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nasa · 4 months

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A simulated image of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s future observations toward the center of our galaxy, spanning less than 1 percent of the total area of Roman’s Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey. The simulated stars were drawn from the Besançon Galactic Model.

Exploring the Changing Universe with the Roman Space Telescope

The view from your backyard might paint the universe as an unchanging realm, where only twinkling stars and nearby objects, like satellites and meteors, stray from the apparent constancy. But stargazing through NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will offer a front row seat to a dazzling display of cosmic fireworks sparkling across the sky.

Roman will view extremely faint infrared light, which has longer wavelengths than our eyes can see. Two of the mission’s core observing programs will monitor specific patches of the sky. Stitching the results together like stop-motion animation will create movies that reveal changing objects and fleeting events that would otherwise be hidden from our view.

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Watch this video to learn about time-domain astronomy and how time will be a key element in NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s galactic bulge survey. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

This type of science, called time-domain astronomy, is difficult for telescopes that have smaller views of space. Roman’s large field of view will help us see huge swaths of the universe. Instead of always looking at specific things and events astronomers have already identified, Roman will be able to repeatedly observe large areas of the sky to catch phenomena scientists can't predict. Then astronomers can find things no one knew were there!

One of Roman’s main surveys, the Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey, will monitor hundreds of millions of stars toward the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Astronomers will see many of the stars appear to flash or flicker over time.

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This animation illustrates the concept of gravitational microlensing. When one star in the sky appears to pass nearly in front of another, the light rays of the background source star are bent due to the warped space-time around the foreground star. The closer star is then a virtual magnifying glass, amplifying the brightness of the background source star, so we refer to the foreground star as the lens star. If the lens star harbors a planetary system, then those planets can also act as lenses, each one producing a short change in the brightness of the source. Thus, we discover the presence of each exoplanet, and measure its mass and how far it is from its star. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

That can happen when something like a star or planet moves in front of a background star from our point of view. Because anything with mass warps the fabric of space-time, light from the distant star bends around the nearer object as it passes by. That makes the nearer object act as a natural magnifying glass, creating a temporary spike in the brightness of the background star’s light. That signal lets astronomers know there’s an intervening object, even if they can’t see it directly.

This artist’s concept shows the region of the Milky Way NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey will cover – relatively uncharted territory when it comes to planet-finding. That’s important because the way planets form and evolve may be different depending on where in the galaxy they’re located. Our solar system is situated near the outskirts of the Milky Way, about halfway out on one of the galaxy’s spiral arms. A recent Kepler Space Telescope study showed that stars on the fringes of the Milky Way possess fewer of the most common planet types that have been detected so far. Roman will search in the opposite direction, toward the center of the galaxy, and could find differences in that galactic neighborhood, too.

Using this method, called microlensing, Roman will likely set a new record for the farthest-known exoplanet. That would offer a glimpse of a different galactic neighborhood that could be home to worlds quite unlike the more than 5,500 that are currently known. Roman’s microlensing observations will also find starless planets, black holes, neutron stars, and more!

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This animation shows a planet crossing in front of, or transiting, its host star and the corresponding light curve astronomers would see. Using this technique, scientists anticipate NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could find 100,000 new worlds. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Chris Smith (USRA/GESTAR)

Stars Roman sees may also appear to flicker when a planet crosses in front of, or transits, its host star as it orbits. Roman could find 100,000 planets this way! Small icy objects that haunt the outskirts of our own solar system, known as Kuiper belt objects, may occasionally pass in front of faraway stars Roman sees, too. Astronomers will be able to see how much water the Kuiper belt objects have because the ice absorbs specific wavelengths of infrared light, providing a “fingerprint” of its presence. This will give us a window into our solar system’s early days.

This animation visualizes a type Ia supernova.

Roman’s High Latitude Time-Domain Survey will look beyond our galaxy to hunt for type Ia supernovas. These exploding stars originate from some binary star systems that contain at least one white dwarf – the small, hot core remnant of a Sun-like star. In some cases, the dwarf may siphon material from its companion. This triggers a runaway reaction that ultimately detonates the thief once it reaches a specific point where it has gained so much mass that it becomes unstable.

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NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will see thousands of exploding stars called supernovae across vast stretches of time and space. Using these observations, astronomers aim to shine a light on several cosmic mysteries, providing a window onto the universe’s distant past. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Since these rare explosions each peak at a similar, known intrinsic brightness, astronomers can use them to determine how far away they are by simply measuring how bright they appear. Astronomers will use Roman to study the light of these supernovas to find out how quickly they appear to be moving away from us.

By comparing how fast they’re receding at different distances, scientists can trace cosmic expansion over time. This will help us understand whether and how dark energy – the unexplained pressure thought to speed up the universe’s expansion – has changed throughout the history of the universe.

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will survey the same areas of the sky every few days. Researchers will mine this data to identify kilonovas – explosions that happen when two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole collide and merge. When these collisions happen, a fraction of the resulting debris is ejected as jets, which move near the speed of light. The remaining debris produces hot, glowing, neutron-rich clouds that forge heavy elements, like gold and platinum. Roman’s extensive data will help astronomers better identify how often these events occur, how much energy they give off, and how near or far they are.

And since this survey will repeatedly observe the same large vista of space, scientists will also see sporadic events like neutron stars colliding and stars being swept into black holes. Roman could even find new types of objects and events that astronomers have never seen before!

Learn more about the exciting science Roman will investigate on X and Facebook.

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

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max-levchin · 9 months

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Shamir Secret Sharing

It’s 3am. Paul, the head of PayPal database administration carefully enters his elaborate passphrase at a keyboard in a darkened cubicle of 1840 Embarcadero Road in East Palo Alto, for the fifth time. He hits Return. The green-on-black console window instantly displays one line of text: “Sorry, one or more wrong passphrases. Can’t reconstruct the key. Goodbye.”

There is nerd pandemonium all around us. James, our recently promoted VP of Engineering, just climbed the desk at a nearby cubicle, screaming: “Guys, if we can’t get this key the right way, we gotta start brute-forcing it ASAP!” It’s gallows humor – he knows very well that brute-forcing such a key will take millions of years, and it’s already 6am on the East Coast – the first of many “Why is PayPal down today?” articles is undoubtedly going to hit CNET shortly. Our single-story cubicle-maze office is buzzing with nervous activity of PayPalians who know they can’t help but want to do something anyway. I poke my head up above the cubicle wall to catch a glimpse of someone trying to stay inside a giant otherwise empty recycling bin on wheels while a couple of Senior Software Engineers are attempting to accelerate the bin up to dangerous speeds in the front lobby. I lower my head and try to stay focused. “Let’s try it again, this time with three different people” is the best idea I can come up with, even though I am quite sure it will not work.

It doesn’t.

The key in question decrypts PayPal’s master payment credential table – also known as the giant store of credit card and bank account numbers. Without access to payment credentials, PayPal doesn’t really have a business per se, seeing how we are supposed to facilitate payments, and that’s really hard to do if we no longer have access to the 100+ million credit card numbers our users added over the last year of insane growth.

This is the story of a catastrophic software bug I briefly introduced into the PayPal codebase that almost cost us the company (or so it seemed, in the moment.) I’ve told this story a handful of times, always swearing the listeners to secrecy, and surprisingly it does not appear to have ever been written down before. 20+ years since the incident, it now appears instructive and a little funny, rather than merely extremely embarrassing.

Before we get back to that fateful night, we have to go back another decade. In the summer of 1991, my family and I moved to Chicago from Kyiv, Ukraine. While we had just a few hundred dollars between the five of us, we did have one secret advantage: science fiction fans.

My dad was a highly active member of Zoryaniy Shlyah – Kyiv’s possibly first (and possibly only, at the time) sci-fi fan club – the name means “Star Trek” in Ukrainian, unsurprisingly. He translated some Stansilaw Lem (of Solaris and Futurological Congress fame) from Polish to Russian in the early 80s and was generally considered a coryphaeus at ZSh.

While USSR was more or less informationally isolated behind the digital Iron Curtain until the late ‘80s, by 1990 or so, things like FidoNet wriggled their way into the Soviet computing world, and some members of ZSh were now exchanging electronic mail with sci-fi fans of the free world.

The vaguely exotic news of two Soviet refugee sci-fi fans arriving in Chicago was transmitted to the local fandom before we had even boarded the PanAm flight that took us across the Atlantic [1]. My dad (and I, by extension) was soon adopted by some kind Chicago science fiction geeks, a few of whom became close friends over the years, though that’s a story for another time.

A year or so after the move to Chicago, our new sci-fi friends invited my dad to a birthday party for a rising star of the local fandom, one Bruce Schneier. We certainly did not know Bruce or really anyone at the party, but it promised good food, friendly people, and probably filk. My role was to translate, as my dad spoke limited English at the time.

I had fallen desperately in love with secret codes and cryptography about a year before we left Ukraine. Walking into Bruce’s library during the house tour (this was a couple years before Applied Cryptography was published and he must have been deep in research) felt like walking into Narnia.

I promptly abandoned my dad to fend for himself as far as small talk and canapés were concerned, and proceeded to make a complete ass out of myself by brazenly asking the host for a few sheets of paper and a pencil. Having been obliged, I pulled a half dozen cryptography books from the shelves and went to work trying to copy down some answers to a few long-held questions on the library floor. After about two hours of scribbling alone like a man possessed, I ran out of paper and decided to temporarily rejoin the party.

On the living room table, Bruce had stacks of copies of his fanzine Ramblings. Thinking I could use the blank sides of the pages to take more notes, I grabbed a printout and was about to quietly return to copying the original S-box values for DES when my dad spotted me from across the room and demanded I help him socialize. The party wrapped soon, and our friends drove us home.

The printout I grabbed was not a Ramblings issue. It was a short essay by Bruce titled Sharing Secrets Among Friends, essentially a humorous explanation of Shamir Secret Sharing.

Say you want to make sure that something really really important and secret (a nuclear weapon launch code, a database encryption key, etc) cannot be known or used by a single (friendly) actor, but becomes available, if at least n people from a group of m choose to do it. Think two on-duty officers (from a cadre of say 5) turning keys together to get ready for a nuke launch.

The idea (proposed by Adi Shamir – the S of RSA! – in 1979) is as simple as it is beautiful.

Let’s call the secret we are trying to split among m people K.

First, create a totally random polynomial that looks like: y(x) = C0 * x^(n-1) + C1 * x^(n-2) + C2 * x^(n-3) ….+ K. “Create” here just means generate random coefficients C. Now, for every person in your trusted group of m, evaluate the polynomial for some randomly chosen Xm and hand them their corresponding (Xm,Ym) each.

If we have n of these points together, we can use Lagrange interpolating polynomial to reconstruct the coefficients – and evaluate the original polynomial at x=0, which conveniently gives us y(0) = K, the secret. Beautiful. I still had the printout with me, years later, in Palo Alto.

It should come as no surprise that during my time as CTO PayPal engineering had an absolute obsession with security. No firewall was one too many, no multi-factor authentication scheme too onerous, etc. Anything that was worth anything at all was encrypted at rest.

To decrypt, a service would get the needed data from its database table, transmit it to a special service named cryptoserv (an original SUN hardware running Solaris sitting on its own, especially tightly locked-down network) and a special service running only there would perform the decryption and send back the result.

Decryption request rate was monitored externally and on cryptoserv, and if there were too many requests, the whole thing was to shut down and purge any sensitive data and keys from its memory until manually restarted.

It was this manual restart that gnawed at me. At launch, a bunch of configuration files containing various critical decryption keys were read (decrypted by another key derived from one manually-entered passphrase) and loaded into the memory to perform future cryptographic services.

Four or five of us on the engineering team knew the passphrase and could restart cryptoserv if it crashed or simply had to have an upgrade. What if someone performed a little old-fashioned rubber-hose cryptanalysis and literally beat the passphrase out of one of us? The attacker could theoretically get access to these all-important master keys. Then stealing the encrypted-at-rest database of all our users’ secrets could prove useful – they could decrypt them in the comfort of their underground supervillain lair.

I needed to eliminate this threat.

Shamir Secret Sharing was the obvious choice – beautiful, simple, perfect (you can in fact prove that if done right, it offers perfect secrecy.) I decided on a 3-of-8 scheme and implemented it in pure POSIX C for portability over a few days, and tested it for several weeks on my Linux desktop with other engineers.

Step 1: generate the polynomial coefficients for 8 shard-holders.

Step 2: compute the key shards (x0, y0) through (x7, y7)

Step 3: get each shard-holder to enter a long, secure passphrase to encrypt the shard

Step 4: write out the 8 shard files, encrypted with their respective passphrases.

And to reconstruct:

Step 1: pick any 3 shard files.

Step 2: ask each of the respective owners to enter their passphrases.

Step 3: decrypt the shard files.

Step 4: reconstruct the polynomial, evaluate it for x=0 to get the key.

Step 5: launch cryptoserv with the key.

One design detail here is that each shard file also stored a message authentication code (a keyed hash) of its passphrase to make sure we could identify when someone mistyped their passphrase. These tests ran hundreds and hundreds of times, on both Linux and Solaris, to make sure I did not screw up some big/little-endianness issue, etc. It all worked perfectly.

A month or so later, the night of the key splitting party was upon us. We were finally going to close out the last vulnerability and be secure. Feeling as if I was about to turn my fellow shard-holders into cymeks, I gathered them around my desktop as PayPal’s front page began sporting the “We are down for maintenance and will be back soon” message around midnight.

The night before, I solemnly generated the new master key and securely copied it to cryptoserv. Now, while “Push It” by Salt-n-Pepa blared from someone’s desktop speakers, the automated deployment script copied shard files to their destination.

While each of us took turns carefully entering our elaborate passphrases at a specially selected keyboard, Paul shut down the main database and decrypted the payment credentials table, then ran the script to re-encrypt with the new key. Some minutes later, the database was running smoothly again, with the newly encrypted table, without incident.

All that was left was to restore the master key from its shards and launch the new, even more secure cryptographic service.

The three of us entered our passphrases… to be met with the error message I haven’t seen in weeks: “Sorry, one or more wrong passphrases. Can’t reconstruct the key. Goodbye.” Surely one of us screwed up typing, no big deal, we’ll do it again. No dice. No dice – again and again, even after we tried numerous combinations of the three people necessary to decrypt.

Minutes passed, confusion grew, tension rose rapidly.

There was nothing to do, except to hit rewind – to grab the master key from the file still sitting on cryptoserv, split it again, generate new shards, choose passphrases, and get it done. Not a great feeling to have your first launch go wrong, but not a huge deal either. It will all be OK in a minute or two.

A cursory look at the master key file date told me that no, it wouldn’t be OK at all. The file sitting on cryptoserv wasn’t from last night, it was created just a few minutes ago. During the Salt-n-Pepa-themed push from stage, we overwrote the master key file with the stage version. Whatever key that was, it wasn’t the one I generated the day before: only one copy existed, the one I copied to cryptoserv from my computer the night before. Zero copies existed now. Not only that, the push script appears to have also wiped out the backup of the old key, so the database backups we have encrypted with the old key are likely useless.

Sitrep: we have 8 shard files that we apparently cannot use to restore the master key and zero master key backups. The database is running but its secret data cannot be accessed.

I will leave it to your imagination to conjure up what was going through my head that night as I stared into the black screen willing the shards to work. After half a decade of trying to make something of myself (instead of just going to work for Microsoft or IBM after graduation) I had just destroyed my first successful startup in the most spectacular fashion.

Still, the idea of “what if we all just continuously screwed up our passphrases” swirled around my brain. It was an easy check to perform, thanks to the included MACs. I added a single printf() debug statement into the shard reconstruction code and instead of printing out a summary error of “one or more…” the code now showed if the passphrase entered matched the authentication code stored in the shard file.

I compiled the new code directly on cryptoserv in direct contravention of all reasonable security practices – what did I have to lose? Entering my own passphrase, I promptly got “bad passphrase” error I just added to the code. Well, that’s just great – I knew my passphrase was correct, I had it written down on a post-it note I had planned to rip up hours ago.

Another person, same error. Finally, the last person, JK, entered his passphrase. No error. The key still did not reconstruct correctly, I got the “Goodbye”, but something worked. I turned to the engineer and said, “what did you just type in that worked?”

After a second of embarrassed mumbling, he admitted to choosing “a$$word” as his passphrase. The gall! I asked everyone entrusted with the grave task of relaunching crytposerv to pick really hard to guess passphrases, and this guy…?! Still, this was something -- it worked. But why?!

I sprinted around the half-lit office grabbing the rest of the shard-holders demanding they tell me their passphrases. Everyone else had picked much lengthier passages of text and numbers. I manually tested each and none decrypted correctly. Except for the a$$word. What was it…

A lightning bolt hit me and I sprinted back to my own cubicle in the far corner, unlocked the screen and typed in “man getpass” on the command line, while logging into cryptoserv in another window and doing exactly the same thing there. I saw exactly what I needed to see.

Today, should you try to read up the programmer’s manual (AKA the man page) on getpass, you will find it has been long declared obsolete and replaced with a more intelligent alternative in nearly all flavors of modern Unix.

But back then, if you wanted to collect some information from the keyboard without printing what is being typed in onto the screen and remain POSIX-compliant, getpass did the trick. Other than a few standard file manipulation system calls, getpass was the only operating system service call I used, to ensure clean portability between Linux and Solaris.

Except it wasn’t completely clean.

Plain as day, there it was: the manual pages were identical, except Solaris had a “special feature”: any passphrase entered that was longer than 8 characters long was automatically reduced to that length anyway. (Who needs long passwords, amiright?!)

I screamed like a wounded animal. We generated the key on my Linux desktop and entered our novel-length passphrases right here. Attempting to restore them on a Solaris machine where they were being clipped down to 8 characters long would never work. Except, of course, for a$$word. That one was fine.

The rest was an exercise in high-speed coding and some entirely off-protocol file moving. We reconstructed the master key on my machine (all of our passphrases worked fine), copied the file to the Solaris-running cryptoserv, re-split it there (with very short passphrases), reconstructed it successfully, and PayPal was up and running again like nothing ever happened.

By the time our unsuspecting colleagues rolled back into the office I was starting to doze on the floor of my cubicle and that was that. When someone asked me later that day why we took so long to bring the site back up, I’d simply respond with “eh, shoulda RTFM.”

RTFM indeed.

P.S. A few hours later, John, our General Counsel, stopped by my cubicle to ask me something. The day before I apparently gave him a sealed envelope and asked him to store it in his safe for 24 hours without explaining myself. He wanted to know what to do with it now that 24 hours have passed.

Ha. I forgot all about it, but in a bout of “what if it doesn’t work” paranoia, I printed out the base64-encoded master key when we had generated it the night before, stuffed it into an envelope, and gave it to John for safekeeping. We shredded it together without opening and laughed about what would have never actually been a company-ending event.

P.P.S. If you are thinking of all the ways this whole SSS design is horribly insecure (it had some real flaws for sure) and plan to poke around PayPal to see if it might still be there, don’t. While it served us well for a few years, this was the very first thing eBay required us to turn off after the acquisition. Pretty sure it’s back to a single passphrase now.

Notes:

1: a member of Chicagoland sci-fi fan community let me know that the original news of our move to the US was delivered to them via a posted letter, snail mail, not FidoNet email!

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gingerjunhan · 7 months

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xdinary heroes and the texts you wake up to

☆彡 Could this have been an smau? Yes. Do smau’s frustrate me to no end? Also yes. Oops. There needs to be an easier way to make those I swear

word count: 745 | pronouns used: none | genre: fluff, established relationship | cws: mentions of food (Heyongjun), lmk if I missed something

goo gunil

hello my love ❤️

I hope you had a good day today

I can’t wait to talk to you tomorrow :)

he won’t text too much because he knows you deserve your rest 🫶🏻

no matter how late it is you KNOW Gunil is checking in on you to make sure you had a good day

he doesn’t care if you’re asleep and you won’t see the message until the next day, he just wants to check in

he also has it worked down to a science that if you’re still awake when he messages you, you probably had a bad day

no matter how late it is he is always willing to help you through a bad day, or just talk to you about your normal day

even if nothing exciting happened, he wants to hear all about it

good night sunshine:) dream of me

I’m sorry I needed to picture that I’m blushing rn

kim jungsu

hi honey :) we just got done at the studio. today was so looooong!!

one simple text

a mini debrief, if I may

if he feels clingy I think he would send you multiple shorter messages

hi baby :)

I miss you

how was your day today?

I can’t wait to hear all about it

I love you

definitely makes your phone vibrate too much and then he feels bad for waking you

I also feel like if Jungsu is feeling clingy he will call you the second he sees you typing a reply

he just loves you so much and he wants to hear your voice :(

kwak jiseok

HI BABEEYYY ❤️❤️❤️

missed you today!

we just got home from work and I’m SO TIREDDD

call me in the morning!!

love you!! ❤️

so excited that he finally gets the chance to message you

if you text him back get ready for a play-by-play of his entire day

but don’t worry he will be just as attentive to your day as you are to his

if you feel too tired to text about your day he’ll offer to call you and stay on the phone until you fall asleep

he will tell you he loves you so. many. times. over the course of this conversation

work = time away from you = sad Jiseok

oh seungmin

hello baby

how was your day?

sorry if you’re asleep rn haha

simple, to the point

he totally sends you ootds every day, so you might also wake up to an ootd

he won’t get mad if you don’t respond because nine times out of ten if you respond he misses it because he’s asleep 💀

if he does catch a response he’s so excited!

did you have a good day? tell me all about it!

I can’t wait to see you baby

I missed you so much

I feel like Seungmin might not text much because he definitely prefers calling

he can’t rizz you up with texts as well as he can with his voice 😼

han hyeongjun

hi hi hiii

did you have a good day?

look what we had for lunch today

(attachment: 1 image)

if you don’t think you’d get a food haul from Hyeongjun every day you’re wrong

his sleep schedule is honestly so horrible that he would probably sleep through half of your texts the next morning/afternoon so he doesn’t mind when you do it to him

much like Jungsu, I can see him getting clingy over text?

his bubble messages from the other day inspired this whole fic, I just need y’all to know that

you can tell he really missed you if he pulls out the nicknames

I missed you today <3

I’m going to go practice some more

sleep well baby

lee jooyeon

hi :)

are you awake?

I missed you today

can you call?

Jooyeon also prefers calling in my opinion

he just wants to hear your voice :(

if you’re too tired to call but you respond to his text, he will literally stay on the phone with you until he’s too tired to keep typing

guess what happened at work today!

what did you do today?

did you do anything fun today?

are you busy tomorrow? I want to see you :(

a million questions

if it was up to Jooyeon you would come to work with him every single day so you didn’t have to leave his side

I am a firm believer that this man wants to spend every second of every day with you and he would never get bored of you ever

#xdinary heroes x reader #xdinary heroes imagine #xdh x reader #xdh imagines #xdh fluff #xdh scenarios #ot6

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simpcityy · 10 months

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One Life Over Millions Pt.2 (Miguel O'Hara x F! Biomedical Engineer Reader)

Summary: You are a Biomedical Engineer working for Alchemax. You also have a little hobby of coming up with Theories and research on who Spider-Man 2099 is under that mask. You don't share anyone of this hobby besides Miguel, your co-worker. Little did you know, you're sharing your theories with Spider-Mans other identity, Miguel O'Hara. After finding out that millions are at risk from one simple vial, you'll be able to get a closer look at Spider-Man as you work besides him.

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel or any of its characters. This is part 2, read part 1 to understand plot. (Link to Pt 1 below)

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: Use of (Y/N), Minor Injuries, Bullying? Use of she/her, ughhh some crying? Cursing in Spanish, I think that's all.

Taglist: @alicefallsintotherabbithole @csmt-m @pandq707 (If I forgot to add you or if you want to be added to the taglist, let me know, thank you!)

Pt.1 Pt.2

┍━━━━━⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━━━┑

Miguel, who is currently Spider-Man, ties up a couple of the masked robbers who set fire to a jewelry store to cover up their traces, but they were no match for him. “You two have terrible timing, I was busy calming down a damsel in distress, Idiotas*” He mutters before turning around quickly hearing a rock being kicked. He lets his talons out ready to fight the intruder before stopping seeing you standing there shyly. Why were you here? Did you run towards the danger? Maybe you were still feeling on edge? He had so many questions running through his mind before composing himself. “Um is there anything I can help you with, Dama*?” He cringed at himself, ‘wow Miguel, real smooth’ he internally yelled at himself. You hold your bag close before waving at him shyly. “ Um, Hi? I’m (Y/N) and…” You stayed silent for a bit thinking how to put this into words. Miguel only waited patiently for you to form words, he made sure to fix his mask, he didn’t want to give you any clues about his identity while you're this close to him. He knew you can be pretty smart and much more when you’re determined. You sigh before looking at the mask thugs and hearing the police sirens. “Listen Spider-Man, can we talk somewhere private? Maybe on a rooftop? I swear, I have no intentions of hurting you!” You quickly raise your hands up showing you meant no harm. Miguel only chuckles a bit under his mask and walks over to you. “Calma, I know you can’t even hurt a fly” He coughs a bit to clear his throat. “Puedo?” He motions his arm to your waist. Getting the memo, you nodded quickly. You tried to prevent your face from turning red, feeling his muscular arm around your waist. Taking this opportunity, you took a good look at him, seeing if there is anything that can help you with your theories before being snapped back into reality as he swings up to the roof, holding you close. Not a fan of heights, you quickly wrapped your arms around his neck and closed your eyes.

Miguel sat on the roof waiting for you to catch your breath after that scare. “Are you o-” He stops seeing you, putting your index finger up, telling him to hold on. You collected your breath and pulled out the file and the vial. “I am a Biomedical engineer at Alchemax and last night…I came across something” You took a deep breath in, after you told him that out in one breath. Spider-Man looks at the files and vial. Before gently grabbing them from you, reading it. His eyes widened seeing the results of this vial. “You’re telling me this small bottle…can cause so much damage? Carajo.” He couldn’t believe it but now it explains everything. You ran out in panic last night, those people chasing you. His worst fear came ever since he met you, you're in danger. “How did you stumble upon this?” He looked up at you. You sit on the edge of the roof next to him, wobbling a bit seeing the drop but Spider-Man grabs your shoulder letting you know you’re okay. Relaxing your mind, you finally spoke looking at him. “I was getting off my shift…I heard talking on my floor…it…something in me was telling me to check it out. A couple of people were in the room.” You closed your eyes remembering it vividly. “A bottle dropped to the floor…I went to pick it up but…” Looking down at your hand, thinking back of the boot. Miguel follows your gaze and frowns seeing your bruised hand. “Did you get hurt?” He whispers. “Yeah, but hey, at least I’m alive?” You chuckle nervously, knowing those people are after you. You kept silent as Miguel slowly collected his thoughts, trying to process everything before sticking his hand out “I know you’re just a Biomedical Engineer but starting today, I need you to be my partner for…mierda” he couldn’t believe he was going to ask this from you, putting you even more in danger but he had a lot of lives to be saved before it was too late. “To be my partner in this investigation” He concludes. You couldn’t believe what he was asking you, become his partner, a spy to Alchemax? Looking at the bottle in his hand before looking at the other hand that was reached out to you. ‘One life over millions’ you reminded yourself before taking his hand shaking it. “Spider-Man, it’s nice to be a part of your team” You smile, deep down, you were scared but with Spider-Man around. You knew you were going to be okay. As Spider-Man puts you back down on the street, he thinks for a bit. “Okay, let’s meet up every night after your shift to discuss any new clues you come around in the Alchemax building. Y por favor…Cuídate*” He whispers looking down at you. The way he looked at you, made it feel familiar, like his gaze was familiar to you for a reason but you shrugged it off. Offering him a kind smile, you nodded. “Okay, I will.” You whisper before watching him swing off into the distance. You walked back home before stopping “Wait…meet up where!?” You yell out but it was too late. “Dammit” You mutter before going back home.

It was the next day; you were walking inside Alchemax. The moment you walked in, people started whispering, making you nervous. “What’s going on?” You whisper seeing people crowd around your office door. Miguel was in front of the group frowning at the workers “Who's responsible for this!? Quién Fue*?” He would growl out before calming down seeing you pushed through the people. “Miguel what is going on?” You asked him, walking over. You can see his face turn into a sad expression. “Mira*” He moves out of the way letting you see. You let out a gasp, dropping your bag seeing your office a mess. All the products you were making, broken. All the files with your upcoming projects ripped apart. It was a sight that broke you, all the hard work to save or change the lives of many people. Miguel only clenched his fist watching you sink down on your knees sobbing quietly. He whips his head back looking at the people who were around you two, “Go back to work! Vete*” He growls, making them slowly back away. He places a hand on your shoulder “I’m sorry…What is going on? Who would do this to you? Quién?*” He whispers to you. He knew who it was, kind of. He was going to make sure those people would pay. Seeing you sobbing on the ground made him see red, it made him bare his fangs but quickly calmed himself. You slowly got up to pick up the broken pieces, “I don’t even know Miguel…I don’t” You whisper and walk over to your computer, it was smashed. Slowly looking at the note on your desk. Reading the note made you feel cold. Miguel only watched as you picked up the broken pieces of your inventions, along with picking up the broken pieces of your heart. That equipment was a part of you after all. Every piece of equipment you made was a piece of you.

You were sent off home early as Police were investigating this crime in your office. You sat in front of your tv. Staring at the vial in your hands, letting out a tired sigh. You made sure to lock your doors and windows. You even had a bat near you at all times in case they knew where you lived. You had to report this to Spider-Man, but he never gave you a location to meet up and right now, you don’t feel safe walking alone at night trying to find him. Slowly getting up to get a glass of water, you heard someone open your bedroom window from upstairs. Quickly putting the cup down, you grabbed the bat from your couch and slowly walked up the stairs. The bat ready to swing, you saw a tall figure. Without checking first, you swinged only for the bat to be stopped. “soy yo! Easy pretty dama*” Spider-Man caught the bat with his hand, slowly making you drop it. Putting a hand over your chest you looked at him confused. “You scared me! I thought someone followed me home!” You took a deep breath calming your heart rate. Spider-Man looks at you, of course you would be scared. Those people making the vial trashed your office, but he puts on a feign concerned expression. “Did something happen, Qué pasó?” He takes you back to your couch sitting you down. Going over to your kitchen, he grabbed another glass from the top cabinet and poured some water. You only watched him carefully, “Your Spanish reminds me of someone.” You carefully saw his body tense up. “Oh? Really?” Miguel tries to play if cool to keep his cover, you were indeed too smart sometimes. He can’t slip up anymore around you. ‘Maybe I should stick to speaking Spanish as Miguel O’Hara and not Spider-Man’ He thought carefully to himself before handing you the water. “ Maybe it’s just you…you do seem to be on edge today.” You thanked him for the water before sighing “ You have no idea…” You whisper before patting the spot next to you.

Spider-Man listens to you attentively about your office being trashed and the note. Of course, he knew since he was there as Miguel O’Hara but nodded anyway, pretending this was all new to him. “Are you okay? Maybe you should take the days off for your safety and go to a hotel so they can’t follow you home.” He suggested before placing a hand on your shoulder “It’s not too late if you want to back out working on this.” Before he can continue on, you interrupted him, “No! I can’t back out. It makes me feel so weak and it proves to them that their little warning scared me off.” Getting up from the couch, you look at him as you stand in front of him. “I worked so hard at the university to get a career that helps millions of people. My inventions of medical equipment brings so many people's families and the patients themselves happy! I love seeing their smiles.” You look over to the folders of past projects on the coffee table. “I wasn’t able to help my loved ones…but I can help others keep their loved ones longer…” Miguel watched you; he has heard bits of pieces of your past but not the full story. He gets up and hugs you carefully. You only broke down, sobbing into his chest. The rest of the night, you cried into the arms of Nueva York’s hero.

You took your own advice, the next morning you were walking back to your office once it was cleaned and officers didn’t need it anymore. You weren’t going to let them spook you, millions were at risk. Sitting at your desk, you were busy scribbling down more notes to your notebook about Spider-Man. A knock on the door made you look up from the book, Miguel stood there smiling with two cups of coffee. “New Theory?” He asked walking over to you, “come on, share them” he smiled only to be shocked when you closed it right away. “Actually, it’s something else.” You smile nervously before thanking him for the coffee. Miguel only nodded watching you drink the coffee before thinking to himself. ‘Maybe it was notes on the investigation she’s doing with Spider-Man, My other half life.’ He thinks before shrugging it off, knowing if it was that, you would share it tonight to Spider-Man. He took a seat in front of you drinking his coffee before speaking up, “So tell me, how do you feel today after yesterday?” He smiles softly, placing a hand on your shoulder. You only stayed silent before smiling softly.

“Where do I even start?”

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Authors Note: Thank you so much for the support! I see a lot of you liked my father figure Miguel post, which I am still working on part 2. You can ask me to put you on the taglist for this series. Thank you for the support! Sorry for any grammar errors. Remember to stay hydrated and to keep on simping! (Simp City Population: 49 💕) *Thank you so much for the follows! I love you guys for reblogging for others to be aware of my works! Thank you so much once again! 🥰)

Spanish Translator: (Remember some have double meaning or similar meaning) 1. idiotas: Idiots 2. Dama: Lady, Dame, Maid etc (For this story it's Lady) 3. Calma: Relax or calm down 4. Puedo: May I or Can I 5. Carajo: Fuck, Shit etc 6. Mierda: Shit, fuck etc 7. Y Por Favor...Cuídate: And please...take care or stay safe/Stay safe 8. Quién Fue: Who did or who was it 9. Mira: Look 10. Vete: Go or go away 11. Quién: Who? 12. Soy yo: It's me! 13. Qué pasó: What happen

#miguel ohara x reader #miguel o'hara #miguel ohara fic #across the spiderverse fic #miguel o'hara x y/n #miguel ohara x fem!reader

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ggidolsmuts · 2 years

Text

Coming Home - KARA Jiyoung

You're in Incheon, holding up a sign at the arrival hall, the media contingent is out in force today, and you're surrounded on all sides by camera-toting fans and reporters. Out through the glass doors comes your passenger, and you're moving with the media crowd to intercept her. She's wearing large sunglasses and a mask, but everyone knew who she was. Of course, a million bulbs go off when she appears, and you're squinting as she walks towards you.

"You're my driver?"

"Yes, let me take your luggage." Her bodyguards clear the way for two of you, and shortly after she is ducking into the passenger seat of your car as you hurry to stow her luggage in the trunk. You get in the drivers seat, and the noise slowly dies away as you zoom away from the media.

"Welcome back, Miss Kang."

"Miss Kang? Since when did you become so professional, Mr. Driver-nim?" Jiyoung cracks up and laughs.

"Fair enough." You hold out a hand behind you, and she grasps it joyfully. "Welcome back Jiyoung."

"Good to see you, it's been too long!" It had been too long. Your relationship with Jiyoung can only be described as close-friends-with-benefits. The emotional side of your relationship with her has always been platonic, and the physical side very much the opposite. You were each other's booty call, emotional support, and emergency contact. You would give her advice on her boyfriends and Jiyoung would give you advice on your relationship, often over a bottle of wine.

The two of you are horrible at relationships though, and when the two of you inevitably end up single again, a dry Friday night or a lonely Saturday night would often be spent together instead, taking care of each other's pent-up frustrations.

She rushed to you when you fell down some stairs and ended up in the hospital, helping you get discharged and even dropping by to check on you at home. You were speed dial "1" on her phone when her apartment got broken into while she was in Japan—you took care of everything for her and she didn't even have to fly back. The two of you stuck by and stuck up for each other in every way save one.

"Are we going to the usual place?" Jiyoung asks as she browses her phone.

"Yup, are you tired? Your apartment is still like half an hour away, you can take a nap." On cue she lets out a large yawn.

"Uwaaaargh yeah, I'll probably doze off, wake me up when we're there." Jiyoung stretches before resting her head against the window, and you make sure to drive smoothly to not jolt her awake. Thirty minutes later you reach her apartment, and your fingers drum a whole song on the steering wheel before she comes back sans luggage.

"Thanks, let's go, I'm starving!" Off you go to your usual spot, a restaurant that the two of you have frequented many times over the years.

"After you."

"Why thank you, wow this place hasn't changed, I'm glad it survived the pandemic."

"You're welcome, I was keeping it alive, I came here every day and ordered for both of us."

"Are you sure it isn't because you eat enough for the two of us?" Jiyoung jokes, laughing merrily in the quiet restaurant. She blanches at the increased prices, but otherwise orders the usual stuff she always gets.

"So, how does it feel to be back in Korea?"

"Good! It's good to be back, I miss Korean food."

"You can't get it in Japan?"

"You know it's not the same. Here, cheers!" The two of you pause to drink the ice cold beer just placed on your table.

"Don't go missing Japanese food now."

"It's fine, I won't be here for long."

"Oh, how long will you be here for?"

"Just two weeks, recording, learning the choreo, then back to Japan."

"Damn, that's going to be a busy two weeks," you say, spooning some stew over her rice.

"Thanks. Yeah it'll be tiring but fun, I'm looking forward to seeing the unnies and meeting Youngji again!"

You nod, and the two of you go through the food in between catching up on each other's lives, exchanging stories about pandemic life in Korean and Japan. Jiyoung could definitely eat enough for the two of you as she completely cleans the dishes up.

"Damn, you really miss Korean food huh?"

"When you haven't been home for two years, yeah."

With the plates cleared, you lean back on your chair and wave for another beer. Jiyoung waves another one for herself too. She leans back too, drinking a good half of her glass in one gulp and letting out a satisfied whistle.

"Whew, that was good food. Beer's just okay, we should have had somaek, I'm only lightly buzzed." Despite that Jiyoung yawns, and that's your cue to take her back.

"And yet you're yawning, you must be tired from travel, let's go, I called a driver for us, they can drive us back." The driver arrives, and you get in the backseat of your car with Jiyoung. She's quiet on the ride back, leaning against the window, seemingly half asleep. You arrive at her place with little fanfare, and surprisingly Jiyoung sends the driver away.

"Wait, I still have to drive back."

"No you can go, thank you!" Jiyoung pays and send the driver away. "You don't have to go right away, come in, sober up before you go." You shrug and follow her up to her apartment, stumbling out of your shoes.

"Still clumsy as ever. Another drink?"

"I'm trying to sober up here."

"Fine, I'll get you something else, but I'm getting another drink." Jiyoung comes back with a glass of red wine and a glass of sparkling water. She flops onto the couch next to you and sips her red wine.

"So, how are things with... what was her name? Jisoo? Jisu? Jisook?"

"Jisoo, and we uhh, broke up, not being able to meet during the pandemic kinda just killed things off." You wince and gulp your beer. "What about you? You still with Jaehyuk? Jehyuk? Jaehyeok?"

"Jaehyuk, yeah, it didn't work out, we couldn't stand living together during the pandemic, so yeah."

"Ouch, and here I thought moving in with Jisoo would've saved things."

"And I thought if Jaehyuk and I had some time apart we'd save our relationship. Guess it doesn't work either way. Oh well, cheers to single life." Jiyoung downs the rest of her wine in a single gulp.

"Hmm, cheers indeed." You finish your sparkling water. "Thanks for the drink, I think I'm gonna go—" Before you can finish your sentence Jiyoung swings her legs around you, and in a flash she's straddling you on the sofa. She tilts your chin up with a hand, looking into your eyes. The brief thought had floated through your mind when you realized both of you were single again, but you didn't want to press the issue right after seeing her again.

Jiyoung had other ideas though.

"Stay." Her look and huskily whispered word is all you need to close the distance and capture her lips, her arms around your neck, your hands around her waist. The living room is quiet, save for her soft gasps and your low moans as the two of you familiarize yourselves with each other physically again. Right along her left jaw line, and down to her neck, but switch to kiss her right shoulder.

Each and every touch on those spots draws a shiver from Jiyoung, making her melt on your lap as she runs her hands underneath your t-shirt. Your vision is annoyingly obscured when she pulls it off, but you get to do the same to her, unzipping the back of her tube top before tugging it away, revealing her generous chest.

Your hands pull her in for another kiss before moving down her body, going up and over her collarbone before stopping.

"Left or right?" Jiyoung reads your pause—you were trying to remember which of her breasts was more sensitive.

"Right?" you wonder out loud, drifting a finger down.

"Are you sure? Maybe it's my right and your left? Or maybe it has changed?" Jiyoung teases you jokingly.

"It can change?"

"Sure, I had to drive on the left side instead of the right side in Japan, maybe these babies switched too."

"Now you're just fucking with me." You put a full hand over her right breast, and the gasp and delicate whine she releases tells you that yes, she is fucking with you. You punish her by grazing your fingers over it, letting her feel your skin trace her tit, but never grabbing, never squeezing it. On the opposite side, Jiyoung grabs the left one fully, squeezing and kneading herself.

The two of you keep going—Jiyoung's nails make you shiver as she draws lines down your right arm, and your left arm trails down her ticklish left side. She exposes her neck delightfully when she tosses her head back in sensitivity, and you plant a few light kisses on her. It doesn't get any better as you go down to her thigh, grabbing a handful of her juicy ass over her jeans before tracing inwards between her legs.

The sound of fingers over jeans has never been more erotic as you rub Jiyoung, and you can already feel the heat radiating through the rough fabric. A little more insistent in your rubbing, Jiyoung is forced to claw at your shoulders, and you watch her midriff tremble and twitch as she let’s a soft moan leak out, a small orgasm rolling over her.

"Already?"

"It's been a while since we broke up," she says matter-of-factly. "Your turn." Jiyoung teases you with a deep grind on your crotch, making you grit your teeth as she gets off you and settling herself between your legs. Your shorts and boxers come off easily, and your shiver as her hands move up your thighs does not miss her notice. Her hand wraps around your shaft, and as she pulls it up and away from her, you know what question to ask.

"Hmm do you remember, left ball or right ball?"

Jiyoung winks and answers correctly.

"Trick question, both." She let's your shaft rest against her face as she takes one nut and then the other in her mouth, coating it with a generous serving of drool when she licks and sucks them gently. You moan and scoot forward on the sofa, pushing them towards her as you start leaking precum over her face. Jiyoung stops when she feels the sticky substance on her skin, touching it with a finger before shooting you a smirk.

"Already?"

"Not yet, just close, it's been a while," you mutter, hissing as she strokes your throbbing shaft. Jiyoung kisses your tip, a string of precum clinging to her lips as she gets off her knees and walks to her bedroom. You take a deep breath to calm yourself before following her in, but the sight you see before you does not help at all.

Jiyoung's on the bed, the button on her jeans already undone, revealing the simple white panties underneath. Smoothly you tug the jeans off her creamy legs, and as you throw them to the side Jiyoung rests on her arms, biting her bottom lip expectantly, her voluminous hair somehow perfectly styled for bed. Your hand on her panties moves slowly, running along the hem of the underwear, but Jiyoung grabs it and stops you.

"Enough is enough." They are off quickly, and with her legs splayed around your hips, you line yourself up with her and take a deep breath, making sure you don't blow as soon as you enter her.

"Haah..." Jiyoung exhales softly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Lying down, she throws her head back and arches her back, relishing in the sensation of being slowly stuffed, her walls stretching to accommodate you—it really had been a while.

"You good?" Your question brings her back down to bed, and she's met with the feeling of your lips on her neck.

"Wait, don't leave a mark! Just give me a minute, you're big." You throb a little at her admission.

"I need a minute too, you're so tight." She clenches down on you for emphasis. The two of you calm down a little, coming down from the high tension the foreplay had brought you to. You go back to exploring her, running your fingertips over where her clothes were covering earlier. When she is ready Jiyoung wordlessly nips at your earlobe, and with your hands on her waist you start moving. You've underestimated just how much you missed hearing her moan, and the more she sounds her pleasure directly into your ear, the faster and harder you go.

It is perfect for Jiyoung, and she wraps her arms around your neck, burying her face in the side of your head, making sure you hear every note of bliss you pound into her. She's missed this feeling more than she cares to admit, and her entire body takes revenge on depriving herself of you, lighting up her brain with sensitive ecstasy. It doesn't take long for her to tense up again, and this time you drive her right over the edge, her legs wrapping around you and pulling you deep into her as she climaxes.

"Fuck!" The curse is shouted right into your ear, and you hold her still as her slick walls around you go wild with motion, clamping down on you repeatedly. Repeated low moans escape her with every rhythmic grip of your shaft, and it is only when she goes quiet does her pulsing warmth relax her hold over you. She runs her fingers through her hair before beaming up at you, absolutely satisfied with you.

"Your turn again." Jiyoung gets on her front, and she scoots herself right under your slick-covered shaft. Unhesitatingly she takes you into her mouth, and this time it is her hands that are massaging your sack. Her tongue cleans you off quickly, and in the process, she is licking you into a mess, your hands digging into her hair.

"Jiyoung!" She backs off you, a hand wrapping around your spit-coated shaft. Her eyes trained on you, broad strokes of her tongue on your glans and quick pumps along your shaft is enough to get you to blow. The first two spurts spew into her mouth, but then her tongue is on your balls, and you throw your head back as she drains you of your orgasm.

"Fuck..." You look down, and the sight almost gets you hard again—Jiyoung's face is covered in your thick load, staining her hair, covering her forehead. You can't tell if the cum by her lips is leaking out of her mouth, or flowing down from her cheeks.

"Really has been a while, huh?" Jiyoung jokes, a hand on her chin to catch any stray drops. "Tissue please?" A few sheets are ripped out of the holder as you help wipe her clean.

"Damn, sorry, some of it got in your hair."

"I was going to take a shower anyways. You should stay the night, won't you be tired driving back at this time?" Gratefully you accept the offer, and Jiyoung ducks into the bathroom as you gather your clothes. She takes a while, and you end up drifting off to sleep before you are shaken awake by Jiyoung.

"Yah, at least shower before you get in my bed." A bare-faced Jiyoung faces you, her hair wrapped up in a towel. Dressed in a simple t-shirt and shorts, it felt like just another Friday night in her room.

"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry." You stumble into the bathroom, and a few minutes later you stumble back out cleaner than before.

"Guys are lucky, I take longer to wash my hair than you do to wash yourself."

"Cut your hair short like mine and it'll be quick too."

"Pass, anyways I gotta get up early tomorrow, good night!" Jiyoung turns off the light and slips under the sheets, and you take it as a sign to go to bed too. The two of you face away from one another as sleep descends on the room, just like you’ve done many times before. You wake up the next morning to a lonely bed, and when you check a phone a message waits for you.

*You seemed like you were having a good sleep, so I didn't want to wake you, let yourself out whenever, I don't have much in the fridge, sorry!*

You tap on a quick reply before putting on your clothes.

*Thanks for letting me stay over, I'll see you sometime?*

Your phone buzzes as you drive away.

*Mmhmm, I'll let you know when I'm free!*

Sadly, two weeks fly by quickly, and Jiyoung still hasn't gotten in touch with you. Oh well, maybe she's just been too busy. You vaguely wonder about how she's doing, but your texts have gone unanswered until now.

*Hey, can you drive me to the airport tomorrow?*

*Sure, what time?*

*9 am*

*I'll be there around 7 then?*

*Yes, thank you!*

*Great, hope everything went well!*

Jiyoung hesitates before replying—it did go by smoothly, but the more she hung out with her former members, the more she felt isolated.

"Seungyeon unnie do you want to do something tonight?"

"Ah sorry, I made plans already."

"Gyuri unnie?"

"Sorry, I'm meeting my boyfriend later."

"Youngji?"

"Same, sorry unnie!"

“Nicole unnie?”

“I’m too tired, I’ll pass, maybe next time Jiyoung.”

She was homesick when she was in Japan, but now that she's back, the gloomy realization that there is nothing here for her in Korea sets in—she had no real connections beyond her business ties, and sure she had family, but she had no one to spend time with otherwise. Her fellow members had their own priorities now, they weren't stuck together 24/7 like before, and it left her feeling lonelier than ever.

*Yeah, everything went great*

Jiyoung hesitates for a brief moment before sending the next message, but she needed to see someone unrelated to work before she left.

*Can you come over tonight?*

You show up at night, and Jiyoung invites you in. Immediately she offers you a drink, which you readily accept.

"So, ready to go back? Ready to eat good ramen and tonkatsu?"

"I guess..." Jiyoung mulls over her drink, and you misinterpret it.

"What? You like ramyun more? Just bring a box of it back with you, if you need more after I can always send you more later."

"That's not it."

"Then what, Korean snacks? Pepero instead of Pocky? You want Chocoheim?"

“No that’s not the point.”

"It's not food? Drink then? I'm sure you can find some place that sells makgeolli in Japan."

Jiyoung drains her beer and shakes her head.

"Never mind. Sorry, I'm tired, I shouldn't have called you over, can you just drop by tomorrow?" She makes to get up, but with a hand on her wrist you pull her back, and she stumbles into your lap.

"You're not going anywhere, and neither am I until we—Jiyoung?" You pause, lost at Jiyoung's odd expression. Your words resonate with her, that there is something, someone here for her in Korea, and a switch flips inside her.

"Mmph!"

Her hands are already around your neck, and without a further word she pulls you in for a fevered kiss. You're swept along by her sudden burst of passion, and with repeated flicks of her tongue, soon you are dueling in her mouth, trying to tangle yourself with her as you hold her close, losing yourself in her embrace. Your hand drifts to her hips, and Jiyoung pulls your hand further down, urging you to squeeze her ass. Her nails dig into your shirt when you do, and in another oxygen-sucking kiss you've lifted both her and yourself off the couch, carrying her to the bedroom.

As soon as you are at the bed though, Jiyoung pulls you down next to her, fingers already fumbling with your jeans. Off they go, as do your boxers and t-shirt, and immediately she is on top of you, as if scared you would squirm away from her somehow. Her blouse is pulled off, and then her bra, and then she lifts her skirt and simply pulls her underwear to the side.

You only have a moment to gasp at her intense wetness before she's hilting herself on you—you never got straight into it with Jiyoung, usually needing to prep her with teasing touches and tentative thrusts before she was wet enough to even let you in. She's never been this sopping wet before, but the whimper she lets out is evidence of her rashness.

"Ji—!" your concerned gasp is cut off by the sting on your neck, her lips leaving a fierce hickey. Your vision goes dark for a moment, your senses trying to catch up to the overwhelming pressure of her walls clenching around you, and all you can do is hold on to her as she grinds on you slowly. Soft whinnies and light groans are muffled against you as Jiyoung pushes herself to the limit, making her body adjust to your length while she rides you. But her eagerness turns pain to pleasure, and eventually those subdued cries of discomfort turn to husky moans, of a woman fully enjoying her man.

You help her enjoy you further, placing a hand near your connected bodies. Your fingertips brush against her clit, and mindlessly Jiyoung adjusts her riding to make sure you're rubbing her nub. The tempo of her riding quickly goes up another notch after this, and she’s smearing her slick all over you. Soon, with an almighty cry into your neck she climaxes around you, her thighs trembling and squeezing your body before going still, her breathing harsh against your neck. You hold her by her shoulders, and as she rises from nuzzling your neck she brushes her sweaty hair away to catch a breath.

But only one breath, as you needed to cum as well. Swiftly you roll her over on to her back, taking position on top of her. Jiyoung parts her lips, and your pupils dilate as you hear her speak.

"Take me."

It is the first time you've heard her use those words. Gone are the words of simple booty calls like "fuck me" or "do me", now replaced with two words charged with compulsive passion.

Jiyoung wanted you to take her. You were going to have her.

You snarl and nip immediately to her neck, bruising her, marking her like she did to you. Your wrap an arm easily across her lower back, and with a delighted moan you lift her off the mattress, pulling her hips flush against yours. Her head's lolls limply back, slightly bouncing on the bed, but Jiyoung couldn't give less of a damn from the pleasure and sheer joy of the act.

Your sweat pours over her, your bodies sticking together as you continue your feral lovemaking—you aren't so much pounding down on her as you are yanking her up to your cock over and over. Jiyoung is yours to manipulate, and manipulate her you do. Your hand grips her ass tightly, while the other squeezes her bouncing breasts, both sure to leave a mark—just two more to the collection of stamps you leave on her.

Both of you are speechless and thoughtless, fucking and being fucked with raucous and wild abandon. But it was not heartless, and your previously suppressed and buried emotions, unknown and unadmitted to even yourselves, are being excavated and revealed with every thrust into her, and all the two of you knew to do was to “dig”, deeper and deeper.

"Guh..." A wordless grunt and groan escapes her as your tip brushes against the entrance to her womb, a bolt of pleasure straight up her spine. A single strike is almost too much for her, but you keep going, determined to leave your mark on every inch of Jiyoung, inside and out. Over and over you kiss both her lips and her cervix, each earning a guttural rasp from her until the feral turns primal.

With what strength she has left Jiyoung makes you crash on top of her, pulling you as deep as you can into her. The resulting cry of your name leaving her lips is utterly intoxicating, and you unravel as she wraps her legs around you.

"Mine!" you growl and empty every drop you have in her, fully intending to consummate whatever this night becomes. Jiyoung extends your peak, her warmth pulling in more of your seed into her, every addictive moan of your name driving one more tired pump of your hips, chasing that one more jolt of intimate bliss. Her touch is soft on your face, and when you look at her, makeup smeared with tears and drool, she never looked more beautiful. You kiss her, again and again.

Yet as the two of you finally disconnect, the haze lifts from the two of you, far too coldly, far too harshly. When your pupils return to their usual size, so does reality, in the form of the sizable puddle between Jiyoung's legs.

"Jiyoung I—shit, sorry, let me—" Sniffling and stumbling, Jiyoung waves you off, staggering to the bathroom to clean up, her thighs a shining mess. Dumbstruck, you simply clean her sheets best you can as you hear her run the shower. When she exits she is almost distant, as if the two of you just had another quickie instead of the most emotional sex of your lives.

"Your turn, I'll change the sheets out." Mutely you nod, running cold water over your face as you try to process the million thoughts in your head. When you exit, you are still just as wrong-footed, and your thoughts are closer to the fogged up mirrors in her bathroom than the transparent glass of water awaiting you.

"You should drink," Jiyoung gestures to the water.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Just stay the night, you can drive me from here tomorrow."

"Sure, are you... okay?"

"Yes, today's a safe day." That's not what you meant to ask, but she leaves no further room for conversation, turning the light off and facing away from you, putting up a barrier that seemed impenetrable. Why is she suddenly putting up a defense against you?

Befuddled, exhausted, and drained, you turn the other way, falling into a confused slumber. In your deep sleep you don't hear the rustle of the sheets as she scoots towards you. Nor do you feel her arms around you waist, or her warmth against your back as she spoons you through the night.

You wake up the next day to a gentle shake.

"Hey, I have to go to the airport soon, should I call a taxi instead?"

"No no, I said I was going to drive you, just let me splash some water on my face."

The drive to the airport is deafeningly silent, there were so many questions you wanted to ask, but Jiyoung is in no mood to answer, putting in her earbuds and closing her eyes. Thankfully there is no media swarm this time, and with little fanfare you help her check in and walk her to immigration.

"Thanks for driving me over."

"Of course." You pause for a moment, then follow it up with a simple, non-threatening question. "When will you be back?"

"I don't know, I might comeback for some of the promotions, but that's up in the air."

"Okay, can you let me know if you're back? I think we should talk then." Or right now, you almost added.

"Since when did you get so clingy?" Jiyoung teases, but her attempt to lighten the mood falls on your serious expression, and she follows up softly. "I will, I'll let you know."

"Great! So umm, goodbye for now I guess, have a good flight." You make to pull her in for a hug, but Jiyoung resists you, more aware than you are of potential paparazzi. Stay, don't go! you shout in your mind, settling for a friendly pat on the arm instead.

"Thanks, I'll see you soon." Ask me to stay, and I will! Jiyoung’s hand covers yours, running a thumb against your palm, as if she wanted to remember your touch. She yearned for you to make a move—she would cancel her ticket on the spot if you wanted her to stay, if she wasn't afraid of her own feelings, afraid of the magic of last night, afraid of the near impossibility of it happening again if she leaves now.

Sadly, you are just as afraid as she is, and all you do is wave impotently as she passes into immigration. Neither of you see the bittersweet smile of the other, divided by a pane of frosted glass, thickened by cowardice.

"Miss? Are you okay?" The immigration officer curiously asks as they look up from Jiyoung's passport.

"Oh, yes, sorry." Hastily she wipes the stray tear from her face and hardens her expression.

"Just had to say goodbye to a loved— someone I'll miss very much."

A/N: KARA comeback let’s go! Not really in the public eye in Korea anymore, and she’s more active in Japan nowadays, but I don’t care lol, she’s absolutely stunning. Tried something a little less fluffy this time, no happy ending, but I think I like happy endings more in general. Thanks for reading!

#smut #jiyoung #kara

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britishassistant · 1 year

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Twst x Neverafter Crossover 1

TW for Body Horror

“Now, you shall all become the heroes of this tale…”

You wake up in the dark with faint humming in your ears.

You try to shift, to make out what’s going on and where you are, only for something sharp to catch on your lips.

When you jerk and attempt to pull away, it digs in, scratching and drawing blood from your arms, your legs, your chest, the inside of your mouth—!

Oh god, they’re inside your mouth.

The briars are inside of you.

Your brain panics, thrashing wildly, instinctually to get away as your throat tries to scream.

“…old on, minion!”

A burst of bright blue flame.

You scream even as it begins burning the briars shackling you to your coffin, as the flame makes its way closer and closer to your body.

Light.

That’s immediately covered by a silhouette as someone reaches in and begins to pull with their bare hands, yanking at the burning briars before they can catch your skin.

You feel them tear your soft palate as they emerge from where they were reaching down your throat.

The pain is dizzying, blinding.

And then, all of a sudden, it isn’t.

A soft, pale glow is enveloping you, closing up your wounds as a young man with silver hair and striking eyes holds a pen with a green jewel in its top over you.

As the pain fades, you can’t help gawking, taking in this boy and then the room you’re in, filled with floating coffins. No, no, this isn’t right, you were walking home from your shift at the mart in Kyoto, you have homework that’s due in English language tomorrow, so why does this room feel familiar to you? Why does this boy?

“Minion!” A cat-tanuki-weasel-thing? exclaims as it leaps into your lap, pushing against your chest. “Are you alright?! Yer not dying are you?”

Your arms encircle the animal of their own accord, beginning to gently stroke as though you’ve done this a million times before. “Wh-what? Where…?”

“Welcome back, Prefect.” A, a robot with flaming blue hair and brilliant gold eyes says, hovering over you. “How much do you remember?”

“R-remember? I—”

There’s a notebook in your hand.

It’s small, with a metal spiral at the top, a thick black cover decorated with an embossed crow over a pair of keys, and a loop of fabric to keep it closed.

Something seems off about it’s pages. Like there are somehow too many for what the notebook should be able to hold…

You thumb off the fabric and nervously flip open to the first page—

“Without a doubt, you have talent as a beast tamer.”

And—

“For the moment you hear it, you’ll feel as though a frost has spread over your skin. For your ignorance, as an exception, I’ll allow you to call me whatever you’d like. Though you may come to regret it.”

And—!

“Well, well, what a glittering assemblage…faculty and students, it would appear everyone is here.”

You shut the book, leaning your weight heavily on Silver.

“I hate this so much.” You grouse as Grim nuzzles into your chest. “Why can’t I just keep my memories every go like you all can?”

“It’s because unlike us, who slot into the absent places where we were meant to go, it would appear that you are replacing a new version of yourself every time, Prefect.” Ortho supplies cheerfully. “Like overwriting an old save file when you want to make a New Game.”

You can’t help the shudder you make at that.

“Ortho.” Silver chastens softly.

“That’s seriously creepy!” Grim proclaims from the safety of your arms.

“It’s not as bad as it could be!” Ortho argues. “Hmm…rather than overwriting this world’s Yuu completely, maybe it would help to think of it as a sort of New Game + feature? All of the knowledge, none of the injuries that your last body had.”

Your gaze wanders back over to the wreck of your coffin, briars hanging limp like grasping fingers. “Still…is it just me or is it getting worse to a much higher degree than last time?”

“We don’t have any time to lose,” Silver admits, helping to hoist you to your feet. “The others are still asleep and while Rook is running interference, it won’t take long before he notices. We barely stopped him from consuming Azul last time, but…”

“That’s no guarantee for this time.” You gnaw on your thumbnail, before letting Grim down and out of your arms. “Right. How long before we need to be in place?”

“You have 5.12 minutes before the headmaster arrives.” Ortho chirps. “If Grim is going to steal your robes, we need to depart soon.”

“Right.” Before Silver can leave, you grab the corner of his ceremonial robes.

“You can stay at Ramshackle tonight.” You try to insist. “Say that you were looking for your liege there but fell asleep accidentally. You don’t have to go back to Diasomnia.”

Silver shoots you a sad smile. They’re the only kind you see from him these days. “Thank you for your kindness, Prefect. But Father will expect me back if the Dorm Head is not missing. And, and maybe I can find out some more information…what his name was before he sacrificed it, at least. Something that can save him from what he’s turning himself into. I must try, at least.”

You grimace, but let him tug himself out of your grip and disappear with Ortho out of the Dark Mirror chamber.

You turn to Grim, “Remember the rules?”

“‘Course I do, fgnah!” He protests. “I should be asking you that question! With such an empty-headed minion, it’s important for the Great Grim to look out for ya!”

“Brat cat.” You retort without venom, lifting a finger to tick off, “Don’t let the fae know we aren’t sticking to the script.”

He holds up a little paw as you both leave, “Don’t trust those Royal Sword Academy guys! They’re way too straightforward to be up to any good!”

“Only make other people aware if you’re certain they can actually help. So students only, as the faculty are too high profile and useless.” You return, one finger left to fold down.

“Stay away from Diasomnia’s dorm head at all costs, and stop him from destroying Twisted Wonderland.” The pair of your chorus.

There’s a lingering hush outside the Dark Mirror Hall.

“Ge-get back here with my robes, fgnah!” Grim postures, his little chest thrust out in a poor imitation of his original bravado.

You can’t help the small quirk of your smile as you respond with a much more realistic, “Gah! Stay away from me!”

With the prickling feeling of something much bigger, much more powerful, and much more terrifying than you could ever conceive of staring covetous holes into your back, you launch into a run through the dark, near silent halls of Night Raven College.

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jmdbjk · 1 year

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Bangtan weekly report.

On the Street on first listen/MV watch did not make me warm and fuzzy. It was melancholy, it made me sad.

Watching it again and again, some of the imagery is hard to interpret, like the small sidewalk memorial off to the side with the yellow and white flowers.

But some of the other imagery was definitely obvious. The child representing Army (again). The location: Bowery Station.

The MV was not as dancey as I thought it would be. But since the moment I learned that J. Cole would be part of this I knew this was one of those full circle moments for Hobi.

He preceded the premiere of the MV with a Weverse live on the banks of the Han River in Seoul. Walking around in public doing a live... we’ve come a long way people... I bet there was at least one security guy hovering out of the shot... hiding in the tall grass... somewhere nearby.

Other developments this past week:

When I said “Instagram is going to go silent for a while unless JK wipes his feed again” I didn’t mean wipe it and then delete it, you big dork!!!! Be furrrrrrreallllll.

The estimated “value” of JK’s instagram followers was $50 million USD. All those potential partnership companies gagged and choked.

Jungkook informed fans of his withdrawal from Instagram which had as many followers as South Korea's total population: 52.4 million. It was estimated the value of one posting for Jungkook would have exceeded 1 billion won or almost $766,000 USD. His account value would have been in the tens of billions of won.

Okay, Kookie... just keep doing you. I love you anyway.

In other news (unfortunately):

So, if the Korail employee knows private information such as addresses and such (scary and mind-boggling)... Namjoon would have no choice but to reveal information before anyone else has a chance to do it and incur any more damage to his reputation or compromise the information for anyone he knows if that’s the type of info they had access to. In other words, don’t be surprised when Namjoon reveals personal info before anyone else has a chance to do it.

I hope it is plain to see why Jimin doesn’t even let us know what color his walls are or to understand why Jungkook may have left Instagram. There is too much chance of anyone figuring out information just from being able to identify objects and things in photos. Who knows what other private info of theirs is already breached and in the hands of nefarious people.

It is so concerning to me that I even question when Jungkook gives us details about the amenities at Bam’s new training place. DON’T TELL US!

The Tiffany & Co. ambassadorship... and the dollars keep rolling in for our precious little 21st Century Pop Icon who is just our goofy friend in sweatpants who loves soju.

We all noticed Jimin seemed to be “naked” when he attended the Dior menswear show back in January. When I say naked, I mean he wasn’t wearing a single piece of jewelry. We know this man loves him some bangly bangles and dangly earrings and spangly necklaces. He never goes anywhere without his signature hoop earrings on so we all felt something was missing.

And now we know he had this Tiffany deal up his sleeve. Seems like he was cleansing himself of jewelry. Starting fresh by being jewelry free in front of millions of eyes just so he could follow up with a jewelry refresh. Jimin will have Tiffany’s classic and polished pieces flying out of jewelry stores. Get ready for the Jimin effect. I hope they manufactured enough to satisfy demand. I can’t wait for the knock-offs so I can afford to wear a few look-alikes.

Busan Expo update video. Filmed last October or November?

Inside Mang made me tear up. Their little virtual Mang interacting with Hobi was the sweetest thing. We will get a “real” Mang reveal soon!! Everything Hobi does is so well thought out. His attention to detail is astounding. I suppose Mang might serve a similar role that Wootteo did for Jin... (weeps).

And Jimin on Insta and Weverse trying to catch up on the member’s content HE IS JUST LIKE ME! I CAN’T KEEP UP WITH ALL THE CONTENT EITHER, JIMIN!!!

Jimin is about to slap us in the face with FACE... hold on to your asses we’re about to go for a ride on the Jimin freight train soon.

#bangtan weekly report is getting to be a thing #what happened to hiatus/not a hiatus?#kookie! you dork!#jungkook #jimin #hobi #j-hope #on the street #tiffany&co #jimin face #magazine covers luxury goods investment apps #throwing away $50 million dollars like its nothing #have mercy on us poor folk #i hope JK got his garbage disposal fixed at his rental #i hope Bam is feeling better #ok enough hashtags #bangtan weekly report

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inariter · 2 years

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Stay With Me-3

Masterlist:

Stay With Me-1

Stay With Me-2

Stay With Me-3

Stay With Me-4

Stay With Me-5

Stay With Me-6

-------

“Bullet wound, straight through the chest. We’ve been able to keep her stable but BP is decreasing. Breathing is shallow, heart rate is steady though slowly increasing. She got lucky, it doesn’t seem like it kicked an artery or damaged too much.”

She could feel herself go in and out of consciousness, catching a few select words here and there, watching as they pushed her past blinding lights. So many voices echoed through her ears, familiar voices of her colleagues. Worried out of their minds.

A part of her wanted to reach up, tell them she would fight as hard as she could. That’s as much as (Y/n) could promise, knowing damn the things that could happen, the things that could go wrong within a moment. Even with the easiest surgeries, something could always goes haywire, nothing was quite set in stone until they all see it through to the end.

“You’re in the best of care, (Y/n). Stay strong and come back to us.”

Terrence, she knew his voice too well. The two been together since their residency, best friends who were always there for one another and eventually came as a packaged deal for any hiring hospital. Neither could imagine not working alongside each other.

“I don’t know what I will do without you. And I know damn well he can’t either, we both do. I’m not sure how he will go on if you die.”

Course, how could she forget OA. His sorrowful eyes still stained in her mind, the tears which pooled in his eyes as he tried to keep her heart beating a minute longer. His worry so endless for her, checking every day no matter how tiring his day was. Making sure first and foremost that she was fine before even thinking of himself and the exhaustion that battered his body.

Even on their precious days off, spending that oh so special time with one another, OA ensured it was just them in their own little world. Ensuring that nothing else would dare intrude. (Y/n) could remember his gentle touch and his attentive behavior, making sure she was always as comfortable as could be. (Y/n) often wondered how she got so lucky to find a guy like him. She wondered what would had happened if Kristen never got hurt in the first place, wondering if they would have met on some other occasion or if this was just one in a million chance.

“So if you can do anything, survive this for OA and tell him just how much you love him.”

And the only thing (Y/n) hated was how long she waited to utter those words. These months that she cherished so and still she waited only till now..only for something like this to happen to finally speak what’s always been on her heart and mind, though mainly her heart.

All she wanted now was to go back in time and tell without any of this happening. Because in the first time in awhile, (Y/n) felt like she could let herself love again, to open her heart up again to love someone else as much as she loved OA. After her last relationship, after allowing herself go through so much pain and heartache, (Y/n) was sure she was done with romance until OA came along. She never told him just how much he did for her.

(Y/n) just wanted to see OA again and embrace him like she was going to lose him.To kiss him until they both lost their breathe, to do so much more than she did. To whisper how much she loved him again and again. To tell him so much, to do so much more than what she did.

“Dammit! She’s crashing.”

“(Y/n), don’t you dare die on me! I swear to God I will beat your ass if you do.”

She only hoped she still had time left.

“Get OA on the phone now! If worse comes to worse, he needs to say goodbye.”

#fbi #fbi x reader #oa zidan x reader #OA Zidan #Maggie Bell #isobel #Jubal Valentine #angst #romance #Scola #tiffany

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chisomamadi · 7 months

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How To Be Successful in Pro Sports

What are sports? You use physical skill or exhaustion from playing in team competitions to win the ultimate prize or for fun. Most people, but even more, play it, and they want to make it into the professional leagues and live out their dreams. Everyone wants to be successful in the sport they play. But what will they do to have success? To succeed, they need to take some of these steps first.

Finding a Sport to Play

Everyone knows you can’t succeed in sports without picking a sport to play. There are a lot of sports to play in the world, but we will focus on these three sports: basketball, American football, and soccer (football). Basketball is played by 465 million people worldwide, 250 million people play soccer, and 70 million people play American football. American football occurs in the U.S., while basketball and soccer occur worldwide.

The Work Ethic

Each sport has its own different workouts and work ethics. For basketball, you have to be consistently in the gym, gain muscle but less power, and work on your arms and jump shots every day. For soccer, they have to make sure their legs are ready to kick and run with, and they need to work on their skills and have good body conditioning. And, for American football, you have to get in the gym, warm and cool your legs down, make sure your arms are ready to block and catch, and make sure your wrist is ready when you throw the ball. Those are the most common work ethics in each sport said to pro athletes from each sport.

Media Coverage

You can make it in sports without getting any recognition. But, usually, the ones that make the most money and have the most fans had fame before college, during college, or in pro sports. For example, Victor Wembanyama, the #1 overall draft pick in this year’s NBA draft, is hyped up to be the most fantastic NBA prospect in any class and any sport ever. Bryce Young was the most famous football college quarterback and won the Heisman trophy this year, and he went #1. Kylian Mbappe (already a pro) is only 24 years old and paid around 700 million to 1 billion dollars to play for a Saudi Arabian team. So, the more media coverage you get at a young age, the more offers and opportunities you will have to be successful in the sport you’re playing.

Good School, Good Club

Every good athlete would be ranked, and if they are the #1 in their country for the sport they are playing, they will get offers to go to whatever school or soccer club they want to. For example, Isaiah Collier (ranked #1 in the country for basketball) went to USC with other options like Duke, UCLA, Syracuse, Memphis, and many others great choices. Another prime example would be Reggie Bush, who also went to USC over a decade and a half ago. He was the most dominant player in college but was even more prevalent in high school, so he went to USC. Lamine Yamal is 16 years old and has already joined FC Barcelona, making him the youngest player to ever play for a professional club. It would help if you had a good school or club to propel yourself into pro sports.

The Transition To Pro Sports

After you find a sport, a fantastic exemplary routine, an incredible work ethic, some media press or coverage on you, and a D1 school or a soccer club, you should be officially ready to transition to pro sports. Once you join your club, you have already started your soccer career. But basketball and American football are entirely different. For basketball, after college, you could either go overseas, coach, or join a league unknown), enter the G-League or the ultimate goal, declare for the NBA draft, and hope you get drafted into the NBA. For American football, after college, you should either join the XFL or declare and hope you get into the NFL. Those are the transitions you need to make to succeed in pro sports.

#basketball #football #soccer #sports

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bisexualbumblebee-writes · 1 year

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Chaperone Part 1- Haldir x OC

Haldir x Mirabella

Description: Mirabella is called to Rivendell to heal Frodo Baggins after he was stabbed by a Morgul Blade. Once she’s finished she has the best chaperone to take care of her.

Word Count: 2.4k

“Lady Mirabella!” The shout of an assistant elf named Merith was enough to catch the woman’s attention, and she turned to face him as he reached her.

“Merith, what is it?” She questioned worriedly, immediately noticing the anxious look on his face. “What's wrong?”

“I come with word from Lord Elrond of Rivendell,” he explained, holding up a letter. “It’s crucial that you read it. That confused Mirabella, and she glanced at the letter in his hand.

“If it’s so urgent then shouldn’t it be taken to Lady Galadriel or Lord Celeborn?” Merith shook his head ferverously.

“Lady Galadriel said that you should be the one to read it, she already knows what it says, but you must do so at once.”

“Alright, alright, thank you, mellon nin (my friend),” she responded calmly, finally taking the parchment from him. “You are excused.” Merith nodded, looking relieved that he no longer had to carry the letter, then bowed and walked away to attend to his other duties. Mirabella shook her head at him then read the letter’s contents.

Dearest Mirabella,

Normally I would be happy to write to you, but I am afraid certain circumstances have prevented this letter from being a joyous occasion. My daughter Arwen has had a terrible vision of the bearer of the One Ring, Frodo Baggins. He has been stabbed by a Morgul Blade while on his way to Rivendell. Though I have many healing abilities, I am afraid this may be something even I can’t do. The only thing that could save him is time, which is why I am writing to you. I will need your assistance as soon as possible to make sure that this poor Hobbit doesn’t perish nor turn into a Ring Wraith.

Sincerely, and very urgently,

Lord Elrond Peredhil

Mirabella nearly dropped the letter in shock, her mind running a million miles an hour. The One Ring has been rediscovered? By a hobbit of all creatures? And he was taking it to Rivendell? Why? She had no idea, but that wasn’t important. What mattered was that her services were needed in Rivendell and she had to leave immediately

Lady Galadriel seemed to already know what Mirabella wanted when she knocked on her door. She, Lord Celeborn and Haldir were in the throne room, and all eyes went to her as she entered.

“Mirabella, I was wondering when you would join us,” the elder elf greeted with a kind smile. Mirabella offered her an apologetic look, then held up the letter.

“So I assume you know why I am here,” she suggested, earning a nod from the woman. “Am I allowed to go, then?” Galadriel almost looked amused by the girl’s question.

“Of course you can,” she responded, taking a step closer to her and taking the girl's hands in hers, staring deep into her eyes as if she were offering Mirabella a vision just by touching her. “The fate of the Ring Bearer is in your hands, Mirabella. You are the only one that can save him. You must go to Rivendell at once, I’m sure we are more than capable of handling things in your absence.” Mirabella nodded at the woman shortly before she stepped away and gestured to Haldir, who stayed stoic in the presence of his Lord and Lady.

“Haldir has already kindly volunteered to escort you to Rivendell as both the official Marchwarden and as your worried husband.” If the situation weren’t so serious Mirabella would have laughed at the very subtle blush that dusted the tips of her Haldir’s ears. Then, she processed the older elf’s words and grew rather confused.

“Worried husband, My Lady?” She repeated curiously as her eyes went back to Galadriel, who nodded as she stepped closer to Celeborn.

“It is no secret that when you use too much of your power at once then it can make you considerably weaker. I don’t need to look into the future to know that what you’re about to have to do to Frodo Baggins, will take quite a bit, if not all the power you have in the moment. Though I can see many things into the future, I cannot tell what that kind of strain will do to you.” Haldir nodded, then looked to his wife.

“Once I was informed of your required aid, I knew that it would be best for me to come along as a guard for the journey there and back as well as to take care of you when you finish with the Ring Bearer. And before you say anything, I know that you can handle yourself in a fight. But, I would rather you be safe than sorry, especially since the Nazgul that attacked the Ring Bearer did so while close to Rivendell.” Mirabella nodded solemnly then faced Galadriel once more.

“Very well, when do we leave?”

“As soon as possible,” the woman answered. “Haldir has already packed your bags and I am having rations prepared for your journey that will be given to you when you reach the entrance. You are excused. Good luck, and ride swiftly, Mirabella Holidan. I pray you have a safe journey.”

“Thank you, My Lady.” The girl curtsied to both her and Lord Celeborn before she walked out with Haldir following. It didn’t take them long to leave after receiving their food rations and with one quick goodbye to Haldir’s brothers they were off to Rivendell.

The trip took a bit longer than Mirabella would have liked. It was already their third day into the trip, and they would probably still have another day or two before they finally arrived. That would be a problem though. The longer she took to get there, the more the poison of the Morgul blade nested deeper in Frodo’s body and the more power she would have to use while healing him. That’s what made her push to keep going even when night fell. Though she felt bad for both their trusty horses and Haldir for their being forced to not stop, she knew that it would be worth it when they got to Rivendell. But until then, she would keep pushing them.

Finally they had cut off enough time and arrived as dusk began to set over the valley. Aragorn, Gandalf and Frodo’s company Sam, Merry, Pippin, Brooke and Camelia were all waiting at the entrance for them. The group visibly perked up when Mirabella’s horse Aubron stopped in front of them.

“Lady Mirabella,” Gandalf greeted, helping her down as Aragorn grabbed Aubron’s reins to take him to the stables. “This way, please.” Mirabella barely had time to respond before Gandalf rushed her inside the Last Homely House. She spared one last glance at Haldir, who stared at her worriedly as he slid off his horse. She couldn’t offer him more than a reassuring smile before they disappeared from his sight. They practically ran to the room where Frodo was being treated and Gandalf led her inside. Elrond and Issa were sitting inside, but stood when they heard the door open.

“Thank the Valar that you are here Lady Mirabella,” Issa greeted with a relieved sigh.

“I can only wish that I was here under better circumstances,” the girl replied with a sad smile as she accepted Elrond’s hug before looking down at the hobbit. “This is the Ring Bearer?”

“Yes,” Elrond replied as he pulled away. “Issa and I were able to at least stabilize him, but it won’t last much longer. Is there anything you can do?”

“Of course there is,” Mirabella answered, receiving relieved looks all around. “I’m afraid it will just have to be the two of us. I can’t risk any distractions while I’m working on something so dire.”

“We understand,” Gandalf said, pressing a hand to the girl’s back before looking at the other two.

“Come, we must let her work,” he instructed. Elrond and Issa obeyed and walked out of the room with the wizard behind them, the latter casting a sad glance at the hobbit before closing the door behind them.

Once she was alone, Mirabella let out a small sigh then faced the hobbit once more. He was very pale, almost paper white and his lips were almost becoming purple despite the fact that she could still faintly hear his ragged breathing as he rested. She couldn’t help but shudder at his state but she still took a seat beside him, searching for where his injury was. He had been stabbed in the shoulder, one of the closest places to his heart. It probably didn’t help that she had been delayed in getting there by a longer than necessary (in her opinion) journey. She didn’t have much time, she had to get to work immediately. So, with one deep breath, she placed her hand over the wound and began chanting her time reversal spell.

“A deed’s been done

And time has past

But something’s wrong

That cannot last

Return him to

That time and place

So he may change

And his memory replace”

She had to repeat the same phrase for hours on end. For such a grave injury, it required her to use every healing spell including that one for nearly four hours before the poison finally left his body for good. It was a slow torturous process that drained Mirabella, but he was looking much better by now. His skin had regained most of its color and his lips were no longer purple, but pink instead. He still wasn’t awake yet though, so she had to continue.

“Frodo Baggins, lasto beth nîn (hear my voice),” she begged in a whisper, her magic filling him with every word. “Tolo dan nan galad (Come back to the light). Fasta tolo dan nan galad (Please come back to the light).” That’s what did the job. Without warning Frodo suddenly shot up with a loud gasp as if his lungs had been filled with air for the first time in days (which it probably was). Mirabella, though surprised by the sudden action, couldn’t help but laugh jovially as he looked around.

“Frodo Baggins, do you know where you are?” The boy looked at her, confusion etched into his features. It took him a few minutes to respond as he had to gather his bearings and find his voice.

“Um, Rivendell, right?” He answered, earning a nod from her.

“Correct. And do you remember anything that happened?” He was silent for another few minutes as he attempted to recollect what happened. He didn’t get to answer before a knock was heard on the door. They didn’t have time to answer before the door opened and in piled five hobbits, Elrond, Issa, Aragorn and Gandalf, all excited to see that Frodo was awake. She barely had time to get up before the hobbits practically jumped on his bed. A small giggle left her lips and she faced Elrond when he rested a hand on her shoulder.

“You truly have a gift, Mrs. Mirabella,” he spoke gratefully. “I don’t know how we can ever repay you.” Mirabella only offered him a kind smile and rested her hand over his.

“There is no need for repayment, as long as I get to see him still live then I will be content.” The elf nodded at her then began leading her out.

“Well, I imagine that you’re very tired now, you should probably get some rest,” he informed her as he closed the door. “Your husband is in your temporary room worrying away.” That made the girl giggle as she allowed him to lead her to her room.

“Oh, has he?”

“Oh yes, he’s been there since you went to Frodo’s room. You can imagine what several hours of anxiety can do to someone,” he answered as they stopped in front of a bedroom door. “This will be your room for the time being. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want, though I imagine Lady Galadriel will want you home as soon as possible.”

“She’s not worried about me,” Mirabella brushed off. “But I should probably go check on my husband. Thank you Lord Elrond.” Elrond offered her a single nod then walked away, leaving her alone. She straightened out her dress and fixed her hair (though she knew that he wouldn’t care what she looked like) then knocked on the door before entering.

Haldir had been pacing beside the bed with his hands behind his back in more casual attire, his hard and worried gaze concentrated on the floor in front of him. When he heard the door open he finally looked up, then all but sighed in relief when his eyes landed on his wife.

“How are you feeling?” Was the first thing he said as he made his way over to her. Mirabella smiled when his arms wrapped around her and she rested her hands on his biceps.

“I’m fine, meleth nin (my love). And so is Master Baggins.” To be honest Haldir couldn’t care less about Frodo’s state. He was more worried about the fact that Mirabella had just used her powers for the last four hours without a single break according to the updates Gandalf was giving him. Yet, she seemed okay? “It’s the adrenaline,” he reasoned. Which was actually true, that much was obvious. Though she still seemed wide awake, Haldir could tell by the slight sagging of her shoulders and light grip on his arm that she was becoming tired.

“That’s wonderful meleth (love), but I think it’s time for you to get some rest,” he responded softly, leading her over to the bed carefully. “It’ll help you in the coming days that you get your strength back. I also had the kitchen prepare Jasmine and Passion Flower tea to aid in regaining your well-being after you rest.”

“I thought that I was the healer,” she half joked, though she allowed him to help her sit in the bed. Haldir rolled his eyes playfully as he crouched down to remove her shoes.

“I’m not a healer, just repeating what I’ve heard my intelligent wife say before.”

“Aw, you actually listen to me,” Mirabella teased, laying down after Haldir set her shoes aside.

“Only when you say something worth listening to, wish isn’t often I might add,” he responded in the same tone, prompting her to stick her tongue out at him.

“You wound me, Marchwarden,” she muttered, holding her arms out for him. The elf offered her a small smile as he laid beside her, wrapping his arms around her middle.

“Get some sleep meleth nin (my love),” he whispered, kissing her forehead afterwards. “I will be here when you wake up.” Mirabella didn’t need to be told twice. The rest of her adrenaline had worn off by now and her eyes were already drooping. Rather than speaking she nodded silently and fell asleep only seconds later.

#lord of the rings #lotr #lotr imagine #haldir #haldir imagine #haldir x oc

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disco-cola · 25 days

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also just read that apparently mossad now publicly wrote they assumed a „Hamas terrorist“ was traveling with the convoy and that it also were Hamas who shot a rocket sideways hitting it even though one of the photos clearly shows the car having a gaping hole on its roof (also still obviously showing remains of the wck-logo it had on that roof) like I can’t believe there’s still people out there who buy into that bullshit and haven’t realized that any criticism Israel rightfully gets they deflect by either pulling the antisemitism card (isn’t it literally antisemitic to assume it’s JEWS IN GENERAL who are capable of doing such awful crimes?! bc that’s what they’re basically implying with that, they are pulling EVERYONE into this like speak for yourselves?!) and/or blaming it on Hamas. the first attack on al-ahli hospital on oct 17 - nah it was Hamas themselves. also funny how israel went from denying having attacked 1 hospital to openly destroying nearly all of them - but hey it’s because Hamas is under them! oh you don’t think it’s right we kill so many civilians and that 70% of the victims are children and women? but Hamas is using them as shields! The repeated attacks on jabalia refugee camp? it’s a stronghold of Hamas. First those hamas centers were in the north, causing over 1 million people to get displaced into a tiny corner of the strip, and then the army kept getting closer and circling them in by claiming oh no now they are in khan younis. and suddenly hamas centers are in rafah too, the very place they expelled over half the population to? And oh what a coincidence that just one day after the ICJ ruling they suddenly found out UNRWA is linked to hamas and Oct 7? oh and Al Jazeera is supporting Hamas too don’t trust them! And don’t forget the israeli mom and daughter who were hostages who gave accounts of their times in captivity that didn’t fit the israeli narrative - nah they have been brainwashed by Hamas and don’t know what they are saying and channel 12 who aired that interview has to be boycotted. And South Africa is also the quote „mouthpiece for hamas“ for even daring to take them to court in the first place. Ah and don’t forget on December 15 when 3 israeli hostages waving white flags were shot by IDF, that was consequentially hamas‘s fault as well. Hamas hamas hamas i am so sick of it. Like if you still haven’t realized and dismantled that pattern of blame-shifting and gaslighting and keep repeating that „hamas“ talking point in response to whatever has been done to gaza, there is no hope for you. You really just suck and are a bad person. Fucking listen to yourself. I am still losing followers once in a while for my gaza reposts on ig. Fuck them too. And I swear to god if I ever catch one of those liberal „lifestyle leftist“ scum who still after everything repeated that both sides narrative ever talk about palestine in the next few years without addressing their own silence and complicity when it happened, I will throw hands. You weren’t there when we needed you, now stay the fuck away. It also blows my mind how many people just rather retreat into silence even after supporting Israel first instead of coming forward and admitting „I was wrong“ or „I have changed my mind“ and asking for new sources to follow or anything like that. There is absolutely no shame in that and it’s so much better than saying nothing at all. They really be milking their white western privilege and I now more than ever realize that „liberals“ and some disgraceful leftists were just closet fascists in disguise who didn’t get triggered by a rainbow flag (speaking of… how can you even be pro-Palestine when you’re lgbtq+? Don’t you know that Hamas would throw you off a roof?) Dude I’m sorry for ranting but my blood is boiling for real, I am so mad at Israel and all its supporters and those who rather stay comfortably numb in their privileged little bubble and the entire world for letting this happen

#like HOW can you justify 14 thousand dead CHILDREN you dumb ass mf #I am so done #I have no understanding and tolerance whatsoever anymore for anyone who even stays NEUTRAL by now #You’re either against or for this at this point #there is no neutral ground anymore #free palestine #free gaza

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jdgo51 · 7 months

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How Does Your Garden Grow

Today's inspiration comes from:

The Garden Within

by Dr. Anita Phillips

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. — Psalm 65:11 NLT

Tabitha Brown is one of my favorite influencers. She’s a comedian, an actress, and the patron saint of vegan living. I am not a vegan, and I think that’s true of many of the millions of people who follow her on social media. We just can’t get enough of Tabitha’s oh-so-infectious energy. She always brings inspiration no matter what she’s communicating. At the same time, she has been open about the pain in her own life. It’s the authenticity for me. The bright colors she wears, her Southern charm, and her unapologetic love for Jesus make her downright irresistible. An encounter with Tabitha’s content feels like an encounter with pure joy. So when she launched her children’s show, Tab Time, I watched that too (despite my age falling well outside the target demographic). The first episode became an instant favorite for me because Tab (and her buddy Avi the Avocado) taught us about how things grow.1

The episode begins in Ms. Tab’s real-life garden. Then she and Avi whisk us off to a brightly animated fruit orchard where we meet an orange-tree seed named Marmalade. Marmalade tells us that all she needs to start growing is good ground and some water. Ms. Tab tucks Marmalade into the soil and waters her well. Then we all pretend our arms are the arms of a clock; together, we speed up time by making big arm circles. A few seconds later Marmalade reappears, but now she is no longer a seed but a full-grown orange tree bearing her first fruit. Less than seven minutes into the episode, the preschool children for whom the show was created have already learned all they need to know to understand how gardens grow.

The garden within may be a completely different way of thinking about how we were created and what it means to flourish, but when it comes to what you need to know to live this powerful life, you probably learned it in kindergarten or — at the latest — by the end of a middle school science class.

The Creator made things very simple for us. No wonder Scripture encourages us to come to Jesus with the heart of a child (Mark 10:15). Things are so much easier when we do. And when it comes to letting the Creator change what we believe about how we feel, the timing couldn’t be better.

Your emotional well-being influences every other dimension of your life, including your spirit.

It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

When we catch a glimpse of Tabitha’s real-life garden, it is too lush for words! It’s full of bright colors and fruits and vegetables; this garden is useful. I don’t know Tabitha personally, but I wouldn’t be surprised if her garden looks exactly the way she wants her life to feel — a reflection of her goals for her garden within.

If you could design a garden that looked the way you want your life to feel, what would it look like? What would be growing there? Now ask yourself,

How is my inner garden looking? Don’t feel bad if the soil needs attention. Don’t be surprised or upset if you notice that some areas are bare, some are growing well, and others are dying. You’re not alone. In fact, a lot of people are not okay right now.

As I write these words, multiple global crises are affecting us all. It started in 2020 and it hasn’t slowed down. I’m not just talking about the coronavirus. I’m talking about the mental health pandemic that it triggered. Covid-19 claimed a staggering number of lives in a very short period of time, leaving a trail of emotional devastation in its wake. With every death, an average of five loved ones are left grieving long-term.2 That means that as of late 2022, more than thirty-three million people were grappling with the trauma attached to grieving someone who died not only unexpectedly but unimaginably, from a disease that seemed to come out of nowhere.3

There were other life-altering losses to grieve as well. So many of us missed attending not only funerals but weddings, baby showers, graduations, and milestone birthdays and anniversaries. These are the ceremonial moments that chart the timeline of our lives, shared memories that entwine us in relationship and in community.

On top of that, the way we understood and organized our lives fundamentally changed. People lost jobs. People lost homes. People lost businesses and dreams. People lost sobriety. People lost their sense of safety, and whether they have admitted it or not, some people lost their faith.

All that to say, a lot of people are not okay right now, and that likely includes you or someone you love very much. During 2020, global cases of major depressive disorder increased by 27.6 percent. That’s an estimated 53.2 million more people than the year prior. Anxiety disorders increased by 25 percent. There was more anxiety to start with, so that increase amounted to around 76.2 million more people.4 Of course, that’s just counting the people we know about. So many others haven’t sought help, so we don’t have reliable confirmation. But like diabetes or heart disease, the diagnosis doesn’t create reality; it just points it out. Maybe you haven’t been formally diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or another mental health problem, but that doesn’t mean what you are struggling with isn’t real.

For the first time during my career, a significant number of mental health professionals have waiting lists. We can barely keep up with the demand. And from college kids to clergy, Christians are by no means exempt. At Christian colleges and universities, the number of students contacting campus counseling centers for issues like stress, depression, addictions, and suicidal thoughts also rose sharply.5 The pastors striving to lead these young people as part of their congregations found themselves struggling too. In an October 2021 Barna study, pastors were asked to rate their well-being across six dimensions. Nearly a quarter of pastors surveyed identified as unhealthy overall, with emotional well-being the dimension most often rated as below average or poor.6

Hear ye, hear ye! Knowing Jesus guarantees your salvation; it does not guarantee your emotional health. Reflecting on the lack of emotional awareness in the body of Christ, author Peter Scazzero writes this in his incredibly important book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality:

Christian spirituality, without an integration of emotional health, can be deadly — to yourself, your relationship with God, and the people around you... Sad to say, that is the fruit of much of our discipleship in our churches.7

He goes on to say that “a failure to appreciate the biblical place of feelings within our larger Christian lives has done extensive damage, keeping free people in Christ in slavery.”8 As a therapist and as a minister, I see this over and over and over. Christians haven’t had a scriptural model for understanding the critical role of the heart, so our response efforts have been unbalanced. But now you know that

your emotional well-being influences every other dimension of your life, including your spirit. Remember, the words of the Kingdom are constantly being sown in the ground of your heart, so nourishing the fertility of that sacred seedbed is Kingdom work. Living a powerful life requires you to embrace how your spirit, mind, and behavior work together seamlessly. That means approaching your own heart as a garden rather than a war zone where you’re constantly battling your emotions. Eden is our model for flourishing. The seeds of the garden of Eden were sown on good ground. That ground is our hearts.

Your heart is the soil of your life.

Tab Time, season 1, episode 1, “How Things Grow,” produced by Tabitha Brown, published December 1, 2021, YouTube video, 22:34, https://youtu.be /zUTZEk32tc8. Erika Krull, “Grief by the Numbers: Facts and Statistics,” The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab, May 26, 2022, https://www.therecoveryvillage.com /mental-health/grief/grief-statistics/. “WHO COVID-19 Dashboard,” World Health Organization, accessed April 19, 2023, https://covid19.who.int. Damian F. Santomauro et al., “Global Prevalence and Burden of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in 204 Countries and Territories in 2020 Due to the COVID- 19 Pandemic,” The Lancet 398, no. 10312 (November 2021): 1700–12, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140–6736(21)02143–7. Helen Huiskes, “It Takes a Campus: Pandemic Expands Mental Health Resources at Christian Colleges,” Christianity Today, December 17, 2021, https:// www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/december/christian-college-mental -health-counseling-pandemic-demand.html. “38% of U.S. Pastors Have Thought About Quitting Full-Time Ministry in the Past Year,” Barna, November 16, 2021, https://www.barna.com/research/pastors -well-being/. Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017), 9, 44. Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, 44.

Excerpted with permission from The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips, copyright Dr. Anita L. Phillips.

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