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#mrs. Hudson's diary

lisbeth-kk · 4 months

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Mrs. Hudson attends the first ever birthday party in 221B.

January 6

The fact that Epiphany and Sherlock’s birthday fell on the same date, should surprise no one. He’s quite smug about it himself, like the drama queen he is. I’m inserting an eyeroll right here! This is me a tiny bit inebriated with one glass too many of Tawny Port. No matter, it’s been a lovely day…

My Sacher Torte turned out to be perfect. The sponge had just the right consistency, the apricot jam I bought was exquisite and the chocolate glaze appeared shiny and rich. Sherlock almost drooled when he saw it.

“Happy birthday, Sherlock,” I say after I hand the cake to John.

I go over to hug him, and he embraces me for a long time, whispering his thanks, and finishes with kissing my cheek. His eyes are more green than blue today, and they shine bright. He’s happy, I realise.

Molly comes straight from the airport, a curtesy of Mycroft apparently, which Sherlock scoffs about, but only out of habit it seems. There’s no trace of hostility, and Molly brings a gift that makes Sherlock beam inappropriately.

“You got your hands on his ears!” Sherlock exclaims when he’s unwraps and opens the small box.

Molly blushes furiously and looks utterly pleased with herself. Her blush deepens when Sherlock kisses her cheek and thanks her more politely than I’ve ever witnessed him do.

“Perhaps wait with those until the party’s over?” John suggests mildly with such fondness in his voice, it almost makes me blush too.

“Of course, John,” Sherlock agrees softly, though I can see he aches to examine whoever’s ears Molly has gifted him.

***

After my fourth, or was it the fifth glass of port, I take my leave. Molly accompanies me downstairs to collect Tim. I’ll miss him, but in the long run, I think he’s better off with Molly. I’m too accustomed to live alone, and Tim’s onslaught on my furniture is something I can do without. Besides, what I saw before I descended to my flat, made it quite clear that my taxing days are over.

I turned to close the door to 221b behind me and right there, in front of the fireplace, John cupped Sherlock’s face in his hands, while Sherlock’s hands were secured around John’s waist. Just before their lips met, I heard John’s whisper, and it made my heart swell with affection for the two men.

“Happy birthday, my love.”

Read it on AO3

@totallysilvergirl @keirgreeneyes @calaisreno @a-victorian-girl @phoenix27884 @safedistancefrombeingsmart @raina-at @gregorovitchworld @topsyturvy-turtely @helloliriels @peanitbear @sabsi221b

Thank you for following this 37! days of posting with your kind comments, reblogging and encouragement through it all, with the occasional Flash Fiction Friday and Extended Fluffbruary inbetween. And let me express my heartfelt gratitude to Silvergirl who's inspired me to write until this very special day in the Sherlock fandom <3

What to do after this? Ah, yes, I know; prepare for Fluffbruary only weeks away!

#six days of countdown #sherlock fandom #sherlock #john watson #mrs hudson #sherlock fanfic #bbc sherlock #johnlock #ao3 fanfic #mrs. Hudson's diary #January 6 #happy birthday Sherlock

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sincerely-holmes · 1 year

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January 7.

Yesterday was my natal day. I'm not sure why Mrs. Hudson felt the need to celebrate. I was accidentally awoken at four in the morning. I can't have any proper rest anymore. . . Not that I am complaining, though, she made strawberry tarts.

#sherlock holmes #sherlock #mrs hudson #[diary post]

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ltwilliammowett · 2 months

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It is Ship's cat sunday and here is a pic of stowaway Perce Blackborow on Shackleton's Endurance with Mrs. Chippy, the ship's cat, before 1915

More about Chippy below

The tabby domestic cat had been brought on board by Harry McNish, the ship's carpenter known as "Chippy", and was given her name before it was discovered that she was a male. Mrs Chippy is described as a handsome, affectionate and good-natured cat. He proved to be a good catcher of mice and rats and was a favourite among the crew. The men were amused by the way Mrs Chippy seemed to enjoy strutting across the roofs of the kennels, always just out of reach of the rampaging dogs. What's more, the cat's climbing skills, even in the roughest seas, earned him respect. At the beginning of the voyage, on 13 September 1914, Mrs Chippy jumped through a porthole and fell into the sea. The officer on watch, Huberht Hudson (1886-1942), turned the ship around and had the cat brought back on board with the fishing net of biologist Robert Clark (1882-1950).

When the Endurance, which had already been trapped by pack ice in January 1915, could no longer withstand the pressure and sank at the end of October, Shackleton ordered all animals of no concrete use - three puppies, the sled dog Sirius, who could not be harnessed like the others, and Mrs Chippy - to be shot. In his book South, he later quoted his diary, saying that under the new circumstances they could not have afforded to feed "weaklings". The captain of the Endurance, Frank Worsley, defended Shackleton's decision in 1931 by pointing out that the cat would have been eaten by the dogs without the protection of the ship. In the case of Mrs Chippy and the puppies, it fell to Second Officer Thomas Crean to carry out the sentence.

Harry McNish never forgave the expedition leader. His resentment led to growing tensions between the two men, which one day culminated in an attempt by McNish to openly disobey orders. Although as a carpenter he undoubtedly played an important part in the successful rescue of the entire crew of the Endurance, he was one of the few who were not honoured with the Polar Medal for "disloyalty". He died in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1930 and was given a pauper's burial in the Karori Cemetery there. It was not until 1959 that the New Zealand Antarctic Society donated a gravestone to the veteran. In 2004, the society commissioned sculptor Chris Elliott to create a life-size bronze sculpture of Mrs Chippy, which has adorned McNish's grave ever since.

#naval history #ship's cat #mrs. chippy #endurance #ernest shackleton #early 20th century #age of steam

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leastdatablebracket · 9 months

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Here's the bracket for round 1! I intend to start posting matches tomorrow.

Group 1 (Matches 1-16)

Sam Wayne (Scarlet Hollow) VS Penny (Stardew Valley)

Joy Johnson-Johjima (Monster Prom) VS Vladamir (Moonlight Lovers)

P.S. Elle (Romancelvania) VS Saint Germain (Code: Realize)

Bram Galeborn (Tales of the Wild) VS Jumin Han (Mystic Messenger)

Edgar Morton (To Love & Protect) VS Zen (Mystic Messenger)

Nowi (Fire Emblem Awakening) VS Elise (Fire Emblem Fates)

Maison Talo (House Hunted) VS Sam (Stardew Valley)

Akihiko Sanada (Persona 3 Portable) VS Sam Dalton (Choices - The Nanny Affair)

Ota Kisaki (Kissed by the Baddest Bidder) VS Casavir (Neverwinter Nights 2)

Anna (Fire Emblem Engage) VS Yang (Piofiore Fated Memories)

Isabela (Dragon Age 2) VS Shuu Iwamine (Hatoful Boyfriend)

Liam de Lioncourt (Monster Prom) VS Sunder (Boyfriend Dungeon)

Cassandra Pentaghast (Dragon Age Inquisition) VS Curie (Fallout 4)

Cliff (Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town) VS Sylvain Jose Gautier (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

Hanatsubaki Gorō (Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s First Love) VS Leliana (Dragon Age Origins)

Barbatos (Obey Me) VS Solas (Dragon Age Inquisition)

Group 2 (Matches 17-32)

Nightowl (Blooming Panic: Full Bloom Edition) VS Isako Toriumi (Persona 3)

Adam/Ava du Mortain (Wayhaven Chronicles) VS Drake Walker (Choices - The Royal Romance)

Taro Majima (Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side 2nd Season) VS Vace (I Was a Teenage Exocolonist)

Yoosung Kim (Mystic Messenger) VS Siren Head (Siren Head Dating Sim)

Rick (Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town) VS V (Mystic Messenger)

Ken Amada (Persona 3 Portable) VS Lorenz Hellman Gloucester (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

Bigfoot (Dialtown) VS Damien Ramsey (Magical Diary)

Merrill (Dragon Age 2) VS Landon (High School Dreams Best Friends Forever)

Vyn Richter (Tears of Themis) VS Sumire Yoshizawa (Persona 5 Royal)

Sebastian (Stardew Valley) VS Triss Merigold (Witcher 3)

Rock (Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life) VS Morrigan (Dragon Age Origins)

Gray (Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town) VS Calculester Hewlett-Packard (Monster Prom)

Harry Choi (The Ssum) VS Ichiko Ohya (Persona 5)

Sadayo Kawakami (Persona 5) VS Randy Jade (Dialtown)

Kevan (Long Live the Queen) VS Camellia (Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous)

Ace (Heart no Kuni no Alice) VS Rhea (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

Group 3 (Matches 33-48)

Ilessa (Romancelvania) VS Dolce (Rune Factory 4)

Sothis (Fire Emblem: Three Houses) VS Laito Sakamaki (Diabolik Lovers)

Cameron Conner (Wylde Flowers) VS Sera (Dragon Age Inquisition)

Elliott (Stardew Valley) VS Shane (Stardew Valley)

Mikah Hudson (Save Me, Sherlock) VS Harvey (Stardew Valley)

Towa Wakasa (Sweet Fuse: At Your Side) VS Shiloh Fields (XOXO Droplets)

Arsene Lupin (Code: Realize) VS Blackwall (Dragon Age Inquisition)

Vere (Touchstarved) VS Shiki (Togainu no Chi)

Sebastian Vael (Dragon Age 2) VS Toma (Amnesia: Memories)

Sakura (Fire Emblem Fates) VS Ethan Ramsey (Choices - Open Heart)

Warren (Life is Strange) VS Ryoma (Fire Emblem Fates)

Katherine (Catherine) VS Jonah (Boyfriend Dungeon)

Anders (Dragon Age 2) VS Dorian Grey (OZMAFIA!!)

Skye (Harvest Moon DS Cute) VS Tammy (I Was a Teenage Exocolonist)

Fenris (Dragon Age 2) VS Dys (I Was a Teenage Exocolonist)

Peter King (Your Boyfriend Game) VS Eisuke Ichinomiya (Kissed by the Baddest Bidder)

Group 4 (Matches 49-64)

Tharja (Fire Emblem Awakening) VS Jacob Taylor (Mass Effect 2)

Elanee (Neverwinter Nights 2) VS Megaricus (Kaichu - The Kaiju Dating Sim)

Joseph Christiansen (Dream Daddy) VS Naoto Shirogane (Persona 4)

Mr. Pages (Mask of the Rose) VS Soleil (Fire Emblem Fates)

Baxter Ward (Our Life: Beginnings & Always) VS Ryouta Kazama (Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side 4)

Colonel Sanders (I Love You, Colonel Sanders!) VS Kappa (Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town)

Andy (Romance Club) VS Micah Yujin (Error143)

Anomen Delryn (Baldur’s Gate 2) VS Koolie Sterling (Tentador Leches)

Canus Espada (Cafe Enchante) VS Nah (Fire Emblem Awakening)

Doctor (Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town) VS Lucy (Your Boyfriend Game)

Amber (Rune Factory 4) VS Marco (Lovelink)

Alfani (OZMAFIA!!) VS Makoto Niijima (Persona 5)

Haley (Stardew Valley) VS Azura (Fire Emblem Fates)

Zevran Arainai (Dragon Age Origins) VS Kai (Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town)

Yuri (Doki Doki Literature Club) VS The Red Prince (Divinity: Original Sin 2)

Lucio Morgasson (The Arcana) VS Cullen Rutherford (Dragon Age Inquisition)

#round 1

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river13245 · 7 months

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Info - Character List

Navigation

requests open

Character List

------

Criminal Minds:

Golden trio:

Marvel:

Marauders era:

NCIS:

Supernatural:

Sherlock:

John Watson | Sherlock Holmes | Jim Moriarty | Mrs Hudson (platonic only)

Star Trek:

Stranger Things:

The Last Of Us:

Ellie | Joel | Dina | Jesse | Tommy

The Vampire Diaries:

Greys Anatomy:

Doctor Who:

Friends:

Scooby Doo:

Shaggy | Velma | Daphne | Fred |

Twilight:

Scream 1996:

The Hobbit/TLOTR:

The hunger Games:

The Walking Dead

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newyorkthegoldenage · 7 months

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The September 23, 1936 edition of The New York Woman, a weekly.

Contents:

A compilation of 23 photos capturing life, east to west on Fiftieth Street - where life goes from the River Club to a west end jumping-off place

Etiquette - Heaven Forbid! - author recalls her unpleasant time at a finishing school up the Hudson

Excuse My Skates! - Full-page photo-feature of the young ladies at Western Union who wear roller skates at work

Photo-illustrated article on New York's many "Gypsy Tea Rooms" where fortunes are read, and much business is done

The Yankee at King Edward's Court - photo illustrated article on Wallis Simpson of Baltimore - who is keeping company with the King of England

A Bag of Gilded Oats for Mrs. Astor's Horse - Mr. Vincent Astor's grand plans to redo what was formerly the King Cole Room of his inn

Fashion Editor's Diary

Color centerfold fashion illustrations including details, pricing and store names

Dressing Table of the Week - pleasant and useful things in cosmetics, perfumery and flowers

Recipes for dessert salads with cheese

Margaretta Byers describes life in her family's prefabricated home - the first of its kind in New Jersey

Mirrors can make your rooms look larger and brighter

Photo feature on how Mr. Rockefeller's brand new Center Theatre is being gutted to accommodate The White Horse Inn

Photo-illustrated article on movie The Gorgeous Hussy

Page of photos of Kay Francis

Manhattan Date Book

Page of restaurant offerings - including prices

I Was Never So Mad - Kitty Sharpe describes problems with items sent to the cleaners

Photo: AnOther

#vintage New York #1930s #New York Woman #magazines #magazine covers #vintage fashion #vintage woman #vintage magazine #vintage lady

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dvar-trek · 4 months

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Romance Roundup: Part 2

the full list:

loved | liked | okay | didn't like

●Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat ○Captive Prince ○Prince's Gambit ○Kings Rising ○The Summer Palace ●Whyborne and Griffin Series by Jordan L. Hawk (there are like 11 of these in total, but this is as far as i got. this is not the only reason i stopped, but this series does contain a sex scene wherein sliding back the foreskin is described as "peeling". and i just. i simply don't think you should peel a dick. i don't think it's good for them.) ○Widdershins ○Eidolon ○Threshold ●Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner ●Sailor's Delight by Rose Lerner ●Something Human by A.J. Demas ●Doomsday Books by KJ Charles ○The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen ○A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel

●Old Bridge Inn Series by Annick Trent ○Beck and Call ○The Oak and the Ash ●10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall ●Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (okay, listen, the first chapter hits you with a high concentration of cringe, and is therefore difficult to read. but the cringe concentration lessens considerably as you go along, and this ended up being one of my faves.) ●Husband Material by Alexis Hall (again with the cringe, but it's not a strong enough book otherwise to make up for it, imo. the first book stands up great without having to bother with the sequel) ●The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn ●Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn ○The Duke and I ○The Viscount Who Loved Me (there are six more of these, but i simply couldn't go on)

●The Mystery of Nevermore by C.S. Poe ●Turner Series by Cat Sebastian ○The Soldier's Scoundrel ○The Lawrence Browne Affair ○The Ruin of a Rake ○A Little Light Mischief ●The Last Binding by Freya Marske (these are kissing books, but i didn't like the actual romances so much as the. like. plot.) ○A Marvellous Light ○A Restless Truth ○A Power Unbound ●Lucky Lovers of London by Jess Everlee ○The Gentleman's Book of Vices ○A Rulebook for Restless Rogues ●A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland ●His Heart's Obsession by Alex Beecroft ●Seducing the Sedgwicks by Cat Sebastian ○It Takes Two to Tumble ○A Gentleman Never Keeps Score ○Two Rogues Make a Right ●Hard Sell by Hudson Lin ●Green Men World by KJ Charles ○The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal (can be read as a stand-alone. is also not really a romance, per-se, although they sure do fuck. more like if shelock holmes had been a ghost-hunter, and watson had told us about all the sex they were having) ○Spectred Isle (n.b. this was meant to be the first book in a series that is on hold indefinitely, though i enjoyed it plenty on its own)

●Winterbourne series by Joanna Chambers (there's one more novella in this series but none of my libraries has it) ○Introducing Mr. Winterbourne ○Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas ○The First Snow of Winter ●The Vicar and the Rake by Annabelle Greene ●The Gentleman and the Spy by Neil S. Plakcy ●The Lord and the Frenchman by Neil S. Plakcy ●Unfit to Print by KJ Charles ●Brook Street by Ava March ●Enlightenment Trilogy by Joanna Chambers ○Provoked ○Beguiled ○Enlightened ○The Bequest (epilogue novella) ●Unnatural by Joanna Chambers ●Restored by Joanna Chambers ●Society of Gentlemen by KJ Charles (another one where the whole series is worthwhile for the story, even if i didn't love all of the romances. the characters are endearing and there's an excellent little series epilogue availble on the author's website) ○The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh (prequel novella) ○A Fashionable Indulgence ○A Seditious Affair ○A Gentleman's Position

●Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall ●Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian ●The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian ●Sins of the Cities by KJ Charles ○An Unseen Attraction ○An Unnatural Vice ○An Unsuitable Heir ●Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ●Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake (I'm still on a waitlist for the third book, which just came out) ○Delilah Green Doesn't Care ○Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail ●Fake it 'til You Make Out by Isla Olsen ●The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite ●The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite ●The Lilywhite Boys by KJ Charles ○The Rat-Catcher's Daugher (prequel novella) ○Any Old Diamonds ○Guilded Cage ○Masters in this Hall (sequel novella) ●England World by KJ Charles ○Proper English ○Think of England ●Will Darling Adventures by KJ Charles ○Slippery Creatures ○The Sugared Game ○Subtle Blood

●The Lady's Secret by Joanna Chambers ●A Charm of Magpies series by KJ Charles ○The Magpie Lord ○A Case of Possession ○Flight of Magpies ●Other KJ Charles book linked to the Magpies world ○A Queer Trade ○Rag and Bone ○Jackdaw ●Wanted, A Gentleman by KJ Charles ●The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles ●A Thief in the Night by KJ Charles (novella linked to Gentle Art) ●Band Sinister by KJ Charles ●Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian ●A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian

romance roundup part 1

#if the random paragraph breaks don't work to make tumblr process this post. i have one more idea to try but it sucks.#wip wednesday #romance roundup #look at my opinions boy

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librarycomic · 4 months

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If you didn't get any books that wowed you for the holidays, these three volumes of The Illustrators series would be a great end of December gift to yourself. Each has a mix of text (biography and bits about the artist's work), finished illustrations, and sketches.

Tove Jansson (The Illustrators) by Paul Gravett. Series consultant Quentin Blake. Series Editor Claudia Zeff. Thames & Hudson, 2022. 9780500094334. 112pp. http://www.powells.com/book/-9780500094334?partnerid=34778&p_bt

This volume has a few bits of non-Moomin work, including a self-portrait in oils, though most of the illustrations are of Jansson's most famous characters. There are, unfortunately, only a few early versions of her illustrations for The Hobbit inside.

Posy Simmonds (The Illustrators) by Paul Gravett. Series consultant Quentin Blake. Series Editor Claudia Zeff. Thames & Hudson, 2019. 9780500022139. 112pp. https://www.powells.com/book/-9780500022139?partnerid=34778&p_bt

Simmonds started making comics when she was very young, and there are examples from when she was nine or ten. The book places more emphasis on her editorial illustrations and comics for adults (Cassandra Darke, Gemma Bovary, Tamara Drewe, and Mrs. Weber's Diary) than her picture book illustrations, though I probably wouldn't give this book to a child. My favorite drawing in the book is of her workspace.

Ludwig Bemelmans (The Illustrators) by Quentin Blake and Laurie Britton Newell. Series consultant Quentin Blake. Series Editor Claudia Zeff. Thames & Hudson, 2019. 9780500519950. 112pp. https://www.powells.com/book/-9780500519950?partnerid=34778&p_bt

The fantastic thing about many of Bemelmans' art is that they're so simple that it's easy to see how they were drawn, yet so elegant that it's also easy to see his genius. I loved Madeline before I picked this up, but this book made me a fan, and now I'm out to track down a few of his other books that I first saw here.

(Each volume includes a chronology, selected bibliography, and index at the back.)

#bookreview #coffeetablebooks #illustrators #illustration #tovejansson #posysimmonds #ludwigbemelmans

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my-head-is-an-animal · 11 months

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The Sitter

Mycroft Holmes x Bethany Wheeler (OFC)

Story Masterlist

Chapter 5 - Dinner

Mycroft allowed her a few days to settle back into her life before phoning one evening to see if she still wanted to have dinner with him.

‘Of course, I’d love to. I’m working the next two nights, but I should be free Thursday.’ She said, enthusiastically.

He could hear the sounds of the busy restaurant she worked in, she’d mentioned something before about working two jobs during the summer, one was a table waiting job at a very classy hotel in Mayfair, and the other was the café in Baker Street where Mrs Hudson had asked if she fancied working mornings over the summer and earn a little extra money. As far as Mycroft could remember, she enjoyed both jobs, never complaining or dwelling on the difficult customers, just getting on with the job she had.

‘Thursday is fine,’ Mycroft sat down at his desk, finishing up for the day. ‘Is seven alright with you?’

‘Yeah, seven is great, just let me know where to meet you.’

‘Or I could send a car.’ Mycroft waited a moment to hear her objection.

‘You know what, screw it, I’ve been working hard, I deserve a little indulgence, right?’

‘Of course, we all need time to relax once in a while.’ Mycroft was glad that he could at least convince her to let him see her safely to the restaurant, anything else would be a bonus. ‘The car will be waiting at six forty-five on the button.’

‘Great. Where are we going so I know what to wear?’ She quickly told someone beyond the phone that she was just about to head back and she wouldn’t be much longer.

‘Well, as per your request, there’s a place on the Marylebone Road that I thought would suit us both rather nicely. Nothing too fancy, not too busy, but has almost anything you could ask for in a restaurant.’ Mycroft hoped he’d chosen well, it was a little higher class than the café she worked in, but it wouldn’t be overwhelmingly fancy.

‘Well, I will trust your judgment, Mr Holmes, I can’t imagine you’d choose anywhere less than adequate.’ That made him chuckle. He heard the sounds of someone shouting for her to help out. ‘I’d best go, they need me on the floor, something about some Russian politician.’

‘Yes, of course. Word to the wise, the politician you are referring to prefers the Dom Perignon Vintage 2003 champagne, if he’s being difficult, a bottle will ease the situation.’ Mycroft remembered an awkward moment a few years back.

‘Oh really? He is being a bit difficult actually. Thanks for the advice.’

‘Anytime. I look forward to Thursday.’

‘Me too.’ It was the widest smile he’d heard since the phone call started.

Mycroft left her to the rest of her shift and prayed she made it home safely as he did every night. Thursday at seven could not come soon enough. He got Anthea to make the arrangements and the look she gave him was not one he appreciated.

‘How would you like me to record it in the diary, sir?’ She said with a hint of glee.

‘Business meeting, what else?’ Mycroft gestured for her to get on with things and leave him be for the remainder of the evening. He wasn’t interested in any of her conclusions that she was probably drawing at that moment.

Mycroft left an hour earlier than he usually would on Thursdays, Anthea didn’t question it, she simply got on with her job of being the gate keeper and kept all visitors out of his office until the following day.

He went home, showered and put on the navy suit he knew Bethany liked. Mycroft kept reminding himself that this wasn’t a date, he didn’t need to impress her, he just needed to be himself and spend time with a friend. He sent a message to Anthea asking only urgent messages make it through to his phone that evening, she obliged and wished him well. He knew she was just being nice, but he’d rather she didn’t know anything at all.

Mycroft checked the time upon arriving at the restaurant, he was five minutes early and thankfully had a couple of emails to check.

‘Mr Holmes.’ The concierge said upon seeing him. ‘Good to see you again, may I take your coat, sir.’ Mycroft was polite enough and handed over his black coat, it was a little warm to be wearing a coat at all, but the night would get cooler soon. ‘We have your table ready, out of the way and quiet as requested. Is there anything else we can do to make your visit any more comfortable, sir?’

He led Mycroft through the restaurant to his usual table. ‘Yes, actually. Miss Wheeler will be joining me tonight, please see to it that she isn’t overwhelmed on her arrival.’

Luckily, the Concierge understood exactly what Mycroft meant and nodded curtly. ‘May I be bold sir, but is Miss Wheeler of particular importance?’

‘Just a friend.’ Mycroft appreciated the delicacy with which he asked the question, though didn’t enjoy being asked.

‘Very good, sir.’ The Concierge gave a slight bow and headed back to the podium while Mycroft got on with any last minute work he had to do.

His usual table was one at the edge of the restaurant in a small booth fit for two people, he didn’t often do business here, it was designed more for more social occasions. Mycroft had chosen this place because he was sure he wouldn’t run into any unsavoury characters, but he could also show Bethany a little of what his lifestyle looked like. He was in a world of his own and barely noticed his favourite wine being brought to the table, when the Concierge caught his attention.

‘Mr Holmes?’

‘Hm? Yes?’ Mycroft looked up to see Bethany smiling down at him.

He was stilled for a moment, just long enough to take her in properly. She wore a mauve, knee length cocktail dress, a conservative v-neck and one that had a little ruffle from the waist down, he imagined she found it a little more freeing that the tighter dress he’d seen her in at the wedding. Her legs slotted elegantly into her simple black heels and she had gone easy with any make up, preferring the natural beauty she had, her freckles were just about visible in the dimmer light of the restaurant and Mycroft suddenly felt nervous. He hadn’t been nervous about anything for a very long time, let alone a single person.

‘Miss Wheeler.’ Mycroft stood to greet her properly, placing a soft kiss to her cheek, inhaling her ginger shampoo and inviting her to sit down opposite him.

‘Oh, come off it, am I ever going to convince you to call me Beth? Even Bethany is better.’ She said, playfully, but taking the seat opposite anyway.

‘Apologies Bethany,’ Mycroft couldn’t stop his smile. She was everything she thought she wasn’t, elegant, pretty and a player to be reckoned with. ‘I will do my best.’

‘You’ve lost weight since I last saw you.’ It meant the world to Mycroft that she noticed.

‘Well, staying in shape has it’s advantages.’ He smiled.

‘Well, you look good.’ She bit her lip teasing him a little and he couldn’t help a small chuckle. ‘Blue suit.’ She pointed out. ‘Nice choice.’

Mycroft was glad that she was able to slide into her comfort zone and start teasing with him right from the start, it gave him hope that she wouldn’t be too overwhelmed by her surroundings. They made idle small talk – something Mycroft usually hated – and he asked her about her time in Austria which meant him watching her smile uncontrollably and tell him epic tales from hiking over mountains, falling down slopes, watching sunrises and sunsets, drinking by a fire and singing songs with her friends whilst constantly getting the words wrong. It also meant he had a chance to observe the way she told stories and perhaps something of an insight into her inner workings.

For the most part, Mycroft couldn’t do anything but listen, where he would normally tune in and out and take in the rest of the person he was with, deducing most of the information by observation only, he was suddenly scared that he would miss something important. She didn’t drink a lot, but two glasses of wine he felt was enough to allow her to relax enough to tell him a little more about her degree and the things she wanted to do with it.

‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Bethany said, after the waiter, who had been kindly quiet whilst serving them, took their main course plates away. ‘I always wanted to be some kind of forensic scientist, but now I’m not so sure. I might end up working in research at Barts.’

‘Forensic science is a perfectly respectable route,’ Mycroft said, twisting his wine glass between his fingers. ‘What changed your mind?’

‘I’m not sure really,’ Bethany said, leaning on her hand. ‘I suppose I just don’t feel the pull towards it that I once felt. You have to do what makes you happy, right?’

‘Most certainly.’ Mycroft sat up and leaned forward a little as well. ‘So, what makes you happy?’

He saw her dark eyes, blacken momentarily and her cheeks show a light dusting of pink. ‘Well, there’s a question.’ She said, taking a mouthful of wine to cool down somewhat. ‘I suppose travelling makes me happy, I really enjoyed Austria… science makes me happy, it’s straight forward and complex, but there’s so much room for discovery, if that makes any sense.’ She chuckled.

‘It makes perfect sense.’ Mycroft nodded, not being able to take his eyes off of her. ‘Though I suspect you have left something out.’ Her eyes locked with his. ‘A faint redness on your cheeks when I asked and you needed to take a mouthful of wine, presumably to cool down, before answering. So, may I be so bold as to ask what you left out of your answer?’

Bethany tried not to smile too much, instead holding his gaze and her own nerve. ‘I will answer your question, if and only if, you can answer mine.’ Mycroft gave a brief frown, but gestured for her to ask. ‘I see a very, very thin ring of blue in your eyes, pupils fully dilated and you haven’t stopped smiling since I arrived. Mycroft Holmes, do you like me more than you’re letting on?’

Mycroft was a little taken back, he’d never been looked at so closely before, not by a woman anyway and not by someone he wasn’t sure he wanted looking at him that closely. He swallowed nervously which was enough to confirm her suspicions.

‘My position does not afford me the opportunity to indulge in many occasions such as these,’ Mycroft said, not breaking the eye contact. ‘But I have made the effort to spend this evening with you. Tell me, what can we deduce about that?’

Bethany chuckled. ‘Most people would just confess.’

‘Yes, but as has been long since established, I’m not most people.’

‘No, you are not.’

It was a moment where they simply watched each other, waiting for the next move to be made, when something very unexpected happened.

‘Mycroft?’

He knew that voice and felt his whole being groan with disappointment. He prayed that Bethany would either not be noticed or be smart enough to remain quiet.

‘Lady Smallwood.’ Mycroft said, standing up and holding his hand up to indicate for Bethany to remain seated, which thankfully she did.

‘I didn’t expect to see you here.’ She said, her husband standing just behind her out of the way. ‘My office tried to call you tonight, we have things to discuss and you’re aware of the timescale we have with which to work with.’

‘Yes, but it’s nothing that cannot wait until the morning,’ he tried so hard to be polite. ‘No one is going to make a move for at least thirty-six hours and therefore we have time to assess the situation and we should do so methodically. We can’t rush this.’

‘No, I suppose you’re right.’ She admitted and Mycroft hoped she’d move along, but she definitely landed her gaze on Bethany and her expression said it all. ‘Well, well, aren’t you going to introduce us to your dinner guest, Mycroft?’

He really didn’t want to, but in the interest of civility, he didn’t have much choice.

‘Of course, this is Miss Bethany Wheeler.’ Mycroft held his hand out for Bethany to use to help herself up, her hand was warm and soft and for a moment Mycroft didn’t want to let go. ‘Miss Wheeler, this is Lady Smallwood, though I’m afraid I can’t tell you more than that.’

‘Pleasure to meet you, Lady Smallwood.’ Bethany said, politely. Somehow Mycroft’s hand had found it’s way to the small of her back, the curve of her spine was making him feel warm and he had no explanation as to why.

‘And you, Miss Wheeler.’ Mycroft knew that look and this was either about to go very wrong very quickly, or Bethany would surprise him. ‘And what’s your relation to our Mr Holmes?’

‘My relation?’ Bethany frowned. ‘I’m just a friend catching up on a few things. I apologise that I took Mr Holmes away from what seem to be important matters this evening, but I do hope you enjoyed yourself nonetheless.’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘Well, I just notice that you’re on your way out the door, not in.’ Bethany had a very good poker face and if it had not have been for Mycroft spending the last hour and half watching her intently, he would have been fooled by her innocence as well. ‘Which means you can’t have tried very hard to get in contact with Mr Holmes, so I just assumed that after finding out that he was unavailable, you decided to spend what was eventually a free evening in the company of your husband, which is lovely, it’s good to make time for the people we deem important.’

Lady Smallwood just watched her, slightly baffled. ‘What was it you did again?’

‘Oh, I’m just a friend of Mr Holmes.’ Bethany was very good and Mycroft couldn’t help but be impressed by her.

‘I’m sure you are.’ Lady Smallwood decided against asking her to be more specific. ‘We’ll talk tomorrow Mycroft.’

‘Of course, I’ll set up a meeting for the afternoon once I’ve had time to look over the details.’ Mycroft smiled and watched the Smallwoods leave the restaurant. ‘Nicely played.’ He said, quietly and close to Bethany. He could once again smell her wonderfully, warming ginger shampoo.

‘That’s years of waiting table for difficult politicians finally paying off.’ She chuckled and Mycroft gestured for them to sit down again. Hating having to take his hand away from her back, he missed the contact.

‘I see your skills in negotiation rival the government’s,’ Mycroft smiled, enjoying where they were heading back to. ‘I should offer you a position in my office.’

‘Oh please, you think the government would hire a big anarchist like me?’

‘Perhaps you’re right.’ Mycroft conceded. ‘Maybe I will need to reconsider putting surveillance on you after all.’

Bethany laughed and once again it ignited Mycroft.

‘So, what’s the deal with Lady Smallwood?’ She suddenly asked, making Mycroft frown. ‘Well, it’s obvious she fancies you.’

‘Obvious?’ Mycroft said, slightly alarmed. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Well, she was furious that you’re having dinner with me,’ Bethany chuckled. ‘She basically ignored her husband and she was well within two feet of you when she first approached. Does she do that normally?’ Mycroft thought for a moment and the silence confirmed Bethany’s suspicions. ‘I’ll take that as a yes. She definitely has a thing for you.’

‘She’s married.’

‘Well, you should know that especially when working in government, it’s not likely to stop people seeking an affair.’ Bethany was revealing a whole new stream of ideas that Mycroft had never considered before. ‘Personally, I think it’s all about the thrill.’

‘The thrill?’ Mycroft raised his eyebrows.

‘The thrill of getting caught.’ Bethany nodded, finishing her wine. ‘Are you telling me you’ve never even thought about it? The possibility that someone could find you attractive enough to want to have an illicit love affair with you.’

If Mycroft was entirely honest with himself, someone finding him attractive full stop was a far off dream he’d never really entertained.

‘No,’ he shook his head, looking down a little ashamed. ‘The thought never occurred to me.’

Bethany didn’t look at him with any pity, instead she was still smiling. ‘You know, I think you are one of the most surprising and enigmatic men I have ever met, and I hang around with your brother.’

‘How so?’

‘Well, I thought at first you were just a fancy, posh boy,’ she made him chuckle a little. ‘Someone who lacked any sense of compassion as per the rules of working in government, but it’s become very clear that there is more to you than a good suit.’

‘Are you telling me you see through my ties? Because that would ruin my reputation.’

Bethany laughed once again. ‘Oh, I’m starting to see you a little clearer that’s all. What does that do for your reputation?’

Mycroft thought for a moment. ‘I’m sure it would utterly destroy it.’ They sat in silence for a moment longer, before Mycroft needed her to talk some more, anything to clear his mind from where it was heading. ‘Tell me what else makes you happy?’

She smiled, biting her lip once again and Mycroft let the idle thought of his own teeth grazing her lips pass through his mind.

‘I suppose just the usual things,’ she shrugged, leaning on her arms on the table and pushing her chest up unconsciously, he was certain she wasn’t doing it intentionally, but it was having a slight effect on him. ‘Music, reading, films. What about you? What do you do in whatever spare time you get?’

Mycroft took a breath and looked up as if thinking on the question. ‘I’m afraid I don’t get a lot of spare time, but when I do, classic film noir is my usual activity of choice.’

‘Film noir?’ She seemed surprised. ‘Black and white films about sexy detective and damsels in distress. Well, that is not what I thought you’d say at all. I bet you have a fancy cinema room.’

Mycroft grinned. ‘I prefer a projector.’

‘Really? With real film roll?’

‘Of course.’ Mycroft nodded, finding it interesting how much she was genuinely interested in his projector. ‘How else would I get the full effect?’

‘Well, indeed.’ She flirted a little, making him feel the need to loosen his tie. ‘What’s your favourite film?’

‘I’m afraid I can’t narrow it down to one.’

‘You have that many rolls of film and a big enough collection that you cannot pick a single one as your favourite?’

‘Afraid so.’ He said and then did something tremendously out of character. ‘I could show you, if it was of interest to you?’

‘Mycroft, are you inviting me back to yours?’

‘The night is still young, Miss Wheeler. There’s still time to drive you home, I assure you.’

Mycroft didn’t want her to think that this was anything more than him simply sharing something he enjoyed and Bethany seemed to understand that. She wasn’t expecting anything. He paid the bill and they left the restaurant, taking his usual black town car back to his home.

Mycroft hadn’t seen her enter the restaurant, but her grey coat only made her look taller and more slender, something he didn’t realise he appreciated so much, but it made her look like something out of one of his films.

When she sat next to him in the car, he noticed a cut just above her knee, without even thinking, he asked about it, his finger landing just at the edge of the cut and on her incredibly soft and smooth skin.

‘Oh, it’s from where I fell down one of the slopes,’ she said, not bothering to move his hand away. ‘It goes up quite far actually, but it doesn’t hurt that much, more irritating than anything.’

Mycroft took his hand away and smiled. He proceeded to ask her about where she had fallen and if she at least enjoyed the view, which she was much more enthusiastic about.

They made it back to his home and she teased him about living in a small castle, he didn’t think his home was that large, but she quickly reminded him that she was essentially living in a house the size of his reception with four other people, size was relative.

Mycroft gave her a quick tour, taking note of the fact that she thought his house was huge so probably looking in the spare rooms wasn’t that important.

‘You have a suit of armour in your gym?’ She exclaimed, laughing.

‘What’s wrong with that?’ He sighed, but still had a smile on his face.

‘Nothing, it’s just very you.’ Bethany gestured for him to continue and eventually they ended up in his home cinema.

Mycroft took her coat and hung both his and hers up in the corner. He showed her his collection behind some sliding doors that sat to the left of the room and asked her to pick one.

‘What? Any one at all?’ Bethany had a hint of amazement.

‘I’ll be back in a moment.’ Mycroft headed into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and some more wine along with two glasses. By the time he’d returned, she’d only made it a third of the way across his collection. ‘Anything catch your eye?’ He asked, approaching behind her and once again inhaling the scent of her shampoo.

‘A couple of them,’ her head turned just slightly when he realised how close he was standing, her voice was a little lower. ‘I’ve always wanted to see The Lady From Shanghai.’

‘A worthy selection.’ Mycroft smiled, he could see her eyes were entirely black, but he was unsure of how to react. He cleared his throat and avoided doing what he wanted to do.

‘Let’s watch that then.’ Bethany saved them both the embarrassment.

Mycroft took his suit jacket off and gestured for her to sit down on his two-seater and make herself comfortable. Bethany watched him loosen his tie and start setting up for the film.

‘What made you get a projector then?’ She asked. He noticed she was watching him carefully, each movement he made under her gaze and he honestly didn’t mind.

‘Well, a few things, but I suppose a concise answer would be because I wanted one.’ He raised his eyebrows playfully.

‘Oh, I see, so whatever the British Government wants, he gets.’

‘Precisely.’ Mycroft had never winked at a single person in his life, but it felt natural when he did it to Bethany, like she was the only person worthy of such a thing.

He listened to her laughing and finished setting up. Bethany reached up to turn off the lights, handed him another glass of wine and finally he settled next to her. Mycroft was suddenly aware that he’d just sat down close to her body and put his arm behind her, crossing his legs. He wasn’t touching her or behaving in any inappropriate manner, but it certainly felt intimate and it was slightly confusing for a moment.

Mycroft settled and eventually they were able to enjoy the film. It wasn’t especially long, but he noticed Bethany was enthralled nonetheless, she loved the film and that on its own had made the whole night worth it.

He watched her from the corner of his eye, just observing her curiously, watching every little reaction she had to the film, he’d never sat and watched a film with anyone before, save for when he was a child. He liked it when he could see her getting entirely absorbed in the film and her face would relax and work of it’s own accord, the small smiles tugging at her soft lips, her eyebrows knitting together displaying sympathy or confusion and her breathing adjusting to each line indicating how she connected to it. A stunning display of human emotion that Mycroft was more than willing to observe.

Bethany finished her glass of wine, setting it down on the table next to her and when she leaned back, he could feel her warm body pressing gently into his. The weight was welcomed and even craved on his part.

‘Sorry.’ She smiled gently, about to move a little away from him.

‘It’s fine.’ Mycroft blurted out, realising that he showed himself a little more than comfortable with the contact. Bethany picked up on it straight away and smiled again, settling closer against him, her knees pulled up to her chest and he could smell the intoxicating scent of her shampoo once again.

By the time the film was finished, Mycroft was in a state of blurred bliss. He didn’t want to move, he just wanted to remain pressed against Bethany, to actually be able to hold her would be a sublime privilege that he felt entirely unworthy of.

‘What did you think?’ Mycroft asked, almost pressed his mouth into her soft, frizzy hair. He wondered if it was the wild nature of her looks that he liked, a complete contrast to the neat and rigid surroundings he usually associated himself with.

‘Of the film? Or everything else?’ She asked, her voice taking on as equally as low tone. It was only then that Mycroft realised his hand, that had been previously resting on the back of his two-seater, was now stroking her soft skin on her arm.

‘I apologise.’ He said, removing his hand and feeling rather embarrassed at his actions. He was about to get up and put everything away when she stopped him.

‘Why are you sorry, Mycroft?’ It was the way her lips wrapped around his name that had his whole body weakening.

‘I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.’ Mycroft swallowed thickly.

There was just something about the way she was looking at him that told him that he had no reason to apologise. She had a faint smile playing on her lips and Mycroft couldn’t help but watch her, take in every detail of her face. Without even noticing, he’d somehow shifted closer, foreheads almost touching, he could smell ginger, her hand found his, her fingers tracing his palm and soon she was guiding his hand up to her jaw.

Mycroft had so little experience in this area, but he knew how to read people and how to figure out what they wanted quickly and precisely. On this occasion, Mycroft felt patience was a virtue, he couldn’t rush anything or move with any hint of uncertainty on her part. He traced the tips of his fingers across her jaw line, taking careful note of the change in her breathing, it was now shallow and quicker. His thumb grazed over her bottom lip, just feeling the softness and hearing the soft sigh of pleasure that came from her throat, it was everything Mycroft had wanted to hear.

He swallowed nervously, but could no longer bring himself to resist. Mycroft slid his thumb away to her warm cheek, the tips of his fingers pressing gently into her hairline, something he hadn’t realised would affect her so much. Her eyes were closed and he took one last moment to take a mental screenshot, he would burn it into his mind forever and always remember it as the happiest he’d ever felt.

Mycroft finally moved his mouth close to hers, feeling her breath against him, his lips grazed hers and another soft sigh could be heard. He added the pressure they both sorely needed and suddenly he could feel his whole body reacting, her hands had found their way to his chest, half pulling him closer towards her, half uncertain.

Mycroft slid his mouth over hers, feeling a small wave of confidence hit him as his tongue came out to swipe along her lip, she let out another sigh and he couldn’t resist gently dragging his teeth along the same lip she had teased him with for so long. He heard his own sigh of relief that, yes, it was as good as he hoped it would be. Bethany was beautiful in every sense and this was all the confirmation he needed to know that he’d fallen for her.

Time seemed to escape Mycroft, but the ache of his body did not. All that could be heard was those wonderful soft sighs that he was responsible for forcing from her, and that of the film roll running out on the projector. He hadn’t dared go too far, but just kissing her lightly, passionately, greedily and tenderly was a pleasure he hadn’t known he needed.

Mycroft slowed his movements and felt the instant disappointment in her.

‘I…’ he started, panting slightly and hearing the cracking of his own voice. ‘I haven’t done this for a while.’ He said, still kissing her between sentences, he just couldn’t get enough. ‘I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed.’

Mycroft kissed her again, but this time felt her smiling. ‘We don’t have to do anything else, Mycroft.’ Her voice was silky and soft and he desperately wanted her. ‘Not if you don’t want to.’

He couldn’t help his chuckle. ‘I think you underestimate how much I want to.’ He was glad he could make her chuckle as well. ‘Tell me what to do.’ He breathed, kissing her lightly, just savouring the taste of her for a few moments longer.

‘What do you want to do?’

‘I want you.’ Mycroft responded almost instinctively. He heard her suck in a harsh breath, the indication that she wanted him as well, but still he hesitated.

Bethany’s hand pressed against his chest, telling him to take a moment to stop. ‘Mycroft, there’s no shame in not being ready. I can wait.’ She said, placing her own kiss on his lips. Until that moment, he’d been kissing her, but the simple act of her returning the gesture was enough to satisfy him completely.

Her fingers found the small patch of chest hair that always stuck out from his shirt collar, he was often embarrassed by it, but somehow when she touched him like that, the delicacy, it was everything to him. She moved up his neck and gently caressed the back of his neck, pulling him into one last kiss.

Mycroft hummed against her and felt the reaction of her body lifting up a little. He wished he could have found the courage to simply have what he wanted, but somehow the first night they went to dinner and he truly got to know her, ending up kissing her for the first time on his two-seater in the middle of his projector room, this wasn’t the way he wanted to be with her.

Bethany smiled against him again, knowingly.

‘I’m sorry.’ Mycroft whispered, but she wasn’t in the slightest bit disappointed with him, Bethany just kissed him softly again and they remained close until he realised how late it was. ‘I should take you home.’ He said.

Bethany opened her eyes, having nearly fallen asleep so close to him. Part of him wished she did so that he could watch her resting peacefully, but then again, he would only have been tempted to take her to bed with him.

Mycroft got them both up and continued to be the gentleman he was, holding her coat for her, opening the car door and never overstepping the boundary that had now been placed between them. The car ride was a little more awkward than he had intended, but Bethany just smiled at him and made him feel more relaxed. She reached across and held his hand when it was clear he was slightly tense, something he hadn’t known he needed until she did it.

‘I apologise that tonight did not end on a high note.’ He said as they pulled into the darkened street that she lived on.

‘I don’t know, it ended pretty well if you ask me.’ That gorgeous smile was back and Mycroft felt settled once again. ‘You don’t need to keep apologising, Mycroft. You just need to be yourself.’ She leaned over and placed a kiss to his cheek. ‘Let me know if you want to do this again sometime, until then, try not to cause too much trouble.’ Bethany winked at him and never had he felt so calm around another person.

‘I could say the same to you.’ Mycroft shot back. ‘Goodnight, Bethany.’

‘Goodnight, Mycroft.’ She smiled and got out of the car, heading inside her home.

Mycroft was driven back to his house and his driver left in a slightly annoyed mood, but it really wasn’t Mycroft’s main concern at that moment. He was replayed the night in his head over and over again, more specifically, he was remembering the feel of Bethany’s lips against his and the regret he felt at doing nothing more than that.

He went to bed a little frustrated, but happy nonetheless.

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#Mycroft Holmes #mycroft holmes x ofc #mycroft holmes x reader #bbc sherlock #mycroft holmes fanfiction

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scotianostra · 1 year

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November 7th 1861 saw the death in Stromness of Isobel Gunn.

Our second Orcadian of the day, Isobel had some adventure during her life..........

Isobel was born in Tankerness on August 1st, 1781, the daughter of John Fubbister and Girzal Allan. Because practically nothing is known of her time in Orkney, details of her early life are sketchy, but it’s safe to say thy would have been unremarkable.

What is known, however, is that in June 1806, driven by poverty, and possibly by love of a man, she left Orkney bound for the Canadian wilds.

In Rupert’s Land, Canada, long before white women were allowed to travel to the Nor’ Wast, she defied the rules of the all-male Hudson’s Bay Company and disguised herself as a man to enlist.

Isobel assumed the role of John Fubbister, a man she claimed was from the Orkney parish of St Andrews. She worked diligently in the harsh conditions of the Canadian Nor’ Wast for a year and earned herself a pay rise for performing her duties “willingly and well”.

Incredibly, throughout her time with the Hudson’s Bay Company, Isabel managed to maintain her male disguise and it was not until she became pregnant that her ruse was finally discovered. Isabel worked throughout her pregnancy, even taking part in an 1,800 mile canoe trek from Fort Albany to North Dakota when she was four months pregnant.

In the summer of 1807, Isobel was sent to the Pembina post of the Hudson Bay Company where she was to serve as cook to the master, Donald McKay.

By this time, her swelling stomach was obviously making the disguise harder to keep up. But she managed and it was not until she actually started giving birth that her deception was uncovered.

On the morning of December 29, 1807, Isobel had begged the chief factor of the company, Mr Alexander Henry, to let her remain in his house.

According to Henry’s journal:

“An extraordinary affair occurred this morning. One of the Orkney lads, apparently indisposed, had requested me to allow him to remain in my house for a short time.

Puzzled at the “man’s” behaviour, Mr Henry agreed, and left John Fubbister sitting by the fire. His diary takes up the story:

“I was surprised at the fellow’s demand; however, I told him to sit down and warm himself. I returned to my own room where I had not been long before he sent one of my people requesting the favour of speaking with me.“I returned to my room, where I had not been long before he sent one of my own people, requesting the favour of speaking with me. Accordingly, I stepped down to him, and was much surprised to find him extended on the hearth, uttering dreadful lamentations; he stretched out his hands towards me, and in piteous tones begged me to be kind to a poor, helpless, abandoned wretch, who was not of the sex I had supposed, but an unfortunate Orkney girl, pregnant and actually in childbirth.”

According to Henry, Isabel said that the man who had debauched her two years earlier was wintering in what is now known as Grand Forks, North Dakota.

His journal continued:

“In about an hour she was safely delivered of a fine boy and that same day she was conveyed home in my cariole, where she soon recovered.”

Isabel’s child was christened James. The identity of his father is not clear but Isabel does refer to a fellow Orcadian, John Scarth, whom, she claimed, had raped her.

According to HBC records, Scarth had been stationed with Isabel for much of the time she had spent in Rupert’s Land. Even so, Scarth’s discovery that Isabel was a woman appears to have been purely by chance.

An article in the Free Press Evening Bulletin of Winnipeg, by C. N. Bell, in 1922, quoted a veteran settler called Donald Murray, whom the author had interviewed back in 1887.

Donald Murray’s testimony was:

“I remember perfectly the case of the Orkney girl. Of course I was not in this country in 1807 when the affair occurred, but I knew well the man who was connected with it and the story was common talk for many a year.

“The girl came from Orkney to James Bay in the service of the Hudson Bay Company and was dressed in man’s clothes. For years, her sex was not discovered by any of the people who associated with her when she was at the company post at James Bay.

“She was for two years at the Partridge House with a man named Scarth, who used to find her on his return from hunting, sitting by the fire crying; and she did very little work, appearing to be much troubled in mind.

“After that, she and Scarth were sent inland (more than 1,000 miles) to the Brandon House post on the Assiniboine River, where they occupied the same cabin in the fort.

“Scarth was the right-hand man of Mr Goodwin, the master at Brandon House for the Hudson Bay Company, and the latter frequently asked Scarth to his house of an evening to take a dram of grog and consult with him.

“One night, Scarth had been at the master’s house until late at night, and on his return to the cabin discovered the true sex of his partner. He at once told the frightened woman that he would go to Mr Goodwin with the news but she fell on her knees and begged him not to reveal her identity.

“After much persuasion, he consented to keep the secret, and they continued to live together under the same conditions as before, and it was not for a long time afterwards that she lost her honour.”

Whether or not John Scarth was the father of the child, he was certainly registered as such. But it was after the birth of the boy that Isabel began calling herself Gunn. Is it possible that was the name of the father?

Her ruse discovered, Isabel was not permitted to continue working alongside the men, so took up the role of a washerwoman in Fort Albany. But she didn’t stay long.

On September 20, 1809, Isobel Gunn and James sailed for Orkney.

Back home, Isabel apparently found work in Stromness as a seamstress. She remained there, living in poverty with James, until her death in 1861, aged 81.

#Scotland #scottish #orcadian #fur trader #canada #strong woman #history

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whump-collector · 2 years

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Movies/shows

All movies/shows on this blog (so far):

Search for the movie/show or use this link and add the tag you're looking for https://whump-collector.tumblr.com/tagged/

I use the tag compilation for posts with gifs from several movies/shows.

#: the 100 - 15 streets - 1899 - 21 - 3:10 to yuma - 90210 - 911

a: agents of shield - the alienist - altered carbon - andor - ariza - around the world in 80 days - arrow - the a-team - avengers: infinity war - awake

b: bad turn worse - die bergretter - big fish - black death - black sails - the blacklist - blindspot - blood & treasure - body guard - bones- the boys - bravo two zero - buried in barstow - burn notice - the fall of sam axe

c: capatain america: civil war - caravaggio - the card counter - centurion - chambers - charmed - the clinic - the control room - cowboy bebop - cowboys and aliens - criminal minds - crimson peak - csi:vegas

d: the da vinci code - da vinci's demons - daredevil - dark - the dark valley - dear john - designated survivor - deutschland 83 - deutschland 86 - deutschland 89 - doctor who - dominion - don't say a word - dragonheart 3: the sorcerer's curse

e: eden lake - enola holmes 2 - the expanse

f: the fall - fantastic beasts: the secrets of dumbledore - fatmagul - fbi - fire country - firefly - the following - fringe

g: general hospital - gladiator - glitch - gotham - gran hotel - grosse pointe blank

h: halo - hanna - hannibal - hawaii five 0 - heaven's burning - helstrom - hercules: the legendary journeys - hitman's wife's bodyguard - horizon line - house of the dragon - how i became a superhero - hudson & rex

i: inside man - iron man

j: jack irish - jessica jones - jesus cries

k: kholop/the serf -killerman - killjoys - kung fu

l: la brea - law & order - legacy - lethal weapon 2 - the level - lie to me - a life less ordinary - the lord of the rings: the return of the king - the lord of the rings: the rings of power - lucifer

m: m*a*s*h* - macgyver (2016) - the man in the high castle - mayans m. c. - the mentalist - merlin - les miserables - moon knight - a mother's instinct - mr. robot - ms. marvel - murdoch mysteries

n: ncis - ncis los angeles - the next three days - no time to die - nypd blue

o: obi-wan kenobi - once upon a time - the order

p: patient zero - patrick melrose - the patriot - peacemaker - pennyworth - pirates of the caribbean: at world's end - pompeii - preacher -prodigal son - the professionals - proof of life - the proposition - the punisher

q: quantico - the quick and the dead

r: the raid: redemption - the recruit - the recruit (2003) - reign - remainder - reservoir dogs - the resident - rizzoli & isles - romeo + juliet - room for rent - roswell new mexico - the ruins

s: salvation - the sandman - savasci - second chance - seventh son - shadow and bone - sharpe's battle - sharpe's challenge - sharpe's eagle - sharpe's honour - sharpe's peril - sherlock - sherlock holmes: a game of shadows - the silencing - skymed - snake eyes - soko köln - spider-man 2 - spider-man: homecoming - spooks - stargate atlantis - stargate sg1 - star trek - star trek: discovery - star wars - star wars: episode vii - the force awakens - station 19 - stormy monday - stranger things - strike back - supernatural

t: tatort - teen wolf - terminator: the sarah connor chronicles - time after time - timeless - the trial - triple frontier

u: the ultimate goal - underworld: rise of the lycans

v: the vampire diaries - virgin river

w: walker - war pigs - warehouse 13 - wedding season - wednesday - werewolf by night - white collar - the white tiger - the winchesters

x: x-men: apocalypse - x-men: dark phoenix

y: young wallander

z: zoo

#whump #whump community #whump shows #whump collector

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lisbeth-kk · 4 months

Text

Mrs. Hudson decides to go upstairs to check on the boys.

January 4

My mood was a bit better this morning. Emptying my heart, even to an animal, lifted the spirits a bit. Besides, I remembered how excited Sherlock had sounded when he beckoned John to hurry yesterday. Could it be the beginning of them finding their way back to what they once were to each other? I decided to go upstairs to observe for myself later in the day.

“Ah, Hudders! You bring gifts, I see,” Sherlock greets me when I enter 221B for the first time this year.

“Aren’t you clever! Ever considered being a detective?” I ask teasingly.

There’s something about his stance that makes my heart flutter. He seems relaxed, and happy, his smile is the genuine one he reserves for me and John. Was yesterday a turning point after all? When John greets me equally joyous, my own smile brightens, and a warmth sets in my chest.

“Is that jammy dodgers, I see?” John asks with beaming eyes.

I roll my eyes at him, and he chuckles, and is soon joined by Sherlock’s deep rumble. If I died right now, it would be a happy death.

“Join us and I’ll put the kettle on,” Sherlock says and walks to the kitchen before I can reply.

I send John a questioning look. Since when did Sherlock make the tea when John’s around? I admit that I pinched my inner arm discretely to ensure I wasn’t dreaming.

***

As I write this, my hands are shaking slightly. From joy, I might add. The hours I spent with the boys today, mended my broken heart and made my soul quite hopeful for the year lying before us. Apparently, the boys have started to move towards each other, which became quite evident with how they spoke to the other, and on a few occasions even touching the other’s shoulder or hand. I made sure to pinch myself numerous times and I’m happy to report that my arm and thigh are bruised by my own onslaught. If this day had all been a dream, it would’ve broken me, that’s for sure.

Tim sensed the shift in my mood, I think, because he’s started behaving quite mischievous as cats have a tendency of doing…

Read it on AO3

@totallysilvergirl @keirgreeneyes @calaisreno @a-victorian-girl @phoenix27884 @safedistancefrombeingsmart @sabsi221b @gregorovitchworld @helloliriels @peanitbear @raina-at @topsyturvy-turtely

#six days of countdown #sherlock fandom #sherlock #john watson #mrs hudson #sherlock fanfic #johnlock #bbc sherlock #ao3 fanfic #mrs. Hudson's diary #January 4

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sunny6677 · 1 year

Text

THE AUDIO LOGS OF ANDREW HUDSON.

SUMMARY: The following are real audio tapes of tapes left by an animator at the forgotten studio Joey Drew Studios. Please ensure that you are ready to listen with these with caution, dear listener. What you may hear may cause you to never want to hear again. What you may picture may make you never want to see again. Please be aware of the consequences you may have if you do not have permission to listen to these tapes. If not permitted, then [REDACTED]. You have been warned.

(This is fiction btw, so no worries-- I know some people with anxiety issues might think this is real so this is just a clarification.)

TW FOR CHAPTER/TAPE: NONE.

TW FOR SERIES: MANIPULATION, TRANSFORMATION, UNHEALTHY MINDSET, OBSESSIONS, CULTS, CULT MENTIONS, MURDER.

--------------------

TAPE #1

THE VOICE OF ANDREW HUDSON.

1933, JANUARY 6TH

---------------------------

"Ahhhh, shit! Can't believe I'm finally here! I'm gonna be workin' for the big man 'emself! Andrew Hudson, workin' for the famous Joey Drew. Can ya believe it? I didn't think I'd ever work for this guy! I mean sure, I thought about marchin' up here and showin' him what I'm good at a few times, but holy shit-- he found me by complete accident! God, this is the most treasured accident I'll ever have!"

"I was drawin' and paintin' on my lil' flipbook, ya see, makin' some shit for that Bendy character I keep seein' in those lil pictures that he keeps makin'. Then, here it comes, ya better believe it-- the man himself, Mr. Drew, comes marchin' up to me-- noticin' I was makin' a flipbook for his character! Gahhh, I know!"

"And what do ya know? He liked it! So he invited me up to the studio, and well-- here i am! I didn't even have to have a bash at it! I just had to rely on the sweet grace of a miracle! Ahhh-- I'll forever thank the gods above for this day!"

"Oh yeah, and-- and, since he said we was allowed to record little tape thingies! Here I am! Startin' my own audio diary! Gotta be careful where I put it though, who knows who might try and have a peek at this lil' thing. Might have to start packin' these things up somewhere so no one ever finds 'em."

"Oh-- Oh, and get this! Apparently one of their good animators just up and left, so theys probably lookin' for more! God, can't wait to make some more pals up here, everyone seems so lovely up in this place! Mr. Drew seemed kinda sad whenever he was talkin' about 'em though.. pff, maybe he went to space."

"Hah.. hahahah! Better yet, maybe he got sucked into the void! Hahahah! Hahahah-- whoah!"

[A UNKNOWN SPLASHING SOUND IS FAINTOY HEARD IN THE RECORDING.]

"...Pfff.. heheh.. hahaha--"

--------------

[NOTE: THE TAPE WAS FOUND INSIDE ONE OF THE OLD SEWERS OF JOEY DREW STUDIOS. A SLIGHT BIT OF INK WAS SPLASHED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF IT, WHICH LED TO THE RESEARCHERS CONCLUDING THAT TOWARDS THE END OF THE TAPE HE MUST HAVE SOMEHOW FELL INTO THE INKY PART OF THE SEWER.]

#batim #batim x oc #andrew hudson #oc #read the tws #batdr #joey drew #joey drew batim

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socialwicked · 2 years

Photo

Every Netflix original movie coming fall 2022

Summer is at an end, but for Netflix, the movie season is just starting.

The streaming service unveiled its lineup for fall and winter original movies, and it’s full of exciting upcoming titles. Keep an eye out for potential awards season darlings like Noah Baumbach’s White Noise , Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Bardo , and Andrew Dominik’s Blonde . Fall also sees the arrival of highly anticipated films like YA adaptation The School For Good and Evil , the Millie Bobby Brown-led Enola Holmes 2 , and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio .

Some of these movies are getting theatrical runs as well as streaming releases. We’ve noted both release dates, when applicable, in our list below. Here’s every original movie coming to Netflix this fall.

Top pick: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Benoit Blanc is back, baby! Credit: Netflix

It’s been three years since Rian Johnson blessed us with the excellent whodunnit Knives Out , and we’ve been craving more ever since. Now, Johnson returns with Glass Onion , which sees Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) investigating another murder.

This time around, Johnson trades New England for Greece and swaps out his first film’s cast for an entirely different ensemble of potential murderers. New faces include Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista. Details beyond that are slim, but we can’t wait to watch Benoit Blanc peel back the layers of yet another mystery.

How to watch: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is streaming on Netflix Dec. 23, and will be released in theaters on a yet-to-be-announced date.

Movies A Jazzman’s Blues (In select theaters 9/16, on Netflix 9/23)

All Quiet on the Western Front (In select markets October TBD, on Netflix 10/28)

The Anthrax Attacks (9/8)

Athena (In select theaters 9/9, on Netflix 9/23)

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (In select theaters 11/4, on Netflix 12/16)

Blonde (In select theaters 9/16, on Netflix 9/28)

Capturing The Killer Nurse (11/11)

Christmas With You (11/17)

The Curse of Bridge Hollow (10/14)

Descendant (In select theaters and on Netflix 10/21)

Do Revenge (9/16)

Drifting Home (9/16)

End of the Road (9/9)

Enola Holmes 2 (11/4)

Falling For Christmas (11/10)

Fenced In (9/1)

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (In select theaters TBD, on Netflix 12/23)

The Good Nurse (In select theaters 10/19, on Netflix 10/26)

Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (In select theaters TBD, on Netflix 12/9)

In Her Hands (In select theaters 11/9, on Netflix 11/16)

Is That Black Enough For You?!? (In select theaters November TBD, on Netflix 11/11)

Ivy + Bean (9/2)

Ivy + Bean: The Ghost That Had To Go (9/2)

Ivy + Bean: Doomed To Dance (9/2)

Lady Chatterley’s Lover (In select theaters TBD, on Netflix December TBD)

Lou (9/23)

Love in the Villa (9/1)

Luckiest Girl Alive (In select theaters 9/30, on Netflix 10/7)

Monica, O My Darling (November TBD)

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (10/5)

My Father’s Dragon (In select theaters and on Netflix November TBD)

The Noel Diary (11/24)

The Pale Blue Eye (In select theaters 12/23, on Netflix 1/6)

The Redeem Team (10/7)

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (In select theaters 12/9, on Netflix 12/25)

The School For Good and Evil (10/19)

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (In select theaters 11/18, on Netflix 12/2)

The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge Of Edinburgh Part 1 (12/20)

Slumberland (11/18)

The Swimmers (In select theaters TBD, on Netflix 11/23)

The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari (In select theaters 12/9, on Netflix 12/16)

Wendell & Wild (In select theaters 10/21, on Netflix 10/28)

White Noise (In select theaters 11/25, on Netflix 12/30)

The Wonder (In select theaters November TBD, on Netflix in December TBD)

https://socialwicked.com/every-netflix-original-movie-coming-fall-2022/

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atlinmerrick · 4 years

Photo

Dear Diary (Mrs Hudson)

John 0, Mrs Hudson 1, Sex Urine 2

Mrs Hudson tried to tell them. She did try but did anyone listen?

#dear diary #baker street edition #john 0 mrs hudson 1 sex urine 2

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thepeachboys · 7 years

Photo

54 - Mrs Hudson’s sex anecdotes. Drawing a face at that angle is clearly not in my skills, yet... the distance between nose and eyes is so tricky!

Other pages from my sketch diary: [x]

#John Watson #Martin Freeman #Sherlock #BBC Sherlock #Mrs Hudson #portrait #medium close-up #doodles #sketches #pencil #black and white #my sketch diary #art #traditional art #art of the day #artists on tumblr

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