#we’re making strides towards a better future!

[marpu-foundations]

Marpu Foundation: Pioneering CSR Solutions in Today's NGO Landscape

Introduction:

In today's world, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just a buzzword—it's a necessity. With increasing social and environmental challenges, organizations are expected to go beyond profit-making and contribute to societal betterment. NGOs play a pivotal role in facilitating this shift by bridging the gap between corporates and communities in need. The Marpu Foundation is one such organization, committed to delivering innovative CSR solutions that address critical issues like healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. Through strategic partnerships with companies, Marpu is setting new benchmarks in the NGO sector, ensuring that CSR efforts have a meaningful and lasting impact.

Marpu Foundation's Mission and Vision:

At the heart of the Marpu Foundation lies a vision to foster positive change through sustainable and community-driven solutions. Marpu's mission is to improve the lives of the underprivileged and underserved through targeted interventions in healthcare, education, and environmental conservation. The foundation works closely with corporate partners to design CSR programs that align with business values while also addressing pressing social challenges.

Pioneering CSR Solutions:

Key Projects:-

Project 1: Health Camps in Underserved Areas

Marpu Foundation has partnered with local corporations to organize free health camps, particularly in rural and underserved regions. These camps offer essential medical services, from routine check-ups to specialized treatments, addressing the lack of healthcare facilities in these areas. By collaborating with CSR departments of healthcare companies, Marpu has been able to extend its reach and impact thousands of lives.

Project 2: Educational Support for Underprivileged Children

Education is a cornerstone of Marpu Foundation’s initiatives. In collaboration with corporate sponsors, the foundation has launched programs that provide scholarships, school supplies, and even digital learning resources to underprivileged children. Through mentorship and after-school programs, Marpu ensures that these children not only attend school but thrive academically and personally.

Project 3: Environmental Initiatives

Environmental sustainability is a key focus for Marpu Foundation. From tree-planting drives to water conservation projects, Marpu is working to protect the environment while involving local communities and corporate partners. Recently, the foundation led a waste management initiative, in which volunteers and corporate employees worked together to clean local areas and promote recycling.

Project 4: Animal Welfare Programs

One of Marpu's most unique initiatives is its commitment to animal welfare. In collaboration with veterinary experts and animal lovers, the foundation runs rescue and rehabilitation programs for injured and stray animals. Through its CSR partnerships, Marpu has mobilized resources to build shelters and provide medical care for animals in need, adding a compassionate dimension to their wide-ranging impact.

How Marpu Foundation Stands Out

Marpu Foundation’s approach to CSR is marked by its focus on long-term, sustainable impact. By working closely with corporate partners, Marpu ensures that every CSR initiative is not just a one-time event but a project that delivers continuous value to the community. The foundation's transparency, measurable outcomes, and focus on both people and the environment make it a standout in the crowded NGO landscape.

Conclusion

The Marpu Foundation is redefining CSR by creating solutions that are both impactful and scalable. Through its innovative projects, Marpu is not only addressing immediate community needs but also fostering a culture of social responsibility among corporates. As CSR continues to evolve, organizations like Marpu will lead the way in ensuring that business success is aligned with societal good.

[too-antigonish]

My Strange but Unified Theory of Exeunt

Last week I talked about the poem Horatio in a post about Morse and fathers and @astridcontramundum asked what I thought it meant in the context of Exeunt. Hopefully she won't be sorry she asked because here's my (as usual) long answer:

Horatio is quoted from twice in Exeunt. The first time, Prof. Fortescue is lecturing to his students at a tutorial and gives us the most famous lines:  

Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate:  "To every man upon this earth death cometh soon or late. And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds For the ashes of his fathers And the temples of his gods?"

The second time occurs just before Thursday’s has his “turn” in the same spot where Morse will many years later experience his own collapse. He says: ”’How well Horatius kept the bridge in the brave days of old.’ We'd a padre big on that out in the desert. Drumhead service just before Alamein. ‘And how can man die better than facing fearful odds?’ Always stuck with me.”

I think they used those lines to plainly tease the idea that Thursday was going to die. Prior to Exeunt airing, almost everyone thought Thursday would have to die in order to explain Morse’s never mentioning him again in the future. When Fortescue says those lines in the beginning, I think we’re supposed to think that someone—probably Thursday—is going to die heroically. Then Thursday repeats some of the poem—connecting it to his WWII service—just before he has his “spell” and it seems like more foreshadowing. 

The thing about the poem though, that most people *don’t* know, is that the big surprise at the end is that Horatio *doesn’t* die. It just looks like he will: Even when his companions have abandoned the bridge because it is on the verge of collapse, Horatius remains. He stays until bridge finally does fail, and then plunges into the river below with the full weight of his armor. It is certain death and both sides stand stunned into silence by his final sacrifice.

But then, both sides find themselves even more surprised when they see the crest of his helmet beginning to rise from the water and he slowly emerges, striding towards the Roman bank. He not only survives, but arrives home to a hero’s welcome and a long life.

All of the usual narrative pieces are in place for us to expect Thursday to make the ultimate sacrifice—to die. For me, Thursday—like Horatio—does sacrifice everything, but the poem was actually foreshadowing his survival, not his death. And for Thursday, his survival is in many ways a far more difficult sacrifice than death would have been. It would have been easier for him in so many ways if he had died in defense of Sam or even fighting Lott. Instead he has to live with the ambiguous and messy aftermath.

Morse could also be Horatio in the sense that he goes to Blenheim Vale facing a high probability of death. What were the chances that the bikers would “come through” for him? That Morse went expecting to be double-crossed and killed by Lott seems much more likely to me. But I do think that Morse, like Horatio, would reason that, “If you’re going to go, then there’s no better way than defending the things that are most important to you,” and so he goes anyway.

He survives too—but unlike Horatio, his heroism will always remain a secret *and* with his realization about Thursday’s guilt and Lott’s revelation about Tomahawk’s identity, it brings perhaps more sorrow than it does victory. And, I would argue that his survival is only temporary or perhaps partial.

The gunshot scene has many possible interpretations, but at its core, my (forever unprovable) theory is that it balances out the survival foreshadowed by Horatio. Horatio was all about the audience assuming that Thursday had to die. But along with that went the assumption that of course Endeavour had to live. This is a prequel after all.

But the gunshot scene said a big, loud, “No. We can kill off Endeavour if we want to and we will.” You can go back and forth until the cows come home about whether or not the scene was simply him contemplating death, actually going through with it, or absolutely, purely symbolic and imaginative. However, I don’t think you can honestly argue that the scene doesn’t somehow connect the concepts of  “Endeavour Morse,” “gun,” and “death” to each other. Somehow those concepts have to be included in any interpretation.

So this leads to my weird theory about Exeunt, which is that Russ Lewis heard everyone saying, “Well I don’t know what’s going to happen in the end, but of course we all know that Morse is going to live—so no suspense there. And Thursday, well, he has to die. I mean it’s the only way to explain why we never hear about him later.” And to this, Russ Lewis thought, “Ha! I’m going to do exactly the opposite. Thursday lives and Morse dies!” 

Am I right? I will never know. Do I have more thoughts on Exeunt? You really, really don't want to know just how many.

[multiplicity-positivity]

Here’s some positivity for villain introjects who are trying to be better!

Life as an introject can often be messy and complicated. Sorting through emotions, memories, and traits inherited by your source while simultaneously trying to forge your own identity can be a difficult task! While it may be challenging, though, it certainly is not impossible. This post goes out to all the introjects of villain characters who are trying to improve or push for positive growth!

✨ Shoutout to introjects who used to act and behave much like their source but have since started trying to change their ways!

🌱 Shoutout to villain introjects whose lives are filled with apologies, reminders, second chances, mistakes, and determination!

💕 Shoutout to villain introjects whose source memories or exomemories make it challenging for them to strive towards positive change!

✨ Shoutout to introjects whose villainous source has a big impact on who they are today!

🌱 Shoutout to villain introjects who have to make conscious efforts and decisions to choose kindness in their lives!

💕 Shoutout to villain introjects who are trying to improve despite their efforts not being noticed or recognized by others around them!

✨ Shoutout to villain introjects who are tired of being distrusted, disrespected, ignored, or avoided by others because of their source!

🌱 Shoutout to villain introjects who have done the work and are now in a much better place than they were when they first formed!

💕 Shoutout to villain introjects in need of lots of support, advice, resources, and guidance in order to develop or properly work on self-improvement!

✨ Shoutout to villain introjects who reject the standards and expectations of others, and aim to improve themselves because that is truly what they want for their lives!

Friends, being an introject of a villain does not mean that you are destined to follow in the footsteps of your source. Change may not come naturally for you. You may find yourself predisposed towards actions and thoughts that your source had. You may sometimes worry that you literally are your source. But please try to remember that you are so capable of positive growth, even when it’s hard or seems impossible. Your hard work and efforts are not going unnoticed. We see you and we want to recognize the strides you’ve made towards progress!

Please do your best to be gentle and compassionate with yourselves today. Recognize that change is a process, and the goals you are striving for likely won’t be achieved overnight. Know that we’re in your corner rooting for you every step of the way. You’ve got this! You have a very bright future ahead of you, and we’re excited to see where your journey takes you. Thank you so much for reading, and take care!

[dc418writes]

•Baby’s First Hanukkah•

✨Pairing✨: Ari Levinsonxblack!reader

Summary🪄: A surprise visit leads to an emotional first day of Hanukkah (Operation:Rekindle addition)

⚠️: Ari (😏….y’all know lol), bit of angst in this one, fluff, mention of pregnancy

A/N🎙️: ✨Happy belated Hanukkah and Merry belated Christmas to those who celebrated! And Happy Holidays to everyone who doesn’t celebrate✨! I intended this to be out wayy earlier but here we are lol also I hope the explanation I have for Hanukkah is correct, but if there’s something I need to change please let me know☺️

*Disclaimer!: although collage was made by me, I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP of pictures used as they were all found on Pinterest*

“Not celebrating Christmas?,” your mother asks with arms crossed and a raised perfectly arched brow. Clearly not pleased with the words that just slipped past your lips.

“I didn’t say that. I just said we’re not gonna make it to the party this year. We wanna stay in and be with ourselves instead you know? We’ll still come Christmas Day.”

“Which is perfectly fine,” your father interjects before your mother could say anything more. “Right Tori?”

You knew this would happen. It’s exactly why you planned to call her the night before with your fool proof excuse of having caught a stomach bug and needing to stay in. No one would get hurt and you could freely spend that evening with Ari. Plus you wouldn’t have to dance around the actual reason you were skipping your family’s annual Christmas soirée.

However, your mother’s perfect timing and knack for pop up visits sent that down the river in a fiery pile of ashes.

“Well, could’ve fooled me with all the Hanukkah decorations and lack of Christmas tree,” she retorts waving her hand back and forth emphasizing the decorations you already set.

“I still have to put it up,” you answer focused on making sure the menorah was properly centered on the island. Or maybe it’d look better on the other table? “And, as I’ve told you before, Ari is Jewish. So these decorations are for him, and to make it feel like his place just as much as it is mine.”

“Mm..and where is Mr. Ari so he can help?”

“He’s still sleeping-,”

“And leaving you with all the work.” A humorless “tuh” huffs from Tori’s lungs as she turns towards your father. “Some boyfriend huh Howard?”

“He was up late studying,” you state finally facing your parents standing in your living room. Your facial muscles working overtime trying to keep your annoyance and anger hidden.

Unknown to you, Ari was wide awake on the other side of the wall in your bedroom hearing every word since your parents stepped over the threshold. Heartbeat already elevated on where this conversation would go.

“Look, I know you’re in love with him-,”

“Tori,” your father tries to warn, but you both knew nothing was stopping her.

“But that doesn’t mean you have to do everything together. Couples can have separate lives sweet girl.”

“I know, and we do-,”

“So it’s settled then! You’ll rightly be with us, you’re family, for Christmas as usual and he’ll be with his,” she smiles. “Which then leaves New Years for you two spending time together.”

Ari didn’t have to be out there to know you were growing frustrated. He could already see your jaw tick and nostrils slightly flare. Feel the heat radiate from your skin to the surrounding air.

“Ari’s my family too.”

“Yea you’re close, but-,”

“No, because he’s my husband,” you reveal in a flurry of words; exasperated with the idea of this conversation continuing.

“That’s sweet of you to claim him for your future-,”

“I’m not talking about the future mom, I mean now! We..we got married in July. At the courthouse.”

Unsurprisingly, there’s a long silence as your parents stand blinking at you. Their expressions unreadable and solely trained on you even when Ari quietly strides by your side in his college tee and sweats.

Your mother’s eyes eventually drift to your hand where your ring prettily sat on your finger. It was simple with just a single diamond that some would consider small, but it was all you needed. And you loved that ring because of the man that gave it to you.

“So that’s not a promise ring like you said,” she calmly states. Everyone around could feel her rising anger though.

“Well technically it is. Just for a..legally binding promise,” you nervously smile. It quickly falls at the sight of their disappointment. “This wasn’t how I wanted to tell you.”

“After five months it seems like you weren’t planning to tell us at all Y/N!”

Ari desperately wanted to come to your rescue and try to calm everyone, but what could he really say to help? He’s tried before when he felt your mother was being too tough on you while in school scolding you on what you should be doing and when. How you needed to be putting yourself out there in as many clubs and organizations as you could to network and possibly get an internship. Maybe even a job right out of college.

“She’s doing really well and always trying her best Mrs. Y/L/N,” he states standing across your mother on the opposite side of the kitchen island. However, she’s more concerned with perfecting the cake batter in front of her than to look him in the eyes. “I-I get you want the best for her-,”

“Exactly, I want the best for my daughter as any parent does their child,” she calmly replies - scarily calm in fact - lifting her head to finally meet his nervous blues. “Something I know you wouldn’t fully understand seeing as though you have no children. Correct?”

“Right..”

“So until that day comes- actually no, even if that day comes, I suggest you refrain from trying to suggest how I parent my daughter. Understood Ari?”

Nervously shifting from one foot to the other, he agrees with a quiet, “Understood,” and a slight tip of his head before his presence is ignored once again by your now sweetly humming mother.

Since then, he’s kept his interactions with her short - and she’s pretty much done the same on her end.

“I’ll be in the car,” she says after the most tense moment of silence any of them had ever experienced.

“Mom I’m sorry.” Your apology falls on deaf ears as she continues forward striding through the door and letting it slam with a loud thud that rattled the wall. “She hates me.”

“No she doesn’t,” your father sighs stepping close enough to give your shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. “Neither of us could ever hate you. We’re just hurt.”

A lone tear falls as he places a kiss to your temple and you feel your heart ache. You knew the consequences of your actions all those months ago as you stood hand in hand with Ari in front of the judge. Nothing could have prepared you for actually having to endure those consequences though.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of mom sweet pea. We’ll see you guys on Christmas,” he painfully smiles before making his way out the door as well.

But not without Ari close on his heels catching him halfway down the wooden steps outside your door.

“Mr. Y/L/N it’s my fault. I’m the one who brought up the idea of getting married,” Ari admits with guilt etched into his strong features. “Be more upset with me than you are with her.”

Your father can’t help the small smile that forms on his lips at your husband’s attempt to make things right. Since their first meeting, he could see how he’d gladly do whatever was needed to make you happy. How protective he was and completely enamored by everything that was you. It warmed his heart that you found someone who loved you possibly just as much as he did.

He realized then his prayer for you to be taken care of by a good man had been answered.

“Ari this is no one’s fault, alright? You both are grown, so if you want to get married you have every right. As far as us though, that’s our little girl who we dreamed of walking down the aisle and giving away. Gifting her with a big wedding where we could all celebrate that next stage of life with her and her husband. To not even be invited or told beforehand what was gonna happen it’s..,” he sighs briefly letting his eyes wander trying to find the right words, “it’s as if someone slapped us right across the face before the punch to the gut.”

Ari’s face falls in shame putting himself in the older man’s shoes. Of course he didn’t regret marrying you, but looking back he should’ve pushed more for you to be open with your parents. To not be afraid of their reaction and firm in that this was your decision.

Instead, he went along with your promise of telling them later so clouded by the joy and excitement of being wed to the love of his life.

“It might sound dramatic, but if you decide to have children you’ll understand.”

“No, I-I get it..and I’m sorry.”

Your father nods appreciatively, “Just give us some time son. We’ll be okay.”

Son. That was a good sign right?

“Happy Hanukkah Ari. And take care of my baby girl.”

“Of course sir,” he smiles. “Thank you.”

With a final wave goodbye, he watches your father descend the steps joining your mother in the running car; definitely still upset from the scowl twisting her face as she gazed out the passenger window.

He can hear your sniffles as he re-enters the linen scented space quickening his feet until he can sit next to you on the couch rubbing circles in your back and kissing your forehead.

“That’s definitely not what I wanted you to wake up to,” you half heartedly chuckle wiping your watery eyes.

“Hey don’t worry about that. I’m just sorry I even put you in the situation in the first place when I brought up getting married at the courthouse.”

Your fingers find his jaw softly scratching the bit of scruff lining it as you carefully shift to sit in his lap. “It was still my decision though. And yes I should’ve told them sooner..but I wouldn’t change how and when we got married,” you smile leaving two kisses, sweet as honey, on his lips. A beat of comfortable silence falls over the two of you while he holds you close to his chest gently rocking back and forth. Both of you taking in the sounds of birds and children outside for a few minutes as he occasionally pecks your temple and your heartbeats mold into a similar rhythm.

“Now,” you begin, sitting up to clear your face of any remaining streaks and tears, “I distinctly remember you promising to teach me all about Hanukkah. And cook me every dish until my stomach feels like it’s gonna pop.”

“Sweetheart, it’s okay you don’t-,”

“A promise is a promise Ari!,” you dramatically state with a poke to his well built chest making his lips curl in a light chuckle. “Plus I want to. Like I said you’re my family too, and I wanna learn and explore everything about you.”

When he thought he couldn’t love you any more than he already did, there you were adorably making him fall even harder.

“Okay…so there was once a king named Antiochus, who ruled over Syria and lived outside of Israel. Now this king was horrible and so absorbed with himself, he ordered everyone in the countries he conquered to worship the Gods he did and abandon their usual practices. Eventually, he made his way to Israel where he enforced that order on the Jews and even went as far as commanding his soldiers to destroy our temples if the people weren’t willing to convert them. Unfortunately, this included the most beautiful of them that was in Jerusalem.”

Your attention stayed glued on the man with his arms around you, looking up with an adoring smile to see his eyes sparkle and how his lips moved filling your living room with a deep voice full of passion and animation. You didn’t have to ask to know he was the favorite among his little cousins for storytelling.

“Some followed the king’s orders to avoid trouble, but there were others, like Judah Maccabee, who stood up to him. He and his brothers formed an army to go against Antiochus and the Syrian army to take back their home and free his people from the king’s rule. They were outnumbered, I’m talking like middle schoolers up against a professional team, but they won! They reclaimed Jerusalem and everyone was thrilled, however when they entered the temple in Jerusalem, everything was ruined. The floor was cracked, gold pitchers tarnished, and most importantly, there was no oil to light the menorah. They found a little while cleaning up, but knew it’d only last through the night. Instead though, they were surprised to watch it stay lit for eight days and nights, which they took as a sign that God was with them. So in remembrance of that miracle and our own reminder of how God is always with us, we light a candle on the menorah each night for eight total nights. Plus we spend time with family, eat food, and play games as part of our complete Hanukkah celebration,” Ari smiles brushing a loose curl behind your ear. “Didn’t bore you too much did I?”

“Of course not. I loved it honey.” Wrapping your arms around his neck, you peck his lips before nuzzling your face against his warm skin taking in his wood and sage cologne. “I can’t wait until you get to tell it to our kids.”

“Me either, but we still got a good while for that beautiful.”

“Or..it might come sooner than you think..”

“Maybe,” he shrugs.

“Like this summer,” you add being met with silence as you felt his head tilt. Something he tended to do when in thought or confused.

Gently lifting you from his chest, the sight of you nervously biting your lip is all the answer he needs as his expression morphs from confused to disbelief and finally shock. “B-But wait..how- when-?”

“Halloween and our um after party when we left your cousin’s. I’m nearly two months so I just did the math in my head and figured.” Thinking back, he remembers how both of you seemed to be unable to keep your hands off the other as soon as you walked through your apartment door. Him being in some type of hypnotic, aroused trance after watching you play with his toddler cousins and you after just seeing him with his family period. How you couldn’t wait to give him one of his own.

“I-I know it’s not part of our plan right now, especially with you in grad school and me figuring out my stuff-,”

“But it’s okay. We got this.” You hadn’t realized you were crying until you feel his thumb brush along your cheeks. Having kept your stress hidden for all this time, and what happened with your parents earlier, it was probably time to get your emotions out whether you wanted to or not.

“I just hope I live long enough to meet little bug,” he chuckles pressing his nose to your cheek before resting his forehead on yours. “You know your parents are definitely gonna kill me when they find out.”

“They won’t, but if they try I’ll just stand in front of you. They wouldn’t hurt the pregnant lady carrying their grandchild.”

“We might need to be handcuffed together for the rest of your pregnancy then.”

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[covna]

COVNA’s 17th Eco-Innovation Summit: A Milestone for a Greener Future

Imagine a breezy day in Wuxi on August 24, 2024—the perfect setting for a gathering that promises to shape the future. The 17th COVNA Environmental Innovation Salon Summit brought together bright minds and industry leaders at the Buckingham Palace Hotel, marking another chapter in COVNA’s journey toward global excellence.

COVNA has long been a trusted name in the industrial valve sector, providing top-tier pneumatic, solenoid, and electric valves to clients across 120 countries. This summit was not just another event—it was a celebration of the strides we’ve made under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, a plan that prioritizes sustainability and eco-friendly innovation.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in lively discussions, exchanged ideas, and explored new avenues for collaboration. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and a shared commitment to making the world a better place, one valve at a time. As COVNA continues to lead the way, our dedication to quality and innovation remains unwavering, ensuring that our products not only meet but exceed the expectations of our global clientele.

So, what’s next for COVNA? With our eyes set on the future, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the valve industry, all while staying true to our core values of sustainability and innovation. Stay tuned, because with COVNA, the best is yet to come.

[scullysexual]

A Jewel Beneath The Moonlight [Rewrite]

@today-in-fic | ao3

Summary: For Mulder, a wealthy English-bred socialite who’s had everything given to him since birth, the Titanic is shipping him off to a prison, a life he no longer wishes for or wants. For Scully, an Irish stranger from the lower class, it offers a new life, a future she can truly envision in America. What if the universe put them on the same path to achieve those dreams at the cost of life?

Chapter Nine.

Mulder’s head was swimming, his brain couldn’t comprehend the knowledge as he strides towards his room. Scully is quiet beside him yet she still shimmers with rage, with fear and concern.

Her brother is downstairs.

The realisation hits him like a ton of bricks. She should be down there with Charlie making sure he’s okay, not running around with him.

He stops with a sudden halt, Scully crashes into him.

“Mulder…”

“Go downstairs, Scully,” he says, spinning to face her. “Go check on Charlie.”

She’s speechless for a second, maybe she’s only just remembering this as well. He sees that she’s about to turn around, to do as he says, but stops herself, shaking her head.

“He’ll be fine, they’ve probably already started the evacuation process.”

Right, there’s procedure for this kind of thing. Word that they have hit an iceberg gets around quickly, every member of staff will know what’s happened and they’ll know how to get everyone to the top decks safely.

The two of them proceed on with their journey, a steward hastily runs down the corridor, Mulder gives Scully an uneasy look.

Their destination is reached soon enough. There’s no time for manners, no time for knocking on doors and waiting to be let in, they need to be in there now.

It doesn’t surprise him to find it already unlocked and pushes it open. His family, and Krycek, turn to look at him.

“There you are. Hungry? You did miss dinner after all,” Father says, his eyes widen when Scully appears from behind Mulder. “What is she doing here, Fox?”

Mulder dismisses his father. “We don’t have time for all that. The ship hit an iceberg, that’s what I’m here to tell you.”

“Yes, I heard. I didn’t think that was true. Anyway, there’s a matter that I need to discuss with you—”

“It is true,” Mulder says, interrupting. “We were there. We saw it happen.”

“It’s not bad, is it?” asks Phoebe. Mulder hears the genuine concern in her voice.

He looks to Scully, wondering what to say. Scully remains quiet and emotionless beside him.

He turns back to Phoebe, answering as honestly as he can. “We don’t know,” he says. “What we do know is that the lifeboats only have room for a thousand and something people. There’s a lot more than that on board, more than half will die.”

Entirely preoccupied with Phoebe’s expression, how she mulls this information over with what seems to be distress he wonders for a second if he hears his father right.

“Not the better half, at least.”

If Scully’s energy had dulled out during this conversation, it’s cranked right back up to a thousand at the throwaway comment.

“How can you say that?”

Phoebe gasps. “But they said it couldn’t sink!” She wanders from the bed to the vanity, sitting herself down into the chair by it.

“I’ll get more information,” says Krycek, edging away from the wall. “If the ship is about to flood, we best make sure we’re not on it when it happens.” He walks towards the door, brushing against Scully in the process.

“Right, all that aside I want to discuss a certain unwanted gift I received upon entering the room—”

“It’s gone!” Phoebe cries, cutting Bill off. Mulder has no time to jump from the first issue to the second.

“What is?” he asks.

“One of my perfume bottles.”

“Are you sure?” asks Mother.

“Yes, I had six laid out and there’s only five here.” Her head whirls towards Scully’s direction. “You took it,” she accuses.

Mulder turns to look at Scully, dumbstruck over this entire situation. The look on her face tells him that she is as much confused as he is, speechless.

“I…I didn’t take anything!”

“You did when Fox brought you in here to draw that disgusting portrait of you.”

Mulder turns back to his father. In his hands he holds a folded piece of paper. An act of recklessness, a display of rebellion and his father holds the evidence in his hands, just as they wanted.

“I didn’t take your stupid perfume,” argues Scully.

“The note that was left was a nice touch indeed. Now you can keep us both captive and who’s clever idea was it to write that?” asks Bill.

Mulder looks to Scully.

“I thought as much.” Bill heads over to the fireplace, throwing the drawing into the flames. Mulder watches the embers curl the paper. A masterpiece burning to pieces.

“Can somebody search her at least!” Phoebe exclaims.

There was too much to process; the ship might be sinking, his father knows about their tryst and Scully’s just been accused of stealing. His head hurts.

“I’ll get someone to fetch the master-at-arms,” Mother says, running over to the door.

“I haven’t taken anything, Phoebe,” Scully helplessly disputes. Mulder makes eye contact with her and gently shakes his head, it’s a losing battle.

“Turn out your pockets then,” Father instructs just as Mother re-enters, telling them that the master-at-arms was on his way.

Mulder watches as Scully fists her hands into her skirt pockets. Her eyes widen and Mulder’s stomach drops to the floor, knowing what she knows.

Slowly, Scully drags out a vial.

“I told you!” Phoebe screams. “I told you she had it!”

Scully is gobsmacked, shaking her head as she stares at the vial disbelief. “I didn’t put that in there.”

“So you’re saying it just magically appeared there?”

Mulder doesn’t know what to believe. He racks through his memories of earlier. Had there been any point where he’d left her alone? Only when she had gotten undressed but she was in the bedroom then. The bottle she holds in the Sunset Ocean one, the one he put on her wrist. He never gave her the bottle. Did she pocket it when he wasn’t looking? Mulder feels a sense of betrayal run through his body.

“What seems to be the problem then?”

Mulder turns his head to see an older man standing in the doorway.

“There’s been a case of thieving going on,” Father explains. The man looks around the room before his eyes narrow on Scully, completely out of place in her plain peasant clothes.

“This one did it I take it?” the man asks. “Is that what she stole?” He motions to the bottle she still holds in her hands.

“According to my daughter-in-law, yes,” says Bill.

The man swipes the bottle out of Scully’s hands, handing it back to Phoebe.

“They always try,” the man says, taking out a pair of handcuffs and pulling Scully’s arms behind her back.

“They put it in there! That Krycek did when he walked past me.”

The man only laughs. “And the tales that this ship is currently filling up with water are true.” He turns to address Father then. “I’m sorry for your time wasted.” He begins to drag Scully towards the door. “You shan’t be seeing her again after this.”

“I didn’t take it, Mulder, I swear! They put it in there. You know they did!”

Mulder doesn’t know what happened. He didn’t see. He didn’t see her take it earlier and he didn’t see Krycek put anything into his pocket. He didn’t see.

Mulder stares at the floor, flabbergasted at the whole scenario. Father strays over to him, placing a hand upon his shoulder.

“I’m sorry it had to come out this way, Fox,” he says. “The ones we love always hurt us the most. You’re free of her now.”

Mulder says nothing, he just watches as Phoebe places the perfume bottle back in its place, a sly, knowing smile across her face.

This was ridiculous.

The ship was currently filling up with water and all these people can care about is stupid perfume bottles.

It’s typical. Typical rich people and unable to get their priorities straight.

Scully should’ve known better.

And Mulder. He knows she’s didn’t take anything, he was there for Christ’s sake and yet nothing, he did nothing to defend her.

She tries not to be hurt, to change that hurt into understanding maybe he was just as confused as she was.

Or maybe he believed she’d taken the bottle anyway.

Scully adjusts her wrists, the handcuffs cutting into her skin. Fury rushes through her when she eyes Krycek leaning against a door, a smug smile across his face. He knocked into her. He put the bottle in her pocket.

“They finally caught you, did they?”

Scully glares at him as she’s dragged into the office. “You put it in there,” she says to him.

Krycek just cocks his head slightly. “Did I?”

Scully’s pulled into the office. Through a doorway is a bedroom, in much of the same style as all third class accommodation. The office is plain; a desk, a pinboard, a cupboard full of different keys. A place for criminals of the minor offenses to be held until they dock.

Or until they drown, she thinks with morbid thought.

The master-at-arms briefly unlocks the bracelet, tugging Scully’s wrists up as he wraps the chain around a pipe then clips the cuff back around her wrists.

“I didn’t do it,” Scully says again. There’s no fight in her voice, no energy, she just wants someone to listen to her story, that’s all she wants.

But the man just ignores her.

“Now, you just stay nice and snug there, Miss Scully, we’ll sort this out later.”

Scully just rolls her eyes. There’s not going to be a later, does nobody understand that?

“Sir,” says a steward appearing from around the doorframe and out of breath. “There’s an issue in the third class. They need you.”

The master-at-arms eyes Scully with hesitation. She looks aimlessly back, her eyes flicking between the officer and Krycek.

“I can stay with her,” Krycek says. Scully looks away, annoyance flooding through her at the thought of Krycek being the person she’s about to spend her last hours with.

“I’ll be right back,” the master-at-arms says before he’s following the steward out of the office.

With one last attempt, Scully sighs, “I didn’t do it.”

The boy sits down at the desk, his feet immediately propped up and a gleefully smile across his face. He’s enjoying every second of this.

“I know,” he says. “But they all believe you did- The Mulders, the officer. Mulder,” he adds with a bite.

A twinge of pain pangs in Scully’s chests. No matter what excuses she came up for Mulder, the truth was clear; he didn’t believe her, and having it be spoken aloud just solidifies it for her.

Scully stares out of the porthole, not that she can see anything but her own reflection. A tornado of emotions spin within her. She’s about to die, handcuffed to a pipe, on a ship she never asked to be on, being accused of a crime she didn’t commit.

She could kill Charlie for his stupid ideas.

Charlie…She wonders where he is. Did he feel the collision? Is he heading towards top deck?

That steward had said there’d been an issue. Is Charlie apart of that issue?

Worry for her brother joins the already busy tornado of emotions.

“That picture…” Krycek says, and God, could he just shut up so she can die in peace, please? “I see what Mulder sees in you now. Shame such a body’s going to be wasted.”

His eyes rake her body, like he can see through her clothing. It makes Scully’s body go cold. Scully doesn’t bother hiding her disgust; she hates him; his stupid face, his stupid grin, his stupid mouth always having something to say.

But then what he’s just said hits her. Her disgust melting away for a second, she turns to him.

“You believe the ship is going to sink?”

He shrugs. “You and Mulder seem to.”

“That’s because it is. In about an hour or so. Half the people with it.”

“Guess I should go upstairs then.” He’s gets up from the chair. “I hope Mulder’s not too sad without you.”  And he’s out the door before Scully can call him back to free her. It’s no use, it’s what these people wanted after all, her away from Mulder- it’s just an added bonus that she dies.

With one last hopeless shake of the handcuffs, Scully allows her head to fall against the pipe, preparing herself for her fate.

Mulder’s head is buzzing, absorbing everything that’s happened in the last hour. Had it really been an hour since he was running about the ship with Scully? It seems ages ago. Time seems to have stopped existing on here, days turning into years, minutes turning into hours. Is there going to be a moment where it all rushes together and there’s no time at all?

They make their way down the staircase. The main reception is flooded with almost all passengers from first class. Much to Mulder’s bewilderment the band still plays and people still drink and carry on as if their lives weren’t in any danger.

“How long’s this going to last for?” one woman asks a steward clearly trying to hurry past and has no time for anyone’s stupid questions.

“Not long. Just a precaution,” the steward says before he’s hurrying along through the crowds.

“It’s the English and doing everything by the book,” Bill scorns, shaking his head.

“Go back to the rooms and turn the heaters on,” Mother says to her maids. “You know how cold those rooms get.”

Mulder watches with disgust as the maids do as their told and head back to the rooms.

Congratulations, Mother, you may have just killed them.

“And bring Tuppence her toy!” Phoebe shouts up to them.

In response to her name, the dog yaps happily. Mulder stares at it.

“You know, they don’t let dogs on the lifeboats? They take up too much space.”

Phoebe looks at him, mouth agape.

“Don’t be cruel, Fox,” Father scolds.

Phoebe hugs Tuppence closer to her body. “She’s tiny. If we have to get on a lifeboat, she can sit on my knee.”

Mulder just shrugs a whatever and turns away to watch the other side of the room.

“I don’t think anyone knows what the hell’s going on around here,” he hears Monica say.

Through the window, Mulder spies a gathering of people, an officer talking to them as they start preparations to lower the lifeboats.

“Come on,” he says, turning back to his family. “They’re starting to lower the boats.”

Mulder leads the way to outside, joining the formation of people. Around him he hears shouts of Women and children first! He watches as people begin boarding the boats; some calm, warming themselves with the knowledge that they’ll be back on the ship in no time, some children cry as their torn away from their fathers and one wife tries to drag her husband with her only to be pulled harshly apart by one of the crewmen in the lifeboat.

There’s a sense of urgency that doesn’t go unnoticed by Mulder. Flares go off around him as boats begin their decent to the water. He knows what others don’t; the lifeboats aren’t returning, this is it.

He thinks about Scully, alone, wherever she is. Would the crewman go back for her, he wonders or does she not matter anymore? He thinks about Charlie frantically searching the decks for his sister. If Mulder could find him, maybe he could tell him what happened and Charlie could go and find her. Mulder’s eyes dart around the deck, searching for the red-headed boy but people meld together, they all look like Charlie and then they don’t. It’s too busy and chaotic to try to find one person. No, if he wants Scully rescued he’d have to do it himself.

Preparations for the next boat begin underway and Mulder pulls Phoebe forward, a sudden need to get her and his mother on a lifeboat. He knows it has less to do with their safety and more to do with finding Scully.

“Right, come on now,” the officer instructs. Monica is the first to board, urging the less certain to join her.

Mulder nudges Phoebe forward.

“I don’t want to,” she says, her hand wrapping tighter around Mulder’s arm.

“You need to,” Mulder tells her, pushing her forward. Phoebe, however, fights back, stays rooted to her spot.

“No. I want to go back to my room.” She spins to face Mulder. “Take me back!” she demands.

Mulder can only laugh- at her stupidity, at her arrogance, she was once so much smarter than this and now he can only laugh.

“There’s going to be no room to go back to soon. You need to get on the boat, Phoebe.”

Still, Phoebe just looks at him like he’s spoken another language, staring back at him stupidly.

“No room to go back to?”

He tries not to let his annoyance seep through. Tries to be as gentle as he can with her, at least for this last time, then he never has to see her again.

“Phoebe, the ship will sink. Look around you, look at the urgency. They don’t have time for you to decide whether you’re getting on the boat or not. There’s not enough lifeboats to do that with, you either get on one now or you don’t and you drown. They are your options.”

It’s a shock to the system for someone to speak to her so directly, to tell her the truth as gruesome or as hurtful as it may be and as she tries to process this information, she just looks constipated.

“Will the lifeboats be seated according to class?”

Mulder looks away from Phoebe to glare at his mother. He says nothing, just allows the anger to wash through his body. He turns back to Phoebe.

“Please, Phoebe,” he pleads. For Scully’s life, “Just get on the boat.”

Phoebe nods, turning back to the lifeboat. Mulder taps the officer.

“Let her keep the dog,” he says. The officer is about to argue, his mouth opens but is closing as quickly. He nods.

“Teena will take Tuppence,” says Monica, reaching out her hand to Phoebe to help her in. “I’ll help you.”

Mulder watches as Phoebe and more people after her is loaded onto the boat and the boat begins to be lowered down before he’s turning away, his destination in mind.

“Where are you going?” he hears his father call from behind him. A hand reaches out. “Fox? Fox!”

Immediately, Mulder shrugs it off. “Get off me!” he says, spinning to face the man he calls his father.

Bill looks at him shocked, before recovering, that cold demeanour returning.

“Where are you going?” His father asks again. Mulder says nothing, allowing his silence to be his answer.

“You’re going to her, aren’t you?” Bill asks and still Mulder says nothing. Bill laughs. “She stole from your wife and still you’re choosing her. I didn’t realise I’d raised a stupid little boy.”

His fists clenching, mind swilling, Mulder shouts, “She didn’t steal anything!” A few people nearby turn towards them. Mulder ignores them. Bill, however, was never blessed with that ability and looks around at the faces self-consciously.

“We both know it was Krycek who put it in there.”

Bill just smiles. “Yes, it was. Of course, not that that matters. Who are they going to believe? A wealthy first class man or a whore from third class?”

Immediately after the words are uttered spit is flying out of Mulder’s mouth and onto Bill’s face, just as Scully caught him.

His father’s face swivels up in disgust as he wipes the saliva from his cheek.

“You two are a pair, aren’t you?”

“And we’re still better than you.”

With that, Mulder takes off, not sparring any more thoughts for his father. His only concern now was Scully, of finding her and freeing her and apologising over and over again for being such an idiot.

[ipsen]

Blank Canvas, Chapter 2

Read on AO3 or down below.

Summary: A peek into a mysterious past, and Kaneki’s sketch in a park.

Word Count: 4641

Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Master Post

“A human heart in a cage. However, the cage is too small for the heart, and the bars pierce through it, making it bleed.”

— Alt text of Haise Sasaki’s first posted work

———

“Kuzen.”

“I know, Noroi.”

“She’s less than half your age.”

“I love her.”

“That isn’t what I’m saying! You’re taking advantage of her, and now you’re telling me she’s—”

“We’ll make it work, old friend.”

“Don’t you dare pull that card on me. I can’t believe you! What do you know about this girl?”

“Well, we met at a coffee shop, and we get along well.”

“… Is that it?”

“Yes, I believe that’s all. We enjoy each other’s company.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

—

“Kuzen.”

“Noroi, listen, I…”

“She was twenty-two. Barely an adult!”

“I-I know, but listen, I—”

“And now she’s gone?! What happened?!”

“There were complications with the birth. She had always been sickly, but neither of us imagined—”

“Neither of you predicted this? Really?”

“She wanted to go through with it, Noroi. It wasn’t my place to stop her.”

“She was your wife; you had every place to stop her!”

“I… Can we not do this? I need to know if you can take care of the child. Matasaka might be able to, but…”

“What do you mean, ‘the child’—?! This isn’t a possession, Kuzen. You can’t seriously be considering handing a baby off to me. Not when you're needed most!”

“I just can’t bear the thought of  the Garden getting their hands on this one too.”

“And so you brought the child here?! Kuzen, this place is—“

“You don’t know what I’ve seen there! Those kids are… empty. I don’t want one of Ukina’s to become like that. I want one of us to live a life of joy and freedom, and I can’t be the one to do it.”

“Kuzen—“

“Please, Noroi. I can’t do this. It has to be someone else.”

“…”

“Please.”

“… What is the child’s name?”

“Oh, thank you, Noroi, thank you so—”

“Child. Name. Now.”

“Um, yes. Yes, of course. The child’s name is—”

———

“Sen Takatsuki?!” Hide exclaimed, grasping fistfuls of his hair. “She showed up?! Shit, Kaneki, I really tossed you to the wolves, didn’t I?! I’m so sorry!”

“H-Hide, it’s fine, really!” Kaneki tried his best to sound reassuring. “She was actually really pleasant to be around.”

It had been a few hours since the interview, and Hide had demanded Kaneki meet him and Touka at Anteiku for a status report. As for Kaneki himself, he was still reeling from the interview. Sen Takatsuki called his work incredible. Called him skilled. Not only that, but she was a longtime fan of Haise!! Was there really a part of him that caught her attention? Was there really some aspect of him that wasn’t a—

“Still! If I’d known, I’d’ve come with!” Hide threw his head back and groaned. “Sorry again, man.”

One side of Kaneki— the greedy, guilty side— was glad Hide didn’t come. Spending time alone with Ms. Takatsuki was nice, and it worked out for the better, anyway. He doubted Shiono would give him a job in the same situation.

Ms. Takatsuki herself was… different. Sitting in front of the one whose work resonated with his pain, he felt a little less alone. Not that Hide or Touka weren’t great company. He wouldn’t dare say that, even under torture. But their approach to life wasn’t like his, and he often felt himself left behind in their strides toward the future.

With Ms. Takatsuki, he felt like he could keep pace. When she had admired the works in his portfolio with great care, her friendly exterior had melted away, replaced with something deeper, something lonelier. Something familiar.

Alright, stop projecting on someone you barely know, creep. Maggot.

Touka, on break and sitting in a third chair, glanced at him. “So… did you get the job?”

He blinked, then scratched his head. “I-I think so?”

“What’s that mean?” She raised a brow. “You did or you didn’t, right?”

“Well, she gave me her card, and we’re supposed to meet again next Friday…” He fished it out to show her and Hide. “Then after, she said we’d… ‘iron out the hiring process’, I think?”

Hide examined the card, then the address scrawled on the back. “I can’t read this.”

“Huh?” Kaneki took the card back. “But it’s clear as day!”

Touka plucked it from between his fingers and checked it. “Oh, the Kazuichi Public Park, in the 11th ward,” she said matter-of-factly.

Hide gaped at her. “What the fuck, Touka? How can you read that?!”

“Doctor-in-training, remember?” She grinned at him cheekily as she gave Kaneki the card back.

“And you, Kaneki? What’s your secret?”

Kaneki scratched his chin. “A-Artist’s eye…” he muttered.

He couldn’t say out loud that he was once obsessed with the few handwritten things Ms. Takatsuki had put out, to the point he made a cheat sheet of her hiragana, katakana, and kanji, then memorized them. He made sure to shred the evidence when he realized just how messed up that was.

“Unbelievable. Unbelievable!” Hide stood up and made a few paces around the table. “I’m the one who travels the world here! And speaks six languages!”

Wait, it was six?!

Before Kaneki’s mind could unravel that thread, however, Hide’s phone buzzed. “Speaking of—” He checked it, then groaned. “Ah, shit, something came up. Chie’s gonna have my head for this one. Sorry guys, gotta go! ‘Grats on the job, Kaneki! Proud of you, man! Dinner’s on me tonight!” 

Dinner was always on him, though. Honestly, if they wanted to celebrate that bad, Kaneki figured he should be the one paying, as both penance for years of unpaid meals and celebration of the change of their dynamic.

But Hide just ruffled Kaneki’s hair and grinned. “You won’t fuck this up, promise!”

He hoped gold struck twice.

Touka sighed as Hide gave her a thumbs up and jogged out the door. “How does he have more energy than both of us?” she wondered aloud.

“That’s Hide,” Kaneki replied, laughing. “He siphons ours away for his own nefarious means.”

“I believe that.” She leaned back in her chair to stretch. “Anyway, you got something to wear to the park?”

What kind of question was that? “Yes…?”

“Oh, you’re not picking up on it.” She leaned forth and put her palms on the table, taking up as much of his vision as possible. Why did both of his friends do that? “This park meeting thing is the second part of the interview, if you ask me; Takatsuki’s still testing you.”

Kaneki swallowed the information. It was sound logic. If the hiring process was after the park, that could mean that the park was to see if they worked well together. So dressing up couldn’t hurt. The only problem, really, was the one who’d be dressing up.

“Oh, you don’t have anything.” Touka took out her phone and typed something.

There was a beat of silence, and he thumbed his sorely-needed cup of coffee.

“Alright,” she said, standing up. “I’ve got the clear from Kaya. Let’s go.”

That wasn’t good. Kaya never let anyone end their shift early. What had Touka texted her?

“Go where…?” he asked cautiously, subconsciously leaning away from her.

No response. She just grabbed his jacket sleeve and dragged him out of the shop.

———

“T-Touka…”

“Shhh, shut up.”

“I can do it myself—”

“I said shut up!”

“Wait— Ow!”

“Shit. Sorry.”

Sweet release came in the form of Touka’s gel-covered fingers untangling themselves from Kaneki’s hair. Her taste in clothing was actually fine— better than his, he readily admitted— but when it came to hair in any way, Kaneki preferred she stayed out of the room. Especially after the incident with Ayato. He shuddered at the memory.

“I-I think my hair’s fine,” he said, ruffling it back to its original fluffy shape.

Touka puffed out her cheeks in disappointment. “If you say so.”

He did, but he’d never be so insistent.

In the small room on Anteiku’s second floor, there was a full body mirror. He looked at himself, brow furrowed. His usual taste for crew neck T shirts was enhanced with an unbuttoned collar shirt worn like a vest, while in place of his sweatpants were a pair of wide khaki capris that, fortunately, did not hug his legs.

“I’m honestly surprised at how basic your clothes are,” Touka commented. “And, if it were up to me, I’d start from scratch. But you’re gonna be working with Ms. Takatsuki a lot, so she’s gonna have to put up with what you have.”

“Um, thank you…?” Kaneki said, unsure if those were the right words. “Oh, Touka, how much do I owe you for the clothes?”

She palmed her face, thought for a bit, then placed both hands on either of his shoulders. Her exposed azure eye looked deep into his silver ones. “Pay me with a job.”

“What?”

“Get the job. That’s your payment.”

“Touka, I’m serious—”

“I’m serious too!” She dropped her hands to place them on her hips. “I don’t know if you realize it, but you’re not a half-bad guy, Kaneki. And if Takatsuki doesn’t see that, it’s her loss, not yours.”

But… the thought of Ms. Takatsuki publishing her next work with an artist that wasn’t him, after everything she’d said about his work, only created dread inside of him. At the same time, though, he wasn’t worthy of putting his name next to hers.

“Hey, stop that.” Touka punched him lightly in the chest, and her tone turned soft. “Worthy or not, she chose to meet you again. Make something of it. Okay?”

The thing about Touka was that Kaneki could never not believe her. Combine that with how she was always pushing him forward when he got stuck— He could only nod and accept her encouragement. It was a meek nod, but it was a nod nonetheless.

“Okay,” he said. “I… I’ve got this.”

———

Kaneki’s grip on his satchel, which held his sketchbook, his pencils, and his (unsigned) copy of Monochrome Rainbow, was iron.

He had this. Right?

The thought of failure tightened his grip around the poor strap.

Right.

That said, there was an immediate problem. The park— Kazuichi Public Park— was big. Not only that, it was crowded.

Families from all over Tokyo, maybe even all over Japan, gathered under the late spring sun, hoping to catch those last few precious moments of mid-May sun before June and summer forced everyone indoors. Children frolicked in the grass, the playground, and even the trees, while others relaxed on homemade picnic blankets with baskets of the day’s meals.

He wondered if Ms. Takatsuki was already here; he wondered if he could even find her if she was. Where would she be, if so? He scanned the park, stupidly believing he could pick out someone smaller than him with green hair in this green park full of green trees and green grass. Idiot.

At least there was a lake, dotted with considerably less people than the rest of the park. Maybe he could start there? It was a landmark that stood out from the rest.

Fortunately, before he made the march down there, his phone buzzed.

From: Ms. Takatsuki turn around :P

He did so immediately, looking for the one to save him from his predicament. And, in the distance, far from prying eyes and waving and jumping, was Ms. Takatsuki. She was on time, like she promised.

Kaneki tried his best not to sprint over to escape the crowd and meet up with her, but there was urgency in his stride as he made his way up the hill to the tree where she was.

“Hey, Haise!” she called. “Over here!”

Haise. It was such a strange thing being called that, but at the same time, the name of his alternate persona was like a mask, and in a way, he was heading to a secret rendezvous. It was… rather exciting, when he put it like that.

As he got closer to the tree, he made out the details of Ms. Takatsuki’s outfit, and he was infinitely more grateful to Touka for taking him shopping. Ms. Takatsuki had haphazardly braided her hair this time, and she was wearing a thin burgundy batwing shirt with a high collar, a long cream skirt with a floral pattern, and— sneakers. Faded white sneakers, to be specific: the kind that were weathered in the sense that they had been worn plenty of times before.

A gust of wind blew her skirt against her legs, and he caught the slightest hint of black tights, and his mind wandered upward to—

Stop, stop, stop. Focus. Don’t be weird.

Kaneki cleared his throat and approached with an attempt at a straightened back. “H-Hello, Ms. Takatsuki,” he said, waving.

“Hey!” Ms. Takatsuki waved back. “Sorry for making you climb; I figured you preferred more isolated spots.”

“I-I do,” he assured her. “Thank you…”

“Nice vest.” She reached out and felt the material between her fingers, making him go rigid. “Is it comfy?”

He nodded, his neck feeling all kinds of warm and scratchy. “My, um, my friend got it for me…”

“Well, said friend knows what you look good in. Send them my compliments.” She winked at him, making him flush completely.

“I-I will…” He fumbled with his satchel. “Um, you… You look good too, Ms. Takatsuki.”

She blinked, then she chuckled. “You’re too kind.”

The sound of her laugh put him at ease, even though he got the feeling it was just a courtesy. She took a few steps back, then seemed to remember something. “Oh, and before I forget: I’d like it if you just called me Sen. If we’re gonna work together, I’d like for us to be friends too.”

He dipped his head a little too quickly. “Alright, S-S—” Him, Ken Kaneki, on a first name basis with Sen Takatsuki? But it was what she wanted! “S…” She called him Haise anyway, so it was only fair, but… “Er, sorry…”

She sighed, and Kaneki’s heart sank. “Or at least drop the honorific. ‘Takatsuki’ is fine too.”

He cleared his throat, suffering the prickling heat in his neck. “Okay… Takatsuki.”

He’d always been horrible when it came to first names; Hide had been lucky because they were young, but it had taken Touka two years to get him to willingly and consistently call her by her name.

The corner of Takatsuki’s lip curled upward. “Ready now?”

He nodded again. “A-After you.”

With a shocking gentleness, she pulled on the shoulder of his vest to bring him to her side, then led him down the hill. She still smelled like hibiscus flowers, he noticed, and now that he was closer, he saw her lips reflect a bit of sunlight. Chapstick, maybe? He didn’t dare presume it to be lip gloss. Not for this. Not for him, if he were a bit more presumptuous and idiotic than he already was.

She chose a bench under a different tree, where it was easier to see what visitors of the park were up to. She slid into an empty spot, throwing an inviting smile his way. Holding on to his satchel for dear life, he sat so that there was enough space for a whole other person between them. He watched her stare at the empty space for a moment, then back at him. Had he done something wrong?

“Alright, Haise,” she said. “Have you ever gone people-watching?”

“Can’t say I have,” he admitted. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, don’t be!” she assured him. “You have a fantastic understanding of anatomy already, and you’re used to drawing people repeatedly, yes?”

Kaneki nodded, recalling his comics. “More or less.”

“We’re here to gather intel, so to speak.” Takatsuki gestured to the breadth of the park. “Study the people and places that catch your eye here, and sketch them! I’ll be doing the same with words. We’ll compare notes afterward. Sound good?”

He swallowed. This was his first assignment with her. He couldn’t mess up this early. This was his job, and no one else’s.

He nodded and took out his sketchbook.

To mirror him, Takatsuki took out a notepad and a pen. She wrote in pen? Direct and difficult to erase. It certainly spoke to her impact on the world, for as much as people— especially more traditional folk— spurned her work for its criticism of systems that they hardly interacted with, there were others who praised it for staining the world with the burden of knowledge. A pen was just the kind of thing to do that: like paper being crumpled, it was nigh impossible to erase the act.

While he was admiring the pen, she had already started writing. How. Before long, he would be left behind, then she’d be disappointed in him. Sen Takatsuki, who admired his work, would forever have her view of him tainted. He might never get a job in the one field he had remotely any knowledge in; her word against his was not a contest, but an everyday slaughter.

Kaneki, at that thought, scanned the park desperately for something worth drawing, anything. That couple on a picnic blanket, whiling away the hours talking about their feelings? Wait, was that Nishiki and Kimi? No, no, it couldn’t be. Even if it was, he shouldn’t draw them; closeness wasn’t his forte, and while he’d capture their poses, he couldn’t capture their feelings. He had to be able to capture the emotions of people, because that was the cornerstone of every single Takatsuki work: the minds and feelings of people, floating in the ocean that was the world.

Speaking of, she flipped a page in her notebook. Already?! Kaneki felt his socks grow damp with sweat. What was he even doing here? He couldn’t even draw a simple scene next to her without freezing up.

There had to be something for him to draw: if not people, then perhaps scenery? But what should he pick first?

The building? Takatsuki’s works often took place in urban settings: if he demonstrated early that he was used to sketching out backgrounds like that, he’d also demonstrate that he was the man for her job. Oh, but what if it was somewhere else? He didn’t know what this story was about, after all. It was her first foray into the graphic novel industry; that could also mean her first foray into an entirely new genre of story.

In that case, maybe the lake instead? Give her comfort in the sense that he was knowledgeable about natural scenes? There was a scene in Industrial, where the main character, dying of terminal disease, retreated into a forest to appreciate the last few days he had left. Perhaps another scene like that would be present in the coming novel?

He had to make an impression. He had to. This was the second half of the interview. It was his only shot. His only shot, yet he was afraid of the recoil. Come on, half-wit, stupid, dumb trash—

“Haise,” Takatsuki suddenly said, getting his attention. When he looked down, she had put her pen down, and was staring at him. “Why do you like to read?”

Kaneki furrowed his brow. “I’m sorry?”

“Why do you like to read?” she repeated. “You’re clearly well-read; I’ve drawn parallels between your art and certain works in my collection. But what made you get into books?”

“Oh, um…” He fiddled with his pencil while the grip on his sketchbook tightened. “Well, I…”

Should he tell her? The last person he’d told about himself was Rize, and now that person had cut themself out of his life without another word. He’d made her too sad, he told himself. It was the only explanation: Rize, despite their mutual love for books, was as free and fleeting as a bird. He was foolish to think he could make a nest, however fragile, for someone like that: someone always migrating to where the sun shone warmest, where roosts would only tie them down.

Takatsuki, after a beat of silence, glanced out at the park. “I’m sorry. I seem to have brought up bad memories for you.”

He jolted. “N-No, it’s okay, really! I’m just, uh, thinking about my answer—”

“Haise,” she interrupted, suddenly turning away from him. “It’s okay. I don’t want to learn if it hurts you to teach.”

She turned her attention back to her latest muse, scratching down notes on her third page and ending the conversation. Despite that, Kaneki watched her and waited for… something. For a moment, it felt like he caught a glimpse of something he wasn’t supposed to see. Something ugly. Something exciting.

And then he realized: he didn’t know much about Takatsuki. No one did, not really. Not her family life, not what inspired her to write, nothing. Besides her birthday, the fact that she resided in Tokyo, and her appearance, she was a total mystery to the larger public. The only window people got into her soul was her writing itself, and even that was a highly debated topic.

She was watching a child on one of the seesaw sets, their parent on the other end. The pair were smiling gleefully at each other, jumping up and down on the contraption as though it were the greatest thing in the world. Her writing hand had slowed down, and she simply… stared.

Kaneki’s pencil was moving before he realized it. The strokes for her hair were plentiful and messy, but when he moved to her face, he took greater care. The curve of her jaw and shape of her lips, the crystals— no, emeralds— that were her eyes, and then the slight sprinkle of freckles. As for the expression: longing. Though, perhaps a better word would be ‘envy’: slightly lowered brow, gently parted lips, and a vacant stare.

He may as well have been looking at a mirror.

Someone who, despite everything around them, was sad. Lonely. Two things that shouldn’t belong in their circumstances. Two things that tethered them to a past they wanted nothing more than to escape from. Two things that, despite their weight, had yet to be cast off.

“So how’d you do?” Takatsuki’s voice made Kaneki jump out of his own mind, and he clutched his sketchbook to his chest.

“O-Oh! Um, well, I—” he scratched wildly at his chin— “I-I’m sorry, Takatsuki, I, um, I must be having an off-day! Because I, uh, I didn’t find anything… inspiring…”

“Really?” He immediately knew she didn’t believe him. “Nothing at all?”

He strove to look anywhere except in her direction. He couldn’t exactly say that she was his inspiration, and his only one at that. A singular piece, versus how she had jotted down all sorts of notes garnered from all sorts of people at a speed he couldn’t even begin to match. Plus, the idea of her seeing his first sketch of her— which wasn’t even good— was mortifying. He’d be seen as a total creep and she might even get a restraining order—!

“Let me see,” Takatsuki said.

No. “W-What? But I—”

“I could hear your pencil moving, you know.” She held out her hand. “If it’s nothing, then I’ll be the judge of that.”

She had no idea what she was asking of Kaneki. It was like asking him to sign off on his own death. “I-It’s really nothing…! I barely got anything done.”

“Then let me see that!” she insisted, scooting closer oh no she was in his personal space. “Really, we’re supposed to work together; if you can’t show me your art now, how am I supposed to trust you when we actually start?”

Trust.

He screwed his eyes shut, and his grip loosened. “Can you… promise not to laugh?” he asked weakly.

“I can’t promise something I know nothing about,” she pointed out, which was true enough.

He sighed, and handed over the sketchbook. “I… Nothing else compared,” he mumbled.

Takatsuki took the sketchbook with both hands, flipping it over to the portrait of her Kaneki had drawn. Her eyes, like with his portfolio, softened as she took in his messy strokes made in a trance. He braced himself for the loss of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He could already see it: him, in his room, collapsed against the wall, sobbing and lamenting what could never be. Because he just couldn’t choose something else.

Takatsuki’s lips parted to say something, but nothing came out. They closed and pursed together. Her eyes shifted around the sketch again, narrowed in concentration. Her hands lifted the sketchbook higher and hid her face.

“Haise,” she spoke so evenly, it made him uncomfortable. “What… inspired you for this?”

Kaneki froze. This… might actually be his chance. It crossed his mind to play it off, to try and salvage whatever semblance of pride resided in him, but another thought tore that one in two: the thought to be honest.

Takatsuki valued honesty, he knew that much. The protagonists in her stories, the one thing about her that she bore to the world, were often clashing with liars for antagonists. The type of people who hid information and twisted it for their own selfish ends. If he was right about this, then Takatsuki was the same way: an individual who valued knowledge based around the truth.

He breathed out his dignity. “You did,” he answered with all the conviction he could muster. “You… inspire me, Takatsuki. You’ve always inspired me. When you released Dear Kafka, I… My mother had just passed away. I never knew my father, so I was taken in by some relatives, who… They didn’t really understand what I was going through. No one did…

“Growing up, I never knew my father. He died when I was young, but his books and his notes were still at the house, so I read them to, you know, feel closer to him. And it’s good that I did; without those books, I never would have read yours.”

At this point, Takatsuki had lowered Kaneki’s sketchbook slightly, her eyes peeking above the edge, and he didn’t notice the way they shone as he spoke.

“Dear Kafka taught me that I wasn’t alone in my grief, that there were other people, even people like you, who had lost things. Family, homes, loves— Something, or someone, took it away from us somehow, because the world is wrong and unfair. It was comforting.”

He twiddled his thumbs, letting his thoughts run free from his grasp and toward her.

“I want to work with you, Takatsuki,” he said. “I want this job, and I want to— No, I can create something you’d be proud of. That we’d both be proud of.” He scratched his cheek, finally glancing up at her. “I-If you’ll have me?”

It felt like an eternity waiting for her response, but Kaneki held firm. He kept Touka’s words in the back of his head for support: if Takatsuki didn’t accept him, then it was her, not him. Just like with Rize. He had value— to a degree. And he would always carry that value, no matter who or what spurned him for something else.

Takatsuki handed back his sketchbook. He took it gingerly with both hands. She took a few moments to put away her notebook and pen before facing him fully.

“I’m glad you think that,” she said finally, lifting the burden from his shoulders in a few short words. “Let’s create something amazing, Haise.”

She was wearing the same smile she’d worn when viewing his portfolio, and now it was directed at him.

It was everything he could have ever hoped for.

———

From: Touka cant stay at work emergency painter boy scored a date has nothing to wear

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

July 12, 2023

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

JUL 13, 2023

Today, in Vilnius, Lithuania, President Joe Biden spoke before a crowd at Vilnius University to champion democracy and the strengthening of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 

“If I sound optimistic,” he told the crowd, “it’s because I am.” 

“NATO is stronger, more energized, and, yes, more united than ever in its history,” he said and continued, “It didn’t happen by accident.” Faced with a threat to “democratic values we hold dear, to freedom itself” when Russian president Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine in a rejection of the rules-based international order, the United States, NATO, and all our partners stepped up to stand behind the brave people of Ukraine.

“After nearly a year and a half of Russia’s forces committing terrible atrocities, including crimes against humanity, the people of Ukraine remain unbroken…. Ukraine remains independent. It remains free. And the United States has built a coalition of more than 50 nations to make sure Ukraine defends itself both now and…in the future as well.”

“[O]ur commitment to our values, our freedom is something…[we] can never, never, ever, ever walk away from,” Biden said. “It’s who we are.”  

“[A]s I look around the world today, at a moment of war and peril, a moment of competition and uncertainty, I also see a moment of unprecedented opportunity—unprecedented opportunity—opportunity to make real strides toward a world of greater peace and greater prosperity, liberty and dignity, equal justice under the law, human rights and fundamental freedoms which are the blessing and birthright of all of humanity.” 

“My friends, at the most fundamental level, we face a choice…between a world defined by coercion and exploitation, where might makes right, or a world where we recognize that our own success is bound to the success of others." 

“When others do better, we do better as well—where we understand that the challenges we face today, from the existential threat of climate change to building a global economy where no one gets left behind, are too great for any one nation to solve on their own, and that to achieve our goals and meet the challenges of this age, we have to work together.” 

“The world is changing.  We have a chance to change the dynamic.”

“That’s why I’ve been so focused as president on rebuilding and revitalizing the alliances that are the cornerstone of American leadership in the world,” Biden said. He recounted the strengthening of the relationship between the U.S. and Europe, as well as the U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific region with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and India, saying that “we’re bringing major democracies of the region together to cooperate, keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, prosperous, and secure.”

“[W]e’re working to deepen connections between the Atlantic and Pacific democracies so they can better work together toward the shared values we all seek: strong alliances, versatile partnerships, common purpose, collective action to meet our shared challenges…. 

“We have to step up together, building the broadest and deepest coalition…to preserve all the extraordinary benefits that stem from the international system grounded in the rule of law. 

“We have to come together to protect the rights and freedoms that underwrite the flow of ideas and commerce and which have enabled decades of global growth. Yes, territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also principles like freedom of navigation and overflight, keeping our shared seas and skies open so that every nation has equal access to our global common space. 

“And as we continue to explore this age of new possibilities, an age enabled by rapid advances in innovation, we have to stand together to ensure that the common spaces of our future reflect our highest…aspirations for ourselves and for others…so that artificial intelligence, engineering, biology, and other…emerging technologies are not made into weapons of oppression but rather are used as tools of opportunity. 

“We’re working with our allies and partners to build…supply chains that are more resilient, more secure, so we never again face a situation like we had during the pandemic where we couldn’t get critical goods we needed for our daily lives…. 

“[W]e all must summon the common will to…address the existential threat of accelerating climate change. It’s real. It’s serious. We don’t have a lot of time. It is the…single greatest threat to humanity. 

“And it’s only by working together that we’ll prevent the worst consequences of climate change from ravaging our future and that of our children and grandchildren.

“We also have to recognize our shared responsibility to help unlock the enormous potential that exists in low- and middle-income…[countries] around the world—not out of charity, [but] because it’s in our own self-interest. We all benefit when more partners stand together, working toward shared goals. We all benefit when people are healthier and more prosperous…. We all benefit when more entrepreneurs and innovators are able to pursue their dreams for a better tomorrow…. 

“[W]e stand at an inflection point, an inflection point in history, where the choices we make now are going to shape the direction of our world for decades to come. The world has changed. 

“Will we turn back naked, unchecked aggression today to deter other…would-be aggressors tomorrow? Will we staunch the climate crisis before it’s too late? Will we harness the new technologies to advance freedom or will we diminish it? Will we advance opportunity in more places or allow instability and inequality to persist?

“How we answer these essential questions is literally going to determine the kind of future our children and grandchildren have.”

“I believe that with ambition, with confidence in ourselves and one another, with nations working together for common cause, we can answer these questions,” Biden said. “We can ensure the vision we share and the freedoms we cherish are not just empty words in a troubled time, but a roadmap…a plan of urgent action toward a future we can reach, and we’ll reach if we work together.

“[T]he road that lies before us is hard. It will challenge us, summon the best of ourselves to hold faith in one another and never give up, never lose hope. Never. 

“Every day, we have to make the choice.  Every day, we must summon the strength to stand for what is right, to stand for what is true, to stand for freedom, to stand together.”

Biden met in Vilnius with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, whose concerns about not getting a firm timeline for Ukraine’s admission to NATO seem to have been assuaged by significant security guarantees. “We are returning home with a good result for our country, and very importantly, for our warriors,” he wrote. “A good reinforcement with weapons.”

Meanwhile, in the U.S., a new report shows that inflation has slowed dramatically, dropping back to about 3%, the rate of March 2021, while the jobs market remains strong. Wages are rising faster than inflation. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, says the report suggests that the sharp inflation of the past sixteen months was, in fact, a result of supply shocks from the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as administration officials said. 

Other advanced economies continue to struggle with high inflation, and observers noted that U.S. inflation began to fall just after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.

In Washington, D.C., today, the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), questioned FBI director Christopher Wray for six hours to try to prove that the FBI is attacking Trump Republicans while giving Hunter Biden a free pass. It didn’t go particularly well. Wray is a lifelong Republican and member of the right-wing Federalist Society and was appointed by former president Trump. “The idea that I’m biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background,” Wray said.

Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin summed up the day’s news when she tweeted: “3% inflation. NATO growing and more solid than ever. huge investment in tech and infrastructure. And Rs? Screeching about Hunter Biden's laptop and defunding the FBI. Simply pathetic.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[theroncook]

Embracing Innovation and Culture: Our Journey to Impactful Growth

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, industries are leveraging advanced technologies like automation and data analytics to enhance efficiency and decision-making. Our company stands out by offering customizable solutions that adapt quickly to meet evolving customer needs, focusing on utility and improving lives. Simultaneously, effective branding is crucial; it defines a company's identity, fosters trust through consistent messaging and customer connection, and drives loyalty and market differentiation. A strong brand not only attracts loyal customers and top talent but also ensures cohesive marketing efforts and premium pricing.

Our recent celebration of Juneteenth exemplified our commitment to cultural awareness and community, showcasing a dynamic logo and live painting that honored history while fostering inclusivity and creating memorable experiences. Looking ahead, we are excited about future growth opportunities and remain dedicated to making impactful strides in our industry, supported by innovation, customer-centricity, and a strong, evolving brand identity.

We believe that every step forward is a step toward a brighter future. Our team is passionate about embracing change and turning challenges into opportunities. We're not just about business growth; we're about making a positive difference in the world. Whether it's through our innovative solutions or our commitment to community and culture, we are here to create lasting value and meaningful connections. Let's keep pushing the boundaries and building a better tomorrow together!

[globalempowermentleadership]

Tesla’s Visionary Leap: Igniting the Spark of Sustainable Investing

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” - Robert Swan, Author and the first person to walk to both poles1.

In a world teetering on the brink of environmental and financial uncertainty, Tesla’s bold strides towards a sustainable future offer more than just a glimmer of hope—they light the way for investors seeking to make a difference. Sustainable Investing Digest proudly unveils its latest video publication, a testament to the power of green investment and the promise of a cleaner tomorrow.

Why Watch?

Innovation at its Core: Tesla’s advancements in battery technology are revolutionizing the energy sector, making sustainable living a tangible reality.

Financial Growth with a Conscience: With assets under sustainable investment management surging to $35.3 trillion in 2020, the financial world is waking up to the profitability of purpose2.

A Community of Changemakers: Join a movement where your investment goes beyond returns, shaping a future that values people and the planet alike.

Join the Sustainable Revolution Welcome to Sustainable Investing Digest’s YouTube channel! If you’re passionate about making a positive impact on the planet while growing your wealth, you’ve found your tribe. Our content delves into the latest trends and insights in sustainable investing, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your future.

But we’re not just about the money. We believe that sustainable investing is about more than just returns; it’s about creating a better future for all. That’s why we’re calling on you to join our community of changemakers.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Subscribe to our channel: Be the first to access cutting-edge content on sustainable investing.

Like and share our videos: Help us amplify the message of sustainable investing!

Leave a comment: Share your thoughts and suggest future topics.

Read our latest articles: Gain deeper insights into sustainable investing by visiting our blog.

Watch our first video of 2024: Witness the impact of sustainable investing in action.

Together, we can make a difference!

#sustainableinvesting #makeadifference #investinyourfuture #changemaker #community

Here's how you can get involved:

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaDQoKBNfoGrPuK2lGDb-7w?sub_confirmation=1 and newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7053058780464345088

Like and share our videos: Help us spread the word about sustainable investing!

Leave a comment below: Let us know what you think of our videos.

Read our latest articles: Dive deeper into the issues we discuss in our videos by checking out our blog: https://lnkd.in/eHa9cE9u and https://bit.ly/42z15Um

Watch our first video of 2024: https://bit.ly/4bzJ6kY

Together, we can make a difference!

#sustainableinvesting #makeadifference #investinyourfuture #changemaker #community

[universalinfo]

Elevating Medical Device Efficiency with Hydrophilic Coating

Imagine a world where medical devices seamlessly interact with the human body. A place where efficiency meets innovation, resulting in better patient outcomes. Sounds enticing, right? Well, we’re inching closer to that reality with the integration of hydrophilic coating for medical devices. This game-changing solution has proven its worth by amplifying the performance and safety of several medical tools.

What’s the Buzz About Hydrophilic Coating?

At its core, hydrophilic coating refers to a surface layer that attracts water. When applied to medical devices, this coating ensures smoother insertions, minimizing discomfort and potential tissue damage. The benefits don’t stop there. Devices coated with hydrophilic materials reduce the need for excessive lubricants, simplifying procedures for healthcare professionals.

Why should we care? The application of hydrophilic coating for medical devices plays a vital role in enhancing patient care. It’s about optimizing tools that doctors, nurses, and surgeons rely on daily. And for the patient, it translates to reduced discomfort and increased safety.

Advantages of Hydrophilic Coating for Medical Devices

Improved Lubricity: Let’s start with friction, or rather, the lack of it. Devices coated with hydrophilic materials slide better. Think about it. When something moves with ease inside the body, there’s less pull or drag. For procedures like putting in a catheter, this is a big win. It simply feels better for the patient.

Better Biocompatibility: Now, onto how medical devices mesh with our bodies. They need to work in harmony with us. That’s where hydrophilic coatings step in. These coatings make devices more body-friendly. So, when a device touches our tissue, there’s a smaller chance of a bad reaction.

Enhanced Durability: Let’s not forget about longevity. A hydrophilic layer gives medical tools an extra shield. It’s like giving them a protective barrier against daily use. The result? Devices that stay in top shape for a longer time.

Reduced Complications: Lastly, let’s tackle safety. All medical procedures have risks. That’s a given. But with hydrophilic coatings, we can trim down some of these risks. How? By reducing the odds of issues like infections. It’s a proactive step towards safer healthcare.

Real-world Applications

Hydrophilic coatings aren’t just ideas on paper. In fact, they’re making significant strides in real-world medical settings. Let’s delve into their current uses:

Catheters: Firstly, let’s look at catheters. With hydrophilic coating, they glide more easily. This leads to two clear benefits. First, patients experience less discomfort. Second, healthcare providers find insertions smoother.

Endoscopes: Next, consider endoscopes. Clear visuals are essential for these devices. At the same time, they need to move freely inside the body. That’s where hydrophilic coatings come into play. They help endoscopes function better.

Stents: Lastly, think about stents. Precision matters when placing them. Hydrophilic coatings make stents more accurate. This reduces potential risks for patients.

So, what does all this mean? Well, it’s simple. Hydrophilic coating for medical devices isn’t just a passing phase. It’s a significant leap. It’s pushing healthcare to new heights.

The Future Looks Bright

With technological advancements surging ahead, the application of hydrophilic coating for medical devices is set to expand even further. As research continues and more benefits come to light, it’s only a matter of time before this coating becomes a staple in the production of all medical devices.

Healthcare professionals and patients alike stand to gain immensely. Professionals will have access to superior tools, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in procedures. For patients, the future promises reduced discomfort and improved overall experiences during medical interventions.

A Note About Hydromer

Before we wrap up, let’s highlight a leader in the field: Hydromer. With years of dedicated service, Hydromer has positioned itself at the forefront of hydrophilic technology solutions. They’re not just providing products; they’re offering state-of-the-art solutions that are shaping the way the healthcare industry views medical device efficiency.

Conclusion

To put it simply, hydrophilic coating for medical devices is revolutionizing the healthcare domain. Its introduction has triggered a cascade of benefits, from improved patient care to cost savings for healthcare providers. As we continue to prioritize patient safety and comfort, innovations like these will remain at the helm, driving positive change. And with industry leaders like Hydromer leading the charge, the horizon seems promising.

[hayleymorodesign]

Designing Responsibly: Leading the Way with Purposeful Design

This week we're reflecting on examples of companies practicing responsibility in design leadership. One prominent example that stood out to me is Nike. Nike has made significant strides in balancing financial, societal, and environmental impact through their innovative approach.

Financially, Nike has demonstrated responsibility by investing in sustainable manufacturing practices. They have implemented initiatives to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency in their production processes, not only benefiting their bottom line but also minimizing their footprint.

Societally, Nike has been a pioneer in promoting diversity and inclusion. They have taken a strong stance on social issues and have used their platform to support causes such as gender equality and racial justice. By championing inclusivity in their designs and marketing campaigns, Nike has shown a commitment to making a positive societal impact.

In terms of environmental impact, Nike has taken significant steps to address sustainability challenges. They have made substantial progress in reducing their carbon emissions and have set ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality. Additionally, Nike has explored innovative materials and manufacturing techniques that minimize environmental harm, such as using recycled materials in their products.

These examples of Nike's responsible design leadership inspire me as a design leader. They demonstrate the importance of considering the broader impact of our design decisions and finding ways to create positive change. I aspire to adopt a similar approach, integrating sustainability, inclusivity, and social responsibility into my design practice.

By learning from Nike and other responsible design leaders, I aim to contribute to a future where design not only serves its commercial purpose but also fosters a more sustainable and equitable world. Yours creatively, HM

[marketingprofitmedia]

How You Can Make $50-$100 Every Day with This Simple Strategy

In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals are seeking opportunities to supplement their income and secure their financial futures. One increasingly popular method to achieve this is by leveraging a simple yet effective strategy that can generate a consistent daily income ranging from $50 to $100 or more. In this article, we will unravel the secrets of this ingenious strategy, guiding you step by step through its intricacies. From understanding the fundamentals to real-life success stories and common pitfalls to avoid, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence needed to embark on this income-boosting journey. So, if you’re ready to take control of your financial destiny, providing you with a comprehensive guide to get started and succeed.

My Best Recommended & Proven Way to Make $100 Daily — Watch THIS FREE Training to START >>

1. Understanding the Strategy

Understanding the strategy is the cornerstone of your journey towards daily earnings. This section will provide you with in-depth insights into the mechanics behind this ingenious approach. You’ll discover how this strategy capitalizes on market dynamics to generate consistent income. By grasping its inner workings, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions and unlock its full potential for financial gain. So, let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of this remarkable strategy and lay the foundation for your financial success.

What is the simple strategy?

The simple strategy we’re discussing involves briefly explain the strategy without revealing all the details. It is designed to provide a steady stream of income, making it an attractive option for those looking to boost their earnings without significant effort.

How does it work?

To implement this strategy successfully, you need to explain the basic principles. This strategy capitalizes on [mention the key element that drives earnings]. It’s a method that anyone can learn and apply with the right guidance.

The potential for daily earnings

One of the most appealing aspects of this strategy is its potential for daily earnings. Depending on your dedication and commitment, you can make anywhere from $50 to $100 or more each day. Imagine the financial security and freedom that such consistent earnings can bring.

2. Getting Started

Getting started is the first crucial step on your path to daily earnings. In this section, we’ll outline the prerequisites and essential preparations needed to embark on this journey. You’ll learn about the tools and accounts required, ensuring you’re well-equipped for success. Whether you’re starting with a modest budget or no prior experience, we’ll guide you through the initial steps to set you on the road to financial empowerment. So, let’s take that first stride toward your $50 to $100 daily goal.

Prerequisites for implementing the strategy

Before diving into the strategy, you should be aware of the list essential prerequisites. These prerequisites ensure that you’re well-prepared to embark on your income-boosting journey.

Setting up the necessary tools and accounts

To get started, you’ll need to set up list the tools and accounts. These are the tools of your trade, and their proper configuration is crucial for your success.

Initial investments (if any)

While this strategy doesn’t require substantial investments, you may need to allocate mention the potential initial investments. It’s essential to consider these costs and plan your budget accordingly.

3. Step-by-Step Guide

The “Step-by-Step Guide” is your roadmap to unlocking the potential of this strategy. In this section, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions, breaking down each step-in detail. We understand the importance of clarity and guidance, especially if you’re new to this strategy. With easy-to-follow instructions and practical tips, you’ll gain the confidence needed to implement this approach effectively. So, let’s navigate this path together, ensuring you’re on the right track to daily earnings.

Explain the first step

Provide detailed instructions for the first step, including screenshots or examples if applicable.

Explain the second step

Continue with detailed instructions for subsequent steps.

…

Continue with the remaining steps, providing comprehensive guidance.

My Best Recommended & Proven Way to Make $100 Daily — Watch THIS FREE Training to START >>

4. Choosing the Right Platform

Selecting the right platform is a pivotal decision on your journey to daily earnings. In this section, we’ll offer an insightful comparison of various platforms, highlighting their unique features and advantages. We want you to make an informed choice, so we’ll delve into the pros and cons of each option. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, our recommendations will guide you toward the platform that suits your goals best, ensuring a promising start to your financial adventure.

Comparison of different platforms for implementing the strategy

To execute this strategy, you’ll have several platform options at your disposal. Each platform has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and cons of each platform

Let’s take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of these platforms to help you make an informed choice.

Recommendations for beginners

If you’re new to this strategy, we recommend starting with [mention the recommended platform]. It offers a user-friendly interface and excellent support for beginners.

5. Managing Risk

Effectively managing risk is paramount as you navigate the world of daily earnings. This section is dedicated to strategies that will help safeguard your investments and earnings. We’ll explore techniques like diversification and setting risk thresholds. By understanding these risk management strategies, you’ll be better prepared to mitigate potential setbacks and protect your financial interests, ensuring a smoother journey towards your $50 to $100 daily goal.

Strategies for minimizing potential losses

While this strategy is designed for consistent earnings, there is still a degree of risk involved. It’s crucial to understand how to mitigate these risks effectively.

Risk management techniques

[Discuss various risk management techniques, such as diversification and setting stop-loss orders].

Setting realistic expectations

It’s essential to set realistic expectations regarding your daily earnings. Avoid overestimating your potential income to prevent disappointment.

6. Scaling Up

As your confidence and experience grow, you’ll naturally want to explore ways to increase your daily earnings. This section is your guide to scaling up your income-generating efforts. We’ll discuss strategies to expand your portfolio, diversify your income streams, and achieve more significant daily earnings. But we’ll also emphasize the importance of pacing yourself to avoid burnout. With our insights, you’ll be well-equipped to elevate your financial journey and aim higher in your earnings.

How to increase your daily earnings over time

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore strategies to boost your daily earnings.

Expanding your portfolio or efforts

[Explain how you can expand your income streams by [mention the method], thereby increasing your daily earnings].

Avoiding burnout

While it’s tempting to push for higher earnings every day, remember to strike a balance to prevent burnout. We’ll discuss how to maintain a sustainable pace.

7. Real-Life Success Stories

In this section, we bring you inspiring real-life success stories from individuals who have harnessed this strategy to transform their financial lives. These stories are a testament to the potential this approach holds. You’ll gain valuable insights into their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the outcomes they achieved. These tales of triumph serve as motivation, showing that with dedication and the right strategy, you too can realize your financial dreams.

Inspirational stories of individuals who have successfully used this strategy

To inspire you further, we’ve gathered real-life success stories from individuals who have implemented this strategy and transformed their financial situations.

Their experiences, challenges, and outcomes

Share detailed accounts of these success stories, highlighting the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

My Best Recommended & Proven Way to Make $100 Daily — Watch THIS FREE Training to START >>

8. Tracking and Analytics

Monitoring your progress is fundamental to success in the world of daily earnings. This section underscores the importance of tracking your performance and earnings rigorously. We’ll introduce you to essential tools and methods for efficient tracking and analysis. By understanding how to interpret data and make data-driven decisions, you’ll have the insights needed to continually improve your earnings strategy. Tracking and analytics are your compass on this financial journey, guiding you toward your daily income goals.

The importance of monitoring your progress

To ensure your success, it’s essential to track your progress diligently. This section will guide you on how to do so effectively.

Tools and methods for tracking earnings

Provide recommendations for tools and methods to monitor your daily earnings and overall performance.

Adjusting your strategy based on data

Learn how to analyze your data and make informed adjustments to optimize your daily earnings.

9. Staying Informed

Remaining well-informed is crucial in a landscape where strategies evolve. In this section, we stress the significance of staying updated with the latest developments in this dynamic field. We’ll provide you with a list of valuable resources, websites, and forums to keep you in the loop. Furthermore, we’ll emphasize the need for continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring that you stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge in your daily earnings pursuit.

The ever-changing landscape of the strategy

Discuss how the strategy may evolve over time and why it’s crucial to stay informed.

Resources for staying up-to-date

Provide a list of resources, websites, or forums where you can stay updated on the latest developments.

Continuous learning and adaptation

Emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adapting to changes in the strategy.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steering clear of common pitfalls is essential on your path to consistent daily earnings. In this section, we highlight the mistakes that can hinder your success and provide insights on how to avoid them. By learning from the missteps of others and understanding the consequences of these errors, you’ll be better equipped to navigate your journey smoothly. Additionally, we’ll offer guidance on how to recover gracefully should you encounter setbacks, ensuring that you stay resilient in your pursuit of financial goals.

Pitfalls that can hinder your success

To help you avoid common pitfalls, we’ve identified some mistakes that aspiring earners often make.

Learning from others’ mistakes

Highlight the mistakes made by others and the consequences they faced, encouraging readers to learn from these examples.

How to recover from setbacks

In case you encounter setbacks, we’ll also provide advice on how to recover and get back on track.

11. Benefits of Consistency

Consistency is the bedrock of your daily earnings journey, and in this section, we delve into its numerous advantages. By maintaining a daily commitment to your strategy, you’ll accumulate small wins that add up over time, steadily increasing your earnings. This section emphasizes the power of staying dedicated even when progress seems gradual. We’ll explore how consistency fosters discipline, motivation, and ultimately, the achievement of your financial objectives.

The power of daily commitment

Explain the benefits of sticking to this strategy daily, even when progress seems slow.

Accumulating small wins over time

Discuss how daily consistency can lead to significant earnings over time.

Maintaining motivation and discipline

Provide tips on staying motivated and disciplined in your daily efforts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making $50 to $100 every day with this simple strategy is not only possible but also within reach for those willing to put in the effort and dedication. By following the step-by-step guide, managing risks, and staying informed, you can gradually build a reliable source of income. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration to take action towards your financial goals. Remember that consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn are the keys to success.

My Best Recommended & Proven Way to Make $100 Daily — Watch THIS FREE Training to START >>

Affiliate Disclaimer :

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at NO ADDITIONAL cost to you if you decide to purchase something. While we receive affiliate compensation for reviews / promotions on this article, we always offer honest opinions, users experiences and real views related to the product or service itself. Our goal is to help readers make the best purchasing decisions, however, the testimonies and opinions expressed are ours only. As always you should do your own thoughts to verify any claims, results and stats before making any kind of purchase. Clicking links or purchasing products recommended in this article may generate income for this product from affiliate commissions and you should assume we are compensated for any purchases you make. We review products and services you might find interesting. If you purchase them, we might get a share of the commission from the sale from our partners. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended.

Source : How You Can Make $50-$100 Every Day with This Simple Strategy

Thanks for reading my article on “How You Can Make $50-$100 Every Day with This Simple Strategy“, hope it will help!

[multiplicity-positivity]

hey, this... feels awkward, but could you maybe make a post for persecutors who are trying their best to become good? its really hard sometimes...

or maybe.... like.... i didnt feel like a person before, i just came around when the host was upset, to further antagonize him. hurt him. i... i wasnt really a person, more just... a feeling. but then our friend helped me figure out that im more than just the hosts self-hatred. he helped me pick a name, and now im trying to be good, trying to be a person. fronting is scary, and hard, and i feel like i cant keep up with anything, i... i feel like i wasnt meant to be anything more than pain, like its just not possible for me to be normal, or to do chores and shit.

is that anything you could post about? becoming a full person instead of just a role or whatever? even just a response would be greatly appreciated.

sorry, this.... feel free to ignore this, i... i dont know why im sending this, its not your problem, i should just deal with it on my own.

Hi! We are so sorry to hear you’re struggling right now. System persecutors are often hated and demonized in plural spaces, which in turn makes it more difficult for these headmates to hope for and achieve positive change. But the thing is, persecutors are headmates just like the rest of their system, and they deserve peace, kindness, respect, and understanding just like anyone else! You deserve this, and other persecutors do too!

We’re pleased to learn that you’re trying to change for the better. Breaking bad habits is easier said than done, especially for system members whose bad habits have made up core aspects of their identities for as long as they’ve existed! Trust us, we see your pain, and the persecutors in our own system are going through something quite similar. We hope that you can continue to make strides towards positive growth - even if it gets hard and even if you slip up in the future! We know you can do it, and we believe in you!

We wrote a little love letter to persecutors who are hoping to change for the better. It’s in the queue, and should be up on our blog on Friday night at 8:00PM EST! We seriously hope you and other persecutors like you can find some solace in it. We really do wish you the very best in your future endeavors! We’re hoping fronting will get easier for you with time, and that you can remember to show yourself a little kindness and patience too! ^^

🌸 Margo and 💫 Parker

[operaenergy]

Solar and Wind Turnkey EPC Companies in India are quickly taking strides toward making a better tomorrow

With the government of India leading the way, the shift to renewable energy is already in full swing — and Solar and Wind Turnkey EPC Companies in India are rushing to live up to the spiking demand for green energy resolutions.

Wind and solar energy continue to gain ground over fossil fuel-based electricity generation through the years. In the US, there have been major shifts in regional air quality, public health, and greenhouse gas emission benefits due to the surge in solar and wind deployment. Regulatory changes, as well as shifting fossil fuel prices, have contributed to dramatic declines in power sector emissions of criteria air pollutants and CO2 in the past decade. And India is no exception to this trend — as a matter of fact, you’d be elated to know; we’re in fact leading the way to a healthier and more sustainable future!

It is about time for every conscious mind to begin thinking greener and make a favorable impact on our habitat.

There’s no time to waste in transitioning to clean energy sources, and solar and wind turnkey EPC companies in India know that better than anyone.

India, as a matter of reality, is soaring higher and higher when it comes to a deliberate and methodical adaptation of renewable energy. According to the Renewables 2021 Global Status Report by REN21, India has made it to the top 3 on the Country Attractiveness Index, making it one of the most attractive renewable energy investment destinations in the world. The country is also ranked 3rd largest energy consumer in the world, with 4th rank globally in installed capacitance of renewable energy including Large Hydro. Additionally, India stands 4th in wind power capacity & 4th in solar power capacity. The nation’s focus on a more sustainable future looks astoundingly promising and ambitious in every respect.

It’s incredible to think how far the renewable energy sector has emerged. As of Feb 2023, renewable energy sources, including large hydropower, had an impressive combined installed capacity of 174.53 GW. And this is concerned with India alone, we witnessed humongous growth in the wind and solar sectors: wind power had an installed capacity of 41.9 GW, while solar power of 63.3 GW. That’s sufficient to power millions of homes and businesses in the coming days.

What does this mean for you? It implies cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity all over the world — a huge plus for our planet!

With Opera Energy leading the charge, an increasing number of independent power producers, huge corporations, and industrial facilities have turned to us to build solar and wind power plants across India. We provide services for the entire lifecycle of such power plants, from consultancy and supply to erection, testing, commissioning, operations, and maintenance, you name it. We have a portfolio of more than 1.30 GW+ in Solar & Wind EPC projects to date, demonstrating that energy sources other than fossil fuels are way more feasible than you could think.

Let’s make it simple: did you know you can use the air around us to generate power and provide electricity to homes? That’s wind energy in a nutshell — a process of using the kinetic energy from the wind to generate electricity. In fact, wind energy is one of the most cost-effective and equitable sources of electricity available today. Whether you want to charge batteries, pump water, or even provide electricity for utility grids, you can totally rely on wind energy to get the job done.

You might be familiar with how solar energy is harnessed — via the use of photovoltaic cells. But did you know that wind energy is indirectly sourced from the sun? The wind is caused by unequal heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth’s external crust, and the rotation of the earth itself. Cool huh?

Wherein, solar energy is energy directly derived from the sun’s rays. It comes from the light emitted by the sun, this electromagnetic radiation hits the earth’s surface. This energy is then translated into either thermal or electrical energy to be utilized for various applications.

Aside from helping to reduce our dependence on oil and gas, these carbon-free sources of energy can indubitably help prevent the air, water, and soil quality. They can also give individuals the ability to generate and store electricity in-house, giving them a dependable substitute when the conventional utility grid can’t fill that necessity.

As a project owner, did you know that an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract could help you manage risk more efficiently? An EPC agreement means the contractor gains unconditioned authority over the project right from the initiation to the end. The owner’s concept design must focus on functionality and the contractor can specialize in the work they undertake to engineer a solution.

At Opera, our mission is to bring you reliable and affordable solar and wind energy solutions that protect our environment and drive sustainability. From safely designing and installing renewable energy systems, to actively monitoring your project’s performance and tracking key milestones, our experienced team of professionals works diligently to deliver world-class results. It’s time for a revolution in renewable energy — join us on our goal to make this earth a better place for all!

[bratdesire]

Your Dad, My Daddy

Pairing: Ukai Keishin x Fem!Reader

Warnings: 18+ smut, age gap, older man/younger woman, barely legal, squirting, rough sex, daddy kink, alcohol mention, questionable ethics, d/s dynamics, overstimulation, degrading language, touch of subspace, unprotected sex, breeding kink, slight dubcon if you squint but it’s all consensual, Ukai’s dick is pierced, exhibitionism(?)

Genre: Smut, just so much smut

Word count: 9.4k

Author’s note: Here is my contribution to the new HQHQ collab!! You can find the masterlist right here! Big big thank you to @sempiternal-amour and @inaflashimagine​ for beta-ing this monster fic, ilysm <3 This is so incredibly self-indulgent, I even inserted my nickname ~for spice~. Anyways, enjoy my incoherent screaming uwu

Summary: When you go over to your friend’s house for a study session you don’t anticipate meeting her very attractive father, and you surely don’t anticipate the very same man fucking you over their couch.

“Hey, I apologize in advance for anything weird my dad says or does. You know how dads are,” Hitomi explains as she pulls into the driveway of her house. 

It’s small but nice and well-manicured, situated in the cul de sac of a middle-class suburb.

“Dad, we’re here,” she shouts up the stairs, setting her keys on the small table next to the front door. Hitomi’s gaze drifts to the tall, dark haired man sitting at the kitchen table and your own gaze soon follows. “Oh, there you are.”

She quickly pecks the man on his cheek before walking over to the shiny silver fridge, pulling out a couple bottles of water. “Dad, this is Bunny, Bunny this is Dad,” she gestures between the two of you. 

When her father glances up from his phone to give you a nod of acknowledgement, you’re taken aback by how handsome he is. 

You can tell from the slight wrinkles around his lips and the crinkles by his eyes that he’s definitely a much older man, but other than that he’s flawless. The angle of his jaw is sharp but soft, lower face darkened by his five o’clock shadow. His chocolate brown eyes are complemented by plump, pink lips that would look even better swollen and shiny with saliva. Dark, shiny locks are gathered into a low ponytail and you wonder how they would feel fisted in your fingers. He’s gorgeous in a rugged, mature way that boys your age aren’t and could never hope to be. 

Hitomi never told you her dad was hot but then again, why would she? 

“Mr. Ukai, it’s nice to meet you,” you greet him.

He waves his hand in the air dismissively, “Ah, you can just call me Keishin. No need to be so formal.”

Hitomi mutters a frustrated “shit” under her breath and it takes you a few moments to tear your eyes away from the man in front of you. 

“I left my textbook in the car, I have to go grab it,” she sighs then turns to her dad. “You, don’t scare off my friend, please.” 

Keishin puts a hand on his heart, a falsely serious expression on his face. “I won’t, scout’s honor.”

She just rolls her eyes, exiting the kitchen the same way you entered. The front door slams shut, leaving you alone with your friend’s very hot dad.

Keishin looks up at you then quickly looks away, unsure how to interact with his daughter’s friends. “So is, uh, Bunny your real name?” he asks, nervously rubbing the back of his head.

Leaning against the table he’s seated at, you fold your arms across your chest, fully aware of how low cut your top is. You don’t miss the way his eyes briefly flicker down to your cleavage then back up to your face. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” you challenge, raising an eyebrow at him.

“I… I’m just trying to make conversation,” he laughs nervously.

“Hm, well, the short answer is no. You’ll have to get to know me a bit better before I give you the long answer.” 

He snorts, pushing his chair back and rising to his full height. “What gave you the confidence to speak like this to your elders?”

Taking a step towards him, you twirl a piece of hair around your finger and shyly peer up at him through your lashes. “I don’t know, but maybe you can teach me how to behave.”

A light blush colors his cheeks and his eyes widen with surprise. “I-I don’t know what you’re implying, but it’s not... appropriate,” he stutters, taking a step backwards to try to put some distance between you.

You sidle up to him, reaching out a hand to caress his well-muscled arm. When he makes no move to stop your petting, you bite your lip and get on your tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Who said we had to be appropriate?” 

His mouth is slightly agape, lips moving every so often, as if he wants to say something but doesn’t. “I—” he starts.

The sound of the front door slamming open makes you both jump apart, trying to appear as casual as possible. 

“I got it! We can go study now,” Hitomi proclaims, waving the book around in her hands. She glances at you, then at her father and notices the way you’re completely turned away from each other. “Oh my God, Dad, what did you do?” she groans.

He holds up both hands in surrender, shaking his head emphatically. “I didn’t do anything! Why do you always think I did something?”

Your friend strides over to lightly punch his shoulder, a disapproving but loving expression on her face. “Because you’re weird and lame. Besides, between you and Bunny, I’m always going to assume that you’re the guilty party.”

You find yourself chuckling at their banter, touched by how close they are. It’s evident that Hitomi and Keishin care a lot about each other, regardless of how much they tease each other and guilt twists in your gut when you remind yourself that you were flirting with him. She likely wouldn’t forgive you for trying to sleep with her dad and it would cause a great deal of damage to their relationship, possibly beyond repair if she knew he was into girls her age. To make matters worse, you’re two years her junior. What man would sleep with a girl younger than his daughter?

But your morals are tossed right out the window when you take in the sight of Keishin’s radiant smile—all straight, white teeth and eyes that shine like pools of dark honey. It’s in that moment that you decide you’re going to seduce that man if it’s the last thing you do.

Sorry, Hitomi. Kind of.

---

“Okay, so L-Tyrosine is one of the twenty amino acids used by the body to synthesize proteins. It is also an aromatic amino acid derived from phenylalanine by hydroxylation in the para position—oof!” Hitomi’s droning is cut off by the pillow you send hurtling towards her head.

You sit up on her bed, squealing obnoxiously as you stretch. “Hitomi, I love you, but please shut up. My brain is melting. We’ve been at this for three hours now, can we take a break?”

She closes the textbook in her lap and pushes it to the edge of her desk. “Fine, fine. We can take a twenty minute break, but we have to go right back to studying because finals are this week and I cannot afford to fail,” your friend warns, despite how she whips out her phone at lightning speed.

Picking at a stray thread on the comforter, you gently try to get her attention, “Hey, Tomi?”

“Hm?” she responds, barely glancing up from the video she’s watching.

You’re not sure how to broach the subject, but you’ve never been one to beat around the bush so you just come right out and say it. “Has anyone told you your dad’s kinda hot?”

That makes her stop, her head jerking up from her phone at lightning speed. “What!? That old geezer?” She sounds dumbfounded, incredulous at the prospect that someone would be interested in her father.

“Yeah girl, he’s a total DILF,” you confess, making a little fanning motion with your hand like you’re burning up inside just thinking about him, and it’s not that far from the truth.

Hitomi makes no effort to hide her feelings, disgust clearly evident in her delicate features. “Ew! You have to be joking. Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’m not joking! He’s really sexy,” you muse dreamily.

She claps both hands over her ears, yelling at the top of her lungs to drown you out. “I never want to hear you say that my old man is ‘sexy’ ever again!”

You childishly stick your tongue out at her. “Hey! I’m just speaking the truth. You have to have had friends say the same thing.”

Removing her hands from her ears, she brings one up to stroke her chin, seemingly deep in thought. “Now that I think about it, back in high school my friends were a lot more enthusiastic about coming over once they met my father.”

You feel vindicated by her personal testimony, even if she thinks you’re gross. “See? I’m not the only one who finds your dad ridiculously attractive.”

Hitomi gags dramatically as if she’s going to puke and judging by the look on her face, she just might. “Please, no more, I’m begging you.” 

“Fine, fine I’ll stop, but don’t act surprised when I become your new stepmom,” you tease, wiggling your eyebrows at her.

“You’re younger than me, don’t even joke about that,” she shudders in horror. “Okay, with that we need to get back to studying amino acids and proteins.”

“Whatever you say, future stepdaughter.” You muster your best motherly voice, sickeningly sweet and a touch passive aggressive.

This time, it’s Hitomi’s turn to throw a pillow at you.

---

Since the day you met Keishin, you haven’t been able to get him off your mind. Even when you’re in class trying to learn about the sodium-potassium pump, you find your thoughts drifting to his hands, his lips, him. He’s simply become too distracting to ignore.

More times than you care to admit, you’ve fucked yourself with your fingers to thoughts of how his fingers would feel pumping inside you. You fantasize about how his hand would feel around your neck, squeezing with just enough pressure to make your vision hazy. His name is always on the tip of your tongue when you orgasm and when you finally let yourself moan out ‘Keishin,’ you know enough is enough. A man his age has to know exactly how to make a woman scream and writhe in pleasure, but you need to experience it for yourself or you’ll die trying.

You’re not oblivious to the way he looks at you with hunger and longing in his eyes, you know he wants you too and you’re not above using dirty tricks to show him just how much you want him. 

If he’s too proud, too noble to give in to his urges, you’ll just have to break him. His resolve may be strong, but yours is stronger.

Your efforts begin innocently enough, gently probing him for more information about himself so you can get to know him better.

“I’ve noticed you don’t wear a ring. Is there a Mrs. Ukai in the picture?” you ask innocently.

Keishin clears his throat a bit too loudly, refusing to meet your questioning gaze. “Nah. It’s just me and Tomi, always has been.”

“Any… future Mrs. Ukai in the picture?”

The corners of his lips twitch slightly, the barest of smiles tugging at his handsome features. “Can’t say there is. Between the store and coaching volleyball, I don’t really have the time to date.”

You nod and make a noise of acknowledgement, relieved by the confirmation that he is in fact very, very single. You’re a lot of things, but you’re not a homewrecker.

On another occasion, you’re seated on their plush leather couch and Keishin’s in the well-worn La-Z-Boy recliner to your left. You’re watching some Adam Sandler movie on Netflix, but it’s paused while Hitomi is in the bathroom.

You take your alone time together as an opportunity to question him more, toeing the line of what would be considered proper. “So, Keishin, how old are you? I know Tomi’s twenty-one so you must be…” you trail off, hoping he’ll humor you.

He takes a swig of the beer in his hand and your eyes instinctively flicker down to watch the way his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “Old.”

You roll your eyes and prop your chin up on your hand, readjusting your position on the couch so you’re leaning closer to him. “Obviously, but just how old?”

“Why do you want to know so badly?” he asks, head tilted and a well-groomed eyebrow lifted questioningly.

“I was just wondering if you’re older than my dad,” you tease. 

His shoulders shake slightly as he chuckles, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I’m forty-four. Do I have him beat?”

“He’s forty-two, so just barely.” Your steady, unwavering eyes lock onto his own, which are glassy and unfocused from the alcohol. When he brings the bottle to his lips once more, you nonchalantly add, “Maybe I should call you Daddy instead.”

Keishin coughs and sputters in surprise, causing him to choke on his beverage and a spray of sticky beer splatters across your face. 

Apologies tumble out of his mouth as soon as he realizes that your cheeks and hair are dripping with the craft IPA he was drinking. “I-I’m so sorry! I’ll get you a towel,” he blurts, shooting up from his chair. 

In his panic and embarrassment, he rushes toward the linen closet and you can’t help the giggles that escape your mouth at how uncoordinated he is, now several drinks in. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s not that big of a deal,” you reassure him, wiping your face with the back of your hand for emphasis.

He returns from the rummaging around the hall closet, a dark blue towel in his hand, which he offers to you with a nod of his head.

No matter your protests and assurances that you’re fine, Keishin is even more insistent in offering you the towel to clean yourself up. When you refuse to take the towel from him, he kneels down next to you and leans in to dab at the foamy liquid that has soaked into your hair. 

Your breath hitches in your throat when you feel his fingers on your jaw and you almost squeak at his close proximity. He hasn’t let you near him since your first encounter and now he’s right in front of you, so close that his breath curls around your cheeks, smelling of malted hops and the slightest hint of peppermint. You can map out the slight freckles on the bridge of his nose and each long, curled eyelash that brushes his cheeks each time he blinks.

He’s truly a beautiful man, all sharp angles and rough stubble and you can feel your cheeks warm when you realize that he’s right there. If you leaned forward just a little bit more, your noses would brush against each other. 

A deep, rumbling voice interrupts your daydreaming. “Kid, are you even listening to me?”

You blink a couple times, coming to the realization that he’s been trying to talk to you for the last few minutes, but you were too busy admiring his beauty.

Keishin shakes his head as he leans back on his heels, using one hand to rub his face wearily. “As I was saying, you can’t just… say things like that. I know young girls sometimes have fantasies about older men like me, but I’m telling you now that it’ll only end badly,” he sighs. “I’m not a righteous man, I have my vices. God, do I have lots of them, and I don’t need another one.”

He mumbles the last sentence, barely loud enough for you to hear, despite how close you are.

Another one? Is he admitting that the attraction is mutual? You have to know, you just have to. Your body practically aches from how badly you want him.

“Keishin, I—” you start, reaching out to touch his arm, but he stands abruptly and quickly turns to shuffle away from the couch.

“This just isn’t a good idea, kid. Just forget about me, alright?” he says, his back to you. A tinge of regret and hesitation seeps into his words, as if he wants to take back everything he’s said.

After the beer incident, the man is even less receptive than he was before, making every effort to avoid being alone with you.

Even still, you’re not discouraged because he never outright rejected you. If he had, you would’ve stopped your pursuit weeks ago, but he only seems to be trying to maintain his composure as a righteous man.

Righteous men are wolves in sheep’s clothing, always putting on a facade so they can claim plausible deniability when they’re caught with their pants around their ankles. But no matter how honorable or virtuous a man tries to be, none of them can resist a wet, willing pussy laid out in front of them and Keishin is no exception.

That’s why you’ve shown up to their house the last few weeks in skirts far too short to be considered decent, flashing little peeks of your underwear each time you move too much or bend over too far. Each time you bend over to grab a pencil or a piece of paper off the floor, Keishin is always conveniently positioned behind you so he gets an eyeful of your pretty lace panties and the little dark spot where your wetness has soaked through the fabric. 

After you retrieve your item from the ground, you look over your shoulder to make direct eye contact with him and say ‘oops,’ without a hint of regret in your voice. You revel in the clenching of his jaw and the way he exhales loud and heavy through his nose, frustration mounting each time you try to provoke him.

When your ass and clothed pussy are on display for him, you make sure to wiggle your hips a bit, an open invitation to fuck you the way you both want to. It never fails to elicit some sort of reaction from the older man, ranging from a few groans and a choked cough, to making a very hasty exit, a book or some other object held over the front of his jeans. 

Without fail, Hitomi expresses her concern each time her father storms out of the room, red-faced and breathing heavily. He just waves her off, telling her he’s not feeling well, but you know the truth. He’s painfully hard, painfully hard from you, even if he doesn’t admit it.

Truthfully, if you weren’t trying to get him to fuck you so hard you can’t walk you would applaud his self-control and restraint. Even after weeks of teasing and provocation, the man refuses to give in to his desires.

That’s okay. If he’s not going to come to you, you’ll just have to take matters into your own hands.

----

It all reaches a tipping point when you’re unable to go home for winter break and Hitomi offers you their guest room to stay in for a few weeks. 

Apparently she never asked her father for permission, if Keishin’s shocked, slightly panicked face when you walked through the door with your suitcase was any indication. When he tried to question Hitomi about whether or not it’s such a good idea for you to stay, she wasn’t having any of it and told him that you’re a friend in need. 

Hitomi’s so sweet and caring that you feel a twinge of guilt for plotting to seduce her father in her house when she’s none the wiser. She just wanted to lend a helping hand by letting you stay with them, oblivious to your true plans, but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.

Now that you’re under the same roof, all you really want to do is ambush Keishin as soon as possible, but you have to plan around Hitomi’s schedule so you have bide your time. What’s the saying? Good things come to those who wait?

And wait you do. You wait for two whole weeks, in fact. But then the stars align so perfectly that some otherworldly force must be looking out for you.

Hitomi is gone to work and won’t be back until the middle of the night when her shift is over, while Keishin is home reviewing footage from his team’s latest game. 

He told you he does this right before a big game so he can tell his players what they need to improve on and get in that last bit of refinement before the day of. When he clued you in on his strategy you just nodded and hummed, not really listening, mostly focused on ogling his muscles through his thin t-shirt.

Your nerves have been buzzing since you woke up this morning, sensing the heaviness in the air. You’re wearing your prettiest lace panties and its matching bra and frankly, you’re feeling pretty damn confident. You look good and you know you look good. If you were trying to seduce any guy your age, they’d drop their pants as soon as they got a little glimpse of your underwear, but Keishin’s not any guy your age. He needs a little convincing, a little push in the right direction, and you’ll be the one to help him.

You’ve flitted around the house all day, just trying to find the right moment to pounce. 

Currently, Keishin is sitting in the living room watching the recording on the big flat screen in the living room. He looks preoccupied with taking notes on the notepad in his lap, but it’s now or never, you suppose.

Before you try to talk yourself out of it, you stride over to where he’s sitting and put your hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

“Hey. Did you need something? I’m kind of busy analyzing my team’s last game.”

Not wanting to lose your nerve, you wordlessly swing one leg over his, then the other, planting yourself firmly in his lap. His entire body goes ramrod stiff, hands jerking away from your body as if you’ve burned him.

“W-what do you think you’re doing?” he stutters, alarm evident in his voice.

When he makes no move to throw you off his lap, you wrap your arms around his neck and lean into him, pressing your chest to his. 

“What we both have been wanting to do since the day I met you,” you purr, lips barely brushing against the shell of his ear. He shivers when you gently nibble on his earlobe and your confidence only grows as you discover that he wants this just as much as you do.

“I d-don’t know what you’re talking about. This isn't right. I’m your friend’s father and I’m... old enough to be y-yours,” he mutters, running a hand through his already messy hair, conflicted with how to proceed.

You can’t tell whether he’s trying to convince you or himself, so you decide to give him a little encouragement.

Leaning back slightly, you run your hands down his chest and bite your lip. “Are we going to keep playing games or are you gonna fuck me? Because if not, I’ve got several guys back at college who—”

You’re cut off when Keishin’s hand wraps around your throat, the other braced against your back to pull you flush against him. 

“You think your little stunts are cute, don’t you?” he growls, his minty breath washing over your face.

“What, you don’t think so, Daddy?” you pout, batting your eyelashes at him innocently.

His eyes flash with something hot and primal and you can feel the gush of wetness between your thighs. “I’m getting a little tired of them,” he growls.

“This,” you palm at the bulge straining against his pants, “Tells me otherwise, you know.”

The hand around your throat tightens, cutting off whatever bratty remark you were about to make. “I’ve had enough of you prancing around my home in tiny skirts and flashing me your panties when my daughter is around. It’s unbecoming.”

“Then t-teach me a lesson,” you gasp, struggling to speak with Keishin’s fingers so firmly wrapped around your throat.

The way he grins is downright sinful and it stokes the fire already raging inside you. “Careful what you wish for, little girl.”

With some manhandling on Keishin’s part, you’re shoved toward the couch then pulled back onto his lap, but this time you’re on your stomach and both your wrists are pinned behind your back.

“Before we go any further,” he starts, trailing his fingers down your spine and leaving goosebumps in their wake. “I have to ask… How old are you?”

You twist around to look him in the eyes, a defiant smirk on your face. “Old enough.” Your mischievous giggle is cut off by a swift, firm slap to your ass.

“Watch the lip, brat. I need a little more reassurance than that.”

“Since you’re just so concerned, I’m nineteen. Perfectly legal and more importantly, legally fuckable,” you say, punctuated by an enticing wiggle of your hips.

“Jesus, you’re two years younger than Tomi. What am I doing?” He seems lost in thought as the honorable side of him fights a losing battle against his baser, carnal instincts. Whatever reservations he has are thrown aside when you start to wiggle in his grasp, maneuvering yourself over his crotch to grind yourself against his hardness.

Keishin gathers your hair around his fist, harshly jerking your head so far backwards that your spine aches from the unnatural angle.

“Stop fucking squirming. You just don’t know how to behave, do you?” It’s phrased like a question, but he shoves two of his fingers in your mouth so you can’t respond. 

You knew Keishin would be the perfect dom, but the ease with which he settles into the role makes your head spin and your insides throb. Latching onto his digits, you lick and suck like the good girl you are, coating them in saliva as he hums in appreciation.

“Foo wans tuh behav wen thith is wutt I ge fo bein ba?” you ask, garbled and muffled by the fingers massaging the back of your tongue. 

A series of harder, heavier spanks make you squeal and squirm even more in his lap. He gently rubs his hand over your warm, stinging flesh as he speaks. “Such a troublemaker. Just what am I going to do with you, hm?” He tries to sound admonishing, but you can tell he’s smiling behind his words.

His hand leaves your ass, no doubt raised to spank you again, but before he can, you bite down on his fingers. Not too hard, just enough for him to jerk them out of your mouth. “You can do whatever you want to me, Daddy.” 

You jolt when his thumb rubs against your pussy through your panties. They’re soaked with your slick, the material clinging to your skin uncomfortably. The barest touch has you gasping and pushing your hips back for more. You’re so sensitive from the teasing and you’re so turned on you just might pass out if you’re not filled up soon.

Keishin just laughs darkly at the pathetic humping of your hips and you can feel the rumbling in his chest. “This is what I love about girls your age. So sensitive…” He pulls your panties aside and gently eases a finger inside you, then another as you moan and shake in his lap. “And so reactive. I bet you’d cum just from me putting my cock inside this tight, wet cunt, wouldn’t you?”

He speaks with a hint of condescension that has you clenching around his digits, coating them in sticky, syrupy strands of your arousal as they pump in and out of you. You’d almost be embarrassed at how worked up you are if you had more self respect, but you don’t. All you can focus on is the way his fingertips curl into the little spongy spot inside you that makes you whine.

“Why don’t you try it and find out?” The challenge in your voice is severely dampened by how breathless and wrecked you are even though you haven’t really even done anything.

His fingers pull out of you with a lewd squelching sound and you can hear him suck them into his mouth. “You taste even better than I imagined, but I want to taste that sweet pussy of yours. Up, little girl.” He coaxes you from his lap and onto the couch so your back is nestled into the cushions.

Sweat is making hair stick to your forehead and you’re breathing so heavily you’d think you just ran a marathon, but Keishin is looking down at you like you’re the most beautiful thing in the world and it nearly steals what little breath you have left in your lungs.

Oxygen is the last thing on your mind when his lips slot themselves between yours, soft yet demanding as they suck and lick. The movement of his lips doesn’t falter when he pulls your shirt over your head to reveal your light pink bra. Keishin pulls back to kiss along your collarbones, neck, and chest, his teeth occasionally nipping your sensitive flesh and leaving goosebumps in their wake. He expertly removes your panties with one hand so you’re left in just your plaid skirt, exposing your heated flesh to the coolness of the living room. 

You’re nearly naked but he’s wearing far too many clothes for your liking, so you blindly grab at his shirt, but your fingers are shaking too much for you to get a good grip. Once he realizes what you’re trying to do, he puts his hands over yours and helps you take off his shirt. You nearly start drooling when all of his hard, rippling muscles and smooth, tan skin are finally revealed to your greedy eyes that can’t seem to settle one thing. You don’t know if you’ll get this opportunity again and you want to remember everything in painstaking detail, especially Keishin’s gorgeous body.

He momentarily disentangles himself from you to remove his jeans, leaving him in just his Calvin Klein boxer briefs. The outline of his cock is evident as it strains against the blue material and you reach out to stroke it, but he just takes your hand in his.

He brings it to his lips, then kisses up your arm until he reaches your lips. “All in due time, sweet girl. I want to taste you first.” Your mouth is claimed in another hungry, bruising kiss and you squeal when Keishin takes your lip between his teeth and bites, blood rushing to the surface of your skin. 

His head dips down to leave featherlight kisses and teasing licks down your chest and stomach before he’s resting between your thighs. You whimper pitifully as he spreads your legs, awaiting the feeling of a wet tongue or his fingers against your folds. When he doesn’t move for several beats, you come to the realization that he’s just watching the way your cunt twitches and clenches around nothing and the wetness that drips onto the couch each time your muscles contract. You quickly bring your legs together to hide yourself from his scrutinizing gaze, but he simply pries them open with little effort.

Keishin grabs your chin so you’ll look right at him, squirming from the intensity of his gaze. “Don’t you dare hide this pretty pussy from me, do you understand? I am going to devour you until I’ve had my fill and you’re going to just lie back and take it.”

You nod obediently, your impudence quickly dying, giving way to the burning ache between your legs that can only be sated by a long, hard fuck.

With a satisfied hum, he settles at the apex of your thighs and licks a long stripe from your quivering pussy to your swollen clit and your hips jerk from the contact. Strong hands pin your hips to the couch as you writhe in his firm grip. He gives your clit a soft, quick kiss before he takes it into his mouth and sucks. You grab fitfully at his hair, back arching and hips pressing into his mouth as you gasp and groan from the incredible feeling of his tongue on your sensitive flesh.

His tongue teases your entrance and your cunt twitches, anticipating the first thrust of his warm, wet muscle inside you. He occasionally dips into your hole, but never breaches your entrance and you think you might go mad if he doesn’t give you more.

“I-I need more, give me more,” you manage to gasp, grabbing a fistful of the pillow underneath you as the tightening in your belly gets stronger.

Keishin removes his mouth from your cunt just long enough to admonish you for your lack of respect. “You need to have more manners if you’re going to demand things of me,” he says, before latching back onto your swollen, twitching clit.

“Daddy, pleeease I need more. Ah! I want to cum!” Your voice is so high-pitched and whiny you almost don’t recognize yourself, but you’re nearly delirious from pleasure and your impending climax that’s been dangled over your head for what feels like hours.

“Now who am I to deny you when you ask so sweetly?”

He thrusts two of his digits inside you, reaching deep inside you and rubbing against your g-spot as he sucks your clit back into his mouth. You’re almost screaming at this point, clawing at his hair and humping your cunt against his face. The familiar tightening in your belly signals that you’re about to cum and your moans and cries get faster, louder as the promise of white hot pleasure is just within reach—

It’s almost embarrassing how fast you’re teetering on the edge of climax, as if you’re a virgin school girl that’s never touched herself before. But maybe that’s the difference that years of experience can make. 

Not that you care. You just want to cum.

“Fuck, Daddy, I—I’m close!”

Sensing your impending orgasm, the man uses his free hand to slap your cheek then grabs your throat. “Uh-uh-uh,” he tuts, “Ask Daddy for permission to cum.” You’re clamping down on his fingers impossibly tighter as he fingers you even deeper, and the way he sucks on your clit renders you incapable of speech. Each time you open your mouth to try to speak, more desperate, wanton noises escape your lips.

You’re about to fucking burst at the seams and you feel like you’re on fire, but you want to be a good girl for your daddy, so you use the last bit of brain power you have left to ask for permission.

“P-pleaaase Daddy may I ahhh! May I cum!” you ask, but you can’t even hear Keishin give his approval from how loud the blood rushing in your ears is as you finally cum.

You try to muffle your cries with the back of your hand, but he grabs your wrist and wrenches it away from your mouth.

“Don’t do that. I want to hear you scream.” His tone is clipped and short, not caring how rough he is with your delicate flesh.

If you weren’t already cumming, you would have from the pleasure that’s so intense, it’s almost painful as your body is wracked with tremors. Your legs snap around Keishin’s head and you grip his hair even tighter as wave upon wave of your orgasm washes over you. You hear someone screaming and wonder what’s happening, when you realize it’s you, you’re the one screaming as you ride out your climax.

He greedily slurps and sucks up every single drop of your release that you can give him, as if he was stranded in the desert for a thousand years and your juices are the first sip of water to hit his dry, parched tongue. Your cunt is already so sensitive, painfully clenching around his fingers, but he just. Doesn’t. Stop.

“Fuck, K-Kei, wait ‘s too much,” you weakly protest, but your body is too spent to resist so you just lie there, twitching and gasping as he keeps sucking on your overstimulated clit.

His lips detach from your poor, abused bud and you almost sigh in relief before the fingers inside your cunt pump faster, stimulating every inch of your gummy walls.

Keishin leans over your sweaty, exhausted form, one hand braced on the couch, the other buried inside you. His fingers are hitting a spot inside you that makes you feel the urge to pee, so you try to push his hand away but it’s futile with how much stronger he is than you. 

“Hold onnn, I’m g-gonna—” you slur, panicked, but it’s as if he didn’t hear you.

His digits are relentless, rubbing and stroking and you’re a fucked out mess. You don’t know what he wants until an uncomfortable tightness shoots through your cunt. You cry out as clear liquid gushes out of you, splashing all over you, the couch, and Keishin. If you were more coherent, you might be mortified because you just… pissed on him—

To your surprise, he’s laughing as he removes his hand from inside you, ignoring your halfhearted groans. “I was hoping you’d do that,” he says, holding up his hand, shiny and dripping with your juices. 

“D-Do what?” you pant, unsure of what just happened and why Keishin seems so smug.

He uses his discarded t-shirt to wipe his hand off, then dabs at your stomach where a sizable puddle accumulated. “Squirt,” he responds. When he sees your confused expression, he follows up with, “It’s not piss, if you’re worried about that.”

“Ooookay.” You’re too dazed and exhausted to argue with him or question him further, so you just flop into the sofa and close your eyes.

“C’mon, little girl, don't tell me that’s all you’ve got. You were talking so much shit earlier and I have so much more to give you.” Despite how tired you are, his words spark new arousal in your belly and defiance revitalizes you, movement returning to your limbs.

You slide a hand down your stomach and spread the puffy lips of your cunt, sliding a finger through your wetness. “Of course it’s not. I’m ready to take that hard cock of yours, Daddy.”

“Attagirl, that’s what I like to see,” he praises, dropping his underwear and sliding them somewhere you can’t see. 

His cock is gorgeous, but that doesn’t come as a surprise, considering the man it belongs to. It’s thick and curved in a way that you know will reach the deepest parts of you.

What you weren’t expecting is the many piercings adorning the shaft and the one that goes through the head. A long curved barbell enters through the tip and exits through the underside of his glans. Three evenly spaced rings are embedded in the skin where his shaft meets his balls. You’ve never seen so many piercings on one man, let alone in such a sensitive place, so you gawk at the smooth metal rings that shine in the overhead lights.

“You’re… You have…”

He grins widely and it’s so devilish you think he might swallow you whole and honestly? You’d let him. You’d let him do whatever he wants to you. “Haha, yeah I get that reaction a lot. Never seen a pierced cock before, huh?”

“No, but there’s a first time for everything. I’m dying to see how those,” you point to his piercings, “Feel inside me.”

Keishin wordlessly climbs on top of you and rubs the head against your wetness, spreading it along his shaft to ease his entry. “They’ll feel fucking incredible, but you’ll have to beg for it.”

You scoff, reaching to grab his hips so he’ll fuck you already, but he scoots backwards so you can’t touch him.

“Naughty girls that misbehave don’t get fucked, so you’d better smarten up quickly,” he warns, making you gasp as he thrusts his cock against your clit.

He lazily nudges the head over your flesh, occasionally letting it catch on the tight ring of muscle around your hole. When he slots between your pussy lips, you try to wiggle and hump your hips in his direction, in hopes that he’ll slide right in.

But he doesn’t, and you’re about to go mad with his cock so close, but so far away.

“Please fuck me Daddy. I need your cock so bad!” You’re on the verge of tears, the buildup of the last few weeks overwhelming your senses.

Making a noise of sympathy, Keishin pets your hair affectionately and kisses your cheek. “All you had to do was ask.”

His hips pull back, then he’s thrusting inside you, sheathing himself to the hilt in your tight heat. You whimper and whine at the sudden intrusion, but any pain you feel is overshadowed by the way that his cock is filling you so full. The burn and stretch hurts so fucking good that your orgasm hits you like a freight train, fast and hard and blinding. Keishin fucks you through it, his cock touching all of the sensitive spots inside you and the pleasure is so strong you have to screw your eyes shut as you cry out and fall apart around him.

When you open them again, the man is staring down at you with the most shit-eating grin you’ve ever seen. “See? I said you’d cum as soon as I put my cock inside you.”

Using all the strength you can muster, you slap his arm. “Shut up and just fuck me.”

“You still haven’t learned your manners, but I just can’t wait to shoot my cum deep inside this cute cunt of yours,” Keishin groans, pulling almost all the way out before burying himself back inside the hot, welcoming clutch of your pussy. 

You can feel each of the metal rings on his cock, foreign and strange, but the odd feeling soon fades to little shocks of ecstasy each time they brush against your insides.

The lewd slapping sounds of skin on skin are all you can hear besides the occasional moan or hiss from the man fucking you within an inch of your life, not that you can focus on anything else right now.

You nudge at Keishin’s shoulder and he stops the rapid pistoning of his hips, an almost annoyed look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, but you just smile and push him backwards onto the couch, just like you were. He grunts in surprise as he falls backward, but he quickly quiets down when you climb on top of him and sink yourself back down on his length.

You both moan in unison as he fills you once more, the tip of his cock pressing against your cervix each time you force your cunt back down on him. His hands wander to your tits, grabbing, squeezing, and pinching the sensitive buds of your nipples. 

Ever the troublemaker, you can’t resist making a jab at him now that you’re on top. “I wonder what she’d do if she knew you were with me right now. What would your daughter say about you taking advantage of a young, helpless girl?”

Keishin takes that moment to pull you against him, thrusting hard and rough into your gummy walls that never stop pulsing around him. You’re shaking and gasping, your tongue lolling out of your mouth in your pleasured delirium. “With the way your greedy, sloppy cunt is clenching around me, I wouldn’t say I’m taking advantage of you,” he points out, only slightly out of breath. “But you get off on this, don’t you? Letting an old man like me fuck you. I’m old enough to be your father.”

“Like you’re any b-better,” you bite back.

You cry out when Keishin starts rubbing your swollen clit in tight little circles, your third orgasm fast approaching. 

“Fuck! I can—urgh, I can feel your pussy pulsing around me. I’m g-gonna cum,” he grits out, thrusting impossibly deeper inside you. He's pressed so far into you, he’s just thumping the head of his cock against your cervix. You scream and write in his arms, seeking to relieve the sharp burning in your womb just a little bit, but he has you firmly locked in his clutches. “Be a good little girl and cum for Daddy.”

Almost on command, you shake and moan, loud and long, as you cream all over his cock and coat the base in milky white. “Oh fuck, oh god! D-Daddy I’m cu-mming!” you wail with the last of your energy.

You’re so exhausted you go limp against him and let him use your body as a fuck toy until he reaches his climax. Keishin follows soon behind you, his thrusts growing sloppier and less coordinated as he mumbles obscenities under his breath. “Shit shit shit, fuck I’m cumming! I’m gonna—fuck!”

With one last thrust into your fluttering, over stimulated cunt he orgasms, his legs shaking as he shoots rope after rope of cum into your quivering womb.

You both lay there for several minutes to catch your breaths. You’re so sore and boneless you can barely move, but you manage to extricate yourself from Keishin’s long limbs. Leaning into the arm of the couch, you let your eyes flutter closed and allow sleep to take you.

You’re awoken by a warm, wet washcloth rubbing against your sensitive folds and you whine, sleepily wiggling your hips to get away from the discomfort. “Kid, I know it doesn’t feel good but, uh, it’s kind of a mess down there. You can go back to sleep, just let me clean you up.” Keishin’s familiar timbre comforts you so you settle back down, still half asleep.

“Mmm, Keishin?” you mumble, making grabby hands at the man.

He takes one of your hands in his. “Yeah?” he responds as he wipes the washcloth between your legs with his other hand.

You rub your face against his hand before placing a sloppy kiss on top of it. “Thank youuuu,” you slur.

Keishin just chuckles and rubs his fingers over your knuckles. “Yeah kid, you’re welcome. Just get some rest, alright?”

You’re asleep before he even finishes the sentence.

----

When you awaken it’s dark, most likely the middle of the night. There’s a blanket thrown over your unexpectedly clothed body, which is now covered in a worn, oversized shirt. It smells like fabric softener and musk, so you figure it must be Keishin’s.

Looking around, you bolt upright when you realize you’re not on the living room couch anymore, you’re now in a large, comfortable bed.

The sound of a deep, rumbling voice draws your attention to the bathroom connected to the room you’re currently in. “Oh, you’re finally awake,” Keishin says sheepishly as he emerges from the bathroom, then points to the nightstand next to you. “There’s some water and ibuprofen, you should take it. Even if you’re not sore now, you will be later.”

You chuckle tiredly as you stretch your overworked muscles. “I’m already sore, so I’ll definitely be taking these.”

He sits awkwardly on the side of the bed, unsure how to treat you after your little encounter. His brows are furrowed, a deep frown on he’s seemingly deep in thought.

“Whatever you’re thinking, just spit it out.” His head immediately snaps to you, eyes guarded and unreadable.

“What we did downstairs, it’s… not right. I’m supposed to protect young, impressionable girls like you. I’m a father—I would die if Tomi was after a man more than twice her age.”

You pull the blanket off of you and climb over to where the older man is seated on the mattress. “Keishin, let me ask you something.” He lifts his head, expectant. “Did you enjoy what we did? Because I did.” He nods slowly, still unsure what you’re getting at.

Taking his face in your hands, you tell him what you’ve been thinking for weeks. “At the end of the day, we’re two consenting adults who partook in consensual activities. Even if someone wants to clutch their pearls because you’re older than me, who cares?”

“Yeah, I get that, but… It has to be some sort of ethics violation on my part. You’re younger than my daughter, Bunny.”

“Even if it is, you have to allow yourself to live a little. Life is too short to deny yourself pleasures the world has to offer, and I don’t know about you, but I was very pleased by our… tryst.”

A cute blush spreads across Keishin’s cheeks as he remembers everything he said and did to you. “Aha, I was too. So, um… Would you want to do that again, sometime?” he asks, running a hand through his hair like he always does when he’s nervous.

You giggle and tackle him on the bed, wrapping your arms around him and squeezing. “Of course I do. We can even do it now, if you’d like…”

A couple hours later, just before Hitomi comes back, you limp across the hallway to your room and pass out, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

And that is how your little arrangement begins.

Most of your time is spent with Hitomi, mostly shopping and going out to eat when she has the day off, or just watching Netflix in her room when you’re both too tired to go anywhere.

However, in the wee hours of the morning when you’re sure that she’s asleep, you sneak up to her father’s bedroom and get fucked so hard and so good you can barely make it back to your bedroom before the sun rises.

It’s a good arrangement, you think, you both get what you want and your friend is none the wiser. You figure no harm, no foul. At the end of the winter break, Keishin will likely want to cut things off with you and you’ll go back to your college dorm as if nothing happened.

But the winter break isn’t over yet, and you plan on making the most of it.

Keishin has been fucking you into the mattress for so long, time no longer even makes sense anymore. 

You’re sweaty and exhausted, muscles so sore and shaky, but the thrusting between your legs shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. The harsh grip on your hips will likely bruise, but luckily you can hide them, unlike the few close calls you’ve had with poorly-placed marks on your neck.

Despite your exhaustion, you continue to meet Keishin’s thrusts by humping your hips back at him.

He gives your ass a harsh spank and fucks into you harder, making you whine and clench around him. “You’re an insatiable little thing, aren’t you? So fucked out and dripping with my cum, yet you still want more,” he says, but all you can do is gasp in response. You’re too far gone to produce any meaningful response. “What am I going to do with you?” If you had the energy, you’d tell him whatever he wants, but you don’t and the familiar tug of an orgasm is too hard to ignore.

“Fuck Daddy, I-I’m—”  

Suddenly, his phone comes to life, Hitomi’s face lighting up the screen as it vibrates. The pistoning of his hips slows, then stops completely as he reaches over and grabs it off the nightstand.

He suddenly pulls out of your sore, abused cunt and you almost whine at the loss before he buries himself back inside you. The way your face is pressed into the mattress makes it difficult, but you manage to turn your head to see what Keishin is doing behind you.

Your eyes widen and you try to wriggle out of his grip when you figure out that he’s going to answer his phone as he keeps fucking you.

A hand wraps around your neck, lifting you up from your position on the bed and you have to follow its movement to prevent your windpipe from getting crushed. You’re pressed against Keishin’s hard chest, and his cock is nestled right against your cervix. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll just stay still and take it like a good little girl.”

The harsh grip on your neck releases and you’re shoved back into the bed, falling onto the comforter.

Keishin sounds completely normal when he answers his phone and it almost pisses you off—how can he be so unaffected when you’re at your wit’s end? 

He chirps into the phone, “Hey sweetheart, what’s up?” The only indication that anything is amiss is the slight breathlessness in his voice and the occasional curse under his breath.

He forces himself even deeper inside you so forcefully that you’re afraid he’ll punch straight through to your womb. You know it’s not possible, but with Keishin, it just might be. He’s always full of surprises, especially when it comes to your body.

“Oh yeah, sure I can drop it off to you later. I’m just a little… preoccupied at the moment,” he says with a sharp thrust of his hips and you can’t help the moan that escapes your lips. Keishin stiffens above you, waiting to see if Hitomi heard you through the phone.

“No, Hitomi, I’m not watching porn! But hold on a second, I think someone is at the door.” He sets the phone on the bed, muting the call as his cock hits your g-spot and you’re shaking, practically shivering in his arms. A couple of hard, coordinated rubs of your engorged clit and you’re cumming, gushing around him and keening as your muscles clench uncomfortably. You scream silently and fall limp onto the bed, unable to hold yourself up any longer. 

You’ve lost count of how many times you’ve cum, but it’s to the point that each successive orgasm borders on the edge of pleasure and pain.

“Better keep quiet, wouldn’t want my daughter to hear you getting your pretty little cunt stuffed full of my cock,” Keishin snarls into your ear and you feel yourself clench painfully around him. Your body is just so worn out, but you know he won’t stop until he’s satisfied. “Or do you want her to know what a slut you are for her father?”

You shake your head vehemently, but the man inside you just chuckles as he keeps fucking you.

“Oh my god, oh fuck I-I…” You’re babbling nonsense to no one in particular.

“Ahh it was just-fuck, it was just some dude trying to sell me security cameras. Anyways, I’ll see you later honey, I love you.” His last few sentences sound rushed, urgent and you can tell from the twitching of his length that he’s close. The moment the phone is hung up, Keishin cages you between his body and the mattress. “Your cunt feels so fucking good, I’m gonna fill you up with my cum. Would you like that?”

You try to nod and make a noise akin to ‘mhm,’ but you’re not sure what it sounds like. You’re not really sure of anything right now, but what you are sure of is you want him to cum inside you.

“I could never deny you anything, sweet girl,” he groans.

Keishin fucks into you harder, faster, and it feels as if he’s quite literally rearranging your guts, he’s so deep inside you. He reaches down between your legs and pinches your sensitive bud between his fingers. “Think you have one more in you, hm?” he asks, but he doesn’t wait for your answer. Of course you do.” He rubs your sore clit the way he knows will have you shaking and coming apart around him.

“Fuck Daddy, fuck I’m cumming!” you squeal, writhing and squirming from the painful, aching tightness of your orgasm as it builds once more. 

“Ergh, fuck yeah, cum on Daddy’s cock as he fills you up. You’re such a good fucking girl for me, I love this sweet pussy.”

You shriek as you cum, your climax so strong that your vision blurs at the edges and you convulse, sore muscles twitching with overuse. 

“Daddy’s gonna breed his sweet little girl, fuck, feels so fucking good!” Keishin groans, burying himself as deeply as he can inside you and shooting his cum into your quivering hole. You sigh in relief at the feeling of his warm cum flooding your womb, thankful he finally came because you couldn’t have lasted much longer in your state.

He flops next to you on the bed, sweaty and exhausted from your hours-long fuck marathon. Throwing an arm over your waist, he pulls you to his chest and buries his nose in your neck. 

Hitomi’s not supposed to come back for several hours, so you both deem it safe to fall asleep as you are. Just when you’re about to drift off, your phone buzzes from the bedside table.

You reach for your phone, expecting it to be some spam email.

Your heart stops, the whole world seems to freeze when you open the text message.

From: Tomie <3

So when were you going to tell me you’re fucking my dad?