#fixed ND filters

[avcdgrdn]

── .✦ [ FIC ]: can i really stay here? [ part two ]

[ a continuation of part one ]

mullet stanley pines x innkeeper reader

tags: angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, sfw

word count: 1875

˙✧˖° ༘ ⋆｡˚

in any other circumstances, you wouldn’t even dare to imagine holding a man you had just met the same day.

but stan … was different.

when your eyes first locked with his from across the counter, you could tell that he was hurting, and badly. he was trying so hard to cover it up, and it worked for the most part — after all, up until now, nobody had cared about him enough to see through his facade.

but you saw straight through him. and not only that, you actually did something about it. you offered to care for his needs, at your own expense.

his father only ever saw him as an expense.

so, there you were, sitting at the bar, holding onto the maroon fabric of his jacket as he trembled like a leaf.

the scent of cigarette smoke and pine needles was strong in your nose as he buried his face into your shoulder. you could feel his stubble scratching against your skin.

there was a part of you that wanted to speak up and comfort him, but ultimately you decided against it. you didn’t quite know enough about him to be able to speak to his situation.

after a few minutes, stan seemed to be calming down. his breathing became even, although he was still clinging onto you tightly.

“i …”

his voice was cracked and raspy.

“i … screwed up. i don’t … know how i’m gonna fix it.”

your brow furrowed as you listened to him.

“y’know, stan … i don’t know what you’re going through. but can you do me one favor?”

“... yeah?”

“look at me.”

slowly, the brunet lifted his head, pulling himself back just enough to be able to look at you. his eyes were red and puffy, but his gaze was sincere.

you looked back at him, determined. “i’m gonna help you out.”

stan didn’t know how to react. he swallowed a lump in his throat, scanning your face as if to check whether you were lying to him or not.

“... you don’t … hafta do that. i brought it on myself—”

“i don’t care.”

his eyes widened.

“if i can keep somebody from a worse fate, then i’ll do it. let me give you a place to stay, even if it’s just for a little while.” you smiled warmly, squeezing his arm for emphasis. “you shouldn’t have to feel like your life means nothing.”

“… you’re an angel.”

those words made you blush. “i–i wouldn’t say that—”

uh-oh, he’s smirking now. chuckling lowly, he let go of you so that he could cross his arms over his chest.

“what, are you tryna tell me you’re not sent from heaven? think about it. you’re saving my biscuits here, toots.” there was serious gratitude in his tone, despite his teasing. at least he seemed to be in a better mood. “i think i’ll hafta call you that more often, yeah? angel.”

you laughed nervously, trying desperately to distract yourself from your red hot face. “really? h–how interesting …”

stan snickered again, gazing at you for a moment longer with fondness dancing in his brown eyes. then, glancing at the wall clock, he realized the time. “damn, it’s midnight. i should probably stop bothering you ‘nd get to bed, huh?”

“huh, it is late … i should sleep, too.”

“then it’s decided. i’ll see ya tomorrow.” he hummed, standing from his seat and stretching out his arms before cracking a soft smile and turning around to walk towards his room.

you were left to watch him leave, your eyes following his footsteps as he made his way back up the staircase.

approximately eight hours later, you awoke to the sunlight gently filtering through your bedside window, causing your eyelids to flutter open.

the events of last night came flooding back into your mind.

i guess i’ll be seeing a whole lot more of him …

sitting up in bed, you yawned, rubbing your face sleepily.

“mm … what time is it …”

the alarm clock on your nightstand read 8:02 am.

shoot, i overslept—oh, wait. it’s my day off.

that little fact was enough to put you in a good mood for the morning. humming happily to yourself, you began to get ready for the day, picking out a comfortable outfit and a few accessories.

descending two flights of stairs, you wandered into the lobby of your inn, greeting a few different patrons and employees with a cheerful wave. it was breakfast rush hour for the kitchen, and you could catch glimpses of your executive chef running to and fro behind the bar.

he seems pretty busy today. maybe i’ll grab a bite to eat somewhere? hmm, but the question is where …

just then, your train of thought was interrupted by the sound of someone calling out your name.

you whipped around to locate the voice’s source, and there was stan, walking towards you at a leisurely pace. a radiant grin broke out on your face.

“stan! hey, good morning! how’d you sleep?”

raising a brow, he chuckled at your energy. “well, good morning, sunshine. i slept like a baby, thanks t’ you.”

“ah, don’t mention it.” you smiled, placing your hands on your hips. “i’m just glad you could sleep.”

the two of you looked at each other for a second.

why did his stare make you feel butterflies in your chest?

probably unimportant ………… right? yeah.

clearing your throat, you averted your gaze before you started to blush again. “so, um … have you had anything to eat yet?”

“nah. i was just about to, though.” to be frank, he had totally forgotten that he had access to breakfast until you just mentioned it.

“sounds goo–”

you paused mid-sentence, remembering something.

“actually … i was planning on eating out for breakfast today. would you wanna join me? since the kitchen is bustling and all …”

oh, wow. did you really just ask him out to breakfast? it didn’t hit you until after you had said it out loud that it could be considered that way. oops. was that weird? were you weird? augh.

stan had half a mind to tease you senseless for how cute that was, but after thinking about it, he decided against it. he wouldn’t wanna ruin his chances at having breakfast with you.

“you kiddin’? i’d love that.” he nodded his head, flattered and amused. “not many people can say they’ve had breakfast with an angel, ya know.”

your ears turned red.

i walked right into that one. darn you and your smooth talking …

“oh, let’s just go already.” embarrassed, you grabbed his wrist, pulling him along towards the front door. stan laughed heartily, allowing himself to be led.

it wasn’t long before you arrived at one of your favorite diners in town, known for their homey atmosphere and good breakfast. walking into the building, you were met with the smell of eggs, bacon, and coffee. the two of you breathed it in simultaneously, sighing.

“reminds me of breakfast as a kid.” stanley mused, thinking of the days when he and ford would poke at each other’s food and giggle. you smiled, watching his expression.

“c’mon, this way.” you beckoned him over towards the table you usually sat at, and a familiar waitress walked over to you as you settled in.

“good morning, loyal patron~ i see you’ve brought a plus one today, yes?”

“uh—yes. don’t go jumping to conclusions, though …”

the waitress grinned innocently. “of course. now, what can i get for you two?”

stan wound up ordering pancakes with bacon and eggs, while you settled on some waffles and a mug of coffee. you could have sworn you saw that waitress giggling to her coworker about something as she went on her way, but you shook your head to yourself in an attempt to ignore it. instead, you directed your attention towards the man sitting across from you.

“so, i’m guessin’ you’re a regular here?” he tilted his head, leaning back against his seat. there was a smirk plastered onto his face that you couldn’t quite decipher.

“you would guess correctly.” you hummed, picking up the salt shaker on the table and fidgeting with it absentmindedly. “have you ever been?”

a rumbling sigh escaped his lips.

“nah … i’m not exactly from around here.”

your gaze was trained on him. so far, he’s kept a laid-back demeanor, not to mention that little smirk that drives you insane—but you couldn’t shake the feeling that there was way more depth to his character than he let on.

“yeah? where’re you from?”

“...”

there was a brief silence. his chocolate brown eyes, warmly lit by the sun, stared into your soul.

“i’m from new jersey.”

your eyebrows shot up. “from jersey? wow … you’re far from home, then.”

“it’s not home anymore.”

you opened your mouth to say something, but closed it again. stan was staring out the window, a frown creasing his face.

“i … sorry. sensitive topic?”

he turned back to you, a faint blush appearing on his face. “uh … well, yeah, i guess … it’s okay.”

“come again?”

“... it’s, uh—i–i’m okay, if it’s you.”

he was a darker shade of red now, scratching awkwardly at his stubble. he felt so … vulnerable. but somehow, he was okay with it.

at that moment, the waitress came back with plates of food. “order up!”

you watched as you were served, salivating as you saw golden waffles covered in butter and syrup smiling up at you. it didn’t take long for the both of you to start digging in.

“... wow.” after the first few bites, stan had stars in his eyes. “it tastes just like ma’s.”

“was your mom a good cook?”

he snorted. “well, she wasn’t exactly a michelin star chef, but she could make some damn good flapjacks. at least, i sure thought so.” putting another forkful of pancake into his mouth, he chewed thoughtfully. you simply propped your head on one hand, watching.

“i always told her she could sell ‘em for a fortune.”

his tone was soft with nostalgia.

“she just laughed. prob’ly cause i was five when i told her that.”

“they must’ve been really something, huh?”

“they were. all my life, i dreamt of selling somethin’ as good as that. i haven’t stopped trying, either.”

he scoffed.

“most of ‘em have been a bust.”

you hummed softly in understanding.

“you’re still trying, though. that’s worth more than any failed effort.”

he looked up from his plate. “... you think so?”

“sure i do.” lifting your mug, you took a sip of coffee. “perseverance is worth a lot.”

stan could barely handle your uplifting words. his heart was squeezing in his chest. covering his flustered face with one hand, he leaned against the table, grumbling.

“... an angel … God sent an angel.”

“what?”

“what? nothing.”

a few hours later, you were walking side by side back to the inn. stan couldn’t help but admire the way the fall breeze tousled your hair, and the gentle smile on his face was speaking his thoughts out loud.

he’d never known that somebody this beautiful could even exist.

maybe ...

maybe he hasn’t hit rock bottom quite yet.

end

[ part three ]

author's note:

thank you for all the love on this fic !!! :D

i gotta keep cooking.

if you have any fic or headcanon requests, hit up my askbox! <3

tag list: @icouldntthinkofanythingclever @seahorrorz @blustalker @hay-needle @phanmai1002

[ndcultureis]

cw: swearing, vent

nd culture is messing shit up.. like a lot. it’s really hard to be a good person and be a good friend when you do something with the best of intentions and don’t realize how wrong and fucked up it is. and everyone thinks you’re horrible because you did the thing or said that thing without thinking or realizing it’s harmful. and then you have to live with your disgusting self knowing that you did that, and you are to stupid and shitty to realize it was wrong. i fucking hate myself and idk how to cope with that and still try and be a better person when my brain filters out all the cues to tell me when something is bad. it’s really scary knowing that one day i could just fuck up again and loose the last things i still have. i’m so sorry to everyone. but sorry doesn’t matter, it doesn’t fix anything. i am a fucking horrible person and i don’t know how to fix it

fuck me

.

[katieqnmr]

february and everything after

Post-production for me consisted of colour grading, finding a piece of music for Peer to use diagetically (because I wanted to) and creating a title card/credits.

Colour grading: the longest process - I am not a colour grader. I am lucky I know how to use photoshop because I would honestly be lost without that knowledge! I did the absolute best I could. I’ve talked with Eva about how we probably need much more attention out on how to colour grade, or it should possibly be done out of house altogether. The idea that I could ruin the shots I’ve carefully prepared and lit just by not knowing what I’m doing is very scary! During shooting, Eva, Alex and I noticed a weird red tint on some of the shots, particularly when we stacked ND filters. I assured myself that I could fix this in post, because there really wasn't anything else we could do. We tried to offset it in camera, but generally it wouldn't leave! I found that doing a Node Tree where the 1st node was for Lift Gamma and Gain (as Paul thankfully advised me!) which I labelled LGG was a really good first step. Once the levels were correct (and I had ensured I was working in the correct colour space), I was able to start correcting issues, namely the red tint. I think in almost all the scenes I was able to eliminate it or work around it, especially scene 8 I think worked well. For scene 8 I layered various tints, making a 2nd node for a greener Lift, and the creating a 3rd node to bring the warmth back in the Gamma and Gain. This went a long way to adding depth and removing the dreaded red tint. I also did some selective masking for example on Harry’s jacket which had partly turned maroon. But I was able to make it blue/black again with the colour dropper mask and some blurring. I did this for any issue that had specific areas to change, another one was the white plastic bag in the loch. (Though that is the one I’m least happy with). Generally I kept up this process of LGG node and then multiple layers pushing green and then yellows and reds in layers until the shots had much more depth to them.

But in scene 11 (the last one) the red tint made the shore look distinctly meat-like, while the Jo's skin (especially) was also reddish-pink, so I couldn't change it. I tried to mask it but it looked even more obvious that something strange was happening. I managed to mask the reverse shot on Phoebe thankfully, but alas the whole thing is more pink than I wanted.

Generally I think I did well. I have to say I am curious about what a professional colour-grader would be able to do with it!

Song for Scene 4

We needed a different piece of music from scene 3 to 4, to show a change of time, and perhaps mood. Arina Brovanova (angel) had scored just one diagetic song to be used for this, so we needed another! (Though hers was great and is in scene 3). I had been thinking about how sometimes the most tense/best atmosphere creation with music comes from juxtaposition and the irony of using a happy song whilst such a tense scene was unfolding seemed like it might work really well. I remembered a song I had helped my friend Charis produce (that she wrote and composed, and I did harmonies for her and our friend Ben did some guitar on) called 'in your arms', which was a very feel-good song about vulnerability and happiness within that. It's a very sweet song but in this scene it ramps up the tension and I think it works really well! Peer and Orla happily agreed :)

Title card

I have been making film titles since 1st year, and all throughout my time at Napier. I love animation and typography, so I always opt to make titles when I can. For Saint Catherines, Orla and I thought combining the wave sounds you hear at the end with a water animation might be nice, so I animated a wave washing the title away (thanks Orla!).

[keithdevereux]

An unusual #ShittyCameraChallenge sunrise with the Sony Mavica MVC-FD51, 07 December 2022

An unusual #ShittyCameraChallenge sunrise with the Sony Mavica MVC-FD51, 07 December 2022

I’ve been using the ‘high specification’ Sony Mavica MVC-FD81 for much of the #1990sCameraChallenge, but I thought it might be nice to see a sunrise through its more basic sibling, the MVC-FD51.  Like before, I held an ND filter over the lens to take off the glare of the rising sun. This time, though, instead of the fixed ND4 filter I used my variable ND filter ramped up to near maximum as the…

[gabichive]

anon let me fix ur ask - hi i love u as a person and cc nd i know this is something that is my responsibility and my trigger, but is it possible to tw suicide/kys jokes and mentions as its triggering for me. i completely get it if not, since it is your space and up to me to filter out words, tws, etc. i would appreciate if u could help me block it tho!

like its not hard to be nice??

anyways gabibibibibi i love u and think u can make ur jokes

and to this I would say "I'm sorry if I ever triggered u I'll be more mindful of it but pls don't the jokes will happen from time to time and I can tag them if u want"

[milquetoastantilles]

Responding in good faith to your second paragraph which I believe was also written in good faith. Since you said "awareness of autism in Japan is a thing you can actually look up", I just want to ask....have you? When was the last time you looked into it? Where did you look for that information, and in what language? Because I've seen sentiments like the ones you've shared repeated over and over in English speaking online spaces, and I've seen people believe them at face value.

I've also received outpatient mental health treatment in Japan, at a public hospital intended for everyday Japanese people. I was evaluated for and diagnosed with Autism and ADHD during the course of that treatment, something that none of the numerous psychiatrists and psychologists (or any other adult in my life) that treated me in the US were able to pick up on. I was prescribed the first anti-depressant that actually worked for me, and received compassionate, well-informed talk therapy for an extremely reasonable cost. (IIRC I was paying about 1200 yen out of pocket, my 3 medications together were less than 5000 yen a month) Obviously this is a handful of doctors at one hospital, but it's certainly not the only one in the country.

The schools I worked at had a small portion of students with diagnosed ADHD, Autism, and other learning disabilities/developmental disorders, and every one of those students (as well as other students who didn't have any diagnoses, but still needed extra help) had an Individualized Education Plan to help them have a fulfilling and comfortable school experience. Several of those students were prescribed medication by their doctors, including medication for ADHD. I believe the most common one is called Concerta, for what it's worth. There was more outreach and education about these conditions, both for teachers and students, than I ever saw at an educational facility in the US.

Does every single person in Japan have a nuanced understanding of all of the latest research about developmental disorders? Of course not. There's not a country on Earth with that kind of widespread understanding and acceptance. Look at the anti-vax movements in multiple countries, or things like Autism$peaks. There's no shortage of ignorance and misinformation about neurodivergence in English-speaking countries, but we have the nuance to say "listen to ND people's lived experience, look for the truth, ask questions, etc." It just happens that a large portion of anime-related content on the English-speaking internet is filtered through communities that are ideologically opposed to this nuance as being "woke leftist bullshit." That doesn't mean that's the whole story.

Japan isn't perfect, but it's not a desolate wasteland for mental health and LGBTQ+ acceptance either. A large portion of the hikkikomori/school refusal problem likely lies inadequate accommodation for neurodivergence and other differences, which makes participation in society an insurmountable hurdle for some people. That's a problem, and it should be fixed, but there ARE efforts being made to change things and help those people.

There are ignorant or closed-minded people in Japan, and there are neurodivergent people too. There is treatment available for ND people (not barring social stigma which again, is not unique to Japan), and some of them write memoirs and manga about their experiences. There are some outdated ideas and systems, and there are dedicated, passionate people who are working to do the research, change those systems, and educate people to understand better. There are public outreach campaigns and books at every reading level that explain both the medical and human side of developmental disorders, using the lived experience of actual neurodivergent people. There are ADHD medications, antidepressants, and other psychiatric medications - maybe not as many or the same ones as in your country, but they exist. It's hard to get a whole picture just from the things you see online, especially when there's a language barrier, but like you've said, this is something that can be researched, and in my experience, it's not as bleak as you might think.

i don't really like when people say dungeon meshi is accidentally good autistic representation, because while i understand not wanting to make conclusions without explicit confirmation from the author, there's always the weird assumption that non-western authors somehow don't know about things like neurodivergency/queerness/etc. (on top of the assumptions that east asian authors are somehow more naive or oblivious to "western" social issues).

given that dungeon meshi started being published in 2014, it's not really a "work belonging to its times"—it's as contemporary as any other media we discuss on this site, which means it should be fair to assume it engages with contemporary topics (and at the very least, you shouldn't say that the representation is accidental with so much confidence)

but anyways, the chapter "perfect communication" in ryoko kui's "terrarium in a drawer" is some of the most straightforward autistic representation I've seen, and from now on I'm going to assume that laios's character writing is absolutely intentional in that regard:

[tullipstudio-blog]

WAYS TO AVOID COPYRIGHTS ON YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK COVER

Creating a book cover for a children's book can be a creative and rewarding process, but it's essential to avoid copyright infringement. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate this aspect legally and ethically:

1. Understand Copyright Basics

Original Work Protection: Copyright law protects the rights of creators over their original works, which include not just books but also illustrations, photographs, and other forms of artistic expression. This protection means that others cannot use these works without permission.

Automatic Protection: Unlike trademarks or patents, copyright protection is automatic as soon as the work is created and fixed in a tangible form. This includes digital formats.

2. Use Public Domain Materials

Public Domain Criteria: Works published before 1924 are generally in the public domain in the United States. Additionally, works can enter the public domain if the copyright holder intentionally places them there or if the copyright expires.

Finding Public Domain Works: Websites like Project Gutenberg (for texts), Wikimedia Commons (for images), and the Public Domain Review offer vast collections of public domain materials. Always verify the status of a work before using it.

3. Utilize Creative Commons Licenses

Types of CC Licenses: Creative Commons licenses range from the most permissive (CC0, which is equivalent to public domain) to more restrictive licenses that may require attribution (CC BY), prohibit commercial use (CC BY-NC), or prevent derivative works (CC BY-ND).

Finding CC-Licensed Works: Use platforms like Flickr, Unsplash, and Pexels, which offer filters to search for images with specific types of Creative Commons licenses.

4. Create Original Artwork

Hiring Professionals: Working with a professional illustrator can ensure your book cover is unique and tailored to your vision. Websites like Behance, Dribbble, and Upwork can help you find talented illustrators.

DIY Tools: If you choose to create your own illustrations, tools like Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, and Clip Studio Paint offer powerful features for digital art creation.

5. Use Stock Images with Proper Licenses

Understanding Stock Licenses: Stock image websites typically offer various licenses, such as standard and extended licenses. Standard licenses often cover basic use cases, while extended licenses might be needed for higher print runs or broader usage.

Key Stock Image Sites: Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and iStock provide detailed licensing agreements. Always read and understand these agreements to ensure compliance.

6. Avoid Trademarks and Recognizable Characters

Trademarked Elements: Using logos, brand names, or other trademarked elements without permission can result in legal issues. Trademarks protect the brand identity and goodwill associated with those elements.

Recognizable Characters: Popular characters from books, films, or other media are protected by copyright and often trademark law. Unless they are in the public domain, using them without permission is illegal.

7. Get Permissions

Requesting Permission: If you want to use a specific image or artwork, contact the copyright holder directly. This may involve negotiating a licensing fee or agreeing to specific usage terms.

Documenting Permissions: Keep written records of all permissions and licenses. This documentation can protect you if any legal questions arise about your use of the material.

8. Consult Legal Advice

When to Seek Legal Help: If you're unsure about any aspect of copyright law or how it applies to your book cover, consulting a copyright attorney is a wise step. They can provide tailored advice and help you navigate complex legal issues.

Resources for Legal Advice: Organizations like Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts offer legal assistance to artists and creatives.

9. Fair Use Doctrine

Understanding Fair Use: Fair use allows for limited use of copyrighted material without permission for specific purposes, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. However, it's a complex and often ambiguous doctrine.

Assessing Fair Use: Courts consider factors like the purpose and character of the use (commercial vs. educational), the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used, and the effect on the market for the original work. Commercial uses, like book covers, typically do not fall under fair use.

10. Stay Informed

Keeping Updated: Copyright laws and the status of works entering the public domain change over time. Following legal blogs, subscribing to newsletters from copyright organizations, and regularly checking authoritative sources can help you stay informed.

Public Domain Day: Every January 1st, new works enter the public domain. Keeping track of these additions can provide fresh material for your projects.

By following these detailed guidelines, you can create a book cover that is both legally compliant and creatively fulfilling. Avoiding copyright infringement not only protects you from potential legal issues, but also upholds the integrity and respect of other creators' rights.

[kushalfm2024]

Production Day 4

Alright after a kind of shity day on Friday, we had a break on Saturday and the next shoot day was Sunday. So we had one shot which was outdoors. I and Joseph had found the location by mistake and I really like the location. This was the kidnapping shot. However, we did not have the permission of the location just because there was no one to actually ask for permission. Joe had gone and asked a lot of people who that building belonged to button no one knew anything about it. We still decided to shoot that location with a very minimal crew and very little equipment. However, during moving equipment from Merchiston to the location we forgot the monitor. Therefore we did have a small problem. So we were using an ND filter outside, and for some reason, the ND filter changed a few colors which was super weird. Our blacks and greys completely changed the colors and since we did not have a monitor, we never noticed that until it was too late. We now have to try and fix it in the post but it was quite upsetting. It was quite weird because it only changed a few blacks and some colors. Again, In a positive aspect, we did learn something new and now know to check the ND but yeah it only changed that shot which is again very weird. After that shot, now had to go shoot the dancing bit. `something I was super excited for. We were shooting in the Merchiston drama room. So the lighting started to happen. The make-up and costume took a bit more time than what we expected but it was worth it. After this, it was quite straightforward. We shot the dance sequence and packed up for the whole shoot!!!

[helluvatimes]

Sabbatical In The Garden

Migrant workers taking a sabbatical in a town park. Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

This was taken under an overcast sky. An ND grad filter to darken the sky here could’ve darkened the tree canopies as well. So instead, I underexposed the image by a stop and did further darkening in post where the sky was selected a section at a time and darkened in varying degrees. Some chromatic aberration were also fixed by desaturating the reds and magenta channels.

[travelluxegroup]

Luxury Photo Equipment - Upgrading Your Japan Photography Game

Luxury Photo Equipment - Upgrading Your Japan Photography Game Elevate Your Japan Travel Photography with Luxury Equipment Japan, the land of the rising sun, is a photographer's paradise. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples in Kyoto, Japan is full of photographic opportunities that you don't want to miss. However, capturing the essence of Japan in your travel photography requires the right equipment. With the use of luxury photo equipment, you can elevate your Japan travel photography to the next level. Invest in a High-Quality Camera Investing in a high-quality camera is the first step to capturing stunning photographs in Japan. A high-end camera such as the Sony A7R IV or Canon EOS R5 can provide excellent dynamic range, low-light performance, and image details that can help you capture breathtaking landscapes and cityscapes in Japan. These cameras can also shoot in 4K videos, enabling you to capture Japan's sceneries in high resolution. Flexible Zoom Lenses A flexible zoom lens, such as the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 II, is perfect for traveling and capturing a variety of Japan's sceneries. These lenses are versatile and can capture everything from landscapes and cityscapes to portraits and close-ups. A lens with a wide aperture can also help to create a shallow depth of field, bringing the subject into focus while blurring the background. Tripod for Steady Shots A tripod is an essential piece of gear for capturing still images and shooting videos in low light conditions. A sturdy tripod can help you achieve sharp and steady shots, especially when shooting in low light situations. A carbon fiber tripod, such as the Manfrotto 190 Go! Carbon Fiber, can provide excellent stability without adding too much weight to your travel gear. ND Filter for Long-Exposure Shots An ND filter is a must-have accessory for capturing long exposures in bright daylight. Long exposure shots can create stunning images of waterfalls, flowing rivers, and other scenes with movement. A variable ND filter, such as the Tiffen Variable ND Filter, can help to reduce the amount of light that enters the lens, allowing you to capture longer exposures and create dreamy images of Japan's landscapes. Portable External Hard Drive High-quality images and videos take up a lot of storage space. A portable external hard drive, such as the Samsung T5, can provide extra storage and allow you to back up your images and videos on the go. This is especially useful when you don't have access to a computer or when you're traveling for an extended period. In conclusion, upgrading your Japan travel photography game with luxury equipment is worth the investment. These tools can help you capture stunning images and videos of Japan's sceneries and create memories that will last a lifetime. Camera Upgrades for Crisp and Clear Shots Upgrade your lens Investing in a high-quality lens is crucial for capturing crisp and clear shots. Look for lenses with a wide aperture, such as f/2.8 or lower, which allows more light to enter the camera and produces a shallower depth of field. A prime lens, which has a fixed focal length, can also improve the sharpness and clarity of your images. Upgrade to a full-frame camera A full-frame camera has a larger sensor than a crop-sensor camera, allowing it to capture more light and detail. This results in sharper and clearer images with better low-light performance. If you're serious about your photography, investing in a full-frame camera is a worthy upgrade. Upgrade your tripod A sturdy tripod can make a huge difference in the sharpness of your photos. Look for one made of high-quality materials, with a weight capacity that can support your camera and lens. Make sure it has a stable base and a smooth pan and tilt movement for easy adjustments. Upgrade your storage and backup options Invest in high-capacity memory cards and an external hard drive to store and back up your photos. Running out of storage or losing your images can be a nightmare, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Consider also investing in a cloud-based backup system for extra security. Upgrade your editing software Editing software can take your photos to the next level, allowing you to sharpen, lighten, and adjust colors for a more professional look. Upgrade to a more advanced program like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom for more control over your editing process. Upgrade your camera bag A good camera bag not only protects your gear but also makes it easy to carry. Look for one made of durable materials with padded compartments to keep your equipment safe. A comfortable strap and ergonomic design can also make a big difference when you're out shooting for hours. Upgrading your camera equipment can make a big difference in the quality of your photos. Consider investing in some of these upgrades to take your Japan photography game to the next level. Lenses for Capturing Japan's Beauty Japan is the perfect destination for photography enthusiasts looking to capture its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and unique architecture. To ensure that you capture the essence of Japan, the right lens is essential. Here are some lenses that will help you upgrade your Japan photography game. Wide-Angle Lens If you want to capture the vast landscapes of Japan, a wide-angle lens is your best bet. A wide-angle lens allows you to capture a larger area, giving you breathtaking views of Japan's beautiful landscapes. This type of lens is perfect for capturing the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji or the vast expanse of the Japanese countryside. Telephoto Lens A telephoto lens is ideal for capturing the stunning details that Japan has to offer. With this lens, you can zoom in on a subject from a distance and capture its intricate details. Whether you're capturing the intricate carvings on a temple or the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom, this lens is perfect for getting up close and personal with your subject. Macro Lens For the avid nature photographer, a macro lens is a must-have. This lens allows you to capture the tiniest details of Japan's flora and fauna. This type of lens is perfect for capturing the intricate details of a butterfly's wings, the delicate petals of a cherry blossom, or the intricate pattern of a spider's web. Portrait Lens If you're looking to capture the beauty of the Japanese people, a portrait lens is the ideal choice. This type of lens allows you to capture sharp, clear images of your subjects and beautifully blur the background. You can use this lens to capture the traditional attire of the geishas or the colorful outfits of the Harajuku girls. In conclusion, upgrading your Japan photography game requires choosing the right lens. Whether you're capturing the vast landscapes, intricate details, or stunning portraits, the right lens can make all the difference. So, make sure to invest in the right lens for your Japan photography adventure. Tripods and Stabilizers for Steady Shooting The Importance of Tripods and Stabilizers When it comes to capturing high-quality photographs, stability is key. No matter how steady your hands are, there will always be some level of shake. This is where tripods and stabilizers come in. They offer a solid base, so you can keep your camera still and take sharp, clear shots. Types of Tripods There are a few different types of tripods to choose from depending on your needs. The most common are: - Tabletop tripods: These small, compact tripods can sit on a desk or table and often have bendable legs to help with positioning. - Mid-range tripods: These are taller than tabletop tripods and generally offer more stability. - Professional tripods: These are the most advanced and can handle heavier camera equipment. They are also generally the most expensive. Stabilizers Stabilizers are also useful for keeping your camera steady. They come in many forms, including handheld gimbals and shoulder rigs. Handheld gimbals are great for getting smooth, steady footage while walking or moving around. Shoulder rigs are ideal for longer shoots, as they distribute the weight of the camera and reduce fatigue. Choosing the Right Tripod or Stabilizer When choosing a tripod or stabilizer, it's important to consider the weight of your camera and lens. You'll want to make sure the tripod or stabilizer can handle the weight without tipping over or wobbling. Additionally, you'll want to think about portability and ease of use. Final Thoughts Investing in a good tripod or stabilizer is a smart move for anyone looking to improve their photography or videography game. Not only do they help you take sharper, clearer shots, but they also offer greater flexibility and control over your camera. Whether you're a professional photographer or just starting out, adding a tripod or stabilizer to your setup is sure to make a world of difference. Lighting Equipment for Perfectly Lit Scenes When it comes to taking high-quality photos, lighting is a crucial factor. Without suitable lighting, the best shot can be ruined. Various lighting equipment is available in the market that can take your photography game to the next level. Here are some popular lighting equipment options: External Flash: External flash is a must-have for professional photographers. It provides a burst of light that can brighten up your subject and surroundings. They are perfect for shooting in low-light conditions, and can also be used as a fill light. External flashes come in different sizes and strengths to suit different needs and budgets. Ring lights: A ring light is a unique type of light that is widely used in fashion photography, portraits, and macro photography. It is a circular light that provides even lighting to the subject's face, eliminating shadows and highlighting facial features. It is also suitable for creating eye-catching catchlights in the eyes of your subject. Softboxes: Softboxes are large light diffusers that provide soft, even lighting. They are used to create a more natural-looking light and are perfect for portrait and product photography. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are ideal for creating a broad and soft light source. Reflectors: Reflectors are handy tools that help bounce light onto the subject or area that needs more light. They come in different shapes and sizes, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. They are perfect for creating more natural-looking lighting and can also be used to remove shadows and soften harsh lighting. These lighting equipment options can help create perfectly lit scenes and take your photography game to the next level. Experiment with different equipment and find out what works best for your photography needs. Accessories for Convenient and Efficient Shooting Lens Filters One of the most widely used accessories in photography is lens filters. They are used to control light, reduce glare and reflections, and enhance color saturation. For landscape photography, a polarizer filter is recommended to deepen the blue of the sky and the green of the foliage. Neutral density filters are used for controlling the amount of light entering the lens, making it possible to use slower shutter speeds to blur motion or create a shallower depth of field. Tripods and Monopods In low light situations, it’s important to use a tripod or monopod to avoid camera shake. A tripod is essential for longer exposures, and for capturing video footage. A monopod, on the other hand, is useful for situations where you need to move around quickly, but still, need to keep the camera steady. Battery Packs When you’re on the go, the last thing you want is to run out of power mid-shoot. A portable battery pack is a great way to keep your camera or smartphone charged up, especially if you’re shooting for an extended period. These are also great for long plane rides or road trips, where access to power is limited. Camera Bags Investing in a good quality camera bag is essential for transporting your gear safely. Whether you’re going on a day-trip or a longer photography adventure, a good camera bag will help keep your equipment organized, protected, and easily accessible. Look for a bag with adjustable dividers and padded compartments to keep your gear safe and snug. Remote Shutter Release A remote shutter release is an essential accessory for shooting time-lapses, long exposures, and self-portraits. It allows you to trigger the camera’s shutter without having to physically touch the camera, which reduces the chance of camera shake. These can be wired or wireless, and range from simple wireless remote controllers to more advanced control units that allow you to set intervals and exposure times. Conclusion When it comes to photography, investing in good quality accessories can make your shooting experience much more convenient and efficient. From lens filters to camera bags and battery packs, the right accessories can enhance your photography game and ensure that you’re always prepared. Choose accessories that will complement your shooting style and help you achieve your creative vision. With the right equipment, you’ll be on your way to capturing stunning shots in no time. Investing in Quality Equipment: Cost vs. Value When it comes to photography equipment, there are many options available in the market. However, investing in quality equipment is a must to take your photography game to the next level. Often, quality equipment means a higher cost, but the value it brings to your work is worth the investment. The Cost of Quality Equipment Quality camera bodies, lenses, filters, and other accessories come at a higher price than their cheaper counterparts. However, the cost of quality equipment should be viewed as an investment in your craft. You will see a significant difference in the sharpness, clarity, and overall visual appeal of your images when you use quality equipment. Additionally, quality equipment is built to last, allowing you to use it for many years to come without having to replace it frequently. The Value of Quality Equipment The value of quality equipment can be measured in several ways. Firstly, the quality of your images will improve dramatically, giving your work a professional look. Secondly, quality equipment allows you to capture images in challenging situations, such as low light or fast-moving subjects, that would be difficult to achieve with cheaper equipment. This opens up new possibilities for your photography and allows you to create images that were once impossible. Thirdly, owning quality equipment can increase your reputation as a photographer and attract more high-paying clients, making it a valuable investment in your career. Investing in quality equipment for your photography can be challenging due to the higher price tag, but it's also essential to take your work to the next level. With quality equipment, you can create images that are sharp, clear, and professional, allowing you to attract more clients and advance your career. So, if you're serious about photography, investing in quality equipment is a must, and it's worth the cost to reap the benefits in the long run. For those looking to capture stunning photos during their Swiss adventure, make sure to check out this list of Premium Photography Equipment for Swiss Excursions. Read the full article

[anantradingpvtltd]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] The lens filters Kit is specifically designed for the DJI Mavic Mini/Mavic Mini 2 camera. This lens filters accessories set, features sharp AGC glass. Multi coating film results in minimizing reflections, flares and improves image quality. Hydrophobic Nano coating reduces fingerprints, fog, water, and dust.Also resulting in high transmittance, capture clear image, restore ture color. Water-proof & Oil-proof & Scratch-proof, effectively protecting Mavic Mini/Mavic Mini 2 Camera. ND Filter: - ND stands for Neutral Density Filter Which acts like sunglasses for you drone camera. They will darken what the camera sees so you can use a lower shutter speed so your footage looks smoother and more cinematic. They are rated by how strong (how dark) they are, the higher the number the stronger or darker they are. -The ND4 filter allows 1/4 of incoming light through, equal to a 2-stop filter,For a minor reduction in brightness to adjust shutter speed. -The ND8 filter>/b> allows 1/8 of incoming light through, equal to a 3-stop filter,For partly to mostly cloudy days or approaching sunset or after sunrise. -The ND16 filter allows 1/16 of incoming light through, equal to a 4-stop filter,For partly cloudy days or early to mid-morning, medium light. -The ND32 filter allows 1/32 of incoming light through, equal to a 5-stop filter Best for very bright, full sun days. PL Filter:- PL stands for Polarizing Filter,This type of filter reduces glare and brings out better saturation and clarity in your photos and videos, especially when filming around water. ND+PL Filters have both in one filter,You will get the nice saturation and clarity from the PL and you will be able to control the shutter speed and exposure with the ND. Performance: - These filters are multi coated optics which results in clear image capturing by restoring true color. Also, they will protect the drone lens from scratches. Lens Filter:- ND filter that stands for neutal density filter acts as a sunglass to your drone camera making your footage more smoother and cinematic. PL filter stands for polarizing filter reduces glare and bring out saturation and clarity in your image and video. ND+PL Filters have both in one filter,you will get the nice saturation and clarity from the PL and you will be able to control the shutter speed and exposure with the ND. Installation: - Very easy to use, these filters are based on plug and play features. You just have to place the filter above the lens and push a little to fix its position and you are good to go. Package Include: - This pack includes a box of 4 lens filters, i.e ND4/PL, ND8/PL, ND16/PL and ND32/PL filters. [ad_2]

[keithdevereux]

The #ShittyCameraChallenge: Trichromes, Aerochromes and more with the Olympus Camedia C-100

This is an old post, drafted in July for the glitchy Olympus Camedia C-100, but the images came out lovely so I had to share.

Finally I got my hands on a real glitchy camera, with a sensor well past its prime, the Olympus Camedia C-100, a 1.3-megapixel fixed-focus digicam released by Olympus in 2001. I reckon the camera is overexposing by around 10 stops, and normal daylight images are completely blown out, but I have a cheap variable ND filter, that on its maximum setting produces much more ‘natural’ images. Of…

[karingottschalk]

David Thorpe: Big and Bad, Little and Good.

David Thorpe: Big and Bad, Little and Good.

http://m43blog.dthorpe.net/2018/06/14/big-and-bad-little-and-good/

“Equivalence. It’s the bugbear of anyone who reviews Micro Four Thirds lenses. You are being conned says the incoming mail. Your f/1.4 lens is really an f/2.8. And your so called shallow depth of field is commensurate with f/2.8, too, not f/1.4. It’s an argument I’ve heard so many times and while factually true, is pointless and…

[ongie]

아이더  x 핑크 ♡

[snarkywrites]

July Horoscopes: Fixed Drama

Saturn, Mars, and Uranus are all forming a T-Square at the beginning of the month. Things will ease a little a few weeks in as Mars breaks free from the aspect. Everyone will feel this energy since it has made us angry, go at a slow pace and we may feel like we have not accomplished what we would like. However, this month has a lot of changes and movement in store for everyone. The New Moon in Cancer on the 9th is going to serve as an awakening for most of the signs, especially Water signs, as we tune back into our emotions since this is the transition from Air to Water season. Venus and Mars will be moving into Virgo later in the month on the 21st and 29th respectively. A transit that is going to make Earth signs feel more energized. The Sun and Mercury will enter the sign of Leo, a positive feat for Fire signs and Jupiter will return to Aquarius (28th) and the Full Moon in Aquarius on the 23rd will allow Air signs to feel like they are back in the game. There is a lot happening and while it all moves slowly, the shifts will be more prominent once the summer ends. For now, be patient and go slow because rushing will get you nowhere.

Aries – The Sun entering Leo on the 22nd and the Full Moon in Aquarius on the 23rd are going to allow you to focus on major transformations in your social circles. This is also a good transit to switch up your creative styles and try something new if you are an artist. Get ready to feel the intensity of your emotions with the New Moon in Cancer in the 9th as you find the balance between home and career. Mercury entering the same sign on the 11th giving you the plan needed to make some good interior decorating decisions or just strike a deal for a raise at work. For the next four weeks you are going to prioritize self-care and opt to stay and hang with family or close friends. Venus in Virgo also sends a reminder to add a little self-love into your routine when the transit begins on the 21st. Mercury will be in Leo on the 27th, so use this transit to write up a storm, draw, get into photography, sing, anything, really. Jupiter will finally go back into the sign of Aquarius on the 28th and you might expect the unexpected (good) surprises and recognition you deserve.

Taurus – Rebuilding your relationship with your creative side is the theme for the month. When the New Moon in Cancer appears on the 9th, you will be fueled with inspiration. Another plus is that Mercury will be in Cancer on the 11th, motivating and allowing you to be more confident in your self-expression. Venus enters earthy Virgo on the 21st and this trine to your sign is going to add more excitement to your social circles. The Sun enters the sign of Leo on the 22nd, a time for you to take a little breather and focus on home and roots for the next month. When the Full Moon in Aquarius happens on the 23rd, you are going to feel the impact the last six months have had on your career. You will finally see your hard work paying off (assuming you put in the effort). With Mercury in Leo n the 27th, you are going to feel more comfortable in your surroundings and once again, the topics relating to home and your roots take center stage. You might feel compelled to dig deeper into your family history during this transit. The Jupiter Retrograde in Aquarius on the 28th will bring more questions about work and your drive and goals for the future so this is your reminder to stay focused. On the 29th, Mars enters Virgo, expect more excitement with your new (or current) romantic partner as you find new ways to express your love.

Gemini – July is bringing you familiarity. While you find new ways to adjust your finances, the New Moon in Cancer on the 9th, will add some good tactics for growth. Budgeting will come to play with Mercury entering Cancer on the 11th. During the Sun’s entry in Leo, you are going to feel once more in your element, focused on what you have to say and write. Venus enters Virgo on the 21st, a good opportunity to make some renovations at home if you have been thinking about it for a while. Things intensify for you with the Full Moon in Aquarius on the 23rd as you feel more in command with yourself during this time. An opportunity to learn from a new course, class or book has presented itself in the last six months, so now will be your time to be tested on your knowledge. Are you ready? Mercury joins the sun on the 27th, bringing you new insights and a joy for the work you have created. Jupiter returns to the sign of Aquarius on the 28th with more lessons and questions about your path and inner growth. If you want to learn more, Saturn will still be there teaching you to evolve. Mars will enter Virgo on the 29th, closing the month but this will be an interesting transit, offering more opportunities to perfect and learn more through the comforts of your home.

Cancer – We are officially in Cancer Season and the New Moon in your sign on the 9th will redirect your goals as the focus is brought back to you, so treat yourself. Mercury in your sign on the 11th will initiate a period of confidence and it will be easy for you to steal the spotlight since everyone will notice how sharp you are during this transit. On the 21st, Venus will be in Virgo, adding a touch of romance to your mind and the way you communicate. You command everyone’s attention now and Venus gives you more magnetism. The Sun will be in Leo on the 22nd bringing a shift to your spending habits. With the Full Moon on the 23rd, you might be more aware than before about where you are planning to see yourself financially for the future. With Mercury in Leo on the 27th, this is all about making plans and being wiser about your purse. You might also be more intrigued to dive deeper and learn about the mystical. Jupiter will move from Pisces to Aquarius, bringing you back down to Earth but adding more optimism in your life. Mars enters Virgo on the 29th, more of the themes Venus brought in but you now must be more aware of how you say things. This transit can make you speak without a filter, so try focus on being more polite if you are compelled to yell.

Leo – A month of guidance and meditation with the New Moon in Cancer on the 9th and Mercury following suit on the 11th. Journaling and meditating will help ease the tension during this transit. It could feel nostalgic, thinking about the past and focusing on the present as Mars and Venus are still in your sign for most of the month. Get ready for excitement as the Sun will be in your sign on the 22nd and the Full Moon in Aquarius will occur on the 23rd. Your relationships come to focus once again, a cycle that began only six months ago will bring you more clarity to answers you may have had earlier this year. As Saturn still make waves in Aquarius, you are noticing your dynamics with others shifting and the Full Moon may highlight this. Mercury will be in your sign on the 27th, giving you that additional star power and energy you have craved since Saturn might have made things a little gloomy. Jupiter will return to Aquarius on the 28th a good transit, even if it is in opposition to your sign. Once more, you will feel that abundant energy showing you much needed love and support. Appreciate it now since it will remain there until the end of the year.

Virgo – Venus will be in your sign on the 21st and this transit will feel a bit like an awakening as you are able to shine. The month starts with the New Moon in Cancer on the 9th which will be extremely different from last year. No longer is Saturn in Capricorn, so the Moon now can be vibrant and bring you joy and fun opportunities, even if it is in a water sign. Mercury will be in Cancer on the 11th, adding more of the same themes from the New Moon so if you have felt alone or isolated, you will be in good company now as your friends give you some much needed support. The Full Moon in Aquarius on the 23rd will allow you to focus on yourself and goals for the next six months and with Jupiter entering Aquarius once again on the 28th, you will feel a lot more optimistic about your career plans and the choices you have made for the future. On the 29th, Mars enters your sign, adding more energy and drive. Those dreams you have had might seem more practical now. The month closes with you going full speed ahead and confident.

Libra – Full speed ahead for Libras during the month of July. The New Moon in Cancer is powerful for you since this is going to highlight your career and goals for the next six months. This is your time to make some moves along with the rest of the Cardinal signs. With Saturn no longer in Capricorn, you can see your dreams manifesting. Mercury will enter the same sign on the 11th, giving you insight and motivation to plan. Venus be in Virgo on the 21st, magic, love and romance are highlighted as this occurs in your 12th house. You are embarking on a time where you are focused on your sense of happiness, even if you are single. Prioritize yourself. On the 22nd, Leo season begins, getting you in the mood to meet and greet friends and family in lavish settings. The Full Moon in Aquarius on the 23rd will bring you back to topics from six months ago, perhaps a relationship you ended may be rekindled or you have learned to move on and set your sights on better things. Mercury will be in Leo on the 27th, sparking your more dramatic side, just try and not to stir things up. With Jupiter back in Aquarius on the 28th, you are ready to explore your creative side, or this could be a time of reflection for you. The Mars transit in Virgo on the 29th might make you feel irritable. A reminder to focus on some meditation and breathing exercises if things just feel stressful around you.

Scorpio – Nothing sparks changes like a New Moon in a water sign. On the 9th, the New Moon in Cancer is going to make you feel restless and impulsive. Try not to act too out of character. While you may feel the urge to get away, try and focus on channeling that energy into a new project that can be fruitful in the long run. Mercury follows the Moon on the 11th, which will inspire you to begin a new course or study something you have been curious about. Venus enters Virgo on the 21st a good transit to hang with friends. Who know, you could meet someone new through your friends if you are single. Leo season begins on the 22nd, an important transit since this will be the time where your focus shifts on career goals. The Full Moon on the 23rd adds a need to bring some balance to home and work, you are going to be reminded of events from six months ago, so this can be an introspective time for you. With Mercury in the sign of Leo beginning on the 27th, this is a promising transit for you, as you can push forward with your dreams and goals. Have lots of faith in what you want, and you can see that your superiors may even help you get there. Your hard work is paying off. Jupiter will retrograde back in Aquarius on the 28th, more introspection, more analyzing and more plans as Jupiter allows you to rework and change your game plan. An interesting Mars shift in Virgo closes the month on the 29th. Once again, group dynamics come back to play, and you get to meet some interesting people during this time.

Sagittarius – What an interesting month this promises to be for you, Sagittarius. Jupiter, your ruler will go back to the sign of Aquarius on the 28th. This transit will be quite favorable to you since Jupiter will once again make a sextile to your sign and boosting your mind and creative energy until December. This is also a good time to reconnect with friends and family. A New Moon in Cancer on the 9th will allow you to dive deep into your memories and find new ways to let go of the past. Find your source of power during this transit so you can move forward with confidence. Venus enters Virgo on the 21st, a very important time for you since you are going to turn heads and be in the spotlight. Venus will give you some motivation but since the transit might feel calm and lethargic, make sure not to slack off. The Sun enters Leo on the 22nd, which is going to make things a lot easier to manage during the next month. This is your time for inspiration, knowledge, and some creative ventures. The Full Moon in Aquarius will happen on the 23rd, a chance to look back and make some changes to your pending projects. This is your time to revise, edit and redo things if needed. Mercury will enter the sign of Leo on the 27th, making you feel sharp, empowered by your words, and motivated to speak up. Just make sure not to be too preachy here with others and take the time to listen to their views. New career moves will be made when Mars enters Virgo on the 29th, more of a good thing as you get focused to make a lasting and positive impression to those in charge. A reminder to not explode when you feel stressed and to practice some diplomacy from time to time.

Capricorn – Your ruler Saturn continues making challenges in the sign of Aquarius. The energy for this month is a little rough but you always find a way to keep powering through. A notable transit is the New Moon in Cancer on the 9th, a time to reexamine your relationships and maybe even start a new one if you are single. Then Mercury in Cancer begins on the 11th, more relationship topics on your mind and this transit can even make you more emotional communicating with your partner (or a potential new one). Earth signs will be thrilled to see that Venus will be in Virgo on the 21st, adding excitement and grounding energy to your routine. You are here to work, get things done and learn while Venus has some strategies to keep you focused and driven. The Sun will be in Leo on the 22nd, and the Full Moon in Aquarius is on the 23rd adding some eye-opening news when it comes to your finances. Try to buckle down and not splurge too much or you might regret it. Expect a boost with Mercury in Leo beginning on the 27th, if you feel like you are slacking with savings and investment, you may consider learning new ways to stay financially fit. Jupiter will retrograde back in Aquarius on the 28th, adding more optimism to the way you view yourself and the material things in life. You will see more shifts happening when Mars enters Virgo on the 29th, a guiding light that will push you forward now if you have stopped believing in your dreams.

Aquarius – The Full Moon in your sign on the 23rd is going to be a notable event for you since it adds onto the responsibility and hard work you have dealt with this year. But before that happens, the New Moon will be in the sign of Cancer on the 9th which is going to bring some familiar themes from the current Saturn transit. Your work ethic will be highlighted now, and your bosses or teachers may see you in a favorable light; this Moon is a reminder that hard work and results come with patience and focus. While Mercury is also in Cancer on the 11th, you are going to see how you can prioritize and plan in a more efficient way. Things might have felt scattered for you, but you find grounding energy now as you are able to focus and get things done. The Sun enters Leo on the 22nd, allowing you to focus on healing your relationships and when Mercury enters the same sign on the 27th, the energy this transit brings will be promising for your relationship. Jupiter enters your sign again on the 28th, giving you more optimism and if you needed the positive energy, this transit is going to work wonders for you. Mars will change signs on the 29th, entering the realm of Virgo. Here you might feel a little uncomfortable, as Mars will have you churning through the past, but you will find new ways to break free from any thoughts that might be bringing you down.

Pisces – Water energy can be favorable for you with the New Moon in Cancer on the 9th bringing some positive trines to your sign. Mercury will also add flare to water signs beginning on the 11th, so if you are a creative, this energy can boost your imagination. This month can bring a lot of excitement especially if you are single. Venus will ingress in Virgo on the 21st, making an opposition to your sign but still bringing all its lovable Venusian qualities to the table. If you have thought about the prospects of love, this transit will make your heart flutter and make you daydream more than usual. The next day, the Sun enters Leo, and the Full Moon in Aquarius will occur right after that on the 23rd. You are going to be diving deep into your subconscious, reflecting on topics from earlier in the year. This is your moment for some grounding and optimism, even if things feel a little harsh. Jupiter will return to the sign of Aquarius on the 28th, enhancing the prospect of hope and joy in your life. While in your sign, Jupiter showed us our potential and we will experience more of the abundance and joy later in the year. Finally, Mars enters the sign of Virgo on the 29th, initiating a period where you are going to feel much more motivated to accomplish many things. Just remember not to lose your temper on others.

[secretpajamas]

a different kind of rush;

an ezra x reader fic

pairing: ezra (prospect) x female reader

rating: explicit

genre: romance/smut/and they were roommates (oh my god they were roommates)

words: 5.6k

part 2 of 2 (read part one HERE)

please scroll to the end to “content” if you would like to know specific smut-related content before reading!

--

When you emerged from the shower, you changed into your long sleep shirt (the thing was far too old and ratty at this point to be considered a “nightgown”). Even though it wasn’t dark out yet, you figured you might as well go to bed at the rate this day was going.

As you slowly crept through the tent partition, you noticed that Ezra was gone—and so was his gear.

You found a note in Ezra’s barely-legible scrawl placed at the foot of your bed.

“Starstone quality check,” you mumbled, reading the note aloud.

Starstone was so finicky that it was necessary to check up on it in storage to make sure it maintained its stability. But you knew in your gut he was avoiding you. While he was out, you cleaned the filters and checked the tanks like you always did—minus the filter and tank that Ezra was currently using—the methodical work helping soothe your nerves a little.

When Ezra came back in, you were sitting up in bed, reading the book Ezra’s kid Cee had hand-written (“She didn’t come up with the story, but she basically rewrote the whole damn thing herself. Smarter than she knows, that kid.”). It wasn’t your usual kind of story, and not even your usual medium of consumption (you preferred late-night radio dramas, but they broadcast from the Ephrate—the signal was spotty at best in the Fringes and nonexistent here in the Reach), but it was captivating nonetheless.

You didn’t look up from the book as Ezra walked in. Neither of you said a word.

Part of you was relieved that you didn’t talk about it.

The other part of you was desperate to talk about it.

--

The next morning, you woke to Ezra sitting at his makeshift desk—a chair set in front of an old wooden shipping crate—swirling together the starstone enzyme bath. He was wearing a pair of boxer shorts and a gray t-shirt, his hair already matted with perspiration from the heat.

You grumbled and slowly sat up.

“Mornin’, sunshine,” Ezra said, not lifting his eyes from his work.

“Mmph,” was your sleepy response.

“Oats are ready if you have a hankering,” he continued, gesturing with his head towards the “kitchen”—another wooden shipping crate, this one with a battery-operated stove placed on top.

You were suddenly very awake at the promise of food. “Please tell me there’s coffee, too.”

“Haven’t made it yet,” he replied. “Go easy on the stuff, you’ve drunk near all my supply.”

“I believe food and board is included in my contract.” You yawned before shuffling your way over to the stove.

“Food and board, sweetheart, not drink.” Ezra held the canister of freshly mixed enzyme solution between his knees as he twisted on the cap with his hand.

Your stomach rumbled and you eagerly grabbed your bowl of oatmeal. After wolfing down your breakfast, you filled Ezra’s rickety kettle with water and set it on the stove, turning the power up to high. You pawed around the mismatched collection of canteens piled next to the stove until you found two clean ones and set them out, along with four packets of powdered coffee (three for you, one for Ezra). It was the instant stuff anyone could grab for cheap at a shuttle station, and it tasted wretched, but it did its job.

As you waited for the water to boil—not long when the water in storage was already warm thanks to this planet’s heat—You heard Ezra stand up and approach you. When you felt his hand brush the small of your back, you shivered.

Ezra huffed. “Are you cold? For cryin’ out loud, woman, it’s hotter’n two channel-rats fuckin’ in a wool sock.”

“Must be caffeine withdrawal,” you lied, knowing full well it was Ezra’s touch.

He rubbed his thumb back and forth and you nearly shivered again. “I suppose it’s high time I replenish our supplies,” he said, “lest you pillage the remainder of my coffee.”

When the kettle began to whistle, you switched off the stove and poured equal amounts of hot water into the cups—and unequal amounts of coffee packets. All the while, Ezra’s hand stayed on your back.

“Speaking of supplies, we could use another full O2 tank,” you said, trying your best to ignore how your stomach did somersaults every time Ezra absentmindedly rubbed his thumb against the material of your sleep shirt, “and coolant for the air circulators.”

“I’m well aware,” Ezra said, “but thank you kindly for the reminder.”

You offered Ezra his canteen of coffee. You mourned the loss of his hand on your back, but feeling the brush of his fingers against yours as you handed him his cup was nearly as electrifying.

“S’posin’ we pull a good haul of starstone today, I can ready the pod for the shuttle station tomorrow,” he said between sips. “Be back within a couple days’ time.”

You swallowed down a lump in your throat along with your coffee. You did need supplies, but it was hardly urgent—was he really that keen on avoiding you? But the way he just touched your back—he’d never been more intimate than friendly pats on the shoulder before—

“The shuttle station gets a clearer radio signal to the Ephrate,” Ezra continued, “I can have a good an’ proper talk with Cee.”

Oh. He wants to talk to his kid, you moron. Why did you make this about yourself and your ill-timed masturbatory ventures?

“I’ll hold down the fort, then,” you said between gulps of your coffee.

“I’m countin’ on it,” Ezra said. “Now let’s score some stone afore this bitch of a planet bakes us alive.”

–

Ezra was gone before you woke, but you had expected it. He told you as much last night. But you still couldn’t shake the notion that he was avoiding you. You sighed deeply before untangling yourself from the bedsheets and crawling over to make your morning coffee.

On the table, the kettle was already set out on the stovetop, along with three coffee packets, a clean canteen, and a note from Ezra.

“Radio at 21:00,” you mumbled. That was tonight—so he was planning to call you as soon as he got in. You couldn’t help but smile as you made your coffee.

You didn’t have to mine today or tomorrow, thanks to working double-time yesterday (and your aching muscles certainly reminded you of that), but there was still plenty to do around the tent. After gulping down your coffee, you started with the pile of laundry in the corner. It was the most urgent order of business, based on how it was beginning to climb up the wall—and how much it stunk. You filled a basin with water and soap and got to work.

While hanging the garments to dry, you noticed a pair of Ezra’s compression pants had a tear in the thigh—thankfully, it was on a side seam, so you could easily sew it shut. You noted to fix it as soon as it was finished drying. You wondered if you could mend anything else, noting Ezra’s ratty assortment of boxers and briefs. If he made any cash in the aurelac rush, he certainly didn’t spend any of it on underwear. You could mend holes, but you couldn’t work miracles.

As you waited for the clothes to dry, you snacked on a ration bar and read more of Cee’s book. You were invested in the characters now, despite your initial skepticism of the subject matter. You had to admit, it was a bit of a page-turner. After a while, you didn’t want to put it down. You moved from sitting at Ezra’s desk to leaning against one of the tent supports to laying on your bed mat, your eyes glued to the page.

When you finally came to a satisfying enough chapter to pause your reading, you looked around for a piece of scrap paper to mark your place. You picked up Ezra’s note and tucked it inside the pages before shutting the book. You noticed the laundry hanging up was dry—had you really been reading that long? Oh well. Time to get mending.

–

You had mended Ezra’s pants, a pair of his socks, and were about to sew a button back on the pocket of your suit when you heard your name crackle from the radio headset in the corner. Startled, you dropped your work, the button skittering across the floor.

“Gimme a minute!” You shouted, hoping your headset would pick it up from across the tent. You quickly found the runaway button and placed it on Ezra’s desk before scrambling to your side of the tent to put on your headset.

“Sorry about that,” you said, “I’m here. You get in okay?”

“All in one piece,” came Ezra’s voice in your ear, “give or take an arm.”

You rolled your eyes at Ezra’s wisecrack. “Talk to Cee yet?”

“Not yet,” Ezra said, “with the time difference between here and the Ephrate, she’s still in class. I shan’t interrupt her studies.”

You looked at the book where it lay on Ezra’s desk and smiled. “Well, when you call her, tell her I said hello.”

“Will do.”

“So, what station did you end up at?” You asked.

“Trinity,” Ezra replied.

“Trinity,” you said, “don’t think I’ve been on Trinity since the rush.”

“Ain’t any different,” Ezra said, “still got egregious docking fees and an abundance of unpleasant company.”

“Already shooed away a pick-pocket busker, haven’t you?”

“Several,” Ezra grumbled, “Damn this stump, they think I’m an easy target.”

“Were any of them good players, at least?” You asked.

“Truthfully, the boy on the panpipes was a talented little devil,” he said, “both in playing his instrument and his victims. I let him pilfer a coin from my pocket—I fancy myself a patron of the arts.”

You snorted. “You keep coin in your pocket? On Trinity?”

“Sweetheart, it’s the decoy cash,” Ezra explained. “You keep a couple low-credit coin in your pocket for the vandals so that they don’t go scroungin’ for the heavy-hittin’ gems in your suit lining.”

“Speaking of your suit lining,” you said, “I’ve been doing some mending.”

You heard Ezra’s raspy laugh through your headset. “Don’t suppose you’ve been sewin’ up my underthings.”

“Those are hopeless,” you remarked, “I meant your spare compression pants.”

“Ah!” Ezra said. “I do recall those had a rip in ’em. I was fixin’ to fix those.”

“Well, I figured I’d do it as long as I had the time,” you said. “Also darned a pair of your socks.”

“Are you anglin’ for a raise?” You could hear the smile in Ezra’s voice.

“Your listing did say ‘compensation negotiable,’” you replied.

“Hmm. That it did,” Ezra said. “Perhaps we shall negotiate upon my return.”

The radio line lay silent for a moment, and you felt a nervous pang in your stomach. Enough small talk. You needed to say something about what happened the other day—even if it was just to apologize.

“Ezra?”

“Yes, sweetheart?” He replied.

“Is everything... Okay? With us?” You asked, trying to suppress the anxiety in your voice.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Ezra replied, before quickly adding in lowered tone, “Did somethin’... rub you the wrong way?”

“Kevva help me,” you grumbled, feeling the wave embarrassment crawl up your spine. “I’m so sorry, Ezra. It won’t happen again.”

“Stop apologizin’. There ain’t a thing wrong indulgin’ in a little well-earned self-pleasure.”

The way he said pleasure made your breath hitch. You hoped like hell it didn’t pick up on the radio.

“If there’s one thing I’ve come to realize in my years,” he said, “is that there’s no use feelin’ shame in feelin’ good.”

His voice was smooth and deliberate now. That bastard knew exactly what he was doing to you. “So don’t you stop yourself because of me—truthfully, I don’t mind. Not one bit.”

Hesitantly, you reached down to press the heel of your hand against your clit, choking back a moan threatening to escape your throat—but not entirely succeeding.

You heard Ezra’s breath coming loud and heavy through the radio. “Are you touchin’ yourself right now, sweetheart?”

“Yes,” you gasped out, your previous inhibitions completely shattered.

“Fuck,” Ezra replied. “Thank Kevva this radio headset is hands-free.”

You heard what might have been Ezra undoing his zipper—and your suspicions were confirmed when you heard a low moan through the radio.

“Ezra—”

“Do you have the faintest idea what you do to me, woman?” The line swelled with static and the throaty rasp of Ezra’s voice. “Told myself not to—made myself not think of you like that. It ain’t proper. But when you—you let me watch—”

You whined and slid your hand beneath your underwear. “I was thinking of you,” you confessed, “always thinking of you—”

“It’s a cryin’ shame,” Ezra said, “all I’ve got is spit-slick and a weak hand wishin’ like hell it was you.”

You sped up the pace of your fingers as he continued.

“If you were here,” he said, “I’d bury myself inside you so deep—ah, fuck—’til you were the only thing I could feel.”

At his words, you slid two fingers inside yourself up to the knuckle, arching your hips, trying to get them as deep as they could go, thumb tirelessly working at your clit.

“I want that,” you panted, “I want you.”

“—Make you come on my cock again and again ’til you’re dizzy with it,” he said, “fuck you so hard you feel it the next day.”

Ezra’s words were pushing you close to the edge. “Ezra, I’m gonna—”

“Do it,” he groaned, “let me hear you, sweetheart.”

You came to the overwhelming sound of Ezra’s broken moans and your own desperate cries and the static of the radio and the beating of your heart—

a discordant symphony of absolute ecstasy.

–

Ezra returned the following night with a full pod of supplies. You worked together like a well-oiled machine, moving various goods from the pod to the tent in an orderly fashion. You both made small talk—Cee was doing well at the Academy, the shuttle station shop was stocked enough with what they needed, no, they didn’t have real coffee, just the shit stuff in packets.

Despite the friendly conversation, the air was thick with unspoken words.

It was hot out—as it always was on this planet—so you breathed a huge sigh of relief when you had both moved all the supplies to the tent and you could leave the sweaty pod. You both discarded your helmets and stood in front of the air circulator on Ezra’s side of the tent, sifting through the supplies and placing them where they belonged throughout the tent.

When you reached at the same time as Ezra for a can of coolant, your hands collided, sending a shockwave up your arm and stopping your breath.

You both froze, staring at your hands where they met.

Slowly, carefully, Ezra intertwined your fingers with his.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he whispered, those beautiful brown eyes of his gazing at you tenderly.

You couldn’t take it anymore—you climbed over the pile of supplies between you and pressed your lips to his.

He let out a surprised little noise against your mouth before returning the kiss with fervor, wrapping his arm tightly around you and pressing you close to his chest.

“Couldn’t—stop—thinkin’ of you,” he said between kisses.

“Do you want to—can we—” You gasped against his mouth.

“Yes,” he breathed, scrambling to work at the zips and fasteners on his suit. He didn’t object when you reached out to help remove the suit—and honestly, you weren’t thinking of it as helping him, more like getting all your clothes off as fast as possible because holy shit this was happening. Ezra had already removed his boots when he took his helmet off earlier, and you were only dressed in your undershirt and shorts, so this blasted contraption of a suit was the main obstacle.

You both managed to get the damn thing off and Ezra kicked it aside. He reached back, grabbing his sweaty t-shirt behind the collar to tug it over his head. You grasped the hem of your top and pulled it up and off, throwing it to the growing pile of discarded clothing.

You were about to strip off your shorts when Ezra reached for you again, kissing your mouth, your jaw, your neck, down to the tops of your breasts along the edge of your bra. You scrambled to unclasp it, letting it fall to the floor. Ezra wasted no time, cupping a breast in his hand and lavishing kisses on the other. When you felt the wet heat of his tongue against your nipple, you cried out, grabbing his hair and giving it a tug. He moaned against your breast before pulling away to look at you.

“Let’s take this to a bed,” you urged.

Ezra nodded vigorously in agreement and you both stumbled over to his bed mat, falling atop the sheets in a tangle of limbs.

Ezra sat up and you situated yourself on his lap, wrapping your legs around him. You could kiss him like this for hours, his tongue in your mouth, your fingers in his hair, his hand steady and warm on your back.

When you both took a moment to catch your breath, Ezra cleared his throat and looked you in the eye, his expression almost timid.

“I must confess, I have not had the chance to... partake, since I lost my arm,” he said. “I may not be as formidable a sparrin’ partner as I once was.”

“Ezra, I’m sure it doesn’t matter,” you said, leaning in to kiss him again. He stopped you with a press of a finger to your lips.

“Allow me to enlighten you.” He shrugged with his stump. “Nothin’s as it once was. I can’t even take a piss the same way. Ever try to hold a dick with a hand that ain’t there?”

“Can’t say I have,” you said.

“Oh, hush, birdie, you can understand the sentiment,” Ezra grumbled. “Everything is at the behest of my damned weak hand. I can’t read my own handwriting anymore. Can’t shoot like I used to—my grip’s shit on the left. Even gettin’ dressed is harder than minin’ aurelac.”

He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair before continuing. “And as long as we’re on the subject of minin’, I can no longer mine most things on my lonesome. Each harvest is hardly half of my previous yields, and I got the kid to support on top of everything. Now, Cee deserves every bit of that support, do not misunderstand my words—I would move Kevva and earth for that girl. But such meager wages do tend to make one feel... inadequate. A man’s work is no petty thing.”

You listened to Ezra attentively, not knowing how you could get it across to him that he was no less of a man in your eyes than if he had two arms. You wanted to reassure him, but he pressed on.

“So please, allow me to posit this caveat,”  he said, “that I intend to make love to you, and to do so to the fullest of my capabilities—but even my best efforts may prove... unsatisfactory.”

Make love. Ezra wanted to make love to you. Your heart stuttered in your chest.

You were so stunned by Ezra’s choice of vocabulary that it took you a moment to process what he said.

“Oh,” you said. “You don’t think you can make me come.”

Ezra ducked his head; you could have sworn he was blushing. “You always cut right to the quick.”

You cupped his cheek, running your thumb along the little white scar there.

“Ezra, I don’t care. I just want this. With you.” You glanced down to where you straddled his lap, rolling your hips a little against his growing arousal. “And forgive me if I’m assuming things, but it seems like you want it, too.”

Ezra moaned quietly at your movements. “My desire was never in question, I assure you,” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching up into a smile.

You leaned in and kissed him softly. He returned the kiss before gently moving you off his lap.

“Lie down, sweetheart,” he whispered, and you eagerly obliged, reclining on the mattress. He settled on top of you, propping himself up on his elbow, kissing you passionately. Eager to get your hands on him, you hooked a finger under his waistband and gave a tug.

“Whoa there,” Ezra said, “slow down, spitfire.”

You moved your hand away. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothin’, believe me. But those clever hands of yours will have to wait, because I’ve been starvin’ for you,” he said with a sly grin, kissing a path down your breasts to your stomach, “and I can no longer deny myself a taste.”

It took a moment for your Ezra Translator to kick in. “Oh.” You scrambled to shimmy your shorts and underwear down. Ezra took over, pulling them all the way off and tossing them over his shoulder before leaning down to continue his trail of kisses.

He nudged at your thigh with his head and you eagerly opened your legs for him. Rough stubble tickled your thighs as he kissed his way to your cunt. At the first feeling of his hot breath against your clit, your hips jumped up out of their own volition, knocking Ezra off his left elbow and face-planting him onto the bed beneath you.

“Sorry!” You squeaked. You reached out to steady him but stopped yourself—you knew he hated being helped.

“Hell’s bells,” Ezra grunted. He gripped at the sheets with his hand as he slowly pushed himself to sit upright.

“Left arm ain’t worth shit,” he grumbled under his breath, “can’t even hold me up.”

“It’s alright, Ezra,” you said, “we can try again.”

“Indeed we can,” Ezra said. He lay down on his back next to you and motioned to his chin. “Take a seat, sweetheart.”

“Um,” you started. You’d done this before, but not like that. “I don’t want to—hurt you.”

“Kevva’s sake, woman, I ain’t gonna break,” Ezra said, then added with a grin, “if I suffocate on account of your cunt, I will embrace death with open arms. Well, one of ’em, anyway.”

“Oh, shut up,” you said with a groan.

“Here lies Ezra, drowned in pussy,” he continued teasing, eyeing you with a wicked grin.

You hesitantly shuffled toward him. Drumming up some courage, you knelt above him, one knee on either side of his head. You were so nervous that you could hear your pulse roaring in your ears.

Whether impatient or just eager, Ezra grabbed you by the hip, then, and urged you down onto his mouth.

You gasped, bracing yourself as you felt the white-hot warmth of his tongue against your cunt. You choked back a moan, your hips stuttering forward, trying not to grind down too hard on his face. Ezra was having none of that. He urged you to move, his hand gripping your hip and firmly pulling you forward. With a little more certainty, you rocked your hips forward and back, making his tongue slide against your clit in long strokes. You moaned again, louder this time, and Ezra hummed his desperate response, burying his face in your pussy like a man starving.

You rutted against him urgently, your thighs beginning to burn from holding yourself up over him. Your movements became less graceful, more desperate—you slid forward too far, causing your slit to grind against the bridge of his nose, and you’d be embarrassed if didn’t feel so damn good. You were right on the precipice, moments away from shaking apart, when Ezra stilled your hips with his hand and brought you back to his tongue. He latched his mouth over your clit and sucked on it, wet and sloppy and fucking perfect.

“Fuck, Ezra,” you gasped, the heat coiling inside you tighter and tighter, “I’m gonna come, I’m gonna—”

Ezra growled, his teeth grazing your clit for a moment, and the jolt of sensation just on the right edge of pain had you coming so hard you thought you might black out. You stumbled forward, reaching out to break your fall, your cunt pulling away from his mouth. Somehow, Ezra knew you needed more, reaching behind his head for you and guiding you back in place with his hand. He began to lap at you again, working you through another shaking shockwave of pleasure.

You had to pull away before it was too much. You collapsed next to Ezra on the too-small mattress, trying to catch your breath, feeling your thighs burn and your cunt twitch and your heart sing.

“Give me a minute,” you gasped.

“Take all the time you need, sweetheart,” Ezra said, equally breathless.

You turned to look at Ezra. His face was flushed red, beads of sweat dripping down to mix with your slick that had ended up all over his mouth and chin—and his nose. He looked absolutely filthy and you’d be mortified if he didn’t look so damn pleased with himself.

You reached for your discarded t-shirt and gently wiped at his face, cleaning up the most offensive wet patches before tossing it aside again. “Sorry,” you said.

Ezra chuckled. “I do not accept your apology, ma’am,” he teased. “That was sexier than hittin’ a motherlode of aurelac.”

“Now that’s high praise,” you teased back.

“C’mere and kiss me,” he all but whispered, reaching out to hold your chin between his thumb and index finger. You closed the distance and pressed your lips against his. It was almost chaste—if not for the knowledge of where that mouth had just been.

He pressed his forehead against yours. You breathed deeply, absentmindedly playing with the hairs at the nape of his neck.

You looked down at the straining bulge in his pants, snaking your hand down to stroke at him through the fabric. A little choked moan tumbled from his throat at your touch.

“Let’s take this off,” you said, thumbing the waistband. He nodded in agreement, laying on his back and lifting his hips so you could pull his pants down and off in short order. His cock sprang free, hard and aching.

You licked your lips. “No underwear?”

“Too fuckin’ hot for underwear,” he said, gasping when you gently rested your hand on the crease where his thigh met his hip.

You moved your hand up and down his thigh, making him squirm and thrust up against nothing but air. He practically whined, his hand clawing at the sheets.

“Touch me,” he begged, voice cracking.

“I am touching you,” you said with a wolfish grin.

“Damn it, woman,” he groaned, “if the heat don’t kill me, you sure as shit will have the pleasure yourself.”

“Patience,” you chided, not sure how long you could keep this up—you wanted him inside you, and you wanted him now—but you loved seeing him spread out and desperate for you.

Finally, you wrapped your hand around him and gave a long, firm stroke. He threw his head back and moaned, arching into your touch. You licked your lips as you studied his cock, the thick length of it twitching ever so slightly in your hand. You rubbed at the underside of the head with your thumb and your mouth watered when a bead of precome welled up at the tip. On instinct, you moved down to lick it off.

Ezra cursed, bucking up to meet your mouth. You held him down by the hip before taking him into your mouth as far as you could.

“Fuck, sweetheart—I—fuck!” Ezra cried out, clawing at the sheets with his hand, writhing against your hand where it held him down. When you tentatively reached down to gently squeeze his balls, he nearly sobbed.

“I’m gonna—” Ezra gasped.

You pulled your mouth off of him, then, replacing it with your hand, not moving, just holding him at the base.

“Hold on, I didn’t say stop,” he said with a breathless chuckle. “Everything alright?”

“I want you inside me,” you whispered, barely audible.

Ezra reached out to still your movements. “I don’t have protection, sweetheart,” he said, voice strained.

You bit your bottom lip, averting Ezra’s gaze for a moment. “I have the implant,” you said, looking him in the eye again.

Ezra’s eyebrow shot up. “Well, shit, woman,” he said. “Thought they only had those fancy contraptions in the Ephrate.”

“They do,” you said. “I did have some decent money, once. In the rush. Before my crew took it all and left.”

“You and I have trod similar paths, so it would seem,” Ezra said.

“The rush left a lot of us in the dust,” you said.

Ezra nodded. “The deadliest dust there is.”

After a long moment, he sat up to kiss you, just a gentle press of lips. You put your arms around him and closed your eyes, breathing with him for a moment.

“How do you want to—which way should we—” you stumbled over your words.

“You may have me whichever way you desire,” Ezra said, voice low in your ear, “and I will do my darnedest to provide.”

“Can—can you be on top?” You started, “I mean—I will if it’s easier, but my thighs are kind of killing me.”

Ezra chuckled, and you thrilled at the vibration of it against your chest. “Lay back,” he said.

You complied, laying down on the bed mat. He reached behind you to grab the pillow.

“Lift up that pretty ass of yours for me,” he said, and you did. Kneeling before you, he placed the pillow under your hips.

“Reckon my knees will hold me up longer than my arm,” he said, gripping your hip to tug you towards him.

“Guess both our thighs will be burning tonight,” you said with a sly smile.

“Worth every ache,” he replied, taking himself in hand.

He slowly rubbed at your slit with the head of his cock. You moaned, your cunt clenching against thin air as you felt wetness dribble down. Ezra dragged his cockhead through the slick, gathering it before rubbing at your clit directly. You gasped at the jolt of pleasure lighting up your body—it felt so good you could cry. You could hardly stand the teasing anymore, wanting him inside you now more than ever.

“Ezra, please,” you begged.

At your urging, he lined himself up and slid inside you with one deliberate movement. The sensation of his thick cock filling you up, the almost-aching stretch of it—it was better than you ever imagined. He grabbed you by the hip again to pull you even closer as he began to thrust into you at a steady pace.

“Look at you,” Ezra said, his voice gravelly and low, “takin’ my cock like it was made for you. Shoulda known you’d feel this good, sweetheart.”

“Ezra,” you panted, “Ezra.”

You looked up at Ezra as he filled you completely—from his pupils blown wide and his lips slightly parted, to the broad expanse of his shoulders, to the torso adorned with freckles and scars, to—fuck, where his cock was seated deep in your cunt—he was more beautiful than any gemstone.

You could tell Ezra was trying to control the pace of his thrusts, biting his lip in concentration. You didn’t want him to hold back.

“Harder,” you breathed.

“I ain’t gonna last,” Ezra said through gritted teeth.

“I don’t care!” You cried out, clenching down on him.

“Fuck!” Ezra leaned forward and braced himself against the bed, arm trembling with the effort as he set a brutal pace, fucking into you hard and deep and unrelenting. You nearly screamed.

“Touch yourself, sweetheart,” Ezra’s voice was frantic and loud, “come for me, please, please, fuck!”

You rubbed your clit for hardly a moment before you shook apart, your cunt spasming around his cock, your body consumed in flames of pleasure so intense you could hardly breathe.

Ezra managed a few more thrusts before he came with a shout, his cock inside you as deep as it could go.

–

In the aftermath, Ezra collapsed beside you, absolutely exhausted. You turned your head to kiss him, lazy and slow.

“If it’s alright with you,” he said, his breath warm and close, “I’m inclined to take the day off tomorrow.”

“We’re sure going to be sore,” you sighed.

“Well, yes,” he agreed, “but I’m keen on more...sparrin’ practice.”

“You can say sex, you know,” you laughed, “not everything has to be a metaphor.”

Ezra smiled. “I do have an inclination to run my mouth, don’t I.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

Ezra just rolled his eyes before taking your hand in his, your fingers twining together.

“I just realized,” you said, looking over at Ezra’s desk, “I could’ve sat on that chair instead of your face. Would’ve made things easier.”

Ezra’s eyes widened a fraction, looking over at the chair, then back to you.

“Why didn’t I think of that? I am dumber than a box of rocks,” he said with a chuckle. “But I do believe my method is superior.”

“We’ll have to test your theory,” you said. “Do some serious research.”

Ezra nodded eagerly before setting a steely expression with a furrowed brow. “Of course.”

--

content: phone sex (well, radio sex if you wanna get technical), cunnilingus, face-sitting, blowjob, vaginal sex

a/n: listen. all the scifi sex I write will conveniently make use of “the implant” purely so they can raw-dog it. also like where tf is ezra gonna go buy space condoms. this is set in the fringes of the galaxy. it’s not like he can pop over to space cvs and get some cosmic cock wrappers for his magnum dong. they don’t carry them at the shuttle station, okay?

and yes I DO go back and forth in my fics deciding whether “come” or “cum” is hotter/more grammatically correct/etc and this is a come fic, apologies to the cum crowd

special thanks to taylor (@damerondjarin​) for the exchange of messages that inspired this fic, and for all the moral support thereafter. believe it or not this entire fic was supposed to be JUST the face-sitting sex scene and uh it expanded from there. Oops.