wanted from him. 

“Jackson,” he started again carefully, “Please. Let me-” 

He interrupted his own words with a gasp, his entire face going bright red as the tentacle on his chest started moving, trailing down his body and just brushing over his nipples through the fabric of his shirt. 

“Jackson,” he moved to sit up again only to be pinned back down to the ground, this time with another tentacle wrapped around his wrists, holding them together tight. The tentacle on his chest continued moving down until it could slip under his shirt and begin trailing back up his skin. 

Gaz felt hot with the contact, embarrassment and something else running through him. He looked back up to Jackson and was surprised to see that he could suddenly very clearly read that dark look on the creature’s face. Hunger. Lust. Love. 

Another shiver went down his spine and he was helpless to move as the tentacle against his skin finally met his nipples once again. It moved around his chest carefully for several moments, just sliding along the skin before brushing carefully, almost teasingly, over one of them. A moment later and it had brushed over the other. Gaz resisted the urge to groan at the contact, little sparks of pleasure shooting up his spine. He bit his lip instead, squirming a bit in Jackson’s grip. That seemed to be the wrong thing to do as, a moment later, there was another tentacle wrapping around his waist to hold him in place.

The tentacle at his chest grew bolder quickly, carefully flicking over one of his nipples. Soon there was another tentacle pushing its way under his shirt and joining the other in teasing his chest. This one was a bit meaner it seemed, pinching and squeezing at his nipple rather than the simple rubbing and flicking the other was doing. 

The sensations were driving Gaz crazy and it wasn’t long before he was a panting mess, still trying desperately to squirm in the tight hold of Jackson’s tentacles. Whether he was trying to move into the touch or away from it, he wasn’t sure. He just managed to keep his eyes focused on Jackson above him. He could see the way that the creature was flushed from watching him and he’d rather quickly noticed the growing hardness in the clothes that he wore. 

After several moments, the tentacle around his wrists suddenly moved away. Gaz understood why when, a moment later, the tentacles playing with his nipples were moving to strip him of his shirt. “Woah, hold on,” he tried to fight against the movement but, despite his best effort, he soon found himself shirtless. A tentacle wrapped around his wrists again, pinning them back to the ground above his head. “Jackson,” he called nervously, the flush on his skin only growing stronger as he was exposed to the creature’s eyes. 

To his surprise, a groan pulled from Jackson’s throat. It was something deep and low and the sound of it seemed to lay over his skin like a heated blanket. He liked the sound of it more than he wanted to admit. 

He yelped a bit when the creature rather suddenly dropped down, straddling his waist. Their hips pressed together and Gaz couldn’t help the groan that pulled from his throat when Jackson’s hardness ground against him at the move. The sound had a slight smile tugging at Jackson’s lips, but Gaz only got a short look at it before he was ducking down to latch his mouth onto one of his nipples, sucking and licking at it as one of his tentacles played with the other.

“Jackson,” he gasped as he felt hands begin trailing over his waist, feeling carefully over the skin. To his surprise, the creature’s touch was kind, kind and almost reverent in its movement. It was like he couldn’t believe that he was actually touching Gaz. The only noises from the man were content and happy little sighs along with the occasional groan when he would accidentally grind his hips down against Gaz’s. 

Jackson’s teeth were just sharp enough for Gaz to notice as they brushed along his nipple, the slight movement caused him to arch up into the creature’s touch. Jackson only hummed at the move before slowly trailing his mouth up his chest, one of his tentacles quickly taking his mouth's place to continue teasing at his chest. His mouth inched higher and higher until he was sucking at the spot where Gaz’s neck met his shoulder. 

Gaz found himself tilting his head to provide more room for Jackson, allowing the creature to press careful kisses against the skin. He knew he shouldn’t have done it, he knew that he should be fighting harder against the hands and tentacles that seemed so determined to pull pleasure from his body, but he just couldn’t help himself. Jackson was sweet, he’d always been sweet to him and, Gaz had to admit, he didn’t exactly mind what was happening. Would it have been better if he was in a bed rather than the destroyed remnants of a lab? Probably. Was he still going to enjoy himself? Based on the way that Jackson’s hips were moving against his, he would say yes. 

Jackson’s mouth continued to work at his neck, sucking and kissing along the expanse of it as he moved higher and higher. Occasionally he would give just a little nip to the skin, but he was quick to soothe that over with his tongue and several kisses. Eventually, he made his way to Gaz’s jaw, then his chin, before finally, he pressed their lips together. The happy little moan that escaped Jackson when Gaz pressed into the kiss was enough to have his chest feeling warm.

The kiss started with only a few short pecks, but quickly grew into long presses and soon Jackson was opening Gaz’s lips with his tongue so that he could lick happily into his mouth. It all meant that Gaz was distracted enough to hardly notice as Jackson’s hands slid down his skin to begin undoing the top of his pants with surprisingly clever fingers. His attention was brought fully to the movement when another two tentacles began working Gaz’s pants and underwear down his legs in slow careful movements. He was beginning to wonder just how many of the things Jackson had. 

Soon enough, he found himself fully naked under the creature’s touch. He pulled away from Jackson’s lips as best he could, not that Jackson seemed to mind as he just returned his mouth to kiss along his neck. “Jackson,” Gaz started desperately, “You-”

Jackson’s hand wrapping carefully around his hardening cock pulled a desperate moan from him and his hips jerked up into the touch. No tentacle came to stop this movement and, instead, Jackson seemed to encourage it, groaning happily into his neck every time his hips moved. “Oh, fuck,” Gaz groaned out as Jackson started to slowly work his hand up and down Gaz’s cock, stroking him with slow tight movements of his wrist. 

“Jackson,” he gasped desperately at the pleasure that was slowly curing his toes and filling his body, “Please, god, please take- oh your clothes, take your clothes off.” Jackson paused against his neck. His hand and tentacles were still moving around his body, taking pleasure from him, but his mouth had stopped and his head had tilted to the side, as though he was trying to decipher what Gaz had said. 

After a long moment, he finally pulled away from him, a small smile tugging at his lips. He moved his hand away from Gaz’s cock, but it was quickly replaced by one of his tentacles. The tentacle was much slimier than Gaz remembered it being and, distantly, his scientific mind wondered if perhaps it was secreting something due to Jackson’s arousal. It didn’t really matter, all that really mattered was that the slide felt phenomenal against his cock. His mouth fell open and he could only manage to pant desperately as it wrapped around him and started jerking him off at a much faster pace than Jackson’s hand had been moving. He wondered if the increase in speed was because of excitement. 

That would certainly make sense considering the way that Jackson practically tore at his clothes to get them off. His shirt was ripped from his body and tossed away quickly. Next came his pants. He was forced to stand up to take those off and, even through his arousal Gaz couldn’t stop the amusement that flooded him at the way that Jackson huffed at having to move so far away from him. His pants and underwear were quickly kicked away as well. 

As soon as Gaz got a good look at Jackson naked he couldn’t help but groan. The creature was gorgeous and fucking big in more ways than one. With just one look Gaz could tell that the other was going to stretch him open quite nicely and just the thought of it had another moan pulling from his throat. 

Jackson was back on the ground in a second, this time between Gaz’s thighs. He was pressed close enough that Gaz could feel his hard cock pressed against his thigh, rutting against him just slightly. Jackson was quick to bat the tentacle away from Gaz’s cock in favor of replacing it with his own hand, once again resuming his slow tight pace. Now he allowed his thumb to run over the head of Gaz’s cock, stroking along his slit in a move that had him tossing his head back with a whine. 

The tentacle that had been wrapped around his cock didn’t move fully away, instead, it started to carefully trail down his thigh until, eventually, it could begin to slip between his cheeks to start prodding at his hole. He groaned at the feeling of the slippery appendance slowly prodding at him. It was circling him, teasing with little presses or just the tip of it slipping inside of him. “Jackson,” Gaz let his head fall back to the ground with a groan, his entire body lit up with pleasure from the tentacles touching all over him and the warm hand stroking his cock, “Please, oh fuck, please don’t tease.” 

He gaped as the tip of the tentacle finally pressed inside of him, desperate pants leaving his throat as it started to move in slow thrusts, pressing deeper inside of him with every move. Jackson leaned down to kiss and nip at his hips as his tentacle started stretching him open, Gaz could feel the creature’s grin against his skin. “Yes,” he managed to moan out at the thick slide, “yes, yes, yes, keep- oh fuck, keep going!”

The tentacle pressed inside of him started to pick up its speed, thrusting in and out of him at a much quicker pace, pressing against his walls. Gaz could have sworn he felt it thicken inside of him and just that feeling alone nearly had him spilling over Jackson’s hand. The pleasure of it was all too much and he could feel whatever slick was coating the tentacle begin to build up more, spilling and slicking his thighs. 

After several moments, the tentacle shifted and pressed further inside of him, hitting harder and pulling a high whine from Gaz’s throat as it bumped against his prostate. He could feel Jackson’s mouth pause against his skin again before suddenly the tentacle inside of him was hitting that spot again and again. Gaz could only gasp and moan and take the pleasure that was hitting him in continuous waves. 

It was all too good and all too overwhelming for him, so it was no surprise that when Jackson switched from pounding into him with the tentacle to massaging it against his prostate, he couldn’t last much longer. Only a few quick strokes of the hand against his cock and he was coming, spilling over Jackson’s hand as pleasure shook his body and hazed over his mind completely. 

He came down from the feeling slowly and, though the tentacles against his skin had ceased their movements, he couldn’t help but whine as he felt Jackson’s tongue lapping at his spent cock, cleaning the cum from his cock and belly with his tongue. “Jackson,” Gaz was completely out of breath and he tugged helplessly at the tentacles around his wrist as the creature continued his treatment over him. “Please, fuck, just wait,” he gasped again as the tentacles over his skin began to move again slowly and carefully touching him. Similarly, the tentacle inside of him started to slowly move again, still hitting his prostate with every slide. “Wait- oh, oh fuck.” 

He found himself being slowly worked back up, this time with a mouth around his cock rather than a hand. Despite the fact that he’d just come, it didn’t take Jackson any longer than five or so minutes to work him back up into a hard whining mess under his touch. 

The tongue against his cock was clever and Gaz couldn’t help but thrust up into the waiting heat, whining at the feeling of Jackson slowly but harshly sucking at him. Jackson’s hands took to holding his legs open wide, allowing the tentacle inside of him to hit just right with every thrust. 

Then, just as suddenly as they’d started, everything stopped. All of the tentacles slowly retreated from his skin and Jackson was quick to pull his mouth away from Gaz’s cock with a pop. Gaz gave a whine of disappointment, but that was quickly cut off when Jackson used his grip on his thighs to flip him to his hands and knees, a low growl escaping his throat. 

Gaz groaned at the change in position, the feeling of Jackson’s hard cock pressed against his backside making him feel hazy once again. He rocked back against Jackson’s cock, pulling a groan from the creature behind him. The tentacles started to crawl over his skin again, wrapping around him and tugging him back further against Jackson’s cock. Two of them wrapped around his thighs, pulling them further apart, and one wrapped carefully around his cock again, pulling a groan from him. 

Jackson was gentle as he spread him open, fingering at his still-slicked hole for several teasing moments. He seemed to enjoy the desperate noises that it pulled from Gaz’s lips. Finally, though, after several minutes of teasing he pressed the head of his cock against Gaz’s hole. 

With one quick and small thrust, he slipped the head of his cock inside of him, pulling a desperate groan from both of them. “Oh fuck,” Gaz gave a long moan as Jackson started to slowly press inside of him, stretching him just a bit more than the tentacle had. Just enough for him to feel it. “Fuck, Jackson, oh- oh god you feel so fucking good!” 

Jackson gave only a small grunt at his words, his mouth latching onto Gaz’s shoulder with a quick groan as their hips finally met, all of him buried inside of Gaz. He stayed that way for several moments, pressing sweet kisses to his shoulder. As much as Gaz enjoyed it, he clearly knew why the creature was doing it. He was trying to comfort him in some way, trying to offer him something because he, very clearly, didn’t think Gaz was able to easily take him. 

Gaz couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the thought. Sure, Jackson was big, but he’d prepared him well enough. What Gaz wanted, desperately, was for the creature to start moving and actually take care of the buzz that had formed under his skin. The arousal that he’d caused. “Please,” he gave a little sigh, “move, please move.” Jackson didn’t listen, he just kept kissing and licking at the skin of his throat. “Jackson,” he groaned, trying again, “Please, god please move.” Again, nothing. Finally, desperate for some sort of stimulation from the man, he whined, “Jackson, please, I thought you were going to fuck me? I can take it!” He paused before adding teasingly to the end, “If you don’t want to fuck me, I’ll find someone who does.” 

The mouth on his neck froze. All of the tentacles moving across him froze. He could feel the creature behind him tense and, for a moment, he wondered if he said the wrong thing. That thought left his mind when hands tightened harshly on his hips and a snarl pulled from Jackson’s throat. 

In the next moment, Jackson was pulling slowly out of him. He moved until there was only a small portion of his cock still inside of him before he slammed back in, his hips slapping against Gaz’s as he perfectly nailed his prostate once again. Gaz jumped at the sensation, a delighted moan pulling from his throat as Jackson set a bruising pace, fucking into him quickly and nailing his prostate with every thrust. 

The tentacles against him were moving again as well, stroking over him quickly and tightly, leaving their mark in slick across his skin. All sorts of noises fell from Gaz’s lips, moans of Jackson's names and pleas for “more” and “harder” all of which Jackson gladly answered. The pleasure flowing through him was overwhelming. It shook his legs and curled in his gut and numbed his brain until all he could think about was the hard cock pounding into him and the slick tentacles stroking along his skin and covering every inch of him. 

Jackson was a growling and snarling mess against him, groaning and grunting and sounding absolutely feral as he fucked him harder and harder, increasing his pace to something that Gaz knew no regular human would be able to keep up for so long. His tongue was still tracing along the skin of his shoulder, but now Gaz could feel his teeth scraping after it and pressing just so against his skin, just enough that he could feel it. Gaz wondered what it would take to get him to bite. 

It wasn’t long before Gaz found himself a whining moaning mess, his hips moving desperately with Jackson’s thrusts as he chased the rising pleasure inside of him toward that high that he so desperately craved. Jackson seemed to be close as well based on the way that his hips began to stutter slightly and his noises grew more and more wild and more and more desperate. 

It only took the tentacle on his cock moving to rub over his slit for Gaz to come again, pleasure pouring over him in waves as his entire body went weak in Jackson’s hold. The feeling of the creature still pounding into him was so overwhelming but so good as he worked through his orgasm. Gasps and pants and a desperate call of Jackson’s name slipped from his lips. 

Jackson moved quicker and quicker, the groans, grunts, and growls slipping from his lips becoming more and more animalistic as he continued fucking into Gaz, taking everything that he could with desperate movements. His teeth dug into his neck more and Gaz was beginning to feel a bit too overstimulated by his continued attention. “Jackson,” he groaned out, his voice weak from the noises that had been forced from him, “please, want to feel you,” he gasped as the teeth at his neck clenched down tighter. “Please, please, want you to fill me up, want to feel you inside of me! Fuck, give it to me! Make me yours!”

With those simple words, Jackson was biting hard onto his neck, breaking skin just slightly as his hips stuttered once then twice before he finally spilled inside of Gaz. He continued fucking into him for several moments, his cum slowly dripping out around his cock. Gaz couldn’t help but groan at the feeling of the creature lapping at his bleeding neck as his hips slowly stopped.

Many of the tentacles against his skin retreated, but several of them stuck around to help slowly flip him to his back. They acted as cushions for him, keeping him from laying on the cold floor as Jackson leaned over him, pressing kisses all along his face. The creature’s cock was still buried deep inside of him and something told Gaz that he didn’t plan to move any time soon. 

Gaz took several moments to collect his thoughts, trying to get his head on straight despite that haze that continued to hang over him. There were several things running through his brain, things that he hadn’t been able to take into account when he was getting fucked silly by the man currently hovered over him. He had a rather embarrassing feeling blossoming in his chest that told him that he may have just accidentally become the creature’s mate if the way he was licking at his neck and happily soothing him was any indication. He decided rather quickly that it would be an issue for a later version of him. For now, there was something much simpler that he could try to deal with. 

“So,” he started carefully, bringing Jackson’s eyes to meet with his own curiously, “I’m guessing you don’t plan on going back into your enclosure.” 

A small, almost amused smile crossed Jackson's lips before he went back to licking and sucking at his neck. Gaz sighed, knowing that he’d just been given his answer. This was certainly going to be a very interesting next few hours for him. 

[vulpes-fennec]

The Fae Equality Initiative (Ch. 7) 🌊

Summary: Tarquin, High Lord of the Summer Court, has sent ripples of shock throughout Prythian with his plans to eliminate discrimination against Lesser Fae. When the Night Court is invited to send a delegation to Summer Court, Elain Archeron can’t wait to show everybody what she’s capable of on her first official Inner Circle assignment. Little does she know that Tarquin has also recruited Lucien Vanserra’s assistance…

Read: Ch 1 | Ch. 6 | AO3

Viviane's POV is here! ❄

Viviane giggled as Kallias peppered her with affectionate kisses the moment she arrived home. “I missed you, Viv,” the High Lord of Winter murmured, burying his face against her neck. “I’m going to be very reluctant to let you leave again next weekend.” Viviane smoothed her mate’s snowy hair and took a moment to admire his face. White blonde hair curled slightly around his pointed ears, each studded with sapphire. His pale, angular face was almost devoid of color save for his flushed lips and icy blue eyes. Beautiful. Fifty years of us were lost to Amarantha. I’m so glad that we never stop cherishing every moment we have with each other. 

“I missed you too, my love,” she responded, hugging him tightly even as he set her down. “How was Violetta the last few days?” Their daughter was just shy of three years old and her ice powers…well, they were a work in progress. Her tantrums could shock glass bottles into shattering, while her playful moods could create beautiful snowflakes. Controlling powers is a struggle with ALL Fae children, but I don’t remember it being so HARD. 

“She’s sleeping right now, after I gave her a bath and read her a polar bear story…Only one temper tantrum this weekend. You missed the lovely ice sculpture we made last night. I cleaned it all up, of course.”  

“As you should,” Viviane rolled her eyes, her fair skin blushing. Seeing Kallias dote on their daughter…whatever it was…it made Viviane want to yank him into bed and show him just how much she appreciated his acts of service. 

Kallias’s icy eyes glinted as he sensed her suppressed arousal. “As much as I’d love to ravish you right now, my snowflake, I’m sure you have much to report.” 

Viviane’s mouth twitched mischievously. “Can we do it while we are cuddling in bed, at least?” Kallias didn’t need to be told twice. One snap of his fingers removed their clothes. The next snap had them winnowed into their bed, where he swaddled Viviane in comfy blankets and fluffy pillows. 

When his warm body pressed against hers and he stroked her hair, Viviane began to regale him with conference stories. She told him of the resentment between High and Lesser Fae: the Lesser Fae hated how their resources were being siphoned off to help the High Fae rebuild after the war, while the High Fae envied the Lesser Fae for being “spared their younglings” during one of Amarantha’s final attacks. 

To which Kallias replied that: a) he and Viviane should revise the taxation brackets with their finance bureau, and b) the High Fae were misdirecting their envy, for the Lesser Fae suffered numerous attacks and injuries throughout Amarantha’s reign. 

Viviane relayed Emerie’s experiences as a female Carynthian warrior in Illyria. That Viviane resonated with her, especially when many Winter Court nobles begrudgingly acknowledged her “presence” as High Lady. 

To which Kallias replied that Viviane deserved every bit of her title after defending Winter for 50 long years. “I’m sorry if I was ever one of those males, Viv,” Kallias confessed. “For not considering that you could be High Lady, until you asked me if you could.” His blue eyes were so genuinely despondent that Viviane took his hand and kissed each of his knuckles. 

“We were too busy enjoying the time we had after reuniting, Kal,” she said softly. “And you’ve always supported me after I became High Lady.” Kallias only hugged his mate closer, pressing a soft kiss under her ear. Viviane smiled at Kallias’s softness, wondering how she ever managed to reduce the icy Lord of Winter to a lovey-dovey youth.

“How’s Tarquin doing?” he murmured into her ear. 

“Stressed, as always,” she replied. “I daresay he’s still adjusting to being a High Lord.” Viviane couldn’t imagine what it was like for Tarquin and Helion to take on the mantle of an entire court while powerless Under the Mountain. Tarquin, Helion, and Feyre were the other “novice” rulers in Prythian; Viviane always felt a certain kinship with them. Too bad Helion and Feyre weren’t in Adriata this past weekend. 

“It’s a lot of work for one person,” Kallias sighed. “Especially with his Lesser Fae initiatives.” 

Viviane perked up. “But what about us?” 

“What do you mean?”

“Well…you said it’s a lot of work for one person. But there’s two of us. So what if we did something similar to Tarquin?” 

Kallias went quiet in a way Viviane knew he was about to say something she didn’t want to hear. “Tarquin’s ideas are admirable but…I thought you wanted to work on uplifting the females in court?” 

Viviane tensed. “Why can’t we do both?”

Kallias sighed. “It just…we’re both busy with enough things already. And we have Violetta to raise…I would like to do something for the Lesser Fae in the future but it just doesn’t feel like the right time, you know?” 

“We’re always busy. When is the right time, then?” He was always the more cautious one, always wanting to plan twenty steps ahead. His foresight and care kept her alive during Amarantha, but—

“Why can’t we start off small? Dedicate a memorial to the Lesser Fae lives lost in the war. Set up funds and scholarships for their communities.” 

Viviane disentangled herself from Kallias, upset. She tugged a sweater and pants on, running her fingers through her messy hair. Of course he would want to start off small, she thought bitterly. All of this would hardly make a dent in the Winter Treasury. 

“You saw firsthand how much planning Tarquin needs to restructure everything in Summer.” Kallias sat up in their bed, blankets falling off his muscled body. His voice was strained. “This isn’t something we can just do overnight.”

Viviane hated to admit Kallias was right about that. But how can he not care about this as much as me? This may not be urgent for us, but it sure as hell is affecting the Lesser Fae in our court! Disappointment was apparent in Viviane’s slightly forceful movements around the room. “What, we can’t be a little ambitious about helping our own people?” 

“Where are you going?” Kallias asked, choosing not to answer her question.

“To see Violetta,” Viviane snapped over her shoulder as she left the room. 

***

The council meeting was a tense one, more so because Viviane was still upset with Kallias. When she presented her plan for expanding the print industry, two male advisors nitpicked and questioned every aspect of it. Nevermind that the final policy was something both she and Kallias worked on. Viviane got into a verbal spat with another noble who habitually steamrolled her suggestions to the agriculture committee. As if he knew anything about agriculture, for he was one of the infrastructure ministers. 

Kallias could only glare daggers at the offending council members. Viviane had made it clear she didn’t want him coming to her defense every damn time, and he had begrudgingly complied. Despite the mini argument they had earlier that evening, Viviane could see Kal’s fingers were visibly itching to flex his power and school the males into respecting her. 

Viviane winnowed into Lillestad shortly after the meeting, not bothering to tell Kallias where she’d gone. The city was on the border of Winter and Summer, and on clear days, one could see the lush green lands peeking between the mountain range. 

Several Fae greeted their High Lady as Viviane strode the brightly lit streets. She often sought refuge here, for Lillestad was proof that she was a capable leader. It was also proof that High Fae and Lesser Fae could live and work together on relatively equal terms. 

Sometimes, she wondered what became of those relationships once things “returned to normal” after Amarantha. Many returned to their hometowns. But a good number of High and Lesser Fae refugees had remained in Lillestad, having made the border city their new home. Seeing the signs of friendship and respect as she walked through the quaint streets gave Viviane some hope that progress had not been reversed. 

Snow began to fall lightly, dusting the already white streets. Viviane turned the corner, arriving at one of her favorite parks in the city. Remnants of snowmen, ice sculptures, and sled tracks were proof of younglings playing earlier in the day. But right now, it was empty. 

Save for a tall figure she would recognize anywhere, standing under the golden glow of a faelight lamp. Kallias. 

Vivane froze, for it was too late to pretend she hadn’t seen her mate. Kallias was still dressed in his High Lord’s finery, his high cheekbones a ruddy red and the snowflakes blending into his white-blonde hair. 

Kallias approached her cautiously, stopping just a few inches away from her with a look of regret in his icy blue eyes. “Bad day, miss?” he asked quietly, breath fogging in the air. This was the “game” Viviane and Kallias had played ever since they were children. Post-fight, they interacted with each other as strangers initially, in order to hear each other without anger’s bias. 

“Yeah.” Viviane chewed her lip anxiously. “Had to deal with some stodgy old males who don’t take me seriously.” Kallias’s eyes flashed with glacial anger so similar to the one from the meeting. “They don’t see me as their High Lady.” 

“From what I’ve seen, plenty of Fae in these streets see you as the High Lady of Winter,” Kallias’s voice was soft. 

“My friend Lucien and I visited the Lesser Fae part of Adriata,” Viviane continued. “There were so many who knew someone, a family member or a friend, who sought refuge here. They thanked me—” her voice cracked, “thanked me for taking them in, because they expected to be turned away. Because they were Lesser Fae.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalled the faces of those who had trickled into these very avenues over the years. Young and old, big and small, some with fresh injuries, others who had lost everything…

Kallias’s facade dropped. He crossed the distance to his mate in a few strides and hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I should have known how difficult this weekend would be for you. Instead of acting like—”

Viviane wiped her tears on his very expensive jacket. “But you were right. About how we can’t do everything at once.” 

Kallias’s broad hand threaded her hair, pressing her closer. “I was thinking with my head, when I should’ve been listening to my heart. You never limit yourself, you’re never intimidated by a challenge, Viv, and that’s what I admire about you.” 

“And you’re my High Lady of Winter,” he added roughly. The power emanating from his voice bowed in deference to Viviane, sending a thrill up her spine. “Don’t question yourself when you care more about our people than those council members.” 

Viviane lifted her head from Kallias’s chest, hopefulness in her eyes. “So does this mean we’re following Tarquin’s footsteps…eventually?” 

Kallias nodded. “We’re a team, Viv. Just like you said earlier…we can work on it together. How about we get started on the background planning tomorrow?” 

She smiled at her mate. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?” 

“I love you too, my snow queen. Shall we quit our duties for the night and take a stroll?” Viviane looped her arm through his in answer. “How’s Lucien doing?” 

“Hmm…his mate is there. Elain Archeron. They still avoid each other, as far as I know.” 

“Interesting,” Kallias mused. “And did he tell you how he managed to free Queen Vassa from Koschei’s clutches?” 

“Oh, I didn’t get a chance to ask. We were so busy this past weekend. But whatever he did, it’s quite impressive, isn’t it?” 

Kallias contemplated the snowy landscape before them. “Yes. It seems the clever fox may be more powerful than we thought…”

***Tarquin***

Summer: 

Send more aid to poorer districts of cities 

Integrate docks in harbors 

Educational reform (Day Court?) 

Set up harassment reporting system by end of month

Court governance committee diversification 

Spring:

Tithe → taxation (?)

Human lands/loss of the Wall → ask Lucien 

Winter:

Attitudes towards females → ask Cresseida

Recognition of war’s impact → education + monuments (?)

Day:

Obstacles to leadership → diversity in hiring 

Dawn:

Prejudice towards same-sex couples → covered in law, education (?)

Discrimination in craft guilds 

Night:

Attitudes towards females

Prejudice towards same-sex couples

Supporting Lesser Fae-owned business → business council, merchants (?)

Great. More things to add to the list of things to revamp. Tarquin broke his gaze away from his meeting notes. Cresseida and Varian were sitting in his study, just under his portrait that was painted shortly after his return to Adriata.

Back when I was young and spritely, Tarquin sighed inwardly. It hadn’t even been a decade of proper leadership yet. Back when I used to tackle problems head on, eager for a learning opportunity. I can’t be jaded YET…I just need more HELP. 

“Tarquin, you need more support,” Cresseida’s voice cut through the air as if she’d just read his thoughts. The Princess of Adriata looked relaxed as she lounged in one of Tarquin’s chairs, but her brown eyes were alert. “Give me something to do.” 

Tarquin assessed his list. “Alright. I’ll task you with integrating Adriata’s schools and university. As well as the markets—that should be enough to keep you busy.” Cresseida nodded in affirmation. 

“You should establish a permanent committee for managing the transition,” Varian suggested. Tarquin’s cousin was a male of few words, so whenever Varian spoke, he came with hard-hitting points. 

“Are you volunteering, Varian?” Tarquin raised an eyebrow.

Varian’s mouth twitched. “Respectfully, no. There’s enough on my hands with potential civil unrest and increase in intimidations in the city.” 

“Right. What’s the update on that?” Things don’t sound good if even Varian is stressed. 

“We are averaging about three public brawls between the Fae at the docks each week. I suspect we are undercounting the fights that take place in the taverns. Lucien spotted graffiti on public notice boards that included Lesser Fae slurs.” Tarquin checked his notes. “The reports of discrimination from businesses has stayed the same, which isn’t that great because they’re still acting out. Also, several instances of intimidation in public spaces. Those bastards.” The Captain of the Guard loosed a rare display of emotion in a growl. 

Tarquin felt like he was made out of sighs as he let out yet another depressed sigh. “Thank you, Varian. Please send your guards my thanks as well,” he said dryly. “I’ll let the treasury know there will be more overtime pay to process.” Varian nodded curtly.

Solstice is approximately five months away…that time is going to fly by fast. 

“It’s good that the delegates are getting us to think outside the box already,” he mused. “We’ll continue with our regular discussion agenda for next weekend. And I’ll work on establishing a permanent committee by next month.” 

“Next month?” cried Cresseida. “Tarquin, are you going to get any sleep at this rate?” 

“He’ll be immune to the effects of coffee soon,” remarked Varian. “Why not ask Lucien for assistance on some of the projects? We can contract him out for some management work.” 

Lucien. There’s a lot we haven’t caught up on, such as how he, Vassa, and Jurian dealt with Koschei. Perhaps he will be helpful in an unconventional way…

Resources linked here!

Read: Ch. 8

[ashishvlogsblog]

How to Weatherproof Your Door for Energy Efficiency

When it comes to home improvement, few projects can have as significant an impact as door installation. A well-chosen door can enhance your home's aesthetics, improve security, and boost energy efficiency. In this guide, we will explore the essential aspects of door installation, ensuring you have all the information you need to make informed decisions.

Understanding the Importance of Door Installation

Door installation is more than just hanging a new door; it's about creating a seamless transition between spaces while ensuring functionality and style. A properly installed door can provide privacy, improve insulation, and enhance the overall look of your home. Whether you’re replacing an old door or adding a new one, the installation process is crucial for achieving the desired results.

Types of Doors for Your Home

Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to choose the right type of door for your needs. Here are some popular options:

Interior Doors: Ideal for separating rooms within your home, these doors come in various materials, including wood, fiberglass, and hollow core. They are available in numerous styles, from classic panel doors to modern flush designs.

Exterior Doors: The first line of defense against the elements, exterior doors should be sturdy and secure. Options include fiberglass, steel, and solid wood doors, each offering unique benefits in terms of durability and insulation.

Sliding Doors: Perfect for smaller spaces, sliding doors save room while providing a stylish way to connect indoor and outdoor areas. They are often made of glass, allowing for natural light and a view of the outside.

Bi-Fold Doors: These doors are an excellent choice for creating open spaces, such as in patios or dining areas. They fold neatly to one side, providing an unobstructed view and access.

The Door Installation Process

1. Measurement and Planning

The first step in door installation is accurately measuring the door frame. This ensures that your new door will fit perfectly. Take into account the width, height, and depth of the frame, and always double-check your measurements before purchasing a new door.

2. Choosing the Right Hardware

Selecting the appropriate hardware is vital for a successful door installation. This includes hinges, handles, and locks. Ensure that the hardware complements the style of your door and is durable enough for regular use.

3. Removing the Old Door

If you're replacing an existing door, carefully remove it from the hinges. This typically involves unscrewing the hinges and lifting the door off the frame. Be cautious not to damage the frame during this process.

4. Installing the New Door

Once you’ve prepared the frame, it’s time to install the new door. Position the door in the frame and attach the hinges. Make sure the door swings smoothly and fits snugly within the frame. Adjust as necessary to ensure proper alignment.

5. Adding Finishing Touches

After the door is securely in place, it’s time to install the hardware. Attach the handle and lock, ensuring they function correctly. You can also add weather stripping around the door frame to improve energy efficiency and seal any gaps.

Conclusion

Door installation is a vital aspect of home improvement that can significantly enhance your space. By understanding the importance of the process and choosing the right type of door, you can transform your home’s appearance and functionality. Whether you choose to tackle the installation yourself or hire a professional, ensuring quality installation will provide you with a beautiful and durable entryway for years to come. Don’t underestimate the impact of a well-installed door—start your project today!

[sparklingsjewel]

Perfect Pairings: How to Choose a Wedding Band for Your Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring?

It’s time you landed the quality wedding band in your emerald-cut engagement ring!

That feeling when the love of your life proposes to you on one knee and the hoop container reveals a fantastic emerald-reduce engagement ring is unequalled. Even a superbly heat, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate brownie doesn’t come near. Your belly tingles with exhilaration… due to the fact you may’t wait to plot your wedding already. So, the search for the correct wedding band to pair along with your ultra-modern prized possession starts offevolved. You fast remodel into a to-be-bridezilla, watching YouTube films and celebs who’ve recently flaunted their wedding ring stack for some notion. After all, this is *the hoop* you’ll be sporting every day ‘til dying do you component. Mark your eternal love with the vibrant elegance of an wedding bands with emeralds, a perfect symbol of a lifetime together.

Girl… in case you haven’t found out it already, you want to research a tip or  about the way to pick the right wedding ceremony band to your emerald-cut engagement ring from jewelry experts, so you can experience confident approximately the very last choice you make.

Being in the biz for almost two many years, we understand while we see a marriage band that can suit perfectly with a completely unique engagement ring which include yours. And you could accept as true with us when we say that you’ll by no means want to unstack the pairing we find for you… ever!

So, scroll down for a few failproof suggestions on a way to locate the best wedding band in your emerald-reduce engagement ring, and save the ones that’ll get you even greater psyched to mention, “I do!”

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Wedding Band for Your Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring

With the upward thrust of Mod ring stacks at an all-time high, you’ll need this concise emerald-cut engagement ring guide so that you end up with the precise wedding ceremony band for it.

1. What style is your emerald-cut engagement ring?

If you want your engagement ring to be the star of the display, you should be clear about what fashion your emerald-reduce stunner is (solitaire, 3-stone, halo, and so on.), because you don’t need the marriage band to overpower it but highlight its beauty alternatively.

2. Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?

Metal bands (and perhaps some diamonds) are an apt choice for the minimalists, however if you’re up for a touch extra bling, choose a colored gemstone wedding ceremony band as a substitute.

Angara gives an expansion of gemstone wedding ceremony bands in numerous patterns to complement your engagement ring and add vibrance and personality to your bridal stack. So, whether or not you’re looking to stack an emerald-reduce tanzanite ring or an emerald engagement ring for ladies, we’ve were given you protected.

3. How frequently do you plan to wear your wedding band?

If you’re a never-taking-it-off kinda gal, you want to be aware of the durability of your gemstone wedding band. Gemstones like diamond, sapphire and ruby which have a Mohs hardness score of more than 7 are first-rate for regular wear.

4. Do you want your jewelry to sit down flush towards each other?

Do you need your emerald-reduce engagement ring and wedding ceremony band to healthy together like a puzzle? Then, select a contoured, open or curved band.

But possibly you don’t plan on wearing the two jewelry on the same finger. Well, if so, the sector is your oyster—you may choose any wedding ceremony band you like.

5. How do you want your metals?

Selecting a wedding band and an engagement ring inside the identical steel creates a synchronized appearance, while blending metals will make your bridal stack look interesting and on-trend.

So, if you’ve simply got a silver emerald-reduce diamond ring, don’t experience shy to mix it with a yellow-gold wedding band.

Found! The Best Wedding Bands for Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring

Trust us, you’ll hear “wow” while you pair these wedding bands along with your emerald anniversary ring.

1. Complementary Cuts

Who doesn’t love a matchy-matchy appearance? An emerald-cut engagement ring’s formidable, elongated aspects are echoed excellent by an emerald-cut wedding band (no factors for guessing).

But that’s not the most effective preference. You also can flip to square-reduce, princess-cut and baguette wedding bands to create a visual harmony this is both modern and sublime.

2. Pop of Shine

The emerald cut is très sublime, however allow’s face it; it's far coveted greater for its elongating impact than its shine. Enter: Round-reduce stone wedding ceremony bands.

Round-cut stones are recognized for optimum brilliance and pairing them with a traditional solitaire emerald-reduce engagement ring will % a punch and give your stack a adorable evaluation. It’s a winner all the way!

3. Contoured Couture

We love the concept of contoured wedding ceremony bands. The proper you'll be able to healthy snugly against the emerald-cut engagement ring and accordingly, offer a visible aesthetic like no different. Quite such as you and your S.O. Becoming together like two portions of a puzzle *wink*

Plus, the proper nestling of the 2 earrings guarantees that the earrings don’t rub against each different which prevents the center stone from chipping.

Four. Matching Styles

While your wedding band shouldn’t overshadow your sparkler, who says it is able to’t be equally showstopping?

Ornate bands will no longer simplest appearance incredible whilst paired with your engagement ring however will also make a statement on their very own. The most effective rule to follow? Try to pick a matching style. For example, if you have a antique-fashion emerald-cut engagement ring with milgrain detailing, pass for a wedding band with similar elements. Or in case your ring has a twisted shank, select a marriage band with a twisted layout as nicely.

Also Read : Stackable Diamond Rings: Trendy & Timeless Combinations for Every Occasion

The Ultimate Guide To Engagement Ring Shopping

[capitaldieseltruckrepair]

The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Truck Maintenance: What to Watch Out For

Seasonal changes can have a significant impact on truck maintenance. Each season presents unique challenges that can affect the performance and longevity of your truck. Understanding these impacts and taking proactive measures can help ensure your truck remains in optimal condition year-round. At Capital Diesel Truck Repair, we’re dedicated to providing top-notch mobile truck repair in Sacramento, and we want to share essential tips for maintaining your truck through the seasons.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips

Winter

Winter weather can be harsh on trucks, with cold temperatures, ice, and snow creating numerous challenges.

1. Battery Health

Cold weather can drain your truck’s battery faster. Ensure your battery is fully charged and consider replacing it if it’s older than three years.

Tip: Keep your battery terminals clean to ensure a good connection.

2. Tire Condition

Inspect your tires for adequate tread and proper inflation. Consider switching to winter tires for better traction on icy roads.

Tip: Regularly check tire pressure, as it can drop in colder temperatures.

3. Engine Oil

Cold weather can thicken engine oil, reducing its effectiveness. Use a winter-grade oil to ensure proper lubrication.

Tip: Schedule an oil change with a professional Truck Repair Shop to switch to the appropriate oil grade.

4. Coolant System

Ensure your coolant system is in top condition to prevent freezing. Check antifreeze levels and consider a coolant flush.

Tip: Inspect hoses and belts for wear, as cold temperatures can make them brittle.

Spring

Spring brings milder temperatures but can still pose challenges due to increased rainfall and potential for flooding.

1. Brake Inspection

Wet conditions can affect brake performance. Ensure your brakes are in good condition and replace worn pads and rotors.

Tip: Regular brake inspections can prevent more significant issues down the road.

2. Windshield Wipers

Spring showers call for effective windshield wipers. Replace any wipers that leave streaks or don’t fully clear the windshield.

Tip: Check wiper fluid levels and top off as needed.

3. Rust Prevention

Spring moisture can accelerate rust formation. Clean your truck regularly to remove salt and grime from winter.

Tip: Apply a rust-prevention spray to vulnerable areas.

Summer

High temperatures can take a toll on your truck, affecting everything from the cooling system to the tires.

1. Cooling System

Ensure your radiator and cooling system are functioning correctly to prevent overheating. Check coolant levels and look for leaks.

Tip: Schedule regular maintenance to inspect the entire cooling system.

2. Air Conditioning

A functioning air conditioning system is essential for comfort. Ensure your AC is in good working condition and recharge if necessary.

Tip: Replace the cabin air filter to maintain good air quality.

3. Tire Maintenance

High temperatures can cause tire blowouts. Check tire pressure regularly and inspect for any signs of wear or damage.

Tip: Rotate tires regularly to ensure even wear.

Fall

Fall is a transitional season that prepares your truck for the upcoming winter. It’s a good time for comprehensive maintenance.

1. Battery Check

Before winter hits, ensure your battery is in good condition. Test its charge and replace it if necessary.

Tip: Clean battery terminals and ensure a secure connection.

2. Lighting

As days get shorter, ensure all your lights are working correctly. Replace any burned-out bulbs and clean the lenses.

Tip: Check both headlights and taillights for proper operation.

3. HVAC System

Ensure your heating system is ready for colder weather. Check the HVAC system for any issues and replace the air filter.

Tip: Have a professional inspect your HVAC system to ensure it’s working efficiently.

FAQs

Q1: How often should I check my truck’s tire pressure?

A1: It’s advisable to check your tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips. Extreme temperatures can cause fluctuations in tire pressure.

Q2: What type of engine oil should I use in winter?

A2: In winter, use a thinner, winter-grade oil (such as 5W-30) to ensure proper lubrication in cold temperatures. Consult with a Truck Repair for the best recommendation.

Q3: How can I prevent rust during the spring season?

A3: Regularly wash your truck to remove salt and grime accumulated over the winter. Applying a rust-prevention spray to vulnerable areas can also help.

Q4: What should I do if my truck overheats in the summer?

A4: If your truck overheats, pull over immediately to a safe location and turn off the engine. Allow it to cool before checking the coolant levels or calling for mobile truck repair. 

Q5: How often should I replace windshield wipers?

A5: Windshield wipers should be replaced every six months to a year, or as soon as you notice they are not clearing the windshield effectively.

Seasonal changes can significantly impact truck maintenance, but with the right precautions and regular maintenance, you can keep your truck in excellent condition year-round. At Capital Diesel Truck Repair, we provide reliable fleet service in Sacramento to ensure your trucks are always ready for the road.

If you need assistance with your truck, whether it’s seasonal maintenance, repairs, or emergency roadside service, our experienced diesel mechanics near me are here to help. We offer comprehensive mobile truck repair in Sacramento to keep your commercial vehicles in top shape.

Contact Us:

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Phone: +1 (916) 949-4882

Address: 1645 Vinci Ave, Sacramento, CA 95838

Email: AlexKochubey@yahoo.com

Trust Capital Diesel Truck Repair for all your truck maintenance and repair needs. Stay ahead of the seasons and keep your truck running smoothly!

[amostdelectablescribbler]

Ok i have to write this down.

It’s the political opinions of someone with an opinion most people here won’t like. Reader discretion is advised, and read the full thing if you’re going to read it at all before you form opinions or verbally attack me.

TL,DR; war is more complex than people realise. Read more than media.

This fucking isreal gaza war is a propaganda masterclass. Palestine has mastered garnering support from the people here, and masterfully swept away from the public consciousness the decades of tension and jabs in the two countries histories. Isreal was made a place on the map by the british. It was british territory, and was given to the jewish after ww2 since lots of people needed somewhere to go where they could be the majority. Israel has been doing great since. Some of the best medicine and tech in the world. Palestine, formerly british territory to begin with, weren’t chuffed at all and so took up a retaliation with what means they had.

Many of those means were terrorism.

3,200 civilians have been killed in terror attacks in israel since 1993. It looks like a relatively smaller number. This is despite numerous attempts at negotiation. This is a complicated conflict that has been going on for longer than most people on tumblr with opinions about it have been alive, including myself.

Part of the issue is fanaticism. It’s massively common in the middle east that people think that the other side are infidels and they’ll be made saints for their sacrifice by bombing the others. Funny that they worship the same god, so he probably wouldn’t want them to fight at all. There’s no reasoning with that, though, as they genuinely believe it with all their heart and you can’t talk someone down from there.

Worse, is Hamas. A good old fashioned terrorist organisation, who are a household name for people who read about this. They are another fanatic group, and they have dug hundreds of miles of tunnels under gaza in order to sneak people with bombs in and civilians out. This is important because;

1–it is quite obvious that if there are tunnels underground you need to vaporise some ground to get to them. Artillery is good for this. The only solution to “we know there are tunnels in this general area” is to sink that general area below sea level to find them. The annoyance is that there is an entire gaza strip of people in the way.

2–building from this, the palestinians can absolutely rat out Hamas and tell israeli soldiers where the tunnels are. They do not. The fanaticism of the area pervades both sides enough that everyone thinks the other side are sods, with no talking about it. They could if they liked tell the many patrolling Israeli soldiers where the tunnels are, but they don’t, because they are infidels and must be punished. This also means that Israel can only rain gunpowder from above and make a hole big enough to find the tunnels.

An analogy; Scorpions in an Anthill.

There are scorpions hiding in the anthill, and the ants won’t tell you where they are, but the scorpions keep biting you hard, so they have to go. You can’t go in the anthill and look for them, because you’ll get chased out by ants and the scorpions will get you, so you can only flood the anthill with water or bleach and flush the scorpions out. The ants will die too, but they chose a side, they sting you whenever you try and get the spiders out because the scorpions told them you are evil and must be punished.

And already the analogy gets convoluted.

Nobody wins in war.

Hamas won’t respect a ceasefire, and Palestine won’t stop crying. The children being bombed are the same ones being raised by parents who were raised by Hamas. Those are children who will grow up in a warzone being told “Israelis are evil, they must be punished. If you die killing them, you’ll be made a saint.” Their parents believe it wholeheartedly, because their parents told them the same.

Nobody will win this war. Either Hamas will be crushed in their vietcong style tunnels and burned from their anthill, or are pushed out by the artillery caving their tunnels in or exposing them. Israel cannot lose more innocent civilians to Hamas. Palestine and Hamas cannot parlay with the infidels.

Everyone who sees this from the outside, not asking why, only sees you pour bleach in an anthill and the adverts from the ants saying “stop killing us”, not knowing the scorpions are inside and are being sheltered by the ants.

Quite frankly, the Israeli Government has every right to wage this war.

Much worse has been done over less, and you cannot talk to someone being violent. Only greater violence stops violence.

Palestine and Gaza have every right to be upset, their land was taken from them (although the English did conquer the place fair and square) and they are losing their loved ones left right and center. They also refuse to negotiate with the infidels, and refuse to rat out gods servants as they enact their holy duty to condemn them to eternal damnation. Israels only course of action is to flatten the place with artillery. Think through any other course of action in your head before you come at me. You cannot feasibly do anything else without risking your people, and the government of a country is entirely to act in the interest of its people.

In the words of Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, “You wanna win the war? Know what you’re fighting for.”

[bdwebit]

8 key DNS Working Steps

8 key DNS Working Steps. The Domain Name System (DNS) is an unsung hero of the internet. It’s the invisible force that translates human-friendly domain names like www.example.com into the numerical IP addresses that computers use to find websites and other resources on the web. While most of us rely on DNS every day, we may not fully understand how it works. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the eight fundamental steps of DNS resolution, demystifying this essential system that underpins the internet.

Step 1: User Request The DNS resolution process starts when a user enters a domain name into their web browser, such as www.example.com. The user is looking to access a particular website or resource.

Step 2: Local DNS Cache The first stop in the DNS resolution process is the user’s local DNS cache. This cache stores information about recently resolved domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. If the desired domain name is found in the cache, the IP address can be retrieved immediately, speeding up the process. If the cached entry has expired or if the domain name isn’t in the cache, the system proceeds to the next step.

Step 3: Local DNS Client When the local DNS cache doesn’t contain the necessary information, the local DNS client (often integrated into the operating system) is engaged. The local DNS client sends a query to a DNS server to resolve the domain name. The query contains the domain name that the user wants to access, such as www.example.com.

Step 4: DNS Resolver or Recursive DNS Server The DNS query from the local DNS client is sent to a DNS resolver or a recursive DNS server. These servers are responsible for processing DNS queries on behalf of the local client. They have the knowledge and infrastructure to locate the required information.

Step 5: Root DNS Servers If the DNS resolver or recursive DNS server does not already have the necessary information, it starts the process of finding it. The first stop is the root DNS servers. These servers are an essential part of the DNS hierarchy and maintain the global database of top-level domains (TLDs). Top-level domains include familiar ones like .com, .org, and country-code TLDs such as .uk or .de.

Step 6: Top-Level Domain (TLD) Servers The root DNS servers don’t provide the specific IP address needed to access the requested domain. Instead, they direct the DNS query to the TLD server responsible for the relevant top-level domain. For example, if the requested domain is www.example.com, the query is directed to the .com TLD server.

Step 7: Authoritative DNS Servers The TLD server guides the query to the authoritative DNS server for the domain in question, which, in this case, is example.com. The authoritative DNS server is the final authority for the domain’s DNS records, including the IP address associated with www.example.com.

Step 8: Response The authoritative DNS server for example.com provides the IP address associated with www.example.com back to the recursive DNS server. This information is then relayed to the local DNS client, which stores the resolved IP address in its cache for future use.

With the IP address in hand, the local DNS client can now connect to the web server hosting www.example.com. The user can access the website, and the DNS resolution process is complete.

Why Understanding DNS Steps Matters Understanding the steps of DNS resolution is valuable for several reasons:

Troubleshooting: If you encounter DNS issues, having a grasp of the process can help you pinpoint where the problem might be occurring. For instance, if DNS resolution is failing at the local DNS cache, you may need to flush the cache or check your DNS settings. Optimizing Performance: Knowing the steps of DNS resolution can help you optimize your system. For example, you might configure your local DNS cache to minimize DNS query delays or choose faster DNS servers. Security: Understanding the DNS resolution process can help you appreciate the potential vulnerabilities in the system. DNS-related attacks, like cache poisoning, can have serious consequences. Awareness can lead to better security practices. DNS in the Real World In practice, DNS resolution typically happens incredibly fast, often taking only a fraction of a second. The extensive network of DNS servers worldwide optimized for speed and reliability, ensuring that you can access websites and online resources with minimal delay.

However, it’s worth noting that the DNS system is not without its challenges. DNS attacks and exploits can disrupt normal DNS resolution, leading to incorrect or malicious results. DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) is one solution designed to add a layer of security to DNS by digitally signing DNS data, making it more resistant to tampering.

Customizing DNS for Your Needs While most users rely on their ISP or network provider to manage DNS resolution, you can customize your DNS settings. You can specify which DNS servers your system uses, which can be particularly beneficial if you’re looking for enhanced privacy, security, or faster DNS resolution.

Public DNS services like Google’s 8.8.8.8 or Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 offer alternative DNS servers that you can configure on your device. These services often promise improved performance and security features like DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT).

Understanding how DNS works allows you to make informed choices about your DNS configuration, helping you take control of your online experience. (register a edu domain)

Conclusion 8 key DNS Working Steps. The Domain Name System may operate behind the scenes, but it is fundamental to our daily internet interactions. Knowing how DNS works empowers you to troubleshoot issues, optimize performance, and make informed choices about your DNS configuration. The eight steps of DNS resolution outline the journey from a user’s request to accessing a website, revealing the intricate process that ensures the internet remains accessible and functional for users worldwide.

[webnewsify1]

Immunity: These 10 tips Diet Habits Are Weakening Your Immune System

Habits are those little things you just can't help doing every day. If we're honest, we all have them. They are things we do without thinking - even though we know some are bad for us. No matter how hard we try—we just can't seem to stop. So which habits can be dangerous in this time of COVID-19? What are we doing that could be weakening our immune system? Read on and you may find some surprises. 1. Consuming an excessive amount of sugar Eating an excessive amount of sugar can debilitate the resistant framework. It causes irritation in the body, which is a main source of numerous illnesses. Furthermore, sugar can stifle the resistant framework cells liable for going after infections and microorganisms. 2. Skipping dinners or holding off on junk food At the point when you skip feasts or hold off on junk food, your body doesn't get the essential nutrients and minerals it requirements to appropriately work. This can debilitate the safe framework and make it more vulnerable to sicknesses. 3. Eating an excess of handled food Handled food varieties are many times high in sodium, additives, and different synthetic compounds that can debilitate the resistant framework. They additionally come up short on supplements that help the invulnerable framework. 4. Not getting sufficient rest Rest is essential for the resistant framework to recharge and fix itself. At the point when you don't get sufficient rest, your body produces less cytokines, a kind of protein that battles disease. This can make it harder for the body to fend off diseases. 5. Inordinate liquor utilization Weighty drinking can stifle the safe framework and make it more powerless against contaminations. It can likewise impede the body's capacity to deliver white platelets, which are answerable for warding off contaminations. 6. Not remaining hydrated Remaining hydrated is vital to keep the resistant framework working appropriately. Water assists with flushing out poisons from the body and keeps the body's frameworks running productively. 7. Consuming a lot of handled meat Handled meat is many times high in soaked fat, sodium, and synthetics that can debilitate the resistant framework. These meats likewise miss the mark on supplements that help the invulnerable framework. 8. Eating too many refined sugars Refined starches are many times low in fundamental supplements and can cause glucose to spike. This can prompt aggravation in the body, which debilitates the resistant framework. 9. Not eating an adequate number of foods grown from the ground Leafy foods are plentiful in fundamental nutrients and minerals that help the safe framework. At the point when you don't eat an adequate number of leafy foods, your body comes up short on fundamental supplements that it needs to ward off diseases. 10. Exorbitant espresso utilization Drinking a lot of espresso can obstruct the body's capacity to retain specific minerals, like iron and calcium. These minerals are significant for invulnerable framework wellbeing. Furthermore, the caffeine in espresso can upset rest designs, which can debilitate the resistant framework over the long run. All in all, keeping a solid and adjusted diet is fundamental to keeping a working and compelling safe framework. An eating regimen wealthy in supplement thick food sources like natural products, vegetables, entire grains, and incline proteins can essentially work on safe capability. Read the full article

[keonilim6]

스포츠토토사이트 TABLE GLITCH IN GTA 5 ONLINE - (FAST & EASY)

Only take cash. Don’t take your bank cards or credit cards with you when you gamble.Set a time limit for your visit to the casino. RACING DEMON, AN ENGLISH GAME OF SPEED-This high-speed card game goes by multiple names. Pai gow (Chinese: 牌九; pinyin: pái jiǔ; Jyutping: paai4 gau2) is a Chinese gambling game, played with a set of 32 Chinese dominoes.

Some layouts mark the bet with a two-headed snake that winds from 1 to 34, and the bet can be placed on the head at either end of the body.Most US jurisdictions do not allow VLTs and those that do have attracted the same criticism the Canadian provinces have. However, some non-players have expressed tolerance for the machines. However, it may be that the first deck of cards ever printed was a Chinese domino deck, in whose cards we can see all the 21 combinations of a pair of dice. After all decisions regarding folding or betting have been made, the dealer will reveal all of their cards. The dealer can qualify to play past this point only if his hand contains an Ace and a King or forms a pair or anything better than a pair.

Caribbean Stud Poker is an easy-to-learn game based on 5-Card Stud Poker. It also offers a progressive jackpot payout which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. To start, each player antes (with the option to play for the progressive jackpot) and receives five cards face down.In pandoeren, a Dutch jass game, the rule is ft,t,r. This means that if you can follow suit, you must either follow suit or play a trump; if you cannot follow suit, you must play a trump; only if you can neither follow suit nor play a trump, you may play any card. Video poker became more firmly established when SIRCOMA, which stood for Si Redd's Coin Machines (and which evolved over time to become International Game Technology), introduced Draw Poker in 1979. In Belgium the player is allowed to switch a card, but if he does, he forfeits his option to fold. That version of the rules is addressed in my section on Belgium Variant of Oasis Poker.

The history of the game is much disputed. Some claim that Caribbean Stud Poker was invented in Aruba, which would seem plausible since Aruba is an island in the Caribbean. Many people also claimed that they’re the inventor of the game, like author and gambling expert David Sklansky.Some of these machines are linked, which means players can simply wait for someone else to put the bank in flush attack mode, or alternately with non-linked machines a player can play after observing a previous player hit flushes but not enough to trigger the flush attack, a practice called "vulturing".스포츠토토사이트 The red card in the red-numbered box corresponding to the red die, and the blue card in the blue-numbered box corresponding to the blue die are then turned over to form the roll on which bets are settled. Rank is used to indicate the major (spades and hearts) versus minor (diamonds and clubs) suits.

Ready/Waiting/Cased/Set/Down/Chance/Shot/Pat – A player who only needs one number in order to complete the Bingo pattern is considered to have a Shot or be Ready, Waiting, Cased, Set, or Down, or to "have a chance".A player wishing to play craps without being the shooter should approach the craps table and first check to see if the dealer's "On" button is on any of the point numbers.The first Golden Arm was Oahu native, Stanley Fujitake, who rolled 118 times without sevening out in 3 hours and 6 minutes at the California Hotel and Casino on May 28, 1989. With the expansion of Tribal gaming across the US, there are numerous versions of bingo which now emulate the fast action of casino like table games but utilize the principals of bingo where players mark and monitor matrices cards with chips.

They very often also offer regular poker tables, where patrons play each other while the casino makes its profit either by taking a portion of each pot or by charging an hourly fee.When mechanic Charles Fey invented the first slot machine in 1895, it wasn't even played in a casino, and it was far from Las Vegas.When a player's turn comes, they can say "Hit" or can signal for a card by scratching the table with a finger or two in a motion toward themselves, or they can wave their hand in the same motion that would say to someone "Come here!" When the player decides to stand, they can say "Stand" or "No more," or can signal this intention by moving their hand sideways, palm down and just above the table. Players are then given the option, one-by-one, to stick with their two cards, be dealt additional cards, or take another option that is available such as split or double down etc.

That is not the only basic strategy solution as deciding on your count’s situation is also essential.The biggest difference between crapless craps and original craps, is that the shooter (person throwing the dice) is at a far greater disadvantage and has a house edge of 5.38%. Another difference is that this is one of the craps games in which a player can bet on rolling a 2, 3, 11 or 12 before a 7 is thrown.In roulette, bets can either be inside or outside bets. Games available in most casinos are commonly called casino games. In a casino game, the players gamble cash or casino chips on various possible random outcomes or combinations of outcomes.

Baccarat (IPA: [bakaʁa]; German: Burgambach) is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in the Grand Est region of north-eastern France.12 pays 3:1 on the field. This is generally seen in rooms that have two different table minimums, on the tables with the higher minimums.It often seems as if authors of such articles and books do not even understand the sources they are copying. With a soft hand, the general strategy is to keep hitting until a total of at least 18 is reached.

[remediesone]

Homemade Creams To Soften Your Hair We as a whole realize that hair can have a major impact in one's appearance, which is the reason numerous ladies burn through a lot of cash on haircare items and at beauty parlors. The present video will examine Natively constructed Creams to Mellow Your Hair. Having sound and wonderful hair without utilizing hazardous or expensive items is the thing we will discuss today. In particular, we will give recipes to custom made creams that can relax your hair normally and help dispose of frizz. Hand crafted creams, 1) Coconut milk and lemon juice, To make this hand crafted cream you want to add the juice from one lemon into one glass of coconut milk. Try to blend all fixings well, and afterward cool them in the ice chest. Leave them in the cooler until you notice a velvety film framing on top. Apply the combination similarly to your hair and afterward let set for around 20 minutes. Something significant to recall is to cover your hair with a towel or a fabric, which will assist the item with infiltrating better. When the 20 minutes is up, flush your hair until the item is totally gone, then, at that point, wash as you regularly do. Assuming you are reliable with this treatment, it will give excellent outcomes. 2) Milk and honey cream, Add a couple of drops of honey to one cup of milk. Blend well, and afterward apply consistently to your hair. Let set for 90 minutes, or two hours. Then flush and wash your hair with a delicate cleanser. 3) Olive oil, All normal oils are helpful for supporting and reestablishing hair. We will discuss olive oil now, despite the fact that almond oil likewise contains a large number of these advantages. These oils take wellbeing back to your hair, causing it to seem more appealing. Warm some oil, and be mindful so as not to consume it or yourself. Apply the warm oil to your hair. Allow it to labor for a couple of moments. You could likewise wrap your hair is a warm cap. In the event that you don't have one, you could utilize a hot towel all things being equal. When the time is up, flush and wash your hair as you regularly would. On the off chance that you have slick hair it's best not to apply the item excessively near your foundations. Also, recall that these sorts of medicines require persistence. They won't give you marvel medicines for the time being. You ought to do this no less than two times every week to see that your hair is becoming silkier, shinier, more sensible, and along these lines straight. How you Relax Your Hair, Let me in on in our remark segment beneath. #hair #softhair #silkyhair #straighthair #remediesone ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR MORE DETAILS: ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH US: ► Like us on Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/remediesone ► Tweet us at Twitter:- https://twitter.com/remediesone ► Don't forget to subscribe to our Channel:- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYqyEHJ8m9s-4swpaYn9mw?sub_confirmation=1 ► Read Blog at Blogspot:- http://remediesone.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYqyEHJ8m9s-4swpaYn9mw and click the link below to subscribe to our channel and get informed when we add new content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYqyEHJ8m9s-4swpaYn9mw?sub_confirmation=1 -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- Medical Disclaimer:- https://pastebin.com/DGqupzHt by Remedies One

[strivecompetitionsusa]

The Complete Guide To Losing 3 Kg In A Week: Success Tips, Tricks, And Exercises!

Have you ever desired rapid weight loss? Have you had trouble figuring out a solution that suits you? We will provide you the best advice on how to lose 3 kg in a week in this post! We'll offer advice, methods, and exercises that will assist you in leading a healthier lifestyle. Continue reading to find out more about how to make this dream a reality.

1. Consuming Lots Of Water 

You must reduce your calorie intake if you want to lose weight. But did you know that your weight can be impacted by the beverages you consume? Numerous studies have demonstrated that consuming a lot of water can aid in weight loss.

Our bodies require water to function correctly. It aids in keeping us hydrated, transporting nutrients to our cells, and flushing out pollutants. Our bodies often operate more effectively when we are well hydrated. 

So how can water consumption aid in weight loss? One benefit is that it might help you lose weight. You'll probably eat less at meals if you drink a glass of water first because you'll feel fuller. You may increase your metabolism and burn more calories by drinking water.

And there’s more good news – when you replace sugary drinks with water, you will be cutting down on empty calories. Water consumption is a simple and efficient strategy to lose weight.

2. Making Dietary Changes 

There are a few dietary modifications you can make if you're trying to lose weight quickly that will help you start seeing benefits right away. Remove processed foods and sugary snacks first because they can contribute to a significant amount of excess calories that you don't need. Instead, concentrate on consuming more entire meals, such as fresh produce, lean protein, and fruits. These nutrient-dense foods can help you stay satisfied while giving your body the nutrition it requires to operate efficiently.

Reducing your portion sizes is another strategy to cut calories in addition to avoiding processed meals. This doesn't indicate that you should deprive yourself; rather, spreading out your daily meals into smaller portions can help you consume less calories overall. Last but not least, make sure you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water all day. This will not only help you feel satisfied for longer, but it will also help you get rid of any toxins that might be causing you to gain weight.

3. You Must Eat Breakfast Every Day

Making sure you eat breakfast is one of the first things you should do if you want to lose weight. In contrast to popular belief, skipping breakfast can result in weight gain. You're more inclined to grab for unhealthy snacks later in the day if you skip breakfast. Your metabolism is boosted and you are given energy at breakfast to get through the rest of the day. Additionally, it prevents you from binge eating later on in the day. So if you're attempting to lose weight, be sure you don't skip breakfast!

4. Exercise For 30 Minutes

Each Day  You might be wondering how many minutes of exercise you should perform each day if you want to lose weight quickly. The answer relies on a number of variables, such as your weight loss objectives and your present level of fitness. 

If you've never worked out before, start with 30 minutes of five days a week of moderate-intensity cardio (such as walking or swimming). You can gradually increase the amount of time you spend exercising once your endurance has been developed. 

Aim for 60 to 90 minutes of cardio each day if weight loss is your primary objective. Even while it might seem like a lot, it doesn't have to be done all at once. If it's more manageable, you can spread out your workout time throughout the course of the day.

Consistency is the key to success, never forget that! Even 20 minutes of cardio a day is preferable than none, so try to get in as much as you can. So don't give up; just keep going, and soon your objective will be attained.

5. Chew Thoroughly And Slowly

There are no short cuts when it comes to losing weight. It necessitates time, effort, and hard work. There are several things you can do to hasten the process, though. Chewing your meal slowly and completely is one of them.

This is significant because it facilitates better digestion of the food you eat by your body. Your saliva has more time to break down food particles when you chew slowly and completely, which makes them simpler for your stomach to digest. Less bloating, gas, and general discomfort after eating may result from this.

You can eat less by chewing food slowly and thoroughly as well. This is so that your brain has time to recognise that you are full. Due to the fact that it takes some time for our brains to catch up with our stomachs, we frequently eat past the point of feeling full. We give our brains an opportunity to recognise that we don't need any more food by chewing gently.

So make sure you chew your food slowly and thoroughly at each meal if you want to lose weight quickly. Your body will appreciate it!

6. Rest Well 

One of the most crucial things you can do for your health is get a decent night's sleep. It not only aids in your recovery from the day's events, but it also provides an opportunity for your body to heal and regenerate. 

You can take a few quick steps to ensure you have a restful night's sleep, including: 

Create a regular sleeping pattern and try to keep to it.

Establish a peaceful, quiet, and dark resting environment.

Limit coffee and alcohol consumption before bed.

To keep your body active, get up and walk about every couple of hours.

To help you unwind before night, practice these relaxation methods. 

Conclusion 

With the correct diet and exercise routine, it is definitely possible to lose 3 kg in a week. Following these tips, tricks and exercises will help you get loss their weight quickly, safely and effectively. Just keep in mind that consistency in approach is key to developing long-lasting routines. This comprehensive guide will assist you in achieving your weight loss objectives quickly if you have patience, dedication, and a commitment to yourself. If you want that someone gives company you than you can choose Fitness Challenge App. On these apps, you can also set 30 Day Fitness Challenge.

[ehumarani]

Is It Safe to Drink Water From a Copper Container?

Up with our parents and grandparents diligently storing and drinking water in copper kalsi, handas, and matkas. This straightforward custom has been a part of our culture for many civilizations and is mentioned in numerous Ayurvedic writings. After waking up, drinking water that has been added with copper is supposed to balance the three doshas of Kapha, Vata, and Pitta.

Is It Safe to Drink Water From a Copper Container? Let us dive into some of its benefits first.

 

Why is copper beneficial to us?

Copper’s antibacterial capabilities can eliminate microorganisms and render water drinkable. Copper containers were used by our ancestors to store and naturally filter the water they drank.

People who worked in copper mines did not report a single case of cholera when multiple villages were infected, likely due to the high copper levels in their systems. Therefore, keeping water in copper containers destroys the majority of the most harmful bacteria that can cause gut inflammation and other issues. When you have food poisoning, diarrhoea, or other digestive problems, it is a cleaner way to drink water.

It is used as a natural cure for ulcers, indigestion, and infections because it helps digestion, cleanses, and lowers inflammation in your stomach.

When consumed properly, it can increase the operation of your liver and kidneys, cleanse and detoxify them, assist in the removal of waste, and enhance nutrient absorption.

For the breakdown of fat cells and transformation of fat into energy, copper is necessary. So, it might promote fat loss.

Because it is antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory, copper can speed up wound healing.

Your immune system may get stronger, and it may promote the growth of new cells.

It is essential for the creation of melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin, hair, and eye colours.

By controlling blood pressure, controlling heart rate, and reducing levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, copper aids in the maintenance of cardiovascular health.

Did you know copper is essential to absorb iron in your gut.

Copper water consumption: beneficial or harmful?

We must remember that copper is a trace mineral that our body needs in small quantities. Yes, it is necessary for a number of things, including the formation of red blood cells (RBCs), cellular health, immunity, collagen development, protection against cellular damage, iron absorption, energy production, and maintaining brain function, kidney, liver, and heart health. But one big mistake that most people make today is overdoing copper water.

If we have too much copper in our bodies, it makes us vulnerable to copper toxicity. Yes, if you cross the daily limit of copper required in your body ,  it becomes toxin for you. This is true for most vitamins and minirals. For instance, vitamin A toxicity can cause liver damage and vitamin D toxicity can affect your entire hormonal imbalance and your bones. This is why even supplements should only be taken under medical prescription and managed the right way.

Copper toxicity can affect our liver function, make us susceptible to various health issues, and in extreme cases, even cause death.

The relationship between copper and zinc.

Copper and zinc have an antagonistic connection. It implies that your zinc levels naturally decrease when you have too much copper. We all know about zinc’s role in fortifying our immune system, DNA creation and repair, healing, recovery, hormonal health (especially testosterone levels among men), and so on.

We don’t need to drink more copper water just because it’s good for us.

What is the right way to go about it?

purchase a copper vessel, jug, cup, or flask.

Once you have brought it home, store water in it for 24 hours.

Flush or throw that out.

Wash the vessel gently. Use of soap is not necessary. Dry it out.

When ready, add water, and do it every evening soon before the sun sets…

Let it sit overnight.

The next morning, consume 1-2 glasses of copper water on an empty stomach.

There are many people today who drink copper water throughout the day. His is not required. Copper poisoning can result from excessive use. Another option is to spread it out. Three glasses every day: one each in the morning, afternoon, and evening. But don’t go on chugging it through the day.

When you travel, you can carry portable copper flasks. Keep it in the hotel, fill it with water, let it sit overnight, and have it the next day. DO NOT overdo it. Remember, less is more, maintain quality, and have it at the right time.

How can drinking out of a copper vessel also be harmful?

Your brain system, glandular health, and reproductive system are all critically dependent on copper. Each of these can be impacted by a lack or toxicity.

Estrogen dominance and copper.

In the world we live in, oestrogen dominance is a problem that most individuals suffer with. There is too much oestrogen in our environment, including in contaminated milk, plastics, floor cleaners, cosmetics, and air. We are aware of the connection between high oestrogen and ER-positive ovarian, breast, and endometrial malignancies, as well as PCOD and other reproductive lifestyle problems. Your body retains copper when you have more oestrogen than it needs, which might make your current health problems worse.

When copper and heavy metals enter the thyroid gland, they decrease the t3 to t4 conversion impacting your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Yes, excess copper can block your conversion and lead to thyroid issues, delay healing, and create more toxicity in your blood.

Contraceptives, copper IUDs, birth control, hormone therapy, and xenoestrogens (synthetic oestrogen that mimics real oestrogen) all raise oestrogen in the body, which increases the likelihood that your body may retain more copper. You are now aware of how your neurological, glandular, and reproductive systems can be impacted by having too much copper linger in your body for an extended period of time.

Depression, anxiety, PMS, panic attacks, and other conditions.

Studies have also connected copper to anxiety and depression because too much copper reduces dopamine (often called the feel-good hormone). When you accomplish anything, dopamine works with your brain’s reward system. It is related to overall happiness, enjoyment, learning, memory, and other things. Anxiety and depression are caused by low dopamine levels. If you already experience these, it might get worse. Therefore, you might be attempting everything. However, there are situations when all that is necessary to increase your body’s natural production of dopamine is to reduce the quantity of copper present. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), infertility, panic attacks, and hair loss are also associated with copper poisoning.

How to naturally reduce excess copper?

You see the human body has this fantastic mechanism when we have a little bit or too much, it can detoxify itself. But sometimes, when this mechanism isn’t functioning right, it can lead to an overload or storage of vitamins and trace minerals, creating toxicity.

For instance, vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble which means your fat stores these vitamins. This makes it very difficult to get it out of your system. On the other hand, the entire vitamin B spectrum is water-soluble. So if you go into toxicity you can flush it out by drinking more water and cleansing your system.

You may wonder if there are ways to reduce excess copper in your system. Delve into these here:

Identify and treat constipation.

The excess oestrogen that your body needs to push out of your colon when you are constipated (particularly in women) is automatically reactivated in your liver, creating a vicious cycle of oestrogen dominance. Follow cleanse routines that are easy to follow and are balanced for your body to avoid constipation at all costs. You might be able to get rid of some of the extra copper this way. Check out this page to learn more about our 14-Day You Care Wellness Rejuvenation and Cleanse Program.

Put rest and healing first.

These are quite important. Because our bodies activate their inborn sophisticated detoxification system when we are completely rested, sleep is miraculous.

Vitamin B .

You could do a B complex under your doctor’s supervision if you have copper excess in your body.

Include zinc in your diet.

Because we know that the more zinc you have, the less copper levels there are, foods high in zinc or supplements recommended by your doctor can assist flush out more copper. Nuts, seeds, legumes, eggs, whole grains, dairy (if it fits you), dark chocolate, and other foods are examples of foods high in zinc.Sweat it out.

Sweat it out

When you move and engage in adequate exercise, you sweat. There is nothing more natural than sweating to automatically detoxify toxins, excess copper, and heavy metals from your body.

How do I get copper into my system if I do not drink copper water?

It’s not necessary to obtain your daily requirement of copper by consuming water from a copper filter or jug. A balanced diet can provide you with the daily amount of copper that you need. If you already consume unsalted nuts, spirulina, whole grains, lentils, meats, eggs, mushrooms, and other such foods, you are already consuming enough copper.

The bottom line.

Go back to our roots and honour the wisdom of our nation. However, going overboard in any situation without the right direction or information can be harmful to our health. Make the appropriate decision while sticking to conventional wisdom and simplicity.