#as long as we practice good hygiene + careful distancing then that's all we can do

[arvandus]

The Divine

Barbatos (Obey Me!) x Fem!Reader

Content Warnings: 18+ content! Minors DNI and DO NOT follow my blog! All minor and ageless blogs will be blocked! Fem!Reader (dress, heels, fem-coded terms of endearment, etc.), AFAB!Reader, short-coded reader (but Barb's a demon so we can say "magic!" and just suspend disbelief; aka let's pretend they can adjust their own height if they want); friends to lovers, romance, hurt/comfort, first date, lots and lots of talking, first kiss and first (and second) time together (aww yissss), questionable uses for a tail, vaginal sex, oral sex (f receiving), clit stim, shared bath, reader goes pee (is this an issue for people...? practice good sex hygiene, peeps!), reader gets carried (he got that demon strength, babyyy), rough(ish) sex (did I mention demon strength??). UHHH I think that's it. This is long as hell, almost 15k GOOD LUCK BYE.

Author's Note: This is my submission for The Coffee Corner's "Slice of Life" Collab Event! There are so many amazing writers, please go check it out and see if there's anything that piques your interest!

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The opera house was filling up quickly, hundreds of demons taking their seats.  Barbatos was calm and efficient in finding yours amongst the bustling of busy bodies.  They were excellent seats, to be expected from Lord Diavolo’s butler who prided himself on his perfection.  Not too close, not too far, and located central enough without having to climb over multiple sets of legs if you needed to step away at all during the performance.

Barbatos helped you to your seat first, his hand gently placed on your lower back, before sitting down next to you. 

“Are you comfortable?” he asked.

You nodded with a smile.  “Very much so, thank you.”

You normally weren’t so formal with him.  After all, you’d known each other for more than a year during your time here in the Devildom and been on many outings together as acquaintances and later as friends.  But there had always been a wall in place, a boundary that was never crossed nor spoken of. 

Barbatos was kind, polite, and witty; he was caring and doting, a perfectionist, and by far one of the most mature demons you’d had the pleasure of getting to know.  However, despite all of that, Barbatos was also a private individual, even when he freely provided facts about himself and his interests, and was forthcoming with his motivations.  No matter how much he exposed, there always seemed to be far more lurking beneath the surface that was left unsaid.  Add in the fact that he took his job as Lord Diavolo’s private butler so seriously, and it sometimes made it difficult to distinguish his acts of kindness as obligation versus personal desire.  No matter how kind or sweet his words were, no matter how close you felt with him at any given moment, you were always, always aware that he kept himself at a distance.  It made your own affections for him feel one-sided, a heavy gift you held in shaky hands with nowhere to put it.

You’d always had the keen sense that he knew, of course; you weren’t exactly good at hiding it.  But he’d never acknowledged it, at least not out-right; even though you could have sworn there were times where you felt his eyes on you when you weren’t looking, or moments where he held your gaze for longer than necessary.  But each time, you’d written it off as wishful thinking, your heart desperately looking for patterns within the random coincidences of life.

But now, things were different.  They had been, ever since that moment he’d plucked that leaf out of your hair with soft affection in his eyes, followed by a quick stolen glance at your parted, stunned lips.  It was all the evidence you needed, and all the evidence that you’d likely get, to know that Barbatos was harboring a flame of his own.  After all, you’d only seen it because he’d let you see it.  You had acted on it immediately, the invitation to dinner tumbling from your lips in place of a confession.  He had accepted with a smile, and you could still feel the elation weaved into your chest like a keepsake as you revisited the memory.

You were yanked from the heart-pounding past to the nerve-wracking present when Barbatos’s fingers intertwined with yours.  Your pulse quickened at the contact. The touch of his skin against yours was so intimate and new, that it felt foreign and strangely forbidden.

“I’m glad you were able to join me,” he said.  “I apologize that the invitation was so last minute. There were... complications.”

You gave a small, teasing laugh, more to trick your own nerves than anything else.  “You act as if we haven’t gone out together before. And I don’t mind last minute; spontaneity keeps things fun.”

Your words felt like lies, a feigned nonchalance in the face of what was so obviously a shift in your relationship with each other, a testing of deeper waters.

“True,” he said.  “But this time is different, isn’t it?”

It was so like him to say outright what was already in your mind. Yet he always managed to do it with such simplicity that it stripped away the anxiety while still leaving the importance.  You swallowed the dryness in your throat and gave a small nod.

He was correct, of course... this - whatever it was – was still very much new for the both of you.

“Besides,” he continued, his lips curving playfully, “it has been some time since we’ve had the pleasure of each other’s company.”

“Four weeks,” you blurted out. Then you clamped your lips shut in embarrassment.

He gave a soft laugh.  “Three weeks and six days, to be exact.”

You gave him a surprised glance.  “But who’s counting?” you teased.

Barbatos smiled. “I often find myself counting the time when we are apart.”

Your body grew hot at his confession, his words vibrating against your skin as they buried themselves into you, becoming a part of you.  No doubt you will be reflecting on that single line for days to come.

Barbatos watched the change in your expression with intrigue.

“However, it is hardly our fault, is it not?” he continued.  “The brothers have been keeping you plenty busy I hear, and the young master requires constant supervision to keep him from chasing his flights of fancy.”

It always amused you when Barbatos referred to the massive, muscular Prince as ‘young;’ it reminded you time and time again how ancient Barbatos really was.  He sounded like a tired uncle reigning in a toddler, and looked the part too, his eyes tired as he watched other demons pass by to take their seats.

“Speaking of Lord Diavolo,” you chimed, “wasn’t he the one who was supposed to join you for this?”

Barbatos returned his eyes to you, only to be met by a narrowed, mischievous gaze and grinning lips.  Barbatos’s smile reappeared deeper than before.

“Something tells me that he intentionally had me set this up and then abandoned it at the last minute in order to allow us this opportunity,” he confessed.

“How very generous of him,” you whispered as you bumped your shoulder against his playfully.

Barbatos drew his thumb over the soft pad of your hand where your thumb and finger joined.  The sensitive nerves tingled, sending goosebumps up your arm.

“Yes,” he agreed as his emerald eyes stared into yours. “Very generous.”

You leaned towards him slightly, your own thumb drawing along his hand in return, as your voice dropped to a whisper.  “It would be in ill taste if we did not maximize this opportunity that he’s provided.”

“Ill taste indeed,” he muttered as he glanced down at your lips.  His gaze lingered there for one heartbeat, two.  Just long enough to get you leaning slightly closer in hopeful anticipation.  Then he broke his gaze and stared ahead. “Lets us fully enjoy this performance then,” he stated.

You stared at him, mildly stunned by his reservedness, until you noticed the slightest hint of a smirk at the corner of his mouth.

He was toying with you.  On purpose.

Your lips turned downward into a pout and you gave a humph as you leaned back in your chair.  Beneath the hum of the audience settling in, you heard the faintest hint of a quiet chuckle in his chest.

You still had yet to kiss him.  The first date was very nice and sweet, a simple dinner at a restaurant you knew you both enjoyed.  You had wanted to keep the first date familiar and unassuming, to allow for the possibility that you’d been wrong, that he’d taken your invitation as a dinner between friends rather than love interests.  It wasn’t long before that worry was eliminated by the touch of his hand over yours at the table, followed by a long swipe of his thumb over your knuckles.

But of course, the private moment was short-lived, because wherever you were, a brother wasn’t far behind.  It was Asmo this time who’d spotted you, miffed at the realization that you were out with someone other than him, and looking dolled up to boot.  Which then, of course, led to him inviting himself to your very obvious one-on-one with Barbatos.  The demon had given you a look to silently inquire if such behavior was acceptable, and you were too kindhearted to give Asmo the boot, so you surrendered, folding like a deck of cards.

The regret and guilt still sat heavy on your mind.  You should have been firmer, set some boundaries. But boundary setting was always difficult when the brothers were involved.

Barbatos would have been able to do it; the look that he’d given you had made that clear enough.  He was a kind demon, yet firm if he needed to be.  And you had a keen sense that you never wanted to get on his bad side.  But he’d taken the intrusion gracefully, and parted ways later that evening without a hint of disappointment or disapproval.

Even so, you’d assumed you’d botched any future opportunities at a second date with him.  Sure, he may not have expressed disappointment in the moment, but you knew he was a master at disguising his true feelings when he wanted to.  So, it had taken you by surprise when he had texted you that he’d enjoyed himself and wanted to try again, albeit something that could be either more structured, or more private to prevent future interruptions.

It had taken far longer than expected to follow through, to the point that you’d almost lost hope.  But finally, here you sat with the apple of your eye looking delicious and refined in his black tuxedo, while you donned a simple strapped gown of your own.  The lights above dimmed, indicating the performance would be starting soon, as the orchestra completed the final checks on their instruments, ensuring everything was in tune.

Barbatos’s hand continued to hold yours, the action feeling almost possessive in nature, a warning to any who might see the two of you together.  A part of you wondered if any of the brothers had managed to sneak their way in and were watching from a distance, and if so, did Barbatos know.  There was no way to know for certain.  Either way, if they were out there somewhere, they couldn’t reach you now, not without causing a scene.

Now your seats made more sense. You had wondered why you weren’t located in one of the more private balcony boxes above; it certainly seemed like a place Barbatos would have preferred.  And had he come with Diavolo like originally intended, he very well might have.  You certainly couldn’t have the Lord of the Devildom sitting amongst the masses.

Which means Barbatos likely figured out a way to change the seating arrangement as soon as he learned of Diavolo’s little scheme.  This was clearly by design, a way to ensure your second date would not be interrupted like the first.  You let out a relaxed breath and reclined against the back of your seat as you prepared yourself to become immersed in the opera.

The lights overhead went black, leaving only the stage washed in a white glow.

“Y/N...” Barbatos started, his eyes on you.  “There’s something you should know about this performance...”

“Hm?” you replied distractedly with barely a glance.

But then the orchestral music began, and you shushed him with a pat on his arm.  Barbatos’s words died on his tongue, as his hand tightened around yours. 

The music started strong and then fell like cascading water into a flurry of notes.  You watched as the music played, as the singers entered the scene.

You had expected English, or one of the romance languages that you often associated with opera, or even an older, biblical language such as Hebrew. But instead, the language was like nothing you’d ever heard, notes sung in such a way that it felt entirely inhuman and beyond the realm of possibility.  You stared, bewildered, unable to understand any of it, even as the earth-shattering beauty of it crashed over you. There were no screens with subtitles framing the stage, no form of translation at all.  There was nothing; just your eyes and the music to try to decipher the story that was unfolding.  It was clear it had to do with angels and demons, and that there was a forbidden love story between them, which, you could deduce would lead to conflict.  But the details were lost as soon as they had opened their mouths.

Barbatos watched you in silent observation as your emotions transformed and danced across your face from confusion, to wonder, to awe, to fear, and back again.

His hand squeezed yours, a tether keeping you from losing yourself in the panic of your mortal brain trying to make sense of something beyond its understanding.

“Are you alright?” he whispered, his tone laced with concern. Your wide eyes shot over to him; it took a moment for recognition to register in your gaze.

“Y-Yeah.  But I don’t understand them at all. What language is this??”

“It’s the Divine Language,” he replied. He watched and waited for your brain to process.

“...wait.  What?”

“It’s the Divine Language,” he repeated.  “The language of God, spoken by angels and demons. It’s no surprise you don’t understand it, you’re not meant to unless it’s directly intended for you.”

You didn’t know how to put into words that it felt like you simultaneously understood yet didn’t. The language didn’t sound like words, and yet it left imprints upon you, feelings and emotions stamped upon your soul that you could only vaguely understand.

Barbatos continued as you stared back at the stage in shock.  “Many of the operas composed here are done so in the Divine Language as it withholds the purest meaning and form, and the notes cannot be duplicated in mortal speech.  Had I known you were joining me tonight instead of the young master, I might have selected a more appropriate performance.”

He watched you as you grimaced against a particularly moving crescendo.

“Why does it feel like it’s in my head?” you whispered.

“Because it is,” he whispered back.  “You are fortunate that you have Angelic ancestry in you.”

You gave him a confused look.  “Why?”

“Because if you didn’t, you’d be bleeding out your ears.”

“What??” your voice raised in panic, and multiple demons seated near you shushed you.  You lowered your voice again, but the panic was still there.  “Barbatos!”

Barbatos gave a quiet chuckle as he pulled something small from his pocket.  “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.  Just put these in your ears. It will lessen the impact.”

You took the small black box from his hand and opened it to see a set of ear plugs.  You wasted no time in putting them in.  Immediately, the panic and chaos you felt eased, the thrumming reduced to a hum.

“Why didn’t you give me these earlier?  A warning would have been nice,” you quietly seethed.

Barbatos almost rebutted that he’d tried when the lights went down, but decided against it when he saw you fold your hands protectively in your lap.  You were angry.  He gently pried your hands apart gently with his and twined his fingers with yours in a soft hold. You didn’t fight him, but you didn’t look at him either.

“I promise you weren’t in any danger,” he whispered close to your ear.  “I would not have brought you here if it wasn’t safe.”

Your body remained stiff, but you finally looked at him.  “It felt intentional,” you replied.  “Like it’s something Diavolo would have you do to test me.  Tell me, Barbatos... are you here for work or pleasure?”

Surprise flashed across his face, followed by the return of his gentle smile.  He leaned even closer to your ear until his lips ghosted over your pinna. “Pleasure,” he whispered, his voice low.  His hand squeezed yours reassuringly.  “Definitely pleasure. I assure you there were no ulterior motives.”

The way his voice alone nearly unraveled you... your thighs tightened against their impact and you swallowed as you stared ahead at the stage, struggling to follow the story that you were missing.

But you could be horny and angry at the same time.  You set your jaw stubbornly.

“You swear?” you asked as you kept your eyes on the stage.

He took your chin in his hand and turned your face to look at him, his expression serious. 

“I swear,” he replied.

Then he placed as soft brush of lips to your forehead. It stole your breath as a shiver passed through every nerve.

Your anger finally dimmed, soothed by the genuineness of his words and the reassurance of his affection. Your fingers finally closed around his in reciprocity, and Barbatos returned his green eyes to the stage.

A long moment passed as you both watched the performance.  The impact of the Divine Language continued to wash over you, dragging vague meaningful pictures to your mind as your emotions danced like puppets.  The earplugs helped, keeping you from feeling like your head was splitting open.  But you still felt lost in it, carried away on a foreign tide.

Barbatos noticed.  He leaned close and whispered.  “Would you like me to translate for you?”

His breath tickled your ear and your chest tightened as your heart tried to grow wings and escape.  You angled your head to him slightly; your eyes breaking from the stage briefly. 

“Please,” you whispered.

And so, he quietly summarized the plot and dialogue into your ear as his eyes watched.  The male and female lead sang to each other, their voices rich with emotion, their body language communicating their love.

“They are of two different worlds,” he explained.  “Yet they love each other unequivocally.”

You smiled softly. “Romantic...”

“Very,” he agreed.  “She is expressing worry that heaven will cast her out for falling for him.  And he is promising to never leave her.”

The music rose in crescendo.  It filled you, and your chest tightened like a balloon about to burst. You took deep breaths to allow the sensations to pass through you.

You had anticipated appreciating the music, being impressed by the vocal gymnastics.  But this was proving to be so much more, a visceral experience that would leave you reeling by the time it was over.

As you watched, Barbatos continued to translate.  The angel was cast out as predicted and was cursed to walk the earth and live her life as a human.  This allowed them to continue their romance without judgment and they rejoiced.  But shortly after, things took a turn for the worst, as they often did in operas.

“She’s sick...” you commented quietly as you watched the performance.

Barbatos glanced at you briefly from the corner of his eye.  “She’s mortal.”

Something inside your chest twisted, a stirring of something heavy that you’d been struggling to ignore ever since you committed to staying in the Devildom.  You tried to push it back down, to watch the story continue.

But maybe it was the way that it hit too close to home; or maybe it was the way the Divine Language seemed to invade every crevice of you like a living thing, forcing your body to experience something beyond what it was built for.  Either way, it brought forth every worry, every fear that plagued you late at night when you were alone in your bed. It was the way the loneliness that you struggled to ignore within yourself began to gain weight, a black hole pulling you into its relentless gravity.  It was the type of loneliness that came with the sense of otherness, of being separate; the awareness of being where one did not truly belong no matter how badly you wanted to.

Your eyes brimmed with tears as you stared at Barbatos’s hand holding your own.  Suddenly, this – all of this – felt foolish.  So foolish.  What were you doing, going on a date with a demon?  Allowing yourself to open your heart for someone who would outlive you ten times over? The time would be gone in a blink, your mortal life small and insignificant.

Your tear-rimmed eyes looked back to the stage.  You watched as the female lead died, succumbing to her illness, and her partner mourned her.

Would Barbatos mourn you in such a way? Would he watch you grow old and feeble while he stayed young and flawless?  Did demons and angels even love the same way that humans did? How much could one human life really matter anyway, to someone who was essentially immortal? You were a blip in his life, a small blink of time that would come and go, a nice little hobby to pass the time.  Whereas for you, he would be your entire world, your entire life if things panned out the way your foolish heart hoped they would.

Because there was no one else you wanted.  No one else that even came close.

The thoughts shook you to your core until it felt as if you were being split in two, a great chasm running right down the center of you between what your heart longed for and what your head knew to be true. It made you begin the grieving process of what you would inevitably lose before you’d ever had a chance to even have it.  The pain was a wild beast in your chest, threatening to break free, to rip open your rib cage and let your heart bleed out in front of everyone.  You wanted to cry. You wanted to scream.

You wanted to leave.

You unlatched your hand from Barbatos’s, avoiding his eyes as you grabbed your purse from the floor.

“I-I’m sorry,” you whispered, your voice cracking.  “Excuse me...”

You made your way past the few seated individuals that blocked you from the aisle. As soon as you’d freed yourself, you walked quickly towards the exit, a race against time between the sobs in your throat that were rising to the back of your tongue and your proximity to the door.

You crossed the threshold with your hand over your mouth.  Already, you felt the wet tears sliding down your cheeks, your makeup effectively ruined.

And so was your date, you were certain.  The way you’d bolted from Barbatos without a second thought, without explanation... If you hadn’t offended him before on your first date, then you certainly did now.

You removed the earplugs from your ears and stuffed them into your purse.

You could still hear the music, could still hear the anguish in the male demon’s notes as he mourned the loss of his love.  Even from here, the Divine Language found you, gripped you, choked you.  You practically ran out of the opera house into the cold, wet evening of the devildom, and with it came silence – blessed, sweet silence.  A soft rain was falling, coating everything until it shined wet.

You quietly walked out from the covered entryway, past the great pillars that held up the grand architecture.  You turned your face up to the sky with closed eyes and let the water mist your skin.  Then you sat down on the steps and put your head in your arms and cried.

It wasn’t long before you heard the familiar soft steps of Barbatos’s polished black shoes on the wet stone.  A moment later, the rain above you stopped and the sound of pitter-pattering on fabric met your ears.  Still, you didn’t look up, your shame too heavy to lift your head.

You felt the presence of him, felt him as he circled around to your front.  You peeked through your arms just in time to see him kneel in front of you on the steps.

“I’m sorry,” you confessed through sniffles.

“What happened?” he asked calmly.

“I don’t know, I just...”

More tears welled up as your words caught in your throat.  You wiped at your eyes in an attempt to make them stop, but more took their place.  Barbatos took a handkerchief from his coat pocket and handed it to you.  You took it and held it in your hands, your fingers rubbing across the soft silk.

“Did you not like the performance?” he asked, his tone laced with worry.  “Perhaps the earplugs were not enough.”

You couldn’t help but give a sad, soft laugh. “No, I did.  I did like it. It’s just...”

Again, your words faltered.  Why was it so difficult to say? It was as if the emotions you felt were too large, unable to fit into the neat little boxes that human language provided.  If only you could speak the language of angels and demons...

“Barbatos...” you started softly, “why did you ask me out?”

His veridian eyes widened slightly in surprise.  “You mean to the opera?”

“No, I mean ask me out.  On a date.”

His gaze softened, although the confusion in them remained.  “Because I care for you. I had thought that years of mutual pining and silent eye contact every time we were in the same room together made that obvious.”

You half chuckled.  It wasn’t as obvious as he thought it was...

He tilted his head slightly, and he wasn’t quite quick enough to hide the sadness that flitted across his face.

“Do you not feel the same?” he asked.  “Perhaps I have misunderstood-“

“No! No, that’s not it,” you protested, your hands reaching out to grasp his.

Not that.  Anything but that...

You kept his free hand in yours, your fingers following his knuckles from one finger to the next. 

“What I mean is, why me?”

Barbatos’s fingers wrapped around your own.�� “Why not you?”

“Because. I’m mortal.” Your voice cracked, and Barbatos straightened slightly.

“Ah. I see.”

“I can’t help but feel like I’m making a mistake.  Like I’m not supposed to feel this way.”

“Feel what way?”

More tears fell from your lashes as a sob escaped your throat.  “Happy.”

You released your hold on him and buried your face in your hands.

Barbatos touched your arm, his fingers wrapping around it gently.  You felt the rain suddenly return followed immediately by the sound of the umbrella touching the stone steps. You looked at it slightly confused, just in time for Barbatos’s other hand to take your chin and tilt your face up until you were looking at him.

“And why shouldn’t you be happy?” he asked.

You stared at him, watching as his hair flattened in the rain, running rivulets down his pale skin.

“Because my time here will be so brief compared to you, to everyone.  I’ll keep changing and grow old, and you’ll all stay the same.”

Barbatos stared at you for a long moment, his expression soft yet neutral.  He cocked his head slightly and released your arm to wipe your wet hair from your face before trailing his fingers along your cheek to your jaw line.

“What makes you think your longevity will be brief?”

You furrowed your brow.  “Because I’m human...?”

“So is Solomon...”

He had a point there. But...

“But Solomon is a powerful sorcerer.”

“And you’re not?”

“Not like him... I’m just barely beginning to grasp the things he’s teaching me.”

“Do not mistake knowledge for power,” Barbatos said.

“I thought knowledge was power,” you teased, the first hint of a smile on your lips.

Barbatos smirked at your cheekiness. “I stand corrected.  However, the point I’m trying to make is this: your power is your own and always will be. And trust me when I say that your power is vast.  Already you’ve been able to wield it in ways that Solomon could only dream.  All that you require now is the knowledge, and that will come with time.”

“But my time is limited.”

“So it is for all of us, one way or another,” Barbatos replied.  “Do not let a little thing called Time stop you.  You will have plenty enough of it to figure out how to bend its effects to your will just as Solomon has.”

“Is that what your visions of the future show you?” you teased.

Barbatos’s soft smile tightened slightly. “I don’t know. I don’t look into the future unless Lord Diavolo instructs me to.  But even if I could, I wouldn’t look at yours.”

Your brows furrowed.  “Why not?”

Barbatos stared down at the ground, his lashes hiding his eyes. “Because no good could come of it.  Despite my age, I am not immune to the impact of loss. And witnessing the loss of you in the future would only taint what time I have with you in the present.”

A silence fell between you as you thought upon his words.  They brought a warmth into your chest at the realization of how much you meant to him.  And yet... it only made your concerns feel that much more valid.

You didn’t want to hurt him. Not in the present, and not in the future.  Even if it was due to circumstances beyond your control.

“What if... what if I can’t do what Solomon does? What if I can’t figure it all out? The lifespan of a human seems so short...”

Barbatos looked back up at you, a sad smile on his lips.

“If your time is to be so short, then perhaps it is best to enjoy the time that you do have, freely without the burden of guilt.  You deserve happiness, in whatever way you can find it. Don’t let your fears taint what your heart wants.”  His hand found yours, and he stared at it as his thumb brushed over your fingers. “And... if I may be a little bit selfish... let me have this time with you now, if you’ll have me. I will feel your absence regardless, and I’d rather be able to look upon the past with fondness instead of regret.”

“Barbatos...” you whispered.   Your hand came up and brushed his long locks back, tucking them behind his left ear.  “Of course I’ll have you.”

He smiled softly at you.  “Nothing pleases me more.”

A thought still bothered you though, a question itching at the back of your mind, springing up more worry.  It made your gaze distant, distracted.

“Barbatos... what happened at the end of the story?” you asked.

“Hm? You mean the opera?” he replied.  You nodded.  His smile grew.  “When the female lead dies, her soul is unable to ascend to heaven due to being cast out. So, there is only one place left for her to go.”

Your eyes widened.  “She went to hell.  She got to be with him in the end.”

Barbatos’s smile filled his face, his eyes crinkling and perfect white teeth showing.  He was so beautiful it made your chest ache.  “She did.”

Your gaze became distant again with thought.  “When I die.... where do you think I’ll go?”

“Hmmm,” Barbatos pondered, his fingers on his chin.  “Well, to be honest, it’s anyone’s guess.  Although as the keeper of the Seven Deadly Sins, it may tip the scales more in favor of here.  Relations between heaven and hell have been improving, but there are still rules that must be followed. And any who support demons usually end up coming here.”

“Wait, so I’m going to go to hell??” you said indignantly as mirth danced in your eyes.

Barbatos grinned.  “As if I’d ever let my girl go to such a place.  No, I would bring you here to the Devildom.”

Your body flushed hot at his words.  “Your girl...”

Barbatos took your chin in his fingers, his thumb brushing against your lower lip gently. “My girl,” he affirmed.

Then he leaned forward and kissed you, his lips cool and soft against yours in the cold of night. You leaned into it, your hands coming up instinctually to cup his chilled face as you reciprocated his affection.

He pulled away slightly, just enough to look into your eyes, before returning for a second kiss, his lips firmer, warmer.  You opened your mouth to him, every part of you aching for more of him until he filled you, surrounded you, until your head couldn’t think anymore and all that mattered was him, you, this moment.  Barbatos’s grip on you tightened as his warm tongue found yours, tasting you, claiming you.

He pulled away just a fraction again, his eyes shining as the bony wings framing his head flickered and vanished.  His grip on you was strong, one hand holding you by the curve of your jawline, and the other gripping your waist.  You had the keen sense that in that moment, he was torn between behaving like the gentleman he felt you deserved, versus taking you right there on the cold, wet steps in the empty street.

The evidence of Barbatos’s desire for you shocked you.  He was always so reserved, so in control, that seeing him grapple with his lesser instincts because of you made your own instincts want to respond in kind, to lure him out of his carefully crafted persona.  You’d been so starved for his affection for so long, that now even the smallest crumbs of his desire felt like a feast.

But of course, his reason won out.  Slowly he stood, his hand holding yours as he helped you to your feet.

“Perhaps we should get you home,” he stated, even as his eyes remained locked on your lips.

Numb with need, your body buzzing, you nodded silently.

Barbatos picked up the umbrella and shook the water off it before placing it over the two of you.  Then he offered his arm and you hooked yours with his as he led you to the car.

The ride back was silent, although you continued to hold his hand in your lap for the entire duration.  The drive felt far too short for your liking. A sense of dread filled the pit in your stomach as the House of Lamentation came into view and it didn’t leave even as Barbatos released your hand with a kiss and exited the vehicle to open your door for you.  You took his offered hand and stepped out, your gaze locked on the many windows that stared back like countless eyes. You could feel them on your back as you turned around at the gate to face Barbatos to begin your goodnights.

Barbatos could sense your unease. 

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Yeah, I just... I don’t think I’m ready to go in yet. I’d like to spend more time with you.” Your eyes were downcast bashfully as you stared at the buttons of his white shirt, the black bow tie at his neck.

He gave a gentle laugh.  “I don’t want the night to end either.  It is far too early to be saying goodbye.  Where would you like to go?”

You glanced up at him as you felt heat roll across your body, the memory of your kiss still fresh in your mind.  “Some place quiet... and private.”

Barbatos fell silent for a moment as he stared down at you.  “I know just the place,” he finally said.

He led you back to the car, and with a final glance back at the mansion, you sat down in the passenger seat. He closed your door, and soon you were on the road again.  It wasn’t long before he pulled the car up through the lavish, scroll-decorated iron gates of Lord Diavolo’s castle.  Your eyes widened in slight surprise.

“Here?”

Barbatos glanced at you out of the corner of his eye. “You said you wanted private.  This is the only place I can guarantee for sure that no one else will find you.”

“I would have thought it’d be the first place they’d look,” you replied as you stared up at the great, towering spires.

“Oh, they most certainly will.  But as you know, the castle in vast, with many rooms and dangers.  And there is one room they will never be able to enter without explicit invitation.”

You gave him a questioning look.

“Mine,” he stated with a small smirk.

A giddy dizziness clouded your mind as he got out of the car and came around to assist you.

As you stepped out, he continued.  “Due to the dangerous nature of my room, there are many wards and spells that keep unwelcome guests from entering.  You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like, and then I will take you home when you’re ready.”

You realized Barbatos was referring to the many doors that led to infinite pasts and futures.

“I’ve been to your room before; I don’t recall it being very... comfortable,” you confessed.

Barbatos laughed as he led you up the steps. “That’s because you only entered the part I wanted you to enter. My personal space has far better amenities than just stairs and doors.  Did you think I just hung like a bat from the ceiling while I slept?” he teased.

You chuckled.  “The thought had crossed my mind...”

Up the stairs and down the winding, complex halls he led you, taking sharp turns and walking around blank spaces of floor to avoid hidden dangers.  Finally, you were outside his door.  With his hand holding yours, he opened it to reveal a pristine bedroom with an ornate four post bed with a canopy.  A large fireplace sat to the right, already lit, an ornate rug and sofa sitting in front of it.  There was a sitting area near the tall glass doors that opened onto a balcony with a tea cart close by.  It was simple in its elegance, the room cast in a warm yellow-orangish glow from the fire.  Not a speck of dirt was present, and suddenly you felt very unclean, your dress and hair still wet from earlier.

“May I use your bathroom?” you asked.

“Of course, right through there.” Barbatos motioned to the double doors to the left as he made his way to his tea cart. “I will fix us something to drink.”

You stepped into his bathroom and shut the door. It was incredibly spacious.  Not as grand as Asmo’s of course, but it most certainly had every necessary amenity and then some.  You checked yourself in the mirror and nearly gasped at the state of your makeup and your hair. 

To think he kissed you while you looked like this... twice, in fact.

You did what you could to clean yourself up, removing the washed-out makeup and letting down your hair to run your fingers through the damp strands.  Once there was nothing more you could do, you stepped back out.

The delicious smell of tea was fragrant in the air, carried on the warmth of the fire.  Barbatos had set the tea out on the small round table of the sitting area and turned when you entered.  He was still fully dressed in his wet formal wear, and you realized with amusement that he’d gotten engrossed in ensuring the tea and setup were perfect.  The porcelain cups and saucers were delicate and beautiful, with floral designs and golden rims.  The spoons were made of silver, polished to shine in the firelight.

“Welcome back,” he replied with a smile.

You smiled in return.  “What’s all this?”

“What does it look like? I thought we could talk over a cup of tea, let our bones warm a little,” he replied as he made final touches to the setup, adjusting the napkins ever so slightly, turning the teapot just so.

“Barbatos...” you chided playfully. “Is this Barbatos the demon, or Barbatos the butler?”

He stared at you for a moment, stunned, and then gave an embarrassed laugh. “Haha, I suppose you’re right... old habits, as they say...” His laugh left his eyes and he stared at you.  “I just want you to feel comfortable.  I know we’ve known each other for some time; however, it is only our second date.”

“I am comfortable,” you said softly. “More comfortable than I’ve ever been since I first arrived here.”  You stepped closer towards him until you were less than a foot apart.  “I always feel safe with you, Barbatos.”

Barbatos smiled in return, warm and soft as his eyes drank you in.  “You don’t know how much it pleases me to hear you say that.”

You rested your hand against his chest.  “Your coat is still wet,” you commented.

“Yes,” he replied as he began to undo the buttons.  He removed it and you watched as the muscles of his shoulders rolled beneath his white shirt.  He laid it carefully over the back of his chair.  “It will dry by the fire soon enough.”

He began to undo his bowtie, but your hands came up to stop him.

“Please… allow me,” you said softly, even as your heart pounded wildly in your chest.

Barbatos swallowed slightly, but let his hands fall until they found their place on your hips, gentle and unassuming.

Slowly, carefully, you began to undo his tie for him as the air warmed between you with each shaky breath.  Once it was loose, you gently pulled on the black material, watching as it slid along his collar before falling off. 

Your eyes locked with his.

It was enough to make the last of his gentlemanly resolve vanish, and he kissed you, his lips capturing yours needily. The tie fell from your grip to land in a careless pile on the floor as your arms went up around his neck to pull him closer. His hands tightened around you in return, fingers spread wide as they traveled across your back.  The warmth of him, the firmness of his body beneath the soft fabrics of his clothes... it was better than every fantasy you’d ever had, dreams paling beneath the shadow of the very real demon in front of you.

Barbatos’s hands shifted from your body to your jaw, cupping your face in a delicate hold.  Once again you opened your mouth to him, eager to revisit that sinful moment on the steps of the opera house, as your fingers tangled into his hair at the base of his neck.  The strands were soft between your fingers, his tongue sweet with the hint of tea.  He must have tasted it before you emerged from the bathroom earlier, no doubt to ensure its perfection.

But now it sat abandoned as your fingers began to undo the buttons of his shirt, starting at the one high on his neck.  As soon as the smooth skin of his chest was exposed, you abandoned your task to run your palms up his chest and back to his neck as you clung tightly to him, your body slotting against his.

He chuckled against your lips as his hands returned to caressing your curves.  “What about the tea?” he teased.

You nibbled on his lip, pulling back with your teeth until it released with a pop, earning a growl from the usually reserved demon.  “No offense, but screw the tea.”

Barbatos’s eyes widened, his eyebrow raising in judgment.  “No offense she says, and yet she wounds me in the same breath.”

You chuckled and planted a kiss on his lips.  “Forgive me… but perhaps we can enjoy it after?”

“After?” Barbatos echoed, his eyebrow raising ever higher as the corner of his mouth curled up. His hands slid from the curve of your back to the plush of your ass and squeezed. “After what exactly? What expectations have you brought with you tonight?”

Your breath hitched at his bold touch, yet your eyes narrowed at his obvious teasing.  Two could play that game.

You widened your eyes innocently.  “Expectations? None.”  You looked at the tea setting. “Perhaps we should enjoy a cup now, before it gets cold…”

You began to disentangle from his hold and turn your body toward the seats, but Barbatos’s strong arm wrapped around your waist, blocking you.  When you turned to look up at him, he was staring down at you with darkened eyes, his smile gone.

“You know… your dress is wet too...” he hummed as he pulled you back against him. 

Checkmate.

Your arms returned around his neck.  “Is it now?”

Barbatos’s hands once again moved along the curve of your back. “Perhaps we should slip you into something more comfortable?”

As he spoke, his fingers gently traced the line of your spine until he reached the top of the zipper.  Slowly he pulled it down, the material relaxing around you, every soft bit of your skin freed from restraint.  His fingers traced back up along your now naked spine as his lips gently brushed yours, the tip of his tongue teasing your mouth open.  It pulled a wanton moan from your throat, a sound that would have made you falter in embarrassment in any other moment... except his touch was far too distracting to care anymore, his chest echoing your own in a low, satisfied hum.  The delicacy of his long, slender fingers skated across your shoulder blades to catch beneath the straps of your dress and slid it off your shoulders. You removed your arms from the falling straps, and Barbatos’s hands helped the dress the rest of the way over your hips until it fell to a puddle around your feet.

He withheld his kisses for a moment to allow his eyes to drink you in from head to toe as his hands followed your silhouette.

“Did you match for me?” he mused as he stared at your matching bra and panties.  “A bit hopeful tonight, were you?” he grinned as he nuzzled your jawline with his nose. “Expectations indeed.”

“Better safe than sorry,” you replied. “And yes, a little bit hopeful...”

His nose continued to follow the curve of your neck then your shoulder as he talked, his breath coating your skin.  “Then I’ll consider this a fortunate turn of events.  I typically don’t expect such intimacy on the second date, but for you I’m more than happy to make an exception.”

Barbatos’s teeth caught on the strap of your bra as his eyes stared over your shoulder to observe the tantalizing view of his hand caressing the curve of your lace-covered ass.  It made your stomach flip, your head spin, and your heat grow between your legs, the slick already building thick within your thin panties.  You were eager; you wanted nothing more than for him to take you right this instant, in any which way.  But Barbatos was the opposite; he took his time and savored.  It was driving you mad.  You shifted your stance just slightly in impatience, the sound of your shoes clicking on the stone floor of his room.

It was enough to catch his attention, to release your bra strap from his pearly white teeth and look down at your heels.  “Hm, perhaps we should remove those shoes of yours...” he smiled against your lips.

Before you could protest, he bent just enough to wrap his arms around your thighs and hoisted you up in his arms, your body pressed against his.  It shocked you how easily he lifted you, as if you weighed practically nothing, his lean muscular figure disguising his demonic strength.

Slowly he walked you back towards his bed as his mouth began to leave kisses in your cleavage, his tongue flicking out occasionally to lick and taste. It made your breaths come out in pants, made your body squirm slightly in his hold, and yet he held you steadily until he reached his destination.

You had thought he would have tossed you onto his bed, following with his body. Or at least that was what you had hoped for.  However, Barbatos always managed to surprise you with the unexpected.  Instead, he set you gently back down on your feet.

“Sit,” he ordered. His tone was soft and not at all overbearing or firm, yet you found yourself following the command instantly.

Then he kneeled before you and gently lifted your left foot. His hands carefully removed your shoe followed by a trail of gentle kisses up your ankle to your calf.  Then he set down your left foot and repeated the action with your right, once again removing the shoe carefully and following it up with kisses.

However, this time, the kisses didn’t stop at your calf. His lips kept traveling.  Past the knee, up the inside of the thigh... your legs parted willingly as your breaths began to quicken, your clit pulsing heavily for him in anticipation.  As he got closer, he pushed your legs wider still, his palm firm against the inside of your knee, and pulled you closer to him until your ass was barely on the edge of his soft, plush mattress.

He paused once he was between your legs, and inhaled through his nose, his eyes closing as if he were savoring a rich, herbal tea.

“I love your scent,” he whispered. 

His eyes opened and you gasped as his green irises glowed, his canines slightly sharper and longer.  The human illusion faded away like a mirage and now you could see the small, bony wings in place of horns, could see the long, double-ended serpentine tail curling and twitching behind him, shining wet.  He still wore his clothes from the evening, his shirt half unbuttoned.

Barbatos watched you with an unreadable gaze.  “Are you afraid?” he asked.

You shook your head vigorously.  “No,” you breathed.  “Just amazed at how beautiful you are.”

Barbatos chuckled, low and deep, ending on a soft hum.  “She says with her legs spread wide for me...” His finger trailed the shape of you through your panties and your body twitched as you bit your lip.  “Trust me when I say you are the beautiful one.”

Then he leaned forward and kissed your core, right on that tight bundle of nerves through the delicate fabric.  You gasped against it, a moan bursting from your chest as you leaned back further, bracing your weight on your hands.  Barbatos’s eyes flashed up at you, brows low and pupils blown wide with lust. He kissed you again, firmer this time.  Again, you whined for him, your thighs tensing as pleasure tickled your nerves from the epicenter of his touch.

On his third return, his tongue flicked out to lick you through the fabric, followed by the press of his lips as his mouth closed over your clit.

You were panting heavily now, your heart pounding against your ribs in desperation.  Again, he licked and kissed.  And again.  Slowly, steadily, with more pressure than before.  His fingers began to stroke your entrance through the fabric, his long fingers drawing up and down.

As his mouth worked you higher and higher through your panties, you felt the warm wetness of his tail wrap itself around your leg and slowly slither up in a spiraling, winding trail.  It was foreign, stimulating, and entirely erotic.  As the tips of his tail reached the height of your inner thigh, they slipped beneath your panties, gliding against your lips and teasing your entrance, causing it to spasm.  Then the tail hooked around the sopping wet fabric and pulled it aside, allowing Barbatos unimpeded access to your cunt as his hands remained firm against the inside of your knees, keeping you spread so wide that the hamstrings of your thighs burned.

“Beautiful...” he murmured as he stared at your pussy with heavy lidded eyes.

Then his mouth was on you, tongue dipping, lips pressing, sucking. You cried out, your head falling back as your back arched.  The arousal tightened, sharpened, until you were sure you would cut yourself on it, bleed out all the desire in a gush. Your breaths grew heavier, faster.  Your hips began to rock, your legs tremble.

But just as you were about to reach your zenith, Barbatos pulled away.

“W-what??” you protested. “Hey!”

Barbatos chuckled as he wiped his shining wet lips with his thumb.  “My apologies. I am not usually one to leave a duty unfinished. However...” his gaze on you grew dark as he stood and began unbuttoning the rest of his shirt.  “I made a promise to myself a long time ago.”

You narrowed your eyes at him suspiciously.  You were still salty he’d stopped, stealing your orgasm from you.  “What promise?”

With his shirt unbuttoned and removed, he began to undo the buckle of his pants.  He pulled the belt from the loops around his waist, then continued to unbutton the top of his slacks.  His pants loosened, sagging to catch on his hips and the hard cock that tented his pants.

You swallowed as you stared at him, your eyes following the curves of his iliac crests, the muscles of his abdomen in soft relief against the firelight.  The soft tuft of dark hair below his navel gave way to the base of his cock, still barely hidden beneath his slacks.

A realization hit you.  Barbatos didn’t wear underwear. No boxers, no briefs, nothing.  Nothing but the thin black fabric of his slacks between his cock and the world.

Your hands reached out, grabbing onto the fabric to tug it down and free him as he watched you with amusement in his eyes.  His cock sprang free, perfect and beautiful.  Your hand wrapped around it, feeling the warmth of it, the smoothness of the skin, the veins that trekked along its sides...

Barbatos’s finger tucked beneath your chin and forced your eyes to look up at him.

“I promised myself,” he continued, “that the first time I make you cum, it’ll be on my cock.”

Your eyes widened and you swallowed. His smirk turned into a devilish grin as he dipped his head down and captured your mouth with his, the scent of you still on his lips.  As his tongue forced its way past your lips, his body invaded you, bearing down on you, forcing you to back further into the bed that smelled entirely of him.

He kissed you hungrily as his hand quickly undid the clasp of your bra before hooking his fingers into your panties and pulling them down off your legs, the clinging wet strings of arousal stretching and snapping as the material left your throbbing cunt. Then he was over you again, surrounding you, caging you with his body as his thighs pushed your legs open for him, the head of his cock nestled against your entrance.

“Please...” you begged, your body taut with need.

He stared at you, the affection heavy in his gaze and written in the flush of his cheeks like paint on paper.

“You will tell me if it’s too much, yes?” he said softly.  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I promise,” you whispered.

You hooked your legs around the back of his thighs and pressed, and he obliged, the leaking head of his cock pushing into your wet heat as his lips parted in a silent breath. You inhaled, your ribcage expanding and your back arching as his cock dragged across every awakened nerve within you, causing your walls to clench tightly around his girth.  He was long, and he filled every inch of you and then some, pushing you past your limits as you gasped in a short cry.

Barbatos froze for a moment, concern in his veridian eyes.  But your body quieted, your expression one of bliss rather than pain, and he breathed as he pulled out and entered you again slowly, feeling the way your body greeted him, took him, made a home for him.  Every inch of you was trembling; the air leaving your lungs on shaky breaths, your thighs practically vibrating, your walls fluttering.

Barbatos’s hand cupped your cheek and he pressed his forehead to yours as you looked at him through half-open, lust-blown eyes.

“My pretty girl...” he whispered tenderly.  “My pretty little human.  So fragile, so beautiful.  Look at you, laid out before me, shaking like a leaf.” He pulled out slowly and pushed in again, the muscles of his biceps shaking with restraint.  “You don’t know how long I’ve dreamed of this moment...”

You smiled and gave a breathy laugh that ended in a hitch as he bottomed out in you.  “At least as long as I have, I hope...”

Barbatos smiled against your lips. “Longer,” he promised, followed by a stolen kiss.

But words could only last for as long as you both had focus, and it quickly waned in favor of the pleasure that washed over you with each thrust, your body and mind immersed in the feel of him.  With your body fully acclimated and pliable beneath his touch, his thrusts quickened as speech gave way to sounds of pleasure; of grunts and groans, gasps and pants.

Barbatos’s knowledge of the human body was not to be underestimated. With each dip of his hips, his cock rubbed against your most sensitive parts, each thrust ending in a grind of his groin to roll your swollen, sensitive clit against him.  His hand caressed your body, pinching and rolling your nipple between his fingers, before sliding down to grip your thigh against him as his mouth devoured yours.

Your body shifted, your breaths quickened, catching in your chest as the arousal swelled, nerves on fire. “Please...” you begged as you clung to him, your nails digging into his shoulders.  “Please, I’m so close...”

He sat up, adjusting his angle to allow his cock to press harder against the top of your walls where you were most sensitive.  The change position allowed him the full freedom of his hands, and he took full advantage.  He held your right leg over his shoulder while his other hand drew fast, steady circles over your swollen clit with his thumb.  He quickened his thrusts for you, spurred by your pleas, your confessions of pleasure.  He watched in rapture as your eyes glazed over then widened, as your back arched when your orgasm piqued, igniting across your nerves.  Over and over, it crashed over you, drowning you, stealing your voice in favor of gasps of air and primal moans.

Barbatos relished the sight, the way you broke before him, because of him.  He relished in the feel of you tight around his cock, your walls pulsing, sucking him in.  He released your leg from his grip and leaned over you again, his lips stealing yours as he pistoned even faster, now that he was able to finally chase his own release.  He buried himself in you with each thrust, the ‘pap’ ‘pap’ of skin hitting skin loud in his ears.  You cried out against him with each thrust, your teeth digging into his shoulder.  If it weren’t for your legs tightening in an iron grip around him, he would have stopped, checked you for injuries.  But instead, you clung to him, your body beyond words, beyond control.

Were you going to cum again? So soon?

The thought alone was enough to send Barbatos over the edge, hot cum spilling from his cock with a groan as he rode out the burning wave of pleasure that washed over him.  With each release of his load into you, a new wave followed, and he chased it relentlessly, savoring every second of you pinned beneath him, wrapped around him...

Your body spasmed against him and you half moaned, half cried into his shoulder, your arms tight around his neck as your hips rolled and bucked, your breaths forced out on a parched, hot tongue and burning lungs. It only added to his own pleasure; not just the fresh spasming of your cunt around him, milking the last of what he had to offer, but the way you moaned for him, clung to him, needed him, as if you’d shatter if every inch of you weren’t touching.

With the majority of his orgasm already falling to the wayside, he kept his pace until he was sure you had finished, when your death grip on his neck finally loosened and your head fell back damp with sweat into his rich bedsheets, panting heavily for air.

Barbatos was less winded of course, thanks to his superior strength and stamina.  It allowed him the opportunity to lift himself on his arms and stare down at you, memorizing every detail.

As your breaths finally eased, your eyes fluttered open.  As soon as you saw him staring down at you, you covered your face with a giggle.  Barbatos smiled and grabbed your hand in his, pulling it off your face and pinning it above your head.  He kissed you with smiling lips, and you returned it in kind, your free hand wrapping lazily around his neck, your fingers gently threading through his sweaty strands.  He kissed you again, and again, moving from your lips to your cheek, to your jaw. You giggled against it, and he smiled against your skin as he buried his face into your neck and allowed himself to rest some of his weight onto you.

“Are you alright?” he finally asked.  His voice was low and reverberated into your chest.

Your fingers lightly grazed back and forth along the back of his neck absently.

“Yeah,” you replied drowsily.  “You?”

“Hm, yes.” he confirmed.  “Very much so.”

After a long quiet moment, you spoke again, your eyes staring at the ceiling.  “That was... wow.”

Barbatos pulled back sightly to look at you.  “Do you regret it? Was it too soon?”

You looked at him in confusion and gave an amused laugh. “Definitely not. I’ve been wanting for that forever.” A pause.  “How about you? Do you regret it?”

Barbatos smiled as he allowed the tips of his fingers to trace your body.  He followed your neck, your shoulder, the curve of your breast.  His smile widened as your nipple perked and hardened under his touch. 

“No,” he replied.  “It happened sooner than I expected, but trust me when I say I have zero regrets. Had I known it would be like this, I would have claimed you sooner.”

You stared at him with poorly masked surprise. Barbatos gave a soft chuckle as his fingers continued their trek down along your hip to your thigh.

“I meant what I said earlier this evening...” he said as he watched his hand travel. “I do not look into your future.  I did not know this would happen.” His hand trailed back up your side to visit the gentle slopes of your arm, following the lines to your sensitive palm.  His fingers twined with yours and he looked back at your eyes.  “And I’m glad.  Seeing this future would have dulled the experience. It was meant to happen like this; unexpected and perfect.”

Tears stung the corners of your eyes, and you pulled him against you as you kissed him tenderly. When your lips parted again, amusement colored your expression.

“I think I’m ready for that tea now.”

Barbatos grinned down at you.  “Absolutely not.  I will make us fresh tea.” He glanced down pointedly at where your bodies were still joined, although his white, sticky cum had long since begun to leak out onto the bedding.  “But first, perhaps a bath.”

You laughed as you followed his gaze.  “Yes, a bath would be nice.”

You had expected him to pull out of you, to help you stand and walk with you.  You were prepared for the walk of shame, the humorous waddle of cupping your hand between your legs to catch any remaining drops of Barbatos’s gift that would inevitably leak out on your journey to the bathroom.  But instead, his tail slithered its way between your back and the mattress and wrapped around your waist, as his hands gripped the globes of your butt.

“Hold on,” he ordered.

“What’re you—AH!”

He hoisted you up in his arms, your body securely pressed against his.  You giggled into his shoulder as he carried you to the bathroom, his tail loosening around your waist in order to open the door while he continued to support your weight easily with his palms.

He set you down near the toilet.  “If my memory of human anatomy is still correct, you should pee.”

You sat on the toilet to do as he asked, and watched as he began to fill the very large bathtub with hot water. The sight of him nude in front of you was both arousing and odd.  He always kept himself covered from head to toe, so much so that even the slightest hint of arm or shoulder had been enough to make your blood run hot and your thighs squeeze together on more than one occasion.  But now, you could see every inch of him, and you realized what an absolute insult it was to have his figure covered up at all times.

He looked up to catch you staring at him and you averted your eyes quickly. He smirked.

“Are you finished?” he asked.

You nodded as you cleaned yourself.

He held out his hand to you.  “Then come join me.”

You did, stepping into the bathwater with his body behind you. You sighed as you leaned back against him, the water coming up to barely cover your breasts.  His hands caressed your arms, your legs; any part of you he could easily touch.

It was a soft silence, a gentle togetherness where words had no place.  There was no need for them.  They were too loud, too plain... there was no way to capture what either of you felt, and there was no need to define or label, to announce or question.  Before the two of you were not, and now you were. The transition into togetherness came with ease, forged through intimacy and surrender, through the carefully laid bricks of friendship and time.

Barbatos washed your hair for you, planting a kiss to your forehead as you tilted your head back to rinse.   He washed your back too, and your arms, the soft washcloth trailing over every inch of skin.  Your knees, your thighs...  But then the washcloth was abandoned in favor of his fingers between your legs, parting your lips beneath the warm, sudsy water to find the pearl of nerves nestled protectively at the apex of your folds.

“Barbatos...” you moaned as you felt that familiar heat reignite. He planted a silent kiss to your temple as he began to move his first two fingers in small circles.  Your legs spread as far as they could within the tub, and he took that as an invitation to increase his pace as his other hand cupped and massaged your breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers with small pinches.

He worked you quickly and with ease.  Within a minute, your head was tilted back against his shoulder as he watched his hand work you beneath the water, your body tensing and flexing each time he passed the pads of his fingers over you.  Quicker and quicker he circled, increasing the pressure until that familiar sound of your heavy panting greeted his ears and your hips rocked, causing your back to press against his hard cock.  He pressed kisses against your jaw line, your neck, and he watched your face as your eyes fluttered closed and your brows drew together, your mouth slightly parted.

You came with a groan, your back arching against him, and he maintained his pace, his digits circling vigorously as he whispered soft praises into your ear.

“Good girl.  My beautiful girl...”

As the pleasure receded to a low hum across your skin, you slumped against him with a sigh and closed eyes.  After a moment, you opened your eyes and looked at him. He smiled and kissed you.

“What was that for?” you asked.

“Do I need a reason?” he replied.  His hands caressed your shoulders as his lips grazed the curve of your ear.  “Because I wanted to,” he whispered.

You turned as best you could in the tub and kissed him tenderly.

You wanted to reciprocate, to run your fingers through his dark green hair as you washed it, to cleanse his pale skin with soap on your palms and affection in your touch.  You wanted to make him feel as good as you felt, to know the weight of him in your hand, your mouth...

But he spoke first.

“Come,” he ordered. 

Before you could protest, Barbatos disentangled himself from you and stepped lithely out of the tub. He grabbed one towel and wrapped it around his lean frame.  Then he grabbed a second towel for you and held it open in quiet invitation.  Unable to say no, you stood and stepped out of the tub, the cool air of the bathroom kissing your skin for only a moment as turned your back to him.  He wrapped the soft cloth around you, his arms wrapping around you as he did so.  He pulled you close against him until his chin rested on your shoulder.

“There is a spare robe on the rack by the door,” he explained. “And you may borrow any of my clothes if you so wish. I will make us a fresh batch of tea.”

With a kiss planted against your wet hair, he stepped away. You watched as he abandoned his towel and grabbed his other robe, pulling his arms through the sleeves before crossing the fabric over his nudity and tying the sash.  With a brief glance and a small smile, he stepped out and closed the door, as if to give you privacy you no longer needed.

You breathed a heavy breath slowly from your lungs, allowing the release to steady you as you processed the reality of all that had transpired thus far.

The mellow acceptance you’d felt earlier when Barbatos was with you gave way to a mixture of elation and shock that hummed through your body and mind, reverberating against your isolation within the bathroom.  It felt as if your heart would explode, the beating muscle unable to keep up with the demands of the emotions that swirled inside of you like a vortex. You felt up-ended, chaotic, yet free.

This wasn’t at all how you thought this would happen. You had always pictured the process as slow, requiring a level of patience you weren’t entirely sure you possessed.  You’d ease into it, learn how to navigate Barbatos’s complexity on a level that you had yet to explore or fully understand, like learning to sail for the first time in uncharted waters.

Instead, the tether of caution, of safety, had been snapped from its mooring, and now you felt you were spinning, drifting, carried out on a heavy tide with no knowledge of where it led or how to navigate it; a small boat in deep waters, large waves, and not a paddle to be found. 

You wanted to trust in it. To trust in him.  To trust the softness of his touch, the delicacy of his kisses, the honesty of his words.

You wanted to trust that you would be kept safe, protected; that your small little boat would not be capsized by the weight of all that he was – an ancient, timeless, a creature beyond human understanding.  You wanted to trust that he would not let you drown, would not let you sink into the bottomless black, dragged deep by the limits of your mortality and understanding.

To trust your heart to him, your soul... it was like trusting the ocean to be kind to you, as if the ocean were anything but indifferent.

But Barbatos was not indifferent. In fact, he was far from it.  But he wasn’t human, either.  His view of life, death, the world... it went far beyond your own comprehension, and you couldn’t help but wonder how you, in all of your insignificance, had managed to even catch his attention to begin with, let alone hold his eye.

You began to gather yourself, your movements slow and sluggish as you dried your body.  Your thighs and your cunt ached, but it was pleasurable, a soft reminder of the intimacy you’d shared. It helped root you to the present, to tear your eyes away from that distant, unknown horizon and focus on the sand beneath your feet.

You stepped out of the bathroom to the smell of a sweet, floral fragrance.  You quickly noticed the new bedding on his bed, and wondered if you’d lost track of time, or if he’d used magic to quickly change them.  Either way, it looked ready to sleep in.

Barbatos was by the small table with a fresh pot of tea, the arrangement prepared.  He was still in his robe, the silky fabric loosely open towards the top providing a pleasant view of his chest.  He looked up from when you entered and smiled as his eyes raked over your figure.

“Perhaps I should let you keep that,” he said.

You looked down at the robe.  “If I did, then it’d have to come back with me to the House of Lamentation,” you teased as you walked towards him.

Barbatos narrowed his eyes.  “Then, perhaps not.  Such beauty should be for my eyes only.”

He took you into his arms as soon as you were within reach and kissed you. Then he motioned to the table and chairs.

“Tea?” he offered.

You laughed.  “Yes.”

You both sat, the air between you warm and comfortable, the conversation between you flowing easily.  It eased your nerves and quieted your fears.  In private moments like this, it didn’t matter that you were a human, and he was a demon.  What mattered was the happiness, the laughs, the comfort it brought you to be in his presence.  The foundation of the two of you remained, and yet there was a newness that coated it, a novelty and open curiosity.  Your feet played with his under the table; his tail teased your leg.  And the looks shared were a newly opened secret, an invitation to explore each other’s hearts, while sensitive hands itched to explore each other’s bodies.

Once the tea was gone, the conversation moved to the couch in front of the fire.  You curled yourself up against Barbatos’s side as your eyes watched the flames dance.

“How come I’ve never heard the Divine Language before?” you asked, your brow furrowed. “I talk to you and all the other demons and angels just fine.”

Barbatos gave a small smile.  “That’s because we are naturally fluent in every language. We speak to you in your language because we have to.”

Your head lifted from his shoulder.  “Really? I mean, I guess that makes sense...I just...huh. Never really thought about it.”

Your head went back to its resting place.

“I did mean it, earlier…” he said softly.  “You were safe at the opera.”

You were silent for a long moment.  “I believe you.  But for me, as a mortal, even the slightest possibility of not being safe was terrifying.”

Barbatos’s arm tightened around you.  “I assure you; I had multiple failsafes in place in the highly unlikely possibility that I was incorrect.”

You lifted your head again to look at him.  “Like what?”

He glanced at you and returned his gaze to the fire.  “In the worst-case scenario, I was prepared to teleport you instantly.”

“But that’s not the worst-case…” you said softly.  “Worst-case would be if teleporting is too late.”

Barbatos was silent for a long moment, his expression locked in stillness.  “If such a thing happened, then I would be forced to use my ability.”

“With Lord Diavolo’s permission…”

A muscle twitched in his jaw.  “Yes, of course.”

You didn’t feel entirely convinced by his response, which alarmed you.  Barbatos was always absolute in not using his time travel ability without the Prince’s explicit permission or instruction. Even the hint of possibility that his commitment to that single, most important rule would potentially falter... because of you...

“However,” he continued, his gentle smile returning, “even average humans can withstand the power of the Divine Language for at least a few minutes.”

Relief filled you.  “Really?”

“How do you think God and his angels talked to the prophets?” He grinned.  “So, I will tell you again, you were safe.”

You smiled appreciatively at his reassurances, but it dissipated as you had another curious thought.

“If you were so worried about the risks and had so many plans in place, why didn’t you just... not invite me?  Or maybe take me somewhere else?”

Barbatos gave a small, embarrassed laugh.  “Yes, I did consider that option first.  However, we’d already been struggling to find time for each other recently.  And I did not want the young master’s efforts to go to waste, even though he hadn’t considered the concerns regarding the Divine Language.”  He tilted his head slightly as he watched the flames.  “Besides, I thought the love story was somewhat... fitting.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle. In a strange way, it was.  You snuggled tighter against him.

An idea popped into your head.

“Can you speak the Divine Language?” you asked.

“Of course, I can. I am a demon after all.”

You looked up at him again, your eyes shining. “Say something to me.”

Barbatos stared down at you with wide eyes.  “Like what?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know... Whatever you want.”

Barbatos stared at you as he thought.  Then he took a hesitant breath and spoke.

The sounds were a melody, a chorus of voice tuned to his deep tone.  It washed over you gently, blanketing you until every inch of you felt warm and safe.  It chased away your fears of death and loss, and instead, it made you want to trust him with your life.  His finger gently traced the line of your jaw as he spoke, a gentle smile on his lips. It was short, lasting mere seconds, yet it somehow felt longer.

Silence fell between you as your mind gradually cleared.

“Did you understand it that time?” he asked curiously.

“I... I don’t know. Was I supposed to?”

“It was directed at you, so I had hoped you would.”

“It wasn’t so much words, but more of a... feeling?”

“What did it feel like?”

“Being safe... and warm... Is that how it works? Through feelings and pictures?”

“I don’t know,” he confessed. “I’ve never been human.”

You made a face. “Eh, that’s okay. It’s overrated.”

He laughed deep and rich, and the sound of it made you laugh too, the joy contagious.  Then his smile faded, and he tilted his head at you.

“So, what did you say?” you asked.

Barbatos was silent for a moment, as if debating with himself.  Finally, he spoke quietly, his voice solemn.  “I told you I will always protect you.”

Your stared at him with parted lips, hoping to find the words that could equal his own, but there were none.  Instead, you kissed him gently, your hand cupping his jaw.  He reciprocated, his hand covering yours as his arm tightened around you.  It made the latent desire in you reawaken, and you deepened the kiss with your tongue.  Barbatos welcomed you, his mouth opening with yours, his warm tongue swiping and tasting. 

You hummed and crawled into his lap, your legs straddling him.  The action forced your robe to part below the sash, exposing yourself to him.  The sight brought a pleased hum into the back of his throat, and his kisses deepened, battling your tongue for supremacy.  His grip on you tightened, his fingers digging into the fat of your hips through the fabric to pull you closer against him.

His cock awakened within seconds, hard and hot, and you pressed your wet cunt against the length of it.  You rolled your hips until your clit rubbed against him, and moaned into his mouth. He swallowed the sound with his tongue swiping along yours as his hands forced your hips to roll on him again.  Your hands began to untie the sash of his robe and he chuckled against your lips.

“Again?” he teased.

The sash gave way, and you pushed the edges of his robe aside to expose the length of his body beneath you.   “Shut up,” you replied playfully as you savored the feel of his chest with your hands.

Barbatos’s cock twitched beneath you, and he began untying your robe in return.  “You lose your manners when you’re horny,” he grinned. “My impatient little human.”

He pushed the robe off your shoulders, and it dropped behind you off the couch.  He started at your silhouette in the firelight, his hands caressing your curves.

Your hand wrapped around the shaft of him and gave him a couple of languid strokes, teasing the flushed head with your thumb. Barbatos closed his eyes and hummed.

You tutted at him.  “Yes, well this impatient little human is going to ride your very big demon cock,” you breathed lustfully.

He growled low, and when he opened his eyes, they glowed like emeralds caught in sunlight.  “You should be careful what you say to a demon, my dear.” He watched through heavy-lidded eyes as you lined yourself up with him, your dripping cunt hovering over his cock head. “I have more control than most, but even I have my limits.”

His grip on your hips tightened, fingernails digging into soft flesh, as you lowered yourself onto him slowly, your gaze hazy and lovesick.  Your eyes rolled back, your lids closing, as you reached the base of his cock, taking every inch, his tip pressing deep into you.  It ached, your body still sore from earlier.  It blended with the burning pleasure as he stretched you, creating a sweet harmony of love and pain, pleasure and danger.  You rocked your hips slightly, then slid back up, only to come back down again with a slowness that even rivaled Barbatos’s patience.

“Then again…” he muttered as his eyes watched his cock disappear into you, “perhaps I made you wait too long.”

You moaned softly, your head nodding in hazy affirmation as you slid up and down his cock again. Barbatos’s hands began to move your hips, forcing you to rub your clit against him with each descent.  The pressure of his hands forced you to quicken your pace.

“Humans…” he continued teasingly as he watched your breasts start to bounce deliciously. “You always want everything now, now, now.”

Your eyes were closed in ecstasy, your head lolling back.  Your lips curled into a grin.  “Are you saying I’m spoiled?” you breathed.

He forced you down harder onto his cock and you moaned as your cunt tightened.  Fresh arousal coated his shining shaft, dripping slowly down his balls.

“Not yet, my sweet girl.  But you will be.”

Then Barbatos wrapped his arms around your waist and held you close against him as he snapped his hips up to meet yours, his cock slamming into you. You yelped and clung to him, your face buried into his neck. He did it again. And again. Each time, he pushed your hips down to meet his as he thrusted. Each time you cried out in high pitched whines as your breaths were knocked from your lungs. And each time, his cock grew harder and harder as he felt his own pleasure rapidly rising. Your body caught his fast rhythm, your thighs and your hips working yourself frantically on his cock as you rode him.  Your breasts were pressed against him, his teeth digging into your collarbone as you panted, your whines rising in pitch with each hit of your sensitive walls.  Your hands gripped the couch on either side of his head, your brows drawn together as you chased the release you so desperately craved.

Barbatos looked up at you, watched the curve of your neck, your jaw.  Watched every little way your muscles and tendons twitched and spasmed as the tension built within you.  His own pleasure was building swiftly, and he was determined to have you cum with him while he spilled himself inside your sensitive walls.  His thick tail wrapped around your waist, the tips of it dipping between your legs.  The tips were dexterous, wet and warm, and they tickled your clit, pressing against it, pinching, swiping.  With your eyes squeezed shut it nearly felt like being eaten out while being fucked.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck!” you cried.

He timed it perfectly, your orgasm cascading over you just as his crested, his load filling you as you rode him. He couldn’t suppress the grunts and groans that overtook him, couldn’t fight the way his strong hands forced you down onto him over and over again with brutal intensity as his tail tightened around you.  You cried his name, wrapped in moans of pleasure as the tears in your eyes finally spilled over, leaving wet tracks on your cheeks that dripped onto his shoulder.

He felt them, cold, wet drops landing on his hot skin.  He took your face in his hands and kissed you passionately as his tail kept you in place, helping your body to rut against him through the final stretch of your shared orgasm, his cock twitching the last drops into your cunt.

Finally, his tail relaxed around your waist, and you collapsed against him with your arms around his neck and your face buried into his shoulder.  Your entire body heaved as your lungs gasped for air. The elation pumping through your veins faded away to reveal the pain waiting beneath it in the form of burning thighs, fiery lungs, and a cunt that felt bruised and battered.

Barbatos’s hands gently caressed your back as he waited for you to recover. Once your breaths steadied and your heart no longer pounded loud enough for Barbatos to hear it, he spoke.

“Are you alright?” he asked softly.

There was a pause that worried him, and then you nodded your head against his shoulder.

But you didn’t speak yet, and so he continued.  “Was I too rough?”

Your response was quicker this time, your head shaking in denial.

He gave a soft, worried chuckle.  “Can you talk?”

You giggled softly and forced yourself to sit up just enough to look at him. Your face was shining with sweat, and your eyes looked tired.  “I’m okay, I promise,” you finally said.  Then you laid against him again, your body feeling like stretched out rubber.

He tightened his arms around your waist and kissed your shoulder.  “Do you feel satisfied yet?” he asked.

You laughed against him, even though the action made your ribs ache.  The richness of it warmed him, pushing his lingering worries back to the distant horizon of his mind. 

“Yes, very much so,” you replied.  “But I probably won’t be able to do that again tonight.”

Barbatos sat up slightly from his slouched position, and the action made you wince, his soft cock still nestled inside you.

He paused for a moment before making you sit up enough to look at him.

“You’re hurt,” he commented, his brow furrowed.

“I’m sore, there’s a difference,” you replied with a grin.  “Don’t worry, I promise I’m fine. I’m just... gonna move real slow for a while.”

“You will not move at all until you’re well again,” he replied firmly.

You put your forehead to his, a playful grin on your lips.  “Hmm, does that mean I get to stay in your bed while you dote on me?”

Barbatos smirked and he kissed you with a peck.  “Perhaps...”

“Then yes,” you replied. “I’m sore. So sore.  Suffering, even.  I don’t think I’ll be able to move for a week.”

“And what makes you think you’ll be able to recover so quickly if you’re in my bed?” he replied mischievously as his hands lightly squeezed your ass.

“Barbatos,” you scolded mockingly, “are you telling me that you would take advantage of me in my weakened state?  That’s not very gentlemanly of you.”

Barbatos chuckled.  “I’m a demon, not an angel,” he replied.  “I told you earlier even I have my limits.”  He kissed you softly.  “But... I promise to be gentle.”

You kissed him softly in return.  Then he wrapped his arms and tail around you, and this time you were prepared as he lifted you up again and carried you once more to the bathroom.

He was dutiful in his care, his touches gentle and patient.  And when you were both clean again, he picked you up in his arms again and carried you to his bed, a gesture you were quickly growing accustomed to.  He set you gently into the plush bedding and followed after you, pulling his thick, clean covers over the both of you.  As soon as your head hit his pillow, sleep claimed you, your eyes drifting shut as you drank in the warmth of his skin against yours. They would not open again until the morning.

And as you slept, Barbatos stared at you in the dying firelight of the late night.  His fingers absently danced along your arm, your hair, your back. And as he touched you gently, the time passed, seconds into minutes, and minutes into hours.  The embers turned to ash, the room pitched into blackness, and Barbatos still could not sleep, as he battled within himself.  Finally, in defeat, he allowed himself one confession, to be spoken barely at a whisper in a language your soul would feel but your brain would not understand. The lilting, singing words spoken on a divine, immortal tongue drifted past his lips, unable to be recalled or undone.

“I love you.”

#obey me shall we date #om barbatos #obey me barbatos #obey me barbatos x mc #obey me barbatos x you #obey me barbatos x reader #barbatos x reader #barbatos x mc #barbatos x you

[ctfamilydentalpractice]

Why Choosing a Family Dentist in Turlock, CA is a Wise Decision

Maintaining your family's oral health is a top priority, and finding the right family dentist can make all the difference. If you're in Turlock, CA, you're in luck because you have access to a wide range of dental professionals who can cater to your family's needs. In this article, we will explore the benefits of choosing a family dentist in Turlock, CA, and why it's a wise decision for your loved ones.

Comprehensive Care for All Ages

One of the most significant advantages of selecting a family dentist is the convenience of comprehensive care for patients of all ages. A family dentist is trained to work with children, teenagers, adults, and seniors, making it easier for your entire family to receive dental care in one place. This eliminates the need to visit different dental specialists, saving you time and simplifying your family's oral health management.

A Trusting Relationship

Building a trusting relationship with your dentist is essential, especially for children and those who may have dental anxiety. When you choose a family dentist in Turlock, CA, you have the opportunity to establish a long-term relationship with a dental professional who understands your family's unique needs and concerns. Over time, this trust can help reduce dental anxiety and ensure that your family receives the care they deserve.

Preventive Care

Prevention is key when it comes to oral health. Family dentists focus on preventive care, including regular check-ups and cleanings, to help you and your loved ones maintain healthy teeth and gums. By addressing issues early on, you can prevent more extensive and costly dental procedures down the road. Regular visits to your family dentist will include thorough examinations, X-rays, and cleanings to catch and address dental problems before they worsen.

Education and Guidance

A family dentist not only provides treatment but also educates patients about proper oral hygiene practices. They can offer personalized guidance on brushing and flossing techniques, dietary choices, and other factors that contribute to good oral health. This education is particularly valuable for children and teenagers who are still developing their oral care habits.

Dental Services for Every Need

Family dentists offer a wide range of services to address various dental needs within your family. These services can include:

Routine Check-ups and Cleanings: Regular appointments to maintain oral health.

Dental Fillings: To address cavities and tooth decay.

Orthodontic Services: Such as braces or Invisalign for children and teenagers.

Dental Restorations: Including crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Services like teeth whitening and veneers to enhance smiles.

Emergency Care: Immediate attention for dental emergencies.

Oral Surgery: Tooth extractions and other surgical procedures when necessary.

Having access to a wide range of dental services ensures that your family's unique needs can be met promptly and effectively.

Local Convenience

Choosing a family dentist in Turlock, CA, offers the added advantage of local convenience. You won't need to travel long distances to receive top-notch dental care. This is especially important when you have young children or elderly family members who may find long trips to the dentist uncomfortable.

Insurance and Payment Options

Most family dentists accept a variety of insurance plans and offer flexible payment options. They understand the financial aspects of dental care and strive to make it accessible to as many families as possible. Before your appointment, it's a good idea to check with the dental office about their accepted insurance providers and payment plans.

Conclusion

In Turlock, CA, choosing a Family Dentist Turlock CA is a wise decision for your family's oral health. From comprehensive care for all ages to preventive measures, education, and a wide range of services, a family dentist offers numerous benefits that can help you and your loved ones maintain healthy smiles for years to come. Building a trusting relationship with a local family dentist ensures that your family receives the individualized care and attention they deserve. Don't wait; prioritize your family's oral health by scheduling an appointment with a family dentist in Turlock, CA today.

#Ctfamily Dentalpractice

[mubarak-procucts]

Islamic Lifestyle and Its Impact on Health – A Complete Guide to Follow

 Posted by Mubarak Deals

 August 1, 2022 5:36 pm

Table Of Content

• What is the Islamic lifestyle?• Why is being healthy important in Islam?• Importance of food in Islam• Islam promotes healthy food habits because:• What is the Halal concept?• Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWS) Health Tips

Islam is one religion that guides an individual not only on the way one should worship and develop beliefs but also on how to lead a healthy life. Health and hygiene are two very crucial aspects of Islam as well as of human existence.

The Quran and the Hadith, the one describing the life of the Prophet, both preach a lot about health and offer guidelines about preventative, curative restorative aspects of health. The Prophet (SAWS) said;

‘Allah (SWT) created disease and treatment, and He made for each disease a treatment. So, seek treatment but do not use haram.”

The Islamic lifestyle preaches a healthy way of living life and all need to understand it and stay healthy to live long. Whether it takes exercise or HealthKart nutrients to keep you fit and healthy, one should indulge in such practices but maintain distance from haram. In this post, we shall discuss the Islamic lifestyle and how Islam promotes health. We shall also learn the importance of food in Islam and the concept of halal.

To conclude, we will be discussing some health tips from the Prophet (SAWS) himself.

 What is the Islamic lifestyle?

Islam guides Muslims to live in a certain way and it can be summed as Islamic Lifestyle. As per Shariah (Islamic Law), there are certain things haram in Islam which include stealing, lying, committing adultery, gambling, eating pork, and drinking alcohol. Shariah also guides on how men and women with Islamic beliefs must dress modestly and should not indulge in any activity that would hurt the sentiments of others. Muslims must respect parents, help the poor, have faith in God, kindness, honesty, and do hard work.

When it comes to health and nutrition Islam teaches a very specific way of leading Muslim life. Muslims must be very precise when choosing, obtaining, or consuming any food items and must avoid forbidden or haram items such as blood, dead animals, and pork. Islam has been very particular about the health aspect of life. As per the Prophet (SAWS),"Wealth is appropriate to a God-fearing person, but good health is better for the God-fearing than wealth".

He (SAWS) further added, "He of you who finds himself enjoying good health, secure in his community and has his daily sustenance, is as if he had the whole world at his fingertips".

A true Muslim must be true to his Islamic belief and say dua, perform namaz and do wudu. Islam teaches healthy habits to boost hygiene and promote the health of the mind and body.

Right from encouraging people to have a healthy breakfast too, including True Basic nutrition supplements in the diet, Islam has a broad concept of health and wellness to teach.

Why is being healthy important in Islam?

Leading a healthy and happy life does not happen with any accident, but is fostered by your daily habits. It is very important to establish your relationship with health and consume fresh or buy from brands that sell fresh example Big Basket grocery online.

The Prophet (SAWS) always taught us to pay attention to health as he believed that healthy bodies have healthy souls. He would say “The example of the stomach is like a pond. There are outlets in all directions from it. If the stomach is healthy then the rest of the body will be healthy”. He (peace be upon him) also said: “A stomach is a place of diseases”.

Islam promotes health as health is the key to a human who can lead a faithful life, offer the best to his family and friends, as well as value and follow the beliefs of Islam and teach them to its offspring.

Islam teaches to take care of oneself as a whole person and pay attention to health. Right from following the commandments of Allah to eating healthy and fresh food, a Muslim must ensure that he/ she is maintaining his/ her full health. Allah has made a Muslim responsible for his/ her body and one must protect it by all means.

Importance of food in Islam

God has given food to humans for their health, life, and ability to perform his duties [26].

As before said, a Muslim must be very specific about the food he eats for the ways it has been procured or consumed. There is a wide range of food that is forbidden in Islam but there are also several rules that teach Muslims to eat fresh, healthy, and just right.

A healthy body is a god’s gift and a Muslim must be able to preserve and protect it. Health is considered a basic human right in Islam and because food plays a key role in maintaining health, it is believed to be the very basic pillar to be taken care of. Food boosts the physical perspective of the body and makes our body strong, heals us, and prevents us from any diseases.

Food is a blessing to be enjoyed and shared (24:61). The type of food a Muslim should eat, eating habits, and its peculiar benefits are of great importance in Islam.

Islam promotes healthy food habits because:

It helps a Muslim     in maintaining health and wellness

It helps in     improving performance both mentally and physically

It provides us with     the right energy to be up and working all-day

It reduces the risk     of disease in our bodies

It     is a natural way to protect the body and also restore in case of any     illnesses.

One must look for quality when choosing food and must buy from reliable brands such as Tata food products, GlaxoSmithKline consumer range, and similar brands.

What is the Halal concept?

Halal is an Arabic term that implies anything permissible or acceptable in Islam. When it comes to food, it is considered the Islamic dietary standard that must be followed with utmost devotion.

As per Quran, all the food items are Halal except those which are specifically labeled as Haram in The Quran.

“O you who believes! Eat of the good things where with we have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is He whom ye worship. (Chapter II, Verse 172)”

The following verses from the Quran highlight haram food items:

“He has forbidden you only carrion, blood, and swine flesh, and that on which have been invoked any other name besides Allah’s…….” (Chapter II, Verse 173)

“Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swine flesh, and that on which hath been invoked the name other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been gored to death, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by slaughter) and that which hath been immolated to idols and that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination….” (Chapter V, Verse 3)

The crux is that Islam teaches one to eat healthily and thus the concept of Halal was introduced. Halal in terms of food and diet, tells what is healthy to eat and what not.

Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWS) Health Tips

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was dedicated to his health and offered a wide range of rules and teachings to the world when it comes to health, covering all of those in a small article won’t be possible. However, we have combined the best of his health tips to offer you guidance.

1 Do not consume Alcohol

Both Quran and Prophet (SAWS) preached not to consume alcohol or any other intoxicating substance for that matter. Alcohol leaves a man in a state where he is no more capable of taking care of himself. Science also proves that alcohol is the key reason for a wide range of problems related to health.

2 Do not eat Pork

Pork is known to be the most dangerous meat when it comes to the ability to introduce viruses and diseases to the body. As pigs eat dirt and filth, they aren’t expected to have a healthy body to offer a Muslim the right nutrition.

3 Eat a moderate Diet

The Quran says "Eat and drink, but be not excessive” and Prophet (SAWS) followed the same. He taught not to overindulge in food as it is the way to a healthy or unhealthy body and life. It is taught that a Muslim must fill "one-third of the belly with food, another third with drink and leave one-third empty for easy breathing."

4 Always keep covered the Food

As food kept open, can be easily contaminated and hence must be stored & covered at all times.

5 Maintain Physical activity

The more you sit idle the higher are your chances to catch diseases or mobility issues. Moreover, you will become fat which leads to a wide range of problems of mental and physical nature. The Prophet (SAWS) used to ride a horse, wrestle, and also race with his wife Aisha (RA).

6 Eat Healthy Food

The Prophet (SAWS) told us to eat healthy food items and mentioned a few that he recommends, this includes dates, honey, green vegetables, oats, barley, grapes, pomegranate, and more. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once said, in the Hadith “Your body has a right over you". Being neglectful towards your health would be the worst sin you would ever commit as a Muslim.

[softxsuki]

Good evening, can I request something personal? I have severe coprophobia, fear of feces, and it extends to a form of OCD. Could we have headcanons for Shoto and Kaachan with an s/o who has that, or at least germophobia?

Todoroki and Bakugou (Seperate) with S/O Who Has Germophobia

Pairing: Todoroki x Gn!Reader, Bakugou x Gn!Reader

Warnings: Mentions of Germophobia

Genre: Uhhhhhh kinda fluffy? idrk

Post-Type: Headcanons

Word Count: 720

Summary: How Bakugou and Todoroki react/respond to you telling them that you have germophobia. 

[A/N: Hello anon! Ofc you can request something personal, though I chose to write that Reader has germophobia instead of coprophobia. I know more about germophobia and I didn’t want to make assumptions about your phobia which I’m pretty unfamilar with and google wasn’t very helpful in terms of how people with coprophobia interact with others and such. I hope that’s okay! Feel free to educate me more on coprophobia if you’d like though, I’d be interested in learning more if you’re comfortable with that. ANYWAY, yeah I was supposed to post this request hours ago but I got distracted so now it’s 1:45am and I’m just now finishing this up...my bad heh. Hope you all enjoy, though! <3]

Todoroki:

Todoroki is confused at first (ofc) but as soon as you tell him that you have germophobia, he’s intrigued

He’ll ask you more about it because he’s genuinely curious about what it’s like to have a fear of germs and wonders what your day to day life is like

Therefore he practically interviews you with tons of questions and waits patiently for you to answer them all, so long as you feel comfortable with the questions

I think he’d be okay with maintaining his distance from you if your phobia is triggered one day and you’re avoiding all contact from him and anyone else

He’d make sure to keep his distance and talk you through it, reassuring you that you are going to be okay until you calm down

In the moments where he does want to hold you and show you his affection--because of course you’re his significant other and he cares about you--he’ll go wash his hands and make sure he’s as clean as possible before coming to you

“I washed my hands...could I hold you now?”

Whenever you’re over in his room, he’d make sure to tidy up (I mean like deeeeeep clean the heck out of his room) before you come over to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible in his space

If you have any OCD habits like washing your hands every few minutes, or carrying disinfectant spray with you, spraying everything you touch or use, he would never judge you for doing those things, but he silently watches and makes mental notes on your habits so he could keep some disinfectant spray around or stock up on your favorite hand soap--whatever you need, he’s got it

Overall he’s very understanding and is always ready to learn more about your phobia along with what he can and can’t do with/to you together as a couple

Bakugou:

Bakugou acts nonchalant as soon as you tell him about your phobia

“Okay, and?? What’s that gotta do with anything?”

Genuinely doesn’t think any differently about you and still cares deeply for you in his own way

HOWEVER, he does become a little more aware about the cleanliness around himself as he wouldn’t want to freak you out by accident

I think he’s fairly a clean and organized person already despite his rowdy and explosive behavior, his room is the complete opposite of him; things are alway in their proper place, his bed is always made and washed regularly, his bathroom is spotless--he’s very well put together behind closed doors, lucky for you

I feel like he also practices healthy hygiene so he’s clean in general despite how messy he may look at times--he just doesn’t put the effort into what he wears, but all his clothes are cleannnn 

He would put in a little extra effort to make sure things are as clean as possible for you whenever you come to see him (even making sure that he looks well-put together and smells as good despite the natural aroma his quirk gives him, which could be either a good or bad thing for you) but he’d never tell you about all the extra efforts he puts in for your sake, but you’ll definitely notice

He’s very observant so if he sees that you wash your hands frequently he’d secretly buy you some lotion or hand cream of any kind to help prevent your hands from getting too dry, which could become painful over time

Literally has no idea what to do whenever you start freaking out about him being too close or if you’re having an off-day with your phobia, so he ends up just giving you some space and texting you later on in the day whether you’re feeling better or not

Will cook for you while you’re there with him so you can keep an eye on him and make sure the ingredients are cleaned and handled to your preference--although he’s a fantastic and cleanly cook who stays organized and is precise about the way he cooks so you’ll never have any problems there 

Will also fight anyone who tries to touch you without your permission *insert personal guard dog*

But yeah, he really won’t think differently about you, he will make sure things are in tip-top shape for you without making a big deal about it  :)

REQUESTS ARE OPEN :D

Posted: 11/6/2021

#mha x reader #bnha x reader #todoroki x reader #shouto x reader #bakugou x reader #bakugo x reader #mha x gn!reader #bnha x gn!reader #todoroki x gn!reader #bakugou x gn!reader #bakugo x gn reader #mha headcanons #bnha headcanons #todoroki headcanons #shouto headcanons #bakugou headcanons #bakugo headcanons #mha #bnha #mha x y/n #mha x you #bnha x y/n #bnha x you #todoroki x y/n #todoroki x you #bakugou x y/n #bakugou x you #shouto x y/n #shouto x you #bakugo x you

[eartht137]

DEAREST HEART- Letter One

Okay, For The Better has got me at a standstill. Every time I go to write the next chapter, I get a very "bad" idea and I have to write it in to meld with what I have in mind, but as my birthday is approaching in 2 days and Halloween is quickly approaching, I have developed a very new and delicious idea. I thought up this story in the shower. Hear me out, okay? The blinds that cover the window in my bathroom fell, and I mean fell from the wall, so I had to take a shower in the dark with a candle. Well it gets pretty muggy in my bathroom, as there's not a lot of room, so I opened the window to get some air, well with the wind blowing and the leaves rustling I kinda got that weird feeling that someone was watching me (which I highly doubt). In this story the character/you are a new wife and mom and you've been unmotivated to do normal chores and upkeep due to de pression and anxiety. I kinda wanted to touch on some real topics that I felt may resonate as I've noticed there is a lot of depression and anxieties that have been major high and I just wanted to send a small message that you are seen, you are heard, you are worthy, you are loved. Even if it is in your own world, I'd rather have my own world that I can escape to and have things go my way than keep taking on the pressure of things we deal with everyday. Also this is another Dark Clark Kent. I know, I know, the idea of the man just does something to me. So with that curvies, I present to you Dearest Heart. Okay rant over for the day. Please proceed..........oh yeah MMMMMMmwwwwwwaaahhhhhhh

Dark Clark Kent x Plus Size Reader

Warnings: Non Con, somnophilia, masturbation, stalking, mentions of impregnation. Maybe other things too. MINORS DNI!!!

You were getting up and ready for work, since starting your new job, you'd found yourself a bit out of balance. Being a new wife and mom, trying to adjust, you'd found yourself falling in and out of a reel of depression and anxiety. You very rarely had the energy or drive to clean and sometimes your depression got you to a point where you didn't really want to keep up your hygiene. Finally, you'd gotten the burst of life you needed and decided to make use of it while you had the drive. You started keeping up your hygiene as you used to and cleaned your house day by day. You started cherishing more moments with your husband and son. You had noticed the more you took effort within the day, it helped you feel a bit better everyday. One day, you stepped outside to get a breath of fresh air and sunlight. As you were getting ready to head back inside, you saw a letter place neatly on the bars of you security door with small rose. You tilted you head in confusion and looked around. You took the letter, seeing that it had "Dearest Heart' written beautifully across the front. You walked inside while admiring the vintage parchment envelope.

"Baby?" Your husband asked curiously, making you look up and smile as he and your son watched you.

"Well I think the mailman left someone else's mail-again." You sighed tossing the letter down on the table by your door. You went over and spent the remainder of you free time with your husband and son before heading into your office and logging on for work.

On your first break, you rushed out of your office hoping to spend time with your loved ones. You giggled as you watched your husband and son sleep with their mouths wide open on your couch. You were about to step into the bathroom when you got the nagging urge to go back and look at the letter again. You stared at it from across the room a moment before finally giving in to curiosity and grabbing it. You studied it for a moment before your husband adjusting on the couch startled you. You quietly went to the bathroom and examined the letter. Looking at your phone, you realized you didn't have much time, and would just open it to see what it looked like inside. A very hopeful side of you prayed that in your head that it was filled with cash that some good saint just felt in their heart to give, but you knew that was a slim chance. When you opened the letter, you almost gasped, almost like a child feeling as if you if you'd just done something forbidden. The alarm on you phone vibrated and you jumped, the letter dropped from you hands. You laughed a bit at yourself, picked up the letter, tucked it away and went back to work.

One your lunch break, after making something to eat for yourself and your hungry boys, you found yourself practically lured back to the bathroom to find the letter you'd tucked away for later. You opened it and pulled out a very beautifully written letter, but the first line damn near made your heart stop. You read it over and over trying to make sure you weren't seeing things, but there it was in black in, your name. You took a deep breath and continued reading the letter.

My Dearest Y/n,

I promised myself I wouldn't try to interfere in your life, but my heart won't let my stand idly by. I know this is abrupt as you've never seen me in your life, at least you don't remember meeting me, its been so long ago; but I can't keep quiet about this anymore as my love for you has yet to subside. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I swore I'd never lie to you and I am a man of my word. You might be a little worried as to how I know you, where you live-but you'd be shocked at how much I know about you and it'd scare you to know how long I've watched over you. Little love, I've been a bit disappointed in you. You allowed yourself to get to far down and instead of talking it out, you've been bottling everything in. We both know how that ends. You can talk to me if you need to, but I was really disappointed in how you allowed things to get. You weren't getting out of bed, you weren't keeping your hygiene up, and you weren't keeping the house up; on top of that, you haven't been utilizing any of your self-care tools. You didn't leave the house for a month and you cried every night by yourself because you're too stubborn to get out of your own head for two seconds and let the people who love you in. You were also finding a new lie every week to call into to work, that was disappointing darling because you don't have to lie, just tell them you need a day for your health, you don't owe them anymore explanation than that, but I don't want you to lie again. Do you remember those 2 weeks your backside was sore and stinging and you couldn't figure out why? I'm so sorry dear heart but I had to light a fire in you some way, and I just can't allow you to behave in such a way. I also can't stand to see the woman I love not take care of herself. On another note, I do want to tell you how proud of you I have been with how much you love and care for our son. He's growing so big isn't he? Oh darling, I know you think he's your husbands, but I guarantee he is my flesh and blood, why do you think he stares at me so long when he sees my photo pass your screen. His blood is my blood, he knows who he is. I have decided dear heart, to be a bit more active in your life as I have come to realize that my standing by protecting in the shadows is not enough. It will be awhile my love, but one day we will be together. You, Me and our son. I love you both so much, I promise you we will be a family as we should one day. For now I will continue to watch from the distance and protect you when you need me. I will also be there to talk whenever you just want to talk out loud. Before I end this letter, I want to also tell you how proud I am that you've started writing. I love the stories you've been writing about me and I promise to fulfill every one of you desires as soon as the time is right. Only this time, you'll be able to enjoy it as much as I have. I will be writing again, you don't have to reply, but it would be nice. Keep up the good work sweetheart, I love you.

With All My Heart and Soul,

Kal-El

Your heart pounded in your ears, you forgot to breath and tears filled your eyes. You kept trying to convince yourself it was a prank, but the more you tried to deny it, the more you knew it was real. You sat thinking to yourself, when you'd written a story about him, you didn't know anyone named Kal-El. You immediately started walking around your house making sure every window and door was locked. You wanted to tell your husband, but once again the gut feeling told you not to, and you'd realized that your gut was really on point and that just made things scarier.

You finished you lunch break and the rest of that day unable to concentrate on anything. That night while you took a shower, you kept looking through the blinds to see if you'd see someone. On one had you wanted to see if there was someone really there and on the other you felt you'd probably shit yourself if you really saw someone. After a moment or two, you'd finally convinced yourself it was a sick prank and someone in the neighborhood was being an idiot. You laughed a bit and finished up, ready to finally get the sleep you'd been begging for all day. As you laid in bed, every noise made you jump. Every time something or someone would move, you'd go from the precipice of sleep to fully awake. You had been feeling watched for the longest time and you'd just blamed it on being crazy, but now with the letter confirming your nightmare, you really had no idea what to do. Your mind ran and ran until it finally shut itself down and you drifted off to a very peaceful sleep despite everything going on around you.

He sat in the corner of your dark room watching you breath calmly. He wanted so badly to go over and rock you to sleep as he watched you struggle to fall asleep, but he couldn't present himself to you just yet, not until everything was perfect the way we wanted it before he showed himself.

He sat there watching you from the other side of the room knowing that soon you'd throw the covers off of your plush body exposing your luscious curves that he loved feeling in his large hands. His hand stroked himself as he thought back to the first night he took you. You were sleeping so good, you didn't hardly move. His released his hard thick cock from their restraints and pumped himself as he watched your breasts rise and fall with your breathing. He thought back to the first time he tasted your nipples, how hard they got when he kissed and nipped them. How wet you got for him and how he once made you cum from playing with them only. He then thought about how delicious you were. His fist moving faster and rougher down his shaft. He remembered how tight you were when he first fucked you. How hot and juicy you were as he pumped deep into your soft pussy filling you with every inch of him. He wanted to ruin you, and he wished you could see the happiness he felt when you couldn't cum one night from yours or your husbands touches. His hand pumped faster as he remembered fucking you so good one night your orgasm woke you as you came, as disappointed as he was that he couldn't feel you cum around him, he was still proud to have your body so responsive for him. That sent him over the edge and he came hard wanting so badly to empty inside of you. He wanted to see you round with his baby again, but he wanted to allow you the time to fully heal. He used one of your husbands shirts to wipe himself clean, and he gave you a soft peck on the lips, smiling when you turned away.

"I love you so much. I promise things will be right soon. Sleep well dearest heart." He whispered before leaving. He couldn't wait until you found his next letter.

#dark clark kent #plus size reader #dark superman #henry cavill #stalking

[luvlyrv]

Another Dance (Duel Pt. 2) | Seulgi x F!Reader

Genre: fluff, knight!au

Summary: Seulgi has taught you how to dance, but now she needs to teach you what this new feeling brewing in your chest means.

Word Count: 3k

A/N: Sorry this took a while to get out. Thank you again to my editor I always love your suggestions. I hope everything in this follow up makes sense.

Date: 5/9/21

Click here to read part one

Perhaps these last few months of your life have been the best. Despite the fact that training has been more brutal due to your nearing graduation into knighthood, every moment has felt brighter than the past several years of your life. Maybe all? You can’t remember ever waking up to a feeling like this all the time.

Yes, this feeling right here in your chest. The feeling you get when you wake up startled and in a frenzy from a dream of spending a day with Seulgi. A life with Seulgi. It’s the feeling that you get when she asks for your hand so that the two of you can make a fool of yourselves dancing. The strange way your chest seems to contract and hurt when Seulgi sneaks a smile while the commandment screams orders at you.

Since when did you feel like this? You’re not sure. Maybe it was that one night the two of you spent together weeks ago, where you finally felt confident enough to lead the dance for once. You had pulled her close with a bold move you didn’t even plan to make, making Seulgi give you a shocked look before glancing away, barely catching her soft smile. Maybe she was proud of you in that moment, you don’t know. You don’t know anything anymore besides Seulgi, besides the fact that you were hyper aware of her breath that night. Of the way her garments clung so close to skin, the rise and fall of her chest, the length of her eyelashes, the slope of her nose.

Every day you’re greeted by the sunrise, only to be anticipating its set.

Before you can spend your cherished time with Seulgi though, you had to go through the motions of your day. Time seemed to pass slowly as you sparred and trained. Nowadays though there was a lightness in your body that wasn’t there before, and your eyes had become better at reading the flowing movements of your opponents. You were ecstatic to see your improvement, likewise were the commanding officers and fellow apprentices, it seemed. Some officers urged you to continue to carry out whatever it was that you were doing to improve and to finally displace Seulgi. Meanwhile the knights-in-training were muttering among themselves about your progress and how it was done.

To say that you were happy that morning training ended would be an understatement. The second highlight of your day would be the precious half hour you spent with Seulgi during your afternoon meal. As you impatiently wait in line to be served whatever was deemed nutritious for prospecting knights, you think about how you were just a couple months ago. After spending some time with Seulgi you wanted to somehow be even closer to her, to spend time beyond the midnight dances you two shared.

When you had first decided to sit next to Seulgi instead of by your lonesome, you were uncharacteristically nervous. You were sure that if people looked carefully enough they could have noticed how your steady sword-arm shook as you held onto your tray of food. People didn’t hide their raised eyebrows at your approach, some people left the area, terrified at the thought of you possibly coming over to terrorize them.

It was a surprise when you had quietly asked if it was okay for you to seat yourself next to Seulgi. She didn’t hesitate to say yes, flashing you her crescent eyes you had unknowingly grown accustomed to. The surrounding witnesses to the sight were confused. When would you have willingly associated with anyone? Especially Seulgi, and in such a shy manner?

When you finally get your meal you walk towards the familiar table and remember your present day situation. Now that time has passed people are less wary around you and how you seemingly lack the intention to verbally abuse and berate people. In fact, when you began to take Seulgi’s advice of smiling more people seemed to… like you? It helped that you lost most of your competitive streak, instead favoring to focus on yourself and what you can do. Mostly your dancing, though, as you yearned to impress Seulgi more each and every night.

The clank of your tray against the wooden aging table alerts Seulgi of your presence. Quickly turning her head away from the person she was talking to, she opens her mouth to greet you. That was until Markus, a man who came from a noble family with notable enough skills, called out for you. You move to face the source of his voice, only to notice him uncomfortably close to your side. It was odd for him to suddenly appear when you swore you didn’t notice him on your way over.

“Hey, I was just wondering if you’d like to duel me in the afternoon? You know, since we haven’t gotten an opportunity to do so for the past couple weeks. Maybe go on a walk afterwards?” He throws you a shy, maybe even a cheeky smile. If there was one thing you knew about him it was that you’ve had much more encounters with him than you’d like recently, and that smile of his was one he’d thrown at other female trainees in the past. If anything, he was merely a passing thought.

“Sure, I don’t care.” You say in your signature neutral tone. Hoping that he’d leave you alone now, you began to turn back to Seulgi. Your movement is stopped when Markus puts his hand on your shoulder and swipes a finger across your cheek.

“You had some dirt there from practice. Just wanted to get it off.” He grins tortuously wide before excusing himself from the table. You sigh, and when you finally get to look at Seulgi she has a raised brow, her mouth forming a tight line. Not sure what to do at her sudden change of mood, you pick at your food a bit. You feel like you can’t eat anything under her intense stare.

You’re starting to feel nervous until Seulgi decides to tap on your shoulder. Glancing up from your plate you see her with a handkerchief in hand.

“I think," she pauses, "Markus made it worse, actually.” She adds before gently rubbing the dirt that became spread across your face. You scrunch your nose and eyes but a small smirk forms in affection.

“Does it really matter, though? I don’t care about how I look.”

“I think you look cuter without it. And more hygienic.”

**

After your meal came your academic and strategical studies. Your brain dulls into mush after countless hours of toiling over geography and the endless ways a person can kill someone. Although you still do well in a more scholar-like learning environment, your body greatly preferred the battlefield. You let out a sigh of happiness when you were allowed to stretch and start another round of sparring.

Keeping to your promise, you await as you lean into your training sword until Markus shows up in your vision again. He walks towards you with such unnerving confidence and a grin you think is permanently scribbled on his face.

“Are you ready, my lady?”

“Don’t patronize me.” You mumble. The two of you back away from each other to an appropriate distance before getting into your stances. Some people gather around the scene, which wasn’t uncommon for your battles. They want to make a spectacle of your fight.

When you rush forward towards Markus you get a good stab straight in his stomach. His reflexes seemed almost slow, or at least much slower than yours or Seulgi’s. He lets out a grunt, but the training armor and his natural durability keeps him on his feet. In an attempt to make you fall, he swings his sword arm directly downwards towards your back. You easily sidestep and continue a relentless sequence of parries and hard smacks against his arms and legs.

This continues on for minutes on minutes, much longer than the vast majority of your fights. Markus has proven himself to be a bad fighter, and the only reason you haven’t won yet is the fact that your sword wasn’t made to kill and the fact that Markus has stupidly good endurance. It’s hard for you to keep fighting. Not because you were lacking stamina but on account of the monotony of his moves started to bore you greatly.

Your mind wanders as you automatically parry Markus’ pathetic slashes without much thought. You recall how you have to go on a walk with Markus when he slips a slight grin, but after that you can go about your day and eventually spend the night with Seulgi. You think about how her smile looks in the moonlight, how her hair bounces as you move to a make-believe rhythm. You unconsciously put on a broad grin as you hope she teaches you something new tonight.

You’ve let your attention slip for too long though. When you get a grip on reality again, you realize that you’re now on the ground and Markus’ blade is descending on your body. Your reaction allows you to bring up your sword to his, a loud clang traveling through the air. With all your might you push back, trying to angle your sword so his would slide off and break free from contact. It seems like you may be able to fend off his weapon for a second, but he yells as he delivers all of his strength into pushing down on you.

The force is more than enough to make your sword lose contact with his. With the blade right on your throat he throws on a victorious expression and screams in happiness. The crowd around you softly murmur as they look at each other. Markus drinks in his win and he looks at everyone and then at you.

“You’ve gone soft on me, haven’t you?”

“What? What do you mean?” You try to brush the dirt off your back as you get up.

“I mean, why would you all of a sudden smile and let me win like that otherwise?” He chuckles with his words as he approaches you and places a hand on your back.

“I was just distracted.” You try to get away from him, but he gets closer and whispers in your ear.

“By me, right?” You hear a certain kind of joy and conceitedness in his voice that makes you want to vomit while simultaneously punching him.

“No. Now let's just get this walk done with so I can go shower or shoot my bow, or something.” At your words he shuffles away and uncomfortably leaves some space between the two of you as you go for a quick walk in the woods. Everybody watches as you two leave the area, and as you pass by you hear their whispers.

“…like him?”

“ …usually ruthless…why’d she let him win?”

“…was right…gone soft.”

You aren’t sure what to do about their theorizing or their mindless gossip, nor what to do with the man who was now clinging onto your side. What was usually a peaceful and quiet trail for you became loud and annoying as Markus kept trying to flirt despite your silence and lack of response to his remarks. It was hard to appreciate the beauty in the trees and forest life over the talkativeness of the man next to you. If you could, you wouldn’t have gone on a walk with him, but you felt like it was dishonorable of you to break an appointment or promise.

You think that next time you should bring Seulgi with you instead, it would be a pleasant experience then.

After what felt like a century of walking, you had finally looped around the trail and made it back to the beginning of the forest. You continue to trek forward and almost leave Markus behind, but he grips onto your waist and looks at you for a moment. The tinge of expectancy that gleamed in his eyes, and that's when you knew. You watch in a panic as he flutters his eyes and brings his lips to yours.

There’s a ringing in your ears from how hard you slap him.

“Don’t.” You say while walking away from him.

You decide that you should go to the shower to wash off his filth, then go to the archery range to practice shooting his face in your head.

**

It would be a lie to say you weren’t sore from the amount of work you forced upon your body today. As you hunker towards the barracks though, a sudden burst of energy renews the feelings in your limbs when you find Seulgi patiently awaiting you like always. The area clears out of people until it’s just you and Seulgi. She comes by your side to walk with you towards the field.

Your dance begins and you drink in the comfortable silence until Seulgi decided to speak.

“So, Markus, how do you feel about him?” There’s a sense of inquisitiveness that you haven’t heard from her before.

“Hm? He’s just a person.” She makes a face at your answer, scrunching her eyebrows as she pushes further,

“Really? You know, when I finished my practice match and walked around everybody was talking about the two of you… you know. How you’re a thing or something.”

“Just a misunderstanding.” You assert, but Seulgi seems to want to hear more.

“Do you not like him? What about anybody else? I feel like everybody is dying for your attention these days.” With the last sentence there’s a subtle shift to a sadder, even disgruntled tone in her voice. You watch as she bites her lip waiting for an answer, entranced enough to almost forget to reply. The insecurity was hard to ignore.

“I don’t really talk to anyone besides you, Seulgi, and I don’t know why people bother. Maybe they just respect my abilities and think now that I’m friendlier I’d be interested in a conversation. Also, you aren’t one to talk. You’ve had people following you around and worshipping you since day one.” Thinking about it, you can‘t ever remember a time where Seulgi didn’t have someone by her side.

Another wave of silence envelopes you as Seulgi finally nods, maybe settling with this answer. Or at least is mulling over your words. As she takes the time to think, you remember the events that happened earlier in the day and the question that had been bothering you.

“By the way, are you making me soft?”

You interrupt the dance you shared by taking a step back. You cock your head in examination. Recently it’s been hard to tell if Seulgi’s influence over you had been helpful or harmful. Especially since there were instances where you almost completely lost your focus like you did today.

“Where is this coming from?” She asks while putting on a confused smile, as if to say ‘excuse me?’.

“Well, obviously I’m more approachable now because of your advice, but now you’re getting in the way of my fighting.”

“Huh?” Seulgi is taken aback by your words and how you state them so matter-of-factly.

“Sometimes I lose focus in the middle of fights now. They accused me of becoming soft.”

“How can I possibly be at fault for that?”

“Well, it’s you that I think about. All the time.” You reach out for her hand, gently tugging it towards you and then onto your chest. “And you make my heart beat real fast. Faster than any running commandment has made us done. It kind of hurts my chest, really. Have you casted a spell on me too?”

You feel Seulgi’s hand tremble in a quake.

“Y/N, are you joking right now?”

“No, I just want to know, why do I feel like this all the time around you?” Looking at Seulgi’s face you spot how the tips of her ears turned a bright red, despite the darkness of the night. Your other hand pulls back her hair so you can examine it further. With a worried look you ask, “Oh, are you cold? Should we go back inside?” You panic a little as you see the pink had spread onto the rest of her face.

“You…” Seulgi’s breath has quickened, and she rescinds her hand from yours. You’re worried you’ve done something wrong as Seulgi refused to even look at you, instead she's staring at her feet. “You like me, stupid.” The dramatic atmosphere turns lighthearted as she laughs boisterously.

“Huh? Is that what this means?”

“Are you being serious with me?” Seulgi keeps laughing at you, much to your frustration.

“Yes! I am! I don’t understand! I’ve never felt this way before, that’s why I have to ask.” Your face lapses to a pout and that seems to encourage her to keep laughing at you.

“Hey, stop pouting!” Her laughing reduced to giggles as she walked closer to you. She brings her hands forward as they cup your face. Your knees feel weak, buckling at the warmth in her hands and the care they seemed to radiate. She finally calms down when she asks you, “Now, if you really like me then tell me," she sucks in a quick breath," would you like to kiss me right now?”

For a second you’re frozen, but soon enough you bashfully nod your head a little too hard.

Her lips reach yours and you instantly smile. The lips that you’ve stared at for hours, the ones that say the words that have moved you the most, the ones that curve adorably and ignites the dormant happiness within you. You stay that way for a moment that both felt like forever and like no time at all. Seulgi breaks away before kissing each of your cheeks.

“Oh,” she sighs while staring at you, “you’ve made me the happiest person in the world.”

#seulgi x reader #red velvet x reader #red velvet scenarios #red velvet imagines #rv seulgi #gg imagines #gg scenarios #kpop writing #kang seulgi #x reader #kpop au

[jinpanman]

Vampire’s Wine

pairing: vampire boyfriend!jungkook x fem human!reader

word count: 1.4k

genre: 18+, fluff, slightly nsfw, established relationship

warnings: this whole thing is a disgusting bloody mess and not in the way you think. menstruation talk - from the use of hygiene materials to the smell of period blood, jk loves period blood - oop., casual conversation about sex and genitals

summary: You decide to brave the mystery that is menstrual cups. Jungkook is intrigued to say the least.

a/n: i needed a break from all my long af fics. u can blame my brain. u can also blame Jess @shelive-shelove​​ for telling me to write this. and for helping me pick a member to write about - but then again, she always picks jk. also @joonie-mono​ kept judging me so now that it exists she has to read it. :-)

The simple matte black box sits on the bathroom counter and it’s incredibly intimidating despite it just sitting there. You pick it up and open the case to reveal an equally black menstrual cup sitting on top of a black pouch. A slip of paper falls out when you open it and you pick it up.

Greetings Y/N! We’re so glad you’ve decided to become the owner of a BLAKD cup. We understand some people don’t want color stained cups so we went ahead and…

You toss the card to the side and pick up the cup and turn it around in both awe and trepidation. There’s a knock on the open door but you don’t bother to look up.

“What’s that you go there?”

“JK honey, tell me. How am I supposed to stick this up my nether region?”

Jungkook snorts and plucks the cup from your hand.

“Well, my dick is bigger than this and you do such a good job taking it all in so I know my baby can handle this small thing.” He pats your cheek lovingly

You squeak and swat his arm away in disbelief. “Jungkook! I swear! You—that’s different! I’m not horny when I’m trying to stick this-this monster inside of me.”

He laughs and quickly covers the little distance between you, pulling you flush against him.

“First of all, that’s an insult to my dick because this,” he waves the cup in front of you and you roll your eyes at him “is no monster. Secondly, maybe we should get you horny first so it won’t be an issue.” He wiggles his eyebrows and licks his bottom lip in anticipation.

You scoff and push him away, taking the cup back from him.

“I need to figure out how to stick this up my very unaroused vagina, so please go and do your vampy things and leave me alone for a few minutes.”

He merely shrugs but of course your boyfriend who must know everything about everything asks, “But babe, what’s wrong with what you usually use?”

Ah, now that’s a good question. You’ve used pads and tampons for so long and frankly you are so utterly fed up with the mess that is Aunt Flo. 

“Jungkook, you won’t even understand even if I told you.”

“Try me.”

You raise a brow but proceed anyway. “Well they stink, for one.”

“False. I love the way you sme—okay, sorry. Go on.”

“Pads are so annoying especially when you’re sweaty and they stick to your butt and somehow you always end up bleeding everywhere except on the pad! And then tampons! Just the general scare that it’ll be stuck there for too long or it’ll poison you or that you’re actually not bleeding as much as you thought you were and you’re dry af and it gets so uncomfortable to take out!” you voice dies out, nearly out of breath because you failed to pause after each sentence. Jungkook watches you with amusement painted throughout his face and relaxed posture resting against the counter.

Your chest is heaving but you continue after taking a few short breaths, “Period panties are okay but I’d like some extra insurance y’know? Also everything is so fucking expensive! Tell me why we’re being paid to tend to something we absolutely cannot control? I fucking bet you if men had periods, they’d free bleed every month and expect everyone to be okay with it. But because we’re women we have to hide it because it makes—”

Jungkook breaks you off mid-tangent kisses you and grins. “Had to stop you before you start ranting for a whole 10 minutes and then forget why you were talking in the first place.”

You return the kiss and give him an appreciative smile. Most people aren’t into the “kiss someone to get them to shut up” but in your case, you appreciated the kisses because one, Jungkook gives the best kisses and two, you really would go off forever if he didn’t shut you up.

“Thanks, baby. Now please leave,” you say before shoving him out the bathroom and locking the door behind him.

After what felt like (and probably was) two hours you are finally out of the bathroom, feeling so utterly defeated and exhausted. You had gotten it in, but at what cost? Both your hands still reek of blood despite scrubbing thoroughly for several minutes with soap. Your thighs are aching from squatting for so long as well. You plop down on the couch beside your boyfriend who’s occupied playing some rando shooting game on the PlayStation. He inhales deeply and shoots you a quick glance. You give him a questioning look but he doesn’t say anything.

After his match, he leans in close to your stomach and takes another big whiff. You’ve long passed being surprised at how much Jungkook likes smelling you. You’d think he was a werewolf or something. Not that you’d tell him that because you were not in the mood to be dicked down just to “prove a point.”

“Hm? You don’t smell like you normally do?”

“Huh, I’m honestly shocked considering how much I bled all over my hands and thighs.”

“Careful, Y/N. You might make me horny,” he muses as he enters another match.

“You’re gross.”

“So, what does the blood just… sit there?”

“Mm, yeah. The cup keeps it all inside and when I take it out the blood will be there.”

“Tell me when you’re gonna take it out, okay?”

Without breaking eye contact with the television screen, he tilts his head to plop a quick kiss on your forehead. You pull a blanket over you and watch on as your endearing thousand year old boyfriend destroys the hundredth controller because he’s still very much a baby vampy and sometimes he forgets his own strength.

“Ohhh my goood this is so fucking weird,” you mutter in disgust.

Here you are, at the end of a full day of doing absolutely nothing, squatting in the tub once again. This time, instead of sticking a foreign object up your vagina, you’re trying to pull it out. You finally have a grip on the stem and your thighs are screaming at you but you fight through the burn because no way in hell are you gonna risk dropping your cup in the toilet bowl. The several guides you found on the internet said it helped to use your muscles to push it out.

“Okay, here goes nothing.”

You push and you eventually feel the suction giving way. A few drops of liquid spill out over your hand and you grimace at how warm it is. You finally pull it out from inside you and you lift it up to inspect the contents of the cup. God it was startling how warm the cup is. It was both disgusting and fascinating to see how much blood you can bleed within half a day. And the best thing—it doesn’t smell! You’re done being weirdly fascinated with your blood now. You’ve definitely been with Jungkook for too long. You hold the cup away from you and tilt it to pour down the—

“NNOOOO!!!! STOP Y/N!!!!”

Your boyfriend stumbles into the bathroom and you watch him with absolute befuddlement as he inches closer to you with crazed eyes.

“Baby,” he reaches out to you, “what were you just going to do?”

“Um, pour out my period blood?”

“Baby!!” he practically whines and kneels beside the tub.

“...Yes? Jungkook?” You’re at a complete loss for why he came bursting here in such a hurry.

“I thought I asked you to tell me when you were gonna take it out.”

“I’m sorry hun. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I’m just taking it out?”

“Babe.”

“Mhm?”

“I’m a vampire.”

“Mhm.”

“And I’m your boyfriend.”

“Okay.”

“Are you really going to make me say it?”

“Jungkook, I don’t even know what you’re talking about so if you could just tell me, that’d be great.”

He groans into his hands and peeks at you through his fingers.

“I wanna drink it.”

Oh, for god’s sake. You restrain yourself from rolling your eyes at him. You weren’t ignorant to his obsession with blood, especially during that time of the month. He was a vampire, after all. This was a whole new experience though with nearly an ounce of your blood right in your hand. Before you can second guess yourself, you hand the cup to your very pouty boyfriend who takes it with a now huge smile gracing his face. 

He brings the cup directly under his nose and takes a quick whiff. You wrinkle your nose in distaste. And then he lets out a deep, guttural moan. He flicks his tongue in the pool of blood then promptly empties the blood into his mouth. A normal person would not shiver at the sight of their boyfriend drinking their blood, but you’ve long resigned the fact that you were not normal. Your eyes fixate on the trail of blood that missed his mouth and now fall down the side of his mouth to his chin. You swallow in sync with Jungkook who hands you back the empty cup.

His voice is hoarse when he speaks. “Please never stop using this cup. It is the greatest creation of the modern times… Next to the internet. Also don’t ever drain your blood anymore. Give it to me. Save the ocean.”

“You absolute dork,” you laugh and continue your downward gaze of his body. That’s when you see it.

“Oh my god. Jungkook. Did you… baby are you horny?”

#jungkook fanfic #btsghostie #vampire jungkook #jungkook fluff #bts fanfic #f:vampire's wine #i'm so sorry #also black menstrual cups do exist #omg you guys tell me to stop re-editing this every 10 minutes

[gaming]

Gaming Spotlight: Gamers vs COVID-19

Gamers vs COVID-19 is a community of virus-killing, society-supporting, game-loving heroes, founded to raise awareness about the importance of social distancing, good hygiene, and positivity in combating the spread of COVID-19. They were founded by a group of anonymous gamers and medical professionals, most of whom work in or adjacent to the esports industry. You can join them by signing the pledge at www.gamersvscovid19.com!

Lots of parts of the internet thrive on misinformation—how does this initiative strive to combat that?

Our resources are heavily researched, and we rely on citations from institutions such as the US FDA, US CDC, and the WHO. Each of these is referenced on our page, so you don’t need to take our word for it. We also have contributing medical professionals who help to fact check our distributions, but that doesn’t mean we’re giving medical advice. 

Of course, when it comes to questions about viruses and disease, we always encourage anybody to go directly to a vetted source of information like those we’ve already mentioned.

Besides gaming, what are other ways to practice social distancing?

Social distancing is just the act of removing yourself from public spaces as often as possible. For many of us, that means replacing public activities with online gaming, but for you, it might mean reading, playing music, baking, painting, coding, or whatever you love to do from the comfort of your home. We started this movement in part to remind everybody that social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation: we’re all in this together, even when we’re apart.

What are other ways we can contribute if we still have to go to work?

You can still live by our pledge and help save the world if you go to work! Not everybody has the luxury of being able to totally isolate themselves. Some people have to go to jobs, while others may need to care for relatives or go out for other necessities. Social distancing is the active decision to restrict your time in public spaces to the minimum required amount, which is going to vary from person to person. 

What’s important is that you spend every minute you can at home and that you stay home if you’ve felt sick or been in close contact with somebody who has a confirmed case of coronavirus. Even if you feel healthy, give others a gap of at least six feet whenever possible and don’t touch other people physically. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water frequently (especially when exiting or entering a public space), and never touch your face, eyes or mouth with unwashed hands. You can also help amplify the message by not meeting friends in public, sharing the pledge, and shifting in-person meetups to online activities instead.

How do you build a community through gaming? 

Contrary to old stereotypes, gamers are inherently social. Building a community around an important issue like COVID-19 is just a matter of reaching out and getting help from big amplifiers. Once this message is in front of people, we’ve found gamers eager to join and help. It’s been truly uplifting in a challenging time.

The gaming space is supremely lucky to have so many amazing influencers who care deeply about their fans and broader communities. This is an international epidemic, and it’s going to take international cooperation and acts of courage to overcome it. We will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes, and every gamer from the biggest pro to the average joe is making an impact by consciously deciding to sign the pledge and change their lifestyles until COVID-19 is controlled.

Take the pledge over on the website! In the first few hours, over 10,000 gamers signed up, including the likes of Castro1021, FallenNCS, Sjokz, Nickeh30, Voyboy, JKap415, HungryBox, Goldenboy, Ocelot, G2Pengu, Slasher, SirActionSlacks, Sheever, and too many other gamers to name. We’re excited about every person who comes on and decides this is a movement worth supporting. Social distancing only works if everyone chooses to make a sacrifice for the greater good.

#gamersvscovid19 #Gamers vs COVID-19 #Gaming Spotlight #social distancing #coronavirus

[snarksandkisses]

What I think about COVID-19 this morning - Malia Jones, PhD, MPH

What I think about COVID-19 this morning

March 5, 2020

 Maybe I'm the closest thing you personally know to an infectious disease epidemiologist. Maybe not--I'm not an expert on this virus by any stretch, but I have general knowledge and training from studying epidemics that is applicable, so here are my thoughts. 

 First and foremost: we are going to see a tremendous increase in the number of US cases of COVID-19 in the next week. This is not because of some new pattern in the spread of the disease, but rather due to a major change in the requirements to be tested. Until yesterday, if you had flulike illness but had not recently traveled to China, Italy, South Korea, or Iran, you could not be tested. This is just the way healthcare works, you get tested if you meet the case definition and the case definition included travel.

 As of yesterday, you can be tested if you are sick and have a doctor's order to be tested. So expect things to feel a lot more panicky all of a sudden. We will see hundreds or thousands of new cases as a result of testing increases.

 Second: is that panic legitimate? Sort of. This is not the zombie apocalypse. The death rate of 30 deaths per 1000 cases is probably a wild overestimate. (The denominator is almost certainly wrong because it is confirmed cases--and we only confirm cases when we test for them). That said, even at 3 per 1000 cases, this would be a big deal. A very big deal. By way of comparison, the death rate for influenza is between 1 and 2 in 1000 cases. So, yeah. Roughly 0x to 30x worse than a huge global flu pandemic? That's a problem.

 Unlike flu, COVID-19 is not *particularly* dangerous for children, so that’s some happy news. It is dangerous for older adults and those with lung conditions, so we need to be extra careful to protect those populations from exposure. 

Also, for millions of Americans, getting any serious illness requiring a hospitalization is a major problem because they can't pay for it. And our health care system is probably going to struggle to keep up with it all. And with China basically closed, our global economy is going to take a huge hit and we'll feel the shockwaves for years. Those are real concerns.

 What can we do? Our focus should be on *slowing down the spread* of this disease so that we have time to get caught up. Here is my advice:

 1. Wash. Your. Hands. Wash them so much.

The current best guess is that coronavirus is transmitted via close contact and surface contamination. A very small study came out yesterday suggesting that the virus causing COVID-19 is *mostly* transmitted via contact with contaminated surfaces.

I have started washing my hands each time I enter a new building and after being in shared spaces (classrooms especially), in addition to the standard practice of washing after using the bathroom and before eating. Soap and water. Hand sanitizer also kills this virus, as does rubbing alcohol (the main ingredient in hand sanitizer).

 There is no need to be obsessive about this. Just wash your hands. A little bit more effort here goes a long way. 

 2. Don’t pick your nose. Or put your fingers in your mouth, on your lips, or in your eyes. Surface contact works like this: you touch something dirty. Maybe it's an elevator button. Virus sticks to your hands. Then you rub your eye. Then you touch your sandwich, and put the sandwich in your mouth. Now there is virus in your eyes and mouth. See?

 You may be thinking, but I don’t pick my nose because I am an adult! An observational study found that people sitting at a desk working touched their eyes, nose, or lips between 3 and 50 times per hour. Perfectly normal grown-ups, not lowlifes like my friends.

 2a. There was one note that came out suggesting that face masks actually promote surface contamination because you're always adjusting them--i.e., touching your face. I don’t know if that’s true. But face masks should not be worn by the public right now, unless you are the person who is sick and you're on your way to or actually at the doctor's office. The mask’s function is to prevent spit from flying out of your mouth and landing on things when you cough or sneeze. It flies out of your mouth and is caught in the mask instead. If you are the person who is sick and not on the way to the doctor, go home. Let the people who really need them have the masks. Like doctors.

 [ETA on 3/6/2020 honestly people I am getting so much push back on the mask recommendation!! The world is running low on masks. If everyone wants a mask so they can feel ok about keeping their Daytona Beach Spring Break plans and then hospitals in India can't buy them anymore, shame on us.]

 Coronavirus does not appear to be airborne in the sense that doesn't remain floating around freely in the air for a long time, like measles does. You are probably not going to breathe it in, unless someone is coughing in front of you. If someone is coughing in your face, feel free to tell them to get their ass home and move 6 feet away from them. (Yeah I know, if you have a toddler, you're screwed.)

 3. Sanitize the objects you and lots of other people touch, especially people outside your family--like door handles, shared keyboards at schools (brrr), salad bar tongs, etc. Best guesses are that the virus can live on surfaces for 2-48 hours, maybe even longer, depending on the surface, temperature, and humidity.

 Many common household cleaning products will kill this virus. However, white vinegar solution does not. You can make your own inexpensive antimicrobial spray by mixing 1 part household bleach to 99 parts cold tap water. Spray this on surfaces and leave for 10-30 minutes. Note: this is bleach. It will ruin your sofa.

 4. "Social distancing." You're going to get so sick of this phrase. This means keeping people apart from one another (preferably 6 feet apart, and sanitizing shared objects). This public health strategy is our next line of defense, and its implementation is what will lead to flights and events cancelled, borders closed, and schools closed.

 For now, you could limit face-to-face meetings, especially large ones. Zoom is an excellent videoconferencing option. If you spend time in shared spaces, see #1. Ask your child's school about their hygiene plan, if they haven't already told you what it is. If I were in charge of a school setting, I'd be hand sanitizing the s*** out of the kids' hands, including in and out of each space, and taking temperatures at the door. I am planning to email our school nurse right after this to ask if they need my volunteer help cleaning surfaces.

 If you can telecommute, do that a little more. If you are someone's boss and they could do their job remotely, encourage them to do that. 

 Avoid large gatherings of people if at all possible, especially if they are in an area with cases OR places that lots of people travel to. If you attend group events and start to feel even a little bit sick within 2 to 14 days, you need to self isolate immediately. Like for a tiny tickle in your throat.

 5. All your travel plans are about to get screwed up. If you are considering booking flights right now, get refundable tickets. ETA: most trip insurance will not cover cancellations due to a pandemic. Look for "cancel for any reason" trip insurance. 

 Considerations for risks related to that trip you’re planning: how bad would it be if you got stuck where you are going for 3 to 6 weeks? How bad would it be to be isolated at home for 2-3 weeks upon your return? Do you have direct contact with people who are over 70 and/or have lung conditions? If those seem really bad to you, rethink your trip, especially if it is to a location where there are confirmed cases. 

 6. If you are sick, stay home. Please! For the love of all that is holy. Stay at home. Your contributions to the world are really just not that important.

 7. There is a good chance some communities will see school cancelled and asked to limit non-essential movement. If someone in your family gets sick your family will almost certainly be isolated for 2-3 weeks (asked to stay at home). You could start stocking up with essentials for that scenario, but don't run out and buy a years' worth of toilet paper. Again, not the apocalypse. 2 weeks' worth of essential items. Refill any prescriptions, check your supply of coffee, kitty litter, and jigsaw puzzles.

 8. I do want to remind everyone that when public health works, the result is the least newsworthy thing ever: nothing happens. If this all fizzles out and you start feeling like ‘Wah, all that fuss for nothing??’ Then send a thank-you note to your local department of public health for a job well done. Fingers crossed for that outcome.

 9. Look, I think there are some positives here. All this handwashing could stop flu season in its tracks! We have an opportunity to reduce our global carbon footprint by telecommuting more, flying less, and understanding where our stuff comes from. We can use this to think about the problems with our healthcare system. We can use this to reflect on our positions of privilege and implicit biases. We can start greeting each other using jazz hands. I'm genuinely excited about those opportunities.

 There is a lot we don't yet know about this virus. It didn't even exist 90 days ago. So stay tuned, it is an evolving situation. The WHO website has a decent FAQ. Free to email or text with questions, and you can forward this to others if you think it's useful.

 May the force be with you. 

 Malia Jones, PhD, MPH

[email protected]

 I’m an Assistant Scientist in Health Geography at the Applied Population Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I study social contact of humans, and spatial patterns of infectious disease, among other things. 

   P.S. The number one question I am getting is, did you really write this? Yes. I wrote this. 

 I didn't write it for professional purposes, so I didn't put my work email on it. It was really just meant to be an email to my friends and family in advance of what I expect to be an escalation in the panic level. But it was apparently welcome information and went viral on FB. I've decided not to edit out the swears, even though I wrote this with a much smaller audience in mind. 

 Thanks for checking your facts! Go science! 

#COVID-19 #coronavirus #wash your hands #Social distancing #don't panic #but maybe just a little panic

[seeds-and-sins]

Something Special

Pairing: Vaas Montenegro / Reader

Rating: T (Strong language, violence)

Description: You find out Vaas is actually a pirate lord, he makes a deal with you in promising to keep your friends alive and safe...

You didn't know what it was about him. There was something off, but you just couldn't put your finger on it. It wasn't the scar that spanned the side of his head, nor the unruly Mohawk, or the blank stares. No. It couldn't have been the dirty wraps around his fingers, or the way he spoke, or the rough pads of his thumbs. No, not any of those things. It must had been something though, as your friends pulled you around the island, the strange tour guide in tow. It must had been something. Even your friends knew it, before arriving on the island, Tony warned that the guide was a bit rough around the edges, that we should all keep our distance. No. You couldn't keep your distance from this particular stranger, no indeed.

   While the others all had their bathroom breaks, you held your bladder for the sake of being alone with said person. He considered you with that same fixed stare, something akin to a pout sitting on his lips, arms crossed. You crossed your own arms, mocking him to some extent. It was a silent exchange. You smirked at him, then came closer, even as he shifted his back towards you. You slid around, closer even, knowing that if your friends were nearby they would certainly disapprove. You stared, gazed, narrowed your eyes every now and again, focused on his features. When you came close enough his eyes widened at the proximity, and his lips parted as if to say something. Hand snatching your own with snake like speed, just as your fingers tenderly caressed over his scar. 

"You're playing with fire, hermana." His grip was tight, but not painfully so. His voice didn't quite reach the way his eyes analyzed you with curiosity, no intent to follow through with his indirect threat.

"How did you get it?" You asked, and he released your wrist, turning his back to you again. You were surprised he would turn his back to anyone, but you figured he had deduced long before that you were no threat. 

"That's none of your business." 

"Oh," You shrugged, then nudged your hip into his, he grunted in annoyance and sidestepped away. "Just curious." 

"Curiosity can be dangerous, ya'know."

"Only to someone who is afraid of death." His hazel eyes followed you again, before shaking his head and finding anything else but you to busy himself. "Hey, I'm sorry, you just seem pretty cool." 

"Pretty cool?" He cocked his head at you, biting his bottom lip in frustration, his fists fell to his sides and he stomped that extra space between you both. Then his face was an inch from yours, a snarl on him, rage in his every huff of a breath. 

"Do you even fucking know who I am?" You remained calm, hoping he was all bark and not all bite. "Do you?" He spat.

"Not really," You forced a smile, that was somewhat genuine, but his negative energy was only making you more nervous. "But I would like to..." You cleared your throat, the tip of your bare foot tenderly circling in the wet soil of the jungle floor. "Know who you are." His expression softened, not without the slightest bit of confusion crossing his features. His lips then twitched into a grin of some kind, before he distanced himself from you again, finding a tree to lean back against.

"Oh, hermana, you wouldn't want to know."

"It can't be that bad, what's your name?"

"It doesn't matter." You washed a palm over your lips in deep thought and then finally came to a conclusion. 

"If I tell you stuff about me, maybe you can tell me stuff about you." He rolled his eyes, and sighed. 

"Why the fuck do you want to know about me? Huh?"

"Well, you're our guide, and um," You didn't want him to know that you thought he was attractive, even the slightest bit exotic and alluring. The tattoos that ran over the taut muscles of his biceps, the baggy sides of his tank top straps, exposing the edges of his toned pectorals, dark chest hairs bordering the neckline of the red, and thick thighs underneath the camo green cargos. "Like I said, I think you are cool."

"You don't know anything about me, how can you say that?" 

"Earlier, I saw you tying up some knots on our boat, you know your stuff..." You then pondered another time where the man practically fascinated you. "Then you made that fire for us last night, it took you less than thirty minutes with hardly anything but some sticks and moss. That's not easy." You stepped closer, only for him to flinch slightly at the movement. "And I have to admit, when we climbed the summit you were absolutely ripped. You were ahead of us the whole time." Vaas couldn't hide his amusement, he snorted and shook his head.

"You've been watching me quite a bit then, hermana." He stated, gave you a once over and then stepped towards you, those lengthy arms swinging at his sides. He placed them on his hips when he was close enough to grab you, the very thought excited you. "My name is Vaas."

"Vaas," You nodded, muttering the name under your breath in admiration, you couldn't deny the blush that soon dusted your cheeks. "Thank you for telling me." He licked his lips, and this mischievous nature came about him.

"Just being polite is all, hermosa, who wouldn't want to put a name to the person they are crushing on?" Your jaw dropped and you sputtered out some pathetic response.

"B-But-I-I-" The bushes beside you shoveled and Hunter was leading a trail of your friends back towards you. 

"Hey guys, we going to keep going? Or what?" Oh shit! You forgot you really had to pee. 

    Later that day, the lot of you found yourselves at a waterfall, with a small pond beneath it. And of course, all of your friends wanted to go for a swim. You changed out into your bathing suit, after finding a large rock to change behind with the others. You couldn't explain how excited you were to finally get into some cool water, it was sweltering hot that day on the island. You sprinted to the edge of a smaller cliff that hovered over the lake, and just as you were about to follow the others into the waters below, you paused. You carried your feet up to Vaas, who was leaning against a tree, a cigarette hanging from his lips. His eyes openly eyeing your body again, except this time all too freely. 

"Come swim with us." You urged, a hint of laughter bubbling up in your throat. He dragged from the cigarette, slotting it between his fingers and exhaling the smoke as he freed his lips. 

"I don't know if your friends would like that so much, sol." You smiled and reached out, grabbing his free hand. 

"Come on, I would like it if you did, who cares what they think?" He dropped his head for a moment, then his fingers came to life in your own, tenderly wrapping around yours. He smirked up at you, teeth bright and white, much to your surprise. Especially considering that most of the natives you had crossed paths with so far, didn't seem to have good dental hygiene. He tossed his cigarette at the ground and stepped on it. 

"What's your name, chica?"

"(Y/N), why?" You snorted and he released your hand to pull his shirt over his head, revealing the sheets of abs sitting on his toned stomach. His eyes met yours, now hunched over to untie his boots, still holding your gaze. 

"So, I can put a name to the person I am crushing on." You smiled so wide, the muscles in your face stung just a little bit, blush creeping up your neck. The blush only reddened further to a point that it was greatly noticed under the shade of the tree, when he unbuckled his pants, a pair of boxers sitting underneath. He stood and closed your jaw shut teasingly, drawing your attention back to his face. "You think this is bad? You're lucky I decided to wear underwear today." He joked, but you weren't sure if he was really joking. Together, the two of you ran, and jumped off the small rock into the waters below.

   That night you sat beside Vaas by the fire, much to the distaste of your peers, but you liked Vaas's company more than you could explain. There was definitely something about him, without question, something special, you thought. He pointed out the stars to you in his native tongue, as the both of you strayed from the group along the beach. Your bare feet shuffling in the sand along his bigger boot prints, your hand wrapped around his forearm. You were slightly drunk, but that didn't make his words any less clearer or fascinating. You gripped onto his muscles, grasping more for his touch and warmth as the chilly winds blew through from the shore. 

"And that, that one right there, do you see?" In your drunken haze, you thought that standing up on your tip toes would make you see the tiny glowing dot better. Instead, you fell forward into Vaas's arms, he took advantage, nudging his nose against your temple. "I might just name that one after you? Huh?" You laughed, and wrapped your arms under his armpits, nose sniffing at the red tank. It smelled, oddly, of a mix between copper and earth and sweat.

"Can you do that? Name a star after me?" You finally found balance as your hands propped themselves on the creases of Vaas's arms, meeting his steely gaze. 

"I can do whatever the fuck I want on my island."

"Your island? Really?" You poked at his chest, feeling his pec tense under the jabbing of your pointer finger. "You are the king here, then?" You were simply playing along, figuring this was just some fantasy world that Vaas had created for himself, that he was introducing you to.

"I am, you think I am joking?" His expression turned stern and serious, eyebrow raised slightly, and his fingers came up to caress your cheek. 

"I don't know..." You smiled like a fool, "But if you aren't I am glad you trust my friends and I enough to share it with us." You stumbled back, and twirled around, the wind pushing against your clothes, the stars suiting your natural glow. "Your beautiful, fantastic island." You fell back, giggling over the sound of the thrashing waves and roaring winds. He came up beside you, staring down at you, in this darkness, at this distance, his face was unreadable. He then crouched down beside you, and laid down, arm propping up his head as he gazed down at you. 

"And tomorrow you will leave my island?" You turned over, the both of you on your sides, facing one another. You grabbed the green gem of his necklace, fiddled with it as you shyly made eye contact with him. 

"I will," You sighed. "But can I tell you a secret?" You closed the short space between your lips, and Vaas reeled back in shock for a moment as you sought his kiss. When you drew away, nervous to see his reaction, you found he was in awe. "I don't want to though." He cupped your cheek, and scooted closer, sand bunching up between your bodies. He tilted his forehead down to press to your own and he smiled. "I wish I could stay here forever." Vaas snorted, fingers trailing down to just under your chin, where he gripped it gently and brought your lips up to meet his.

"Be careful what you wish for, mi sol. You might not like what you recieve." That next day you woke up to a thundering headache and an empty indent in the sand beside you. The sounds of the waves had almost lulled you back into bliss, if it hadn't been for the sounds of screams and shouts in the distance. Your eyes fluttered open and you sat up, the blurry vision subsided to reveal seven specks of black along the white sand, where your friends had set up camp the night before. You immediately jumped to your feet, sprinting as fast as you can, despite the hungover nausea that took you. When you approached, you could finally see your four friends being held at gunpoint, and three men dressed in red, one of them Vaas. 

"(Y/N)! Run!" Hunter shouted, protecting Brittany as she clutched behind him. “Get HELP!!! GO!” You ignored them and went straight to Vaas, one of the men almost grabbing you if Vaas hadn't gotten to you first. He pulled you to the side, over the screams and cries of your friends, past the demands of the two gun totting men. 

"Vaas, what's going on?! What are you doing?!" You breathed out shakily, adrenaline running through you. He cupped your cheeks and sent you an eerie smile. 

"Oh sweet hermosa, I am a pirate lord. This is what I do. I pull stupid Americans onto this island, like your friends, and I ransom them and sell them. It's that simple." He chuckled, turning to get back to what he was doing, as if you weren't with them, as if you had come to the island of your own volition, like you were a separate entity. You gripped his hand and yanked him back to face you, albeit with some struggle. 

"But you won't with them, right? You won't." Tears of panic started to slide down your cheeks, uncontrollable, Vaas returned to you, still smirking. His thumbs brushing away the tears on your cheeks, and his smile fell dramatically into a serious glare. 

"It's okay, Hermosa. You're safe with me. I am granting you your wish." And he turned away, like you weren't clinging to him like he was your last breath. 

"Stop! Wait!" You could see he was getting agitated as he swung back to face you, gripping your shoulders in a vice grip. 

"What is it?! What the fuck?!"

"If you do this, I won't forgive you." You said, with more courage than you thought you could muster, with such fierce stubborn determination that you thought Vaas would kill you. He was silent, lips shut tight as he considered whether you were being truthful or not. The sounds of your friends screams intensified and you glanced over to find that one of the men had thrown Ellie to the ground on her face. "Please." Your voice cracked as you begged, lowering your head and closing your eyes in some odd form of prayer, "Please, with all my heart. I won't ever say no, I won't ever reject you, I won't ever leave you, just please." The words came out so naturally, but with such frantic abandon. His silence was borderline deadly, until his grip on your shoulders slackened. 

"I won't let them go. They know too much." He said plainly, his hand gripped your chin, raising your eyes to level with his own, yet again.

"WE WON'T SAY ANYTHING!!!" One of them screamed, as those light hazel eyes pierced your soul. 

"If you swear to me these things, I will keep them safe and maybe..." You felt relief come over you, because you would gladly do anything for your friends, even swear on the things you told Vaas. "Maybe..." He emphasized, with a strict finger now tapping your nose in playful jest. "We can work something out to set them free." You nodded your head, jumped up into his arms, wrapping them around his neck. 

"I swear," You whispered in his ear. "I swear on my star."

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#vaas montenegro #soft #reader #vaas montenegro x reader #farcry 3 #Imagines #prompts list

[everlasting-yours]

Careless For Once

TAEYONGxREADER

Smut, light angst, prudence here and there, slightly old-fashioned, life in marriage, signs of doubts, troubled thoughts, romance, selflessness, Taeyong loves Y/N, okay?

25.K+ words (a long-ass one shot)

Enjoy~

Okay, so your husband, Lee Taeyong was naked and standing before yourself. That wasn't too surprising. Not that he tended to be exhibitionist—come to think of it, he is just the opposite, isn't he? He doesn't parade himself around the house as other men might be known to do. But he did say that he was taking a bath. One does tend to be stripped for such a procedure. You heard the water running. So, obviously, he had something important—possibly urgent, considering his unusual state of undress—to say to you. So you waited in expectation.

He spoke, rather in a monotone, almost, "I think you need to be clean as well."

You considered your state of cleanliness. You had a shower the night before, and while you might enjoy a nice bath, it didn't really seem time for it. "Perhaps tomorrow morning," you replied, curtly.

"No, I think sooner than that." He was curt as well. Perhaps not curt, but a bit... forceful. This was odd. He was not one to remark on your hygiene. You cared for yourself in a proper, expected way, and no one complained about your state of filth or of any unacceptable odors. Nor did he. But here he is, naked as a newborn, not yet having his bath, telling you of your need to be cleansed. Most irregular.

And you said so. "Look here, I don't think you have any place to be telling me of ..."

Well, you tried to say so, but then Taeyong rudely interrupted. "Actually, I think you need to have a bath." Then he paused a moment. "Now." And before you knew what was happening, he had reached beneath your thighs and back, chuckling, and was carrying you away to the bathroom.

You didn't want to struggle, lest he dropped you, and then you would be injured, possibly seriously. So instead, you began in a torrent of words meant to break that smile from his face and to cease from such unacceptable activity. "Put me down! I think that enforced bathing is illegal in this country and you don't even have a license! I am really not prepared to get wet, in any case, because my hair... well, my hair is up, but that shouldn't make any difference, it might get wet which would be disastrous—just horrible. And you don't think... no, you wouldn't really put me in the bath with all my clothes—that would just be monstrous—OH!" Still chuckling, he placed you gently into the steaming tub.

Well, you thought, at least the temperature is to my liking. Sizzling hot. "For a bath, this is not very relaxing. To be shanghaied from my place on the couch and then placed in the water fully clothed... it will take all day to dry these clothes!"

Taeyong knelt beside you and replied, "They would be easier to dry if they were off." Then he began unbuttoning your blouse.

Ah, so that's his game. All right, then. I suppose we ought to just enjoy it. That's what I'm supposed to do, isn't it? You leaned back in the bath and closed your eyes. After erasing all thoughts of knives and straight pins digging into his flesh, you realized the possibilities here. Here you were, in an unexpected bath, with a personal servant to undress you, caress you, coddle you and fondle you. This could be pleasant indeed.

Taeyong noticed your visible relaxation and kissed your closed eyes. "That's right. Take some time for yourself. I'll give you whatever you need."

Your blouse was fully unbuttoned and now he was clumsily working on your bra. You sat up and released it, then took it off. Your breasts floated, being fully supported by the water. The unbuttoned white shirt lay about you. You threw the shirt about yourself, in mock modesty. "I can't have you looking at my..." Taeyong smiled wider. You looked at your chest and found that your breasts were fully visible through the thin, white, wet garment. "Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter," you said as you stripped off the shirt.

Your denim skirt and underwear came off quickly and easily. Taeyong gathered up the clothing and rung the soaking garments out in the bathroom sink and hung them up.

Temporarily alone, you allowed your heartbeat to cease racing, sitting back in the tub, and forcing yourself to rest. His attack had unsettled you considerably, and though his intentions were honorable, the method was, shall we say, somewhat unorthodox. You had never been exposed to such a blatant display of testosterone, not by him, even as quiet as it was. In approaching things of amour, Taeyong had always been a gentleman—admittedly, somewhat childish and selfish—but gentle and considerate of your feelings and of your need to adjust to a new mood. However, this time he had given no signal of lovemaking, no warning of his desire. Instead, he blindsided you, putting you in a mood of... danger, almost.

It is a bit exciting, you admitted, and allowed your heartbeat to increase a bit. It isn't every day a woman is gently ravaged by someone who loves her. Someone who desires her in such a way that he had to respond instantly, on impulse. Picking her up without warning. Putting her in a tub of water in order to be passionate with her. Stripping her gently under his adoring eyes. That's not so bad, really, is it?

Of course not. Nevertheless, it would be nice to take some revenge—in a loving manner, of course. You could plot and plan as well as the next woman. And take great pleasure in the results of your plotted torture. Oh, yes, you can plan. And he will regret. (All for Taeyong's benefit, of course, she assured herself.)

"All right," he spoke, commandingly, but gently, "it is time to clean you up."

"All right," she mocked in a friendly manner. Then her voice went meek and pleading, "But... what will you use to clean me up, sir?"

He reached across you and grabbed the Dove and a washcloth. Firmly, he replied, "Just this: soap, water, and a cloth. Please kneel and the cleaning shall begin."

You reinterpreted to yourself: the pampering shall begin. You planned to enjoy this thoroughly. You got up onto your knees, then sat on your feet and rested your chest on your legs, arms at your sides, curled up in a ball. "Please," you continued in a squeaky, pleading voice, "don't hurt me."

Taeyong's firm tone softened a bit, but he was still in character, "Don't worry, little miss. I'll take good care of you." You trembled slightly, part in your playact to show trepidation, part in real anticipation of his touch.

You were a woman who felt love at the touch of a soft caress. Without the touch, without physical closeness that had no hint of a selfish, sexual drive behind it, then in your heart of hearts, you could not be assured that you were loved. Intellectually you could acknowledge it. Your mind could assure you that you were really loved, but assurance in your deepest self would always be evaded unless you were gently caressed with direct intent.

Your husband, Taeyong, of course, was a man for whom touch was practically foreign. He grew up in a household where touch was not quite forbidden, but certainly never encouraged. Early on, when you were dating and engaged, he fawned on yourself, touching you constantly. You were not sure until later that his seductive fingers were, in reality, paws, longing for the sexual release and freedom that could not happen until you were married. But that never bothered you.

But he turned into a man who never showed you love...no, wait, that just wasn't true. He rarely showed you love in the manner in which you can truly, deeply feel it. You were confident in his love. Although his attentions waned in later years, focusing on work, a family of his, and the others who constantly came to the house, he would always take occasion to show that he cared for you. He would take you out to dinner. He would call you when it was unnecessary. He would give you little gifts. Basic romance stuff. But his touch...let's just say it was rare. Instead of sitting next to you on the couch, he chose a chair—as independent and full as an opportunity for thought as he is. And if you sat next to him on the couch, he would be briefly stiff and then relax, but he would not reach his hand to you.

Admittedly, Taeyong was tired. And he would converse with difficult people all day. And "touch" wasn't in his vocabulary of love unless you added some form of the word "sex" with it. You often sighed, disappointed at his distance.

And then sometimes, out of the blue, a light would come on within him, and he would scratch the back of your neck, softly. Or he might softly squeeze your shoulders for ten minutes. Or—a blessing of all blessings—he might take the time to give you a full backrub—no strings attached. That last was rare, very rare. On the occasional birthday, when you didn't need to sleep more than anything else in the world. Or the romantic anniversary. And thus did his displays of love descend.

Like God, you knew that he loved you, but only occasionally did Taeyong display it in action rather than in dusty, oft-repeated words of the past.

And so you trembled in anticipation. Even though the touch came through a cloth, rubbed with soap. Even though he was anticipating his own pleasure in a few minutes, or perhaps an hour. Even though he still wasn't recognizing your deepest need. You wanted this. Wanted a touch of love more than life.

Your back was fully exposed and he very gently rubbed the whole length and width of it, until small bubbles foamed all over your back. Being fully convinced of its cleanliness, he set aside the cloth and placed his fingertips on your skin. His caresses were firm—but not hurting—and the film of the soap causing each touch to be silky and smooth. You sat warm in the tub, your legs and front fully surrounded by the hot water and your back and shoulders lovingly warmed by his flat palms. After an infinitely brief time—perhaps ten minutes—he said in a soft version of his commanding character, "Up, on your knees, now. We have to clean the rest of you." And the pleasure was over.

Well, over for you. He took great delight in soaping up your chest, your buttocks, your pubic area, your thighs. Again, he dropped the washcloth. Taeyong climbed in the tub with you, kneeling behind you and reached around to cup your breasts. He fondled you all over, moaning his pleasure. Fingering your nipples, cupping your groin, squeezing your butt and rubbing them over and over.

His pleasure made you dizzy. In some way, you enjoyed his sudden yet slow approach down the road that has but one climax for two. His pawing was pleasant like you were overlooking a child taking great pleasure in brushing your hair, although he was mussing it all up. You were too cold, out of the water. Your nipples were hard, but not from pleasure and his touching was slightly unpleasant. You were gaining little out of the rubbing of her buttocks, but the somewhat pleasant touch. The touching of your pubic area was personal and intimate, but not sexy.

Did Taeyong think he was doing this for you? That he was causing waves of pleasure in you? No. His erection sticking up between your two buttocks, (for he had pushed it in with his pelvis) showed you that. He was not aware of your responses, but his eyes were closed to allow all of his sensory functions to focus on his hands, the touch he was receiving. Obviously, he felt that he had given you what you wanted, for now. And though he planned to "focus on you" in a little bit, he was taking what he wanted, for the moment. That was fine, you thought. But let's give him a little more. Or more than a little.

You took the discarded soap and rubbed it on your hands. Then you reached behind yourself and caressed the tip of his hard cock. Taeyong moaned at that, all right, and squeezed your breasts a little more, causing just a little pain. All right, you thought, let's do this. You turned around to him and saw his closed eyes and his dry skin except for his legs. "Tsk, tsk," you scolded like a kindergarten schoolmarm, "you are still all dirty. This will not do."

You wet him down, got more soap, and began soaping him down thoroughly. You rubbed his chest and back, seductively lathering them, having to press your chest into him to reach around to his back. You lathered his neck and legs, using your fingernails to scratch his skin with pleasure. You bent down to reach his buttocks and took the opportunity to give a little lick to his cock. Then you set into foaming up his groin, lingering at his tip. Taeyong backed off a bit then, saying, "We don't want to go too far." You smiled. Then you rinsed yourself and him off, front and back.

Taeyong slunk down for a moment, a bit weary from pleasure. You could tell that he was "steeling himself up" to work on your sexual desire. But before he could rise, you pressed into him, wrapping your arms about his neck, and allowing his face to touch your bare breasts. It was time. You queried seductively, "Do you know what I want?" You backed a bit and began rubbing his nipples. Taeyong sat down in the lukewarm water, eyes widening, placing his legs on either side of you. Perfect. You bent down on top of him, your breasts resting on his hard cock, forcing it down on his stomach. You whispered again, "Do you know what I want?" Again, he made noises that "we" don't want him to climax too soon.

You ignored his plea, kissing his chest and licking his nipples, hard and quick. You lifted up your face to his, breathing the words onto him, "I know what you want." You sat up, your opening, wet with excitement (although emotionally you were not ready for sex), rested on his dick and you rubbed a bit. He moaned, "Not yet. Let's focus on you." You chuckled. "But that's not what you want." You rubbed a finger through his hair, around his neck, and let it descend to his nipple. You licked it and let the saliva lubricate between his nipple and your finger, while your pussy softly thrust on his erection. "You want to be wet. You want me to rub you." Beneath your hand on his chest, you could feel his heartbeat racing. "You want my body on you. You want to be surrounded by me. You want to be smothered by my softness"

You raised herself up, pressing your breasts into his face and picked up his cock inserting the tip into yourself. "You want to moan with pleasure. You want to touch me all over." Slowly, you descended upon him and he grabbed your buttocks. "Oh," Taeyong moaned. And you moaned with him, for him, "Oh, I feel you inside. How lovely you feel." Taeyong started to make cautionary noises again until you pulsed on him. "Come on," you spoke slowly, "put your hands on my breasts," you pulled at his arms until he grabbed your chest, longingly. "Squeeze my nipples, just a little." It was slightly uncomfortable for you, but he enjoyed it. You continued with your patter, " Come on, baby. Squeeze me. Kiss me. There, please. Oh, yes. Do you feel me?" Taeyong nodded. You thrust down harder, "Press yourself inside of me—yes... Oh, how I want you, I want you, I want you..." Suddenly, Taeyong exploded inside of you, feeling him tense up and then release. You continued moving on him until he motioned for you to cease.

After his breathing became normal, you got up off of him, turned to let the water out, and grabbed a towel, drying yourself off. "But," he said, "you didn't get a chance to.." Guilt and exertion made his face red. Your sweet revenge was all set up.

You smiled wickedly. "You never answered my question." He faltered a moment. "You know...? My question?" You repeated for him slowly, "Do you know what I want?"

Taeyong was clearly confused. His previous agenda for the evening was foiled by your sudden turnabout and he wasn't sure where he stood. He got up and you came up close to him and handed him a towel. You asked again, seductively "Do you know what I want?" You kissed his neck and stroked his shoulder.

Quickly, his thinking mechanism returned to its usual working state. "Ummm... a backrub?"

You smiled and backed away. "Right. Now get wiped off and come into the bedroom, please. But not too quickly..." you added. "I've got a couple of things to set up and I want you dried with no goop on you." You glanced down at the white/clear fluid on his groin. He got the message. "Oh, and don't bother putting on any clothes," you concluded cheerily, "we're not done yet."

Entering nude into the bedroom, you realized that he wasn't done with his surprises yet. The bed was straightened up and the covers pulled back. The pillows were neatly set, with a piece of chocolate on each one. Towels were set on the mattress, neat and flat. The sill on top of the headboard was decorated with a row of candles, dimly lit. And in the background, some Blues was playing softly, romantically.

Oooh, you thought. He hadn't just planned to throw you in the bath and have his way with you. He had a small romantic evening planned. How sweet, you inwardly gushed and gave him credit for his overall plan. You started to regret your thwarting of his plans, but then you erased your repentance. "Actually," you mused, "isn't this what the best of marriage is about? Taking two plans and putting them together to make one fantastic one? Too bad it doesn't work that way usually."

You lowered the covers further and set another towel on your side of the bed, still muttering, "Usually marriage is either one person getting what they want and the other person not, or some compromise is reached where both parties have less than they want. We've done pretty well," you said as you smoothed the bedclothes, "although I've made a lot of sacrifices. Well, he has too. It just... doesn't seem like he has made as many. Maybe that's just the way it is between men and women. A woman wants the pleasure of her man more than he wants her pleasure." You heard him coming, so you quieted down.

Taeyong came in, cleaned up and dried with a towel around his waist and another draped on his arm. "How can I serve you, ma'am?"

You smiled and kissed his cheek. "I love the way you set up the room. It was really thoughtful of you."

Remaining straight-faced, he said, "All part of the service, ma'am. Now, how can I help you?"

"Oh yes... one last thing." You ran out of the room and returned from the living room, just as quickly. In your hand was a phone with timer all set up to 55 minutes. You set it on the nightstand on the other side of the room.

You stood before your stony-faced husband and said, "Taeyong-ssi, I want you to rub my back until that timer dings. You may use some lotion, but I would prefer no oil." You sat on the towels on the bed. "I shall be lying here."

Taeyong answered, "Ma'am, I have two questions."

You laid down, with your arms to your side. "Yes, Taeyong-ssi, what is it?"

"First, what if you fall asleep? Should I wake you?"

Humph, you thought. I should be asking you that question. "If I fall asleep, let me sleep and I will dream of you rubbing my back. Nothing could be better."

"Very well, ma'am. One other question. Since you have not a stitch of clothing on—a fact I greatly admire and appreciate—do you wish me to rub only that which one might call 'the back' or to perhaps cover all of your 'back', from neck to foot?"

"As you see fit, Taeyong-ssi. Although I do wish that I had shaved my legs in the tub."

"You could do so now, ma'am."

"Enough. The timer is running."

"Yes ma'am." And, kneeling beside the bed, he began.

* * *

3rd person/1st person

He set to the task, for the task it was. It was difficult enough to stay awake to give a long backrub, let alone to figure out what he should do during the backrub. Over the years he had given her many backrubs, usually, the longest was a half-hour. Of course, he thought, she wouldn't consider them many. Perhaps two a year. I suppose two a year is a paltry sum when one's goal is to have a backrub every night. But he did give her other, "unofficial" backrubs—a rub on the neck, exercising her shoulders, the gentle caress here and there. But it couldn't be done all the time. Life is simply too busy.

To start with tonight, he did not use lotion but simply his fingers, barely touching her, raising goosebumps on her flesh. He drew circles on her, caressed her, using his fingernails, his open palm and the heel of his hand. He gently relaxed the back of her neck, her shoulders and shoulder blades. He wanted to linger at her buttocks, to perhaps caress the side of her breasts, or spread her legs open and move his fingers about in her vagina. But he knew better. He knew that the pleasure she wanted was touch, pure and simple, free without a demand.

Sex, of course, isn't really a demand, he thought. It's a pleasure for both of us. It is something we both work on for the pleasure and satisfaction of both of us. That's what makes her action in the tub so confusing. She was doing that all for me—and I didn't have an opportunity to bring her along. Of course, I did kind of startle her. Maybe she just wasn't ready. Or maybe a backrub is really what she wanted tonight. Well, I could have given her one after she climaxed. Of course, it really did feel good. Just... too fast. I'd really like to try it again. But she really doesn't seem interested. He mentally shrugs, A backrub it is, then.

...

He reached over to pick up the lotion. He pumped a number of times until a mound of the goopy stuff raised upon his hand. He rubbed it between his hands for a bit until it was almost body temperature. Then he slathered on your back, working it in from your shoulder to her waist. Your skin drank it in—dry, as usual. He got more lotion and slathered it on again, focusing on your legs this time.

It's odd, he thought. Why wouldn't she be interested in sex more? Well, it isn't that she isn't interested—she enjoys it, that's for sure. But for me, I feel that when she really focuses on giving me pleasure in sex, I feel so close to her... no. Wait. That isn't it. I don't feel close to her when I go. In fact, sometimes when we're just "taking care of me" then I feel sexually satisfied but still lonely. Separated. It's only when we both gain pleasure—when it's really "good". But what makes it "good"? Is it the pleasure we feel? No, because we can both enjoy it, but it still seems shallow. As if we are just going through the motions.

Admittedly, that's what we usually do. Go through the motions. A little non-direct touching, then some caressing of her breasts. I caress her nipples, then lick them, then I get some lubrication and caress her just above her clitoris. Then she's ready to go. Usually, she'll lick my nipples a bit, I touch her some more in her vagina and we're ready to go. I get on top of her and rhythmically push just a little inside her and she climaxes. Then we might do her again, or we might go with me—long strokes and I've released and I'm outta there. That's our normal, usual sex—when I can keep it up or don't release myself too soon. It's okay. We like it. But that's not how I feel close to her.

There are some times... some times that we just feel so intimate. It's amazing, almost mystical. Early in our marriage, I did think of it as mystical. As if we were two beings, merging into one. "One flesh" really described it. Perhaps it was just an emotional experience, but it was real to me. Very real. Central, almost. I wanted to have that experience all of the time. Perhaps that what junkies feel, that high. I can understand not wanting to ever turn away from it.

But, in reality, in marriage, eventually that feeling does fade. Sex is good, a part of life, but it isn't blissful. It isn't a great high. Except sometimes. Sometimes you still reach it. The intimacy climaxes in sex, but it usually doesn't begin there. You talk... about stuff. Whatever you talk about. Books. Movies. Possibilities of having kids one day. The problem of the week. He caresses you. Not in a sexual way. Taeyong has to focus on that if he can do it. His mind—either it's sex all the time or none of the time. No middle ground.

Then... what? What is it that makes it good for both of us? When I look at her and get that feeling of how lovely she really is? Maybe it's when we both really give each other pleasure. Or when I know that she is really excited. Or maybe it happens when we do something new, spontaneous, unthought-of—breaking out of our usual pattern. Hmm. If that were so, then what she did for me in the tub would have been great. But it was just me, not her.

Or is it ever just good for me? Maybe I'm just fooling myself. Maybe I'm the one who really feels connected, feels at peace at those times. Maybe she doesn't feel it at all. Maybe for her, she just gets pleasure from it and enjoys my pleasure, my surrender. But that's all. Does she feel love? The intensity I feel? The feeling that it isn't just me going into her, organs rubbing against each other. But that it is in some way her going into me—us connecting, merging. Does she ever feel that?

Taeyong's hands' massage your back still. The lotion is worked in and your skin is smooth and soft. Not greasy, but without creases. Almost without blemishes. Nothing for the hand to get caught on. He massages deeply, but not so hard that there is discomfort. The hand and fingers slide over the skin, as a skateboard slides down a ramp in a park. Ski on the snow. Perhaps a ski takes pleasure in just the simple movement over packed snow. A satisfaction that it was made to glide, to pass effortlessly, without friction over fields of white. Maybe that is the same kind of pleasure you are feeling now. That in receiving a backrub, you are experiencing what your skin was made for. Affection.

He remembered when he first started giving you backrubs, near the beginning of your marriage. Of course, you wanted backrubs before you were married and he gave them to you—other rubs, as well, he recalled. But they weren't "official" backrubs. They were dry, and while you enjoyed them, you didn't relax like you did after you were married. That seemed to be real enjoyment for you—total relaxation and separation from all that you have been doing that day. You would try different oils, different candles, some music—whatever you could to bring peace and romance and togetherness to your crazy lives.

Things were crazy. I was crazy. Why did I get so upset all the time? Things were fine when people were over or when they were working... but every once in a while when it was just the two of them... Well, maybe it was more than every once in a while. Maybe it was more often than I would want to think. I was a jerk. No, I never hit her. But I yelled. Controlling bastard, that's what I was. Why couldn't I just let her be who she was? Why couldn't we make our decisions together civilly? Of course, sometimes it wasn't a matter of decisions. It was a matter of who cared more. We knew who cared more by who through a fit first. So stupid.

But the nights that the first year, <ou were lovely. Not every night, but every other night you would get naked with one another and play. Just relax and have a good time. Have sex, read, sleep, talk. You had all this energy for each other. You would stay up until one or two or three, just to be together.

You are so worn now. It's a good night if Taeyong can stay up past eleven. You talk, but mostly about "issues" or the latest read. What you did or learned about others during the day. Everyone is falling apart, it seems, and you are there to fix them. Although you never do. Mostly you just watch people slowly fall apart. Or slowly get better. Depending. Sometimes you don't even have time to talk. You read, but you don't read "together" anymore. Actually, maybe you never did. Taeyong didn't know just how caught up you get in a book. That's how come you couldn't hear him set up the bedroom or wonder why it was taking him so long to take a bath. Lost in a book.

He smiled. You are so cute, he thought. He looked down at you, eyes closed, mouth slightly open. Long hair braided and put on top of your head. Straight back, round butt, strong, thick thighs, and beautiful legs. Toes that are kind of crooked that they seem broken. Cute.

The timer went off. Taeyong got up, walked across the room, and turned it off. You sat up. He asked, "Did you fall asleep?"

"Nope. I was just relaxing."

He sat down beside you. "Pretty deep relaxing."

"I guess so. But I felt every stroke." You placed your hand on his shoulder and bent your head to kiss him. As your lips parted, you whispered, "Thank you."

Taeyong looked into your eyes—peace, with only a touch of your usual weariness. "No problem."

You grinned at him. "That's good." You laid back down, on your back this time. "This time I want you to do the front."

Taeyong was shocked for a moment, wondering how he could stay awake for another hour, just touching you. "Really?"

"Yes, really." You took his hand and placed it on your breast. "Feel the heartbeat?"

He was pleasantly shocked. "Y-yes."

You glanced down at his groin. "Just as I thought. If you felt the beating of my heart, you would have the energy to get up again."

Taeyong hesitated. "Do you really want that?"

You sat up and kneeled before him, kissing his lips. At the same time, you reached down with her hand and stroked his hardening member. "I really want you," you whispered. Then you laid down again. "Now, do my front."

He willingly obliged. "But if I'm going to do your front, I'm going to do all of it."

"Hmm. What do you mean by that?"

"Open your legs, and you'll see." And you did.

* * *

As you lay on the bed, still, after exertions, you breathed quietly, "That was fun. Very enjoyable."

Taeyong grinned at your praise. "Yes, it was. It was a good idea, you think?"

You turned your head to look at him. "Fine idea. Especially the way you set up the room. Very nice. But it was really more of an impulse than anything else, don't you think?"

Taeyong replied, "Not the room. It took me a half-hour to set that up without you hearing me. But," he admitted sheepishly, " Picking you up and set you in the tub, fully clothed—that wasn't completely thought out. I wouldn't normally act so...careless."

You lay your head down on his shoulder. "Of course." You paused for a moment and placed your hand on his chest. "It was all very nice, though. Even putting me in the tub." He looked surprised. "It was exciting, in a way. It set my mind thinking about new possibilities that I wouldn't have thought about before."

"Nice possibilities."

"Mmmm."

Taeyong gazed in your eyes and then lightly pressed his lips on yours, as you closed your eyes. As the close proximity comforted you, your lips barely a millimeter apart, you spoke, with your eyebrows descending, "But don't you EVER do that again!"

With a smirk plastered on his handsome face, Taeyong playfully replies. "What? Plop you fully-clothed in a bathtub?", but far from his expectation, you reciprocated with words you wish you'd say more so often to him, a genuine smile full of fondness reaching your eyes.

"Never doubt us and our way of loving."

#taeyong fanfic #taeyong smut #taeyong scenario #romance #nct romance #nct smut #nct light angst #nct 127 scenario #nct 127 smut #nct 127 fanfic #taeyong one shot #one shot

[mubarak-procucts]

Islamic Lifestyle and Its Impact on Health – A Complete Guide to Follow

 Posted by Mubarak Deals

 August 1, 2022 5:36 pm

Table Of Content

• What is the Islamic lifestyle?• Why is being healthy important in Islam?• Importance of food in Islam• Islam promotes healthy food habits because:• What is the Halal concept?• Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWS) Health Tips

Islam is one religion that guides an individual not only on the way one should worship and develop beliefs but also on how to lead a healthy life. Health and hygiene are two very crucial aspects of Islam as well as of human existence.

The Quran and the Hadith, the one describing the life of the Prophet, both preach a lot about health and offer guidelines about preventative, curative restorative aspects of health. The Prophet (SAWS) said;

‘Allah (SWT) created disease and treatment, and He made for each disease a treatment. So, seek treatment but do not use haram.”

The Islamic lifestyle preaches a healthy way of living life and all need to understand it and stay healthy to live long. Whether it takes exercise or HealthKart nutrients to keep you fit and healthy, one should indulge in such practices but maintain distance from haram. In this post, we shall discuss the Islamic lifestyle and how Islam promotes health. We shall also learn the importance of food in Islam and the concept of halal.

To conclude, we will be discussing some health tips from the Prophet (SAWS) himself.

 What is the Islamic lifestyle?

Islam guides Muslims to live in a certain way and it can be summed as Islamic Lifestyle. As per Shariah (Islamic Law), there are certain things haram in Islam which include stealing, lying, committing adultery, gambling, eating pork, and drinking alcohol. Shariah also guides on how men and women with Islamic beliefs must dress modestly and should not indulge in any activity that would hurt the sentiments of others. Muslims must respect parents, help the poor, have faith in God, kindness, honesty, and do hard work.

When it comes to health and nutrition Islam teaches a very specific way of leading Muslim life. Muslims must be very precise when choosing, obtaining, or consuming any food items and must avoid forbidden or haram items such as blood, dead animals, and pork. Islam has been very particular about the health aspect of life. As per the Prophet (SAWS),"Wealth is appropriate to a God-fearing person, but good health is better for the God-fearing than wealth".

He (SAWS) further added, "He of you who finds himself enjoying good health, secure in his community and has his daily sustenance, is as if he had the whole world at his fingertips".

A true Muslim must be true to his Islamic belief and say dua, perform namaz and do wudu. Islam teaches healthy habits to boost hygiene and promote the health of the mind and body.

Right from encouraging people to have a healthy breakfast too, including True Basic nutrition supplements in the diet, Islam has a broad concept of health and wellness to teach.

Why is being healthy important in Islam?

Leading a healthy and happy life does not happen with any accident, but is fostered by your daily habits. It is very important to establish your relationship with health and consume fresh or buy from brands that sell fresh example Big Basket grocery online.

The Prophet (SAWS) always taught us to pay attention to health as he believed that healthy bodies have healthy souls. He would say “The example of the stomach is like a pond. There are outlets in all directions from it. If the stomach is healthy then the rest of the body will be healthy”. He (peace be upon him) also said: “A stomach is a place of diseases”.

Islam promotes health as health is the key to a human who can lead a faithful life, offer the best to his family and friends, as well as value and follow the beliefs of Islam and teach them to its offspring.

Islam teaches to take care of oneself as a whole person and pay attention to health. Right from following the commandments of Allah to eating healthy and fresh food, a Muslim must ensure that he/ she is maintaining his/ her full health. Allah has made a Muslim responsible for his/ her body and one must protect it by all means.

Importance of food in Islam

God has given food to humans for their health, life, and ability to perform his duties [26].

As before said, a Muslim must be very specific about the food he eats for the ways it has been procured or consumed. There is a wide range of food that is forbidden in Islam but there are also several rules that teach Muslims to eat fresh, healthy, and just right.

A healthy body is a god’s gift and a Muslim must be able to preserve and protect it. Health is considered a basic human right in Islam and because food plays a key role in maintaining health, it is believed to be the very basic pillar to be taken care of. Food boosts the physical perspective of the body and makes our body strong, heals us, and prevents us from any diseases.

Food is a blessing to be enjoyed and shared (24:61). The type of food a Muslim should eat, eating habits, and its peculiar benefits are of great importance in Islam.

Islam promotes healthy food habits because:

It helps a Muslim     in maintaining health and wellness

It helps in     improving performance both mentally and physically

It provides us with     the right energy to be up and working all-day

It reduces the risk     of disease in our bodies

It     is a natural way to protect the body and also restore in case of any     illnesses.

One must look for quality when choosing food and must buy from reliable brands such as Tata food products, GlaxoSmithKline consumer range, and similar brands.

What is the Halal concept?

Halal is an Arabic term that implies anything permissible or acceptable in Islam. When it comes to food, it is considered the Islamic dietary standard that must be followed with utmost devotion.

As per Quran, all the food items are Halal except those which are specifically labeled as Haram in The Quran.

“O you who believes! Eat of the good things where with we have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is He whom ye worship. (Chapter II, Verse 172)”

The following verses from the Quran highlight haram food items:

“He has forbidden you only carrion, blood, and swine flesh, and that on which have been invoked any other name besides Allah’s…….” (Chapter II, Verse 173)

“Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swine flesh, and that on which hath been invoked the name other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been gored to death, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by slaughter) and that which hath been immolated to idols and that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination….” (Chapter V, Verse 3)

The crux is that Islam teaches one to eat healthily and thus the concept of Halal was introduced. Halal in terms of food and diet, tells what is healthy to eat and what not.

Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWS) Health Tips

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was dedicated to his health and offered a wide range of rules and teachings to the world when it comes to health, covering all of those in a small article won’t be possible. However, we have combined the best of his health tips to offer you guidance.

1 Do not consume Alcohol

Both Quran and Prophet (SAWS) preached not to consume alcohol or any other intoxicating substance for that matter. Alcohol leaves a man in a state where he is no more capable of taking care of himself. Science also proves that alcohol is the key reason for a wide range of problems related to health.

2 Do not eat Pork

Pork is known to be the most dangerous meat when it comes to the ability to introduce viruses and diseases to the body. As pigs eat dirt and filth, they aren’t expected to have a healthy body to offer a Muslim the right nutrition.

3 Eat a moderate Diet

The Quran says "Eat and drink, but be not excessive” and Prophet (SAWS) followed the same. He taught not to overindulge in food as it is the way to a healthy or unhealthy body and life. It is taught that a Muslim must fill "one-third of the belly with food, another third with drink and leave one-third empty for easy breathing."

4 Always keep covered the Food

As food kept open, can be easily contaminated and hence must be stored & covered at all times.

5 Maintain Physical activity

The more you sit idle the higher are your chances to catch diseases or mobility issues. Moreover, you will become fat which leads to a wide range of problems of mental and physical nature. The Prophet (SAWS) used to ride a horse, wrestle, and also race with his wife Aisha (RA).

6 Eat Healthy Food

The Prophet (SAWS) told us to eat healthy food items and mentioned a few that he recommends, this includes dates, honey, green vegetables, oats, barley, grapes, pomegranate, and more. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once said, in the Hadith “Your body has a right over you". Being neglectful towards your health would be the worst sin you would ever commit as a Muslim.

[ill-will-editions]

FEVER DREAMING IN THE NEW GENERAL ANTAGONISM 

Neal Miller 

March 22, 2020

We are living in the political fever dreams of COVID-19. Fredric Jameson’s oft-cited quip – “it is easier to imagine the end of the world than it is to imagine the end of capitalism” – is obsolete.[1]  Having spread across the globe, the coronavirus has become the background phenomenon and concern of every passing moment. And along with it has come the imagination of an end of capitalism. However contagious and deadly COVID-19 is as a virus, its existence as the virtual object of the world’s attention and inattention has proven far more viral in its capacity to change society – mostly by cancelling our sensibility for realism. The dull weight of the everyday has lifted to unleash nightmares and dreamscapes that have magnetized the attention of our species with a measure of universality thought to be obsolete in our post-hegemonic world.

The continuous streams of news and commentary can hardly keep up with the latest collapse of everyday life. They give us the mise en scène in which to play the endangered protagonist of a canned Hollywood disaster flic and yet we’re told to stay home, keep calm, and practice good hygiene. Stories like the one about the recent missile strikes in Iraq are quickly phone-scrolled into oblivion by the latest notifications about the disease. And so we find ourselves reawakening with disbelief to the same new reality each day. 

Following Michel Foucault’s Discipline & Punish, one might say that we live our reality as though caught between two fever dreams, which alternate depending on the nature of the immune response to the virtual presence of the virus. On the one hand, there is the suffocating nightmare of the global “plague city,” of governments securing human “life” by identifying all bodily movement and contact with disorder and death. The dream of governments today is to “return” us to a new normal in which they have won surpluses of legitimacy and control. The other dream is a dream of upheaval that won’t let go of all the vital signs of freedom amidst the pandemic. It wants to make irreversible all of the revived forms of class war, mutual aid, and social welfare, along with all of the autonomous means of survival not yet invented. 

The general antagonism today is the war on COVID-19. And whether we like it or not, we have been enlisted to the immune systems of global humanity. Yet the politics of today concerns the decision before us. Will our collective immune response intensify our cynicism about our dependency on governments? Or will we experiment with novel forms of relief and this newfound disbelief in the black magic of the economy? Will we dare to play in the festival-dream of new forms of collective life and reliance upon one another? 

The Nightmare of Governmental Realism

Today, quarantine lockdown extends from the “non-essential” flows of commuters to the fluids and gestures of our bodies, which have become paranoid colonial-style occupations of themselves. My body experiences itself as if on the other side of a gulf of unhygienic habits cracked open by the virtual omnipresence of COVID-19: I catch myself touching my face, I catalog the surfaces I’ve recently touched, and my proximity to others spontaneously triggers a quantitative calculation (“was it a distance of six feet or ten that was recommended?”). The new universal phenomenon is the object of a panicked consciousness immersed in a world that has been reduced to the medium for a disease vector. 

As for the engineers of the new order, China and Israel represent the nightmare line toward the most grim extreme of plague politics. Both have employed the metadata of people’s smart-phones to track their movements and all points of social contact. Each new case is a profile whose recent social history is rounded up for quarantine. The horizon here would be something like Chris Marker’s film La jetée (or Terry Gilliam’s remake, 12 Monkeys): humanity survives, but at the cost of complete imprisonment and dependency upon a specialized medical government.

We glimpse this suffocating nightmare in the undecidable decision facing governments with respect to their incarcerated populations: do they relieve themselves of having to manage and care for their masses of concentrated and confined bodies? Or, do they give the prison guards and wardens a blank check to administer order by any means necessary? Whereas Iran temporarily released 54,000 prisoners on March 4th, two weeks later Massachusetts prisoners lost the right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment when a moratorium was announced on all disciplinary measures for prison staff. The undecidability here is no doubt due to the intensification of what Foucault called the carceral continuum, or the fact that the “inside” of the prison extends “outside” into the racialized ghettos of urban metropolises. The quarantine regime of social distancing and “shelter in place” lockdowns has turned the “outside” into a vast space of confinement, however gilded. 

The Festival Dream of Relief

Against this new confinement, efforts at self-organization are cropping up all over in food distribution networks, rent strikes, requisitions of abandoned housing, and calls for debt jubilees. Such earnest efforts at organized care finds its parodic inversion in the devil-may-care attitudes of Spring Breakers migrating South, as well as paranoid social media speculation about riots breaking out amidst mass hoarding. All of it tracks with what Foucault called the “whole literary fiction of the festival [that] grew up around the plague.”[2] 

Things we struggled for only weeks ago have been given outright – and much more besides. In the U.S., conservative food stamp policies have been lifted, unemployment safety nets reinforced, moratoriums on various costs of living instituted, and political parties are fighting not over whether to give UBI, but how much. Those immunized in their home-bubbles are offered an increasing amount of freely circulating intellectual property, while, in Chicago, parking has been made free, evictions courts are on hold, and utility companies are giving away electricity.

The black magic of the economy has revealed itself in its very withdrawal from our lives, tempering our panic and fear with a small modicum of relief. As Dan Kois recently argued, this relief has shown just how much of American society and its ‘death on the installment plan’ is a sham.[3] The mask has come off and the wand behind the conjurations now appears in the simple arbitrariness of its operations. Why don’t all of the other ways we get sick, fear hunger, or struggle to stay afloat count as reasons for having free access to high-quality food, health-care, and shelter? If all it took was a wand waving to put a stop to bills, evictions, and the like, does this not make all of our sufferings and hardships under normal circumstances seem meaningless?  

Just as we let out our sighs, however, the nightmare visions from abroad come closer and remind us that the only continuity between what was once normal and the current state of exception is the power of governments based on our dependency. We feel this dependency whether we panic or not, whether we trust their assurances and injunctions not to hoard or whether the sight of emptied shelves floods our heads with visions of the broken supply chains and interrupted logistics that we rely on to eat. As Chuang rightly noted, the arrival of COVID-19 in Wuhan induced a paradoxical form of general strike: there is a profound work stoppage, but it is hollowed out and devoid of any subject of history. The subject of history: not even the coronavirus can assume this mantle. Our continued dependency makes the strike false.

Yet one cannot help but read the ‘New Deal’ on offer as a symptom of faltering government legitimacy and the fits of market confidence. In the U.S., the government is betting that an avalanche of compromises with Democrats will cover over the truther-response of the Trump administration and the stock sell-offs of Senate Republicans. As belief in the forces of order goes into convulsions, one thinks, ‘If they cannot guarantee our survival, all bets are off.’ As we take all these “gifts” coming down from on high, we ought to remember that the social welfare state of the 1930s New Deal was a warfare state. And what will become of our newfound alleviation without the invisible enemy that has, with its own magic, cancelled society?

A New Universal? 

On the brighter side of things, it’s worth observing that we have been given a hint to the riddle handed down from the failures of 20th century revolutionaries. For one fundamental limit of all struggles since the 1960s has been their scale. It has been a very long time since we’ve been able to think what might connect struggles happening all across the world. Despite being geographically dislocated from one another, the revolts of 2019 showed promise simply in their synchronic co-existence and their ability to repeat each others’ tactics under the maxim “Be water.” Yet not only were the problems at the heart of these struggles locally particular (despite their many commonalities), they were never able to flow together in a global strategy.

Against such a backdrop, COVID-19 portends a new universal frame of war. For however uneven the experience of vulnerability may be, the global spread of the coronavirus amounts to the generalization of the new antagonism. When was the last time we were able to share our experience of dependency on the world of governments as a crisis? The multi-generational time-scale of the climate catastrophe has so far prevented it from mobilizing all of the humanity that it dooms. Yet whether it is glowing from our screens or hanging in the ambient disquiet while we distract ourselves in quarantine, the new reality for everyone is that reality has fallen apart. 

In these fever dreams where trust in the authorities is in shorter supply than food and the means of punishment alternate between melting into air and locking down hard, it is perhaps possible to take the wand from the magician and begin conjuring a reality of our own. What is frightening about COVID-19 is how little we know about it. But just as uncertain is how governments will react to us amidst this legitimacy crisis and how peoples will respond when the repression of governments comes down too hard. 

How can we flee our dependency on the old world while “sheltering in place”? If the world is cancelled, what are all these bills, digital parking meters, and universities but the fossils and tombs of a dead world? What new uses can we still invent for what stands idle and unused around us – what role can they play in the new dream? How can we breathe new life into existing spaces of immunity, like vehicles and homes? And what new immunity spaces remain to be invented? What new forms of action at a distance are called for? We are already venturing tentative answers to these questions. We try to flow like water where we still can. However, against a virus that fills our lungs with fluid and against governments seeking to return us to the earth of realism, perhaps we should consider the element of breath, levity, relief, and jubilation: air. 

[1] Jameson, Fredric. “Future City.” New Left Review, 21, May-June 2003, 65-79.

[2] Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish. New York: Vintage, 1995, 197.

[3] Kois, Dan. “America Is a Sham.” Slate, March 14, 2020. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/03/coronavirus-tsa-liquid-purell-paid-leave-rules.html  

#covid19 #Coronavirus #biopolitics #war #immunity

[atc74]

Heartbeat - Chapter Two

Warnings: COVID-19, Croatoan, Fluff, quarantine, Mentions of fever, coughing, (Each chapter will have additional warnings).

Summary: Sam, Dean, and Y/N are sheltering in place at the Bunker, researching this new virus that has created a world pandemic. But what happens when one of your own is immune compromised?

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Word Count: 1850

Beta’d by: @amanda-teaches​ because she’s the best

A/N: I’M BAAAAACCKKKK, well, mostly :) I know I’m not the only one struggling with life right now, and writing has been hard. Thank you all for sticking it out until I was able to get something together for you guys. This is only temporary and will pass. Keep your chin up and try on your jeans every few days.

Heartbeat Masterlist

Like Dean’s scent? Buy it here from @scentsfromthebunker!

Previously…

“Sam, I’m sure you both took the necessary precautions. Dean’s a germaphobe by nature so I’m sure he is out there now, sanitizing his Baby already. He wore a mask, didn’t he? And gloves?” 

“He sure did. Got some strange looks and things got a little dicey at the liquor store, and the drugstore. I don’t know why people are still hoarding toilet paper and feminine hygiene products,” Sam said, a look of disbelief on his face. 

“It’s actually a psychological response to minimize risk. It’s an emotional contagion as well, so when it starts happening in one part of the country, that news spreads and it drives people, either by fear, anxiety, or panic, into doing the same thing. I get the toilet paper, since that is a need everyone has, but tampons, really? I don’t know why I’m surprised by anything at this point,” Y/N chuckled a bit as she reached for one of the bags to help Sam. 

“No!” Sam pulled the bags back from her. “Sorry. It’s just, um, can you please go wait in the library until I get all of this unpacked and sanitized? Please?”

“Yes, I can. Thank you, Sam. I appreciate you and am thankful for your concern,” Y/N smiled as she rose to her feet and made her way down the hall. She loved Sam as more than just a brother and her best friend. He had become her physical therapist of sorts, designing different workouts for her to keep her body strong when the MS wanted to take it from her. Sam had also done extensive research on different dietary and nutrition plans that people with MS have had success with combating their symptoms. Dean was her emotional rock, while Sam became the physical one. She lowered herself into one of the recliners and picked up a book. She’d had enough research for the day and some Harry Potter was what she needed to take her mind off things.

Now…

“Hey, honey, wake up,” Dean whispered, his breath fanning across her face as she stirred. 

“Hi,” she smiled, stretching. “Did I fall asleep again? What time is it?” 

“Yeah, you did,” Dean affirmed. “It’s just before six and dinner is almost ready. You hungry?” 

“Starving!” Y/N said, getting to her feet and wrapping her husband in her arms. “You okay?” 

“Yeah, yeah. Just, it’s crazy out there and I’ve never seen anything like this before. Not even with the Croatoan virus back in oh six. That was small beans compared to the shit that is going on out there. We need to be even more careful than ever before. You can’t afford to get sick, honey. And I can’t afford to lose you,” Dean admitted. 

“You and Sam are taking all the necessary precautions to make sure that doesn’t happen. I trust you both with my life,” Y/N leaned up, sliding her lips gently over Dean’s. 

“I talked to your dad today. He is on his way to Rufus’ old cabin in Whitefish. He wanted to come home, but,” Dean paused, not sure how to tell his wife that her dad can’t be there right now. 

“I know, baby. And, he knows, too. I’ll call him later, let him know I’m okay,” Y/N nodded. “Let’s eat.” 

Over the next several days, the news reports were filled with more cases, more bodies. The National Guard was being mobilized in New York and Milwaukee, among other cities. Hotels, motels, and college dormitories were being converted into quarantine facilities as the virus continued to spread, despite the recommendations of federal and local government. Social distancing, shelter in place, and flatten the curve were terms used so many times in too many reports. 

“So get this. You know how Chuck’s been throwing this temper tantrum? Destroying all the other worlds he created? What if, and this is going to sound a little out there, even for us, but what if, this is Chuck’s plan for our world? He knows he’ll never get the ending he wants, Dean and I killing each other. So, he’s decided to spread this virus, create a pandemic and kill off humanity?” Sam proposed. He leaned back in his chair looking between Dean and Y/N. 

“Why wouldn’t he just snap his fingers and Earth go boom?” Dean asked. 

“Because it’s too easy and frankly, it lacks the drama he’s looking for. If he snaps his fingers, who is going to be here to care? If this is his plan, killing off humanity slowly, then it’s all over the news. People are fascinated by tragedy, driven by it, and he gets the audience he craves,” Sam shrugged. 

“So how do we stop him?” Dean pondered. 

Y/N shook her head, ridding it of the current conversation. She was going stir crazy. In the last week, Dean had cleaned every weapon in the armory and Baby. Sam had inventoried three storage rooms, even one he didn’t remember they had. She couldn’t look at another news report. 

“Dean, baby. I need to get out of the Bunker. Please,” Y/N begged him over coffee during the fourth week. “I’ve been cooped up here for weeks. I need to see the sunshine, feel the wind on my face.” 

“Y/N, honey, it’s not safe out there,” Dean shook his head. “I can’t let anything happen to you. You’re my world.” 

“Dean, I know. And I’m not asking you to take me to the store, or anything crazy. What if we just take a drive? I can see the sun, feel the wind. Just you, me, and the open road?” Y/N was practically purring in his ear. 

“No more than an hour, and I mean it, Missy,” Dean stood, pointing his finger in her direction. 

In less than ten minutes, they were in the car and headed down the dirt road leading from the Bunker. It was a beautiful, warm spring day and Y/N could already see the fields blooming with wild flowers as Dean sped past them. Placing her hand in his as he drove, she slid across the bench seat and smiled. This was exactly what she needed. Y/N was happy for the first time in weeks. 

If anything, Dean was a man of his word and just over an hour later, he pulled Baby back into the garage. As he helped her out of the car, handing over her cane, he pecked her on the lips. “Feel better?”

“My cup runneth over, my love. Now, it’s naptime,” she announced, climbing the small set of steps with some difficulty as tremors overtook her lower extremities, and she lost her footing. 

“Hey, hey, I got you, honey,” Dean said, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her down the hall to their room. He laid her gently on the bed before he sat beside her. “Are they getting worse?”

“Not worse, not better, just…there.” She closed her eyes, fatigued from the fresh air. “Would you get me some water please?” 

“Of course, you need to take your meds anyway. I’ll be right back, don’t run away on me now,” Dean joked as he rose. He rushed down to the kitchen for a bottle of water. By the time he returned to the bedroom, Y/N was asleep. He hated to wake her, but he knew how bad things could get if she missed a dose. With water and pills in hand, Dean roused her gently. “Honey, I need you to take these, ‘kay?”

“Right, okay. I fell asleep, didn’t I?” Y/N said sheepishly, pulling herself up enough to accept the water and pills from her husband. 

“Yeah, must’ve been all that fresh air,” Dean waited until she swallowed her meds, then put the cover back on the water, placing it on the nightstand for her. “Get some rest, I’ll start dinner.” He kissed her softly, pulling the blankets over her. 

Dean closed the door softly behind him, and headed for the kitchen, trying to decide what was on the menu. “What’s for dinner, Sammy?” He asked his brother seated at the table. 

“It’s a nice day, maybe we could grill up some chicken breasts. Chicken pesto linguine?” Sam suggested, raising his eyebrows. 

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Dean agreed, pulling out the ingredients for the pesto. “Y/N seem off to you?” 

“I think we’re all a little off right now, man. This thing, it has lower mortality rates than the seasonal flu, from all the reports that I’ve read, but it spreads like wildfire. The world hasn’t seen anything like this since the Spanish flu, in like 1919. But, exactly what do you mean, ‘a little off’?” Sam rambled. 

“We went for a drive today, just an hour, to get her out of the house, but she was asleep by the time I got her pills, and it seems like the tremors in her legs are getting worse. When I asked her about them, she just brushed it off.” Dean shook his head. “We’ve got to be more careful, man. I can’t lose her, Sammy.” 

“And, you’re not going to, Dean. She’s strong, stronger than the MS, stronger than this virus, whatever it is. I’ll figure it out. It screams demons, just like Croatoan back in 2006,” Sam tried his best to reassure his brother. 

“Yeah, but no one is going batshit crazy this time, with the exception of the hoarding.” 

“I’m still looking into it. I’ve got several other hunters on it, too. We’ll figure it out. In the meantime, I’ll do the supply runs on my own. You don’t need to be exposing yourself or Y/N,” Sam decided. 

“Thanks, Sammy. We appreciate that,” Dean said, returning to the sauce. 

~*~

“Hey, honey. It’s time to wake up,” Dean whispered, peppering her face with soft kisses, making her squirm. “Dinner’s ready.” 

“Five more minutes,” she mumbled, snuggling deeper into her pillow, but the pillow was not as soft as she remembered. She lifted her head, opening one eye to discover she was sleeping on top of him. “You were not here when I fell asleep. Oh crap! How long have I been sleeping?” 

“Just a few hours, but dinner is ready, then I’ll fix you a bath, and tonight is your turn to pick the movie.” Dean slowly sat up, bringing her with him. “How does that sound?” 

“Relaxing,” she yawned. 

Dean helped Y/N to her feet, grabbing her cane for her, since she hated being carried as a general rule. “Let’s eat.” 

“I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” Y/N said as she sat down. Dean took his seat next to her as the three of them dished up their plates. “This smells amazing.” 

“Sammy’s idea, honey. I’m just the cook,” Dean chuckled, passing the pasta. 

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, everyone enjoying their meal. “Dean, baby, this is phenomenal. It’s nice to know if we rid the world of all the monsters, you have a fall back career as a chef,” Y/N teased her husband, Sam laughing along with her. She started coughing and reached out for her water. 

“Hey, you okay?” Dean watched with concern. 

“Yes, just a little coughing fit, triggered by the giggles,” Y/N said. 

“Yeah, yeah, chuckle heads. Now eat up,” Dean groaned, but his worries didn’t fade. 

“Honey, you’re warm. You feeling okay?” Dean voiced his concern as they settled into bed a few hours later. 

“Yes, babe. I’m just tired,” Y/N yawned, almost as if to prove her point. 

“We’re taking your temperature,” Dean said, getting out of bed to get the thermometer. 

“Dean, I think you’re overreacting a bit. I’m probably just still warm from our bath,” Y/N reasoned, but he wasn’t having any of it. 

“It’s just a precaution, honey. I’m sure it’s nothing, but this virus is not like others. It moves quickly and it’s lethal.” He took a seat next to her and shoved the thermometer in her mouth before she could protest again. When the beep sounded, he removed it and checked the digital readout. “It’s 99.5, low grade. But I’m still keeping an eye on it, and you.” 

“I’d expect nothing less,” Y/N yawned once more and rolled over, her eyes closing instantly. “Love you.” 

“I love you, too, Y/N,” Dean echoed, crawling in beside her and pulling the blanket up to cover them both. He pulled her small frame into him, wanting, needing to keep her closer than usual. 

Sleep did not come easily for Dean that night; he was worried about Y/N. Since she returned to his life, his nightmares and insomnia were few and far between, but as he lay next to her, his mind played out a thousand different scenarios where he couldn’t save her. He was hyper aware every time she moved, coughed, or even breathed heavily. He finally fell under, out of pure exhaustion, just before five in the morning, only to be plagued with nightmares of the same. 

Did you like it? The nicest thing you can do for a writer is reblog their work and tell them, and others, how much you like it!

The Whole Enchilada: @iwantthedean​​ @dolphincliffs​​ @mrswhozeewhatsis​​ @meganwinchester1999​​ @cherrycokegirls1​​ @closetspngirl​​  @roxyspearing​​ @flamencodiva​​ @blacktithe7​​ @sis-tafics​​ @just-another-busyfangirl @evansrogerskitten​​ @amanda-teaches​​ @hannahindie​​ @wotinspntarnation​​ @winchesterprincessbride​​ @winecatsandpizza​​ @kickingitwithkirk​​  @wi-deangirl77​​ @hobby27​​ @mogaruke​​ @gh0stgurl​​ @alleiradayne​​ @idreamofplaid​​ @seenashwrite​​ @manawhaat​​ @crashdevlin​​ @thoughtslikeaminefield​​ @emoryhemsworth​​ 

The Dean’s List: @jerkbitchidjitassbutt​​ @dean-winchesters-bacon​​ @maddiepants​​  @adoptdontshoppets​​ @supernatural-jackles​​ @fandom-princess-forevermore​​ @akshi8278​​ @thing-you-do-with-that-thing​​

Heartbeat: @idksupernatural​ @imaginationisgrowth​ @gabrielslittleangel​

#dean winchester x reader #dean x reader #dean winchester angst #supernatural fanfiction

[jay-cult]

Static and Stars: Episode 1 - Jay Day

Index

Jay and Nya haven’t been on a date in like... ever. So when they finally do go out on their own, some unexpected memories catch up with them.

AUTHOR’S NOTES:   Hey guys! At long last, S&S continues. I hope it hypes you up just like it does me! I was planning this for OC Day when I realized that it actually didn’t have any of my OCs in it (yet) so I’m happy to throw it out now.   This episode is quite guiltily Jaya-centered but PLEASE understand that it will be the only one. I laid out my plan for this fan season and I liked it, so I’m following through with having it kick off like this. This is a Jay fan season. Not a Jaya fan season. Thank you!

-

  A patronizing BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! rang out beside Jay.

  He groaned and sat up, hair messily flying all over his face. He slammed his hand onto where the sound was coming from, but found he slapped the smooth surface of his phone. He let out another grunt while the alarm was still judging him.

  He shot out a small current through his fingertips and the beeping stopped. Right… he forgot. They weren’t in the Bounty anymore.

  Jay climbed out of his sleeping bag and looked to his right, where Kai, who had just awoken, was trying to quickly rearrange his bed hair. Further past him, Cole was still sound asleep.

  Kai noticed that he was still as a rock and, mid-hair-fixation, kicked him hard.

  “Ow! Dad! Fine, I’ll get ready for dance practice-“ Cole jerked awake and then looked at Kai scorningly.

  “This sucks,” Kai groaned. He plunged his arms into his “hygiene” kit and pulled out a hairbrush, some cologne, and a bit of blush fell out.

  Jay stood up (while making sure his plushie stayed safely tucked in his sleeping bag) and smiled. “Aw come on guys, it’s not that bad!” He said, stretching.

  “Whatever you say,” Cole sighed, tying his hair up in a bun.

  In full pajamas, Jay exited the tent. Outside it was full sunlight, with shadows of leaves dappling the ground. He gazed at Ninjago City in the distance; it looked so much quieter from the outskirts.

  Zane was already outside making a meal for breakfast. He slept outside. Jay didn’t see the appeal, but he said that it was better for him to be out with the stars and one with the (mild) wilderness.

  “Good morning, Jay.” He smiled with ease. “You should really wash those gloves.”

  He took a look at his hands. “Funny coming from you, ya barely change your clothes,” he playfully argued, knowing already it was a useless excuse. Zane sat there in full gi wear and looked up.

  “I do not have the rather disgusting human body which pollutes cloth,” he responded simply.

  “Any updates on how the monastery is going?” Jay asked, changing the subject.

  “Indeed!” He flipped a pancake with a spatula. There was a whole contraption set up so that Zane could do his thing, even outside. “I have been notified that it is going smoothly.”

  Jay nodded. He sat on a cushioned log. “I’m still so glad it’s over.”

  “The First Realm was certainly a tiring event.”

  “Yeah, and Garmadon… that fight was insane, huh?” Jay scratched his head. He was grateful that even with this makeshift living situation, they could rest.

  “You don’t even know the half of it.”

  The two ninja looked up. Nya was strutting toward them, tying up her hair casually. Unlike Jay, she had already gotten dressed.

  “Nya!” Jay brightened up, even more energized from the sight of his girlfriend. The morning sun made her look quite phenomenal. She sat down by him, very close, physically. Zane’s (literal) inner timer dinged, and he stood up. “Breakfast is ready!”

  At that moment both Kai and Cole rushed out of the tent, still very unready. Kai’s hair was half-done, his arm through just one sleeve of his jacket, and he was still pulling up his pants. Cole had yet to do much. He was just running out with his pajama pants on, and… that was it.

  “What were you guys doing?” Jay asked.

  “Shut up,” Kai said immediately, his eyes suddenly very focused on the pancakes that were now out and ready.

  They all sat in their eating area on the cushioned logs in their circle beside Zane’s cooking tools and contraptions. It was a very average day, at least, for one where they had to camp together without a strong shelter and where they had nobody to fight anymore. But there were obviously some things missing.

  Nya turned to Jay. “Well,” she shrugged, “Lloyd and Wu are off on their things.”

  “As they have been for a while, making their own camp in Misako’s space,” Kai interjected, eyes narrowed. “Meanwhile we have to make it out here, in the wild, the cold-”

  She ignored him. “And we have nothing going on, finally. So.. well… we haven’t really done much recently. And you were off in the realm for…. A while.”

  Jay swallowed a chunk of bacon. “Right! How long exactly has it been since we’ve done something, just you and me, that didn’t involve snake venom or the fate of the world?”

  She looked at her paper plate of food, thinking. “Like. Never?”

  “Yeah.” He chewed more, a bit unbelieving. They’d only ever done fun things with at least one person from the team or when a villain was on their tail. Or if it was work or training.

  “We have never really had a normal date, like, at all, have we?” She looked straight at him, making her point.

  “Okay, today is perfect!” Jay finished the last of his meal happily.

  “Alright, you guys, calm down,” Kai stood up, smirking. “I know that must mean you’re all very new to this, so if you’d like to ask the master-”

  And then Cole just straight up picked Kai up. He just yoinked him from off the ground and slung him over his shoulder. He turned toward the pair, genuinely smiling. “Hahah, he’s one to talk. Come on buddy.” As he carried him back to the tent, Kai let out yells of protest, but it was nothing against Cole’s strong hold.

  Zane smiled. “You enjoyed your meal, I hope?”

  “Breakfast was great, Zane,” Nya commented, laughing.

  “I guess this means we’ll finally have a day all to ourselves,” Jay winked, standing up. “I’ll devote this day to being Nya Day.”

  She winked back. “And I, Jay Day.”

  “Let me just go put on my clothes first.”

 -

  The wind of the mountains blew fresh through the couple’s hair. Jay had dug through his bag to try and salvage what he could of the nicest clothes in there and had just barely scraped out a clean look. He’d stepped back outside, surprised to find Nya in a brand new, somewhat formal outfit.

    “Oh,” she had said, reddening a bit. “Maybe I should go get that other stuff back on.”

    “No! No,” he’d interjected immediately. “You look really nice.”

    Now they were climbing down the rocky side of a steep mountain that led down to Ninjago City from their camp. Or, well, they weren’t exactly- their hybrid elemental dragon guided them down slowly, walking so as to not be easily detected.

    “Where are we going?” Jay asked from his spot behind Nya, who had the reins.

    She glanced at her boyfriend quickly with a sly smile. “You’ll see.”

    Jay grinned and kept his silence for a little while. But inside his thoughts were racing quite a bit. He felt tense and nervous- and not because of the date. It was all so familiar. Too familiar. Sitting behind Nya, holding onto her... the feeling of the dragon’s spine beneath him and the thrum, thrum of what was the dragon walking but what his brain turned into the panicked beat of wings. His thoughts wandered through that old experience and he wanted it to stop. But he decided not to say anything.

    At the edge of the city they, to Jay’s relief, put away the use of their dragon and grabbed a ride from a surprisingly mellow fan who was happy to provide service to the “folks who’d saved the city’s ass more than once.” Nya whispered the destination into his ear and he chuckled. “Well y’all enjoy your time, n’.”

    “Shut your eyes, boltbrain,” Nya pleaded, trying to hold back a laugh.

    “I wanna see, though,” Jay whined with a smile, trying to swat her hands away. She was reaching from her spot in the passenger seat of the car.

    He (eventually) complied and they stepped out onto what felt like some concrete. Jay heard the car drive away.

    “Okay,” Nya giggled, sounding slightly embarrassed. “You can look.”

    Light flew into his eyes as he shot them open. He blinked a few times and observed the building in front of him. It was a fairly average-looking concrete building on the outside, but the windows were plastered with 80s-themed patterns, stickers, and paint. He gazed up at the sign that marked the building, which read in bright neon letters, “Ninjago Roller Rink.”

    He turned to his girlfriend with a shy smirk. “Nya, what is this?”

    “Okay, okay, so. It looks a bit run down. But I remember that you were into roller skating as a kid. So I just thought-“

    He pulled her into a tight hug, his excitement growing. “This is awesome! Let’s go!”

    He tried to rush to the door, but Nya got there first and held it open for him. “Ladies first,” she said.

    “Ha-ha,” he joked, unable to hide his grin. They stepped confidently into the building.

    The floor, cheap carpet with an 80s pattern, stretched out beneath them. There were party tables all around them, broken up by counters on the side of the right wall selling the snacks and roller blades. And on their left down a ramp, in all its glory, was the large wooden rink with a disco ball hanging above it. Popular 80s music played but it was barely heard among the conversations of the many people in the building.

    The couple got stares as they entered, but they were too excited to care too much. They rented their skates and set off towards the rink.

    They stepped out onto the floor and the rink suddenly cleared. Bunches of people crowded around the edges to watch two ninja in fancy clothes do normal people stuff.

    While Jay eased on Nya stepped on immediately, and almost fell to the floor but grabbed hold of the edge just in time. She looked surprised.

    “You’ve never done this before, huh?” Jay questioned, sympathetic.

    She shook her head, blushing. “I didn’t know it was that difficult.”

    “Well it’s not, once you learn. Here, let me show you.” He held out his hand.

    She grunted but took hold of it.

    A scene flashed in Jay’s brain. He was forced to remember. The rooftops of the tall, wide building of the city stretched before him, and he felt a feeling of dread, the intrusive thought that this was where it started. He dropped her hand suddenly.

    “Jay? Are you okay?” Nya asked, worried.

    He took her hand again quickly. “Yeah,” he lied. “Just a little nervous, I guess.”

    He took her along the walls of the rink, guiding her with his words. But all the while, he was wondering what had happened. It’s not like it was the first time they’d held hands, of course. So why get so heavily reminded of that now? He was fooling himself. He knew the answer. None of the other ninja were around. Just like… he shook his head. No, stop Jay, you’re literally on a date, he told himself.

    They were eventually off of the walls together, rolling slowly and steadily around the rink. Since it was empty, there was no need to go in the required circles, so they freely went where was best.

    “Alright,” he said gently. “I’m gonna let go now.”

    She looked at him, panicked. “Wait! Don’t!”

    Jay gave her a serious look. “I’m going to, okay? Are you ready?”

    She paused for a second and then nodded.

    “You sure?”

    She nodded again.

    “Go!”

    With a gasp from the crowds, they let go together and Nya rolled ahead. She picked up her pace as they cheered, feeling confident, and then promptly lost her balance and fell down in a tangle of girl, skates and kimono.

    “Nya!”

    She punched the ground. “This is never going to work!”

    Jay frowned. “Don’t say that, you’re doing real good! Look,” he brightened up a bit, “next time I’ll wait until you really want to do it yourself.”

    Reluctantly, she nodded, and took his outstretched hand again. As he pulled her up the music turned to a certain kind of song. An incredibly sappy, incredibly overly fitting song.

    “Oh.” As Jay scratched the back of his head, getting all red, the crowds murmured in wondrous anticipation. He looked around and saw the guy behind the counter put his phone down with a wink. “I guess this isn’t really what you expected,” he told her nervously.

    “It’s cool,” she shrugged, smiling. “Besides, I wanna show you off.”

    He chuckled. “I wanna show me off, too.”

    And then it became perfect.

    Nya picked up the skating incredibly quickly and was able to do very well by herself after just a few seconds. They rejoined at certain points and laughed. When he caught gazes from the crowd, Jay did some age-old skating tricks from way back, rousing several cheers. He always looked back at Nya wherever she was, who was always sporting a proud smile. It was foolish. It was childish. It was fantastic.

    But their finish wasn’t as strong at all.

    They met up towards the end of the song and started to feel something deep in the memories of their bones. Deep in their roller dance, they didn’t think and posed in a way they’d done before- in a fight. Like an instinct of feel-good thrill, they posed, and Jay suddenly gripped his head and fell to the floor.

    It was dark and they were on top of a shining tower. Maybe they might’ve been able to hear the sounds of the black ocean, just maybe, if not for the cries and shouts of leader-blinded, bloodthirsty pirates. They were back to back, their swords drawn, fighting off the swarms of their enemies that no longer even existed within their realm. Jay thought of the lighthouse and this time he couldn’t stop.

    “Jay!” Nya gasped, and the crowd let out shouts of concern. He was brought back to reality with their noise- somehow not hers. He was breathing heavily, still on the dirty wooden floor.

    “I can’t…” he was almost okay when the music switched to something that bored into his brain. He’d never heard it before but it was saying things that couldn’t be unheard.

    “We’re alone together, in a familiar place.”

    He couldn’t stand it.

    “Waves beat upon the rocks and moonbeams shine upon your face.”

    It was pop and terrible but it still existed, and as Jay continued to fall in and out of reality he felt himself being hoisted from the floor by someone strong. “Let’s get you some water… ‘SM, this music… c’mon, Jay…”

    Nya was leading him out of the rink and back onto the carpet, and in her hold he found himself back in the roller rink’s building- but not completely. She sat him down at one of the tables and left him staring at the ground for a moment. When she returned she put an opened bottle of chilled water right in front of him, and wearily, he took a few sips.

    A teenage girl from the crowds, who were now mostly filtering back onto the roller rink, shuffled up to them shyly. “Is the blue ninja okay?” She asked.

    “Yes,” Nya snapped, which quickly sent the girl scuttling away.

    “Better?” She asked, her voice edged with worry. Jay nodded. She sighed, smiling in relief. “That’s good.”

    “Oh, but I ruined it…” he groaned, staring at the top of the table.

    “Ruined what?” She asked, confused.

    “Our date…”

    Nya gave his hair a ruffle. “No ya didn’t. Let’s go talk about this over some lunch.”

-

    Twenty minutes later they were ordering their favorite dishes from Chen’s Noodle House. They sat along the edge of the kitchen and a familiar face decided to pop into their conversation.

    “I think I know what happened,” Nya answered after said familiar face asked.

    “Oh, what then?” Pushed Skylor, leaning in.

    “I just can’t get it out of my brain. Now that we decided to do something on our own, I guess,” Jay frowned, feeling absolutely terrible.

    “What?”

    “It’s difficult to explain,” Nya said quickly, before Skylor delved too deep into speculation.

    The redhead left for a brief moment to grab their food, and returned looking excited for a tale.

    Jay picked around at his noodles. “You’re not gonna believe me, but it’s a different timeline. That only Nya and I remember, I think. It involves a lot of evil pirates, and everyone being trapped in a sword, and Ninjago being in the sky. You were part of my ninja replacements,” Skylor gave him a weird look as he was mid sentence, “and Nya even…”

    He paused and dropped his chopsticks back in the tub. Nya stopped eating suddenly, and looked down, feeling sick.

    “Nya what?”

    “Nothing important,” Nya said, trying to force another bite of food into her mouth.

    “Well, hm,” said Skylor, looking a little put off, “sounds like you guys need to somehow sort this out.”

    “Yeah,” Jay stared at his food. “I know. You’re right. We have to stop pretending like it never happened. We have to think about it. Sort out all the lost… stuff from it.” He reached into a pocket to pull out his wallet, but Nya was there first, holding her card out to Skylor with a smile.

    She shook her head. “Today’s on me, ya crazy lovebirds. I just hope things are okay for you from now on.”

“Thanks,” said Jay with an exasperated sigh. “You’re a life-saver, Skylor.”

    “Well, where do we start, then?” Nya asked when Skylor left them, looking at Jay with some nervousness.

    He narrowed his eyes and gave one of his eyes a rub. “The lighthouse.”

#ninjago #ninjago fan season #fanseason #jaya #jay walker #nya smith #static and stars #kai smith #cole brookstone #zane julien #skylor chen

[efrmellifer]

Abenteuer

Wolmeric Week May 2021, Day Five: Adventure

“Come home and pack a night bag,” Etien instructed, barging into Aymeric’s office.

Before he could stop and formulate a proper response, he had already blurted out a less-than-dignified “What?”

“You said you wanted to come along with me on an adventure. I figure we’re never going to get the time if we don’t take the time. And you could use a vacation. So come home with me and pack a night bag. We’ll have you back here, quill scratching, by tomorrow afternoon.”

Well, it was hard not to trust her, when, to boil it into one sentence, it was Etien. And she was right, he did need a vacation. A change of scenery for a night might do him some good.

He looked her over, taking in the dark blue coat she wore (a gift from Lord Edmont, he thought?) and the soft, unarmored hempen leggings she had on underneath, tucked into boots that were equally stylish and practical.

She couldn’t have extended her hand to him any more obviously without physically doing so. So he laid his hand in hers. Metaphorically.

“Where are we going?”

“You like The Churning Mists, don’t you?”

_

They walked through the Chocobo Forest, packs on their backs and hand in hand.

“And you cleared this with Lucia?”

“Lucia wanted to evict you from your office. I was the one with the kinder idea to order you to come home and pack some things.” Etien stopped walking, looking up at Aymeric as he laughed, a tiny, fond smile on her lips.

“That was kind of you. I don’t know what I would have done for one night.”

Now she rolled her eyes and kept walking. “I know it’s been worse in the field before. But this is supposed to relax you at least a little bit. Thought you might be more comfortable in fresh clothes tomorrow.” She kept walking. “Though I suppose you could have just prayed for rain, and chewed some tree bark for oral hygiene.”

“Does that work?”

She nodded. “At least, it always does for me. Got the smell of wine off my breath once, too.”

“The smell of wine? That’s not like you.”

She grimaced. “It wasn’t indeed.” She squeezed his hand a little tighter, leading the way along the path.

“Remind me what that large structure is again?” he asked.

Studies had been conducted on the architecture that remained in the Dravanian Forelands since the end of the Dragonsong War, in an attempt to understand what about these ruins had helped them to endure for so long. (The help of the dragons, was the conclusion they had come to so far.) But Aymeric hadn’t been involved in much of those investigations, and Etien knew little about architecture. She could identify the rocks used, and she recognized the style as similar to that of Ishgard, but even combining their knowledge, they didn’t know anything much, other than…

“Anyx Trine. A fairly large dragon roost, from what I understand?” she said, squinting into the late afternoon light as she tried to remember. “We’ve been here before.”

“I did think I recognized it.” Recollection washed over him. “You do not plan to take me through Mourn again, do you?”

She shook her head emphatically. “No, no. I just prefer going to Moghome from here. The distance is shorter.”

Aymeric nodded. “Again, your kindness is appreciated.”

Two masses of aether shimmered, and then they were gone.

_

“I don’t want to talk to Chieftain Moglin right away,” Etien groaned when they appeared again at Moghome.

“Etien, did you bring me up here to do chores for the Moogles?”

“No. Well… no. I brought you up here because it’s a pretty place to spend a night. But I knew we were going to be caught wandering around anyway, so I thought we might as well get our obligatory act of service out of the way, kupo.”

Aymeric heaved a heavy sigh. “Fury have mercy. All right. I can do the talking.”

And with that, they were sent wandering all the way to the Landlord Colony, gathering spices and flowers.

“What do they even do with these?”

Etien ran her scythe through the stems of the flowers Aymeric was holding upright for her. “I assume they cook with the spices. The flowers”--she sliced down some more blooms-- “I have no idea.”

“Have you never eaten Moogle food?”

“I doubt they’d feed us. But no. I haven’t. Ysale cooked when we…” A shadow passed over them, and they both looked up. “Were here.”

Then the thud of a dragon landing.

“Friend of Ysale! What bringeth you to the Churning Mists?”

“Vidofnir!” Etien chirped, doing her best to embrace the dragon’s neck. “Ah… visiting. We were hoping to enjoy a night out here. You remember Aymeric, right?”

“Indeed I do. Welcome once more to my father’s home, son of Thordan.”

Etien winced, but relaxed as Aymeric thanked Vidofnir.

“We had best get this plant matter back to the Moogles. I expect they’re waiting, tapping their little paws,” he whispered.

_

Finally, night had come and the Moogles were satisfied with the services rendered.

“I thought they would never let us go,” Etien mumbled, handing over a plate. “Careful, it’s hot.”

Aymeric scoffed. “But they did. And not a moment too soon; if I had had to wait much longer for this, I’d have started eating grass.”

“I’m sorry,” she replied, sitting down, waiting for her food to finish cooking.

“It was through no fault of yours, dearest. In fact, I find myself impressed you managed to get this done so quickly.” He bit into the roast fowl. “And well.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” she chided with a smile.

“Aw, but this is my vacation, surely I can be a little less well-mannered?”

Etien rose from where she’d been sitting, carefully stepping around the fire, and sat down next to him, leaning against him. “I suppose so. For a treat.”

He held out a carrot for her. “Here, have some.”

“Mine is still on the fire. I’ll be okay.”

“Eat, Etien. You do not have to wait.”

“Oh, all right.” She bit into the carrot while he held it still, then took it from him. “I’ll just give you my parsnip when it’s done, then.”

When she’d sat down again, with her food, she jumped, as if she had sat on something.

“A rock?” Aymeric asked.

“No. I just remembered.” She dug in her bag, pulling out a small bottle. “I brought wine for you.” She uncorked it with her teeth, and handed the bottle over. “Hopefully drinking directly from the bottle is one of those less than well-mannered things you feel like doing.”

He snorted, sipping at it. “This is good. Where did it come from?”

“Out in the Sylphlands.” She sat down again, handing over her parsnip as promised and tucking into her food.

Aymeric tipped the bottle toward her before he finished it. “I couldn’t forgive myself if I failed to share.”

Etien reached out, then her hand curled, as if she were rethinking it. Finally, she took the bottle and had a tiny sip. “There. The rest is yours.”

“I appreciate you making an effort,” he murmured, draining the bottle of its remaining contents, and rolling it toward her bag again.

She leaned against him again, purring. “For you? Always.”

_

Unfortunately, Etien had forgotten that dragons weren’t the only danger of the Churning Mists, and that the others hadn’t gone away when the chorus of the dragons was a peaceful chorale.

So she was taken utterly by surprise when she saw a Melia stalking Aymeric back toward their little campsite from the Moogle residence a short distance away that he’d wandered off to.

She called to him, already nocking an arrow (of course she’d brought her bow), and telling him, “move toward its back quickly, but do not get its attention.”

He did as she said, and watched as an arrow lodged itself in the bark of the creature, then another, this one with a sickly scent to it. He backed away from the Melia and the dangerous arrows, one whizzing by his ear with the force of a gale.

“I didn’t know you were moving, sorry!” she called.

But the creature collapsed, withering as it did so, and Aymeric trotted back to Etien’s side.

“Well. That was an adventure.”

“I always deliver on my promises,” she replied, putting away her bow. “Are you tired? I’m tired.”

“I am,” Aymeric answered, rolling out their bedding for the night. “We don’t expect rain, correct?”

“Aye, should be clear skies all day.”

“Wonderful.” When the bedrolls were ready, she lay down, staring up at the sky. Aymeric joined her, and before he could reach out to pull her to him, she was already scooting closer.

They both looked up at the sky.

“So… all those years ago, when you had me go to Silvertear, and Midgardsormr dulled Hydaelyn’s blessing,” Etien began.

Aymeric hummed, not quite inquisitively, but to indicate that he followed where she was leading, and he was listening.

She continued. “Had you actually seen the Dragon Star get brighter?”

“I have to believe that the astrologians did, for the sake of my own understanding of everything that came after. Why?”

“I just wondered if you had said that so you could take a measure of the Scions. Of me specifically.”

“No, I always thought that what was said about you was true. What Haurchefant had to say most of all. The first time I actually doubted stories about you was—I was going to say it was when they claimed you poisoned the Sultana. But it was actually when people whispered that you were… how did they say it? Sweet on me?”

Etien snorted and giggled. “Shame. Imagine how much faster things might have gone if you’d trusted that rumor above any other.”

“Aye, but it does no good to dwell on the past and what could have been,” Aymeric conceded with a sigh, pulling her closer still to kiss her forehead. “And now, even though I would think the Dragon Star hasgotten brighter, seeing as Midgardsormr is among us again, I cannot tell.”

She tipped her head, struggling to look at him. “Why’s that?”

“Because having you with me, every star burns more brightly.”

#Aytien #wolmeric week