#assisted evolution

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from the New York Times:

Australia has also become a case study in what happens when people push biodiversity to the brink. Habitat degradation, invasive species, infectious diseases and climate change have put many native animals in jeopardy and given Australia one of the worst rates of species loss in the world.

In some cases, scientists say, the threats are so intractable that the only way to protect Australia’s unique animals is to change them. Using a variety of techniques, including crossbreeding and gene editing, scientists are altering the genomes of vulnerable animals, hoping to arm them with the traits they need to survive.

“We’re looking at how we can assist evolution,” said Anthony Waddle, a conservation biologist at Macquarie University in Sydney.

It is an audacious concept, one that challenges a fundamental conservation impulse to preserve wild creatures as they are. But in this human-dominated age — in which Australia is simply at the leading edge of a global biodiversity crisis — the traditional conservation playbook may no longer be enough, some scientists said.

“We’re searching for solutions in an altered world,” said Dan Harley, a senior ecologist at Zoos Victoria. “We need to take risks. We need to be bolder.”

Still, no matter how sophisticated the technology becomes, organisms and ecosystems will remain complex. Genetic interventions are “likely to have some unintended impacts,” said Tiffany Kosch, a conservation geneticist at the University of Melbourne who is also hoping to create chytrid-resistant frogs. A genetic variant that helps frogs survive chytrid might make them more susceptible to another health problem, she said.

There are plenty of cautionary tales, efforts to re-engineer nature that have backfired spectacularly. The toxic cane toads, in fact, were set loose in Australia deliberately, in what would turn out to be a deeply misguided attempt to control pest beetles.

But some environmental groups and experts are uneasy about genetic approaches for other reasons, too. “Focusing on intensive intervention in specific species can be a distraction,” said Cam Walker, a spokesman for Friends of the Earth Australia. Staving off the extinction crisis will require broader, landscape-level solutions such as halting habitat loss, he said.

[alostwanderernotfound]

PANDEMICS- Hostile Power Takeover? Learnings on Urban & Domestic Warfare, “Disease: Bacteria Part 1, Fundamental Considerations”:

Let’s say the hostile power is more technologically advanced & half robot/half machine or full machine, so seemingly unkillable. Organic beings are very vulnerable to having disease used as a weapon against them.

Disease can be a major benefit to this type of hostile power & it would be an incredibly powerful weapon. This allows the destruction of an organic-based domestic population & it can also allow the harvesting of resources to build new bodies and/or reuse of the entire body depending on the disease process.

There are many insidious ways diseases develop & spread. This process DOES NOT just occur in a laboratory. Remember that there are many different “groupings” of entities we refer to as pathogens or things with the ability to cause disease.

Bacteria are an important one. Bacteria & other pathogens can reproduce by multiple means. Here I’m going to speak about bacteria with the capacity to do Bacterial conjugation. This involves passing characteristic between two different bacteria similar to how sexual reproduction can pass on characteristics. This is overall an important conversation because a lot of the most complex & common life forms in our daily lives also spread these characteristics through similar principles through sexual reproduction.

> A lot of bacteria to our awareness are able to pass on characteristics. Bacterial DNA contains the “instructions”/“resources” for bacteria to either have or not have characteristics.

-Bacterial conjugation for example allows one bacteria to attach to a second bacteria & send resources to the second bacteria. After this process, the second bacteria is able to transform and display the characteristics transferred to it. Example: Bacteria A can change colors like a chameleon. Bacteria B cannot change color. Once Bacteria A attaches to Bacteria B and they are compatible, Bacteria A passes on resources to Bacteria B. Bacteria B then acquires the ability to change color. Bacteria B now can change color & has attainted the same advantage as originally only bacteria A had. Now Bacteria A and Bacteria B can change color like a chameleon.

- The other way characteristics form & occur in a bacterial population is through mutation. If a bacteria’s DNA is altered or mutates then it can produce a bacteria with new traits & characteristics. Radiation for example, like from X-rays, often causes mutations. Sometimes mutations do “nothing” we can really perceive with our eyes. But overtime, they will eventually create large changes and can produce huge benefits for bacteria. For example: A bacteria could have always have been wiped out from nuclear weapons then overtime from mutations it can acquire the ability to survive living inside an area with nuclear radiation.

-This is a very important concept to fully understand so that you can become cognizant of how insidious this process is when discussing what bioterrorism in the modern world can look like. Pandemics are not caused just from mysterious lab leaks. The practices we do everyday are still contributing to the next pandemic occurring.

-This also gives everyone a better understanding of how MRSA or an antibiotic resistant bacteria really was “made” inside our hospitals.

> Bacteria can possibly have random or genetically engineered characteristics.

-If there are 100 random bacteria on an isolated surface that formed there naturally, some will have favorable characteristics to cause severe disease. But, some bacteria will not have those characteristics to cause severe disease. The bacteria lacking these deadly characteristics, but are still part of the same family of bacteria, would be considered weaker pathogens (weaker pathogen meaning they would cause less severe disease in organic beings).

-**But it is important to remember, If someone purposefully put bacteria down on a surface there is a chance it will not be a random distribution in strength of bacteria & they will mostly all be bacteria with strong characteristics. That group would probably be closer to 100 out of 100 of the bacteria carrying the deadly characteristic.**

>There are 2 main basic premises (which can be further subdivided and added onto when discussing what makes pathogens strong, but for now I’m discussing a more fundamentals explanation) we consider when determining bacterial pathogen strength: number of bacteria & the amount of deadly/harmful characteristics each bacteria possess.

-Reducing the overall number of bacteria in a group of random bacteria does not always mean you make a pathogen less strong. (Example: Purposefully killing 50 bacteria out of 100 and now there are only 50 bacteria in the group.)

If you destroy many of the weaker bacteria & only leave strong bacteria to reproduce, pathogens overtime can get stronger & more deadly. So, by destroying only the weaker bacteria in a group of bacteria, you slowly make pathogens stronger through this natural process & it doesn’t have to occur inside of a laboratory. To make a bacterial pathogen less strong by focusing on decreasing the overall number of those bacteria that exist in our world, you would also have to consider how many of each strength you eliminate. This is because we currently we do not use practices that wipe out groups of bacteria 100%, so we must consider these two elements together instead of separate when evaluating pathogen strength. Example: Lets say there are 100 bacteria and you wipe out 90. Bacteria A can cause humans to be paralyzed. Bacteria B cannot paralyze humans. Out of the 10 bacteria still alive, if all 10 are Bacteria A then you have eliminated the chance people would be infected with the less severe version of the disease, with Bacteria B. In the long term Bacteria A now has a strong chance to reproduce & when Bacteria A infects people it would then cause paralysis in everyone & the population could collapse. In another scenario, consider if you wiped out 90 bacteria out of 100, but you did it purposefully. Out of the 10 bacteria left, 9 were Bacteria that were Bacteria B & couldn’t cause paralysis. The last 1 out of the 10 left was Bacteria A. Then when those 10 bacteria reproduced it effectively helps “dilute” this negative characteristic in this bacterial family. Based off randomness & probability, when there this group reproduces to the size of 20 bacteria only approximately 2 of them may carry Bacteria A’s paralytic characteristic & 18 will carry bacteria B’s characteristic that does not cause paralysis. So, even though we can’t stop the bacteria number from growing, since we mindfully intervened we can still divert the trajectory of the pathogen from becoming a pathogen with the ability to become “pandemic level” and/or very very harmful.

>Two ways pathogens can get weaker is by lowering the amount of bacteria in the world & by lowering its severe disease characteristics, but this these two categories have an important interplay.

-This is an oversimplified explanation of how disease spreads & evolves, but the fundamental principles are VERY important to the overall understanding of what’s occurring. Imagine a group of bacteria you count has 100 total bacteria. 50 of them carry a gene to cause paralysis in humans & 50 do not carry this gene. When 100 people come in contact with the 50/50 bacteria distribution and get sick only 50 out of 100 of the people get paralyzed. This allows the other 50 people time to work on vaccinations & interventions to stop everyone from eventually being paralyzed.

-But, if you kill the 50 out of the 100 bacteria that do not carry the gene for paralysis then your bacteria group went from 100 to a total of 50 in size. In the short term the spread of the disease is likely to go down, as it is less likely people will randomly spread 50 objects instead of 100. BUT, those 50 bacteria with the gene to cause paralysis will only reproduce with other bacteria that also have that gene. So this bacteria, since you wiped out the 50 that don’t cause paralysis, now ALL cause paralysis & anyone who comes in contact with this bacteria strain will get paralyzed. So eventually with time the group of 50 bacteria will reproduce to 100 & spread at the same rate as they were originally, but now they cause more harm to people.

>When you unknowingly touch a colony of bacteria on an object or life form, you pick up a random sample of random “strength” of bacteria.

>****PLEASE READ: you can ALSO pickup a sample of bacteria that is all “strong bacteria” but this is NOT usually a natural occurrence you will see & is suggestive someone or something altered the bacteria and purposefully put those bacteria there. A group of bacteria that looks like it formed organically vs one that was purposefully placed there can be differentiated with taking samples of surfaces and people & counting how many strong bacteria vs weak bacteria there are, but we as a population do not regularly test for this in this way. Due to this I’m going to speak with the viewpoint of natural bacteria groups that have a gradient of “strengths”. In an ideal world we would identity groups of bacteria that have gradients of strength of bacteria vs groups of all similar strength, as interventions to stop them from becoming strong pathogens work DIFFERENTLY.)

>After you touch those bacteria they attempt to multiply and stay alive on you. Then if you touch other things they can be placed on another surface or thing. Sometimes they are placed on other surfaces in an environment or you touch your body & they are placed closer to an entrance to the inside or your body & then they are able to enter your body.

-This process will cause one of the following to occur: bacteria will stay in the area you touched & colonize it, they will die when attempting to enter the body, the bacteria will give you a disease , or in some cases the bacteria will live symbiotically inside you & help your body. If a bacteria lives symbiotically with you & does not cause harm then we do not refer to that as a pathogen, but rather just as a bacteria.

>Anytime you wipe out a group of bacteria by taking out 100% it causes that pathogen to get weaker overall, but the issue is that we do not do interventions that wipe out 100%.

-Currently anytime you clean an object in the hospital with a sanitizing wipe, you always kill less than 100% of the bacteria. This leaves behind a certain % of bacteria & they will be the strongest of that group of bacteria, because they were able to live even though you applied a cleaning product on them. This means the strongest bacteria left, even though there are less after cleaning, are now reproducing over and over again & getting stronger.

-So, when there is an environment with a large amount of bacteria variability (so all these new patients with new exposures to new bacteria that travel and touch things all the time), with shared equipment, with not 100% effective methods to destroy pathogens, & this long list of variables, we slowly produce very strong & deadly pathogens inside of hospitals.

-IF someone purposefully puts deadly bacteria ontop of a surface inside a hospital and it is a group of 100 strong & identical or cloned bacteria with no difference in genetics then wiping them out through imperfect cleaning will overall reduce pathogen deadliness. This is because there are no “stronger” pathogens vs “weaker” pathogens. They are all the same strength in this example and therefore will always get weaker when you reduce their number because they won’t reproduce to be more deadly.

>People often think when people are trying to cause them harm that would only occur when someone makes a pathogen in a lab & then deceptively goes and places some near you. This is not accurate.

-With knowing this do you see how for a hostile power there is actually LESS incentive to going through with all that work & instead a hostile power can abuse the system to cause harm? If you expect biological warfare to ONLY come out of a lab, this means you would be looking for the wrong patterns of behavior & pathogens will spiral out of control.

A lot of practices we currently use now unfortunately heavily contribute to this process that causes pathogens to get stronger.

[frank-olivier]

The Bard of Nonconformity: Bob Dylan’s Enduring Legacy

Bob Dylan’s enigmatic nature, profound lyrical depth, and genre-defying musicality have long fascinated audiences, offering a rich tapestry for exploration. His life, artistic evolution, and far-reaching influence on music, literature, and society are intricately woven, reflecting the complex interplay between personal heritage, environmental stimuli, and cultural impact.

Born Robert Zimmerman to Russian Jewish immigrants in Duluth, Minnesota, Dylan’s early life laid the groundwork for his empathetic connection with the underdog, a pervasive theme in his music. The strategic name change to Dylan, likely for a more marketable and less ethnically identifiable stage presence, highlights the challenges faced by Jewish artists in mid-20th century America, setting the stage for a career marked by reinvention. This duality of identity—between his roots and public persona—underscores the tensions between authenticity and the demands of a burgeoning career.

Immersed in the diverse musical landscape facilitated by powerful radio stations and the creative ferment of Greenwich Village’s Bohemian scene, Dylan’s unique sound began to take shape. His artistic trajectory, from initial homage to Woody Guthrie to the development of a distinctive style, demonstrates an unwavering dedication to his craft, prioritizing artistic expression over mainstream expectations. This nonconformist spirit, evident in his transition from folk to electric rock and subsequent explorations into country and western genres, not only pioneered musical shifts but also inspired a generation of artists.

Dylan’s influence extends far beyond the musical realm, with his work recognized for its literary merit, culminating in the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. By weaving references to literary figures into his songs, he has democratized access to these works, bridging the divide between music and literature. His addressing of social injustices, as seen in his advocacy for Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, solidifies his role as a voice for the marginalized and a champion of free speech, embodying the essence of America’s founding values of nonconformity and expression.

While the pressures of fame, particularly the loss of privacy in Woodstock, have led to periods of reclusiveness, this has paradoxically contributed to the mystique surrounding his figure, cementing his status as a cultural icon. His legacy, therefore, is not merely a body of work but a celebration of the human spirit in all its complexity and beauty, standing as a powerful reminder of the importance of artistic integrity, empathy, and visionary pursuit in an era often marked by division and conformity.

Bob Dylan: Busy Being Born (Piers Garland, 2020)

Monday, December 23, 2024

[kirby-roth]

Shirahama’s masterclass panel at barcelona confirming a bunch of my conjectures

[kieran-au]

As trainers who are in Kalos, Kieran and Joelle, of course, possess a mega stone that allows their Pokemon to go to another level (AKA Mega Evolution).

Being someone who loves accessories, Joelle chose to put it in a hair clip to show that she is not only a pretty face. She was thrilled because back in Hoenn, she only saw them in TV and never got the chance to get a Mega Stone.

As for Kieran it was a tad more tricky with his blindness, because he can't just search for his stone in his bag, or put it on like a jewelry with the risk of losing it easily with thieves or carelessness. So the professor decided to make his walking cane the bearer of his Mega Stone, with a secret place at the top, to which Kieran can accesss with a button.

(Also, here's a round chibi Kieran for the soul)

[xiaofiaan]

if you guys wanted to hear a true essay on viktor arcane you would not like what i had to say

[a1medianet]

This Robot Just Made History And Nobody Noticed!

Imagine a world where robots walk among us, not as science fiction, but as reality. With Optimus, Elon Musk's vision of AI-driven humanoid assistants has come alive, revolutionizing the way we think about work, automation, and the very essence of humanity.

🚀 What does this mean for us? Will Optimus be the greatest human invention or the dawn of a new era where machines outshine their creators? From lifting heavy loads to performing delicate tasks, Tesla's Optimus is ready to reshape industries-and perhaps even our daily lives.

⚡ Are we stepping into a utopia or a robotic revolution? This breakthrough could change everything! Stay till the end as we explore the breathtaking features, mind-blowing capabilities, and the impact Optimus will have on the future of mankind.

📅 Expected Launch: 2025 🏢 Manufacturer: Tesla

"Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot is no longer just a prototype! In 2025, mass production begins, with Musk envisioning these robots in households, factories, and businesses. Optimus is designed to:

✅ Perform household chores. ✅ Assist in manufacturing and logistics. ✅ Learn and adapt using AI.

Musk believes that humanoid robots will eventually outnumber humans, making Optimus one of the most revolutionary AI-driven inventions of this decade.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/dCVE9mQonZ8

or See Full Version:

These 7 Innovations Will Change Humanity Forever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6W-eaB7PEY&t

💡 If you love technology, AI, Tesla, and futuristic innovations, this video is a must-watch! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications to stay updated on the latest in tech!

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[spacenutspod]

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 126 *NASA's Parker Solar Probe Completes 21st Philip of the Sun NASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved its 21st close encounter with the Sun, matching its previous distance and speed records. The spacecraft swooped to within 7.26 million kilometers of the solar surface at a record speed of 635,300 km/h. This flyby sets up the probe for its final closest approaches, with its orbit shaped by a Venus gravity assist. The mission, launched in 2018, aims to study the Sun's corona and the solar wind, unraveling the mysteries of solar phenomena that impact the solar system. *Webb Space Telescope Finds Potential Missing Link to First Stars Astronomers using NASA's Webb Space Telescope have identified a galaxy with an unusual light signature that could be a missing link in galactic evolution. The galaxy, found approximately a billion years after the Big Bang, features gas outshining its stars, possibly due to massive, hot stars. This discovery offers insights into the transition from the universe's first stars to more familiar galaxies, providing a glimpse into the early cosmic environment. *Perseverance Rover's Key Science Instrument Robert NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars has regained the use of its critical Sherlock instrument after a six-month effort. The spectroscope, crucial for detecting organics and assessing habitability, had malfunctioned in January. The successful repair allows the rover to continue its mission of analyzing Martian rocks and soil for signs of past life and understanding the planet's geological history. The Science Robert A new study suggests that caffeine consumption may improve heart health by aiding vascular growth. Another study reveals increasing plant cover in Antarctica, linked to climate change. Research highlights how people often form opinions without sufficient information, contributing to conflicts. Lastly, a study confirms that astrologers perform no better than chance in predicting character or future events. 00:00:00 - This is spacetime series 27, episode 126, for broadcast on 18 October 2024 00:00:30 - NASA's Parker solar probe completes 21st close encounter with the sun 00:03:08 - The Parker solar probe is touching the sun for the first time 00:08:32 - Galaxy with unusual light signature attributed to gas outshining stars 00:12:00 - NASA scientists have successfully brought a key science instrument back online on Mars 00:14:51 - A new study has shown that consuming more caffeine may improve your heart health 00:17:01 - New study shows people are biased to assume they know enough about situations www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com www.bitesz.com 🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. Enjoy incredible discounts and bonuses! Plus, it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌ Check out our newest sponsor - Old Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Merch. Well worth a look.... Become a supporter of this Podcast and access commercial-free episodes plus bonuses: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support.

[frank-olivier]

Women, Work, and the Future of Japan: A Catalyst for Change

Japan's post-war economic resurgence was once driven by its distinct work culture, but this same culture has now transformed into a double-edged sword, imperiling the nation's future prosperity. Historically, Japan's collectivist ethos, rooted in the pursuit of "Wa" (harmony), fostered stability and cooperation, but in today's context, it often manifests as a rigid hierarchy where excessively long working hours are misconstrued as the pinnacle of loyalty and dedication. This has severe human consequences, including "karoshi" (death from overwork), plummeting birth rates, and a dwindling workforce.

The country's inherent risk aversion, stemming from a deep respect for tradition, hinders innovation, with the fear of disrupting social balance outweighing the benefits of progress. This is evident in Japan's struggles to keep pace with global technological advancements, particularly in software and artificial intelligence, leading to stagnation and erosion of its competitive edge. Furthermore, traditional workplaces prioritize visibility and seniority over merit, resulting in ineffectual leadership, misguided decision-making, and a brain drain as talented individuals seek opportunities abroad.

Recent government initiatives aimed at improving work-life balance and promoting sustainability offer hope, as do forward-thinking companies adopting flexible work arrangements to attract top talent. However, a profound cultural shift is necessary for Japan to reclaim its innovative forefront. This requires blending cherished traditions with the uncertainties of innovation, fostering an environment that encourages risk tolerance, creativity, and merit-based advancement. A gradual shift in societal values, emphasizing individual creativity alongside collectivist principles, is crucial, as are structural reforms in workplaces and educational institutions promoting meritocracy, flexibility, and lifelong learning.

Interwoven with these challenges is the complex situation of Japanese women, who face traditional expectations, societal pressures, and workplace demands that profoundly impact their lives and the country's future. The notion of "ikigai" (finding purpose in life) often narrowly translates to family devotion for women, leading to unfulfilled potential and stagnation. This results in low labor force participation rates, a persistent glass ceiling, and underutilized parental leave policies, placing an undue burden on women and threatening individual well-being and the broader social and economic landscape.

A growing pushback against these traditional expectations, marked by women-led startups, flexible work arrangements, and paternal leave initiatives, signals a tentative shift towards inclusivity. To truly empower Japanese women, however, a profound societal transformation is needed, involving a reckoning with outmoded gender roles. Education and awareness campaigns, alongside the promotion of male allies embodying modern masculinity, can challenge these norms. By celebrating the diverse contributions and aspirations of its female population, Japan can dismantle barriers, realizing the full potential of its women and securing a vibrant future for the nation. The path forward hinges on choosing between the status quo and a new trajectory that values, supports, and empowers Japanese women to thrive, ultimately determining the country's prosperity.

Japanese work culture is unsustainable (pigallisme, April 2024)

Sunday, December 1, 2024

[vinnyvamppp]

To Be Desired

⭐: No Goggles Mark, Mohawk Mark, #17 Mark/Sinister Mark, Mentions of Invincible (requested!).

Synopsis: Variants of your childhood best friend spawn across the globe, and you find yourself in the crossfire of their previous lovers. What happens when you experience the parallel pleasure they offer?

Warnings: Power Struggles, Dom/Sub Dynamics, Morally Grey, Nipple Play, Fingering, Pussy Eating, Overstimulation, Public Sex, Squirting, Rough Sex, Switch!Reader, Switch!Invincible Variants, Plot changes for convenience, Matching Freaks, Position Changes, Porn w a Plot, etc.

Invincible Variants x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 5,239 (PART TWO HERE)

“You won’t believe what just happened, oh man!” Mark exclaimed with glee; an unfamiliar look of pride swam within his irises. It was the night he received his powers; a deep crater buried itself into your driveway from his failed landing. “What?” You questioned, prying your front door open as he entered. There were scuff marks littered across his naked upper body, battered and bruised from his knightly adventure. “It was incredible. I—I flew.” He explained, his hand gesturing excitedly. This was a dream of his; he would craft makeshift suits and detailed desired escapades to save the world. However, for it to come true was another story. 

“No way! This… this is a funny joke.” You sputtered, One doesn’t usually acquire powers at random, but in this dimension, who knows? “No, really. I took a huge leap off my roof, not really expecting anything,” he interrupted to soften the already ridiculous landing of his story. “You know, and I just took off.” The topic was so exhilarating; the thought of questioning him hadn’t dawned upon you. He leaned against the back of your couch, crossing his arms as you two reminisced. 

“Wait—why were you jumping from the roof anyway? What if nothing happened and you fell?” You questioned with a raised brow. “I know, I know, it’s stupid. But I was curious and decided to give it a try.” He rationalized quietly, fingers nervously scratching his nape. “Aw… I want powers now.” You feigned sadness as you sulked. It was your attempt at being amusing, but truthfully, you felt left behind. Was it envy? Was it the need to feel important? Was it the fear of him leaving you behind to begin his journey as a hero? You didn’t know at the time. His expression became tinged slightly with guilt. “Hey, don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get powers soon.” He reassured you, but it was too humorous to be sincere. “Yeah… soon. Real, funny, wasn’t it?” You said to yourself as your body perched against a rooftop. It was the second day of the Mark variants ravaging Earth like their playground. The once-majestic towers now stand as skeletal frames, their glass windows shattered. Debris litters the streets, a tragic mix of shattered concrete and twisted metal, and the air hangs heavy with the scent of smoke and ash. Heroes formed makeshift shelters and sifted through rubble for survivors. 

The Mark you once knew was head over heels for Atom Eve. It was no secret; he was a lost puppy whose ears would perk at the sound of his name on her tongue. Utterly devoted. You were the very last to discern his truth. The two were written in stone, but it left a bitter taste in your mouth that you had long since gotten over. Until now. You were late to the news of the world's destruction. A strangely familiar face appeared on the news, a version of Mark that made your chest tighten. Within your family, a strange ability was acquired—a power bred through evolution to ensure survival in a world full of the unknown. Once in a lifetime, through a series of visions, you would discover a pivotal moment in time to peer through. That moment was now. 18 variants were loose internationally, each with their own tragic story and love interests. Six had dated or lost their Atom Eve, five had slain their worlds' Amber, and six had been devoted to you. 

Helping where you could, you began assisting in fighting off the weaklings who figured now was the best time to attack Earth. Micro tears riddled your uniform as you tore through them mercilessly, all through a look of pity. There were days you'd resent this ��job” you'd granted yourself, the little recognition and appreciation you'd receive from the public. How selfish of them and you. You wanted an excuse to have this world fair alone without a need to rebel when no one would notice. As luck would have it, a voice suddenly dawned behind you, his body floating midair and adorned with the appearance of your dearest friend.

Mohawk Mark

“Oh, shit… I know you.” He rasped, his expression twisted into a cocky grin. His stature and pose were that of confidence and a man who caused insurmountable damage to those he met. “You look just like her,” he continued, his feet finding purchase on the ground as his stride increased. “Sorry, you've got the wrong one; try finding her—” Just as you spoke, static buzzes in your skull, a low crackling hum that drowns out the edges of the memory before it fully forms. It's there—just beyond reach—shrouded in white noise. The harder you focus, the more the static swells, but for a moment, the interference clears. A voice, the ghost of a feeling—and just as quickly, it’s swallowed again. You understood the gist; he was indeed one you would find yourself tangled with. “Looks like you’ve been through some tough shit; mind if I join you?” Without waiting for a response, he lunges forward, grappling with you in a powerful embrace. His intent wasn't one of danger but instead of safekeeping despite his demeanor. Reflexes took over as you slammed against his cranium with the strength you could muster, effectively knocking him back.

"Fuck, you're a feisty one," Mohawk Mark growls, his breath hot against your ear. "I like that shit. Let's see how you handle this." His chuckle was condescending, yet a thrill shot through you. “‘Won't be handling shit,” You quipped before biting into his neck, just rigid enough to draw blood. He groaned, his flight knocking you two back into an alleyway. Similarly to your Mark, he seemed attracted to strength, his veins pumping with lust rather than adrenaline. Holding a firm grasp of your jaw, his lips collided with yours in a searing and blood-stained kiss. The muscle of his tongue forcefully parted your lips as he sought to taste you against his own. Finding yourself against the wall, your legs wrapped around the width of his waist, your ass snugly hovering over his pelvis. 

He pulled away every few seconds to watch your expression succumb to your selfish wants. Sex with the enemy was enticing, and you weren’t letting him escape any time soon. “You planned this?” You murmured between the saliva-ridden kisses, “That would be telling. You know enough if you’re agreeing to this.” His voice grew to tease as he licked his lips, mirroring his satisfaction before peppering kisses down your exposed neck. His version of sex was rough, with small increments of romance, only reserved for the best prize. With muffled groans, his teeth harshly nipped their way lower, his fingers tearing through the fabric of your suit. As he continued down your now-exposed cleavage, his tongue ran along the scantily-clad lace of your bra. Staring up at you, he let out a mischievous snicker before his teeth snagged the cup and tore it from your chest, leaving it discarded on the ground. 

“Shit… was fucking not enough? Had to ruin my clothes too.” You complained, as your hips bucked against his pointedly. This earns a guttural grunt from the flesh of your breasts, as he heaves out a response. “You’ll forget about them anyway.” He dismissed it as he continued until your panties were the last to be removed. The cool air dusted your wet cunt; its arousal seeped through your folds like honey. Its chill made you shiver, and like bees to nectar, his tongue feasted before his eyes. Hoisting you up, your thighs rested against his shoulders as he knelt; the angle allowed his tongue to slip inside your already spasming pussy. An unusual pink hue dusted his cheek as he stared up at you in utter bliss. Your fingers dug into his forearms, your puffy folds pressed against his lips as he devoured you. With your head resting against the wall, your hips ground themselves relentlessly against his tongue.

"Mmm, shit, already soaking wet for me," He taunts, pumping his tongue in and out of your tight cunt. His tongue, rough and textured, lashes out to lap at your clit, sending jolts of pleasure through your body. His groans send mild vibrations through you as his fingers reach up to paw at your tits, nipples stiffened in the cold air. You can't help but moan as he eats you out with relentless intensity, his tongue plunging deep into your folds. His calloused hands roam your exposed flesh, pinching and kneading your breasts, twisting your sensitive nipples until they grow numb. His hands couldn't stop their exploration; they explored what he had lost many years ago. Sparks flew as his tongue circled against your clit, flickering the bundle of nerves with a speed inexperienced before. Every time you would near the precipice of your orgasm, his tongue would flatten as he sucked your clit, ruining the rhythm. You tugged his hair with a frustrated groan, and his eyes rolled into his skull with an amused moan. 

Finally, pulling away, he stood to his feet. His lips parted to speak when suddenly, “Hurry the fuck up.” You said curtly with exasperated gasps. With lidded eyes, a Cheshire grin settled across his features. “Yes, ma’am.” Prying his suit off, he palmed his dampening erection. For once he fell silent as anticipation ate away at you both. As he freed his cock from the confinement of his boxers, it slapped against his lower abdomen. It stood with a veiny girth; the tip kissed a rosy red like his many mistress’ lipsticks. With a pleased hiss, he stroked himself briefly, eyes just barely losing focus from the buildup before he plunged himself into you. Your pussy hugged him with a familiarity that felt like home; the painful stretch soon became one of bliss. His hips began to quicken, wanting to see your fucked-out expression like never before. 

However, his greed overwhelmed him as the stimulation grew difficult to ignore. His usual grunts and growls were diluting to groans and profanities. The alleyway echoed with the cacophony of moans that mingled in the air. Inharmonious, yet emotion-filled as a flame flickered within your core. “I’ve waited so fucking long for this.” He grunted, a grin etched into his lips. “N-None of them, no ssslut compares to this. Only pussy I need, only woman I want.” A groan interrupted his sentence as your cunt contracted around him, swallowing him at the base. That’s right, every harem formed and woman fucked was so he could ruin the image of you that plagued his mind in its grief. The vulnerability of it all made your toes curl, even if it wasn't much.

The fingers pawing at your breasts began kneading them like stress balls until they were red. Truthfully, he missed every inch of you, not that he would admit that, especially since you weren’t exactly his. A high-pitched moan ripped from your throat as he continued to bounce you on his dick. Pre-cum coated your insides as the sounds of arousal grew louder, his balls tightening. With every thrust, he could see the air physically leave you, the scuff marks from brick marking your skin. He could barely tell where to focus his eyes, on your tits or face? Both were gorgeous, but fuck, he should just kidnap you and take you home with him, right? “Fuuuuck, Mark… I’m g-go—.” You groaned as your fingernails indented into his skin; a pain and pleasure-filled gasp crawled from his throat. “Fuck, yeah…” He said, his raspy voice cracking with the slightest whine. “Take it… s-shit, take it…!” It was a growl as his eyes fluttered shut to hide his eyes practically rolling around his skull. With a clenched jaw, his dick began to milk itself. The pleasure mounted as your impending orgasm washed your body in a sweat-breaking heat. Just as he came, your cunt spasmed once he pulled out, something within snapped as an aroused gush squirted from you.

His groin was now coated in your scent, taste, and the result of your rough fucking. The pleasure racked your brain as tears threatened to spill over. Noticing this and pleased with his efforts, he let out a short chortle, a hand coming up to swipe your folds and have a final taste. His expression turned into a feigned sob as he silently teased. His tip running a line between your folds and ass, resisting the temptation to fill your ass hole with his seed. Once you two were settled from your high, he spoke up. “Had fun, babe.” Your eyebrow lifted at the newly coined pet name. Suddenly, a muffled voice in his ear caught his attention. “Shit…” He muttered with an annoyed grimace at Angstrom ruining his amusement. “Go on,” you beckoned, “Not yours anyway, so no need to stick around.” It was a light jab, one he received with a satisfied smirk before taking flight. “Doesn’t matter, I’ll be back.” He replied curtly before disappearing into the horizon.

You stood there, naked, processing what just happened. "Shit, I need a new suit from my apartment.”

Variant #17 Mark (I wouldn't even keep you as a slave in my Empire!) Or Sinister Mark (personalities are similar in the comics, so imagine what you will.)

"You thought you could hide from me?" he said, peering down at you with a friendly grin for someone so domineering. Staring down at the man’s shadow, his cape billowed in the wind. Unlike the other Marks you’ve caught a glimpse of, this one barely had a bruise on him. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He finished before he landed softly on the ground. As he approached, you remained still, eyebrows creasing into a frown. “I’m not—.” You were abruptly cut off by a low voice as his head tilted to stare into your eyes. “Don’t play stupid. My version of you had the same power… but she resisted our cause.” His voice was tinged with pity as he frowned; he decided to take another route in his approach.

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll leave… if you come with me.” He offered with an outstretched palm. You vehemently shook your head in disagreement. “I’m not going; it'll disrupt the timeline.”

“Why does that matter?” He asked. 

“What makes you think I won't resist either…?” You retorted, causing his eyebrows to raise slightly in thought. “I’ll change your mind and give you what you missed out on in my world.” It was such a matter-of-fact opinion. One that was rooted in a determination to outclass any obstacle to deter him. Curiosity bested you the moment you turned to face the chaos erupting in the streets as a strong gust of wind obscured the debris. He was behind you. His fingers draped over your waist as he took flight and to… your apartment? “I’ve been watching you for a while now… I know all about your preferences. Let’s have some fun, shall we?” His lips just barely grazed your ear. Amongst the hands that roamed your body, a sense of longing lingered in every squeeze and grope. While being one of the strongest, and surely the most vile, his personality could be charming like your dimensions, Mark. Even if feigned for manipulation. He spins you around to face him, that polite smile etched into his face again as his body betrays innocence. The erection forming within his costume became difficult to ignore, but he found a distraction. A touch, a handhold, and finally—a kiss. 

“Let me show you what it's truly like to be satisfied.” His words were reassuring, yet they felt more directed towards his version of you rather than now. His tongue swept into your mouth, tangling itself in a wet heat as he sucked the air from your lungs. The warmth of his fingers spread across your cheek as his tongue attempted to delve impossibly deep. The taste was better than you imagined, not that you expected any less. If anything, finding him in a forgiving mood proved to be favorable. His fingers shifted from your face to the back of your costume; in his attempt to be gentle, he tore the cloth from your body like tissue paper. In an instant his costume was discarded in the corner, leaving him in snug boxers that hugged his dick. Before you knew it, you were pinned against the bed, a hand flush against your throat as he shrugged slightly. “Didn’t mean for that to happen.” He said, an amused huff exiting his nose as you exchanged knowing glances. 

The remaining hand gently pried the panties from around your hips and down the length of your legs. His eyes fell upon the wet patch that seeped through the thin fabric as the semblance of a pleased grin stretched across his lips. Focusing his attention once more, his fingers slowly parted your folds, watching as your velvety walls peeked through the slit. Its warm flesh was inviting, something he had yet to try since you retaliated so often against him at home. Just why couldn’t you be this welcoming? So willing to be corrupted? So… morally gray at the least. Pressing two digits inside your warmth, he watched it conform to the size of his fingers. An obvious shiver ran through him with each moan that vibrated from your throat, as he imagined you hugging him and wrapped around his cock in plea. The sensations set your skin alight with gooseflesh, and each time you attempted to scurry away from his gift, the hold around your neck tightened ever so slightly. He was such a brat. 

Your hips ground into his hand, clit colliding with his palm in gentle waves. As his fingers slowly retracted, his cock shyly peeked from the pocket of his boxers. His patience was running thin as he adjusted himself at your entrance as he slowly pushed through. A loud sigh escaped his lips as he bottomed out, his head falling backward as he quietly cursed under his breath. Mirroring his restlessness, your foot hooked around his lower back and pressed him deeper. A drawn-out moan echoed from your throat; he was barely holding on as he gnawed at his lip to contain himself. Reflexively, his hips stuttered before setting a relentless pace, pounding into you with deep, powerful strokes that hit all the right spots. 

“Already so wet for me… pathetic. Fucking slut.” His words struck a nerve within, as you repulsively tightened around him, earning a whine. Your moans echo through the room, mingling with the slap of skin against skin and Mark's grunts of pleasure. He hammers into you like a man possessed, his hands gripping your hips hard enough to bruise as he drives you towards climax. 

The long thrusts stimulated every inch of his dick; the veins were kissed with every grip of your cunt. “Did your version of me not do it for you?” You teased before taking a sharp breath at his relentless pace. “Y-You really don’t know when to be quiet.” He gritted, “But n-no… not like this, you're much better. I would take you to be a part of my empire.” He replied, his jaw tightening as his hips drilled into you with renewed conviction at the thought. A second you, not the one he’s attempting to keep as a slave for disobeying, but one he can trust to blindly follow his power. His grin grows wolfish as his other hand overlaps your throat, his gaze shifting between your bouncing tits and pleasured face. The slight closure of your windpipe doesn’t allow for much noise, but no matter, Mark began to sing like you’d never imagine. It was strange; the sound was much louder due to your silence as you clawed at his skin. His voice began to crack as his tightened jaw began to slack, "F—fucking incredible," he murmurs, his voice rough with satisfaction. "I knew… you'd be worth every s-second of c-...chasing you down." He sputtered as his length began to twitch inside you.

Seeing someone as strong as him unravel before you was a greater sense of accomplishment than becoming a hero itself. With a closed-lip groan, he began overstimulating himself with the effort to get you off. “Haaa… I’m c-close. Ugh…!” You muttered through strangled gasps as the deprivation of air made you lightheaded and sensitive. Every nerve ending inside your cunt doubled as you went taut beneath him. “C’mon, fucking cum for me.” He heaved. His thrusts became sloppy as he came inside without warning, doubling over as a consequence. An unfamiliar sensation painted your insides. You both saw stars as silence pierced the room, the slick produced coated his cock in a glaze. Through bated breaths, his fingers finally released their grip around you as you coughed out a response. “I have to admit… you’re hard to deny.” You said, momentarily spent as you lay before him. “Swee—” He was cut off by a voice in his ear. 

It was Angstrom demanding his presence over the city; “What a nuisance.” were the final words you caught as he muttered under his breath. Every version of Angstrom was a hindrance to this Mark; nonetheless, he suited up to leave. “I’ll return, and you will join me.” He said confidently, as if there was no argument to be made. You nodded absentmindedly and sighed. Just what had you done?

No Goggles Mark

“Dude…! You’re so cool; what is that? I’ve never seen any powers like that in my world.” He says with an amused expression as he snickers at your agony. You stared up at him, your heartbeat suddenly quickening when meeting his gaze. A look of recognition flickered within his eyes. “Hey, I know you.” He says, his feet touching base on the ground as he approaches you with a widening grin. “I’m not sure you know me exactly…” You replied, backing away as your eyes searched for a route to escape; his friendliness had truly taken you aback.

“Who do you work for?” He asked, words flying from his mouth without a care as he approached closer. “You're way stronger than the Guardians of The Globe dudes I fought.” He fought who?! A sense of dread filled you as a new series of questions plagued your mind. If this one could ruin the team to filth, then just how strong was he, and what exactly did he want? “I don't want to fight you, man.” You somewhat pleaded; he frowned with disapproval. “Fight? No man… but it seems like you’re in trouble, dude.” The topic switched again, his gaze now behind you as a flurry of aliens attempting their takeover waltzed through a portal. You didn’t have the heart to tell them it was a failed crusade before it began.

Taking a stride forward, a strong arm suddenly wrapped around your waist as you two were propelled to a lone-standing structure where steel beams and concrete floors remained. “Put me down.” You bruised him as you backhanded him into the metal beam. While he had a smile on his face, momentary irritation settled across his features. The painful sting ran to his cock. “Aw, what's the matter?” He asked, standing to his feet as you both came face to face once more. “It would be hot, but I don't want to fight, dude. I’ve missed you. I promise I’ll be gentle… at first.” The delivery was more seductive, dropping an octave as he approached you, hands outstretched and finding purchase against your hips. One thing other variants wouldn’t admit is the supple touch of the right woman could caress their soul.

“I’m not the me you want.” You replied, “You can just be the one I have anyway.” He was indeed serious, and while less terrifying than the other Marks you’d encountered, his strength was menacing nonetheless. “Then let’s see what other talents you’ve got.” Your response made his expression brighten with a new goal in mind. At that, the grin on his face widens as he leans down and captures your lips in a fierce, dominant kiss.

His tongue forces its way into your mouth, battling yours for dominance as he grinds his hips against yours. You two stumble around the enclosure, footsteps echoing in the empty building. Mark’s hands cup your ass, squeezing them roughly as he whispers crude compliments into your ear. "Nice ass," he growls appreciatively, his fingers caressing the soft flesh. He couldn’t articulate it well, but you were truly beautiful in every universe, and he couldn’t wait to have his share. 

Your fingers traveled up his muscled back as body heat pooled across your fingertips. Eagerness unlike any other began to rise as you longed to touch every inch of him. Hero costumes are peeled from one another, and you find his groping becoming progressively obsessive. His hardened cock stood awaiting stimulation as he bit back his urges, sacrificing the time to feel you once more. Guiding him to the floor, you seat yourself against his lap, your legs hooked over his forearms. He was always too quick to finish battles, and that even applied to sex. Just the tip. That's what you two agreed upon. Sinking onto his cock, its girth fills you deliciously. The wet sound of arousal followed by his restrained groans fills you with delight; it's amusing to see a Viltrumite struggle to contain himself.

1… 2… 3… 4… 5… and 6! On every sixth shallow thrust, you would contract your muscles, gripping his dick like a vice as every vein received a kiss from the gods inside your cunt. It had him crazed, wanting more of your warmth than you were willing to give. “F— Fuck, babe, you’re killin’ me.” He hissed with an unforeseen weariness shaking his voice. “Can I?” He started, “No.” His expression hardened at your words, “You’re ruining the—.” Before he could finish, he inhaled sharply as his head fell back. “Am I…?” You asked with feigned curiosity. It was undulating in a rhythm that drove him wild. He groans beneath you, his hands digging into his palms as he fights his urges to misbehave. The sound of your ass slapping against this pelvis fills the air, mingling with your moans and cries of pleasure. Anything would be worth trading; he could watch his dick disappear within your cunt nonstop. His impending release redoubles his efforts, pounding into you with a ferocity that sends you hurtling over the edge. 

The excitement overwhelms him as he sheaths half his cock inside, the spreading warmth and moisture making his thighs quiver beneath you. His balls tightened, painfully so, that alone ripped a pornograohic moan from him. If he could fuck you as desired, he wouldn’t be nearly as needy. Your combined moans echoed through the infrastructure, and you were certain that with the windows gone, someone could hear, but the thought was out of sight and out of mind. Pre-cum beaded down his length as it was smeared each time he entered your warmth. “M-Mark…” You muttered; he nodded fervently behind you as his jaw locked. “Y-You ready for it, babe?" He asked with a faltering grin as sweat tickled his brows. Leaning your full body weight against him, you feel your orgasm building quickly. The pleasure reaches new heights as you both milk each other dry for the sake of proving a point. Your body instinctively begins to lurch forward as your orgasm washes over you like a tidal wave. The tip of his cock was bedecked with a foam ring of cum. Mark would’ve begun convulsing had it not been for him carrying you; instead, his body stiffened as he let out a tight-lipped groan. You could’ve sworn you saw his toes curl too, but who knows? His pale skin was flushed a hue of red as his body thrummed with an aftershock.

Once you’ve come down from your high, a satisfied grin beams at you. "Dude, that was incredible," he murmurs, a satisfied grin on his face. "We should do this again sometime." He said as if this was some casual fling, not that you would mind. Before you could respond, a message in his ear interrupted the conversation. “Ugh… this always happens; I have fun, and then—dude…” He sounds exasperated as he hurriedly redresses, reluctantly wishing you a botched farewell. “I like you. You’re coming with me.”

Feel free to request more lmao

MasterList ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚

[alexherringva]

Amplifying the Success of my Service Business with Affiliate Marketing!

Today, I’m excited to share with you a pivotal chapter in my entrepreneurial journey – a tale of discovery, growth, and the magic of affiliate marketing. 🌟 As a Virtual Assistant, running my own business all by myself, my days were filled with client tasks, managing schedules, and juggling deadlines. I love the work and working for myself. However, with family commitments stacking up and…

[mariasont]

Peak Ovulation - A.H

your period tracker warned you to avoid attractive men today. you failed spectacularly

pairings: aaron hotchner x bimbo!assistant!reader warnings: suggest content for sure, explicit focus on hormonal arousal, sexual tension, pre-relationship pining, mild workplace inappropriateness (internal thoughts only, no action), mention of nipples, hotch being a little shit wc: 1.5k a/n: all creds to the amazing @ssamorganhotchner for the request/idea <3

It is too hot in this office, you’ve decided. The air conditioning is on, the thermostat reads a reasonable 68 degrees, but you know your body isn’t lying to you – something is wrong. 

You shift uncomfortably in your chair, adjusting the hem of your (probably too short) silk slip skirt, the material clinging to every overheated inch of you. It doesn’t help. Nothing will. Because the problem really isn’t the temperature. No, the problem is standing across from you, stirring his coffee like it’s not the most erotic thing you’ve ever witnessed.

Hotch, all razor sharp lines and rolling forearm veins, stands at the kitchenette counter, completely unaware that you are seconds away from becoming a tragic, melted puddle of lust. His sleeves are pushed up, brows furrowed in concentration as he stirs, and you watch – helpless, transfixed – as his fingers snake around the spoon, the way tendons shift beneath his skin.

It’s a teaspoon. An inanimate object. He’s stirring coffee. That’s it. And yet, your body reacts spectacularly, like he’s just backed you into the nearest sturdy surface and whispered something so depraved, so explicitly not-safe-for-work, into your ear.

You knew this was coming. It’s right there in your tracking app – day 11, peak ovulation, high fertility, maximum risk of self-sabotage, avoid contact with attractive men. Avoid Aaron Hotchner, specifically. But here you are, fully within range of the object of your affection, the exact man you should be fleeing, logic tied to the train tracks while hormones drive the speeding locomotive straight to you.

It’s not your fault, not really. Blame science. Blame nature. Blame evolution.

You feel like you’re not breathing, not functioning, gripping your pen so tightly, it’s a miracle it hasn’t shattered into shrapnel. All because Hotch is walking by.

“Good morning.”

“Oh — hi! Yes! Good morning! Great morning. Beautiful morning. Gorgeous morning, actually. Just — wow. Look at us. In the morning.”

The second it leaves your mouth, you want to die.

Hotch, to his eternal credit, does not react immediately. He pauses mid-step, head tilting slightly, like he’s running a quick internal diagnostic to determine whether or not he should be concerned.

“...Right.” He finally says again, before shaking his head and walking into his office.

You cannot do this today. And according to your normal, non-biological-doomsday schedule, you’re supposed to review updated case files with Hotch today – which entails standing next to him, pointing things out, maybe even brushing hands if the universe is feeling particularly sadistic.

You hover over the keyboard, preparing to type out a very sudden, very dramatic resignation email, but before you can hit send – Reid passes your desk.

“Spencer!”

You latch onto him immediately, grabbing his wrist.

“Jesus, what?” Spencer stumbles mid-step, nearly dropping his phone.

Then, his eyes flicker over you, scanning everything — your flushed cheeks, the way you’re practically vibrating with tension, the slight glossy daze in your eyes that suggests either a medical emergency or a particularly brutal hangover.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Not in an unkind way. In a genuine, confused, and slightly alarmed way.

You shove the file at him so fast that a few loose papers nearly fall out, ignoring his question. “Can you go over this case file with Hotch for me?”

Spencer looks down at the file, flips through it once. “Why?”

“Because — uh — I have to, um… reorganize the supply closet.”

Spencer raises a brow. 

You switch strategies instantly. “Okay, okay — listen, I’ll let you pick the next five movie nights, and I won’t complain once. Even if you make me watch 2001: A Space Odyssey again.”

“Five movie nights?”

“Yes. Uninterrupted. No protests. No phone distractions.”

The second the word deal leaves Spencer’s mouth, you explode into motion, flinging yourself at him, arms around his neck.

“Have I ever told you that you are the single greatest human being to ever exist?”

Spencer makes a deep, pained noise, stumbling back, but he doesn’t fight it – merely sighs deeply, long-suffering but tolerant, before patting your back exactly once, resigned to his fate.

“You tell me weekly,” he mutters, but there’s a little laugh hidden in the words. He pries you off gently, shaking his head as he turns toward Hotch’s office. “Okay, okay. Before you suffocate me, I’m going.”

Spencer leaves, and for a second, you convince yourself you might actually make it though the day.

You are so wrong.

By lunch, you have died and resurrected at least sixteen times. Maybe more. It’s hard to say because you stopped functioning somewhere around incident three.

First the tie. One casual tug at the knot, loosening it just enough to reveal the cut of his throat. You nearly walked into a wall. Then, the glasses. The stupidest, most intellectual accessory known to man, perched low on his nose like some stern professor who graded mercilessly but might just let you stay after class for some extra credit. You had to physically sit down. And the final straw involved Hotch undoing a single button on his dress shirt. You had to assume you blacked out.

So now, here you are, in the breakroom, white-knuckling the counter, silently begging for the inferno raging in your body to calm the hell down. You’d spent your entire lunch break sprinting through department stores in search of a new blouse, because your previous one was rubbing against your already painfully sensitive nipples with every breath.

You yank at the neckline, cursing yourself six ways to Sunday for not trying the thing on before swiping your card. It doesn’t just fit snugly, it practically announces your ongoing crisis, the material stretching so perfectly over your nipples that you might as well be wearing a sign that flashes noticeably aroused.

The door opens, and you don’t even have to look. You already know who it is.

There’s a half-second delay before you risk looking up – just in time to catch the downward sweep that’s over as quickly as it came, his discipline snapping back into place like a rubber band.

Your stomach clenches, because oh, great, that is not helping. Not when you’ve been exceedingly well-behaved all morning, and definitely not when all you can think about is how you want him to rip your clothes off and put the unassuming breakroom table behind you to the kind of use that would get HR involved.

His jaw ticks, and then, in a flat, exhausted tone. “Do I even want to know what’s going on with you?”

No. No, he does not. Unless, of course, he’s invested in hearing about how you’ve had to swap out your underwear three separate times today just from existing in the same vicinity as him. In which, by all means, he should stay. But if he values his peace of mind (and you know him well enough to know he does) he should probably just walk away. Quickly. Before you start getting ideas.

“Nothing! I’m great! Never been better, actually.” You nod once, as if that seals it. “All good. Just, um, a little warm, that’s all.”

“You’re sweating,” he observes, unimpressed.

He steps closer and you’re certain the temperature in the room spikes by at least ten degrees. 

Then, as if he wasn’t already being reckless with your well-being, he lifts a hand, pressing the back of his fingers to your collarbone. His brow furrows. “You do feel warm. Are you coming down with something?”

“Yeah.” Technically, it’s not a lie. Something is happening to you, it’s just not the flu. “Aren’t you – aren’t you supposed to feel my forehead?”

“Yeah, but then I’d have to listen to you complain about how I ruined your makeup.”

Of course he would know you’d spent an ungodly amount of time on your makeup this morning.

If you had any sort of claim on this man, you would be on your knees so fast, your coworkers would hear the impact from across the office.

Hotch studies you for a second longer, then his hand moves, his fingers brushing up the column of your throat. He’s not even thinking about it. It’s gentle, like he’s feeling for something.

“You sure that’s all this is?” he murmurs, thumb sweeping into the tense muscle there. “You can tell me if something’s wrong.”

“Y-yeah. I’m fine. Totally fine.” You can tell he doesn't believe you from the way his brows pinch, but he doesn’t press. “Would it be okay if I went home early? I mean, unless you need me for something.”

“I mean, I always need you,” he says, devastating in its casualness. You make a noise in response, but just as casually, he sobers, hand falling away as he takes a step back. “Go home. Hydrate, eat something with actual nutrients, and try to rest. If you still feel bad tomorrow, I don’t want to see you in the office.”

You nod and blurt out, “Yep. Totally. I’ll, um – drink a lot. Not – not alcohol, though. Water. Obviously.”

Hotch pauses, his mouth pressing into the kind of line that means he’s trying very hard not to laugh. He gives you a slow, knowing nod before heading for the door.

You somehow manage to pack up your things, make it to the parking lot, and drop into the driver’s seat without further public humiliation. But just as you’re fumbling for your keys, your phone buzzes.

Mr. Bossman ❤️‍🔥: If you’re still feeling warm, a cold shower might help.

💌 masterlist taglist has been disbanned! if you want to get updates about my writings follow and turn notifications on for my account strictly for reblogging my works! @mariasreblogs

[mindblowingscience]

Bats are incredibly diverse animals: They can climb onto other animals to drink their blood, pluck insects from leaves or hover to drink nectar from tropical flowers, all of which require distinctive wing designs. But why aren't there any flightless bats that behave like ostriches—long-legged creatures that wade along riverbanks for fish like herons—or bats that spend their lives at sea, like the wandering albatross? Researchers may have just found the answer: Unlike birds, the evolution of bats' wings and legs is tightly coupled, which may have prevented them from filling as many ecological niches as birds. "We initially expected to confirm that bat evolution is similar to that of birds, and that their wings and legs evolve independently of one another. The fact we found the opposite was greatly surprising," said Andrew Orkney, postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Brandon Hedrick, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Continue Reading.

[amnhnyc]

From an evolutionary perspective, modern human bodies are surprisingly unremarkable compared to other species. But what does that really mean?

Join us on Wednesday, March 5, to find out! In this SciCafe, Habiba Chirchir, assistant professor of anthropology at The Ohio State University, will explore the evolution of the “gracile,” or “slender-boned,” skeletons that characterize modern humans.

SciCafe is 21+ and free with RSVP. This SciCafe is presented in partnership with The Leakey Foundation.

[probablyasocialecologist]

A tiny Hawaiian squid, Euprymna scolopes, has become a model for thinking about this process. The “bob-tailed squid” is known for its light organ, through which it mimics moonlight, hiding its shadow from predators. But juvenile squid do not develop this organ unless they come into contact with one particular species of bacteria, Vibrio fischeri. The squid are not born with these bacteria; they must encounter them in the seawater. Without them, the light organ never develops. But perhaps you think light organs are superfluous. Consider the parasitic wasp Asobara tabida. Females are completely unable to produce eggs without bacteria of the genus Wolbachia. Meanwhile, larvae of the Large Blue butterfly Maculinea arion are unable to survive without being taken in by an ant colony. Even we proudly independent humans are unable to digest our food without helpful bacteria, first gained as we slide out of the birth canal. Ninety percent of the cells in a human body are bacteria. We can’t do without them.

As biologist Scott Gilbert and his colleagues write, “Almost all development may be codevelopment. By codevelopment we refer to the ability of the cells of one species to assist the normal construction of the body of another species.” This insight changes the unit of evolution. Some biologists have begun to speak of the “hologenome theory of evolution,” referring to the complex of organisms and their symbionts as an evolutionary unit: the “holobiont.” They find, for example, that associations between particular bacteria and fruit flies influence fruit fly mating choice, thus shaping the road to the development of a new species. To add the importance of development, Gilbert and his colleagues use the term “symbiopoiesis,” the codevelopment of the holobiont. The term contrasts their findings with an earlier focus on life as internally self-organizing systems, self-formed through “autopoiesis.” “More and more,” they write, “symbiosis appears to be the ‘rule,’ not the exception. . . . Nature may be selecting ‘relationships’ rather than individuals or genomes.”

Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins