#l&d metrics
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education-and-certification · 6 months ago
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What are the Objectives of  L&d Metrics Certification and Training
Organizations are depending increasingly on L&D Analytics and Metrics expert to gauge the success of their training programs in the fast-paced business world of today. 
Professionals with experience in L&D Analytics & Metrics Professional Certification are in greater demand as companies aim to attain outcomes that can be measured.
Learn about the significance of L&D metrics and how certification programs, such as the L&D Analytics & Metrics Professional Program, can advance your career.
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maryhilton07 · 1 year ago
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mostly-marvel-musings · 2 months ago
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Prologue - Terms and Conditions
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A/N: Here we go! I’m obsessed with these two already. Let me know if you are too 🤍
Pairing: Tony Stark x Female Reader
Warning: 18+ slow burn.
Terms and Conditions
The conference room was sharp and sterile, walls lined with glass and egos, and the temperature dialed to “passive aggressive.” The tension wasn’t hostile—it was rehearsed, corporate, polite. Like everyone had agreed to wear their best masks.
Tony Stark lounged like this was a poker night, not a merger signing. Armani suit, sunglasses pushed back into gravity-defying hair, one leg crossed lazily over the other. He twirled his pen as though he was about to sign away someone else’s soul.
You sat across from him, upright and composed, your Novastem folder neatly aligned with the packet of legal documents. The Stark Industries logo gleamed beside your own, as if the two had already shaken hands and agreed to tolerate each other.
A senior board member from Stark Industries cleared his throat and began, “Given the shifting focus toward sustainable innovation, this merger allows us to diversify our portfolio in a way that speaks to future markets. Novastem’s work with nanogrid energy systems has potential applications across Stark’s existing infrastructure…”
Tony’s eyebrows lifted slightly. He caught your eye across the table and mouthed: Nanogrid?
You gave a tight smile, then mouthed back: Look it up.
Another advisor chimed in, “And of course, with Miss Y/L/N’s engineering background and Stark’s R&D capacity—”
“—We’re practically a Hallmark success story,” Tony muttered under his breath. You shot him a look. He responded with an exaggerated shrug and the most unbothered wink known to man.
The rest of the meeting blurred into metrics, projections, and polite nods. You signed your part with efficient precision. Stark, predictably, added a dramatic flourish.
And just like that, you were legally bound to a man who probably hadn’t read a single bullet point on the proposal.
He leaned in, voice just above a whisper, “You realize this is the part where I say something charming and you pretend not to be impressed.”
“I’m not pretending,” you replied smoothly, rising to your feet.
.
Later that evening, the penthouse was exactly what you imagined a Stark-level habitat to be, impossibly sleek, a little cold, and humming with invisible tech you could feel in your bones. It was less home, more showroom, like even the walls were trying to impress someone.
Tony hadn’t bothered with the grand tour. He pointed vaguely toward the hall with a distracted, “Guest room’s the third on the left,” and vanished into the depths of wherever billionaires vanish after signing their souls away on legal paper.
You toed off your shoes by the door and wandered further in, suitcase trailing behind you with a whisper.
The place was… vast. And quiet.
Not eerily so—more like the quiet that wraps around you in the moments between chapters. The air felt charged in that too-clean, too-perfect way, like someone had pressed pause on life and forgot to hit play again.
You passed the living room—chrome and marble and enough screens to surveil a small country—and caught your reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windows. You looked tired. Or maybe just… transitioning. From who you were this morning, to whoever this was supposed to be now.
You didn’t mean to explore, but your feet led you through the space anyway. Past the kitchen that looked like no one had ever dared to cook in it. Through the hall where the lighting followed your movement, casting soft gold onto minimalist walls. Past rooms with closed doors you didn’t open.
And then, halfway through turning a corner, you froze.
A small sound barely audible, rustling behind one of the plants. Then the lightest little meow.
You blinked.
From behind a steel planter, a pair of eyes blinked back at you. Pale ginger and white, with the posture of a feline who had definitely been judging you this entire time.
“Oh!” you said, surprised. “Hello. You’re… cute. And very out of place.”
The cat tilted her head like she took offense to the ‘out of place’ part.
She sauntered forward with practiced confidence, tail in the air, and promptly began rubbing against your leg like you’d passed inspection.
You crouched slowly. “And you are…?”
There was no collar, but something about her aura screamed named and spoiled rotten.
A voice called distantly from the hallway—Tony’s.
“Try not to let her con you. She’s fluff with zero morals.”
You glanced up. “She yours?”
“She lets me live here, yeah.” A pause. “Dum-E.”
You blinked again. “You named your cat after your robot?”
Tony reappeared in the doorway, towel slung around his neck. He smirked. “Nah. I named my robot after my cat.”
.
A knock at the door startled you.
It cracked open slightly. “Hey,” said a familiar voice. Happy Hogan.
You blinked. “Happy?”
He stepped inside with a hesitant smile. “Thought I’d check in. You surviving the first night?”
“Barely,” you admitted.
Happy gave a small nod toward Dum-E, who was still curled smugly on your suitcase. “Careful. She once hissed at me for sneezing near her food.”
Tony’s voice called out from somewhere beyond the hall. “She was right to. That tuna was artisanal.”
Happy rolled his eyes. “He feeds her better than himself.”
You tried not to smile. Failed. “She’s already claimed me.”
“She does that,” Happy said fondly, then sobered a little. “You good? I know this wasn’t exactly the dream wedding.”
You looked around, then at the cat, then at the impossibly large penthouse.
“No. But I’ll manage.”
Happy nodded. “You’ve handled worse. You’ll handle this. And hey—if you ever need a real person to talk to… I’m around.”
He paused before adding with mock seriousness, “Just don’t feed the cat shrimp. It goes to her head.”
From down the hall, Tony’s voice again: “I told you, it was ONE time—”
You smiled���genuinely this time. “Thanks, Happy.”
.
You curled up in bed a few minutes later. Dum-E had relocated to the window, silhouetted in moonlight, tail twitching as she surveyed her new roommate.
You weren’t sure what tomorrow would bring.
But you knew one thing.
You were already becoming part of the chaos. And for now… that would do.
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dollusionn · 10 days ago
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𝐃𝐑 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄 (uconn dr edition) (1/5)
credits to @mimishiftz for this idea because it helped motivate me to get my tumblr page out of its dusty attic box, blow off all the cobwebs + dust that its been collecting and rebrand!
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okie dokie, now that i've placed a compulsory, cutesy banner, we shall begin
#1 "what are three items you can't live without"
my airfryer, my airfryer's control panel and my airfryer cooking tray. Before anyone comes at me with "what about your phone?? your id??? PASSPORT IDK??!", lemme give you a quick lil pov on why my airfryer is my life support, my oxygen, the haemoglobin to my erythrocytes. The airfryer is one of the best inventions to ever exist in the human timeline. It can cook a variety of food and meals (for example, a cheese toastie and nuggets, yum!), it is compact and portable. If i was ever in a very inconvenient situation where i was being robbed, i would rather the burgular steal my living room funiture.....stealing my airfryer would result in that *insert alvin and the chipmunks jumping at you* meme being the last thing you see....
#2 "favourite song"
Lost Kitten by Metric. Even the mention of this name has me subconsciously hearing my teammates grumble (even if we weren't in the same continent) because of how overplayed this song it is in our dorm room. It wins platinum record for the song that has been replayed over and over again within a single hour.
#3 "what are your hobbies"
if annoying coach geno counts as a hobby then i would consider that as my main one. But since that apparently doesn't meet the requirements of a hobby, i would say my main hobbies are playing basketball, collecting trinkets, gaming, attempting to replicate art i see on pinterest and my most recent, making music on soundcloud. i still think annoying coach geno counts as a valid hobb-
#4 "favourite holiday"
stuck between the cruise trip i went with my family or the glamourous post-alevel gurliday (girlies + holiday). Hm hm hmmmmmmm, i will talk about the gurliday just because the cruise trip has too many deets that will be saved for another storytime. Imagine this, just over a month of exams and 51 exams done as a collective later, a piña colada in hand, new braids in, a fresh nail set (manicure AAAAAANDDD pedicure) and talking with ur girlies about anything and everything. Don't forget to throw in some holiday situationships and a whole new wardrobe bought and thats the '5 musketeers' gc holiday summed up for ya! Lemme just say that is PEAK GIRLHOOD. UGHHHH, i loved this holiday so so much that i shall make constant references to it in my autobiography that i will pass down to my grandbabies and descendants.
#5 what do you do for a living
currently in college so dont have a 'professional job' YET, but i play for the uconn wbb and get sponsorships so ig that counts??? (idk yes?? no?? maybe?? IDK) but not to ruffle my own feathers, but i recently won a grammy and now i've experienced my sponsorships TENFOLD!! like, my emails have been F-L-O-O-D-E-D with emails and brand deals that i had to get a manager just to help me sort out my inbox. Is now a good time to make a good joke? Call me the PR Princess the way i- nevermind, i dont have any punchlines and im scared the joke will be so boring that i'd have people PAYING just to throw tomatoes at me. And i did not order a tomato shower today
(a/n: thank yall for reading, this took me over 3 (inconsistent) days to do)
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spider-stark · 4 months ago
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andrew detmer | playlists
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p l a y l i s t # 1
the fall of andrew detmer | 14 songs | 1hr | spotify |
track list: Thumbs Again - Lucy Dacus // Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't - Brand New // S P E Y S I D E - Bon Iver // Someone Somewhere Somehow - Super Whatevr // Let Down - Radiohead // Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd - Lana Del Rey // Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths // All I Need - Radiohead // haunt me (x 3) - Teen Suicide // Darwinism - Halsey // Creep - Radiohead // Exit Music (For A Film) - Radiohead // I Know It's Over - Jeff Buckley // I Know The End - Phoebe Bridgers
concept: songs that remind me of my fav sad boy prior to him losing his marbles
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p l a y l i s t # 2
the rise of the apex predator | 14 songs | 51m 52s | spotify |
track list: Change (In the House of Flies) - Deftones // Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want - Deftones // Supermassive Black Hole - Muse // Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers // Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People // Faggot - Mindless Self Indulgence // I'm Not Okay (I Promise) - My Chemical Romance // Psycho Killer - Talking Heads // Gold Guns Girls - Metric // Tear You Apart - She Wants Revenge // Chop Suey! - System Of A Down // Break Stuff - Limp Bizkit // The Pretender - Foo Fighters // Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths
concept: a soundtrack for andrew's "point of no return"
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p l a y l i s t #3
"i miss you, steve" | 14 songs | 58m 47s | spotify |
track list: God Must Hate Me - Catie Turner // I Know It's Over - The Smiths // All I Think About Now - Pixies // Scott Street - Phoebe Bridgers // I Want You - Mitski // TV - Billie Eilish // The Wisp Sings - Winter Aid // Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead // When the Sun Hits - Slowdive // Fade Into You - Mazzy Star // House Song - Searows // Fourth of July - Sufjan Stevens // My Tears Are Becoming A Sea - M83 // You Love Me - Kimya Dawson
concept: songs that remind me of andrew x steve. mostly a ship playlist
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♡ if anyone wants to talk music, characters, or discuss how/why i believe these songs are a good fit, feel free to message me ♡
disclaimer: unless otherwise stated, these are playlists consist of songs that simply remind me of the character. they are not meant to be a direct reflection of the character's hypothetical listening habits, but rather of their mindsets, experiences, relationships, and general vibes.
feel free to check out my other playlists
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batfambrainrotbeloved · 5 months ago
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song recommendations for TDSB because its been a while
high and dry- radiohead
my ordinary life- the living tombstone (yes the fnaf song guy)
fourth of july- sufjan stevens
drunk walk home- mitski, this song’s ending gives me chills
I feel like im in a teen coming of age movie, but right now they're at the point where everythings gone wrong- their parents found out and they're grounded, the arcade didnt raise enough money, they didnt get summer jobs at the pool etc etc-
HES NOT JUST A FNAF GUY, HES M Y FNAF GUY
Also fun fact, when my a few greats grandmothers neighbor passed- her estate was passed onto my Grandma. She was a hoarder, not a "roach infested garbage pile" hoarder, but a "if its discounted and I dont buy im losing money" So one summer I spent several weeks basically from when I woke up to when I went to bed sorting through the metric TONS of jewlery, and all the while I looped "My Ordinary Life" Loop? You say- Like played a lot? NO. IT L O O P E D The other people helping out even told me they could tell when I woke up because theyd HEAR the intro for the fucking song and scream. My grandma bribed me 50 bucks to listen to something else (I just turned it down) good times.
ANYWAYS- Yes very Timothy coded.
OH MY G O D IM USING THIS SHIT. IM SAVING RN.
Yeah I get your vibe- I was a bit confused seeing the lyrics end so soon but I get it.
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gm--requests · 4 days ago
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My Knight, My Husband - Knight!Kihyun
g e n r e - s m u t. with a metric fuck ton of plot and a fluffy ending :)
w a r n i n g s - “historical” au!, unprotected sex, blatant allusion to virginity/loss of it, first time! pet names (my love, princess, my dearest, etc), brief mentions of weaponry and war, kihyun fat cawk, marriage (obvs)
o r i g i n a l  c o n t e n t - i did write this. no ai will ever be present in my writing. 
w o r d s - 13,102
a / n -  monsta x fanfic !! this is a recession indicator <3 i lowk don’t think i mentioned jooheon at all in this story lmfaooo which is insane because i mentioned almost every member of svt jsdfhlakjs pls know that i double bias minhyuk and honey so it isn’t personal !! i have been working on this for ages. i’m not quite happy with the smutty portions, but i’m tired of staring at it and trying to rework it. writing smut is hard these days [sobs] anyways this is written with a plus-size reader in mind. anyone, of course, can read it, and i highly encourage it because i worked hard on this piece, and for the first time i think, the reader will be getting picked up!!!! i would imagine that a knight who trains everyday would be able to lift someone up soooo... i’m kinda excited. like the plus-size community is hella underrated and i hope that i do all my babies justice. also please do not engage in unprotected sex unless you are in a long term relationship with a trustworthy partner.  that being said please enjoy sex as much as you want with the use of aforementioned protection! also! so sorry if anything is contextually inaccurate to/for a period piece, i've never written one before hhhh
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 The castle stood behind you- high, mighty, and stifling. You were royalty, born the oldest of two sisters, meant to take the place of your father should he pass away as your mother had so many years ago, taken too early and too young. You were regarded highly, seen as strong, independent, and ruthless. A cold-blooded woman, capable of showing kindness only to her family, but that was only true to those beyond the castle walls. To those within the confines of the castle and servitude, you were too kind, too driven, too burdened. 
Because of your dutiful nature, your sister was able to live more freely. She was able to follow her dreams and find passions of her own. It kept you motivated. That and your dire want to be ruler one day. While the thought of your father dying petrified you, the endless hours and days of training left you determined and hungry. Ever ready to take over if need be. You were head of the kingdom's military, they followed your father’s orders first, but yours second and there was no one with skill that could compare to yours… save for the immediate royal guard. Three knights and a mercenary. 
One of those knights, Wonho, and the mercenary, Changkyun, were assigned to your father's quarters. Wonho had brute strength, able to fight off at least 25 men alone with no weapon. While his demeanor was a bit ditsy and on rare occasions when he was stationed to watch over you, you were sure very little was going on in that pretty head of his, in dangerous situations he seemed to become another man entirely. War certainly knew how to make a man of him and though he’d never show it normally, he knew what he was doing… Changkyun was… an interesting character. Playful and sly, it seemed he was born to become the assassin he was. Sneaky, cunning, and quiet, his job was less so to protect your father and more so to gather information for him. Changkyun was the reason your father was so informed on the foreign nations and areas surrounding the kingdom. 
That left only your sister’s knight Hyungwon and your knight Kihyun. The two were partners in crime despite their stark differences in demeanor. Hyungwon was tall, quiet, and stoic, that is until your sister became involved. Around her, the blunt killer became a pile of mush. Staring and longing after your sister sweetly, he was working hard not only to protect her but to rank up just once more in order to be allowed to marry her. Of course, they both knew that, but he was respectful and dutiful nonetheless. Showing nothing more than his unmistakable blush around her. Their love was cute, much like the love you read about in the novels your kingdom’s commoners would leave for you as gifts. 
Your relationship with Kihyun, however, was nothing of the sort. He was annoyingly coy, ridiculously witty, and was truthfully (though you’d never admit it to him) the only person you regarded as completely equal. The only member of the guard to never have lost to you in a sparring match, as well as the only knight to put up with your ridiculous and surprisingly childish antics. 
The ones that left you as you were tonight, draped in a common peasant’s garb, a large hood pulled over your head, standing just beyond the walls of the castle. Kihyun by your side dressed the same way, only starkly more unhappy. 
He sighs with annoyance, “Why must you sneak out like this princess?” 
You don’t even spare him a glance as you continue your small journey, “Sir Kihyun if you didn’t wish to accompany me, why must you burden me with your ever-incessant presence.” 
Kihyun lets out a dry chuckle, “Presumably for the same that you burden me with your incessant need to chase after trouble.” 
“Kihyun, have you lost all manners? Is this any way to speak to your princess?” 
“Oh please! Spare me, if I truly regarded you in any such way, I’m almost convinced you would have my head.” 
“Truthfully, if I could have your head, I would already.” You roll your eyes, even in the darkness. He laughs loudly at your remark and you turn around to swat at him for his loud outburst, “Shh!” you exclaim with slight panic, “Lord above Kihyun, for someone so worried about me getting caught and being led into danger, you sure are comfortable with your recklessness.” 
He smirks behind you, it’s an expression you know well enough to be able to make out in the moonlight. You punch him in the arm and turn back towards your path. Soon you are at the back door of a large manor. Not quite a castle, but much more than a measly home. You knock three times in rapid succession and the door flies open. 
You flip back your hood and are met with a happy face of instant recognition, “Daffodil!” the boy behind the open door exclaims. 
“Vernon!” You reply, comfortably returning his excitement. He steps out of the way and you walk inside, quickly gesturing for Kihyun to follow. With a roll of his eyes, he steps inside the door. Watching as the men inside greet you with unknowing informality. 
Though he’d never admit it, their comfortability irks him, and it takes everything in him not to sever their hands from their bodies as they pat your back and ruffle your hair. 
“Daffodil, my beautiful flower, how are you on this fine evening?” Dokyeom asks with a lovestruck gaze and soft smile. His tan skin glowed underneath the many lit candles and wall-hanging pendant lights. 
A small blush creeps along your face at his words and you meet his soft grin with your own, “Dokyeom you flatter me too much and I’ll start to grow a head the size of an ugly pond toad.” 
“And even then you’d still be beautiful,” He responds, taking your hand in his own and squeezing it lightly. 
Jun and Minhyuk scoff at the same time, their dignity obvious in their clothing choices, both sons of the kingdom's most well-known marquises. 
“Truly Dokyeom, must you take our lovely flower all for yourself?” Jun says, stepping beside you. 
“My thoughts exactly,” Minhyuk remarks with a smile, as he pries Dokyeom’s hand from yours. 
Dokyeom pouts but before he can respond Wonwoo looks up from his book, “I’d be forever grateful if you’d all cease your meaningless speaking.” 
“Oh bite it Wonu,” you reply playfully, “your life would return to being nothing but drab menagerie had I not made a presence within it.” 
“No Daffodil,” he begins, placing his eyes back on the pages in front of him, “It would return to peace and tranquility.” 
Seungkwan scoffs, “Don’t listen to him Daffodil, he’s happy that you visit us during these clear nights.” 
“We all are. My life has become more beautiful since you entered it, my lovely flower,” Minhyuk smiles, placing a kiss on your hand. Your blush returns in an instant. 
“However,” Jun begins, stalking over to Kihyun who had chosen to hang back by the door, “It seems we were not only blessed with our lovely Daffodil’s presence but that of an unbecoming weed’s as well.” 
You whip your head around to see Kihyun straighten up at the obvious jab, arms crossing over his defined chest, his gaze darkening. Pulling your hand from Minhyuk’s with a quick, apologetic glance, you walk over to step in between your knight and Jun. 
“Jun, I’d very much appreciate it if you didn’t disrespect my company with your foul attitude and sharp tongue.” 
“Really, DaffodiI,” Kihyun spits harshly, but you cut him off with a pleading look. 
Jun just laughs and pulls you in for a hug with unwarranted comfortability that makes Kihyun stiffen and you lightly yelp in shock, “Oh Daffodil, you’re so cute when you get serious like that!” 
You scoff in disbelief as you try to pull away from him, “Junhui you let me go right this instant!” 
Vernon laughs, “How unbecoming of you Jun, to hug a commoner like this and in front of her suitor nonetheless.” 
“Absolutely ruthless,” Seungkwan snickers right beside him. 
“Suitor?” Junhui and Dokyeom ask in simultaneous shock. 
You look at them with wide eyes. Kihyun immediately began denying the rumor before it could take off anymore, “I hate to disappoint you all, but she is nothing more than a childhood friend. Please do not let your brain wander off with these crazy ideals and spun tales. I would no sooner vie for her love than I would that of a snail.” 
Before another word could be spoken there is a knock at the door of the library from the inside. Wonwoo quickly looks up from his book and casts his gaze among the commoners within, “Go, quickly, I’ll see you all tomorrow night,” he whispers curtly, something of an apologetic grimace dancing across his features.
Everyone scrambles hurriedly, hushed goodbyes and chaste kisses blown between friends are sent as each of you departs quickly from the backdoor from whence you came. Once outside and departing from the rest of your friends, Kihyun finally speaks. 
“Your friends are quite the charmers, Daffodil, but it would seem to me that anyone would want to return to them if they were receiving that same treatment.” 
You stop walking and turn to him, your expression cold, “And whatever is that supposed to mean, Sir Kihyun?” 
His tone shifts a bit, more careful perhaps, “I just meant, that they all seem quite taken to you,”
“So you are implying that I only return in order to be wooed by smitten commoners?” 
“Well, no your Highness, I simply…”
“Sir Kihyun, I suggest you find something to do, other than throw wild accusations around. Have you anything more to say, it would behoove you to keep it to yourself.” You reply curtly. 
“Yes, Princess.” 
Soon you are back at the castle and in your room where your two ladies-in-waiting are doing just that, waiting. When they catch glimpse of you from outside of your quarters they rush to your side and quickly usher you back into your room. 
“Princess, we must get you cleaned up and ready for bed, your father gave word to Wonho who passed along word to us, in order to let you know that a prince will be visiting from a kingdom across the seas, who is looking to court you!” Marie speaks excitedly, only to be met with Jade’s further excitement.
“Oh, princess! Isn’t it romantic? Traveling such a long way in order to pursue you!” Jade is giddy as she lays your sleep clothes upon the mattress and Marie begins bathing you in the large tub near the corner of your room.
“It’s just like those princes you speak about, from your novels, are you not excited?” Marie’s brows crease at your lack of response. 
The frown only deepens as you speak, “While it sounds lovely, yes, I don’t wish to have a man rule beside me unless I truly love him, and even then, I am more than capable of running this kingdom on my own. Not to even begin upon the thoughts of what he may be like. Being a prince or even handsome, means nothing to me, not truly. If I am made to have a man at my side I’d want him to be stoic and brave, yet witty and charming. I’d want him to have kindness in all aspects of his life and a genuine demeanor,” Now Jade’s expression matches Marie’s as they dry and dress you.
“Truthfully princess,” Jade begins and they both sigh dramatically, unable to fight back the small smiles beginning on their faces, “Does such a man even exist?” 
Marie rolls her eyes, “I mean surely not outside of her books.” 
“Both of you hush,” you exclaim playfully, “If my sister is able to be courted by a knight such as Hyungwon, a man honestly suited for her, with a demeanor that she could build for her perfect suitor within her dreams, there must be a man out there for me.” 
A knock at your door makes all three of you jump, “Princess, may I enter?” It is the voice of Kihyun and so without a second thought, you answer.
“You may.” your response is clipped and both Marie and Jade look at you quizzically. You shoo off their confusion and curiosity quickly, before crossing your arms and turning your gaze into something chilly and uninviting. When Kihyun opens your door, you look with kind eyes toward your ladies and dismiss them softly. 
They both giggle in understanding as they curtsy politely and excuse themselves. They give quick curtsies to Kihyun, which he meets with a bow as they exit, whispering and murmuring to one another. 
You look quickly at Kihyun and then back to the floor in front of you as you seat yourself on the edge of your bed. Kihyun is back in half armor, as worn during his watching over you around the castle. The clanging of the assorted placed metal was a common, almost comforting sound. 
“What can I do for you at such a late hour Kihyun? It is unbecoming of you to ask entrance to my room once you know I’m in my night clothes, so I assume it must be something important.” 
Kihyun rolls his eyes at your unnaturally harsh disposition, “I’ve come to apologize princess. I do not wish to see you go to sleep with such an angry demeanor. It doesn’t suit your beautiful features.” 
“Oh hush, you know flattery will get you nowhere Kihyun.” 
“If this is so, then why does that blush of yours dance across those aforementioned lovely features?” a smirk begins to paint his expression, you can hear it in his tone.
“It only does so to betray my true feelings.” 
“Oh? Your own body wishes to betray your intent? How unbefitting of my future empress.” 
You finally look at him, but it is with a glare. One that does nothing to deter him, instead he chuckles. 
“I will have you know Sir Kihyun, that my body only betrays me in moments like this because I find it quite impossible to be genuinely angry with you for long.” You sigh and let your arms fall. 
“Is my apology then accepted? Has my empress found it within her heart to extend a hand of forgiveness?” 
“Of course, I have, you absolutely wretched soul! And quit calling me your empress, I am not yet to call that title my own and sister says speaking things like that into existence too early could lead to bad things falling unto me or the family.” 
Kihyun snorts, “Your sister plays with those gems and reads too many books of magic.” 
You fight back your smile, "And even so, I don't wish to risk such a thing." 
Kihyun bows his head, still smirking, "Of course not princess. On other matters, I hear a prince from a foreign nation will be on his way to court you on the morrow." 
"So I've been told." 
Kihyun crosses his arms and cocks his head.
You look at him, playfully batting your eyes, "My ever-dearest knight, this would be the perfect time to confess your undying love for me in an uproarious fit of passion and longing, if you did so desire to do so." 
Kihyun smiles at your words and steps near you dropping to one knee, his playfulness only working to one-up your own, "Of course my beloved princess, how could I not absolutely throw myself at you?" His gloved hand comes to rest over his heart as he bows his head, "Please do not marry for it would crush my heart to shambles." He speaks exaggeratedly, struggling to hold back his laughter as he looks up at your flushed face. 
His gaze meets yours past the hair that falls upon his forehead as he reaches out and takes your hand, kissing it. You yank your hand away, holding it over your heart. 
"Oh for the great lord above, must you always take it so far!" You exclaim hushedly. 
"For that same great lord, must you always become so excited by it?" He asks with a chuckle as he stands up and ruffles your hair. "Go to sleep princess, a prince will be waiting to make your acquaintance in only seven hours' time and you've had an adventurous night, so you'll need all the beauty sleep can give you." 
"I'm plenty beautiful enough," you huff as you climb under your covers. 
"To me? Yes. To a prince of a foreign nation? That has yet to be seen. Good night my empress," he stops only to look at you, bow, and correct himself. 
"I apologize, my princess," 
"Good night Kihyun, please watch over me well tomorrow." 
"Of course. Don’t I always?" 
And the chamber doors shut, leaving you to stare at the ceiling and wonder why your heart fluttered so vehemently when your Sir Kihyun knelt in front of you, your hand in his. 
– –
When the morning arrives you are met with the curt knock of Kihyun’s heavy hand upon your chamber door. 
"Y/n," his stern voice echoed into your sleep, “The sun is rising and you have a long day ahead of you.” 
He is met with what had become your usual groan of disdain. A sound to which his only reply is a louder knock, “Princess, should you put off waking up any longer, the prince will arrive to see you in a more than unbecoming state.” 
“Shut your mouth, there is not one state that I’ve ever existed in, in which I was anything other than downright bewitching.” You grumble, now standing face to face with him, having climbed out of your bed and opened the large wooden doors, separating the two of you. Your hair stands wildly atop your head, he only laughs and pats down the pieces straying away.  
“Marie is running a bit late, but she will be here shortly to get you dressed and ready to meet the prince,” Kihyun says with a tone that rings matter-of-fact, and as if hearing him, Marie steps up behind him. 
She is a flustered mess, a bit out of breath, and holding what seems to be a large gown, tightly in her arms. “Princess,” she heaves as her full breaths struggle to reach her lungs, “I have come to you late and for that, I offer my apologies, but I promise it was with good reason!” Marie is giddy and she does her best to politely push past Kihyun. 
He gives with a small smile and a roll of his eyes. Once in the room, Marie turns around and smiles at Sir Kihyun before shutting the door in his face. 
You quickly find out that her wondrous surprise is indeed a dress, but one made for your mother years ago. “It is a gift from your father, princess!” Marie exclaims, “This was the dress that your mother wore when the emperor first extended his hand as her suitor.” 
You can’t help but smile despite the sadness you feel. Your father was very caring but often left you wondering about his true hidden emotions, and yet here they were plainly splayed out in front of you. It was your mother’s dress, something he must have held onto with a heavy and hopeful heart, and now here it was draping over your body. 
When Marie is done dressing you and fixing your hair, she adorns your head with a fancy crown, one saved only for royal necessities such as today's endeavors. As you stand and greet her, a gasp leaves her lips, “My dearest princess, you look beautiful.” Her eyes dampen with tears and yours do the same, “Simply put princess, I believe this prince will fall head over heels for you. He may skip right over the courting and immediately, without a second thought, ask for your hand in marriage.” 
You sigh, but the soft smile doesn’t fall from your lips, even as things begin to go terribly wrong. After a rush to the throne room, a near horrific happenstance of almost damaging the dress (due to some careless guards), and the nervous butterflies settling in your stomach as the prince goes an hour past his set arrival time, you maintain face. If not for yourself then for your father, who fidgets almost unnoticeable. 
When the doors to the throne room open, both you and your father sit up straighter. The nervousness multiplies within you tenfold, only to turn into immediate dread when the only person to be announced and entered is the prince’s messenger and not the prince. 
The messenger bows deeply and offers you an almost apologetic glance before averting his eyes by placing their gaze upon the unraveled scroll in front of him. 
“Your highnesses, I come bearing words from my Prince, Seungcheol of Valhalla, if I may be so honored as to speak them,” the boy's voice is clear and echoes gently across the large, mostly empty room.
Your father looks to you, and you take your queue. Your voice elegant, but bold. Even without raising it much at all, your words cut through the air, “You may proceed.” Your command is accompanied by the curt nod of your father. As the messenger reads, your eyes turn cold, and your demeanor turns to stone as you try to drown out the way your heart aches. 
“His regard reads as such your Majesty, ‘I, Prince Seungcheol, wish to extend a hand of apology, as it pains me to say that which follows. Due to an unforeseen battle, I am needed at war front and will be unable to be graced by the presence of the Princess of Rosaria at this time. It troubles me to bring such cold news after having been the one to reach out to the gracious emperor to vie for his daughter's hand in matrimony. Though I wish I could extend the hand further and ask for a bit more time, I am not a dishonest man, and so I could not lie and say it would not be for far longer than any man of any stature should keep a beautiful woman and her kingdom waiting. It is with this knowledge that I must retract my extension of courtship. I hope this does not dampen our ties as kingdoms, nor do I hope to paint myself or my kingdom in a negative light in the eyes of the rulers of Rosaria. Please wish me well and know that Valhalla still holds its pledge of allegiance.”
You fight back your tears on the throne and though your father would normally be filled with rage, watching your face fall ever so slightly, is more than enough for him to forget all about the messenger before him. Without allowing for too much hesitation or sadness, your voice is once again finding its way into the air, slicing it with its cool frigidity. 
“Tell your prince that it is quite noble of him to choose to protect his kingdom over the possibility of courtship, so I hold no malice towards him or his people. Please make it very clear that it is because of this nobility that we, the kingdom of Rosaria, do not wish to cut ties, but instead form a strong alliance in the future. If a prince cares so much for his people that he would risk losing relations with a Kingdom with more resources than his own, I know that he is someone we could trust. Thank you for traveling all this way to deliver such news. I am grateful to you for your dedication and hard work. You are pardoned, please be on your way.” 
The messenger bows deeply, “Thank you for your kindness, I will deliver your message well. Please remain healthy, your majesty.” He raises his head and turns towards your father, bowing once more, “Your grace.” The emperor nods and the messenger quickly departs. 
Once the room is empty, you can’t help the one tear that falls down your otherwise regal and unphased, expressionless face. “My daughter,” the emperor begins, placing his hand atop your own, “Please know-” 
You smile up at him before standing and patting down your dress, the smile doesn’t reach your eyes as they begin to fill with tears, “Don’t worry father, this isn’t the first time something of this nature has happened. I’m sorry to disappoint you, I’ll work harder at finding someone to court me.” 
“Y/n, this isn’t your fault, it never is,” he says sweetly, his heart breaking for you. 
“But even you were excited this time father,” you reply, gesturing to your mother’s dress that adorns your body, “Next time I’ll make sure not to waste something so special.” 
Before he can speak again you are descending the steps and doing your best to exit the room with haste. As the large ornate door closes behind you, the tears begin falling freely. You do your best to keep any sobs to yourself until you are in front of your chamber doors. 
In your sadness, you don’t notice your knight waiting for you until you run right into him. You look up at him to apologize but are met with his vague panic instead. Without much thought, Sir Kihyun is cupping your face in order to use his thumbs to wipe away your tears as they fall. 
“My dear princess,” his voice barely above a whisper, “what has you showing such a stunning weakness so openly like this?” 
Of course, Kihyun already had an idea, but your reaction was not what he had imagined it would be. Kihyun had been on the front steps to welcome the prince upon his arrival. He was the one who first met with the messenger and his rushed apology from the royalty of Valhalla, but he didn’t expect such a reaction as this, from someone like you. Many men had come to court you, only to realize exactly how much of a challenge you really were, and back out. For not one of those men did you cry, but now, for one, you hadn’t so much as seen a drawn depiction of? It didn’t make sense to him, but as he continued to wipe your tears away, the way his heart splintered for you, worked well to remind him that it need not have any understanding to him if it is how you felt. 
“He didn’t even show up,” you whispered to him. You grab at Kihyun’s wrists to pull his hands away from your face, so you can fall a bit forward, your forehead resting on his unarmored chest. His hands hang limply by his sides as you bunch up your hands in the fabric of his shirt and sob against him, loudly. The hall around you is empty save for you, him, and your sister’s knight, Hyungwon, who was stationed outside of her chambers. “This dress belonged to my mother,” you cry out, “Father was so excited for me. Hells! I was excited. I thought maybe this one actually wanted to be with me. He asked for me of his own accord and yet even with this, he didn’t come. I look pretty today, Kihyun.” Your voice trails back into a whisper with your last statement and maybe it is because of this that Kihyun’s hands ball up into fists and he begins to fill with rage.
“You always look ravishing, y/n,” 
His use of your name so casually, has you standing back up to look at him with shock, your tears slowing their descent only because of surprise, “Kihy-”
“For making you cry like this, I should hunt him down and have his head. To waste such a special dress, such luxury as you putting on your crown, and even more so- your excitement,” his body stiffens further with every angry word, “Perhaps it would be safer for Prince Seungcheol, to die at war, than to return only to be met with his demise at the hand of my sword,” he spits. His gaze falls past you as if in his head he truly is beheading the aforementioned prince. 
You release your grip upon his now wrinkled shirt. You do your best to rub out the crinkling, before placing your hand on his muscular chest, “Sir Kihyun, it isn’t like you to address me so casually or to speak so harshly upon the names of those you’ve never even so much as laid eyes upon.”
He looks down at you as you sniffle and a small smile falls across his lips, “Forgive me, princess, it seems I’ve overstepped a few boundaries.” 
“I suppose because you stood here so dutifully and let me ruin your clothing that I shall forgive you for your use of my name so informally, and because it is a murder that you wish to commit in honor of my feelings, I’ll forgive your gruesome words and thoughts as well.” 
“As always, even in your own emotional state, you are far too kind and forgiving.” 
“Ah yes, and if I weren’t that way, you’d not love me so much.” 
“There are many reasons for which I love you, y/n.” 
Your face flushes and your eyes widen, “Again, my name is said so casually and with a statement such as that? Are you using my vulnerable moments against me, Kihyun?” 
“Of course not princess, I would never do such a thing. However, I may be selfish with my timing in trying to woo you.” 
“Oh is that what you’re doing, my knight?” 
He grabs your hand and brings it to his lips, “I couldn’t bear to see you crying and so I might have been having a flirt for a moment, to brighten your mood and show you some honesty.” 
“Honesty, you say?” 
“But of course my princess, you can’t truly think that I don’t mean at least some of the things I say to you. Perhaps, this is a conversation saved for nightfall, when we can truly discuss it without wandering eyes or ears.” He glances passed you to the in-castle gardener, Xiaojun, who had wandered into the hall. His eyes meet Kihyun’s and he quickly scurries away in fear. 
“Are you asking to speak to me alone? At night? How unbecoming of a knight.” 
“Yes, but the intrigue has stopped the flowing of your tears and dusted your precious face in a wave of soft pink, so really who seems more sordid, my beloved?” 
“Oh stop it Kihyun,” you say as you pull your hand from his, “Truthfully, I’ve just had my heart broken, and here you are already trying to play with it again.” 
“I don’t believe I am “playing” this time princess. I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by now, could I? You look so alluring and regal that I couldn’t possibly keep these flirtatious and honest thoughts to myself.” 
You huff and walk into your room and he laughs aloud to himself. 
“She seemed a bit genuine in that anger, Kihyun” Hyungwon calls from down the hall. 
“Perhaps she was this time,” Kihyun responds, still chuckling, “But I meant what I said.” 
“Perhaps that was the problem.” Hyungwon rolls his eyes as Kihyun walks past him and pats him on the shoulder. 
It isn’t long before Wonho appears and takes Kihyun’s place in front of your chamber doors. 
– – 
When night falls, Kihyun returns to your chamber doors. His normally heavy hand falls a bit softer upon the wood, as Wonho’s eyes fall anywhere that isn’t on his shorter superior. 
A soft, “You may enter,” is barely heard through the thick of the door, but Kihyun’s trained ears could pick up on a skip of your heartbeat in the middle of the packed ballroom, so the call instantly has him opening your door and slipping in. 
Outside the door, Hyungwon and Wonho share knowing looks from down the hall, but inside the room, your maid is excusing herself through a side door and you are standing to face your knight. 
It takes everything within him not to let his eyes fall upon your nightgown-clad body, but even though his gaze never leaves your own you find yourself blushing softly, “What is a knight of your rank doing in my bed chambers at such an hour?” Your voice is playful but sad with softness. 
A gentle smile tugged at his lips, “Really shouldn’t I be asking you, what someone of your stature is doing letting a knight of my rank enter your bed chambers during the night?” 
“Perhaps we are both guilty of inappropriate actions then,” you respond quickly. 
Kihyun doesn’t respond, for too long you stand and stare at one another before he approaches you, “Please know that all the actions I make from this moment on are meant in truth and fueled by a desperate longing that I have been unable to rid myself of for quite some time.”
Your eyebrows furrow in confusion, but before you can speak the knight is taking your hand and kneeling before you. His eyes hold a scorching truth within their burning gaze as he begins speaking.
“Princess y/n, of Rosaria, I have watched over you for so many years that I find it hard to recall a time that we weren’t side-by-side. You are the very reason for each breath that I take. You are the reason I wake in the morning. You are the reason I have continued to work diligently, you are the night, the day, the stars, the sky, the moon, and the sun. You are the object of all of my desires. It is because of this that I have asked your father’s permission to court you. Should you allow me your hand, I promise to hold it for every moment in which I am alive, and should you allow me your love, I would be the happiest man to have ever been graced with existence.” 
You stare at him with wide eyes, but his gaze never falters. 
“Sir Kihyun, I-” 
“If you need time to think it through, I understand, for even you contemplating the premise seems like far more than I am worthy of, your majesty.” 
The silence stretches between the two of you, but he does not let go of your hand, nor does he let his eyes fall from yours. Just as he is about to speak once more, you cut him off. Your posture shifted taller, regality boiling and dripping from your words, “I need not think upon it any further than I just have. Sir Kihyun, not only do I accept your courtesanship, I will meet with my father for discussion upon cutting the time period in half.” 
Now it is Kihyun’s turn to be stunned, his eyes widen to match how yours had been just moments before, “P-princess-” 
“Should you have truly meant what you said, then I wouldn’t want to keep this passion of yours festering for any longer than I already have. Perhaps it was cruel of me to not notice your feelings earlier.” 
At this Kihyun laughs. The knight rises back to his feet, pulling you into him. He pats your head as it rests on his chest, “You are unlike any woman I have ever met princess, truly, must you always keep me on my toes? What am I to do with you and your rash thinking? Your father will have both our heads come tomorrow.” 
You sniffle a bit, face flushed, heart hammering, the feeling of comfort sinking deeply into your bones, “I just want to make sure you were to make good on your words and I am ill of being alone, my knight.” 
He chuckles somewhat dryly, “Silly little princess, you’ve only ever been alone in your mind, and that is the most selfish action you’ve ever taken.” 
You look up at him with watery eyes and he smiles at you softly. Your eyes move in tandem, glancing from matching gazes to too-close lips. Without thinking the knight leans down and presses his mouth to yours. An absurd action that you would normally throw a fit about, but instead you push closer to him. 
His lips are chapped against yours. His hand cups your head at the nape of your neck, even though the kiss does not deepen. The two of you stay, lips touching, for far longer than a few skips of a heartbeat. Far longer than anyone who is unwed should be doing such a thing. 
When Kihyun pulls away it is with obvious strength, his brows furrowing as he takes a deep breath and cups your face in both hands, “My love, it seems as though we have both forgotten who and where we are.” 
“Had that statement been true my knight, I think you would have acted with less composure.” 
Kihyun smirks, “Just you wait, once we are wed, you are going to think you have married a beast.” 
You gasp and smack your knight lightly on the chest, “Kihyun! Don’t say such things.” 
He laughs heartily at your embarrassment, “Don’t worry, my empress, the only thing around to hear us are the frogs and cicadas.” 
He lets go of your face and takes a step back, bowing to you deeply, “As much as I don’t want to take my leave, the hour only gets later, and you need rest should you really make conversation with your father tomorrow.” 
“O-of course, you should rest as well, my knight.” you can’t find his eyes with your own, so you cast your look upon your hands that are now folded properly in front of you. 
Kihyun nods and walks to your door, pushing it open just a crack before speaking again, “I cannot wait until I can kiss you like that each night. Until then, I’ll treasure this moment, as well as that cute and, well, submissive look on your face.” 
“S-sir Kihyun!” you exclaim in shock.
“Good night my love, dream only of me,” Is all he says as he slips out of your room. 
Wonho and Marie try to cast their gazes away from him as if they weren’t just pressed against the thickness of the door eavesdropping. 
Hyungwon from down the hall, is not so coy, “Truthfully did you kiss her?” 
Kihyun beams at him, “Who’s to say?” 
Hyungwon rolls his eyes and scoffs as Kihyun snickers, “Good night to you all, the next time you see me this happy, it’ll be when I am stood waiting for her at the altar.” 
Wonho grins, “I look forward to the day sir.” 
“If he doesn’t get himself beheaded before then,” Marie mumbles, crossing her arms.
Kihyun beams, all the way back to the barracks. 
– –
To say that the conversation with your father went well would be, surprisingly, an understatement. Maybe it was because of the way your smile never seemed to leave your lips or maybe it was because even at that moment, when the both of you were obviously afraid, Kihyun stood diligently by your side, just as he always had. 
Though the emperor did not show much approval for Sir Kihyun’s timing initially, it seemed as though you were teeming and bubbling with nothing short of dangerous excitement. When he cast his gaze upon the two of you, it took everything within his power not to allow his gaze to soften and eyes to weep. The two of you draped the emperor in melancholic remembrance, as he looked upon you both only to see your mother and his younger self staring back at him.  
“Sir Kihyun,” the king’s voice booms, “You will have 4 weeks' time to prove your undying love for her. Should any mistakes be made, the repercussions will fall unto you, tenfold.” 
Kihyun presses a flat palm over his heart and bows deeply, “I understand, your majesty.” 
Your father nods, before sending Kihyun on his way, leaving the two of you alone, “Is this really what you want, my darling?” 
“Yes, father.” Your certainty falls heavily between the two of you. 
“Please do not make this decision in the haste of heartbreak or loneliness. Your well-being and happiness are what is most important in times such as this. Should this man cause harm to you, his position is at stake, and should you allow yourself to be too caught up in this unassuming whirlwind, the kingdom could be at stake in the future. This is a procession that is moving with haste that I didn’t know a calling of marriage, such as this, could have. Should Kihyun have been any other man, I would have had his tongue for even proposing such an idea.” His words were no more than a farce, he was sure you knew that, but rather than draw attention to it if you did, you simply nodded, bowed to him deeply, and excused yourself with a smile still tugging at the corner of your lips. 
As soon as you were sure that the door was closed behind you, you let your happiness dance confidently across your face. Only to hear Kihyun chuckle softly. 
“My Princess, if I didn’t know any better,” he grabbed your wrist in his hand and began pulling you away from your father’s office, “I’d almost believe you had been granted the one thing you’ve always dreamed of, with a reaction like yours.” 
You smile wide and nod firmly, “I am being granted the thing I’ve always dreamt of.” 
Sir Kihyun stops and turns to you, brow arched inquisitively, “What do you mean?” 
You shrug your shoulders, “I have always dreamt of marriage with someone whom I can trust and share a bond with, and now I’ve been granted the luxury of only having to wait 4 weeks for that dream to be my reality.” 
For once Kihyun is at a loss for words, the blush spreading across his face works to mimic the one that is normally fallen upon yours. You grin at him widely, “Now tell me, my knight, whatever is that crimson shade doing dusting your handsome face?” 
You do your best to mimic his normally mocking tone and he scoffs. Looking away from you he proceeds to begin walking again, with haste that leaves you lightly jogging to keep up with him, should you not and his grip on your wrist not falter, you’d be face first on the ground.  
“There is not even a hint of color on my face, past my skin tone, princess,” he finally responds, the embarrassment evident in his voice. You can’t help but giggle at this new change in his demeanor. 
– –
The following days are spent like any other. Training, studying, discussing new foreign policies with your father, sitting in on your sister’s vocal lessons. The only difference is now Kihyun is stood a bit closer to you, his hands often finding ways to brush against your own. 
If anyone notices, and you’re sure that they do, they don’t say anything. Apparently, Kihyun’s proposal was only a shock to you, as everyone else has remained unbothered and unphased, the only comments about the blooming love were made in passing and about you. Words of praise about how you had become “even softer and kinder as a princess” and how your “beautiful smile seemed to be worn with more commonality than before.” And though you were not one to be supercilious in any way, you couldn’t help but feel that the statements made were true. 
Kihyun made it apparent to you that he was truly in love. Small actions that had been weaved into his everyday mannerisms, as if he had been waiting patiently all this time, for the moment when he could begin treating you this way. 
Any moment that he was allowed to stand alone with you, your hand was in his, his lips brushing against your ear as gave hushed whispers tinged with love, promising you the forevers you’d only read of in your books. 
Any moment he was not by your side he was working diligently to even further excel in any way he could, working with more assiduity to insure that no one could possibly claim he be fit for any other place than right by your side as he had already been for years. Every day of training was filled with grumbles from the other knights about how your love must only be fueling him with more strength and how unfair it was that he had taken the beloved princess for himself after all this time. 
Any time the knights had to watch the two of you spar, the tension filled the grounds. They found you to be winning more often against your soon to be husband, as if the strength you gave him only returned to you 10 fold. Kihyun’s grin was the brightest when your sword was at his throat. 
2 weeks passed quickly, time seeming to be propulsed forward with your excitement as it grew each and every day. Your days went from being filled with sparring and educational training to wedding planning. 
Your maids kept you swept up in it all, from the food to the flowers your brain was quickly becoming enraptured by the fulfillment of your most lifelong dream. 
By week 3, you could barely contain yourself. The invitations were being sent out far and wide, royal messengers arriving each day to announce the attendance of their sovereignty, to what was quickly becoming the most talked about celebrations in all the lands. Even the townsfolk were delivering gifts and well-wishes to their most beloved princess. Excitement bustled through the streets. 
Though you allowed Kihyun very little say in the marital preparation, much to his pleasure and peace of mind, he did make sure that your friends whom he’d met on that late night a month or so ago; would be in attendance. 
When he told you this, without a thought you hugged him with glee, only to remember yourself moments later– releasing him quickly and straightening yourself, face rosey and smile bright. It was the things like this that made you sure of your choice (as if you’d been having any second thoughts in the first place). 
– –
When the wedding day finally arrived, you were swept away by the love being shown to you. All of the people you loved the most in attendance, accompanied by the names and faces of people you’d only known because it was your duty to do so. Your husband stood diligently by your side, a special suit adorning his body, sword still placed upon his hip. You greeted everyone with a blinding brilliance that many couldn’t help but comment on. 
The commoners that you called your friends had been garnished in lovely clothing made of fabrics they’d never so much as touched prior to this day. Kihyun had made sure that they would be dressed as such so that they could greet you properly and be seated alongside you during the banquet. Each of them approaches you with love and a new air of dignity. Junhui prided himself on the clothing he’d chosen for them from his father’s shops. You promised them each an explanation of  why you had lied about who you were, dated for some time later in the week when the festivities had ended. 
A week into your proposal with Kihyun any doubts had fled your mind, but to know he went out of this way for you– working with Wonwoo and Junhui, to find a way to allow those you loved so dearly as family, a way into the ceremony you’d been dreaming of… it all just made you love him even more, a feat you would have thought impossible if the feeling weren’t flooding you in that moment. 
The two of you greeted so many guests that you felt your lips may dry and shrivel off your faces, especially Kihyun, who had never been one for overwhelming amounts of interaction like this. His eyes often finding yours in a sort of begging to be set free from the responsibility. It would only make you giggle and give his hand a gentle squeeze, before you were greeting yet another face that would only blur further and further into the night. 
It wasn’t until you greeted the last guest, that you felt the ardent flames of attentivity return to Kihyun. It was as if the fire that burned inside of him was set anew as a man only an inch taller than Kihyun himself, approached. It was a face that you didn’t know and one that Kihyun had etched into his memory for this moment alone. 
Before you could speak to him, or the man could speak to you, Kihyun’s voice was filling the space. A dark hatred burning in his eyes, his voice curt and null of formalities, “Seungcheol,” Kihyun bowed his head, though his eyes never left the eyes of the man he spoke to, “How honorable of you to find time to attend our nuptials.” 
Prince Seungcheol’s eyes flicked to Kihyun, a gaze just as dark and uproarious as his. The prince nodded back, “I could not allow myself to miss seeing the princess as beautiful as this, even if it was not the two of us to be hand in hand.” 
Your smile faltered as Seungcheol spoke. 
He then took your gloved hand in his own and bowed deeply before you, placing a kiss upon your knuckles, “I’m sure the softness of this silk only mirrors the softness of the skin underneath, Princess,” Kihyun’s body stiffened as Seungcheol spoke, “I apologize that I couldn’t take my rightful place beside you before you were made to,” his eyes flicked to your husband and then once again back to you, “settle.” 
Kihyun’s sword was drawn before you could even process the motion or the princes’ words. The tip of the weapon grazing Seungcheol’s neck. The action was accompanied by a mirrored action from the prince’s knight, Sir Jihoon. 
“Watch your tongue,” Kihyun spat, coldly. 
A smirk on Seungcheol’s face, his lips still pressed to your hand. It was Jihoon who spoke for him, “Watch your weapon.” No emotion was caught in his tone, but his eyes said everything they needed to. 
Kihyun and Jihoon exchanged a heated gaze, neither of their weapons faltering. 
The large crowd that had been wrapped up in their own conversations and musings, began to fall quiet as eyes began to fall on the scene playing out before them.  
 You cleared your throat and stood taller, “Both of you brandish your weapons and stop making a fool of me.”
Kihyun didn’t move until Seungcheol stood and nodded at Jihoon, who did as he was told. He then followed in suit. Seungcheol let go of your hand gently and you curtsied to him politely.
“I apologise for the actions of my right hand,” he motioned to Jihoon, who bowed apologetically towards you, “he was only doing as he is trained to do.” 
“Your highness, I am honored that you could make it to my wedding,” your tone is curt and no one misses the fact that you do not apologize for the actions of your husband. This makes Kihyun’s heart soar. 
“I hope you will stay long enough to celebrate the love being rejoiced in this evening. Please make yourself comfortable and enjoy everything this banquet has to offer! I am honored that you could grace my husband and I, with your presence this time and I hope you’ll find that the festivities are to your liking.” 
You beamed as you grabbed the hand of your husband, “If you’ll excuse us, we’ve had quite a long day and would love to partake in the festivities ourselves, with a love such as this, it has been quite hard to contain my excitement. I hope you understand.” 
Seungcheol’s smirk wavered for nothing more than a split second, before he bowed once again, “Of course, your majesty, I would hate to keep you away from your festivities.” 
“Thank you Prince Seungcheol,” you replied with a lightness to your tone, “And for brevity's sake, I can assure you that I did not settle.” 
With that, you curtsied to Sir Jihoon, and drug your husband towards your seats at the head of the room. 
Kihyun beamed with pride and great dignity. He helps you to your seat and then takes his place beside you, opting to stand rather than fill the seat placed for him. 
You watch as ladies in the room swoon at the action and the lively commotion of the reception continues. 
“I apologise for my actions princess, I allowed my emotions to get the better of me,” Kihyun tries to sound shameful, but he can’t stop the upward turn of his lips. 
“Though it was a bit embarrassing, I cannot say that it didn’t woo me a bit,” you reply, not meeting his eyes, knowing that his coy and spreading grin would only work your nerves. 
Kihyun chuckles, “These must be the privileges that come along with the title of Prince Consort.” 
You push air past your lips, “No. These are the privileges that come with being the one I love.” 
Before Kihyun can begin to reply, the sound of a horn floods the grand ballroom followed by the clear voice of the castle's speaker “His Majesty enters, Emperor Son Hyunwoo.” 
Everyone quickly bows, you and your husband do the same. 
The king’s hearty laugh fills the room, “Rise,” he booms, “tonight is a night of celebration and pride, as my eldest daughter and her most trusted knight join one another in matrimony,” your father’s smile is brighter than you’ve seen it in ages, “Everyone drink ‘til your heart's content, eat ‘til your belly is full, and celebrate the love that is in the air. Now-,” he gestures as your younger sister enters the room, “please welcome my youngest who is here to give her own special gift to the couple of the evening.” 
The room erupts in applause as your sister beams at you and you return the happiness. Everyone clears the floor as your father takes a seat upon the throne and your sister makes her way to stand beside him. Her beautiful voice echoes through the silence of the hall as Kihyun leads you to the middle of the ballroom floor. 
He bows deeply and extends his hand, which you take with ease. You two waltz around the floor with practiced expertise. The warmth of your smiles spreading contagiously around the room. No guest can help the heat in heart as the two of you grin lovingly at one another. 
A laugh bubbling out of your throat from time to time at some joke that only the two of you shared. 
When your sister’s lovely gift of heavenly vocals stops filling the space, the applause begins again. She rushes down the steps to hug you and congratulate you herself. Even hugging Kihyun as everyone gushes about the closeness of your family both biological and of wedlock. As soon as she comes, she is gone, being whisked away by Duke Wonwoo and trailed dutifully by her knight.  
 – –
As the night goes on, both you and Kihyun are finally able to leave the party, announcing to everyone to enjoy themselves thoroughly and thanking them again for coming to support the two of you being joined in holy matrimony. 
When the two of you reach your chambers, you stop outside the door and make quick work of removing your shoes. Kihyun follows suit, but you pay him no mind, thoughts focused on not tripping over your wedding gown. You hug him and kiss him on the cheek, thanking him for staying by your side and giving you a magical wedding. As you go to pull away he doesn’t let go, instead he quirks a brow and looks at your quickly flustering expression. 
“And where, by gods, do you think you’re going?” 
It is at this moment you realize he is without shoes too, followed by the seemingly forgotten knowledge that he will not be leaving you tonight. Your face flushes as the cogs in your brain speed up, causing your malfunction. To be wed is to consummate.
“Oh- well, I just, I-” Kihyun leans down kissing the corner of your mouth and then your cheek and then your neck. Nippling playfully, making you gasp in embarrassment. 
He smiles against your skin and you push at his broad chest, “K-Kihyun!,” you exclaim, “We are still in the hallway.” 
“I apologise,” there is no sincerity.
“It’s just that you seemed in a rush to get rid of me and I was only following your lead of haste,” his voice is light but his eyes don’t seem to match. 
“I-” you begin, opening and closing your mouth like a fish out of water. Kihyun laughs before pulling away long enough to push open your chamber door and whisk you inside. 
Though he would have had you believe that he would make quick work of you, you find yourself surprised at his slow and reverent restraint. He presses his lips to yours chastly, before turning you around. His nimble fingers come to the tied silk of your wedding gown. 
“You’d think Marie and Jade set out to make sure I would never be able to rid you of these garments,” Kihyun’s voice is laced with a simple frustration, not being all that adept at getting women out of their clothing. 
You giggle breathily, your heart thrumming as you feel the fabric slowly but surely loosening around you, “You’re doing well my knight, do not fret.” 
Kihyun undoes the final bow and his calloused fingers brush against your bare shoulders, as he gently pulls the fabric from your body, “Please, my dearest,” his tone tender and his words breathy, “We’ve just been wed–” The dress pools around your ankles in a pile of expensive silks and lace, Kihyun walks back to your front, fighting to keep his eyes on yours (instead of your now bare breasts). He extends his hand to you, and helps you step from the inside the puddle of fabric, before pulling you into his chest, “I would hope you’d call me your husband…” He brings his lips to your ear and nips at it, making you shiver in his embrace. 
“Perhaps even your lover.” He grins at you cheekily as he pulls away from you. Taking the time to gather up your gown and hang it over the shoji screen. For some reason, even this simple task had you swooning. When Kihyun turned back towards you, you couldn’t help but shield yourself, hands coming to cover your breasts from his gaze. 
At this he chuckles, but doesn’t say anything, instead he unbuttons and shrugs off his jacket before throwing it over the shoji screen as well. His fine silk undershirt follows and makes home atop the jacket. 
“Now it seems we are both left barren,” you avert your eyes, a soft gasp leaving your lips. Your face is alight, and hues of embarrassment only darken as you hear the buckle of your husband's belt unclasping. This he does throw to the floor and he discards his pants haphazardly.  “Actually, I believe that now we are more closely related terms.”
Kihyun walks back to you and grabs your face. Your soft jaw cupped by his hardened hands, his eyes burning into yours, “I cannot permit you to look at anything other than me tonight, my dearest. I want to be the only thing you think of, the only thing worthy of your gaze.” He brings one hand to cover yours that still covers you, instead bringing it to his exposed chest. Your breath hitches at even this, but the air completely stops its circulation as he drags your hand down the ripple of his abs. Completely enraptured, you aren’t sure when you begin moving your hand of your own volition. He continues cupping your cheek, his expression one of amusement, as you take your time tracing every scar and hard line of his built physique.
When you finally bring your hand over his heart, he captures it in his again, and gives it a gentle squeeze, making your gaze meet his, “Do you feel how this heart of mine beats for you, my love?” he flattens your hand under his own. Watching you with soft eyes as you nod at him dreamily. 
“Will you allow me, dearest, to have my way with you tonight?” 
Again you nod, but he continues to stare at you, a burning expectancy engulfing you like flames until you make yourself speak, “Yes, husband, I do.” 
The word feels foreign on your tongue but you haven’t much time to roll it around before Kihyun is scooping you up with a small grunt of strength. He bridal carries you to the bed and places you gently upon it. 
Scrambling to right yourself, you lean back against your pillows, heart hammering in your chest as you take bated breath after bated breath. Kihyun climbs on to your bed from the end of it. Kneeling, he grabs your ankle and leans down to kiss it. This is the first of many as he kisses up your legs slowly, lovingly. Each press of his lips against your skin sends shivers of electricity through your body. Alternating from one leg to the other, until he has moved up to fully spread your legs, his fingers hooking under the hem of your bloomers, slowly helping to remove them until you were splayed under him, revealed in your entirety. 
Kihyun’s chest heaved as his eyes darkened with the blowing of his pupils. 
“Fuck,” he murmured as he ogled you unabashedly, “I can’t believe the gods have blessed me in this way.” Tentatively he ran his hands over your soft, supple skin. Fingers trailing over your shoulders and down the swell of your breasts, stopping momentarily to circle your budding nipples. This sensation makes you gasp, and his eyes quickly move to your face, “Sensitive girl.” Kihyun hums, continuing down your chest to your round tummy. 
You tense under him as he continues to map out every inch of your plush form, his grip becoming harsh enough to elicit more gasps, before once again becoming gentle. 
Every time you twitch or whimper, Kihyun grows harder. He seems to have kept you distracted enough with his intense gaze and roaming hands, that you haven’t noticed. Though he seems in control, he is certainly more nervous than he lets on. 
While this is not his very first time, it is significantly more important, more special. And in truth, he has never felt so desperate. His actions aren’t slow because he wants them to be, but rather because they have to be. 
“Love, I hope you don’t mind the lewd actions that I will take henceforth,” his voice is strained as he speaks. He backs away and settles into the bed between your thick thighs, his big hands hooking underneath your legs, spreading them. You watch him nervously, incredulously, as he kisses and nips at the tender flesh of your inner thigh. When he begins sucking dark marks onto your supple flesh you whine, hips canting up despite yourself. The feeling foreign. Enticing. 
Kihyun smiles against your skin and continues until your thighs are covered in love bites. 
Without warning, though you are sure it wouldn’t have helped at all, Kihyun presses his lips to your vulva, planting a kiss on your most intimate area. Your eyes shoot open as you look at him incredulously. 
“Wha– What are you doing?!” 
Kihyun is smug, dragging his tongue over his bottom lip, “Oh? Is this not something they’ve done in any of those books you’ve read, dearest?” 
You shake your head quickly, “No! It is not! I have never-” Your husband cuts you off. 
“Well then I will have the utmost pleasure of showing you something new. Something only I can do for you.” Kihyun’s eyes gleam before he leans back into you, dragging his tongue properly through your folds. Lapping at your tight hole as your essences slowly begins spilling out of you. 
The noises you make with each drag of his tongue only get louder. You cannot stop them from bubbling out of your throat. Your hands find purchase in your husbands, dark, thick locks. Your blunt nails scratch ever so slightly against his scalp, which only spurs him on more (as if your new and lewd sounds weren’t enough). 
  “B-by Gods, Kihyun!” you cry out in pleasure, as he pushes his tongue inside of you. The sensation new and exciting and stimulating. 
“S’sweet, my love,” Kihyun pants against you, voice muffled, “s’wet too.” 
If it weren’t for the way your toes curled and your back arched, you’d be able to see that Kihyun was almost enjoying this more than you were. His eyes glazed over as he devoured you. Your tight, untouched walls fluttered around the intrusion that was his tongue. Each push of it inside of you, each drag of the muscle through your folds, each suction of his lips around your clit had more waves of your sweet arousal dousing his taste buds. He felt like a drunkard chasing the never-ending taste of his favorite liquor. Too enthralled with every single thing about you. Your legs shaking, your hips canting and grinding against his face, your angelic cries. 
Kihyun lapped at your wet cunny as if he were starved, tracing his tongue messily over every inch, drool only serving to make you wetter. 
“Kihyun,” you cried, “This feeling, I can’t–” 
“Let go, my sweet, don’t worry, I’ve got you.” 
These words alone seemed to snap the last stick of the dam that was built inside you, as you came on his tongue brazenly. Loud, unceremonious moans, echoing through the room as you shook like a leaf. Kihyun continued to work his tongue through your folds and inside of you, drinking up as much of you as he could before you began pulling away. 
When he finally managed to pry himself away, he found himself glad that he did, for the look on your face was almost better than your sweet taste. Your eye-lids sat heavy and low, your brows slightly furrowed, a small line of drool dripped from your parted lips, as you sucked in big deep breaths. 
Kihyun drags the back of his hand across his jaw, wiping away some of your slick before moving up and bending over you, bringing his already swollen lips to yours. The kiss is hot and languid, one hand’s fingers come to the nape of your neck, pulling you deeper into him, as the other hand trails back to where his mouth had been moments ago. 
You whimper at the taste of yourself on his tongue, at the fire that is reigniting within you. When his fingers drag through your folds, your breath hitches and he pulls away. 
“You can’t look at me that way, princess,” Kihyun huffs, blushing, “It is already hard to restrain myself.” 
Your parted, wet lips curl into a smile, your hooded gaze meeting his, eyes almost begging him to continue, “I apologise for my inability to mask my anticipation,” your eyes shift with embarrassment, “or my arousal.” Every word is almost whispered and yet each syllable seems to echo through his mind.
“I arouse you, do I?” His tone is playful, “How lucky for me that I am the only one who will ever have the pleasure of doing such.” Kihyun’s fingers circle your clit and he watches in adoration as you mewl and try to grind against nothing, hips searching for more stimulation with each swipe of his lithe digits. 
Your hands come to his wrist that is buried between your plush thighs, your eyes water with need, a small and pathetic “please,” tumbling from your lips. 
Kihyun couldn’t possibly begin to explain the love that took over his heart or the river of arousal that flooded his veins at just that one syllable, so he doesn’t bother with an explanation at all. Instead his lips meet yours again sloppily, teeth against teeth, unknown where you begin and he ends as he slowly slips a finger into your sopping cunny. 
His lips stay on yours as if he’s sucking every sound and breath of air from you that he can. Kihyun��s finger pumps in and out of you at a continuously quickening pace, your gummy walls already squeezing around it. When he presses a second finger inside of you is when he pulls away, a big shining grin on his face as you cry out in pleasure. 
“You’re doing so well, taking my fingers like this,” Kihyun coos, “she’s so tight,” his lips meet your ear as he presses a third finger into you, “I know she’ll feel even better wrapped around my cock.” 
Your ears are ringing, from his words, from the stretch of his fingers, from the pleasure that ravages your body as he presses his thumb to your clit. A silent scream leaves you as you climax again, creaming around the three fingers he’s shoved inside of you. 
Slowly he pulls them out of you and brings them to his lips, tongue wrapping around each, individually,  as if he’s savoring the flavor. He never breaks eye contact with you, your glassy eyes watching him as if mystified. 
Once he is thoroughly pleased with the cleanliness of his fingers, Kihyun unceremoniously removes his briefs, now fully naked before you. His cock drooped a bit with the weight of his girth, the head of it flushed and leaking a few drops of pre. Without a thought, your tongue licks across your lips, your needy glance once on his eyes, now glued to his dick. 
Kihyun brings his hand to stroke himself slowly, and chuckles at the way you swallow thickly. He relishes in the way your eyes seem to follow each lazy drag of his fist, reverently. Just the way you look at him has him twitching against his grasp, small groans pouring out of his throat. 
Watching him makes you feel insatiable. Your legs are trembling, your face is covered in drool (whether yours or his is unknown), and your thighs are covered in your own release… and yet, seeing Kihyun bare and hard in front of you, for you, because of you, makes you pulse with need. Never having done something like this makes you feel nervous and the sheer width of his length has you unsure, but your mouth is watering and you can’t stop staring. Each unhurried tug of his cock has you completely enraptured. 
“My love,” His voice makes you jump a bit, pulling you from your own mental musings, “you haven’t looked away in quite some time, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were ready to devour me.” 
When you look at his face and see his smug expression, you pout, “T-this is all very new to me.” 
“And yet when I began stroking myself, you licked your lips like a slut who knew exactly what she wanted.” 
Your entire body seemed to set ablaze at these words, brain completely unable to construct any type of reply as Kihyun slotted himself between your legs, “Those books must have more filth in them than I thought, as if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you wanted me to put myself down your throat rather than buried inside of you.” 
His ribald comments make you gasp, “K-Kihyun!” your tone shocked and almost chastising, but he only huffs a laugh. 
‘You don’t deny the sentiment, though, do you, my sweet?” When you can’t answer him properly, he simpers. 
“Next time, okay? Fer now,” Kihyun lifts one of your legs to wrap around his waist, as he grabs the base of his thick shaft and lines himself up with your tight hole, “I’m going to properly make you mine, so just relax and feel good for me.” 
You grip firmly on his shoulders and take a deep breath as he pushes the fat mushroom tip of his cock past the tight squeeze of your cunt with a small pop. Already he has to grit his teeth, brows scrunching together as he sucks in air sharply. Your back arching off the bed as he slowly sinks further and further into you. 
Each inch has you slipping further and further into painful bliss. The burn not subsiding until he pressed fully inside of you, his heavy balls resting firmly against your ass. Both of you panting, each time your pussy flutters around him, his cock jumps and his eyelids clamp shut. Kihyun completely folds over you, his face pressed into the crook of your neck, as he slowly drags his hips back and then bullies himself back into your tight walls, with a firm and deep thrust. 
Your nails claw at his back and you arch into him, “S’good f’me, pretty girl, s’so good.” Kihyun all but whimpers against the column of your throat as he continues the slow and steady rock of his hips. 
You want to respond to him, but you can’t do anything other than cling to him and you can no longer form any word other than his name. Tears fully trailing down your face as your cunny sucks him in as deeply as possible. 
“I love you,” He groans as he snaps his hips into you harshly for the first time. When the tip of his cock presses against the spongy spot inside of you, the sound you let out is completely unruly, but it doesn’t stop him for even a second. The harsh fucking of himself into you only continues as slurred “I love you’s” continue to tumble out of his mouth. 
He ruts into you roughly, pathetically, each stroke making you both incompetent. Words blurring together if coming out at all, often replaced by moans and cries of pleasure. 
“Dearest, please, tell me– tell me you love me,” Kihyun begs, his lips ghosting over yours, pressing small kisses to the corners of your mouth. He nibbles on your bottom lip as you moan and he bottoms out over and over again. 
“Love you s’much m’husband.” The response he begged for came out broken and warbled, your brain going blank as his tip began kissing your cervix over and over again. 
“Ahh– fuck– officially, hhh- fully mine,” Kihyun has completely lost himself in the feeling of you, “Lover– you hhh y’have to s-stop, oh fuck, sucking me i-in like that. S’too much, too good.” 
His words don’t help at all, instead doing the opposite. You whine and clench around him as you cum again, milking your husband, your angelic moans turn to pleas as he continues to rut into you. Overstimulation wracking through your body quickly. Your hands go from pushing him away to pulling him close as his hips keep up their now vicious rhythm. You can all but feel him in your throat, as he moves your big thighs to his shoulders and properly folds you. Your plush form squishes as he relentlessly ruts into you. 
“Mywifemywifemywife,” he declares over and over as he licks at your neck and fucks into you like a beast. You can’t help how it just hurtsogood. The tightening in your tummy returns as Kihyun starts whimpering in between his murmurs of love and praises for how well you take him. 
With one finally pump of his cock into your velvety walls, his teeth are clamping down on your neck and you are both cumming. You cry out softly, the adrenaline seeming to completely evaporate as Kihyun shallowly ruts against you in the aftershocks of his own gratification. 
Gently he unfurled your body and placed your legs back on the bed, both of you hissing as he pulled out of you. 
Your husband plants gentle kisses all over your face and neck as his hands rub lovingly at your soft, pliant, and round body. 
“I am going to have someone fetch us some hot water and then we will bathe, okay princess?” 
You nod at him smally, eyes already closing in exhaustion. His heart soars. 
Kihyun gets off the bed and throws on his slacks, coming back to you to kiss your closed eyes, before heading to your chambers doors in the hopes of finding Marie or Jade who would be able to gather the water for the bath. 
He doesn’t have to go far for when he opens your room doors he is met with the vibrantly red faces of both Marie and Wonho, who can’t seem to meet his eyes. 
“Oh!..?” Kihyun remarks startled and confused, but his expression quickly settles into a cocky and knowing leer.
“Well, if you two are quite done being perverts,” Kihyun chortles and Wonho looks as if he wants to evaporate while Marie’s expression becomes one of indignance, “My wife and I are kindly requesting bathing water and perhaps a small snack.” 
“Making a woman out of our lady but calling us perverts,” Marie huffs and turns on her heels, “Just get back in the room, I will gather what you’ve asked for.” her hands waving dismissively as she stomps off, quite obviously still flustered. 
Wonho clears his throat, his eyes still not meeting Kihyun’s, “Uhm,” his hand comes to scratch at the back of his neck awkwardly, “Congratulations, sir.” 
Kihyun is all but glowing, “Tonight I have truly become the luckiest man in the world.” Is his response as he disappears back into your room. 
Not long later, the two of you are pressed together in your large tub, your back to his chest, as the steaming water soothes your muscles. Kihyun pressing you closer to his body, his arms wrapping around your squishy midsection as he places a loving kiss on your temple.
“This is better than I ever dreamt it could possibly be,” he whispers into the comfort of your shared silence, “I’d spent so long preparing myself for having to watch you love another, that I never prepared myself for the possibility of you loving me. Thank you, y/n, for allowing me to have all of you in this way… For allowing me your heart. I promise to protect it, protect you, with all that I am.”
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spicyseonghwas · 2 years ago
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skz - reaction to reader getting hit on by other men
pairing :: skz x male reader (discludes woojin; i write for him as a soloist) rating :: 15+ ; suggestive content genres/au's :: fluff, slight suggestive, boyfriend!skz content warnings :: light cursing, insinuated physical contact, mentions of alcohol consumption, mentions of murder, reader referred to as a piece of art one (1) time. tell me if i missed something! word count :: a/n this request has been split up into 4 parts to keep yall on ur toes! requested by @wo-ai-ni-yong [ask] network tag @preciousillusions-net
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chan, changbin ; han, minho ; i.n, felix ; hyunjin, seungmin
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~ yang jeongin/i.n
i really don't feel like he would be very sober?? when this situation occurs??
drunk but not wasted.
and that would heavily impact how he treats the other guy(s) during the confrontation.
he would be really aggressively possessive whether he was drunk or not, but in any situation like this, the only thing stopping him from whooping ass (not in the kinky way) is if he's dead.
it's really no use for you to tell him "let's just leave," because he won't just leave. it would hurt his pride and dignity too much to let them escape.
but if he were sober in this kind of situation i feel like he would be a bit calmer at first?
for sure he would try his best to tell the other party to fuck off before he thew punches.
but in any state of his mental availability, he would be very very possessive of you, because you're his boy, and he would be very confrontational and aggressive, because no one touches his prized painting.
~ lee felix
felix would IN. NO. W O R L D . even ALLOW another man to get within a mile of you unless it's his friends or you have a metric ton of proof that you and the other man are just friends.
and he would never make a mistake in this endeavor. if his gut tells him "keep that motherfucker away..."
then he's gonna keep that motherfucker away.
and if he somehow gets coerced into letting someone close to you and then catches them hitting on you...
beat that boy widda bat.
headline: "kpop superstar lee felix sentenced to 10 years in prison for second degree murder"
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© seonghwas-lighter 2023-2024.
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compneuropapers · 7 months ago
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Interesting Papers for Week 50, 2024
Synaptic rearrangement of NMDA receptors controls memory engram formation and malleability in the cortex. Bessières, B., Dupuis, J., Groc, L., Bontempi, B., & Nicole, O. (2024). Science Advances, 10(35).
Quantitative modeling of the emergence of macroscopic grid-like representations. Bin Khalid, I., Reifenstein, E. T., Auer, N., Kunz, L., & Kempter, R. (2024). eLife, 13, e85742.
Individual gaze shapes diverging neural representations. Borovska, P., & de Haas, B. (2024). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(36), e2405602121.
Competitive processes shape multi-synapse plasticity along dendritic segments. Chater, T. E., Eggl, M. F., Goda, Y., & Tchumatchenko, T. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 7572.
Neural circuit basis of placebo pain relief. Chen, C., Niehaus, J. K., Dinc, F., Huang, K. L., Barnette, A. L., Tassou, A., … Scherrer, G. (2024). Nature, 632(8027), 1092–1100.
Morphine-responsive neurons that regulate mechanical antinociception. Fatt, M. P., Zhang, M.-D., Kupari, J., Altınkök, M., Yang, Y., Hu, Y., … Ernfors, P. (2024). Science, 385(6712).
The limited memory of value following value directed encoding. Filiz, G., & Dobbins, I. G. (2024). Memory & Cognition, 52(6), 1387–1407.
Dynamic control of sequential retrieval speed in networks with heterogeneous learning rules. Gillett, M., & Brunel, N. (2024). eLife, 12, e88805.3.
Disinhibition enables vocal repertoire expansion after a critical period. Heim, F., Mendoza, E., Koparkar, A., & Vallentin, D. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 7565.
Dopaminergic manipulations affect the modulation and meta-modulation of movement speed: Evidence from two pharmacological interventions. Hickman, L. J., Sowden-Carvalho, S. L., Fraser, D. S., Schuster, B. A., Rybicki, A. J., Galea, J. M., & Cook, J. L. (2024). Behavioural Brain Research, 474, 115213.
Cl − -dependent amplification of excitatory synaptic potentials at distal dendrites revealed by voltage imaging. Higashi, R., Morita, M., & Kawaguchi, S. (2024). Science Advances, 10(35).
A circuit motif for color in the human foveal retina. Kim, Y. J., Packer, O., & Dacey, D. M. (2024). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(36), e2405138121.
Super-optimality and relative distance coding in location memory. McIntire, G., & Dopkins, S. (2024). Memory & Cognition, 52(6), 1439–1450.
Detection of Memory Engrams in Mammalian Neuronal Circuits. Niewinski, N. E., Hernandez, D., & Colicos, M. A. (2024). eNeuro, 11(8), ENEURO.0450-23.2024.
Distinct roles of monkey OFC-subcortical pathways in adaptive behavior. Oyama, K., Majima, K., Nagai, Y., Hori, Y., Hirabayashi, T., Eldridge, M. A. G., … Minamimoto, T. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 6487.
Multiunit Frontal Eye Field Activity Codes the Visuomotor Transformation, But Not Gaze Prediction or Retrospective Target Memory, in a Delayed Saccade Task. Seo, S., Bharmauria, V., Schütz, A., Yan, X., Wang, H., & Crawford, J. D. (2024). eNeuro, 11(8), ENEURO.0413-23.2024.
Maximum-entropy-based metrics for quantifying critical dynamics in spiking neuron data. Serafim, F., Carvalho, T. T. A., Copelli, M., & Carelli, P. V. (2024). Physical Review E, 110(2), 024401.
Intrinsic Motivation in Dynamical Control Systems. Tiomkin, S., Nemenman, I., Polani, D., & Tishby, N. (2024). PRX Life, 2(3), 033009.
Top-down modulation of the retinal code via histaminergic neurons of the hypothalamus. Warwick, R. A., Riccitelli, S., Heukamp, A. S., Yaakov, H., Swain, B. P., Ankri, L., … Rivlin-Etzion, M. (2024). Science Advances, 10(35).
A framework for the emergence and analysis of language in social learning agents. Wieczorek, T. J., Tchumatchenko, T., Wert-Carvajal, C., & Eggl, M. F. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 7590.
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catgirl-lucy · 15 days ago
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Polish spaces
Heyy, I've recently been learning some descriptive set theory lately and I wanted to share what I've learned so far. As I understand it so far, descriptive set theory is the study of different complexities of sets in Polish spaces from a view point of set theory and logic. One of the main theorems of descriptive set theory is that, in a Polish space, Borel sets are exactly those sets that are both analytic and co-analytic. In this blog post, I explain what a Polish space is.
I'll start by explaining what a metric space is. A metric space is, roughly, a set with a notion of distance.
Definition. A metric space is a tuple (X,d) with a set X, whose elements are called points, and a function d: X² → [0,∞] that maps a pair of points (x,y) in X to a non-negative real or infinity, d(x,y), called the distance from x to y, and must satisfy the following properties:
d(x,y) = 0 if and only if x = y;
(symmetry) d(x,y) = d(y,x);
(triangle inequality) d(x,z) ≤ d(x,y) + d(y,z).
Here are some examples of metric spaces:
Example. The real line (ℝ,d) with d(x,y) = |y-x|. The positive real line (ℝ⁺,d) with d(x,y) = |y²-x²|. The rational line (ℚ,d) with d(x,y) = |y-x|. The cartesian plane (ℝ²,d) with d((a,b),(c,d)) = √((a² - c²) + (b² - d²)). (ℕ,d) with d(x,x) = 0 and d(x,y) = 1 for x ≠ y.
Here is a non-example:
Example. The real line (ℝ,d) with d(x,y) = (y-x)².
The example (ℕ,d) above is an example of a discrete metric space. A metric space is discrete if the distance between any two distinct points is 1.
A Cauchy sequence is a sequence of points in a metric space where the distance between subsequent points tends to 0. Or, formally:
Definition. Let (X,d) be a metric space. A Cauchy sequence is a sequence (aₙ) of points aₙ ∈ X for which, for all real ε > 0, there is some natural number N such that, for all n ≥ N, d(aₙ,aₙ₊₁) < ε.
For example, (0, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, ...) is a Cauchy sequence in ℝ and (1, 1.4, 1.41, 1.412, ...) is a Cauchy sequence in ℚ. Some sequences converge to a point in the space:
Definition. Let (X,d) be a metric space, let (aₙ) be a sequence of points aₙ ∈ X and let L be a point in X. The sequence (aₙ) is said to have limit L, denoted (aₙ) → L, lim (aₙ) = L or lim[n → ∞] aₙ = L, if for all real ε > 0, there is some natural number N such that, for all n ≥ N, d(aₙ,L) < ε. A sequence (aₙ) is said to converge if there is some point L such that (aₙ) → L. A sequence (aₙ) is said to diverge if it does not converge.
The limit of a converging sequence in a metric space is always unique, and every converging sequence is Cauchy. The converse need not be true: not every Cauchy sequence is converging. For example, the Cauchy sequence (1,1.4,1.41,1.412,...) in ℚ, which in ℝ converges to √2, diverges in ℚ as √2 is not a rational number.
Definition. A metric space (X,d) is complete iff all Cauchy sequences in (X,d) converge.
An example of a complete metric space is the real line. All discrete metric spaces are also complete as the only Cauchy sequences there are eventually constant.
A topological space is a bit more abstract than a metric space. In a topology, there is still a notion of "closeness" of points, but no notion of "distance". Topological spaces are often created using a basis.
Definition. A topological space is a pair (X,τ) with a set of points X and a family τ of subsets of X, called open sets, that must satisfy the following:
∅ ∈ τ;
X ∈ τ;
For all A,B ∈ τ, we have A ∩ B ∈ τ;
For all F ⊂ τ, we have ⋃F ∈ τ.
I.e. it is closed under all unions and finite intersections.
Definition. Let (X,d) be a metric space, let x be a point in X and let r > 0 be a positive real number. The (open) ball B_r(x) with center x and radius r is the set {y | d(x,y) < r} of all points that have distance <r to x.
Definition. Let X be a set. A basis of a topology for X is a family B of subsets of X such that, for a,b ∈ B, we have a ∩ b ∈ B. Members of B are called basic open sets. The basis B induces the topology (X,τ) where O ⊂ X is open iff O = ⋃F is a union of a family F ⊂ B of basic open sets, equivalently, for all x ∈ O, there is some a ∈ B such that x ∈ a and a ⊂ O.
You can verify that, for every basic B, the topology (X,τ) induces by B is indeed a topology.
Definition. Let (X,d) be a metric space. The topology induced by (X,d) is the topology induced by the basis B = {B_r(x) | r > 0 ∧ x ∈ X} of open balls.
Thus, in a metric space (X,d), a set is open if around each point in the open set, you can draw a little ball that remains in the open set. A metrizable space is a topological space of which the metric has been "forgotten":
Definition. A metrizable space is a topological space (X,τ) for which there exists a metric (X,d) that induces the topology (X,τ).
Not all topological spaces are metrizable. For example, the indiscrete space of two points, {0,1}, where the only open sets are {} and {0,1}, is a topological space that is not metrizable. Similar to a metrizable space, a completely metrizable space is a topological space with a forgotten complete metric:
Definition. A completely metrizable space is a topological space (X,τ) for which there exists a complete metric (X,d) that induces the topology (X,τ).
Let 𝕀 denote the set of irrational numbers. We can define a metric d₁ on 𝕀 by setting d₁(x,y) = |x-y| for irrational x and y. Though (𝕀,d₁) is not a complete metric space, it induces a topology that is completely metrizable by a different metric d₂. The metrics d₁ and d₂ are called "equivalent" as they induce the same topology.
From open sets, a lot of different sets can be defined:
Definition. Let (X,τ) be a topology. A set C ⊂ X is closed if its complement X \ C is open. A set C ⊂ X is clopen if it is both open and closed. A set D ⊂ X is dense if for all non-empty open O ⊂ X, D ∩ O is non-empty.
For example, ℚ and 𝕀 are dense subsets of ℝ. In a metric space, a closed set C is a set where every converging sequence of points in C has a limit in C. We can also define operations on sets:
Definition. Let (X,τ) be a topology and let P ⊂ X be a set. The closure P̄ of P is the ⊂-smallest closed set that includes P. Equivalently, it is the intersection ⋂{C ⊂ X | C is closed and P ⊂ C} of all closed sets that include P. The interior P̊ = int(P) of P is the ⊂-smallest open set included in P. Equivalently, it is the union ⋃{O ⊂ X | O is open and O ⊂ P} of all open sets included in P. The boundary ∂P of P is the set P̄ \ P̊, i.e. the closure minus the interior.
The operations give us a different definition of dense sets: a set D is dense if the closure of D is the whole space X.
Definition. Let (X,τ) be a topological space and let x ∈ X be a point. A neighbourhood (nbhd) of x is a set U ⊂ X for which x ∈ Ů.
For example, in ℝ, [0,1] is a nbhd of 1/2 but not of 0, as int([0,1]) = (0,1) ∌ 0.
Definition. A topology (X,τ) is separable if there exists a countable dense set D ⊂ X.
For example, ℝ, although itself uncountable, is separable as ℚ is a countable dense subset. An example of a space that is not separable is a discrete space of uncountably many points, as all points are need in a set for that set to be dense.
Definition. Let (X,τ) be a topological space and let P ⊂ X be a set. An accumulation point of P is a point x ∈ X for which, for all nbhds U of x, there is some y ∈ P ∩ U for which y ≠ x. An isolated point of P is a point x in P that is not an accumulation point. P is perfect if it is closed and has no isolated points.
For example, in ℝ, 0 is an accumulation point of {1/n | n ∈ ℤ⁺} but 1/2 is an isolated point. We can see that a point x ∈ X is an isolated point of the space X itself iff {x} is an open set, X if perfect if it has no such points as the whole space itself is already always closed.
We can now finally define what a Polish space is:
Definition. A Polish space is a topological space (X,τ) which is non-empty, separable, perfect and completely metrizable.
Some important examples are the real line, ℝ, which we have already seen, the Cantor space and the Baire space.
Definition. The Cantor space 𝒞 = 2^ω has infinite sequences of 0s and 1s as points, and basic open sets are sets U_s = {α ∈ 2^ω | s ⊂ α} where s is a finite list of 0s and 1s and s ⊂ α means s is an initial segment of α.
Definition. The Baire space 𝒩 = ω^ω has infinite sequences of natural numbers as points, and basic open sets are U_s = {α ∈ ω^ω | s ⊂ α} where s is a finite list of natural numbers and s ⊂ α means s is an initial segment of α.
This took too long to explain... I'll explain these three spaces in more detail next time.
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dressuparley · 8 days ago
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✨Garry Plays FFXIV✨
☆Hi, I'm @gigarchomp (aka Garry) and this is my FFXIV sideblog where I use my ten million OCs and events from the game as material for writing practice (well, in theory, at least). Mostly I'm just here to rotate the camera around my WoL Arley and take 2837388237 low quality screenshots. But... yeah.
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☆If you want a proper introduction + "about me" post, you can find it here.
☆Here's my 📖 writing + 🎨 art + 📸 gposes.
☆Keep reading for characters, links, tags, and more info!
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My OCs & AUs
☆My main (technically all alts but still) FFXIV characters are (L-R; image to be added lol):
- Arley Marston (🏷️) (inspo) - MNK-main Midlander Warrior of Light. My very first (and unintentional) OC, so shares some of my physical attributes. Ships herself with Thancred. Only an alt in-game, but the main (blorbo) in my heart <3
- J'ahden Kaji (🏷️) (inspo) - Arley's adopted Seeker elder brother. Not affiliated with any Miqo'te tribe. Co-WoLs (albeit Echo-lessly) with Arley when necessary
- Rymmgeim Junghyltwyn (🏷️) (inspo) - WAR-main Sea Wolf, also has the Echo, joined the Scions and became one of Arley's most dependable allies in combat
… and various other minor characters to supplement their lore.
☆The (alternate) universes my OCs feature in are:
- Main Scenario Quests AU (🏷️) - follows the main story of the game very closely, with Arley in the Warrior of Light role. Most of my fic is based in this world
- Roleplay AU (🏷️) - aka non-WoL!AU, for whenever I'm struck with the fancy to RP with others on Arley as just another Regular Adventurer. Differs as little or as much from MSQverse as is suitable for whatever the RP content is
- The Epilogue (🏷️) - though not an "AU" as such, this post-timeskip period a decade or so after the events of the actual game is the one I'm (most) hopelessly obsessed with, because it stars my beloved "grandkids" (i.e. the children of my first-generation characters)
- Modern AU (🏷️) - aka Community College AU, a silly idea that grabbed me by the throat and would not leave me alone when I was exploring what Arley and Thancred's relationship would be like under entirely different circumstances
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Points Of Note
☆Unfortunately I have constant wolcred brainworms, and somehow ended up with THE lamest wolcred ship you've ever seen. In fact, I've become so insane about this stupid M/F ship (first time for everything I guess 🤷), that I've started seeing them everywhere, and I'm gonna make this everyone's problem. Consider yourself duly warned.
☆Still sortakinda trying to avoid ShB, EW, and DT spoilers as I'm a broke third-worlder on the free trial, so please excuse me if you see me shyly lurking for now!
☆I try to tag my own posts exhaustively, but I'm terrible with my reblogs (and I reblog a metric ton of XIV-related stuff to this sideblog. Seriously). Still, here's my tag list anyway. Please let me know if you need any tags added to something!
☆I follow hundreds of blogs and only check Tumblr for a few minutes a day, so I inevitably end up missing 99.9% of the cool stuff my mutuals post. If you've made something you think I'd enjoy, feel free to tag me (in a reblog or something), I swear I'll be happy to see it! :D (+ This is also your daily reminder to self-reblog the things you are proud of!!!)
☆I'm South Asian, queer, neurodivergent and disabled, so this blog is anti-bigotry, anti-fascism, anti-generative AI, etc etc. A go-to saying I try to live by is "thou shalt err on the side of compassion." Probably should add more to this point, but nothing is coming to me at the moment. Maybe you can check out my "about me" post.
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Credits
☆Divider credits to @cafekitsune
☆Header image credit to @fourteenthz for the awesome edit of an official FFXIV artwork!
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education-and-certification · 6 months ago
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From Learning to Impact: The Role of Certified L&D Analytics Professionals
In a world driven by data, learning programs without measurable outcomes fail to create business value. Organizations today need professionals who can translate learning into impactful results.
This is where L&D Analytics Professionals certification shine, turning training data into actionable insights that drive success. If you’re ready to elevate your career and prove the ROI of learning, an L&D Analytics and Metrics Certification is the key.
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maryhilton07 · 1 year ago
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The GSDC Certified L&D Analytics & Metrics Professional certification is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their L&D metrics and analytics expertise. This certification proves professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively measure, evaluate, and optimize learning and development initiatives within organizations.  By obtaining this certification, professionals demonstrate their proficiency in leveraging data-driven insights to drive L&D strategies and improve organizational performance.The GSDC certification exams validate the competency of candidates in this specialized field, ensuring employers of their ability to deliver measurable results and maximize the return on L&D investments.  Gain a competitive edge in the industry and unlock new career opportunities with the GSDC Certified L&D Analytics & Metrics Professional certification.
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dracula-enthusiast · 10 months ago
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i was tagged by my beloved mutual @gryptids to spell out my url using song titles!! this was sm fun thank u for the tag :D
D - Dictator - Dan Smith
R - Rapid Decompression - Against Me!
A - Animal Impulses - IAMX
C - Combat Baby - Metric
U - Umi no Shizuku - exist†trace
L - (Love Song) ラブソング - (Kizu) キズ
A - Afterglow - chokecherry
E - Evelyn - Kim Tillman
N - Natural Disasters - Enon
T - The Drunk - Kiltro
H - Heaven Help Us - My Chemical Romance
U - Until its Gone - Linkin Park
S - sever the blight - hemlocke springs
I - Icarus - With Confidence
A - Alpha Dog - Fall Out Boy
S - Spiderhead - Cage the Elephant
T - Tortured Decline - Rosegarden Funeral Party
i tag @mothman-kisser @transbcyfriend @ghcstofutopia @i-sexually-identify-as-a-bitch @artheclown and whoever else wants to do it!!! no pressure tho :]
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positively-knotted · 11 months ago
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Dissertationposting 10: The Final Proof
IMPORTANT NOTE: I have not given enough credit in these posts. The first theorem about SYS manifolds is due to Schoen & Yau (1978), while the homological formulation of the proof is due to Schick (1998). The proof for M#X, X non-compact, is recent, and adapted from Chen (2024). The result for aspherical 3-manifolds was shown independently by Schoen & Yau and Gromov & Lawson (1980), although this proof is adapted from Chodosh & Li (2024). Gromov's various papers (some with Lawson) have loads of cool results with very different methods, but also are the worst formatted things I have ever seen.
Ok so this is nowhere near the final proof in the dissertation, but (shockingly) that was structured pretty differently. I'm just gonna go through all of the lemmas you need to prove that closed aspherical 3 manifolds are non-PSC. 4 & 5 are much more complicated, but without many new ideas. Depending on your background, you might get very different things out of this, and I'm not gonna hold back on the formalism here, it's all fairly important.
First off, the "thick" hypersurfaces.
Lemma 11.
Let M be a closed aspherical n-manifold with universal cover M̃. Then there exists a curve γ : R → M̃ such that for all L > 0, there is a compact hypersurface Σ with boundary such that d(∂Σ, γ) ≥ L and any (n−1)-chain α with boundary ∂α = k[∂Σ], k ≠ 0, meets γ.
Wow, what a ride. The picture is as follows. (Yes I know it looks phallic.)
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The idea is more or less as follows.
Find a "geodesic line" σ in M̃- that is, a distance preserving map R -> (M, g). [1] Note that the existence of σ uses the fact that M̃ is a universal cover, and is basically two applications of Arzela-Ascoli. [2]
Let U be the n-submanifold of points at most some distance L+ from σ[0,∞). Let Σ be the (n-1)-submanifold of ∂U of points at most some distance L0 from σ(0). Details in [3].
Perturb σ to a curve γ meeting everything transversely. Then the intersection fact comes from algebraic intersection number.
Do normal arguments to make sure that we can choose L+ and L0 arbitrarily large.
Great, a pretty standard metric space / differential topology argument. Now we get to skip the fiddly lemmas that you need I'm higher dimensions, and go straight to "thin" hypersurfaces. This should feel similar to the Laplacian-style arguments in earlier posts. Note that we'll apply this lemma to M̃, but I'll still call the ambient manifold M for notational reasons.
Lemma 12.
Let (M, g) be a complete Riemannian 3-manifold with R ≥ 2. Let Σ be a compact hypersurface with non-empty boundary, and φ > 0 a smooth function on Σ satisfying ∆φ + ½(2 - R_Σ)φ ≤ 0. Then for any p ∈ Σ, d(p, ∂Σ) ≤ 2π/√3.
Here d is the distance measured inside Σ, not M. Again, the rough steps aren't too bad. [4]
We want a Riemannian band, and the obvious choice is to pick some distance d, and let B be the points in Σ at most d away from the boundary. This doesn't quite work, so we take a warped product with S¹ by φ. Note that the condition on φ is cooked up to force the curvature of the warped band to be ≥ 2.
Again, we'll take h to be a scaled/shifted tan(distance). This time, the scaling and shifting makes 3/2 h² - 2 |∇h| ≥ 8π²/3d².
Take a μ-bubble Ω = Ω' × S¹. Taking 2π/√3 < d < √3π and f=1 in the μ-bubble lemma gives
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But this is a contradiction by Gauss-Bonnet: ∂Ω = ∂Ω' × S¹ which cannot be a 2-sphere.
Basically, you have to repeat steps 1-3 once more for each additional dimension, except this makes the final contradiction harder and harder each time, because the curvature of the warped band is harder and harder to control.
Finally, we put it all together. If you wanna see how much harder this is for n=4, see [5].
Theorem 13.
A closed aspherical 3-manifold is non-PSC.
Suppose (M, g) is the universal cover of a closed aspherical Riemannian manifold with curvature R ≥ 2. Apply Lemma 11 with L + ε for some L > 0 to be fixed later and 0 < ε < L, to get a curve γ and compact hypersurface Σ_0 with boundary.
We can actually assume that Σ0 is stable minimal, as Lemma 11 only cares about homology class rel boundary, so we can minimise area like before.
Let Σ be the hypersurface obtained by removing a collar neighbourhood of ∂Σ_0 of radius ε.
We can apply Lemma 1 to Σ_0 and then restrict to Σ, to get a φ satisfying the Laplacian in Lemma 12. So taking L > 2π/√3 gives a contradiction.
And there we go! The final step you need for the classification of PSC 3-manifolds is the following, paralleling our earlier theorem.
Theorem 14.
If M is an aspherical manifold of dimension n ≤ 5, and X is closed, then M#X is non-PSC.
This is despite (unlike for SYS) M#X is not aspherical (the connecting sphere is homotopically non-trivial). I'll leave this as an exercise: the first step is to show that for any map f:N -> M there is a connected covering space N͆ and a proper lift f͆:N͆ -> M̃. The final step is to use local degrees and chains to get a contradiction in the style of 4. above.
Hope people have got something out of this! I've definitely been reminded how interesting this all is when you don't have to spend days checking all of your constants are right and your submanifolds are well-defined.
[1] Geodesic lines may not feel of much interest to the study of positive curvature, but they are in fact a weirdly powerful tool. For example, the Cheeger-Gromoll theorem shows that any complete connected Riemannian manifold with non-negative Ricci curvature splits isometrically as X × Rⁿ, where X has no geodesic lines.
[2] In full and brutal detail. This version of Arzela-Ascoli is the one in Bourbaki.
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[3] The details here are mostly the approximations that come from smoothing.
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[4] Not much here beyond the details of h.
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[5] First, the extra topological waffle.
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Then the statement+proof of Lemma 12.
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Start the proof like for 3, but instead of (a) do this.
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Finally, the putting it together. Again, start like 3, then:
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Long.
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sunsetno4 · 1 year ago
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Canvas, texture, hair for Ven! (And Deja, if you're up to it :] )
Ah, thank you so much! :D And, yes! I can add Deja when she fits~~ Although, minor apologies in advance because this will be a bit long. I like rambling. u__u;; Questions are from here too. <3
Also, a trigger warning for the scar section for a brief mentions of self-harm scars.
canvas: Does your OC have any scars, piercings, tattoos, or other markings? Do they display or cover them up at all?
Scars. Vendetta definitely has a metric fuck-ton of scars, but I've never sat down to honestly figure them out (which is why I rarely doodle them in). I need to get on that. u__u; For the few I have planned out, ne had ugly one of the top of nir hand from a time ne got stabbed, a few methodical-looking self-harm ones along both nir lower arms and an odd and very out-of-place carved c-shaped one on of nir arms too. Ven doesn't really care to cover them up, except maybe the ones of nir arms? Ne doesn't like the looks or questions. Deja has a few faint ones, but nothing to write to home about. They look more like old piercing holes that have since healed over, lol.
Piercings. For Ven, there's nir nostril stud, tongue stud and a fuck-ton of earrings. Like, so so many earrings, absolute maximalist vibes. Like a bit like these? (link) (link) (link) And if Ven ever gets rid of nir tattoos or loses the hyper-paranoia around them, ne would def like to get a few more done, nipples being the top of that list. God, ne would love that.
Deja just has her earlobes done. Like I said, there's a few faint scars that Ven thinks are from old facial and ear piercings but they're pretty closed up if true. She normally wears jewelry with a gambling aesthetic, either like based around the card suits or like poker chips and post-backstory reveal, Ven feels a little weird about that.
Tattoos. Ven just has the Re-Gene ones that ne feels …complicated about. :l If ne ever gets rid of them tho, I always imagine ne would eventually get a few tattoos of nir own in a similar orange design, but not shiny and probably around nir wrists and lower arms. They'll be theirs then~
Deja doesn't have tattoos, but as for other marks, she does have two beauty marks: one under her right eye and the other on the top of her right breast. If she get away with showing off both, she's a happy person, lol. It's normally pretty easy too.
texture: Does your OC favor any specific kinds of cloth or textures? Is there anything they can’t wear or don’t like? What sort of fabrics do they prefer?
Anything old and worn, breathable and loose! Clothes don't have to meet all three, but Ven prefers at least one box checked. Ne wears so many layers, let nem not die because of too much polyester. I don't imagine Ven enjoys buying new basic clothes a lot, especially anything denim or more stiff in general. But thrifting feels a little gauche with how much money ne has in nir many bank accounts. :'l Beyond that, ah. Vendetta's used to being uncomfortable especially regarding clothes so it doesn't really register in nir head anymore. That's kinda always been the norm.
hair: How does your OC wear their hair? Does it have some kind of meaning?
Vendetta has a bit of a fashion mullet, two-toned between nir natural copper orange hair and whatever shade of blonde Ven got out of the bottle this time. It was entirely unplanned, but Vendetta doesn't really plan out nir hairstyles. Ne normally just lets it grow out until it bugs nem and then, snip snip snip! Always done nemself, sometimes in very odd places like a diner because sensory issues are damning.
Ah, Ven had meant to cut nir grown hair into a more choppy pixie (because the helmet hair was really annoying nem), but ne stopped mid-way through and thought the mullet look was Neat. c: The fact that Themmy also had a copper orange mullet never really crossed Ven's mind until ne thought ne spotted them out of the corner of nir eye, and was so gutted to see it was just nemself. It's why ne started bleaching it half-blonde. Anything to keep the ghosts and heartbreak at bay.
Deja's is loooooooooong and naturally wavy-curly and it's been the pale blue-grey shade since Ven found her. And as much as Vendetta hates salon, ne goes to them to keep up the color that whoever Deja previously was clearly enjoyed liked. It feels like the least Ven can do for her~ It's normally worn down too because outside of braiding hair, Ven is pretty garbage at styling hair. Ah, it still looks pretty. c:
And I just enjoy them having complementary hair colors, especially with Deja's very unintentional Re-Gene blue hair. It's cute to me, lol.
And thank you again! <33
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