Frothing at the mouth every time I see a sex ed resource that says "use condoms" without any further elaboration. "Condoms prevent STIs and pregnancy in the vast majority of cases when used correctly" but then they don't talk about what correctly IS
Correct use of a condom means
Using the right size, because if it's too big it can slide off or leak and if it's too small it can break or come off. Condoms usually come in 5 sizes, I'm sure you could find others outside of that as well but in ten years of sex work I found they covered everyone
Using lube, even if you think you don't need it. With the exception of oral sex, condoms should always be used with lube, 100% of the time. Most important lube should be applied to the outside but a drop in the tip of the condom before putting it in is also a good idea
Being mindful that latex is prone to wearing out, being damaged by heat etc. Condoms should be kept somewhere cool, not folded in wallets or sat on in back pockets and should be changed between activities and after about 15 minutes of any vigorous activity. Ask me how I know (a condom snapped on my leg when a client was pulling out, because I didn't change it when I should have)
The penetrative partner should hold the base of the condom when they pull out, and should do so immediately after they ejaculate so the condom doesn't leak or come off as the penis gets flaccid
Bonus: a lot of people think hand stuff can't transmit STIs. Wrong! If you give your partner a handjob and then touch yourself you can get HPV, herpes (low risk), and infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea
This isn't meant to be stressful, and the most common STIs are the most treatable - and often curable - but getting gonorrhea in your eyes after a facial still extremely sucks and yet no one talks about the fact that any mucous membrane can be effected, not just your genitals (yes this includes your mouth and throat)
In ten years of doing sex work where I saw 10 clients a day most of the time I've had 4 condom fails ever. One was what I mentioned above when it snapped on my leg, one was a client on top of me didn't get off fast enough after he finished and the condom came off, and the other two were a Glyde brand magnum that was inexplicably twice the thickness of a regular condom and didn't stay put on anyone so I suggest just avoiding Glyde entirely (their water based lubes also stain fyi). With all other brands correct use = extremely safe
Oil-based lube and latex condoms are also incompatible! Condoms can and should be used on toys.
I'd normally tag nsfw but I never got sex ed in school or at home. Even if you yourself don't need to use this information, it's still good in general to know, whether that be for fiction writing or advice to a friend or just to have in your back pocket (which is apparently hopefully not where you're keeping the condoms). The more you know!
Full copy of Many Loves by Allen Ginsberg (as quoted in And This, Your Living Kiss)
I recently finished And This, Your Living Kiss and wanted to read the full version of Allen Ginsberg's poem Many Loves quoted in chapter 2.......but it's shockingly hard to find on the internet? Anyway here's the scanned copy if anyone else had trouble finding it and wants to give it a read!
Maybe destiel is just the best trope to me while not even being a trope and I will never find another love story like it because CASTIEL. Angel of the lord. Celestial being. Chrysler building height. Intangible and more powerful than any human. Millennia worth of knowledge. Able to kill with just the tap of his fingers. REBELLED against anything he’s ever known because he believed in the goodness of humanity and fell in love with one man. A mere man. Normal average man height, man eyes and man hands that have killed and tortured and stolen, but they have also caressed and hugged and carried. A being bigger than existence falling in love with someone so simple and so human. A celestial being falling in love with a faithless man??? And the man loves him back, no matter how and no matter in what ways but he cries when he’s gone and he wants him back and he’s better when he’s there. Makes me realise that love is really the simplest thing to exist and everyone and anything is capable of it
I can definitely see Dean mocking Sam for learning sign language, "Finally learning how to move your fingers to please your girl, Sammy?" etc etc
But he actually thinks it's really cute and is excited about them. And maybe one day watching Sam practicing his skills, he gets an idea.
So he loses himself in the library to the point that everyone in the bunker is worried, "Did he make a deal?"
And then one morning he makes coffee, hands one to Castiel with a "Morning Sunshine" in butchered enochian, and it's all worth it to see the angel turn red and speechless.
i really like the idea of Dean fully aware he is not being normal with Cas, that he isn't "just" his best buddy or brother in arms, he doesn't even care cas's in a male vessel, not really, because that's the thing, he's also fully aware that Cas is a divine creature, something so big and abstract that Dean can't even begin to comprehend, so despite needing him, wanting him, he never thinks that having something like that with Cas is even a possibility, that Cas would eventually move on from these two humans he's met because he's literally eons old, so he never tries anything, and then the angel is telling him he loves him and he's sobbing on the floor and UGH
KuroDai/Daisuga love triangle except Kuroo is aware with complete confidence that if he fumbles or fucks up for whatever reason, the moment they separate Daichi is going to find his way into Suga's bed. Honestly probably not for the first time but Kuroo's been too afraid to ask. Kuroo who can't even ask him about his supposedly platonic relationship with Suga because a few months ago when Daichi had been feeling insecure about Kuroo and Kenma's relationship, Kuroo had made a big, big deal about how he can't be expected to deprioritize his friendships just because they're dating and firmly demanded he understand that a best friend is just a best friend, so now if he tries to ask he'll look like a hypocrite. KuroDai/Daisuga love triangle except Suga is 100% confident that Daichi will be coming back to him and is a relentless shadow to Kuroo and Daichi's relationship. Petty, petty Suga that winks at Kuroo every time he shows up to a group events wearing one of Daichi's hoodies and plays innocent. "Oh he was just over to help me with some housework, thats all..."
Daichi that is too stupid to realize there is a cold war going on in the background and keeps inviting them both to the same events.
Or in other words I was listening to "Taste" by Sabrina Carpenter and my mind ran away with it.
THE POTENTIAL THIS HAS HOW HAS NO ONE DONE THIS BEFORE
This post is how I think the Karasuno 1st years (and Lev) would be if they did ballet instead of volleyball.
Fun fact, volleyball and ballet sound the same in Japanese! People shorten volleyball and say volley, which when you say it out loud sounds identical to ballet in Japanese. I got my inspiration when I was thinking about this lol
Don’t question why there’s so many guys doing ballet in a small town in Miyagi or how they’re getting such great training-
I don’t know that many male variations but I’ll link videos to variations I think would fit the character when I find them!
Part 2 soon!
Lev (the first i came up with and the easiest lmao)
was a competition dancer until someone told him he should do ballet
was like ‘what? no that’s boring’ until he saw a performance an fell in love
doesn’t know much technique but he’s working on it
has long legs and great extensions which would be STUNNING if he poinTED HIS FOOT
banana feet (Yaku: IM GONNA BREAK YOUR FOOT IF YOU DON’T START POINTING THEM)
turnout? what’s that a new trick?
“i’m gonna get the next lead role!”
adagio 💕💕
gets yelled at by Yaku to do his ab exercises and to “use yOUR GODDAMN LEGS YOU HAVE SPIDER LIMBS USE THEM TO THE FULLEST”
basically the dollar store version of that tall dude from the vaganova documentary
when he goes to ballet competitions (like YAGP Japan) people get intimidated bc he’s a tall, russian-looking dancer and then proceed to get their expectations get let down
Hinata
jumps like a madman
just wants to do grande allegro
hangs in the air like gravity doesn’t affect him
like Lev he doesn’t have the best technique bc he didn’t go to a good ballet school until now
but for some reason can do double tours and those crazy beats
doesn’t have partnering experience bc he’s too short for most girls
travels like CRAZY he’ll go from one end of the stage to the next with like 2 balancés
is he really human why does he have so much stamina
gets minor injuries from landing weirdly from jumps a lot
INTENSELY watches people during class to figure out how they’re doing the things they’re doing
sucks at turning, balancing, and adagio
“Hinata you have to be calm, don’t try to force everything”
“I’M TRYING MY BEST TO RELAX ITS NOT WORKING”
put with Kageyama a lot in pieces
“Kageyama! Practice this part with me!”
gets told to not stand out so much when doing corps work
bluebird male variation
satanella variation-start at 4:50
Kageyama
ballet genius
turnout? over 180. technique? incredible. plies? the DEEPEST
is not the best at corps work
something happened with Kunimi and Kindaichi idk what
doesn’t have much experience with partnering but he’s getting really good
knows exactly where to place you so that you can do your best
his acting is…..interesting
his smile is terrifying to watch during rehearsals but it looks decent under the stage lights so its fine
not the most musical
i feel like he would be a turner
will do a quadruple pirouette and calmly land it but will be upset at himself bc he didn’t hold it in passe before landing
Tsukishima: you’re barely passing english, how do you know the meanings of all the french terms?
Kageyama: …..wait they’re french?
surprisingly really good at learning and remembering choreography
Tsukishima
is very precise about everything
when you watch him dance, every step is clear and clean
ALWAYS puts his leg behind him in arasabesque
the BEST at complicated footwork
not petit allegro, just those dances where you’re like “how did they transition from that to that???
very musical
really likes those dancy adagios where you just flow with the music
“theres a slim chance of becoming a professional how do you work so hard”
learns combos and choreography insanely fast
doesn’t partner much bc he needs more upper body/core strength
definitely brings those roller stick things EVERYWHERE and constantly complains about being sore
Yamaguchi
mostly does corps work
understudies practically EVERY role, always the first person that has to step in when someone is injured, sick, etc
really good at balancing
yknow those videos of people balancing on bosu balls on relevé arabesque and holding it for 3 minutes? yeah that
has the SWEETEST smile onstage
does solos for community shows often
likes character dances
loves the variety of music and movement, especially the slavic styles
Yachi
slightly terrified of partnering, always blames it on herself when it goes wrong
freed pointe shoes
REALLY fast at sewing them
lowkey terrifying when she’s banging them against the ground to break them in
hardly makes any sound when landing from jumps
actually likes hops en pointe and is really good at them
good at quick, spritely roles
petit allegro queen ✨✨✨
has a precise ritual that she HAS to do before every performance to calm her nerves
Forever thinking about how the only poet in the dead poets society to never hear Todd's yawp, his right of passage, him finally breaking away from the shy, anxious, sensitive boy and into a true poet, was the one who wanted to hear him yawp the most, the one who was waiting to hear it and Todd's poem.
Todd became a free poet that day because of Neil, the only one not there to see it.
And that's the part that really gets me, Neil set himself free, his friends free and most importantly. He set Todd free. Todd now stands for what he wants, he's gonna be a great poet, and Neil's never gonna be able to see it.
Part two: Take care of yourself (Sugawara & Kageyama)
Kageyama has a thing with hugs. Sure, he's touch starved enough to appreciate any form of physical affection- but there's something about hugs that does things to his chest. Things he'd never say out loud. Things that, eventually, he says anyway.
(aka. kageyama has a thing for hugs. he & the other karazuno boys realize this, after a few particular situations where each of the members hugs kageyama for the first time. based on this post)
Warnings: none! kageyama mentions feeling a bit insecure, but it's all very soft aside from that!
Practice had been pretty chill, that day. After a sudden spur of relentless improvement in each of the players' new moves, due to their even more exhaustive training, it was a bit weird to have a practice day when things just felt... normal.
Now, Sugawara was just as excited as everyone else for the preliminar matches, and just as motivated to get better- if not more. There was still that little sting of insecurity inside his chest, knowing most of the first years were titular players now, while he was stuck at the bench. Then again, he tried to push himself to use that as motivation to keep practicing, to keep improving, and to make the most out of whatever time he got to play at any matches.
It was nice, however, to have a more relaxed practice sometimes. He knows better than anyone how easy it is for his teammates (and him, too, sometimes) to get caught up in the deep desire to keep getting better, to keep winning- so much that they'd forget that practicing moves they were already good at was also part of training, and that taking care of themselves was also crucial if they wanted to do their best at every match.
Not everyone was as content as him with the unusually calm practice, though. At least Kageyama didn't seem to be.
They had both been setting for the strikers to practice their regular attacks, for a bit over 10 minutes now. Suga felt nice- everyone had a relaxed smile on their faces, and most of the players seemed happy enough with each of their strikes. They took their time between each attack, which meant they didn't get quite as tired as they did some other days. He felt good seeing the smile on Azumane's face, specially. He felt good knowing he could get that smile on his face with his sets, even if they weren't as perfect as Kageyama's.
At some point, out of habit, Suga glanced at the other setter. His dark brows were scrunched together in a frown that was just a bit deeper than his usual serious resting face, eyes focused on the ball as he continued setting- yet he didn't seem like he was actually looking at it. His lips were tightly pressed together. He kept tapping his foot on the floor in an anxious manner, whenever he was waiting for another player to set for. His restless thoughts were so loud and fast, Suga could almost feel them.
— Hey, Kageyama! — he exclaimed, as he continued to set for the other players — why the frown?
The black haired boy had briefly glared at him, his frown deepening as he pressed his lips tightly together. Suga gave him a nervous smile.
— Nothing. Focus on practicing.
Ouch.
He'd never been the best at aproaching Kageyama- none of them were, really. The boy was closed off and painfully reserved, yet the playful tone he had whenever he scolded someone, his teasing and sarcastic jokes let Suga know he was probably desperate to get closer to them. Desperate to let someone in- to trust them. Perhaps he just didn't know how to go about it-
Perhaps he didn't know how to trust, at all.
Practice went by smoothly, despite the younger setter's mood being slightly off. Ukai dismissed them with a small smile on his face, and made note to mention how proud he was of their recent drastic improvement, as well as remind them to take care of themselves and rest. Sugawara discreetly glanced at Kageyama, and found he still had that slightly uncomfortable look on his face.
The grayhaired boy had caught himself thinking about that quite a few times, naturally. He cared about his team, and about his teammates- not only as players, but as friends and people. That applied to Kageyama as well, even if they weren't quite as close. Which meant he had noticed his anxious attitude that day, and had immediately decided to try and do something about it. He just had to figure out what.
— Alright, it's Suga's turn to close up today — Daichi announced, as soon as the professor and coach had left the gym
Suga nodded, smiling at their team captain. The other players hurried in and out of the changing rooms, seemingly eager to go home for a good night of rest.
Everyone except Hinata and Kageyama, of course.
— I wish I could stay and practice a bit more, too! — Hinata whined and pouted, as he made his way to the door — Family's coming over tonight, though
— Whatever, it's fine, — he thought he almost saw a pout threatening to form in Kageyama's lips as well, as he replied to Hinata— I'm probably not gonna stay too much longer, either
Suga watched the two wave goodbye to each other, while he also said goodbye to the rest of the team.
After that, he made his way to the storage room and gave a quick glance around, to make sure everything seemed to be put away correctly. He locked up the door to the storage room and grabbed his bag from the bench next to the court, where he had left it during practice. He let out a yawn, stretching his arms and rolling his wrists softly while he entered the changing room. It was quiet, as expected.
He splashed water on his face and looked at himself in the mirror for a moment. He looked at his own resting expression- a small, gentle smile on his lips, his eyes as kind as always. He wondered- sure, he knew how to speak to people in a way that helped them feel comfortable, secure. Cared for. He had a hard time when it came to Kageyama, though- the boy didn't seem to appreciate his caring attitude as much as others. It hurted him a bit, to be honest. But he was still determined to figure out a way to help his teammate out- he just had to come up with a different way to approach the situation.
He let out a small sigh, trying not to let the frustration get to him. He ran a hand through his gray hair as he walked towards the lockers, and was surprised by the sight of a black haired boy sitting on the bench, tying his shoes.
— Oh, hey! — he waved and gave him a small smile — Didn't know you were still here
Kageyama was looking down at his own feet, but as soon as the other spoke, his head shot up so quickly he was almost scared he'd get dizzy from the sudden movement.
— Suga— he muttered, eyes wide and mouth slightly open
Sugawara sat down next to him and felt the other boy's eyes follow him. Even he could feel Kageyama's intense and nerve-wrecking stare on him, Suga made sure to keep a soft smile on his face.
— How are you doing? I noticed you were a bit tense at practice today
Kageyama looked back down at his own feet. He had finished tying up his shoes, it seemed. He placed his hands on one of his knees to rest his chin on them and frowned slightly, pressing his lips together. This time, though, his frown was different- he seemed to be contemplating something. Suga stayed silent, and let him take a few seconds to answer.
— Sorry. Didn't mean to be rude earlier — Kageyama's voice was low, eyes still focused on his own shoes.
— It's fine! I get it. I just wanted to make sure you're okay- but I know it can get a bit annoying sometimes
Suga scratched the back of his neck apologetically and redirected his focus to the floor. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the younger boy biting his bottom lip.
— No, it's not annoying — he admitted — I just... I don't know, I was just in a bad mood today. Sorry
— Yeah, I figured so
— I just... — he stressed his bottom lip, and made a pause before continuing — I- I don't know. It just felt wrong to have such a slow practice day. I feel like I'm wasting time
Suga looked up at him again, but Kageyama's eyes remained firm on his own feet. His brows were scrunched together in concentration, and his lips were slightly tilted downwards in a discontented expression. Suga raised a brow, questioning.
— We still practiced a lot though. It's not wasted time
— I know, — Kageyama sighed — I don't mean you guys. I just...
His blue eyes raised up to Suga for a brief moment, for the first time since the conversation had started, but he quickly looked away. His expression softened into something that, Suga guesses, seemed somewhat like sadness.
Kageyama didn't say anything else for a few minutes.
The silence between them wasn't particularly tense, but it felt heavy. Sugawara looked at the lockers, seeing each of them decorated with stickers and other things that, although it might not be obvious at first sight, reflected a bit of each of his teammates' personalities. His own locker had a few stickers- one of them was a flower that Nishinoya had drawn for him. Another one a cup of coffee, with steam coming out of it.
Kageyama's locker door was plain, except for a sticker Hinata had randomly given him one day, of a blue, white and yellow volleyball.
He looked back at the boy sitting infront of him.
At the end of the day, Suga was fairly good at reading his friends- at taking care of them, and knowing what they needed. Even if he didn't always fully understand what was going through their heads, he somehow managed to figure out what they needed to hear.
So why would Kageyama be an exception?
— You know, — he began speaking in a soft voice, almost hesitantly — you need to rest too, just like everyone else
— I know. I sleep well and I take breaks and all that stuff.
— Yeah, but I don't mean just that — Suga turned around slightly, so that he was facing the other setter — You do realize you don't need to be constantly making big improvements, right?
Kageyama frowned.
— What do you mean?
— Like, it's physically impossible for you to unlock a new move every single practice, or to get drastically better every time you play — he gesticulated with his hand, casually — and frankly, you don't need to, either.
Kageyama looked at him, deep blue eyes suddenly so soft, Sugawara couldn't help but feel fondness for the boy.
— You're a great player, and you're really valuable to the team. Relaxing a bit in practice every now and then won't change that.
If he saw Kageyama's eyes water up and his lower lip tremble, well- no one really had to know.
— Thank you.
Suga's lips turned upwards in a warm smile, and he placed a reassuring hand on his teammate's shoulder.
— Of course. We really appreciate you, aight'? Try to relax a bit. You'll be just fine, and we all need to rest a bit right now anyways.
Kageyama nodded and looked at the floor.
Suga was fairly good at reading his friends, at comforting them and knowing what they needed to hear. At taking care of them. And right now, looking at that tall, genius player sitting down infront of him, shoulders heavy and eyes soft in something that looked like insecurity, like racing anxious thoughts inside his head- Sugawara thought Kageyama needed a hug.
He was fairly good at reading his friends. So why would Kageyama be an exception?
He got slightly closer to the boy, his movements thoughtfully slow as he dared to wrap his arms around Kageyama's body. He was careful, as if any sudden movement could scare him away. He felt Kageyama's muscles tense up, but he simply rested his cheek on the younger's head. Everyone knew Kageyama had no trouble pushing anyone away if they got too comfortable in his personal space for his liking, after all. If he didn't like it, he'd certainly push Suga away without doubting it for a second.
Instead, he just melted in his arms.
Suga doesn't think he's ever seen him like that- eyes fluttered shut, a relaxed expression on his face. Kageyama let out a sigh that almost sounded relieved. Like he had been burning for the last few months, and Suga's body had suddenly put down the painful fire the second he pressed it against him in a hug. He dared rub gentle circles on the boy's back, tracing his shoulders and softly petting his hair.
And Kageyama just melted.
He melted, and let himself stay there- enveloped in the warmth of the hug for however long it took before one of them remembered they needed to get home. Suga didn't keep track of time; he didn't need to.
He would've let Kageyama stay like that, content and safe in his arms, for as long as he needed.
—
AAAAA second chapter!!! im actually kinda surprised/proud of myself for writting another part for this story lol. i've been having trouble finishing anything i start writting, and tbh i hadn't rlly written much for like two years? so when i finished the first part i was like Oh Nice !! but i assumed it would take me a few weeks to write smth else. but yeah, i'm happy i could finish this one too lol. it's a bit longer than expected, but i kinda like it and i hope yall like it too!! stay safe 💜
