#SCREW YOU ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE!!

[lunar-wandering]

it is thunderinggggg

[mariacallous]

The Ocean Sciences Building at the University of Washington in Seattle is a brightly modern, four-story structure, with large glass windows reflecting the bay across the street.

On the afternoon of July 7, 2016, it was being slowly locked down.

Red lights began flashing at the entrances as students and faculty filed out under overcast skies. Eventually, just a handful of people remained inside, preparing to unleash one of the most destructive forces in the natural world: the crushing weight of about 2½ miles of ocean water.

In the building’s high-pressure testing facility, a black, pill-shaped capsule hung from a hoist on the ceiling. About 3 feet long, it was a scale model of a submersible called Cyclops 2, developed by a local startup called OceanGate. The company’s CEO, Stockton Rush, had cofounded the company in 2009 as a sort of submarine charter service, anticipating a growing need for commercial and research trips to the ocean floor. At first, Rush acquired older, steel-hulled subs for expeditions, but in 2013 OceanGate had begun designing what the company called “a revolutionary new manned submersible.” Among the sub’s innovations were its lightweight hull, which was built from carbon fiber and could accommodate more passengers than the spherical cabins traditionally used in deep-sea diving. By 2016, Rush’s dream was to take paying customers down to the most famous shipwreck of them all: the Titanic, 3,800 meters below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

Engineers carefully lowered the Cyclops 2 model into the testing tank nose-first, like a bomb being loaded into a silo, and then screwed on the tank’s 3,600-pound lid. Then they began pumping in water, increasing the pressure to mimic a submersible’s dive. If you’re hanging out at sea level, the weight of the atmosphere above you exerts 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi). The deeper you go, the stronger that pressure; at the Titanic’s depth, the pressure is about 6,500 psi. Soon, the pressure gauge on UW’s test tank read 1,000 psi, and it kept ticking up—2,000 psi, 5,000 psi. At about the 73-minute mark, as the pressure in the tank reached 6,500 psi, there was a sudden roar and the tank shuddered violently.

“I felt it in my body,” an OceanGate employee wrote in an email later that night. “The building rocked, and my ears rang for a long time.”

“Scared the shit out of everyone,” he added.

The model had imploded thousands of meters short of the safety margin OceanGate had designed for.

In the high-stakes, high-cost world of crewed submersibles, most engineering teams would have gone back to the drawing board, or at least ordered more models to test. Rush’s company didn’t do either of those things. Instead, within months, OceanGate began building a full-scale Cyclops 2 based on the imploded model. This submersible design, later renamed Titan, eventually made it down to the Titanic in 2021. It even returned to the site for expeditions the next two years. But nearly one year ago, on June 18, 2023, Titan dove to the infamous wreck and imploded, instantly killing all five people onboard, including Rush himself.

The disaster captivated and horrified the world. Deep-sea experts criticized OceanGate’s choices, from Titan’s carbon-fiber construction to Rush’s public disdain for industry regulations, which he believed stifled innovation. Organizations that had worked with OceanGate, including the University of Washington as well as the Boeing Company, released statements denying that they contributed to Titan.

A trove of tens of thousands of internal OceanGate emails, documents, and photographs provided exclusively to WIRED by anonymous sources sheds new light on Titan’s development, from its initial design and manufacture through its first deep-sea operations. The documents, validated by interviews with two third-party suppliers and several former OceanGate employees with intimate knowledge of Titan, reveal never-before-reported details about the design and testing of the submersible. They show that Boeing and the University of Washington were both involved in the early stages of OceanGate’s carbon-fiber sub project, although their work did not make it into the final Titan design. The trove also reveals a company culture in which employees who questioned their bosses’ high-speed approach and decisions were dismissed as overly cautious or even fired. (The former employees who spoke to WIRED have asked not to be named for fear of being sued by the families of those who died aboard the vessel.) Most of all, the documents show how Rush, blinkered by his own ambition to be the Elon Musk of the deep seas, repeatedly overstated OceanGate’s progress and, on at least one occasion, outright lied about significant problems with Titan’s hull, which has not been previously reported.

A representative for OceanGate, which ceased all operations last summer, declined to comment on WIRED’s findings.

[mykneeshurt]

Pride

Thank you to @ave661 for the eye candy

Price x AFAB!reader

Warnings - 18+, minors DNI, daddy kink, praise kink, semi-public sex, p in v, oral f receiving, oral m receiving, unprotected sex

Reader is early 30s Price is 38 … though in my mind he’s 100% 45 lmao man radiates dilf energy

This isn’t proof read … I love chaos

It’s started as a joke, a tongue in cheek joke aimed towards you Captain over some celebratory drinks in the local pub. It had been a hard mission, alcohol was a must after what you’d been through as a team. It was the middle of December, fairy lights hung above the bar as a roaring fire lit up the snug corner of the pub.

Drinks were flowing, the atmosphere was cosy and conversation was easy. You were sat in the middle of your Captain and your Lieutenant. Their wide bodies crowded you in the booth as you relaxed into the warmth of their firm muscles. As you were drinking Gaz came running up to the table ‘right, I’m off.’ He had a smirk on his face as he downed the last of his pint, noticing a woman stood by the door you threw him a wink ‘she’s very pretty Gaz. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.’

Soon after Johnny slipped away, telling you he was meeting up with an old friend. Even your stoic Lieutenant had been making eyes at a lucky woman at the bar. Turning to your Captain, your head swimming in alcohol you pouted at him. ‘What’s the matter cap? Worried you’re a bit too old for these spring chickens in here?’ You smiled as you said it, rubbing your tongue over your teeth.

‘Careful love’ he growled, just low enough so only you could hear, ‘could teach you a thing or two yanno.’ You scoffed rolling your eyes, you dropped your eyes to his lips as you bit yours softly. ‘An old man like you? What would you know about pleasing a woman?’

And that’s exactly how you ended up in the back of his car, laid out, bottom half bare as he ran his tongue up and down your cunt. You gripped the leather seats as his tongue swirled around your clit, adding just the right amount of pressure to sent jolts of electricity through your body.

Your sweet moans filled the car as Price inhaled them like the very oxygen he needed to survive. Arching your hips into him you craved more. He was holding back. ‘John … please’ you begged as you gripped his arm. ‘What’s the matter? Old man too much for you?’ He questioned, his deep blue eyes fixated on your glowing body. ‘Feels so good John, don’t stop.’

With your permission he grazed your slit with his thick fingers, gathering your arousal. The sound was sinful. You bit your lip as he gently pushed into you, stretching your hole as you gasped for breath. You couldn’t see it, but he had one hell of a smug grin over his face. If it was one thing the Captain took pride in? It was how he could fuck.

He picked up his pace as he slowly added a second finger, stretching you further. He watched as his fingers moved in and out of your glistening hole, conducting a chorus of gasps and moans from your lips. He kept thrusting his fingers, watching your body writhe from pleasure. Your chest heaving and panting, your eyes screwed shut as you clenched your thighs around him.

‘Pretty little thing ain’t you?’ He cooed, before adding his thumb to your swollen bundle of nerves. A sharp gasp left your lips at the sudden intrusion. ‘Shit, oh my god’ you whimpered, burying your face into the leather seat. He leant over you, still keeping his punishing pace, lips hovering just above yours. ‘Not god love, just John.’

Feeling you begin to clench around his fingers he replaced his thumb with his mouth. Nipping, sucking and licking your clit, pushing you further and further to the brink of your orgasm. A string of incoherent words emerged from your throat as you threw your head back. ‘That’s it, give it to me love’ he whispered against your cunt, his beard tickling your sensitive skin.

Pushing your fingers through his hair you gripped it, pulling his face further into your aching pussy. He smiled against your folds savouring your arousal on his tongue. Your orgasm rushed over you in a tidal wave of unbridled pleasure. Completely blinded by your orgasm you hadn’t realised what you’d moaned.

Opening your eyes you saw Price staring down at you, a devilish glint in his eye. ‘Daddy huh?’ Oh god no. You didn’t realise you’d said it. He nuzzled into your neck nipping it softly between his teeth ‘mmm let daddy show you how well he can fuck eh?’ It was a growl, a low rumble from the depths of his chest.

He pulled you up onto his lap as he kissed you, his arms wrapped around you as he cupped your head into his. The kiss was messy and desperate, tongues fighting for control amongst the mass of teeth and lips. Rolling your hips into him you felt his hard cock against your core. ‘Fuck me John, now’ you demanded. Never being one to say no he quickly pulled out his cock and lined himself up.

You sank down onto his cock, both gasping as he filled your hole. He gripped your hips and began guiding you, rolling you back and forth as you covered his cock with your arousal. ‘Keep goin love, just like that … pussys so good’ he praised. He licked his lips as you began bouncing, wrapping your arms around his neck you nipped his bottom lip.

The windows were steamed up, the car filled with the sound of skin on skin, your pussy being filled and fucked. But the good Captain wanted more, wanted to show you how good he really was. In a swift motion he placed you face down on the back seat, instinctively you arched your hips up to meet him. He slipped back into your cunt, both of you gasping once more.

You pushed back into him as he began to thrust, gripping both your hips he slammed into you. A truly punishing pace, his cock felt so good as it ground against your core. He let out deep satisfied moans as he fucked you from behind. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head, feeling completely cock drunk. ‘Oh fuck daddy!’ You wailed as you scrambled to grip onto the leather seat, his pace was unrelenting. ‘That’s right’ he growled, ‘let daddy take this of this pussy.’

Spanking your ass he watched as the muscle juggled with each thrust. His eyes glued to the shape of your body beneath him, he snaked his hand into your hair. Pulling you backward causing your to arch your back further, your tits bounced each time he slammed into your pussy. ‘Oh fuck, right there, right there daddy’ you spat through gritted teeth.

‘Good girl, takin’ this cock so well.’ The praise drove you wild, it was like nothing you’d ever experienced before. Your skin felt like it was on fire, he rubbed your back, each fibre of your being lit up as he caressed you. ‘More daddy please, please please please’ you muttered, it was almost like a mantra. He spanked you again ‘little whore cock drunk already? Daddy’s doin a good job huh?’ He groaned under his breath.

You felt yourself tighten against his cock, ‘fuck fuck fuck, gonna cum’ you said, your voice strained from pure pleasure and desire. He dropped his hand from your waist to your clit, toying with it between his fingers. Daring you to come on his cock, pushing you further and further. He couldn’t not make you come again, his pride wouldn’t let him. He needed to hear your pretty little moans again, feel your cunt constrict around his cock.

Your jaw went slack, eyes rolling to the back of your head as you pushed your forehead into the seat beneath you. No sound came from your mouth as your orgasm ripped through you. John wasn’t too far behind, he pulled out and flipped you over, shoving his cock down your throat. You gagged around him as he came down your throat. Looking up at him through hooded lids, tears stung the corners of your eyes as you swallowed.

Whispered grunts and whimpers fell from his lips as his cock pulsated in your mouth. Your sweet saliva coating the entire length of his sensitive shaft. He offered you a warm smile as he pulled out, tracing your jaw with his thumb. ‘Now. What do you say to daddy?’

With a content sigh you licked your lips as you grazed his muscular thigh with your nails. ‘Mmm thank you.’

————

Taglist - @luminousbeings-crudematter @griffmors

I low key hate this lmfao daddy kink makes me shudder but it fit - thank you to @johnnytavish who suggested the daddy kink lmao

[slaughtershrine]

Words said once before.

(The Dark Lord/Dracula x Reader)

Summary: You had worked so hard for everyone all trial. You did gens, avoided the killer and even saved your teammates at the same time, wanting everyone to get out. Only to be betrayed at the last moment, your escape not nearly as important to others as theirs had been to you, hit and pushed down as nothing but bait for The Dark Lord. Word-count: 865.

Warning(s): Mentions of blood.

Everything spins as you lay nauseous on your aching back. Hunching over generators has been bad enough, the pulsing burn that had started at your lower spine has been making it's way to your shoulders throughout the whole trial. But the ache couldn't compare to the resentment you feel. You had done nothing but worked so hard on gens the whole trial — and such a good job at avoiding the killer not to mention saving your teammates, only to have a locker door slammed in your face, when one of your teammates jumps out, right as you made a break to open the exit gate. Mistakes happen, especially under fear and pressure during trials... But the feeling of them pushing you down, using you as opportune bait so they have a better chance to escape — it was smart. Such a painfully good advantage for them. But, the betrayal and embarrassment you feel couldn't have come at a worse time, looking up to see the new killer, looking down at you with a raised eyebrow at your pathetic downfall. Fuck he's tall. You had barely seen him, not a single chase — only a few split-second glances as you hid between pallets.

He's intimidating, just his atmosphere feels dark and suffocating. It's not hard to imagine freshly bloomed roses dying — wilting instantly from his gaze. You can feel his eyes scrutinizing every attribute you have, and you know what's coming next. A deep, low chuckle leaves his lips as his large hand reaches down toward you. "You are quite a pitiful thing, aren't you?" he mockingly asks. "Working so hard to help the rest, only to be left to die. How typical." You stare up at him with a more feeble expression than you would have liked, dreading as his hand comes closer and closer. His fingers long and pointed, with sharp nails to match. Thoughts of those claws tearing through your skin and toying with your muscles overtake you. It's impossible to fight off your body's reflex of screwing your eyes shut, and fearing for the worst.

Though you don't get lifted by your throat and held at arm's length, dragged to a hook like your fellow team-mates. Instead four cold finger pads drag down your cheek, a thumb on your opposite cheek to firmly hold your face in place during the action. "I can practically smell your blood rushing through your veins, and it is quite lovely." he purrs each word with intensity. His nails feel so sharp, like a painful itch under your skin. Leaving a horrid tingling, sting trailing down your cheek. When he pulls his hand away you feel a warm, liquid drip down your face. Blood. It's a slow trail, with not much blood, but it still leaves you stunned. You hear a deep growl come from his chest, you can feel it even, vibrating through the floor to your own chest. It has your eyes shooting back open, up to his face in panic. He looks down at his claw-ish nail, a small bead of your blood teetering on the tip. A sadistic smile spreads across his lips, he doesn't move his gaze from yours as he brings the digit to his mouth, licking the droplet of blood from it with a pleased groan. You feel sick, you can only think about gagging. You want to run, you want to leave.

The exit gate you had planned to open, sounds an alarm as it creaks open behind the killer, but he doesn't budge, he doesn't even break eye contact. You can hear someone's heavy panting and the stomps from their sprinting. You don't need to look to know that your teammate has left, and they aren't coming back for you. Besides, your eyes seem to be playing tricks on you, distorting your view, making it seem as though he is leaning in. Or is he leaning in? Why is he leaning in?? You can feel his breath on your face, cold, stale, dead. It feels wrong, unnatural and your stomach can't handle the scent of iron — from your own blood no less. He watches your eyes scrunch close again, the way your body sinks back from him as he leans in, the way he can smell the fear radiates off you. It's absolutely perfect. You're more appealing than the other human monsters. "What's the matter, pet?" He asks, his tone thick with amusement. His breath tickles your cheek, as he leans in closer. "Are you afraid?" His question is followed by a muffled, throaty chuckle, a sound you weren't expecting to hear. His hand finds its way back to your face, under your chin, pulling and forcing you to look at him again. You worked so hard to help the others, it reminds him of someone.

His fangs are exposed and prominent as he slowly drags his words along, savoring them as he talks, like they hold a meaningful memory, like they were only said once before. "I think I might like you."

[fushiguho]

Drunk In Love ☆ Simon Riley

☆ WORD COUNT – 4.8k ☆ SYNOPSIS – After a long, draining day of fighting, you can't help but to notice that Simon needs a little help winding down, especially since he's been deprived for so long. A few drinks was enough to have all of his resolve slipping from his fingers but who could blame him for wanting to let go after being in charge for so long? ☆ CONTENT WARNINGS – Switch!Simon, sexual frustration, multiple orgasms

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*: ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ

It had been a long, stressful day for the both of you, nothing but draining missions and dodging bullets all day, so who could blame you for wanting to wind down? Especially Simon, he looked like he could benefit from a little relaxation. Such a hardworking soldier, he deserves to let go sometimes.

With him being Captain MacTavish’s second in command, he is constantly drowning in immense responsibility and the constant pressure of meeting MacTavish’s high demands. You wouldn’t be surprised if Simon was nearing his wits’ end. He’s always been such a hard, diligent worker and you can’t help but admire his dedication.

Earlier, you had invited him over for a few drinks, promising that you’d help him wind down a little from such a long mission. Now here he was in your kitchen, practically clearing your liquor cabinet before your eyes.

You watched as Simon downed drink after drink, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand each time he took a sip from the crystal glass.

“Woah, slow down there lieutenant.” You jested, taking a small sip from your own glass, grimacing as the warm liquid slid down your throat.

Simon only responded with a deep chuckle before taking another swig of the dark liquor. He could practically feel the stress being stripped away with every sip he took. He was completely losing himself in that glass, growing more and more tipsy as the clock ticked on.

You dragged your eyes along the disheveled man before you, taking in every minuscule detail from the way his eyes fell lower with each drink, to the way he sat on your kitchen barstool, legs spread nice and wide as his hand rested on his large thigh.

God , you wanted nothing more than to help him out. He clearly needed a little more than a few drinks and you could tell.

And that’s exactly how you ended up here, sitting on the floor of your living room with your back against the couch and Simon idly sprawled between your legs. His back was pressed to your chest as you pumped him in your hand, his head lolling back in nothing but immense relief and pleasure.

He wasn’t even sure how it got to this point, but he damn sure wasn’t complaining. His gear was strewn drunkenly across the floor, the lights were dim, and the faint aroma of whiskey and bourbon lingered throughout the thick atmosphere of the apartment.

You grinned sadistically as you dragged your hand down his slick cock, ears perking up to the sound of him choking on his breath as you neared his aching balls. God , he was so desperate. It was almost amusing watching the way he pushed his hips forward, trying his hardest to get more out of your teasing hand.

“Awe, you needed this didn’t you?” You cooed, your free hand sliding down his thigh to push them further apart. “Needed someone to take care of you like this, hm?” You continued, your voice honeyed as you hummed in his ear.

Simon nodded quickly, his lips tight with a groan caught in his throat. He was panting heavily, chest rising and falling rapidly with an ever-growing need to cum. He sat messily between your legs. The zipper to his jacket was completely undone, the shirt beneath was lifted just enough to expose his bare chest and abdomen while his cargo pants rested just below his knees.

“I know it must be exhausting having to be so big and strong all the time, huh?” You cooed, your hand never faltering. “You just want someone else to take charge for once, is that it?”

He nodded weakly, mouth wide as his eyes screwed shut. That’s all he could do. There was something in the way you were beginning to twist your wrist each time you dragged your hand up his cock that had his breaths growing shallow.

“Need it.” He finally choked out, “I need it so bad… please.” He whimpered.

“I know, baby.” You frowned.

The thin layer of sweat that kissed his forehead glistened in the dim lighting of the living room. You leaned down to place a chaste kiss to his temple as you began to flick your wrist just a bit faster, forcing another whimper past his lips. You watched as his eyebrows furrowed in pleasure and as his mouth sat open, soft cries of your name falling from it.

“Am… am I your good boy?” Simon mumbled, his bottom lip pushing out into a slight pout.

You hummed in agreement, “Such a good boy for me.” You praised as you began to slowly drag your hand up his chest, the pads of your fingers collecting the beads of sweat in your wake. “I just might fuck you.” You purred, your index and middle finger beginning to close around one of his nipples before rolling it between them. Simon hissed at the feeling, his head falling back to rest on your shoulder.

“Please.” He whimpered. He looked up at you pleadingly through blonde lashes, “Please, please, please. I’ll do anything,” He continued.

“I know you would.” You smiled, “Such a needy little thing aren’t you?”

He only nodded in agreement, groaning at the feeling of your thumb slipping across the head of his cock. He was losing his fucking mind at the feeling of you tracing the slit, collecting the precum that sat there.

“Wanna taste.” He muttered before gripping your wrist and bringing your hand toward his face. He was then taking your thumb underneath his mask and into his mouth, sucking himself off of you with a hum of satisfaction.

You allowed him to suck and lick your finger, admiring the way he pushed it to the back of his throat and slightly gagging because he just couldn’t get enough. Your thumb glistened in his saliva. You took it as an opportunity to stroke him again, using his spit as lube.

The groan that fell from his lips was guttural. His cock was beginning to throb in your hand, twitching with a need to release. With your free hand, you gently took his face in your palm to turn him toward you. You began to tug at his balaclava, pushing it just above his nose. Almost immediately, Simon was pushing his lips against yours with a sigh of relief at the feeling. It was even better than he could have imagined.

“So eager.” You mumbled as you began to kiss him back, moving your lips slowly in contrast to his avidity.

Simon wasn't having it. He needed so much more than what you were letting on. In a desperate attempt to get just a little more from you, he was messily pushing his tongue into your mouth in hopes that he’d find yours pushing back.

God , he was so fucking needy. You couldn’t even find yourself to blame him. How could you? You’re the first woman he’s allowed to touch him ever since he began working for MacTavish. With all the work and responsibility he’s faced with, the last thing he had time for was his own pleasure. He has been deprived for so long, he was practically starving for your touch.

Caving without much protest at all, you allowed your tongue to collide with his, the two muscles pushing against one another aimlessly. You swallowed every sound that left his lips––every gasp, every whimper, and every groan of your name was absorbed into the kiss. He almost couldn’t control himself, not with the way you were steadily pumping him in your hand.

You could feel him starting to buck his hips forward, nearly fucking your fist in a vain attempt to get just a little more. He didn’t even think twice before he began wrapping one of his hands around yours, almost guiding your strokes in a way. Shamefulness was the last thing on Simon’s mind. All he knew was that he needed so much more and he didn’t care how he got it, as long as he did.

“What?” You grinned, “You want more?” You whispered after pulling away to examine his contorted face.

“Yes, fuck.” He whined, desperation growing evident in his tone.

You stared at him in a contemplative silence. His eyebrows were furrowed, silently begging you for just a little more. Simon could feel his chest swelling, almost in a need to cry as he sat compliantly between your legs, his bottom lip damn near trembling as he wordlessly pleaded.

You had no intention of denying him what he craved the absolute most, yet you still couldn’t ignore the thrill and the power it gave you as you stirred him on.

“Beg for it one more time.” You whispered as you gently pushed his head to the side to expose the skin of his throat, “You just sound so cute.” You added before beginning to drag your lips along the flesh, littering the area in soft, open-mouthed kisses.

“Please…” He started, his eyes falling closed at the feeling of your warm lips pressing against him, “I need it—you… I need you, please.” He whined sweetly before hissing at the feeling of your teeth nipping at his neck.

“Yeah? You need me, baby?” You purred, silently reveling in his ever-growing desire for you, your touch.

Simon nodded, “I need you, okay?” He repeated with a little more frustration, “I’ve been a good boy for so long so just please… please?”

You were more than satisfied. If you were being honest, you weren’t expecting that much out of him. Nevertheless, you gave him exactly what he was yearning for. With that, you were slipping from behind him to reposition yourself. You were soon situating yourself in front of him to slide off your cargo pants along with your underwear which were undoubtedly drenched in your arousal.

Simon sat in a gawking silence as he watched you undress yourself before him. His lips parted slightly, throat growing dry as he watched you unzip your jacket before slipping it down your shoulders. You were soon pulling your shirt over your head and dropping it beside you, adding to the ever-growing pile of garments.

You could feel his burning gaze on you as you began crawling toward him to tug his pants the rest of the way off, along with his briefs before tossing them aside. You were then throwing your legs on either side of his waist to hover yourself over his stiff cock.

The heat between the two of you was overwhelming. If you weren’t mistaken, you could’ve sworn you heard the radiating hum of the sheer warmth. God, you could’ve just devoured him right there, whole.

“Off—take this off.” You muttered as you pushed his jacket off of his shoulders before he began quickly tugging his shirt over his head, discarding it haphazardly.

You drank up the sight before you, absolutely loving the way his biceps flexed as he removed his shirt, the way his broad shoulders narrowed into his thick neck which was littered in your love bites, even the way his hair messily stuck out of the back of his balaclava was worth mentioning.

“Such a pretty little soldier, huh?” You hummed as your hand came up to rest on his cheek, the stubble of his beard grazing your palm. “My pretty little soldier.” You corrected before leaning forward to kiss the tip of his nose.

Simon couldn’t even acknowledge your praise as he felt you beginning to line yourself up with his cock before slowly sinking down onto it, taking him all in one fell swoop. The feeling of your warm, tight cunt devouring him was enough to render him speechless.

The moan that fell from his mouth was peerless. It was so throaty and long overdue, as if he had been holding it in since the beginning of time, waiting for someone to finally force it out of him. He stretched you out in the best possible way, filling you up almost so much to the point you weren’t sure if you’d last nearly as long as you were anticipating.

You were slowly raising your hips off of him only to bring them back down, colliding with his once again. You repeated the action over and over again, forcing Simon to gasp at the feeling of your sloppy walls sucking him in so greedily. His head was rolling back to dangle over his broad shoulders as his lips parted, shallow breaths tumbling past them.

“Always knew this cock was good.” You admitted before placing both of your hands on his shoulders, shamelessly using him as leverage to get just a little bit more.

Simon watched in awe as you rode him. His mouth sat wide as his eyes flitted back and forth from your scrunched face, to your tits and how they spilled out of your bra, even to the way your cunt took him in so sloppily to the point that it was almost too much for him to take in. This new, yet salacious view of you as you fucked him senseless was far too much for him to handle.

“Oh my G-God—fuck… ” Simon whimpered, his voice weak as he tried his hardest to maintain his composure but could feel himself horribly failing.

“This what you needed, hm?” You whispered as you tilted your head to the side, examining his already fucked-out features, “Needed someone to fuck you like this? Take care of you, huh?”

Simon nodded slowly, mumbling an incoherent mhm in response as he felt you beginning to roll your hips against his. Two needy hands were sliding up your thighs to find their respective place on your hips. He couldn’t stop himself from squeezing the fat of the skin as he pushed you back and forth, guiding your movements. He just couldn’t get enough.

The feeling of his large, calloused hands splayed along your hips as he rolled them against his own had your cunt practically leaking all over him, creating the stickiest mess between the two of you. Your arousal wasn’t shy as it kissed his cock in the shiniest layer, the slick substance even slipping down to coat his aching balls.

The way Simon was beginning to buck up into you was growing hard to ignore. The feeling of him pushing his hips forward as he pulled you down onto him, meeting himself halfway had you humming in pure ecstasy.

The force of his desperate thrusts as he fucked himself into you had you biting back the persistent urge to cry out for him—moan and whimper his name on a consistent loop as if you were a broken record that no one cared to mend.

You could only nod your head in approval with a slack jaw, silently commending his sudden eagerness and fervor. If you were being completely honest, you were taken aback by his abrupt change in temperament. You couldn’t even hold back the onslaught of moans and gasps as they tumbled past your lips, filling the air between the two of you.

“Mm–that’s it.” You panted, “Fuck me… just like that.” You moaned before leaning forward to connect your lips with his, finally closing the aching distance. “Just like that.” You repeated, your lips now slotted against his.

The kiss was nothing but tongue and saliva as you sloppily moved your lips against his. There was a clear sense of urgency in both of your movements as you tried to find a pace that would eventually sync. The whimpers and breaths that fell from your mouths were absorbed into the kiss as he continued to fuck you into an absolute mess.

“So good for me.” You mumbled, lips still pressed to his. “Fucking me so good,  fuck.” 

“Yeah?” Simon breathed as he was beginning to lift himself up from the floor to lean forward, pushing your back into the carpet in the process.

By the time you could even gauge his intentions, Simon was pushing the back of your thighs to your chest while slanting his hips downward, stuffing himself inside of you with a groan. You laid there in bewilderment as you allowed him to fuck you into the floor of your living room, your mouth agape in nothing but shock.

“This good too?” He questioned, his voice curious and hoarse.

You found yourself nodding in agreement, barely acknowledging his words as he was beginning to push against your clit with the pad of his thumb, tracing tight circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves. The broken sounds that came from you only pushed him further, encouraging him to do just a little more.

His thrusts were heavy and desperate. The sound of skin against skin clashing with the beautiful melody of your moans and whimpers was the only thing that filled the atmosphere of the room. You could feel his warm, wet balls slapping against the fat of your ass as he stuffed himself deeper and deeper, the sensation only adding to your arousal.

You said nothing as your eyebrows furrowed in confusion and pleasure, still aghast at his sudden change in tenor. Though you were taken aback, you still couldn’t ignore the brew of arousal in your abdomen at the thought of Simon taking charge.

“M’supposed to be taking care of you.” You whined as a pout began tugging at the corners of your lips.

“I know.” Simon cooed, his thrusts never faltering, “Just been so good to me. ‘Wanna take care of you too.” He spoke breathlessly before leaning down to push his lips against yours once again.

You kissed him back messily, sighing into his mouth as you let him take over your body. There wasn’t much protest from you if any at all. If he wanted to return the favor—make you feel just as good as you did him—you were in no position to complain, not that you felt the need to anyway.

“You just feel too fuckin’ good.” He choked, “Can’t get enough—fuck .” He groaned as both of his hands were tightening around your waist before he practically began pulling you onto his cock, using you as if you were his own personal fucktoy.

He wasn’t shy in the slightest as he was beginning to use your pliable body as a fleshlight, mercilessly giving himself to you without any thought other than that of making you feel as good as he possibly could. In fact, he could feel his mind falling blank as he continued to fuck you, the only thing he could comprehend was you and God were you absolutely beautiful laying beneath him. 

The way your face contorted in overwhelming pleasure, eyebrows knitted as your mouth hung open, silently begging for more. The way your breasts were beginning to slip out of the confines of your bra from the sheer force of his thrusts, exposing your hardened nipples. Even the way he could see his cock bulging in your abdomen each time he shoved himself back inside of you. Everything about you was intoxicating and he just couldn’t get enough.

You could feel his lingering gaze as he drank you up, adoring your every feature, every breath, every moan. His eyes were warm as they tore you apart, burning holes into your soft skin with nothing but longing and lust. It was almost too much.

“So pretty.” He muttered, “Always been so fuckin’ pretty to me.” He moaned while bringing up a hand to rest it on your cheek.

You leaned into his touch, reveling in the warmth of his palm against your flushed skin. His thumb moved slowly as he dragged it along the expanse of your cheek, inching closer and closer to your bottom lip. You took it as an opportunity to kiss the pad of his thumb gently.

Your lips moved languidly as you planted several kisses to the digit before eventually taking it into your mouth, sucking on it sweetly. Your eyes fell closed as you swallowed around his thumb, treating it as if it were his cock. Your slow tongue in contrast to his heavy thrusts was like cold water dripping onto his warm skin.

The feeling of your tongue swirling around his thumb was enough to have the pit of his stomach aching in the need to cum. He couldn’t ignore the throb of his cock as the urge to release himself only grew stronger. If he were being completely honest, he was a goner as soon as you began undoing his pants.

You could tell he was on the brink completely letting go, mere seconds away from slipping over that inevitable ledge. It was the way his thrusts grew sloppier, hips stuttering as he tried to maintain a steady pace. The way his breathing picked up, chest desperately heaving each time he inhaled. Even the way his dog-like pants interrupted every moan that fell from his mouth was enough to let you know he was close.

“You gonna cum for me?” You grinned, your small hands slipping up the sides of his thick frame, tracing every curve and divot of the pronounced muscles.

Simon nodded frantically, whimpering like a fucking puppy at the feeling of your hands on him combined with the aching in his abdomen.

“Come on then,” You encouraged, “Cum for me like the good boy I know you are.” Your hand was reaching up to rest on his cheek just as he did yours.

He kissed the palm of your hand before nodding again. The winding coil in his stomach finally snapped and with one final stutter of his hips, he was quickly pulling himself out of you to hastily stroke himself in his hand. Whimpers, profanities, and cries of your name fell from his tongue as he began releasing several ropes of cum all along the expanse of your cunt, coating you in the milky-white substance.

“That’s it… that’s my good soldier, makin’ such a mess for me.” You praised as he milked himself dry, nearly thrusting into his own fist in a vain attempt to get more out of his useless hand.

Simon said nothing as he began backing away from you, only to drop his head between your thighs. With one hand, he was pushing your legs apart before slipping his tongue past his lips to clean up the mess he made, the warm muscle dragging along your sopping folds, collecting the mixture of your arousal and his cum on the tip of his tongue.

Your brain was far too hazed to even realize what he was doing until he was pushing his middle and ring finger inside of you, fucking his cum as deep as he could. The vibration of him humming in satisfaction as he devoured you had your back arching up off the floor in nothing but pleasure.

“Simon…” You breathed.

One of his hands was slipping beneath you to press against your lower back, helping you maintain that pretty arch he absolutely adored. You could feel his sharp gaze as he ran his tongue through you, desperately searching for your eyes looking back.

“So good.” He muttered, his lips still pressed to your cunt.

He was practically drunk off of you and your taste—way drunker than any bottle of cheap liquor could get him. He could feel his eyes fluttering closed as he licked you clean, swallowing his own cum like the nasty little soldier he is.

Simon could feel himself growing hard again as he drank you up. The unconscious thrust of his hips into the carpet as he cleaned up his mess had him whimpering against your sloppy cunt, adding to your arousal. He could feel remnants of his cum leaking from the head of his cock as he practically fucked himself against the floor like a dog, surely leaving a stain for you to discover later but he couldn’t find it within himself to care.

You drove him absolutely insane. If he could get off to nothing but the sheer taste of you, he wasn’t sure how he would ever be able to carry on with his life without you. He’s more than determined to keep you around and is willing to do just about anything to keep in his corner.

You could feel the curl of his fingers as he began to push against your slick walls, forcing a guttural moan from your chest. He even applied pressure to your abdomen with the palm of his other hand to push you over that ledge he knew you were steadily approaching.

“Cum for me, please.” He mumbled, his warm voice sending vibrations throughout your entire being. “Please… I need it—need you to cum for me, please… on my tongue.” He begged.

He was so desperate and there was nothing he needed more in that moment. Never in his life has he craved something so badly. He needed to taste you on his tongue and if he didn’t soon, he was sure he’d die from pure starvation.

That building tension in your stomach finally broke and his pleading words are what pushed you over that ledge. You could feel your head falling empty as your orgasm nearly took over your whole body.

“Oh my God, m’cumming… gonna cum, fuck.” You whined. A chain of unbroken moans and gasps fell from your parted lips as you came all over his tongue, hips rolling against his face as you pushed your cunt further into his mouth.

“C‘mon,” Simon encouraged, “That’s it. Give it to me, I want it all.”

His fingers never faltered inside of you as you came. He fucked you throughout the entirety of your orgasm, making sure to leave you a thoroughly fucked-out and panting mess. Before he had the chance to back away, you were dragging him up your body by the nape of his neck to push your lips against his again, tasting the saccharine mixture of cum on his swollen lips. His tongue was quickly pushing itself into your mouth, desperate to give you everything he had left to offer.

“Mm, we taste so good.” You mumbled as you licked and sucked at his tongue.

Simon moaned in agreement, slightly nodding into the kiss. He would be lying to himself if he said he couldn’t cum again, and again, and again. Eating you out made him so incredibly hard that he would do just about anything to release himself one last time. With one hand, he was desperately reaching for your smaller one to drag it between your warm bodies, placing it on his cock, his frame still hovering above yours.

You smiled against his lips as he forced you to feel his stiff erection, “Awe, is my needy boy still hard?” You teased before beginning to slowly stroke him in your fist. “Want me to make it go away, baby?”

He nodded once while sucking in a tight breath through clenched teeth at the feeling of your hand firmly wrapping around the base of his cock, still sensitive from his previous orgasm. You flicked your wrist steadily, twisting your hand slightly to the right each time you dragged it up his cock, only to swipe your thumb across the head once you’ve reached the top, smearing the cum that sat there.

“Fuck… fuck .” He groaned. “You’re so good to me—fuck.”

It wasn’t long before he began to feel that brewing tension in his stomach once again, aching with the burning desire to release. You could feel the twitch of his cock against the palm of your hand, silently begging you to go faster so that he could cum for you one final time. You gave into the silent pleads and picked up a quicker pace, dragging your hand up and down the length of his cock hastily.

“C’mon, baby.” You encouraged, “Make another mess and cum for me.” You whispered before taking his face in your palm and pulling him toward yours to kiss him one final time.

Simon couldn’t hold back the broken cries and whimpers that fell from his tongue as he was beginning to release several spurts of cum between the two of you, coating your chest and your abdomen in the sticky substance. Your sweet words of praise are what pushed him over.

You swallowed every last sound that left his mouth, being sure as to tuck them away and stow them for later retrieval when you’d inevitably think about this very moment again.

“So fuckin’ good for me.” You praised before pecking his lips once.

With that, he was finally rolling from his position on top to lay beside you. A silence flooded the room, nothing but the sound of erratic breathing and the hum of the air conditioning could be heard. As you laid quietly beside Simon, you could feel his lingering gaze.

You turned your head to face him, “What is it?” You finally asked, breaking the comforting silence.

“Nothing... I just hope you know you’re not going anywhere.” Is all he said, a wicked smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’re mine.”

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*: ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ

Hey, you! Did you like this? Click here for more!

[simplyalicee]

" Married to the Undead "

A Corpse Bride x Welcome Home AU created by @sketchquill

Idea: Y/N failed the wedding rehearsal and ran to the nearby forest out of fear and frustration. They rehearse their vows. When they finally get them correct, they unintentionally agree to marry.. a corpse?!

Reminders: Psst, hey! This will contain spoilers for Corpse Bride, it is heavily recommended that you watch the movie before reading here in order to understand the story! Also, keep in mind that this is NOT related to the cannon story of Welcome Home!! I do not know Clown or their friends personally, nor do I have any works associated with them!! This is purely for fun!! None of the characters or ideas belong to me!!

Reader is gender neutral!

In case you're new here, Wally is the groom (or Bride in the movie!)

I'll shut up now, I hope you enjoy!!

♡------------♡

Oh god, what have you done?!

The rehearsal did not go according to plan, not even close. Not only did you screw up the vows on more than one occasion, you set Howdy's mother on fire. On fire!! You were a nervous wreck in there, and you couldn't bring yourself to stay there another second. Without looking back, you ran out of the room, leaving everyone inside behind. You couldn't help it. The way everyone stared at you when you slipped up was adding more and more pressure until you couldn't take it anymore. Their glares was drilled in your mind as you ran tirelessly.

You ran and ran until you came up to the bridge. On top of the bridge, you stared at the frozen water underneath you. You hung your head in defeat, taking out a small flower that Howdy had generously gifted you hours before. It had a nice scent to it, like lavender and honey. You frowned, furrowing your brows as you sighed.

"Oh, Howdy.. I wish I could say them perfectly to you. Instead, I walked in and set your mother on fire."

You stood quiet, taking in the cold chills that filled the air with snow and icicles everywhere. You allowed yourself to slip away in thought for a moment. You couldn't help but think of the wedding tomorrow. You couldn't deny that Howdy was very handsome, but was he really the one for you? Goodness, it's better off if you just ran away and never came back. Maybe that'll fix the issue.

Your thoughts came to a halt when you heard someone call your name from the distance. You perked your head up, glancing over at the city that was far from you.

Oh shoot.

It was Eddie. It was difficult to read his expression from how far you were, but you knew he was worried from how he spoke.

"Y/N? Y/N, where are you?" Eddie shouted for you, hopping for your return as he longed to know if you were okay. Guilt filled your heart as you stepped away. No, not yet. You couldn't bring yourself to return. Feeling much worse, you turned on your heels and walked away into the frozen forest that laid in front of you.

The cold air was bitter, you shivered as the sounds of snow crunching underneath your feet filled the atmosphere. While you were walking, you thought that perhaps, this would be a good time to rehearse. No one to stare, no one to judge. You took a deep breath as you ventured through the forest.

"With this hand, I will lift your cup. What, no!" You face palmed in embarrassment from your mess-up. Lift your sorrows, not cup, you mentally told yourself. This was going to be awhile..

"Your wine will- No. Your cup will never empty."

"..What was that last line again?"

"With this candle, I will.. I will set your mother on fire, ugh. It's no use.."

You groaned in frustration. Is this how you'll do at the wedding? Mess up in front of a large crowd? Mess up in front of your soon-to-be groom? It felt pointless, it was slowly dragging you down as you felt you couldn't get the vows right. You sat down at a nearby rock, head in your hands. Maybe you really weren't ready to marry. The thought shook you to the core. You had no choice, yet you kept messing up.

You reached into your pocket and took out the ring. It was a simple gold, yet it held so much meaning. You looked at the ring in hopes to find the right words, maybe a small reminder should do the trick. You stared at it for a moment as thoughts ran through your mind. You took a deep breath and stood up, raising your right hand as you held your left hand to your heart.

"With this hand, I will lift your sorrows."

You turned to a nearby tree. It had multiple branches sticking out of its sides. With a small smile, you dashed to it and took one branch into your hand.

"Good evening, Mr. Pillar. You're looking fine, if I do say so myself."

You turned your gaze to another tree, one that has been cut and dead. You shuffled your way towards it, patting it a few times on the rough surface if the dead oak.

"My goodness, Mrs. Pillar, you look simply divine!"

There was a decently sized tree bark that stood out to you. You ripped it from it's place, imagining it as a candle.

"Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine."

You took a few paces up front, kneeling down and positioning the broken bark piece to a twig, pretending that it was another candle. You imagined the bark in your hand was lit with a spark.

"With this candle, I will light your way into darkness."

The air seemed to have gotten colder, but you didn't mind it for the moment. There was an oddly shaped branch that stood out from the ground. At least, you thought it was a branch. It looked perfect for the quick practice. You knelt down to the branch, raising the ring above it.

"With this ring, I ask you to be mine."

You place the ring onto one of the sticks. You felt the air go stiff. The crows around you began to fly away in a hurry. You turned around, looking around as you felt accomplished for saying the vows so perfectly. You smiled to yourself. Sure, you'll have to explain your absence, but at least you're prepared for the upcoming wedding.

Your thoughts came to a halt when you heard something snap.. and take your arm!

"AAH!" You screamed. You tried to pull your arm back, but that something was pulling you to the ground. Your entire right arm was in the ground. You could feel your arm get pulled out of its place. You shrieked in pain as you turned and pled away as hard as you could. It had a strong grip, but you eventually managed to break free from the grip. You stumbled back and fell on your back. You quickly shuffled to get up, looking down to.. see an arm on your arm!? You screamed once more, frantically waving your arm for it to let go. Just as you managed to fling the decapitated arm away, you felt the ground rumble.

You begun to back away as another arm reached out of the ground. It was a rising corpse. Oh. Oh god. What have you done?!

The corpse rose from it's grave. From the looks of it, it was dressed up as a groom. The groom stood over you, its veil covering the face. Your heart began to race, your breathing became heavier as the groom lifted his veil, revealing his face. A stitched up corpse that stared at you with a large smile.

"I do.." He whispered.

Oh hell no.

With no second thought, you immediately pulled yourself up and bolted out of there. You ran and ran, trying to get away from the corpse. The moment you turned your head, you saw him following you. He had just stitched his arm back into place. The way he stared at you with a large grin was creeping you out.

As you ran, you slipped and ran in place on the frozen water. You were just about to fall when you grabbed onto a nearby branch and pulled yourself out from the ice. You didn't dare to look back. Despite feeling breathless, you ran as fast as your legs could carry you. The moment you turned your head to look, you slammed yourself against the tree.

You backed away as pain overwhelmed you. Your vision became blurry. You turned around and barely made out the groom that was still approaching you. You couldn't tell if he was walking or running towards you, but you didn't want to stick around to find out. You immediately turned around, accidentally slammed yourself against the tree once more. You groaned in pain, but just managed to get out of there. Upon leaving the forest, you ran through a a dead bush that still had many sharp twigs intact. You didn't think twice about changing routes, so you ran straight through, causing your clothes to get ripped in some places.

The crows flew nearby as you ran up to the bridge, breathing heavily. You paused to take a breather, frantically looking around to see that the undead groom was nowhere to be seen. Thank goodness..

Just as you turned around, he was right in front of you.

You yelped in surprise and backed up, but was blocked by the wall of the bridge. You leaned back, feeling your heart race faster as fear and anxiety overwhelmed you. The groom stood close to you, cupping your face. His hands were ice cold, causing you to shiver. Your eyes met his. His eyes were dilated, you could've sworn you saw hearts. You tried to lean farther back, but the groom held your face in place.

"You may now kiss the groom.." The groom closed his eyes as he slowly leaned in towards you. You wanted to push him away, but you were frozen in shock. You couldn't move. You began to feel dizzy and lightheaded. You couldn't bear to look anymore. You squeezed your eyes shut. In a moment's notice, you felt his lips meet yours. You grew breathless, and before you knew it...

Everything went black.

♡------------♡

I'm going to end up writing the entire AU as a movie, aren't I?

But in all seriousness, thank you all for the support of my last writing. It geniunely means a lot to me. I was not expecting it to get so well received, but I'm happy that you all enjoyed it. Remember to take care of yourselves! <3

[deception-united]

Back again for more writing advice. How dos one write game seven moments? Like there's no second chances if you fail. You screw this up the major villain wins. How do I make the audience feel the tension emphasize the tension and stakes?

Thanks for asking! Here are some techniques you can use to achieve that:

Foreshadowing: Hint at the consequences of failure early on in the story. Drop subtle clues about what could happen if the protagonist doesn't succeed. This builds anticipation and dread in the reader's mind.

Character investment: Ensure that the audience is deeply invested in the protagonist's journey and the outcome of the conflict. Develop relatable and sympathetic characters whose success or failure truly matters to the audience.

Raise the stakes: Continuously raise the stakes throughout the story, making it clear that failure is not an option. Highlight what's at risk if the protagonist doesn't succeed, whether it's the safety of loved ones, the fate of the world, or the protagonist's own life.

Intense descriptions: Use vivid and descriptive language to immerse the audience in the moment. Describe the tension in the air, the sweat on the protagonist's brow, the palpable fear of the looming threat. Make the audience feel like they're right there alongside the protagonist, facing the same dire circumstances.

Time pressure: Create a sense of urgency by imposing time constraints on the protagonist. Make it clear that there's a deadline looming, adding an extra layer of tension as the clock ticks down.

Confrontation: Build anticipation leading up to the climactic confrontation between the protagonist and the villain. Use short, punchy sentences and quick pacing to reflect the frenetic energy of the moment.

Emotional arcs: Show the emotional toll that the pressure and stakes are taking on the protagonist and other characters. Let the audience see their doubts, fears, and vulnerabilities, as well as their determination to overcome them.

Twists and turns: Keep the readers on the edge of their seats by introducing unexpected twists and turns in the plot. Just when they think they know how things will play out, throw in a curveball that raises the stakes even higher.

Sensory details: Engage the reader's senses by including sensory details that evoke the atmosphere of the scene. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations that surround the characters, intensifying the reader's immersion in the moment.

Resolution: Finally, deliver a satisfying resolution that pays off the tension and stakes you've built throughout the story. Whether the protagonist succeeds or fails, make sure the outcome feels earned and emotionally resonant.

Hope this helped! ❤

Previous | Next

[vanfleeter]

Bound For Earth: Chapter 7

Characters: Jake Kiszka, Josh Kiszka, Sam Kiszka, Daniel Wagner (briefly), Marlie Warnings: 18+ || Language. Fluff. Brother banter. Angst. Self doubt. Relationship doubt. Frustration. Jealousy. Anger. Smut. Talk of sex. Allusions to m/m sex. Penetrative sex. Oral sex (f receiving). (i think i missed something so let me know so i can add it)

Bound For Earth Masterlist

We talked nearly every day, There some days where I wouldn't hear from her at all. Almost every single time we were on video chat, she was either sweaty or just getting out of the shower. I knew better than to push it if I asked so I kept quiet. It couldn’t be that bad.. Maybe I’m just overthinking it and she really is just running every day. Nothing wrong with that. After all, I’ve been doing it too.

After I finish with work, I’ve been running and working up my endurance to Earth’s gravity. If I want to go back there, I have to make sure that my body can last for more than three days. And if sex is the problem, then I’m screwed. That’s one of many basic human needs. It’s not necessarily important, but it just feels intimate and meaningful. I know most people do it just to do it because it just feels good. Of course it feels good. But for me, it makes me feel closer to her.

Considering..

I ran my personal best in the first three months that I’ve been training and not one thing has gone wrong with my body. Marvin checks my vitals and pays extra attention to my heart but he has yet to find something wrong. I felt pretty proud of myself.

These training modules were mostly designed to keep the crew in shape and to also help them stay used to the weight of the gravity on Earth. But for Josh and myself, it would be a way for us to train to get our bodies used to the pressure so that if we ever do get to go back to Earth, we’ll be better equipped and ready to handle the challenges.

They had us running a mile, testing to see how far we could make it before we passed out. The mile seemed easy enough and neither of us had any problems. So they extended it to two.. And then eventually three. Three was our limit. The minimum for an adult is one to two miles and we made it to three which apparently is still pretty good, especially for an average person.

They had us running in all different kinds of climates. Cold weather, in the heat, sometimes they’d make it rain, other days it would snow. They wanted to test our limits in the off chance that we happened to deal with any of these. The heat was their main concern with the added pressure of pushing our bodies further than they can handle. So that’s what we worked on the most. How to survive the heat.

“Stay hydrated”, was something they constantly repeated. Josh made it out to be as if we were plants. Not all plants can survive in the heat, they do need water to keep themselves alive and thriving. If we were a plant, odds are we wouldn't be a cactus. A cactus mostly thrives in heat and they can store their water for a long amount of time, whereas in most plants it can last maybe a few days at most before needing water. That is how humans are, especially on Earth.

So water is the key. Keep myself hydrated and not overwork myself to the point of death.

I had to ask about sex, preferably when there weren’t listening ears. I wanted to know if sex would be something that I’d still be able to do. Lucky for me, I can. “Know your limits,” Ivan told me after one of our mile runs. “If you’re feeling tired or out of breath, slow down or even stop for a little bit. Sex doesn’t need to be fast, it’s just what some bodies crave. You and your brother have different body types than an average human. Both of us need to take your time.”

When he told me sex is different up here than down there really got my brain thinking. Oh god.. Do they actually have sex here?

“Is it easier here?”

Ivan chuckles. “I’d say so. There’s a lighter atmosphere here so it’s not so strenuous. You sweat less and you can endure a little longer.”

“Is that why you never left on the last transport?” I tease.

He chuckles. “I like it better up here, that’s all.”

I unintentionally found out why he preferred to stay here versus going back to Earth. When I was walking past Josh’s cabin on the way to the training module, I could hear noises from inside. And he says I’m loud. We’re twins, we both are apparently.

It wasn't until an hour later when I was coming back that way to go to my cabin when I saw Ivan leaving Josh’s cabin. I quickly hid back around the corner, hoping that neither of them saw me. I peer back around the corner to make sure Ivan was gone. Seeing that he was, I quickly rush down the hall to Josh’s cabin and grab hold of the door before it slides shut.

“Okay, you have a lot of explaining to do,” I say, nearly making him jump with fright.

“Fucking hell, Jake!” He exclaims.

“Come on, spill..” I say as I lean against his desk. “You and Ivan? Since when?”

Josh sighs and sits down on the bed. “When we got back from Earth, he umm.. He was the person I felt comfortable talking with. After everything that happened, I just needed someone to talk to and he was there. It wasn’t anything but just a friend listening to a friend talk. But then we eventually learned that we kind of like each other.”

“Obviously it moved onto something more.” I could see his cheeks flush slightly and I smiled. “That’s good you found someone. Does he make you happy?”

Josh nods his head. “Very.”

I pat him on the shoulder. “Well good for you. You deserve this. But damn.. An hour?”

“Shut the fuck up.” He says as he shoves me over. “It is so much easier up here. I’m telling you, if Marlie ever makes it up here, you’re gonna have to try it.”

“Never thought I’d be taking sex tips from you.”

He chuckles, “Just trust me.”

A few more weeks had gone by and the communication between Marlie and I slowly began to dwindle. She always claims to be busy and that she'll hop on a call if she can. But she never does. Eventually the communication just ended all together. I even had Josh reach out a few times from his own computer but he even came back with nothing.

“Do you think she decided this was too much?” I ask Josh. “Have I been doing too much?”

“I don’t think that’s it. People do get busy.”

“Josh, it’s been nearly a month since the last time we talked. She won’t answer my calls or respond to my messages. What if it is me? What if she decided that she didn’t want to pursue this anymore? Maybe living on different planets just isn’t working?”

“Jake, I think you’re overthinking this.”

“What else am I supposed to think?!” I exclaim, slamming my hands down on the cafeteria table. Several people look over and I huff. “Forget it..” I say as I swipe my tray off the table and stand up to leave.

“No, Jake! I didn’t mean it like that!”

Overthinking. I’m overthinking? Seriously, what else am I supposed to think?

Stepping into my cabin, I flop down on the bed and rest my arms over my head. What if she did decide that and just not tell me? That’d be a shit thing to do. What if she found someone else?

Oh god, thinking about her with someone only makes my blood boil. Fuck.. Am I seriously jealous over something that most likely isn’t even true? Though I wouldn’t blame her. Anyone down there can give her everything that I can’t. Maybe I am overthinking all of this. Maybe she is just busy. But even then, why not just tell me?

So instead of thinking about her, I do what I always do to keep myself distracted. Burying myself into my work. For days on end, I’d only leave my cabin to eat and to train for a couple hours, but aside from that, I’d be holed up in my cabin and working on coding programs and classifying files.

Eventually days turned into weeks of doing the same routine.

Wake up.

Eat breakfast.

Train for a couple of hours.

Dive into work for five hours.

Take a break to eat lunch.

Get back into work for a few more hours.

Then shower.

And go to bed.

Day after day, week after week, which then turned into month after month. I would try to reach out to Marlie maybe once or twice a week, but still I got no response back and my calls still went unanswered. Eventually I gave up altogether. As much as it hurt to let go and just move on, I still loved her. She made my first experience on Earth a wonderful time even with the short amount I got to spend there. I’d be forever grateful for that and for her.

One afternoon while I’m training, Josh bursts into the room, the slamming of the door echoing through the chamber. “The cruiser’s coming in!” He exclaims. “Come on!”

“Josh, it’s just the same–”

“Quit being mopey, Jake. It’s tradition, we have to greet everyone regardless!” He grabs my hands and pulls me off the treadmill.

He drags me through the corridors and until we’re gathering with the rest of the crew by the launchpads. Of course we were stuck in the back, yet again. He was uncharacteristically buzzing with excitement. I’ve never seen him this excited for a crew to come in. Ivan was still here so he can’t be excited about him. So why–

“There they are!” Josh exclaims as he rises on his tip toes. “Sam!”

Sam?

I whip my head around and rise on my toes to get a better look over everyone else. Sure enough there was Sam with a bright smile on his face as he waved enthusiastically at us.

“You made it!” Josh says as they hug. “How was the trip?”

“A blast! You know.. Skim milk really isn’t all that bad.” He chuckles before turning towards me and pulling me in for a hug. “It’s so great to finally see you all again!”

I embrace him in a hug too. “I had no idea you were coming, but it’s great to see you.”

“Well, it’s been tough keeping it a secret.” Sam says when we pull apart. “We wanted to surprise you, knowing you were kind of struggling to adjust to being back up here.”

“Oh dude, this place looks so cool!” I hear Danny exclaim as he comes up beside Sam. “Josh! Jake! So good to see you again!”

“You came too?” I laugh. “Did Dad come?”

“Uh duh!” Sam laughs. “He’s somewhere in there with Mom,” He says, waving his hand over to the crowded corridor. “You have to show me that space car…” Sam begins to say as my attention drifts back over to the doors.

That’s when I see a familiar face stepping out of the cruiser and onto the landing. She was looking around, over the sea of heads before our eyes finally locked. A smile spreads across her face and she starts to weave her way through the crowd. My feet were frozen in place, and I couldn’t move. I had to have been dreaming. She can’t be here. Is this even real?

Soon she’s making it through the back of the crowd and throwing her arms around me. My heart is racing in my chest. She’s here. She’s really here.

When I bring my arms up to wrap around her, all of the walls I had built up over the last handful of months break in a million pieces and I clutch her to my body, afraid that if I let go this will all be fake and I’ll wake up and all of this will have just been a dream. I bury my face into the crook of her neck as the tears wash down my cheeks.

That’s why she was silent all this time. She was coming here. She came up here for me.

We pull away only slightly to get a good look at each other. “Oh Jake,” She giggles as she reaches up to wipe her hands over my cheeks. “I’ve missed you so much.” I couldn’t speak. My voice was in my throat. She reaches up on her toes and brings her mouth close to my ear. “Let’s go somewhere private.” She lowers back down and nods her head, hoping for me to agree.

Taking her hand in mine, I pull her away from the crowd and through the corridors to my cabin. Reaching my door, I slide it open and pull her inside. Before the door was even closed all the way, I grabbed her face in my hands and I kissed her. She smiles against my lips and wraps her arms around my waist.

I backed up towards the bed and pulled her down onto my lap. She straddles my waist and keeps kissing me.

“I have missed you so much,” She says when she pulls away. “I’m so sorry for keeping you in the dark, but I really wanted to surprise you. You really thought I wouldn’t want you anymore?”

“How did–” I sigh. “Josh..”

She giggles and nods her head. “You have no idea how badly I wanted to talk to you but I knew I'd ruin it.. Especially if we were on a video call. You’d figure it out immediately.” She kisses me back and gently nudges me down on my back.

“You came up here..”

“I figured that since you might not be able to come back to Earth, I’d come to you.” She kisses me again and gently grinds her hips down against mine. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

I reach for the zipper on her suit and slowly I pull it down revealing nothing underneath. She giggles when my jaw slowly falls open. “I was hoping for quite the reunion.”

“Then that is what you shall get,” I chuckle before sitting up and taking her off my lap.

Within minutes we were both naked and under the covers of my bed. Feeling her again felt so good and so wanted. I missed the soft skin of her body against mine. I missed everything.

Laying her on her back, I leave a trail of kisses down her neck and to her chest. She moans sweetly as I wrap one of her breasts in my mouth and massage the other in my hand. I swirl my tongue around her breast as I suck on it before eventually releasing it and kissing further down her body. Sliding beneath the covers, I kiss between her legs and she grabs a fistful of my hair in her hand as the other one slams flat against the wall of the cabin.

“God… Jake!” She exclaims when I dip my tongue past her folds and through her entrance. I accompany my tongue with a finger and she moans out loud again as her grip on my hair increases. “Please don’t stop..”

I don’t plan on it.

Her back arches up from the bed as I drag my finger down her soaked walls. Eventually I have her crying out my name again as she tightens her thighs around my head. Her release pours out of her and I take in every single drop she gives. Once I lick it all clean, I slowly make my way back up her body before kissing her.

“You still sound so beautiful,” I say as I grind my hips against her.

Her teeth dig into her bottom lip and she pushes her hips upwards to meet mine. “Can we try something?” I ask.

“Anything,” She says.

I give her one more kiss and pull away. Leaning back on the heels of my feet, I grab hold of her hips and gently turn her over onto her stomach.

“Oh I see what you’re getting at.” She says.

“Have you ever done this one before?”

“Once or twice..” She says looking over her shoulder.

“Oh?” I press the pads of my fingers into her hips.

She smiles and turns her head again to look at me. “Way back in high school. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Mmhmm..” I hum as I lift her hips up and bend her knees beneath her. “Are you ready?” She nods her head. Lining myself up with her entrance, I slowly push inside of her, unsure of how the both of us would feel after so long.

“You don’t have to be gentle.” She says. “I can handle it.”

“Yeah but it’s been a while, are you–”

“Jake..” She glances over her shoulder again to look at me. “I’ve been taking care of myself.”

I pause my movements and lean over top of her. “Pardon?”

She smirks as she looks at me. “Don’t tell me you haven’t pleasured yourself up here?”

“Well..” She giggles, dropping her head forward. “But I bet it wasn’t as good as me though, right?” She shakes her head and I nod mine in intrigue. “Alright, good..”

“Are you jealous that I had to use a substitute?” She asks when I start to move again.

“Pfft,” I scoff. “No..”

“And it’s not like you could sub out with anything except your hand,” She says. “Right?”

“Definitely not.. Never even thought of that.”

“Mmhmm..”

“Why? Are you jealous?” You say as I run my hand up her back and thrust deep inside of her. “Because in my defense, I never knew it was even legal to sleep with other crew members, not that I found any of them attractive anyways.”

“Legal?”

“Yeah, you know.. They are our colleagues at this point since we technically work with them..” I pull out slightly before thrusting back inside of her. “I thought maybe it was against the rules or something–that is until I accidentally caught Ivan coming out of Josh’s room.”

“Woah, woah!” She pulls away from me and quickly turns around. “Josh and who?”

“You can’t tell anyone,” I say. “No one knows except for three of us–and now you.”

“Aww, does Josh have a boyfriend?”

I nod my head. “At least I think he might. I don’t really know the extent of it, but he’s been so good to him while I was–you know.. And he’s a really cool guy too, I like him.”

“Oh this is so fantastic!” She exclaims. “Aw, I’m happy for him.”

“Me too. Even more so because Ivan stayed behind to be with Josh when the last transport left for Earth.”

“Shut up, that is so cute!” I chuckle at her excitement and pull her onto my lap. “Today has just been a great day so far.”

“It definitely has,” I say before she kisses. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around you being here.”

“Well I’m here,” She says. “Now please, please, please no more talking..” She presses her lips to mine as she grinds her hips down on mine. “I need you..”

I kiss her again before laying her on her back. Lining myself up at her entrance, I push myself inside of her until she’s completely full of me. Slowly I roll my hips, dragging myself out before pushing back in until I create a steady rhythm. I kept at it for a little while before I pulled out and laid her back on her stomach. Inserting myself again, I clutch onto her hips as I continue to the steady pace. She’s pushing back on me, making me go deeper. She moans loudly when I press against her sweet spot.

I lean over top of her, never ceasing my movements, and I press my lips to the back of her neck.

“Jake..”

“Wait for me..” I groan against her back. “I want to go together.”

My hand flies to her head and I grab a good chunk of her hair and I move a little faster and just a tad rougher. Josh was right. It is so much easier up here. With less pressure weighing us down, I definitely felt way more relaxed.

“Jake, I need to–”

“I’m right there..” I told her. I can feel her clench around me and I can’t hold it any longer. Within a few seconds and final last thrust of my hips, I’m spilling into her as she’s covering me. I collapse on to her back as my orgasm takes over my body. I feel the same as I did on Earth, just tens times more. “Fuck.. That was amazing..” I say through heavy breaths.

A knock comes on the door and I reluctantly pull myself out of her. The knocking continues and I climb out of the bed, covering Marlie up with the blanket, and grabbing my clothes to change back into. Sliding open the door, I look down to see Marvin in the hallway.

“You already did my daily check..”

“Yes, I know.. But I noticed your vitals are really elevated.”

“Marvin?”

“Yes Jacob?”

“I’m a human.. We have needs..”

“You have–” He pauses and his eyes flicker before he’s slowly backing away. “I see..”

I can’t help but to laugh. “Goodbye Marvin.” I say as before sliding the door closed again and locking it.

“Who’s Marvin?” Marlie asks as she sits up on the bed.

“Marvin is a robot.. A robot who doesn’t quite understand that I am not one and that my vitals will spike every now and then..” I explain as I crawl back onto the bed. I make myself comfortable between her and the wall and drag the covers over my body as well. “Now.. Where were we?”

_____________________________________________________________

Apologies in advanced with this taglist, I have recently been having problems with it!

@watchingover-hypegirl @losfacedevil @ignite-my-fire @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @writingcold (more tags in comments)

[moondust-bard]

A Writer’s Guide To Conquering Executive Dysfunction

(Part I in a series of resources for chronically ill and disabled writers)

These tips were taken from the comments of a post by @mr-writes I’ve included commentary under each item to further explain the benefits. Stay tuned for additional parts in this series I’m creating for chronically ill and disabled writers.

1. Leave your house—or, at the very least, crawl out of your bed/comfy gremlin nest. A change of scenery may encourage creativity and keep you from a more sedentary state. @antique-symbolism

2. Talk out your writing with a trusted friend or critique partner. Sometimes you need to get the brain jumble out of your head, find an outside perspective, and share in the fun of writing discourse @karolinarodrigueswrites

3. Make sure your basic needs are met. Is your room clean? Are you clean and in comfortable clothing? Have you eaten today? Are you in need of hydration? Have you taken your meds? You are your top priority. Physical and mental health difficulties often impact creativity, inertia, and motivation. @fenrir-kin

4. Remind yourself how fun writing is by crafting indulgent, low stakes scenes. Screw the outline— write whatever inspired you in the moment! Are you daydreaming of a scenario only loosely related to the plot? Write that instead! Holding goals and abiding by a schedule for your writing is admirable. But remember, enjoying the process of creating your art is the whole reason to create art in the first place. @karolinarodrigueswrites

5. Get comfy! Pull on your coziest clothes, grab a soft blanket, prepare a cup of tea or coffee, light a scented candle, turn on the mood lighting, queue up an atmospheric playlist— whatever works for you! The goal is to get relaxed, lower stress and pressure, and immerse yourself in your story. @thegroundhogdidit

6. Use prompts. Starting any new task can be daunting. Staring at the blank page is, as any writer will tell you, intimidating— and some days, it’s much less stressful to just not start at all. Writing from a prompt could reduce the stress of initiating a new task. You can find prompts in many locations: Pinterest, tumblr, writing blogs. I’ve asked friends for some in the past. Whatever option seems most interesting to you may be worth a try. @aninkwellofnectar

[wooahaes]

a family of your choosing

pairing: non-idol!danceracha & gn!reader.

genre: fluff. chosen family <3

word count: 0.7k~

warnings: food mention. hyunjin and reader bicker a lil but it's not serious (reader is the hidden paboracha member lmao /j)

daisy’s notes: ngl. i kinda feel like these three would be the chill ones to go camping with.

“Is the thing secure now or not?”

Hyunjin rolled his eyes from underneath the table where he’d had to re-secure the table after it flopped over earlier. With half of you dedicated to cooking, it meant you and Hyunjin would be there to help out with anything else. Minho and Felix had been looking through the ingredients they brought, deciding to go ahead and make army stew tonight since it was supposed to get chillier tonight compared to the next few days. You had offered yourself and Hyunjin to help set up the makeshift kitchen for the other two, and, despite the way he’d given you a ‘are you serious?’ look for half a second (he’d been mid-drawing and annoyed at having to stop when he was just getting into a groove). Now his annoyance was because you had been the one to try and put up the folding table, only to apparently miss something in the process. You’d taken over moving the heavier things over, but it was a table of all things.

“How come I had to fix this?” He clicked his tongue, crawling up and shaking the table with enough pressure to ensure that it was secure now. When it didn’t collapse, he leaned against it further, just to test it. 

You pouted. “I don’t know–I missed something!”

“It’s a table!” He stood up straight. “You offered to set it up!”

“I moved the other stuff—”

“The kids are fighting again!” Felix called out from where he’d been pulling out a cutting board.

Minho had run back to grab the portable stove, and was nearing the group. “Stop fighting,” he called out, half-hearted as he walked past the two of you to grab a small plastic packet off the ground. It had once held screws—one of which you had missed in putting up this table. “You’re scaring the cat.”

Felix’s head jerked up as he looked at Minho. “Wait, am I the cat?”

“Clearly. That’s why you’re my favorite.”

Immediately, you and Hyunjin began to voice your complaints. What did he mean that Felix was his favorite?! Minho swore he didn’t play favorites with his friends—at least, he did last time the two of you called him out on giving Felix special treatment. He’d been kind enough to speak to both of you with the same thing Felix already knew: Minho was never going to joke around with someone who he felt couldn’t handle his sense of humor. Felix was sometimes softer than the two of you, and he was merely mindful of that. 

Then again, he was also Felix. If you were forced to pick a favorite person, Felix would probably be it… and not just because you were the first person he texted whenever he had leftovers from cooking and his roommate wasn’t around (you lived the closest to him, after all). 

With yours and Hyunjin’s jobs completed, the two of you could finally sit back and watch as the other two started to cook. Hyunjin had busted out the little portable paint palette from his bag to use later, curling up in the other fold-up chair as he flipped to a new page. You had brought along a few books and a little book light to clip onto it, and pulled out the soft, plush blanket to drape over your legs. With the four of you, this trip was more peaceful. Minho had been tasked with making the ramyeon, and you could hear the sound of Felix chopping up other ingredients, humming to himself. The atmosphere was nice, even if you could feel the slight chill nipping at your skin. The leaves had turned for the season, and you’d snapped pictures of the scenery earlier—as did Hyunjin, saying something about how he’d maybe paint it later on. He liked the lighting at the time, though, and wanted to capture it like that. Life with your friends was good. Hyunjin kept stealing glances at you as he sketched. Felix brought up something that happened at work the other day. Minho listened attentively, nodding along and asking questions. All you did was sit by and watch, appreciating your friends for a while.

(And maybe you’d sneak into the brownies Felix brought along when grabbing a bottle of water, passing one to Hyunjin as subtly as you could.)

taglist: @twancingyunhao @weird-bookworm

[asttrogirl]

𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧︱𝐠𝐨𝐣𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐮

﹙❀﹚PAIRING; gojo satoru x f!reader

﹙❀﹚WC; 0,8k

﹙❀﹚SUMMARY; satoru knew better than to abuse power but he loved it when you begged for help.

The summer night breeze gently fluttered your hair as you stood in the dark and desolate abandoned building. The lights of Tokyo city flickered in the distance, creating a mysterious and dangerous atmosphere. The silence was occasionally interrupted by the howling wind through the empty corridors, and the shadows lengthened, adding a touch of tension to the air.

You silently lamented accepting this solo mission, unaware that you would face a curse of greater magnitude than expected. The worn-out walls and broken windows allowed the faint moonlight to seep in, casting sinister shadows in the surroundings. You felt trapped in a labyrinth of darkness, without a clear way out.

"Satoru, listen. Tell the professor I need help," you urgently exclaimed through the communication device as you moved stealthily, trying to dodge the twisted tendrils of the Grade 2 curse that writhed threateningly before you.

From the comfort of his bed, Satoru smirked. "And what if I refuse?"

"Satoru, this is not a game," you responded with frustration, feeling the pressure mounting around you.

The building, once bustling with human activity, now seemed to whisper with an air of abandonment and despair. Inaudible murmurs mixed with the creaking of rotten floorboards under your feet, creating an oppressive atmosphere. You knew that saving civilians was no longer one of your immediate concerns; your own survival had become the top priority.

"I'm just telling you that I can't bother Yaga. Besides, I'm about to take a nap," Satoru taunted shamelessly, oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

"Satoru, just do it already!" you demanded, feeling adrenaline coursing through your veins as you confronted the looming threat.

"Say the magic words," Satoru challenged, relishing the tension and risk from the comfort of his position.

Frustrated and with no time to lose, you ended the call before continuing to ascend the abandoned building. Every step was a struggle against the shadows and the terror that seemed to lurk from every corner. The darkness seemed to want to swallow you whole.

You could feel the curse nipping at your heels, its twisted tendrils seeking to ensnare you. But before you could react, an enigmatic and familiar figure materialized in front of you. A bright, white halo formed a few meters away, illuminating the surroundings with its supernatural glow.

"Hey, that's mine," Satoru said, with a popsicle in his mouth and dark glasses hanging on his nose. Despite his carefree attitude, his eyes reflected determination and bravery.

The curse seemed to completely ignore Satoru's presence, as if acknowledging his power and being overpowered. Gojo's attention focused on you as he approached, filling the air with his overpowering presence. His penetrating gaze challenged you.

"You didn't say the magic words," he stated with a calm yet authoritative voice.

"Screw you," you replied, a mix of courage and defiance.

His smile widened, as if he enjoyed your defiant spirit. You could feel your own fear, but you also knew that deep down, Satoru found your strength and determination attractive. Despite your differences and constant clashes, there was something that mutually drew you to each other.

He didn't complain because deep down, he was delighted to leave everything behind and come to your rescue time and time again.

After exchanging glances filled with conflicting emotions, a tense silence took hold of the atmosphere. Satoru broke the silence with a playful smile.

"Don't you have something to say to me?" he asked mischievously, expecting you to acknowledge his help.

You initially refused, feeling stubborn pride burning within you. However, deep down, you knew that Satoru had once again come to your rescue. With a resigned sigh, you finally muttered the words begrudgingly.

"Thanks, I guess," you admitted, unwilling to fully show your gratitude.

Satoru's smile softened, and he looked at you with a warm gleam in his eyes. "Don't cry. Stand up and let's go. We both need rest," he said in his soft and reassuring voice.

You quickly wiped away the tears that had escaped without permission and nodded silently. Though you sometimes seemed like enemies, there was a special bond between you, a connection that transcended fights and disagreements. Together, you walked towards the exit of the abandoned building, leaving behind the darkness and danger.

That night, Satoru made the decision to stay in your room. They cuddled together in the comforting warmth of your bed, setting aside tensions and differences until the next morning. Silence filled the room, calm and serene, as they drifted off into a restful sleep.

Satoru was aware that day by day, he managed to soften your defenses and melt your heart, just as you did with him. Before surrendering to sleep, he sighed and placed a gentle kiss on your forehead, embracing you with the same intensity as you embraced him.

Yep, tomorrow would definitely be another day.

©asttrogirl│don't copy or translate

[ordinaryschmuck]

Bob's Burgers Halloween specials ranked

(Because screw it, why not?)

11. Tina and the Real Ghost--This one's more awkward than funny. I honestly feel bad for Tina for falling in love with an empty box...and grow to hate Tammy for being so petty to steal the box away from her. Even the B-Plot of ghost hunters in the restaurant isn't all that funny. Honestly, the funniest bit is when Bob's unexpectedly swarmed with bugs after a brief moment of cockiness. Other than that, pretty weak episode.

10. The Wolf of Wharf Street--PROBABLY the most irresponsible Linda's been with the kids and Bob believing Teddy's a werewolf was a bit of a stretch. Still, some spooky atmosphere carries this one a bit, so I can't hate it THAT much.

9. Apple Gore-chard! (But Not Gory)--There need to be more episodes with Louise and Jessica. Their friendship is easy and cute in a lot of moments. Anyways, as for the episode, it's pretty standard. Some REAL Halloween stuff doesn't happen until half way through and the jokes aren't all that funny. There's barely any attention on the lesson, making it feel more like a waste of time if anything else. It's just Louise and Jessica's friendship that carries things if anything else (Seriously, MORE of that)

8. Pig Trouble in Little Tina--A great episode about peer pressure and with a fun subplot about Bob's gross ear wax. It's just that none of it screams HALLOWEEN to me. There's some spooky imagery, but a lot of this episode feels like something that could happen in ANY episode, especially Bob's subplot. Great episode, but not so great of a Halloween special.

7. Heartbreak Hotel-oween--This one's cute. That's all I can say.

6. Teen-a Witch--Tina trying to be a witch is more cute than it should be, even if the jokes aren't strong with this one. Thankfully the subplot of Bob obsessing over who's stealing his jack-o-lanterns is funny enough to carry it.

5. The Pumpkinening--Weird title, but it's an episode with Gayle. They're naturally weird, and this one's no exception as Linda and Gayle hunting down who knows that they smashed pumpkins from a contest. Add that with a warm ending and a great subplot of Bob dealing with the stress of being a house with GOOD candy, and you got something fun.

4. Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Street--The kids hunting down a candy kidnapper is fun and Bob and Teddy trying to show up an impressive handyman has some good laughs to it. Solid special.

3. Full Bars--It's always fun seeing the Belcher kids use their brand of chaos to do something good. The only thing that drags it down is the guinea pig murder mystery. Some good jokes are there, but I can't help but cringe as Teddy ruins his own party and the payoff isn't all that funny. That credit scene where Bob danced in the fat suit for Linda was cute as shit, though.

2. Fort Night--The introduction to Millie, and a great one at that as she tortures the kids who are in a situation that's...way more dangerous than you think in hindsight. They really were that close to death, huh? Still, a pretty empathetic episode as we all know there's no worse fate for a kid than missing Halloween and you REALLY want them to get out. And I'm sure some parents can relate to Bob and Linda's plight to make a costume for their kids and the payoff for this one is pretty good.

1. The Hauntening--A genuinely creepy and intense special for this show, where the jokes don't take away from the scares but add to them. This really feels like how these characters would react to a horrifying situation, making you fear for their lives even more. And even the big twist in the end doesn't ruin the episode, but adds to it, showing how much this family cares for each other and how much they'll do to make one of them happy. They might have gone a LITTLE far, but it's in that gray area where you can accept it. Being sweet and spooky is no other combination you can get from any other show except for this one, and I love it.

And that's all. Well, for now. Season 14 hasn't had its Halloween special yet. It's probably pulling a Simpsons and waiting until November for some reason. And I'm not waiting until then. This is the Halloween Special on MY blog, so there. Happy Halloween.

[babytarttdoodoo]

in the end everything collides

((Winner of Whumptober Poll #2 | Day 6 | Made To Watch)) 

The whole evening had taken such a blindingly bizarre turn that even with the sound of fists meeting flesh and hysterical giggling filling his ears, Sam couldn’t process what he was seeing.

It had started out normally enough. He had been finishing some paperwork at Ola’s after closing, something he had been doing more and more of in the off-season to take at least a little pressure away from Simi.

He had been having fun, even, thanks to Jamie’s unrelenting commentary on anything and everything that popped into his head. His teammate had dropped in for a late dinner and hung around long after closing to keep Sam company when he learned of his plans.

The offer had been gratefully received and only curdled to regret when Edwin Akufo strode in like he owned the place.

His competing restaurant was not faring well, apparently, and that was obviously entirely Sam’s fault. How dare he have competent staff and a talented head chef?

Sam had sighed inwardly when Edwin’s security goons had spread out around the restaurant, gauging how much egotistical posturing and property damage he would likely have to put up with before being left alone again.

He hadn’t really considered what would happen if he fought back because he had no intention of doing so. Jamie, on the other hand, swung first.

Of course he did.

To his credit, he landed more than one solid hit before a bodyguard got hold of his arms and twisted them behind his back. Edwin had teetered between incredulity and rage for only a few moments before manic glee stole over his face.

It was not a good look on him.

“Let him go, Edwin, he doesn’t…” Sam barely started voicing his protests before he was grabbed too, held in place at the silent order of the billionaire, flicking a hand in Sam’s direction like he was an unimportant nuisance. Forgotten in the wake of this new entertainment.

“Ah, ah, what do we have here? Who are you to jump to Obisanya’s defence, hm? Another nobody with delusions of grandeur from kicking a ball?”

Jamie’s face screwed up to one side and Sam’s heart sank.

“Eh, ain’t nothing delusional about my ball-kicking, mate. Get a bit closer and I’ll show you.”

Edwin threw his head back and laughed, loudly. It was wildly out of place in the tense atmosphere and deeply unsettled something in Sam’s gut when he abruptly cut off.

“I do not think so, Obisanya’s friend. But Curtis here is more than happy to get up close and personal.”

‘Curtis’ was well over six feet tall and at least half as wide. Like all of Edwin’s cronies, he was dressed in a fine suit, though the addition of several bulky rings on his fingers seemed unique to him.

“Edwin, please,” Sam tried again, panic and desperation making his voice thin and reedy. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I do not have to do anything,” Edwin crowed, rocking back on his heels, delighting in Sam’s obvious distress. “I choose to do this, just like you chose to so rudely turn down my very generous offer. And your friend here chose to interfere. These are consequences, Sam Obisanya. A lesson for you both to learn.”

Sam pulled helplessly on the arms holding him firmly in place as Curtis cracked his knuckles and advanced on Jamie. The footballer was waiting with a smirk and raised brow.

“Am I supposed to be scared, like?”

The first blow snapped his head to the side. Sam cried out as if it had been meant for him.

Jamie just laughed, licking blood from his lip as he casually straightened up again. “C’mon, put your back into it, lad.”

The second hit slammed into his jaw, sending his skull backwards with such force that the man holding him barely avoided a broken nose.

Jamie took slightly longer to recover, head lolling forward for a moment before he looked up with bloody teeth. “You wanna really swing your hips, mate. Get a bit more momentum.”

The next punch sank into his stomach, forcing a pained grunt out of his mouth along with any air he had in his lungs. He coughed, gasping, and started to laugh again.

“My old man hits harder than that and he can barely piss standing up half the time.”

Curtis glanced back at Edwin with a raised eyebrow, clearly unsettled by his lack of impact on Jamie’s confidence. If they were waiting for him to back down, Sam realised, they would be here all night.

That was not a pleasant thought.

“What are you looking at me for? He told you to hit harder!” Edwin pointed out, annoyed but also eying Jamie’s grinning, manic face warily.

Sam couldn’t say how long it went on for; Curtis continued hitting Jamie and Jamie just kept up a running commentary, getting more and more delirious as it ran on.

There was a horror to it. A numb, dreadful feeling in Sam’s chest as he shouted and pleaded himself hoarse but the violence didn’t stop.

Until it did.

All of a sudden, Edwin flicked his hand again, a deep frown on his face that Sam had no mind to be concerned about. Both he and Jamie were released unceremoniously and he was moving to catch his friend before any other thought had time to form.

Jamie slumped into him, knees given out, still mumbling obscenities and casting aspersions about Curtis’ mother.

Edwin observed them both, making no move to stop Sam from grabbing a nearby chair.

“Your friend is clearly disturbed. You should get him psychological help.”

Sam barely acknowledged him, too preoccupied with holding Jamie up to dignify that with a witty response. The billionaire straightened his jacket with a scoff and beckoned to his entourage.

As quickly as the intrusion had sent the night to absolute hell, they were left alone again. Or, almost alone.

“Francis, I am not in the mood right now,” Sam warned the hovering man when he didn’t seem to be moving on.

“That is fair.” The evening’s events had rocked him so deeply that Sam couldn’t even summon surprise at hearing the handshake aficionado's voice for the first time. “Mr Akufo is leaving the country tomorrow. He is closing his restaurant. This… It is unlikely we will meet again.”

Francis cleared his throat, looking awkwardly out of character from his usual cool, collected demeanour. Not a violent man, Sam realised.

“Goodbye then. You can let yourself out.”

He gave Sam a firm nod, Jamie a lingering look, and did so, leaving them in peace at last.

“Jamie, are you familiar with the concept of self-preservation? At all?” Sam asked urgently, trying to judge how unfocused his eyes were. “Why did you do that?”

“I’m the only one who gets to be a prick to you,” Jamie slurred, struggling to keep upright. “‘Sides, he really didn’t hit that hard.”

Sam was justified, he thought, in finally letting himself cry.

[spaceorphan18]

Hii can you analyse klaine's kiss and auditorium scene in The First Time ep pls? Add your headcanons if you want, I'd love to hear your opinion, thanks1

Anatomy of a Scene!

Alright... let's break it down, shall we?

So, what do we have coming into this scene? -- We have Kurt, who is ready to take his relationship with Blaine to the next level, but is unsure how to express that (because he's young) and is slightly insecure when he compares himself to a Sebastian-type who is much more sexually forthright than he is. And we have Blaine, who is trying to be a perfect boyfriend, so much so that he's beating himself up inside bacuse he feels like he's let Kurt down.

Remember, coming into this scene we have the two of them at odds over how they left their relationship - that awkward moment in the car where Blaine got handsy and Kurt, the romantic, does not want his first time to be in the back of a car. And to make perfectly clear - Kurt's issues in that scene stem from the fact that he wants sex to make him feel special - he is not the type of person that wants to jump into a pleasure seeking thrill ride for the heck of it. Not because Blaine got too handsy with him.

Meanwhile, we have a Blaine who is always at odds with himself. He wants to be touched and loved and for a moment, lets himself want what he wants (which is his boyfriend) regardless of the situation. For a moment, (through the alcohol) he's stopped trying to follow the playbook set by Kurt - but seize the moment. Part of this is through experiencing a liberating queer atmosphere (of the gay bar) and part of this is through the pressure brought on by Artie and his shaming and part of it is that when you try to be someone else for someone - you do eventually crack.

[I feel like this whole episode deserves more conversation, but I'm somewhat truncating for setting up the scene.]

[I hope y'all enjoy this hella long analysis...]

When we come into the scene, what do we have? Blaine practicing a dance move over and over. Why? Because he knows he screwed up and he wants to go back and correct it. Because he knows he can do better. And - because he puts pressure on himself to be better no matter what. Blaine often strives for perfection - not only in the show, but as a person and as a boyfriend, and it's killing him that he's screwed up. He can't rewind and do the Scandals stuff again. But he can practice so he's perfect on stage.

Kurt: Shouldn't you be celebrating? Blaine: I'm going over this move. I messed it up tonight. I know I can do it better.

Kurt's watching from a distance - this is the first time their relationship has been a little rocky since they've started dating. And it's always awkward and a little hard to approach a subject when you're not used to having to deal with the negative parts of a relationship as well as the positive parts. They've gotten into a legit argument, and that's shaken them both and a little eye opening for both - but it's also a way to learn and grow and understand that your partner is a real person who is not a copy of you - or there for your pleasure but a real person whom you have to navigate a relationship.

Kurt's line is breaking the ice a bit - throwing out a complement, that Blaine should be happy with the performance. He recognizes though that Blaine is in his head. Kurt isn't mad about the previous night, but he is still a bit insecure, himself, as he compares himself to Sebastian, and isn't quite sure how to deal with Blaine and Blaine's emotions. So, he's approaching carefully, but sending out a line that he comes in peace.

Blaine, as I said earlier, is still beating himself up for his mistakes, and says as much as mentions that he messed up. It's not just about the show - but about the previous night, too.

Kurt: Beauty of the stage. You get to do it all over again tomorrow night.

Kurt's letting Blaine off the hook. He doesn't want to fight. And in fact is reassuring Blaine that even if he screws it up - he has a chance to do it again. It's not all or nothing with the play - and it's not all or nothing with him.

Kurt: Personally, I thought both you guys were perfect. Blaine: Thank you. Your Officer Krupke killed. Kurt: Thank you. Blaine: Brought the house down. Kurt: Well, I can't help but pull focus. Sorry. Blaine: Don't apologize - it was great.

As we move into this next little section - it's a mutual appreciation fest. Kurt's offering reassurance to Blaine -- that he does find Blaine amazing, and that he does love watching his boyfriend work. It's also an opening for the conversation Kurt really wants to have (which we'll get to in a second). If they open with complements - maybe things said later won't seem so sharp.

Meanwhile, Blaine is quick to volley the complement back. He's always been in awe of Kurt's talent (and there's a slight nod here in the 'pull focus' line that is acknowledging that Kurt went out for Tony. He may not have gotten the part, but he was still able to leave an impact on the audience).

Kurt's tentative with how he approaches - as if not wanting to scare Blaine off. Blaine's blunt and to the point. Kurt's amazing in his eyes, too. Kurt's always going to be the star of the show to /him/. There's also a bit of subtext in Blaine saying he shouldn't apologize -- Kurt's always going to be himself, and Blaine - who is more tied up in his own imperfections - doesn't think Kurt has anything to be sorry for. Kurt shines as his unique self, and he should be proud of that.

Before I go further - let's talk about some of the setting and atmosphere things. They start out on different sides of an empty stage. I love the stage stuff, in general, partly because it's thematic to the show, but more so because there's nothing else but them, their feelings, and their raw emotions. There's nothing to hide behind, and there's nothing obstructing them. It's just two people and an empty space. A way to say that they're going to get to the heart of the issue, and that it's about them, as a couple, and not all the rest of the trappings that are usually surrounding them.

Also - look at their clothing - it's black and white -- symbolizing simplicity. (And also a nod to the old black and white romances of yesteryear? maybe?) But also - even though growing up and navigating first loves is hard - the love they have is simple. Despite the greyness of different personalities, their love is as simple as black and white. And, added layer - at the end of the day, even when they're at odds, they're still in sync with each other.

Also note body language - Kurt's hands are in his pockets. He's withdrawn and a little timid because he's not sure how this is going to pan out. Like he usually does, he goes inward when facing something difficult. Meanwhile, Blaine's hands are on his hips, and his emotions are on his sleeve. He's angry and frustrated - but at himself more than anything else.

Kurt: All your friends were here tonight. The Warblers. Sebastian. They were all loving it.

Now the conversation has a pointed purpose. Kurt's laying out there that Sebastian was in the audience, and putting out feelers to see how Blaine reacts. Would Blaine prefer someone faster and looser like Sebastian? Kurt doesn't really think so - but he's still insecure about the whole thing.

Blaine is going to recognize this - and cut through through everything. No need to dance around what they really want and need to talk about.

Blaine: C'mere. Give me your hand. Hold it to your heart. Kurt: Just like the song? Blaine: Just like the song.

Notice the scene shifts, and now we see them in profile, being silhouetted by the spotlight (that's still on? let's ignore the reality that after the show things would be turned off... it's a romantic moment... needing romantic lighting...) Also the pretty piano music starts to play in the background, signifying a drive to the end of the scene. (Personally, I feel like since they were trying to jam so much into these episodes, this second half of the scene isn't allowed to breathe as much as it should, but I feel like that about most of Glee.)

So, there's a lot of symbolism going on here. Hand holding is a thing that is very important into the Klaine story. The first time they met - Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand - the first time a boy willing reached out and touched Kurt in a loving way, and was not disgusted by it. Kurt also expressed in early Season 2 that he wanted to hold hands with the person he loved and not be ridiculed by it. And, of course, Kurt says in Season 2 that in his fantasies, the touch of the fingertips is as sexy as it gets. Hand holding is a motif, throughout the series, as a part of their relationship.

It's an old school, romantic way to express love -- and Kurt, as a character, has always loved those little touches. Blaine is also an old school romantic - it's a thing they have in common, so these gestures work for them. (There are also bigger reasons, too, this is a motif. For one - it touches upon the fact that queer couples can't often express love in more overt ways in public. There's the fact that they're subverting the trope of m/m couples always being hot and horny, and letting them be more 'feminine' in nature. And also - this is a PG-ish TV show on network TV and there's limits to what it can show. So, there are a lot of reasons the show continues to do this.)

And... also there's the fact that this is tied in with the song One Hand, One Heart - that they're joining together as one entity. They're committing to each other in a spiritual way. But also... they'll be committing to each other in a physical way (for the first time) in a few minutes. So holding hands over hearts is a way to symbolize all of that.

I should note - also, they've now closed the gap between each other -- meaning that hesitance at approaching is dissipating as they get into the heart of the matter. It's also a way to frame them as if they're being spiritually united. They aren't getting married, but they are becoming spiritually bound to one another.

Blaine: Kurt, Sebastian doesn't mean anything to me. And you were right. Our first time shouldn't be like that. I was drunk, and I'm sorry. Kurt: Sure beats the last time you were drunk and made out with Rachel. But, I'm sorry, too. I wanted to be your gaybar superstar. But try as I might - I'm still just a silly romantic. Blaine: It's not silly.

So, now we get into the heart of the matter. Blaine reassures Kurt, now, that Sebastian doesn't mean anything, and he's sorry he really screwed up at Sandals.

And this is where I reiterate -- Kurt wasn't mad that Blaine got drunk and handsy. He was upset that his romantic fantasy wasn't coming true. (And he had every right to be upset - let's be clear here.) But he was more upset that Blaine made out with Rachel than what happened in that car. It's good that Blaine apologized, and Kurt is accepting that apology.

Now - Kurt apologizes here, too. He doesn't really need to. He shouldn't feel like he needs to apologize for being himself. But he's putting himself out there -- stating that he was trying to be what he thought Blaine wanted, and couldn't do that.

(Which is fine -- neither of them should feel the need to change themselves for the other -- but they're young and in a young relationship, and they're going to learn a lot of things over the course of the next few seasons. This is just a first step.)

And here's where Kurt admits that deep down, he's just an old romantic. And Blaine is reassuring, as he lunges in for that kiss - that he's on the exact same page here. He doesn't need or want a Sebastian type. He just wants Kurt.

Sebastian was always a weak, non-obstacle in their relationship. And Blaine was more caught up in the open queerness of Scandals and wanting to live in that moment - and not in their closed-minded, small town in Ohio. Of course, part of the misunderstanding is Kurt misinterpreting it -- and Blaine pushing Kurt too fast. But the purpose is to come to this moment, where Blaine is reassuring Kurt by kissing him hard.

Blaine doesn't always have the words (though he is often good with them) and will act instead. The kiss is added reassurance that Blaine wants him -- not just as a gay friend, or hand holding boyfriend, but in a sexual way. Blaine loves Kurt. But he also /wants/ Kurt - and a boy /wanting/ Kurt has always been an insecurity. Kurt's always losing out to Rachel or heteronormative or someone who just may move faster sexually like Sebastian. But Blaine quick to kiss him - with such passion - is the reassurance that Kurt needs to see that he is loved and is wanted in a way that he's always fantasied about - but never really thought he'd get.

It takes a moment for Kurt to throw his arms around Blaine, because he has to compute that, omg, this boy still loves me, he wants me, what is even going on, yes, this feels good, let's do more of this...

They're still holding on to each other as they part - conflict now resolving, the two of them being firmly on the same page again.

Kurt: You take my breath away. And not just now, but tonight on that stage. I was so proud to be with you. Blaine: I hope so. I want you to be.

The thing about the Klaine relationship is that (for better or for worse and here for the better) is that there's a circular sequencing in it. With Kurt's insecurities addressed and with him feeling secured and loved, it's his turn to reciprocate. He tells Blaine how proud he is - that he was proud even after their fight - and that he's proud, even when Blaine was not feeling his best, of who he is and the performer he is.

This means so much to Blaine, and addresses Blaine's insecurities of feeling inadequate. It gives Blaine a moment to address -- you can fail, and I'm still here to love you and be proud of you. Blaine's emotional as he replies. He's so hard on himself - but he's getting validation from Kurt, and that's something, now, that /he/ desires.

Blaine: Um, Artie's having an afterparty at Breadstix. Would you accompany me? Kurt: No. I want to go to your house. Blaine: Okay.

Okay - first of all, can we talk about Blaine's formal invitation to Kurt? Lol. He's always the dapper gentleman - because that's who Blaine is.

But I love this last beat. Because we're back to the beginning of the episode. Kurt has gone on a journey here. And no - I don't think he feels like he owes Blaine anything. Blaine suggesting the afterparty shows that he doesn't expect anything. He's not pushing Kurt - and is happy just being on good terms with Kurt again. Kurt, however, is finally able to express what he couldn't in the first scene in Blaine's room. He's attracted to and turned on by his boyfriend. And he wants to have sex. And while he's probably still a little scared of it (first times can be scary!) he feels comfortable and trusts Blaine.

Baby Penguin Kurt no more! After this Kurt is gonna be a sex fiend...

But the thing I really love about it is how sure Kurt is. He's done beating around the bush, and being scared about it. He wants Blaine, and knows that it will be special because they've been spirituality united (that's what the hands on the hearts was for!) -- and because he knows he can have that romantic moment he's always desired.

(He also must know the Andersons are out of town or something...?)

And I love Blaine's answer. They're staring into each other's eyes. He knows exactly what Kurt's thinking. And you can see him process it. Kurt really wants to have sex? Okay, yes, apparently I didn't screw up my relationship entirely -- let's do this!

And that's the scene! And my headcanon is they fumble their way out of the auditorium, holding hands and giggling as they make it to their cars and race off to Blaine's house (or maybe a stop at a store to get condoms? -- who are we kidding, Blaine already owns condoms) and have a night of awkward, fumbly, first time sex -- that they'll remember the rest of their lives, even if they look back at it as simple and not the best sex they ever had. It is a simple, romantic, and special moment between the two of them.

And, honestly, this is the scene that made me fall in love with Klaine. The silly romantic and taking my breath away lines really did it for me -- because I am a silly romantic. It's a beautiful, little scene and I adore it.

Thanks for asking!! :D

[popculturelib]

Happy International Can-It-Forward Day!

Well, technically International Can-It-Forward Day is August 1st, but we're getting started a day early. To celebrate, this week we're bringing to you some books on canning and food preserving from our foodways and cookery collections.

To start, we have the Ball Blue Book of Home Canning, Preserving & Freezing (1949) by the Ball Corporation, the patrons of Can-It-Forward Day and an early creator of mason jars and other home canning supplies.

The book gets started with a vocabulary lesson of jar anatomy, food descriptions, and common hazards in food preserving chemistry:

The next lesson gives more in depth information on molds, yeast, bacteria, and enzymes. We thought the little guys were cute!

Of course, can't make a book about canning and preserving without some product advertisement!

And, lastly, a sample recipe for canning peaches:

Image transcripts are below the cut.

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

Image 2: Home Canning Vocabulary for Homemakers

FRUIT JAR is the traditional name for a glass jar made for use in home canning. There are two styles available:

The Mason jar has a screw thread neck and a sloping shoulder. It seals on the top or on a sealing shoulder, depending upon the type of cap used.

The Can or Freez jar is a tapered, shoulderless jar which may be used for either home canning or freezing. It seals on the top with a two piece metal cap.

JAR CAP is the cover used to seal a jar. There are two styles available:

The two-piece metal cap (example, Ball Mason Dome Cap) is a lid and screw band combination. The lid is fitted with a rubber sealing compound, and no other rubber is needed. The lid is used once only. The band may be reused with a new lid.

The one-piece zinc cap is lined with white porcelain. It is used with Mason jars and rubber rings.

JAR LID is a shallow cover of metal.

METAL BAND is a screw thread band that is used with a metal lid to form a two-piece metal cap.

JAR RUBBER is a flat rubber ring which is used as a gasket between a zinc cap and the jar.

COLD or RAW PACK is a method of filling jars. The jars are filled with raw food, then the filled jars are processed.

HOT PACK is a method of filling jars. The jars are filled with hot food. then the filled jars are processed.

PROCESSING is the cooking of jars of food in a water-bath canner or a steam-pressure canner for a long enough time to destroy bacteria, enzymes, molds and yeasts.

LOW-ACID FOODS are foods which con-tain very little natural acid. Examples of low-acid foods are all vegetables except tomatoes and meats, poultry, sea foods and soups.

ACID FOODS are foods which normally contain from 0.36 to 2.35 or more per cent natural acid, and foods which are Preserved in vinegar. Examples of acid foods are fruits, rhubarb, tomatoes, sauer-kraut, pickles and relishes.

VENTING or EXHAUSTING is forcing air to escape from a jar or permitting air to escape from a steam-pressure canner.

VACUUM SEAL is the absence of normal atmospheric (air) pressure in jars which are airtight. When a jar is closed at room temperature, the atmospheric pressure is the same inside and outside the jar. When the jar is heated, everything in it expands and air is forced out, then the pressure in-side the jar becomes less than that on the outside. As the jar cools, everything in it shrinks. a partial vacuum forms, and atmospheric pressure of almost 15 pounds Per square inch (at sea level) holds the lid down to keep the jar sealed. The red rubber sealing compound on Ball Mason Dome Lids, and the rubber rings used with zinc caps. keep air from going back into sealed jars.

BACTERIA, MOLDS and YEASTS are low forms of plant life known to scientists as microorganisms. These microorganisms are found in vegetable (growing) form or spore (seed) form. They exist everywhere —in the air, in water and in the soil. When they are not destroyed by cooking. they will grow in canned food and cause it to spoil.

ENZYMES are natural substances found in all fruits. meats and vegetables. If they are not destroyed by cooking. they will cause changes in the color, texture and flavor of canned food.

BOTULISM is a poisoning caused by a toxin. The toxin is produced by the growth of spores of Clostridium botulinum in a sealed jar. Spores of Clostridium botulinum are carried from one place to another by dust, wind and the soil clinging to raw foods. These spores can grow in a tightly sealed jar of any low-acid food because they belong to a species of bacteria which cannot grow in the presence of air and which does not normally thrive in acid foods. The spores are destroyed when low-acid foods are correctly processed in a steam-pressure canner which is in good working order. Home canners who use the correct methods of selecting, preparing, packing and processing foods have no reason to worry about botulism. As an extra precaution, all low-acid foods should be boiled for 15 minutes be-fore tasting in order to destroy any toxin which could be present if some error were made in processing. Thick masses, such as greens, should be stirred while boiling.

FLAT-SOUR is the most common type of spoilage in canned vegetables. It is caused by bacteria which give food an unpleasant, sourish flavor. Flat-sour is avoided by the use of correct methods of selecting. handling, preparing, packing, processing and cooling foods.

MOLD may change the flavor of the food, but is not considered harmful when a few flecks are present on top of canned fruit, jelly or preserves. A heavy growth of mold is a warning not to use the food.

FERMENTATION of canned food is caused by yeasts which have not been destroyed during processing or yeasts which enter the jar before it is sealed. With the exception of some pickles, fermented food should not be used If pickles be-gin to ferment in the jar and some of the liquid runs out, the pickles should be rinsed and packed in clean hot jars, fresh pickling solution should be made and poured boiling hot over the pickles and the jars processed in a water-bath canner to prevent further fermentation.

Image 3: Here are some tips on destroying the MOLDS, YEAST, BACTERIA and ENZYMES that could spoil your canning and preserving

WE ARE . . . Microorganisms which are found in the soil, in the water, in the air and on all surfaces with which we come in contact. If we are not destroyed by heat during processing canned foods, we cause the food to spoil: and. if the jar is not sealed when stored away we sneak into the jar and cause spoilage.

We, the molds, form fuzzy patches on food. We the yeasts, cause food to ferment. BOTH of us thrive on fruits and tomatoes and also on jams. jellies and pickles. We are easily destroyed by heat so the acid foods can be processed at a temperature of 212°F in a boiling water bath canner.

Our friends, the bacteria, give food an unnatural flavor called flat sour, and they cause food to become soft and slimy. Bacteria prefer the low acid foods—vegetables and meats. Some of them are very hard to destroy, so the low acid foods must be processed at 240°F. in a steam pressure canner.

(Image: Drawing of molds, yeasts, and bacteria with angry faces)

(Image: Drawing of a man looking through a microscope at a large, scowling creature)

WHAT ARE ENZYMES?

We are chemical substances found in all plants and animals If uncooked foods are not used while fresh. We cause changes in color. texture and flavor If we are NOT destroyed by heat during processing, we cause the same changes in canned foods

(Image: Drawing of two men in a chemistry lab)

MANY FACTORS AFFECT HOW LONG FOOD HAS TO BE PROCESSED IN ORDER TO… DESTROY US

Not only the acidity of the food and the temperatures under which the foods are processed. but also how many of us microorganisms are present in the food and how quickly the heat penetrates to the center of the jai Consequently. to insure we are destroyed. we suggest you follow the recommended methods and times for processing each food as found in the Blue Book. And please remember to check the jars you have sealed before storing them away in a cool dark place ready for use later in the year.

(Image: eight Ball mason jars of various sizes)

Image 4: How to Use Ball Jars and Fittings

(Image: Drawing of two Ball mason jars of different heights with their lids off)

BALL MASON JARS

Examine jars with fingertips for nicks. chips and cracks in sealing surface.

Discard ones unsuitable for canning.

Wash jars in hot soapy water and rinse well.

Do not use wire brushes, steel wool or washing soda for cleaning jars; they are apt to damage glass.

Place in hot water until ready to fill. It is not necessary to boil jars in which food is to be processed.

Seal with Ball Mason Dome Caps or zinc caps and rubber rings. Follow directions for filling and sealing according to fittings being used.

A sudden change of temperature is apt to cause any jar to break. Never put a hot jar on a cold surface or in a draft. Never Pour boiling liquid into a cool jar.

BALL CAN OR FREEZ JARS

To use for canning following step-by-step instructions for Ball Mason Jars.

For jellies, jams, conserves, marma-lades, preserves, see instructions for each section. The sections are listed in table of contents and in the index.

Ball Can or Freez Jars may also be used for canning pick/es or relishes.

Information for use in freezing, read instructions on page 95 at the beginning of the Freezer Section.

BALL MASON DOME CAPS

Examine top and edges of jar: both must be smooth and even. Old jars were made for shoulder sealing: consequently, the top finish is usually unsuitable for top sealing with Ball Mason Dome Caps.

Wash and rinse lids and bands. Cover lids with water. Bring to simmer (180°F.). Remove from heat. Leave in water until ready to use (Image: drawing of water being poured into a mason jar)

Fill hot jar. Leave 1-inch head space for meats, corn, peas and other low-acid foods; 1/2-inch head space for fruits and acid vegetables. Add liquid to completely cover food solids. Leave 1A-inch head space for juices, preserves. pickles and relishes: Ya-inch head space for jellies.

Remove air bubbles from fruit and vegetable packs by running table knife between food and jar.

Wipe top and screw threads of jar with clean, damp cloth. Put lid on jar. compound next to glass. sealing

Screw band tight but do not use force. Band must screw down evenly all the way around.

Process immediately. using and method for product being canned.

Remove jars from canner. Do not tighten bands after processing Test for seal.

Store without bands. right time

BALL ZINC CAPS

Use new rubber rings. Wash caps and rubbers in hot soapy water Rinse. Keep rubbers wet until needed. If zinc caps have been used. boil them for 15 minutes.

Before filling jar. stretch wet rubber just enough to place flat on sealing shoulder.

See step 3 under Ball Mason Dome Caps for amount of head space to leave when filling jars.

Remove air bubbles from fruit and vegetable packs by running table knife be-tween food and jar.

Wipe top surface of rubber and threads of jar with clean. damp cloth.

Screw cap tight. then loosen about inch.

Process immediately. using right time and method for product being canned.

Remove jars from canner. Slowly screw caps tight . quick turns may cause the rubbers to slip.

Let jars cool about 12-24 hours. Check seal .. if top of cap is low in center, jar is sealed. Do not tighten cap after jar has cooled.

(Image: Drawing of three mason jars with a diamond pattern)

BALL QUILTED CRYSTAL JARS CANNING

Quilted Crystal Jars may be used for canning. Follow directions for using Ball Mason Jars. For preparation of caps follow instructions for Ball Mason Dome Caps.

BALL QUILTED CRYSTAL JARS FREEZING

Quilted Crystal Jars may be used for freezing. Follow directions for preparing Ball Can or Freez Jars on page 95. Excellent for Freezer Jams.

(Image: Drawing of two jelly glasses with a diamond pattern)

BALL QUILTED CRYSTAL JELLY GLASSES

Follow instructions given for jelly glasses in Jelly Section. Sealing with Paraffin -use only for jelly. Do not try to process in canner Lid is only cover and does not seal airtight to obtain vacuum seal

(Image: Drawing of a person testing a mason jar lid according to the instructions below)

HOW TO TEST SEALS OF TWO-PIECE CAP

When jars of food are thoroughly cool. 12-24 hours:

Press center of lid; if lid is down and will not move. jar is sealed Remove band, wipe threads with damp cloth, store.

Or tap the center of the lid with a spoon. A clear ringing sound means a good seal Remove band. wipe threads with damp cloth Store in cool, dark, dry place

Check for airtight seal by tilting the jar slightly. If there is no leakage. remove band. wipe jar clean and store in cool, dark, dry place.

Image 5: Canning Peaches...Step by Step

The raw (cold) pack is shown on these pages. When using Ball Zinc Caps and Mason Jars, prepare, pack and process as shown here.

(Note: each step has an image showing what is described.)

Check jars. Be sure there are no nicks, cracks or sharp edges.

Wash and rinse jars and caps. Leave jars in hot water until ready to use.

Sort, wash and drain only enough firm-ripe peaches for one canner load. Fill water-bath canner handful with hot water. Put canner on to heat. Prepare sugar sirup.

Put peaches in wire basket or cheese cloth. Dip peaches into boiling water 1/2 to 1 minute to loosen skins. Dip into cold water. Drain.

Cut peaches into halves, put and peel. Drop halves into salt-vinegar water (2 tablespoons each to 1 gallon of cold water). Rinse before packing.

Stand hot jar on rubber tray, wood or cloth. Pack peaches, cavity side down, layers overlapping. Leave 1/2-inch head space.

Cover peaches with boiling hot sirup, leaving 1/2-inch head space. It will take 1 to 1 1/2 cups sirup for each quart jar.

Run table knife gently between fruit jar to release air bubbles. Add more sirup if needed.

Wipe top and threads of jar with clean, damp cloth. Put lid on, screw band tight...it must screw down evenly to hold red rubber seal compound against jar top.

As each jar is filled, stand it on rack in canner. Water should be hot, but not boiling. If needed, add more water to cover jars 1 to 2 inches. Put cover on canner.

Bring water to a boil. At altitudes less than 1,000 feet above sea level process pints 25 minutes, quarts 30 minutes, at a gentle but steady boil.

Remove jars from canner. Let cool for about 12 hours. Test for seal. Remove bands. Store without bands.

[tarisilmarwen]

Like I imagine that in the atmosphere of the Imperial miltiary, there's a heavy emphasis on obeyign the orders of your superiors. Disobedience is a stigma paramount to treason, even if the orders are to fire upon a civilain population center because there are revolting elements within. Especially if it's an alien population.

Now, who are you and where do you come from in the Empire? Perhaps you are a one of many nobles and upper echelon society of the prestigous worlds of the galaxy, for whom the military is a career door. Perhaps you are from the rim worlds of the galaxy, and maanged to earn yourself or worm your way up - perhaps both - the Imperial hiearchy. And perhaps you are a military individual, from a line of career officiers, soldiers, and such. You might have even begun service before the Empire as formed, and can remember back to the days of the Republic.

Now, you get this order to fire on a civilian target. What do you do? Disobey? The officer next to you, your second in command, is more than happy to jump on you to secure their promotion. Or if you are the 2IC, then you're screwed anyways. Hell the men under your comand - some at least - fully intend to carry out the orders once you or your commander relay the instructions. You might not even see anything wrong - this is for the greater good of the galxy, to uphold law and order that the dissidents foolishly reject. Perhaps disobeying ordersis both political and literal suicide for your ambitions. Or you are just happy to get the chance to wipe alien scum off the face of the galaxy - or even rim world humans, those lesser born fools who should shut up and let their betters decide what is best for them.

But what if you don't have that iron clad conviction that the Empire is right, you don't have the ambition to become some grand admiral, you don't have the instilled belief of human supremacy. Then you either double down on the propaganda of the Empire and following orders. You break under the pressure act in an incompetent or timid manner.

Or you decide enough is enough, and either begin discretely supporting the dissidents. Or flat out join them, either on your own or with a group of like minded individuals.

That is the evil of the Empire military machine. One that either is willingly embraced, chews up and grinds down any semblance of dissidence in its members, or creates a ground for those within it to jump or crawl to the chance of escape or at least breaking off a cog when it catches their rebellion.

Exactly! Very well put.