#buoyancy-water weights

[shifasalim]

Have you ever asked yourself how big ships and submarines can float on water? It is all about how much buoyancy it should have, how much of the water should be displaced, and how many weights are to be put in. The principle of buoyancy-water weights is fundamental to understanding how naval vessels stay afloat. Let us explore the interesting part of naval engineering to discover how these ships work against gravity.

[lalyakhalid00]

Inflatable buoyancy products (Seaflex) and load-testing water weights for sale and rental. IMCA and LEEA compliant. Find water weight bags for load test, subsea buoyancy products, & more.

[mrs-elsie-barnes]

If I Could Melt Your Heart | Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader | One shot 5k

The end of the mission goes wrong when you fall through the ice. Bucky manages to get you to the safe house, unresponsive and hypothermic. Bucky worries for your safety, trying everything to warm you and melting the competitive animosity between you.

Warnings: 18+ for suggestions of sex, language and both Reader and Bucky being idiots. Flirting, frenemies to lovers nonsense, kissing. Whump, reader falls through ice, symptoms of hypothermia. Rated I and L for Idiots in Love.

Final divider by @saradika-graphics

Masterlist | Bucky Barnes

The fall was easier than you thought it would be. Conditioned to have confidence in your decisions, you’d run across the ice fully expecting to reach the other side and then, just as suddenly as you’d made your decision, you were looking up at the sky between two walls of dark green water. 

The lake closed in just as fast, covering the sky, and your salvation, and panic set in, there was no air, your lungs burning from the cold and you gasped involuntarily, drinking in the crisp clean lake. It was over, the entire adventure was over, no more missions, no more tower, no more compound, no more galas and holidays and, worst of all, no more Bucky. 

No more late nights bickering over films, no more inventing reasons for him to be your partner during training, no more glances during meetings and arguments after briefing, just so he’d stay closer, just so he’d look at you a little longer. 

Despite everything you’d achieved, you’d wasted it all really, by not telling him how much you loved him. 

You closed your eyes, arms still beating in the water, heaving against the pack on your back dragging you down. 

The snow had come in fast, separating you from Sam and Steve. You'd meant to take a separate path each, converging on a safe house for extraction in the morning. Bucky had caught up with you a mile or two before. But somewhere in the storm you'd taken a wrong turn and now the darkness was closing in, your eyes fluttering closed, chest burning and Bucky still on the shore. 

Hands appeared, covered in Avengers issue gloves, one hauling you upwards, the other pushing on the clasp that held your pack and letting it fall into the water while lifting you into the biting air. A face glowed in the bright sun and you were happy to allow the angel to take you where they wanted, closing your eyes again seemed the only sensible thing to do, then at least you could dream about your regrets. 

Everything was hazy, but you knew you were being hustled into a safe house by the sound of the keypad beeping.

That's okay, maybe there's safe houses in the afterlife, maybe there's the crack of the fire and the cold won’t be so biting. 

When Bucky reached the safe house the wind had picked up, forcing him to wrestle the door open before half falling into the small porch, the wind no longer holding his weight. But he managed to keep you steady as he shuffled inside, locking the cold out behind him. 

He’d seen you go down, thinking you'd fallen, and had spotted the crack in the ice immediately after. It was clear where you’d gone wrong, leaving the track at the side of the lake, but he didn’t have time for that, he only had time to rush across the ice, sliding the last metre on his belly to stop it cracking further. 

Thankfully your pack had done its job and the two small buoyancy aids that Tony had added after the last jet crash were keeping you close to the surface. You were in shock though, eyes misty and for a heartbreaking second, as he dragged your flopping body onto the ice, Bucky wondered if he’d been too late. 

Beneath his fingers your pulse was still there, slow, but steady, and he flipped you onto your side and smacked your back as hard as he dared until you threw up the freezing water. 

He took a different way off the ice, just in case it had cracked under the soft snowfall. Carefully, he had trudged across a more dangerous ridge to reach the safe house faster, the snow storm picking up around him, aware of your solid weight on his back, his pack slung around to his front. It had still taken half an hour and all of his energy. 

By the time he’d placed you on the couch,  Bucky’s long hair was frozen at the ends where it had fallen from his black stealth issue snow hat. His lips were chapped and his shoulder ached where his prosthesis met the joint. But he could see you, and he could see you breathing and moving and you weren’t dead. 

He slumped to the floor and wiped a wet glove down his face, breathing out heavily. 

You'd argued, on the jet, about the drop site, about the evac, about the contents of your pack. There was always an argument, a bet, a challenge to be had with you, but he didn’t care as long as you were looking at him. And he’d never had the courage to tell you, to pin you to the mat when you sparred and tell you that he couldn’t go a day without seeing you. 

With another ragged breath he looked up. You were here, safe, together. 

Now what? 

Bucky called Sam and Steve’s emergency number together, hoping whoever wasn’t driving would pick up. He liked Sam and he trusted his medical judgement and while the tension in their friendship was easing, it was still easier with Steve around too. 

“That you, Buck?” Sam said, there was a distinct hum from the truck in the background that told Bucky they were on their way at least. Help is coming, Bucky told himself, you don’t have to take care of her alone, help is coming. 

“Bucky?” The side of Steve’s head appeared on the video call and Bucky rolled his eyes. 

“Thank god you picked up, things went from shit to worse out there, she fell through the fucking ice. Managed to get her out but she coughed up a helluva lot of water and now she’s all -” he looked behind him at your floppy hands and droopy eyelids, “she doesn’t look right, she isn’t talking, can’t stay awake.” Bucky rambled, his Brooklyn drawl appearing again through his worry. His words were getting mixed, he could feel them, heavy on his tongue, hypothermia? Something else? What had he been taught in basic training?

“Look, don’t get excited,” Sam said, pausing slightly, the howl of the snow storm still evident behind him. “But I need you to take off any wet layers she’s wearing, she could get hypothermia and her being unresponsive isn’t a good sign.” 

“Why would that get me excited?” Bucky said, indigent but propping the phone up so he could start unzipping your coat. 

On the video Steve rolled his eyes. He couldn’t see anything out of the truck windows, the snowstorm made everything static, but the video kept trying to focus anyway.

“Just do it, Buck, okay. There should be some spare clothes somewhere, if she needs them.” 

Bucky peeled back your sopping coat and set about removing your snow boots. Underneath you were wearing waterproof trousers, a thick thermal sweater and long sleeved standard issue t-shirt and leggings, also wet. He sat back, peeling the leggings from around your ankles. At least you had one dry shirt on but it was so small, just a strappy vest as your first layer and there were already goosebumps rising on the skin around your shoulders and collarbone. 

Bucky snapped his eyes away, cheeks flushed, and stood, searching for spares, coming up short. 

“There’s nothing here -”  he groused, standing his phone up against the empty fireplace while he searched. 

“Check the bathroom, they normally leave sweat shirts and things by the towels.” 

Bucky gave you one last look and left the room in search of something to keep you warm. 

Your eyes felt so heavy, your head full of lead and your arms and legs weighed down. Your throat burned and tasted awful, worse than the pack rations you’d eaten before you’d set off on the last leg of your walk to the cabin. 

The memory of the water washed over you and your arms flew out, grasping for the ratty sofa cushions.

You were safe. 

Everyone else must have made it too because you could hear Sam and Steve talking, saying something about Bucky. 

Blinking your eyes you were sure they were sat by the fire, maybe they’d light it soon, you were so cold. 

Bucky returned with a blanket and socks, sweat pants and towels and dropped them on the floor by the couch. It was one thing to find supplies, quite another to get you changed, he felt bad enough about taking your outer layers off. 

At some point during his search Sam and Steve must have dropped off the call, the phone now laying quiet on the hearth. 

He’d get you dressed and then worry about a fire.

The sweat pants were fine, they were loose and pulled up easily over your hips, the socks and towels warmed your feet slowly. But your shoulders and chest were still uncovered and he could see you starting to shiver. That was at least a good sign, your nerves were working and you were responding correctly to sensory input - but he couldn’t bear it.

Without thinking he pulled his henley off and sat you up, carefully placing it over your head and manoeuvring your arms until you were covered. 

You let out a deep sigh, smiling in your sleep. Bucky didn’t want to think about the way you seemed to snuggle into the collar, it was just body heat, that’s all, that’s all you needed. 

Bucky tucked you back in, being careful to tuck the soft edges of the shirt between your bare skin and the rough wool of the blanket. This was not the way he wanted to see or touch you like this for the first time. He sat with his back to the sofa, gun across his lap and trained his eyes on the door. 

Bucky’s eyes were open in half a second, body crouched, gun extended into the darkness until he noticed his phone lit up beside him, vibrating against the aching joints in his shoulders. 

“Hey, Buck, hows it going?.” Steve asked from the gloom of the truck’s cabin. Sam must have taken over the driving, Steve never used his phone behind the wheel. “We should be with you in the morning.”

“Oh, thank fuck for that.” Bucky let his head flop back against the sofa and instantly regretted it when he felt the softness of your thighs behind him. 

Sam’s voice was an echo on the line,“tell me what’s going on?”

“I took her uniform off like you said and she was awake very briefly, just eyes open then closed, but she’s been asleep awhile.”

“Awake is good, right?” Steve asked and Sam hummed in agreement. 

“Hey man, you need to get some rest too, okay. No falling asleep by accident, get in the bed or under a blanket and really sleep,” Sam scolded, it rankled Bucky sometimes, how well Sam really knew him, but he was grateful for this new team as well. 

“I shouldn’t I -” the words ‘I don’t deserve to rest’ were so close to stumbling past his lips. Instead he closed his eyes and turned his head to the wood beamed roof. 

“Look punk, whatever stupid thing you two were arguing about, it’s not your fault she got hurt, okay?” Steve’s voice was sterner now, demanding attention. 

“It was a bet,” Bucky admitted, weakly. “I bet her I could get here first and when I did I’d get the bed and the blankets. She was rushing because of me, she took a stupid fucking risk because she thought she’d have nowhere to sleep.” Bucky bit his cheek, the tang of blood staining his tongue. 

“For gods sake, Buck, that’s not your fault, she made her own choices -” 

“She’d have made better ones if I wasn’t such an asshole, what would my Ma ? Making a bet like that, you know I’d never have let her go cold.”

In your sleep your hands inched forwards, searching for something. The tips of your fingers found his earlobe and then, with a hum, you tucked your hand between his cold, bare, back and the sofa. 

“James Buchanan Barnes, your ma would’ve tanned your hide from here to Coney Island. But I know, I know you would never have let her suffer, you were playing games and makin’ stupid bets because you respect her as your equal. She’d be just as mad if she though you were goin’ easy on her.” 

He had nothing to say, no way to defend himself or make it better that didn’t involve him punishing himself somehow, so he said nothing. 

“Just hang on until the morning, okay. I’ll send over some more information on hypothermia in case we lose contact. But you just have to get through to the morning and then we can take over.” 

“Shouldn’t we get her to the compound now?” Bucky didn’t try to hide the worry in his voice, you hadn’t fought him off, complained, made a sarcastic comment or done any of your usual ridiculous arguing when he’d helped you. It wasn’t right. 

“No, no, best thing is to let her sleep and warm up. She’s fine. You need to sleep though, properly, on a soft surface.”

“Floors aren’t soft surfaces!” Sam shouted. 

“Okay, but -” Bucky paused and Steve raised his eyebrows.

“Just sleep, Buck.” If Bucky was worried, Steve was amused, unable to keep the smile from his voice as he said goodbye. 

You were still underwater, you were sure from the way all the voices in your head sounded muffled. But then you could smell Bucky’s shampoo, so maybe everything was okay after all.

“Hey, are you awake,” Bucky’s voice was so far away, like listening through a bubble, “if you’re awake you should eat something and then I can take your temperature again.” 

There was a movement, an earthquake, but the water didn’t move, there was no water anymore, just the cushion, the lap, the arm, the hand. You clung to the arm, but it didn’t yield under your fingers, it was solid and whirring and - 

“Hmmm, Bucky,” you whispered, nuzzling back into his hold. 

“No, come on, sit up, time to eat.” Why was the world moving, tilting? The voice was louder now, clearer. 

“Buh-” The words were gone again, the world was quiet again, blissful sleep with Bucky’s hand in yours. 

Sam’s face appeared on the phone screen, sleep in his eyes while Bucky gave him an update. He’d decided to stay awake, insisting he’d nap in the truck when they moved on in the morning. As soon as you’d started talking he’d called Sam and Steve to check on you. 

“She was slurring a bit. She wasn’t shivering but I think she’s warmer.”

“You think she’s warmer?,” Sam cut over Steve, looking pointedly at Bucky. “Feel her back and chest.”

“Her chest…” Bucky looked down at you, curled into his t-shirt, eyelids fluttering in your sleep. “She’s wearing clothes.” 

Bucky’s hand was still on your cheek and you turned into the touch, a small smile gracing your lips. 

“Bucky just put your hand on her collar,” Steve suggested.

“Awh, Buck, are you nervous around her, that’s so cute.” Sam teased and Steve scoffed at him. The line went quiet, but he could still make out some muffled arguing. 

He ignored them, sliding his left hand down to your collarbone, gently tucking his fingers under the collar of the t-shirt. His left hand was surprisingly sensitive and he could feel the prickle of your heat, you were definitely warmer than you had been. Your heartbeat steady beneath his palm, his thumb rubbed higher, feeling your pulse in your neck as well. 

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two,” Steve sighed and Bucky snatched his hand away as if he’d been caught, “but if you can get her to have some soup that would be great -” 

“We have to do something else.” Bucky knew he sounded panicked, but he didn’t care. Hypothermia could be deadly and there was no way he was losing you. “She’s still asleep, she should be coming round.”

“There's not much more we can do,” Sam's voice was sleepy. “Sit with her, if she wakes up, get her to eat something and try to keep her awake. Steve and will get there as soon as we can. In the meantime, there may be one more thing you could try -” Sam’s eyes lit up and Bucky just knew he was in trouble somehow. 

Body heat, that’s what Sam had said.

“You need to get under a blanket with her properly, keep her warm.” Sam suggested.

“You mean cuddle.”

“Fine, cuddle, would that be the end of the world?” He’d rolled his eyes and Bucky had felt a sort of sick feeling inside. He’d love to cuddle you, actually, would love to feel your body close to him without the threat of you pulling a training knife or trying to flip him on his back again. But he just can’t.

He stared at you, replaying Sam’s words over and over. Bodyheat, it’s the only thing for it now the fire was roaring again and the huge blanket was folded over twice. Why weren’t you waking up? Why were you still so cold to the touch? 

He lay down, rearranging the blanket over you both and let his right arm fall over your waist, pulling you closer. 

The fire crackled, the snow fell in quiet drifts by the windows and for a moment he could pretend that this was all normal. Just you taking a nap on a winter evening. Would you nap in your clothes? Or would you change into your pyjamas early on in the day and stay like that. Would you fall asleep as easily in his apartment? Would you want to stay?

The snow had stopped again, banked up against the windows in what would have been a wonderful Christmas scene, if you weren’t stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Bucky’s tactical comms were blinking with a new message but he couldn’t bring himself to move. His head was clearer from having slept, but the feel of your hand sitting low on his hip, your body perfectly aligned with his and, crucially, your face so close, lips brushing his cheek, had his thoughts reeling again. 

You stirred, nuzzling closer and placing a sleepy kiss on his cheek. Bucky’s heart sank, who did you think he was? 

“Hmm, where are we?” Your eyes were closed still, but at least your hand was hot against his skin and you were talking, cogent. 

“You fell through the ice, I'm trying to get you warm. How do your toes and fingers feel?” He whispered. 

You stretched your hands out in front of you, wiggling your fingers at him, “they did hurt, ugh, they hurt so bad,” there was a sad whine in your voice that made Bucky want to right every wrong you’d ever endured. You just sounded so small, so vulnerable for a change. “But they don't hurt anymore.” Your eyes drifted closed again and Bucky bit his lip, it really was now or never. 

“Hey, I’m so sorry, this is all my fault.” He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the anger on your face. 

“You cracked the ice?” 

“No, but you wouldn’t have gone over it if we hadn’t made that stupid bet.” 

“Oh -” and then you laughed. 

“Why are you laughing, this is really serious, you could’ve died.” His breath caught in his throat, you were laughing and moving and his chest was still bare and you were in his t-shirt, pushing yourself against him with every movement. 

“It’s not your fault though you idiot.” You smacked his chest playfully and he caught your hand, holding it tight. 

“Are you feelin’ okay now?” His eyes darted over your face, taking in your pupils - slightly too dilated, your skin felt flush now which was good, but you couldn’t look at him properly. “You’re not concussed, your pupils are -” his fingers lingered on your wrist, feeling your pulse quicken. 

You pulled away, “I’m fine, I just needed to sleep it off I guess. Where are we?”

You took in the cabin, the little bed in the corner, stripped of its blankets. There was a fire still in the grate and evidence of Bucky eating, judging by the little ration packets scattered next to the sofa. Your tactical gear was drying over the back of a chair and Bucky’s was arranged neatly by the door. 

“We made it to the safe house, you were really close, you would’ve won.” Bucky kept his hands to himself, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the way your eyes had looked when he’d held you, the light hadn't changed, you hadn’t moved your body, the only thing that had changed was his touch.

“Good, I knew I would, slow old man.” You laughed and it was such a relief to hear you happy, safe, Bucky closed his eyes again. “Where are Sam and Steve?”

Still driving, there was a snowstorm so god knows when they'll get here now.” 

“Better get some rations together then, I'm starving.” 

You wriggled off the couch and stood, eyeing up the kitchenette. 

Bucky, on the other hand, was trying to keep his eyes from straying to you. The sweat pants were far too big, sliding down over your hips, as we're the socks which pooled around your ankles. You looked so…cute.

“I don’t think you should be doing that, why don’t you rest?” He pushed the blankets and towels off the worn couch and tried to steer you away from the kitchenette. 

“Bucky I’m not dead, I was fine, I can make some-” you turned the can over in your hands, it sloshed, but there was nothing on the label, “mystery soup.” 

“No, you’re not dead, but -” 

“You wish I was, blah blah blah.” You laughed making your hand talk along with your words. 

“No, No -” Through your laugh, Bucky’s voice was laced with distress. “I never wanted you to get hurt.” 

He dodged around you, trying to get you to slow down and look at him but you were turning a pan over in your hands, deciding if it was too rusty for cooking with. 

“I know, you just wanted to win. No hard feelings, Buck. We’ll pick a winner next time.” 

You were determined to carry on like this then, with your arguing and betting and banter. Even though Bucky had sat with you through the night, certain you were going to die and it was entirely his fault that you’d die without knowing you were the one who kept him going. 

“I don’t want there to be a next time.” He said, plainly. 

“Oh, right, well, I guess we can just ask to be placed on different teams. If that’s what you want.” Suddenly the laughter had stopped and it was like you'd been dipped in ice again, the atmosphere was frosty and tense. 

“No, for god's sake, that's not what I mean. Fuck, I'm messing this up!” Bucky grumbled, making a grab for you.

“Hey!” You tried to dodge again, but he took your hands and pulled you close. 

“I don't want there to be a next time because I never want you to be in danger because of me. There won't be a next time because I was so scared I was going to lose you without telling you…”

“Telling me…what?”

“That you make all of this worthwhile.” He said, the tension leaving his body. “I couldn't imagine training without you, dinners and galas and missions. It wouldn't be the same, it wouldn't be worth it if you weren't there too.”

“Bucky-”

“You don't have to say anything, I just needed to tell you.” He dropped your hands and turned, “I'm going to go and call Sam and Steve, see if they're nearly here for evac.”

But you heard the water turn on and knew he wasn’t doing any such thing. He was having one of his angry, ‘wash away the argument’ showers that infuriated you so much when you had to share a hotel room or a safe house or when you followed him to his room to continue whatever ridiculous argument you’d both cooked up.

You continued stirring the soup slowly. Soup was really all you could find that didn’t make you feel sick just from reading the label, and you bent over the stove allowing the steam to warm your fingers and cheeks. 

The door to the bathroom slammed and you turned to see the light spilling from under the door. What did he mean ‘you make all of this worthwhile’. He was messing around, right? All the bets and fights, the arguments. He liked to get under your skin because, well, he clearly didn’t like you very much. 

You dropped the wooden spoon against the side of the pan, letting the too short handle slowly drown in the now spitting hot soup. 

But you liked him. Your heart had been pounding when he touched you and now your mind was racing at the thought of him even more than tolerating you. 

Before you could stop yourself you were crossing the cabin and hammering on the bathroom door. 

Bucky’s face was flush when he opened the door, pink staining his cheeks and blending with the faint lines on his face where he’d been cut during your mission.

He said nothing. 

“Tell me what you meant.” You demanded, trying to keep your eyes up. It was difficult, Bucky had stripped off already, you’d sparred enough times to know what his chest felt like, it seeing might actually tip you over the edge. 

“Don’t do this.” He grumbled, “just leave me alone.” 

He went to close the door but you pushed your flat palm against the wood, “Bucky you can’t go saying shit like that and then walk off and make it my fault.” 

“I can’t deal with it today, okay? I pulled your lifeless fucking body from underneath a sheet of ice. I thought you were dead, okay, dead.”

His jaw ticked as he closed his eyes and you could see how dark they were underneath, as if he hadn’t slept at all.

“I carry you back here and - god - you were so cold, freezing, and I stripped all those clothes off thinking ‘Bucky she’s going to kill you’ and then you wanted to hold me while you slept. And you could’ve died, I thought you had died, and it’d be my fault because I made a fucking bet with you just so you’d talk to me and smile at me and I wanted you to win, I really did, because when you win you look at me and your eyes sparkle and I can pretend its because of me -” he took a breath, shocked that he’d allowed such a stark confession out. But he was so tired and - 

“It is you.” You whispered, “if my eyes sparkle -” your lips quirked up at the corner, “if they do it is because of you. I like when you make bets with me because then I know you’ll be thinking about me. I like when we fight because you touch me and I can pretend it's because you want to and -” 

Your thoughts were cut off by Bucky wrapping his arms around your back, his hands were wide on your shoulders when he pulled you up and into him, kissing you hard enough to bruise. 

“I’m so fucking in love with you,” his eyes were still full of emotion, his eyes piercing, it still felt warm to be under his gaze but there was something extra something more in your honesty that had you pressing your lips to his again. 

“I fucking love you too.” You confessed against his mouth and jumped into his arms.

Bucky stumbled out from the bathroom, balancing you on his hips so his hands could cradle your back, pressing you close. Between you he could feel how soft your breasts were, peaked nipples hard and your heartbeat fast.

Your chest heaved, pulling back for breath with a huge smile, a laugh in the corner of your mouth.

"We've been so stupid."

"Uh -huh," Bucky knelt, lowering you to pile of blankets that had been kicked off the sofa so recently, "stupid, yeah." He went back to kissing you, holding himself up with one hand and using the other to trace over every curve of your body.

"I've waited so long to have you like this," he murmered, lips brushing your own, "and you've been so sick, I can wait a while longer."

Bucky pulled away, but you tightened your grip around his neck and pulled him down with you.

"If you think you're leaving me now," you groaned, "you're very much mistaken."

Bucky's smile turned almost feral, his pupils wide and eyes roving your face for any sign of discomfort.

"I'll be very -"

"Bucky,"

"Hmm?" He was lost in touching you again,

"Just fuck me."

He seemed to lose all control, crushing a kiss against your lips and letting the hands that had been so gentle grip you even tighter, his finger pads digging into the soft flesh of your thighs, tipping your hips up so he could grind his hard cock against you.

"Is that an M249 in your -"

"I'm just very pleased to see you," he countered, smiling into your kisses.

You laughed, the fire of your sparing still there in the way he hiked your leg over his hip, and you remembered all the times he'd rolled you over on the mats just like this, your breath fanning over his cheek and his body so close to yours.

"Can't promise it's as big though."

You slid your hand into his tight tactical trousers and squeezed the still growing bulge beneath, "I dunno, Buck, pretty close."

"Flattery will get you everywhere."

"I'm exactly where I want to be."

His kisses slowed and he pulled back, brushing a hand down your cheek, "me too."

Sam was exhausted when he pulled the truck up to the safe house, Steve was dosing in the passenger seat after his stint at driving and Sam was looking forward to his own sleep before they made their way to the evac point. 

He shoved the door open, expecting to see the familiar sight of you bickering over cards but -

“Sam!” Bucky shouted, throwing a blanket over your naked body and accidentally exposing himself in the process. “Get out!” 

You laughed, clinging to Bucky’s arm in peels of laughter. 

“Steve!” Sam shouted as he retreated, “you owe me twenty dollars! And Bucky owes me an hour with his therapist” 

“He can have whatever he wants as long as I get to keep you.” Bucky smiled, kissing you on the cheek. 

“That’s so cheesy, Bucky, gross.” Your laughter turned into giggles. 

“You love it.” He kissed you again and your lips parted in anticipation. 

“Hmm, I guess I do…” You let him push you back into the blankets, kissing down your neck before- �� I bet you I can get dressed faster!”

[uchizana]

SIPS OF SERENDIPITY

synopsis: on a saturday night, you and your group of friends decide to go to a bar to hang out. however, what at first seemed to be a boring night that you were eagerly anticipating its end, takes a 360° turn when a flirtatious stranger approaches you at the bar. (this is SO BAD maybe i'll change it later)

pairing: lara raj x fem reader

warnings: lara being a flirt, mentions of alcohol.

word count: 2.3k

a/n: i wrote this inspired by that video where a fan takes a picture with lara and she says "i've been watching you for a while. you're hot" and gives her a look WITH THE FAN'S BOYFRIEND BEING THE ONE RECORDING THE VIDEO...

— english isn't my first language so sorry if there are any grammar mistakes.

katseye masterlist.

you never wanted to be here, nestled in the pulsating heart of the bar club, a cacophony of laughter and music wrapping around you like an unwelcome embrace. if it were up to you, you’d be home—cozy on the couch with a blanket, a good movie streaming, and your favorite takeout keeping you company. yet here you are, a reluctant participant in your friends’ saturday night escapade, the weight of their enthusiasm smothering your reservations until you agreed, or rather, were convinced to agree.

your friends, buoyed by the excitement of the night, had already indulged in a round of drinks before you even finished your reluctant first. the table before you is a kaleidoscope of empty glasses and cups, some precariously stacked, threatening to topple over at any moment. your friends aren’t drunk, but their voices have risen—notes of silliness slipping into their banter, their laughter louder and more boisterous. you sit at the edge of the fun, halfway through your drink and feeling like a fish out of water.

as you absentmindedly sip, the revelry around you intensifies. then you feel it: yunjin's playful tug on your arm, her orange hair bouncing as she tilts her head, eyes sparkling with mischief under her glasses.

"hey, can you grab us some more drinks?" yunjin slurred slightly, a grin splitting her tipsy expression as she nudged you with her elbow. you raised your brow, twinges of grumpiness coursing through you. the thought of getting up and ordering more drinks when you were trying to blend into the background felt like a chore. but looking at her began to soften your resolve; she looked so cheerful, surrounded by laughter and warmth, a bright spark of joy that was hard to resist.

"have you girls already had your whole round of cocktails? didn't sakura unnie just go to the bar less than ten minutes ago?”

"come on, just go get us some drinks! I’m practically parched!" yunjin slurs slightly, nudging you with her elbow as she motions toward the bartender. there’s a playful glint in her tipsy eyes, and you roll your own, knowing there’s no escaping this request.

in truth, part of you wants to refuse. you were just beginning to enjoy the ambience—but then you glance back at your friends, all of them smiling and cheering as if sharing some inside joke that you’re not part of. biting your lip, you finally nod, caught in the moment of their enthusiasm.

“fine, i’ll go,” you say, rising reluctantly from your seat and to make your way to the bar.

a playful cheer erupted from yunjin as you turned to make your way towards the bar, the crowd parting like waves around you. you felt the rhythm of the music pulse beneath your feet, the buoyancy of the evening air wrapping around you. the bar itself was polished wood, reflecting flickering lights overhead, while the bartender maneuvered deftly, creating cocktails for patrons with a flourish.

arriving at the bar, you squeeze through clusters of people hugging the counter, their conversations blending into an unintelligible hum. you scan the drink menu, your mind pulling up their previous orders as you try to focus.

as you wait for the bartender to acknowledge your presence, your mind floats back to the table. you can hear yunjin and chaewon giggling like schoolgirls, chaewon's playful banter making yunjin erupt in boisterous laughter. however, when the bartender appears in front of you, you immediately divert your attention from your group of friends, politely giving him your drink order, both for you and your group, and making sure that there are two drinks for each of you so that you don't have to go back to the bar to order.

immediately.

in your peripheral vision, you catch movement. It’s a boy at the stool next to you, leaning back casually, one arm resting on the bar. he gives you an assessing look, cockiness radiating from him like heat from a fire. 

the guy leaning on the bar turned to you, flashing a grin that felt both charming and overly cocky. he had dark hair, tousled just enough to subtly suggest he didn’t care about his appearance, but his confidence oozed.

you simply turn your head and focus on the bartender, focusing on how he prepares the drinks you ordered, pouring the alcohol into the glasses and cutting fruits, refusing to give this guy the satisfaction.

“hey there,” he said smoothly, his grin stretching wide. “what’s a pretty girl like you doing alone? shouldn’t you be out there tearing up the dance floor?”

you rolled your eyes internally. “i’m just here getting drinks for my friends,” you replied flatly, trying your best to ignore his advances. flirting was tiresome, especially on a night like this.

“ah, friends. lucky them. just don’t be surprised if they try to steal you away from this place. you’re way too beautiful to stay in a joint like this.” he leaned in closer, invading your personal space. “... you should totally ditch them and join me. i mean, you deserve a night of fun.” his voice was syrupy and thick, the kind that made your skin crawl.

“sorry, i'm not interested.” you mumbled, trying to dismiss him by focusing on your drink order. but he didn’t take the hint.

“aw, come on! i’m just trying to be friendly. you must be new here.” he leaned closer, his voice dropping an octave. “but i’ve got to say, you’re stunning. you shouldn’t just be here getting drinks. you should be the center of attention.”

“look, i didn't come here to flirt. i just want to hang out with my friends and relax.” you repeat your disinterest, trying to emphasize your clear lack of desire to keep the conversation going. 

“come on, don’t be that way,” he said, leaning closer with a wink that made my skin crawl. “how about this—a drink on me? you can’t say no to that.”

“i'm not interested in you.” you say, sounding more direct than you want, surprising yourself. 

“alright, alright, i get it,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender but lingering far too long. “just thought i’d tell you—you’re stunning and deserve someone who actually looks at you the way you should be looked at.” another wink, and he finally got up, strutting away like he’d just made the best conquest.

feeling a twinge of annoyance, you rolled your eyes and turned back to the bartender. the guy was clearly full of himself, but thankfully just before you could come up with a proper retort, he waved goodbye, leaving with a last cheeky wink and compliment that only made you curse under your breath.

“ugh,” you muttered to yourself, shaking your head. just when you thought the night couldn't get worse, it unfolded into an entire new encounter.

someone is standing next to you again, and you stiffen, thinking it’s the boy again. but when you turn, you're met with the sight of a stunning girl—wine red hair cascading down her shoulders, her pink dress a vivid splash of color against the dim backdrop of the club. she smirks at you, a delightful laughter escaping her lips as she takes in your surprised expression.

“wow, that was quite the face you made,” she teases, clearly finding amusement in your previous experience. the blush that had just begun to fade surges back to your cheeks, this time from embarrassment mixed with unexpected intrigue. “didn’t mean to catch you off guard. you okay?”

“i—... uh, yes,” you stuttered, trying to regain composure but failing miserably. “i just—sorry, i thought you were someone else.”

 “don’t mind me; i just couldn’t help but notice the whole ‘poor girl having to deal with that guy’ vibe. and i’m sorry, but if he was trying to flirt with you, he clearly missed the mark.”

you can’t help the small chuckle that escapes your lips, shyness creeping back in as you adjust your posture. “yeah, it was... interesting,” you reply, your voice a touch hesitant.

she giggles, a sound that feels like a gentle embrace against the bar’s chaos. “i’m lara,” she introduces herself, her confidence as alluring as her smile. “and i have to admit: that guy is a disaster. honestly, i don’t blame him. i saw you across the bar and thought, ‘wow, that girl is beautiful.’”

something inside you stirs at her compliment, something warmer, a flutter of surprise that sends heat rushing to your cheeks.

“i’ve been wanting to say that,” she continues, unabashedly. “and, not to be too forward, but i think you’re hot.” the directness in her words catches you off guard.

you stand there, much like a statue, caught in your awkward disbelief. you can’t quite rationalize it; you’ve heard compliments from friends, but something about the sincerity in her words, her direct gaze, makes you feel a mix of shy and exhilarated.

“and your dress? absolutely stunning. that dress is perfect on you by the way.”

electricity dances on your skin, and you can hardly keep your composure under her attention. flirting with someone like this—someone beautiful and confident—feels as exhilarating as it is terrifying.

“it’s just something i found,” you murmur, acutely aware of the warmth creeping up your neck. she’s so direct, so unabashed.

“just something you found?” she laughs, shaking her head as if she can’t believe her ears. “no way. you’re too hot for ‘just found’. you should be strutting down a runway somewhere. you're stunning.”

the music thumps around you, pulsating with a life of its own, but you feel the world fading into background noise. you’re focused on lara, her hazel eyes sparkling beneath the neon lights.

“thanks,” you said, a breathy laugh escaping your lips. there was something captivating about her. “i’m not sure how much stunning really applies when you’re just standing here awkwardly.”

“oh, don’t sell yourself short. look at that! you wear it like a queen.” the way she spoke was disarming, and you could feel the air around you thicken with intrigue.

another moment of sweet silence passed as you tried to collect yourself, the air around you charged with a fluttering tension. the next thing you knew, she was reaching into her purse, pulling out a tube of lip gloss with practiced ease. “here, let me give you something.” much to your curiosity, she scribbled her number on a cocktail napkin and slid it toward you.

“write to me when you have time,” she said, flashing a coy smile that made it difficult to look anywhere else. “i’d love to take you out for a drink sometime.”

just as you were about to respond, the bartender finally arrived, setting down the drinks you’d ordered alongside lara’s. the moment was interrupted, a slice of reality cutting in as you instinctively glanced at the napkin before meeting lara’s gaze again.

the sudden rush of adrenaline made you dizzy. it was surreal, and part of you feared you might wake up from this enchanting moment at any moment. you blinked up at her, feeling like you needed to pick your words carefully before stumbling through a response. but she was already rising from her stool, and before being devoured by the crowd, lara gives you one last smile. “remember, beautiful!” she winks, her figure already dissolving into the crowd as she walks away, leaving you stunned.

the napkin feels fragile in your hand, an undeniable swirl of emotions roiling in your chest. you’re breathless, a light blush staining your cheeks as you tuck the napkin into your bag, hardly believing what just happened.

when you returned to your table, chaewon was the first to notice your absence. “what took you so long? did that guy keep you for that long?” she teased, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“just a... conversation,” you replied, trying to brush off the embarrassment. 

you shot a glance back at where lara disappeared, a smile irrepressibly tugging at your lips. you could feel kazuha’s knowing gaze on you, raised eyebrows and a smirk playing on her lips, as if she could see right through your excitement.

“or maybe it was a girl,” she said lightly, her tone inquisitive but gentle.

you felt the color rush to your cheeks. “what? No, of course not,” you lied, unable to completely mask the surprise in your voice.

“oh my god, was it that hot redhead? was she flirting with you?” yunjin asks, her tone of voice being louder than the music in the place. you immediately felt the need to cover her mouth with your hand, being more than sure that wherever lara was right now, she surely heard yunjin's voice. 

chaewon perked up, wise to every nuance. “wait, was it that gorgeous one? the one who was all over you at the bar?”

kazuha shoots you a knowing look, her smirk grasping the implications as she bites back a laugh.

you can feel your cheeks burn as you stammer, “uh, well, she was just—”

“oh, please! just tell us everything!” yunjin exclaims, elbowing you playfully.

“nothing happened! it was just—” you start, but kazuha is already shaking her head, a teasing smile creeping across her face. you can see that she knows better.

“i’m not gonna press you, but that napkin in your bag tells a different story…” kazuha’s words tease like sparks, igniting your cheeks again.

you had no rebuttal, and instead chose to pick at your drink, your mind racing with a cocktail of thoughts and emotions. you could still see the gleam in lara’s eyes, her contagious laughter echoing like a melody.

maybe the night wasn’t so bad after all. you felt a flicker of hope as you pushed your drink away, the napkin weighing heavier than it should in your bag—a small token of what might blossom from tonight. you could almost hear lara’s laughter echo in your mind, and it seemed far more intoxicating than any drink.

it might not have been the typical night out at the bar. but as the warmth of your friends mingled with the thrill of possibility, in the midst of laughter and embraces, you felt ready to explore something entirely new—something that promised to take you beyond the familiar. you couldn’t help but imagine what might unfold if you dared to step outside your comfort zone.

[historicalbeauties]

Amy Appelhans Gubser could see the Farallon Islands from her house on clear days, and would always joke with her husband that she could swim there.

5 years ago, the nurse and grandmother who lives in Pacifica started to work on this crazy idea. Gubser sought out open-water swimming mentors for guidance and even got resources through the Marathon Swimming Federation, yet things never lined up until this year.

On May 11, in 17 hours, 3 minutes, she finally made her vision come true and completed the 29.6-mile swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands.

Gubser has been around the ocean since she was 10 years old. She became an ocean lifeguard in high school and college, and also swam at the University of Michigan, yet after graduation didn’t get back into the water for 24 years.

When Gubser finally did return, she was doing more open-water swimming, for instance, swims across Lake Tahoe and Monterey Bay. The woman would always see the Farallon Islands from her house and would dream about one day swimming there.

The outbound route to the Farallon Islands is known for going against the currents, and only 5 people had previously completed the trek in the inbound direction, from the Farallons to the Golden Gate. According to the Marathon Swimmers Foundation, Gubser is the only one to complete that specific route without a wetsuit. Before her, two men successfully completed the swim in 2014, and there were also 3 recorded failures between 2012 and 2015.

The location is also known for white sharks. “The elephant in the room is white sharks, and they were in the back of my mind at all times during the swim. We didn’t take the shark thing lightly – I had a savvy crew that kept watch for them from a boat and kayak. They were ready to jump into the water to help me if I needed, but we had no shark sightings the whole time,” said Gubser. Fortunately, during the journey, she encountered several seals yet no sharks.

Another obstacle was the water temperature. She had trained to swim in cold water, but the water got as cold as 46 degrees Fahrenheit that day and it was something the woman didn’t expect and wasn’t ready for. A wetsuit probably would have helped here, but no matter the warmth and added buoyancy, she wasn’t wearing it.

“Wetsuits are a great piece of equipment, especially for people that are starting out in open water. But I follow the Marathon Swim Federation rules and the open water swim world rules that, for the last 150 years, have been the same. Which is a swimsuit, a cap, some form of goggles, earplugs and a nose clip,” explained Gubser. “When you wear a wetsuit your skin rubs against the material, and the last thing that I really wanted was for my skin to bleed near a shark island.”

The 55-year-old grandmother of two with a third on the way was very happy about her accomplishment when, no matter all the challenges, including intense fog in the Pacific Ocean all along the way, she finally reached the Farallon Islands at around 8:30 p.m. that night.

“For 17 hours, I had no idea where I was, what was going on. I had a thought bubble around me that only allowed us to see 100 meters in any direction. I went into a meditative state. There were some 30-minute time intervals that passed very quickly. Others seemed like they were 300 hours,” she explained.

“My whole family is so relieved, because I have been talking about this thing for five years, and my husband will be the first to tell you he’s just grateful it’s done,” shared Gubser. “I hope this story inspires somebody to not be challenged by a number [like] their age or their weight. I mean, all of my body got me across that. That’s pretty impressive.”

[misshoneyimhome]

"Waves of Truth" I Quinn Hughes

Quinn Hughes finds himself on a tropical island during the off-season with you, his girlfriend, where he discovers that you have been hiding serious financial struggles.

Warnings & tropes: no warnings, small couples fight, boyfriend!quinn

Author's Note: What’s up, buttercups! In this sixth one-shot of the BirthdayFestivalChallenge, Quinn is all set for a tropical escape with you—but be prepared for an emotional, heartfelt journey as he helps you through some tough financial struggles! 🌴💔

Word count: 1.4K

➼｡ﾟ

The sun hung low over the horizon, casting a warm, molten gold hue across the tranquil waters of the tropical island. It was one of those perfect, postcard-worthy evenings where everything around you felt too beautiful to be real. The soft, rhythmic whispers of the waves lapping at the shore seemed to urge you and Quinn Hughes into a deeper connection, as if the sea itself was gently nudging you both towards the truth that lingered in the air between you. Yet, despite the serene beauty surrounding you, there was a tension, a quiet storm brewing just beneath the surface.

Quinn lounged on a sunbed beside you, his lean, athletic frame relaxed under the sun's tender caress. His tousled hair caught the light, and he appeared the picture of ease, but his gaze never left you. There was something off, and he could feel it in the pit of his stomach. The undercurrent of worry in his heart wouldn’t let him relax fully. His eyes, usually soft and full of warmth, searched your face for answers. He could sense it—something was wrong, something unspoken.

You sat nearby, methodically applying sunscreen, but there was a slight tremble in your hands. The bottle felt heavier with each squeeze, as though the simple task required an unbearable effort. Quinn, ever perceptive, noticed the faint lines of worry etched into your face—the way your usually carefree laughter no longer reached your eyes, as if the joy had been syphoned out of you. The weight of it all made his chest tighten. It wasn’t like you to be so distant, so withdrawn. You, the one who always filled the space between you both with infectious energy and light-hearted jokes, now seemed weighed down by an invisible burden.

“Hey,” Quinn’s voice broke through the quiet, gentle yet probing. “What do you say we take a dip?” He tried to keep his tone casual, his eyes soft but filled with concern. He hoped that maybe the water, with all its warmth and buoyancy, could somehow wash away whatever was troubling you. Maybe, just maybe, it could help you open up.

You hesitated, your hand freezing for a brief moment mid-motion, and your lips formed a faint, faltering smile. It was barely there, and Quinn caught it—how your expression flickered with reluctance before you forced yourself to nod. “Yeah, that sounds good,” you said, but your voice was flat, lacking its usual spark. Even though you agreed, the tension between you lingered, palpable and heavy.

Together, you waded into the ocean, the warm water swirling gently around your legs as you walked further in. The sun glittered on the surface, casting a dreamy, golden glow that should have been comforting. But instead of feeling light and carefree, the water seemed to magnify the tension. Every gentle wave that lapped at your skin felt like a reminder of the distance that had grown between you. Quinn swam ahead, his strokes smooth and effortless. When he turned back, he saw you lagging behind, your movements sluggish, hesitant. You weren’t really there with him—not in the way he was used to.

The excitement that usually came with a swim together faded, replaced by an awkward silence. Each splash of water seemed to echo the words you both weren’t saying. By the time you emerged from the ocean, your eyes had lost that playful glimmer he loved so much. Instead, they were clouded with introspection, shadows darkening their depths. Even the sun, which had dipped lower in the sky, casting a soft, golden light, seemed to mirror the growing tension between you.

Quinn, always sensitive to your moods, led you towards the shade of a palm tree. The fronds swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled shadows that danced on the sand. The air smelled of salt and seaweed, the soft sounds of the waves a soothing backdrop, but nothing could calm the storm brewing in his chest. His hand found yours, fingers intertwining with yours as he gave your hand a gentle squeeze, a silent plea for you to open up.

“You’ve been so distant lately,” Quinn’s voice was quiet, but it trembled with a mix of frustration and concern. “Something’s clearly bothering you, and I need you to tell me what’s going on. We’re supposed to be partners, remember?” His words were careful, but the emotion behind them was unmistakable.

You turned away, your gaze drifting towards the horizon where the sea met the sky. For a moment, you wished the waves could carry away your growing anxiety, could sweep all your worries out to sea. But the weight of everything you hadn’t said was too much. You could feel the dam inside you starting to crack, the pressure of holding it all in becoming unbearable. Tears threatened to spill over, and though you fought to keep your voice steady, the cracks were beginning to show. “Quinn, I—”

“No,” Quinn interrupted, his tone firmer now. His eyes narrowed slightly, his urgency growing. “Don’t brush it off. You’re shutting me out, and it’s killing me. What are you hiding from me?”

Your heart pounded in your chest, the truth clawing its way to the surface, and before you could stop yourself, the words tumbled out, fuelled by frustration and fear. “I didn’t want you to see me like this, alright? I’ve been struggling... financially. Things have been bad, really bad, and I didn’t want to drag you into my mess. You wouldn’t understand. It’s not your problem.”

Quinn’s expression hardened, his brows furrowing in disbelief. “What do you mean, I wouldn’t understand? You think because I make money playing hockey, I don’t get it? That I don’t care?”

“That’s not what I said!” you snapped, your voice rising as your emotions spiralled. “But let’s be honest, Quinn. You don’t have to worry about things like this. You don’t know what it’s like to be drowning in bills while pretending everything’s fine. I don’t want you swooping in and fixing everything just because you can.”

A flicker of hurt crossed his face before frustration took over. “Why are you making this harder than it needs to be? I’m trying to help you because I love you, because we’re a team. But instead, you’re shutting me out like I’m a stranger.”

You clenched your fists, torn between the relief of finally letting the truth spill out and the anger boiling within you. “I didn’t ask for your help! I don’t need you to swoop in and fix my life. I can handle this on my own.”

Quinn stepped closer, his voice thick with emotion. “But why should you have to handle it alone? Why does it make you so mad that I want to support you? This isn’t about money—it’s about us. I don’t care if you’re struggling. That doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

You shook your head, the weight of your pride and fear pressing down on your chest, making it hard to breathe. “You don’t get it, Quinn. I don’t want you to see me like this—weak, needy. I don’t want to be the girl who needs rescuing.”

“Is that what you think this is?” His voice cracked, and he stepped back, running his hands through his hair in frustration. “You think I see you as some damsel in distress? You’re the strongest person I know. But being strong isn’t about shutting people out. It’s about letting someone in, even when it’s hard.”

Tears finally spilled over, hot and stinging as they ran down your cheeks. “I just didn’t want you to look at me differently…”

“I could never look at you differently,” Quinn said softly, stepping forward to pull you into his arms. “I love you, for better or worse. That means I’m here, whether things are easy or tough. And right now, it sounds like it’s pretty damn tough.”

You collapsed against him, the weight of your struggles and fears crumbling in the safety of his embrace. “I’m so sorry,” you whispered against his chest, your voice barely audible.

“I know,” Quinn murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head. His arms tightened around you, holding you close. “But I’m here, and we’ll figure this out. Together.”

As the sun finally dipped beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the beach, the storm inside you began to settle. The weight of the world didn’t feel as heavy anymore. You still didn’t have all the answers, but for the first time in a long while, you didn’t feel like you had to face it alone.

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #849

Elasmobranch fish!

Fish of the subclass Elasmobranchii, like sharks and rays, have a large liver full of low density oils — they use this liver to maintain their buoyancy in the water column! The liver can be so large as to be up to 25% of the fish’s body weight.

[kabutoden]

for those not in the know, invertebrates have bodies without spines, and all arthropods are invertebrates. "how would they molt" if they are vertebrates with an endoskeleton vs. "how would they stand and be shaped like that" if they aren't.

spines are kiiiinda important for bipeds and generally their bodies would collapse from the weight of their shells without the buoyancy of water helping them move. not to mention oxygenation issues. not to mention necks?? necks carrying big ol' heads with heavy heads with HORNS without a spine in there??? yikes. pick your poison

[bethanythebogwitch]

I haven't covered any pinniped pals for Wet Beast Wednesday yet, so for my first one I'm going big. Really big. Elephant seal big. Elephant seals are not only the largest of all pinnipeds, they are the largest of all carnivorans and the largest marine mammals that aren't cetaceans. There are two species: northern (Mirounga angustirostris) and southern (Mirounga leonina), with the southern species being the larger of the two.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! (image: an elephant seal bellowing)

Elephant seals are true seals (as opposed to sea lions and walruses), meaning they lack external ears and their hind legs have fused into a sort of pseudo-flipper that allows for highly efficient swimming but is of little use when maneuvering on land. While it is common among pinnipeds for males to be larger than females, elephant seals exaggerated that with one of the most extreme size differences between sexes. Females of both species range from around 350 to 900 kg (880 to 1,980 lbs) and 2.5 to 3.6 m (8.2 to 11.8 ft) in length. Male northern seals average between 1,500 to 2,300 kg (3,300 to 5,100 lbs) and 4-5 m (13-16 ft) while southern males break the scale at 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lbs) and 4.2 to 5.8 m (14 - 19 ft). The southern species has the largest mass difference between sexes of any mammal, with the males averaging 5-6 times the weight of the females.

(image: male and female elephant seals chillaxing on a beach)

In addition to the size difference, the other major form of sexual dimorphism is that the male has his nose elongated into a proboscis. This snout serves two major functions: it amplifies the roars of the male allowing him to be remarkably loud and it traps and reabsorbs moisture when he exhales. This is important as the seals do not eat or drink when on land and recapturing moisture lets him stay hydrated.

(image: a male[top], female [bottom left] and juvenile [bottom right] northern elephant seal)

Seals are adapted to spend the vast majority of their lives in the water and elephant seals are no different. They spend around 80% of their lives in the water and have many adaptations to aid in their lifestyle. Like most marine mammals, they have a thick layer of fatty blubber that preserves heat in cold water, reduces drag, and provides buoyancy. Like other seals, they can slow their heartbeats and redirect blood flow to the core of their body to avoid losing heat. Another seal adaptation is that veins returning blood to the heart grow near arteries carrying blood from the heart. This allows the cold returning blood to leech some heat from the arteries to avoid cooling down the body's core. They have a lot of blood to store oxygen, allowing for long dives. Elephant seals dive deep (averaging 300-600 m but occasionally much deeper) when searching for food. Females typically go on deeper but shorter dives than males. They can hold their breath for over 100 minutes, longer than nay non-cetacean mammal.. Their eyes are highly adapted to low-light conditions and their whiskers can sense motion in the water, both things that aid in finding food. Elephant seals are very opportunistic predators and will eat a large variety of fish and cephalopods.

(image: a female elephant seal swimming)

The 20% of time not spent at sea is mostly taken up by two yearly periods: the molting and breeding seasons. In both cases, the seal will haul out onto the beach and will not eat or drink until it has finished. Molting season lasts about a month and usually occurs in summer. Elephant seals undergo what are called catastrophic molts, where they not only shed and regrow their fur but their outer layer of skin. During the regrowth of their skin, extra blood has to be directed toward it. In the water, this would cause too much heat loss, so it must be done on land. The skin sheds in large patches and not all at once, resulting in molting seals having a ragged appearance.

(image: a seal mid-molt)

The longer and more famous time on land is breeding season. In early spring, males will arrive on beaches and fight each other for dominance. In time, a few alpha males will claim most of the beach. These fights last even after the females arrive. Fights are very dramatic, involving posing and bellowing. If one male does not submit, they will fight by biting and slapping each other with their heads. Fights are rarely fatal, but are frequently bloody. Males have thicker skin on their chests to protect them during fights. Alpha males claim the right to mate with the females. Other males are forced to the outskirts of the beach, where they try to mate while the alpha is distracted. Some males will become betas, who help the alpha patrol his territory and drive off competing males. These betas will often try to mate while the alpha is distracted. Only the largest and strongest males can claim alpha status, and usually late in life when they have grown to their largest. After the females arrive, mothers will give birth to their pups. After birth, the female uses unique vocalizations so her pup can always recognize her. They nurse pups for up to 28 days while the males continue to fight. Elephant seal milk is extremely high in fat content, with up to 50% of the milk being fat, compared to 3.5% for cows. Some mothers may adopt the pups of others, especially if their own pup died before weaning. Weaning is very abrupt, after which the females will mate and the adults will return to the sea. The pups are left on land for up to 10 weeks, where they must learn how to swim and hunt while subsisting off the energy stores they built up while nursing. Juvenile mortality is high, with up to 50% of pups dying before reaching maturity. Adults can lose a third of their weight during breeding season.

(video: a clip from the BBC documentary Seven World One Planet about males fighting fro dominance. warning: there is blood)

(image: a mother seal and pup)

A few pups are known as super weaners because they can grow exceptionally large during nursing. This is usually due to the pup being adopted by an additional female and therefore getting an extra dose of milk or it will steal milk from another pup. In a few cases, the mothers will just wait longer before weaning for unknown reasons. Average pups weigh between 110 and 160 kg (250 - 350 lbs) at weaning while super weaners can weigh up to 270 kg (600 lbs). They can put on so much blubber their ability to move becomes impaired. Super weaners are rarely observed again after leaving the rookery. It has been speculated that their excess blubber makes them exceptionally buoyant, reducing their ability to dive and making it harder to feed, leading to increased mortality.

(image: a chonky baby super weaner)

Both species of elephant seal were hunted to near-extinction in the 19th century as their blubber could be used to make exceptionally high-quality oil. After the hunting period ended, their numbers increased to the point both species are classified as least concern by the IUCN, though their populations have never risen to pre-hunting numbers and many areas that were historically occupied are now vacant. Genetic bottlenecks in both species has led to an increase in diseases and birth defects. El Nino is known to have a negative effect on northern seals by drastically increasing pup mortality, so this year was probably a bad one. One major limiting factor in their population growth is a lack of beaches to haul out on and many beaches they use are now protected by local laws or as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

(Gif: a female versus a car. Round 1, fight!)

[skelebellie]

something about taash as someone who is autistic (ASD lvl 2)

there so much more i could talk about, but i want to focus on Taash’s focus on the ocean and water

water and the ocean specifically (or any source of open water) is a highly calming source for a lot of autistic people. it’s why there’s a 60/600% (it’s one of these but i don’t have the source) autistic people are more likely to drown. this is because naturally we are drawn to the water. due to the buoyancy and noise canceling affects, it simulates a form of “weighted blanket” for the ears and nervous system, especially when submerged. i find it particularly interesting that they included this (especially how they are calmed by the waves) as part of their character arch. while i wasn’t present during the Q&A for DAV, i would love to know if they did this intentionally.

[bleue-flora]

pandoras vault has damaging floors yet c!drunz chooses to live there, theyre insane

[context]

Are you just finding this out now?… pretty sure the floor is one of the least crazy things about them chilling in the prison lol. Though I should mention a couple things, 1) I imagine Dream not having shoes or thick clothes (or armor) in the cell to protect himself from the hard sharp edges of the obsidian, especially the poor soles of his feet, which is part of what makes it so terrible. And 2) Dream has a bed after incarceration and stuff so he does have reprieve from the hard surfaces, in the same way my floor is wooden looking tile on top of concrete. If I’m walking around and such a lot, my feet begin to hurt but I also have relief in form of carpets, sitting down in plush furniture or putting on slippers or shoes. The problem with the cell is he doesn’t have many places to go to escape the hard surface so his body is constantly feeling the force of his own weight repelling back into him. The best he can do is go on the chest (which I just realized is blocked by the glowstore rip) or lectern, where the wood will likely bend under his weight a bit reducing that force, and the water hole which reduces the force of his weight due to buoyancy. Additionally, the fact that many people on the server have likely less than comfortable houses (floors), like Fundy’s who original secret base was a cave, is notable. Though to be fair I guess stone is still better than jagged glass lol...

[shifasalim]

buoyancy-water-weights

Description: Buoyancy and water weights play a crucial role in underwater lifting and load testing. Water weights use the principle of buoyancy to provide a safe and efficient method for testing heavy loads without the need for traditional weights. These water-filled bags are ideal for load testing in marine, offshore, and industrial applications, offering flexibility and precision. Whether you're conducting underwater construction or equipment testing, buoyancy-water-weights provide an effective solution for ensuring safety and accuracy in your operations.

[whitegoldtower]

I’m feeling proud of myself and my progress, so here: tits n’ guns.

A year ago, I hated my body. Glad the T has helped me love it again. With a bit of work, I’ve turned the jelly on my chest into bedrock. 🖤

For other trans-mascs who want to get shredded, here’s my workout routine for arms and chest days:

DO YOUR STRETCHES

15 minutes high intensity elliptical / treadmill

6 to 8 sets tricep machine extensions, 10-15 reps, each set adding weight (I start at 23kg and work my way up to 45kg)

6 to 8 sets bicep curls, 10-15 reps, each set (or two) adding weight (I start at 9kg and work up to 32kg)

3 sets lateral raises, 10-15 reps, first at 9kg, then 14, then 18kg.

5 sets converging chest press / military press, 10-15 reps, starting at 18kg, working up to 45kg.

6-8 sets pull ups / chin ups, 10-15 reps, from assisted 14kg, working down until I’m pulling my own body weight (roughly 60kg) (This one is the most important exercise for turning jelly tits into muscle tits and building shoulder mass)

10 minute high intensity elliptical again, then 5 minute cooldown.

Once you’re done with that, slap some deep heat on your arms / upper chest, get a protein shake and some creatine down your neck, then have a big dinner and treat yourself. ❤️❤️❤️ (I usually try to aim for 3000 cal per day)

I do this at least twice a week. Also another thing I cannot stress enough because of how good it is, if this routine is too hard for you, get into swimming. If your joints hurt like mine used to, GET INTO SWIMMING. Swimming will help you get fitter and stronger without putting strain on your joints bc water buoyancy n shit.

Crazy that a year ago I was severely underweight and using a walking aid. Things can and do get better, guys. Look after yourselves and eat well.

[descenacre]

A Lily Pikmin grows to accommodate all of its passengers. In the buoyancy of the water, their limbs can stretch out much farther than their diminished forms on land

This means that no matter how many pikmin are aboard, the Lily can swim just as fast! While on land, they can only carry with the strength of 1, but in the water, they have a staggering carry strength of 30! (Pikmin will automatically avoid running onto a lily pikmin if it might capsize from the weight.) When a Lily Pikmin is over encumbered--for example, if an enemy eats a nearby Lily and its passengers flee to it--the Lily Pikmin's swimming speed will be greatly reduced, and it will start slowly making its way towards the shore, out of your control. Throw some more Lilies into the sea to share the burden and help it out!

[stonerbellybabe]

Do you have any comments on that swimming post? 😂 any expirences?

Oh, too many experiences to count. I love diving and I’ll go out freediving with my skinny dive buddies who will be in wetsuits and still get cold and need to get out of the water before I do. I very comfortably stay in the water for 3+ hours at a time which I could absolutely not do when I was skinny. When I’m away from the ocean I can stand to get in cold creeks and lakes earlier in the spring than most people.

Another funny thing is that I’m a lot more buoyant now than I was when I first got my scuba certification, and I need way more lead on my weight belt to get my buoyancy right.

[crunchycerealisgood]

The Saddle: A Melvika Fic (Part 3)

Sevika walked into the room after parting with Mel so that she could relieve herself after their romping. Dew drops formed on her skin from the humidity giving off the feeling of sweating from the heat but it relaxed her. It reminded her of home in Zaun. She walked around the pool confidently not caring for her own nudity. Gazing down at her reflection, her eyebrow rose before her nostrils flared a bit in a huff that carried a smirk right behind it. With ease she stepped into the water and sighed. It was just the right temperature. Not too hot, not too cold. Thanks to the technology of piltover, it stayed at this constant heat.

The brown woman leaned back against the ledge propping her arm beside her so she could truly relax. She gripped the edge and let her body hold on just so she could watch her large legs float until her toe tips touched the top. Amusement shone in her eyes as she adjusted the amount of weight she placed into her legs to make them drop once more before she relaxed and let them float up from the buoyancy of the water. She continued with her little game as she waited for Mel to return to her side.

“Enjoying yourself?” An amused voice asked.

Sevika jumped and her neck whipped around to be greeted by black calves with golden carvings around them. Her eyes trailed up to meet squinted Hazel eyes, the wrinkles on the corner showing the woman's age. She grunted as she glanced away, blood rushing to her cheeks as she saw the wide smirk Mel had.

“Get in.” She grunted while Mel chuckled, “At your call, Ms.Sevika of Zaun.”

Mel stepped into the tub with practiced ease and Sevikas face screwed into confusion when Mel nudged her forward so she could sit on the ledge that was beneath the water. Once she was seated comfortably, Mel pulled Sevika back so that the woman's head rested on her stomach. Sevika smiled slightly once she realized her intentions;she turned to kiss the side of Mels knee. Mel wrapped her arms around Sevikas chest and softly pressed her lips to the others neck and shoulder in several pecks. Her fingers gently rubbed the areas they touched and she tilted her head.

“So what did you do today?” She inquired curiously.

Sevika tilted her head back to look up at her. She just stared before speaking, “Nothing.” She leaned her head back to look ahead, catching part of Mels eye roll.

Sevika jumped when she felt a bite of retaliation. She whipped around to see Mels innocent expression. “You beautiful bastard” She snarled while Mels eyes twinkled in pure amusement.

“I thought we agreed to not mention my paternal parentage” Mel laughed, making Sevika roll her eyes as well.

“Whatever, what did you do today?” Sevika finally asked while Mel had leaned back to grab something.

She realized the woman had carried in a basket with herself earlier that was filled with little jars and bottles. She heard one of the jars being opened then she felt a cooling sensation on her shoulder with Mels hand rubbing it in.

“We had a meeting about Still water and the conditions prisoners are in. I've also pushed to review every prisoner's case. I was going through past files and so many have been arrested for petty things or falsely accused.” Her lips frowned up as she thought about it. “Vi’s case is the one most glaringly obvious of corruption, especially under Marcus. However, she is not the only one.”

Sevikas hands drummed gently as she thought quietly. She played a role in the bigger scheme of things. Not even a small one. She sat right beside Silco.

She hesitated before speaking. “I would like for you to ensure that I am a part of the next talks. As Zauns representative,someone who contributed to the corruption as one of Silcos hands…and as someone who faced brutality under Piltover's oppression” Sevika grumbled out, almost meekly.

Mels thumb gently rubbed over Sevikas shoulder before she nodded.

“You have that right. I will ensure you are a part of that councilor. I may not have been apart piltover from the beginning. However, I also had a responsibility as someone on the council.” Mel rested her forehead on Sevikas back as she curled up some. “I care for Zaun and I did my best to win over the others to agree with my side of things. Trying my best to get them to view actions as beneficial to them…however there are times where a fox can not be the piece to stand where a wolf should. My…mother was right in some aspects”

Sevika grabbed Mel's hand and brought it to her lips to kiss. Once she removed the hand, she wasn’t surprised to see Mel reciprocate the motion. Their fingers laced together with a gentle squeeze.

“We all make decisions and mistakes. We’re human. No idea why you choose this shithole of all of Runeterra to live in but we’re going to bring our people together” Sevika said surely.

She looked back at Mel to see her smiling softly before she pulled Sevika into a gentle kiss.

“Noxus taught me that we all are meant to be equal. However, Zaun taught me that serving your people requires sacrifice. Piltover taught me that your actions impact more than just the things you see.” ,Mel sat in silence for a moment. “But you helped me realize that you can only be yourself with changes and lessons taken in along the way”

“How the fuck did I do that?” Sevika asked with a raised brow, making Mel laugh. “You just did”

Mel placed a kiss on Sevikas forehead then wrapped her arms around her tighter* “Let's wash before we start looking like that rat you told me about”

Sevika snorted hard and leaned back kore into Mel pushing her more into the wall.

“Vika! Hey get up! Your head is heavy”

There was an exaggerated snore while Mel gasped in laughter and she half heartedly attempted to push Sevika off of her.

“Hey!”

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