#Observatory!V

[conniewoof]

She gets a tail bow cuz I couldn’t make curly tail fur

[hopegained]

@lightsiided // x

Once is enough time for blistering deserts and dunes. Eron doesn’t usually care to linger on worlds like Jakku any more than what's required from him. There’s some semblance of logic in that, he figures, to hold that sentiment when he hails from a terrestrial planet with green that stretches as far as the eyes can see instead of somewhere like here. 

But he’s not one to judge the quality of life or the tug of war between beings to make sure they won't wake up with a blade to their throat. And here is also where a strong, kind warrior was shaped. The next guardian of peace in a long, long line of Jedi knights.

Something seems to drift in the warrior’s mind, he notices—knows he’s not supposed to intrude. Whatever it may be, he’ll wait for it to come out of Rey’s own mouth. Right now he’s only bothered by the predicament he’s caught in.

“It’s not really that.” Beads of perspiration gliding down the sides of his face betrays his words—all of the fabrics on him are sticking to every inch of skin—but his tolerance for the brutal climate hasn’t been pushed beyond the tolerable range compared to the real offender. The tip of his boot prods into the grains beneath his feet to make a faint dent that just as soon disappears with the hot air and leaves it once again undisturbed.

He sighs, clearing his vision of invading little specks of sand and brushing back fallen strands of dark hair across his forehead. If only he’s able to do the same for the hidden crevices on his body, the places where careful inspection is necessary. Too uncouth to be done in the open, much less in front of Rey. “It’s the sand. Gets everywhere.” 

[zvaigzdelasas]

The fighting took place in the Mediterranean coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of the ousted president's Alawite minority[...]

The death toll "following attacks and ambushes by gunmen loyal to Assad in the town of Jableh and its surrounding areas increased to 16 members of the security forces", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that the majority of the dead were from the former rebel bastion of Idlib.

It said they were "the most violent attacks against the new authorities since Assad was toppled".

At least three of the gunmen in Jableh were killed, said the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria.

The province's security director had earlier said that Syrian forces were clashing with gunmen loyal to an Assad-era special forces commander in another village in Latakia, after authorities reportedly launched helicopter strikes.[...]

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier reported "strikes launched by Syrian helicopters on armed men in the village of Beit Ana and the surrounding forests, coinciding with artillery strikes on a neighbouring village".[...]

A defence ministry source later told SANA that large military reinforcements were being deployed to the Jableh area "to support the security forces and restore stability to the area".[...]

Alawite leaders later called in a statement on Facebook for "peaceful protests" in response to the air strikes, which they said had targeted "the homes of civilians".[...]

Later on Thursday, large groups of young men, some bearing arms, gathered in Idlib, in support of the security forces fighting in Latakia, the Observatory said.

Messages broadcast over the loudspeakers of mosques called for "jihad" against the gunmen, it added.[...]

The country's new security forces have since launched extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions.

Residents and organisations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the seizing of homes, field executions and kidnappings.

6 Mar 25

[softsynthetic]

Swap AU!V Aka Viola (Vi) [REDACTED] Just your local worker who lives in an old library/observatory she tends to.

[0nlythrowharrybeaux]

A Chance - Part 5**

Here it is! The final part of this series! I hope you guys like it!

Read the full series here

Warnings: mentions of a break-ins and the police. Sex (oral & p in v), fingering, dirty talk, slight dom/sub dynamic and degradation, choking, overstimulation, forced orgasms

WC: 6.6k

You were absolutely smitten with Harry, you were an absolute goner for him. After he’d stuck up for you and your budding romance you didn’t have the heart to hold back. You really were giving it your best effort to put aside your fears and let yourself show him just how much you cared for him.

The past two months had been wonderful and so much fun with him. You’d gone and done some touristy things in Hollywood, you’d been to see the L.A. Phil, you’d gone to the beach, and were now on your sixth date at The Highlight Room. The sunset was breathtaking and you couldn’t help but reach over to his free hand. He glanced up from setting his beer down and smiled at you.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just…admiring you.” You shrugged simply. “Do you like the pizza?” You asked and he nodded immediately.

“Hell yes. This is delicious.” He emphasized and you smiled.

“Good.” You hummed in contentment. 

You had planned this date and you wanted to do something a little more special for him because he always did the most thoughtful things for you. And well…you were kind of hoping that you guys could progress a little bit more in the physical aspect of things at the end of the night. You’d truly been taking it so slow because of all of the things you felt for him, it was the first time in a while that you’d felt this way. Harry was great though, never expecting something more than just your typical steamy make outs and handjobs. You guys were going to go to the Griffith Observatory after dinner. He had never been before and they were going to have a star party that night. People from local astronomy clubs were able to bring their equipment as well and set up on the lawn so that others can also get a chance to see the night skies. Harry was loving it, as were you! You’d gotten the chance to see a couple planets and the moon in so much detail. You’d learned to locate some summertime constellations in the sky and also got to walk around inside the building. Harry did not miss his chance to ask if you could dance like in “LaLa Land”, to which you blushed madly before declining anxiously.

“I know, m’ just messing with you, baby.” He assured you softly before kissing the highpoint of your cheek.

You eventually made it out onto one of the ledges and looked out to the millions of little lights from the city down the hill. You now had his jacket draped over your shoulders as you curled into his side.

“Thank you so much for planning this. It’s been a really wonderful evening.” He hummed with gratitude, “I mean…this is just…spectacular.” He said softly and you smiled.

“I’m glad you’ve had a nice time.” You hummed  before kissing his chest and then resting your head against it again as you hugged him a little closer as a cool breeze started to blow softly.

“It’s always have a nice time with you.” He said lowly before kissing the top of your head.

“Harry?”

“Yeah, baby?” 

“D-do you want to have sex? Like…with me?” You asked with a slight stutter and you felt his body start to tremble a bit as his chuckle worked his way up his belly and out his mouth. You playfully smacked his chest and sniggered.

“What kind of question is that?!” He asked and you shrugged in his arms.

“I just…I don’t know, like you’re so respectful that while I’m certain that it’s because you know that I just…need to take things a little slow, a little, insecure part of me likes to believe that it’s because you’re not so much in a rush to get there with me either.” You confessed.

“Oh baby, I want to! So. Fucking. Bad.” He assured you, “But like you said first, I just want to make sure that I’m not pushing you too much. And well, what we’re doing now for each other, that’s alright with me too. I quite…like that we don’t get too far. I love the longing.” He confessed and you slightly loosened your grip to glance up at him and he looked down at you at the same time and you both smiled at each other.

“Oh…okay.” You hummed timidly and he smirked.

“Do you like…want to do that soon?” He asked.

“I was thinking tonight…I mean, we’ve been on six dates now…”

“Is that the magic number?” He teased.

“Stop…” you giggled, “I’ve been thinking about this a lot.” You confessed timidly. He pulled you closer and kissed you gently. 

“We can go if you’re ready.” He mumbled against your lips and you giggled.

“Are you done looking at everything?” You asked and he nodded.

“Definitely.” He hummed and you grinned before grabbing his hand and pulling him along.

You were driving a little over the legal limit. And yes, you had driven, you had given him the full “princess” treatment that you had come to discover he liked. He didn’t really make a big deal of it, he acted very casual when you’d do something that was particularly thoughtful to him, but you knew that inside he was giddy about it. You liked how he was practically leaning over the center console to be closer to you. He kept kissing your shoulder and whispering things about how pretty you looked and how badly he wanted to taste your pussy. Your skin was tingling all over as he worked you up. He was very playful and teasing, it was making you even more impatient than you already were. 

“H, I’m driving.” You giggled as he suddenly nipped at your earlobe.

“Sorry, baby.” He hummed. It made you feel on fire from the inside when he called you “baby”. It made your heart flutter in ways that you didn’t know it could. When you finally pulled into your parking spot your muscles relaxed in relief. Harry immediately leaned in to kiss you and your lips met in a heated kiss.

“We should go inside.” You mumbled against his lips.

“Kay.” He responded and you both hurried out of the car and locked it. 

Next thing you knew, you were riding up the elevator, nestled in the corner as you continued to make out. When it came to a stop you hurried down the hall while rifling through your bag to grab your keys. His hands landed on your on your hips and squeezed gently as the impatience got the best of him. Finally, you were stumbling into your dim apartment with his body still draped over yours. One of his hands was sliding up your front and groping your boob under your top. You sighed in relief when he dragged down the cup of your bra and gently tugged at your nipple. You were loving this more domineering side of him, you wanted to see what he’d do if you gave him no direction.

“Where do you want to do this?” He asked as your hand reached back and scratched at the nape of his neck soothingly.

“We can go to my room.”

“Okay.” He whispered and grabbed your hips again as he guided you through your apartment and into your bedroom.

“Can I…have a couple minutes? Just to, you know…freshen up a little bit?” You asked him when you both stopped at the foot of your bed.

“Oh, of course, baby. Take your time.” He assured you before kissing your shoulder again. “Want water or wine?” He asked.

“Some water would be good.”

“Okay, I’ll go get the water.” He smiled and you nodded and turned around to kiss him gently. “You know…” he mumbled against your lips and you pulled back, “If you’re not ready we don’t have to.” He reminded you and you smiled.

“I know. I just ummm…if we did end up doing this I…had bought something t-to wear for you.” You said and his smile widened before his eyes narrowed as if your words were hurting him.

“Baby…” he groaned as his fingers squeezed into your hips and you giggled.

“Go on.” You whispered as you playfully nuzzled your nose into his and he kissed you again before hurrying off. 

You were soon just wiping down your bits quickly before slipping into the baby blue tie-front teddy. The bottom was a little long to allow some flounce to the fabric, so it made your ass look a bit more voluptuous. And well, the cut-out in the center of the piece exposed your mid back and from under your breasts to right below your navel. You moisturized a bit and then headed out of the bathroom to see Harry walking into the bedroom. He stopped and just bit down on his lip to suppress his smile a bit.

“Fuck…look at you.” He complimented you. 

“Like it?”

“Yeah, love. So fucking pretty.” He said before dipping down to kiss your lips. 

In moments you were helping to undress him. You couldn’t help but feel over his muscles over and over again, they were so firm. Your urge got the best of you and you dipped down and sunk your teeth into his pec and started to suck. His big hands grabbed your ass and kneaded your plush skin as you sucked your mark into his chest. Your need for him was making you feel like you were burning up from the inside out. 

“Are you ever going to undress me?” You asked as you smiled up at him and he smirked.

“Of course, but patience, baby-”

He was interrupted by your doorbell ringing and then some knocks on your door. You groaned but decided to leave it be until there it was again. You huffed in irritation and pulled back.

“Let me check who that is.” You said and hurriedly shrugged on your robe as you made your way to your front door. You peeked through the peephole and saw a familiar face, you’d seen the woman in the mail room before. She was looking a little anxious, you were a bit worried since it was nearing 10pm.

“Can I help you?” You called through the door.

“Hi! Oh my god, I’m Willa. I live around the corner, down the hall? Unit 412?” She said, “Someone broke into my apartment while I was gone.” She explained and you gasped and quickly opened the door.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. Are you alright?” You asked the woman and while it was evident that she had been crying, she wasn’t right now.

“Yeah, just a little shaken up.” She said and you nodded.

“How can I help?”

“Ummm, I noticed you have a ring camera and since you’re near the elevators I figured maybe you have footage of who it was since they took quite some big items.” She explained.

“Oh, yeah of course. Ummm, I can take down your contact info and look through it.” You said and she nodded.

“The cops will be here soon, d-do you think you can get the footage if there is any before they go?” She asked and you nodded.

“Yeah, of course! Did it happen today?”

“I honestly don’t know, I’m sorry. I’ve been gone since Wednesday so it could’ve been any time in the last four days.” She explained.

“No need to apologize. My boyfriend is here so he can help.” You assured her and she smiled slightly.

“Thank you so much!” She sniffled. You gave her your phone number and she texted you her contact info before heading off to wait for the police. When you turned around you saw Harry leaning on the counter, it startled you.

“Geez! When did you get in here?” You asked with a small smile.

“After I heard you opening up the door.” He said and you bit your lip because that meant he’d heard you call him your boyfriend. You hadn’t talked about that yet but that’s how you viewed what you two had. Even if he hadn’t asked officially, it was the best thing to describe what he was to you.

“So you heard what happened?”

“You mean the boyfriend thing?” He asked and you felt your stomach flip with anxiety. 

“N-no the break in.” You shook your head nervously.

“Are you sure?” He asked with a small smile.

“Look, I’m sorry. It’s just the best thing t-to describe what you are to me.” You explained. 

“Oh, I’m not upset. I actually wanted to talk to you about that.” He said.

“Yeah, we’ve been dating a while now, huh?”

“Yeah, I think about two months…and 10 days.” He added with a little grin and your cheeks flushed at his precision and attention to detail.

“Technically nine days, s’only 10pm.” You said and he grinned, “I really like you, Harry. I want to be with you. I would be so happy if you wanted to be my boyfriend.” You said and he smiled wide.

“Yeah, baby?” You nodded with certainty as your face started to grow warm as the blood rushed up to it as your happiness and excitement swelled within you.

“Yeah, I want to take that step with you.” You assured him.

“Me too.” He said before pulling you into a hug and you relaxed in his arms.

“My boyfriend…” you hummed.

“My girlfriend.” He whispered before giving you a firm squeeze. 

You soon broke apart to sift through your Ring footage from the last week. Harry had the the great idea that maybe the person who’d broken in had visited before, so he started from the week prior and you worked your way from today back. Luckily for you, you’d seen that the break-in had occurred the day before, in the afternoon. There were three men, two had been dressed as movers and one in pretty plain clothes. You only saw them leaving with things, so they had to have come up to the apartment another way, probably the staircase where there weren’t any cameras. 

“Did you find anything?” You asked as you glanced over to him who was looking at the footage from your laptop. 

“Not really…yet.” He said.

“I just found them leaving with her things. They’re dressed as movers.” You explained, “They must’ve come up the staircase because they didn’t come down this way.”

“Jeez…” he frowned as he glanced at you and you nodded.

“I know…at least we can see their faces on the way out. Do you want anything?”

“Do you still have those little Trader Joe’s ice cream cones?” He asked and you smiled.

“Yeah, baby.” You said and stood to go bring him one. You were just about to open the freezer when he gasped.

“I found something! Well, I think. The only person who has come by with Willa is a guy, maybe a hook up. He doesn’t come out this way though…” he said at the end. You rushed over and pulled up your down loaded footage.

“It’s the same guy! The one behind the fake movers.” You said pointing to your phone and Harry nodded.

“Yeah, that’s him. Let me download this and you can send it over to her.” He said and you nodded. 

After a couple of moments you were sending over the information to Willa. While the sensual mood of the evening had sort of melted away with Willa’s unfortunate circumstance, the romantic feeling between you and Harry were still brewing. You’d opted to curl up on your couch and watch a show together, Bridgerton, when you admitted that you had not actually attempted to watch it yet. But just when things started to get saucy between you two there were knocks on your door again, this time there was an officer with Willa. He wanted to ask a few questions but that you were at work at the time of the break in so weren’t much more help than providing the video from your Ring camera.

“Is it a sign or something?” You huffed as you plopped beside him in the couch again and he smiled at you.

“Coincidences. There’s only been two interruptions. If there’s a third interruption I’ll take it personally.” He said and you chuckled. “But I promise you, I’m not in a rush, baby. I’m not disappointed.” He assured you.

“I am!” You said with a pout, “I wasted this perfectly adorable lingerie for nothing!” You reminded him, “Well…at least you got to see me in it, but the mood is gone.” You mumbled.

“I do agree that the moment has passed but I would like to see you in it a little more.” Harry said with a soft smile and spread his legs just a bit before patting his thigh and you smirked before taking off your robe and scooting up against him. You draped your bare legs over his lap and let him smooth his warm, soft palms up and down your smooth legs. He smiled at you before he dipped down to kiss you.

“Do you want to stay?” You asked him as he pulled back a bit to allow you both to breathe for a second.

“I’d love to but-”

“But what?” You grumbled before pecking his lips again.

“I don’t have a tooth brush.” He said and you kissed his lips again, “Or my skin care…” he said and you smiled. “Don’t you say a word. Self-care is important.”

“Okay.” You giggled before smooching his lips again.

“Or clothes.” He finished with slightly raised eyebrows.

“Arguably, clothes are non essentials.” You said and he smirked.

“They are if we’re going to brunch tomorrow.” He added and you pouted.

“Right…” 

“But…if you pack a bag we can go to mine?” He suggested and your lips quirked up quickly. You were excited because you actually had only been to Harry’s apartment three times in all this time, including when you picked him for your date earlier. Your place was closer to work and downtown so you usually ended up here, but now he was asking you to stay over with him. It would be your first time spending the night with each other. With him. And it made you feel so fucking giddy. “You could stay tomorrow night too. We could drive to work together?” He added optimistically.

“Yes! I’ll go pack right away!” You said with excitement and hurried off to your room. 

You had an outfit in mind for brunch already so Harry helped pick your outfit for work on Monday while you gathered your toiletries and makeup. He had a great sense of style so you trusted his selection and on top of that, it was absolutely endearing that he put your clothes on a hanger instead of stuffing them into the large tote you had set out for the rest of your belongings. You picked your shoes, a pair you could wear Sunday and Monday, and then your phone charger before you both headed out of your bedroom.

“Have everything?” He asked you before you left.

“Oh, a pillow!” 

“I’m a grown up, baby. I have pillows. Four of them to be exact…” he chuckled.

“It’s a thing for me, it has to be my pillow.” You explained, “I’m particular.” You grinned.

“Of course you are…” he muttered as you headed back to your room.

“Heard that!” You called back with a grin. 

Soon enough you were locking up and riding down to your car before heading off to his place. You were really excited at this opportunity to be in his space overnight. From what you’d seen of Harry’s place it was pretty tidy and looked cohesive and aesthetic. Because his building was a bit older it had elements that made it feel more cozy, which you appreciated and were excited to see in more detail. As soon as he let you both inside you were taken over by a faint warm, woodsy scent…perhaps bergamot and sandalwood? Regardless, you were obsessed. You loved that as soon as you came in you could see the kitchen. The light hanging over the slate-gray granite top counter was on and casting a lovely golden glow to the entrance  of his apartment. It was a whole vibe.

“Sorry for the mess.” He said lowly as he held the door open for you.

“Are you one of those people who just says that and has an immaculate home?” You inquired as you slipped out of your shoes.

“Not necessarily.” He chuckled as he locked up behind you before doing the same, “I think a bit of mess is healthy.” He continued saying and you giggled.

“Give me an example…” you said as you set your pillow down on the counter and he hummed as you draped your hanger of clothes over a stool then set down you tote on top of it.

“Like…having a laundry chair. Or…a decent pile of junk mail…maybe some ketchup or soy sauce packets on the coffee table from your weekend, munchies-induced takeaway…” You laughed at his nonsense and turned around to look at him. There were literal hearts in your eyes right now. “What?” He chuckled boyishly and you smirked.

“Oh, I am so fond of you.” You hummed and Harry grabbed your face and angled you up to kiss your lips so tenderly. It made your heart leap in your chest and your hugged around him. “Take me to your room.” You rushed out and he nodded before pecking your lips a few times and then pulling away to guide you past the kitchen and living room and down the short hallway that led to his bedroom. There was a little bedside lamp on that gave his room some dim light. His room was tidy despite his previous comment about laundry chairs. You liked his bed, it looked so fluffy and inviting. Beside the small bedside table, there were four, rather stall stacks of books and you grinned.

“S’that your mess?” You mumbled against his lips and he chuckled.

“A bit, it’s more like my shame on display. I bought some shelves but I haven’t put ��em up yet.” He explained and you hummed in acknowledgement before your lips met again. It was all quiet besides your increasingly ragged breaths and the sounds of your lips smacking together. Your hands where sliding down his chest and you got even more wet than you were from feeling over his sturdy pecs. 

“Can you get this off of you?” You asked quietly and he nodded and you pulled away so that he could slide out of his cardigan and then tear off his t-shirt. 

Harry just let the clothes fall to the ground and you immediately dug your nails into the tops of his pecs before scratching down them a bit. He groaned softly before grabbing around your throat and holding you still as he kissed you deeply. Your lips smeared feverishly as your lust started to seep from the two of you, making the atmosphere feel a bit hotter. You reached for his other hand that was on your hip and guided it to the hem of your shirt. He got the hint and pulled away to help you get out of your top. As he dropped it on the ground you reached around and undid your bra. As soon as you started to slide it off Harry was reaching for it and helping you out of it. 

“Fuck…look at you.” He groaned before grabbing at your breasts and attaching your lips again. You were kind of laughing because the way he was squeezing and groping at your boobs was almost juvenile. “They’re so fucking soft and warm and pretty.” He said to you and you sniggered.

“Such a boy…” you teased and he grinned.

“Can’t help it.” He mumbled and you smiled as you started to trail your hands down his abs.

“No, baby?” You asked and he shook his head, “Do you already have a boner for me?” You whispered and he groaned before kissing you deeply.

“Course I do.” He responded. You loved how reactive he was to you, it turned you on to extents you weren’t familiar with. “Please touch me, m’so fucking hard.” He confessed and you slid your hand further down until you were palming over the bulge in his slacks. Feeling it straining against his pants made your pussy clench and you gave him a little squeeze as you rubbed the heel of your palm under his tip. He moaned and you grinned at his reaction. 

“Like that?” 

“Yes, baby…fuck, keep going, making me so fucking hard.” He encouraged you. You added a bit more pressure to your rubbing until his hips were grinding into your hand. “Can I eat your pussy?” He asked breathlessly and you nodded quickly.

“Yes. Please.” You responded and he grinned and started to help you out of your skirt and underwear. In just a few moments you were on his bed, propped up on your elbows while he was getting on his knees. He held your legs open and kissed up your left leg, from your knee and about halfway up your thigh. He looked up at you with a small smile, it made your heart beat in your chest erratically. He glanced down again and smooched a kiss against your right inner thigh. 

“C’mon, baby…” you encouraged him softly and he kissed his way further up until he reached the apex of your thighs and kissed over your lips softly. He then nuzzled in a bit further and let his tongue roll out over your center before dragging it up to your clit and swirling around it a few times. You sighed in relief and let your head fall back when his lips wrapped around it and sucked gently, “Yes, that’s so good…it feels so good.” You muttered breathily. 

Harry’s soft groans against you every time you pulled on his hair made you squirm just a bit more underneath him. When you felt his finger sliding down and rubbing over your entrance your legs dropped open a bit further. Finally, he pushed it inside, to the knuckle before drawing it out and then pressing his middle finger in beside it. His long fingers rubbed against your front wall deliciously. And next thing you knew you were groaning in relief as his fingers pressed in as deep as they could and he pressed up against you g-spot. That, in combination with his tongue flicking at your clit had stars in your eyes and your slick dripping from you. You were going to come so hard. It was building inside of you and making your muscles start to tighten one by one. You were trying to take a proper breath, but then he started to finger-fuck you faster and you gasped as it started to bring you to the edge.

“Oh my god, Harry!” You gasped, “You-you’re gonna make me come!” You announced and he moaned against you and kept going exactly as he was. Your abs were so tense that you felt them start to quiver. You were right there. “Oh…I’m coming!” You whimpered before everything went white. Your mind went blank as your hips rolled in time with the thrusting of his fingers. His encouragement and moans being mumbled against your sensitive clit were driving you insane. Especially when his mustache would tickle over your swollen and throbbing little bundle. God…and the heavy petting at your g-spot was about to make you drool. The orgasm was lasting longer than you were accustomed to and you were running out of air.

“Fuck, you squeeze so tight…” he groaned as your walls pulsed around his digits. How he wished that was his cock getting strangled by your tight little cunt. “Gonna give me another one? Hmmm?” He asked you inhaled sharply and nodded.

“Yeah, fuck! A little harder…yes, just like that!” You gasped until you were withering in his hands again. You were a little lightheaded and when your eyes opened you saw colorful spots on the ceiling from how out of it you were. A soft chuckle bubbled out of your mouth and he kissed your inner thigh as he slowed his finger down.

“Fuck, you’re dripping down my hand.” He hummed as he pulled his fingers out slowly and you grinned as you propped yourself up again to see him reaching down and groaning. His fist started to slide up and down as he stroked over his stiff cock. “Fuck…” 

You bit your lip as you sat up further to watch it happen. He was a fucking sight…his face card was always on point. And well, his body was fitter than fit. 

“You’re so fucking hard.” You mused and he glanced up at you and nodded, “Squeeze a little tighter, right on your tip.” You instructed and he started to do just that. He started to thumb over his tip.

“Shit…”

“Do you have a condom?” You asked and he nodded quickly. He got up and grabbed one out of his bedside drawer. You knelt up and waited for him to get on the bed. 

Finally, he was settling in and you hurriedly straddled him. You kissed him deeply, holding onto his face for a few seconds before kneeling up and reaching between your legs to hold him up against your entrance. Just feeling his thick head prodding at your entrance was enough to make your walls flutter. You needed to feel him stretching you open so badly. You wanted him to be so deep it made your breath hitch. You teased at him, letting him in just a bit before rolling your hips until he slid between your lips. He groaned as he watched his cock slipping between your swollen and sticky folds, just desperate to feel the heat of your pussy engulfing his achey cock. His balls ached too, he wanted to come so fucking bad but he also knew that he wanted to keep fucking you for as long as he could. 

“Please, baby. Get me inside.” He beseeched and you smiled up at him teasingly.

“Yeah? Can’t wait anymore?” you hummed playfully and he shook his head as he slightly glanced up at you. 

“Please, baby. Want you so bad. Need to feel your tight little pussy taking my cock.” He mumbled as you started to tease him at your entrance again. “Please.” He begged, holding perfectly still.

“You’re being a little pathetic.” You hummed and he groaned lowly.

“I don’t care.” He chuckled as he squeezed your hips hard. “Fuck, I’ve wanted you for so long.” He confessed and you bit your lip.

“Oh yeah?” You smirked inquisitively.

“Yeah…”

“Even when I was snappy with you?” You asked and he bit his lip for a moment.

“Especially then.” He admitted and you smirked and without warming you sunk down on his cock until he was sheathed inside of you completely. He moaned as his nails dug into your ass as you squeezed around his erection. “Fuuuuck…” he moaned with need.

“You’re so big.” You whimpered as you rolled your pelvis into his.

“Yeah, baby? Am I good enough for you?” He asked and you nodded.

“So good…you feel so fucking good!” You praised him as you ground over his lap. One of his hands came to your breast and grabbed it before sucking your nipping into his mouth. You yelped as he bit down for a second before sucking it eagerly again. 

When Harry started thrusting up slightly you became covered in goosebumps. He was filling you in such satisfying ways. He was doing so good for you and you loved that he had been lusting after you for so long. He was doing incredible things to your body, your brain was going fuzzy. You wanted to come so bad, you needed it.

“Lay back.” You panted and he settled back against the pillows behind him and you ran your hand up his abs and his gorgeous pecs. He was already slightly sweaty and it made you even hotter for him. Your hand slight up his sternum and then right beneath his throat.

“Do it. Choke me while you make me come.” He said and you smirked and slid your hand a little further up before squeezing a little bit as you started to bounce a bit.

The limited amount of oxygen he was able to breathe in was aiding in that floaty feeling he knew would make his orgasm come soon. You were a smug fit around his cock. So wet and warm. How he wished he could just blow his load deep inside your exquisite little pussy. 

“Oh you feel so good right there!” You whined as you tried your hardest to keep the same pace that was getting the both you there.

“Fuck, I’m gonna come…fuck, fuck…” he gasped before you felt him start to thrust up against you. His jaw was slightly slack as the pleasure coursed through him. You were getting so close… it was right within your reach. “Oh shit…” he gasped as he tried to slow your pace. 

“Just give me a little more!” 

“It’s…fuck, it’s too much!” He whined as he started to squirm beneath you from the overstimulation. He tried to sit up but you pressed him down by the chest.

“Please, just let me come! You can do it, baby.” You encouraged him. You could feel his chest rising and falling quickly and his thighs trembling beneath you. He was letting out the most desperate moans, it was pushing you to edge. You were so close! You started to bounce on his cock a bit harder, you could feel your walls fluttering around his cock so hard as he rammed into that soft spot in you that had you creaming around his girth. 

He hissed and his eyes squeezed tight because every time you dropped down his cock was colliding with such a warm and squishy part of you that he was making Harry lose his mind. He was the one seeing spots now. He was twitching and tense and the slight smack of his balls up against your butt added a delicious tingle to everything else that was going on. He was going to come again, he couldn’t help it.

“You’re going to make me come again…oh fuck!” He warned.

Before you knew it, Harry hugged around your waist and started to thrust up against you hard. You grunted with every sharp thrust, he delivered until that coil that had been pulled taut deep in your core finally exploded. You moaned in relied and hugged around his shoulders as your started to grind freely over him as your orgasm took you out like a tidal wave. You were covered in goosebumps as you shivered in his arms as you came undone. And then Harry was rolling you on your back and delivered three merciless thrusts until he was coming again. 

His body was shivering and his ears ringing as the pleasure peaked and courses through his veins. He lost all strength and dropped over you, kissing your neck and chest sloppily as you two shivered in each other’s arms as you came down from it all. It was a few moments before he had come down enough that he pressed himself up and kissed you lovingly. 

The tender kisses you were sharing started to deepen as the minutes passed. There was this feeling in your chest that was bubbling up and making it feel like you couldn’t breathe. It was making your fingers prick. You hugged him closer to you as your lips smacked softly. He was so warm against you. You hummed happily as he parted your legs and settled himself between them again, he wasn’t hard again, but he just wanted to be as close as possible and you did too.

“M’so lucky you’re mine.” He hummed against your lips and you smiled, breaking the kiss.

“I think I’m the lucky one.” You whispered and he pulled back a bit to properly get a look at you. 

“Oh, I don’t know, baby…” he smiled warmly. The way he took you in and the adoration you could see in his gaze, it made it hard to contain the feelings that were swirling in the pit of your tummy. You knew what it was…and well, you wanted to say it. You wanted to tell him that you loved him. You loved him so fucking much.

“Harry?” You asked softly.

“What is it, love?” He asked before pecking your lips quickly and looking into your eyes.

“I ummm… I…love you.” You said in a small and nervous voice. His eyebrows arched up and his lips parted in surprised before he laughed in relief and kissed you ardently for a second.

“Oh I’m so fucking in love with you.” He mumbled before kissing you again and you smiled.

“Yeah?”

“Hell yeah.” He mumbled before your lips met again for a few seconds.

“Good. I’m so fucking gone for you.” You confessed breathily before he moaned and kissed you hotly for a few more minutes before the kiss naturally started to slow down.

After another few minutes of kissing you were just cuddled close, basking in the love-filled atmosphere of the bubble you were in. It had been so long since you’d felt this way and it was even better to feel it and know that your heart was safe with Harry. 

“What’re you thinking?” He asked quietly as he fiddled with your fingers.

“Just that…” you giggled as he started to kiss your fingertips, “I feel really happy and safe with you.” You said and he smiled.

“Good.” He responded, “I feel the same with you. I haven’t had so much fun with anyone in such a long time.”

“Me either.” You smiled and then leaned up to kiss him again. As your lips met slowly you raised your leg a bit and gently skimmed your thigh over his cock. His lips twitched up in a grin and it instantly interrupted the kiss,

“You can’t do that to me.” He chuckled, “You made me come twice! I need a minute.” He laughed and you giggled.

“I was just playing.” You whispered and he smirked.

“No you weren’t…” he said knowingly and you giggled.

“Sorry, not sorry. That was really good.” You said and he hummed.

“A little fast but I mean, it was our first time. I’ll make it up to you during round two.” He assured before kissing you deeply again before he rolled over you, “We’ll see who’s being a little pathetic when I’m charge later…” He smirked. 

And well, if there was anything you could expect from Harry it was to do precisely as he said. In that moment you felt so relieved knowing that being vulnerable with him was alright. He was your safe space. He loved you, he had been showing you the entire time and you were thrilled to have let him in when you did. You were looking at him with so much endearment, he melted your heart. 

“What?” He asked with a smile.

“C-can you just hold me while we wait for later to come?” You asked and he smiled.

“Of course, baby.” He smiled and pulled you close to him for the time being. 

His warmth, his scent, the rhythm of his rising and falling chest…all of him, all of this was everything you had been so afraid to try for. But now you had it, you had him and you were so happy that you had just given him a chance because it had been so. Fucking. Worth it. 

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[seoulzie]

범규; whispers of the unsleeping

───── orphic ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 (adj.) mysterious & entrancing; beyond ordinary understanding

synopsis: in the small city of yeosu, insomniac choi beomgyu seeks refuge in his school's abandoned astronomical observatory to catch some sleep. there, he encounters y/n l/n, a sociable and carefree girl who shares his struggle with insomnia. together, they form an unlikely friendship and revive their school's defunct astronomy club, spending their nights exploring the stars.

彡 pairing: beomgyu x f!reader 彡 genre: fluff, angst, strangers to lovers au, university au 彡 warnings: mentions of mental health & insomnia, parental abandonment (?) chronic illness, strong language, grief & loss

RELEASE DATE; 07/26/24 — this week, friday

index: prologue i. sleepless encounters capella ii. a place of our own vega iii. rekindling the stars proxima iv. phases of the moon, phases of us rigel v. cosmic challenge polaris vi. beyond the horizon altair vii. heart to heart betelgeuse viii. tomorrow's sunrise arcturus the end: epilogue

TAGLIST: OPEN! leave an ask in my inbox, reply to this post, or send me a dm!

CHOI BEOMGYU ( 21 ) ( M )

a student who struggles with trouble falling asleep most nights. consequently, he is irritable at school, always searching for an opportunity to find a secluded place to doze off. despite his gruff exterior, he is well-known around campus for his charming looks.

Y/N L/N ( 20 ) ( F )

a cheerful and enthusiastic student, the astronomy club president, whose secret battle with insomnia leads her to the solace of the astronomical conservatory at night. determined to keep her condition hidden, she finds refuge among the stars until she encounters another night owl, beomgyu.

PROLOGUE: CHAPTER 0 word count: 3.1k

another sleepless night. beomgyu stared up at the ceiling of his room, counting the cracks for the hundredth time. it was a game he played with himself when he couldn’t sleep, a futile attempt to trick his brain into shutting down. spoiler alert: it never worked.  he groaned, the sound echoing hollowly in the silent room, and threw an arm over his eyes, trying to block out the faint glow of dawn creeping through the dusty blinds. the alarm clock on his nightstand blinked 6:00 am in angry red numbers, a mocking reminder of the day looming ahead.

with a sigh that condensed the exhaustion clinging to him like a shroud, beomgyu rolled out of bed. every muscle screamed in protest, a dull ache thrumming through his limbs. he shuffled to the bathroom, his movements heavy with sleep deprivation. his reflection in the mirror looked as shitty as he felt—dark circles under his eyes, hair sticking up in every direction, and a permanent scowl etched on his face. he splashed some cold water on his face, hoping it would wake him up enough to function through another hellish day at school.

he reached for his usual blue and white striped tube of toothpaste, but his fingers met only the cold, hard plastic of the sink. panic clawed at his throat. empty. of course, it was empty. why wouldn't it be? just his luck.

frantic, he rummaged through the cabinet under the sink, desperately searching for a spare tube. nothing. nada. just a half-empty bottle of mouthwash that reeked of peppermint and disappointment. he slammed the cabinet shut, the sound echoing through the small bathroom like a gunshot. “fucking hell.”

defeated, beomgyu straightened up, bracing himself for another blow. he hobbled over to his laundry basket, a tangled mess of unmentionables. he started digging, desperately searching for a matching pair of socks. hope flickered when his fingers brushed against soft cotton, then died a slow, agonizing death as he pulled out a lone, navy blue sock. where was its partner? had it been swallowed by a rogue dryer gremlin? eaten by a sock-hungry monster lurking in the washing machine?

beomgyu stared at the single sock in his hand, a monument to his perpetually bad luck. he was starting to think the universe had a personal vendetta against him. this wasn't just another day; it was a full-blown disaster waiting to happen, and he was just the hapless protagonist caught in the middle.

after throwing on his uniform and grabbing his backpack, he headed downstairs. his dad had already left for work, as usual. the house was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the chaotic mornings of his childhood before—stop it, he thought to himself. beomgyu shook off the unwelcome memories and grabbed a piece of toast on his way out.

he dragged himself to the front door, his feet protesting with each step. a splash of color outside his window caught his eye. mrs. han, his elderly neighbor, was kneeling by her rose bushes, her weathered hands wielding a watering can with surprising vigor. despite his fatigue, a small smile tugged at the corner of beomgyu's lips. mrs. han was a fixture in the neighborhood, a tiny woman with a heart as big as her prized hydrangeas.

"good morning, mrs. han," he managed, his voice rough from disuse.

she looked up, her eyes crinkling at the corners with a smile. "good morning, beomgyu. off to school already? you look a bit pale," she said with a motherly concern that always made him feel a flicker of warmth.

"just a little tired, mrs. han," he replied, offering a weak smile. "those history essays won't write themselves, you know."

mrs. han chuckled. "always busy, that's you. but remember, dear, rest is important too. don't you burn yourself out."

"i'll try my best," he promised, though the words tasted like ashes in his mouth. he knew the truth – sleep was a luxury he couldn't afford.

beomgyu continued his walk, the rising sun painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. the usual sights and sounds of the morning held a peculiar distance, muffled by the fog in his brain. the bakery across the street, usually a source of enticing aromas, only offered a dull ache in his stomach – a reminder of the breakfast he hadn't bothered with.

as he neared the school gates, the sounds of chatter started to seep in, a rising crescendo of greetings and nervous laughter. he braced himself for the usual barrage of hellos and high-fives, his trademark charm already feeling strained. beomgyu wasn't just tired, he was running on fumes, his charisma a flickering candle in a hurricane of exhaustion.

just as he predicted, a cheerful voice chimed in from beside him. "beomgyu! looking handsome as ever this morning, even at this ungodly hour."

he turned to see yeri, a girl from his class with a smile as bright as her sunflower hair clip. she was notorious for her bubbly personality and her unashamed crush on him. usually, beomgyu would respond with a playful jab or a witty remark, adding to the innocent flirtation. but today, a single word was all he could muster.

"hey," he croaked out, a smile barely flickering across his lips.

yeri's smile faltered slightly. "everything okay? you seem...out of it."

he shrugged, the movement feeling like wading through mud. "just a late night studying." it wasn't a complete lie, but the truth felt too heavy to share.

"well," yeri continued, her voice losing a bit of its usual chirp, "don't let it get you down. math class first thing, right? let's just hope ms. choi isn't in one of her moods."

there was a time when such a comment would have sparked a playful banter, a shared groan about their least favorite teacher. today, beomgyu merely nodded, a hollow feeling settling in his chest.

despite his exhaustion, beomgyu couldn't help but notice the way heads turned in his direction, the whispered greetings, the stolen glances. he was undeniably popular, the school's resident charmer. but the weight of that popularity felt like a suffocating cloak.

a group of guys from the basketball team hollered a greeting, their voices echoing off the lockers. beomgyu offered a weak wave, the movement seeming to drain the last vestiges of his energy. a couple of girls from the dance club giggled as they passed, their eyes lingering on him for a beat too long. all he could do was muster a tired smile, the effort feeling monumental.

he reached his locker, the familiar combination numbers a blur in his sleep-deprived haze. as he shoved his books inside, a hand landed on his shoulder. it was kai, his best friend, his partner in crime (or at least, they were when beomgyu had the energy for crime fighting). kai, unlike beomgyu, was a beacon of energy, his perpetually ruffled brown hair and mischievous grin a constant source of amusement.

"dude, you look like a deflated balloon," kai commented, his voice laced with concern. "another night?"

beomgyu slammed his locker shut with a sigh that spoke volumes. "yeah," he mumbled, leaning against the cold metal for support.

kai's brow furrowed. "seriously, beomgyu. you've been like this for weeks. we talked about this already! you said you’d try anything besides looking like you haven't slept since kindergarten."

beomgyu ran a hand through his hair, a grimace creasing his face for a moment before smoothing out into a tired indifference. "yeah, yeah," he mumbled, more to himself than to kai. "it's whatever at this point."

kai's concern flickered, then died down as he picked up on the subtle shift in beomgyu's demeanor. he knew that tone – the one that said beomgyu was resigned, shutting himself off. pushing wouldn't help.

"alright," kai said, switching gears with the practiced ease, “come on, zombie boy. let's get to class before ms. choi starts discussing the square root of boredom."

the morning dragged on, each class blending into the next in a haze of exhaustion and boredom. beomgyu could barely keep his eyes open, let alone focus on the lectures. 

his first class was math, and he trudged to his seat, slumping down with a heavy sigh. he rummaged through his bag, only to realize he had forgotten his pen.

“hey, taehyun,” he whispered to the boy sitting next to him. “got a pen i can borrow?”

taehyun glanced at him and chuckled softly. “forgot yours again? here.” he handed beomgyu a pen, shaking his head in amusement.

“thanks, man,” beomgyu muttered, trying to muster a grateful smile. he opened his notebook and attempted to take notes, but his eyelids felt like lead weights. the teacher’s voice droned on, a monotonous hum that only made him feel sleepier.

his head began to nod, his vision blurring as he struggled to stay awake. just as he was about to give in to the sweet embrace of sleep, he heard his name being called.

“mr. choi,” the teacher’s voice was sharp and reprimanding. beomgyu jolted awake, blinking rapidly.

“y-yes?” he stammered, sitting up straight.

“care to repeat what i just said?” the teacher asked, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

beomgyu’s mind went blank. he hadn’t heard a single word. “uh… something about calculus?” he guessed, hoping he was at least close.

the class snickered, and the teacher sighed in exasperation. “detention, mr. choi. maybe next time you’ll pay attention instead of dozing off in my class.”

beomgyu slumped back in his seat, cursing under his breath. “great. just fucking great,” he thought.

by the time lunch rolled around, beomgyu was ready to collapse. he shuffled towards the cafeteria, his head hanging low. he spotted his friends at their usual table and dragged himself over, the fluorescent lights feeling like a personal attack on his already throbbing head.

"yo, beomgyu!" yeonjun called out, waving him over. "you look like shit, man. rough night?"

beomgyu slumped into a chair, the metal groaning under his weight. a defeated grunt escaped his lips as he slumped his tray onto the table. "yeah," he mumbled, picking at his food with a complete lack of enthusiasm.

soobin, munching on an apple, raised an eyebrow. "again? dude, you really need to see a doctor or something."

beomgyu shrugged, picking at his food without much appetite. "what are they gonna do? prescribe me more useless meds? no thanks."

yeonjun leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "have you tried, like, meditation or something? i heard it can help."

beomgyu rolled his eyes. "yeah, 'cause sitting still and doing nothing is gonna magically cure my insomnia. thanks, but no thanks."

taehyun looked at him, frowning. "you really should try something, man. this can’t be good for you."

beomgyu sighed. "yeah, well, i’ve tried everything. nothing works. now i’ve got detention ‘cause i fell asleep in math."

taehyun winced. "harsh. what are you gonna do?"

"skip it, maybe. find a quiet place to sleep," beomgyu muttered, pushing his tray away.

beomgyu wandered the halls, his mind a jumble of thoughts and exhaustion. the school was a labyrinth of possibilities, each one fraught with its own set of risks and potential rewards. he needed to find the perfect place to nap, somewhere quiet and out of the way where no one would bother him.

places to (possibly) sleep 1) the janitor's closet

the first place that came to mind was the janitor’s closet. beomgyu had passed by it a million times, always noticing how the janitor, mr. lee, would leave it unlocked while he went about his duties. beomgyu headed towards the closet, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. he carefully turned the knob and slipped inside.

the closet was small and dark, filled with cleaning supplies and equipment. the smell of bleach and disinfectant was strong, but beomgyu didn’t care. he saw a small space behind a stack of boxes and decided it would have to do. he crouched down, wedging himself into the cramped space. the floor was cold and hard, but he was desperate for some rest.

he closed his eyes, trying to let the darkness and quiet lull him to sleep. just as he felt himself drifting off, the door creaked open. beomgyu’s eyes snapped open, and he held his breath. mr. lee stood in the doorway, a look of confusion quickly turning to annoyance on his face.

“hey! what are you doing in here?” mr. lee barked.

“shit,” beomgyu muttered under his breath. he scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding. “sorry, i—uh—i got lost?”

mr. lee narrowed his eyes. “out. now.”

beomgyu didn’t need to be told twice. he quickly slipped past the janitor and out into the hallway, feeling his face flush with embarrassment. so much for that.

places to (possibly) sleep 1) janitor’s closet 2) library

next, beomgyu decided to try the library. it was usually quiet, and he figured he might be able to find a secluded corner to catch some z’s. he made his way to the library, the scent of old books hitting him as soon as he stepped inside. the librarian, mrs. tanaka, gave him a stern look over her glasses, but he ignored her and began his search for the perfect spot.

the library was mostly empty, with only a few students scattered around, hunched over their books. beomgyu walked past the rows of shelves, looking for a place where he could hide from prying eyes. he found a spot in the back, behind a tall stack of books on astronomy. it was quiet, and he could hear the faint hum of the air conditioning.

he sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall, and pulled his knees to his chest. the cool air and the silence were soothing, and he felt his eyelids grow heavy. just as he was about to drift off, he heard footsteps. he peeked around the stack of books and saw a group of girls walking towards him, giggling and chatting.

“great,” he thought. “just great.”

the girls didn’t notice him at first, but as they got closer, one of them spotted him. she nudged her friend, and they both started whispering and giggling even louder. beomgyu felt his face heat up with annoyance and embarrassment. this was definitely not going to work.

he got up, brushing the dust off his pants, and made his way out of the library, ignoring the stares and whispers of the girls. “too many people and out in the open,” he thought. scratch that idea.

places to (possibly) sleep 1) janitor’s closet 2) library

beomgyu trudged on, defeat clinging to him like yesterday's gym clothes. he formulated a mental list in his head, each possibility crumpling under the weight of potential interruptions. the rooftop? too exposed. the music room? a rogue trumpet could shatter any hope of sleep.

his weary eyes scanned the familiar halls, a sliver of hope flickering as he rounded a corner. there it stood, a solitary figure against the twilight sky—the astronomy tower.

the tower, a relic of a bygone era of scientific exploration. its once-gleaming silver exterior was now weathered and rusted, the windows dark and vacant. It had been years since anyone had ventured inside, rumors of asbestos and ghosts swirling around it like dusty cobwebs.

but for beomgyu, in his desperate search for a haven, the tower's isolation was a siren song. no students lingered in its shadow, no teachers patrolled its perimeter. in that forgotten corner, a flicker of hope ignited. it might be dusty, it might be creepy, but it could be perfect. as he neared the tower, the details became more pronounced: chipped tiles forming the entrance walkway, a rusty weather vane groaning in the faint evening breeze, and the peeling paint revealing the faded inscription "ad astra per aspera" - "to the stars through difficulties." an odd prickle ran down his spine. the inscription felt oddly fitting, a challenge on this day of immense hardship. could the tower, in its own dilapidated way, be his path to the stars? to sleep, the most elusive star in his current reality? the door was old and creaky, and it took a bit of effort to push it open. just as he was about to reach for the door handle, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.

“fuck,” beomgyu muttered, feeling his shoulders slump in defeat. the observatory would have to wait. he decided then and there that he would check it out tomorrow during his free period. he turned and trudged back down the hallway, the prospect of a good nap tantalizingly out of reach.

⋆˚࿔ taglist! @flowzel , @izzyy-stuff , @inkigayocamman , @beombeomlovesme ⤷ want to get notified? click here!

© 2024 seoulzie

[mbari-blog]

At MBARI, our “office” is Monterey Bay and its deep submarine canyon. ⌨️🌊

For many of our staff, that means spending a lot of time on the water. The crew of the research vessel Rachel Carson is a small team that supports a large variety of science and engineering operations. From autonomous robots to cutting-edge observatories, MBARI’s technology is revolutionizing ocean science. Our marine operations team is critical to the success of our mission.

The crew of R/V Rachel Carson, led by Captain Kavi Treesong-Engel, sets sail early in the morning, steaming to research sites in Monterey Bay and beyond. By mid-morning, they’ve deployed remotely operated vehicles, autonomously operated vehicles, or other instruments MBARI scientists and engineers are using to study our blue backyard. For them, each day brings new faces, goals, and often a new set of challenges. But this crew is always ready for the tasks at hand. By the end of the day, they tie up to the dock and start preparing for the next expedition.

MBARI’s innovative technology is transforming what we know about the ocean and its inhabitants. Our scientists, engineers, and marine operations staff work together to create innovative tools for a more sustainable future where autonomous robots and artificial intelligence can track ocean health in real time and help us visualize ocean animals and environments.

We’re spotlighting various teams at MBARI to showcase the different ways we’re studying the largest environment on Earth. We hope this series inspires a new generation of ocean explorers. Dive in!

[jaycehousetalis]

Cont. Deltahedron out of Lunares

-Joyous and incredibly aroused he's in the process of cockily explaining how that it should be easy to do. How he knows the length of Viktor's torso because he knows the very measurements of his own hands by heart, the depth between his thumb and fore finger and what that means when he's holding him.-

-But then Viktor coughs a bit, and it doesn't sound like a usual cough, not from the many years they've spent together. And he looks closer, face already shoved close into their form. Spotting the fresh and darkly hued blood against the fabric of their lab clothes.-

V?

-He says letting his eyes slowly look up at the other man-

V are you okay? Wh-what is going on... you're bleeding...

-Jayce is trying not to panic, knows better than to lose his mind when he doesn't have all the answers but all he knows is that Viktor is in pain, that he's suffering. That is more than enough to make his heart drop as if it'd been released from the atop the observatory itself.-

[thatswhywelovegermany]

Friedrich Gauß and Wilhelm Weber working at the first electrical needle-telegraph invented by themselves

Left Weber at the keyer apparatus which he uses to operate the electricity-converting solenoid; right Gauß at the receiver, watching the mirror of the galvanometer through a telescope. Inside the multiplicator solenoid below the mirror the magnetic needle, a heavy iron rod. The connecting wires are suspended over the city of Göttingen and also fixed at St. John's tower. After a drawing of A. Wald.

In the early summer of 1833, the first electromagnetic telegraph became operational in the city of Göttingen. It was conceived and built by physicists Carl Friedrich Gauß and Wilhelm Weber, and their assistants. It was Weber himself who climbed the buildings to lay the cables, which had a length of 5000 Lower Saxon Foot, about 1460 m, running between the institute of physics and the astronomical observatory.

Gauß wrote: "A wire connection has been established between the observatory and the physics cabinet; the total wire length is approximately 5,000 feet. Our Weber deserves credit for having strung these wires (across St. John's Tower and maternity house) entirely by himself. Almost countless times, the wires, once fully or partially finished, have been torn apart again (through mischief or accident). Finally, a few days ago, the connection appears to have been securely established; instead of the former fine copper wire, a somewhat stronger (varnished) iron wire has been used."

The keyer consisted of two contacts, which could generate a negative or positive electrical pulse. The receiver was a galvanometer, a early form of a moving coil meter, attached to a mirror, which had to be observed with a telescopic set of lenses. Gauß and Weber developed a code of positive and negative pulses for the letters of the alphabet, which allowed for a transmission rate of seven letters per minute. After the galvanometer was improved, 9 letters per minute were possible. The first reported message was: " WISSEN VOR MEINEN SEIN VOR SCHEINEN" (knowledge better than opinion, existence better than semblance).

Although the telegraph line existed until 1845, when it was damaged beyond repair by a lightning strike, it was not constantly in use. Wilhelm Weber was part of the Göttingen Seven and lost his professorship after protesting against King Ernest Augustus' anulment of the liberal constitution. Weber had to eke out a living as a private tutor and had little time to support Gauß, so the telegraph was only used temporarily. Weber regained his professorship after the March Revolution of 1848.

Gauß wrote about the destruction of the telegraph line: "The very strong lightning strike that struck St. John's Tower probably spread across these wires, destroying them all, breaking them into pieces, some larger, some smaller, pieces four to five inches long and countless small balls like poppy seeds, all forming a magnificent shower of fire. […] No damage was done, except that a lady's hat was burned by falling pieces of glowing wire, but it is very likely that the wires protected the tower, which offers no electrical conduction at all, and if ignited in the violent storm would perhaps have put the library and the town in great danger."

Here is the Gauß-Weber code in its two variants:

A: +++++ +

B: ++++- -

C: +++-+ ++

D: +++-- +-

E: ++-++ -+

F: ++-+- --

G: ++--+ +++

H: ++--- ++-

I: +-+++ +-+

K: +-++- +--

L: +-+-+ -++

M: +-+-- -+-

N: +--++ --+

O: +--+- ---

P: +---+ ++++

Q: +---- +++-

R: -++++ ++-+

S: -+++- ++--

T: -++-+ +-++

U: -++-- +-+-

V: -+-++ +--+

W: -+-+- +---

X: -+--+ -+++

Y: -+--- -++-

Z: --+++ -+-+

.: --++-

?: --+-+

/: --+--

Messages using the Gauß-Weber code are sent to the sky by laser during some events in Göttingen today. + and – are represented by long and short laser pulses, respectively.

[biblio-smia]

one bed (ends up cuddling) trope with Mike Schmidt please! thank you & congratulations :)

thank you!! | part of v’s 800 follower celebration!

when you'd picked abby up and she told you about the upcoming overnight field trip her class would be taking, you were signing up as a chaperone before she could even finish speaking. you'd assumed mike would be busy and you were happy to keep an eye on abby. you'd thought it was settled, then, and you spent the afternoon with her until mike came home.

you'd fallen asleep on the couch after abby had gone to bed, mike's late shift keeping the house quiet until a little after eleven. you wake at the sound of keys jingling and by then, you've forgotten all about abby's field trip.

it really slips your mind until you're at the schmidt's, right and early, overnight bag in your backseat. mike is confused, telling you that abby has a field trip today.

"i know," you say hesitantly. "that's why i'm here?"

the two of you turn to look at abby, who's giggling to herself.

"abby!" mike starts with a sigh but it's clear abby feels no remorse.

"they said we could have up to two chaperones!" she defends.

you give mike a look that says well, what can we do? and get abby's stuff in your car.

and really, you don't mind. you'll never protest against time spent with mike and abby, arguably some of your favorite people in the world.

however, you had not anticipated the accommodations.

you'd skimmed through the section briefly before signing off, under the premise that you'd be accompanying abby alone. while students would be spending the night "under the stars" in the observatory, parent chaperones were sent to a nearby hotel.

and, of course, assuming that two chaperones for one student were together, you and mike found yourselves sharing one room - and one bed.

"i can... call? or go to the front desk, we can try to get another room," mike offered quickly, avoiding your gaze, holding on to his things in the instance that he would have to leave the premises.

"that's okay," you say a little weakly. but really, you don't want to shove that responsibility onto mike.

"i can sleep on the floor," mike suggests.

"mike," you say, almost laughing. "i don't mind."

neither of you dare speak of it out loud, taking turns getting ready for bed in silence. it's awful and unlike any time you've spent with mike in almost the entire time you've known him (save for the very first time you'd met). there's a strong avoidance of eye contact as each of you climb into bed on very opposite sides - you're almost afraid mike is going to fall off.

you've been physically closer before, but now there's an intimacy surrounding both of you that frightens you. you're nervous, overly self-conscious of every little movement you make, every habit you have while lulling yourself to sleep.

you wonder what goes on in mike's mind with your backs turned on each other and suddenly you decide you can't take it anymore.

you roll onto your back and, a few moments later, feel mike do the same. you take it a step further, roll onto your side to face mike.

"i bet abby's having so much fun right now," you say with a grin.

"oh, i bet she is passed out," mike challenges.

"i don't know," you hum. "this is, like, the ultimate sleepover."

mike hums and then he's quiet again until finally rolling over to face you.

"is this awkward?"

"i think you're making it awkward." you reach out to pat mike's shoulder. "we've taken naps together before."

"right," mike nods, laying flat on his back again.

you take a chance. you scoot closer to mike, wrap your arm around his. he turns his body towards yours, inviting you closer. you bite your lips as you lean into his shoulder, trying to relax.

"goodnight," you say quietly.

"goodnight."

mike fights, very hard, to resist the urge to kiss your head.

[seigephoenix]

Stuck in my Head 2

Second part to this oneshot >Here<. Part two has just as much smut and no amount of plot again.

Content Warning: cunnilingus, p in v, kissing Length: 3.3k

Annoyance settled over Emmrich after she slipped away from him again.  She was avoiding him.  Odette had been doing that since the night in his observatory.  A night that left him with restless dreams of those lips under his and the taste of her skin on his tongue.  Emmrich glared at her disappearing back as she scurried towards Bellara’s room.  The biggest wound to his pride was she had left that room wanting while he’d been satisfied.  His honor didn’t like that at all.  Emmrich loved the way she said his name, but he wanted to hear his name break on her lips.  He sighed as he sipped his tea.  A plan was forming already.

Bathhouse

Odette sighed as she sank down into the water of the bathhouse.  The Anderfels were always cold, but Hossberg was on another level.  She reached up and tugged her hair down until it fell over her shoulders in golden waves.  She dipped below the water and stayed for a moment before popping back up.  She let the water fall away from her face and sighed happily pushing her hair back.  Odette rested her arms on the side of the bathing pool as she floated in the warm water.  She hummed happily to herself, letting the steam wash away the memory of all that snow.

She didn’t know what she was going to do about Emmrich.  She couldn’t keep avoiding him forever and she needed to apologize to him.  A sigh escaped as she rubbed her eye thinking about the brazen way she’d taken advantage of him.  They’d both had too much wine to drink, but that wasn’t a valid excuse and she knew it.  “You are an adult Odette.  You can use your big girl words and apologize, can’t you?” Her own words had her grumbling about being a coward.  She did need to say sorry for her actions or the team would suffer for it.  With this mistake weighing between her and Emmrich.  Though, Odette didn’t want to call what happened a mistake.  “Maybe the whole not really asking for permission thing…”  She shook her head at herself before getting out of the water.

“Hey Rook.  You in here?” Odette looked up as she heard Taash’s voice.

“I’m in here.  Just getting out actually.  Is everything alright?” She hastily pulled on her clothes as she heard boots approaching.  Taash came around the corner just as Odette piled her hair on the top of her head.

“Hey, you look pretty with your hair up like that.”  Odette paused before laughing at the abrupt compliment.

“Thank you Taash.  Now, what did you need me for?” She gathered up her ruined robes that had been saturated with blight and wrinkled her nose before setting them aside for disposal later.

“Oh!  You got some time to spare for a trip to the Hall of Valor?”

“Is there another fight?” Odette asked walking with Taash out of the bathhouse.

“You could say that.  Isabela wants you in the fighting ring again.”  Odette sighed in exasperation as Taash laughed.  “You fought too good.”

“If I’d known that, I would’ve done a little bit worse,” she grumbled as Taash laughed again.  They were grinning at her.  Odette smiled at Taash’s amusement, knowing that they’d never let her live this down.  To her surprise, Taash grew serious.

“You should take the professor.”  Odette tensed slightly, a miniscule amount, but Taash noticed.  “I thought something was going on.  What happened?”

“That will remain between Emmrich and myself Taash.  I appreciate the help, but I’ve already decided to apologize.  It was just a minor, but awkward, thing.”  Taash gave her a look but sighed.

“Fine.  If you say it’s good.”  Odette nodded and watched them walk off before she turned towards the kitchen to brew some tea.  She heard the scoff behind the wall and chuckled at Lucanis before she headed towards her room.  While it was a room to meditate and communicate with Solas, she moved things around to make it more hers while she was living at the Lighthouse.  Bookshelves lined the walls and the aquarium had a bench seat that allowed her to lean against the glass and stare up at the fish swimming.  Almost like a small bubble of space within the aquarium itself as the glass surrounded her.  It gave her a tranquil place away from the chaos that was her current life.

Odette smiled happily as she perched on the bench next to the aquarium.  She leaned back against the glass, closing her eyes as she let the sound of the water fill her senses.  Shoring up her confidence when she finally faced Emmrich.  The door opening startled her out of her reverie and her breath froze in her chest as she saw the object of her thoughts walking in.

“Emmrich!” She hopped off the bench, wincing as she knocked over her tea mug, the ceramic shattering against the floor.  The liquid splashed all over her clothes to her chagrin.  Damn it.  “Don’t.  Let me clean up the shards.” Odette warned him when he approached.  She knelt next to the pieces and swept up the shards, wincing when one pierced her thumb.  Little bastard.  Disposing of the shards was easy enough and she turned to Emmrich when she was done.

“Do you have a moment?”  Nerves tangled in her belly and she nodded.  “Please, let’s sit for this discussion.”  Her throat tightened as the anxiety loomed close.  She stepped towards the couch, wincing and yelping when a missed shard pierced through her soft shoes.  The pain, sharp and white hot, radiated up her foot and leg.  “Odette?”

“I missed one.”  She hopped over to the small chaise and sat clumsily before bringing her foot up.  Odette was stunned when Emmrich knelt in front of her, cradling her calf in his hands before pulling the shoe off.  “Emmrich?  It’s fine.  Truly, I don’t think I’m even bleeding.”  She tried to tug her leg away but he tightened his grip.

“You are in fact bleeding my dear.”  She winced at the censure she heard there.  Odette sighed and her head fell to the side in annoyance at herself.  “Let me take care of it.”  She nodded and they sat in silence as he disinfected the cut on the bottom of her foot.  Odette repressed the urge to shudder with his fingers cradling her leg the way he was.  His thumb brushed against the inside of her ankle softly but made her blood burn.  His fingers were on her and she wanted more.  She wanted to feel them on her body.  Guilt weighed her down.  He was concerned about her and all she could think about was fucking him.  She’d drive herself mad if she kept up those thoughts, not when she could finally say what she needed to say.

“I’m sorry.” The words came out unbidden and startled Emmrich into looking at her.  “For what happened the other night.”  Odette looked away to the side as heat flushed her face.  “I.  I took advantage of the situation and made you uncomfortable.  I.” Odette paused when he released her foot.  She braced herself for the lecture but to her surprise, his hands grasped her thighs shoving them apart until he knelt between her legs.  Her heart lodged in her throat as her mind scrambled to catch up.  His fingers dug into her legs, sending her pulse skyrocketing again.

“You’re sorry for what happened?” Emmrich asked quietly.  He leaned in until their noses brushed and his lips were inches away from hers.  Her lips parted on a shaky sigh, trembling from the need to taste him.  She leashed the urge back.  Was he doing this on purpose?  Maker, I hope not, this is torture.

“I’m sorry for pressuring you the way I did.”  She spoke quietly turning her face away to hide the turmoil and guilt in her eyes.  Odette gasped when his fingers grasped her chin, pulling until she was facing him again.  “I shouldn’t have pushed the way I did.  I understand it wasn’t something you wanted.”  The breath lodged in her throat when he leaned in.

“Do you think I am so weak that I couldn’t stop you if I wanted to?”  His lips brushed her ear and she shuddered at the way need clenched hard and hot.  Her fingers curled into the cushion fighting the urge to touch him.

“I.  I didn’t think of it like that,” she said quietly.  It explained why he looked so mad at her for apologizing.  Relief swept through her that he wasn’t angry at her.  She’d been terrified he’d be so angry and she’d lose him.

“I am mad about one thing from the other night.”  She tensed when he leaned further in, crowding her against the back of the chaise lounge.  She was trapped on the chaise and her body throbbed from his nearness.  His cologne and warmth wrapped around her, making her palms itch to reach out and touch him.  Her thighs squeezed together to hide the evidence of her arousal.  She felt almost pathetic for being this damned needy when the man hadn’t even touched her.  Just his proximity and his voice were enough to have her body dripping and aching for him.  Odette let out a trembling sigh before asking him what he was mad about.  “The fact you left and didn’t come back.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to see my face after that…  When Harding interrupted us, you seemed angry.”  Odette paused in surprise as the cool air of her room hit her chest.  Her eyes darted down seeing his fingers slip the last of her buttons free.  When had he?  The front of her blouse fell away, exposing her skin to his hands and eyes.

“I wasn’t mad at you.”  Emmrich’s words were spoken against her skin, trailing his lips from her temple to the corner of her mouth.  One hand came up to grasp the bottom of her chin, keeping her from still.  Her heart raced against his palm.  Odette bit her lips to keep from moaning, she was so damned needy.  “I was frustrated.  I wasn’t done with you.”

“Wh-what?” Any other words were cut off by his lips slanting over hers in a devouring kiss.  He tasted her moan on his tongue when her lips parted beneath his.  His fingers tightened on her chin as her felt her melting under him.  He slowly trailed his fingers down her throat, smiling against her lips at the feel of her racing pulse against them.  The tip of his finger traced the edges of her bra, teasing in slow sensuous touches.  Her nipples beaded beneath the fabric and he felt his control slipping ever so slightly.

He saw her hands clenched into fists against the soft material of her chaise.  He wanted to feel them in his hair, on his body, he just wanted her to touch him.  The way she’d tangled her fingers in it the other night haunted his dreams along with everything else.  “Why are you so tense?”  He trailed his lips over her jaw, nibbling at her sensitive skin.  His lips curved in a self-satisfied smile when that tiny hitch in her breath hit his ears.

“I.  I don’t know.  I thought you’d be mad at me for what happened, but now that I know you’re not…  I’m not sure why…”  Odette didn’t want to admit to herself that she was still afraid to touch.  She was scared that if she did, it would make him come to his senses and he’d leave her.  Irrational and stupid, but she couldn’t stop herself from thinking those thoughts.  She forced her fingers to relax, resting them on her thighs to ease the ache in them.

The move brought his attention to her thighs.  “Don’t hesitate to touch me if you want to dearest.”  His lips brushed her temple and he sensed the unease in her.  She was skittish of getting close, he sensed that actions would speak louder than words with her.  Emmrich hoped that with time she’d grow more comfortable with him, but he would go at her pace and do what he could to soothe those anxious thoughts.

“It’s alright?”  Emmrich gathered her hands in his, bringing them up until his lips pressed a kiss against her palms.  Odette’s lips curved in a shaky smile before twisting into a gasp when he captured her wrists in one of his hands, pulling until her back arched against him.  His other hand eased down her body, cupping her breast in his hand.  His fingers rolled her nipple before he squeezed the warm weight in his hand.  Her head fell back against the back of the chaise on a moan.  Emmrich knew she was sensitive, but this was going to test his patience.  The urge to just take her rode him, but he wasn’t going to give in until he felt her fall apart.  He twisted the clasp between her breasts and pushed the fabric away from her chest, leaving them bare for his gaze.

His lips grazed the underside of her jaw, leaving nibbling kisses down her neck.  Her lips parted on his name spoken in a breathy whisper that sent heat curling in his body.  Impatience simmered but he would savor this, savor her.  He released her hands to hook his fingers in her trousers, tugging until he threw them over his shoulder.  She sat there staring at him in stunned shock with all that blonde hair falling around her shoulders.  He wasn’t sure when it came out of the knot she’d put it in, but he was thankful for it.  Her hair was like a halo that framed her face, and she was his goddess.

Odette shuddered when his palms cruised over her thighs, letting his thumbs stroke along the sensitive skin.  Odette fought the urge to cover herself, she knew what he’d see and she was slightly embarrassed by the fact she was soaked.  His hands rested against her thighs, not moving.  Frustration cut deep but she saw the devilish look in his eyes.  He was doing it on purpose.  Odette wanted to groan in exasperation, if her core didn’t ache for his touch.  A steady, aching throb beat between her legs for him.  Odette flushed when she saw how close his hands were to her core and she glanced to the side.  She didn’t have time to react before he tugged and her legs were thrown over his shoulders.  She squealed when his mouth settled on her clit over the soft cotton.  He ignored her protests and wrapped his hands around her thighs.

“Emmrich!  You don’t.”  Her head fell back on a moan when his thumb pulled her panties aside and his lips closed over her clit, sucking gently on the tiny bud.  Her fingers tangled in his hair at the pulse of heat between her legs.  Heat sparked along her nerves, focused solely on him and his lips.  She was so close already it was embarrassing.  The heat tangled into a tight knot throbbing where his lips were.  Her toes curled when he slipped two fingers inside of her.  He curled them and stars exploded behind her eyelids.  The tension burst in languid waves of heat rolling through her body.  His name was a broken moan on her lips as the exquisite pleasure throbbed between her legs.  Odette couldn’t believe she came that fast.

Emmrich knew one thing.  He eased back when her legs went limp around his shoulders.  He knew that he’d never forget the sound of his name on her lips when she broke apart around him.  His hands gently slid her legs off his shoulders, careful of the wound on her foot, before he grabbed her hips.  Her eyes were cloudy from his kisses, his tongue, and his hands.  He’d never call himself a greedy man, not before he met Odette Ingellvar.  He couldn’t get enough of her.  Her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when she was excited about something.  Everything about her he loved.  A lifetime wouldn’t be enough.

Odette was struggling to steady her breathing.  Her head was still reeling from that mind numbing orgasm.  She jumped when his hands squeezed her hips and her eyes met his.  What was he doing?  Odette’s lips parted to ask the question but his lips covered hers instead.  She tasted herself on his lips and her core ached again for him.  She shifted with him, pausing when he knelt between her legs on the chaise.

“One of these days, you’ll need to get a proper bed dearest.”  Odette wanted to laugh at the indignation in his voice.  She hadn’t really thought about it before.  The chaise offered her enough comfort for a night of sleep, and that was all she’d needed at first.

“I have one back in the Grand Necropolis,” she replied to his surprise.

“As do I.  We shall have to make use of them when we go back to Nevarra.”  His forehead rested against hers as he spoke.  She reached up caressing his face as if committing it to memory.  His lips brushed against hers, tantalizing her with whisper soft kisses.  She was absorbed in him and didn’t notice anything but his lips until his cock brushed her slick core.

Odette was no fresh faced virgin, but it had been a long time.  She looked up into his face and smiled softly.  She trusted Emmrich.  Her hands pulled him down for another drugging kiss moaning against his lips when his cock slid inside her body.  Her head fell back as he moved slowly filling her until she couldn’t think of anything but him.  His lips trailed over her neck, leaving a trail of biting kisses along the sensitive skin.  His eyes noted the reddened skin in the wake of his kisses.  An unfamiliar sense of possessiveness filled him and he quickly shut it down.

“Are you feeling alright Odette?” She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him flush against her.  He chuckled at her impatience, burying his face in all of that wavy hair.  “I will take that as a yes?”

“I’m fine Emmrich.  But I won’t be if you don’t move,” she hissed at him.  He shuddered when her fingers tangled in his hair.  Seeing the normally composed Rook fraying at the edges, showing impatience in her words and body, it was worth more than he could ever say.  His hips rocked against hers and he swallowed her moan against his lips.  Her body squeezed him and he knew he wasn’t going to last long if she kept that up.

Odette’s breaths came in short, choppy bursts as she met his thrusts.  Impatience simmered as he kept the pace torturously slow.  She didn’t want slow.  She groaned against his shoulder as he finally, finally began to move inside her.  Acting on an impulse, her lips closed over his pulse point and she sucked.  The small purple mark against his skin sent a thrill through her, she clamped down on his cock seeing it.  He hissed out her name in warning but she didn’t care.  She’d heal it later if he didn’t like it.

His hips rocked steadily against hers, chasing his orgasm and hers.  His hand slid between them to tease and massage that tiny sensitive bud.  Her cries bounced off the walls of her room as she fell off the precipice.  Emmrich clenched his jaw feeling the way her walls squeezed him with each wave of heat that rolled through her.  He hissed out her name when he followed her off the edge.

Emmrich kept his weight on his forearms as they struggled to steady their breathing.  Reality was threatening to intrude but Odette wasn’t about to let it.  She was surprised when Emmrich shuffled them on the chaise, stretching out on the cushions and tucking her against him.  She paused for only a moment before relaxing in his arms.  Reality would come soon enough, but for now she wanted to stay within his warm embrace.

[stargazers-paradise]

-> Star blushed when he felt his angel hug his waist from behind, leaning back a little to rest against his lover. He had some little journal in one hand and a fancy looking pen in the other. -> The observatory was basically like Star's workspace. All sorts of astronomy machines spotted around here and there, shelves filled with books about stars and planets and the likes, a couple of foldable desks here and there. -> A massive carpet was spread out across the floor, black in color and covered with little intricate patterns meant to represent various constellations. The roof of this room was nothing more than a massive clear glass dome. And the most important thing in that room was.... That big ass fucking telescope sticking out from a section of the dome.

The dove yawns and stretches. He feels the bed around him for Star but is unable to feel him. He opened his eyes and yawned again.

Getting up and fluffed up his feathers and tiredly started to look for his fiancé. What he didn’t notice is that he was asleep for the whole morning.

@follower-sword

-> Most of the prince's little accessories were still left within the bedroom. Jacket hanging off a chair, all of his little jewelry pieces in their proper places and his little mask resting on the desk in the bedroom. -> The prince himself however was up in the observatory room, one of the considerably larger rooms within the palace. Star seemed to go in there whenever he wasn't feeling the best...

[monstermag]

Meet The Editors: Atlas

-- Who are you (persona) ?

Atlas is a creative little bun with not enough time. They love dark fantasy and eccentric world-building. You can call them by any pronouns!

-- What do you do (art, writing, sculpting, singing, etc)?

These days, when they have time, they enjoy writing! They have been doing it since they were little and just never stopped. They spend a lot of time roleplaying now since it is easier to pick up and put down.

-- Top 3 Monsters

Demon

Half animals/hybrids/weres

Vampire

-- Top 3 Romance Tropes

Slow burn

Opposites attract

Size difference

-- Share something with the class!

Atlas started the magazine after having several years of experience working on their university’s writing publication. They recently stepped back from the lead editor role to work on their Master’s degree.

Thank you Atlas!

Bonus content below.

SEEN? WHYWOLF SIGHTINGS INCREASE!

"I saw one on Europa Station. He had glowing eyes, tore through a bulkhead like paper, then apologized for scaring my cat." – Anonymous report

Full moons aren't just for Earth anymore. From the icy rings of Titan to orbital colonies in Centauri space, reports of Whywolves: creatures driven by a desperate need to know, not devour, are flooding in. Several smarties have reported being cornered and aggressively quizzed on Transcendental Federationism. Some blame terraforming, others say it's latent DNA responding to alien lunar resonance. Either way? They're tall, toothy, and dangerously dateable.

🧛‍♂️💘 QUIZ: WHICH MONSTER IS YOUR SOULMATE? 💘🧛‍♂️

A personality test for those who like their romance with a side of supernatural.

1. What's your ideal date location? A) Abandoned graveyard at midnight B) Deep space observatory during a meteor shower C) Volcanic cave hot springs D) Rooftop in a futuristic city during a lightning storm

2. Your love language? A) Biting (affectionately) B) Whispered telepathy C) Heated debates and physical sparring D) Brooding poetry

3. Your dream gift? A) An enchanted silver locket B) A star map made of obsidian C) A flaming sword D) A haunted diary

4. How do you handle conflict? A) Howl, then cuddle B) Vanish for a century C) Fight, then kiss D) Sulk until someone notices

5. What's your fatal flaw? A) Too loyal B) Mysteriously unavailable C) Hot-tempered D) Emotionally tortured

💖 RESULTS:

Mostly A's: 🐺 Werewolf Soul Mate – They're wild, protective, and always down for a moonlit run. Mostly B's: 👻 Ghost Soul Mate – You love mystery and eternal longing...and the idea of a ghost floating through you. Mostly C's: 🔥 Demon Soul Mate – Passionate, powerful, and probably going to drag you to hell—but in a sexy way. Mostly D's: 🧛 Vampire Soul Mate – Elegant, tragic, goth. Get ready for an eternal situationship.

 No wrong answers... unless you matched with a werewolf AND a vampire. That's a red flag, Loca.

🚀 NACELLE TECHNOLOGY JUST GOT SEXY

"It felt like kissing physics itself." – Pilot Nova V Crusher

Interstellar travel just got steamy. The new PulseCore Nacelles glide through space-time like a plasma knife through a Earth bagel, combining technology with style. Their graviton twist drive cuts warp turbulence and delivers smoother warp-space jumps. Your ship doesn't just move—it reforms time and energy around itself.

Even hotter? The nacelle casings are made from emotion-reactive alloys. That means your vessel glows differently when you're excited, calm... or falling in love at 90% the speed of light.

Ships now come with "Mood Ring Mode." Blue for Chill vibes Gold for Romantic tension Red for Probably a space demon attack

Still craving more? Check out our latest edition of Monster Heart Magazine by following this link.

[mariacallous]

There are trillions upon trillions of numbers in the world. We use numbers to describe almost every conceivable thing in the universe. But there is one number that surpasses all others for the enormous impact it will have on every living thing on Earth over the next few thousand years. We consider it so important that we’ve dedicated our lives to acquiring and understanding it. Today that number happens to be: 427.6.

This is a measure (known in scientific terms as the mole fraction) of atmospheric carbon dioxide at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, in parts per million. It’s part of a continuous chain of observations stretching back across two generations, to 1958, when Dave Keeling recorded the first measurement of 313 parts per million. Dave Keeling maintained this record, known as the Keeling Curve, using a running hodgepodge of short-term grants until 2005, at which point geochemist Ralph Keeling, a professor at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, coauthor of this piece and Dave’s son, assumed its stewardship. But now, after 67 years of battling to keep the program funded and provide the data to other scientists around the world, the program faces its most dire threat ever.

Why? Endeavors of this nature—highly precise measurements of a trace gas over many decades—require three basic inputs: knowledge, people, and money. It’s the third one that’s at risk, thanks to the current administration’s attacks on NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA provides support for our program both through an annual grant and through invaluable “in-kind” support, such as staffers taking samples for us, maintaining buildings in remote areas where sampling occurs, and running the Mauna Loa Observatory.

Monthly average carbon dioxide concentration at Mauna Loa (top panel) and annual financial support for the Scripps CO2 program (bottom panel), adjusted for inflation to US dollars in 2007. Photographer: Adapted from Sundquist and Keeling, 2009

The Trump administration has made clear it wishes to gut NOAA’s research enterprise, which is at the center of climate research globally. Already, we’ve seen large-scale firings and rejections of research proposals. Recent guidance from the Office of Management and Budget shows the administration intends to assiduously follow the blueprint of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and shutter the Ocean and Atmospheric Research Line Office. This is not just a little haircut for a large federal agency—it’s grabbing the scissors and stabbing the agency through the heart. If successful, this loss will be a nightmare scenario for climate science, not just in the United States, but the world. It will also likely spell the end of our ability to continuously update the Keeling Curve.

Against this ominous backdrop, a small group of scientists is scrambling to preserve the ability to know how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere. NOAA maintains a global backbone of measurements of carbon dioxide and other gases, not just at Mauna Loa, but at more than 50 stations around the world. In parallel, our program at Scripps maintains records at a dozen stations. Other countries also contribute, but their efforts are almost all focused regionally, leaving the big picture to just a few programs that are global in scope. Climate change, however, is a global problem, and global networks address the really important questions. Such networks provide critical information on how fast carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are building up in the air from fossil-fuel burning and other processes. They provide information on how much carbon dioxide is being removed from the atmosphere by the oceans and by land plants. They provide information critical to independently verify emissions, to negotiate international treaties, to make decisions now about how much carbon dioxide the world can emit. These observational networks are the factual basis upon which all efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change are based.

NOAA and Scripps play another key role in the atmospheric measurement community. How does the world know that the value of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today is really 427.6 and not 427.7 parts per million? Such differences may seem small, but they are consequential in the realm of climate research, and they can be calculated only because a lot of work has gone into calibration. Hundreds of groups can measure carbon dioxide using various off-the-shelf analyzers, but these analyzers first need to be calibrated using compressed air that has a known amount of carbon dioxide in it. Scripps assumed the lead role for preparing tanks filled with known amounts of carbon dioxide and dispensing them to the community until 1995, at which point NOAA took over.

The country and the world are now at risk of losing the only two programs that have played this central role. If the current administration has its way, the climate change research community could soon be fully adrift, unable to know with sufficient accuracy how quickly carbon dioxide levels are rising.

Even in the best of times, long-term observations can be very fragile. It is difficult to convince funding agencies to put money into long-term observations because, by definition, they are continuations; they have been done before. Most funding entities, from science agencies to philanthropic organizations, want to be associated with exciting, groundbreaking work, and sustained observations are too routine to scratch that itch. (Dave Keeling records in his autobiography, Rewards and Penalties of Monitoring the Earth, that at one point a National Science Foundation program manager demanded that, to maintain funding, he generate two discoveries per year from his record of carbon dioxide levels.)

Another vulnerability stems from the fact that the community of researchers making sustained measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide probably numbers less than 30. Graduate students interested in learning to conduct this arcane work are a rare commodity. Patience and attention to detail are required, and years may be needed to accumulate enough data to answer the key questions or make groundbreaking discoveries. Researchers have to be extremely diligent and exacting to ensure that measurements in 1958 are comparable to those today. Calibration is an endless chore. This scientific pursuit isn’t for everyone.

Perversely, while the Keeling Curve has attained iconic global importance, this actually can hinder, rather than help the funding situation. Environmental programs tend to be organized by geographic domain and discipline—the National Water Quality Program of the US Geological Survey, NSF’s Arctic Observing Network, and the US Forest Service, for instance. Amid these focused efforts, the big picture can be lost. As the climate change field has evolved, we have found it increasingly difficult to find sponsors who accept responsibility for measuring vital signs of the Earth as a whole.

The original Mauna Loa measurements were started during the International Geophysical Year in 1957/1958. This was a massive, remarkable effort, led by the United States and including 67 countries, with the goal (simply put) of measuring every physical attribute possible on the Earth in one year. It led to numerous, important scientific discoveries and the establishment of many measurement programs worldwide. It established the South Pole station, for instance, a home for vital climate research that is still going today. It was a time of enormous optimism, of international cooperation (even during the height of the Cold War), of vast dreams, of global cooperation. And the United States was proud to lead the way.

This sense of endeavor continued into the 1970s, when then president Richard Nixon—a conservative Republican—established NOAA to better understand the world’s oceans and atmosphere. By the 1980s, the NOAA grew in scope, alongside the Scripps effort, to become the beating heart of global climate science. Now, after just three short months of the Trump administration, we are contemplating the abdication of US leadership in oceanic and atmospheric science and the loss of the largest and most critical observing network for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and their calibration laboratories.

Our colleagues at NOAA are living day to day, not sure if tomorrow will be their last on the job. We pray that common sense will prevail and that NOAA will be spared the worst. Whatever its fate, we will remain in the fight to preserve the world’s ability to measure carbon dioxide levels with whatever support we can muster, a small bulwark against climate science’s new dark age.

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Deep dives into folklore: stone henge

Stonehenge, the iconic prehistoric monument standing on the Salisbury Plain in England, has captivated the human imagination for centuries. This deep dive essay embarks on an exploration of the folklore surrounding Stonehenge and the myriad theories proposed to unravel the enigmatic origins of this ancient structure.

I. Folklore and Mythic Narratives:

Stonehenge's folklore is rich with mythic narratives that span centuries and cultures. In Arthurian legend, Merlin is said to have transported the stones from Ireland and arranged them as a monument of healing. The Welsh tale of the Giant's Dance attributes the creation of Stonehenge to giants who brought the massive stones from Africa. These folklore elements intertwine with the cultural fabric of the British Isles, weaving a tapestry of fantastical tales around the monument.

II. Astronomical Alignments: A Cosmic Connection

One prevailing theory suggests that Stonehenge served as an astronomical observatory, aligning with celestial events such as the solstices and equinoxes. The configuration of the stones appears to have been deliberately positioned to mark the movements of the sun and moon. This theory posits that Stonehenge was a sophisticated calendar or ceremonial site, reflecting the profound importance of celestial cycles in the spiritual and cultural practices of its builders.

III. Rituals and Ceremonial Functions:

Another theory proposes that Stonehenge functioned as a sacred space for rituals and ceremonies. The alignment of the stones with celestial events may have served a dual purpose, allowing the ancient builders to not only mark time but also create a sacred arena for religious observances. The presence of burial mounds in the vicinity suggests that Stonehenge may have been a site for funerary rituals, honoring ancestors and aligning with the cycles of life and death.

IV. Social and Cultural Hub:

Some scholars propose that Stonehenge served as a social and cultural hub, drawing people from distant regions for communal activities and trade. The sheer effort required to transport the massive stones over long distances suggests a collaborative and organized effort. Stonehenge may have functioned as a meeting place where diverse communities gathered for seasonal festivals, trade exchanges, or important cultural events.

V. Symbolic and Metaphysical Interpretations:

Stonehenge's enduring mystery has also fueled more esoteric and metaphysical interpretations. Some believe that the monument possesses mystical energies, acting as a portal or conduit for spiritual experiences. New Age enthusiasts and modern pagans often visit Stonehenge during significant celestial events, seeking a connection with ancient wisdom or a transcendent experience.

VI. Architectural Ingenuity:

The technological prowess of the ancient builders of Stonehenge remains a subject of fascination. The precision with which the massive stones were quarried, transported, and erected suggests advanced engineering skills. Recent archaeological discoveries, such as the Stonehenge Riverside Project, have shed light on the complexity of the surrounding landscape, indicating a network of features that complemented the monument's function.

Stonehenge, with its colossal stones standing in silent testimony to the mysteries of the past, continues to inspire wonder, speculation, and exploration. The folklore surrounding this ancient monument, intertwined with Arthurian legends and tales of giants, adds a layer of enchantment to its narrative. Meanwhile, the diverse theories about its origins—from astronomical observatory to cultural hub—reflect the enduring quest to unravel the multifaceted significance of Stonehenge in the lives of its builders and in the broader context of human history. As ongoing research and discoveries unfold, Stonehenge remains an archaeological and cultural treasure, inviting us to contemplate the enduring enigma of this iconic site.