#nature (867)

[hbyrde36]

STWG Daily Prompt 3/9/24

Written for the @strangerthingswritersguild

Prompt: Bite

Rating: G | WC: 867

Emotional hurt/comfort, Steve Harrington's parents being the worst, the best uncle Wayne Munson, supportive boyfriend Eddie Munson, the party loves Steve Harrington

Steve had given up on his dad long ago, he was never going to be the kind of man Richard Harrington had always wanted his sons to grow up and be, but he’d held out hope for his mom—hope that someday she would learn to love him the way she loved his brother.

More than ten years between them, and the fact that the Harrington’s had moved to Hawkins only after Christopher had graduated high school and gone off to college, meant no one really knew Steve had a sibling. 

The party, Robin, Eddie—especially Eddie because how could they have been dating for over a year now and him somehow still not know about this—were all stunned to learn of the existence of another young Harrington.

He hadn’t meant to tell them at all, but then Christopher and their parents made a surprise visit home so that his brother could take possession of their grandmother’s ring and pop the question to his girlfriend of a whopping 9 months. Less time than he and Eddie had been seeing each other and didn’t that get under Steve's skin to know he’d never get to propose to his boyfriend with a family heirloom, not only because gay marriage wasn’t legal, but because his parents would never dream of handing down a piece of jewelry to their least favorite son.  

Steve wound up having to make the rounds, letting everyone know movie night was canceled because his brother was in town. Naturally they all wanted explanations for why this was the first they were learning of this mysterious person, and by the time he got to Eddie’s place, Steve was a mess. 

Years of mistreatment and neglect bubbled to the surface, and not just the big things but the little sniping comments, the small injustices—inequities between the way Mr. and Mrs. Harrington spoke of their older son vs their younger—hurt feelings that he’d pushed all the way down in order to function, in order to put a fucking smile on his face and hide the fact that he was damaged goods who not even a mother could love. 

It all came spilling out of him on Eddie’s bedroom floor as his boyfriend held him, rocked him, was his rock, tethering him to the earth.

When it was all over and Steve was calm, Eddie asked him why he still spoke to them, why he still lived in their house when he and Wayne had both–on separate occasions–invited him to live with them instead.

“They’re my family.” Steve said, shrugging. “I don’t have a choice.” 

“Of course you do, Stevie. You always have a choice. If you were to decide right here and now that you never wanted to see or speak to them again, you are allowed to do that. You hold all the power here. I’ll support you in whatever you decide, but I have to say in my humble opinion, they never deserved you.”

Steve took the night to think about it, though in the instant Eddie had said the words, given Steve the power to take control of his own life, he’d known what he was going to do. It was his life, he could do with it as he wished. He was already doing that with almost every other part of it, so why was he still letting his mom and dad hold any power over him? Why did he subject himself to their passive aggressive comments and disappointed glares?

In the end he never went back, not even to get his stuff. Wayne and Eddie did it for him, leaving behind his keys and his beloved car. 

A small price to pay for freedom. 

He called the next day and left a final message on the answering machine. 

“Please leave your message after the beep.”

“Hey mom. You’re the hardest one to say goodbye to, the last member of this family I held out hope for so you’ll have to forgive me for not doing this in person. My car keys are on the table by the front door. I know the BMW is in dad’s name and I know he wouldn’t want me keeping it under the circumstances.”

“I am no longer a Harrington. I’m sure you won’t mind because you barely thought of me as one to begin with but it’s official now. I’m moving on, and moving in with my boyfriend. Yes, boyfriend, because I am nothing if not a consistent disappointment.”

“It took me longer to see it with you because I've witnessed the way you care for the people around you, most of them anyway, and what you’ve done for this community.”

“You are a good person, except when you’re not. And you were a great mom, just not to me.”

There was no bite in his words, just a sad truth finally spoken aloud.

Steve hung up the phone feeling lighter than he ever had in his whole life, and sat down to dinner with the people who really loved him. His found family, who’d all dropped whatever they were doing at a moments notice to throw him an impromptu moving-in party at his new home with Eddie and Wayne. 

Thanks to my beloved @penny00dreadful for having a look over this 🥰

[str4wbaeby]

𝓶𝓪 𝓶𝓾𝓼𝓮 pt.1

ᵒᵇˢᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ᵃᵘᵗʰᵒʳ ˣ ᵇᵒᵒᵏʷᵒʳᵐ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

⤷ note : pt.2 | pt.3 | moodboard

his presence lingered in every corner of the bookstore, name spoken in reverent tones by both staff and patrons alike. and who he might be? the literary virtuoso, Ren Takahashi, who recently emerged as a new generation fiction writer, standing as a towering figure in the realm of literature. despite being a new name in the writing community, he was quick to rise to fame with the release of his latest masterpiece, which depicted the story of a yearning painter desperately in search of his muse; the story mainly revolving around the theme of lovesickness.

being an avid book lover, it was not unusual for you to keep up with the latest updates in the community, be it newly released books or the newly emerging writers. for you, Ren was not an unfamiliar name but you never really felt truly drawn to any of his writings, which often tended to revolve around a similar theme of infatuation and obsessive love.

as you made your way through the aisles, you couldn't help but notice the prominent display of his new novel on the central shelf, the vibrant red cover drawing you in. opening the glass panel, you carefully took the book out. as you started to read, your expression quickly shifted with eyebrows furrowing into concentration as your lips curled into a smile of intrigue. turning the pages with a gentle flutter, you seemed to absorb each word presented before you. completely enamoured by the book, you failed to notice the presence of an unknown figure, leaning against the opposite bookshelf, eyes longingly staring at your small figure

"so, do you like the book?", the figure softly spoke out, careful not to startle you while clearing his throat in the process.

needless to say, you were a bit startled at first but the gentleness of his voice oddly managed to calm you down almost instantly. you were never really much of a talker, thanks to your introverted nature and not wanting to make this interaction any awkward, you just found it easier to nod your head in response. your eyes were still fixated on the pages, only to look up at the figure once you were satisfied with thorough scanning of the book. infront of you stood the most gorgeous men you have ever laid your eyes upon in your 23 years of living. luscious long hair tressed a shadowy cascade against his pale porcelain skin, hazel eyes twinkling under the bright store lighting as his 6'2 figure stood towering over you, leaning against the wooden shelf in a relaxed stance.

a shade of pink subconsciously coated your cheeks, as you struggled to maintain eye contact with the handsome stranger.

"do you come here often ?", his velvety voice echoed in your ears, slowly luring you in like a siren's song. at the sudden loss of words, all you could do was nod at his question in agreement.

noticing your flustered state, he chuckled softly, silently taking in your adorable expression and soft features.

"say, would you like to have a cup of coffee with me at the nearby cafe? I've heard their pastries are quite popular here"

the proposal was unexpected. especially coming from someone like him; someone as beautiful as him. you were average to say the least, easily passing as just another face in the crowd. why would he want someone like you?

quickly snapping out of your trance, you politely denied his offer with a firm "no". but why? didn't you like him too? the dejected look in his eyes reminded you of a lost puppy. concealing the pain with a fake smile, he handed you his number in a piece of paper, telling you to call him if you ever wanted to talk or had a change of heart regarding your little coffee date. or he could just show up at the bookstore to meet you again? you wouldn't suspect anything, right? it'll just be another coincidence, after all! ♡

with a seemingly disinterested look, you took the paper out of his hand, only to catch a quick glimpse of something that caught your eyes.

"(555) 867-xxxx

- Ren Takahashi "

[xoxomoonlightxoxo]

Don't Get Attached | Part 4

➪ Playlist (Spotify)

➪ Warning: 18+

➪ W/c: 867

Do You Miss This?

Once the elevator doors open Jungkook's grip on my waist tightens as I stumble in my 4-inch heels letting out soft whines of annoyance. My feet are dead and so is my dignity as the alcohol finally begins to wear out of my system. Did we just leave the club to go back to his apartment? Maybe. But, please, Jinni was just as checked out as I was and there’s no way in hell Jungkook would have left me alone in this state. 

So, I push his hands off of me and run through the corridor, abruptly stopping at his front door before placing a few knocks. Looking back at his confused face, I notice his little eyebrow raise. 

“What are you doing?” he whispers, careful not to wake the rest of the sane neighbours around us. 

“Giving your women some time to hide,” I say with a teasing smirk in reference to his little cheating scandal. Unfortunately, though, my victory is short-lived as he lifts my body over his shoulder, hushing the helpless yelps. 

“Get in, you smartass,” he chuckles, placing a smack on my ass as his grip on my legs tightens. Inches away from his own ass I protest, demanding to be put back down before threatening to let the whole apartment floor know of his doing. Ignoring my weak hits on his back, he walks us to his bedroom, finally placing my body on the soft duvet. 

“Wait here,” he says, heading to his closet for a quick outfit change. Grabbing an extra shirt, Jungkook kneels in front of me before placing it on my exposed thighs. Resting his chin on the soft fabric his hands caress my pale skin as his gaze stays focused on my pouty lips. 

“Koo … I need to shower,” I whine, lowering my eyes.  

“Ok, let's go shower,” he answers enthusiastically, lifting himself back on his feet before reaching for my arms. 

“No, not together,” I scoff, watching the smile on his face fade as a small chuckle escapes my mouth. Helping me up, his hands now rest on my back as we make our way to the bathroom. Finding the zipper to my dress, he is gentle with his touch, trying to respect the set boundaries without giving in to his desires. 

“Don't leave,” I say softly, feeling his eyes on my naked body.  

“So, you won't allow me to shower with you but you will torture me by showering in front of me? Got it,” he replies, shaking his head in disbelief. 

“Well, what if I fall? Just keep your lips zipped and don't watch,” I snap, turning on the hot water. Doing the exact opposite of what I asked, Jungkook plops himself on the countertop before focusing his darkened orbs on my form. Tilting his head, his eyes pierce through the steamed glass wall, following my every move. 

“Shoot, I don’t have a towel. Koo, can you please bring me one?” I say, squeezing the water out of my hair before reaching my hand out for Jungkook's delivery. Except, instead of simply handing the towel over, he gently pulls my arm towards his body wrapping my form with the soft fabric. As my hands rested on his chest, the space between us became no longer apparent. Caught off guard I look up with furrowed eyebrows, noticing his heavy gaze on my lips. Caressing my flushed cheek with his thumb, his grip on my waist tightens, pulling us even closer. 

“I miss you, y/n” 

“What do you miss, hmm?”

“I miss your pretty mouth,” he whispers, voice all raspy, leaning in closer to meet my eyes before placing a kiss on my parted lips. Fuck. Stay calm, y/n. 

“That’s too bad, I didn’t miss you at all,” I say, intertwining my hands in his soft hair. 

“Yeah?” he smirks, nibbling on his lip rings as his eyes lower to my breasts which are pressing on his now wet shirt. 

“Mmhmm,” 

“Do you miss this?” he says softly, lifting my body onto the countertop before coming in closer as my legs naturally spread following his touch. Dropping the useless towel on the floor, his fingers trace soft lines down my form as he kneels in front of me. Licking his lips, he takes a moment to appreciate the beautiful mess. 

“Because I do,” Jungkook grins, looking up one last time before placing a trail of kisses on my thighs, inching closer towards my wet core. Letting out soft whimpers, my hands pull on his hair from the feeling of his tongue, while sinful sensations travel through my body. Each lick is needy and full of desire. 

“Koo, please,” I manage to let out as my breath hitched in my throat. Raising his heavy gaze, he leaves one last kiss on my throbbing core before getting back up. Using his thumb to wipe the juices running down his lips, he prompts my mouth to open. Looking at his darkened orbs I do as he wants, sucking every last bit as the tension between us becomes almost suffocating.  

“It’s a pleasure to taste you, y/n” he whispers into my ear, nibbling on the soft skin.

Previous l Next

[vera-deville]

Hi! Could you please write Luka Couffaine x fem. reader who has trouble talking about their feelings? Writes him letters, love poems or plays the drums for him because it's easier for her to show her feelings like that? Sorry for my English it is not my first language.

02/28/2023 - 03/29/2023

Pairing: Luka Couffaine x Reader

Word Count: 867

Warnings: Nothing that I can think of!

Gender: AFAB

In which Luka has a significant other who has a hard time expressing her feelings.

Luka Couffaine absolutely adored Y/N. The girl had captured his heart, mind, and soul, and he had no trouble expressing it. However, the same could not be said the other way around.

Other people labeled Y/N as someone cold and uncaring, but only a select few knew of her true nature - she simply could not express herself in the ways others would. And Luka understood completely.

Y/N had a small group of friends (most of whom had never even met each other, but knew the existence of). She wasn't one to stick to one particular friend group after all. A good friend was a good friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

And two of her very good friends were Juleka and Rose. Originally, Y/N had only Juleka (since she went to the same school as Luka), but quickly became acquainted with Rose as well. And for that, Y/N thanked whatever lucky stars she had.

The whole process of confessing to Luka was already gut-wrenchingly terrifying, seeing as she had no idea how to go about it, whether Luka would return her affections (even though Juleka said he would), and if she was actually dateable material.

But after the confession, a lot of her worries were put to rest. Luka was the sweetest boyfriend she could have asked for, and she was extremely grateful for having met him.

Luka was someone who was fairly affectionate (not like some of the couples she's seen walking in Paris being overly lovey-dovey), but he also never shied away from letting her know what was on his mind.

If there was a particular moment where Y/N was caught up doing something and was quite focused on it (such as homework), Luka would find himself simply staring at the girl, absolutely in awe of the work of art he had the honor of calling his girlfriend. (Yes, he's tried sneaking some photos of her when she wasn't looking).

And when he was caught, Y/N would ask, "what're you staring at?"

Only to be met with, "just caught up in the ethereal masterpiece in front me."

To which Y/N would feel her face heat up and a warm sort of buzz envelope her whole being. She'd become a little flustered and brush off his oh so charming and teasing self, but looking at him once more, she realizes every time that Luka wasn't teasing at that moment. He meant every word.

So when others meet her and find out she's in a relationship with Luka, they wonder how on Earth the relationship works. Luka was pretty well known and well-liked. But Y/N wasn't like that. She stayed to herself for the most part, and she'd never initiate any sort of PDA with her boyfriend.

And some of these people would take to whispering about this behind (or so they thought) Y/N's back.

She'd feel bad about it, but not to the point where she'd find herself spiraling down a rabbit hole of self-hate and whatnot. But that didn't stop her from wanting to improve. And what better way to improve than by asking two of her best friends?

"Aww, it's so cute that you want to be more lovey-dovey with Luka!" Rose gushed. Juleka had a slight smile on her face, finding the situation slightly humorous. The involved parties were her brother and one of her closest friends. How could she not be entertained? Especially when said close friend was going on a tirade vaguely reminiscent of Marinette's tirades about Adrien.

Rose suggested making a perfume for Luka, and Y/N thought that it was such a good idea that she'd probably do that for his birthday. "What if you write him a letter?" Juleka asked. Pondering over the idea, Y/N decided that it indeed was a good idea.

But what to write?

And so some amount of days passed, and Y/N finally ended up finishing her letter to Luka. It wasn't anything elegant or pretty or anything of the sort. It was goofy, filled with her typical sarcasm, and most importantly, it was heartfelt. Now, the only thing left was to actually give the letter to Luka.

Which was still quite hard surprisingly.

Y/N assumed that once the letter was finished, she'd just hand it over to the turquoise-haired boy and bada-bing bada-boom, romance!

Apparently it doesn't work like that.

Apparently you pour your heart out into the letter, but then you feel nervous to actually give the letter to your oh so accepting boyfriend.

But somehow Y/N pushed down her anxiety and gave the letter to Luka when they sat down after getting their ice cream. Opening it, Luka's face gradually morphed into one of extreme joy (and if Y/N didn't know any better, smugness), before he pressed a chaste kiss onto Y/N's cheek.

And from that day onwards, Y/N would (every once in a while) gift Luka letters, love poems, and even play the drums for him as means of physically showing her affection for him. It was their own little dynamic and some may have found it odd, but to them, it was perfect.

Author's Note: Once again, I'm really sorry for taking so long to complete this fic. I hope you enjoy it (if not, feel free to request again, since I honestly don't feel like I did my very best with this one).

I'm still in the middle of trying to find a specific fic format to stick to. I've tried looking at a bunch of other fanfic writers' profiles and the format they use to write their fics, but I'm still not 100% sure if what I'm doing right now is what I want to continue doing.

[maladaptiveobsession]

What if charlie found a soul that came to the hotel but had already sold part of their soul to some other overlord and this time sue actually fights the overlord and gets your soul back... But why would she give it back to you its safe with her anyway

“safe and sound”

yandere charlie x reader

contains: gn reader, obsessiveness, manipulation, brief implication of violence, brief mention of abuse/exploitation, charlie is slightly disturbed

word count: 867

a/n: i actually cackled when i saw this prompt. hope this is to your liking!

Your arrival at the hotel sparked great interest and intrigue for all the guests. Charlie was noticeably invested in your growth. Such unwavering support would have been alarming in any other context, but Charlie was well known for her compassion and commitment. You happily disregarded all concerns, taking her dedication as a testament to her caring nature. Above all, you felt grateful to have captured the attention of such a well-known figure in hell.

Charlie was most thrilled to have another guest, especially one who showed such promise. She took every opportunity to share her excitement, showering you in praise every step of the way. You were doing so well, after all! It was clear to all just how significant an impact you were making, not just to Charlie but to the entirety of the hotel’s occupants. Her unwavering enthusiasm and support were a constant source of motivation, fueling your determination.

It was evident to all who knew Charlie just how fond she had grown of you during your stay. The bond you’d built had become a dependency in a world filled with uncertainty and fear. As your redemption neared—so close you could almost taste it—something dark and heavy twisted in Charlie’s gut. The growing unease forced her to confront the harsh reality of eventually losing you. Disturbing thoughts clawed at her mind relentlessly, and guilt gnawed at her conscious. What was happening to her?

How could she claim to care for you yet still entertain the idea of sabotaging your progress? She grappled with the conflicting emotions. If you love someone, shouldn’t you let them go? Yet the thought of losing you made her heart heavy with ache, perhaps more so than the betrayal you’d ultimately feel.

With each passing day, her longing for you grew. You consumed her every thought, driving her to the point of desperation. She yearned for the sound of your voice, the warmth of your touch, and the comfort of your presence. Each moment without you became unbearable, leaving her feeling incomplete and adrift—lost in a sea of uncertainty and longing. The separation felt like a cruel and unbearable punishment. She had an insatiable hunger for your love and affection; her yearning for you only continued to escalate, a deep and unrelenting ache that threatened to consume you both whole.

Alastor, ever the silent menace, observed Charlie’s growing obsession with great delight. Who knew Charlie had such darkness under that joyful exterior? Such lovely entertainment you were turning out to be! He supposed she just needed a push to take initiative. Alastor was more than happy to provide that push.

How curiously she responded when informed of your well-hidden ordeal—your soul entangled with another overlord. He marveled at the unraveling emotions—the depth inconceivable—as she realized the extent of your suffering and how you endured abuse and exploitation with minimal complaint. The devastation and disbelief ignited a fire neither knew could burn so bright, quickly replacing those overwhelming feelings with chilling rage.

You’d been suffering this whole time in silence! Could she have been any more blind?

She’d refrained from using the power she wielded and had always disliked issuing commands, but now the desire to make your abuser pay consumed her. Alastor was more than happy to assist; the unfolding entertainment was more than satisfactory as payment.

The transfer of your contract was a simple ordeal, with the promise of sparing your abuser from her wrath. Of course, she happily neglected to mention Alastor in her deal. Whatever agony he had planned was beyond her control. The dark satisfaction she felt as she listened to their screams sent a tight grin to her lips. The sight sent a shiver down Alastor's spine and momentarily unsettled his demeanor. He wondered just how deeply that obsession was rooted and how far she might go to protect you. How entertaining indeed!

She hadn’t anticipated that once she had your soul securely in her possession, those sinister cravings would intensify.

Won’t you let her hold onto it for just a little while longer? It’s only until you’re redeemed, okay? There’s no safer place than by her side! No one would be able to take advantage of you again. She could protect you and treat you well! You trust her, don’t you?

Charlie had always believed in sacrificing her own happiness for the ones she loved, but now she couldn't help but entertain that selfish desire to keep you close. Together, you can build your own paradise—heaven in hell. She can offer you the same solace and peace you so crave. And in her passionate plea, she hopes you might come to understand the depths of her affections and the lengths she would go to protect you. Especially if protecting you means never letting you go.

She may have been hesitant of her creeping darkness at first, but has come to embrace it. She’s convinced herself she’s only doing what is best for you. Though she’s delusional, her affections are genuine. You’ll come to find comfort in her obsession; you lost that choice the moment you stepped into the hotel.

Make yourself comfortable; you’ll be a guest at the hotel for all of your enteral afterlife.

[astrialuvs]

"Boquets of Fate"

➻ SYNOPSIS : In the quaint neighborhood, you and Kita Shinsuke's lives intersected through a charming flower shop. The mysterious aura around Kita intrigued you, prompting you to brighten his days with small gestures. Amidst the blossoming flowers, a love story sprouted, ready to bloom in the seasons ahead.

➻ PAIRING : kita shinsuke x reader

➻ GENRE : childhood days, fluff, romance

➻ CONTENT WARNING :

➻ WORD COUNT : 867 words

"Someone is looking at you, Shin-chan."

The words of Kita's grandmother echoed in his young mind like a gentle reminder. He had no idea what those words meant, but little did he know that those words would change his perspective in life, leading him to a destiny entwined with someone he had yet to meet.

One day, as Kita and his grandmother strolled through the neighborhood, they came across a newly opened, charming flower shop. The owners, a woman in her late twenties and a child around Kita's age. The two adults exchanged greetings. Later on, Kita's grandmother decided to order a bouquet of flowers. Your mother then went to her workspace to make a personalized boquet.

Your mother is a very skilled florist—someone you aspire to be one day. So every day, you would watch her assemble various vibrant bouquets of flowers with an array of colors, enthralling the senses with their exquisite beauty. Somehow you try to assemble like she does, your fingers gracefully dancing among the petals and ribbons like a natural talent.

During their conversation, your eyes carefully watch Kita Shinsuke. Throughout their stay in the shop so far, you have noticed how rarely he smiles. This piqued your interest. You thought that he was sad. So to cheer him up, you thought of creating him a bouquet too.

Your life took on a new rhythm after that. Passing by Kita's house became a habit—a harmless attempt to catch a glimpse of the elusive smile you had yet to see. You sometimes leave a small bouquet in front of their door. Year after year, you stuck to your routine, finding solace in the thought of making even the smallest difference in his life.

The flower shop became your domain over time, having been passed down from your mother. And then fate stepped in once more. An order came in for a bouquet that looked exactly like one your mother had made for Kita's grandmother years ago. Nonetheless, the connection remained buried in the depths of your memory.

With the bouquet in hand, you set out on your last delivery for the day, completely unaware of the fateful twists that lay ahead of you. The familiarity of the setting struck you as you arrived at Kita's house, and memories resurfaced. It was the same house where you'd always leave a bouquet for Kita.

Kita, who had returned from his farm, greeted you warmly, his eyes filled with a familiarity that had grown over the years. He'd missed seeing you because he'd been preoccupied with his work. Though when he was in high school, he would sometimes catch you roaming nearby their house. Of course, he doesn't mind. It was you, after all.

As you handed over your delivery, Kita's grandmother came out and offered you some lunch. As much as you declined their invitation, your heart melted when Kita personally invited you. The bond between you grew stronger as you shared a meal at his grandmother's (and his) invitation.

As night fell, Kita led you out of the house, holding a single flower—your favorite flower—a symbol of his secret feelings towards you. Kita indirectly confessed his feelings, straightforward and sincere, as she prepared to ride away on your bike. The confession felt a little cold and fast, but you were sure to catch on to it. Loud and clear.

You were taken aback, your heart racing as you struggled to find words. In a state of confusion and astonishment, you stammered out a simple "okay" and pedaled away. Kita watched you disappear from his sight, his heart filled with compassion.

That night, you couldn't shake the weight of your actions, your manners slipping in the rush of emotions. The next day, you went to Kita's house to apologize, only to find him getting ready to leave for his farm. You were having an internal crisis about whether to approach him or not, but he beat you as he saw you from the corner of his eye.

"Y/n," he called, making your heart skip millions of beats.

Awkwardly walking towards him. With a cold hand, you admitted your own feelings in that moment, guided by honesty.

"Firstly, good morning to you. Secondly, I'm sorry for how I acted last night," you paused from his gaze.

"You know, I ran after y-you confessed, and…"

He nodded. Urging you to continue. "I also liked you. For a very long time." You sighed in relief after feeling like you'd stopped breathing.

He chuckled at your behaviour, something you didn't expect.

'I only asked for a smile, but I was able to hear his laugh too?' A sense of romantic feeling filled your system. As you turned back to him, the sincerity in his eyes mirrored your own, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause, allowing the weight of shared sentiments to settle between you.

The flowers that had connected their lives bloomed brighter than ever as their feelings converged and their hearts opened. Their destinies intertwined in a love that had been blooming for years, ready to flourish in the seasons to come, against the backdrop of Kita's farm, under the watchful gaze of the universe.

[justsomerandomfanfic]

Kissing Indiana Jones Would Include:

Title: Kissing Indiana Jones Would Include:

Indiana Jones X GN Reader

Additional Characters: N/A

Requested by @doctoriletyougotogalaxy!

WC: 867

Warnings: Slight suggestiveness, kissing?, Indy is a simp really, and fluff

Indy loves kissing you.

He had the moment he first laid his lips on yours at the end of your third date on the porch of your home.

He loved every minute of it.

The way your hands were in his hair, the smile on your face as you leaned into him and kissed his cheek softly after pulling away, like it was the most natural thing in the world… He would always be grateful that he had the chance to kiss you.

When he does kiss you, he cherishes it, like the most precious gift he could ever receive. He thinks about how soft your lips are, like cotton candy, just waiting for him to take a bite. His fingers trace the curves of your face, memorizing every single one of them. He has memorized them already, but there is always something new.

He loves the feel of your arms wrapped around his shoulders and pulling him closer. He loves the warmth of your body against his, especially when your legs wrap around his waist as if it's a common occurrence. You’re so warm.

On other occasions, he'd be eager, hungrily, desperately, wanting to taste your mouth again and again and again. He’d want to devour you whole and never stop.

But right now, he just wants to stay where he is, pressed up against you, holding your hand and kissing you senselessly. You back against the wall, his hat tossed somewhere, landing on the floor, with the two of you still in each other’s arms, clinging to each other as if your life depended on it.

He presses his lips to your forehead, your cheeks, your jaw, then down your neck and collarbone. Your fingers dig into his back, nails scratching at his skin, marking a promise to a long night ahead of them.

Right now, he just wants to hold you forever.

To take you in his arms, and kiss you until you can’t breathe anymore. To make you forget everything except him and how much he loves you. To tell you all the things he hasn’t been able to say, all the things that have been weighing heavily on his heart since the day he met you.

He doesn’t know why the feeling is so overwhelming, but it is. It’s like something inside him has been crying out to see you again. To kiss you again. He feels like he has waited centuries for this, and maybe he has. 

But in the end, kissing you, he feels weightless, like nothing matters anymore except the taste of your lips, your skin against his, your arms around his neck. Like no one else in the universe matters more than you.

That’s all he needs to know. Because no matter what happens, he knows that he will always come home to you after his adventures. You'll always be here for him. You'll always love him.

And that's enough. 

You're his true treasure, the one he had always been searching for. The one that he finally found in his dreams, and in reality. 

You loved kissing Indy.

It was like you died and went to heaven every time.

Your lips were soft and tasted like strawberries, and they moved perfectly against Indy's lips. 

You craved his touch because Indy’s lips were softer than silk and made you dizzy. You wanted to run your hands through his hair, pull him closer, feel his strong muscles against yours, and hold him tight. 

His hair was soft under your fingertips, silky smooth, and he smelled like cinnamon and vanilla from whatever shampoo he used.

He was so close to you, you could feel the steady beat of his heartbeat, which you felt against your chest. Every kiss sent chills running down your spine and made you giddy like you were drunk.

You didn't want to pull away, but you had to breathe; you needed air, and you couldn’t keep kissing him like this forever.

Indy pulled away reluctantly, but only slightly, his breath fanning over your face.

Then he looked at you with those gorgeous green eyes, and asked, “Can I ask you something?”

You giggled, “Sure, Indy.”

“Can I kiss you again?”

You sighed happily, “I’d love that.” Then you smiled, because the answer really wasn’t that hard, “You can, Indy. As many times as you want.” As Indy leaned forward, you pressed your pointer finger to his lips, pausing him. "But, only if I can do the same." You whispered.

Indy's face broke into a mischievous smirk, which seemed to stretch across half of his face, lighting up his entire being. He nodded eagerly and pressed his lips to yours in one swift motion.

You closed your eyes and melted into his embrace.

His hand stroked your hair gently, cupping the back of your neck, the other held your waist lightly, as if afraid that if he squeezed too tightly, you'd disappear into thin air.

And when he finally pulled away, his eyes locked on yours, a deep, contented sigh escaping his parted lips. He rested his forehead against yours, closing his eyes. “I love you."

You closed your own eyes, a content smile on your face, "I know."

[whencyclopedia]

Leo VI

Leo VI was emperor of the Byzantine empire from 886-912 CE. He was the second emperor of the Macedonian dynasty and is sometimes known as “Leo the Wise” in reference to his prolific literary output which ranged from orations to law codes. Leo's military campaigns abroad were not at all successful, and the empire witnessed defeats to the Bulgars in the Balkans and the Arabs in Sicily and the Aegean. At home, it was a different story, and the emperor's reign was a rare one of stability, peace, and prosperity for his people.

Parentage & Succession

Leo, although officially the son and heir of Basil I (r. 867-886 CE) was widely rumoured to actually have been the son of Michael III (r. 842-867 CE). This was because Basil's wife and Leo's mother was Eudokia Ingerina, who had formerly been the mistress of Michael. Basil had had another son - his eldest, favourite, and first-choice heir, Constantine - but he had died prematurely in 879 CE of unknown causes. Basil's relationship with his second-choice heir was a troubled one. Leo, forced to marry a young girl of his father's choosing - the pious Theophano - had acquired himself a mistress named Zoe Zautsina who, naturally, his father disapproved of. Basil tried, unsuccessfully, to break the relationship by banishing the girl and making his son a virtual prisoner in a wing of the royal palace. Beaten, imprisoned, and threatened with blinding, it is perhaps no wonder that Leo might have borne a grudge which would one day prove fatal for his father.

Basil I died in 886 CE. The cause, according to official records, was a hunting accident. The tale was a tall one involving the 74-year-old emperor being dragged an improbable distance through the woods by a stag and then rescued by a group led by Zoe's father. It seems much more likely that Leo arranged for his father to be helped off his throne. It is, perhaps, significant that one of the first acts of the new 19-year-old emperor, now Leo VI, was to exhume Michael III's body from his nondescript grave and entomb him with full imperial honours in a fine marble sarcophagus in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.

Continue reading...

[p-antomime]

kiki mhmm give me...... if you're able ofc, give me something (it can be short ofc) wiTH DOTTORE PLEASE OMFG THIS MAN HAS BEEN ON MY MIND EVERYDAY and i cant believe sumeru is 'over' with him being present

i got your back nonnie :(( dottores hot i know id suck him dry everyday if i got the chance to do it

᪗ — wc.: 867.

“First time coming?” 

He asks without raising his eyes that continued to analyze whether the gloves had been placed correctly on his long, slender fingers, although deep down he already knew there was no way they could be remotely incorrect.

“No, sir,” your head denying it put more emphasis on the response, “I’m used to this kind of examination, actually.” 

“What made you switch doctors, if I may ask, then?” 

Dottore approaches the gurney on which he had previously asked you to sit, and this time he raises his attention to fix it on your eyes that dripped a latent anxiety that perhaps he could cut through even with a scalpel. And you understood immediately that it was time to lie down and try to relax as much as possible, even with the doctor's imposing presence bouncing off the walls and seeming to hover over your mind and sanity like numbing fog. 

“I... had some problems, I guess,” his eyebrows rose and you knew you weren’t clear enough, “The last doctor I consulted with was a bit... rude, if you know what I mean, sir.” 

Dottore felt as if he was about to crush the shyness permeating that sentence as soon as he fixed your knee supports and gestured with one of his indicators for you to position yourself as comfortably as possible, “I understand, completely.” 

That was the only one he replied before he pushed up the edges of your robes to your crotch and rested his gloved hands on your thighs close to the edge of being visibly tense. 

Your doctor could see everything, absolutely everything. From your lovely clit almost ready to be rubbed to your naturally inviting folds. He could classify you as “cute”, “adorable”, “graceful”, but perhaps the best word was simply “tasty”; it was almost a sin that you had been hiding something so valuable from him for so long. 

“Tell me if anything hurts while I inspect you, will you?” 

As he speaks, you feel his gloved fingers move up your thighs with thumbs placing themselves on the most intimate part of your body, "Let's do our best so you don't have to spend any more of your precious time going to these other trashes out there, hm?"  

You felt a mixture of promise and warning at the same time, but you weren't given the opportunity to respond anything, not even a simple “mhm”, as Dottore used one hand to open your folds and leave you more exposed while the other momentarily rested on your crotch before sliding down again and placing itself on your soft clit. 

Immediately, small flames of adrenaline and pleasure began to form in pools all over your body and concentrate in the middle of your legs, just below the doctor's hands that began to rub and circle that sensitive heap of nerves. In a matter of seconds your breathing became ragged and eyes tried to focus on anything other than Dottore's reds or his silhouette. 

It was almost as if you should feel dirty, after all: he was doing his job as a doctor, and you were giving in to impulses that you knew how to control very well – or thought you did. But, his fingers were so good, had such insane control that they knew how much to press and yet made everything painless, purely pleasurable and euphoria-worthy. 

And it got even worse when his other hand placed itself over your now completely wet entrance, but didn't venture to finish the job of crossing the ethical boundary and filling and massaging you from the inside. Only the others kept stroking your clit deftly. 

“D-Dottore–,” it was the first time you had called him directly, no “sir” included, “Feelin' a–,” his fingers moved to a faster pace over your clit, you began to feel a puddle of anxiety and anticipation, it almost felt like a knot taking hold of the bottom of your belly, "P-Please, ‘nside me, your fingers, I–” 

“Oh, my fingers? You mean those?” the fingers over your entrance pressed themselves against it, threatening to really get inside, “Want they inside you? Oh, sweetcheks, that wouldn't be appropriate, would it? I am your Doctor, after all, no?” 

A small, mocking chuckle escaped his lips and just as the shame of having asked something so outrageous of him almost took hold of your body, you felt him slide his gloved fingers bathed in your slit inside, reaching deeper than your own could and making your eyes roll in pure pleasure; pleasure that almost made your orgasm erupt violently as soon as Dottore curved them against your sweetest, most sensitive internal spot.  

Before you could stop yourself, several “Please” were escaping from your mouth and you didn't even know if you were begging Dottore to prolong your pleasure, make you cum faster, or simply end the situation soon. But regardless of what you wanted, your doctor gave you a climax as a gift, with his fingers moving in and out of your wet little hole and the others rubbing your now swollen clit.  

In the end, he was right. You would no longer have to waste your precious time looking for doctors other than him. 

[mellowwfever]

— ♡ “ All that mattered. ” ♡

↳ Kurokawa Izana x Reader

— There might be a couple of swear words, mostly from Izana and he might be a bit OOC. Also, the ending is a bit rushed since I didn't know how to end it, but whatever. It's a little cheesy, I can't help myself. Are pet names a warning? This just randomly popped up in my head so I had to write it so it will leave me alone. Not proof read at all.

A/N: I'm madly in love with this man, I just can't help it. I'd sell my sould to him if he'd ask me to. I wrote this at like 4AM. I don't know what this is, don't ask me.

↳ Word Count: 867

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

Since you were little, you always tend to pay attention to what people would say about you or how they see you, a habit or, better said, insecurity that stuck to you from your childhood. Your mother would always talk about looking and acting appropriately so that your peers would see you only in a positive light. Appearances and reputation were always something she cared about a little too much, and she did everything just so you would too. All it did, however, was just made you insecure in some ways. There were still things that you didn't care about regarding other people's opinions towards you.

Your relationship with Kurokawa Izana was one of them. Izana was a well-known and fearsome man. So it was simply natural that people would start talking and making up silly rumors when it came to attention that the cold-hearted King of Tenjiku seemed to have a very close relationship with this person that seemingly came out of nowhere. That person being you.

If you were to be completely honest, it all developed pretty unexpectedly for both of you as well. You knew Izana and Kakucho for a long time, meeting them back when both of them lived in an orphanage. You met them by an accident, but something in you seemed to catch Kurokawa's attention, and he quickly proclaimed you as his future spouse. You just thought him to be a little odd and didn't take his words seriously until a couple of years later two very familiar to you boys showed up at your doorstep. You immediately recognized the vibrant lilac eyes of your old friend and didn't oppose when he took your hand, leading you to your new kingdom.

Though you knew exactly what the risks of being with Izana were, you didn't care. You knew of his dangerous temper and violent tendencies, but you decided that it didn't bother you. Admittedly, it was hard to scrab your way through all of his walls and shells, but you still managed to do so in the end, and you never regretted it once. Your heart and loyalty belonged fully to Izana, and you swore that it will always stay that way.

You weren't bothered by the looks and whispers that were occasionally thrown your way, so it was fine. Izana, however, did seem very annoyed by it, and he did offer you to "deal with the lowly morons", but you always just shrugged it off. Your relationship with him was your business only, so who cares what some idiots think about it.

"I just don't see why it bothers you this much." you would always say whenever he'd bring up his frustrations about the looks you were always given. He'd turn to you with a serious look on his face while frowning at your dismissive attitude.

"My darling, I just can't have that ugly dirt disrespecting my precious beloved." he'd state matter-of-factly as if it was the most obvious thing in the whole world. "It seems that a few fools have forgotten their place. That scum thinks they have permission to even utter your beautiful name in a bad manner, so they need to be taught a lesson."

You stiffen an urge to giggle at how serious he looks, his threats and harsh words not affecting you in the slightest. If anything, you find it utterly endearing just how protective he gets over something so insignificant to you. You move closer to him, gently taking one of his hands in both your own. He quickly places his free hand on your waist, subtly tugging you closer to himself. You could faintly recall how he would flinch whenever you touched him without alerting him first back when your relationship was only starting, and it warms your heart how much comfortable he is with your touch now.

"Izana, dear, you know that I don't care what some random people think about me or our relationship. They can talk all they want, it doesn't change anything anyways. I still love you with all of my beings and a few dirty looks and silly insults won't affect anything."

He seemed to actually stop and think about your words for a few seconds before letting out an annoyed huff.

"I know, my love. But I still don't intend to just let that go and ignore the way they treat you. Their behavior does not deserve any mercy. You can't change my mind, darling."

You sigh but nod. To be completely honest, you didn't expect anything else. Izana was always extremely stubborn and there were very few things that could ever change his mind once he was set on something. So you just lean your head on his shoulder, feeling him pull you even closer to him, almost in a protective manner.

You didn't care about your reputation since you were prepared for that sort of backlash when you accepted a declaration of love from Kurokawa Izana and promised to always remain by his side. But as long as he allowed you to be this close to him, to love him and cherish all of the affection he showered you with, it was all that mattered.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

[heavenzscent]

Working Title : OUT OF OUR HANDS

WIP Rated: M

867 

The Mountains of Hizuru were as beautiful as they had looked in the history books. He rolled down the automobiles windows to allow the crisp coastal breeze to keep him up. The trip from Odiha to Hizuru had been a last minute one without much comfort. 

13 years had passed since Eren had trampled upon the world upon the citizens of the proud nation of the North Eastern sea. Luckily most of it was located upon mountainous islands full of caves which had served as natural bunkers. What had done many of the citizens and survivors had been lack of food. But still they stood. Not as old, grand and mysterious but still just as proud. 

He pulled over into a rest stop. In the walls they would bury or burn the dead. Burials where costly because their was little room for cemeteries it needed to be made useful. Here the cemeteries where different they where streaming with life, trees, ponds and hillsides. They doubled as parks. This one was dedicated to the victims of the rumbling. 

Their where statues made of marble and bronze of angels. Shoguns, emperors and heroes of the past. Alongside statues of those who had fallen from familymen who always helped the community and grandma’s. Their stories written on plaques in both Hizuruan and Eldian. Every tree and statue had a story written upon it. Some where beginning to grow out of eyelevel becoming last to future eyes. 

In the center was a large marble structure that contained all the names of those lost in Hizuru in their complicated writing. 

“Ambassador!” 

He turned around and nodded his head at the frantic scout who he had left asleep in his backseat. 

“Please -uh– refrain from leaving sir.” 

“Sorry Yua. Just needed to stretch.” 

“Don’t do it again. It’s my job to protect you.” The young scout insisted. 

He sighed. Even during a time of relative peace in an empty park a soldiers duty never seased he supposed. 

“I used to be a soldier too yuh know?” 

“This is my first mission out the castle and My Empress trusted me with you.” 

Jean cocked his brow and huffed from his nose. Mikasa had

“Do you happen to know the reason for this visit.” 

The Yua simply shrugged in reply suddenly unable to look him in the eye. 

“How old are you, Miss Tanaka?” He asked taking one last look at the memorial. 

“18 years.” 

He hummed. She had been 5 at the time. He turned around and followed her back to the automobile. 

859

The palace was lovely and fresh but it lacked the grandeur of the original which he had only seen in paintings and photographs but one day it would be. Kiyomi boasted about how the building of the palace was part of the economic plan. It was a joint project between Paradise and Hizuru, the first of many she hoped. The lumber had been issued from the island and some of the stone as well. 

It had been a tactic to show peace and to share access to Hizurus knowledge and  industry. 

The workers who built it were in contract to work on all co-country projects and many of those in the village were on the state's payroll. 

Unlike Eldian palaces that were closed off and tall like fortresses the structure was wider, only going as high as three stories but usually just two . 

“How was it?” He asked Mikasa once they were left to themselves. She had been so quiet but her eyes looked so inquisitive the whole tour. 

“I wish we had more time to see it …before.” Jean nodded in agreement. “But I try not to dwell, I don’t like getting angry at him.” Jean nodded again. He understood it was a useless sort of anger. 

“Hey.” Jean whispered. Mikasa leaned in her face perplexed over the sudden shift in his demeanor. “Ring the bell.” He smirked, pointing at the button. 

“It’s my first night here.” Mikasa rolled her eyes. 

“Come on.” Jean pleaded. 

It didn’t take much convincing.Mikasa never needed much convincing when it came to Jean. 

Within the hour they had a cart full of food and drinks wheeled into their room by an awestruck servant girl who spoke slightly broken but good Eldian. They asked her to join them as they ate dessert and asked her about life in Hizuru, working at the palace and her life. 

To both Jean and Mikasa’s surprise what she said aligned closely with Kiyomis version of the truth. 

867

Once entering the grounds he saw her sons first. The twins, So and Kaito, were hitting a topiary with wood swords as their older brother, Wren, was supervising, pointing every which way yelling unintelligible commands. 

He had thought that he would resent maybe even hate the boys but he quickly found that he could never hate anything that came from Mikasa.

Yua yelled in Hizuran once the twins began climbing the decorative tree and bending it into odd shapes , causing Wren to begin crying and hollering to try to gain his authority back over the younger boys. 

The twins screamed and laughed until they recognized Yua stomping towards them. 

“See this is why I need a promotion.” She said in annoyance although her lips were tugged slightly upwards. 

Jean stopped to wait for Yua to fish the boys out of the bushes. 

He looked down, swearing he heard a small thump. 

Wren was standing in front of him as stiff and straight as he could muster and was giving him the old military salute of the walls. 

Jean mimicked the gesture and bowed. “Crowned Prince Wren.” He addressed the boy as though he were a commander, one day he would be after all. 

“Mr.Ambassador Jean.” The boy mimicked a soldier's tone. Jean tried his best not to laugh at the stern little boy. 

“How have you been? It's been five months.”  

“Yes, since the winter.” Wren was smart. Some six year olds barely knew the months or their birthdays. But the prince was smart like both his mother and father. 

“How has everything been since winter?” 

“I started mine schooling with the other children. Kaito and So still learn with the ummm babies.” Wren seemed quite smug. “My Hizuran and Eldian are very good my mommy and father say so. Oh! A-and uhhh Miss Ao is upset at father right now!”  

“Huh, why?”Jean asked, trying not to seem too interested.

Ao Tanaka was the emperor's mistress and very much the love of his life. At first Jean had hated the man for not loving Mikasa. The emperor had the person in which Jean coveted and was practically spitting upon the blessing. But with time he saw that the arrangement seemed to work for everyone and that the world was larger than what he had been raised to know after all. 

Ao was a kind woman and had been from the emperors home village in the countryside. They had grown up together and at one point thought they would make a life together.That was until the rumbling happened and he became the best and most supported candidate to lead the nation.

He was a kind man as well; Jean supposed. 

He wondered what that bastard had done. Ao can barely swat a fly without looking guilty; he couldn't imagine her being angry.Espcially not enough for even the kids to take notice.  

“I’m not sure… maybe you can cheer her up. Your very funny uncle!” 

“What happened to Ambassador.” Jean faked indignation. Wren simply laughed. He was a confident little boy. Most kids needed an adult on their knees to feel comfortable speaking but Wren could hold a conversation looking up with complete ease and cheerfulness. 

“I’ll try my best.” Jean bowed deeply which made the boy giggle with delight. No one really bowed to him unless the event was formal. Both Mikasa and her husband agreed that it would spoil the boys. 

So ran up to his brother muttering some unintelligible Hizuran/Eldian mishmash of a sentence (Wren seemed to understand the bilingual squishing of words perfectly.);Jean could swear he heard the word child. 

This was followed by another scolding from Yua trying to get the twins to sit on their hands for a few minutes until they calmed down. She quickly gave Jean a glance that left him uneasy. 

“I give up! Do as you will. I need to take the ambassador to your parents. I’m going to give Chiyo a whipping later.” She announced.He supposed that had been her replacement while she undertook her first mission. 

Wren gave him and Yua a final salute before they disappeared through the heavy palace doors. 

INFO SHEET

The Imperial family of Hizuru

Her majesty the Empress  Mikasa Ackerman

His majesty the Emperor Arata Azumabito-Ito 

Crowned Prince Wren Ackerman-Ito  (both sounds Eldian for the bird and sounds Hizuran) 

Prince So Ackerman-Ito

Prince Kaito Ackerman-Ito

Courtesan to the Emperor Ao Tanaka

Yua Tanaka, Scout and serves the Imperial family. 18 years old 5 at the time of the rumbling.

Kiyomi Azumabito - states woman and ambassador   

Unified Nations Federation

Jean Kirstein, Lead Ambassador of Eldia and The Unified Nations Federation. 

Reiner Braun, Ambassador of Eldia and The Unified Nations Federation. 

Connie Springer, Ambassador of Eldia and The United Nations Federation. 

Pieck Finger, Ambassador of Eldia and The United Nations Federation

The Government of Eldia 

Queen Historia Reiss of Eldia 

Armin Arlert, Minister of the Eldian Empire.

Annie Leonhart, Retired Ambassador, Assistant and body guard to the Minister

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Stiff, achy knees? Lab-made cartilage gel outperforms the real thing

Over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy, steroid injections—some people have tried it all and are still dealing with knee pain.

Often knee pain comes from the progressive wear and tear of cartilage known as osteoarthritis, which affects nearly one in six adults—867 million people—worldwide. For those who want to avoid replacing the entire knee joint, there may soon be another option that could help patients get back on their feet fast, pain-free, and stay that way.

Writing in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, a Duke University-led team says they have created the first gel-based cartilage substitute that is even stronger and more durable than the real thing.

Mechanical testing reveals that the Duke team's hydrogel—a material made of water-absorbing polymers—can be pressed and pulled with more force than natural cartilage, and is three times more resistant to wear and tear.

Read more.

[compneuropapers]

Interesting Papers for Week 45, 2023

Interplay between external inputs and recurrent dynamics during movement preparation and execution in a network model of motor cortex. Bachschmid-Romano, L., Hatsopoulos, N. G., & Brunel, N. (2023). eLife, 12, e77690.

Distinct neural activations correlate with maximization of reward magnitude versus frequency. Balasubramani, P. P., Diaz-Delgado, J., Grennan, G., Alim, F., Zafar-Khan, M., Maric, V., … Mishra, J. (2023). Cerebral Cortex, 33(10), 6038–6050.

Modulation of ventromedial orbitofrontal cortical glutamatergic activity affects the explore-exploit balance and influences value-based decision-making. Barnes, S. A., Dillon, D. G., Young, J. W., Thomas, M. L., Faget, L., Yoo, J. H., … Ramanathan, D. S. (2023). Cerebral Cortex, 33(10), 5783–5796.

Long-range inhibition synchronizes and updates prefrontal task activity. Cho, K. K. A., Shi, J., Phensy, A. J., Turner, M. L., & Sohal, V. S. (2023). Nature, 617(7961), 548–554.

Accelerating Maturation of Spatial Memory Systems by Experience: Evidence from Sleep Oscillation Signatures of Memory Processing. Contreras, M. P., Fechner, J., Born, J., & Inostroza, M. (2023). Journal of Neuroscience, 43(19), 3509–3519.

Intrinsic Neural Timescales in the Temporal Lobe Support an Auditory Processing Hierarchy. Cusinato, R., Alnes, S. L., van Maren, E., Boccalaro, I., Ledergerber, D., Adamantidis, A., … Tzovara, A. (2023). Journal of Neuroscience, 43(20), 3696–3707.

Humans plan for the near future to walk economically on uneven terrain. Darici, O., & Kuo, A. D. (2023). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(19), e2211405120.

Bistability of prefrontal states gates access to consciousness. Dwarakanath, A., Kapoor, V., Werner, J., Safavi, S., Fedorov, L. A., Logothetis, N. K., & Panagiotaropoulos, T. I. (2023). Neuron, 111(10), 1666-1683.e4.

Schema formation in a neural population subspace underlies learning-to-learn in flexible sensorimotor problem-solving. Goudar, V., Peysakhovich, B., Freedman, D. J., Buffalo, E. A., & Wang, X.-J. (2023). Nature Neuroscience, 26(5), 879–890.

A Learned Map for Places and Concepts in the Human Medial Temporal Lobe. Herweg, N. A., Kunz, L., Schonhaut, D., Brandt, A., Wanda, P. A., Sharan, A. D., … Kahana, M. J. (2023). Journal of Neuroscience, 43(19), 3538–3547.

Counterconditioning reduces contextual renewal in a novel context but not in the acquisition context. Keller, N. E., Cooper, S. E., McClay, M., & Dunsmoor, J. E. (2023). Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 201, 107749.

The human cerebellum in reward anticipation and outcome processing: An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis. Kruithof, E. S., Klaus, J., & Schutter, D. J. L. G. (2023). Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 149, 105171.

The Representational Similarity between Visual Perception and Recent Perceptual History. Luo, J., & Collins, T. (2023). Journal of Neuroscience, 43(20), 3658–3665.

Age-related differences in prefrontal glutamate are associated with increased working memory decay that gives the appearance of learning deficits. Rmus, M., He, M., Baribault, B., Walsh, E. G., Festa, E. K., Collins, A. G., & Nassar, M. R. (2023). eLife, 12, e85243.

Functional brain networks reflect spatial and temporal autocorrelation. Shinn, M., Hu, A., Turner, L., Noble, S., Preller, K. H., Ji, J. L., … Murray, J. D. (2023). Nature Neuroscience, 26(5), 867–878.

Peripheral targets attenuate miniature eye movements during fixation. Watamaniuk, S. N. J., Badler, J. B., & Heinen, S. J. (2023). Scientific Reports, 13, 7418.

Emergence of time persistence in a data-driven neural network model. Wolf, S., Le Goc, G., Debrégeas, G., Cocco, S., & Monasson, R. (2023). eLife, 12, e79541.

Intrinsic excitability of human right parietal cortex shapes the experienced visual size illusions. Wu, B., Feng, B., Han, X., Chen, L., & Luo, W. (2023). Cerebral Cortex, 33(10), 6345–6353.

Neurocomputational mechanisms of young children’s observational learning of delayed gratification. Zhao, H., Zhang, T., Cheng, T., Chen, C., Zhai, Y., Liang, X., … Lu, C. (2023). Cerebral Cortex, 33(10), 6063–6076.

Do needs always come first? Children’s allocation decisions in a necessary resource distribution task. Zhou, S., Peng, Q., Liu, T., & Zhang, J. (2023). Current Psychology, 42(11), 9372–9381.

[council-of-beetroot]

Hetalia Christmas Prompt

Prompt: “Lift me up so I can put the star on the tree.”

Characters: APH Poland APH Lithuania

Word Count: 867 words

Notes: wow I actually wrote something! This wasn't the prompt I was originally working on but one I started on a whim. The cookbook prompt will hopefully get written soon. I just have too many ideas for that one and spent too much time reading cookbooks as a result.

Like I said, I have never done this before, so hopefully the formatting is okay.

Tolys arrived at Feliks’ house after receiving a call requesting his assistance with Feliks’ Christmas decorations. He agreed as this would give him a chance to get away from getting dragged into Raivis and Eduard’s centuries-long festive conflict over the origin of Christmas trees once again. For the most part, it wasn’t too much of a hassle. Usually, they would sit and catch up over coffee, while Feliks would spend the time occupied with some craft project that would result in hundreds of mini paper ornaments. This year, Tolys managed to find Feliks still in the process of putting up his Christmas tree.

They spent the next hour or two dedicated to the task of decorating the tree and soon, their work was complete. They had finished hanging up all of the decorations that now adorn each and every branch. Feliks and Tolys stood back to admire the tree they had successfully decorated together. Feliks tilted his head to view the tree from a different angle. It looked nice but something was missing. He scanned the tree from top to bottom. Gwiazdka! They forgot the star to put on the top of the tree!

“Liet! We gotta get the star for the top of the tree!”

“I can put it up for you.” Tolys offered.

“I got it, just watch.”

Tolys watched with slight amusement as Feliks began to stretch himself attempting to reach the top of the tree. He was leaning on his tiptoes and looked as if in two seconds, he would lose balance and fall face-first into his Christmas tree. Naturally, this didn't work. After a few more attempts, Feliks stepped back down to figure out a new plan of action.

“I can reach it If you’d like.”

“No, I got it! I just need to figure out a new plan!”

“Do you have a ladder?” Tolys asked.

“No, why would I need to own a ladder?”

Tolys began to wonder why Feliks considered it unnecessary to own a ladder. However, he decided to save that tangent for another day as he watched Feliks, who was currently trying to determine the course of action needed to overcome his predicament.

“Lift me up!”

“What?”

“Lift me up onto your shoulders, and then, I can totally reach the top of the tree. Trust me, this will work!”

Without giving Tolys a chance to respond, Feliks attempted to pounce up to his shoulders in an attempt to try to latch on to him. “Okay! Okay! Okay!” He sighed and bent down so that Feliks could get up on his shoulders. He was grateful for the fact that Feliks was quite lightweight as well as being incredibly short.

“Ooh! The tree is so sparkly from up here! Could you hand me the star please?”

Tolys somehow managed to bend down to grab the star and hand it to Feliks, who was also clinging to his shoulders at the same time.

“Mhmm, eh, nie, and there,” Feliks thought aloud as he adjusted the star. “a little more to the right, and perfect!”  

Tolys stepped back so Feliks could take a moment to stare at his tree.

 “Wait!” Feliks gasped, which startled Tolys, almost causing him to drop Feliks backwards and head-first onto his living room floor. “One slight fix!”

Tolys took a step forward once again so Feliks could straighten up the star.

“Good?”

“Good!” Feliks gave a thumbs up.

“Great, now you can get off my shoulders!” Tolys reminded him.

Oh! Right, okay.”

Feliks got off Tolys’ shoulders and was now standing next to him, admiring their hard work. Strings of lights illuminated the room with their soft glow, lighting up each hand-painted glass ornament that adorned the tree. Many of the ornaments were hand-crafted by Feliks himself, utilizing a wide variety of materials and styles. It was clear just from looking at them, that Feliks had dedicated a lot of time and effort to creating each craft and he was quite successful at making each decoration one of a kind. Some were ornaments embellished with traditional paper cut patterns, some of flowers, and others depicting vibrant scenes of the nativity or traditional festivities such as the Wigilia dinner. Many were the spiky jeżyki ornaments for added flair. Others were little felt ornaments shaped like angels, hearts, and stars. Garlands of colorful tassels were draped around the tree, along with strings of glittery beads and paper chains. Above was the star of shimmering gold and sparkling silver, shining brightly, completing the stunning display.

“Thank you very much!” Feliks said with a wide grin, breaking the silence as he turned to Tolys, who responded with a light chuckle and a smile.

The two of them began to start cleaning up the mountain of boxes that remained after decorating. Suddenly, Feliks’ face lit up with excitement as he dashed to the downstairs storage room, where all of his decorations were usually packed away. The sounds of him rummaging through the storage room could be heard from the floor above. Suddenly, the sound of rustling boxes ceased. Feliks yelled out from a distance, “Hey Liet! We forgot about the podłaźniczka!”

Tolys thought to himself, why didn’t we just use a chair?

Notes and translations

Podłaźniczka- basically like if you took the top part of Christmas tree that you hang from the ceiling. Usually you hang one above a door or your dining room.

Jeżyki - the name comes from the polish word for hedgehog. They are spiky paper ornaments that I mentioned in a previous post that look like sea urchins.

Gwiazdka - literally meaning little star

Eduard and Raivis- Have to mention the Christmas tree wars previously mentioned in many other posts.

Nie- No

On ornaments - Poland has a long tradition of crafting ornaments and there are tons of different varieties and they are really pretty.

Traditionally Poles usually decorate the tree on Christmas eve.

Admittedly, I wrote these notes at 1 am so they aren't very precise so let me know if you have any questions.

Wow you made it all the way down here!

Well Merry Christmas! Wesołych Świąt! As well as Happy Hanukkah and !חג חנוכה שמח

I celebrate both. I have spent too much time making Christmas content so now I need to go find a way to make some Hanukkah content to even it out a bit.

Thank you for Reading! Dziękuję bardzo!

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2023 :: Day 5

Prompt :: Barbarous Characters :: Nomin tal Kheeriin, Bolormaa Jhungid, Unnamed Girl Warnings :: Relatively Graphic Violence, Gross Tactics (? I actually don't even know what to call it) Word Count :: 867

FFXIV Write 2023 Master List

The wind had been knocked out of her as Nomin rolled across the dirt. Once she had come to a halt, she curled, clutching her stomach and gasping for air. Dull pain wracked her abdomen where she had been kicked.

“Get up. Again.” An overseer of the training spoke, their tone cold. Such was the nature of Bolormaa. Nomin could only imagine them, and she could see them vividly. The folded arms over their chest, the steeled look upon their face. Disgusting.

Sheer spite made Nomin bare her teeth and fight through the pain, through the breathlessness. She drove a hand to the ground, planting her palm there as she put herself on her knees and slowly pushed herself back up onto her feet. Once up, she stared down her opponent -- a smug looking girl, her hands upon her hips.

‘I’ll wipe that look off your gedan face…’ Nomin thought bitterly, furrowing her brow and attempting to fall back into breathing more normally. The pain still lingered, and the gaping loss of air struggling to come back fought with spite and anger. Where part of Nomin wanted to remain curled on the ground, the other part wanted to unleash fangs and claws.

“Positions.” Bolormaa demanded.

Both Nomin and her sparring partner complied to the instruction, positioning themselves before one another.

‘Come on, come on…it’s been one summer of this.’ Nomin angrily thought, her brow furrowed as she looked at her opponent. She hardly remembered any one’s names that were not of the Sagahl.

You’re impatient…do what you can to curb that impatience more than anything.

Esenaij’s words rang out in Nomin’s mind, and her jaw clenched.

She worked on remembering in the time that she had what had been done before -- why she ended up on the ground, doubled over. Nomin had been the one to lunge first, her punches and attempts at grappling only meeting air. She had only ever been focused on striking her opponent, never on her exact movements or how to best move.

Shaking out her hands before clenching them into fists, Nomin locked eyes with her opponent.

“Start.”

Nomin’s opponent ran at her, an eager grin on her face, and that smug glint remaining in her eye. The girl had come in to attempt to shoulder Nomin back onto the ground. With enough of a jerk to her senses, Nomin had danced aside, albeit somewhat clumsily. She had to right herself, tensing her feet into the ground as she reaffirmed her stance.

“Surprised you moved that fast, Broken Scale,” the girl sneered as she pivoted and swung a punch at Nomin, hooking her in the jaw. “But I’ll make sure the rest of you becomes just as broken.”

Hands having flown to her jaw, Nomin staggered back, tasting the coppery tinge of blood upon her tongue. An already loose tooth had dislodged completely, sitting in Nomin’s mouth. She turned an infuriated gaze at her opponent.

‘I made a promise…’ Nomin’s nose scrunched and her lips were pulled back into a taut frown as she reasserted her stance and threw a punch at the other girl. Of course, with as green as she was compared to the other, Nomin’s arm was grabbed, and she was pulled close, the girl’s other hand wrapping around her neck.

“All you’ll ever be is broken,” the girl lowly said, a taunting expression on her face. Their horns were nearly locked together.

Rolling the dislodged tooth in her mouth, Nomin pooled the blood and saliva along with it. Before the girl could say anything further, Nomin spat at her, tooth and all, just as she opened her mouth to taunt again. Though it had not been planned, the tooth had sailed straight into the other girl’s mouth, causing her jeering expression to turn to disgust and surprise as she let go of Nomin and staggered away from her.

Her hand went to her own throat now, Nomin glaring down at her as she coughed and made noises of desperation.

“Did y--” the girl coughed again. It seemed the tooth had gotten itself lodged in an uncomfortable manner. “It’s stuck--!”

Nomin took this as an opportunity. While the other girl struggled, the building anger and resentment exploded into Nomin flying at her distracted opponent, tackling her to the ground. Nomin’s fists had balled, and her actions were near barbarous as she slammed fist after fist into the girl. Her face, her throat, anywhere her fists would land.

The other girl flailed. On one hand, she had been coughing and trying to get the tooth unstuck, as well as trying to shield her face and other parts of her from Nomin’s wrath. She struggled with trying to vocalize any sense of protest or insult.

“Enough!”

The words were wind in Nomin’s blind rage as she continued punching. Her knuckles hurt, but that mattered little. With each strike, Nomin had borne witness to the blossoming of purple and green bruising, the reddening of skin.

“I said enough!”

Nomin was grabbed, a fistful of her hair gathered by Bolormaa. Though she was tugged back, Nomin still reached for and kicked at the girl.

“Who’s broken now!?” Nomin bellowed, eyes wide with fury.

Read the continuation in FFXIV Write :: Day 19 -> Weal

[hoodieseason-ficrecs]

♡ soobin x yeonjun x beomgyu

let me be easy to love (TXT | 25, 867 | 1/1 | T)

(author)

This is how he fell in love: naturally, unconsciously. Beomgyu had no say in the matter, not when Soobin shares playlists with him and Yeonjun always asks how are you doing, Gyu-yah, no, really. Not when there are trips to the grocery store and Saturday nights at noraebang and a thousand full-teeth smiles, across days and weeks and months. Not when Beomgyu finally got a taste for it, beer-drenched and false as it was.

It lingers, beneath his fingernails and between his toes. In the space behind his teeth. In the marrow of his bones.

(Or, it is a fact of life that Yeonjun and Soobin were made to love each other, and no one else. At least, it was until Beomgyu kissed both of them.)