#Benefits of Content Clusters

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Introduction for How to Increase Website Organic Traffic in 2025

In 2025, organic traffic remains the backbone of a successful digital presence. As businesses increasingly compete for visibility in an oversaturated online world, earning organic traffic has become more challenging—and more rewarding—than ever. Unlike paid traffic, which requires ongoing financial investment, organic traffic provides a cost-effective, sustainable way to drive users to your website while fostering trust and credibility with your audience. The ability to consistently attract visitors without relying on ads is invaluable in building long-term relationships and brand authority.

The importance of organic traffic has grown alongside the evolution of search engine algorithms. Search engines, particularly Google, continue to emphasize quality, relevance, and user experience. For 2025, the focus is on delivering content that not only matches user intent but also adheres to Google’s EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness) guidelines. These principles ensure that your website provides real value to its audience, increasing the chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

The SEO landscape, however, is in constant flux. Trends like AI-driven keyword research, voice search optimization, and core web vitals are reshaping the way websites approach organic traffic growth. Staying updated with these changes is not optional; it’s a necessity. Websites that fail to adapt risk falling behind their competitors and losing valuable traffic. By understanding and embracing these shifts, businesses can not only keep up but also get ahead in the race for online visibility.

This blog outlines actionable tricks that can help you navigate the complexities of SEO in 2025. From enhancing user experience and leveraging content clusters to optimizing for local searches and repurposing old content, these strategies are designed to drive sustainable growth. Implementing them effectively can help you build a robust online presence and consistently attract your target audience, paving the way for digital success in 2025.

1. Focus on Core Web Vitals for a Stellar User Experience

By prioritizing Core Web Vitals, you create a foundation for a stellar user experience, which directly correlates with higher engagement and better search engine rankings. Incorporating these optimizations into your SEO strategy will not only improve your website’s performance but also solidify its credibility and authority in the competitive digital landscape of 2025.

In 2025, the importance of Core Web Vitals in driving website organic traffic cannot be overstated. These metrics, introduced by Google, serve as a cornerstone for evaluating user experience and play a pivotal role in determining your website’s search engine ranking. Optimizing for Core Web Vitals ensures your website is not just user-friendly but also search-engine-friendly, aligning perfectly with Google’s focus on delivering high-quality, reliable, and engaging content.

At the heart of Core Web Vitals are three key metrics: page speed (Largest Contentful Paint – LCP), interactivity (First Input Delay – FID), and visual stability (Cumulative Layout Shift – CLS). These elements work together to create a seamless browsing experience for users, directly impacting their engagement and retention.

Page Speed (LCP): Fast-loading pages are essential for capturing and retaining users. A slow website can frustrate visitors, leading to higher bounce rates and lower conversions. Ensuring your largest visible content loads within 2.5 seconds or less is critical for maintaining user satisfaction and improving rankings.

Interactivity (FID): First Input Delay measures how quickly your website responds to user interactions, such as clicking a button or filling out a form. Reducing delays enhances the user experience, making your website more intuitive and reliable.

Visual Stability (CLS): Nothing annoys users more than unexpected layout shifts while they are interacting with a page. Maintaining a CLS score of less than 0.1 ensures that your website provides a smooth and visually predictable experience.

By prioritizing Core Web Vitals, you create a foundation for a stellar user experience, which directly correlates with higher engagement and better search engine rankings. Incorporating these optimizations into your SEO strategy will not only improve your website’s performance but also solidify its credibility and authority in the competitive digital landscape of 2025.

2. Optimize for Voice Search Queries

Voice search is no longer a futuristic trend—it’s a critical component of SEO strategy in 2025. With the increasing adoption of virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, voice search is transforming how users interact with search engines. To capitalize on this growing trend and drive organic traffic, businesses must optimize their websites for voice search queries. The key lies in leveraging long-tail keywords and crafting conversational content that aligns with the way people naturally speak.

Why Long-Tail Keywords Are Essential

Voice search queries are often longer and more specific than traditional typed searches. For example, instead of typing “best coffee shops,” a user might say, “What are the best coffee shops near me that serve lattes?” This shift makes long-tail keywords—phrases that are more detailed and less competitive—essential for ranking in voice search results. By integrating these keywords into your content, you can better address user intent and capture highly targeted traffic.

Long-tail keywords also increase your chances of appearing in featured snippets, which are frequently read aloud by virtual assistants in response to voice queries. Optimizing your content with natural, question-based phrases like “How to,” “What is,” or “Best ways to” improves your visibility and engagement.

The Power of Conversational Content

Voice searches mimic everyday conversations, so your content should sound natural and conversational. Writing in a tone that mirrors how people talk, while maintaining professionalism, helps your content resonate with voice search users. Incorporate FAQs and structured question-and-answer formats to address specific user needs effectively.

By combining long-tail keywords and conversational content, you can create a voice search-optimized website that ranks higher, captures organic traffic, and delivers a seamless experience for users relying on voice-enabled devices. As voice search continues to dominate, adapting your SEO strategy to this evolving behavior is crucial for staying competitive in 2025.

3. Leverage AI Tools for Enhanced Keyword Research

In 2025, AI-driven tools have revolutionized keyword research, making it smarter, faster, and more effective than ever before. These tools harness the power of artificial intelligence to analyze massive datasets, uncover hidden opportunities, and deliver actionable insights for crafting a winning SEO strategy. By leveraging AI for keyword research, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and align their content with user intent more effectively.

Why AI-Driven Tools Are Game-Changers for SEO

Traditional keyword research methods, while still valuable, can be time-consuming and limited in scope. AI tools like Google’s Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Surfer SEO go beyond basic search volume and competition metrics. They use advanced algorithms to predict trends, identify semantically related terms, and understand search intent at a granular level.

AI-powered tools also excel at processing contextual data. They can identify patterns in how users phrase queries, allowing businesses to optimize for long-tail keywords, voice search queries, and questions-based searches that are increasingly common in 2025. This deeper understanding of search behavior empowers content creators to deliver value-driven content that resonates with their target audience.

Refining SEO Strategies with AI

One of the most significant advantages of AI tools is their ability to adapt to changes in search engine algorithms. With real-time updates and predictive analysis, these tools ensure your strategy remains aligned with the latest SEO trends, such as Google’s EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) guidelines.

Additionally, AI simplifies the creation of content clusters, suggesting topics and subtopics that improve internal linking and semantic relevance. These clusters not only improve rankings but also enhance user experience by answering multiple related queries on a single website.

By incorporating AI into your keyword research process, you can uncover new growth opportunities, optimize your content for better rankings, and consistently refine your SEO strategy for long-term success. As AI continues to shape the digital landscape, it’s a must-have tool for businesses looking to dominate organic search in 2025.

4. Create Hyper-Relevant Content Clusters

In 2025, content clusters have emerged as one of the most effective strategies for optimizing your website for semantic SEO. This approach focuses on creating interconnected pieces of content that revolve around a central topic, known as the pillar page, and supporting it with detailed subtopics, or cluster content. This method not only improves website structure but also signals to search engines that your site provides comprehensive coverage of a subject, boosting your authority and rankings.

What Are Pillar Pages?

A pillar page is a broad, authoritative piece of content that serves as the foundation for a specific topic. For example, if your website focuses on digital marketing, a pillar page could be titled “What Are The Benefits Of A Digital Marketing Course in 2025.” This page provides an overview of the subject while linking to more in-depth articles on subtopics, such as SEO, social media marketing, and content strategy.

Pillar pages are designed to be exhaustive yet concise, offering readers a one-stop solution for understanding a topic. By organizing information this way, you cater to both user needs and search engine algorithms, improving your chances of ranking higher on SERPs.

How Do Cluster Strategies Enhance Semantic SEO?

Cluster content dives deep into specific subtopics related to the pillar page. Each cluster article is internally linked to the pillar page, creating a web of interconnected content. This structure improves semantic relevance, helping search engines understand the relationships between different pages and rank them accordingly.

For instance, if your pillar page covers “Digital Marketing,” your cluster topics might include:

“How to Build an Effective SEO Strategy”

“Top Social Media Trends in 2025”

“10 Must-Have Tools for Content Marketing”

By interlinking these articles, you improve user navigation, encourage longer session durations, and increase the likelihood of appearing in featured snippets and related searches.

Benefits of Content Clusters

Improved SEO Rankings: Search engines favor well-organized, topic-focused content.

Enhanced User Experience: Visitors can explore related information effortlessly.

Authority Building: Comprehensive content signals expertise and authority in your niche.

By creating hyper-relevant content clusters, you align your website with modern SEO requirements while delivering value to your audience. This strategy not only enhances your online presence but also ensures sustainable growth in organic traffic for 2025 and beyond.

Want to Learn More Point for How to Increase Website Organic Traffic .

[dhrubo-organization]

Topic Clustering

Topic ClusteringThe Powerful SEO Technique You Need to Know About Topic clustering is a powerful SEO technique that has emerged in recent years as a way to help search engines understand the content on your website and improve your overall search visibility. It involves grouping related content together into clusters or “silos” based on specific themes or topics, and creating a hierarchical…

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hypothesis of care

afterwards, julian washes garak's hair.

standard procedure, after brain surgery. most saurian bodies tend to be too fragile for sonic washing after being operated upon, and he doesn't know enough about cardassian anatomy to be sure, only to avoid any shifts in body temperatur.

warm water, nearly scalding. there are clusters of blood where garak had pulled strands by the root in his agony on the third day of in internment, older spots and crusts, from different fits of pain - some scarring, where his claws had dug and pulled.

he doesn't heal any of it. garak had resisted medication and care and sedation and pain relief as much as he could stand, every step of the way; he wouldn't appreciate it.

he leaves it be, the same way he leaves a small, fine scar, though it would be the easiest thing in the world to pass the dermal regenerator over the line where he cut upon his friend's skull.

if garak wants to remove it later, he can - well, he may not be able to ask for it, but julian is fairly certain he has a regenerator of his own hidden away. he won't take the choice from him. he wouldn't have, even if he hadn't met enabran tain.

he didn't need to be an expert in cardassian physiognomy to note the similar width of the aural ridges, the same tilt of the chin when speaking in mockery. and the mannerisms, the grooming-tells, the affable malice.

garak wore it better, julian had thought at once, a sharp proprietary surge in the part of him that was not noting his odds of success, odds of survival, noting the vile pride and disdain tain held for garak, as a master to a favored slave fallen to disfavor.

he has rarely hated a person more, with such a clean and potent loathing. it is always easier to hate other people's cruel fathers.

julian bashir could talk anyone's ears off on biology and tennis and medicine, and often did; it could be very convenient, being remembered for that, and not much else.

months and years tending to mostly bajoran patients, working with mostly bajoran professionals most days. he had lunch with the only cardassian on the station once, twice a week, visited him, oh, an unsuspicious amount of times in his shop.

pity wouldn't be tolerated. it wasn't generally; no one wanted that from a federaji doctor. the truth of the matter was that the rot was dug deep, too depth to unroot.

the truth of the thing is that he read the old kardassi classics, and he could see the beauty, the shadow, the shadow of the idea that had once been cardassia, before it sickened to a rot that made sons into owned claims and all the wide sky's horizon too.

garak's medical readings had suffered, in his absence, a little worse than he had expected. not for any lack in the care given by nurse jabara, as much by what julian hypothesizes is a - an awareness of skinship, to some degree.

first, a careful rinsing, then a sterilization soap. careful, careful. he wore no gloves, didn't trust the material not to snag.

garak's hair is much thicker than it seems, not feather-like at all but thick and slick and only slightly more malleable when damp.

careful, with care, he pressed the edge of a soft cloth to the sides of his face to catch the last dampness, and pulled up a thick blanket, folded beneath his chin.

his shallow breathing gains a new ease and a new dimension, not quite a humming sound. even his vital signs improve by small increments, as julian goes about his ministrations - most species do benefit of some baseline level of touch, some level of trust.

now that julian has given him a forgiving grasp, it may be instinct to seek it out again. he doesn't doubt garak will seek to stifle it ruthlessly, when he's awake.

but for now, julian contents himself with a prickling pride, a pet hypothesis proven correct. sits himself down by the familiar bedside chair. close enough to leave a hand near the blanket, not quite touching, only giving heat. that will be a choice, too, though he's not holding his breath on that account.

he doesn't need to, to have lunch with him twice or thrice a week, a smug and sanctimonious and provoking presence across their small feasting table.

'alright,' doctor bashir says, peering down at his tablet left waiting in the same place it had been, before his brief sojourn.

an eye and two ears attentive to every reading animating his medical machines, but not unduly alarmed. the end of the vigil, and there is no reason to believe it would last longer than this night.

'where were we? i can't even tell with these repetitive pieces. alright, so it's the fifth generation of the bedrin family, and shockingly, not a one of them has yet sacrificed their loves and aspirations for the state, they'll get there eventually but i have a good feeling at least one of these witty cousins from lakar will be subversive about it -"

julian doesn't move away, doesn't press, doesn't impose. garak turns towards the warmth. even in sleep, he does that.

[love-of-the-red-star]

That time I got reincarnated as an Aeon

(Series)

Chapter two: This is not a good day to be a god.

Warnings: Spoilers for Aventurine’s backstory, some canon divergent stuff as I’m taking creative liberties. Reader is kind of biased but also not. People aren’t really having a good time. Good ol Eldritch horror. This chapter is a bit more serious in tone than the last ones.

“Mr. Yang, can we please switch the channel?”

Welt, being the nearest person near the techy T.V you absolutely had no fucking idea how to operate yet had obliged to your request, because you see, the news channel had no problem broadcasting your latest breakdown for everyone to hear.

You could have sworn you saw Pompom almost cry from the sound of your eldritch version and honestly you wouldn’t blame them— if you were them, you were sure you’d cry at the sound of your own voice too because what the fuck was that—

Why you even cried? Well, you accidentally freed a planet.

From existing. By simply accidentally dropping your tears on it because you cried watching a planet from thousands of light years away that you’re pretty sure is Sigonia come to conflict.

How you accidentally did more damage than Nanook and haven’t ended up being assimilated to them is beyond you, but you remembered you still have some agendas, you can’t be eaten yet.

It wasn’t exactly your fault your true form was a little too big that rogue planets who had the unlucky chance to get too near you ended up being quite literally disassembled. You just hoped there were no sentient life forms in it.

Continuing on with breakfast, Himeko drank her weird smelling coffee near you, unperturbed and probably used to hearing the news airing out your dirty laundry. (She’s still a little shaken from hearing the crying, but knowing you personally has made it seem.. less terrifying.)

You munched on your toast, thanking Pompom for making it the way you liked it; being slightly on the burnt side.

Welt had switched the channel to a different network, this time, there’s sports. Everyone seemed content on seeing sweaty men on a soccer field instead of hearing your not so pleasant and probably horrifying sounding distress so it was a win.

Then you randomly remembered Sigonia.

“Hey uh.. Himeko? Do we have data on this specific star cluster here?” You asked as you scribbled on a piece of paper, hoping at least that Akivili had made it there at least once.

Himeko peered through the paper and frowned. “….” She seemed hesitant, which confirmed your suspicion. “We don’t… the rail hasn’t gone that way just yet.”

Well shit. It seemed like you couldn’t take the express with you without you heading there and establishing a space anchor first.

But that would take time. Too much time. And you realized that logically there would be little to no benefit of a space anchor in a harsh desert planet— you cut those thoughts as soon as they came, you weren’t going to think like the IPC.

It’s up to you to establish a connection then. But could you even make it in time?

————————————

Your projection had disappeared after breakfast, leaving the express once again to wander as they pleased as you returned to your original body to peer into Sigonia— specifically Sigonia IV once again.

It’s surprisingly lively for a desolate place. It made sense, people do live there, and it made you smile at the resilience they presented despite their circumstances.

You should bless them, you thought, maybe placing it under the guise of their mother goddess if you’re remembering their belief system correctly. She.. unfortunately does not exist, but you do.

You won’t let them know that though for the sake of their peace.

You just wish the two clans would free themselves from hatred; logically it would be more beneficial to work together in a place like that, and it made you feel bad for the Katicans in a way— to be caged by their own prejudice they can’t see beyond words or envy that they’d choose to simply wipe out another clan out of those feelings. It was just sad, a little pathetic almost.

You didn’t want to be biased, but you do know you have sides to take if you wanted to be free of something. In this situation, you don’t think there was an option to simply have the two of them be on equal terms— not for now at least. Maybe you should consult Xipe? But where even are they?

For the sake of quieting your strangely human conscience, you chose to bless the Avgins in their little festival, in the hope that you’d steer them away from their written fate.

You know it’d be hard to fight, but you’d be damned if you didn’t try.

It had taken you to seeing little Kakavasha for a good while for you to finally crack and get down there yourself.

There was no way you were going to let him suffer a life that you knew was going to happen to him, not if you could do something about it. And lucky for you, you were an Aeon, and you were an Aeon that did whatever they damn wanted.

You had said fuck you to fate that day and took the form of an Avgin woman, not before leaving a message to Boothill that you hope he’d receive considering you’re not delivering it through your phone number— you were delivering your message through sheer will.

————————

Assimilating with the Avgin had come rather easily. It had made you feel bad to deceive them— you had pretended to be injured, no, it was more like you intentionally let your projection appear injured, as you approached their camp.

You had called yourself “Delia”, and they were keen on accepting that. They had taken care of you and kids cooed over the patterns of the skirt that you wore, asking you how you had created it.

Your only saving grace had been a young girl who appeared almost the same physical age as you, shooing away the people who crowded you too much. (Not that there was even many of them, there were three at most, and they were children.)

You had only awkwardly laughed as she shot them a look, something about how the “patient” needed to be left alone.

“Sorry about them, they can be excitable when they see something pretty.” She said to you, squeezing a wet rag before she wiped your face with it. It’s embarrassing to be taken care of like you were a baby, but if it’s what it took to try and free them, then you’re willing to sacrifice your dignity a little more— if you were being honest, you’d take this over hearing the sound of your own crying on the television.

“It’s fine.” You smiled as she put the rag down and checked your “injured” leg.

“A few more days and you’d be good to go. Though…. You’re healing faster than people normally would…..” You could sense the suspicion in her tone, and inwardly you smiled mischievously. “Never mind, I suppose that’s a good thing. The sooner you heal, the sooner you’re out of the bed and can go around and move about.” She nodded to herself in her assessment of you and left the tent.

It was days later that you found that she’s funnily enough, Kakavasha’s sister.

By that time, you were known by the people around you, but you didn’t know them.

Kakavasha had been one of those who knew you in courtesy of his older sister; and now he’s here, shyly peeking over the table as you scribbled away into a sheet of paper.

He’s curious as he peered over your work. “It’s the stars you see on the left side of that mountain.” You told him, hesitantly he brings his pointer finger and holds it over the tear drop shapes.

“What’s this?”

“It’s rain.” You explained, and the little boy that you once knew to be the gambler tilted his head.

“Why is there so many of them?” Ah right, this place didn’t rain much.

“The sky is crying.” You told him and he simply frowned.

“Sister said you have a lot of stories.” He decided to change the topic, probably sensing your awkwardness. How embarrassing for a little kid to know you’re not good at speaking, but you know you’ll eventually learn how to better yourself in doing so.

“Yes I do, wanna hear one of them?” Your smile returned, and little Kakavasha, with his one missing front tooth, reflected your expression.

“I’m taking that as a yes. I’ll tell you the story of a girl who lost everything to the rain…”

————————

Two Sigonian months (you’ve counted the hours, and put them into months to prevent yourself from going insane from saying the numbers) and you’re pretty sure you’ve ran out of tales you’ve parodied from the original you told him and the other children. Kakavasha had brought it upon himself to stick by your side funnily enough, saying something about not caring if you repeat the tales to him again.

His mother had brought you to the side some time ago, thanking you for the diversion you gave to the children from the reality they were in.

You were combing a sleeping Kakavasha’s hair when you had heard it. The dreaded call for aid for the next Kakava festival.

And there was no time for the space anchor you were just starting to make.

Your hands paused, and you gently set the child’s head off your lap and into a pillow before disappearing into the night.

You returned 6 system hours later. Then another 18 system hours went by before you disappeared again and reappeared exactly after six hours. That continued on for days as the festival grew nearer.

——————————

Unbeknownst to you, this was utterly terrifying for the galaxy rangers aside from Boothill to receive messages from a nonexistent number. It had come in the form of a cipher, then actual comprehensive texts, then another cipher again and all of them would increase in frequency— as if the one who was calling for help was making it a point that it was urgent.

All of it had led to the answer of Sigonia IV despite the other strange contents of those messages.

Sometimes it wasn’t even texts at all, sometimes it was calls in the same six system hour time span that they’d receive those messages. They’d receive the call, and they would receive static sounds that formed words— gibberish half the time, but still beckoning them to Sigonia IV.

Some of them had put their phone down sometimes as the calls manifested into sounds that made them shudder all the way to their bones. They couldn’t describe the noise, but it put some sort of primal reaction out of them enough that some of them went 72 system hours without sleep.

As irrational and ridiculous as it sounded, there were very little things that galaxy rangers feared.

Whatever was sending them these things were one of them.

Sometimes it would be their TV, and Boothill had the unfortunate fate of listening to the strange cacophony that if he had been a human he was sure it would have terrified him enough he’d piss himself. There was something wrong about the waves it emitted, it wasn’t a normal glitch or a hack sort of glitch, but rather something else.

SOS, Sigonia IV, SOS, Sigonia IV. The message were a repeat.

In the calls he received, he would have thought he was having a fever dream when he found they didn’t exist in his call logs until his fellow rangers confirmed they received the same message.

He remembered receiving the text once before all this— a strange occurrence, but not exactly a coincidence.

They received the same messages again for this night. Except the ending sequence changed.

Bring people. Avgin. IPC not help. SOS. Sigonia IV. Send HELP.

After the last sequence had indicated the date, the TV short circuited and the lights dimmed.

“Oh fudge me.” Boothill muttered, whoever or whatever was even sending these things were clearly going agitated. “Looks like we’re going to be on a roll boys, I don’t think it’s wise to priss off this cutie pie so best we don’t ignore that signal for any fudging longer than we already had.”

“Say less, and I hope to the aeons I get a good nights sleep when we’re done.”

—————————————

Part I, Part II, Part III [HERE], Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII….

And that’s a wrap for part two! I know it lacks jokes but come on. But yeah we’re going on the more serious territory for a bit before we go back for the jokes. Heavily unedited and written in the middle of the night.

[random-writer-23]

~~~18+ MDNI explicit content, predator x prey dynamic, sex in the woods, Dom! Logan, my first time writing smut *gulp*, mostly edited, I need this man so bad, pst send in a request cause my brain is empty~~~

It was one of his favorite games to play, especially on days like this when he was tired from an extra hard day at work. The game always started the same, I’m at home doing something like laundry or cleaning or whatever, today was cooking. I put the lasagna I made in the oven setting a timer to alert me when its done when my phone starts ringing where it’s laying on the table, I wipe my hands on a tea towel getting the grease off before I touch my phone, Logans name and photo flashed across the screen and I smiled answering it before going back to tidying the kitchen, clearing space on the counter so Logan and I could sit and eat when he gets home. 

“Hey baby!” I chirp, keeping the phone to my ear as I put the dirty dishes I used in the sink, thinking about how I’d make Logan wash them later. 

“I’m ten minutes away” He growls and a shiver goes down my spine, already knowing what kind of night it was going to be, “you already know the drill sweetheart” he purrs, “you have ten minutes to get changed into that lovely red dress I love so much, and find yourself a hiding spot in the woods behind the house, and you better hide well because if I catch you… you know what happens” He growls and I could hear the need, the desperation in his voice. Someone pissed him off at work and I was going to reap the benefits of it. 

“Yes sir” I respond trying to keep the smile out of my voice and he hangs up the phone. Not wanting to waste any time I jump up and scurry upstairs, changing into his favorite little red dress, the silk fabric smooth and cold against my skin. I do my hair quickly brushing it making it look nice even though it’s going to get ruined in the near future. I hurry back downstairs putting on some shoes and slipping out the door to the backyard, I set off into the woods using my phone flashlight to light the way since darkness was quickly descending, its hard traversing the woods in the dark but I’m not complaining since it makes our game so much more fun. There wasn’t a person for miles around since Logan had insisted on getting a house in the middle of nowhere, something I didn’t mind for the most part since it allowed for activities like this one, although it made trips into town a hassle. I make my way through the thick cluster of trees, hopping over branches and crunching piles of leaves beneath my feet as I run through the woods. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hide from him for long, he’d be able to smell me as soon as he pulled into the driveway, especially with how wet I am at the mere thought of getting caught. I kept going for as long as I could searching for any alcove, or cave, or anywhere that could be used as a hiding spot. I trip over a small tree branch falling to the floor scrambling back to my feet as quickly as possible, I don’t even bother brushing the dirt and leaves on my knees knowing that they’re going to get twice as dirty when I get caught. I run for a little longer before finding a large tree with thick roots that form a little hiding spot. I sit down on the ground, curling up and making myself as small as possible as I hide, I turn my phone flashlight off and the darkness fully engulfs me, shivering lightly in the cold air. In the distance I hear a car door slamming shut. He’s here, I feel my phone vibrate in my hand, and I look at it, Logan's picture lighting up my screen, it was a warning call his way of telling me he’s coming for me. I turn the phone off ignoring his call, as I squeeze deeper into my hiding spot. My heart hammering in my chest and I consciously struggle to make sure I don’t move a muscle, his enhanced hearing would be able to detect even the slightest movement I make, with how hard my heart is pounding I guarantee he can hear me anyway, and if he can’t hear me he can smell me. Out of all the times we’ve played this game there’s no version where I win, his senses don’t allow it, he doesn’t allow it. And still I wait in my hiding spot, the silence so deafening it’s thrumming in my ears, in my veins, my nerves on edge, the slightest rustle of wind in the trees sending me spiraling. I can hear my heartbeat steadily thumping in my chest, so loud its drowning out other sources of Noise. I can almost sense him approaching, and It’s then I can hear his voice, humming a quiet tune to himself in the distance, the sound sends a chill down my spine, and yet I remain hidden, closing my eyes as I hear his voice get louder, he gets close enough I can hear the crunching of leaves beneath his feet. I hear his claws extend and my breath catches, he casually scratches one of the trees next to him and it cracks under the pressure of his claws, he retracts them swiftly.

“I can smell you pretty girl…. You smell so sweet” He chuckles darkly. “You can’t hide for long” He murmurs stepping on a twig letting it snap beneath his foot. “So sweet, and it’s all for me” It takes the strength of everything in me to not whimper at his words, my pussy twitching at the thought, he inhales deeply,  “Oh she likes that doesn’t she…” He chuckles, and I hear him coming closer, covering my mouth and slowing my breathing. I hear him inhale again, and I see him out the corner of my eye, I huddle up further against the tree, and he breathes again smiling as his head snaps in my direction his eyes immediately locking onto my figure hunched over on the ground, his eyes shine and he grins. “Run” He growls and I waste no time jumping up and sprinting in the opposite direction. He grunts watching my retreating figure, I don’t hear him immediately following me so I assume he’s oh so kindly giving me a head start. I sprint through the woods trying my best not to trip on any rocks or fallen branches the trees a blur as I race past. I lasted less than a minute before I could feel myself slowing down, losing my breath, I push forward hoping to catch a second wind to pull ahead but its no use as I hear him grunting and growling as he gains on me. A rush of adrenaline rushes through my veins as I speed up panting for breath, but it wears off too quickly and I fall back again. I hear him gaining on me and I scream as I feel his hands wrap around my waist tackling me to the ground, his body shifting as we fall to form a protective barrier around me, cushioning my fall, even when we play his games he always takes care of me. “Gotcha” He growls into my ear, and I shiver in his arms. I turn around in his arms so I’m straddling his lap and he grips my wrists gesturing for me to get up, and I quickly do, not wanting to frustrate him any more than he already is. He guides me over to a tree, “Bend over sweetheart, c’mon give me my prize” he purrs and I shiver again. “Honestly, did you even try, or did you want to be caught?” He chuckles darkly. 

“I tried” I whine softly and he shushes me, caressing my curves, his touch light. I didn’t try that hard to evade capture but he didn’t need to know that. 

“I’m sure you did sweetheart” He smiles, petting my head before letting his hand trail down the back of my neck and down to the base of my back, pushing lightly bending me over slightly, his hands delicately lift the fabric of my dress revealing my legs and he groans, a guttural sound that came from deep in his chest. He moves the dress up further exposing my body to his gaze, he pulls It up over my ass and he tsks. “Oh baby… panties? Really?” 

“I just thought-“ I murmur and he shushes me again. 

“You’re not supposed to think darlin’ you’re supposed to listen…” He murmurs and I shiver. I hear one of his claws come out slowly and I whine looking at him over my shoulder. “Logan.. I like these ones” I whine, feeling his claw tug at the fabric. 

“I’ll buy you new ones” He grunts tugging on the fabric and I feel it give way, and fall away from my body. He growls, leaning closer kissing my ass gently. “There she is” he rumbles, and I shiver, he swats my ass softly and I jump, “turn around darlin’, need to have a taste of my girl” he growls almost desperately, I don’t hesitate to turn around, leaning on the tree to stabilize myself, he smiles hiking my leg up over his shoulder spreading me open buffet style, he kneels in front of my burying his nose in my cunt, the tension seeping out of his body and shoulders as he breathes me in. “So pretty f’me darlin’, and you taste” He takes a deep lick sighing as he does. “You taste delicious” He groans before diving in like a man starved, his nose catching on my clit as he laps at my entrance like he needs me to survive, and knowing him I wouldn’t doubt it. He groans, mumbling incoherently against my cunt. Sweet nothings that are known only to him. I whine as he sucks only my clit lightly, my knees growing weak. His beard scratches my thighs, and he pulls his mouth away from my heat to press kisses along them, murmuring lovingly into the skin. He looks up at me, his beard glistening with my arousal and I almost cum right there at the sight of it. He chuckles gruffly at the furrow of my eyebrows, my mouth falling open as he dives back in, circling my clit with his tongue and raising his hand to bury his fingers inside me. He drives in knuckle deep watching me writhe on his fingers, his touch setting me on fire. 

“Logan m’ almost there” I whimper, my head falling back and hitting the tree behind me, I groan as he pulls his mouth away. 

“Oh no baby girl, I’m not done with you yet” he grins, driving me to the edge before ruthlessly ripping it away from me. I whine loudly as he takes a couple more deep licks, inhaling one last time before pulling himself away rising reluctantly to his feet. My gaze follows him as he rises, lowering the leg that was on his shoulder back on the floor. He trails his hands up my body as he rises, his breath fanning across my chest as he inhales growling as he kisses my neck, sucking harshly at the skin trying to leave as many markings as possible. “Mph, all mine?” He asked, groaning into my skin, and I nod in agreement. “All yours Logan” I smile as he pulls away from my neck looking me in the eyes, his gaze filled with a mix of need and love as his hand worms its way up my neck to the back of my head, cradling it as he kisses me. He pulls away abruptly, his hands going to unbuckle his belt casting it aside, as he fumbles with the buttons of his pants, and I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him closer to me kissing me while letting his pants drop and pool at his ankles. He weasels his knee in between my legs spreading them for me, I whine against his mouth as he grips tight at my dress, his grip threatening to rip it. He slides the fabric up my body and taps my thighs signaling for me to jump, I do and he catches me pressing my back against the tree trapping me between his body and the rough trunk of the tree, leaving his hands free to travel my body. The fabric of my dress bunches up around my waist, and Logan pants. 

“You ready?” He huffs his muscles flexing as he holds me up against the tree guiding my legs to wrap around his waist. I nod whining in response, “thatta girl darlin’” He grunts, readjusting me slightly holding my gaze as he pushes inside me slowly, grunting the whole way in. “Oh fuck” He groans, letting his head fall back before lifting it again angling it down to watch himself slide in “Look at her welcoming me home” He chuckles gruffly his eyes transfixed on the point where our bodies meet watching his cock disappear into my wet cunt. He pulls out slightly before thrusting forward harshly, I moan into his shoulder, feeling the stretch, a low burning sensation as he slides in further, and I clench tight around him. He finds a slow rhythm thrusting into me at a leisurely pace taking his time, enjoying the sensation of my cunt hugging his cock. 

“Logan don’t tease” I whimper and he nods placatingly. 

“Okay baby, okay, I’ll be nice” He murmurs, pulling his hips back, an emptiness filling me for a split second before his hips lurch forward replacing the emptiness with him. “Like that baby?” He smiles and kisses me, I moan into the kiss, he slowly finds his rhythm pounding into me, the tree scratching up my back through my dress but I couldn’t care less, so long as he keeps going the way he is. My arms wrap around his neck clawing at his shoulder as his thrusts become harsher and more aggressive. “My perfect girl” He moans, kissing me. “Taking it so well” He teases, his lips kissing my jaw, trailing down my neck as he pauses adjusting his grip on me, his fingers digging into my thighs feeling the bruises already forming. My legs tighten around his waist, pulling him closer, needing him deeper. 

“Need more Lo” I murmur struggling to keep my head from falling back as I look at him, he presses his forehead against mine. 

“I got you baby, I’ll take care of you” He murmurs, kissing me, pausing his thrusts to caress my face, he resumes shorty thrusting slowly, deep languid strokes that leave me twitching around his cock. He reaches down, rubbing tight circles around my clit easing me closer to the edge. I gasp at the sensation, and he chuckles. My cunt spasms around his cock and he can feel I’m close, he grunts and I can tell he’s holding himself back. 

“Logan Please” I whine, pulling my hands away from his neck to hold his face in my delicate hands. He nods panting as he speeds up pistoning his cock into me. I moan loudly and he lunges forward kissing me swallowing up my moans. I feel his cock twitching inside of me and I can tell he’s close. 

“Fuck” he grunts “nearly there baby” He moans and I can feel it building in my core, I’m right there on the edge teetering, when he gives one more good thrusts pushing me over the edge, my cunt pulsing around his cock, “Oh thats it baby” he growls, “let go f’me” he whispers his breath fanning out over my ear. I whine and a wave of pleasure washes over me and I pant for breath the tension seeping out of my body as I relax in his hold, going limp in his hold my legs quivering around him. I feel his cock twitch inside me and he groans his release finding its home deep inside me. I whimper  as he falls limp against me cradling my shaking body close to his. “Oh that's it darlin’ you did such a good job for me” He kisses my head, “such a good girl f’me” he said cradling me, slowly lowering me to my feet helping me stand, my legs shaking like a baby deer learning to walk. He chuckles, and I smile tilting my chin up for a kiss, he grants my silent plea and kisses me filling it with love and passion. “I love you” I murmur against his lips. 

“I love you more” he responds, holding me tight against him. “Now…. what’s for dinner.. cause I’m starving.” And my eyes widen, in horror.

“Shit I forgot about the lasagna!” I groan, knowing it was probably burnt by now. 

“It’s alright Love, we can order something” he chuckles, kissing my hair and guiding me back to the house, his hand on the small of my back.

[woahjo]

bird of prey (tendou x reader) - chapter 3

series masterlist | ao3

Pairing: Tendou x Reader, Bokuto x Reader

Series Summary: Satori Tendou is your best friend, but you fuck for fun.

Chapter Title: Act I, Scene 3 — Pomegranate

Chapter Summary: Work is a nice distraction sometimes. Satori uses it as his own personal way to forget the shit he doesn't want to think about. It's a shame that said shit walks through the front door.

Chapter Content Warnings: afab!reader, tendou's pov, college au, friends with benefits, no strings attached, angst, jealousy, competition, insecurity, tension, sexualization of a fruit (my bad), dirty pictures / suggestive conversation, multiple partners (not cheating)

Word Count: 5.4k

A/N: After many moons, she's back and in the same exact outfit she wore 6 months ago. crossposted to ao3 ofc.

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“So what if they're seeing someone else?” Wakatoshi says, tossing him the small, round figure they’d been throwing back and forth. “Has that stuff ever really bothered you before?” 

Satori is a contradictory person, he thinks. There is a lot about him that he feels defies definition. An unplaceable sense of desire that radiates from every crevice in his body. Something about him that he can both hide, but never hope to conceal. 

“Not really,” Satori responds. 

He’s reclined on his bed, his neck craned at an awkward angle against the headboard. Wakatoshi sits across the room at his desk chair, one foot pushing him absentmindedly back and forth. 

“So what’s the issue?” Wakatoshi questions, his baritone voice bouncing lightly off of the walls. 

“Not really sure,” Satori says, turning the object over in his hand before tossing it back. “I just don’t… like it.” 

“But you don’t wanna go out with them?” He raises the question like it baffles him, which Satori supposes that it does. Wakatoshi has always been… monogamous, for lack of a better term. When he likes something, he goes for it without thinking about anything else. 

Satori isn’t quite like that. That’s not to say that he’s considerate, because consideration requires a sort of awareness for others that Satori lacks in a very abstract sense, but he’s calculating. What Satori does, he does because he wants to and because it feels right, but he considers the dynamic of it. He thinks often about what “could be” in an extreme sense and then seeks out that thrill with whoever he has in mind. 

“It’s not really in the agreement,” Satori laughs dryly and with no particular disdain. 

“It could be,” Wakatoshi says, his ideal state of mind peering through. 

Satori just gives Wakatoshi a pointed glance before turning his attention to the window. 

Late November this time of year sees the beginning of snowfall and as December begins to get going in full swing, snow comes down often. Thick, powder-like clusters flurry past his window outside, clinging to the small divots on the outside of the window. It begins to crowd his view and if he were to glance out of the window, he’d see that the streetlight outside is hazy and looks somehow distant. 

“I like what we have going though,” he says, not with any particular sort of conviction. “It works for me and it’s nice. The sex is good and their company is great. It seems like a shame for it to end.” 

“They haven’t said anything about ending it yet though, have they?” He tilts his head. 

Satori shakes his head noncommittally, shrugging his shoulders briefly. 

It’s true that you haven’t. The two of you tip-toe carefully around the subject of your relationship to Bokuto, but you never break it off. Each time you finish and lay sweat-soaked and panting in each other’s company, Satori gets the distinct feeling that it’s coming, but it never quite does. The ball never drops and he vaguely feels like there’s a space there for him to speak. To maybe be the bigger person and do it himself. He doesn’t think he will though, he likes this far too much to end it. 

“Not yet,” Satori says. “But they’ve been seeing each other for more than a few weeks now and from what I know, it’s pretty regular, so… you know… matter of time, I guess.” 

Wakatoshi doesn’t really say anything. He’s never been a man of all too many words. Satori shouldn’t find his silence unsettling, but for some reason he does. It’s like a quiet confirmation. 

Satori is an idealistic person at times. The world, for him, is played in saturated color. It’s vibrant and it glitters. He’s never been all too preoccupied with the negative side of situations because when things sour, Satori is exceptionally good at cutting his losses. There’s fun and then there’s not fun and they exist in two completely different universes. Satori happens to exist in the fun one, where he never has to take anything all too seriously. 

Maybe it’s a negative quality of his. He sometimes thinks that if he never takes anything too seriously, he’ll never have to worry about getting hurt, and if he’s always having fun, there’s no room for pain. Satori doesn’t like pain or discomfort. He has a very low tolerance for it and he’s never been too keen to stick around and see where the limit is. Of course, the flip side of this is that Satori inadvertently causes pain wherever he goes. Carelessness acts as a sort of medium for it, one that he himself manages to circumvent. 

You have been the first arrangement where he’s avoided that particular discomfort. The discomfort of causing another person pain. You just get it and in the process, you get him. 

“The futon is in the closet,” Satori says, sinking down into his bed and pulling the comforter up to his chin. 

He hears Wakatoshi get up from the chair and it gives a distinct click as it moves back into its fully upright position. There’s the gentle squeak of the thin closet door, the soft sound of a blanket rustling, and then the click of the closet latch. Satori listens as Wakatoshi lays the futon out on the carpeted floor beside his bed, the distinct ruffle of it as he throws it out and slowly lays it down. As Wakatoshi crawls to lay down, Satori glances over at him, watching his friend’s broad body get under the blanket he’d laid out with it. 

“You know that it’s really impolite to make your guests get out their own futon, right?” Wakatoshi says absentmindedly as he settles in. 

“You’re more like family,” Satori grins, the corners of his lips curling up. “And since I’m older, you should do it yourself.” 

Wakatoshi blows a quick puff of air out of his nose and Satori gives a small chuckle as he settles in. There’s a long beat of silence as Satori turns out the light and they lay in the dark room. He can hear as Wakatoshi turns over and then finally settles and lays on his back. 

“I think it’s worth talking to them about,” Wakatoshi adds, picking up the previous conversation as if it had never stopped. “You’re stupid if you don’t.” 

Satori lets out one quick laugh. “Maybe I’m stupid, I don’t know.” 

Wakatoshi groans a little and Satori is a bit surprised to see him show that sort of frustration over something other than volleyball. He laughs a little and stares at the ceiling. 

“What?” 

He hears the sound of Wakatoshi shaking his head against the pillow. “Nothing. It just sounds to me like you like them.” 

“Well,” Satori muses. “I do. Obviously. They’re one of my best friends, how could I not?” 

“Like that?” Wakatoshi emphasizes.

Satori just sort of hums noncommittally and it isn’t long before the room has settled into silence, evened out by Wakatoshi’s breathing. 

Satori supposes that there may be love there. There has to be. Maybe it’s not the kind Wakatoshi thinks he’s looking at, but Satori is near certain that it exists. 

—

Satori works part time in a small izakaya. It’s an out-of-the-way, run down place, but he likes it. At first, he only picked up the job to help pay for his car, since the shit-mobile’s expenses were dipping a little too far into savings, but now, he finds that it’s a nice escape. For some reason, the space feels like he’s just walked into a picture. 

It hasn’t been redecorated since the place opened and it’s dressed in a classic Japanese style. The space is small, no more than 8 tatami mats for the sitting area, giving it a pleasantly stuffy and crowded feel, and it always smells vaguely of barbecued meat and beer. Satori thought the smell was unpleasant at first. He didn’t like the way it clung to his clothes, giving the impression that he’d spent the evening drinking, but now he’s grown rather used to it. It’s become one of the many smells he sometimes carries with him. 

The outside of it is modest, just down a step from the sidewalk, with a small sliding door that is always open during daytime business hours. There’s a glowing neon sign just outside, protruding from the side of the building and into the alleyway. It’s the most marketing this place does, but that suits it fine. Most of its customers live in the neighborhood anyway and tourists are infrequent visitors, as there are far trendier bars in Sendai. 

The inside is homely and gives the distinct impression of having walked into somewhere familiar. Just inside the doorway, there is a small area to remove your shoes, along with cubbies lining the wall. As Satori enters, he sees a few pairs of shoes already inside and he slips his own off carefully and puts them in the staff section along the other side of the entryway. Haruna’s shoes are already in there. A pair of neat black flats, worn at the toes and creased just behind where the balls of her feet would be, tucked squarely into the left middle cubby. She stands on her tiptoes a lot. Akio’s shoes are also in the cubbies. He wears a pair of old white sneakers with soles so worn that they’re completely smooth in the center. 

His work shoes, the uniform ones meant for the kitchen and behind the bar, are just beyond the main room and around the corner. Satori enters the izakaya without a bow. He’s so accustomed to being here that he no longer does it and Haruna just tosses him a pointed look from where she’s rounding the corner to the staff area. 

“You’re late,” she comments. “Your shift started ten minutes ago.” 

Haruna has a pointed way of speaking. Her words are sharp on her tongue and almost nothing slips past her. 

“You keepin’ track of my punch card now, Runa?” Satori laughs, breezing past her to punch it in the old fashioned machine by the wall. It’s not even automatic. Satori has to physically push the stamp to make it work. 

“No, I’m keeping track of when I get to go home,” she scoffs. “We only have a thirty minute overlap today and I can’t leave if you’re not here.” 

“But I am here,” he teases. 

“You’re lucky Daisuke likes you so much,” Haruna scowls, scrunching her nose. 

Satori shrugs his shoulders and fastens his apron, walking behind the bar without a proper response. Haruna just shakes her head a little. 

She’s really not a bad person. Haruna is actually really enjoyable and Satori likes working with her, she’s just… particular about how she works. She doesn’t like working longer than she’s scheduled. It fucks up her mojo as she would put it. Satori finds it endearing, despite her being nearly six years older than him. 

Haruna actually works two jobs, one in a retail office and another here at the izakaya. Her other job is what the flats are for. He only ever sees her actual shoes on weekends. 

“What are you even doing here?” She says, coming to stand next to him behind the bar as she gathers small plates on a tray. “You don’t usually work Thursdays.” 

She’s right. Satori usually works on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. 

“Yasu called out, so I’m covering,” he states plainly. 

“Why are you doing that?” She pulls a face. 

Satori places a beer in front of a customer at the counter and then leans one hand on the bar. He lets his weight rest on his shoulder, causing it to rise to his ear as he tilts his head. 

“Are you not overjoyed to see me?” 

Haruna doesn’t dignify his tease with an answer and he clicks his tongue with mock-disappointment. 

“Needed a break,” he says. 

“So you came… to work?” She laughs, a plate topped with sprouts in her hand. “Yeah, right.” 

“Yeah,” he smirks, “I needed a break so I came to work. You gonna keep grilling me and wait for those bean sprouts to become full-blown mung beans or what?” 

“Smartass,” she mutters. 

Satori hums again and it’s not long before she’s back around the corner and serving a table on the far end of the izakaya. 

He falls quickly into a rhythm, calling back orders to Akio in the kitchen. Satori disappears a little when he works. It’s like he goes on autopilot. Satori doesn’t like rules, but when he goes into work by choice, especially when he feels he has a lot on his plate, he seems to appreciate the work flow a little more. Besides, his job is relatively relaxed. As long as Satori serves drinks and food, he’s golden. 

Of course, another one of his stress relief methods is photography. Pictures of the things he likes, beautiful things that some people find ugly or without taste. Usually sexual things—pornographic, as his classmates might say. In his second year, Satori did a photo series in his film photography course centered around a pomegranate. He only used one and he carved it up over the course of many days. He let the fruit bleed, nearly rot, and photographed it throughout the process. He liked the color of it, so red and inviting, and the photos seemed to give off the distinct tarte smell of the peel. His classmates said that it made them particularly uncomfortable and that the pomegranate, which was really just a fruit, no longer felt like something inanimate by the end of the photo series, but rather something alive—or something that was once alive. It’s a little abstract, but that’s exactly what Satori was going for. 

He can’t really take photos in this situation. Lately, you’ve been a bit of a muse to him. There are aspects of you he’d like to photograph and when Satori wants to photograph something, he can’t seem to stop thinking about it. He thought about that pomegranate for weeks. About the roundness of the juice-full seeds, the way they began to dry out and the ones that survived long enough to shine amongst the bunches of dried pulp. A small part of him regrets not eating it. 

Ideally, he’d like to disappear into the lens of his camera for a bit. Look at the world through the little window at the top of it and enjoy the December season behind glass. Maybe it was a bit of a hasty idea to make you the central point of his project for his self study class. After his conversation with Wakatoshi earlier this week, he’s afraid that the pictures will chronicle his marvelous, long overdue downfall. By the end of it, the photos will no longer be of your back from a few inches away, but rather of your face in a crowd of people he’s never met, surrounded on all sides and taken from feet away. He never wants to use a distance lens on you. He’d take your picture with a microscope if he could, if only to see the cellular composition of your skin. 

He’s deep in these thoughts when the inner paper door of the izakaya slides open with a thud and a raucous composition of three voices. His coworkers welcome them in, but Satori is so caught up in the thought of you and the pomegranate that he forgets, idly wiping at a glass in his hands and staring blankly at the shining, translucent rim. 

“Tendou?” A voice calls, baritone and confident. They sound almost surprised. 

He looks up from the class and is greeted with eager, gold eyes and thick expressive eyebrows. 

“Bokuto,” he says, his lips curling into a faux smile. So much for getting his mind off of things. “Fancy seeing you here.” 

“Well, we were in the area,” he laughs a little, motioning his head to the people who begin to seat themselves at the bar near him. 

There are two other people with him, a girl and a boy. The boy he recognizes as someone who usually hands around Bokuto, but he’s never seen the girl before. She’s got a mid-length, reddish-brown bob and calm eyes. She doesn’t look up as she peruses through the menu and Satori gets the distinct feeling that Haruna might like her. 

“You gonna drink, Akaashi?” Bokuto turns to his friend with a raised eyebrow. 

“Maybe,” he says, “If I get a beer are you gonna pressure me to drink four more afterwards?” 

“When have I ever done that?” Bokuto questions. 

“You do it every time we go out to drink,” the girl chimes in. “Why do you think you always have to beg him?” Then, she turns her attention to Satori. “Three beers and two orders of beef skewers, please.” 

“That’s so not true,” Bokuto responds indignantly. “But also, why end the party just ‘cause your glass is empty. Might as well get more.” 

“Here he goes,” the girl laughs. 

“Yukie, don’t just order for me,” Akaashi chides the girl for getting him a beer. 

“You know you’d have caved eventually,” she says calmly. “Let’s not go through all the back and forth this time. Bokuto’s a hard person to say no to.” 

“Hey, woah,” Bokuto turns to Akaashi and gives his friend a genuine look. “You never have to do anything you don’t want to. I’m just saying that I’ll be so crushed and sad and depressed if you cancel the order. That’s all.” 

Bokuto speaks earnestly, like he doesn’t realize how hypocritical he sounds as he talks and his friends chuckle pleasantly at his airheaded demeanor. It’s too late to cancel the order anyway. Satori eavesdrops on their conversation as he fills their glasses with the house beer. He’s already pouring the third. Akaashi is getting one whether he likes it or not. 

“Three beers,” Satori sets them down in front of each of them. “Skewers’ll be out in a second.” 

“Thanks man,” Bokuto says, pleased as he takes a sip of the amber liquid. “Drink up, Keiji.”

The grill is just behind the bar facing the guests. Since the izakaya is rather homestyle, Satori prepares and grills things like skewers directly in front of guests, though it’s not really for performance purposes. Right now, he wishes that Akio were in charge of cooking things like this. That way, Satori wouldn’t have to stand directly in front of Bokuto and his friends for all too long. No matter, he can deal with it. It’s not like he particularly dislikes Bokuto. 

“I thought you’d be with ____ tonight,” Bokuto says brightly as Satori places the first of the skewer sets on the grill. Akaashi gives him a somewhat mortified, sideways look. 

Satori smirks down at the grill and flips a skewer with one hand. His lips curl at the corners and he pleasantly takes in the idea that Bokuto had assumed you’d be with him. 

“What makes you think that?” He smiles, his words a little slimy. 

Bokuto shrugs his shoulders, leaning up to look at the meat on the grill. He doesn’t spare Satori a glance as he watches it. 

“Well, they’re usually with you no?” He says evenly. “Otherwise they’re with Yuki. Maybe Alice or Keiko. Oh, not this Yukie, though.” He jostles the girl’s shoulder and she lets out a huff of air as she struggles not to spill the drink held up to her mouth. 

Satori shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head briefly at the assumption that he wouldn’t have noticed that this Yukie is an entirely different person from the one he met at the party. Then, he gives Bokuto a slick grin and returns his attention to the meat on the grill, satisfied with Bokuto’s relief.  

“You know,” Bokuto starts, “I’m a little relieved they’re not with you right now. The idea was making me jealous.” 

Satori furrows his eyebrows and lets out a small laugh. Bokuto looks almost bashful, though not in an insecure way. Instead, the statement almost gives him an indiscernible look of unknowing confidence. Bokuto doesn’t have to worry about divulging this information to Satori because he doesn’t even view it as a competition. Neither does Satori really, but it irritates him that Bokuto is so nonchalant about his confidence. It’s almost like he’s sure that things will work out for him. Satori isn’t sure if that’s something with his personality or something that you told him, and the idea unsettles him. 

“Well, I’m here,” Satori says, plating two skewers of meat and starting on the next two. His eyes dart up to look at Bokuto over the tops of his cheeks, tone dipping slightly with the next part of his statement as his lips curl up in the corners. “And so are you. No harm, no foul.” 

Bokuto nods his head a little at the slight. He picks up on it, Satori can tell that much, but if it bothers him, he doesn’t let it show. The comment rolls off of Bokuto’s broad shoulders and he moves on to the next topic with an almost unintentional ease. Yukie glances up at Satori briefly, her expression closed and unreadable before she returns her gaze to Bokuto. 

Even the steam from the skewers gets caught up in Bokuto’s social pull. It floats towards him evenly, almost as if it’s drawn to the openness of his expression. Satori idly works on the second plate of them, turning the wooden skewers with his bare hands over a crosshatch grill. Bokuto’s voice carries and as Satori busies himself with the remaining order of skewers, he can see the way other patrons of the izakaya glance at where he sits at the bar. He passes the plate over the counter, setting it down in front of the group. 

“Let me know if you need anything else,” he offers before starting off to the other end to help a few other patrons. 

Satori briefly studies the sort of looks Bokuto receives, his eyes slinking across strangers’ expressions. Most of them, it seems, are admiring. They look at him as if there is something there to be desired, something they’d like to take for themselves or experience. Bokuto carries on with his loud conversation obliviously and Satori wonders if he truly doesn’t notice that people are looking at him or if he’s so accustomed to it that it no longer phases him. It’s likely the latter and Tendou furrows his eyebrows momentarily before setting down a glass of dark beer in front of an older patron. She thanks him with a practiced smile, curling her shoulders forward as she takes a sip.

“Hey!” Bokuto calls from across the bar. His voice rises above the conversation in the room and if the whole room weren’t already aware of his presence, they certainly were now. “C’mere for a sec.” 

Bokuto waves Satori over casually and he obliges, slinking over and leaning forward on the bar with a raised eyebrow. Bokuto raises his glass of beer to his lips with open posture, tilting his head up slightly and taking a large gulp. There’s not a hint of shyness in his movements. All of it is executed with an oblivious, admirable confidence. 

“Yes?” Satori questions, glancing at the half empty beer in front of him. “You wanna prematurely order another drink?” 

Bokuto swallows and sets his glass down, shaking his head and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Akaashi makes a face at him. 

“Nah,” he says, leaning forward a little. “I wanted to ask you something.” 

Tendou raises an eyebrow and Bokuto offers him a broad smile that feels too friendly for their relationship. It’s all teeth, surrounded by full and round lips. 

“You and _____,” he starts. Yukie sighs heavily and glances at Akaashi, who shrugs his shoulders in a defeated manner. “What’s going on there?’ 

Satori is caught off guard by the question, though he really shouldn’t be. Bokuto has proven time and time again to be so forward that it borders on stupid. 

“Why do you ask?” He grins lightly. 

Bokuto gives Satori a bashful look, running his hand down his face to cover the expression he wears. It does little to hide it and the gaps in his fingers and color of his cheeks betray a recklessly confident emotion that makes Satori wonder through what light Bokuto even sees him. 

“Ah, well, you know,” Bokuto says. “We’ve been talking.” 

Satori nods slowly, subconsciously chewing the skin on the inside of his cheek. What he wouldn’t give to be able to leave this conversation. 

“So?” Boktuo presses. 

Satori’s lips curl up in the corners, his expression twisting into something cat-like and aware. It’s not quite friendly, but Satori’s never had that sort of face. 

“We’re friends,” he offers. 

“Friends?” Bokuto says, perking up a little. “What kind?” 

“Good friends,” Satori says, sticking his tongue in his cheek so that it rests over a sharp canine. 

Bokuto nods, his body language opening up a little bit. Satori examines the way he moves, the confidence in the breath he lets out, as if the idea that Satori might be lying has never even crossed his mind. That, or it betrays the idea that Bokuto doesn’t even view Satori as being in the same playing field. Both are irritatingly casual and he rolls his head over his shoulders as if to rid himself of the tension. 

“So you don’t mind?” Bokuto adds, his words a little more measured. “If I ask them out?” 

Satori momentarily grits his teeth, raising an eyebrow as he returns Bokuto’s gaze. On either side of him, Akaashi and Yukie are suspiciously minding their own business. 

“Why would I mind?” Satori answers, hiding the way his stomach clenches unpleasantly. He greases up his words with a curled smile, as if the idea is amusing to him. 

Bokuto looks at him for a moment before setting both of his hands on the counter and leaning back with a wide grin. 

“That’s good,” Bokuto says, his tone returning to the light and somewhat airheaded tone he usually maintains. “Probably would have made things awkward if you did when we start goin’ out.” 

Bokuto says this with his head angled down, picking up a skewer and taking a bite out of it. 

“Oh, this is good,” he says to Akaashi, putting the skewer in front of his face. “Try it.” 

Satori comes to the quick realization that Bokuto hadn’t been asking for permission. He’d been letting Satori know that he’ll be asking you out. It wasn’t a question of if he can, but rather a warning that it will happen regardless of what Satori wants. The arrogance of it makes his skin crawl. 

There’s a confidence about Bokuto when he talks about you. Something intrinsic within his person. A haughty, unabashed confidence that things will just work out for him, so much so that he hardly seems to notice when he says something arrogant. Even worse, his arrogance comes across as justified.

It’s rare that people genuinely get on Satori’s nerves, but Bokuto does. Bokuto grates on him like sandpaper and Satori can’t help but click his jaw as he turns around and returns to his duties. There’s something in the way he talks about you, as if you’ve already handed yourself over to him, that makes Satori feel uneasy. It would be unfair to say that you’re Satori’s. After all, it’s just sex, but he can’t help but feel some sort of possessiveness over you. You’re not just a fuck buddy either, you’re a friend, someone he connects with on a very real level. To have Bokuto reduce the relationship between the two of you to something as definable as “minding” provokes him. 

Of course, this sort of thing is likely inevitable. It’s not like Satori plans to put any sort of ring on your finger. Shit, he doesn’t even intend to put any sort of label on it. For Satori, this is fun. It’s fun he’s not exactly eager to give up. It’s his. This discomfort, however, toes the line and he can feel the way the urge to just let go creeps up on him. Satori’s never been all that much of a fighter, even when it comes to the things he adores. Boredom follows displeasure quite quickly with him. 

Bokuto and his friends linger for the larger portion of his shift, chatting idly. Like Yukie said, Bokuto pressures Akaashi into quite a few more drinks and by the time they leave, the two boys’ figures are swaying as if thrown softly off their axis, pushed and pulled by imaginary breezes. They settle their tab with cash on the counter and clamor out with a final wave. Yukie, the soberest of the group, stops in the doorway to give Satori a look that he can only interpret as apologetic. The sort of look you give someone who has started a losing battle. 

He laughs to himself at it, lowering his gaze as he clears away their plates and wipes down the counter. None of them even know the half of it. Not the way you whisper to him, the way you look at him, the curve of your body in his camera lens. What do they know about the two of you? 

—- 

The air outside is cold when Satori steps out of the izakaya and shuts the sliding door behind him. It makes his cheeks and nose feel like they’re being pinched and as he exhales, he can see the billow of clouded breath that leaves his open mouth. The street is calm in the way city streets get on weekdays in the late evening and the streetlamps create a familiar glow across the black pavement. He pulls his phone out of his coat pocket, studying for a moment the way his knuckles redden in the cold. 

Satori: Saw your boyfriend today. 

You: Not my boyfriend. 

Satori grins at your message, exhaling through his nose and shaking his head. He’s unable to hide his pleasure at the quickness of your response. 

You: Where? 

That’s a little less funny. 

Satori: Work.

You: I thought you didn’t work today? 

Satori: Someone called out. 

You: Sucks lol 

Satori tucks the device and his hands away in his coat pockets after liking the message, stepping further out into the street and starting off in the direction of his apartment. He focuses on his breathing, distracted by the way his breath comes in clouds that he leaves behind. His cheeks burn and his lips are chapped from the delicate nip of the cold. A thin layer of snow tucks itself away at the edge of the street, fading out into puddles on the road. 

Some part of Satori regrets the answer he’d given Bokuto. So noncommittal and careless. He’s never been one to give the whole truth, but it’s obvious to anyone that the two of you are fucking. Even his photography class knows it. 

For some reason, it makes Satori feel worse that Bokuto didn’t even squirm. He hadn’t even stopped to consider that maybe he’d lose. What Bokuto would be losing, he isn’t sure, but he knows that it never even crossed the other man’s mind. 

Satori hates losing. He’ll stop competing if it means he doesn’t have to admit that he did. He’d rather not play at all than get burned doing it. Even when he played volleyball, he’d been noncommittal. When his team lost in his final year of high school, he’d let it roll off of his shoulders because it was just for fun anyway, the thrill of the game. What’s fun about a game where he loses? Or worse, a game that he wasn’t even considered to compete in in the first place but thought he’d been playing all along. Yukie had given him a look like that, like he was only on the team to be kept from being left out. Satori likes high stakes, but he’ll take the bets he knows he can win.

His phone buzzes in his pocket as he gets back to his apartment, vibrating quietly in his pocket when he slides the key into his lock.

You sent an image 

You: How about something like this for your photography project? 

It’s a dimly lit photo of your legs, cut off just before the apex of your thighs where they meet your center. One knee is bent, leaning against the other outstretched leg, and in the mirror across from you he can just barely make out where your bare ass rests on your duvet cover, shadow hiding the place on you he most wants to see. He stares momentarily at the photo, feeling the way blood rushes to his lower half. 

Satori: I’d rather keep something like this for myself. 

You: Good, that’s who it’s meant for. 

[bksiyengaryogapants-blog]

Denver SEO Company: SEO Tips you Need to Know!!!!

Denver SEO Company: SEO Tips you Need to Know!!!

Each page on the SEO Expert in Denverwebsite must be optimized with a focus on On-Page SEO. This includes:

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Ensure each page has catchy, descriptive titles with the right keywords. Use meta descriptions that invite users to click on results.

Headings (H1, H2, H3): Use heading tags to structure the content and make it easier to read. This also helps Google better understand the theme of the page.

Optimized Images:

All images must have ALT attributes with appropriate descriptions and must be compressed to improve loading. Practical Tips: Use main keywords in the title and URL. Insert internal links to guide the user to other relevant pages on the site. Create friendly, short and descriptive URLs.

Creating Quality Backlinks:

Backlinks, or links from other websites that point to yours, are a determining factor in Google rankings. Earn quality backlinks by:

Publish guest posts on relevant blogs:

Create partnerships with other companies and ask for links to the SEO Expert in Denver website. http://denverseo.company/ Publish case studies and financial reports that other companies may want to reference.

Practical Tips:

Build links on authority sites like media outlets and finance blogs. Avoid link building techniques that are considered spam, as Google may penalize the site. Have a digital Public Relations strategy, sending press releases.

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SEO Expert in Denver can significantly benefit from local SEO, especially to attract customers in the Northeast region. For that:

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Video content is a powerful tool for SEO as it increases dwell time on the website. SEO Expert in Denver can create explanatory videos, interviews with experts and customer testimonials, covering topics such as “How to get credit for my company” or “The role of consultancy in fundraising”.

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Publish videos to YouTube with optimized descriptions and website links. Integrate videos on the main pages of the SEO Expert in Denver website to increase engagement.

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In addition to backlinks, it is important to increase SEO Expert in Denver’s presence on other platforms and social media. Have a well-defined content strategy for LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, where you can share financial insights, promotions and educational materials.

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SEO is a strategy that requires continuous analysis. Use tools like Google Analytics to track traffic and understand user behavior on your website. Adjust the strategy as necessary, always seeking to improve rankings and attract more qualified leads.

Practical Tips:

Monitor top-performing pages and update old content. Test different keywords and content strategies to see what generates the most leads.

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Create pillar content, which covers broad topics such as “Fundraising for Companies”, linking to more specific content (content clusters). This creates a hierarchical content structure that makes it easier for users to navigate and improves SEO. https://denverseo.company/about/

Conclusion:

To attract more qualified leads and improve SEO Expert in Denver website authority, it is crucial to implement a thorough SEO strategy. From technical optimization to creating valuable content and quality back links, each action contributes to organic growth. With these practices, SEO Expert in Denver can stand out as a reference in the financial consultancy and fundraising sector

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Found: first actively forming galaxy as lightweight as young Milky Way

For the first time, the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has detected and ‘weighed’ a galaxy that not only existed around 600 million years after the Big Bang, but also has a mass that is similar to what our Milky Way galaxy’s mass might have been at the same stage of development. Other galaxies Webb has detected at this period in the history of the Universe are significantly more massive. Nicknamed the Firefly Sparkle, this galaxy is gleaming with star clusters — 10 in all — each of which researchers examined in great detail.

“I didn’t think it would be possible to resolve a galaxy that existed so early in the Universe into so many distinct components, let alone find that its mass is similar to our own galaxy’s when it was in the process of forming,” said Lamiya Mowla, co-lead author of the paper and an assistant professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. “There is so much going on inside this tiny galaxy, including so many different phases of star formation.”

Webb was able to image the galaxy in sufficient detail for two reasons. One is a benefit of the cosmos: a massive foreground galaxy cluster radically enhanced the distant galaxy’s appearance through a natural effect known as gravitational lensing. And when combined with the telescope’s specialisation in high-resolution imaging of infrared light, Webb delivered unprecedented new data about the galaxy’s contents.

“Without the benefit of this gravitational lens, we would not be able to resolve this galaxy,” said Kartheik Iyer, co-lead author and NASA Hubble Fellow at Columbia University in New York. “We knew to expect it based on current physics, but it’s surprising that we actually saw it.”

Mowla, who spotted the galaxy in Webb’s image, was drawn to its gleaming star clusters, because objects that sparkle typically indicate they are extremely clumpy and complicated. Since the galaxy looks like a ‘sparkle’ or swarm of fireflies on a warm summer night, they named it the Firefly Sparkle galaxy.

Reconstructing the galaxy’s appearance

The research team modelled what the galaxy might have looked like if its image weren’t stretched by gravitational lensing and discovered that it resembled an elongated raindrop. Suspended within it are two star clusters toward the top and eight toward the bottom. “Our reconstruction shows that clumps of actively forming stars are surrounded by diffuse light from other unresolved stars,” said Iyer. “This galaxy is literally in the process of assembling.”

Webb’s data show the Firefly Sparkle galaxy is on the smaller side, falling into the category of a low-mass galaxy. Billions of years will pass before it builds its full heft and a distinct shape. “Most of the other galaxies Webb has shown us aren’t magnified or stretched, and we are not able to see their ‘building blocks’ separately. With Firefly Sparkle, we are witnessing a galaxy being assembled brick by brick,” Mowla said.

Stretched out and shining, ready for close analysis

Since the image of the galaxy is warped into a long arc, the researchers easily picked out 10 distinct star clusters, which are emitting the bulk of the galaxy’s light. They are represented here in shades of pink, purple, and blue. Those colours in Webb’s images and its supporting spectra confirmed that star formation didn’t happen all at once in this galaxy, but was staggered in time.

“This galaxy has a diverse population of star clusters, and it is remarkable that we can see them separately at such an early age of the Universe,” said Chris Willott of the National Research Council Canada, a co-author and the observation programme’s principal investigator. “Each clump of stars is undergoing a different phase of formation or evolution.”

The galaxy’s projected shape shows that its stars haven’t settled into a central bulge or a thin, flattened disc, another piece of evidence that the galaxy is still forming.

‘Glowing’ companions

Researchers can’t predict how this disorganised galaxy will build up and take shape over billions of years, but there are two galaxies that the team confirmed are ‘hanging out’ within a tight perimeter and may influence how it builds mass over billions of years.

Firefly Sparkle is only 6500 light-years away from its first companion, and its second companion is separated by 42 000 light-years. For context, the fully formed Milky Way is about 100 000 light-years across — all three would fit inside it. Not only are its companions very close, the researchers also think that they are orbiting one another.

Each time one galaxy passes another, gas condenses and cools, allowing new stars to form in clumps, adding to the galaxies’ masses. “It has long been predicted that galaxies in the early Universe form through successive interactions and mergers with other tinier galaxies,” said Yoshihisa Asada, a co-author and doctoral student at Kyoto University in Japan. “We might be witnessing this process in action.”

“This is just the first of many such galaxies JWST will discover, as we are only starting to use these cosmic microscopes”, added team member Maruša Bradač of the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. “Just like microscopes let us see pollen grains from plants, the incredible resolution of Webb and the magnifying power of gravitational lensing let us see the small pieces inside galaxies. Our team is now analysing all early galaxies, and the results are all pointing in the same direction: we have yet to learn much more about how those early galaxies formed.”

The team’s research relied on data from Webb’s CAnadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey, which include near-infrared images from NIRCam (Near-InfraRed Camera) and spectra from the microshutter array aboard NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph). The CANUCS data intentionally covered a field that NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope imaged as part of its Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble programme.

This work was published on 12 December 2024 in the journal Nature.

More information

Webb is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. Under an international collaboration agreement, ESA provided the telescope’s launch service, using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace. ESA also provided the workhorse spectrograph NIRSpec and 50% of the mid-infrared instrument MIRI, which was designed and built by a consortium of nationally funded European Institutes (The MIRI European Consortium) in partnership with JPL and the University of Arizona.

Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Willott (NRC-Canada), L. Mowla (Wellesley College), K. Iyer (Columbia)

TOP IMAGE: Thousands of glimmering galaxies are bound together by their own gravity, making up a massive cluster formally classified as MACS J1423.

The largest bright white oval is a supergiant elliptical galaxy that is the dominant member of this galaxy cluster. The galaxy cluster acts like a lens, magnifying and distorting the light from objects that lie well behind it, an effect known as gravitational lensing that has big research benefits. Astronomers can study lensed galaxies in detail, like the Firefly Sparkle galaxy.

This 2023 image is from the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-InfraRed Camera). Researchers used Webb to survey the same field that the Hubble Space Telescope imaged in 2010. Thanks to its specialisation in high-resolution near-infrared imagery, Webb was able to show researchers many more galaxies in far more detail.

[Image description: Thousands of overlapping objects at various distances are spread across this field, including galaxies in a massive galaxy cluster, and distorted background galaxies behind the galaxy cluster. The background of space is black.]Credit:

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Willott (NRC-Canada), L. Mowla (Wellesley College), K. Iyer (Columbia)

CENTRE IMAGE: For the first time, astronomers have identified a still-forming galaxy that weighs about the same as our Milky Way if we could wind back the clock to see our galaxy as it developed. The newly identified galaxy, the Firefly Sparkle, is in the process of assembling and forming stars, and existed about 600 million years after the Big Bang.

The image of the galaxy is stretched and warped by a natural effect known as gravitational lensing, which allowed researchers to glean far more information about its contents. (In some areas of Webb’s image, the galaxy is magnified over 40 times.)

While it took shape, the galaxy gleamed with star clusters in a range of infrared colours, which are scientifically meaningful. They indicate that the stars formed at different periods, not all at once.

Since the galaxy image is stretched into a long line in Webb’s observations, researchers were able to identify 10 distinct star clusters and study them individually, along with the cocoon of diffuse light from the additional, unresolved stars surrounding them. That’s not always possible for distant galaxies that aren’t lensed. Instead, in many cases researchers can only draw conclusions that apply to an entire galaxy. “Most of the other galaxies Webb has shown us aren’t magnified or stretched and we are not able to see the ‘building blocks’ separately. With Firefly Sparkle, we are witnessing a galaxy being assembled brick by brick,” explains astronomer Lamiya Mowla.

There are two companion galaxies ‘hovering’ close by, which may ultimately affect how this galaxy forms and builds mass over billions of years. Firefly Sparkle is only about 6500 light-years away from its first companion, and 42 000 light-years from its second companion. Let’s compare these figures to objects that are closer to home: the Sun is about 26 000 light-years from the centre of our Milky Way galaxy, and the Milky Way is about 100 000 light-years across. Not only are Firefly Sparkle’s companions very close, the researchers also suspect that they are orbiting one another.

[Image description: Horizontal split down the middle. At left, thousands of overlapping objects at various distances are spread across this galaxy cluster. A box at bottom right is enlarged on the right half. A central oval identifies the Firefly Sparkle galaxy, a line with 10 dots in various colours.]Credit:

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Willott (NRC-Canada), L. Mowla (Wellesley College), K. Iyer (Columbia)

LOWER IMAGE: Thousands of glimmering galaxies are bound together by their own gravity, making up a massive cluster formally classified as MACS J1423.

The largest bright white oval is a supergiant elliptical galaxy that is the dominant member of this galaxy cluster. The galaxy cluster acts like a lens, magnifying and distorting the light from objects that lie well behind it, an effect known as gravitational lensing that has big research benefits. Astronomers can study lensed galaxies in detail, like the Firefly Sparkle galaxy.

This 2023 image is from the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera). Researchers used Webb to survey the same field the Hubble Space Telescope imaged in 2010. Thanks to its specialisation in high-resolution near-infrared imagery, Webb was able to show researchers many more galaxies in far more detail.

The north and east compass arrows show the orientation of the image on the sky.

The scale bar is labelled in arcseconds, which is a measure of angular distance on the sky. One arcsecond is equal to an angular measurement of 1/3600 of one degree. There are 60 arcminutes in a degree and 60 arcseconds in an arcminute. (The full Moon has an angular diameter of about 30 arcminutes.) The actual size of an object that covers one arcsecond on the sky depends on its distance from the telescope.

This image shows invisible near-infrared wavelengths of light that have been translated into visible-light colours. The colour key shows which NIRCam filters were used when collecting the light. The colour of each filter name is the visible light colour used to represent the infrared light that passes through that filter.

NIRCam filters from left to right: F115W and F150W are blue; F200W and F277W are green; F356W and F444W are red.

[Image description: A graphic labelled “James Webb Space Telescope; MACS J1423.8+2404.” A rectangular image shows thousands of galaxies of various shapes and colours on the black background of space.]Credit:

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Willott (NRC-Canada), L. Mowla (Wellesley College), K. Iyer (Columbia)

[mmmmalo]

The actual in-progress translations are content to go with ホ－ムスタック so it's sort of a moot point, but I spent some time today humoring Japanese translations of the phrase "Homestuck". Favorite option so far might be 嵌まり宅 (hamaritaku), which is closer to "stuck-home" in meaning but retains most of the original consonants and a relevant vowel. Which is pleasing! The word for home "taku" has the added benefit of sounding like an incomplete conjugation of want "-tai", so that the title could be misread as a state of ambivalence on the desirability of becoming unstuck.

Meme title would be Hikikomori (lit. "Shut-in") since that's a ready made concept for people in Arrested Development undergoing Failure to Launch, but the lack of mentions of houses is a cutting demerit. The title of the short film 積み木の家 (tsumiki no ie, toyblock house) would also be nice as a somewhat infantilizing allusion to the towering homebuilding of Sburb, but copying a title wholesale is sort of a no-no. Translating "Sburb" is also an option since Hussie almost chose the game's name as the story's title, but the syllabic structure of Japanese orthography makes the awkwardness of that initial consonant cluster difficult to reproduce... plus you lose the nebulous influence of word echoes like superb or sperm no matter what you do. Alas

[truthwatcher-vez]

For the kiss ask game, 13 and Dalinar/Navani!

For #13—"discreetly".  This fic practically wrote itself during my morning commute.  I hope you enjoy it!

*    *    *

Brightness Navani strolled through the grounds of her family estate.  She held Dalinar Kholin’s arm lightly.  The young brightlord had come to call on her again, and her mother had suggested that the two of them take a walk through the gardens.  It wasn’t proper for an unmarried Alethi woman to be in the company of a man unchaperoned, and so the two of them were trailed by Eili, Navani’s senior ladies’ maid.

The weather had been hot and humid for the past few days, and Navani held a seasilk fan in her safehand, rapidly fanning her face.  The embroidered skirts of her formal havah were long and heavy, uncomfortably warm in the direct sunlight along the walkway.

“Let’s sit a moment,” Navani suggested, tugging at Dalinar’s elbow before steering him towards a stone bench nestled in a shaded alcove of shalebark.  Her maid looked momentarily aggrieved to be left standing out in the sun.  The older woman huffed and turned away, pretending to admire a nearby cluster of pale pink vinebuds.

Dalinar had arrived at the estate alone today.  As she settled onto the cool stone bench, Navani absently wondered if his brother Gavilar knew where he was.

It had been her uncle’s idea to play the two brothers against each other.  He had discussed the matter with her parents, who had agreed.  Competition made for a highly favorable marriage contract, they had told her.  That left Navani in the awkward position of juggling the attentions of two very determined Kholins.

Navani was well aware of which match her family favored.  Gavilar was the one with the influence, the lands, the title.

But Dalinar….

Unlike his older brother, Dalinar Kholin didn’t talk much.  Stiff and formal, he seemed content to listen as she spoke about the engineering book she was reading and her latest fabrial tinkering project.  It was very different from her conversations with Gavilar or her past suitors.  Navani found it a novelty.

Navani knew that the Kholins would gain wealth and status from marrying into her noble house.  Gavilar spoke of it often, attempting to appeal to her logic by describing the benefits of a union between their families.  Suddenly, Navani needed to know if that was all she was to the younger brother who currently sat on the bench beside her—a prize… a means to an end.

“Dalinar,” Navani said softly, “I have a question.”  She lifted her fan, tilting it up to shield her face from the prying eyes of the maid.  Then she leaned forward, as if to whisper something in his ear.  He shifted and leaned towards her obligingly—which was good, because he was so storming tall.  She wouldn’t have been able to reach him, otherwise.

Navani raised her freehand, thrilled by her own daring.  Letting her fingers slide along his strong jawline, his skin rough with a dusting of stubble.  She turned his face towards her own, and visibly puzzled, he allowed it.  Then she stretched past the last few inches that separated them and pressed her lips to his.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the flicker of shockspren.  He was far, far stronger than she, and could have broken off the kiss easily.  But he didn’t.  After barely a heartbeat of hesitation, he answered in kind.  Leaning towards her like a parched vinebud reaching out for the first drops of rain.

Oh, she thought, taken aback by the depth of her own response to him.  Oh.  Yes.

The intensity of it drew her in, utterly intoxicating.  Like a man wearing shardplate, there was incredible strength to him, but also a supreme precision and gentleness. 

Dalinar Kholin, Navani thought, growing breathless as the kiss stretched on.  I think I might be falling for you.

Navani began to feel the heat of her maid’s stare beyond the barrier of the fan.  Before the woman could invent an excuse to interrupt them, Navani reluctantly broke away.

Dalinar sat back on the bench.  A boyish grin slowly spread across his face, not quite hiding his bemused expression.  It was utterly endearing. 

“That was… quite a question.”

Navani cleared her throat, folding up the fan and blushing.  “Yes.  Thank you.  You’ve answered it quite eloquently.”

Navani glanced up at him again and felt a sudden pang of sadness.  She knew which of the two brothers her family favored.  Knew that she should let Dalinar go now.  Before she hurt them both.

She knew she should--but found that she just couldn’t do it.  The human heart was not so easily convinced.  Instead, she forced a smile and rose to her feet, and together they resumed their walk through the garden.

[hekateinhell]

"Flowers," Armand spoke for Lestat's benefit. "What better embodiment of our existence than the birth, bloom, and decay of flowers? Only in paradise do petals truly last forever." 

"Renewal," Daniel added quietly. "Just because the petals fall off doesn't mean the plant is dead, Armand. The flowers will bloom again and they'll be as beautiful the hundredth time as they were the first time. It's the circle of life, and we're part of it." 

"I suppose," Armand didn't argue, seemingly content to lose himself in the black curves and lines. His eyes focused and unblinking, tongue peeking out from between his lips in concentration. 

It’s a cluster of flowers... Honeysuckle, peach, and wisteria blossoms. A dahlia, a rose, a chrysanthemum, and a lily of the valley. 

Such familiar flowers! 

Beautifully laid out on Lestat's bronzed skin by Armand's masterful hand. How many of those flowers had Armand shown Daniel in the garden he'd created for him, the last thing he had ever shown him before the veil came down between them forever?

How could Daniel help but recall now what he'd said when he shared the story of himself and Armand with Lestat on Night Island in the aftermath of Akasha? In the language of an ancient people the word for flowers was the same as the word for blood.

Blood, same as that which Armand meticulously wiped off of Lestat's skin. The scent permeated the air, arousing to the senses even when diluted with ink.

[READ ON AO3]

[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

🛰️ Space Is Cold, You Are Not

Space Is Cold, You Are Not: Huihana Eketone has been on board the Shepard for over two years, helping to keep it functioning while her team attempts the impossible; create unlimited energy. After developing a friends with benefits relationship with the residential physicist on board, it becomes clear that Hana’s relationship with one Ernst Schmidt is anything but casual when she is severely injured by a cluster of space debris while performing a repair.

Warning: Language, Explicit Contents, Bad Things Happen to Reader, Gore/Wound description, Angst, Idiots in Love, Space is Dangerous.

To Note: Ernst Schmidt x Māori!Reader, Reader is from New Zealand, The Shepard is Successful, I tried my best with Māori translations but my grammar might be wrong, Friends/‘Enemies’ W/Benefits Turned Lovers.

Word Count: ~7.5k

Shepard Station, Circular Orbit

Your steady breathing was the only thing you could hear over the slight buzzing from the open comms link. The buzz of the electronics was a sound you had grown used to since arriving on the newly completed station. Space is cold, empty, silent, at least it was when you suited up to repair or adjust a part of the accelerator outside the safety of the station.

Out of everyone on the team, you had spent the most time in space, and with it, the most risk. But as one of the mechanical engineers who had spent numerous hours designing and building this station, no one on board knew it better than you did. Not to mention your whole reason for being here was to ensure that the station didn’t fall apart before the tests were completed.

Hence why you were outside the station in an EVA suit, tightening up several bolts to a control panel after you had done some adjustments for Volkov. The wrench in your hand was once again proving difficult as the bulky fingers of your suit struggled to keep a grip on it.

“Kiel to Eketone, what are your O2 levels?” Kiel’s voice buzzed and crackled over the comms, jarring you from your silence.

“You asked me that fifteen minutes ago, Commander.” You answered dryly, finally tightening the bolt to a satisfactory hold.

“And I want to know what your O2 levels are once again.” He replied in that tone of his. Everyone always gathered on the main bridge of the station to monitor your progress while you were working in the vacuum of space. CO2, O2, heart rate, respiration, body temperature, you named it, they monitored it. Excessive, but safety in space had been hammered into all of your brains until you muttered in your sleep.

“78%,” you answered, glancing down at the tablet strapped to the top of your right forearm. “And I’m almost done bolting the panel back in place so stop worrying about my oxygen consumption, you know these tanks can last hours.”

“Not happening, it’s my job as your commander to worry about you.” Kiel responded. “You do yours, I do mine.”

“If you are about to go into a long indentured speech about the dangers of space, need I remind you that out of the seven of us, I’ve spent the most time in an EVA suit? It’s literally in my job description to go into the vacuum and fix things.”

“I believe what the commander means is that we all worry about your safety given the unpredictable nature of its environment.” Hamilton spoke up. “He’s not questioning your ability to fix the Shepard.”

“Do not remind me of the incident that happened three months ago, Ava, I’ve got the scars as a clear reminder.” You told her as you got the last bolt safely in place. Your bulky EVA covered fingers tugged on the hatch to test the lock. It was good. “Panel secure, I’m heading back to airlock 31.”

“Copy that, Tam and Hamilton will meet you there for decontamination.”

“Aye aye, Captain,” you responded dryly, securing your wrench to its spot on your leg. The EVA suit made movement slow, and while you were pulling yourself along a grab rod you could hear Volkov grumbling underneath his breath about your slowness. “You are welcome to do the space walk for repairs then, Sasha.” You snipped in reply.

“Don’t get into it, you two,” Kiel ordered. “With repairs finished and the new codes in, we’re in for another test tomorrow. I want all hands on deck and rested. Kiel out.”

You focused on getting back to the airlock without incident. But of course, that involved changing your lead from one rod to another and pulling yourself up across the bridge connecting the particle accelerator ring to the main habitat of the station. Pushing yourself along, you reached out and grabbed the next rod to attach its lead to your suit before disconnecting the other one. The comms crackled.

“How exactly are you friends with Volkov? I swear you two almost butt heads as much as he and Schmidt…” You chuckled at Hamilton’s words, and pressed the comms switch on your forearm.

“Sasha and I go back to the early days of planning, long before it was decided that I would be sent up. He’s an ass, but he knows what he is doing and I can respect that.” You answered. “And as for why he and Schmidt butt heads so much? Sasha’s an ass and Schmidt is a hot head. Bad combination for a pressurized station in space.”

“Is that why you don’t like Schmidt?” You snorted at Eva’s offhanded, yet jesting question.

“Who said I don’t like Schmidt, Ava?”

“Uh, by the fact that you only ever call him Schmidt?” Hamilton countered. “I know you well enough by now that when you consider someone a friend, you call them by their first name. But not once in our six hundred and ninety-four days up here have I ever heard you call him Ernst.”

“Do you? Or anyone else for that matter?”

“Not if we don’t want a frosty glare. My point is, what do you not like about Ernst that has you always so reserved with him?”

“Hei aha atu māu.” (Mind your own business.) You muttered in reply, pulling yourself up the long rod to the airlock. “I’m almost to the airlock, stand by for lock opening and decompression.”

Fifteen minutes later Tam and Hamilton were helping you out of the EVA suit. Standing in your underwear and tank top, your fingers quickly worked your tablet as you uploaded the updates to Kiel’s computer on the bridge with your seal of approval.

“With my repairs, we’re back on schedule for tomorrow.” You said while pulling on your pants and buttoning them. “In the meantime, I’m taking my downtime. Comm me if anything happens, or better yet, don’t. I need to sleep.”

You took your jacket from Tam, who gave you a knowing look, and returned it with a dirty one. Slinging your jacket around your shoulders, you strode out of the airlock while reaching for your comms unit attached to your thigh. You shot Kiel one last message that you had sent the updates to the computer as you headed for the crew quarters.

Walking down the dimly lit corridor, you stopped at crew quarters five and raised your hand to knock on the metal door. Your knuckles rapped softly on the metal for only a moment before the door slid open. You blinked in surprise, only to find a hand shooting out and grabbing onto the front of your jacket.

You were jerked into the room and as the door slid shut behind you, your back hit metal and fervent lips pressed against yours. Your hands instantly reached up to bury themselves in brown hair and tug on the silky strands. Lips parting, you hungrily returned the kiss while larger hands landed on your hips and pushed themselves beneath your jacket.

Those hands continued on their journey until they found their way around your sides and up your back. Palms pressed on the center of your spine and your body was pressed up against his. You could feel every ounce of tension in his body, and you knew he was moments from breaking. Moaning against sinful lips, you dragged your fingernails from his hair and down his neck.

Seconds later, lips were separating from yours and voraciously nipping at your jaw and the tender flesh of your throat. You sank your nails into his back and pushed his head further against your skin as little eruptions of pleasure surfaced. But lips ravishing your skin only lasted so long, as did your patience. Your hands dropped from his shoulder and head, and you were tearing at his clothes.

Your fingernails scraped at his green shirt until you had it free of his arms and over his head. You tossed it to the cold floor and then rotated your shoulders, allowing your jacket his hands had been pushing at, to slide from your figure. While your fingers dove for the waistband of his pants, he was yanking your own from your hips. The soft material combined with your simple black underwear dropped past your anti-slip socks, and using your feet, you pushed those too, from your body.

Completely naked from the waist down, your body was hoisted up against a cold wall and in seconds lips were back on yours as a waiting cock slid into your body. Your nails were back, sinking into hot skin and drawing red lines that would leave behind reminders of your illicit affair. Reminders of what was your secret, and what was only for you.

Moaning against Ernst’s mouth, you tightened your legs around his waist while clawing at his shoulder with your left hand. Every time he pressed inside of you drew out a whimper, each and every thrust somehow finding the same exact spot that lit your body up in the best way. Ernst’s lips detached from yours and sloppily pressed against your chin and jaw, laying down kisses that you felt long after his mouth moved on.

You pressed your head back against the cold metal wall you were pressed up against and let yourself fully absorb the stolen moments of intimacy that bore you just enough sense of humanity to keep you sane on this station. The fire burning in your abdomen was well past a broil at this point and well on its way to being an electric wall of lust that would completely overtake your body.

Ernst’s lips ran along your pulse before his teeth started grazing your skin, adding just enough of a threat to send shivers down your spine. You couldn’t leave marks in obvious places, no matter how much you wanted to, but the idea was more than enough to continue walking the high wire. Maybe someday this could be more, but for now, it would have to be enough. Your hands detached from Ernst's body, and you yanked his lips back to yours, devouring his lips with your teeth before pursuing a deeper kiss.

Ernst’s body burned against yours and arching your back against that inferno, you let the pleasurable sensations in your body swell until they could no longer be contained. The room started spinning as both Ernst and you found what you so desperately sought after. Your mouths separated as both of you panted to catch your breaths once more. Ernst pressed his forehead against yours, and you draped your arms over his shoulders once more. With his arms still supporting your body, you were pulled away from the wall and carried the short distance to his bed where you melted beneath each other's touch and just for a little while, escaped the grim reality that surrounded you.

Flash… Flash… Flash… Flash… Flash…

The lights of the particle accelerator ring flashed by in the window, lighting up your blank face every time the inhabitable section of the ship completed a rotation for our artificial gravity.

“You need to see Acosta, Hana,” came his gentle words that broke the heavy silence in the room, continuing to stare at the lights in your own silence. He brushed his fingers across your shoulder and then down the back of your arm. “I’m worried about you.”

“He’ll just tell me that I need to get more sleep, or put me on that medication again. I didn’t like it the first time, and I will not be put on it again,” you muttered out, your fingers of the hand tucked up against your chest curling around the sheet covering your body. He sighed at your words, and soon there was a tugging sensation on your shoulder. He pushed you from your side to your back so he could look at you in the eyes.

Brown met your eyes, and you swore it was like he was seeing into your very soul, like he could see who you truly were behind the mask you always kept up. His eyes gazed into yours with such gentleness and concern, it was that look that made you cry when you were alone in your quarters where no one could see. Up here in space, he was yours. That soft and gentle look was yours, his warm comforting hugs were yours. But we couldn’t stay in space forever. On Earth, that look was not exclusively yours, and neither was he.

“I’m trying so hard to make things work, Ernst, but I— I don’t think I can,” you whispered up at him. “We only have enough fuel for three more firings. After that, it’s over.”

“The fate of the world does not rest on your shoulders and your shoulders alone, Huihana,” Ernst replied softly, shifting his hand to run his fingers lightly down your face. “We are a team. You have kept this station running smoothly for over two years, that is more than enough on your part.”

“We’re still running out of time,” you said, your lips wobbling. “I’m running out of time.”

“We’ll figure this out, you’ve done your job, Liebling,” he said, leaning down to press his lips against your forehead. You closed your eyes and lifted your hand to lightly draw your own fingers across his cheek and into his hair.

“I just want this to be over. I feel so numb, so cold up here,” you said softly, trying to soak in every last bit of warmth you could get from him.

“Space is cold, you are not,” Ernst whispered, pressing a few more kisses to your cheeks.

It was time for the next firing and you found yourself standing on the bridge, tablet in hand as you scrolled through all over the equipment you were monitoring as well as the new changes you had made. Everyone had high hopes for this firing but you were keeping your expectations low, if anything, you expected this firing to be exactly like all others before it: a failure.

“Systems all up and operational on my side, we’re ready,” you spoke up. Ava nodded to you and looked to Ernst.

“Schmidt, system status?”

“Green across the board,” Ernst replied, looking down at his console and pressing a few buttons. From Monk’s station the WBC news station was being broadcasted live, and they were once agin talking about the dangers of the particle accelerator.

“I’ve got fluctuations on deck X,” you spoke up.

“It should steady upon pre-ignition,” Ernst replied as Kiel walked onto the bridge. “Shepard is holding presently.”

“Keep it that way,” you muttered underneath your breath. “I don’t want to do another space walk.”

“Commander, Shepard team standing by for your go,” Ava announced to Kiel.

“Diagnostic mode off,” Kiel ordered as Tam emerged from the data banks in the back.

“X deck modifications complete,” Tam said in Mandarin as she passed.

“Stabilizer?”

“Active,” Ava responded.

“Qinhuangdao, confirm pre-ignition sequencing authorization,” Kiel asked. We all listened to the response and Kiel gave me a nod before addressing the centers we were on call with.

“Huntsville and Qinhuangdao Control, we'll call you post blackout.

“Copy.”

“Stand by for protocol go.”

“Eketone, contact Volkov for compass calibration,” you leaned forwards and pressed the comms button on your station.

“Volkov?” you asked. “The Shepard is ready to be taken online, how’s your station?”

“I’m calibrating our expensive compass,” Volkov responded as Kiel turned to Monk.

“Monk, turn that shit off,” Kiel sighed out. The news channel was finally shut off.

“Gyro is calibrating,” Volkov responded. “Our station is good.”

“Copy that,” you echoed, your fingers fluttering over your tablet.

“You should ask Schmidt, is his station good?”

“Jesus Christ,” Schmidt aired out as you bit your tongue and took a deep breath.

“Tamariki,” (Children) you uttered out as Mundy strolled over and clasped his hands in front of Monk.

“Please, Mr. Monk, hit us with your holy stick.”

“Oh, come on. Not now when we're—“ Schmidt was cut off by a look from everyone and Kiel calling his name. He backed down with a glower, secretly giving you a look over his glasses. You gave him a half-hearted shrug. Everyone went quiet and looked down.

“The farther we travel from home, the clearer it becomes that there is a power infinitely greater than us. Please show Your mercy. And allow the Shepard to work this time. To provide the energy we need. To prevent our countries from going to war. Please, God, be on our side. Amen.”

“Amen,” Kiel echoed as Mundy and Monk fist bumped.

“That was righteous,” Mundy said. With final words spoke, Ernst stood up from his station and powered on the key command module, making it extend downward from the ceiling as he walked over with his key.

“Back to work. Sunday School over yet?” Ernst asked, always so serious.

“Schmidt, power up,” Kiel ordered. Everyone started placing their keys into their respective slots to power up the station.

“Sequence running. Thirty to ignition,” Tam said, your eyes dropped to the power levels on the right side of your console.

“Commander?” Ernst asked, Kiel gave him a nod and everyone put their hands on their keys, ready to turn at Ernst’s call. “Three...two...one... mark.”

You turned the keys to the right and the station started rumbling as the particle accelerator powered up and the lights started flickering. You had to place your hand on your console because of the shaking.

“Come on, come on, come on, come on,” Kiel spoke softly, beside you the wall of lights and buttons sparked as several light bulbs burst, and a few seconds later the floor beneath you heaved. You were thrown off your feet as machinery started sparking and exploding. Alarms went off as the crew started shouting, and clawing yourself to your feet, you started checking your console.

“Emergency shutdown!” you shouted. “Powergrid is out of control and we might blow the accelerator!”

Tam started shouting in mandarin, but her words were too fast for you to catch, and in the chaos, you found yourself thrown against the nearest bulkhead. Your head cracked against it and you found yourself sliding down the wall your head in a daze and seeing double.

Between the tilted world you were seeing, the shouting, and the loud emergency sirens, it was hard to get a grip and focus. You’re not sure how long it was before the sirens and alarms were quieted, but when a double of one of the crew appeared in front of you and started touching your face you jerked back from the sensation.

“Whoa, easy, Eketone, you took a knock to the head,” Kiel’s voice said as fingers touched the spot on your head that hurt the most. You flinched and reached up to feel the damage, Kiel kept your fingers from feeling your injury but you could feel the warm sticky blood dripping down your face.

“Monk! Hana’s got a head wound with a nasty bleed.” You tried to swat the hand on your head away. “Come on Han, don’t fight with me.”

“I’m fine,” you eked out. “How’s the station?”

“We’re venting, Mundy and Volkov went to cut off the sections where the damage is, Tam, Ava, and Schmidt are currently troubleshooting,” Kiel explained as Monk appeared with a first aid kit in hand. You grimaced when a gauze patch was pressed against your wound.

“I need the station’s mechanical readout,” you rasped while Monk started opening a suture kit. You eyed the staple gun and butterfly bandages. “That bad?”

“You’ve got at least a three centimeter gash at your hairline Hana,” Monk chided as he brandished the staple gun. “I can see your skull.”

“Well, is it cracked?” Monk snorted as he started to staple the wound shut.

“No, you’ve got a hard head.” Monk quickly stapled wound shut and placed several butterfly bandages over the staples.

“Good, because if we’re venting then shit has hit the fan… I need the mech readout now.” Kiel sighed at your words and you just gave him a look. He knew you were right. You were helped to your feet and brought to the nearest chair where you could start figuring out what the hell just happened.

Despite the head-splitting headache you had, it didn’t take you long to pinpoint where the major issue was, deck H. The couplers for the venting shaft had been blown off, and with them, they had pulled the surrounding structure creating a hole in the station.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,” you whispered, your fingers quickly pulling up the external camera to get a good view of the damage. This was bad, like really bad. The kind of damage that could lead to the decompression of the entire station, bad.

“Hana? What is it?” Kiel asked, looking at you with worry.

“I need Volkov, now.”

Volkov was walking with you as you strode down the hall leading to deck H’s airlock. Kiel was on your heels and the entire way there Volkov was trying to talk you out of what you were planning on doing.

“…remind you that you just took a hit to the head?” Volkov asked. You snorted.

“No, you may not,” you came to a stop in front of the airlock bay and turned to face both of them. “Forgive me for being egotistical, but I know this ship the best and if you want that hole fixed I’m the best and most qualified for the job.”

You hit the open button for the dry dock bay doors and looked back at Kiel and Volkov.

“You can argue with me on this as much as you want as my friend, but as my commander, you know I’m right.” You finished. Kiel looked anything but happy, but you knew by the look on his face he knew you were right.

“I want this done tight, Eketone, full gear, full cautions,” Kiel stated before looking at Volkov. “Suit her up and meet me back on the bridge, I’ll get the others and inform them.”

Volkov and you turned to enter the dry dock bay as Kiel strode away. You started stripping yourself out of your jacket and pants, and tossing them to the floor, you pulled your shirt over your head as Volkov pulled the EVA suit over on its track.

“He is going to lose his shit when Kiel tells him that you’re the one doing the EVA.” Volkov said as you lifted your leg and stepped into the large EVA suit.

“Who’s going to loose their shit?” You asked, ignoring the fact that you knew perfectly well who Volkov was talking about. “I’m pretty sure no one is going to be happy with me doing a space walk after what happened, not with all the debris flying around.”

Fully standing in the suit, you started tightening it around your body and pulling it up your hips.

“You know who I am talking about, tsvetok,” (Flower) Volkov responded as he maneuvered the top portion of the EVA suit over your head. You lifted your arms and put them through the arm holes as the rest of the suit was brought down and secured. Volkov quickly put the gloves over your hands and locked them in place.

You didn’t say anything as he set the headset on your head and adjusted it so it fit snugly around your ear. The helmet was soon over your head and secured in place, and detaching from the EVA suit from its hanger, you walked over to the airlock doors. Your gloved hand hit the release button and the doors opened. You made your way into the airlock as Volkov sealed you in.

Looking down at the tablet perched on your arm, you hit the comms button. Your headphones crackled for a second before the sounds of voices arguing reached your ears.

“… you can’t seriously think that it is safe!”

“We don’t have much of a choice!”

“She is going to get killed!” That was Ernst’s voice. “How could you let her go with the debris field in a constant state of fluctuation!”

“Volkov could go, he’s got the same training…”

“She’s the most qualified.”

“Bullshit!”

“Schmidt that’s—“ More arguing erupted. Letting out a deep sigh, you reached for the decompression button and started the process. Once the airlock was ready, you hit the external door button. While the door opened, you reached down and opened your comms line.

“This is Eketone, I’m exiting the Shepard.” You announced over the arguing. The raised voices immediately cut off. You reached for the first attachment line and clipped yourself on before edging yourself out. Once clear of the door, you reached for the external controls and closed the door. “External Hatch H-21 closed, I’m making my way over to H deck.”

You had moved a few yards before anyone spoke.

“What are your O2 stats?” Kiel asked, a slight tremor in his voice. He was probably just barely holding it together, so you didn’t dig into him. You glanced at your vitals on your arm.

“O2 stats are at 100, pulse ox is at 99.” You responded, your hands continuing their side-to-side movement as you pulled yourself along. As you expected, it was silent for most of your journey to the broken hull, but that silence was broken ever so often by the alarmed voices of your crewmates regarding a group of debris flying close to where you were.

Finally making it to the upper level where you could get your eyes on the damage, you cringed inside. This was not going to be easy, far from it actually. But it had to be done. Just as you were transferring your leads to the next safety bar, the comms crackled.

“Hana,” you paused at the seriousness in Kiel’s voice. “The moment you move onto the upper level, you’ll be exposed to the debris fields.”

You finished transferring your leads and paused for a moment.

“I’m aware of the risks, commander.” You replied shortly before you pulled yourself up. There was debris and parts of the Shepard floating through space, you hurried your way to the gaping hole. Once you got to the first part of the hole, you pulled out the microfoam injector from your belt and got to work.

The microfoam was doing its job well as you ran the injector gun along the ripped seam of metal, but it was a process that was too slow, and the longer you took, the more your crew aired their worries about the flying metal and electronic parts that got a little close to your EVA suit for comfort. There were a few close calls, but you managed to get most of the hole covered.

It was only when you were sealing up the last few parts that things started to go wrong. The pieces of flying debris started coming by at a faster rate, and you could hear alarms going off through the comms. Your heart, which had already been racing in your chest, sped up.

“Eketone, get back inside right now!” You ignored the voice of Kiel and continued your work. “Eketone!” Kiel’s voice was a bark now and you knew he wasn’t not playing around. You looked up to see the wave of debris that was headed your way at a lighting speed.

“If I don’t fix this now, we lose everything!” You shouted back, your hands clenching around the injector gun as you tried to keep your hand steady. Looking at the slowly closing hole, you started muttering to yourself. “Come on, come on, come on…”

Bits of debris starting hitting your suit, drowning out the shouts from your crewmates. A piece of metal hit the visor of your suit, causing a hairline fracture on the outer screen. Shit. As more and more pieces flew by you, you started to panic. All you could hear was the sound of your heavy breathing and the alarms going off from your suit telling you you were taking damage. Jerking the tool in your hand, you finally sealed the hole, and doing a quick diagnostic scan, the tablet on your arm told you that the pressure in the damaged section of the station was stabilized.

You could faintly hear your crewmates shouting to head back, and that’s what you did. Pulling yourself along, you clenched your teeth as fear twisted its way up your spine. Something it you in the shoulder and you were blasted away from the tether lines. Your arms flailed as you tried to get a grasp once more, but it was hard with how much you were spinning in place. Just as you finally caught sight of the metal bar once more and stretched your arm, something collided with your body.

“Come on, come on, come on,” Mundy shouted unhelpfully as he, Tam, and Hamilton quickly helped Volkov into the second EVA suit. Hands where shaking and nerves were either shot or about to be. “Judging by there scans from her suit, she’s got about half an hour left.”

“I’m not going to take my time,” Volkov snapped at Mundy as Tam and Hamilton quickly snapped the EVA gloves on.

“I’m just saying! It’s still a mess out there, we don’t need you getting hit either.” Mundy exclaimed in defense of himself. Hamilton reached up and pulled the helmet down.

“Listen, Hana’s suit is punctured, but the shrapnel is keeping it sealed for now. When you grab her, try to avoid touching the area or jostling her too much.” Hamilton explained quickly. “You might have to cut her main leads from their secure point, and if you do—“

“I’ll tether her to me first, this isn’t my first time.” Volkov stated, normally he wouldn’t have tolerated being talked to like he had never done a space walk before, but with Hana’s life on the line, he didn’t have the time to argue. Volkov disconnected himself from the EVA track and walked over to the airlock doors. “Monk better be ready for her,”

“He and Kiel are already prepping the surgery bay,” Hamilton answered as she shared a look with Tam. Volkov let out a huff of air before closing the air lock doors behind him. Tam and Hamilton waited anxiously as Volkov departed the Shepard and started making his way towards the area where Hana was still tethered to the station.

“I’m going to see if Monk needs any more help.” Mundy said, dashing for the exit. While the remaining two waited, a red faced Schmidt strode into the docking bay. Hamilton raised an eyebrow at him before glancing down at his wrist.

“I’m surprised that Kiel let you out of the handcuffs,” Schmidt grunted out as he walked over to to the control panel and started pulling up the diagnostic stats for deck H.

“He needs all of us at the moment,” Schmidt muttered lowly, keeping his eyes trained on the numbers scrolling across the screen in front of him.

“You know she’s going to be alright, Schmidt?” Schmidt looked at Hamilton, and she could see that his eyes were red. “If anyone can survive a punctured EVA suit it’s Huihana Eketone.”

“We’re not—“

“We know,” Tam spoke up. Schmidt’s eyes shot to hers and she shrugged. “It’s obvious. We’ve been placing bets on how long you two were going to keep it a secret.”

“I’m not even sure there is anything to be exposed as a secret.” Schmidt answered softly. “Hana has been rather distant lately, I’ve been trying to get her to see Acosta.”

“She’s having trouble sleeping again?” Tam asked, Schmidt nodded in confirmation. The three of them were caught off guard when the an alarm went off indicating that someone was accessing the exterior door. They crowded around the viewing window to see Volkov tugging Hana into the air lock.

“That was quick,” Hamilton commented.

“That’s because Volkov actually likes her,” Schmidt muttered underneath his breath as his eyes trained on the piece of shrapnel sticking out of Hana’s EVA suit. As the external bay was decompressed and the artificial gravity was initialized, reality set in.

“We’re going to have to move her in her suit, we can’t risk causing more damage by accidentally bumping the metal.” Hamilton said as Volkov dragged Hana over to the door. One the internal airlock door was opened, Hamilton and Schmidt took the weight of Hana from Volkov and started dragging her in the direction of the medical bay.

They made it to the medical bay where Kiel, Monk, and Mundy were and with precision and synchonisity, began to work. They carefully pulled the EVA suit apart, leaving the mid section to be cut by scissors, and upon exposing the wound Kiel was glancing up at Schmidt.

“Schmidt, leave,” Schmidt’s face hardened and he was about to retort but was stopped by Kiel. “Do not make me repeat myself. I will have you restrained again if I need to.”

He didn’t want to leave, but if he was forced he would be left wondering what was happening with Hana, so with a leaden heart, Schmidt backed out of the room, his eyes never once leaving Hana’s still form.

Once Hana was properly situated, they finally got a good look at the injury. The shrapnel had pierced through her skin and the area surrounding the wound was smeared in red that was growing by the second.

“Monk, Monk did it hit anything important?” Kiel asked as medical tools where passed around. Monk reached for the portable x-ray scanner and shifted it so it was over Hana’s abdomen. With just as quick view, Monk was able to further assess the total damage done.

“Her spleen was hit, but it missed her other organs.” Monk spoke as he lightly pressed the bloody area. “I’ll have to perform a contrast to see how much internal damage has been done. That will take time.”

“You’re just going to leave it in her?” Schmidt exclaimed from where he was pacing back and forth in front of the viewing window. Kiel terminated the comms line and turned back to Monk.

“Monk, is this survivable?”

“I need time, but we need to leave it in, it’s preventing her from bleeding out.” Monk explained. “I want everyone out but Tam and Hamilton.”

“Were going to need to check on the repairs,” Mundy spoke up, wringing his hands once more. Everyone in the room glanced at him with looks. “What? She put her life on the line for that repair, we need to see it through, it’s what she’d want.”

“Mundy’s right,” Kiel said, glancing between the crew. “We’ll go and work on finishing the repairs, Volkov should be on his way for an update. Send him to the bridge afterwards.” Kiel then glanced at the pacing Schmidt. “And whatever you do, keep him in line. I need him in working condition. Lie if you have to.”

“Yes, Commander.”

With a plan set, they broke up. Monk started to gather further instruments, and looking at Tam and Hamilton, nodded his chin at the medical freezer.

“I need two bags of O positive prepped along with sutures and clamps.” Monk spoke. “I’m going to have to make an incision to get this thing out.”

“I’ll get the blood,” Tam said, hurrying over to the medical freezer. Hamilton ran a scanner over the piece of shrapnel.

“I’m picking up contaminates and radiation.”

“We’ll treat that post operative.” Tam came back over with the bags of blood ready for use as Monk inserted several i.v. lines. Laying out a surgical cover, Monk picked up a scalpel and went in to start his first cut.

Hours later, Monk, Tam, and Hamilton cleaned up the surgical bay. It wasn’t a touch and go situation, but Monk, by no means, could say that Hana would have a one hundred percent recovery. What she needed couldn’t be found on the station.

Striping the gloves from his hands, Monk tossed the soiled material into the trash before going to the closest console and hitting the call button. Kiel was responding within seconds.

“What’s the prognosis, Monk?” Kiel asked, skipping all formalities. Monk braced himself against the metal table and let out a tired sigh.

“I’ve removed the shrapnel and stabilized her… for now. She’s got internal hemorrhaging that’s causing her blood pressure to drop and as for the location the shrapnel hit, her spleen took the brunt of it,” Monk explained. “I can’t repair the damage done, it’s going to have to be removed.”

“Then do it…” Kiel replied before frowning. “Is there something else?”

“Despite the puncture wound creating a seal on the suit, the metal had contaminate particles.” Monk said, his brow furrowing. “It’s going to cause infection and other complications that I can’t treat up here. That and the combined radiation exposure… she needs to be in a hospital, not my medical bay.”

“Then we better get to fixing the Shepard.” Kiel said, he paused before continuing. “And Schmidt?”

Monk looked at the physicist still waiting outside the surgical bay. He hadn’t moved since the surgery had started.

“Cooperative, for now. But we need to hurry on the repairs.”

Three Months Later

New Zealand, North Island

Sitting on a bench on the peak of the farm valley your  parents owned, you stared down at the now flourishing farming plots and wondered how you had possibly helped to create a successful particle accelerator, only to get so injured that you had been rendered unconscious when it was actually rendered successful. The sheer irony.

Looking down, you plucked a long strand of a leaf and started picking away at it. After struggling to solve the energy crisis for so long, and finally achieving that goal, you had no direction in your life anymore. Sure, you had accolades, plenty of awards for your part on the Shepard Station, and a good sum of money in your bank account, but you found that you spent your days in a listless haze.

It was lonely, having woken up alone in a hospital in Auckland. It wasn’t like the crew could come and drop by for a visit, and you were sure they had gone back to carry on with their lives. That meant that everything you had built on that station was gone, including him. It was silly to be this upset, but for once in your life you felt like someone was actually able to see past the walls and barricades you had put up to protect yourself.

But you were no longer on the Shepard and you were no longer a crew; everyone had gone home to their respective countries a hero, and you just felt like a failure. A failure currently moping. Sighing out, you dropped the leaf you had been picking apart and stood up from the bench. It was getting late and knowing your mother, she would not be happy if you were late for dinner a fourth time. It was time to start hiking back down the mountain.

Grabbing the walking stick you had used to climb up the mountain, you slowly began picking your way back down, keeping an arm secured around your waist. Generally, splenectomies were a surgery that only took four to six weeks of recovery, but combined with the damage from the piece of shrapnel and the contamination, your recovery was slow going. The aches and pains in your side were slow to leave.

On your way down, you cut across the sheep paddock and wove through the grazing animals. The sunset was once again a kaleidoscope of colors on the horizon and actually managed to cheer you up some as you walked. Entering the farmhouse garden, you left the walking stick by the cooking shed and headed for the back door of the house.

Using the tips of your boots, you slipped your feet out of your farm boots, you shed your jacket and hung it up on a hook before entering the kitchen and making a beeline for the sink.

“Kia ora, Mama,” you greeted as you entered the homely space.

“You’re late, tamāhine,” Mama called from behind you. You resisted the urge to roll your eyes. “We have a guest.”

“Oh really?” you questioned, only half listening to her. Turning the faucet off, you reached for a towel to dry your hands.

“Are you even listening to me, Huihana?” Mama chided, hanging up the towel. You glanced over your shoulder to give her a look, only to end up doing a double take. Ernst blinked back at you from where he sat at the dining table, looking surprisingly comfortable to be at Hahana Ketone’s dinner table. Your mother had a habit of not mincing her words, and her bluntness often put off visitors. “Why didn’t you tell me your crew mate was so handsome!?”

You blinked rapidly before feeling a rush of warmth on your cheeks at her words. Sputtering a little, you wiped your hands on your pants as you turned around.

“That— that’s not something you go around talking about, Mama!” you replied, holding your arms against your chest. “Certainly not about my crew mate.”

Mama just huffed at you and muttered a few more words under her breath in Māori before standing up.

“I’ll give you two some space to talk,” Mama said before striding from the kitchen, leaving you alone with Ernst. He cleared his throat.

“Apologies it took so long to visit, the others wanted to come as well, but Kiel insisted that we not overwhelm you,” he spoke up. A shiver ran up your spine just from his soft voice, and biting down on your lip, you flickered your eyes away to look at something other than him.

“I’m sure they’re busy,” you said in reply, shrugging your shoulders slightly. “It’s not like you and the others solved a civilization-ending problem.”

“We,” Ernst corrected you. “We solved a civilization-ending problem, Hana. I doubt we would have done so if not for you and your assistance.”

You weren’t convinced, but the look in his brown eyes kept you from firing back a rebutting statement to refute his words. Ernst got up from his seat and walked over to where you stood, staring you down with a raised eyebrow.

“I can see it in your face, you don’t believe that you helped?” he clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“I’m not an astrophysicist or a microbiologist, and I certainly don’t know shit about how the particle accelerator works, Ernst,” you told him. “I just know how to fix things and keep space stations from decompressing.”

“You just proved my point,” Ernst pointed out, coming to a stop right in front of you. You leaned your head back to look at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Ernst,” you called in exasperation.

“Hana,” he called back, not backing down. “Give in, Hana, you know I’m right.”

Your fight wilted; after all, he had flown over eighteen thousand kilometers to get here, and Ernst really didn’t have any obligations to see you again. It wasn’t like your affair on the Shepard was something that was going to be continued… right?

“I’ll give on that,” you finally stated before looking down at your shirt. “Ernst, why are you here?”

“I think you know why,” Did you?

“Ernst, what happened between us on the station was—” you sputtered out, searching for words to say but ultimately coming up with nothing.

“Was what? Temporary? A stress reliever? Something to do?” he questioned in rapid fire, not giving you time to answer the question.

“Do you really think I am capable of acting like that? We lived together for two years on a space station, Ernst, what don’t you know about me!?”

“Clearly not everything since you are trying to act like those two years never happened,” Ernst finally snapped.

“You aren’t mine down here, okay!?!” you shot back, your voice now raised. “You were mine on the Shepard, Ernst, but not down here.”

“According to who?” he countered, his eyebrow raising. “The only one thinking in absolute is you, Hana. Who says we can’t see each other now that we are back on Earth?”

You opened your mouth to respond, but found that no words came to your tongue. Airing out your frustrations in a long breath, you pushed a hand through your hair.

“Alright, I’m an idiot, can we please move on from the arguing? I don’t like it.”

“Neither do I, liebling,” Ernst said before reaching for your hand. He wrapped his fingers around yours and rubbed his thumb into your palm. “Now that—that is settled, I feel that we have done this backwards, but I would like to take you on a date.”

Date Published: 6/27/22

Last Edit: 4/28/24

[fanby-fckry]

📌 Welcome, friends, foes, and passersby, to my personal piece of fandom Hell.

Latest Ask Game: Here

This Blog Contains:

Adult content

Kink

Problematic media

Fictional depictions of violence and gore

Discussion of potentially triggering content

Please see this post for a list of tags you may want to block.

As a rule of thumb, I tend to tag things #[trigger] cw and use the keep reading feature in extreme cases. Please ask if you need me to tag something.

Viewer discretion is advised; be safe, bloggers.

Fandoms:

The Amazing Devil (Band)

Avatar: the Last Airbender

Death Note

Doctor Who

Fullmetal Alchemist

Good Omens — I do not support NG

Gravity Falls

Harry Potter — I do not support JKR

❤️ Hazbin Hotel

❤️ Helluva Boss

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Steven Universe

Supernatural

The Witcher

I tend to cycle through them based on the whims of my wretched gremlin brain. When and why the cycle changes is unknown even to me.

Current main fandoms are marked with a ‘❤️’

As Close to a DNI as I’m Willing to Post:

DNIs don’t work on assholes who intend to disregard boundaries, but there are a few cases where I believe people may genuinely not understand why something might get them blocked. Here’s a list, with links to context:

If you abbreviate Hazbin Hotel as HH, I’m blocking you.

If you have a default icon and blog title, I’m blocking you.

If you are a minor and you follow me, I will softblock you; if you do it twice, you lose the benefit of the doubt, and I will block you for real.

I know how to use my block button. If you don’t like me or what I post, please use yours.

Things you should know about me that may encourage you to use your block button:

I am anti-censorship.

I believe that exclusionism and separatism only harm the communities they’re supposedly protecting.

I survived Tumblr’s 2010s acecourse and transmed discourse era as a genderfluid asexual, and am officially out of patience when it comes to queer infighting and exclusionism.

I have a Cluster B personality disorder, and support all my neurodivergent and persodivengent siblings regardless of disorder.

I am a kinky, polyamorous, (a)sexual deviant, a genderqueer fagdyke, and the bi flag in my pfp is there for a reason.

I am an enjoyer of nuance and am fending off us versus them mentality and black and white thinking with a baseball bat.

I think genocide is bad and that using genocide as a front to be racist/antisemitic/islamophobic/etc. is also bad (refer to previous bullet point; also, I can’t believe I need to say this).

Other Socials:

AO3: Fanby

Spotify: Fanby

Squidge: fanby_fckry

Bluesky: fanby

Pronouns.page: fanby-fckry

Side Blogs:

Personal/Miscellaneous: @fagdyke-fckry

Poetry: @refinedandgivenform

Hellaverse Image Descriptions: @hellaverse-described

Alastor RP Blog: @real-radio-demon — inactive

Tag Lists:

Note: I’m not always the best at tagging things. Sometimes I make mistakes, mistag or forget a tag. If you notice something is mistagged or missing a tag, please feel free to send me an ask or dm me about it!

Main Tags

Accessibility Tags

Tags to Block

Refs, Recs, and Resources

Fanfic Masterlists:

Hellaverse (Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss)

The Witcher

Kinktober

AO3 Exclusives — Links to the AO3 collection

AU’s and OC’s:

UHverse/Unholyverse: Extended universe for the UH3/The Unholy Trinity (queerplatonic Alastor/Lilith/Lucifer fanfic series)

The Little Demon AU: Hazbin Hotel + The Little Mermaid AU, featuring Alastor as Ursula

Raze (tag, ref sheet): Fallen Exorcist OC featured in Raze Hell (Hazbin Hotel fanfic series)

Ash | Dual (tag): Sinner OC to be featured in Duality (Hazbin Hotel fanfic series)

Destiny | Fate (tag): Dual’s ex-girlfriend; Sinner OC to be featured in Duality (Hazbin Hotel fanfic series)

My Incredibly Biased Hall of Fame:

Fake Tumblr Dash Masterpost

Fandom + Tumblr Masterpost

Apollo’s Dodgeball Masterpost

The haiku bot reblogged my post — And then another one

Unintentionally Popular Aroace Alastor Post — And someone drew it!!

I added onto a Helluva Boss post and for some reason it became incredibly popular, to the point of showing up in my top posts for a good amount of time

Unbiased Hall of Fame:

Top 10 Posts 2023

Top 10 Posts 2024

[tinycoded360]

G/t Rec/favorite list from AO3 part 1

Bite-sized by bluprismwrites

Taken place during Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3. Meet Ria, a 10 centimetre tall (4 inches) borrower who is trying her best to survive out in the wilderness of Faerûn without being crushed underfoot, squashed, or eaten. Astarion, weak with hunger, manages to catch a whiff of Ria's scent, and driven by his bloodlust he tracks her down with the intention of eating her. Of course, things get a little complicated when Gale becomes involved.

Nine- by ittybluebell

At four inches tall, Clover's used to danger. They never wanted eight giant strangers invading their life, but now Clover must quickly adapt to this new family and the threats that follow. The cluster will do anything to protect their smallest member. And Clover will do what they can.

Beast of mars by Raventroll80

After a Millennia asleep, the Doom Slayer awakens to a situation all too familiar. Hell has broken lose on Mars, and with demons around every corner, the Slayer must put a stop to the invasion before things get worse. Should be easy for a 15 foot troll right?

Only a couple days by pocket_lad

If Adelaide knew what dinosaurs were before this trip, she probably wouldn't have come, but after being discovered by a Human Bean named Ian Malcolm, she found herself on increasingly sporadic and dangerous adventures....and she kind of liked it. For the most part.

Basically Jurassic Park (1993) but if Ian Malcolm brought a three-inch tall borrower with him.

Aaron’s unscheduled stay by notabanishedprivateer

Aaron gets into a dire situation after being forced to venture outside the wall

Tiny terrors by cravesweets

A machine accident somehow shrunk and separated Danny into two, with one normal Danny Fenton and one wild gremblin Phantom, who decided to kidnap him to some creepy gothic mansion for no reason.

Borrower danny by DP_Marvel94

A teeny tiny Danny starts living in Wayne Manor

Finders keepers, losers weepers (but also please stop crying I’m new to this) By ShowrunnerIhardlyknowher

Working for a pest control company had its ups and downs, but for the most part the benefits were satisfactory. Good insurance, optional overtime, the chance to acquire a child who conveniently fit into a shirt pocket while you try to figure out what to do now.

Not quite sure there's a parenting handbook that covers the care and keeping of an abandoned borrower.

Meaning of freedom by deadheaded-stepchild (itsybitsykitsy)

It’s been roughly 30 years since borrowers had been discovered, their one and only safeguard, secrecy, compromised. And humanity has deemed it to do with them as they saw fit, regardless of how they feel about it.

Just an anthology of how borrowers now have to live their lives now that humans sees them as pests, pets and even test subjects. Sometimes worse. Stories may have happy endings, bad ones, bittersweet ones, or open-ended ones. Some have continuing overarching plots and some are one and done. Rating may change due to contents of certain stories and warnings will be posted beforehand.

House call by trumpetteacow

Dr. Ludwig, the Medic, responds to a house call from his old friend, Misha, the Heavy, complaining of a vague ailment. While he can't fix his illness, lacking in medical licensure, he does solve his borrower problem—unfortunately for Jeremy, the Scout.

[rajasthan-political-leader]

Rajasthan AVGC-XR Policy 2024 Launched: A Vision for Digital Creativity by Col Rajyavardhan Rathore

Rajasthan has taken a revolutionary step in advancing its digital and creative industries by launching the AVGC-XR Policy 2024. This initiative focuses on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AR/VR) — collectively referred to as AVGC-XR. Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore, a visionary leader and former Union Minister, played a pivotal role in unveiling this transformative policy aimed at positioning Rajasthan as a hub for creative innovation and technology.

What is the AVGC-XR Policy 2024?

The AVGC-XR Policy 2024 is a strategic framework designed to boost the digital content creation ecosystem. It seeks to provide a robust infrastructure, foster talent development, and attract investments in the AVGC-XR sector, which is rapidly emerging as a significant contributor to global economies.

Key Objectives of the Policy

Empowering Talent: Training and upskilling youth in AVGC-XR technologies.

Boosting Employment: Creating thousands of jobs in the animation, gaming, and XR industries.

Encouraging Startups: Offering incentives for startups and entrepreneurs in the AVGC-XR domain.

Global Collaboration: Promoting Rajasthan as a global outsourcing hub for AVGC-XR services.

Infrastructure Development: Establishing state-of-the-art studios, XR labs, and gaming zones.

Col Rajyavardhan Rathore’s Role in the Launch

Col Rathore, known for his forward-thinking approach, has always advocated for leveraging technology to empower youth and drive economic growth. During the policy launch, he emphasized: “Rajasthan has immense potential to become a leader in the digital creative space. With the AVGC-XR Policy, we aim to nurture talent, attract global investments, and make Rajasthan a powerhouse of innovation.”

Why is the AVGC-XR Sector Important?

The AVGC-XR sector is witnessing exponential growth, with applications in entertainment, education, healthcare, and beyond.

Global Market Potential

The global AVGC-XR industry is projected to reach $350 billion by 2030, making it a lucrative field for investment and innovation.

Opportunities for Youth

With gaming and animation becoming mainstream, this sector offers creative career opportunities for Rajasthan’s youth.

Highlights of the AVGC-XR Policy 2024

1. Financial Incentives

Tax Benefits: Exemptions for AVGC-XR startups and production houses.

Grants: Funding support for content creation and research projects.

Subsidies: Subsidized land and infrastructure for setting up studios and XR labs.

2. Education and Training

Partnerships with universities and institutes to introduce AVGC-XR courses.

Establishment of AVGC academies to upskill students and professionals.

Collaboration with global tech companies for specialized training programs.

3. Innovation Hubs

Development of AVGC-XR clusters in Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Creation of co-working spaces for startups and freelancers in this domain.

4. Promoting Indigenous Content

Encouraging creators to develop content rooted in Rajasthan’s culture, history, and folklore.

Support for local artists and storytellers to explore digital mediums.

Impact of the Policy on Rajasthan

The AVGC-XR Policy 2024 is expected to transform Rajasthan into a creative and technological hub, bringing in economic and cultural benefits.

Economic Growth

Increased investments and revenue from global outsourcing projects.

Boost in tourism through XR-based cultural and heritage experiences.

Youth Empowerment

Creation of 20,000+ jobs in the next five years.

Opportunities for budding artists, coders, and innovators to showcase their talent globally.

Global Recognition

Establishing Rajasthan as a destination for AVGC-XR outsourcing and production.

Col Rathore’s Vision for the Future

Col Rathore envisions this policy as a step toward making Rajasthan a leader in the digital economy. His focus on blending technology with Rajasthan’s rich heritage aims to create a unique identity for the state in the global AVGC-XR landscape.

In his words: “The AVGC-XR Policy 2024 is not just about technology; it’s about empowering our youth to dream bigger and achieve more while preserving our cultural roots.”

Rajasthan’s Leap into the Digital Future

The launch of the Rajasthan AVGC-XR Policy 2024 is a bold move toward transforming the state into a global hub for digital creativity. With visionary leaders like Col Rajyavardhan Rathore at the forefront, Rajasthan is set to embrace a future of innovation, employment, and cultural preservation.

This policy is not just an initiative; it is a blueprint for progress, merging tradition with technology to create a brighter tomorrow.

[dollar2host]

The Benefits of Cloud Hosting for Small Business

In the past, hosting websites and apps just required paying a digital platform provider to rent out a single server or computing cluster. Services for web hosting have existed for as long as the internet. Over the past ten years, cloud hosting where the website or application resides on virtual servers dispersed across the cloud has emerged as a popular way to make digital assets accessible online.

A worldwide content delivery network can be connected to by Google Cloud to provide customers with optimal speed and minimal latency when serving material, or a domain can be registered and managed. Google Cloud also provides a range of hosting options for websites and applications.

What is cloud hosting?

Your data is stored on several servers rather than on a single server, which is what is meant by the term "cloud hosting." The term "cloud" refers to this network of several servers that collaborate to form the network. Cloud hosting services are currently being utilized by a multitude of businesses, both large and small. An investment of this kind is definitely worth the rewards, and it has the potential to achieve great things for your company.

You will have a single platform from which you can manage all of your applications and databases, which will allow you to streamline your operations. The productivity of your firm can also be improved by making an investment in cloud infrastructure resources. The various advantages of cloud hosting will be discussed in further depth in the following paragraphs.

Cloud hosting’s Significance for Small Businesses-

Adopting cloud computing has becoming increasingly important for small organizations. It helps small businesses to avoid the high initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs of having internal IT infrastructure. Small businesses can now access advanced technologies and capabilities that were previously exclusive to large organizations by utilizing the cloud.

What are the applications of cloud computing?

Although you might not be aware of it, there is a good chance that you are currently utilizing cloud computing. Whether you use an online service such as Gmail or Outlook 365 to send an email, collaborate on a document, save data, or stream a video, cloud computing makes it feasible behind the scenes to do all of these things.

Cloud Hosting:

Cloud hosting services make it possible to share a variety of information, such as using email services, hosting applications, using web-based phone systems, and storing data. Hosting your company's website, managing databases, and storing domain names are all things that may be done with a cloud hosting service. The fact that cloud hosting services are located offsite makes it simple to scale up in order to handle peak loads.

Backup services:

Backup services in the cloud are failsafe solutions that can be utilized in the event that your company suffers a server disaster, cyberattack, or other type of data loss. Storage, data synchronization and restoration, real-time backups, archiving, and a high level of security are all features that are included in the top cloud backup services. A great number of cloud storage firms now offer cloud backup and storage capabilities.

Storage in the cloud:

Cloud services guarantee that your data is stored in a cloud storage system that is located offsite, making it more convenient to access from any device or place that is linked to the internet. In cloud storage, you are able to securely exchange information with others and synchronize files across several devices. Companies such as Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and Google Drive are examples of well-known cloud storage services.

Software as a service

Software as a service, also known as SaaS, is a solution for the distribution of applications that is hosted in the computer's cloud. SaaS solutions can be utilized by businesses in a variety of operational domains. For instance, you may adopt software for customer relationship management (CRM) that is hosted on the cloud, such as Salesforce, for the purpose of managing sales, accounting software, such as QuickBooks Online, for managing finances, and email marketing software for improving marketing communications.

Cloud Solutions' Advantages for Small Businesses-

Affordable

Small firms can minimize their expenditures on hardware, software licenses, and information technology by switching to cloud-based services, which results in cost savings. Companies that provide cloud computing services often provide a pay-as-you-go approach, which enables organizations to only pay for the resources and services that they actually employ.

Protection of Sensitive Information and Disaster Recovery

Cloud service companies adopt stringent security procedures to protect vulnerable information. In addition to this, they provide solutions for disaster recovery and automatic backups, which serves to ensure that vital corporate information is safeguarded, quickly recoverable, and less likely to be lost.

Scalability:

Cloud hosting solutions enable small businesses to swiftly scale their operations up or down as needed without the inconvenience and expense of physically upgrading their gear and software. Scalability includes the ability to scale up or down activities. This flexibility enables adaptability and growth prospects, both of which are essential in a market that is very competitive.

Advantage in the Market

Cloud hosting solutions give small firms the ability to compete on an equal playing field with larger organizations, which gives them a competitive advantage. It is possible for them to obtain insights, streamline operations, and make decisions based on data without breaking the bank by utilizing sophisticated software, analytics tools, and advanced information technology.

Flexibility

As a result of the fact that all that is required to access the cloud is an internet connection, one of the advantages of cloud hosting is that it provides direct remote access to the data that is pertinent to all of your employees, including yourself. If you run a small business, it's possible that you don't have the financial resources to purchase a dedicated office space. People are able to work from any location they choose thanks to this cloud-based technology. Having the ability to operate from a remote location is more important than ever before for the success of a company, especially in light of the recent epidemic.

Increased Capacity for Collaboration and Adaptability

Cloud solutions enable small businesses to communicate with remote team members, clients, and partners in a seamless manner, which helps improve the flexibility and collaboration capabilities of these firms. It makes it possible to share files in real time, modify them simultaneously, and gain access to the most recent versions of documents, all of which contribute to increased productivity and efficiency.

The Most Recent Technology

Cloud hosting eliminates the need for you to worry about the possibility of automatically upgrading and customizing your servers, in contrast to traditional hosting, which does not permit such activities. Scalability is something that may be easily achieved as your company expands and your requirements and preferences shift.

Because cloud hosting businesses are experts in this kind of technology, this is something that can be easily accomplished. Since they have access to more resources, they are able to undertake research and construct systems that are more robust and powerful. You will have access to the most cutting-edge technologies available if you make an investment in cloud infrastructure.

Very little to no upkeep is required

Recall what I mentioned earlier regarding the safety concerns associated with cloud computing. That being said, a portion of that security necessitates the routine maintenance of servers, the updating of software, and the administration of networks. The good news is that cloud computing relieves you of the responsibility of doing all of that upkeep and instead places it in the hands of skilled specialists.

Because none of the equipment is hosted by you, you do not need to be concerned about purchasing newer versions of it every three to four years. You are not required to deal with any of that maintenance, which frees up more time for your firm to concentrate on the product or service that it offers.

Remote access

When it comes to cloud computing, your email account is the ideal illustration. Providing that you have your login credentials and an internet connection, you are able to access your consolidated email account from any computer. Cloud computing is appealing to a majority of businesses because of the convenience it provides. Your colleagues and you will be able to access your work from any location in the globe thanks to the cloud, which eliminates the need to store your work on a desktop computer or on a local area network (LAN) server that is not linked to the internet. Your productivity and freedom in your workspace will both increase as a result of this remote access.

Conclusion-

Through the simplification of procedures and the facilitation of real-time collaboration among members of a team, cloud computing has the potential to boost both efficiency and productivity. It is possible for teams to collaborate effectively regardless of their geographical location or the time zone differences between them if they have shared access to documents and files. In addition, many cloud-based services provide automation technologies that reduce the amount of manual work that employees have to perform, such as data entry or report production. This allows employees to concentrate on high-value tasks that contribute to the success of the company.

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