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meander1995 · 1 year ago

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A moment of reflection

It has been a long time since I paid any mind to this account. I am here to make a gigantic life announcement.

On July 11th, 2023, my life changed forever when I asked my sister if I could put on her black dress (in the photos below). In that exact moment, I felt a cold rush of euphoric bliss as the dress fit me--something unlike anything I felt before. On a whim, I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror with my phone and took the first photo below--I saw her. I knew from the cold chills right then and there that my egg had cracked and that I am a trans woman.

From there, my ADHD hyperfixations had spent most of the time since in an intense focus on getting to the bottom of things. And once it was certain (self-doubt be damned), focused on getting my ducks in a row to transition socially and physically. I came out to my family less than a week after I realized myself--I simply went to sleep in a dress and didn't give a fuck who saw me. I figured that if I was half-asleep, I would have time to make myself spill the beans before processing enough to put myself in a panic. Not that I had cause to panic much since I am grateful that my family is either supportive (my mom; one of my younger brothers) or part of the LGBT+ community (my other younger brother and my two younger sisters) themselves. As such, all of them supported me the instant I came out and picked my name of "Adrienne." Hell, my sisters even got me dresses and taught me how to do makeup for my 28th birthday on July the 19th--and later took me thrift-shopping for even more dresses (my favorite photos of which are included)

Even though I never felt any signs of being trans before 7/11/2023, in hindsight, there may have been quite a few signs in my memories. Such as when I was in kindergarden, I recall saying to someone that "if I was a girl, I'd look forward to being pregnant," something which I said ignorant of how hard pregnancy is on a human body--but perhaps is something that should've been a sign. Or all the times I felt as though I related to women more than men in a social sense--loathing toxic masculinity was normal for me, but even the non-toxic parts of it felt like I was just coasting. Or the times in Uni where my social anxiety (likely a product of my autism) plus my brain fog (which I now know was likely the product of then-undetected gender dysphoria) led me to believe that I was so bad at befriending women that I was a serial harasser--something I blamed myself in a now-misdirected sense of self-loathing that I thought only plunging into my academics (at the expense of a social life) would cure. Or my general sense of depression over much of my post-Uni life that I had no idea of the cause--until my egg cracked and I saw the problem right in the eyes.

Not going to lie, seeing posts on Reddit, Discord, and Mastodon from other transfemmes (especially those with Autism and ADHD--like myself) with similar life experiences to me and befriending them ended up assuring me that I was never broken. Just misdirected the entire time. And little things like dresses, makeup, shaving my legs, stuffing a sports-bra to give myself the convincing illusion of breasts, and feeling as though I am swimming in my pool for the first time in my own body since pre-puberty. Every day since my egg cracked, my resolve that I am a trans woman has only grown more-and-more.

In the afternoon on my 28th birthday (7/19/2023), I took my phone with me to walk to the woods outside the front yard of the lake house I was spending the week with my family on vacation. I was determined to make the call to my local Planned Parenthood to schedule an HRT consultation under informed consent. While I was successful, I was taken a bit aback by the fact that the waitlist for it is so backed up that the soonest I could be scheduled was October 2nd. After I successfully scheduled myself, my immediate thought was "I don't want to have to wait that long." And so later that week (upon returning to my hometown), I was directed by someone on Mastodon to a DIY HRT directory of international pharmacies that I can order HRT from. I chose to order 2mg Estradiol and 100mg Spiro from Thailand and--last I checked--the shipment is on the plane now and will arrive anywhere between 8/15/2023 and 9/5/2023. It is a 3 month supply of HRT--long enough to last until the consultation gives me officially regulated hormones yet short enough that I won't suffer health problems from being unable to check my bloodwork.

Even though I am resolute that transitioning is the only correct choice for me, I will not lie that I have some anxieties about this still. Not with the transition itself, but some things that accompany this. Since I couldn't immediately afford to bank sperm, a major source of anxiety is and was having to make the choice between fulfilling myself or having bio kids. As is, my options for children are hoping I get supremely lucky with some still-active swimmers, hope I can go off hormones and bank sperm at a time where I have a stable income (I'm also using a job coach system to place me into a job now--and the system knows of and is supportive of my transition), adopt children, or end up step-parenting a child of a future date. I don't see adopting or step-parenting a child as meaning that that child is less 'mine' than a biological kid, but I do think having a bio kid would be nice when the time is right to raise them (probably a decade down the road). I hope that future generations of trans people do not have to make this choice. And that isn't even considering that the idea of bottom surgery has crossed my mind a few times--I don't dislike my natal genitals, but think it'd be cooler and more gender-affirming with a vagina (that's just me personally---you are valid if you don't agree with me); it's a thought I'll put a pin in for now and see how I feel down the road.

The other annoyance is my mom. Yes, she is supportive of my choice to go on hormones (I haven't told her the DIY HRT route as she is a stickler for offical pharmacutical medications and I don't want to worry her unless the signs of feminization become too noticeable to hide). However, she is just as surprised about this as I am. She thinks I am going too fast--aka, she hasn't been aware that transition can come from euphoria instead of dysphoric suffering. I'm glad I didn't have to suffer in order to realize my identity and hope it becomes more accepted that that is a valid path to realizing yourself. But mom is slow to adapting her terms. She thinks "Andi" (just one letter off from my deadname) is a sufficient nickname for "Adrienne" instead of "Adri" or even "Addie." And she's also referred to me as "he" or "son" when I am neither. I've gently starting nudging her as of today, but something tells me it will take a little bit to get her to adjust.

Overall, I am excited to begin my body transitioning into a female form. I've made peace that I probably was a woman the whole time. My brain fog may have been caused by years under the wrong hormones (testosterone instead of estrogen). I want my body to run on the correct fuel. Give me no brain fog, give me soft skin, give me reduced body hair, give me greater emotional range, give me girlsmell, give me boobs. And at this point, I love being trans. Because in a way, all the questioning that got me here made me more sure of who I am---almost as though the end-result is an hard-earned victory that I am eager to claim the spoils to.

As for fighting the political battle against transphobia, I'm all for it as a liberal and as a human being who is appalled with what is going on. However, I am focusing all my energy on transitioning at the moment. When I have energy to spare, I will fight the good fight. But I have to live life a little bit as me first.

EDIT: One thing I forgot to mention in the large body is that paying for the DIY HRT put me back on my insurance payments and that I will need mutual aid in order to pay my insurance so that I can afford the officially prescribed HRT after the Planned Parenthood consultation. Below are links to my PayPal and Venmo accounts. If anyone would like to donate, it would be VERY much appreciated. But only donate if you can do so without putting yourselves in financial jeopardy.

Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/adrienne-harper-115

PayPal: https://paypal.me/AdrienneHarper7

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leonsliga · 2 years ago

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hi! if you were to say which english football player are lgbt who would you say? this is coming from a bi girl so no hate just wondering!! my money's on mason mount, reece james (maybe WITH mason mount) and jack grealish

Hi anon! Thanks sm for asking me 💗 hmm…this is a tough one, as I haven’t really subjected the English footballers to my gaydar all that much (which is kinda surprising, given how much time I devote to finding the fruity in footy), but I like a challenge! I definitely agree with you about Mason Mount and Jack Grealish (Jack oozes bi energy imo, so I don’t think he was ever in doubt 🤷‍♀️). I’ll be honest: I’d never thought about Mason Mount and Reece James together (usually when I think of Mason Mount with anyone, my first thought is Declan Rice 😂), but after consulting the evidence, they really kind of work? I’m picking up a ✨vibe✨. I like the way you think! As for the other English players, Jude Bellingham might actually be the least straight Englishman of the bunch imo. At the very least, he came down with a serious case of gay panic at the 2022 World Cup. I present to you exhibit A, which you may or may not have already seen:

I’ve always kinda thought Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard had something going on as well, something beyond just friendship. They banter and bicker like an old married couple and I love it 😂 idk, there’s a little spark. I see it in the way they look at each other (especially Jesse, who always looks at Marcus like he makes the world turn). I see it in the way that whenever they’ve played on the same team, Jesse would always be the first to step in and defend Marcus and Marcus would do the same for him.

Here’s some of my favorite moments of them:

Oh, the sweet relief of being in Rashy’s arms

Just two bros resting against each other or whatever

Because there’s no injury a little head pat/head rub combo from Beans won’t solve

The best way to tell if two people are in love? It’s all in the eyes 😍

“Maybe if I share my earbud with him, I’ll have a subtle excuse to touch him in front of millions of people.”

“No babe, they’re not worth it!” *grabs titty*

And obviously I’d be remiss if I didn’t include two crucial pieces of Jarcus heritage…I’m sure you guessed it: the classic “Ney, sunny innit?”, and its equally chaotic sequel, “Ney, freezin’ innit?”. I mean, what kind of person would forget about a saga like that?

I guess this kinda devolved into a Jarcus tangent, anon…oops 🤣 long story short, I’m sure there’s some English footballers I’m missing, so if there’s anyone you feel should have made this list, let me know (that goes for any of you reading this too ��)! And you don’t have to agree with me either, these are just my thoughts on the matter :)

#anon 💖#football asks #jack grealish #mason mount #declan rice #reece james #jude bellingham #marcus rashford #jesse lingard #jarcus

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nehswritesstuffs · 2 years ago

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Baratie: Home to Chefs, Strays, and the Occasional Sword Goblin - Part 2

We’re back!

First chapter on [tumblr] - [FFN] - [AO3]

It’s a new day, and how is Sanji going to explain this kid to the rest of the Baratie? Let alone the geezer? How is he going to handle... childcare...? [3884 words]

Waking earlier than normal, Sanji realized that it wasn’t the threat of an earthquake that was shaking him awake as in his dream, but Asido jumping up and down on the empty side of the bed. The boy bounced about, wide a-fucking-wake, making Sanji feel exhausted already.

“Don’t do that,” he warned halfheartedly. Asido threw his legs in front of him and landed on his rear, bouncing himself still. “Sleep good?”

“Kinda,” the boy replied. “Are you gonna bring me back to Mom today?”

“I doubt it, but I am going to see what the hell it is I’m dealing with,” Sanji said. “Let’s get you into clean clothes, alright? Time to meet the geezer.”

“The who…?”

“Trust me: I want this as much as you do.” Sanji cringed inwardly at the idea of leaving his newfound nephew in the care of Zeff of all people, but he also figured that there wasn’t much he could do with such a small child… and, well, the asshole raised him, didn’t he? Though to be fair, he had been older than Asido back then… “Hey, kid, how old are you again?”

“Four and a half!” the boy proudly proclaimed. “Mom says I’m more like I’m six because I’m so big and smart, but Miss Cosette thinks something else, even if she never says it.”

That caught his attention. “Miss Cosette…?”

“Yeah! I used to stay with her when Mom was at work,” Asido said. He allowed himself to get dragged to the bathroom and washed, after which he was allowed to fish fresh clothes from his bag. “Mom said that Miss Cosette needed to get back to her other job, which was why we were going on our trip. What did Miss Cosette do?”

“She’s a cook,” Sanji nodded idly. “She’s so skilled and talented that I’d trust her with this restaurant if I had to, and she doesn’t even have fancy training.”

“Well yeah… all her food is yummy.”

“It really is—just a few lessons in haute cuisine or some time abroad and she could even be amazing… and I don’t throw that sort of compliment around all the time.”

“’Cause you’re a cook too!”

“That I am.” Once Asido was fully clothed and looking presentable, he brought the boy out into the corridor and knocked on Zeff’s door. “Oi, we have a visitor.”

“At this fucking hour?!” Yeah, it was a good thing they had a floor to themselves. Zeff threw open the door, all scowls and a thousand different threats ready on his tongue. Instead he looked down, saw Asido, and blanched.

“Eggplant…? What did you do…?”

“Blame. My. Sister.”

“That lass has plenty of explaining to do normally,” Zeff grumbled. He noticed that Asido was staring at his peg leg and chuckled lowly. “What’s your name, little azuki?”

“Not azuki, it’s Asido!” the boy insisted.

“It’s a bean—get used to it, ‘cause he won’t let it go.”

“How do you know?”

“Hasn’t dropped my plant-based nickname yet.” Sanji pushed Asido in past the door and shut it behind them, making sure no one coming up the stairs would see or bother them.

“Why?”

“He’s my dad—it’s what dads do.”

“It is…?”

“It’s what you aim for, anyhow.”

“So…” Asido looked at Zeff. “You’re my grandpa…?”

“No.” Sanji was getting exasperated at this point. “He’s my dad, not your mom’s dad. It’s… complicated.” He then pointed over towards the window, where the sun was beginning to rise. “Hey, why don’t you watch out for ships? This room’s always been good for that.”

“Uh… okay…” The boy dragged a chair over towards the window and stood on it, pressing his nose into the glass. Zeff gave Sanji a critical look and stepped to the side.

“What the fuck is going on?!” he growled, his ire punctuated by a coughing fit.

“Listen: I wasn’t consulted, or warned, or nothing. Here.” Sanji took the letter out of his pocket and let Zeff read it. “Now you know about as much as I do, which is frankly not very much at all.”

“Here—now we can be on the same page.” Zeff grabbed a newspaper from underneath a stack and shoved it out towards Sanji. “I don’t care if it is about some wastes of cum… just read it already.” Sanji looked down at the paper and Zeff tapped on it.

WEDDING OF THE CENTURY – GERMA PRINCESS TO WED NOTICE MERCHANT HEIR IN SUMMER CEREMONY

Ah—it was worse than he feared. Reiju was not just forced into a marriage for Judge’s power grabs, but a money grab as well. Whatever, whomever, the poor idiot was, there was no way he was prepared for the sort of shit their family was going to put them through. Sanji skimmed the article and frowned.

“Reiju’s just the first,” he noted. “Ichiji in the fall, then Niji next spring, and Yonji next winter. He’s pairing them all off.”

“Thought he realized how big of a mistake it was when the bastard tried doing that with you.”

“Tch… don’t remind me.” Sanji dropped the paper on the sidetable and exhaled heavily. “The kid’s not even five yet. I don’t know what my sister’s been doing, or who she’s doing things with, but she helped me get out of there, and now she needs the same thing for her son. I need you to watch him while I get our meals together, but I’ll make sure to find a sitter so you’re not ruining Chopper’s timetable.”

“Wouldn’t want to make the reindeer upset, would we?”

“No, we don’t.” He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll… be back, alright? We can talk about this some more.”

Zeff grunted and allowed Sanji to leave, with the latter returning with their food in almost record time. Sanji found that Zeff had Asido sitting at the table with him, watching the boy stumble over reading the comics section out loud.

“Put that away for now—it’s time for breakfast,” he said. Asido looked up from the paper, his eyes wide.

“Uncle Sanji, I’m reading about a superhero! He’s from the North! Like us!”

“Oh yeah?” He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the newspaper—of fucking course Zeff would have him reading that shit. “Sora, eh? That’s been running since I was little. Used to be you could find a Northern kid by just shouting his motto into a crowded street, but it’s so popular that now everyone can read it.”

“That’s pretty cool,” Asido grinned as some fruit-laden oatmeal was placed in front of him. “I wonder if I can read it from the beginning…”

“I’m sure we can find the compilations,” Zeff chuckled. He threw Sanji and shit-eating grin as he ruffled the boy’s hair. Not even twenty minutes and the old man was already sabotaging the entire thing. “So, the azuki and I agree that the first thing we need to figure out is what we’re doing with him today. Any thoughts, Uncle Eggplant?”

“Ha, ha—he’s staying with me,” Sanji replied. “I already have Patty and Carne on their maintenance split-shift in the main kitchens, so I can just use the day to get to know my nephew a little better. There’s a lot that letters can’t tell you about a person.”

“That’s true!” Asido piped up. “Maybe that’s why Mom wanted me to stay here, so I can know you better!”

“I’m sure that’s a big part of it,” Sanji said, forcing a chuckle. He and Zeff exchanged a quick look—getting answers from Reiju was going to need to become a priority. “I’ll show him around, and then keep him while doing paperwork, but I will need a little bit of time this afternoon to make a snail call.”

“Why?”

“I can’t stay with you all day, every day,” Sanji explained. “As much as I’m going to enjoy hanging out, the geezer can’t watch you when I’m working; I’m going to get you a babysitter.”

“Oh…” Asido shuffled his oatmeal with his spoon, pensive. “Like how Miss Cosette watcheded me for Mom?”

“A little different than that, but you’re correct—I already know exactly who to call for a recommendation.”

“Not the long-nose brat,” Zeff groaned.

“Do I have any other friends nearby with small children?”

“Last time those lads of his were over, I had to reupholster four booths in the dining room.”

“Part of the process is going to be asking if they’ve grown up at all these last couple years,” Sanji deadpanned. “Just let me do this, alright?”

“We’ve got plenty of comics to read in the meantime, eggplant,” Zeff said.

“Don’t you take that tone with me, old man,” Sanji barked. “Either magically find someone else who can recommend a sitter, or do it yourself and risk Chopper keeping you locked up here for another three months before physical therapy.” Zeff grunted and glared at his son, knowing he was right, though not wanting to give him the dignity of hearing it out loud.

“This is a large undertaking, brat,” Zeff warned. Sanji scoffed at that.

“I know, but this year is about what needs to get done, not what I’ve been chasing,” the younger man said. He waited until Asido was finished with his food before clearing their plates. “Come on, azuki—got to introduce you to the morons before it gets too busy. After that, I’ll show you around the place.” A sinking feeling plopped inside his guts. “How are you with directions?”

“Pretty good, I think,” the boy nods, dutifully following. “I don’t really get lost, but Mom and Miss Cosette were always there too.”

“Well, it’s pretty hard to get lost here once you know it for a bit, so don’t worry,” Sanji said. He led the boy out into the corridor and down the stairs. At least it didn’t sound like he was working with someone of the Mosshead’s caliber… but then again, the kid wasn’t even really old enough for school yet.

As expected, the very moment that Sanji walked back into the kitchens, all the attention was diverted to him and, subsequently, the child poking out from behind him. Daily prep froze immediately, all eyes filled with questions.

“Listen up, assholes!” Sanji scowled. “My nephew got dropped off last night while I was wrapping up with closing. He’s gonna be staying here for a while, so don’t freak out if you see him wandering around.”

“‘Nephew’, huh?” Patty smirked, raising an eyebrow. He stared at Asido, then glanced up at Sanji, and looked at the boy again, sizing up how much of this he believed. “We’re not as stupid as you think, kid.”

“He is my uncle!” Asido snapped, his brow furrowing in what was a frightening accidental imitation of his only relative on the ship. “He looks like Mom! But taller! And different hair! They have the same eyebrows! He’s not lying!”

“Hey, calm down,” Sanji said gently, placing his hand atop Asido’s head. The boy realized he was not behind his uncle and then retreated, glaring at Patty as he poked his head out cautiously. Sanji then shot Patty a pointed look of his own that tore through the other man before turning his attention back to the kitchen at large. “His name is Asido and he hasn’t been away from home before—be nice or I’ll feed you to the Sea Kings. That goes for all of you.”

A muttered chorus of “yes, chef” was heard, to the point Sanji figured it was going to do for the time being. He passed off his tray to the dishwasher and ushered Asido out into the dining room. Sunlight was fully illuminating the space now, making it feel leagues different than it did the night before.

“Don’t worry about them,” Sanji said. He brought Asido outside and took the opportunity to suck down his morning cigarette. “A lot of those morons have been here since I was a kid—they’re nothing special.”

“Are you sure? That one guy sure did look at me funny.”

“He looked at you funny because you look like me, but you and I both know that it’s because we look like your mom as well. They’d know better already if they’d seen her.”

“Then… why didn’t she stay?” Asido looked up at the ship’s height, eyes growing wide. “Whoa, wait, we were that high up?!”

“That we were,” Sanji chuckled, glad for the topic shift. He pointed at a balcony, where he could see Zeff settling in with his book. “See where the geezer is? All the way up there?”

“Wow! Grandpa Zeff looks really small!”

Sanji smirked at that and filed the name away for another time when the geezer was being particularly obstinate. “We’re going to make our way back there, alright? This ship will be your home as long as you’re with me, and I want you to feel comfortable wandering around in it. Now, how do you think we get back?”

The two then spent the next few hours wandering around the interior of the Baratie, with Asido learning the layout of the ship and Sanji coaxing him through their adventure. The blond described the different kind of ships and boats that were moored there, the sorts of customers that would come to eat there, how he and Zeff made it a wonderful place where people would come from miles around, just to have a meal. He put thoughts of caring and comfort into the boy’s head, because if Reiju could not, then who would? The boy was taking the entire situation in-stride, and his uncle was going to make sure that something good came of it.

Eventually, Sanji left Asido upstairs with Zeff and returned to the kitchens to get together a lunch for the three of them. When he arrived, he was met by Patty and Carne commiserating lowly in the corner, the pair looking at him suspiciously.

“What the fuck do you losers want?” he snapped while tying his hair back.

“Nothing—I was just telling Carne about your guest,” Patty shrugged. “Since when do you have a sister?”

“Since always, not that you two are allowed within five hundred kilometers of her,” Sanji deadpanned. He wondered why they hadn’t read it in the papers, why they hadn’t figured it out by that point, but then again… it would involve them reading and he wasn’t entirely certain either man could do that without it being related to a recipe. “She lives in the North Blue, and, wouldn’t you want a kid to not grow up in that frozen hellscape if there was a chance for otherwise?”

“It’s just… convenient, is all,” Carne shrugged. “He supposedly looks like you…?”

“Yeah, because my sister and I look a lot alike… you know… like siblings often do.” Sanji considered throwing both men overboard, but he really wasn’t feeling like adding a senior staff shortage to the list of things he wanted to deal with at that current moment. “I’d appreciate if you both took what I say as fact for once, because it’s looking very likely you’ll be watching him grow up as well.”

“You make it sound like your family sucks balls,” Carne noted.

“Why do you think growing up with you two as babysitters was preferable?” Sanji quipped. He had them there, and they didn’t even fight back after that—for all they hated about each other, there was a twisted version of respect that lingered in their fractious relationship. “It’s alright—I got a new family now, and the kid is going to be part of it.”

Patty and Carne both shrugged and went back to their discussion, this time it being about one of the newer hires. Sanji proceeded to put together some lunch and brought it up to Zeff’s room, the older man having announced with that shitty grin of his that he figured out a way to get all the collection books of Sora, Warrior of the Sea. Sanji didn’t have to ask to know that the geezer was doing it just to fuck with the Vinsmokes, not like he was really going to complain.

After lunch was done and cleaned up after, Sanji locked himself in his bedroom, knowing that one of the last things he wanted to do with an audience was contact one of his crewmates. They had dealt with enough of his fucked-up family issues, so why was he so nervous about this time? He stared at the transponder snail for a bit before sighing in resignation—if he didn’t do this before leaving the room, he never would, and he possibly wouldn’t get relief until Chopper came, which was a long time to be juggling more than he could properly take on. Dialing Usopp’s number, he waited for the other end to pick up as the snail buzzed. A tiny voice broke the wordless wait, brimming in overconfidence while still stumbling slightly over the words, the snail copying a bright expression.

“Sogeking Projectiles and Explosives—how may I direct your call?”

“Merry, darling, it’s Uncle Sanji—I need your dad.”

The small child gasped, presumably dropping the snail. “Dad! Dad! Dad! It’s Uncle Sanji!”

“Oh, shit!” Usopp fumbled to pick up the snail and the one on Sanji’s end grew exasperated. “Hey—I didn’t think you’d be calling so soon.”

“Let’s just cut to the chase: I’m in the middle of a jam and I need your help.”

“My help?” There was shuffling on the other end of the line and Usopp’s voice dropped—he was hiding. “What can you possibly do that would require my help?”

“It’s more of who you have who can help me.”

“Eh…?”

“I need to borrow one of your lads, maybe all three. Soon as you can. They can take turns.”

“Why do you need to borrow them?” Usopp wondered. “Do you need repairs done around the place Zeff doesn’t want Franky overembellishing? Some extra hands serving and dishwashing?”

“I need a babysitter.”

The transponder snail went quiet, peering suspiciously at Sanji. The blond’s eye twitched as he tried to keep it together.

“I know you have them watch your spawn—I need a babysitter.”

“Since when?”

“Will you stop looking like you’re the cat that caught the fattest fucking canary and just send them over? I’ll let them stay for free, I’m that desperate.”

Usopp whistled. “That is a tall order, but I’m afraid I can’t. Sorry. They’re prepping to head out on their own adventure soon. If you’re in that desperate of a need, I’ve got a houseguest who I think might do a great job.”

“At this point, I’m not in a position to be picky. I can’t take him for too long, and it’s safe to say that Zeff’s not supposed to have him, which leaves me in a tight spot.”

“What about the other chefs?”

“I barely trust them with allemand, let alone an actual child.”

“I did not understand that, but send me your coordinates, give me three to five business days, and you’ll have yourself a temporary live-in babysitter that’s great with kids until you can find a permanent solution.”

“You sure you’re not just dumping an unwanted houseguest on me? I’m not getting a weirdo, am I?”

“No.” Oh, there was a laugh in there.

“…it’s not your father, is it?”

“No, no, just trust me, alright? And if you don’t trust me, trust Kaya.”

“Can I get that in writing?”

“Asshole.”

“Alright, fine, I’ll give this rec of yours a chance, but it’s on you if this doesn’t go well.”

“I, Usopp, World’s Greatest Sniper and Chillest Bestie, solemnly swear it’s no one I wouldn’t leave my own kids with, and that’s a fact.”

Sanji sighed dramatically. “Alright, fine, I’ll give you our coordinates, and you’re getting a new Vivre Card when you do show up, so that we don’t have this issue anymore. You’re worse than Luffy.”

“Tell the literal toddlers wandering around to stop stealing and eating my shit and we’ll have a deal.” The two exchanged location information and confirmed that it looked like Usopp could be there late the following afternoon if the winds stayed favorable. “Oh, and Sanji…?”

“Yeah…?”

“This, uh, kid… where’d it come from?”

“It’s, uh, probably too long a story for the snails to handle.” Yeah, it was a private snail network, but there was a decent chance that their communications were constantly being tapped. A location, he’d give up, but that just meant that he’d be ready for trouble on the receiving deck, not sending trouble to where he couldn’t fight. “We’d be here for a while.”

“Fine—I’ll hear the story when I get there—fucking asshole. To think I’m giving you a babysitter.”

“Yeah, yeah; see you soon, Usopp.”

“See you then, Sanji.”

The transponder snail fell asleep and Sanji knew that the call had ended. He leaned back in his desk chair and silently stared out the window.

Late tomorrow.

It still did nothing in regards to the mystery of where in the hell Asido came from, let alone what he was going to do with him. The kid was much too young to be in the kitchen—shit. What sort of schooling did he have up until now? Was struggling over reading Sora, Warrior of the Sea right where he should have been, or was he ahead? Or behind? Fuck… way to make it complicated, sis.

After checking to make sure that there was a News Coo resting on the eaves, Sanji went into his desk and pulled some paper and a pen out—at least he wasn’t going to take this laying down.

‘Reiju,

‘I got your package. It’s a shame that you couldn’t hand it to me yourself, but I understand the sort of time crunch you’re in. Guessing by what the gossip columns are saying, you’re extremely busy and Father would notice if you were gone long enough to visit properly. If you can, then you should. Visit properly. Call me sentimental, but I’d like that. I’ll make some manju with all these azuki beans you gave me—the geezer probably won’t stop laughing. He hasn’t yet.

‘Not that I don’t appreciate you thinking of me, but it was very out of the blue to get the azuki. When you visit, you’ll have to explain your reasoning behind it, how you came across them. Funny as this might sound, I don’t get to see them every day. One would think how I am, I’ve procured plenty… but you’d be surprised. You gave them to me, however, and I’ll use the experience wisely.

‘I hope to hear from you soon.

‘Sanji

‘Oh, and congrats, I guess. Hope he knows what a prize he’s got. The only one of my siblings that’s not a complete psychopath? He lucked out.’

Carefully, Sanji stuffed the letter in an envelope and addressed it to his sister. He tapped on the window and the News Coo hopped over, squawking as he slid it open. It took the letter and payment before flapping off, presumably to wherever his sister was being detained.

At any rate, at least she would know that her son was safe.

#Sanji #One Piece Sanji #Aka Ashi no Zeff #Red Leg Zeff #Blackleg Sanji #Kuroashi Sanji #Usopp #One Piece #fan fiction #this is just Sanji having a very not good day at first so bear with me please #I also know I promised Whouffaldi in the tags of my last posting but you also need to understand that it didn't want to happen #sometimes shit don't want to be written that's why you got a bazillion other projects going at once #Asido (OC)

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thediabeteskitchen · 5 months ago

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Know why Healthy diabetic diet meals are important

Eating the Healthy diabetic diet meals in moderation and adhering to everyday mealtimes are the essential components of a diabetes weight-reduction plan. It's a nutrient-dense, low-fat, low-calorie, and certainly nutritious food regimen. Whole grains, result, and veggies are vital additives. For most human beings, this form of food regimen is, without a doubt, the correct one to comply with.

Why is growing a diet plan important?

Your physician will likely endorse you to consult a nutritionist to help you create a healthy eating plan when you have diabetes or prediabetes. The strategy assists you in coping with your weight, blood glucose, blood sugar, and coronary heart disorder danger factors. Among these are accelerated blood strain and blood fat levels.

Increased intake of calories and carbs increases blood sugar degrees. If blood sugar isn't controlled, principal issues may also arise. Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, is this sort of trouble. Extended publicity to this expanded stage can bring about persistent issues such as kidney, coronary heart, and nerve damage.

What is the composition of a diabetic weight-reduction plan?

Eating healthy food at regular durations is the inspiration of a diabetes weight loss plan. Regular meal timing aids the body's efficient use of insulin, which is produced by using the frame or acquired through medication.

A qualified dietician will assist you in designing a weight loss plan that suits your tastes, way of life, and fitness desires. You also can speak to the dietitian about the way to trade the way you eat. Choosing component quantities according to your length and level of hobby is one way.

Recommended foods

Count the energy you consume with the aid of consuming nicely balanced meals. Choose seafood, foods excessive in fibre, nutrient-dense carbohydrates, and "desirable" fats.

Fruits.

Veggies.

Complete grains.

Legumes, such as peas and beans.

Dairy products with low-fat content, like cheese and milk.

Steer clear of less nutritious carbs, like the ones discovered in meals or beverages that have extra sodium, sugar, or fat.

Meals high in fibre

All plant food additives that your frame is not able to digest or soak up are considered dietary fibre. Fibre allows alter blood sugar degrees and moderates the manner your body breaks down meals. High-fiber meals encompass:

Veggies.

Fruits.

Crazy.

Legumes, such as peas and beans.

Complete grains.

Seafood that is right for the heart

Good fats

Foods containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can assist in lowering your cholesterol levels. These include:

Avocados.

Nuts.

Canola, olive and peanut oils.

Putting all of it together: Creating a plan.

You may additionally use some exclusive procedures to create a wholesome eating regimen to help you maintain your blood sugar stage inside an ordinary variety. With a dietitian's assistance, you can locate that one or a mixture of the subsequent strategies works for you:

The plate method

The American Diabetes Association offers an easy method of meal-making plans. It makes a speciality of consuming more veggies. Follow these steps whilst making your Healthy diabetic diet meals plate:

Fill 1/2 of your plate with nonstarchy greens, inclusive of spinach, carrots and tomatoes.

Fill 1 / 4 of your plate with a lean protein, together with tuna, lean pork or hen.

Fill the last sector with a carbohydrate, which includes brown rice or a starchy vegetable, consisting of inexperienced peas.

Include "excellent" fats such as nuts or avocados in small quantities.

Add a serving of fruit or unsweetened tea or coffee or dairy and a drink of water.

#Healthy diabetic diet meals #The Diabetes Kitchen

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doggiefooditems123 · 11 months ago

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Dogs and Cold Food from the Fridge What's Safe and Healthy

When it comes to offering cold food from the fridge to your dog, can dog eat cold food from fridge - it's essential to consider safety and nutritional aspects. Most dogs can safely consume certain cold foods, but it's crucial to know which ones are safe and healthy for your furry friend.

Meats: Cold, cooked meats like chicken, beef, or turkey from the fridge can be a good occasional treat for dogs. Ensure the meat is plain, without any seasoning, sauces, or excessive fats. These proteins offer valuable nutrients like amino acids crucial for your dog's muscle health.

Vegetables: Many vegetables from the fridge are safe for dogs when served cold. Carrots, green beans, broccoli, and cucumber slices can make healthy, crunchy snacks. Avoid onion and garlic as these can be toxic to dogs.

Fruits: Some fruits stored in the fridge are safe for dogs in moderation. Apples (without seeds), blueberries, and watermelon (without seeds and rind) are excellent choices. However, be cautious with grapes and raisins, which are toxic to dogs.

Dairy Products: Some dogs are lactose intolerant, so dairy products like cheese or yogurt from the fridge might cause digestive issues. However, lactose-free options might be safer for those dogs that can tolerate dairy.

Leftovers: Leftover foods from your fridge can be offered to dogs if they don't contain harmful ingredients like onions, garlic, excessive salt, or spices. Plain rice or pasta without seasoning might be acceptable in small quantities.

While these foods might be safe and healthy in moderation, it's important to note that a dog's primary diet should consist of specially formulated dog food. Human food, even from the fridge, should only supplement their diet and not replace it entirely.

Safety Tips:

Check for Spoilage: Ensure the food hasn't spoiled. Moldy or rancid food can upset your dog's stomach or even cause food poisoning.

Avoid Harmful Ingredients: Some human foods, like chocolate, avocado, grapes, onions, garlic, and artificial sweeteners (xylitol), are toxic to dogs and should never be offered, whether cold or not.

Portion Control: Moderation is key. Even safe foods can cause stomach upset if consumed excessively. Keep portions small to prevent digestive issues.

Introduce New Foods Gradually: If you're introducing a new food or treat, start with a small amount to ensure your dog doesn't have an adverse reaction.

Consult a Vet: Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog's diet, especially if your dog has any health conditions or dietary restrictions.

Remember, every dog is different. Some might have food allergies or sensitivities, so it's crucial to observe your pet's reactions when offering new foods, even if they're from the fridge. When in doubt, it's best to stick to specially formulated dog food to ensure they receive the essential nutrients they need for a healthy life.

#Pets #Animals #Dogs #Dog food

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kumarbusniess · 11 months ago

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Elevate Your Wellness Routine with Potent CBD Gel

In the ever-evolving world of CBD, there's a new player in town – CBD Gel Concentrate. This unique blend of convenience and potency is changing the game, offering Americans a versatile way to make CBD a part of their daily lives.

Getting to Know CBD Gel Concentrate:

CBD Gel Concentrate is not your average CBD product. It's designed to provide a concentrated dose of CBD in a user-friendly gel form. Packed with high-potency CBD extract, this product is gaining popularity for its easy application, quick absorption, and ability to target specific areas of the body.

Why Choose CBD Gel Concentrate?

Powerful Punch: Looking for a stronger CBD experience? CBD Gel Concentrate has you covered. Its concentrated formula ensures you get a robust dose of CBD for maximum impact.

Spot-on Relief: The gel format makes CBD Gel Concentrate perfect for targeted relief. Apply it directly to the skin for localized comfort – ideal for those sore muscles or a skincare boost.

Quick Results: Need relief fast? CBD Gel Concentrate is known for its speedy absorption. The gel quickly soaks into the skin, allowing CBD to work its magic faster than other methods.

Easy and On-the-Go: Busy lifestyle? CBD Gel Concentrate is your companion. With its gel format and travel-friendly packaging, it's a breeze to use wherever and whenever you need it.

How to Make the Most of CBD Gel Concentrate:

Using CBD Gel Concentrate is a breeze. Apply a small amount to the skin, gently massage it in, and let it work its magic. Adjust the frequency based on your needs and preferences.

Choosing the Right CBD Gel Concentrate:

Quality matters. When picking your CBD Gel Concentrate, go for reputable brands that spill the beans on their sourcing and testing. A good CBD Gel Concentrate is free from nasties, ensuring you get pure and effective CBD goodness.

In a Nutshell:

CBD Gel Concentrate is your go-to if you want a potent and convenient way to enjoy CBD. Its high potency, targeted application, and quick absorption are winning hearts, providing a versatile option for incorporating CBD into your wellness routine. Always go for quality, and if in doubt, consult with a healthcare professional. Embrace the CBD Gel Concentrate experience and unlock the full potential of this innovative CBD solution tailor-made for you.

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pets-guide0104 · 1 year ago

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Homemade Food for Nursing Dogs: Nutritious Recipes

Introduction: Why Homemade Food Matters

The health of your nursing dog should never be compromised, and what better way to ensure top-notch nutrition than with Homemade Food for Nursing Dogs? With store-bought dog food often containing fillers and additives, making food at home for your nursing pooch gives you complete control over what she consumes. Read on for a comprehensive guide on the best ingredients, recipes, and tips to keep your nursing dog healthy.

Benefits of Homemade Food for Nursing Dogs

Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Creating meals from scratch allows you to incorporate a range of fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients. This goes a long way in meeting the special dietary needs of nursing dogs.

No Artificial Additives: Store-bought dog food often contains artificial preservatives. With homemade food, you avoid these potentially harmful additives altogether.

Essential Nutrients for Nursing Dogs

Protein: Protein is critical for the proper development of puppies. Chicken, turkey, and lean beef are excellent sources.

Fats: Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids help in the development of the puppies’ nervous system. Fish, flaxseed, and chicken fat can provide these essentials.

Vitamins & Minerals: Calcium and phosphorous are important for strong bones and teeth. Leafy greens, dairy, and fish are fantastic sources.

Top 3 Homemade Food Recipes for Nursing Dogs

1. Chicken and Rice Delight

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked chicken (shredded)

1 cup cooked rice

1/4 cup carrots (chopped)

1/4 cup peas

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together.

Serve at room temperature.

2. Beef and Vegetable Mix

Ingredients:

1 cup lean ground beef

1/2 cup sweet potatoes

1/4 cup green beans

1/4 cup carrots

Instructions:

Cook beef thoroughly.

Steam vegetables until soft.

Mix and serve.

3. Fish Fiesta

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked fish (deboned)

1/2 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 cup zucchini

1/4 cup squash

Instructions:

Combine fish and quinoa.

Add steamed vegetables.

Serve when cool.

Feeding Tips

Consistency: Stick to a consistent feeding schedule. Nursing dogs need to eat more frequently.

Portion Control: Too much of a good thing can backfire. Consult your vet for portion recommendations.

Hydration: Always keep fresh water available for your dog. Proper hydration aids in milk production.

Consult Your Veterinarian

Before starting any homemade food regime, always consult your veterinarian for advice tailored to your dog’s needs. This ensures that your dog gets a balanced diet, meeting all nutritional requirements.

Additional Tips for Making Homemade Food

Storage Solutions: Keeping It Fresh

Making Homemade Food for Nursing Dogs in large batches can save you time, but storing it properly is crucial for maintaining its nutritional value. Consider investing in airtight containers for refrigeration or even using vacuum-sealed bags for longer freezer storage. Remember, freshness is key!

Nutritional Supplements: The Cherry on Top

Even though Homemade Food for Nursing Dogs is a fantastic way to control the nutrients your nursing dog gets, sometimes, it might lack certain micronutrients. Discuss with your vet about incorporating appropriate supplements like fish oil capsules for Omega-3 fatty acids or a multivitamin mix specifically designed for nursing dogs.

Avoiding Allergens: Safety First

Food allergies can affect dogs just like humans. Watch out for signs of allergies such as skin irritation or digestive issues. Among the frequent offenders are dairy, beef, and poultry. If in doubt, have an allergy test conducted by your veterinarian.

#pets #animals #baby animals #cats #dogs #petblr

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acemedicare · 1 year ago

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Top 6 Ways to Boost Fertility Naturally

Getting pregnant is one of the happiest feelings for any couple in the world. While every couple waits for the good news, not all are lucky. Fertility problems are becoming common these days. The total fertility rate in India has fallen to a mere 2.0 in 2023 from 3.96 in 1991. (https://factly.in/data-indias-population-growth-rate-tfr-both-below-global-average-now/#:~:text=The%20total%20fertility%20rate%20(births,1.19%20during%20the%20same%20period.) It is consistently declining.

But what causes infertility? Well, the causes are many. The prevalent ones include hormonal imbalances, tumors, infection, sexual dysfunction, and more. To overcome these problems, more and more couples opt for infertility treatment. No doubt, these treatments can help in addressing the issues effectively and enable you to get pregnant. However, besides getting medical treatments, lifestyle changes and a healthy diet can also improve fertility.

In this blog, you will know the best ways to increase fertility naturally. Let’s discover!

Consume Anti-Oxidant Rich Foods

Anti-oxidants like zinc and folate can improve the fertility of both women and men. They play a crucial role in deactivating or reducing the number of free radicals that cause damage to the sperm and egg cells. So, try adding foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts to your diet. As these foods are rich in antioxidants like vitamins E and C, lutein, and folate, they can benefit you a lot.

2. Be Careful About Your Carb Consumption

When it comes to carb intake, you need to pay attention to the type and amount of carbs you consume every day. Especially if you have a PCOS problem, it is best to keep your carb intake low. With low-carb diets, reducing insulin levels, maintaining a healthy weight, and ensuring menstrual regularity becomes easy.

3. Eat More Fiber

Fiber works magic when it comes to balancing your blood sugar and getting rid of excess hormones. It can also help in improving fertility. Some foods that are high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. However, make sure to consult a doctor and consume the recommended amount only.

4. Stay Active

Being overweight or obese can affect the chances of conceiving. Engaging in moderate exercises and remaining active is not only beneficial for increasing pregnancy chances but can positively impact your overall health. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and make sure to do some physical activities regularly.

5. Avoid Trans Fats

Trans fats can increase the risk of ovulatory infertility. Therefore, it is wise to swap trans fats with healthy fats. The latter is good for overall health and improves fertility. Trans fats are usually present in processed products, margarine, baked goods, and fried foods.

6. Limit Toxins and Chemicals

Toxins and chemicals are damaging as they put extra pressure on the organs. So, try to limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. Moreover, opting for organic produce can also help in improving your fertility.

Conclusion

Before you opt for infertility treatment, try out these natural ways. In case you are looking for reliable infertility treatments, Ace Medicare can be the one-stop destination for you. Get quality guidance from the experts at every step and obtain high-quality treatments at the best prices.

Source: https://acemedicare.in/blog-detail/%2091/

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nikitas78ms · 1 year ago

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Nourishment for cancer treatment

We as a whole realize that what we eat influences how we feel, and a solid eating regimen is vital to calculate forestalling numerous infections. Here are a few understandings into the job of food in cancer counteraction and treatment, and what food varieties would be smart to stay away from.

Nourishment for disease avoidance.

While nobody’s food or food part alone can forestall cancer, research proposes that an eating regimen wealthy in vegetables, natural products, entire grains, beans and vegetables can help essentially bring down your gamble for various tumours. There are numerous food parts and synthetics tracked down in specific food varieties that guide in forestalling cancer. Phytochemicals that normally happen in plants are synthetic substances that lessen irritation (which might build the gamble for disease), upgrade the resistant framework, and have numerous other defensive properties against cancer. Cell reinforcements block synthetics, known as free revolutionaries that might harm cells and increment the risk of cancer. There are different cell reinforcements tracked down in specific food sources and refreshments. Instances of dietary cancer prevention agents incorporate lycopene, beta-carotene, and nutrients A, C, and E, which are tracked down in different leafy foods. Catechins, which are cell reinforcements tracked down in tea, have been displayed to diminish the risk of cancer possibly. A high-fibre diet has likewise been displayed to fundamentally diminish the hazard of colorectal cancer, especially because of fibre’s capacity to tie cancer-causing agents in the colon.

In many examinations, various nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals have been displayed to have hostile to disease impacts, however, proof proposes that a significant number of these mixtures cooperate in a general eating regimen in cancer control and offer security against specific cancers.

If consolidated in an even eating regimen, the 5 food varieties recorded beneath are at the first spot on the list for counteraction of different sorts of disease:

• Brussel fledglings, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables

• Dim green verdant vegetables including spinach

• Blueberries

• Dazzling orange-hued vegetables and organic products including yams, carrots, and chime peppers

• Garlic

In cancer consultation suggested some Food items to stay away from.

While eaten with some restraint, for all intents and purposes any food can be moderately protected, however, research recommends that a few food sources might build the gamble for specific diseases. Even though they may just objective a slight expansion in disease risk, supplanting these food sources in your eating regimen with better decisions may diminish your cancer risk, yet will likewise improve your general well-being. For instance, food sources that are handled contain practically no dietary benefit. When in doubt of thumb, it is useful for all individuals (regardless of cancer) to zero in on eating good food sources and staying away from handled food sources however much as could reasonably be expected.

Another model is sugar. Our bodies need sugar (glucose) to work. Glucose in the body gives us the energy to perform day-to-day assignments. Solid types of sugar incorporate natural products, a few vegetables, entire grain bread items, and low-fat dairy items. Having an abundance muscle to fat ratio puts individuals at a higher gamble of creating sicknesses like cancer, diabetes, coronary illness and heftiness.

How you set up your food may likewise add to your gambling factor. Many individuals don’t understand that overcooked meat and meat cooked on a barbecue might build your gamble of disease. Meat that is overcooked, particularly under high intensity and for extensive periods, can cause the arrival of cancer-causing agents known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic sweet-smelling hydrocarbons (PAHs). Meats cooked at temperatures above 300°F, and under direct intensity like on a barbecue, may build the convergence of these cancer-causing agents. Utilizing cooking strategies, for example, stewing, poaching and searing can enormously lessen how much these cancer-causing agents.

The main 5 food varieties that have been displayed to possibly increment disease risk according to a cancer therapy advisor, include:

• Great red meat

• Handled meats including pre-bundled franks, shop meats, bacon, frankfurter, and ham

• Liquor

• Broiled food sources, potato chips, and other high-fat food varieties

• Unnecessary measures of sugar

Food during a cancer conclusion.

Similarly, as there are food varieties that might assist with forestalling disease, there are food varieties (or homegrown supplements) that may help in letting aftereffects free from treatment. Any quiet considering a homegrown supplement are urged to check with their Oncologist before starting treatment if the natural cure obstructs their treatment prescriptions. In general, individuals should keep consuming an even sound eating routine, on the off chance that they can, in light of their growth site.

Naming explicit food varieties to eat during a cancer finding is a piece precarious. The area of cancer might cause trouble enduring specific food sources, and not every person encounters similar results from chemotherapy. It would be useful for patients to meet with a dietitian previously, during and, surprisingly, after treatment is finished to assist with guaranteeing the patient is addressing their requirements with a particular eating routine taken care of every person.

#cancer #cancer nutrition #healthy eating #nutrition #consultoncology

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mbaandbeyond66 · 2 years ago

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Business Schools in Boston

Let’s talk about the city, best known for its famous baked beans, Fenway Park, The Boston Marathon, and the global center for higher education. Still, if you dig a little deeper, then you'll be surprised by the wealth of things that make Boston offer which is why it is one of the best cities in America.

This article will explain why you should consider Boston business schools, their eligibility criteria, the application process, the documents required, various scholarships, top schools, and rankings.

When there is a Will, there is a Way. You just need to wait for the right moment. That is why we are here to clear all your doubts regarding Boston Business School, but first, let us understand what benefits you will attract.

TOP 5 SCHOOLS OF BOSTON UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR RANK

1. QUESTROM SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

2. HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL

3. MIT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

4. CARROLL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

5. NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY - D'AMORE-MCKIM SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

If you want to know more about Business schools in Boston, read more about them here, Schedule a 1:1 free profile evaluation with our expert consultants.

Link to our Calendar: https://www.mbaandbeyond.com/details

Who we are: https://www.mbaandbeyond.com/who-we-are-1

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thismessymasterpiece · 3 years ago

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Oh My God, You Think They’re Pretty!

Summary - Spencer Reid can be debilitated by insecurities at times. Never once did he fear they would be because of the love of his life... until now.

Spencer Reid x Reader (she/they pronouns used!)

Category - Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with happy ending, Fluff

TW - Spencer having implied appearance insecurities, Spencer being heartbreakingly sad (apologies and therapy bills paid in advance <3)

Please let me know if I missed anything!

Contains - Spencer having a lot a bit of self-doubt (Yes, he cries. Yes, I am very sorry.), mention of Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter series and the actor that plays him, Matthew Lewis, and Spencer being a sad lil' bean

Author’s Note - As always, please, please do not hesitate to leave me any helpful comments or provide any constructive criticism. All I hope to do is to improve my writing and hopefully spread some comfort to anyone who may find themselves needing it. Now, if you have been here for more than a hot second, you can imagine how thrilled I was to include two of my favorite fictionals in the same fic, even if Neville made Spencer a bit uncomfy... you'll see ;) I think I made it pretty hard with this one but enjoy <3

The agent consulting on a particularly trying case, retitled Ashley Seaver, was pretty good. She certainly didn't think so but she made for quite the helpful addition to the team. What she was also good for, however, was a couple of well-meaning jokes on the behalf of one favorite resident genius. Garcia was a top-notch perp when it came to the crime.

"...And that is the whole kit and kaboodle on each of your sixty-four suspects. Nothing really stands out, they're all pretty plain," Garcia told one such genius over the phone.

"That's pretty much the main issue we're gonna have here," Reid responded as he surveyed the files she was printing for him.

"Yeah, vanilla doesn't make your job any easier," Penny joked.

"No, it does not," Spencer confirmed.

"So, um, how's it going with the agent whose father was a... y'know?"

"How'd you know that?" An inquisitive tone came over him.

"...I might've looked into someone's hidden background."

At his disbelieving silence, Penelope felt the need to defend her actions, "What? I am not gonna let some strange, new person travel with my family and not find out who they are."

"I don't know, she seems fine," Spencer reassured, looking over to the agent of the hour who was viewing a file beside his girlfriend, Y/N.

"What is that in your voice?" Garcia asked, suddenly highly suspicious.

"What's what in my voice?" He clarified, brows meeting.

"Oh my god, you think she's pretty!" Penny exclaimed.

"What? I never said that!" Reid's voice must have jumped six octaves.

"Ho, ho, you totally do!" She couldn't help but laugh aloud, "P.G. out, Lover Boy!" Garcia reached to hang up the phone before the boy genius jumped to stop her.

"Garcia, Garcia, wait!" He practically yelled.

"Yes, my love?" She retreated.

"Um..." He sounded extremely anxious.

"What is it?" Garcia pressed.

"Don't- Do me a favor and don't say anything like that to, Y/N, okay?" He whispered.

"Reid," Garcia's voice changed to a degree that even Spencer's analytical mind couldn't decipher, "what are you asking me to do?"

"Just don't say anything like that to or in front of my girlfriend," He mumbled ashamedly.

"Because?" She pressured.

"Because it is not true and I love her and I think she is the most beautiful person in the world and I would never want to hurt her feelings by letting her think I thought anything different!" He exclaimed in a rush.

Penelope couldn't help the mischievous grin that broke out on her face.

"Oh, Boy Wonder, you are sweet but I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"Why do you say that?" He sounded suspicious again.

"Well, you can still think someone is pretty in a relationship,” She emphasized.

"No, you can't!" Spencer enthused, "That's cheating!"

"Oh, sweets," Garcia impassioned, "say what you will but if you think that when you watch the Harry Potter movies with Y/N, they are watching for the plot and not one particularly delicious Matthew Lewis, you must be crazier than an unsub."

Reid pouted, hurt.

"What do you mean?" He sounded defeated.

Garcia, sensing her mistake, backtracked.

"Oh, I've said too much... P.G. out, Lover Boy!" She called again and made sure to put on a spurt of speed he couldn't beat. The line disconnected.

So, it seemed, had Y/N's lover boy.

Throughout the rest of the case, he avoided her. He shied away from her at any opportunity and flinched every single time the consulting agent walked into the same room as them.

He had put so much distance between them that Y/N could not possibly just ignore it. Problem was, cases made it pretty dang easy for him to do just that.

On the jet home, Spencer had been reading a book in immense focus. When Y/N had suggested they settle back into their shared apartment with a nice Harry Potter marathon from bed, he broke away from his book to give her a betrayed look and moved seats.

Where he couldn't run away, luckily, was at their home.

"Spence, look, we gotta talk about this."

"What do you wanna talk about?" He asked, quickly losing his satchel at the door and walking away, entering the bedroom.

"I don't know what's bothering you lately but, I'm not gonna lie, you're worrying me."

"Nothing's bothering me, Y/N," the quiet of his voice was muffled almost silent as he changed his shirt in his closet.

"Spencer," Y/N stood in the doorway, blocking his exit when he looked about to make a run for it.

"What?" He asked, meeting her eyes for the first time in days.

"Tell me what's wrong, bubs?" She pleaded, "Please! I cannot help or make it better if you don't tell me."

He remained silent and lightly pushed past her in the doorway.

"What? You don't wanna be around me anymore? Am I annoying you? Bothering you? Are you ashamed of me? Don't think I'm pretty anymore? What?" Y/N fumed as he stormed over to the bed.

"No!" He yelled back.

"Then what?" Y/N screamed.

"Well, I could ask you all of those questions and I am pretty sure I know the answers. That's what's wrong!"

"Spence... what?" Y/N deflated, pausing for a moment and looking at a loss for words.

"I was talking to Garcia," Reid whispered, falling to the bed as the fight visibly drained out of him.

"Uh huh," Y/N encouraged, remaining at the foot of the bed, hesitant to touch him for fear of making his vulnerable state worse.

"Well, she kinda told me..." He hesitated, worsening Y/N's anxiety, "Do you still think I am pretty?"

"Oh my God, Spence, what is she telling you?"

"You just answered my question with another question," He sounded heartbroken.

"Spence," Y/N threw caution to the wind, sitting down on the bed beside him and grasping both his hands in hers, "of course I do."

"Are you sure?" He wouldn't meet her eye.

"Yes," Y/N emphasized as passionately as possible, "what is Penny telling you?"

"Are you ashamed of me?" He ignored her question.

"Now you're answering my questions with your own."

"Are you going to answer my question?"

"Are you going to answer mine?"

He turned away dejectedly.

"Spence, please, just tell me. Nothing can be this bad!"

"It is!" He turned back, tears flooding his eyes and breaking her heart, "It really hurt my feelings and I don't appreciate you invalidating that!"

His voice cracked and so did Y/N's disposition. They pulled him into a tight hug and he sobbed into her shoulder.

"I am so sorry, my love," They mumbled into his neck, "I want to help and I don't mean to hurt you worse but I need you to tell me how."

Pulling away, he wiped his eyes roughly with the back of his hand.

"She told me that you watch Harry Potter with me because you think Neville is pretty and I... I thought I was the only one," He frowned, tears brimming his eyes again.

"Oh, Spence," She brought a hand to his cheek, wiping a trail of tears with their thumb, "you are."

He looked away.

"Spence, does the sheer existence of broccoli make chocolate taste any worse?" Y/N changed tactics.

"Huh?" He asked, thoroughly baffled.

"Bear with me here, bubs, and answer the question."

"Well, no, of course not," He answered earnestly.

"Exactly," Y/N grinned at his sweet demeanor, "just because I think an actor or a character is pretty doesn't mean I think you any less pretty."

"Are you sure?" He mumbled.

"Of course, they're so pretty but so, very much so, are you."

He nudged his cheek closer to Y/N's hand, still resting on it. It was answer enough for her.

"What I do wanna know, Spence," they smiled up at him, "is why this conversation even spawned."

Y/N felt his cheek warm and he blushed a deep, pretty pink.

taglist, i suppose :)

@safespacespence

dividers courtesy of the lovely @saradika-graphics and @cafekitsune <3

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solarwonux · 3 years ago

Text

36. “I’m not naming our child after a book character, let alone from my least favorite book.” “Why not?”

37. “I think you’ve had enough to drink today.”

husband!joshua x f!reader

genre: fluff and a little bit of angst

w.c: 2.1k

warnings: alcohol, drinking, hints at infertility, mentions of a surrogate, self doubt, hints at depression, mentions of therapy, brief mention of poly!gyuchan, IVF treatment, suggestive, a cat named dog and a dog named cat, reader isn’t a fan of Shakespeare.

notes: this one’s a heavy one, but I wanted to challenge myself with this one. I did do some brief research as I was writing this one but I still could’ve gotten something wrong, so if I did let me. Either way, I’m grateful for those who read and please please please let me know your thoughts. Enjoy.xx

MASTERLIST || PROMPTS

Joshua threw his head back downing the shot of soju. His face twisted in displeasure, hissing at the bitter taste. He sets the glass down wiping his plump lips with the back of his hand before pointing a finger at you.

“What about Elizabeth, like Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice?” Joshua asks, grabbing the green bottle of soju and pouring himself another shot.

You cross your arms in front of your body and lean back against the dark navy booth. “Nope, try again.”

Joshua let’s out a sound of annoyance before downing another shot. He doesn’t let the acrimonious taste settle in on his taste buds before he’s pouring himself another one and downing it. The two of you knew it was going to be a long night. Time was ticking, your surrogates due date was approaching and neither of you had picked out a name for your daughter.

Truthfully, her name should’ve been chosen months ago. At least that’s what you and Joshua had planned during the first trimester of the pregnancy. But every time the topic came up, the two of you would end up frustrated and running back to the drawing board. You had names picked out, so did he. Neither one felt right. It also didn’t help that throughout the eight and a half months of the pregnancy a sense of guilt would wedge its way into your veins.

According to the many doctor’s you and Joshua consulted throughout the first year of your marriage. Your body wouldn’t be able to carry a child until full term. It had impacted you negatively. Your mental health was never up to par twenty four seven, but during that year - the year that was supposed to be filled with happy memories with your newly wedded husband; your mental health was at its worse. Memories that were supposed to be happy and colorful were black and white. You spent every waking moment dreaming about your child and feeling like a failure all at the same time.

Joshua would hold you every time you cried out in agony. Each sob that came out of your lips would find its way and break his heart even further. He felt worthless not knowing what to do as he sat and watched the light get sucked out of you. He was hurting too, there wasn’t a doubt left in his head that he somehow shared your pain. But he couldn’t begin to imagine what it felt like to be told over and over again that your body will never be able to carry a child. So he held you and prayed for a miracle every night. He loved you more than anything in the world and although he found himself frustrated whenever you treated yourself like you were worthless or nothing. He made a promise to you in front of your family and his that through sickness and in health he will be by your side no matter what.

The miracle came after four years. On New Year’s Eve of that first miserable year of marriage you told him you wanted to go to therapy, but only if he went too. He gladly agreed, eyes blown up in uncertainty but he didn’t fight you on your decision. Immediately he started researching for the best therapists in town, forgetting about the holiday party at Jun’s house.

Slowly he saw you come back to yourself. The first time you smiled at him and laughed he cried tears of joy along with you. After almost two years of individual therapy with the newly added weekly couple therapy session, the two of you decided to research alternatives. Joshua was apprehensive, he feared he would lose you again, reassuring you that the two of you didn’t have to have kids in order to be a complete family.

That just the two of you, your cat Inu and your dog Neko was enough. In which you agreed but one of your dreams was to bring a child into the world, to be a mother and you refused to have that taken away from you. So, he agreed after many weeks of convincing and a glittery powerpoint presentation.

Mingyu, Chan and their wife didn’t want kids, frankly it wasn’t for them. But she didn’t hesitate to offer herself as a surrogate when she learned that you and Joshua were looking for one. It took another glittery powerpoint presentation from all three of them, this time to convince you to let them help you. So you did. Eight and a half months ago through an IVF treatment, one of your eggs and Joshua’s sperm were inside of her, healthily growing your child. Each doctor’s appointment you went to, the excitement inside of you grew.

You stayed up with Joshua talking about how grateful you were that your baby girl was so loved and she hadn’t even taken her first breath yet. Mingyu and Chan showered her with gifts endlessly. A competition between the two of them to determine who would end up being her godfather. Not to mention her other ten uncle’s competing to see who would win the title of best uncle in the whole wide world. A contest that was to be held annually. Or so they claimed.

You were happy and so was Joshua but the only problem the two of you faced was that you didn’t have a name yet. And it stressed out Joshua to the point of no return, especially after you told him that it would be better to just wait until she was physically in the world. That her name would come to you, appearing out of thin air the moment you saw her for the first time.

Joshua on the other hand disagreed. He lived paranoid ninety nine percent of the time and liked to be ready just in case something went wrong. He also didn’t want his daughter to be nameless and bean sprout wasn’t cutting it anymore. “Okay how about Ophelia, like from Hamlet.” He says with a hopeful dewey look in his eyes.

You grab the bottle of soju and pour yourself a shot, downing it before slamming it down on top of the dark wooden table. “Absolutely not, I refuse. I’m not naming our child after a book character, let alone my least favorite book.”

Joshua ran a stressed hand across his face. He wanted this nightmare to end. No both of you wanted this nightmare to end. “It’s not a book, it's a play baby, you out of all people should know that.” He accused, grabbing an unopened bottle of soju and cracking the seal. “Mrs. Literature major.”

“Does it come with a front cover and a back cover and a bunch of pages in between?” You challenge cocking your head to the side, pushing your shot glass towards him.

Joshua poured you a glass before setting the bottle down and placing his chin in the palm of his hands. A cocky drunk grin evident on his face. “Yes, but it started out as a performance not a book.” He mocks.

“I disagree. Shakespeare had to have written it down first in order to then show the actors. Therefore it’s still considered a book and my statement still stands. I’m not naming our child Ophelia.” You roll your eyes bringing the glass up to your lips, taking a small sip from it. You were finally starting to feel the weight of the alcohol. It was a given the two of you were five soju bottles (almost six) in and still hadn’t made any progress.

“Why not?” He whines kicking his feet in the process, resembling a little kid who just got told that he couldn’t have cookies ‘n’ creme ice cream for dinner. “I like Ophelia, I think it’s cute.”

“Because Ophelia drowns in the play, what if by naming our daughter that, we are instilling her an unfortunate faith?” You explain, drawing it out dramatically with your hands.

“That’s ridiculous. Our daughter is protected not only by her guardian angels but also she has a whole football team on standby ready to beat the shit out of anyone that makes her cry.” Joshua states in a matter of fact tone while closing the half finished bottle of soju. He was finally starting to feel the effects and the two of you still needed to pay the bill and somehow make it home.

You huff dipping your index finger into the half full shot glass and wetting the rim. “I read about it once.” You whisper.

“Where?” He stands up holding onto the table and makes his way to your side, sitting down. “On those mommy blogs? The one’s I told you to stop reading because they don’t make you feel good about anything?” His arm makes it away across your shoulders and pulls you close.

You nod, leaning your head against his chest. “I’m just scared and I want everything to be perfect. I know that there’s nothing wrong with the decision we made but sometimes I still feel guilty that I wasn’t the one to carry her.” You sigh, lacing your fingers with his. “What if she doesn’t love me?” You cringe at how small your voice sounds. This is something your therapist and you had been working on for the past three weeks. Ever since you realized that the due date was approaching quickly. You’d gotten far but the doubt still lingered no matter how much you tried to push it away.

Joshua leaves a gentle kiss against the crown of your head. “You’re her mom through and through and she’ll love you no matter what. Your body couldn’t grow her, the risk was too high and I didn’t want anything to happen to you or to her. But that doesn’t mean you were not enough. You have always been enough and you will be the best mom she could ever ask for.”

Years ago when you had first met Joshua you knew you didn’t deserve him. He was everything you could ever ask for and more. Every time you found yourself drowning he was there with his hand plunged into the water ready to raise you up. He was your pillar whenever you needed someone or something to lean on. He was your voice of reason and your biggest supporter. And it wasn’t fair, because you would never be able to be that person to him.

“I love you Joshua, thank you for never giving up on me.” You sit up, closing the small gap between the two of you and leaving a soft, delicate, alcohol filled kiss against his perfect lips.

“I would never in a million think of doing that. Baby I swear I would cut off each of my limbs and feed them to birds if that thought were to ever cross my mind.” He smiles, pecking your lips repeatedly making you giggle. The sound made his heart soar. “I know you won’t believe me but you taught me what it’s like to love someone endlessly and unconditionally and that’s something I will spend my life thanking you for.” He says, thumbs caressing your cheeks before he hugs you close.

“Stop making it impossible not to love you.” You laugh, circling your arms around his waist, burying your head into his chest. “I like Ophelia too, I’ll put it on the ‘maybe’ list.” His arms get tighter around, making it almost impossible for you to breathe. He wasn’t voicing his happiness, but you could only imagine the dumb smile he had on his face.

After all, it was rare for you to admit defeat.

The two of you stayed there for a few more seconds before he brought his face down, stopping just above your ear. “Want to go to the bathroom and fuck, live out our young adults fantasies once more before we become parents?”

You pull away an incredulous look decorating your face. “Yup, I think you’ve had enough to drink. Let’s go home.” You stand up, grabbing your purse, pulling on his arm earning a wine from your husband.

“Come on just once, please baby please.” He pleads and stands up, following you as you make your way to the front of the bar where the cash register usually was.

“Absolutely not, I don’t want to be arrested for Adultery. We are about to become parents Joshua Hong!”

He shrugs, circling his arm around your waist watching silently as you wait to pay. “It was worth a shot, what about when we get home?” He whispers into your ear leaving a teasing kiss against your chin.

“We’ll see. Now behave.”

“As you wish my lovely wife.”

#kdiarynet #kpopscape #seventeen imagines #seventeen fanfiction #seventeen fanfic #seventeen fic #seventeen joshua #seventeen fluff #seventeen angst #seventeen x reader #seventeen scenarios #joshua fanfic #joshua angst #joshua x reader #joshua imagines #joshua fanfiction #joshua scenarios

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stiltonbasket · 4 years ago

Text

chancellor of the morning sun: burdens, mingjue (youth)

In which being a woman in the cultivation world is difficult, and Nie Mingjue comforts a friend.

On the night after the welcoming banquet, Nie Mingjue wakes to the sound of someone crying outside his door.

This was by no means unusual when he was younger; Huaisang often had night terrors after his mother died, and refused to sleep without Nie Mingjue for the next three or four years. But A-Sang is thirteen now, far too old to come crying to his da-ge after dark, and the person on the other side of his door seems to be a woman.

“Who’s there?” he calls, lighting one of his dream lanterns before getting out of bed. “A-Sang, is that you?”

“No, it’s me!” a familiar voice shouts, nearly sending Nie Mingjue to the ground as he scrambles to keep his footing. “A-Jue, let me in!”

Nie Mingjue drops his lantern and tries not to panic. The crying is still going on, but the person who called his name was Lan Xichen, without a doubt; and if she had come to his chambers this late, with the Unclean Realm full of foreign cultivators who would gladly take any chance to see her reputation ruined, then she must have come to seek his help with some kind of emergency.

And Nie Mingjue has not forgotten that the son of his father’s murderer is sleeping under his roof, or that Wen Ruohan openly sought Xichen’s hand in marriage for Wen Xu, and would have forced the two to meet if Nie Mingjue’s own fuqin had not intervened.

“I’m coming!” he says frantically, throwing the door open and grasping Lan Xichen’s arm the moment she crosses the threshold. “Lan Huan, I’m—”

And then he looks over Lan Xichen’s shoulder, blinking at the miserable line of young maidens trailing down the corridor behind her. Jiang Yanli is standing at Xichen’s side, crying into her sleeves, and Qin Su and Jin Zixuan’s first shimei are there, too; and Wen Ruohan’s young niece is standing in the back, holding Qin Su’s arm to keep her from falling over. All five girls smell of liquor, even Xichen, and Nie Mingjue gapes at them in bewilderment as Xichen fists her hands in his tunic and shakes him from side to side.

“Jiang-jie won’t listen to us!” she complains, sobbing drunkenly into his chest: which sets Jiang Yanli off again, and then Luo Qingyang starts weeping, too. “A-Jue, tell her!”’

Mingjue frowns. “Tell her what, A-Huan?” he says gently, wiping his intended’s face. It will be ruin for them both if anyone spots her here in the middle of the night, let alone with four other girls in front of his private quarters, but Nie Mingjue would rather cut his own hands off than turn the girl he loves away in such distress. “What’s wrong?”

“Jiang-guniang thinks she’s not worthy of Zixuan,” Luo Qingyang wails. “But just look at him! He prances around like a prize stallion, and he keeps making a fool of himself everywhere he goes! It’s pathetic! And he keeps talking about how wonderful he is, almost as much as Zixun! Nie-zongzhu, I have to beat him up twice a month to keep him in line, and it’s not even working!”

“Not worthy of Jin Zixuan?” he snorts. “Jiang-guniang, it’s Jin-gongzi who isn’t worthy of you. A-Huan, didn’t you tell her so?”

Jiang Yanli only cries even harder, and Xichen gives him a reproachful look and pinches his stubbly cheek. “She won’t listen to us when we tell her she’s more than enough. Yanli thinks we have to say so, since we’re her friends, so I brought her to you so you could tell her instead!”

“Jin-gongzi should count himself lucky that a maiden like Lady Jiang would give him the time of day,” Nie Mingjue says promptly. “He’ll get over himself in time, and Luo-guniang will beat him into the ground if he doesn’t. Right, Luo-guniang?”

Luo Qingyang nods fervently before listing straight into one of the walls. “I will!” she yells, as Wen Qing reaches over and puts her back on her feet again. “‘N then I’ll put itching powder in Jin Zixun’s pants, and, and…”

“Steal his wine again,” Qin Su suggests, letting out a loud burp. “That peach-blossom brew was delicious. Don’t you feel any better after drinking it, A-Li?”

“No, I don’t,” Jiang Yanli murmurs. “Good night, Nie-zongzhu. I’m going back to bed now.”

“Yanli!” begs Xichen, throwing herself at the shorter girl and almost knocking both of them backwards onto the floor. “Yanli, don’t go! You’re worth a hundred of Jin-zongzi, you—A-Jue, help!”

“What am I supposed to say?” he asks, thoroughly bewildered. “I can go challenge Jin-gongzi to a duel myself, if you like. Would that cheer you up, Jiang-guniang!”

But to his surprise, Jiang Yanli only goes to her knees and trembles like a kitten left out in the cold, sobbing about her fears for her future at Koi Tower and her dread of being bound to a man who will never respect her, her terror at the prospect of having no allies past her wedding day save for her mother-in-law, and then about having to spend the rest of her life within reach of Jin Guangshan.

“Mother keeps telling me that I should try to do better, so that Jin-gongzi likes me,” she chokes. “And one of my Yu aunties told me once that Jin-gongzi has to like me, since that’s going to be the only thing keeping me safe from—from—”

“Why haven’t you spoken to your parents about this?” Nie Mingjue demands, aghast. He knows very little about how his own engagement was settled on Xichen’s side; but not long after his ascension, he discovered that neither she nor her uncle were consulted on the matter, and that the sect elders only informed Lan Qiren of his niece’s engagement after the betrothal papers were sealed and signed and the bride price was already paid.

Nie Mingjue’s father made the agreement believing that Lan Qiren was amenable, and would have dissolved the betrothal in a heartbeat if Lan Xichen ever said she was unhappy with it—even in the months just before his death, when his greatest regret was that he would likely not live long enough to see his grandchildren. But he never disapproved of Lan Xichen’s decision to remain unwed until Wangji was at least eighteen, though the wedding was originally set to take place just after Xichen turned eighteen, and he would even have accepted a divorce if his daughter-in-law initiated it.

And Jiang Fengmian is widely known to dote upon his daughter, just as Nie Mingjue’s father doted on Lan Xichen, so why would he not offer the same choice to his child that Nie Huangyin gave to A-Huan?

“Father would break the engagement if I asked, but Jin-furen is mother’s best friend,” Jiang Yanli weeps, in answer to Nie Mingjue’s unspoken question. “It would make things so difficult between them if Jin-furen ever knew I felt this way. And A-Xian and A-Cheng already hate the idea of me marrying into Lanling, Nie-zongzhu. It would be so much worse for them both if they found out I was afraid.”

“It is better out now, than ten years from now, when you are wedded into that house and bound there by a husband and children,” Nie Mingjue says somberly. “Jin Zixuan is not a bad sort, but if he can look upon a maiden who spends her days tending to her family and teaching in orphanages and finding apprenticeships for street children, and call such a girl unworthy because of her looks and low cultivation—then he is not worthy of any wife, let alone one like you, and I pray he will come to recognize it without some great tragedy to bring him to his senses.”

“But—”

“If A-Huan were to lose her cultivation, I would still count myself as the luckiest man in the world to be her husband,” he declares. “And if she were not beautiful, that would be nothing to me. Whatever the strength of her golden core, and whatever she looks like—her heart has nothing to do with either her face or her jindan, and I love her for that above all things.”

Jiang Yanli’s jaw drops open, and she stares up at Nie Mingjue in open disbelief. Xichen is far too drunk to register what he just said, and Wen Qing seems to have stuffed bits of cloth into her ears to keep herself from listening to anything Jiang-guniang would not have confided while sober—but the word love still burns on his lips like the hot filling from Lan Xichen’s sweet bean cakes, flooding through every inch of his body until he can think of nothing else, and he spends a good two minutes in a kind of stricken trance before wondering if saying such a thing before Maiden Jiang might have hurt her feelings.

“It didn’t,” she says softly—because apparently, Nie Mingjue said that last aloud. “I think I see now, Nie-zongzhu.”

Nie Mingjue opens his mouth to ask what she means, but a small purple blur interrupts him before he can get the words out. The blur skids around the nearest corner, screeching in indignation at the sight of Yanli’s tearstained face, and then it turns upon Nie Mingjue and demands an explanation.

“What did you say to my Shijie?” Wei Wuxian cries. “Shijie, did he bully you?”

“Silly A-Xian,” Jiang-guniang smiles, ruffling Wei Wuxian’s hair. “Nobody bullied me, but Nie-zongzhu made me feel much better.”

“By making you cry?” Wei Wuxian says doubtfully. “Should I get Suibian?”

“A-Xian, no!” Jiang Yanli is giggling now, kissing her brother all over his puffy cheeks. “Come on, let’s go back.”

Wei Wuxian drags her off down the hallway, casting suspicious glances over his shoulder, and Wen Qing charges herself with the duty of escorting Luo Qingyang and Maiden Qin back to their own quarters. However, she declares in no uncertain terms that managing three drunk girls is beyond her, and that leaves only Nie Mingjue to look after Lan Xichen.

“Your uncle’s going to kill me if he finds us,” he whimpers, as he struggles up a flight of stairs with his betrothed yawning in his arms. “And then A-Sang will spend the rest of his life on birds and fans, and never catch up with his lessons in time to attend your clan lectures.”

“Shufu likes you,” Xichen assures him, patting the tip of his nose. “He would never do such a thing.”

“He would if he thought I’d been improper towards you,” Nie Mingjue groans. “A-Huan, have you had anything to eat after you started drinking?”

“Mm, A-Su brought snacks. And Wen Qing kept slipping headache medicine into my wine.”

Nie Mingjue sighs in relief and hugs her a little tighter. “Good. Will you try to drink a little water after we get back to your room?”

Xichen nods drowsily, nearly stopping Nie Mingjue’s heart as she nuzzles against his shoulder, but he manages to get her up to her bedroom in one piece and helps her get into bed, making sure she lies on her side to prevent choking in the morning. He also puts a few pieces of rice candy on her nightstand since he always carries a handful in his pocket for Huaisang, and fetches a glass of water for her to drink when she wakes.

Lan Huan is fast asleep by then, breathing quietly in her nest of blankets with her hand tucked under her cheek, and Nie Mingjue makes it as far as the door before remembering that she is still too drunk to be left alone.

But she doesn’t have a maidservant, Nie Mingjue thinks desperately, staring wildly out of the room as if one might climb out of the nearest cupboard. And Wangji didn’t come along this time, and I can’t wake Lan Qiren—

Oh, no.

Oh, this is very bad.

Anything could happen to Lan Xichen with so much alcohol in her blood, and she might even stop breathing during the night and smother. But there is no one to fetch except for Lan-xiansheng, and that means Nie Mingjue will have to stay with her until she wakes. And given the fact that Lan Qiren will be looking for his niece by mao hour tomorrow, while Lan Xichen will probably sleep a shichen longer than usual—

Nie Mingjue sinks down beside the bed and puts his head in his hands.

Well, that settles it, he despairs, pulling the thick blankets away from Xichen’s face. Lan Qiren is definitely going to kill me.

But he would be lying if he said that the sight of Xichen’s peaceful face was unworthy of death by uncle-in-law, so Nie Mingjue accepts his demise with grace and starts planning his funeral instead.

___

When Lan Xichen opens her eyes, the first thing she notices is the dull pain in her head.

The second thing she notices (after gulping down the water and candy on the nightstand) is that someone seems to have left a heap of something dark near her bed; probably a bag, or a pile of clothes, though she can’t see well enough to tell what it could be.

And the last thing is that her uncle is sitting on a chair by the door, tapping his foot loudly enough to make her head pound.

“Shufu,” she croaks, struggling upright with the aid of one of her pillows. “What are you—”

“Disciples of the Lan clan must not consume alcohol,” he says, strangely calm despite the enormity of her transgression. Her clothes still smell like Baling mead, sweet and spicy and fruity all at once, and she nearly dies of shame at the thought of how shocked Shufu must have been when he found her. “They must not go out of doors after haishi. And they must never share chambers with any member of the opposite sex to whom they are not married, unless they are a relative.”

Lan Xichen freezes. “What?”

“Should I not be asking you that?” her uncle reminds her. “What is Nie-zongzhu doing in your bedchamber?”

Thunderstruck, Lan Xichen stumbles out of bed and stares at the dark heap on the floor, which yawns at her touch and stretches like a cat before springing up in horror.

“Lan-xiansheng, it’s not what it looks like!” Nie Mingjue cries, making Lan Xichen shrivel at the memory of how shamefully she must have behaved last night. “I only wanted to make sure Xichen was safe, I would never—”

“And you did not think of waking me?” Lan Qiren lifts his eyebrows at them. “Even if you wanted to ensure that my niece was well, how could you risk being seen leaving her rooms in the morning? My own quarters are just on the other side of the hall.”

Mingjue ducks his head in shame, and Lan Xichen suddenly wants nothing more than the comfort of his hand in hers. “I didn’t want her to get in trouble, xiansheng,” he mumbles. “She only came out last night for someone else’s sake, and I couldn’t have borne to see her unhappy just for that.”

“You are a sect leader, Nie Mingjue. Don’t look down when you speak to me,” Shufu scolds. “As it is, I am glad that you did not leave her. But as her uncle, I must order you to go now before the breakfast bell, lest you ruin both of your reputations at once and force her to marry before she is ready.”

Mingjue takes the hint and flees, leaving Xichen and her uncle alone. Shufu says nothing more for a while, merely studying the ceiling as if the laws of the Lan sect were inscribed there, and then he clears his throat and points to the stack of parchment on her desk.

“Copy each precept you broke, a hundred times each. The tenth, eighteenth, and seventy-first laws. Go.”

And then, after a moment’s lull:

“I think he will be a good father someday, A-Huan,” Lan Qiren reflects. “Your little ones will want for nothing, what with how he cares for you and how much he coddles Huaisang. I could not have found you a better husband if I chose for you myself.”

Lan Xichen drops her paintbrush.

“Shufu!”

#nielan #the untamed #mo dao zu shi #chancellor of the morning sun #nielan arranged marriage au #my fic #long time no update #it's been 84 years

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