#research pheromones applies

[daylightdabbles]

Teyvat Omegaverse Headcanons (Act 1)

This is apart of a collection of headcanons for the genshin characters in my Teyvat Omegaverse AU. I would recommend reading this to add some context to this post. I do use some personal headcanons and ideas for omegaverse. SFW Feat: Faruzan, Heizou , Venti, and Xiao

Faruzan, The Enigmatic Machinist

In a country that values betas over omegas or alphas, praising their ability to not be effected by pheromones that may get in the way of the pursuit of knowledge, Faruzan applied scent blockers diligently to show she was different from other omegas. 100 years ago, being an omega or an alpha meant banging on a glass ceiling in order to be heard the Akademiya. Faruzan has had to adjust to a lot of things in her homeland. From losing her place in time, her research no longer being the jewel of Haravatat and everything else that changed, one uncomfortable idea she had to shed was that her outdated views on being an omega.

In the past, Faruzan felt the need to hide her status as an omega in order to advance her research. The Akademiya was crueler than, often passing over funding requests made by alphas and omegas, citing their natural responses to pheromones leaving it likely they would have to 'pause their research in order to engaged in debased behaviors.' This attitude shifted over the last 100 years, the Akademiya becoming less prejudice towards non-betas. When Nahida formally claimed her place as the Dendro Archon, the Akademiya started working extra hard to remove these bias from their practices and regulations. A joyous moment, but one that left Faruzan having to reconcile her past with the present.

It is well known Madam Faruzan does not like being treated like an omega. When Kshahrewar students seek her help, they make extra sure to treat her like a beta, often forgoing gifts they would normally bring to try and ply omega researchers for a crumb of advice. Her standards for respect is well known and she will not hesitate to fight tooth and nail for it, honed from years of having her work discounted because of her secondary sex.

Faruzan is also oddly protective over the alpha and omega students in the Akademiya, offering often unsolicited advice to them on how to get grants and other resources. Her advice is a little dated, and she can be overbearing at times, but it all comes from a place of kindness. She is dismayed by the current standing of Haravatat and struggles to get students who appreciate her teachings, but she is thankful that they don't have to struggle with the same barriers she had.

Her writings also have an interesting history around them. The book made from her writings was used to establish Kshahrewar and caused quite a stir in the Akademiya. Her work was brilliant and was a key point in the arguments against funding discrimination against omegas and alphas, citing that their work was just as impactful as their beta peers.

Madam Faruzan doesn't like to be touched. She spent 100 years locked in a ruin away from others, so shes extra sensitive to touch even for an omega. While most omegas find cuddling and hugs very calming, its way too much stimuli for Faruzan. This tends to be something that makes it hard for her when socializing. She used to be very touchy with the people she held closest to her, relaxing her guard around them, but now they are gone. She thinks about the last time she had a hug that didn't hurt during late nights in her office.

She does secretly partake in things like nesting, even if they are hidden. Her nest is small, tucked away in what used to be an office. Unlike most omegas, Faruzan keeps puzzles near her nest. The blankets are soft and help her stay calm in heat, but she needs some sort of mental stimuli else she gets nervous. It provides her with a sense of a control during a time when her hormones are making her disoriented. She also doesn't cover the windows and her nest is rather open, preferring to avoid dark or tight spaces during her heat.

As an omega, Faruzan doesn't have an identifying scent, or a scent unique to her. Instead, omegas adopt the scent of places they feel safe or of their home. Faruzan's scent is old parchment and metal, mining the scents of her workspace.

Shikanoin Heizou, The Analytical Harmony

Shikanoin Heizou, the number 1 detective in the Tenryou Commission, is an alpha. It's not unexpected: he's confident, smart and plays by his own rules. Despite the fact he doesn't adhere to the expectations of him being a proper Tenryou Commission Doushin or an alpha, Heizou's work speaks volumes about him.

Being an alpha something Heizou take any particular pride in. Inazuma favors alphas, with them traditionally carrying on the family line . Inazuman culture expects omegas to be strong, powerful, dominant leaders of their 'pack' who guide through example, commanding respect from betas and omegas. Heizou gets frustrated when its commented upon that he should be more responsible or and how he should be taking on a leadership position amongst the Doushin. He's happy as he is and doesn't see a reason why he should be considered superior over betas and omegas according to older Inazumans.

He is, however, protective like a stereotypical alpha. Its not uncommon for him to check in on his friends through out the week to see how they are doing. He makes sure to walk people home late at night, in particular omegas. This stems not from a place of viewing omegas as weak, but from knowing just how often they are targeted by criminals.

While Heizou does use his enhanced sense of smell to help in track down criminals and link evidence to certain individuals who touched it, he's content to pursue justice his way and thumb his nose at the expectations for alphas in Inazuma. The only time he takes advantage of Inazuma placing alphas on top of the social hierarchy is when its needed to get information on a case.

Beyond its use in detective work, he's cheeky about being able to pick up on an omega's emotions through scent or tracking someone down. Heizou loves to tease people, popping up by them to see if he guessed where they would be right based on other clues, or poking fun at serious individuals when he catches them being flustered even though their face is stoic.

Heizou really dislikes how the Tenryou Commission building smells. Its part of the reason he spends as much time away from the headquarters as possible. As an alpha, he can smell just how thick with fear, desperation and grief the air is in there. Even the very walls of his office, which he stopped letting people into, is soaked in these scents. It makes it hard for Heizou to focus, even if other alphas in the Tenryou Commission don't seem to be affected by it. He cares about the people he arrests, having empathy for them and the people they leave behind. To be surrounded by such fear makes him feel sick to his stomach.

Heizou is needy when he is in rut. He is almost inseparable from his omega, only leaving their side when its absolutely necessary for the comfort of his S/O. It is the only thing that can cause Heizou to stay in one place for an extended length of time that doesn't relate to his casework. He's soft, fulfilling any need to ensure that his partner's heat cycle passes safely. His rut also makes him more defensive as his hormones make him more anxious, searching for any threats to him or his omega. If he's forced to be separated from his omega, he'll dreams of a familiar alley with two people leaning against the wall, hand in decayed hand.

Heizou's scent smells like vanilla, black pepper and patchouli. Its a complex scent with sweet and spicy layers to it.

Venti, The Windborne Bard

As the Anemo Archon and a wind spirit, Venti doesn't have a secondary sex. This does not stop people from assuming he is an omega, seeing him as a gentle if mischievous traveling bard. Venti leans into this, playing up the act of a simple omega bard here to play music and offer advice at just the right moment.

Mondstadt doesn't place an emphasis on one's secondary sex, instead treating all as equal. Ultimately, it doesn't affect Venti too much to be seen as an omega vs. a beta or an alpha, so he lets people have their assumptions about him. If anything, it tends to help him charm people into giving him more money for his songs.

Venti does find it amusing to see how alphas, betas and omegas act around each other. He chuckles when he sees the bafflement betas sometimes have when an alpha tracks them down or when an omega curses Celestia for making them extra sensitive to Dragonspine's chill. Kaeya, in particular, has the most colorful curses whenever he has to track up the mountain to get Klee from Albedo

Venti's scent helps let people assume he's an omega. Omega's adopt the scent of their home as their personal scent and Venti smells like Mondstadt. He smells like the apples growing in Starfall Valley, the windwheel asters in Bright crown mountains and every other scent the winds of Mondstadt carry. He carries the scent the wind picks up as it travels through Mondtstadt, which makes his scent actually the closest to a real identifying scent of all the archons.

His favorite game to play when he has way too much time on is hands is 'mess with alphas'. He smells like a omega, but he doesn't produce the range of pheromones an omega would. This confuses alphas who try to key in on his emotions through his scent, often leading to them making guesses that are wildly off. All it takes is a pout or a misleading smile to make them flustered. Diluc has taken revenge for this a few times by purposely luring a cat into Angel's Share.

Most of the Church of Barbatos assumes he would be an alpha based on how protective he is of people in the scripture, so pretending to be an omega helps Venti avoid detection. It also made his attempts to gain access to the Holy Lyre Der Himmel harder because people didn't believe that the tiny omega bard could be Barbatos. Every time he is forced to reveal his identity, he has to deal with the double take. He knows he's short, but come on? He doesn't need to be a big scary alpha to care for his people!

Xiao, The Vigilant Yaksha

Despite being a Yaksha and not having a secondary sex, Xiao has been referred to as an omega by humans for centuries at this point. It developed through a combination of stereotypes, mistranslated of stories and his protective nature that led to this. Early art showed that Xiao was smaller than other Yaksha and his zeal in protecting Liyue has lead people to believe he's an omega who has claimed the whole of Liyue as his nest, his area to protect.

Xiao had mixed feelings once he caught on to this happening. He figured it out when he started to notice pilgrims leaving soft blankets, pleasantly scented balms and even gifts usually associated with alphas courting omegas in Liyue. After some investigation, Xiao was a little miffed that Liyuens assumed he was someone who didn't spend every night of his life fighting to keep them safe, mostly because omegas in Liyue tend to be stereotyped as fragile, delicate humans who shouldn't see the battlefield. Poets wrote lamentations on the Conqueror of Demons, forced to defend Liyue after his pack died as there was no alternative.

Xiao stewed over this for a while. He did lose his fellow Yaksha and mourns in his quiet way, but felt like this view of him was reductive. He defends Liyue to uphold his contract to Morax, dedicating his life to fighting demons to honor how the Geo Archon saved him. It wasn't done out of grief, nor something he was saddled with. It was a choice he doesn't regret, even as his karmic debt hangs over him.

After meeting the Traveler and spending more time around Liyue Harbor, Xiao starts to learn the nuances of this view of him. He originally only knew about secondary sexs through flowery poetry or hearsay, so it was pleasantly surprising to learn more about why people associate him with omegas. He doesn't discriminate over those he protects, guarding Liyue as an omega guards their nest. Its a softer view of him that most people actually hold, one of a caring protector. There are even people who invoke his image in telling stories of hurt omegas, claiming him as their protector in stories.

The Vigilant Yaksha is still mostly confused by secondary sexs, such as why omegas are viewed as 'emotional' and alphas get pushed into roles of leadership, often being pressured into ignoring their own emotions. Its a little silly to Xiao, to treat humans differently based on something given to them as birth, but he's content to be seen as an omega, the guardian of their homes and a figure they can draw strength from in dark moments.

Xiao doesn't have an identifying scent, but he smells like qingxin and almonds to most people. However, alphas can detect the nearly invisible scent of blood that clings to him like a leech.

[sehtoast]

Aphrodisiac (Homelander x OC)

18+ | 5k, marathon sex, mild degradation, face fucking, aphrodisiac use, aggressive sex, ruined orgasm, orgasm denial, ceiling sex, floor sex, couch sex, bed sex, window sex, every flat surface sex basically, semi-public sex, elevator groping, multiple orgasms, overstim, dry humping, thigh humping, Homelander being Homelander, spidersona oc, porn without plot | Fic Directory

Inspired by the spider lotion debacle

There was never a day where the incessant bitching didn't grate on his nerves. Every fucking minute around Ashley seemed to consist of listening to her grind an entire department to dust over product error or oversights that even the world's least talented dipshit could notice. 

On one hand, he enjoyed watching her get worse. Seeing each and every little strand of hair fall out, piece by piece, literally pulling it out over her role as manager. On the other, it was fucking annoying. 

Until now. 

“And it's attracting horny fucking spiders!” Ashley shrieks into the receiver. “I don't care if you have to stay here all night– fix it now! If I see another wolf spider running around R&D to go fuck a bottle of lotion, you can forget giving your kids a Christmas this year.”

The words went in one ear and right out the other, but he did catch one phrase in particular that was oh so relevant to his needs and wants. 

Horny fucking spiders!

Not in the literal sense, of course. The last thing he needed was those eight legged pests vying for a piece of him, but he did have one spider in particular that he was more than happy to attract. 

One spidery man named Benjamin, that is. 

“What was that?” He asks with a lilt of amusement and true curiosity. Only one of those wasn't fake. 

“Oh, sorry, sir!” She shrimps away slightly. “Those idiots in research and development were making a new lotion for Spider-Man's upcoming cosmetic line, but, for whatever reason, it's attracting a bunch of spiders– I hope you're not arachnophobic!” She gives a nervous laugh. “Look up some time, there's cobwebs everywhere!”

He hums and purses his lips, shaking his head with a roll of his eyes. 

“Ashley,” he says lowly. “Do apex predators need to look up?”

There's that spark of fear, that helplessness that he fucking loves. She squeaks a negative noise. 

“No, sir.” 

“Then why the fuck would I care about cobwebs?” He snaps. “Or bugs for that matter?”

As he turns on his heel to go do his own research, he can't help the devious grin on his face. 

Horny spiders? What kind of cocktail of mistakes attracts such unpleasant pests– and, better yet, what are the odds that it would work on his spider?

The nerds in the lab give him some long winded explanation about chemicals. Something about compounds mimicking pheromones in sexually responsive female spiders, but his smile grew like the cat that got the cream. 

He plucked a jar of it from a staging table, giving it a deep, savoring whiff. 

It didn't smell half bad. Citrus scented, like Benjamin prefers his products. Lime and a hint of something… herbal– basil, perhaps. But, overall, very soft. Gentle even on his bloodhound nose. 

“Not bad,” he shrugs. “Mind if I keep this? I don't really give a fuck about the spiders.” 

The lab rat had little to say in the way of protest. Really, though. Who the fuck was going to tell him no? 

Homelander decides to grab a second jar on his way out. 

Back in his penthouse, he strips down in front of a mirror.  Stares for but a moment to take in the sight of himself.

The contradiction between his suit and his real body always did disappoint him, but he’s a little less harsh on himself these days.  Benjamin’s influence, he supposes.

With a sigh, he dips his fingers into a jar and pulls out a healthy glob of lotion.  He slathers it on his neck, where he knows his skin will remain exposed.  Homelander applies slightly less on his upper body, and barely bothers with his legs at all.  He does, however, apply it heavily to his core, painting his inner thighs, his cock, his sack, even his hole and cheeks with the gentle scent.  He can already sniff out the unique bond it creates with his natural smell and he hopes with every fiber of his being that his plan will work.

For good measure, he rolls his slicked body around in their bed a little.  Maybe the lingering scent will help him get lucky again when they lay down to sleep at the end of the day.

He doesn’t have to wait long at all to test his plan.  Tuesday was generally considered a boring day, full of meetings and stupid shit that none of them ever liked to bother with.  However, it couldn’t possibly stoke more excitement in Homelander at the realization he’d be standing before his little spider discussing boring old numbers.  It was the perfect opportunity to see if it works.

It didn’t take long at all for the team to trickle in.  Benjamin, with his mask on, greeted him with a hidden wink and a wave before taking his seat beside Noir.  The stragglers trickled in and he began.

“Now, you guys,” he started.  “I’m not one to lecture, but can any one of you tell me what the fuck is going on that we all collectively dropped a percent?”

The Deep raised his hand– because of course he did.

He hardly listened to anything that fish fucking moron had to say, instead focusing on the sound of something so very beautiful.  Something that was picking up in intensity bit by bit, damn near unnoticeable at first.

Thump thump.

Homelander’s almost kicking himself by the time he realizes.

Thumpthump. Thumpthump.  Thumpthump. Thumpthump.

When the deepened breaths kick in, he knows.

While A-Train and The Deep begin to bicker over whose most recent stunt was at fault for tanking their numbers, Homelander instead takes a minute to peer over at Benjamin.  He lets only the faintest smile crack his all-business expression.

Even those cute little emotive lenses were wide.

Benjamin’s heart rate had gone up quite a bit– blood pressure, too.  Underneath that red mask were a pair of cheeks flushed damn near the same color.  Dilated eyes.  

He can practically hear the bug gulp.

The web-head was more than well aware of his innate ability to clock his arousal at any given time.  God knows Homelander abuses the power on the regular, but it plays a special role today.

It makes him far more excited  to see how this goes. 

Homelander meaders innocently around the V shaped table for a time as he takes over the conversation once more, making his way to stand behind his little spider.

“Tell you what, though.” Homelander smirks.  “Bug boy here has been doing a great job with his assignments.”  He drops his hands on top of Ben’s shoulders, giving light squeezes that surely felt much more powerful to the receiver. He takes a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of Benjamin’s arousal.  “Does everything I say, never misses details.  Doesn’t launch fucking dolphins out of windshields.”

Across the room, The Deep averts his gaze to the ground.

“He’s a good boy.”

Benjamin begins to sweat at the mere fucking contact.  Something was different, something was very fucking different, and he wanted to jump Homelander’s bones like never before.  Whatever it was, he couldn’t name it.  At first, maybe he thought it was something about his appearance.  He did look extra handsome, but nothing seemed… different?  Same undercut, same suit, same handsome smile.

He still dominated the room just as he always did.  Still toyed with each of the members in his own cruel ways– well, playful ways with him, cruel only to the others.  

Ben simply couldn’t figure it out.

Until he said that.

The way he moved when he said it.  Homelander had leaned down to say it right next to his ear and he’d caught a whiff of something.

He had no idea what it was, no clue at all, but the intensified smell made his entire body go rigid and his cunt clench.  Ben tried to be subtle about his building arousal, but he knew that extra deep inhale didn’t go unnoticed.

Not with the way Homelander winked at him as he took his place at the head of the table once more.

Worse yet, now that Ben had caught that scent, he couldn’t stop smelling it.  It seemed to permeate the room.  It was everywhere.  Like it had embedded itself into his olfactory bulbs and it was all he could fucking smell.  Not even the complimentary Vought brand coffee with its typically overpowering odor could dominate his senses.

He squirmed through the whole meeting. Crossed his legs, clenched them tight.  Heard his heartbeat in his ears for the whole duration.  By the end, he knew he’d soaked a small patch right into his suit, and thank fuck the fabric was dark enough that it wouldn’t be visible or he’d be truly mortified.

Benjamin remained in his seat as the others left the room.  Used to be they’d give him sympathetic looks every time Homelander directed him to stay afterward, but it had become the norm over the past year.  Once they’d all left, he pulled his mask off.

“Did you hear a word I said?”  Homelander teased, pressing a button on the table to lock the conference room doors.  “Or were you too busy leaving a snail trail on your seat to notice?”

“I did, I–” Ben stopped as soon as his voice quivered.

“Really?” Homelander inquired, stalking over to stand behind him.  “On your feet.  Tell me what today was about.”  He was thrilled to the point of bursting to know it was working.  Oh the fun he was going to have with this…

Ben rose from his seat, head light and clouded with lust.  The wet fabric of his underwear grazed his hardened clit and he all but stumbled.  Before he could even speak, Homelander’s hands were upon him and that scent was fogging his senses tenfold.

“You can’t tell me, can you?”  John smirked, pressing himself against the web-head’s rear.  He discards his gloves and reaches around to swipe his fingers over Ben’s clothed cunt, chuckling darkly at how wet he was already.  The other hand trails up to lodge his thumb in the bug’s mouth and he feels Ben’s entire body react to the taste.  “Feels like you were too busy making a mess of yourself to care.  You’re fucking drenched.”

Ben’s hips rock back against him, head tipping to make room for the lips beginning to peck at his neck.  The taste of Homelander’s skin is sweeter than he normally tastes. Sweeter than anything he’s ever had in his life.

He moans around the digit.

“Pretty little thing with my finger in your mouth.” Homelander purrs in his ear, fingers rubbing at his soaked core.  “Bet you wish it was my cock instead, right?”  He presses down against Ben’s tongue.  “Answer me, pretty boy.”

The bug nods furiously, hips pushing forward to seek more pressure from the hand between his thighs.  He bites against Homelander’s knuckle, drawing forth a deep, dark laugh from the man behind him.

Within seconds, he’s forced onto his knees and Homelander’s cock is lodged firmly between his lips, pounding the back of his throat without any buildup.  He gags twice, but ultimately takes little time at all to adjust to the girth filling him, moaning with every opportunity for breaths, hand dragging Homelander’s pants down enough to toy with his balls.

The taste from before is infinitely stronger and Benjamin feels his slick pool even more through his drenched underwear. But he wants this, wants this so fucking bad he can hardly stand it.  He wants to get used, wants to be fucked in every way imaginable.  Something more powerful than his own mind demands it.

“That’s right, fuckin’ choke on it,” John grits as he rams in hard, holding himself there.  “Fucking slut, all wet for me in a meeting of all things.”  He reaches down and lovingly taps against Ben’s cheek.  “Bet you’re so horny you’d have let me fuck you in front of them!  Claim you, take you apart with an audience.”  He draws out and drags his shaft across Ben’s flushed face.  “You were made for me– made for my cock.”

Ben nods, mouth open and tongue wagging out to catch his length once more.

Homelander begins to jerk himself off, tip pressed firmly to that needly little tongue that was just begging for his load.

“That’s it,” he growls between slick strokes.  “S-Swallow every drop and show me!  Show me how good you take it– ah!”

He moans freely through his orgasm, eyes fighting to stay open so he can watch every spurt that paints his lovely little Benjamin’s mouth and face.  He watches it pool along Ben’s tongue, shoot onto his upper lip, a little on the flare of his nostril.  With a hand in his hair, he tips Benjamin’s head back.

“Swallow,” he orders, pleased as can be when his little spider does so without any objection and shows him an empty mouth.

With a pleased pat to Ben’s cheek, Homelander pulls his pants up, smirking wickedly at the desperate, whining complaint from his love bug.

“Oh, you didn’t think I was gonna fuck you after this, did you?”  He muses playfully.  “I know I said you’re a good boy, but you’re too good.  Y’see, you ranked higher than me this month and that, babe, just hurts my feelings.”

“Wh– I didn’t mean to!”  Ben says desperately, crawling toward him on his hands and knees.  “Please, Johnny!  I need–”

“Mmm, nah.” He sighs theatrically.  “I don’t think I can right now.  Besides, the board of directors are gonna be using this room soon.  They’re probably already outside the door, so you should probably get cleaned up…”

With a whine bordering on truly pathetic, Benjamin wipes his face clean of come and saliva and rises to his feet.

“What a shame… I’d have liked to, though.  You just had to be such a good boy and outdo me.  Oh well,” Homelander lilts, unlocking the door and making his way out.  “Maybe next time.”

Next time comes fairly quickly, as does he.  Roughly an hour later, Benjamin cornered him in a hallway and dragged him into some random broom closet.  Webbed the door shut, jerked him stiff– not that it was difficult to do– and begged to get fucked.

So Homelander did exactly that.  Fucked him hard and fast against the wall, pace brutal and unrelenting, catering only to himself.  He spilled a thick load and slipped out, watching with satisfaction as it leaked from Ben’s sopping core and splattered onto the ground.

His little spider begged him for more, of course.  Begged for anything– fingers, his mouth, anything at all, to no avail.  Homelander left him there, desperate and nearly unhinged, to bring himself to an unsatisfying climax.  

Even then, it wasn’t nearly enough.

Homelander went about his daily bullshit duties for a time, relaxed and in such a great mood from having gotten off twice in one morning.  His little scheme had been more than rewarding and anything that came after was simply a bonus.

He slips into the elevator, deep in thought, but is pleasantly surprised to find his little love bug in there as well.  A glimpse through the mask lets him see just how feral the look in Ben’s eyes had become.

The elevator shuts.

“Lovely weather we’re ha–”  He tries to jest, but Benjamin pounces on him in an instant, forcing him back.  Homelander grins gleefully at the way Ben clings to the wall, effectively caging him.

“We’re going to your place,” Ben all but pants.  “And you’re going to make me come as many fucking times as it takes.”

What a delicious offer.

“Am I now?”  Homelander teases.  Ben lifts his mask just enough to expose his mouth before diving in on his neck.  Teeth sink into his flesh and the sensation tingles right down to his groin.  Never enough force to puncture, but just enough to make him fucking feel it.  “What’s got you thinking you can make me?”

The elevator was rising and anyone could come in at any moment.  They’d be caught red handed, but neither seemed bothered.

Those teeth bite even harder– probably as hard as his little spider possibly can– and he chuckles darkly.  

“Oooh, a bug bite,” he muses.  “Maybe they should call you Mosquito-Man inste– oh!”  He bites off a gritty moan.  In the midst of his tease, Ben reached down, pressed his fingers back to his taint, and pushed hard.  “Oh ff–”

The elevator dings and the doors open to the floor of his penthouse.  Benjamin, smirking, drags him down the hall.  As soon as they cross the threshold, the bug throws him against a wall.

“Do you,” Ben purrs with a trembling voice, “have any fucking clue how horny I am?”  He buries his nose in Homelander’s neck and takes a deep, long sniff.  “You smell like fucking sex!  That doesn’t even make sense, but–”  He licks a thick stripe from jugular to jaw. “You fucking do.”

With a dark chuckle, Homelander rips the mask off Benjamin’s head and takes a handful of his mussed hair.  He forces Ben to back up and throws him onto the leather couch, admiring the view of his spread legs and the darkened patch of slick soaking between them.

He leans forward until he’s crawling up the length of Ben’s body like a predator stalks its prey, fangs bared and eyes dark with the thrill of the hunt.

“I can still smell my come in you.”  

The statement alone is enough to make Ben’s cunt flutter with excitement.  In a flash, his suit and underwear are torn from his body and his dripping pussy is exposed to the voracious man before him. 

Homelander’s tongue swipes between his folds before he even has time to beg for it.  Ben’s head falls back with a cry of bliss, relief and excitement swirling in his head all at once.  His thighs are pinned to his chest and John makes the loudest fucking slurping sounds with every pass.

“F-Fuck!”  He mewls, trying desperately to rut against the tongue washing over his bud– but Homelander holds him in place.  When that warm, wet muscle delves into his hole, he keens and thrashes his head back and forth.  Ben’s hands grab desperately for anything, anything at all.  “Johnny, please!  I– No!”  He cries when it all halts abruptly.

Homelander comes back up with a slick soaked chin to kiss him, slotting right between his legs.  He swallows Benjamin’s complaint with a messy kiss, licking his taste inside.  Homelander was not a giving man by any means, but he wanted his little spider to indulge in the delicacy of himself.

He rocks his hips forward, mind hazing at the grind of the cup in his suit against his cock.  He mimes the act of flat out fucking Benjamin, grinding and humping against him with an otherworldly force.  If the bug were anyone else, his pelvis probably would’ve shattered by now.

Ben tangles his hands in Homelander’s hair and tugs harshly.  His hips rise and fall to meet each thrust and every brush of John’s suit against his clit makes him see stars.  He moans freely, unabashedly with each stroke and, oh, it feels so fucking good! 

He changes direction to start prying that stupid fucking suit off of Homelander.  All but shreds the cape, peels the top layer off and that scent hits him full force again.  With his legs around Homelander’s hips, Ben rolls them onto the floor with a heavy thud.

“Oooh,” John lilts.  He puts up no fight when his boots and pants are tugged free, and especially doesn’t complain when Ben suckles the tip of his cock through his briefs before ripping them clean off.  In seemingly a flash, the tip of his cock is breaching Benjamins’ cunt and that heat transcends his body and floods his mind.

With a needy little moan, he grips Ben’s hips and impales him in one sharp thrust.  His ego swells at the noises his little spider makes at the adjustment.  Ben is so wet he practically slid right in.  It’s always good, but now?  Seeing him so desperate, seeing such an unhinged look in his little spider’s eye– god, it made it even fucking better.

Benjamin starts riding him desperately.  There is no coordination to his movements, no sense of dignity or pride to be upheld with the frenzied way he fucks against him.  His eyes roll back, his head lolls around, and he moves like his life depends on it.  When Homelander tries to sit up, he shoves him back.

Ben digs his fingers into the tufts of hair on his love’s chest and lets the setae in his digits embed.  A dizziness rises from his cunt all the way to his head and the room fucking spins.  His breaths leave in frantic, heaving gasps.  He’s close, he’s close– he’s so fucking close!

Hands come down hard against his ass and grip with a punishing force to direct his movements.  He tries to fight it, tries to keep his own pace that was going to be enough, but Homelander would always win in a game of strength. 

His whimpering complaint becomes a pathetic moan as the cock filling him begins fucking him at a pace far more brutal that what he could accomplish himself.  Homelander fucks deep, fucks hard and furiously, strikes his cervix damn near every time and it hurts so good.  Ben falls against his chest, mind drifting away until he’s being rammed against a cold surface.

He peers from under heavy eyelids and the whole fucking room is upside down.  He’s pressed to the ceiling, whining and keening as he’s fucked raw.

“Think you’re gonna overpower me!?”

He doesn’t have it in him to even shake his head.

“Think I can’t take control from you in a fucking second?”  John grits between snaps of his hips.  Ben’s helpless sounds are like a fucking melody in his ear.  He reaches down and presses against Ben’s clit and gives the slightest rub that sends him over the edge.  His melody is a symphony screamed for him, only for him.  He doesn’t stop rutting, doesn’t stop fucking into him hard and fast even as Ben’s cunt flutters and clenches over and over again. By all means he should fucking let off and make Benjamin suffer the rest of the day for shoving him back like that.

“Think I can't take whatever I want!?” 

But he doesn’t.

Homelander drops down to the floor, keeping Benjamin impaled on his throbbing cock with ease.  He walks them to the window and slips out just long enough to spin him.

“Bet those fucks in the building across the street can see you,” he snarls.  He rams his cock into Ben so hard the glass creaks in protest.  Each thrust is pointed, accentuated by his words.  “Little.  Fucking. Slut! Show the world how good you take me. Let ‘em all see what a little whore you are!”

The cold from outside seeps through the fogging glass, penetrating Ben’s skin with an icy chill that contrasts the fire burning inside him.  He wonders if anyone can really see him like this.  Oh, if they only knew that their beloved Spider-Man was getting railed by The Homelander himself.  

Homelander leans back to take two bruising handfuls of Benjamin’s hips to push and pull him back and forth on his cock.  In turn, the web-head shoves his hands against the glass to push himself back into it.

“God, it’s fucking pathetic how bad you want me,” Homelander grits through clenched teeth.  “Dripping onto the fucking floor!”  

Ben squeezes his eyes shut and shoves back with all of his might, audibly cracking the glass and sending them both stumbling backward.  John catches him by the waist but doesn’t interrupt the motion.  They collide with the statue of Atlas, sending it and all of its beauty to the floor to shatter.

Homelander slips out of Ben and lifts him with one arm to the bedroom, shoving him onto the edge of the bed and yanking him just right to ram back inside with a throaty groan.  He reaches down and grasps a handful of those unruly brown locks and makes Ben stare into the mirror on the wall.

“Watch yourself get fucked.” He commands with an exceptionally sharp snap of his hips.  “Look  how fucking helpless you are!  I can do whatever I want to you, and you fuckin’ love it!”

Ben stares through lidded eyes.  He’s drooling, he’s got tear tracks down his face and handprint shaped bruises already forming at his hips.  And Homelander?

He looks like a fucking animal.  His eyes glimmer with specks of gathering crimson.  His fangs are bared, his brow is knit, and every muscle in his body flexes with restraint.

“Look at me!”  He demands.  As soon as Ben’s eyes meet his in the reflection, he slams into him hard once, twice, and a final third time before blowing his load deep inside.  His jaw tenses hard and his eyes screw shut.  A tense, rattling moan emerges from within his chest and he presses tight against Ben’s rear.  “That’s it– oh, fuck yeah!”

In Homelander’s blissful stupor, Ben seizes the opportunity to shove back and escape his grip.  There is always, always a point when John comes in which he is totally at ease– and the flicker of red behind his eyelids gives it away all too well.  Ben splays him out onto his back, right along the edge, and bends his legs toward his chest juuust enough to–

“O-oh, fuck–” Homelander keens.

Benjamin presses forward, taking his cock to the hilt in a position miming missionary with a special twist.  A reversal of sorts.

Maybe he’d let the switch up slide for a minute.  He always did like this position.

The web-head ruts forward and fucks John’s cock into himself with practiced ease.  Homelander’s legs wrap around his waist and the strokes deepen.

He can feel slick drooling down his balls and Ben looks like a glorious, fucked-out mess above him.  The bug’s clit grazes the base of his groin with each shallow thrust and he swears he sees something nearly rabid dance in those sweet, chocolate eyes

“Good boy!”  Ben gasps. “Lettin’ me fuck you– lettin’ me take what I want!  Knew you would, knew you’d let me have fun too– mmm, fuck!”

He wants to roll his eyes, but Benjamin feels so fucking good at this angle that he doesn’t know what to even do or say.  

“S-So good, baby,” he coos.  “So fucking hot!”

He relaxes a leg and shimmies a hand between to stroke his little spider’s nub and the stutter of his hips satisfies him to no end.

“That’s– ah– that’s good…” Ben mewls.  “Oh, fuck, rub my cock, baby!”

His fingers dance through the threads of come and slick between their bodies as he brings Benjamin higher and higher.  He watches his little love bug begin to hold his breath and thrust faster, harder, more and more until–

He all but screams, hips stuttering and legs quaking while his body practically fucking convulsed from his orgasm.  Ben heaves a sharp breath and his mind all but completely shuts down when that scent somehow floods his senses tenfold.  He collapses forward, engulfed entirely in the aroma.  His limbs twitch, his lower lip quivers, and his cunt doesn’t stop pulsing.  “Wh– what– I…” he tries, but no other words come out.  His vision starts to fade and the sheets hit his back.

He feels Homelander moving inside him again and he can’t even think.  He’s lost in the haze, lost in John, lost in whatever that fucking scent was.  Whatever it was– all of it– he just knew he fucking needed more and more.  Even when his vision whites out from his next climax, he needs more.

When he’s fucked with his head hanging off the bed, blood rushing to his skull, he needs fucking more.

Even when his cunt is overflowing and come soaks the mattress, when Homelander nearly lasers his fucking head off, when the walls are charred, when he’s confident he won’t be able to stand, when he’s fucked and eaten so raw he can’t even feel between his legs, he still needs more.

“Wh– What the fuck…” John pants weakly in his ear.  He’d finally collapsed, finally gone limp. Even his legs were beginning to tremble. “It was just fucking lotion, how are you–”

“Wha..?”  

Lotion?  

“The f-fucking– you know!  The cosmetic line. Your stuff.”

Ben peered up at him halfheartedly, barely coherent but just enough 

���S'fucking, I dunno. Hold on…” Homelander slung his arm over to the nightstand and palmed around for the jar. When he found it, his fingers dipped into the opening. He forgot to close it. 

Ben's eyes shot open the second the jar came near. 

“It's… Those dipshits in the lab fucked up. It's a horny spider magnet.” He explained with a weak grin. As if unconscious of his actions, Ben began to grind weakly against his leg. “I didn't think it'd work, but fuck… It worked.”

Ben looked at him in disbelief, but the way his body reacts to the simple change in proximity tells him it’s true.  How fucking funny, too, that the jar would sport his V-bodied spider crest.  Almost like it was designed specifically to reduce him to a begging wreck.

“You m-mean you– John!”  Ben whines and buries his face into Homelander’s neck.  The scent lingers strong there, making the throbbing between his legs begin once more.

“Not my fault you’re so fucking insatiable, babe.  That’s on you.”  He snorts a laugh.  Homelander trails his hand to Benjamin’s lower back and rubs soft, soothing circles.  “And no, I don’t know how long it lasts.  I just snagged it from the labs and uhh… slathered it all over myself… And rolled it onto the covers.”

“I’m gonna kick your ass– but later,” the bug promises playfully.  He slides his slicked core against Homelander’s thigh with languid rolls of his hips.  “Just… Lemme–”  If Homelander was somehow tired, then he’d just have to help himself.  “Fuck...  Thigh for now, dick later, okay?”

With a yawn, Homelander nods in agreement.  “Deal.”

It was going to be a long night.

[vaporwavebeach-writes]

PoisonCat (Valentine’s Day Exchange)

Pamela (Poison Ivy) Isley x Selina (Catwoman) Kyle

(1,055 words)

Summary: Ivy discovers she really likes to be called “Doctor”

Warnings/Tags: 18+ (not quite smut, but it gets reallll suggestive), botched heist, patching up wounds, friends with benefits (they are definitely gay LMAO), light medical play, discovering a new kink, make outs, getting real sensual with it

Notes: Surprise @acapelladitty!!! I was ur gifter for the exchange!!! I’ve never written for Poisoncat before, but after doing a bunch of research for them, I now love them (I mean, I already did before but you get it LMAO). I wanted to let you know that you are a huge inspo to me and I’ve really enjoyed all the times we’ve cooked up some wild shit 😭😭 Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

-

It wasn’t often that a heist went awry for Selina, but this time was sure to take the cake. Triggered security systems and broken glass were the least of her problems, now having to face the consequences of working with Edward Nygma. Mentally, Selina beat herself up for knowing better than to work with a conniving snake like him, but that didn’t matter now. The loud blaring of sirens could be heard in the distance as she lept from rooftop to rooftop with ease. Continuing to escape deeper into the night, Selina knew exactly where to run to.

Far enough away from the scene of the crime, Selina found herself perched on top of the overgrown warehouse. Thick branches and moss covered the outside, making the building look abandoned. Nobody would even think that a place such as this would be an ideal hideout, but for Selina, it was a refuge. A sanctuary. The home of an old friend.

Climbing through the window, Selina’s entrance was almost anticipated as Ivy watched her come in expectantly.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Ivy grinned.

“Nice to see you too, Pam.” Selina leaned against the wall, out of breath. “How did you…?”

“Word gets around fast,” Ivy shrugged. “Plus, all the cop cars woke me up.”

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine, I was up anyway.” Ivy made her way over to Selina. Pulling up her mask, Ivy inspected the small cuts and bits of glass occupying Selina’s face and body. Her face was streaked with blood and sweat. “Let’s get you cleaned up, yeah? You look like hell.”

“Yeah,” Selina snickered. “I just got back.”

———

Selina was seated on top of the table. Her tight, black suit was cast aside, leaving her in an undershirt, her underwear, and several small bandages. Around her was a bowl of discarded glass and a small trash can of bloodied gauze.

Ivy made her way in between Selina’s legs, standing in front of her. She applied the disinfectant carefully. Selina winced at the sudden sting, but Ivy took a gentle hand in the application. The gaze in Ivy’s eyes was soft. It was easy for Selina to get lost in them.

“You’re staring again.” Ivy spoke up faintly.

“Am I? Purred Selina. “You’re so close to me, must be your pheromones.” She giggled. “Or blood loss.”

Ivy chuckled playfully. “First of all, my little flower,” she pushed a bit of Selina’s short hair off her face. “You haven’t lost nearly enough blood for delirium.” Ivy set down the disinfect. Her arms soothed their way up to Selina’s shoulders. “As for the pheromones?” Ivy’s hands cradled the area between Selina’s jaw and neck. “They only amplify what’s already there.”

Selina glanced down and back up again, soft laughter escaping her lips. “Whatever you say, Dr. Isley.”

There was a pause from Ivy. It was as if a switch went off. Cocking her head in consideration, she asked Selina to repeat what she had said.

“Whatever you say… Dr. Isley.” Selina repeated.

Ivy’s green complexion flushed. Selina’s forwardness was always welcome in their interactions. Having Selina in her current position would more often than not signal that they were going to have sex on a night like this. It seemed to be going that way thus far. It was the use of Ivy’s professional title being used in such a flirtatious manner that stopped her dead in her tracks. It fired her up, far more than usual, and Selina could see it from a mile away.

“Y’know…” Selina swiftly wrapped a leg around Ivy’s body, pulling her in closer. “I still feel a little hurt from the glass, I think I might need a more thorough examination, what do you think… Doctor?”

Their faces are just inches apart. Ivy scans Selina’s face. Selina’s dark, pleading eyes sparkled with mischief. Ivy always enjoyed the little dynamic they had. Usually she would be the one to initiate anything. A few whispers of filthy nothings, controlling some stray vines to gently twist around her thighs, and a kiss to the neck and Selina would be a goner. However, tonight was not one of those nights. Selina was pushing Ivy’s buttons and they both fucking loved it.

“Well, I may not be a doctor in a medical sense,” Ivy cleared the table, getting up behind her. “But in my professional opinion,” she continued as her hands reached Selina’s sides, pulling the cat burglar closer to her. Ivy’s hands wandered up to trail over Selina’s breasts. Ivy could hear Selina’s breath hitch, and decided to push forward. “Maybe if you’re in that much pain…” Ivy whispers as Selina can feel her breath tickle her ear. “… I think some bed rest is in order.”

Selina turns her head around and presses her lips to Ivy’s. What first started as small pecks soon evolved into a tender kiss. Ivy could feel Selina snake a hand through her red curls; her nails gently scratching her scalp. Ivy let out a soft sigh as Selina pulled away for a moment. She fully moved herself around to face Ivy completely, before straddling her thigh and returning the the kiss. Selina let out a low moan as Ivy playfully bucked her up her thigh. With a coquettish chuckle, Ivy’s hands trailed down to Selina’s ass before gently nipping at her bottom lip.

“Fucking tease,” Selina grinned. “Who knew that the illustrious Dr. Isley could be so salacious?”

Ivy hummed before quickly hoisting Selina off her thigh and off the table. “Then I’d suggest we take this appointment to the bedroom,” Ivy wraps an arm around Selina’s shoulder. “I do have a reputation to uphold you know.”

“Oh please do,” Selina’s hungry gaze caught Ivy’s as they made their way into the bedroom. “I would so love to see that reputation in action.”

Ivy lowered Selina onto the bed, hands caressing her thighs as she sunk down, kneeling in between her legs. Selina shuddered at the sudden sensation of Ivy’s nails gently dragging across her thighs. It was one of her weak spots that Ivy loved to exploit.

Ivy batted her eyes puckishly up at the mewling Selina. “Don’t worry my dear,” Ivy placed a kiss on Selina’s inner thigh. “I know just the thing to make you feel all better.”

[henghost]

Twig Liveblog for Arc 18

what a banger arc let's fucking gooo. so many good infante sections, which is the most important part of any arc. just waltzing around in the plague. he's so cool. it's hard for me to really see him as the "antagonist" because i am always 100% behind him and whatever he wants to do. when he shoved a parasite down lillian's throat i was like, i wish that were me so bad. moans loudly.

good to get some yuri in there too. ugh i love mary/lillian together. i think, through biopunk technology, they need to figure out how to get each other pregnant. the same applies for sy and jessie. this would symbolize the completion of their respective character arcs.

i think my favorite part, though, was the fairy tale experiments. man it really puts so much in perspective. it recalled the sequence in gravity's rainbow wherein captain blicero holds katje and gottfried captive and forces them to act out an obscene sadomasochistic version of hansel and gretel. or the correspondence between the powerful financial executive jes staley and one jeffrey epstein:

there are the omelas ethics of it, of course. the little speech from ferres defending it on the basis of receiving funding in exchange, for instance, was chillingly familiar. but there is also some insight about the function of a ruling class. you will be violently mutilated into the shape of some simplistic archetype so as to become a point of data to research, so as to become a toy for despots. one of the most heartrending moments is when bo peep refuses to undergo surgery to fix the mutilations made by the academy, as though to live with the identity assigned to you by your overlords is simpler, easier, than to deal with the chaos of non-identity. the big bad wolf script--in this case pheromone-scented keywords with the purpose of total control--is some of the best prose wildbow has written imo.

i think betty is (yet another) lillian surrogate. there is something so banal in her cruelty. one of the things i've really admired about twig is how the "coming-of-age" is also a kind of political journey. the revelation that it is not the nobility who is really in power but instead the academy mirrors the movement of the young political person discovering that, despite appearances, it is really the morbidly boring death-cult of liberal technocracy behind all the solipsism and agony. ferres deserved worse lol.

i also enjoyed sy's patrick bateman-style switch to third-person. again, i'm really impressed by the effectiveness of this "fracture." there are some truly haunting scenes, scary nameless children running underfoot--it really got to me in a way that some of wildbow's other "horror imagery" simply doesn't. there's so much to say about the splitting of his SYche... perhaps i'll reserve my thoughts for a longer dedicated post about it...

twig is so good!! it continues to be mature, affecting, ambiguous, insightful. even... experimental. hahahaha. wildbow can write well sometimes wtf??? i don't believe it, frankly.

[beasbees]

TBA Convention Austin, Day Two!

It was technically my third day and I was exhausted, but it was still so fascinating and engaging interesting, I stayed for the entire line up and didn't head home until around 5:30pm. And I got to drive home with a truck full of equipment for work in the dark lol. Thankfully the trip home was easy and safe.

But I treated myself to some great Intelligentsia Coffee and fancy donuts at The Salty, nearby, which was awesome, and managed to hit up a ton of super imported lectures, like the young researcher who went to Thailand to study hands-on with the local beekeepers about the behavior, biology, and methodology for preventing a new, terrible parasitic mite, the Tropilaelaps Mite.

I sat in on an Agricultural Valuation panel with state tax rep experts, which sounds tedious but I do a lot of ag val work for my customers and I am always trying to be sure I'm following county and state laws correctly.

I sat in on my business friend's (Tara Chapman of Two Hives Honey in Austin) talk about splits and swarm control, which was fun and enlightening. She has just recently published her first book, called For the Bees: A Handbook for Happy Beekeeping, and it is an incredible addition to the fascinating world of bee and beekeeping education, 10/10 highly recommend (no bias obviously lol). It's a very engaging, fun, and approachable book that focuses on bee biology and methodology without overwhelming or infantalizing the reader, which is an important and very fine balance to strike.

I attended Charlie Bee's presentation on Colony and Swarm Removals! Which is one of the most difficult and controversial parts of my job, and it was super validating to listen to his trials and tribulations, and share in his victories. It's such a complex process with such low success rate, many professional beekeepers avoid doing colony removal or 'rescues'.

I enjoyed the final awards and auction luncheon, and got to appreciate all of the statewide honey and product competition and winner's incredible skills and variety.

And I wrapped up the day with my friend and colleague Lauren Ward's presentation on bee communications, which was so intricate and fascinating and now I am completely obsessed with the variety of specific pheromones produced by each cast of bee lol!

It was truly a whirlwind of exciting experiences and overwhelming loads of info being shoved into my ear and eye holes lol, but I adored every moment of it and it was well worth the time, money, and exhaustion lol. I cannot wait to apply everything I learned, to learn more, and to try to continue to network and connect with all of these amazing people out in the real world. What a blast!

Here's Tara Chapman's book btw:

[chocobochaserstories]

Shinra Executive Omegaverse Headcanons

Believe it or not, despite how I’ve called Hojo a greasy creep, I actually don’t hate him as much as I portray, and characters that I like I tend to torment. I won’t disagree with the fact that Hojo has done some messed up things, but hey, he’s an antagonist, isn’t that his job? Plus, come on, the villains are more fun to play with. Also, I know I forgot Palmer. I didn’t want to write him since A) I don’t really care for him all that much and B) I just didn’t really have any major ideas for him. Edit since writing Hojo’s part: Well, I really decided to not to be nice to him. Characters: Scarlet, Hojo, Reeve, Heidegger,

Scarlet

Scarlet is an Alpha

Scarlet prefers to keep the company of omega workers as her pheromones are more effective at keeping her workers on a tight leash.

This logic also applies to SOLDIERs and infantry, so for example she prefers her footstools to be omegas because she finds them easier to mold into being submissive

Scarlet is not bonded, nor does she plan to be (She claims it’s because she finds mates to be a waste of time, but really it’s because she’s too emotionally reserved to allow herself to let herself be open with another person)

She’s had omegas dedicated to blowing off steam, but she doesn’t know any of their names or remember any of them all that well since she really only wanted them for one purpose.

Scarlet also does not want pups, nor does she like them. She thinks children are messy, temperamental, and obnoxious.

This means she’s also particular about the ages of her employees and often won’t hire anyone under 21-22 (age of mature heat cycles, see Omega Heat Cycle A+P) to avoid any residual pup traits or habits that omegas can carry through their adolescent years. She just doesn’t have the patience.

Hojo

Hojo is a beta… or was.

This also spurred on his research in the field of secondary genders, and what lead him to genetically alter Sephiroth to be a guaranteed alpha, as Lucrecia didn’t actually carry the trait to produce an alpha pup.

Hojo spent so much of his life feeling inferior to Alphas, so he worked hard to prove himself and establish himself in the field of science and research… even if it meant sacrificing his morals and some of his sanity.

If Vincent didn’t annoy him enough before, Vincent being an alpha was definitely the pain in the ass he didn’t want to deal with, or in his workaholic frenzy, have time to deal with.

He also felt the insecurity that Vincent would somehow take Lucrecia from him, given how close she became with her bodyguard and the fact that he’s a workaholic, plus it’s natural for an omega to prefer an alpha.

Haven’t decided yet who did it, but I like the idea that Hojo got bitched, leaning on Scarlet probably did it, getting fed up with the beta’s shit and decided to “teach him a lesson” and “shut him up”.

As you can imagine… Hojo becoming an Omega doesn’t go over well with the scientist, plus with his thought process he believed he could outshine even an alpha if he worked hard enough. That drive consumed him, and he truly looked down on omegas and honestly began to think of them as an inferior race, which isn’t true.

His first heat cycle was brutal.

Something you have to realize, natural born omegas have their reproductive anatomy developed over a period of nearly ten years (see Heat Cycle A+P post), so you can imagine that a body speedrunning that process… it’s not exactly pretty. Plus given the fact that bitching can literally remold bone, not fun.

Heidegger

A no-nonsense alpha. 

He’s pretty closed off, stoic, doesn’t really show the touchy-feely side of himself. I mean, he’s an accomplished general, and I assume he’s got an extensive military resume considering where he stands in Shinra.

Heidegger knows how to channel the aggression and volatility that come with being an Alpha, and that means he knows how to be assertive and control a situation. 

Alphas are generally natural born leaders, and Heidegger’s no exception. 

He’s also the definition of burly, the man is built like a pirate captain. 

Heidegger is also the alpha that for whatever reason decided to have Hojo’s back after his incident. Maybe it was because they already had a level of trust, maybe he had feelings he hadn’t acknowledged, maybe it was instinctive, who knows. Not even Heidegger himself really knows.

He clashes with Scarlet often, given that Scarlet is the only other alpha on the Shinra Executives Board after the death of Shinra Senior, since Rufus and Reeve are omegas and Hojo is beta turned omega. 

Alpha vs Alpha is already a messy construct, given you have two very dominant forces going at each other, and then you have two powerful alphas who already don’t always get along because they clash. Yes, they work well together when they have a common goal, but when they don’t… They do their best to stay far apart and just respect each other’s territories like a pair of feral cats.

Reeve

Reeve is an omega.

Reeve has a maternal drive, and cares deeply about others, but he isn’t mated, nor does he have pups, though he doesn’t necessarily not want pups, he just realizes that with his job he doesn’t really have time to spend with pups the way he would want to.

Because Reeve grew up in the country, he wasn’t used to the struggles that omegas face in the big cities like Midgar.

His caring, gentle nature extends to the people of Midgar, and while he originally came to the city due to his role in its design and construction, plus the engineering and mechanical opportunities he had in the city, he truly does care for the wellbeing of Midgar.

His Inspire nature grants him a little comfort because while he doesn’t have time for pups like he wishes, he can dedicate love and care into the creation of the Cait Sith dolls/robots he controls, which at least partially fulfills his maternal nature. 

Reeve doesn’t forgive Hojo for anything, but he does sympathize with the beta turned Omega and offers help, which Hojo ultimately declines, finding Reeve to be “too soft”.

Reeve’s kindness and earnest nature give him a true omega “behavior profile”.

Also cute little fun idea: Reeve enjoys nesting and will enjoy taking his laptop to work on his work in his nest. He also always includes his mother’s sewing work in his nest, especially her handkerchiefs. They’re his favorite.

[kyoxyukiforever]

The Science of A/B/O

Part 4 - Mating

Part 1 (The Basics), Part 2 (Heats and Ruts), Part 3 (Scents and Pheromones), Part 4 (Mating), Part 5 (Genetics and Presenting)

Warning: sex ed that no one asked for and all that that implies, discussions of knotting, slick, mating bites, semen, ejaculation, sexual anatomy and physiology of both humans and animals, and the most PG diagrams I could manage to find on the internet

MATING BITES

It seems like the reason A/B/O fiction depicts a scent gland as being on the neck is for the mating bite. The mating bite is based on an actual phenomenon that occurs in nature. Plenty of animals will bite their partners while mating, from cats to weasels to spiders. That said, mating bites in nature aren’t a way of forming or strengthening a bond. Instead, it’s considered one of many behaviors in nature that are classified as sexual coercion. When mating bites occur in real life, it’s to prevent the other animal from moving, escaping, or attacking the one delivering the bite. There isn't even a scent gland there - at least not that I could find in any of the animals I researched who exhibit this behavior.

Now, I'm just reading through existing papers and studies and applying them to the tropes that exist in A/B/O, mostly so you guys don't have to wade through hundreds of pages of densely worded scientific prose, but I don't have the expertise needed to invent new science, which I would need to do in order to explain mating bites in A/B/O.

Luckily for me, someone else has already done that.

@brainsforbabyjesus also did an in depth dive into the science of A/B/O over on AO3, which I highly encourage you to check out!

I actually wish that I had come across it before I did all of the research for these posts, but oh well. On the bright side, there are now two pieces of literature on the science of A/B/O for your perusal, each of which resulted from completely separate research methods, which means if you read both, you'll have a wealth of information coming from totally uncoordinated sources!

All that said, @brainsforbabyjesus seems to have a better understanding of applied biology than I do, and they invented a way for mating bites to work!

I'm not going to linger on it here, because you really should check out their work using this link or the link above (yes I linked it twice, go read it - mating bites are in chapter 4!). I'm just going to do a very bare bones rundown of their theory in order to continue on with my own research.

They suggest that there are three glands located on the back and either side of the neck (plus some surrounding nerves) that they call "the coniguim glandis (literally marriage gland)" and that during a heat/rut, either during or immediately following an orgasm, a "bonding enzyme" is produced inside an alpha/omega's mouth. When this enzyme is introduced to the coniguim glandis, the bite recipient literally gets their biology rewritten.

If that sounds fantastical, it is, but it's also firmly based in real world science, and if you want to understand it more in depth, PLEASE go check out their work. They also offer explanations for true mates and the trope of dying when one's mate dies. Happy reading!

Back to my own research and conclusions: the production of an enzyme in the mouth isn't the only interesting thing that happens to alphas and omegas during or immediately following an orgasm (although I will take this opportunity to posit that maybe the enzyme has anesthetic properties to make the bite hurt less).

That's right folks! We're finally getting to...

KNOTTING!

Let's just... let's just do this.

Knotting is something that happens in real life, specifically in canid mammals like dogs and wolves. You probably already knew that, but let's get into specifics. The knot, or bulbus glandis (pause for laughter) is an erectile tissue structure at the base of the penis, and not actually a gland. Immediately before ejaculation, this knot does exactly what you would expect erectile tissue to do: it becomes firm and engorged.

The purpose of this structure is to lock, tie, or knot the two animals together. This ensures that the penis remains in the vagina for the entire duration of ejaculation. Now uh, for humans, this isn't actually a difficult thing to accomplish, seeing as the average ejaculation duration of a human male is 4.2 seconds, or 10 seconds at the very most. Canids, on the other hand, will remain knotted or tied together for anywhere between 2 and 45 minutes, and ejaculation lasts the whole friggin' time.

I know that there's a pretty big gap between two and forty-five minutes, and this is largely down to the specific type of canid. Since I'm sure you're wondering: in wolves, the tie, or coitus entrapus (yes, really) typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, although it might be as short as 5 minutes, or as long as 40 minutes. Yet again, the timing isn't really narrowed down much further. So why is there such a huge disparity?

Well, when a wolf's knot becomes erect, it stays that way until literally all of the sperm is gone.

For comparison, a human ejaculates an average of 2 to 5 milliliters of semen, with each milliliter containing about 100 million sperm. Dogs? One milliliter of semen contains 300 million sperm, and they can ejaculate up to 30 milliliters. If you are remarkably quick at mental math, you might have calculated that this amounts to a total of nine billion (9,000,000,000) sperm for a single ejaculation, and you'd be right... mathematically speaking. In actuality, it only comes to about 2 billion, even at the 30 ml mark.

Obviously, the math doesn't add up. Why? Because ejaculation, in both humans and wolves, occurs in stages. As far as wolves go, the general consensus is that the first 30 seconds of ejaculate come from the prostate gland, followed by sperm-rich semen for a couple minutes, and then more from the prostate gland for anywhere between 6 and 45 minutes. With humans, because of how brief our ejaculation is, we tend to think of semen as everything mixed together all at once, but prostatic fluid does cleanse the urethra for the sperm before it makes its journey in humans as well.

So the reason there aren't 9 billion sperm in a dog's ejaculate is because not all of the ejaculate has sperm in it. Still though, 2 billion is nothing to sneeze at. What does this mean for our alphas?

This is another thing that is up to author discretion. The amount of ejaculate correlates in part with how long it has been since the last ejaculation, and for dogs, whose females are monoestrous, the males are really saving up for the whole house. Meanwhile, humans are paying monthly rent in a crappy apartment complex. Basically, human's tend to be a lot more wasteful of their genetic material. Dogs wait until they're already tied before ejaculating in order to maximize their odds of reproducing, but humans will settle for a hand and a computer screen.

So presumably this means that an alpha would have a shorter ejaculation, but uh... not necessarily. Remember that a dog's semen is only sperm rich for one or two minutes. Most of the semen is composed of prostatic fluid, accounting for up to forty-five minutes of the time the animals spend tied together.

In humans, prostatic fluid accounts for 20-30% of the semen ejaculated - significantly less than a dog. Here's the thing, though: human and canid prostate glands are pretty much the same size, and it isn't out of the question to suggest that when an alpha successfully achieves a tie, they might expel a comparable amount of prostatic fluid to dogs. This almost certainly wouldn't happen without a tie - although I suppose that physiologically the body could be tricked into it by using a sleeve of some kind. Without having successfully knotted, the alpha's ejaculation would likely look exactly the same as a normal human's.

That said, an alpha's ejaculation doesn't need to look like a dog's when they do knot. They could just as easily have the 4.2 second one normal people have, followed by a knot for some duration of time determined by the author, no further contribution required. Regardless, the amount of sperm in a male alpha's semen would be the same, no matter how much prostatic fluid you decide to include. Human sperm takes 74 days to mature fully, and completely emptying your, uh, bank account the way dogs do would leave you completely infertile for 74 days following a single orgasm - not exactly a reproductive advantage.

Now you might be thinking that coming for 45 minutes straight sounds absolutely insane, and sure, it has the potential to be very hot and very messy, but at what cost? I feel like I'm getting a cramp just thinking about it! Luckily for the alphas in this scenario, they don't have to do all the work themselves.

That's right, we're finally gonna talk about omegas, and how they contribute to the mating process!

Now before I get to the slick (yes, I hear you, just hang on a sec), I want to introduce you to a little something called the constrictor vestibuli muscles. These are a series of muscles just inside the opening of a female canine's vagina, and they are literally designed to clamp down around a knot and milk it.

The constrictor vestibuli reflexively (involuntarily) clamp down when they detect the presence of a knot, and once they have, they will contract and release around the knot repeatedly to help the male remain erect and continue to ejaculate. Just like how you can't stop yourself from ejaculating once you've started, the constrictor vestibuli are going to do their job, regardless of what the animal (or omega) they belong to might want. I thought this was an important thing to bring up, since I haven't really come across it while reading A/B/O fanfiction. It's interesting to me that both alphas and omegas would have these reflexive reactions while mating.

Okay, let's get to the important thing.

SLICK

In A/B/O, omegas produce slick, a form of natural lubrication, while they're in heat. Human women also produce natural lubricant using something called the Bartholin's gland (which is called the Cowper's gland in men and is actually what produces precum), but the way slick is depicted in fanfiction tells us that it's something... more significant, let's say.

We can once again turn to animals in heat to figure out how the natural lubricant really works and what it is. Animals start producing 'slick' during their preheat, or proestrus phase, and it's not coming from the Bartholin's gland. Instead, it comes directly from the cervix.

The technical term for this 'slick' is cervical mucus, which doesn't sound nearly as appealing. What is appealing about all of this is the fact that humans also produce cervical mucus. That's right! Humans produce slick just like animals do! In fact, women trying to get pregnant can identify when they are at their most fertile by the texture of their cervical mucus.

Cervical mucus serves two different purposes at two different parts of an estrous/menstrual cycle. If it's not a good time for fertilization to occur, it will be dry, tacky, or sticky. This texture of mucus is too thick for sperm to swim through. Sorry guys, this uterus is closed, please come back during regular business hours.

If it is a good time, then it serves a different function - the complete opposite one, in fact. Two days before ovulation in humans, or the beginning of preheat in animals with estrous cycles, the mucus changes to a creamy, yogurt-like consistency. By the time the body is ready, or when heat begins properly, it will be slippery and stretchy, resembling raw egg whites. This type of cervical mucus is ideal for sperm to swim through, maximizing the chance of fertilization.

Also, don't blame me for comparing the textures to foods, it's just what doctors and scientists tend to compare them to in the relevant literature. The egg whites in particular were brought up in nearly every paper I read with shocking consistency, so uh. Yeah, slick is egg whites, I guess.

One last thing before I leave this part of A/B/O Science - we talked a lot today about prostates. Like... a lot. I just wanted to address something:

Could male omegas have prostates?

You might remember that way back in the very first part of this series we discussed how certain body parts start off as the same thing in utero and become different things as the fetus develops? The example from back then was the gonads, which become either the ovaries or the testes. Well we have something similar with the prostate.

In females, the Skene's gland is homologous to the prostate in men, and it functions in much the same way. It stops you from pissing yourself (yeah, fun fact), and it produces prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which in men is designed to "water down" the semen so it can travel more easily through the urethra. The PSA produced in the Skene's gland doesn't have any sperm to deal with, but many scientists believe that PSA is what 'female ejaculation' actually is. So it would seem that the answer is no, male omegas can't have prostates...

...or can they?

Trans men who have been on testosterone for long periods of time can actually develop prostate tissue. In fact, after being on T for 43 months, seven out of eight trans men had some prostate tissue growth. 69% (heh) of the tissue was even shown to be producing PSA!

Now, because this prostate tissue isn't attached to the urethra, it doesn't contribute to the semen. It may or may not enter the bloodstream as inactive PSA, which is perfectly normal and happens to a portion of the PSA produced by a prostate belonging to a cis man as well, but there's no data on that yet. This discovery is actually very new, so there's a lot left to learn. What we do know is that this tissue appears totally harmless. None of the individuals shown to have this growth have gone on to develop prostate cancer or any other related issue - although many people will have a cancer scare when this tissue first appears, as it can easily be mistaken for a tumor at first glance.

Since we determined early on that male omegas would have a normal amount of androgens (the stuff that gives you chest hair and makes your voice drop) for a human male, we can also assume that they would see growth of prostate tissue. In fact, some intersex people have the exact same growth, although it is often further along than you would see in a trans man, because they've had those androgens for longer.

Scientists took tissue samples, and 100% of this surprise prostate tissue expressed androgen receptors. Basically, it's safe to assume that androgens, the same stuff that would make a male omega grow chest hair and have a deeper voice, would also cause them to grow a prostate.

That said, the Skene's gland would still be fulfilling the function of the prostate. Any prostate-specific antigen that occurs in ejaculate would be made there. Also, because omegas aren't producing sperm, their ejaculate wouldn't be nearly as thick as ejaculate with sperm in it. Instead, it would look and feel pretty much like milk. Also, if you want alphas to ejaculate for forty minutes, most of it would be milky as well.

This has been your PSA PSA for the day!

Next up on A/B/O Science: GENETICS AND PRESENTING

Part 1 (The Basics), Part 2 (Heats and Ruts), Part 3 (Scents and Pheromones), Part 4 (Mating), Part 5 (Genetics and Presenting)

[storiednhappy]

Androbesity -- Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Gluttonous Edge

The success of the Androbesity experiment had provided AO Corp with invaluable insights into the powerful effects of gluttony and lust on performance, particularly in high-stakes environments like cryptocurrency trading. Armed with this knowledge, AO Corp began to develop workshops aimed at teaching crypto traders around the world how to leverage these primal drives to improve their trading results.

The first of these workshops, held in a sleek conference room overlooking the Manhattan skyline, drew a diverse crowd of traders eager to gain a competitive edge. The room buzzed with anticipation as the lead facilitator, Dr. Samantha Carter, began her presentation.

"Welcome, everyone," Dr. Carter greeted, her voice confident and commanding. "Today, we're going to explore how the principles of gluttony and lust can enhance your trading performance. Our research at Androbesity has shown that these primal drives, when harnessed correctly, can significantly boost focus, risk-taking, and overall success."

The attendees listened intently as Dr. Carter outlined the workshop's agenda, which included both theoretical insights and practical applications.

"Let's start with gluttony," she continued. "Our data indicates that indulging in rich, satisfying foods can elevate dopamine levels and enhance your sense of satisfaction and well-being. This, in turn, can lead to increased confidence and better decision-making."

To illustrate her point, Dr. Carter played a video titled "Subject Alpha's Trading Session." The participants watched as Diego—referred to as Subject Alpha—engaged in a typical evening of trading.

On the screen, Subject Alpha was seated at a large desk, surrounded by an array of gourmet foods: cheeses, chocolates, pastries, and rich meats. He was seen indulging in these foods, savoring each bite with evident pleasure.

"Notice how Subject Alpha consumes these high-calorie foods," Dr. Carter narrated. "This not only keeps him physically satisfied but also enhances his mental sharpness. Observe how his trading decisions become more confident and decisive as he indulges."

The participants watched as Subject Alpha made a series of successful trades, his confidence visibly increasing with each bite of food. His focus and decisiveness were palpable, and the results were clear—his trades yielded significant profits.

"Now, let's turn to the role of lust," Dr. Carter continued, queuing up another video. "Our research has shown that sexual arousal and release can play a critical role in enhancing trading performance. The release of pheromones and endorphins during periods of sexual activity can lead to heightened focus and risk tolerance."

The screen showed Subject Alpha during another trading session. This time, he was applying a pheromone-infused oil to his wrists. As the video progressed, viewers saw his demeanor change, his focus intensifying.

"As you can see, Subject Alpha's pheromone levels spike, leading to increased arousal," Dr. Carter explained. "This not only boosts his own performance but also influences those around him."

In the video, Subject Alpha's pheromones seemed to have a noticeable effect on his trading partners, who were also in the room. Their hormone levels, as indicated by subtle graphical overlays on the video, spiked in response to the pheromones, leading to a collective boost in confidence and risk-taking.

The participants in the workshop watched as Subject Alpha and his partners made a series of bold, successful trades. The heightened state of arousal and camaraderie among the group was evident, their physical reactions translating into more intuitive and profitable trading decisions.

To further demonstrate the practical application of these findings, Dr. Carter distributed pheromone-infused oils to the workshop participants. They were instructed to apply the oils to their wrists and engage in a series of eye contact and deep-breathing exercises with their partners.

"Feel the connection with your partner," Dr. Carter instructed. "This exercise is about building a sense of shared excitement and focus, which can be translated into your trading environment."

The results were immediate. Traders reported feeling more connected, energized, and ready to take calculated risks. One participant, a veteran trader named Alex, shared his experience.

"After indulging in the food and doing the pheromone exercises, I felt a noticeable shift in my mindset," Alex said. "I was more focused, more willing to take risks, and I felt a heightened sense of camaraderie with my colleagues. My trades became more intuitive and successful."

Dr. Carter nodded, pleased with the feedback. "That's exactly the response we're aiming for. By harnessing these primal drives, you can enhance your trading performance and achieve greater success."

The workshop concluded with a Q&A session, where participants asked for more detailed strategies and shared their own insights. Dr. Carter emphasized the importance of regular indulgence and arousal exercises, encouraging traders to incorporate these practices into their daily routines.

As the participants left the workshop, they carried with them not only new strategies for success but also a deeper of the powerful role that gluttony and lust can play in their professional lives. AO Corp's groundbreaking approach was poised to revolutionize the world of crypto trading, one indulgent meal and pheromone surge at a time.

[proxylynn]

⚠️ CW/TW: Graphic Mentions of smelly that may be disturbing to some readers. If you don't like to read smelly things, this Ask probably isn't for you to see...It's about Doe, what did you expect?

[I saw Doe's bedroom and well...It's a bit more cluttered than Ann's bedroom when it gets messy...]

Ann: Granted, I don't have the static hyper realistic eyes and mouth as a room, but I can get really lazy and store empty bottles of soda or water or whatever on the floor and under my bed.

[So basically Doe, but with bottles...She doesn't drink from a can very often.]

Ann: I also usually leave my clothes on the floor, I keep telling myself to do the laundry, but I either forget, or am too lazy to do it.

I also had a pretty shitty-looking mattress...It was torn up and some springs were loose. But I could still sleep comfortably so I kept it...

[Her mom made her throw it out for a new one.]

[And probably like Doe, Ann thinks her room smells perfectly fine.]

Ann: Yep! Well...Besides the underwear...which keep disappearing for some reason. Weird. But I'll try to get better... *Gets air freshener and Lysol spray*

Ann: But don't expect me to keep it clean forever. It'll be a messy room...but you can see the floor.

And it doesn't really stink...I'm part animal, so it just...It has my "musk"...Do females have musk? Idk.

Tate: Hun, I can tell ya...Ladies do make a scent. It's kinda like musk but not quite.

Lynn: Shockingly, he's right. Time for a lesson on human body odor and hormonal pheromones!

Tate: When it comes to us guys, our noses are made to pick up on the subtle changes in a woman. It is widely accepted that men prefer the scent of women in her most fertile period. For example, in one study, men rated the body odors of T-shirts worn by women during their most fertile phase as more sexy and pleasant than T-shirts worn during their least fertile phase. Despite this, much of the research in the area concludes that the effect of the scent of symmetry appears to be sex-specific such that men do not find the scent of symmetrical women more attractive than the scent of asymmetrical women. It, therefore, appears that attraction to symmetric body odor of the opposite sex appears to apply exclusively to women, and specifically fertile women, as non-fertile women and men do not display this preference. If ya ask me, it's the smell of blood. That stuff is hot.

Lynn: During their fertile phase, women have repeatedly been shown as being more attracted to the body odors of more symmetrical men and of men whose faces they rate as attractive. The scent of symmetrical men provides an honest indicator of the men's phenotypic and genetic quality. This may explain why women who are highly fertile find the scent of low FA (Fluctuating Asymmetry) as attractive and yet this scent is not necessarily as attractive to other women. For example, it has been found that normally cycling women near their peak fertility tended to prefer the odor of shirts worn by symmetrical men and yet women at low fertility in their menstrual cycle or those using the contraceptive pill showed no preference for the odor of shirts of symmetrical men compared to those of asymmetrical men. These findings support the good genes hypothesis such that when women are in the fertile phase of their menstrual cycle, they should prefer markers of genetic benefits or 'good genes'. In other words, fertile women who prefer the scent of men with low FA are demonstrating a preference for the genetic benefits associated with those symmetric men.

Tate: In short, smell can help make or break your attraction to a potential partner.

Lynn: Wow. We went deep on this. Yay for learning!

[itstherandomloller]

Most science journals themselves do not post corrections of studies even when the author of research of a study themselves comes forward after finding a mistake or admitting fraud. They probably would arrest if it were a woman mind you, let's be honest. But still, it is worth looking into research integrity and research integrity officers.

https://www.statnews.com/2023/01/10/corrections-retractions-journals/

Honestly a lot of this could be avoided by publishing research that doesn't go their way, it would also avoid others endlessly pouring money into the same study for centuries on end. Despite the fact people say it is harder to study the social sciences, natural sciences and hard sciences genuinely have more errors in their studies that get looked over. This isn't to say it isn't more of a problem in social sciences when the results dictate how people see society and which direction it should go or use a current state as "natural proof" to do nothing to change for the better, however researchers or specifically journals are given far too much credit. There is more of an incentive to keep the status quo and be hush hush, not to mention money entering the equation and social acceptance, than to really do science. Pretending to study for progress can allow one to remain exactly where he wants society to be while the people believe the myths they were taught are truths after all. Ironically though , I suppose the justification is that in a way works in everyone's favour because if everyone knew how everything actually works, a lot more bad would be done against women using said information. The truth is it doesn't of course, but anyone covering up their tracks and that of their fellows will use any excuse they make up on the spot to detract from the fact they're awfully incompetent and dangerous. Even those who are competent do not get their voice heard to retract or correct studies.

At least, I personally haven't come across a man who hasn't given up on correcting his own studies (and has the corrected version be more popular, I should really emphasise as that is what is really rare). Dr Robert Greene who put forth the alpha male theory debunked it 3 years later but journals and journalists weren't having any of it, even veterinary schools continue teaching that nonsense to this day so it is no wonder when you watch animal documentaries, go to the zoo or work in an animal shelter that you hear professionals of all people spouting such lies. Bearing in mind he debunked in the early 1970s!!! Worse, it is applied to animals other than wolves when that was never its intent , because research as it turns out, are not very good at doing their own research. What they are good at is falling for logical fallacies and transferring onto other topics things that aren't reasonable to apply them to. Like how people speak of pheromones when they do not exist in humans or in scientific parlance, have never been proven to exist in animal species other than insects. Other species such as some plants, ciliates, basic unicellular prokaryotes have been studied but they are neither animals nor mammals so claiming humans have pheromones is unscientific nonsense. I mean some multicellular eukaryotes have been studied but there isn't any proof humans have pheromones. Pseudoscience at best. Or how the myth that the clitoris has a thousand nerve endings in humans when they study comes from cows. Genuinely nobody should blindly follow science. You may not intend to become a scientist but for your sake, and that of anyone who you share information with, you *must* become scientifically literate. Otherwise you are just following another religion. More often than not, science is used in the interest of misogyny and Patriarchy because it is not done scientifically. Says all you need to know about who actually does science better.

remember that study that came out a few years back that claimed that countries with MORE gender equality have LESS women pursuing STEM careers? and a ton of people were pointing to it as 'innate sex differences', and we ourselves were trying to theorise why this could possibly be?

it was a bunk, unrepeatable piece of shit. also, the two MEN who published it have been claiming that women are biologically less geared for science than men for decades, so complete bias. they have their belief and work backwards to try and 'prove' it, the complete opposite of what actual scientists are supposed to do.

funny how the media and people who pushed this online never posted corrections.

[tushar38]

Swarm Intelligence: Applications in Robotics and Automation

Swarm Intelligence is a fascinating concept that draws inspiration from the collective behavior observed in nature, particularly in social insects like ants, bees, and termites. This field of artificial intelligence (AI) focuses on the decentralized and self-organized systems that arise from the local interactions between simple agents, leading to the emergence of complex and intelligent global behaviors. By mimicking these natural systems, Swarm Intelligence offers powerful solutions to various computational problems and real-world applications.

At its core, c is about leveraging the collective capabilities of a group of agents to solve problems that are beyond the reach of individual agents. These agents, which could be robots, sensors, or even software programs, operate based on simple rules and limited local information. Despite their simplicity, when these agents interact with one another and their environment, they can perform tasks that are remarkably sophisticated. This concept has been particularly useful in optimization, robotics, and data analysis.

One of the most well-known examples of Swarm Intelligence in action is the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm. Inspired by the foraging behavior of ants, ACO has been successfully applied to solve complex optimization problems, such as the traveling salesman problem, where the goal is to find the shortest possible route that visits a set of locations. Ants in nature deposit pheromones to mark paths, and other ants follow these trails, reinforcing the shortest routes. Similarly, in ACO, artificial ants build solutions to an optimization problem and communicate indirectly through pheromone trails, leading to the emergence of optimal or near-optimal solutions.

Swarm Intelligence also plays a significant role in robotics, where it is used to coordinate the actions of multiple robots in tasks like exploration, mapping, and search-and-rescue operations. These robots, often referred to as "swarm robots," operate without a central controller, relying instead on local communication and collaboration to achieve their goals. This approach is highly scalable and robust, making it suitable for dynamic and unpredictable environments.

In addition to its applications in optimization and robotics, Swarm Intelligence has been used in areas such as network routing, distributed computing, and even the modeling of social systems. The principles of Swarm Intelligence are also being explored in the context of machine learning, where the collective behavior of simple models can lead to more accurate and robust predictions.

Overall, Swarm Intelligence represents a powerful and versatile approach to solving complex problems, drawing on the wisdom of the collective rather than the capabilities of individual agents. As research in this field continues to advance, it is likely that Swarm Intelligence will play an increasingly important role in the development of intelligent systems across a wide range of domains.

[evoldir]

Fwd: Graduate position: UWaikato_NewZealand.InsectEvolution

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Graduate position: UWaikato_NewZealand.InsectEvolution > Date: 20 August 2024 at 05:11:21 BST > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > > Graduate position > > About this opportunity: > > To cope with ever-changing environmental conditions, insects produce > cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), waxy lipids secreted onto their cuticle > that prevent desiccation. However, these CHCs also act as pheromones > crucial for communication during mating and contests.  Given that CHCs > function both as a barrier between an insect and its environment and to > convey messages during sexual interactions, they provide an ideal trait > to investigate the interaction between natural and sexual selection. How > these selective forces interact to shape the evolution of CHCs is poorly > known, especially under climate change. > > Using an endemic beetle, pepeke nguturoa (the New Zealand giraffe > weevil), found across most of Aotearoa New Zealand, this PhD project > will investigate the role of CHCs in sexual signalling and the trade-off > between desiccation resistance and communication using behavioural > experiments in the lab and field in combination with the use of analytical > chemistry techniques. > > We are looking for a candidate that has: > > - A strong background in at least one of: behavioural ecology, >  evolutionary ecology, chemical ecology. > - Experience or an interest in ecological field work and/or laboratory >  based experimentation > - Experience or an interest in learning GC-MS analytical techniques > - Strong statistical analytical skills (preferably in R) > - Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken) > - An open mind and willingness to learn and work in a team > - A full drivers license > > Location: > > The candidate will be based at the University of Waikato in > Kirikiriroa/Hamilton under the Chief Supervision of Dr Chrissie Painting, > and co-supervised by Dr Megan Grainger (University of Waikato), PD Dr > Florian Menzel (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany) and > Professor Leigh Simmons (University of Western Australia, Australia). > > Scholarship Value: > > This is a fully funded University of Waikato Seeker Scholarship PhD > position for 3 years (an annual stipend of NZD$30,000, plus tuition fees). > > We encourage both international and domestic students to apply for this > position, which will be based in the Invertebrate Behavioural Ecology > lab at the University of Waikato in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton, Aotearoa New > Zealand. Kirikiriroa is a relatively small but vibrant town to live > and work, offering a fantastic mix of rural and city life. It is also > centrally located in the North Island of New Zealand, making it a great > base from which to travel the North Island. > > The successful student would start by June 2025. > > Interested candidates should send applications as a single PDF document > comprising 1) a letter of motivation that clearly outlines your > interest in the advertised project, 2) a curriculum vitae, including > scientific publications if applicable, 3) academic transcripts, and 4) > contact details for two academic references to Dr Chrissie Painting > (chrissie.painting@waikato.ac.nz).  The advert will remain open until > the position is filled, with applications reviewed from end of September > 2024. Feel free to contact Chrissie with any inquiries about the project. > > Dr Chrissie Painting (she/her) > Senior Lecturer > Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science > Environmental Research Institute > Principal Investigator at Te Pūnaha Matatini > (Centre of Research Excellence) > Senior Editor of the > New Zealand > Journal of Zoology > Associate Editor at > Insect Conservation & Diversity > Ph: +64 7 837 9639 > > chrissie.painting@waikato.ac.nz > Painting > Lab website| > University > web profile > > Chrissie Painting

[ramsons-23]

The Story Behind Pheromone Perfumes

Introduction to Pheromone Perfumes

Pheromone perfumes have intrigued the human psyche for decades. These unique fragrances promise an allure that transcends the ordinary, tapping into a primal communication method that predates language. The science and mystique surrounding pheromone perfumes reveal a fascinating intersection of biology, chemistry, and psychology. In this article, we delve deep into the origins, scientific principles, and cultural impact of pheromone perfumes.

The Biological Basis of Pheromones

Pheromones are chemical substances produced and released into the environment by animals, including humans, affecting the behavior or physiology of others of their species. The term "pheromone" comes from the Greek words "pherein" (to transfer) and "hormon" (to excite). These chemicals play a critical role in various behaviors such as mating, territory marking, and social interactions.

Human Pheromones: Myth or Reality?

The existence of human pheromones has been a subject of debate. Unlike animals, where pheromones are clearly defined and observed, human pheromones are more elusive. However, several studies suggest that humans do produce and respond to pheromones, influencing social and sexual behavior. Compounds such as androstadienone (found in male sweat) and estratetraenol (found in female urine) have been proposed as human pheromones.

The Science of Pheromone Perfumes

Pheromone perfumes are designed to mimic these naturally occurring chemicals, aiming to enhance attractiveness and social interaction. The formulation of these perfumes involves a careful blend of pheromones and traditional fragrance components.

How Pheromone Perfumes Work

Pheromone perfumes work by leveraging the body's natural response to pheromones. When applied to the skin, these perfumes release pheromones into the air, which are then detected by others through the vomeronasal organ (VNO) located in the nasal cavity. This detection can trigger subconscious responses related to attraction and social bonding.

Ingredients and Formulation

The key ingredients in pheromone perfumes often include synthesized versions of human pheromones like androstadienone and estratetraenol. These are combined with aromatic compounds to create a pleasing scent. The balance between pheromones and fragrance is crucial to ensure the perfume is both effective and enjoyable to wear.

Historical Perspectives on Pheromones

The use of scents to influence human behavior dates back to ancient civilizations. Historical records show that ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used various natural ingredients believed to have aphrodisiac properties.

Ancient Civilizations and Scents

Egyptians:

Known for their extensive use of perfumes and aromatic oils, the ancient Egyptians believed certain scents could enhance attractiveness and fertility.

Greeks and Romans:

Both cultures used aromatic herbs and flowers in their daily lives, attributing various mystical and health benefits to them.

Modern Developments in Pheromone Perfumes

The modern era has seen significant advancements in the understanding and application of pheromones. The 20th century marked the beginning of scientific research into pheromones, leading to the development of commercial pheromone perfumes.

Research and Innovations

Pioneering research by scientists like Dr. Winifred Cutler has paved the way for the commercial production of pheromone perfumes. Dr. Cutler's studies on the effects of pheromones on human behavior have been instrumental in proving their potential impact.

Commercial Success and Popularity

Today, pheromone perfumes are a popular choice for those seeking to enhance their social presence and attractiveness. Brands like Pherazone, Nexus Pheromones, and True Pheromones offer a variety of products catering to different preferences and needs.

The Psychological Impact of Pheromone Perfumes

Beyond the biological mechanisms, the psychological impact of wearing pheromone perfumes is significant. The confidence boost and the placebo effect play crucial roles in how these perfumes are perceived and experienced.

Confidence and Perception

Wearing a pheromone perfume can enhance self-confidence, which in turn can influence social interactions positively. The belief in the perfume's efficacy can lead to more outgoing and engaging behavior, making the wearer more attractive to others.

Placebo Effect

The placebo effect cannot be overlooked. Believing that one is wearing a potent pheromone can alter one's behavior and perception, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of increased attractiveness and social success.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite their popularity, pheromone perfumes are not without controversy. Critics argue that the scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is inconclusive and that much of their appeal is due to marketing rather than science.

Scientific Skepticism

Some scientists remain skeptical about the efficacy of pheromone perfumes, citing the lack of robust, reproducible studies. The complexity of human behavior and the influence of numerous factors make it challenging to isolate the impact of pheromones alone.

Marketing and Misinformation

The commercial success of pheromone perfumes has led to a proliferation of products with varying degrees of quality and effectiveness. Consumers must navigate marketing claims and misinformation to find genuinely effective products.

Conclusion: The Future of Pheromone Perfumes

The story of pheromone perfumes is one of ongoing discovery and innovation. As scientific research continues to uncover the mysteries of human pheromones, the potential for these unique fragrances to enhance human interactions remains promising. Whether driven by biological effects, psychological factors, or a combination of both, pheromone perfumes continue to captivate and intrigue.

[themathomhouse]

people really will believe anything on the internet

Here are the ingredients. The chemicals listed above are not there, though it is true they could be in the perfume as they're not required to list those. However:

"Dr. Jerome Rovner, a professor of biology at Ohio University, told The Post in an email that while “there is a remote possibility” that one of the chemicals in the Sol de Janeiro cream could be attracting wolf spiders, there is little to no evidence to support the claim."

"Research analyzing the effects of pheromones on spiders is limited to those that weave webs — wolf spiders do not, explained Rovner, a current member and former president of the American Arachnological Society."

"Pheromones — chemicals released to attract a mate — are “highly species-specific,” Dr. George Uetz, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cincinnati, told The Post."

"Available research regarding web-weavers, then, would not apply to wolf spiders."

"“For, if it were so, male wolf spiders would be attracted to the webs of female web-weaving spiders, which they certainly are not,” Rovner said. “Why would a wolf spider try to mate with a web-weaver?”"

Look I know it's the New York Post but their sources seem legit. Warning: if you click it will show you pictures and videos of unrelated spiders

Frankly I can believe companies would do all kinds of shady shit, but I'm begging y'all to fact check your shit before sharing it and scaring everyone. I super don't care if people don't buy this extremely overpriced moisturiser, but this is how you end up believing conspiracy theories

has anyone else been seeing the tweets about a lotion from sephora that attracts spiders

[novobacwilting]

Metarhizium anisopliae - Harness Metarhizium anisopliae for Biological Pest Control

As observed in the case of agriculture and horticulture pest control has always been a recurring issue. Organic farmers and anybody who maintains a garden or a farm understand the need for a proper method that can be used to control pests. One of the many potentially effective control strategies can be seen in the application of Metarhizium anisopliae, a biocontrol organism that is an entomopathogenic fungus. Biological pest control has over the years become popular due to the effects of chemical pesticides and this fungus has been identified to ease this method. 

Understanding Metarhizium anisopliae 

Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus living in soil, and it affects insects via detailed contact. When it is in contact with an insect, the fungal spores penetrate the surface of the insect’s body known as cuticle , and develop. It then forms an entry point to gain access to the body of the insect to breed and eventually cause the death of the insect. This process makes M. anisopliae a formidable tool against various insect pests of beetles, caterpillars and aphids among others. 

The life cycle of M. anisopliae is quite interesting and crucial when considering this fungi’s role in biocontrol. Fungi grow on its host, the cadaver of the insect, and develop spores to infect other insects, and eventually kill its host. M. anisopliae is a natural cycle that makes possible the persistence of this fungus in the environment and assure a long term control of the pest.

Benefits of Using Metarhizium anisopliae

Environmental Safety: On the same aspect, M. anisopliae does not affect the environment in the same way that chemical pesticides do by leaving residues that harm the environment. It focuses on insects, which makes it harmless for other living beings, including people and their companion animals, and useful insects, such as bees and ladybugs.  

 Sustainable Pest Management: The study of M. anisopliae brings about a non-hazardous way of controlling the pests. Being a bio-organism it could easily fit into pest control packages making people rely less on chemical control methods that are harmful to the environment. 

 Resistance Management: In this case, pests are known to become resistant to chemical pesticides, which may become unproductive at some point. Thus, it can be stated that M. anisopliae provides a higher efficiency compared to other chemical insecticides and has a strong advantage in pests’ resistance. 

 Cost-Effective: After the infection side of M. anisopliae, the fungal agent is capable of establishing itself in the environment and continues to have impact over the pest’à¡© thereby minimizing the possibility of frequent application and consequently the pest management costs. 

Application of Metarhizium anisopliae 

M. anisopliae is mostly used as a biopesticide and in its application it is in liquid form by spraying, powder form by dusting or as pellets. Here are some key considerations for its effective use:Here are some key considerations for its effective use: 

 Timing: Matured insects provide an unhealthy environment that supports fungal growth; therefore, it is wise to employ M. anisopliae soon after an infestation’s identification. If measures are applied early enough pests do not compound to high levels and the fungus can be allowed to gain a foothold properly. 

Environmental Conditions: Due to this the effectiveness of M. anisopliae changes according to the conditions prevailing such as temperature and humidity. It should also be pointed out that climatic conditions which include heat and humidity promote rapid germination of fungal spores. 

Integration with Other Methods: However, research and experience has shown that M. anisopliae works well independently, though better results could be achieved when it is used in combination with other biocontrol agents, especially predators or the use of pheromone lures.

Case Studies and Success Stories

Some research and practical usage demonstrate the efficacy of the M. anisopliae in the fight against pests. For instance, it has been applied effectively to curbing the locust swarms in Africa as it makes a positive impact by minimizing crop damage and guaranteeing farmers’ ability to combat them naturally. Similarly in the controlled environment such as the green houses; the fungi M. anisopliae weapon is effective against pests such as thrips and white flies helping to produce healthy plants. 

Conclusion 

Thus, Metarhizium anisopliae might be a prospective direction in the search for environmentally friendly and efficient pest management tools. That is why its short-term effect, ecological compatibility, and ability to provide Pest Control throughout the seasons can be useful for farmers and gardeners. Looking at what this remarkable fungus can do, we can possibly work our way towards environmentally friendly techniques of farming that will also be protective of our crops. 

Thus, it is crucial to carry out awareness and research campaigns on Metarhizium anisopliae in order to enhance the unraveling of its advantages. In this way, we could open the troubled path to fresh, green and healthy agriculture in the future.

[alsafeerblog]

Eco-Friendly Pest Control Solutions for Sustainable Living in UAE

The warm and desert climate of the UAE is a conducive environment for the growth and reproduction of several pests. Regardless of preventive strategies factors including such conditions result in pest infestations that cause financial as well as health problems.

An obvious solution in this direction will be the use of pesticides. However, the excessive use of chemical pesticides can turn out to be counterproductive. It poses a serious threat to the health of its users as well as the integrity of the environment where we live. So we need a perfect alternative that offers pest removal while caring for the environment. This is exactly what is provided by eco-friendly pest control services UAE. 

The Need for Eco-Friendly Pest Control Solutions: A Better Picture

Water Pollution: Chemicalpesticide residue reaches groundwater or water runoff into aquatic bodies posing a serious threat to drinking water resources and marine ecosystem. In UAE where there is a stress on water resources this is a concern that necessitates sustainable pest control alternatives. 

Loss of Biodiversity: Other than targeted pests chemical pesticides could harm other beneficial organisms like insects and birds. Thus already fragile ecosystem and the increased efforts by the UAE authorities for its recovery face severe setbacks.

Human Health Risks: Another effect of chemical pesticides is their poisonous effects that pose occupational hazards for farmers and pest control professionals. It can cause acute poisoning, chronic illnesses, and developmental disorders. 

Resistance and Pest Outbreaks: Disinfection services Abu Dhabi observe that excessive use of pesticides results in pesticide-resistant pests that leave control measures less effective. 

 These issues hamper a sustainable way of living. Hence the following solutions offered by pest control services in Abu Dhabi seem to be of high relevance. 

Eco-Friendly Pest Control Solutions

Biological Control 

Predatory insects and parasitic wasps are one such solution for pest control without relying on chemical pesticides. This approach utilizes natural predators and parasites resulting in targeted pest control with minimal ecological harm. However, this method requires careful consideration so that the newly introduced agents don’t disrupt the surrounding ecosystem. 

Botanical Pesticides

Active ingredients extracted from various plants such as neem and garlic, as well as essential oils, have insecticidal properties. These botanical pesticides are sustainable solutions with very little impact on the environment and the humans who apply them. Moreover, since they are derived from natural sources they will break down easily without leaving much residue. 

Traps and Barriers

Traps come in various forms such as sticky traps, pheromone traps, and live traps. Each of these varieties caters to different types of pests. The most sustainable of these varieties is the live traps that leave captured pests in the wild without harming them. Meanwhile, barriers such as nets and mulches are other sustainable alternatives that say no to pesticides.  

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)    

Pest control services UAEgenerally use this holistic approach to pest control emphasizing prevention, monitoring, and a range of multiple strategies with minimal use of chemical pesticides. Research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology found that IPM reduced the use of pesticides by about 41 percent across various crops. Whether it is in farming or general household application these strategies are found to offer minimal environmental impacts while saving a considerable sum spent on chemical pesticides.                                                

So we have discussed the relevance of sustainable pest control services in the UAE. Moreover, a couple of eco-friendly pest control solutions in this direction have been dealt with. Now it is time to find the perfect pest control services in the UAE that adhere to these practices. In this direction, Al Safeer Building Cleaning & Pest Control Services is an ideal team to partner with.