i absolutely love watching this fandom breathe life back into Valko. every fic, every piece of art, every tiny headcanon passed from one person to another.
there’s something really beautiful about a community deciding that a story isn’t over just because someone else said it was.
The rule could have heavy impacts towards trans people across society.
Last week, the Trump administration quietly released a sweeping new federal rule that would use funding threats to force institutions across the country to reject transgender people. The 400-page proposed regulation would codify the administration's anti-trans executive orders into binding federal policy, imposing a blanket prohibition on federal funds going toward "gender ideology"
The proposed rule, formally titled "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance," rewrites the government-wide framework governing all federal grants across every agency. Among its most consequential provisions, it requires that before a federal grant recipient can receive money, the award must pass a "pre-issuance review" conducted by a political appointee—not a career expert or peer reviewer—to ensure it is "consistent with applicable law, Federal agency priorities, and the national interest." The regulation explicitly instructs these appointees to screen for "denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans or the notion that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic." [...] An institution that acknowledges transgender people exist—through its policies, its training, its healthcare, its bathroom access, its HR procedures, its name-change processes—could be deemed to "deny the sex binary" or to “support the notion that sex is mutable” and have its federal funding blocked.
Importantly, the gender ideology prohibition has no age limitation—hospitals could be targeted not just for providing care to minors but for providing gender-affirming care to adults, because prescribing hormone therapy to a transgender patient of any age could be deemed promoting the belief that "sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic."
This is all very bad and horrible, but I want to be clear that it’s worse and more sweeping than just eliminating trans research.
This torches everything. And I do mean everything.
A very abbreviated list of its ramifications include (but are not limited to):
ending funding for ALL DEI related initiatives
allowing the government to terminate grants at any point for any reason
preventing researchers from publishing, going to conferences, and being part of academic societies
requiring that topics must support the president’s agenda.
What this means, and if anything I’m under selling it, is the death of science and research in America. It allows the government to restrict any topic they please at a whims notice, putting officials who have no background in the topic in charge of deciding funding continuity. It controls what gets researched and if/how researchers are allowed to share their discoveries. There are no books to burn if the government never allows them to be written. This is fascism plain and simple.
Please, if you only ever write one public comment, this is the one to do.
Bringing back this guide to writing an effective public comment. This gives you the basics you need to know, what you need to include, a basic outline you can follow, etc.
Public comments are not a vote, it is a chance for you to say "here is an issue with this law I think you need to address" and provide justification for legal challenges if it goes forward:
"Comments raise the bar that agencies have to meet when making a rule; “if an agency fails to adequately respond to significant, relevant comments in a final rule, members of the public may seek to challenge the rule in court on that basis and claim it could be struck down.ˮ"
But also, if possible, don't stop at writing a comment. Don't stop at calling your representatives. You should ideally be talking to people in your community about this and organizing resistance on-the-ground; there is a good chance people are already doing that even if you aren't hearing about it.
Some added 101-level context from someone (me) who’s worked in federal grantmaking for 20 years and is literally certified on this document - this is a document that governs all federal grantmaking. It’s been around for over a decade and is a mega-document that combine multiple previous smaller documents that have been around for ages. It is updated every few years and generally the updates are minor - a notable change in the previous update was raising the small procurement threshold from $10,000 to $15,000 for example. Deeply dry boring minutiae that no one outside of federal grantmakers need concern themselves with. It was also federal GUIDELINES, which means there was flexibility.
This year’s is different. They are now federal REQUIREMENTS, which means there’s no flexibility. As was said previously, the 400 pages are not singularly devoted to being absolute shitheads to trans people. Theres a lot of stuff in there, some of which is the standard dry boring grants stuff, some of which is the horrible ideological warfare outlined above.
This document is issued by the OMB, the Office of Management and Budget, which is currently lead by fucking Russell Vought, the principal architect of Project 2025. This is how they’re going to implement all the horrible shit in there that wasn’t covered by Executive Order. Russell Vought is actively coming for my job, my marriage, and my kid, and most of my friends lost their jobs last year because of him. He is the fucking arch villain behind the heinous shit the current regime is doing.
So yes, please comment. You don’t have to read all 400 pages before doing so, it’s dry and dense as fuck, but I thought this information might be helpful. Also, while there is a public comment period, this isn’t voted on by Congress. The OMB just fucking issues it. Pressuring your elected officials into publicly saying “hey what the fuck are you doing here” is good, though.
Please note the comment period is open through JULY 13th, not JUNE 13th. I saw a lot of relogs yesterday saying "last day!" and I just want to say it is very much not too late.
As of today, 7/8/26, we have five days for public commentary on this to go through. I am begging y'all: if you care about independent science in the country that produces the most global science funding in the world, please leave a comment.
Okay, for context, I'm diabetic (I also have epilepsy and I'm physically disabled etc, anyway—) and my sugar is low rn, so what does my imagination conjure up in response?
Also content warning, maybe???
Valko, with his exceptionally keen senses, immediately able to tell when your sugar levels are dropping before you even realise they're too low for comfort. Within seconds, there's a juice box in your hands. He's manoeuvring you to sit down all the while he's making you something to keep your sugars stable. Sure, he's trying not to outwardly display how anxious it makes him to see you like this, but his tail has never been anything but a glaringly obvious tell.
He monitors your glucose, watching intently as the numbers climb back up. Back to the standard he knows you're comfortable with, and not a digit lower. Even after it settles, he keeps an eye on it just a little while longer, just to soothe his own concerns.
...idk I just need someone like this, and Valko would be perfect. Infold bring my wolf back </3
Funnily enough, not too long after I posted this, my sugar levels dropped below 3.9mmol/L over night, stayed like that and only came back up now as I'm waking up.
FYI this is actually pretty normal for me, especially around two weeks into my monthly cycle, it just looks concerning. Which is why I think Valko would panic the first time
So I can already see Valko's confusion as he wakes up, his senses putting him on high alert at some god awful time of night. Except, didn't he help you bring your sugars up? He did, didn't he? So why does it smell like you've been dangerously low for over an hour?
He tries not to let the panic seep in, quietly extracting himself from your shared bed as best he can. Drinks, snacks, what can he get you that won't feel like he's giving you a full course meal while it's still dark out? For once, he can't come to a conclusion quickly enough, so he grabs the first thing he sees—a milkshake and a few biscuits—and makes a beeline back to your room.
You're woken up, and the first thing you're greeted with is an anxious Valko, his brows knotted while his tail betrays just how much this has thrown him off-kilter. It hits you then, that you'd never gotten round to explaining this, how for at least a week, your sugars tend be lower than normal. So you do; you explain the nuances of your condition over a chocolate milkshake and digestives while Valko is your attentive student. He needs to remember everything if he's going to help you properly next time (he's already doing great).
Conversations about health turn into random topics, laughter, and neither of you notice it's 6 am. until Valko's alarm goes off. Looks like someone needs to get ready for work.
Okay, for context, I'm diabetic (I also have epilepsy and I'm physically disabled etc, anyway—) and my sugar is low rn, so what does my imagination conjure up in response?
Also content warning, maybe???
Valko, with his exceptionally keen senses, immediately able to tell when your sugar levels are dropping before you even realise they're too low for comfort. Within seconds, there's a juice box in your hands. He's manoeuvring you to sit down all the while he's making you something to keep your sugars stable. Sure, he's trying not to outwardly display how anxious it makes him to see you like this, but his tail has never been anything but a glaringly obvious tell.
He monitors your glucose, watching intently as the numbers climb back up. Back to the standard he knows you're comfortable with, and not a digit lower. Even after it settles, he keeps an eye on it just a little while longer, just to soothe his own concerns.
...idk I just need someone like this, and Valko would be perfect. Infold bring my wolf back </3
If you have the habit of picking at your skin, Valko won't have it. He'll give you a couple warnings once he notices the behavior, his ear twitching whenever he hears the slight sound of you tugging at your skin.
Valko stalks over to where you're seated at your desk, taking your hand in his and prying it away from your skin. "Aht. Hey. Stop that, alright? You gotta let it heal."
If he spots it once, he'll be on the lookout, so good luck hiding anything from him. And if he catches the scent of blood, he'll be on your case immediately.
His solution? He steals one of your hands. Good luck picking your skin as a fidget with only one hand to handle your primary task! He doesn't mind intertwining your fingers with his own for hours at a time, and there's no escaping his ironclad grip.
Mindlessly, your hand finds a scab on your neck, and you start to peel it out of habit. You startle as you suddenly hear footsteps approaching your office, and a few seconds later, there he is. He approaches you like a wolf on the prowl, raising an eyebrow when you meet his gaze. "Alright, pup. I gave you enough chances. Now, it's time for consequences."
Your chest feels tight. Is he frustrated with you for not trying hard enough? "I-I wasn't thinking, Val, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I-"
"Hey." He cups your cheeks, staring deep into your eyes and making sure you're listening. "I'm not mad, okay? No apologizing. I didn't mean to spook you." He flashes you a grin, then takes one of your hands in his, waving it in the air. "I'm just taking this hostage for a while."
Eventually, he'll start idly stroking your hand, his big thumb running back and forth across the veins on the back. He'll also hold your hand in both of his, playing with your smaller fingers, or gently trail his fingernails up and down your forearm to make you shiver, holding your wrist in place with his other hand.
And if that still doesn't work, and you have the gall to start doing it again while he's right there? Well, clearly you need to learn your lesson! He wraps his arms around both of yours and cuddles up beside you, keeping you immobilized in his embrace and refusing to let go. If you won't use your hands responsibly, then you don't deserve to use them at all!
(He knows you're more likely to indulge in the habit while stressed, so he decides to extract you from the stressful situation altogether. If there's one thing he's good at, it's bringing up your mood!)
"Valko-"
Your protest is cut off as he wraps his huge arms around you and squeezes you tight, rolling over to trap you on top of his chest. You squirm, trying to free your arms, but it's as if you're trying to move a brick wall. He kisses up your neck, and you giggle, feeling his smile press against your skin.
"You're staying here until I decide you've learned your lesson. You're trapped." He nips your neck playfully, and you try to wriggle free again, just for fun.
"But-"
He turns on his side, nestling you between his chest and the back of the couch, allowing you to turn and face him. You're enveloped in his warmth, and you let yourself relax, no longer caring so much about your trapped arms as you look up at him.
His breath grazes your forehead as he speaks, his voice soft. "No buts. I said I'd help you stop, and a wolf keeps his word." He kisses once, twice, three times to your temple, and a fourth to the tip of your nose. He chuckles when you smile up at him, and guides your head into the crook of his neck.
"And this wolf is feeling preeetty tired. I think it's time for a nap."
No matter how much you kick or whine, he won't budge. With a huff, you go limp, letting yourself give in to his warmth, and your eyes slowly droop closed. You think you hear a quiet rumble of satisfaction from his chest, but when you open an eye to check, it seems he's fast asleep. Must have been your imagination.
He can be a heavy sleeper when he wants to be, so there's no chance of getting him to let you go if he decides to take a nap. I bet he snores just a little bit, too....
...would it be too ambitious to do a rewrite of the main story of afk journey with my magister? I'd have to update the profile, go through every single season etc
WC: 881 | sfw, slice of life, fluff, valko being clingy, desperate and dramatic af | I don't support infold's bs
Valko who absolutely loves head scratches.
Valko who's upset because you stopped crawling and scratching his head but your hand is so tired. After all you've been doing this for hours now, but seems like the big body on yours just can't have enough!
Valko who looks up at you with his sad puppy eyes. His head is on your stomach, his whole body weight practically stopping blood flow to the rest of your body as he lays on there, but you so very much like this feeling as well as the fact his big and strong arms hug your waist. His soft looking lips frown a little, even pout if you squint. Even his fluffy ears folded.
"Oh come on.. my hand's hurting" you chuckle, resting your hand on his back.
Valko let out the most dramatic sigh you had ever heard, the kind that belonged in a stage play rather than your tiny living room. His shoulders slumped even further, somehow making the giant of a man look heartbreakingly small despite the fact he was currently crushing you into the couch.
"But..." he mumbled, his voice muffled against your shirt. "You were doing such a good job." A laugh escaped you before you could stop it. "Oh? Was I?"
"Mhm." He nodded with complete seriousness. "Five-star service. Best head scratches in the whole world." His fingers absentmindedly traced little circles against your waist as if he hoped the affectionate gesture would somehow convince your hand to keep going. "I'd even leave a glowing review."
"You are unbelievable."
"I've been told I'm unforgettable."
"You've also been told you're heavy."
"I choose to ignore that feedback."
He flashed you a grin that lasted all of two seconds before melting back into another exaggerated pout. Those warm yellow-green orbs found yours again, impossibly soft, practically shimmering with theatrical betrayal. His tail, as fluffy and long as can be, was dragging dramatically across the floor.
"Please?" he asked, stretching the word into something almost pitiful. "Just... a little?"
"My hand is cramping, Valko.."
"I can kiss it better."
You raised an eyebrow.
"I can kiss both hands better, actually."
"...That doesn't actually solve the problem."
"Okay, but it solves morale."
You snorted so hard your chest shook beneath him.
Valko whose smile returned instantly and ears perked up at the sound, victorious. He always looked happiest when he managed to make you laugh. His forehead nudged gently against your stomach in a lazy little nuzzle before he tilted his head to look at you again.
"I don't need scratches," he said after a thoughtful pause. "Oh, now you don't?"
"...I would also accept for you to play with my hair."
"That's the same thing, Valko." You slyly smile.
"I'd also accept forehead rubs."
"Valko."
"..Ear rubs?"
You couldn't help it. Another laugh bubbled out of you, and Valko beamed like he'd won an award.
"There it is," he whispered proudly. "Worth it."
Your tired hand drifted from his back to his messy hair almost on instinct, fingers brushing through the soft strands just once. Valko froze. His eyes fluttered shut. His head lifted a little to rub itself deeper into your hand.
A pleased hum rumbled deep in his chest, low and content, vibrating against you. Every bit of tension seemed to melt from his broad frame in an instant. He leaned harder into your touch, careful this time not to put quite as much weight on you, though his arms never loosened around your waist.
"There..." you murmured, combing your fingers through his hair one last time. "Happy?". He nodded. "So happy..for now. I might ask you for more later. Tomorrow if I'm merciful."
You rolled your eyes fondly, trying to look angry but your lips curling up to form a smile betrayed you. "I never agreed to daily appointments."
"You don't have to." His smile softened into something so warm it made your heart ache. "I already know you'll spoil me anyway."
"You are spoiled, that is true."
Valko who says he prefers the term 'enthusiastically loved'. You stared at him for a second before reaching over with your other hand to gently squish one of his cheeks. "You know," you sighed, "you're impossible."
"And yet..." Valko turned just enough to press a quick kiss into your palm, lingering there for a heartbeat. "...you still let me lay on you."
"Well, mostly because if I wanted to move you, I'd need a construction crew."
Valko whose laughter came easily, rich and warm enough that you felt it vibrate through his chest where it rested against you. It was infectious. Before long, you were laughing too, the room filling with the easy sound of two people who had long since stopped caring how ridiculous they looked.
Eventually the laughter faded into a comfortable silence. Valko rested his chin on your stomach again, absentmindedly tracing lazy patterns against your side with his thumb. The earlier theatrics were gone now, replaced by the quiet contentment that always seemed to settle over him whenever the two of you had nowhere else to be.
"You know..." he murmured, "I like this." You opened your eyes, looking down to him. "Being squashed?". He shook his head. "Being here.." His gaze wandered around the room before returning to you, softer than before.
"No running around. No errands. No people bothering us." He smiled faintly. "Just you."
snowghoul
germansingergirl
2087
stormborns
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