#especially combined with a clear blue sky

[meilowcarbon]

[nasa]

Observations from both NASA’s James Webb and Hubble space telescopes created this colorful image of galaxy cluster MACS0416. The colors of different galaxies indicate distances, with bluer galaxies being closer and redder galaxies being more distant or dusty. Some galaxies appear as streaks due to gravitational lensing — a warping effect caused by large masses gravitationally bending the space that light travels through.

Like Taylor Swift, Our Universe Has Gone Through Many Different Eras

While Taylor's Eras Tour explores decades of music, our universe’s eras set the stage for life to exist today. By unraveling cosmic history, scientists can investigate how it happened, from the universe’s origin and evolution to its possible fate.

This infographic outlines the history of the universe.

0 SECONDS | In the beginning, the universe debuted extremely small, hot, and dense

Scientists aren’t sure what exactly existed at the very beginning of the universe, but they think there wasn’t any normal matter or physics. Things probably didn’t behave like we expect them to today.

Artist's interpretation of the beginning of the universe, with representations of the early cosmos and its expansion.

10^-32 SECONDS | The universe rapidly, fearless-ly inflated

When the universe debuted, it almost immediately became unstable. Space expanded faster than the speed of light during a very brief period known as inflation. Scientists are still exploring what drove this exponential expansion.

1 MICROSECOND | Inflation’s end started the story of us: we wouldn’t be here if inflation continued

When inflation ended, the universe continued to expand, but much slower. All the energy that previously drove the rapid expansion went into light and matter — normal stuff! Small subatomic particles — protons, neutrons, and electrons — now floated around, though the universe was too hot for them to combine and form atoms.

The particles gravitated together, especially in clumpy spots. The push and pull between gravity and the particles’ inability to stick together created oscillations, or sound waves.

Artist's interpretation of protons and neutrons colliding to form ionized deuterium — a hydrogen isotope with one proton and one neutron — and ionized helium — two protons and two neutrons.

THREE MINUTES | Protons and neutrons combined all too well

After about three minutes, the universe had expanded and cooled enough for protons and neutrons to stick together. This created the very first elements: hydrogen, helium, and very small amounts of lithium and beryllium.

But it was still too hot for electrons to combine with the protons and neutrons. These free electrons floated around in a hot foggy soup that scattered light and made the universe appear dark.

This animated artist’s concept begins by showing ionized atoms (red blobs), free electrons (green blobs), and photons of light (blue flashes). The ionized atoms scattered light until neutral atoms (shown as brown blobs) formed, clearing the way for light to travel farther through space.

380 THOUSAND YEARS | Neutral atoms formed and left a blank space for light

As the universe expanded and cooled further, electrons joined atoms and made them neutral. With the electron plasma out of the way, some light could travel much farther.

An image of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) across the entire sky, taken by ESA's (European Space Agency) Planck space telescope. The CMB is the oldest light we can observe in the universe. Frozen sound waves are visible as miniscule fluctuations in temperature, shown through blue (colder) and red (warmer) coloring.

As neutral atoms formed, the sound waves created by the push and pull between subatomic particles stopped. The waves froze, leaving ripples that were slightly denser than their surroundings. The excess matter attracted even more matter, both normal and “dark.” Dark matter has gravitational influence on its surroundings but is invisible and does not interact with light.

This animation illustrates the absorption of photons — light particles — by neutral hydrogen atoms.

ALSO 380 THOUSAND YEARS | The universe became dark — call it what you want, but scientists call this time period the Dark Ages 

Other than the cosmic microwave background, there wasn't much light during this era since stars hadn’t formed yet. And what light there was usually didn't make it very far since neutral hydrogen atoms are really good at absorbing light. This kicked off an era known as the cosmic dark ages.

This animation illustrates the beginning of star formation as gas begins to clump due to gravity. These protostars heat up as material compresses inside them and throw off material at high speeds, creating shockwaves shown here as expanding rings of light.

200 MILLION YEARS | Stars created daylight (that was still blocked by hydrogen atoms)

Over time, denser areas pulled in more and more matter, in some places becoming so heavy it triggered a collapse. When the matter fell inward, it became hot enough for nuclear fusion to start, marking the birth of the first stars!

A simulation of dark matter forming structure due to gravity.

400 MILLION YEARS | Dark matter acted like an invisible string tying galaxies together

As the universe expanded, the frozen sound waves created earlier — which now included stars, gas, dust, and more elements produced by stars — stretched and continued attracting more mass. Pulling material together eventually formed the first galaxies, galaxy clusters, and wide-scale, web-like structure. 

In this animation, ultraviolet light from stars ionizes hydrogen atoms by breaking off their electrons. Regions already ionized are blue and translucent, areas undergoing ionization are red and white, and regions of neutral gas are dark and opaque.

1 BILLION YEARS | Ultraviolet light from stars made the universe transparent for evermore

The first stars were massive and hot, meaning they burned their fuel supplies quickly and lived short lives. However, they gave off energetic ultraviolet light that helped break apart the neutral hydrogen around the stars and allowed light to travel farther.

Animation showing a graph of the universe’s expansion over time. While cosmic expansion slowed following the end of inflation, it began picking up the pace around 5 billion years ago. Scientists still aren't sure why.

SOMETIME AFTER 10 BILLION YEARS | Dark energy became dominant, accelerating cosmic expansion and creating a big question…?

By studying the universe’s expansion rate over time, scientists made the shocking discovery that it’s speeding up. They had thought eventually gravity should cause the matter to attract itself and slow down expansion. Some mysterious pressure, dubbed dark energy, seems to be accelerating cosmic expansion. About 10 billion years into the universe’s story, dark energy – whatever it may be – became dominant over matter.

An image of Earth rising in the Moon’s sky. Nicknamed “Earthrise,” Apollo 8 astronauts saw this sight during the first crewed mission to the Moon.

13.8 BILLION YEARS | The universe as we know it today: 359,785,714,285.7 fortnights from the beginning

We owe our universe today to each of its unique stages. However, scientists still have many questions about these eras.

Our upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will look back in time to explore cosmic mysteries like dark energy and dark matter – two poorly understood aspects of the universe that govern its evolution and ultimate fate.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[strniohoeee]

could u do one where its readers birthday and matt has a bunch of surprises for her and like spoils her the whole day and its really fluffy and cute and then they go home after dinner and matt looks after her and they have like soft sex

Pure

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: Matt showed Y/N just how much he loved her when he made her birthday extra special. Feeling overwhelmed by love, Y/N decides she’s ready for more in the relationship.🌺

Warnings⚠️: SMUTTTTT, loss of virginity on both parts. Just some cute ass love making🥺

I also combined this with this request : “can you write a Matt smut where the reader and Matt are both virgins and they both have to figure out how to do it together (Matt and reader and dating in this) “

Song for the imagine: Can I Call You Rose?- The Sacred Souls

⚠️This is an 18+ imagine, so minors do not interact, or do??⚠️

Can I call you rose?

Cause you’re sweet like a flower in blue

Can I call you rose?

Cause your fragrance takes over the room

A sunflower field, a clear blue sky and Matt….this was all so beautiful. Running through the field as I let the wind brush through my hair. My fingers dancing along the flowers as Matt stood in front of me glancing back at me with a smile.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

My brows furrowed and I stirred in my sleep

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

I jumped out of my bed and looked at the clock 8:00am….ughhh who’s at my door this early on a Saturday morning.

I opened my bedroom door and walked towards my living room.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

“IM COMINGGGGG” I yelled a little annoyed at my slumber being interrupted

I opened the door with a sour face, messy hair and smeared mascara.

“Y/N Y/L/N” the guy asked

“Umm yes” I said squinting my eyes

“Perfect here’s a delivery for you frommmm actually it doesn’t say who” the guy said looking up from his screen

He bent over next to my door and handed me a large bouquet of red roses….my favorite flowers

“Woah…thanks” I said grabbing the bouquet and laughing

“You’re welcome, you gave a good day now bye” he said smiling and walking away

I kicked the door closed with my foot and put the bouquet down on the counter. Grabbing a vase for it and filling it with water.

I lifted them back up and looked at the tag, a smile growing on my face

“For my lovely girl, Happy Birthday<3! Can’t wait to see you later-Love Matt”

My heart melted at this….I was never given roses by any previous boyfriends, and to get a large bouquet of my favorite flowers with a note from Matt made me giddy inside.

I placed the flowers in the vase and decided to text Matt since I wasn’t sure if he was awake or not.

To Matt🌹

Good morning my love! I just received the flowers🥹 thank you sooo much I love you❤️

From Matt🌹

Good morning baby! You’re very welcome. Anything for my gorgeous lady, especially on her birthday:)

To Matt🌹

You’re the best🫶🏽 coming over today??

From Matt🌹

I have some things planned 😏

To Matt🌹

You creep😀 ……. Can’t wait to see you though😋

From Matt🌹

I’m going to get ready now! I’m taking you to breakfast I’ll be over in like 40 minutes ❤️

To Matt🌹

Okay my love! Drive safe and see you soon❣️

I showered, did some makeup, did my hair and got dressed all in 40 minutes, and at the 45 minute mark I heard a knock at my front door.

I opened the door for Matt and immediately smiled at him. Pulling him in by his arm and placing a kiss to his lips

“Happy birthday baby” he said hugging me

“Thank you my love” I said kissing his cheek and running to my room to grab a pair of shoes

I occasionally went home for my birthdays, but since making friends here I began to spend my birthdays with them.

But this year I decided to spend my birthday with Matt. Well it was more like his decision, but I didn’t mind at all.

“Okay baby, where do you want to go?” He asked me as I locked my front door

“Uhhh the diner by your house it’s my favorite” I said smiling at him

“To the diner it is” he said grabbing my hand

Matt had opened the passenger door for me as he always does and I hopped in. He headed towards the diner while we listened to music.

We sat for breakfast and talked the whole time.

“What do you have planned for today?” I asked him

“That’s for me to know and you to find out” he said winking

“Ohh come on Matt” I said rolling my eyes

“Well it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you” he said taking a bite of his food

“Just tell me, and I’ll act surprised. I’m a great actress you know” I said winking at him

“I’m sure you are, but no” he said laughing

“Fineeeee” I said throwing my head back

We had finished breakfast and got back in the car. Driving for what felt like forever.

“Okay for first pit stop isss probably the best pit stop we’ll ever take” he said smiling at me

“I’m excited I can’t wait” I said clapping my hands together

Matt was driving for a good half and hour before he turned to me slightly

“I need you to close your eyes and open them when I tell you to” he said

“Okay” I said giggling

I had shut my eyes and I felt Matt park the car, he got out and came to my side helping me out of the car.

“Matt there’s no noise where are you taking me” I said laughing

“To my underground lair” he said

“Stop being annoying” I said sucking my teeth

“Just wait” he said pulling me further

Suddenly we stopped, and I felt him put me in front of him

“Okayyy now open” he said letting go of my hand

“Oh my god” I said looking around

He had taken me to a field of roses….the fact that he truly understood how much I loved these flowers made my heart warm.

“You like it?” He said

“Matt of course I do, it’s so beautiful” I said touching a rose and smiling

We walked through the field looking and smelling at the roses.

We stopped and Matt plucked two roses from the bush

“We keep these two and let them dry out and then put them in a frame with a date” he said giving me one rose

“I like that idea” I said looking down at the rose

He put the rose in his sweater pocket

“I have something to give you” he said looking at me

“More?” I asked laughing

“Of course more” he said rolling his eyes

He took a small box out from his pants and my eyes widened

“Matt” I said looking at him

“I wanted to give you this promise ring to show that I’m devoted to you forever and always. And one day this ring will become a wedding ring” he said opening the box

“Matt you didn’t” I said covering my mouth

“I did” he said taking the ring out and putting it on my left ring finger

I looked at the ring and felt tears come to my eyes. I immediately kissed him and pulled away

“I have never ever had anyone love me as much as you do, and I’m so grateful for you. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you” I said letting some tears fall

“Don’t cry my love, I love you so much” he said wiping a tear away and pecking my lips again

After a while of walking we headed back to the car and made our way to our next location.

My eyes kept falling on my ring, a gold band with a small diamond in it. A smile automatically creeping on my face

Matt took me shopping, he got me a new purse, a new pair of shoes, and a few outfits. Then we had lunch and we ended up on the pier walking and talking

“Having a good time” he asked me

“A very good time, I’m so thankful for you. This is the best birthday anyone could ask for” I said as we walked with our hands interlocked

“You’re welcome pretty girl” he said kissing my hand and smiling at me

We sat on the beach as we watched the people walk by and the kids splash in the water.

“I don’t know how those kids can get in the water it’s so cold” I said laughing

“I know….these kids are built different” he said laughing

“Tell me about it” I replied

“Where do you want to do dinner?” He asked

“No where, we can go back to my house, and we can make something together and watch a movie” I said smiling at him

“Are you sure?” He asked me

“I’m positive” I replied laying my head on his shoulder

Matt had taken me to a bookstore and then to a bakery to pick out my birthday cake.

We headed back home and it was an hour drive….its LA I’m not shocked.

We finally got back to my apartment. I gave my matt my keys to unlock the door since I wanted to bring my own bags in.

He opened the door and turned the lights on. I walked in after him and my jaw dropped

My apartment is covered in rose petals, more gifts on the counter, party streamers and balloons that said Happy 20th Birthday……

“Matt? When the fuck did you do this?” I asked putting my bags down

“I left your key back home so Nick and Chris could come back to decorate for me” he replied placing the cake in the fridge

“They did this?” I replied cocking an eyebrow

“Wellll I had to pay them 150 each” he replied laughing

“Mmm a good deal” I said laughing

“Very good deal” he said coming up behind me and hugging me

“Waitttt what if I said I wanted to eat at a restaurant” I said laughing

“Well either way you would’ve come home to this” he said

“Very true” I replied turning around and kissing him

“Let’s see what’s on the menu” he replied heading over to the fridge

“Ahhh pizza ingredients” he said taking the stuff out

“They know me so well” I said laughing

Matt washed his hands and began to preheat the oven, and make the pizza for us while he watched me open the gifts

He got me a gift basket of all my favorite skin care and beauty items, then he got me my favorite perfume and some gift cards.

“Matt thank you so much” I said opening the last gift

“You’re welcome baby” he said putting the pizza in the oven

After unwrapping the last gift my eyes widened and my jaw dropped

“Matthew Bernard” I said

“What baby?” He said laughing

I shook my head as I opened the Cartier box. He got me the necklace I had been dreaming of getting myself, but it was over $2,000 and I was saving up for it.

“Matt this is so expensive” I said looking up at him

“I worked for it okay, plus you never shut up about it, so I wanted to get it for you” he said smiling at me

“I have no words to express how thankful I am right now” I said taking the necklace out of the box

“Let me help you put it on” he said coming around the counter

I lifted my hair up as he helped put the necklace on for me.

I turned around on the stool to face him

“It looks gorgeous on you” he said smiling at me

“Thank you so much Matt I love you” I said pulling him in for a hug and a kiss

Matt and I had ate pizza and drank soda as we watched

Love and Basketball. My friend told me it was a cute romance movie, and it was a movie I’ve been wanting to watch so I figured today was the perfect time.

We had finished our dinner and cleaned up a bit before resuming the movie. Matt was leaning against the arm rest as I laid in between his legs with my back against his chest.

The movie was so cute at first. A friends to kinda lovers, but then it became an enemy to lovers. As they were both competing to be the best at basketball and one up another. However they were falling for each other at the same time without realizing it.

We were at the scene where it was post prom and they were outside by their windows talking to one another and realized they got into the same college.

Their feelings came out and they ended up making out on the grass, which then turned to them going to her room and you see a loss of innocence scene begin to play out.

I shifted my head a bit….this becoming a bit awkward since I was a virgin and this scene hit a bit close to home.

I’m no idiot to sex, but Matt and I never had sex. We were together for a year and a half and we just never went more than making out and getting handsy.

We finished the movie that had one more scene like that, and I could tell the energy in the room changed between us.

We shut the tv off and decided to do the dishes.

“I really liked that movie” Matt said

“Yeah me too it was super cute, and I enjoyed the ending” I said smiling at him

“Me too I was scared they weren’t going to work out, but I’m glad they did” he replied

“Same” I replied

The silence becoming painfully awkward

“So ummm you know that one scene” I asked

“What scene?” He asked laughing and turning the water off

“The one where she’s clearly losing her virginity” I asked getting shy

“Uhh yeah…” he replied furrowing his brows

“Well is it true? Like is that how it goes down?” I asked him

“Uhhh I wouldn’t know” he said drying his hands

“Wouldn’t know?” I asked cocking my head to the side

“Well yeah Y/N I’m a virgin” he said smiling awkwardly

“What? You’re a virgin?” I asked shocked

“Are you shocked?” He asked laughing

“I mean a little bit, you always seemed to know what we’re doing” I replied

“I said I never had sex I didn’t say I don’t know how to kiss or touch” he replied getting red in the face

“Oh….right” I said swallowing thickly

“I know you’re a virgin” he said

“Isn't it painfully obvious?” I asked laughing

“I wouldn’t say painfully, but yes it’s obvious” he replied laughing

“Heyy not nice” I said playfully pouting

“It’s okay we’re in the same boat here” he said laughing

“Awww virgin boy Matt” I said poking him

“You’re literally a virgin too” he said

“Exactly why we can make fun of each other” I said laughing

“Mmm I don’t think it works like that” he said coming around the counter

“Sureee sure” I said laughing

Matt and I had gone to my room slipping on our pajamas and laying in the bed. He was scrolling on TikTok while I was reading a book….

My mind couldn’t get off of the topic of sex. I mean I wanted to know what Matt thought and how he felt. I hadn’t realized I was shaking my leg till Matt grabbed my knee

“What’s wrong?” He asked laughing

“Huh? Nothings wrong” I said looking up from my book

“Something is wrong, you only shake your leg when you’re anxious” he replied

“I’m not anxious just thinking” I said shutting my book and placing it on the nightstand

“About??” He asked shutting his phone off and placing it on the other nightstand

“Just the movie” I said avoiding eye contact

“A 90s movie got you anxious?” He said laughing

“What? No” I said rolling my eyes

“It’s just I was thinking about sex and how we never really talk about it” I said looking at him

“I’m an open book what do you want to talk about” he asked me

“Well, have you ever thought of sex with me?” I asked shyly

“I have usually when I’m daydreaming in the shower or at night” he said giggling

“Matttt” I said laughing

“I’m sure you’ve thought of me” he said winking

Immediately my heart started racing and my cheeks flushed. I wasn’t sure how he was so confident right now because I was shitting bricks.

I’ve spent many nights over the course of our relationship fantasizing about Matt and what he’d be like in bed. Picturing his sweaty body panting over me as he moaned out my name….. or maybe now…. whimpering since he’s inexperienced

“I have” I said looking down

“And what have you thought about?” He asked

“I’m not telling you that” I said looking at him

“I’ll go first then. I just think about you laying underneath me, moaning and sweating. Your cheeks flushed, your eyes screwed shut and your hair a mess” he said with hooded eyes

“Matt….you can’t say stuff like that and expect me not to have a reaction” I said shaking my head

“I’m just being honest” he said

“What if….what if we have sex right now” I said fiddling with my hands

“Right now?” He asked shocked

“I mean might as well” I said shrugging my shoulders

“I’ve never done this so I can't promise I’ll be any good or that I’ll last long” he said scratching the back of his neck

“Well that’s all right, for right now it’s the experience” I said

“Okay…yeah….yeah” he said

“Well uhh you start it” I said sitting there

“Start it?” He said laughing

“I don’t know you make the first move” I said getting awkward

He leaned over and planted a kiss on my lips. His right hand caressing my cheek as we slowly began to make out. His lips moved down to my neck leaving sloppy kisses.

I grabbed his right hand and removed it from my face placing it on my boob. He firmly grabbed my breast, massaging and kneading as I moaned into the kiss

He got up and removed his shirt sitting on his heels, so I did the same. I sat on my heels in front of him and removed my shirt.

We were chest to chest and bare staring at one another. My hand caressed his jawline as it slowly ran down his neck and to his collarbone.

Leaning forward I placed a kiss on each side of his collarbone earning a sharp inhale from him. My hands run down his shoulders to his arms, and back up. Raking my nails up his arm and down his chest lightly. Goosebumps rising on his skin

I connected our lips in a heated kiss and slowly moved my lips down to his neck. Peppering kisses along the sensitive skin. Running my hands through his hair

“I love you Matt” I said looking into his eyes

“I love you too Y/N” he said looking at my face

He kissed down my neck and to my collarbone area trailing kisses from my shoulders to my collarbones. His lips meet near the valley of my breasts.

“You look so perfect like this, the necklace dazzling in the light while you’re bare in front of me….like a goddess” he whispered ghosting his fingers over the necklace

“God Matt you have such a way with words” I whispered back and my chest rose and fell rapidly

He kissed the soft tissue of my breasts before moving his lips down and licking my nipples.

“Oh my god” I gasped out

Licking, sucking and swerving his tongue as he looked up at me.

“How do you know how to do this?” I asked biting my bottom lip

“I’ve done my research” he replied with a smirk

He always words things so weirdly I thought to myself

He came back up snaking his right hand to the back of my head before crashing our lips together once more. Our tongues fighting for dominance as our teeth clashed together

Matt leaned me back on my pillows as he slid my pajama bottoms off.

“I’m new to this so I need you to tell me what you like” he said looking at me

I nodded my head and he slid his hand from my knee to my clothed pussy. Running his thumb over my soaked underwear.

“MATT” I gasped out as my thighs shut around his arm

“So you like that” he said smiling

“Yes” I whispered

Matt hooked his hands in my underwear and helped me slide out of them. My arousal basically soaked through them.

He brought his hand back down as he used his middle and ring finger to slide my arousal around from my clit to my entrance causing me to gasp

“Holy shit Matt” I moaned out looking down at him

“Have you ever fingered yourself before?” He asked

“I have, but your fingers are longer and thicker” I said licking my lips

“This might hurt” he said in a whisper and I nodded

He rubbed my clit with his thumb before inserting his middle finger into me. Gasping loudly at the new burning stretch

“Am I hurting you?” He asked looking at me

“No” I said as my brows furrowed and my eyes shut

Matt slowly pumped his finger in and out of me, if I wasn’t so turned on right now the sound of my arousal would have me embarrassed.

As his finger slid in and out I became more and more wet. Matt slid his ring finger in and I gripped the sheets harder.

“Oh my god” I moaned out

He rubbed my clit with his thumb as he pumped his fingers in and out of me.

“Matt matt matt please I need more” I moaned out looking at him

“Okay baby” he said rubbing my thigh with his left hand

He removed his fingers from me and I whimpered at the loss of contact. I propped myself up on my elbows.

Matt removed his pajama bottoms and his boxers, and my

Mouth dropped at the sight. After a year and a half I’m just now finding out that Matt is hung??

“Woah?” I said looking up at him

“What?” He said scared

“Matt your dick is huge” I said laughing and covering my mouth

“Alright enough” he said blushing and rolling his eyes

“I’m sorry I’m sorry” I said shaking my head

Matt put his fingers in his mouth to collect spit and spread it along his dick. My pussy clenching at the site of that.

“Do you always use spit?” I randomly blurted out

“Uhh no usually lotion, but spit gets the job done” he said looking at me

“Carry on then” I said winking at him

He slowly spread the spit on his cock, stroking his dick effortlessly while looking down at me.

“Like I said I might not last a long time, so in advance I’m sorry” he said looking down

“Matt it’s alright plus now that I know your fingers make me shudder I’m good” I said smiling at him

“Right” he said chuckling

Matt leaned forward in between my legs slowly hiking them up. He was a bit shaky but I began to place my hands on his back as he lined himself up with my entrance

“God I’m so nervous” he blurted out

“Matt just do it” I said laughing

“Sorry I’m sorry you make me nervous” he said looking at me

“I know when you’re all alone in your room you’re a little slut, so just do it” I said laughing

“Fine fine” he said laughing a bit

Slowly he slid into me, my nails gripping onto him as my eyes screwed shut.

“Fuck Matt” I winced out

“Too much” he asked looking at me

“It hurts but I’ll be okay just keep going” I said looking at him

Matt connected our lips as he pushed the rest of himself into me. Both gasping at the feeling as we locked eyes.

“You can move” I said to him

He nodded his head and slowly rocked back and forth into me. His breathing already getting shaky as his hips moved faster

“Fuck Y/N” he moaned out as his mouth fell open

“Matt you feel so good” I moaned out pulling him as close as humanly possible

Matt was panting in my ear as his hips snapped into me causing my nails to rake up and down his back.

Matt’s lips moving down my chest as he peppered kissed across my breast as his hips snapped into me.

“Matt baby I’m so close already” I moaned out

I wasn’t sure if it was because I was craving sex for so long, or if it was because Matt’s dick curved perfectly or if it was because Matt fucked good….but all I know is I was about to cum so hard I just needed a little push

I brought my right hand up to Matt’s mouth

“Suck please” I said in a moan

Matt’s mouth opened his mouth and he sucked on my middle and ring finger, swirling his tongue around them while he held eye contact with me…..like a slut…

I pulled my fingers from his mouth and brought them down to my clit. Rubbing faster as he pounded into me.

“Fuck fuck fuck” I moaned out as I looked into Matt’s eyes

“I’m going to cum soon” Matt said in a moan as his jaw fell slack

“Me too” I said hitting my lip

I rubbed faster and soon enough I began to clench around Matt, my body shuttering. My thighs began to shake as I held eye contact with Matt

My orgasm crashed over me so powerfully. My mouth fell open as I rubbed faster while Matt pounded into me.

Coming down from my high as I breathe in and out heavily.

“Fuck Matt that felt so good” I moaned out as he slid out of me

He began to pump himself at a quick speed as his chest rose and fell rapidly.

“I’m going to cum” he said looking down at me

Suddenly his lower abdomen contracted and his jaw fell slack as he looked at me

“Oh my goddd” he moaned out as he painted my lower abdomen in his cum

Shutting his eyes and licking his lips as he came down from his high

Falling next to me and looking at me

“That was amazing” he said breathing heavily

“It was and I’m so grateful I did it with you” I said looking over at him

“I love you so much Y/N” he said leaning over and kissing me

“I love you too Matt” I said biting my bottom lip

“Lets go shower” he said sitting up

I got my bathtub running for a hot bubble bath, and Matt put the bed sheets to wash…

He joined me in the hot bubbles and we sat together talking about what just happened

“Can we do that again” I asked him

“Of course” he said kissing me

“I’m talking about now” I said smiling at him

“Now? We still have your birthday cake in the fridge” he said laughing

“The night is still young” I said

“You’re an animal” he said

“You created this….with that massive dick of yours” I said laughing

“Alright okay” he said covering his face and blushing

“I love teasing you” I said poking him

That night we had many many rounds, and no birthday cake….We washed the sheets for nothing….

The End

Whewww this one was long, andddd it was my last request AHHHH. I hope you enjoyed it🤭🤭. Love you guys tho🥹🖤🖤

-J💅🏽

[apiswitchcraft]

altars for nordic gods

keep in mind that altars like these have very little historical backing, and this information is mostly for the use of the modern pagan. also pretty much every god can be honored with offerings of meat, mead, wine, and your own blood.

ODIN

Colors: grey/silver for justice; deep blue, black for magic; red for war

Offerings: nine sacred herbs (chamomile, nettle, fennel, crab apple, mugwort, plantain, watercress, chervil, betony), runes, food for ravens, poetry

Crystals: sodalite, lapis lazuli, amethyst, lepidolite, obsidian, labradorite

Animals: his ravens (Huginn and Muninn), his wolves (Geri and Freki)

THOR

Colors: yellow, white, grey for thunderstorms; red for war; blue for the sky

Offerings: rainwater, hawthorn, oak, garlic, onion, hearty meals

Crystals: fulgarite, blue quartz/calcite, yellow jasper, sodalite, obsidian, hematite

Animals: goats

LOKI

Colors: black, green for mischief; yellow/gold for wealth; red, orange when he is combined with Logi

Offerings: yellow rattle, birch, mistletoe, snake shed, cinnamon, dandelion, coins/money

Crystals: labradorite, jade, malachite, pyrite, citrine, bloodstone, gemstones, serpentine

Animals: birds, horses, snakes, foxes

TYR

Colors: dark blue, silver/grey for justice; red for war

Offerings: holly, mustard seed, bread, oak, ash, good deeds are especially emphasized with Tyr

Crystals: lapis lazuli, sapphire, red jasper, bloodstone, obsidian, hematite

Animals: wolf, dog, bear, eagle

BALDR

Colors: gold/yellow, white for opulence; sky blue, pink for beauty

Offerings: chamomile, daisies, white blossoms, honey, juniper berries, laurel leaves, sunflower

Crystals: sunstone, celestite, selenite, pearl, rose quartz, pyrite, milky quartz

Animals: foal

FRIGG

Colors: blue, silver/grey, white for the moon; yellow/gold for opulence

Offerings: cardamom, allspice, sweet wines, milk, handspun fiber, feathers, moss

Crystals: moonstone, selenite, celestite, pyrite, milky quartz, rose quartz, agates

Animals: falcons, hawks, geese

HELA

Colors: red, orange, black for the underworld; white, grey for the dead

Offerings: white flowers, apples, willow, dark chocolate, coffee beans, mushrooms, clove--leave food until rotten

Crystals: bloodstone, jet, onyx, obsidian, black tourmaline, volcanic stone, red jasper, hematite

Animals: owl, raven, dog, wolf

FREYJA

Colors: red, pink, white for love; green, brown for nature; gold/yellow for her cape; purple, dark blue for magic

Offerings: jasmine, rose, verbena, collecting cat whiskers, honeycomb, fruit, fresh flowers, chocolate

Crystals: amber, petrified wood, agates, garnet/ruby, pyrite, lapis lazuli, rose quartz, emerald, jade, tiger's eye, cat's eye, amethyst

Animals: cats, pigs, horses, falcons

FREYR

Colors: green, brown for nature; yellow/gold for sunshine

Offerings: grain, apples, bread, nuts/seeds, venison, anything phallic, antlers, birch, hawthorn, coins/money

Crystals: green aventurine, agates, petrified wood, jaspers, jade, citrine, zoisite, pyrite

Animals: deer/stag, boar, horse, bee

NJORD

Colors: white, blues for the sea

Offerings: fish, sea salt, shells, beads, tobacco, fishing gear

Crystals: aquamarine, larimar, gemstones, pearls, malachite, sodalite, azurite, iolite

Animals: seabirds, sea mammals

SKADI

Colors: white, light blue for winter; brown for the hunt

Offerings: raw meat, berries, nuts, clear liquors, pelts, antlers

Crystals: milky quartz, bloodstone, blue calcite, chalcedony, jaspers

Animals: arctic fox

[bonefall]

Do you have a design for Bright Storm? I'm fond of the wise older figure thing you're doing with her

I do NOW

Made her, as well as a revamp of my old Thunder Storm design (I last drew him like a year ago!!) in preparation for some character summaries I plan to bang out after finishing a couple drafts, but Bright in particular gets requested so much (anon you're like the 4th person) that HERE, lady girl and her son be upon ye

I'm thinking about doing the BB!DOTC character summaries in "family" posts, so they're all grouped together the way I plan them to act in the story. Every family is telling a little mini-story of its own, in a way, from the Frost family and their inventing prowess, to the Heart family and how the kits react to Bumble's exile, to the Storm family and how they grapple with Clear Sky's influence.

I wanted to make sure Bright Storm was very large and powerful looking, but in a round, kind of "humble" way. She downplays her strength, her intelligence, and even her better judgement.

So she has these big cheeks, fluffy primordial pouch, poofy tail, keeps her head low-ish. Tends to deny compliments.

I was commiserating with my partner the other day about how intelligent characters aren't allowed to be thick-bodied. So between my fat, beloved Bumble the translator and Bright Storm the wise woman battle strategist I'm feeding us both

I needed to "finalize" their stripe pattern, because I actually plan for TIGERSTAR to have the same one. I'm probably going to update my Tawnypelt and Bramblestar designs to have it too; if they don't look better with Goldenflower's.

I just like the irony and bitterness of it. That these ancient stripes, once so associated with compassion and righteous fury, turn into a "legacy" so divorced from what Thunder Storm and Bright Storm stood for.

Becoming a symbol for the idea of modern ThunderClan and the culture of the new times, not the principles it was founded on.

Also I HAD to do the design thing where Thunder Storm's stripes look like top surgery scars lmao, my beloved transmasc boy

Anyway, I've decided that Thunder Storm was a REALLY dark orange. It bugs me a little, especially in-canon, that he looks nothing like either parent. So in BB he's not too far off color-wise from his mama.

I also removed the old "mane" and replaced it with combination white chest + his father's shoulder burls. The mane is going to become a Forest Cat trait, which is why it's going to get so prominent in ThunderClan.

Instead, Mountain Cats have a REALLY high concentration of ear tufts in their genes. They're also huge and generally hairy.

Funny enough though they're also "oily." They come from the Lake Cat population which was pretty water-resistant because of constantly dealing with the lake, and they haven't lived in the Mountains long enough for natural selection to get rid of it.

It's going to become SUPER advantageous for those who move to the River Kingdom, but become less prominent in the other populations.

But for now, Mountain Cats are kinda... well, naturally 'stinky.' That's not a BAD thing to cats who are animals who LIKE strong smells, but it is a notable trait that I'd like The Wind Runner in particular to comment on.

Thunder Storm: "Well? What did she say?"

Bumble: "Ummmmmm......"

Thunder Storm: "be honest"

Bumble: "she says she smelled you coming when you were upwind. rudely."

99% of the time when I'm changing character eye colors, it's to make them NOT blue because there's too many blue-eyed characters in WC imo. BUT.

I think it was another tiny waste to have the narrative constantly stressing Clear Sky's blue, blue eyes, almost like they're hypnotizing, and then they never really comment on what Thunder's eye color signals to other people.

So I've got an idea; instead of amber, Thunder Storm has ELECTRIC BLUE eyes. Almost green, like his mother's minty ones.

Intense as his father's, but more focused. Sharp. Shocking.

Side note: in my research I actually learned it's easier for tripod cats to RUN than it is for them to walk. They can "canter" like a horse, but when they go slow they have to hop. Taking this into consideration.

I put a splash of white on the little bit of lower limb that Thunder Storm has on the leg, so it sticks out a bit more. I don't want it to be hidden I want it to be prominent

I also figured out a hilarious trick for Bright Storm to pull on Sky's Clan at some point lmao

Thunder's crew is in conflict with Sky's cats and the attacks are getting more and more frequent. They decide they need some extra time to carry out some kind of hunt or diplomatic mission, but Bright Storm only has a small group of cats to pull off a stunt with.

She knows she can't fight them head on, but she NEEDS to buy her son more time, so she hatches a plan.

Clear Sky values his intelligence and his ferocity very much. To a fault, even. He loves to outsmart his opponents and overpower them-- so Bright Storm gets all her cats to build a very large, very tall, nearly impenetrable wall out of briar thorns. There's only one way in; the well-guarded tunnel they've constructed in the front.

It would be a challenge for a lesser cat. But Clear Sky, clever devil he is, realizes they've made a fatal flaw; they've built their camp right next to the trees. His fighters don't need to jump over the wall or push through it, the oaks are their allies!

So, while Thunder's cats are all surely sleeping, he gathers his best men and come through the canopy. In well-trained patrols, they swoop down into the camp and prepare for battle.

and no one is there.

You see, there was only one way in... and only one way out.

And Clear Sky and his best fighters watch with HORROR as the tiny crew of guards seals that entrance up like the neck of a bag. There are no trees to climb INSIDE the wall, and it's too tall to hop out of. It won't hold them forever, but it will hold them JUST LONG ENOUGH.

Bright calls this little plan "Operation Timeout."

[nardo-headcanons]

National Holidays in the Ninja Villages + Bonus

I've had this idea in mind for a while, and now I finally got to write it down. Feel free to use these for your own works. Please tag me so I can read em all! <33

Iwagakure: The Lunar Lights of Gratitude The moon has a special place in the heart of every Iwa citizen. To them, it is a part of the earth, now observing its mother body from space. So naturally, the spectacle of a blue/super moon is a special occasion in Iwagakure. To honor and greet the moon, which is actually called "daughter" in the earth country's language, large fireworks are organized every new moon after a blue moon. As previously established, the earth country's firework industry is the largest, which Iwa shinobi are very proud of. Lighting the sky on fire and turning night into daytime is the Iwa way of giving back some of the light that the moon gives us at night.

Kirigakure: The Moonshine Sea Festival Despite the rivalry between the land of earth and the land of water, there is one thing they have in common, which is their spiritual connection to the moon and space. To water country citizens, especially the fishermen, the moon is a protector and guardian of the night, along with the stars. They strengthen the their connection to their biggest source of both faith and fear: the sea. The special climate in the water country, combined with its great biodiversity give a great habitat for biolumescent plankton, turning the sea itself into a starry night sky. It is one of the only pieces of culture that has been preserved, since the celebration itself was founded by the water country's union of fishermen, who don't belong to a particular clan with a kekkei genkai; most of the kekkei genkai wielders in Kiri have been wiped out, along with their culture, traditions and religions.

Sunagakure: Winter's Return The wind country is often ravaged by agonozingly hot summers, sand storms and heat waves are not a rarity in this country. While foreigners might groan and roll their eyes at the thought of the return to cold, foggy winter days, in Sunagakure it is a day for celebration. On the day where the sun stays for the longest, in the middle of the year, a large celebration is held across the nation. The way it is celebrated is different from family to family, and every Suna family is convinced that their way is the right one. Typically, markets are closed the whole day, and any missions rank B or below are halted for the day.

Kumogakure: Whale Festival of Generosity During winter, whales can be found emigrating along the lightning country's coast line, towards the land of iron. This holiday once came to be to celebrate the whales emigration towards a more prosperous habitat to mate and provide enough food for their young - a truly generous gesture. Over the years, many kumo shinobi have forgotten the old tale behind this festival, and it has turned into more of a mere gift giving occasion. And yet, it is widely popular and celebrated throughout the whole country.

Konoha: Cherry and Plum Blossom Viewing In Konoha, Hanami is annually celebrated. It is a custom celebrating the transitionary nature of cherry and plum blossoms blooming in spring.

BONUS: Uchiha Clan Honoring one's ancestors and traditions is of high importance to the Uchiha. Every year, on a clear fall night, the whole clan gathers together to light up little candles using their katon. The tealights are arranged in the Uchiha crest and left to light up the night and the clan share the evening together eating dinner, drinking hot tea and praying at the nakano shrine.

That's all, folks!

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

Hi sunny!! I’ve been dying to see a little more from the spoon of love AU, the one where Bilbo thinks he’s married to Thorin because he ate from his spoon.

So can you write me a Sweet Romantic treat with the prompt Homesick? And maybe combined with the fufftober prompt Stormy Night?

Cheers 🎃

First off, thank you so much! I'm so excited to post To Spoon Feed You Comfort in January and I'm glad you're excited too! This was quite a prompt, but I think I met the challenge. 😉 I set this during their stay in Laketown, please enjoy!

The lightning snaked across the window to Bilbo’s room, and after a few seconds the thunder rumbled enough to shake the entire house. The rain like frozen balls of ice beating against the roof had Bilbo giving up on any and all pretenses of sleep. With a sigh he pulled himself out of his oversized man bed, and started making his way down stairs. He thought perhaps sitting in front of the large parlor fireplace might help. He just didn’t expect the room to already be occupied. He froze on the last step as Thorin turned his head to pierce him with his stare, pipe hanging from his mouth.

“Master Bag- Bilbo. What are you doing up?”

“Can’t be expected to sleep with all this going on.” Bilbo gave a small smirk, gesturing vaguely to the noise of the storm. 

Thorin nodded his head as he waved him over to the other chair. Bilbo thanked him kindly and slid into the seat, trying and failing to keep from staring. Thorin was a work of art. Something to marvel at as he traced the lines of his face with his eyes. Watching the flames of the fire play off the golden tones of his skin. Making his usually sky blue eyes look dark and intense. And the silver in his hair shines gold. Having caught his staring, Thorin raised an eyebrow and Bilbo quickly ducked his head. 

He didn’t know what to say. What he could say. Ever since Thorin has learned the truth, Bilbo has been more unsure than ever around him. It made him long to go back. Back before the quest. He wondered if his life would be any easier if he had just allowed one of those hobbits clamoring to make him their husband eat from his spoon instead. He gave a bitter smirk. Probably not. He found, especially on a night like this, that he missed the gentle nature of his Shire. The forgiving weather, the lush grass beneath his toes, and the sleepy nature that didn’t demand. Didn’t rush. Left him time to his thoughts and his actions. 

“You’re thinking of home again.” Thorin mused.

Bilbo’s heart jumped at Thorin’s use of the word ‘home’. Not Bilbo’s home, but just home.

“I’m sorry, what?” He asked breathlessly.

“You have this look about you every time you think of the Shire.” Thorin clarified, his eyes glued to the flames. “You must miss it greatly.”

That was where he was wrong, and it was something that seemed to jar Bilbo. He missed his Shire but he didn’t miss it greatly. 

“I imagine it must be like you and Erebor.” Bilbo responded breathlessly.

Thorin hummed in agreement. “Being this close, it’s like I can hear the voice of the mountain again. It’s a melody that’s been missing for a long time.”

Bilbo smiled as he took Thorin’s hand and gave it a short squeeze, accidentally jolting Thorin back to the present. Bilbo cleared his throat and pulled his hand away.

“I want to give it back to you. You’re almost there.”

Thorin gave him the start of a smile, his eyes boring into him.

“I’ve thought about it, you know. What stone I would give?”

Bilbo shook his head. “Stone?” He questioned.

“Like your spoons.” He clarified. “Only it’s just a statement of intent, not outright marriage.”

Bilbo’s mouth popped open at the exact moment the lightning flashed again. He waited until the thunder was done roaring its displeasure before he started again.

“You don’t…if this is just an obligatory gesture…”

Thorin leaned forward so that their knees touched and his hand could grip Bilbo’s entire forearm. He waited until Bilbo braved to look up at him, and what he saw knocked the air out of his body.

“It’s not obligatory. Not now.”

Bilbo opened his mouth, swallowed, and tried again. But he couldn’t think of anything to say. His mind as turbulent as the skies outside. Thorin seemed to sense this, and didn’t press any further than that. He merely left a kiss on Bilbo's forehead before getting up and walking back upstairs. An innocent gesture, but one that felt like a brand upon his skin. It wasn’t obligatory and Bilbo didn’t miss the Shire greatly. The start of something wonderful sat before Bilbo, and he was terrified he wasn’t brave enough to seize it.

Trick or Treat My Inbox

[sunlightandsuffering]

Fratboy Eren really is a walking red flag, he uses a 3 in 1 body wash, and has a bed with blue navy sheets and no base😭

😈😈 it’s begun anon! Truthfully this is my fave Drabble so far

She hates showering at Eren’s place, because first of all, it’s a fucking frat house which means the bathroom is shared and no one cleans it.

It’s disgusting, deplorable, her uncle would have a conniption if he ever found out she was in vicinity of a shower like this, let alone actually showering in it.

And secondly, Eren is a boy, a walking fucking red flag and his frat house bathroom and bedroom are clear evidence of it.

His bed is composed of a mattress, no bed frame, laid on the floor in the middle of the room, made up with navy sheets that she’s unsure he’s ever washed.

But hey, at least they don’t make much noise when they fuck, because there’s no bed frame for them to shake. She’ll take her victories small and however she can get them.

The bathroom is a different beast itself, shaving cream and toothpaste smeared over the sink, a garbage that remains steadfastly unused, and worst of all, the three-in-one combination shampoo/conditioner/body wash.

It’s atrocious on her hair, her long beautiful silken locks that her mother had raised her to take pride in, to prioritize above all else, because as her mother loved to say, ‘Mikasa, your face is pretty, but your hair is beautiful’.

She had only moderate childhood trauma from the time Eren had snipped an inch off during a sleepover.

So the days that Mikasa has to shower at Eren’s whorehouse frat house, were a different kind of hell for her entirely, especially because they’ve been becoming more frequent.

Originally, she’d simply switched her wash days to compensate, only washing her body with the dreaded three-in-one soap, but lately, she’s been spending more nights than she’d like here and currently she’s on day three of not washing her hair.

It’s becoming greasy, and she’d woken up this morning to glance in the mirror and found a slight sheen to her hair, an oily texture that she could not allow.

But worse yet was the thought of using the satanic shampoo on her long raven locks, would it do more harm than good, at least the oil of her hair was natural, not like whatever blue coloured garbage Eren used.

She spends about thirty minutes agonizing over it before Eren finally notices something is up, and she’s pulled from her internal argument by the screech of the shower curtain and a very irritated green-eyed boy.

“Mikasa, this isn’t a spa you have to get out, we all share the shower.”

It is a testament to just how distressed she is that she doesn’t even pull the shower curtain back, allowing Eren to look his fill, which he does of course, it’s Eren. His eyes rove over her every curve, before he finally settles back on her face and his brows furrow, “What’s wrong?”

His hand slips up to grab her own, pulling it from where it’s clutched between her breasts, giving him an even better view of the full perky mounds, glistening in the water but he barely even looks, focused on her now.

“Miki,” He tries again and MIkasa slumps forward, pointing at his shampoo forlornly, “I can’t use it. I can’t.”

“Okay,” He looks at her in suspicion, tugging at her wrist so she’ll come a little closer, his other hand coming to push her sopping wet hair from her eyes, uncaring of the water soaking down his arms.

“You don’t have to use it, it’s fine.”

“Eren you don’t understand, my hair is” she shudders, “It’s greasy.”

She speaks with urgency, trying to impress upon him the importance of this manner, that this cannot be allowed any longer.

“Okay baby, so?”

The pet name just slips out but she barely notices, her stress level sky rocketing, “Eren it’s my hair, I can’t you know how I am about—“

“Ohhh,” Eren nods with understanding, before giving her cheek a quick pinch and dropping her hand, “Be right back.”

And then, her asshole frat bro disappears back into his bedroom and Mikasa yelps as he leaves the door open, yanking the curtain shut again. Thankfully it’s early enough that she’s sure most self-respecting frat bros aren’t awake to see her.

As Mikasa fumes over his abrupt disappearance, Eren enters the bathroom again, a happy little smile on his face before he pulls the curtain back open, “You should have said something earlier.”

And then, to Mikasa’s shock Eren hands her a little shower caddy, pink and one of the cleanest things in his room, filled with brightly coloured bottles, the brand she normally uses, shampoo, conditioner, hair masks.

“I got it for you a few weeks ago when you started sleeping over more, I asked your mom what you like to use, I know how you are about your hair,” He tells her, all hot and smiley, even so early in the morning, eyes still droopy with sleep, hair disheveled.

“Eren, listen to me very carefully, this is the only time I’m ever going to say this to you, do you understand?”

He’s looking at her in confusion now, and Mikasa, grabs him by his shirt, yanking him under the spray of the shower for a kiss so passionate, so infused with adoration that it leaves her dizzy after, “I love you.”

He looks confused as he pulls back before his eyes light up, “Really?”

“No, I usually can’t stand you, but this,” She pokes the shower caddie of hair products, “This is the hottest thing you’ve ever done now take your clothes off and get in the shower before I change my mind.”

He’s already pulling his shirt over his head and Mikasa is on cloud 9 because some of those hair masks not even she has, a little too expensive for her to splurge, but he’d bought her the entire fucking line without blinking.

He’s down to his pants, and Mikasa licks her lips as she rakes her eyes over the lines of his abs, the dusting of dark hair leading down, down, down to the prize she now craves, because she’s going to fucking worship him for this.

To hell with the hot water, she’ll spend all day in this shower with him if wants, making love to his cock and sucking him off with every ounce of adoration she feels right now.

“Wait-“ Eren stops, his hands lingering over the waist band of his boxers, so close to her prize, the hard line of his cock, thick and throbbing for her, “Don’t you have to like actually do your hair now? I can wait—“

“Eren,” She cuts him off, voice edging on desperation, gravelly with desire, “Shampoo and conditioner with take a few minutes at best, and you can do that for me.”

Her voice turns wicked, sultry as she continues, more lustful than she’s ever been before, “But hair masks, I like to leave them in for a long time, and today I think I need several, 30 minutes leave in minimum and I can think of at least one thing I can do while we wait.”

She glances down at his boxers meaningfully, and Eren groans as he realizes the implication.

“Shit,” Eren curses, throwing his pants down, and she throws fuel on the fire, “You just might have to hold my hair up, keep it in a knot because I forgot my elastic today, think that’s something you can do?”

“Fuck yeah.”

She sucks him off three times, one per hair mask, and once because she just loves the feel of his hands in her hair, how good he was at massaging shampoo into her scalp, likes comfort of his hands on her while she sucks his cock too.

And the next time she sleeps over at his place, she’s not as upset about it anymore, even if he still doesn’t have a bed frame.

[miirshroom]

The Moon of Nokstella - The Language of Elements

A while back I counted the gemstones and found that the sides of the moon of Nokstella are not equal. I did this because I had a thought that it might be a kind of dot diagram for an atom surrounded by electrons. It's not the only item where I speculate this, there are many shields where similarly I am interested in counting the rivets. So the assumption here is that there is a story around the synthesis of element 38 from elements 34 and 4.

Element 34 is Selenium, which was named for a Roman goddess of the moon. It is a dark silvery metal. This immediately seems to confirm my suspicion considering the dark moon theme of the talisman.

Element 4 is Beryllium, which is a component of the Beryl gemstone. These are all Beryls:

If it is assumed that the 34 surrounding gemstones are also beryls for consistency then they have a good colour match with aquamarine, while the 4 quadrant Beryls resemble maxixe. The colour of aquamarine is generally stable (it is made by trace amounts of iron), though it can be intensified with heat treatment. The colour of maxixe is artificial due to radiation and will fade over time. Clear goshenite is the mother of all beryl's because it can treated to re-colour it to the others.

Aquamarine and Bloodstone are the two birthstones for March. The corresponding zodiac signs would be Pisces and Aries assuming Western astrology (sun signs) or Aquarius and Pisces by Vedic astrology (moon signs).

Element 38 is Strontium. It is a soft metal that is silvery but rapidly tarnishes to a dull yellow when exposed to air. It burns red in a colour similar to Elden Ring's bloodflame:

It was named after the Scottish village of Strontian (Sròn an t-Sìthein), which means "nose of the fairy hill". The overall color of the talisman recalls that there is a nebulous blue fairy and/or dancer in the lore. And "Siofra" means "changeling" in reference to the fairy creature.

Combine with the above knowledge of Aquarius, the fixed air sign that sweeps away the past to make room for something new, and this implies that a fairy changeling was created by the power of the metallic moon and stone. And that was the beginning of the ancient wolf-and-sheep themed blood dynasty.

Fragments and updates from my earlier speculation about the creation myth(s) of the Lands Between. Presented in format of trumpet sounds to herald what is to come in the following astrological sign:

Scorpio: An existing world ruled by what would eventually come to be known as the God of Rot. 1st trumpet - hail and fire mingled with blood thrown to earth. Scorched 1/3 of the Earth.

Ophiuchus: 1st Day: "Let there be light". Memory of grace. Light of the rising sun reflecting on the water 2nd trumpet - great mountain burning with fire, 1/3 of the land turned red.

Sagittarius: 2nd Day: Creation of the Firmament (i.e. the heavens and the sky) 3rd trumpet - star called wormwood poisons 1/3 of fresh water sources (wormwood is also called "absinthe sage"). This star is quite likely the Elden Beast, but could be an Astel.

Capricorn: 3rd Day: Creation of dry ground and plants. Likely creation of an Erdtree, or a certain species of tree in general. 4th trumpet - 1/3rd of the light from the sun, moon and stars goes dark.

Aquarius: 4th Day: Creation of sun, moon, and stars - creation of a black moon? Or representing a moon cycle - the emergence of an illuminated full moon from the previous new (dark) moon? 5th trumpet - the first woe. A star falls from heaven, with Scorpion-like tail. Creatures are eradicated unless they have a certain sign on their foreheads. The Scorpion-like tail again may reference Astel, more likely than the Elden Beast.

Pisces: 5th Day: Creation of birds and sea creatures - Creation of sea life could be re-contextualized as eradication of all sea-life that does not fit within a strict definition (considering how rare it is to see true sea creatures in the game and especially the lack of fish). Creation of birds likely corresponds to creation of the Twinbird, considering that Pisces is associated with two fish moving in different directions, or with the swallow bird in the Babylonian zodiac. 6th trumpet - the second woe - 4 angels released from binds in River Euphrates.

Aries: 6th Day: Creation of land animals and humans - created with a Cardinal fire sign. Origin of bloodflame, probably, for the warm blood that is poetically considered the animating source of life for humans and mammals. 7th trumpet - the third woe - kingdom of the world becomes kingdom of the Lord. Presumably Placidusax, the first Elden Lord.

Moon of Nokstella

This legendary talisman is a treasure of Nokstella, the Eternal City. Increases memory slots. This talisman represents the lost black moon. The moon of Nokstella was the guide of countless stars.

At my current guess, I would place the mythical black moon of Nokstella as dating back to the ancient era of Aquarius. For context of what that means relative to other points on the timeline, I expect that the era of Scorpio corresponds to the desolation of Rauh and origin of the ancient God of Rot (scorpions and all). The Abyssal Serpent (Ophiuchus) arrives being "hail and fire mixed with blood" that "scorched 1/3 of the earth". And is followed by the Primordial Crucible - a giant fiery volcano - in the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius as heralded by the 2nd trumpet and demonstrated by the presence of Crucible Knight Denovia with the centaur Aspect of the Crucible. The wing of Astel is a curved sword such as those used by the Warrior character class who resembles the folkloric dancer in blue, and Astel itself has the appearance of a monstrous blue fairy - thus the Ancient God of Rot was also sealed at this time of change represented by Pisces.

And this weaving of chemistry, astrology, birthstones, Abrahamic creation myth, Christian book of Revelations and fairytale folklore is one example of how the timeline is complex, but it's possible to assemble a shape for even the more nebulous earlier points by identifying and dissecting the mythology inspirations. There are certainly other layers relating to the creation myths of other cultures, but this is as far as I intend to speculate based on the Moon of Nokstella alone.

[mako-neexu]

mahoyo collab and id chapter combo explodes me so much. they were able to sleep so peacefully after Id chapter because in the scene where ricardo and himeko ask about what guda wants to do after 'graduation' or their future they said they'll think about it. its noticeable especially with ptolemy valentines like... that scene was special and its so evident about their situation.

like... ptolemy reminds them of how a journey ends and life goes on. and so gives them a 'side quest' because guda hasnt been able to think about the future at all despite striving to reach 'that destination'.

meaning: ever since the start of it all, part 1 especially as they already had so much nightmares scathach had to clean it and theres also the tiring work for dantes throughout the years, they havent been able to really get a proper night's rest what with getting isekaitis, dreams varying on nightmares, emptiness, memories, thoughts, and feelings of Servants. and upon waking up, the routine is never relaxed and thus theyre occupied 100% of the time. even in sleep.

"I'll think about it." everything got worse after lost will so combined with a lot of mental health problems and Top Grade Repressing, they're able to think normally and clearly after a a nice sleep for the first time in a while... in a place not in chaldea, but in a nice vacation hotel...

the Avengers gave them just that. before leaving...clearing out the very literal things plaguing them. it will still probably accumulate but its been thoroughly cleaned out and incinerated so it will be a long while before it gets worse- and dantes has already reassured that the end of the journey is near. just a little more and guda would be able to reach that which they long for...

after such a gray sky, you're able to see a blue sky, if temporarily, and dream of a future where you can be with someone you love and make and create food that would give joy to anyone...

[thirtysixsavefiles]

A little wip amnesty for wip Wednesday Thursday: I still think Zoro and Sanji and sex pollen is a winning combination, but I am focusing on other things at the moment and so I’m releasing this intro into the wild :D

~~~

Sanji draws a cigarette out with shaking fingers. The box is crushed and half full of sandy dirt but the cigarettes inside are still intact, thank fuck. He reaches for his crumpled jacket, fishing around for his lighter, but it’s not in the breast pocket, or either of the sides, or —

“Here.” A snick and a flame pops up in front of him, courtesy of his own lighter held in Zoro’s outstretched hand. Sanji lets his eyes travel up Zoro’s arm to his face — he’s put his shirt back on but there’s a blue-brown mark blooming just above his collar, and Sanji feels his stomach flutter.

“Stealing my lighter now?” Sanji mumbles, but he leans forward and lights up.

“Hardly.” Zoro snaps the lighter closed and tosses it to Sanji. “It fell out when your jacket came off, when you —”

“All right, all right,” Sanji interrupts, grabbing the lighter out of the air. “Don’t remind me.”

Zoro shifts on his feet for a moment, the dirt of the clearing sliding beneath his boots. Then he steps back, settling himself a few feet away — out of arm’s reach, Sanji notes — on the rock formation Sanji is propping himself up with. Zoro leans against the rough side of the formation, crossing his arms.

“What are we going to tell the others?” he says in a neutral, expressionless tone, but Sanji can still hear the uncertainty in it. If Zoro’s asking, he hasn’t made up his own mind yet. He can still be swayed.

Sanji takes a deep drag on his cigarette, considering. He has to plot this course carefully.

“The truth,” he decides, exhaling a thin plume of smoke toward the sky.

“The truth?” Zoro says. It doesn’t sound as if this option had occurred to him.

“Yeah.” Sanji taps the ash from his cigarette onto the dirt beneath his feet. “We went on a scouting run for fresh water. We didn’t find any. We returned to the ship. End of story.”

“How are you going to explain your —” Zoro gestures vaguely up and down toward Sanji.

Sanji looks down. His jacket had mostly been spared; it will cover the damage done to his shirt, but there’s dirt streaking his trousers, especially the knees. He sighs.

“I tripped.” Sanji leans down to brush the worst of it off. “So did you, for that matter. We both tripped.” He straightens with a wince.

Zoro’s mouth is a flat line. “You really think anyone’s going to buy that?”

Sanji takes a drag and blows a smoke ring at him. “You want to go into more detail? You want me to tell them how you begged to —”

“All right.” Zoro scowls, waving the smoke away. “Fine. We’ll go with your story.”

“It’s not a story,” Sanji reminds him, looking back up at the sky and lifting the cigarette to his mouth. “It’s the truth. Just not…all of it.”

[after-witch]

Jungle Gym [Kidnapped Reader + True Knot]

Title: Jungle Gym [Kidnapped Reader + True Knot]

Synopsis: You were supposed to get tortured tonight. Instead, you hid. Companion piece to Pasteurized.

Word count: 1171

notes: kidnapped reader, descriptions of past torture, reader is afab; combination of movie and book canon

At 9 PM, an hour when the sun had set and the sky was deep blue-black and all dotted with stars, you were supposed to head down to the clearing and sit nice and pretty and wait for Rose the Hat to strike the first blow.

Literally, the first blow. This was not some metaphorical musing or purple prose. She usually started your torture sessions (they were, of course, the True Knot’s feeding sessions) with a solid kick to the ribs or the side, to knock you down, and get you in a nice prone position for whatever was coming next.

The sharp pain, she said, was a bit like dropping a steak onto a sizzling hot pain. It gave your flavor a nice crust. 

You had done this dutifully for some years now. When you were a child, they dragged you there or Crow Daddy took your hand and led you there without giving you room to struggle; you had no choice. As you got older, it became something of a chore marked on a calendar. 

Friday: Make bed, wash dishes, head down to the bonfire to get tortured for hours.

It was something you did because you were supposed to, because the alternative was worse. Because some sick part of you wanted them to like you, and not making them work hard for their food seemed to do just that.

Tonight, though, you didn’t brace yourself and walk down to the clearing. You snuck out of the little camper where you lived with Silent Sarey and crawled, silent as you please, to the creaky old playground set up away from camp. A public playground where anyone staying at the campground could go.

It was a stupid move, in all respects. They would find you. They would hurt you more for giving them trouble. Especially when they treated you so well; that was always the line when you were younger. You should be grateful that they didn’t chain you up like a dog in the dark.

And you were grateful, most of the time. Really. Truly. You were grateful every time you got a birthday cake or Rose the Hat had a civil conversation instead of sneering at you like a smart-mouthed roast dinner. You were grateful for your bed and your notebooks and your magazines. 

You were grateful for Crow Daddy--your daddy--who made sure you got schooling and took you to the movies and always treated you with care, so long as you acted right.

But there was only so much pain you could take. And tonight, you could take no more.

Not that it mattered what you could take.

It’s Crow Daddy who finds you. And you know that it was probably on purpose, because he’s the only one whose presence wouldn’t immediately make you want to bolt. To convince you to come willingly, so there wouldn’t be a scene. If they were fine with you screaming and kicking, they might have sent Barry to drag you by your armpits or heaven forbid, Rose, all simmering anger to draw you out with threats.

But instead it’s Crow Daddy who kneels in front of the jungle gym. It was the only piece of equipment big enough for you to fit under. Woodchips dig into your thighs, and you shift uncomfortably on the ground. 

“Hey, there,” he says. Casual as you please. Like you weren’t tucked under a piece of playground equipment at night, hiding from your tormentors. 

You bite down hard on the inside of your cheek and keep your eyes staring down at your lap. If you don’t talk, you can stay here longer. Delay the inevitable. 

He sighs, a slow, soft sound in the night. Crickets sing behind his breath. 

“Well. Didn’t think you hated me so much, honey.”

Something lurches in your chest, and you look up. The moonlight plays on Crow Daddy’s face. He looks serious and sad and Christ, worst of all, disappointed in you. 

“What? No, I don’t hate you, I-”

Crow Daddy shakes his head, cutting you off. “You want me to starve, is that it? Me and Miss Rose? And Grandpa Flick, too? You saw he’s been using a cane lately. But I guess you want him to go on hurtin’.” 

Tears prick at your eyes. Grandpa Flick had been walking stiffly the past few weeks. Rose had been helping him up and down. He didn’t have the skip in his step that he got right after, well--right after he fed on your tortured, nourishing steam. 

Was it wrong, to feel bad for him? He was one of the people who kidnapped you, but he wasn’t so bad when he was in a good mood. He got you presents and patted your head and told you old, old, old stories.

And Crow Daddy, of course, of course you didn’t want him to hurt.

“I don’t want you to starve, daddy. Or Miss Rose or anyone. I would never…”  You would never what, you think? Never run away? It wasn’t a possibility. Never deny them food? You didn’t have a choice. 

He gestures for you to come closer, and you obey. The wood chips dig into your knees as you crawl out from underneath the jungle gym and sit in front of Crow Daddy, who gives you a once over.

“Then why are you hiding when you know it’s supper, hm?”

There are a million things you could say. 

All you do is whimper stupidly. The ghosts of pains past ripple through your memory. The knives, the beatings. The crowbars. The hornets. 

“It’ll hurt.”

Crow Daddy puts one firm hand on your shoulder.

“I know, sweetheart. It’s gotta hurt, though. Don’t you want us to stay nice and strong?”

You nod. There’s only one answer he wants. He’s kind enough to take your hand and lead you right to it. 

“Yes, daddy.”

His serious frown breaks into a smile, and you smile, too. Not because you’re happy but because when he smiles it means he’s not disappointed in you and in this big fucked up world, that’s all you have. 

He chucks your chin with his fingers.

“That’s my girl.” 

He stands, and extends his hand, and you take it. He grips it tight as he leads you away from the playground and towards the flickering light of the bonfire in the distance. You try not to fight against what’s coming, which will surely be worse than whatever they had planned originally. Instead you just accept it. Accept that you’re going to walk straight into a den of creatures that are going to hurt you until your throat is bleeding raw from the screams.

You wonder: will your bittersweet acceptance tonight add a new flavor to the taste of your steam? 

And did it matter? What truly mattered was the pain. It was the pain that purified your steam and made it filling and nourishing, like ultra-concentrated vitamins that they inhaled in the darkness of the night.

After all--

It’s gotta hurt.

[saint-ajax]

ferris wheel

THE NEVER DYING GENTLE BREEZE OF London embraced her flushed cheeks. The city was sealed with street noise and busy chatter. The sky gave the perfect combination of gray and blue.

TRIGGER WARNING READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

   John Price offered a smile and the cotton candy his wife requested. It filled her with joy and carved a sweet smile on her lips.

   The wave of her long brown hair fell along her back. While her rosy lips landed on her husband's cheek, just above his beard. 

   She looked so beautiful. So pretty. She looked so good with her tummy filled with his baby. Their baby. 

   Her full breasts and full tummy was one of his goals when he more than once came inside her. 

  “Sweets for my gorgeous wife.” As he handed her the candy, she blushed at the compliment. Feeling a little too happy and angry every now and then.

   “Thank you, hon.” She says, hooking her arm around his as they walk beside one another.

  She stared at the pink, cloudy candy. She was feeling the dryness it would bring as she imagined eating it, making herself frown.

  “What's the matter, sweet girl?” John noticed the changes in her expressions and became alarmed.

  “I think I want.. ice cream.” She was frowning, worrying that her husband might find her annoying at her quick mood changes. He immediately read what she was thinking as he made her voice out her concerns more than once. 

   What she didn't know was that he was more than willing to obtain everything she needed and wanted. Hell, she's carrying his child; how dare he be annoyed at what she needs?

   John gently smiled at her. “Honey, I want you to always remember that I have every right but to be annoyed at my beautiful wife. Is that clear?” 

   The goal of making her chuckle was met as she nodded at him. The woman in front of him, carrying his child, was the only person in the world who had the power to warm his heart with just a smile.

   Her beanie covered down to her forehead. The coverage was just above her eyebrows. Her scarf caressed her jaw, which he insisted on. Her small face was tinted in faint red, and it was adorable. He thought. He leaned closer and kissed her red nose before leaving.

 “Okay, I will get you some ice cream. You wait here for me?” She nodded adoringly. “What flavor would you like?” She looked away as she carefully thought about it.

   “Surprise me.” He released a puff of air as they chuckled lightly in sync. 

   “Okay, I'll be quick. I love you.”

   “I love you, John.” She smiled at him as he walked away.

    The good weather and flexible time he had were starting to sink in. He was on leave. He wasn't in the field not to relax, but to be with his pregnant wife. Therefore, he had never let his guard down. Especially in public areas like this one. You could never trust faith. He was worried and tense as he left his wife alone. Exactly how he was minutes ago to get cotton candy.

   He had no complaints. He's, in fact, grateful that he gets to be there for his wife, who's been taking care of their baby for eight months. She was alone in the early stages of pregnancy, and it killed him. But now that she's close to their due date, he swore to never let precious moments go by.

   Meanwhile, the wife he was worried about stood there alone on the sidewalk, where she was left alone. She took her time to appreciate the view. She studied the sculpted buildings that carried historic legacies. Evening was slowly creeping up on London, and so the building was lit with a colorful spectrum of lights.      

   She breathes in, breathes deep, breathes through, and breathes out with shut eyes. Once she opened her eyes, a dot of bright red eyes crossed her sight before a sharp, intense pain stabbed her in the stomach. 

   She felt an intense sting in her upper abdomen as she gasped. She looked down and found her swollen belly leaking blood like a faucet. She started hyperventilating as her hands became stained with blood.

    She cried out in pain as she stared at her shaking hands with wide eyes, in shock and terror. 

  She couldn't comprehend what was happening, but she could recognize the pain. There was a deafening noise in her ear, and her sight was starting to blur. 

   “J-John! H-help! Help...” Her chest was going up and down as she tried to catch air. The tall brick on the sidewalk was the only thing she could cling to before she fell. She winced as her stomach throbbed pain. Her eyes were starting to flutter. Before people could realize and run to help her, she fell unconscious on the ground. Before darkness took over her sight, the last thing she saw along the sky was the ferris wheel.

 Just three more steps, and he was about to enter the ice cream shop. But something inside him told him to stop. He shook his head before deciding to run back to his wife. His eyes were scanning the place expertly to find her familiar figure. But a crowded spot with people seeking help caught his attention.

 He did not hesitate to run in the eye of commotion. He abruptly stopped in his tracks as he saw his wife lying unconscious. He yelled her name so loudly. He ran to her and held her body close to him. 

   The curious people around the scene called for help. 

   John was panicking. It was the first time he couldn't think of what to do. “Call emergency..” His face was painted in horror as blood was washed away from her face. 

   He forced himself to think. He inspected her wound, and it immediately rang to him. Sniper.

“Fuck’s sake.”

He cursed under his breath.

“Sweetheart, no no no.. no..” His voice broke. He sounded defeated.  

   A light of hope rang across the eye of London when the siren of the ambulance finally arrived.

   The only thing that John had in mind was to bring her to the hospital. Bring her there. Save her life. Keep her alive. Keep her heart beating. Nothing else. 

   As she lay unconscious on the stretcher, he gripped tightly on her hand. He kissed her knuckles as he whispered prayers on the way for help. It was the longest ride he had ever take. He had never been more nervous in his life. Each ticking time bomb felt like the end of the world.

   Everything was in a blur. She was rushed into the busy ER. The nurses stopped him from coming inside, and he couldn't do anything but swear. As he stood from afar, the doctors were yelling and commanding instructions in order to save his wife. The buzzing noise ringing in his ear wasn't helping to calm him down. 

   The doctor yelled medical terms that didn't seem like a good sign. They pulled her stretcher out of the curtains. Another millions spears stabbed him in the chest as the sight of his wife covered in blood crossed his sight as they took her somewhere else. “Where are you taking my wife!?” His panic doubled when he saw her legs leaking blood. Their baby.

   A different nurse stopped him and explained to him the situation. “Sir, her condition is critical. An immediate operation is necessary. Please wait outside the operating room.” The nurse ran to follow where they took his wife. 

   He waited outside of the room he was told to. Legs pumping up and now anxiously while he waited. He grasped his beard and squashed it, as he couldn't just do nothing while his wife battled a war of life and death. His phone vibrated in his pocket, which stole his attention for a brief moment. It was Laswell.

    “Laswell.”

    “John.”

   His voice was quavering as he stuttered his wife's name.

   “I know.” The woman on the other side firmly yet sympathetically let him know. “We have captured the sniper. I had interrogated him myself.” Anger beckoned in her tone. The information revived his outrage, which was burning inside.

   “Who was it?” His accented and demanding tone was back. His cracking voice on the edge of crying was long gone now, as it was replaced with wrath.

   “It was the people of our last enemy. The sniper was sent as a threat. He says that the shot isn't supposed to kill her, but I believe otherwise. How is she?”

   “Her condition is fatal, and she is having surgery as we speak. I went to buy her ice cream.. and came back to her unconscious, covered in blood, Kate. I haven't seen her awake since. Tell me he's dead.”

   “They did this to scare us. If we give in now, if we kill him, we will lose the upper hand.”

  “Fine. I will kill him myself.” He hung up out of spite.

   A doctor in scrubs exited the room and approached him. His heart started beating fast at the news the doctor might bring. “Are you a relative of the patient?” 

   “Yes, Doc. I'm her husband.”

  “The bullet had penetrated through her uterus. Your baby and her condition are deadly fatal. I'm afraid we could only save one.” A scowl slashed his face in confusion of sorrow and rage. “We urgently need to know which one to save, Mr. Price?”

   “What kind of question is that?! Save both of them!” His voice echoed in the long hallway, darkened by the anxiety surging in his heart.

   “Sir, a baby’s mortality rate in a direct penetrating gunshot injury is 40–70% death. If you choose to save the baby, we will do everything we can. But if you choose for us to save your wife, the baby won't fairly survive.”

   “Wife.”

It was too fast. He said it too fast, in anguish. “Save my wife, Doc. Please.” Tears pooled in his eyes while pity filled the doctor's. John almost kneeled to plead with the person with saving hands, who nodded in assurance.

   He went back inside, and John was left alone again.

  Outside the door, he sat in the chairs, defeated. He was defenseless against the enemies this time. He had to sacrifice one of his loved ones. He cannot save them both. Their condition is out of his control. He had never felt more powerless than at that moment. 

  As he crouched in the metal chairs, his palms enclosed his face. Guilt weighed him down to earth. The entire mirage was a hoax. One minute he was watching her smile, and the next she was drowning in her own blood.

   He couldn't tell which part he was worse at. He was an abominable father. How could he sacrifice his kid so fast? Even so, he was a careless husband for leaving his wife vulnerable like that.

   John couldn't help but blame himself. He was a soldier. He fights in battles to protect a country's land and people. Yet he managed to lose his family both at once.

   John couldn't leave his seat. He dared to never leave her side again. He wasn't going to move unless he saw his wife alive. He promised himself as he waited for hours outside the operating room. 

   He didn't know for how long he had been sitting there, but when the door creaked open, he felt a glimpse of hope. At the same time, dread shot down his nerves as exhaustion and grief were written all over the face of the doctor. 

   This couldn't be… He begged in the back of his mind. 

  “I'm sorry, Mister. But, we've done everything we can… yet we couldn't save the baby.” The grim news slowly creased his brows in sorrow. He was shaking his head as if it would turn reality to his desire.

   “What– what about my wife, doc? Where's my wife? Is she okay? Tell me she's alive, doc!”

   “Mrs. Price had suffered traumatic internal bleeding that almost damaged her lungs. Luckily, the emergency procedure managed to save her life. Her wound is deep, and she has a severely frail body that needs a significant amount of time to heal. She is in a coma that could last for a few hours or days. I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr. Price.”

   He nodded while involuntarily tuning out the rest as a deafening noise shot at his hearing. A thin layer of relief covered his violently anxious heart. The last string he was holding onto was the fact that his wife was alive.

   After a while, he was eventually allowed to visit her. He entered the dim, chilly room in a lightweight cotton scrub. Her heartbeat traveled the room with the help of the machines clinging to her to live.

   His mask was soaked in tears as he stared at his unconscious wife. She looked as peaceful and beautiful as ever, in spite of the cords attached to her body.

   He didn't know how he would tell her or how she would take the news.

  He clung to her hand and let himself shatter. “I'm sorry, honey… I'm so sorry.” His sobbing was a desperate call to life. Her presence was the only one that could break the stern facade of the toughest soldier.

   “I'm so sorry, baby. Please, forgive me. I shouldn't have left you there alone.” His shed of tears was met with a weak mewl. 

   The delicate hand on his palms shortly moved. He lifted his gaze and stared at her fingers. It continued to weakly close her fist, and he swiftly went closer to her face.

  Her enclosed lids were bathed as her cheeks glistened in tears. A single tear ran down her cheek as soft cries begged to leave her covered lips.

   “Sweetheart, I'm here.. I'm here now, I'm never leaving you ever again.” He softly rubbed the top of her hand with his rough fingertips.

   Their silent howls and grievances bonded in longing for their angel baby.

   The nurses ran to their door when he pushed the button to signal an alarm. They took her from him once again, and he stepped back to watch them aid her wife.

   Her eyes slowly fluttered open, and they met his arctic blues. Shock ran down in shivers as a slight merry brought them back to life.

   Time had passed along the wind.

  He stayed true to his promise and stuck by her side for as long as she needed to heal.

   She was atrociously devastated when she woke up without her baby in her belly. “John.. John, our child! Where is our child?! Where is my baby, John? My baby… where– where is he…” Endless nights had haunted her terribly ever since she opened her eyes once again.

   Each night and every long, dreadful morning, John was there. He wiped her tears. He filled her empty heart with everything he could. He left kisses all over her face until she fell asleep. He reminded her to drink her medicine. He fed her. And whenever she didn't want to eat, he convinced her with a long unyielding patience just so she had something in her stomach.

   It was deeply against his will when duty called for him to come back and leave his wife alone and vulnerable again. Yet, the thought of facing the imbecile that put his spouse in danger had delivered him to report for duty.

   Almost a year would pass, and their affixed grief, patience, and love pushed them to stay beside one another.

   As of this moment, the beaming sun of a new morning embraced her flushed cheeks. She inhaled the fresh air that joined them to visit their baby.

   She sat down beside John and he was all eyes when he guided her to sit. 

   “You know, baby…” She started in a heartfelt tone, as if she were casually talking to her baby, alive and well. “Everyday I still wonder what you could've been– should've been… what you would've been, even.”

  “Would you have loved to be a strong soldier like your dad?” John couldn't help but watch her face hold back tears. It was making her nose and cheeks red. It filled his eyes with adoration and sympathy.

   “Mommy and Daddy miss you.” 

   She gently caresses the edge of the marble headstone as she closes her eyes and leans down to leave a kiss on the remaining symbol left of their angel.

  John kneeled beside her and stroked her back before turning his loving gaze from his wife to his unborn child.

  “We love you, son. Forgive me for everything. I just know that you would’ve been bigger than the whole sky.”

   “Oh, my baby, you were more than just a short time to mommy. My Will John Jr.”

[lady-bess]

Hi Mrs Daniels!

I'm back with my Ask games again!

This time we have a spring based prompts theme. You get a spring prompt and a character and I'd like to know your head canon/immediate thoughts on the combination.

Character: Jack Daniels (of course)

Prompt: petals

With love,

El

Petals

Jack Daniels x F!OC General/Teen+ Content W/C: 913 Notable tags: Spring, Spring Prompt, Retired Jack, Domestic Jack, Fluff.

A/N: Finally getting round to this ask! Thank you my dear El for sending this in - I now sufficiently have an image of retired Jack swirling round my head 🫠🫠 (Is anyone surprised?)

Enjoy!

LadyBess xox

A03 Link | Tumblr Masterlist

Life was slower for Jack now, but he couldn’t be more thankful for it. For too long he’d lived his life swept away in the hustle and bustle of working for Statesman. But now, he took every day one hour at a time, and he enjoyed every moment.

Retirement was treating him well. After nearly thirty years serving with Statesman, he’d done his time, and decided to hang up his lasso for good. No more did he want to be running around, putting his life at risk, chasing down some of the world’s most nefarious criminals - not after he met her, either.

She’d come into his life at a time he’d least expected it, but now five years on he couldn’t imagine his life being any different. It was almost hard to imagine that there had been a time without her. They’d met by sheer chance one afternoon in May when his flight to the New York office got delayed, and they’d just been at the right place at the right time. With a few hours to kill, they started chatting just to pass the time, but when it came to boarding the plane Jack knew he wanted to make her all his.

Six months later, he did.

They’d lived together ever since, out in the depths of the Kentucky countryside. Jack had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and have a home like what he had now - simple, functional, and picturesque. Situated on a few acres of land, it wasn’t like the old ranch he’d grown up on, but it was close enough. He had a few horses, and a few hens; that more than sufficed.

He had a simple life now, and took enjoyment in the small pleasures. Today was no exception. The sky had been clear this morning when he rose, a crispness to the air and a fine dew on the grass. Spring was well and truly here, and the garden they both meticulously maintained reflected this. Flowers of every colour started to bloom, a small rainbow in the beds littering the land.

Jack smiled to himself, fully content, as he relaxed back into the wooden swing bench which he’d installed under an oak tree just behind the main house. It had become his favourite place to be, especially on early mornings like these. A gentle breeze swayed past him, carrying a few loose petals across the green grass, and he watched as they danced away into the distance.

And that’s when he saw her.

Jack always woke up early - it was a habit he’d got into from his time with Statesman. He always slept light, his body finding it difficult even in retirement to not have to worry about being constantly alert. As such, once he woke up in the mornings, he found it hard to drift back off to sleep. Usually he’d just get up, and be by himself for a couple of hours. But just occasionally, she’d be up too.

Today was one of those mornings.

He smiled at her from across the garden, watching her come towards him with two mugs of tea in her hands. She was still dressed in last night’s pyjamas, a navy blue knee-length nightdress, with slippers to match, but she’d also thrown on one of Jack’s flannel shirts over the top. The gentle wind whipped at the hem of her nightdress, and she giggled as the silk dappled across her thighs. Jack grinned at her as she got closer, refraining himself from making an inappropriate joke.

“Morning, sugar,” he drawled, his voice still thick with sleep. She smiled down at him, handing him one of the piping hot mugs, then settled down next to him on the seat.

“Good morning, sunshine,” she said. Sunshine had been her nickname for Jack, the irony coming from the fact he was usually the complete opposite to a ray of sunlight. At least, he was. Retirement had changed that. But still, the nickname had stuck.

Jack took the mug from her, chuckling to himself, but then thanking her. He took a sip, sighing in contentment as the drink warmed him from the inside. It might be spring time now, but this early in the morning it was still a little on the colder side.

“What’s got you up so early, my love?” he asked. He set the drink down on his knee, stabilising it with one hand on the handle, and then he slipped his other arm across her shoulders. She smiled, leaning into his hold.

“Needed the bathroom, but noticed you’d already got up. Saw you out here and thought I’d keep you company for a little while,” she said. Jack smiled, turning his head to plant a kiss in her hair.

“You’re too sweet, you know that right?” he said, and she giggled.

“So is that why you call me sugar?” she asked, making Jack laugh.

“Maybe. Got a problem with that?” he teased. She turned her head to look at him, smiling warmly as the breeze began to mess up her hair, half in a messy bun from overnight.

“Never, Jack. I love you,” she said, leaning up to kiss Jack softly. He smiled against her lips, applying pressure to hers in return, drinking in the sensation. His body went warm throughout, the contentment and happiness of being with her as clear to him as the sky above. And in that moment, he realised.

He had never been happier.

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[gingermintpepper]

What’s the significance of each color in Ancient Greece? So green is the only neutral color and it represents mostly natural and earthy things, thank you for telling me that part !! Anyway, as for my Hyacinthus design’s hair being brown, it’s due to the combination of it being a fairly common interpretation of his appearance and also because I find I like how it looks with his skin tone and the purple of his eyes.

Okay, firstly; thank you so much for answering my question too!

Admittedly you can't beat out good, old fashioned colour theory so that's completely fair haha! I still think it's very interesting that brown became the common interpretation of his features so I'm always glad to hear other people's view on it <3

With respect to what colours meant or symbolised in Ancient Greece, it's a super fascinating topic because the Ancient Greeks had a very different perception of colour than how a lot of people - and in this case I'll generalise and say english-speaking people - perceive colour. In a lot of languages, especially older ones, colour wasn't just a way to describe the physical perceptional reality of an observable object (that is, the light reflecting off the object that gives it its perceived hue - the way we perceive colour now) but colour was also used to describe the way in which the people experienced the world. A really good way to think about it is now, if you wanted to distinguish between two types of blue, you would instinctively make a distinction between their shades ("This blue is darker/lighter!") whereas these older people would distinguish based on things in their present, shared world that best matched what they were being asked to describe ("This blue is like the sky/the sea!")

That's an important concept to keep in mind because ancient greek was very unique in that, in addition to this concept of colour being completely intertwined with physical objects (and therefore also acquiring the properties of these objects in the minds of the people), the ancient greeks also did not particularly care about distinguishing between different colour hues (that is, differences in specific individual colour) but rather they were entirely focused on a colour's value - that is, whether it was considered light or dark.

Taking all of this into consideration, the question 'what is the significance of the different colours in Ancient Greece' is a bit of a tricky one to answer because unlike say, Ancient Egyptian which has very clear colours (red, white, green), very clear physical objects that give those colours their property (the desert sand, the sun, people's skin) and very clear symbolic meanings that arose from the natures ascribed to those physical objects due to their influence on the people's lives (hostility, power, new life), Ancient Greece's colours and the perception of those colours was much more abstract and poetic, contingent on their understandings and perceptions of things like light and dark, the sense of touch or taste (sweet and bitter/wet and dry) and what quality was ascribed to the object whose colour is being perceived. Colour was a matter of cosmology, of philosophy and there were many different schools of thought on it from Empedocles' physicalist theories to Anaxagoras' realist theories.

All of this is to say, take the meanings I outlined in this handy-dandy table with a tablespoon of salt! These are based on my understanding of the language used to describe things in classical writings that have survived and my own bias towards Empedocles' physicalist theory of colour and the nature of colour which I also think is very useful for people into greek mythology as a whole due to it making clear links between various gods creating things from mixtures of the four basic elements of nature and the colours that are the result of these mixtures.

I hope this helps even a little and I very much encourage you to do some research into different Greek schools of thought when it comes to colour and the perception of colour as well as how colour affects/reflects the innate nature of all things!

(Also, slight extra note, I left out Kokkinos (scarlet/blood-red) from the table because I didn't really think it was relevant for this outline despite it definitely being an ancient colour. It's a bit difficult to find examples of it with the kind of descriptors Empedocles outlines and I don't want to make assumptions based on third hand knowledge on the greek concept of the nature of things. I'd like to believe it was addressed in more detail in Empedocles' original document - only a fragment of the original some two thousand lines have survived after all - it is confirmed that Empedocles spoke on the recipe for blood and flesh, an equal mixture of all four elements as opposed to bones' four parts fire, two parts earth and two parts water (which is why bones shine white, there's more fire than earth or water) - and I don't want to conject or make assumptions.

I also left out Erythros or basic/primary red according to Plato's list of basic colours because that seemed to have specifically been preferred by Egyptian Greeks according to linguistic data. If I opened up that can of worms with respect to the shared Egyptian-Greek colour language including the way the Greeks like many early peoples did not culturally perceive blue until the invention of Egypt's blue dyes then I would be writing forever and you would never get an actual clear answer about Greek colour symbolism separate and apart from Egyptian cultural influence lmfao. )

A few of the documents that helped me consolidate this information include Sassi's 2022 Philosophical Theories of Colour in Ancient Greek Thought and Ierodiakonou's Empedocles on Colour and Colour Vision. There are also a fair few translations and discussions of the fragments of Empedocles' On Nature still floating about - my copy is a somewhat archaic volume of Leonard's 1908 translation but I never went out searching for updated interpretations and translations of the text since its constantly referenced in perceptional philosophy papers LOL

Anyway, yeah, hope this helps! :D

[sspiderliliess]

skyline .

➝ jovier — newly established relationship

first little post of them two those two mildly based on a fanfic i’m working on. still feeling their vibes out, personalities are hard ❤️‍🩹

➝ rating — fluff, mild angst with comfort ig (?)

The flaring petals of forget-me-nots quivered. Their hues mirrored the sky back north, under which they were hastily plucked. In a rough bouquet, fuzzy dandelions sprouted up between the clusters. It was a stark shift—the soft blues to vivid yellows—though much like the sun glowing over empty horizon from its clear sky, it was a pleasant combination that seemed only right.

John’s fingers clutched the bundle enough to strangle the tender stems. Every so often, he’d mutter under his breath and loosen his grip, only for the process to repeat as he trudged down the shaded and winding pathway to camp. Each step closer to his destination made his muscles tense that much more as the thoughts raced his mind.

It hadn’t been too long ago since he’d shared such an intimate moment with Javier. A good one even if it tugged at the nerves, seeing him in his forlorn and troubled state brought John to long for another, just to see him happy again. He didn’t know why Javier had gotten so upset—he wasn’t always one to talk about such things—but he wanted to help. If a smile was truly contagious, between them, such a notion was proven.

But like too much whiskey still on the breath, the nauseas remnants of a place so vulnerable still kept its hold on the man, begging him to leave Javier to his own problems. They talked and they drank even before Abigail’s sudden death, and Javier had always been a good listener when it came to John’s relationship issues and especially during his mourning, but he couldn’t bring himself to always offer the same kinds of support despite a romance between the two having risen past its blooming dusk.

Nonetheless, like a thoroughbred to the finish line, John persisted in a need to win them both shared peace. Times were rough.

Times were rough.

When the curtain of tree limbs parted way to golden sun and camp tents perched about Clemens Point, the hum of familiar voices blending in with the twill of forest birds managed to both soothe and frazzle John. Karen’s sudden shout was followed by a couple guffaws, which made him jump; deep beneath the commotion, he could pick out the soft and distant melody of guitar strings.

They pulled him closer, if not by their cooing, then by the very threat of the regrets such hesitation might would bring. Standing there just at the edge of the clearing, bundle of florals in roughened hand, the man scurried off towards where the music resonated from. He hardly noticed his fingers tap against the paper in a heartfelt rhythm.

As he stopped next to the thin tree, he found Javier seated at the dock just above the murky waters. The sunset cast a tangerine veil upon the man and his guitar, lining raven hair with gold, illuminating honeyed skin. He was dusted with the lightest layer of dirt and marked with shiny scars which John’s eyes traced again for the millionth time.

He didn’t notice the steps he took nearer, a few feet from where the water climbed to shore. His fingers cooperatively loosened from the bouquet as if given instructions by the gentle plucks of the strings, but the tightness in the chest lingered. Absentmindedly, or perhaps a bit too present, he sighed.

Javier stopped playing and turned to look up at him, eyes wide before his expression softened unassuredly. “I didn’t notice you here. Where have you been?”

There it was—that haunting shiver in the chest. It visited John time and time again when he was to venture into more romantically motivated conversation with his longtime friend. Adjusting was hard, they both knew, but that mutual awareness didn’t always stop John from feeling the habitual reclusion he was so known for.

“I just…” he began, exhaling the air he’d held in. “I was up north. Found some nice flowers—that nice blue you like. Made me think of you, s’ here.”

He shoved the bundle of picked flowers at him, ears and face warmed with blood, though the pink tinge hardly showed through the evening’s ambience.

Javier looked down with furrowed brows at the bouquet, an examination drawn out and only adding to John’s discomfort. A minute passed and he released another held breath as Javier’s examination ended with a smile.

“Th… thank you,” he said. “You picked these all for me?”

John cleared his throat and shuffled to sit down next to him, eyes shifting between him and the crooked planks. “Well, I didn’t go up there for ‘em. Just wanted to see the mountains and hunt, y’know, where I ain’t freezin’ to death.”

The two sat in a brief silence, Javier’s eyes cast to the other side with a growing grin he tried to hide in vain. John caught a glimpse of it and scowled, nudging him with his elbow and prompting a laugh.

“So you stopped your hunting trip just to pick flowers for me?”

John’s scowl deepened. “No! I didn’t find nothin’ good and thought— Well, whatever.”

A flurry of giggles erupted from Javier, light and gentle, much like the flowers in his hand. He leaned into John’s shoulder and exhaled, still fiddling with the individual stems of the dandelions, which seemed to be a bit more sturdy.

“I like them a lot,” Javier whispered.

He looked up and pressed a soft, tentative kiss to John’s jaw, crinkling his nose at the prickly but familiar texture of his stubble.

The gesture made John tense again if only for a second, and he shuffled to lean back onto one of the dock posts. Every now and then, his gaze would drift to the twinkle of sunlight on the rippling waters, the swaying leaves of trees on the bank, and then return to Javier’s peaceful features. Such a painting urged him to not recoil. “Breathe,” it could have said, and he did so.

“I wanted to give you somethin’ to smile about,” John cooed in his ear.

By now, his chest rose and fell with a pace more at ease, but a part of him wondered if Javier would notice the slight shake in his words. Being laughed at by the others could often rub him the wrong way; Javier’s sweetened laughter was always of good nature. Just the sound still playing in John’s ears was enough to wash away his distress, bit by bit, like the lapping waves on Clemens Point.

He ran a timid finger through the loose bangs framing Javier’s face. “You don’t have to talk… but you can.”

John watched him put the flowers down with a fading smile. It felt as though he’d lit a radiant candle only for a gust of wind he’d conjured to blow it out, and all he could do was either try to light it again or stumble in the dark.

“I talked with Dutch,” Javier stated. “I think a lot.”

John tilted his head and brushed the bangs closest to him behind Javier’s ear.

He gave a shy smile as he pressed his lips together. “I am okay. I don’t want to be wrong—“

“Who does?”

Javier laughed under his breath. “I don’t want to give in, give up… Be weak.”

He cocked his head to the side and fiddled with the flowers again. Before John could respond, however, he shook his head as if to dismiss the topic.

Although John accepted the closing with wavering suspicion, it never left. He continued to brush the pads of his fingers over Javier’s hair, letting it glide between them like velvet. It might’ve been a self-soothing pattern, as it was one he fell into often, but it seemed to comfort them both. He watched him, brow tensed, and finally said, “Play somethin’ for me.”

They stared at each other for a moment, the chatter of camp keeping the silence at bay. Javier fixed his posture and pulled his guitar into his lap, running a calloused digit against a string as he glanced up at John, who waited in patience.

A string was barely grazed, the sound near a whisper and unsteady. An introduction, perhaps. Slow and with a rhythm John knew almost as soon as it began, Javier played a bittersweet tune. They breathed in at reverberation, exhaled at the shift of notes.

This was their talk. This was their peace, their contagious smile. To not know the details of Javier’s complications would bug him later, but here, he was content.

Again, John gazed at the sunlit guitar and its owner. The glow, a gentle art, like shots shared between the two.

Like blue and yellow. Like sky and sun.

It felt only right.