#Long time no noodles sorry for the famine | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

40sandfabulousaf · 1 month

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大家好! Hari Raya Puasa fell on Wednesday in Singapore, marking the end of Ramadan. This year's holy month for Muslims has been sombre as they - and non Muslims alike - watched in horror at the devastation in Gaza. There was no respite for Palestinians; if they had anything at all to break their fast with, it was canned beans, lentils or peas. Ravaged by hunger - famine in Northern Gaza - babies and children wasted away and some began dying. About 300 aid trucks have finally entered the area, 60% of the 500 aid trucks which used to enter before the war. It's not anywhere near enough.

The official Palestinian civilian death toll stands at over 33,000 to date. This doesn't take into account victims who remain buried under the rubble from destroyed buildings, deaths from malnutrition and hospital patients who perished because there weren't enough medicines or the hospitals were raided. Over 75,000 have been injured as a result of this war. The unofficial civilian casualty numbers could very well be far higher. It's heartening to see other countries fighting back against genocide and seeking to stop arms supplies to Israel.

Since Hari Raya Puasa was a public holiday, I rested, exercised, spent time with Pa, caught up on current affairs and nourished myself with a bottle of birds' nest, a gift from N. I also had a simple breakfast of cheese and crackers out of compassion for Palestinians' suffering. Robbed of a truly joyous Aidilfitri this year by Israel's war in Gaza, many Muslims globally celebrated the festival of breaking fast with heavy hearts. Hopes for a ceasefire just before Ramadan, and then, in time for Hari Raya Puasa, were dashed.

Moved by the extent of Palestinian suffering, Singapore continues to raise funds for Gaza. Malaysian Muslims also extended Aidilfitri wishes. As I tucked into a hearty breakfast of chicken, braised flower mushrooms and bee tai mak (short rice noodles), I felt doubly grateful. Nutritious meals are hard to come by for the thousands of Palestinians who struggle to fill their stomachs everyday. I pray that enough food will flow into Gaza so that the effects of malnutrition can be reversed.

I no longer feel as sorry for low income people in rich countries who live in tents due to rising housing and rental costs. Their complaints pale in comparison to what Palestinians are going through. Over 1.5 million of them have to live in makeshift tents because their homes have been razed to the ground due to Israeli attacks AND fear for their lives everyday. In rich nations, the homeless can still access food banks, they can still eat, whereas up till recently, Gaza was under siege and arguably still is. Palestinians have no clean water, their children had started dying from starvation. Who is suffering way more? 下次见!

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incorrectborhapmobau · 5 years

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In Comfort {Part Five}

Word Count: 1690

Warnings: angst, mentions of miscarriage, Conquest being a dick.... that's about it.

Authors Note: Here we go!!!! Part five!!

Tags: @mobauvodkaaunt @deakydeakydeaky @deja-entendus @briarrose26 @jubel-raised-you-from-perdition @thewinchesterchronicles

To say the fight was a bad one would be an understatement. Anyone who was in the house could hear it as they shouted at each other in War’s room and it echoed throughout the large house. It had ended with War storming out with his jacket in hand and with Athena trying not to cry as she sat down on their bed.

Downstairs Famine is in the kitchen contemplating whether or not to go upstairs to Athena or to follow his best friend out the door to find out what had instigated such a row. Seems like everyone is having problems with their relationships these days.

He puts the plate of meatloaf he was eating back with the fridge with a napkin over it to show that the meal was claimed before making his way upstairs. First thing he needed to do was find his godson and he is fairly sure he knew where Joey is. The sight of the door to his room only confirms it. The blanket is taken from the bed and partially under it instead where he can hear a small whimper from beneath it.

Here we go.

“Hey, bud,” says Famine crawling under his bed. “What’s wrong?”

Joey looks at him with wet eyes and red cheeks before shaking his head and hiding in the blanket again.

“It’ll be okay, promise,” he continues. “Let’s go find your mom, yeah? I have a feeling she really wants to see you right now.”

Joey is the first out from beneath the bed ready to see his mother, but Famine on the other hand will deny later that he got stuck. Him being stuck though does make his godson laugh which he finds better than the boy crying since his parents are fighting.

Famine ends up carrying Joey in his arms up to the attic where War’s room is located and he can hear the shaky breaths of his sister-in-law while she tries to calm down from the fight.

“I come bearing a gift,” says Famine walking in.

Athena wipes at her face and smiles, taking her son into her arms and kissing his cheek. “Hey, I was wondering where you’ve been hiding.”

Joey giggles. “Uncle Joe got stuck under the bed.”

“Oh did he now?”

“I did not. We promised not to tell her that remember?”

But he can still hear how exhausted she is when she laughs and frowns. He looks to Joey and smiles at him.

“Joey, I need you to go on a super secret mission for me.”

The boy gasps, nodding his head and struggles to get out of his mother’s embrace until she finally puts him down. Joey stands excited before his uncle.

“Your mission to convince grandma that instead of spaghetti she needs to make chicken and white sauce noodles. Whatever it takes.”

Once Joey is gone from the room they cannot help but laugh at his enthusiasm to help his uncle with schemes, but it is over too soon and Famine can feel that deep sadness creep back in.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Athena sniffles, putting her hands low on her stomach. “Not much you can do now really. Ben’s made his point known.”

Famine finds it hard now to not stare at her belly and how her hands are almost protective with how they are resting.

“Oh my god, are you-” He breaks off, swallowing a lump in his throat. “Is it his?”

“Of course it is! What type of person do you think I am?”

Her anger is welcome and something familiar. He’s only seen her in a funk like this when he had found her at the Olympus safe house after the Discovery.

“Then why did you hide it from him?”

“I wasn’t sure at first until now. Joey just got the stomach bug that was going around and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t that.”

Famine is not sure why she is lying to him and he can only tell that she is because she has a habit of biting her cheek when she does, but he nods and gives her a hug.

“He won’t stay mad for long. We both know this.”

Athena presses her face against his shoulder. “Will you come with me tomorrow? I have an appointment at the clinic and I don’t want to go alone.”

“Of course, but are you sure? What if he comes back?”

She clears her throat slightly. “Then he should have not left the way he did.”

Famine stands next to Athena while she sits on the table and they wait on the doctor to enter the room. The nurse had already done the preliminary check ups to make sure everything is regulated and perfectly healthy.

Once the doctor arrives -- Dr Korren -- with a kind smile and asking his questions about how she was feeling before once of the questions made her pause and look down at her lap.

“Is this your first pregnancy?”

“No, my second,” she answers, but then chokes. “Technically the fourth, but only my second to get to the fourth month.”

Wait what?

Famine looks at her and Athena is not looking at him, but straight ahead at the wall with tears in her eyes.

“I see,” Korren whispers. He makes a note on the papers he had brought in with him. “Thank you for being honest about this. I want you to come in every two weeks for an appointment to ensure a full term and that you and the baby are perfectly healthy.”

“Okay,” says Athena. “Thank you.”

At home, Famine cannot stop thinking about what Athena had said at the clinic. Two times before she was and then- it hurts his stomach to think about it. She didn’t tell anyone about it and went through the process of grief by herself two other times, but carried on as if nothing was wrong.

It goes without saying that Famine helps Athena in any way while War is gone for the day.

He just didn’t expect for him to be gone almost two months.

Famine tells his godson that yes your dad still loves you and that he’s just away because of work.

He goes to every appointment with Athena and tries not to be angry at War because he understands why he is angry, but this is too much.

He feels the baby kick one day while they were out eating ice cream while Lilith watched Joey for them so they can go on a walk and he felt like crying.

It’s about a week into the second month of War being gone on a job when Conquest stumbled into the sitting room drunk off his ass and watching as Famine carried Joey upstairs to put him into bed for the night. He’s still on the couch when Famine comes back down.

“So how does this work?” Conquest slurs. “Ben goes away and you keep the sheets warm for him?”

“Where did this come from?”

Conquest gives a hiccup. “I’m ju-just wondering… cause you don’t really fuck anyone yourself… and you did pant after her for a long while, Joe.”

Famine rolls his eyes. “You’re drunk, Gwilym.”

“And I’ve never felt better,” he says with bravado. “But hey, at least my little brother is getting some, right?”

Famine grabs him by his collar and hauls him from his seat with a huff of rage. “You ever say that shit where Athena can hear you and I promise Dana will be very disappointed if she ever comes back to your sorry ass.”

And he dumps him back onto the couch leaving Conquest to wallow in his own self-pity.

War comes back the next morning much to everyone’s surprise. He is exhausted with bags under his eyes and is ready to lay in his own bed after being gone for so long, but is stopped by Famine grabbing him by the jacket and pulling him downstairs to the Ninth Circle, effectively shoving him into one of the leather seats.

“Where the hell have you been?”

War hasn’t seen Famine this angry in a long time. He goes to answer, but Famine doesn’t let him.

“You’re so very lucky your wife will kill me if I harm you in anyway and she is the only thing saving you right now, Ben. You disappear for almost two months, leaving her pregnant and alone with your son, who by the way had no idea why you left.”

War scoffs. “Please, I’m sure he was fine, especially with you here.”

“He is four years old, Ben! I don’t think you understand what he thought when you left without so much as a word why!”

War stands, swaying slightly from lack of sleep, but still just as angry. “She kept it from me! She lied about it until I saw her in the mirror that day!”

“And do you know why? Did you even try to ask or did you just leave?” Famine pushes him back into the chair easily, fingers jabbing harshly into War’s shoulder.

War’s eyes are glossy when he glances up at Famine who sits as well.

“I asked about the baby and she lied about something and I didn’t know why” he says looking at him. “But the next day she had a doctor’s appointment. She has been so scared about this because this isn’t the first time.”

War gives him an odd look. “Obviously, you have a nephew.”

“Ben, that’s not what I mean,” Famine says softly. “She wanted to be sure before telling you.”

“You mean-” War cuts off quickly and inhales shakily. His hands are shaky too and twisting the fabric of his trousers. “Before she-”

Before Famine can stop him, War is stumbling upstairs trying to get to his room as quickly as he can.

At dinner War and Athena are back their disgustingly sappy selves with Joey sitting between them with his stuffed frog on his lap and Famine feels warm inside.

Before going to bed that night Athena kisses his cheek with a gentle ‘thank you’ before following her son and husband upstairs.

#war x athena #famine #war #athena

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milksteaksandghouls · 6 years

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It's Christmas time, Dennis has the flu, and Mac tries everything humanly possible to make him feel better (turns out that unbelievably grumpy Dennis just needs cuddles from Mac and won't admit it).

ty for prompt anon | ik this is not exactly what you wanted but this is the closest to fluff i can get | accepting

“Mac. MAC. MAC, GODDAMIT!”

The sound of a spoon rattling against the sink paints a perfect picture of Mac’s facial expression to Dennis. He is annoyed but so is Dennis and he has it way worse than Mac. He is the sick one while only thing Mac has to do is make a tea for him. Oh what an awful burden that must be pouring boiling water over a tea bag. That is the true Christmas sacrifice. Very fitting for this time of year. Very Jesus-like. Surely Mac must be pleased in some way that he can feel like the victim who has to take care of a poor, weak person with the fever right now.

Mac is not sick, he is only sick of Dennis which is understandable and a natural consequence of being bullied for past two days. Dennis looks pale and frail but in comparison with Mac, he still looks more put together. Mac is giving off the vibe of a housewife who can’t wait but to chug a whole bottle of wine at the end of the day.

“Hold on. I am making you tea,” Mac snarls trying to sound as calm as possible.“Did you go pick up those tea leaves by yourself. Since it’s taking you so long.” Dennis comments annoyed and fidgets in the bed.“The kettle is broken. I need to boil the water on the stove.”“Oh, it is broken. I’m sure it broke on its own. Just like that.”

Mac doesn’t feel like telling Dennis that he gave the kettle to Charlie so he and Frank can boil eggs in it. They never drink coffee or tea in their apartment so having an electric kettle was pretty much useless anyway. He couldn’t have known that Dennis will get sick only a couple of days after the kettle is gone.

Mac tries his best to load everything on a tray and when he emerges from the kitchen Dennis finally stays silent. He is probably biting his tongue so he would stop himself from blessing everybody with more snarky remarks but Mac will take what is offered.

“I also made you soup,” Mac states proudly and points at the bowl.

It looks decent, just like a noodle soup you would get in a restaurant so Dennis gets immediately suspicious. His stomach feels like it is on water and chicken broth would be nice right now but after last time Mac has cooked for him, he simply doesn’t trust it.

Mac notices and he is suddenly walking on the thin ice of his own anger too, waiting for the trigger that drops him right down to the cold waters.

“Eat it. I didn’t poison it. Why are you so goddamn fussy all of sudden.”

Dennis frowns. He has every right to be fussy, he is sick and weak and lonely sad person and Mac can’t even manage to be nice for five seconds.

“I’m sorry Mac I have upsetting memories of you playing Gordon Ramsey. Remember the dog?”“You are not going to pull the Dennis Jr. card right now!”“Sure as hell, I am. You can’t cook. So I’m not going to eat whatever this is. Forget that.”

Mac drops the dish towel that was chilling on his shoulder and reaches for the jacket that’s been dropped off last night on the floor. He has just enough of this bullying when as always he tries to do the most. “FINE! Die of starvation for all I care. And just for your information, I just poured water over one of those dry soup packets.”

He turns to leave the apartment because you really can’t get any privacy in a place this small. He might go to Charlie’s and try some of that Christmas boiled eggs and Dennis can die from dehydration and famine alone on Christmas Eve. He even skipped the midnight mass for this asshole who doesn’t thank for any of it. Mac makes sure to smack the door behind him when he hears the faint echo of Dennis’ voice.

“DRY SOUP PACKET? WHY DON’T YOU INJECT SODIUM STRAIGHT INTO MY VEIN INSTEAD.”

*****

Mac’s combat boots hit the stairs and in a moment he is out on the street. The air is cold and cools down Mac’s attitude and flushes the irritation away. He really wants to go to Paddy’s and get a beer or visit Charlie but the guilt and worry gnaw on him. What if something really bad happens to Dennis on the day of Jesus’ birth. How could he ever explain it up there that he just bolted because his boyfriend got really exasperating?

Mac walks a little bit down the street before he decides to go back to the building. He is worried and he thinks of all the possible doomsday scenarios that might happen to Dennis. He can’t be left alone for a long time when he is healthy not to mention when he’s sick.

Once he opens the door he tries to tiptoe back in. Dennis seems to be sound asleep and the tray with empty soup bowl is on the floor next to the bed. Mac tries to stay as silent as possible when he wakes up but the moment he approaches the bed his footsteps right on the tray which makes a loud rattling sound that wakes Dennis right up.

But there is not grumpiness present on his face, he only shifts raising the bed covers so Mac takes the bait and snuggles next to him. Yeah, he might get sick from Dennis but he doesn’t care. He is going to be the best big spoon right now.

“The soup was fine,” he mutters while drifting back to sleep but Mac doesn’t close his eyes. He presses close and thanks to the birthday boy for gifting him Christmas like this.

#ficlet #Anonymous #macdennis #iasip #i have visitors and this is vaguely xmasy so i need to post it today #so sorry if there are mistakes i'll edit it up later #thank you love for the prompt

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