#yes I want to see Fanny talking with Julian about things she loves

[viola-halogen]

12 Days of Thanktival — Day 3: Angst/Secret Santa

—

[AO3 link]

Relationships: Kitty & Mary, Robin/Mary, Robin & Kitty

Characters: Kitty, Robin, Pat Butcher, Mentioned Mary

—

Summary: [SEASON 4 SPOILERS]

The first Christmas after losing Mary is hard for everyone, but especially for Kitty and Robin. Robin makes sure Kitty doesn’t have to go through it alone.

A/N: for me Robin and Kitty were the people who were closest with Mary so I really like the idea of them supporting each other through their grief and becoming closer together because of it.

—

It’s Christmas (So No-one Can Fix It)

“Now that brings me on to point seventeen of today’s agenda: the first ever Button House Secret Santa.”

“Yes!” Pat cheered. “Oh, you guys are gonna love this.”

Robin whooped with excitement. He still wasn’t sold on the whole “Christmas” thing, but when Alison had explained the concept of Secret Santa to them, he had to admit it had sounded quite fun.

“Quite,” the Captain agreed from the front of the room, where he’d been conducting the daily briefing for the past two hours. “Now, obviously we can’t actually buy presents for each other, what with us being… well, dead. Which is why I’m encouraging all of you to try and think outside of the box, and come up with something suitable that you can do for your partner. It could take the form of a song or poem…” his eyes strayed over to Thomas, who immediately sat up higher, striking a pose. “Or you could arrange something nice for your person to do. Whatever you can think of. Now, Alison has kindly agreed to help us with the choosing of the names. If you please, Alison…”

“Right,” Alison said, putting down her phone and getting up from where she was sitting on the other side of the room. “I’ve put each of your names on a piece of paper in this bowl. One at a time, each of you will come up and I’ll pick out a random person for you. If you get your own name, I’ll put it back and pick a different one. Oh, and no telling anyone else who you’ve got, because that just spoils the fun of it. Okay?”

“I don’t know why on earth I let you persuade me into taking part in this absurd business,” Fanny scoffed.

“This should be a bit of fun, right Robin?” Julian said, catching Robin’s eye and winking. Robin grinned.

“Don’t forget about me this time!” Humphrey said from where he was perched on a coffee table.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Alison said, looking around the room. “Let’s see, who wants to go first… Kitty, how about you?”

Robin glanced over at Kitty, who was standing behind the sofa. He had expected her to be the most excited about taking part in the Secret Santa, but far from her usual enthusiasm, she seemed particularly quiet and subdued. At the sound of her name, she looked up like a startled rabbit. Her eyes swept over the room, and then she gave a loud sob and fled the room, gathering her skirts as she went. Robin heard the muffled sounds of crying in the distance.

Alison’s face fell, and she looked worriedly around at the others. “Is she okay?” she asked. “She didn’t seem upset at all yesterday. Do you think something reminded her of her sister, or…”

“She’s probably just in one of those moods,” Fanny said. “Just leave her, she’ll come around eventually.”

“Are you sure?” Alison bit her lip. “Captain, maybe you should go check on her… she talks to you…”

“I’ll go,” Robin said, getting to his feet. He said nothing else as he left the room—the others would only doubt his ability to talk to Kitty, and besides wasting his energy on an explanation that wouldn’t be listened to was rarely worth his energy. He heard them muttering behind his back as he left, but ignored them and headed in the direction Kitty had gone.

Finding her, however, turned out to be a whole other problem. She wasn’t in any of the usual places she went to when she was upset—not in her room, or her reading spot, or the landing at the top of the stairs. Nor was she on the bench in the old flower garden, or her usual nook in the library, or the windowsill where she liked to watch the sunrise. It was only when Robin was coming back from checking the place where Florence now stood that he happened to hear the sound of crying, coming from further down the garden. He turned and followed the sound, and as soon as he saw where she was everything started to make sense.

Kitty was sat on the ground in the patch of trees where they’d held the memorial service for Mary, curled up into a ball as she sobbed her heart out. Directly in front of her was the tree underneath which they’d buried the items Alison had collected—the drawing of her that she’d done now hung framed from the tree trunk to mark out which one it was.

Robin felt as though a cloud had passed over his heart, stifling out all the warmth he’d previously felt. The day suddenly seemed colder, bleaker than it had any right to be, even in the middle of December. He approached Kitty in silence, dropping wordlessly to crouch next to her.

“I miss her so much, Robin,” she hiccoughed. Her eyes were shiny with tears, tears that vanished into thin air almost as soon as they rolled down her cheeks. Her shoulders shook as she said, “I still… can’t believe she’s… she’s really g… gone…”

“Let it all out,” Robin said, reaching out to stroke her hair. In a sudden moment of heart-wrenching awareness, he realised that what was happening now made a sort of parallel of the last time he’d comforted Kitty while she cried. It had been that night at Alison’s party, when Kitty had been convinced Alison was ignoring her out of spite. That night Mary had been by his side, helping him comfort her. That night had been the last time he’d ever kissed her.

Robin blinked hard as tears stung his eyes. He wouldn’t cry now and make Kitty feel worse—he had to be strong for her. Like he’d been strong for his sister when their mother was killed in front of them. Like she’d been strong for their children when she heard the news of his death.

“I miss her too,” he said, continuing to stroke Kitty’s hair. “The pain…” his voice broke. “Every time you think it’s gone for good, it… rears its head again.”

“It just d… doesn’t seem… seem right… celebrating C…Christmas without her. How… how am I s… supposed to be happy when I can’t… I can’t share it with her?”

“I know,” Robin said. He did know—for all that he didn’t care about Christmas, it could be a brutal reminder of the year that had passed when it came up again. Especially now, when last Christmas Mary had still been by his side. When he couldn’t stop remembering how this time a year ago, she’d been his lawyer as he tried to argue that Alison was the one trespassing on his land. How they’d spent countless evenings curled up under the stairs together, coming up with new ways to make Alison give back what was rightfully his. How this time a year ago, he’d still had Mary here within his reach.

A single tear escaped from the corner of his eye and rolled down his cheek. He made no effort to wipe it away—it vanished almost immediately—but Kitty saw it and began to cry again. “I’m never… going to s… see her again,” she sobbed in a small voice.

Robin said nothing. There seemed nothing to say, in the face of that one final statement. Instead he threw his arms around Kitty and buried his face in her shoulder, holding her close to him, as if he could crush all their shared grief into oblivion with the weight of his body. It wouldn’t work forever, he knew, but for a brief amount of time it might just be enough.

“What… what are you doing?” Kitty said, her chest heaving with sobs.

“Hugging you,” was his muffled response. “Make feel better.”

“Oh,” Kitty said. She sounded surprised, as if the simple gesture were something completely out of the ordinary. He wondered how long it had been since someone had hugged her like this.

“When you were a kid, Mary used to watch over you when you were sad,” he told her. He’d often sat with her as she did, watching as she whispered comforting words over and over again that Kitty couldn’t hear. Yet she’d still done it every time, without fail, as if she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving that sad little girl alone. “You cried a lot as a kid. Think she wanted to protect you, and that was best way she had to do it.”

Kitty’s crying paused. “That does sound like Mary!” she said. “Oh, and that explains why I so often thought something was burning as a child. Eleanor told me I was imagining things.”

Robin smiled. He decided not to mention the countless times Mary had deliberately made herself sick just to inflict the smell of burning on Eleanor at random moments in the day.

“Oh, I wish I could tell her that now! We’d have laughed about it for hours…” Kitty’s shoulders began to shake again, and the sound of sobbing came back.

“Hey, I got you,” Robin whispered, stroking her back. “It’s okay. Is going to be okay.”

It took some time, but eventually the force of Kitty’s tears went out of her, and she relaxed in his arms. Her crying stopped, and Robin felt a weight go out of him as well. He didn’t know how long they stayed like that, but when the sky began to darken and the stars came out, they simply lay down where they were without letting go of each other. Once they were settled, Robin pulled himself closer to her and closed his eyes, and at some point they both fell asleep like that.

~~~

He woke up to an early morning sky and the sun barely a finger’s width over the horizon, with a stiff back and a crick in his neck and Pat standing over him looking relieved. Kitty was still asleep in his arms.

“We didn’t know where you two had got to,” Pat said. “It was Alison who saw you out the window this morning. We should have realised you’d be here.”

“Well, now you know,” Robin said.

“We, um… we all picked our partners for the Secret Santa without you. If you go and ask Alison she can tell you who you’ve got.”

Robin chewed his lip. “I should stay with her,” he said, nodding at Kitty’s still-sleeping form. “Don’t want her to wake up alone.”

“I think she would want you to join in and have your fun,” Pat said, and the flicker of his eyes towards the tree ahead of them revealed that he wasn’t talking about Kitty. “If you want… I can stay instead.”

Robin thought for a moment. If it had been almost anyone else he’d have refused the offer, but Pat knew what he was doing. “I s’pose so,” he said, and carefully disentangled himself from Kitty before getting to his feet, stretching out his muscles. He turned to go, but Pat reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you for looking after Kitty,” he said. “I think… she’d be proud of you.”

Robin smiled. Inside his heart, the first rays of the sun were beginning to peek through the clouds.

“Careful,” he said with a grin. “I got fleas on that shoulder.” He cackled as Pat quickly withdrew his hand. Then he turned and headed back towards the house.

#bbc ghosts #bbc ghosts robin #bbc ghosts kitty #bbc ghosts mary #bbc ghosts fanfic #12 days of thanktival #bbc ghosts season 4 #bbc ghosts season 4 spoilers

[lerios]

tagged by all time icon @baynton 💕 this has been in my drafts for like a month because i wanted to answer it after i properly started succession but now i get the feeling its gonna take a while to get a proper grip of that show lmao😅

List 5 favourite shows (in no particular order) and answer questions accordingly.

1. bbc quacks

2. firefly (my absolute beloved 😍)

3. its always sunny in philidelphia

4. bbc ghosts

5. fuck it, critical role (i don't watch much TV lol)

1. Who is your favourite character in 2?

Favourite? probably Wash my gorgeous comedy boy with an icon wife i spent years simping over, BUT i don't think we can ignore how fucking fixated i was on Simon. like, he was gender envy before i knew that Gender™ was a thing.

2. Who is your least favourite character in 1?

i lowkey highkey want to throw hands with Robert. how dare you marry a girlboss and then not appreciate her wtf. give me her number

3. What’s your favourite episode of 4?

the Thomas Thorne Affair popped off. like yeah sure my skrunkly is centre stage but also the episode is just really well done.

4. What is your favourite season of 5?

I AM A SEASON 1 TRUTHER. vox machina i miss you so much 😭

5. What’s your favourite relationship in 3?

charlie mac brotp.

6. Who is your anti relationship in 2?

jayne/river shippers are wild, she's like 12 and they don't even get along (also jayne/simon is the real OTP)

7. How long have you watched 1?

well i first posted about it in march, so like 5 months probably

8. How did you become interested in 3?

my mate jon said there was a musical episode so i watched like 10 seasons of it lol.

9. Who is your favourite actor in 4?

okay i don't really know anything about any of them, but ben seems like a vibe. i too write mostly depressing shit and don't talk to anyone about anything 🥰

10. Which show do you prefer 1, 2 or 5?

firefly

11. Which show have you seen more episodes of 1 or 3?

3 because theres 16 seasons of always sunny and only 1 season of quacks 😭😭😭

12. If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be?

my man mike is alive and has a magical badass wife that can talk to ghosts.

13. How would you kill off your favourite character in 5?

my man Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo the third can never die, fuck off. (i'd kill him in a suitably emo way probably. he dies alone and still demon-infested, having scared the rest of vox machina away from caring about him once and for all, then probably getting converted into a vampire).

14. Would a ¾ crossover work?

asdagjsdag YES the gang would make such a big deal of having ghosts, they'd probably try to make money off of julian somehow. robin and charlie would be 100% best friends. the captain would be having a breakdown at thier impropriety 24/7 but fanny would get along with them way better than she'd expect lol

15. Pair two characters in 1 that would make an unlikely, but strangely okay couple.

okay theres not many characters in quacks but i would love to see john/william. john absolutely needs to drug him 🥰

16. Overall, which show has the better cast, 3 or 5?

probably 5 because i got Parasocial about them for a while. pro-lgbt kings.

and i’m tagging: fucking nobody because i don't have the braincells to do social shit rn but i wanted do this when i found it again bc it looked fun

[ailendolin]

Whump Wednesday - 23 - Yonderland

Title: Sad [AO3]

Fandom: Yonderland

Characters: Ho-Tan, Ho-Tan's Younger Alvin, Vex, Vex's Younger Irk

Prompt: “Why does (s)he look so sad?” about Ho-Tan. - Prompt by the wonderful @a-small-bear can be found here.

Warnings: Trauma, accidental murder

A/N: I had so much fun writing something with the Youngers! Well, mainly Ho-Tan's Younger but, still thank you so much for this prompt!

Prompts are open, so if you want me to write a story for you as well just send me an ask with the fandom, characters and your prompt. I’m writing for Ghosts, Yonderland, Horrible Histories and Bill at the moment.

Six Idiots Whump Wednesday fics so far:

Comfort - “I brought you a blanket.“ (Gabriel & Ian)

Sharing - “How long has it been since you slept?” (Vex/Ho-Tan)

Cold Touch Part 1 - Nigel finds out Thomas’s wound pains him.

Cold Touch Part 2 - Nigel finds a way to help Thomas.

Just you wait - Mike’s running himself into the ground. Sam & Bob find out why.

Constant - Bill and Gabriel talk out their feelings post kidnapping.

Tea - Ho-Tan helps Voltari feel a little more at home among the Elders.

Time - After their second kiss, Jay reconsiders some things (Kissing Cousins)

Ready - Charles notices Billy’s nervousness & helps (Mat’s page & Chamberlain)

Old Habits - Gabriel sees Ian’s scars for the first time.

More than enough - Mike comes home to Milton after almost dying in the Arctic.

Worlds Away - Ho-Tan is homesick in Debbie’s world and Vex tries to help.

Contentment - The first time Voltari feels safe to relax and be held by Dissectus.

Compromise Part 1 - Julian and Thomas struggle with their relationship.

Not so different - Mary and Fanny make sure Thomas is not alone after 2x04.

Haunted - Billy runs into Ellis of Woolworth and they have a talk about Philip.

————

Sad

“Mum?”

The voice of her Younger pulled Ho-Tan out of her thoughts. She looked up from the cake she was cutting. “Yes, Alvin?”

Her son bit his lip and glanced over his shoulder. Ho-Tan followed his gaze to the table where Vex was sitting with his head propped up on his hand, staring at something on the wall only he could see. She sighed. Vex had been like this for a while now, ever since the Youngers had explained to them how exactly Maverick Bojangles had managed to turn them into a real choir for the Thanktival Song Contest – and what secrets they had revealed in the process. Ho-Tan had tried to talk to him about it and urged him to talk to his Younger as well but every single one of her attempts had been waved aside with a tired smile and the broken promise of, “Soon, dear.”

So far, soon hadn’t come and Ho-Tan began to doubt it ever would. She tried not to show it around the others but she was worried. She knew Vex needed time to come to terms with what had happened but the more days passed, the quieter he became and the harder it got to approach him. His unusual quietness hadn’t escaped the others’ attention either. Only yesterday, Debbie had pulled her aside to ask if something was wrong with Vex, and if there was anything she could do to help.

And now Alvin was worried as well. It broke Ho-Tan’s heart. No child should have to carry such a burden, least of all one still so young. Alvin was supposed to laugh and smile and live the carefree childhood she’d been denied all those years ago. He shouldn’t have to worry about his Elders. A part of Ho-Tan, the one that had sworn to give her son a happy life filled with nothing but love and joy, felt like she had failed him and resented Vex, just a little, for lettings things get this far.

Teeth clenched, she turned back to her cake. “Don’t worry about him. Everything’s fine.”

She could feel Alvin’s gaze on her. “Then why does he look so sad?”

The knife in Ho-Tan’s hand trembled and, very carefully, she put it down. Then, resting both her hands on the counter, she let her head hang for a moment and just breathed.

“Mum?” Alvin asked.

His voice sounded terribly small and unsure and Ho-Tan knew she had to pull herself together, if not for her sake, than for her son’s, so she took a deep breath before she said, “Not here.”

She grabbed Alvin’s hand and pulled him out of the kitchen and down the hallway to her room. Vex was so lost in his own head he didn’t even look up when they hurried past him.

“I’m sorry, Mum,” Alvin said quietly once the door had fallen into its lock behind them. He sat down on the bed and looked up at her, his eyes huge and more troubled than Ho-Tan had ever seen them before. “I didn’t mean to make you upset.”

Ho-Tan let out a heavy sigh and sat down next to him. For a moment, she stared at her hands where they lay limply in her lap, debating on what to tell him. Then, as reassuringly as she could manage, she said, “You have not upset me, Alvin. I’m just worried about Vex.”

“Because of what Irk said,” Alvin said quietly.

Ho-Tan nodded. “Yes. I’m afraid the incident brought back a lot of memories for Vex.”

Alvin looked at her cautiously. His voice dropped even lower when he asked, “What sort of memories?”

“Bad ones,” Ho-Tan whispered.

She thought back to the day when she had met Vex for the first time. His name had been different then, and so had he. He’d been a lost soul when Ho-Tan found him sleeping under the apple tree in her parents’ orchard, terribly thin and haunted by things she had neither understood nor cared about back then. All she’d seen was a skinny boy in torn and dirty clothes who needed her help, so she’d taken him home and gave him a safe place to say, not knowing at the time he would stay forever and be the best thing that ever happened to her.

It took weeks of care and building trust until Vex had finally told her where he’d come from; what he’d done.

“I killed a man,” he’d choked out one night, long after Ho-Tan’s parents and siblings had gone to bed. With the dam finally broken, he had told her everything: all the horrible things he’d been made to do and forced to endure, all the things he’d seen and done. He’d talked until there was nothing left to say and then looked at her with such defeated eyes that Ho-Tan couldn’t stop herself from pulling him into a tight hug.

“You didn’t kill a man,” she whispered fiercely. “You were forced to kill a man.”

“It was my hand holding the arrow, Alfie,” Vex sobbed into her shoulder. “My fingers pulling the string.”

“And it was your father’s hand guiding them,” she reminded him. “You fought him for as long and best as you could. What happened next was not your fault.”

It took a long time for Vex to come to terms with his past and put that particular memory behind him. Irk’s confession had dragged it all up again but Ho-Tan couldn’t tell Alvin that. Vex’s past was a sensitive topic, one only a handful of people were even aware of. She had no right to talk about it without his permission, not even to either of their sons. No matter how much she wished to explain things to them, she would never betray Vex’s trust like that.

“Irk sometimes cries himself to sleep at night,” Alvin said quietly, wringing his hands nervously in his lap. “He thinks we can’t hear him but we can. It’s … it’s awful, Mum, and he’s just like Uncle Vex the next morning, all sad and staring off into space.”

Ho-Tan placed a hand on top of her son’s restless fingers to still them. “I didn’t know that.”

Alvin shrugged. “I don’t think he wants anyone to know.”

Like father, like son, Ho-Tan thought with a heavy heart. “Have you tried talking to him about it?”

“I’ve told him it’s not his fault,” Alvin said. “He couldn’t have known the cake from the cafeteria had almonds in it – it never does! Or that Mr Sea is allergic to them. But he still won’t forgive himself. And it doesn’t help that Uncle Vex isn’t–“

“Wait,” Ho-Tan said, holding up her hand to stop his flow of words. “Are you saying it was an accident?”

Alvin nodded. “That’s what the detective said before he arrested the cafeteria lady. Apparently, she and Mr Sea used to be lovers?”

He made a face.

Did Vex know about this? Ho-Tan wondered. She was sure he did. The school certainly would have kept him informed of the investigation, which begged the question: why was he struggling so much when Irk was no guiltier of a crime than he had been back then? Both of them had been used against their will to do someone else’s dirty work. Irk was a victim – surely that would make it easier?

But then Ho-Tan paused, reflecting on the similarities of the situations. Perhaps the very fact that history had repeated itself, meaning Vex had been unable to protect his son from going through the same thing he had all those years ago, was what made it so difficult for him to deal with it.

Oh, Vex, she thought.

“Anyway,” Alvin went on, unaware of her thoughts. “It doesn’t help that Irk feels like he can’t go to Uncle Vex and talk to him about it. So I thought I’d come here and do it for him since Uncle Vex can’t ignore me as easily as he can ignore a letter, you know? But I didn’t expect him to be so …”

“Sad,” Ho-Tan finished, repeating her son’s earlier assessment. She gave Alvin’s hands a squeeze. “Why don’t you let me handle Vex, hm? I promise I’ll talk to him and, if necessary, knock some sense into him as well. I’m sure Elf will let me borrow Nick if I ask him.”

She winked to reassure Alvin she was only joking.

“And what can I do?” Alvin asked. “I’m tired of standing by and doing nothing, Mum.”

“You keep talking to Irk,” Ho-Tan said. “Let him know you’re there for him, no matter what. Sit with him when he wants company, and leave him be when he wants to be alone. But most of all treat him like you always have: as your friend.”

The corners of Alvin’s mouth twitched with the beginnings of a soft smile. “Is that what you did with Uncle Vex?”

Ho-Tan huffed out a soft laugh and pulled her son into her arms.

“You’re way too clever for your age,” she whispered into his hair. Then she pressed her lips against it and let them linger there for a moment. “I love you so much, Al.”

She pulled back and Alvin beamed up at her. “I love you too, Mum.”

Ho-Tan pressed another kiss against her son’s temple. “How about we go eat that cake now?”

“If Uncle Choop hasn’t discovered and eaten all of it while we were gone,” Alvin said with a cheeky grin that warmed Ho-Tan’s heart. There was the carefree child she’d missed all day.

“The whole cake?” she laughed. “He wouldn’t dare.”

Alvin gave her a pointed look. “Mum. It’s Uncle Choop. You know how he gets when he’s hungry.” “Well, then I guess then we better hurry,” Ho-Tan grinned. She pushed herself to her feet and held out her hand out to her son. Their laughter echoed down the hallways as they raced each other to the kitchen, hand in hand, and for a moment the world seemed a little less dark and cruel.

#little timeline things #irk tells the others about killing a man during Thanktival #the Youngers later urge him to tell the detective that it might not have been an accident #during the investigation Vex and the other Elders learn of what happened #but only Vex is kept completely in the loop since the whole thing is about his Younger #scribe elder ho tan #wise elder vex #vextan #the elders' youngers #yonderland #whump wednesday #wwff challenge #my fic

[noforkingclue]

If you’re still taking Ghosts Thomas Thorne prompts, reader is given the house (looks after her niece/nephew), as reader and 3 best friends bring the house back to its former glory - the ghosts think that the child is reader’s baby (or babe?), they call people ‘sweetie’ or ‘hon’ a lot. Someone can see them, and they have a constant stream of TV Series arriving weekly (Game of Thrones, Cheers, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory) etc. Is that too much? I’m

This isn’t too much at all! Thank you so much for the request :D

I’m accepting requests for every fandom on my masterlist. If there’s anything else you think I might like to watch/add please feel free to let me know! I’m always open to watching new shows/films!

Just a warning about period typical attitudes from Fanny.

Title: A New Love

Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary

“Have you seen who has just come in?” cried Fanny as she swept into the room, “This house is falling more and more into disrepute by the hour!”

“What’s happened now?” asked Julian, “Another new carpet in place?”

“Worse,” Fanny bristled, “Alison and Mike have invited someone so stay!”

“Another person,” said Pat, “Oh how nice.”

“Nice?” Fanny turned her wrath on Pat, “Nice? She has children with her!”

“That is lovely.” Said Pat, ever the optimist

“And she isn’t even wearing a wedding ring?”

“Err,” Pat said, “I don’t see-“

“Children out of wedlock!” cried Fanny, “Alison has gone too far this time. This… person is going to have to go.”

“What is going on here?” asked Alison, “I heard raised voices and-“

“She has to go!” Fanny demanded before Alison could finish her sentence

“Err, who?”

“The person you just brought in,” Fanny said, “I will not have an unmarried woman and her ba-“

“Woah, woah, woah,” Alison said, “Are you talking about y/n?”

“I do not know her name.”

“The children are her niece and nephew,” Alison said, “And even if they were her biological children I wouldn’t be forcing her to leave. She lives here now.”

“Well, shouldn’t they be with their parents?”

“They’re going through a very messy divorce,” explained Alison, “Y/n thought the children need some stability so she’s being a neutral party and looking after the children until custody is sorted out.”

“A divorce,” Fanny got even angrier, “Well I never!”

The other ghosts watched her and she marched out of the room. Alison looked deflated as she looked around at the others.

“Well?” she asked, “Are any of you-“

“Alison there you are! Who are you talking to?”

Alison stiffened as you entered the room and all the ghosts turned to look at you. There was a soft thump as Thomas, who was lying on the sofa, rolled off of it.

“Umm,” Alison said, “I was on my mobile.”

“Right,” you said although you weren’t convinced, “Mike’s looking for you. We have some ideas about the guest bedrooms and thought you would like to hear them.”

“Sure.”

As Alison walked away with you all of the ghosts were watching you intently.

“Who was that?” asked Thomas dreamily, “The vision who just entered the room? A beauty like no-“

“Oh great,” sighed Pat, “Here he goes again.”

 *

 While it took some time to adjust to living with Alison and Mike you were happy to say that you had finally settled in. You were paying your way by helping them do renovation work as you used to own a successful business before you sold it. You wiped the sweat off your brow at you looked at the plaster work you had just completed.

You could see why Alison and Mike wanted to keep the house. It was a beautiful period property and you couldn’t help the pang of jealousy settle in the pit of your stomach. However, there were certain goings on in the house that made you question yourself.

In certain areas you always smelt burning but it was never the same place twice. When you brought this up to Alison, advising her to get the electricals seen to, she assured you that everything was fine. The lights flickered at random times, you swore you saw objects move and you were convinced that the house was haunted. You looked up sharply when you heard a familiar theme tune echo through the halls. You looked around and couldn’t see your niece or nephew and quickly paled.

“Shit, shit, shit,” you cursed quietly, “I really hope that they aren’t watching that.”

You ran towards the main living and reached it just in time. Your niece and nephew were in the room and you quickly grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. They were way too young to watch those sorts of programs.

“What have I told you hon,” you said as you took their hands, “To stay where I can see you.”

“TV.” Said you niece

“Not this show dear. It’s for adults.”

You looked up as Alison and Mike burst into the room.

“Shoot,” said Alison, “I am so sorry y/n. I thought we had turned the TV off!”

“Accidents happen,” you said as you led your niece and nephew out of the room, “Just remember what I said about the electrics. Now come on sweeties,” you said to the children, “Let’s get you a snack!”

Alison waited until you were out of ear shot before turned to glare at the ghosts.

“Ghost thing?” asked Mike

“Oh yes,” said Alison angrily, “No more Game of Thrones.”

“But we need to know what happens,” said Pat, “It’s unfair.”

“Now listen here Alison,” said Julian, “I think you’ll want to hear-“

As the room erupted in arguments Thomas separated himself from the group and walked towards the door. He sighed mournfully as he watched you play with the children. If only you could see him like Alison could then everything would be perfect.

 *

 It was peaceful night and Alison was relaxing with Mike. Just as she raised her glass of wine a scream echoed through the house. She sat up with a jolt and Mike spilled his glass over the carpet.

“Alison!” you screamed running into the room, “Mike!”

“Yes?”

“This place,” you looked around as you pulled your dressing gown around you, “Is haunted.”

“It is.” Said Alison

“What?”

Alison and Mike stood up and Alison put her arm around you. She gently pushed you down on the sofa as Mike handed you a glass of wine.

“There are ghosts.” She said

“Seriously?”

“But only she can see them.” Said Mike

“Are there any in the room with us?”

Alison looked around. Thomas and Kitty were sitting next to you and the others were surrounding the sofa.

“A few.” She said

“A few? How many are there?”

“Umm,” she said, “Anyway, sorry about keeping this from you?”

“I’m just worried about the children.”

“Oh you have nothing to fear,” said Pat even though you couldn’t hear him, “We’ll look after them.”

“Yeah,” said Alison, “They’ll be safe.”

“Alison,” Thomas hissed, “Alison.”

“Shh.” Said Alison

“I didn’t say anything.” You said

“I was talking to Thomas.”

“Who.”

“He’s sitting next to you.”

You jumped and looked to your right.

“On your left,” said Alison, “Kitty is sitting next to you.”

“Fuck.”

“Language.” Said the Captain and Fanny at the same time

“Oh Alison,” said Kitty clapping her hands, “Ask y/n if she’ll be my friend.”

“Kitty wants to know if you’ll be her friend.”

“Umm… sure?”

“Oh goodie!” cried Kitty

“Alison, what about me?” asked Thomas

“I’m not sure Thomas…” said Alison

“What? What’s he saying?” you asked

“I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I want to know,” you said firmly, “You can’t keep these things from me.”

Alison shared a look with Mike who shrugged.

“Your call.” He said

“Alright,” Alison took a deep breath, “Thomas thinks that you are…”

“Yes?” you said

“The most beautiful, sorry, exquisite person he had ever met.”

“Wh… what?” you said blushing

“And he is wondering if you- oh I’m not saying that!”

“Saying what?” you said

“He wants to know if you want to be able to see them.”

“How did you manage to see them?” you asked

“I fell out of a window.”

“And almost died.” Said Mike

“Umm no,” you said standing up quickly, “No, definitely not. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to check on the twins and have a lie down.”

You quickly left the room. Alison closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Well that could’ve gone a lot better,” she said, “And Thomas don’t you dare follow her!”

“Separated by time and death,” said Thomas ignoring Alison, “Unchangeable barriers to our love!”

“Oh dear,” said Alison, “I should probably warn y/n.”

“No idea what was said,” said Mike, “But that’s probably a good idea. With what you told me she’s going to need all the luck she can get.”

#fanfiction #bbc ghosts #reader insert #request #thomas thorne #thomas thorne x reader

[inkyfishesii]

7, 8, 9, 21 and 26 for the ghosts ask game !! 💖

Thank you so kindly for asking! <3

7. Which ghost would you miss the most if they were "sucked off" in the next series?

Aughhh I love them all! I wouldn't want any of them to leave. The most impactful one to the show would probably be Robin. Just because I feel like everyone would be bereft and less sure in themselves without him as an example to guide them. And I don't know if I could cope with him finally being "at peace" after so long, would break my heart ;_____;

8. Which ghost do you think you'd get along with the best?

Probably Mary. I'd be very much happy to sit with her and talk about her family and her interests and do a bit of loose women-ing :3 I would also do lots of protec & attac for her.

9. Which ghost would you say you're most like?

pft uhhhhh, god. Unfortunately, Julian??? Not ideologically (ew), just like. I think I'd also want to pull pranks all the time and scheme and demand things of Alison. I'd also need to get into something to distract me - like chess - because boredom is my absolute kryptonite. I'd actually hate to be a ghost, I'd go batshit insane in - like - a day. Oh, and I'm also very likely to die in an embarrassing/hilarious accident that shames my family.

21. Are there any historical periods you wish we'd have gotten to see a ghost/ghosts from but didn't?

Something from Roman Britain would be quite cool - especially if the ghost was Roman rather than a Briton. It would add a bit of colour to have someone who had ties to somewhere outside England, yet was trapped in England forever? Trying not to overlap the existing ghost's jurisdictions, maybe they could be a trader in life? And a woman, because yes women. (Maybe hiding "as a man" so she can have a real "real job" >.>) So, like, she's constantly trying to sell items in the house, effectively a AD 43 - 410 version of a Del Boy-esque spiv, even though she can't hold money. So, she's not really pro-Roman, she's just extremely pro-commerce. Every time someone visits the house, she wants them dead so she can nick their clothes and trade with the other ghosts, even though they're never interested. She's fighting with Julian for the radio so she can hear the financial news, won't join in on the Captain's ideas unless she gets "more" of the house, always at logger heads with Robin because she's constantly nicking his furs and trying to sell them to other ghosts...

26. Favourite one-liner?

(DRAMATIC PAUSE)

FANNY'S EXPOSED.

#ask games #bbc ghosts

[dex-xe]

Ghosts watch the Euros?

Am I about to write 1000 words of cringe about dead fictional characters watching a football tournament?? yes I am and I'm thrilled!! XD

This primarily focusses on Pat btw but most of the ghosts feature a bit too.

So basically Alison didn’t really care that much about the Euros before they started, Mike however was decently optimistic regarding Engliand’s chances but isn’t the world’s biggest sport fan. But one evening they’re all watching TV and stuff and then there’s one of those animated ads that play before any major sports competition starts and Pat sees it and gets incredibly excited.

He hasn’t been able to watch a major football tournatment (live) since he was alive because Heather never had sport on at all. He begs Alison that he gets control of the TV during England matches and after using the whole “pleasseeeee I’m no trouble, I don’t usually ask for much!” Alison agrees to adjust the TV rota, much to the others ghosts disgust (the Captain is peeved about his afternoon day time TV History Channel documentaries being overwritten, and Fanny’s evening period dramas often get pushed aside but Alison eventually manages to use the Sky Box to rearrange everything for them).

For most of the group stages it’s just Pat watching, Mike will occassionally sit in but is genrally on his phone. Julian will also offer the occassional comment which Pat just rolls his eyes at and tells him to go back to his computer games. Also Pat is amazed just quite how young the team is but I digress.

So once it becomes apparent that England are doing surprisingly well (and Mike’s mates stop talking about anything else at the pub) Mike starts paying attention and by extension Alison sits in bringing multiple ghosts in her wake.

Kitty doesn’t like the idea of competition much and just wants people to have fun, she gets upset when people get kicked out but congratulats them for doing their very best. Thomas however, stands behind the sofa muttering about how it’s a barbaric sport and the lowest form of entertainment (“Polo!! Now that takes real skill!!)

The Captain wasn’t much of a football fan in life (cricket was much more his bag) but he’ll gladly sit and enjoy some friendly competition, anything he can get these days to be proud of his country. Robin doesn’t understand organised competition much but he quite like the idea of playing a game like that, he kinda misses running around and burning of energy, physical performance was super important for hunting when he was alive.

Anyway, once England makes it into the quarters (and Mike claims to have been totally invested from the beginning) Mike and Alison both start to get more and more involved, they decide to buy England flags and bunting to put across the front of the house - much to the Captain’s pleasure cause it reminds him a bit of VE Day.

Alison does actually manage to convince everyone to gather round for the final - even Fanny who literally couldn’t care less is overwhelmed with patriotism and hovers in a nearby armchair. Pat parks himself on the floor right in front of the TV so he can hear the commentary even when the others are rambling on about their analysis of the game (their analysis is incredibly poor given they’ve been dead for centuries - Kitty announces that the strikers should “use thier hips more” and no one is quite sure what that means but Thomas does suggest sending correspondence to Southgate to give him that advice.)

Anyway (I keep going off on tangents) the final obviously begins with England scoring mad quick which erupts the TV room into cheers. Mike jumps up to celebrate and puts his foot into where Pat is also sat cheering - Alison has to catch him around the waist to pull him back towards the sofa to stop Pat from gagging.

Pat then starts going on about how, with a start like that, there’s no way England can lose now. Julian rains on his parade very quickly and tells him worse things have happened and Alison jokes about what a show off Julian will be if he’s right and England lose… (Julian is obviously incredibly patriotic and wants England to win but he wants to be right much more).

Thomas quickly begins to think of himself as an expert at this “pauper’s sport” and starts to shout the generic “I know nothing about football but don’t want people to question me” phrases (“they had better begin playing it forward more, they shan’t achieve anything with cowardice like this!!)

They remain kinda optimistic going into the second half apart from Pat who is potentially the only one who recognises England slolwy losing control - but, much like with his scouts, his puts on his usual optimistic front to stop the team from becoming deflated (the team can’t hear him becuase a) he’s not at Wembley and b) he’s been dead four decades but it’s just his natural reaction).

As soon as Italy score, that’s when the deflation starts to set in. They all become slightly quieter until England start mounting an attack and then the shouting begins again.

Pat tries to explain the concept of extra time to the others but few understand and begin suggesting their own tie break ideas. Kitty suggests a draw would be better, everybody wins. Fanny suggests someone should concede (she doesn;t specifiy who but it’s very much implied). Robin’s idea is to continue with extra time then release a bear onto the pitch at a random point “for the drama” (I would watch that though).

But no, Pat and Mike are both very quiet throughout extra time. Thomas is thrilled because he believes Southgate has listened to his ongoing generic advice to “bring on Grealish” - realistically he’s peeved Love Island isn’t on, he likes to make fun of it and announce repeatedly how “the modern world has no concept of love!!”

Once it gets to penalties Kitty is off. She can’t stand the tension and covers her eyes to avoid having to watch somebody lose in this way. Mary sits beside her on the sofa petting her hair like “ooh cry not, ’tis but a game child” which really doesn’t help the mood. After every single shot, there’s just a little burst of gasps and strangled noises from everyone except Pat who is just waiting and praying that his first tournament in 40 years is going to be a dramatic win.

When England (spoilers from over a month ago) lose, silence falls across the room before Julian finally breaks it: “I don’t mean to say I told you so but…” he is interrupted VERY quickly by shouting from everyone else. Eyes quickly fall on Pat who hasn’t said anything since the penalties began, he hadn;t even turned to look at anyone else yet. He slowly stood up and said with a very fake smile “well it was a deserved win… if you’ll excuse me” and then he fazes through the wall behind him never to be seen again.

“Julian, that really was uncalled for,” Alison tells him. Pat seems normal for the next few days but most people can tell he’s very disappointed, especially as Mike has to get the ladder out again to do the really sad “flag taking down ceremony” everyone did the day after.

Pat’s finally brought out of his slump by Kitty who asks him what he would do if his scouts failed at something - he says he’d tell them they did really well for trying their best and give them some tips to improve. “Exactly,” Kitty says. “You’d still be proud of what they achieved, right?” All the ghosts are pretty excited by the prospect of a world cup next year.

So there we go,, cheers for the ask!! I apologise for this being cringe as fuck and I really hope it gets to the right people XD I’m having a day of trying to finish as many projects as I can over the next few days before series 3 so I can essentially start afresh after the new episodes are out - I know I’m going to have a lot of ideas and inspiration.

#bbc ghosts #max's ghost post

[the-hidden-writer]

Over The Edge

Whumptober 2021 - Day 5

Alison confronts Julian about what really happened on the day she “fell” out of the window.

Day 5: “I’ve Got Red In My Ledger” Prompt: Betrayal/Misunderstanding Fandom: BBC Ghosts Words: 947 TW: neck injury, being pushed out of a window

Over The Edge (part 2)

“YOU PUSHED ME?!” Alison practically screams.

The room falls silent. Well, almost. A pigeon’s coos can be heard in the distance.

None of the ghosts seem to be able to meet her eye.

Julian has the audacity to feign innocence- his eyebrows shoot up as he points to himself in confusion. His mouth falls slightly open.

“Wha- me?!” He says, in that awful politician voice he puts on whenever he lies. Alison bets he thinks he’s really good at it and that it’s foolproof, when it’s actually so easy to see through. He’s a terrible liar. 

“Yes, you!” She continues to accuse him, finger still outstretched, and she steps closer to the sofa where Julian has just stood up from.

“Alright, hold on a minute!” Pat holds out his hand as if he’s trying to soothe a wild animal, but Alison won’t tear her eyes away from Julian. His voice wobbles slightly. “W-What’s the matter, Alison? What’s wrong?”

She feels like she’s back in primary school snitching to the teacher about another pupil. She takes a deep breath to steady herself before answering.

“Julian pushed me out of the window that day! He started all this!”

Pat’s eyes dart about the room. Hesitantly, he turns to Julian.

“Julian, is this true?”

“Ha! No.” Julian snorts. He speaks as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I’m a ghost, remember? How would I be able to push her at all?”

The still quiet that follows is deafening.

Julian’s eyes widen once he realises his mistake. “Ok, so I would be able to, but that doesn’t mean I did. Why would I ever harm Alison?”

“Tchk.”

A frustrated grunt can be heard from the back of the room. Alison turns to see The Captain looking the most annoyed she’s ever seen him.  

“Good lord, stop lying to the poor girl. She clearly knows what happened and she deserves to know the whole truth.”

She knows she should feel grateful towards The Captain for standing up for her, but somehow those words cut deeper in Alison’s heart than was intended.

He knew. Humphrey knew. Pat’s fidgeting gave away the fact that he knew, too.

Actually, judging by all of the ghosts’ tense body language and nervous faces, they all knew. All this time, they knew what had happened, and no-one had thought to tell her.

She’d grown to love the ghosts as family, but this felt too much like a betrayal.

Tears began to prick the edge of her eyes.

“Excuse me!” Julian exclaims, turning to face The Captain. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”

Fanny sighs next to The Captain. “For God’s sake, just admit it. Julian.”

“I agree!” Kitty says.

Julian lets out a strange choking sound. “I-”

Mary looks around worriedly. “Um…”

Without warning, Thomas stands up dramatically from the sofa and marches towards her.

“Alison, as much as I hate to be the only one who has the deep, deep courage to admit this to you…” His eyes glance to the side. “It was, in fact, Julian who pushed you on that dreadful, horrid day.”

“I don’t think it was that bad.” Remarks Kitty, also standing up from the sofa. “If Julian hadn’t done it then none of us would be able to talk to Alison, would we? And that would be awful.”

“Um, ev’ryone…”

“Oh, that’s a fair point actually.” Says Thomas, his posture changing completely. He looks to his side and mouths: “Thanks, Julian.”

“Um…” Mary tries (and fails) again.

“AAAAAAAGGHHH!” Robin shouts, catching everyone’s attention. He points towards Mary, who in turn points towards Alison. 

“Looks, you made ‘er cry.”

Truly enough, only then did everyone seem to notice that she was crying.

Pat frowns. “Oh, Alison…”

Thomas appears to be shocked. “Aren’t you glad you’re able to talk to us?”

Alison bites her lip before replying.

“It’s not that, it’s just-” she inhales a shaky breath to compose herself- “none of you told me. You all knew about this, about when I almost died, and you didn’t tell me that it was one of you.”

Silence, until:

“I’m sorry, Alison.”

“No, that’s alright Kitty, I just-”

“No, it’s not alright.” The Captain interjects. “You’re right, we shouldn’t have kept it a secret. For that, I apologise too.”

A chorus of apologies echoes through the room. Julian’s is noticeably missing.

“Julian?” Inquires Fanny. “Don’t you have something to say.”

Julian crosses his arms and pouts.

“No, I don’t think I do, actually.”

Pat lets out a snort at that. “I’m pretty sure you’re the one who needs to apologise the most, mate.”

“Why should I? I did us all a favour! We can talk to each other… and...”

The bombardment of sharp glares causes Julian’s face to reluctantly drop.

“...Sorry Alison.”

Alison doesn’t feel like smiling, but she does wipe her tears away with her sleeve and blows her nose, earning herself a scoff from Fanny.

“Thanks guys.” She can’t really think of anything else to say. She knows how hard it must have been for Julian to bring himself to apologise, so she’s satisfied with his sacrifice. “Any other major personal secrets you want to reveal while we’re at it?”

Nobody says anything, which honestly feels like a relief.

“Good.” She says. Then she lingers for a few moments before deciding to go and crawl back into bed. Housework can wait just one more day.

Back in the living room, the ghosts stay silent as they stare at Julian- who shrugs and lies back down on the sofa.

Mary is the one to eventually speak up.

“D’you thinks I should’ve told ‘er ‘bout ‘ow I watch Mike when ‘e-”

Thanks for reading! <3

#whumptober2021 #no.5 #betrayal #misunderstanding #bbc ghosts #fic #alison cooper #julian fawcett #pat butcher #the captain #kitty #robin #thomas thorne #mary #fanny button

[lions-and-dandelions]

Okay.... this episode was mad but I actually loved it?!

- it was hilarious “I know fanny better than the rest of you”... “maybe she’s feeling unwell” “she’s dead.” “Well!”... Mike sniffing the granola... “skeletons in the basement”... “cock soc”... “it must be someone in this room.” “Or the Captain.” “Someone in this room.”

- also talking of that robin canonically knows caps gay! There seem to be a lot of jokes about him being gay this series, and on the one hand I don’t want a characters sexuality being reduced to a joke, but on the other hand they are funny, harmless jokes and it’s not as thought they haven’t fleshed out Captain a lot and his character is far more than just his sexuality.

- In fact I loved the whole him talking to his pillow thing in this ep- it’s such a wonderful mixture of funny and sad and just perfect for the cap and his loneliness!

- and the whole him spying on Lucy thing was hilarious! Even more hints at him being killed by a German spy! And he speaks German!! So much good cap content this series even without any episodes directly focusing on him❤️

- oh and of course him almost saying his name but then getting interrupted!!

- okay Julian messing about on mikes keyboard!! Him and robin being mischievous!! Love it!! Poor mike ❤️

- okay finally lets get to the crux of the matter... fanny and humphreys body. If they were actually going to carry the relationship on into future episodes/she still liked him with his head on I don’t think it would have worked, but as a stand alone thing for one episode I think it worked really well!!

- I mean when else would you get to see someone having a thing for a decapitated body? And the fact that it weirded out poor humphreys head so much was hilarious, though I’m thankful he didn’t have to put up with that weirdness longer term. And him being punched by his body!! I love you really humph I promise ❤️

- so yes overall really enjoyed this episode, really funny, and the series just seems to get better and better!!

#bbc ghosts spoilers #bbc ghosts series 3

[paradoxicalpatton]

I’m Not In Love

Title: I’m Not in Love Summary: “He thinks about them owning a dog, a golden retriever to be exact. A girl, they’d call her Honey. The Captain would fight for a regular name such as Charlotte, but Pat would convince him that Honey is much more fitting. ‘It matches her fur!’ he’d say. The Captain would immediately give in. He thinks about what it would feel like to be the object of Pat's affections. To be completely and utterly enamoured by someone so full of love." The Captain and Pat's friendship is put on the line. Pairings: Patcap (The Captain/Pat) Content Warnings: Very mild period typical internalised homophobia Chapter: 2 Word Count: 1744 Read on: Archive of Our Own  Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

“I can’t believe we’ve just sat here for five hours and have done absolutely nothing.”

The setting sun cast a warm golden glow on the land as it began to slowly cross the horizon, the trees and bushes gently swaying to and fro, adding a soft, cool breeze to the scene. The lake had mirrored the sunset, the transition from sky to land now almost impossible to distinguish if it weren’t for small ripples from the wind delicately distorting the light over the water.

The once vivid greens and browns of the foliage among the ground and surrounding the lake had now been muted by the vibrant yellows and oranges that were now reflecting from the sun and onto the water, a deep rich blue quickly chasing away the final remnants of the day completely from the vast stretching sky above.

Pat and the Captain had been sitting by the lake since late that afternoon, having finally escaped from the chaos that is Button house. It was nice. Peaceful. For once they could relax without being interrupted by Julian with a story of some sex-capde he had been in followed by Fanny’s usual disgusted complaints, or by Thomas demanding that one of them tell Kitty to leave him alone while he comes up with the next great piece of literature.

Alison had come to realise just how much she depended on the two of them to keep the other ghosts in order, so she had organised an afternoon full of activities the ghosts would enjoy and participate in so Pat and the Captain could finally have some time to themselves.

Sitting underneath the large tree, Pat watched the grass move with the wind, longing to reach a hand out and run it across the ground so that he could feel it between his fingers. It made him think back to when he was alive. Carol had always complained about their front garden, how the weeds in the flower beds were overgrown and that the bushes were always untrimmed. He had always wanted to fix it for her, but he was usually preoccupied with his scout duties, and when he did find time to think about it he simply couldn’t come up with anything.

He owed it to his son Daley, however, when the young boy had asked him if they could plant flowers for his Mummy’s birthday, that way she didn’t have to throw them out after they died. So when Carol left to spend a week at her mothers before her birthday, Pat and Daley drove out to the garden store and bought everything they needed to fix it up for her.

Forget-me-nots, marigolds, daffodils, and pansies now filled the once weed-infested flower beds. The bushes had been trimmed, the trees cut, and the lawn mown. A small wooden bench had even been built and placed at the end of the garden. The smile on Daley’s face as him and his father admired their hard work from the bench was brighter than anything Pat had ever seen. They were so proud.

Pat wished he could smell the rich soil at this moment. Wished he could run his hands along the grass, listen to the sound of the fallen dead leaves crunch as he walked over them. He wished he could relive the feeling of pulling his son close to him in a tight hug after planting the final flower.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of crickets waking up for the evening, as the last remaining rays of sunlight dropped below the horizon.

----------

Not wanting to return to Button house just yet, Pat directed his gaze at the man next to him. The Captain had been leant against the tree since they had got there that afternoon, the two occasionally making small talk before the Captain closed his eyes in an attempt to have the most peaceful nap of his entire existence. He’d woken not long ago, just in time to watch the sun fall and the moon rise.

For a moment after he’d woken up, the Captain had almost forgotten he was dead. At that moment, there was nothing but him, Pat, and the ground they were sat on. The tranquil smile that graced Pat’s face was more than enough to set the Captain’s heart racing. He tried to imagine what it would’ve been like, had the two of them been alive at the same time where loving the same gender was legal.

They’d move to the countryside, he decided. They’d have a large backyard with a vegetable garden by the white picket fence, maybe an apple tree, maybe even a chicken or two. The Captain had always found the thought of fresh eggs in the morning very appealing, as well as the structure provided from owning and caring for the animals.

He thinks about them owning a dog, a golden retriever to be exact. A girl, they’d call her Honey. The Captain would fight for a regular name such as Charlotte, but Pat would convince him that Honey is much more fitting. ‘It matches her fur!’ he’d say. The Captain would immediately give in.

He thinks about what it would feel like to be the object of Pat's affections. To be completely and utterly enamoured by someone so full of love.

It’s wrong, thinking about Pat that way. Imagining the two of them living in domestic bliss, running away and starting their lives all over again together. The Captain isn’t entirely sure why it’s wrong though. He was there for Sam and Claire’s wedding, he knows it’s not illegal to love the same gender anymore. Maybe it’s because he hasn’t fully accepted it himself.

He was so used to hiding away his feelings, burying them deep inside of him so that no one would ever see. So that no one would ever know he was defective. If he didn’t get close to anybody, he couldn’t betray them if they ever found out the truth.

Maybe he thought it was wrong because he truly believed that Pat would never love someone like him. He was cold, a stickler for rules and order. Not to mention that Pat was married while he was alive, to a woman no less. It was clear the scoutmaster was as straight as a pole.

It wouldn’t do any good getting his hopes up. Instead, the Captain would ignore the longing inside of him, he didn’t want to ruin what was quite possibly his only friendship in the entire house.

“Yes, well we have Alison to thank for that. Maybe we could convince her to turn this into a monthly thing. I could do with some time away from that lot every now and then.”

The Captain turned his attention toward Pat as he replied, hoping the younger ghost would be in favour of the idea. With a small nod of agreeance, Pat stood up and offered a hand to the Captain to avoid the struggle of getting up. The two of them slowly made their way back to Button house, the sounds of the other ghosts getting increasingly louder the closer they got. Hoping to stay undetected by the others, Pat and the Captain quietly snuck into the room where Alison and the other ghosts were playing some type of game.

They had almost gotten away with it without anyone noticing until Fanny got insulted at something Julian had said and jumped up to storm away. Seeing the Captain and Pat at the back of the room, she immediately took her complaint to them, the two male ghosts now preparing themselves to be thrown back into the chaos with everyone beginning to talk at once.

Alison made an attempt to calm the other ghosts down and distract them once more but was unsuccessful. It wasn’t until Pat raised his voice that everyone finally quietened down, pointing a finger at Robin asking him to start.

“Where you two go? We all play game, you not here.”

Before either of them had a chance to respond, Julian cut in with a thought that sent the ghosts into disarray once more.

“Probably off somewhere doing the old ‘horizontal tango’ if you ask me.”

“Now listen here, man! I won’t take any of this bum rap from someone of the likes of you. I would never do anything of the sort, and especially not with a brown-noser such as Patrick!”

The room stilled. The sudden silence wasn’t because of the Captain’s outburst, however, instead, the other ghosts looked past him at the short scout leader.

Without saying a word, Pat turned around and walked out, making his way to the dilapidated fountain outside the front door. He wasn’t really sure why what the Captain said had upset him. It hurt, to be completely honest.

Sitting by the edge of the fountain, Pat traced the overgrown vines with his eyes and ignored the presence slowly approaching him from behind.

“Patrick, I’m terribly sorry our friendship was misconstrued in such a way, I understand how embarrassing it was.”

“Embarrassed? You really think I’m upset because Julian’s comment embarrassed me?”

“Of course. Is… is that not the reason you’re upset?”

“No! Julian always says inappropriate things, it was what you said that hurt me.”

The Captain’s hands tightened around his swagger stick as Pat spoke, something in the younger man's tone made him want to embrace the scout leader.

“I don’t understand how, I was simply disproving Julian’s abhorrent comment.”

“That’s how! He said something about us together in passing and you acted like it was the worst possible thing in the world! Am I really that revolting Captain?”

“You don’t know what you’re saying, Patrick!”

“Seriously? Can’t you see that I’m angry at you? I’m upset! And you... you don’t even care!”

“How dare you, of course I care! But you’re acting like a child, it’s time to grow up-”

Before he could finish his sentence, the Captain was shoved back, his feet tripping over one another causing him to fall to the ground. Looking up, Pat stood above him, the man’s face a mixture of regret and anger. The Captain watched as Pat turned around, his hands clenched by his sides.

“Cap, you’re a broken man, haunted by the choices you've made. I really thought we were becoming good friends. I’m sorry if I interpreted our relationship the wrong way.”

“Pat…”

“Don’t. Please, just don’t Cap. Sorry I pushed you.”

#bbc ghosts #six idiots #the captain #pat butcher #patcap #my fic #ghosts season 2 #ghosts bbc #ben willbond #jim howick

[alas-poor-cesario]

25 with whichever characters from Ghosts you feel for it :)

“I can’t believe you talked me into this.”

(fThis prompt kicked up like 30 different ideas in my head at once because that phrase is so applicable to all of the characters in Ghosts) 

Fic is under the read more, this got way longer than I had expected.

Pat was standing next to the Captain as they both looked on at the disaster ensuing below. The ghosts had come up with the absolutely marvellous plan to get something for Alison for Christmas to say thank you, only they didn’t have money, couldn’t leave the grounds of Button House and nobody else could see them. This made searching for a gift and getting it to Alison all neatly wrapped without her knowing about it immensely difficult. Knowing the other members of their household, once they had set the plan in motion the scout leader and army man retreated to a safe distance. 

Julian was finishing typing something onto the laptop, having spent the first twenty minutes complaining about how they always made him do all of the work and that this was a doomed plan anyways. But eventually they had managed to get him typing on a notes app, and another twenty minutes later they had a semi-reasonable message left open for Mike. 

need help buying xmas prezzie 4 alison wnt to get flowers and nwe dress and carol cds

There had been an argument over whether or not the gifts were appropriate, another about the spelling mistakes and text talk which Julian threatened to end the whole thing over. He would not be going back and deleting anything because it too a lot to write that much, if they wanted this done they were going to just have to put up with it.  The flowers were an idea from Kitty and Thomas, Fanny and Mary had decided that she could use an elegant dress for when she wanted to look all fancy and impress people, Robin, Pat, and The Captain had all came up with the idea of a recording of carols for her to listen to. They were remembering last year’s Christmas, standing around the piano and singing and how important that had been for her, this way she would be able to listen wherever, and no matter what happened to them. (Mary had been expressing more concerns about them getting sucked off, lately and it had started putting some doubts into their minds). 

Robin was in charge of flickering the lights to lead Mike to the computer, Julian in charge of typing replies while Thomas and Humphrey dictated what he should be writing. 

An hour later, Mike was sat on the floor staring at the laptop screen, trying to not feel silly for what he was about to do. “So... if I use the laptop and go through pictures of dresses you guys can choose one of them, and we’ll look at carol cd’s the same way?” He tried to not let his voice falter, talking to seemingly nothing and getting a reply in the form of a typed “ye s” was something he hadn’t prepared for when moving into an old house. Yet these ghosts had talked him into sitting in the library scrolling through Primark’s, then Topshop then Debenham’s websites  to find the perfect dress. Somewhere down the line they remembered watching Downton Abbey with Alison, trying to work out a present related to that and Julian nearly lost it when  Mike deleted his text without realising, meaning the typing had to start again. 

Eventually though they had all settled on a lovely wine maxi dress, Fanny had relented that the neckline could be altered to be more decent but that the sleeveless dress would suit Alison. For the CD there was a special Downton Abbey Christmas album that would suit perfectly, and Mike would pick up flowers when he was next in town. 

Somehow Mike had got everything ordered and delivered without Alison knowing. Wrapping the presents was harder and involved much swearing and Mike yelling into the air, missing looking at any of the ghosts by about a foot, “I can’t believe you talked me into this!”. Eventually the gifts were wrapped and placed under the tree, and the flowers were in a vase ready to be brought out on Robin’s signal.  The CD player was ready to have the album playing later.

He waited until Alison had opened her other gifts from him before discreetly sliding the other, still wrapped presents closer. He ran to grab the flowers when he saw the lights behind Alison flicker, shooting a thumbs up into thin air as he came back. “I know it’s a different Christmas, but they wanted to do something for you...” He trailed off, watching as Alison looked around her at each of the ghosts standing there. 

“Merry Christmas Alison.”

#bbc ghosts #the ending was a bit difficult to write i'm sorry #estelanel

[battybumboy]

But he was falling |Pt 2 | Thomas Thorne

Part two of And he was falling. I decided that leaving this story on a cliff hanger wasn’t fair. :p

There isn’t any other ghosts characters xReaders that I know of on the Internet... sooo... I had to make more!

Thomas Thorne x Female reader

Find and read part one here! :

Enjoy part 2!- xx 🍯

______________________________

Two glassy eyes look at the figure opposite them “Henry?”

“You shouldn’t be here! You’re a criminal!”

“I came to see you! You know how painful this day is!”

“You have no rights to be sad! You’re involved with the thing that caused this mess! You’ve picked your side!”

“I didn’t only travel here for that! I came to see you as well!”

“You shouldn’t have bothered! You need to leave!”

___

“L/N?”

“L/N?”

The pirate jumped at the feeling of someone tapping her shoulder and was immediately brought back to her senses by the dozens of eyes that were looking at her with expectant gazes.

“I’m sorry chaps, I must’ve started daydreaming. Repeat the question?” The other ghost, Julian, groaned in mild annoyance as the other ghosts sighed along with him.

“Who do you think would win a game of chess when we were alive. Me, or Pat?”

“Oh, uhm... that depends on how much chess you both played in your lives. Well, I knows that Pat was a man who liked many ‘a game so Pat I suppose. No hard feelings Julian- it’s just that if you were to play during your life... it would soon evolve into more than a game of chess.” This was met with a moment of agreeing murmers.

“I see your reasoning and I must say, you’re quite right.” The MP replied, “You know, one night, me and Margot- we were having a spot of chess- and, you see, we were slightly tipsy after having... one to many glasses of wine and I- we-” Julian’s speech was suddenly interrupted with a number of groans from his peers, all attention now lost from Y/N, “Anecdote, people! I’m telling an anecdote!”

“Yes. Very good, Julian. Now that this silly debate is over, which has gone on- quite frankly- long enough, we can get on with what I have to say.” The Captain spoke, “Right. I have a complaint about something we all know has been going on for quite a while now...” he paused to look at the blank faces surrounding him before resting his eyes on a particular person, “What ever is the matter, Thorne! You’ve been- sitting around like a pile of melancholy limbs ever since that argument we had! If this is about what I said, please know that it was a heat of the moment thing.”

“Oh no... it’s quite alright. In fact, it rather opened my eyes to the subject of my love for Alison.” This to was met with an ovation of groans as the poet continued, “I’ve realised that Micheal and Alison’s love is a bond unbreakable by a hand of no flesh. I shall cease my wooing for no where will it get me if I want the love of another but Alison. Me and Alison were so close, yet so far. Our ships are never to get closer, yet lie in the same port on opposite sides of the dock. I know that although my heart will suffer... I’m doing the right thing and everything will be ok.”

“Wow...” came the small reply from Julian as everyone looked at Thomas, his head bowed and eyes closed softly. An overwhelmed silence lay over the other ghosts as they looked upon their most irritating housemate in shock

“That’s a lot of emotional baggage.” Julian continued, causing Y/N to lightly hit his shin with the toe of her boot before giving him a half amused glare.

“Yes, t’was what I thoughts. Lots and lots of emotions.” Chipped in Mary.

“Quite melodramatic If you ask me.”

“Well it’s a good thing no one did then, isn’t it, Cap?” Y/N replied, playfully.

“It’s Cap-tain” the Captain answered back, fondly.

“Did I stutter?” she winked playfully before turning back to face the majority of the crowd before Pat spoke up,

“I believe it was very brave of you to share that Thomas.”

“Oh pl-ease! It’s not like there’s anything he doesn’t share with us!” commented the mildly amused MP,

“I think it’s healthy for people to share their worries with the people they love!” Kitty replied, as always the sweet ball of sunshine,

“I seconds!” Exclaimed the peasant Stuart lady,

“Quite” Lady Button responded

“Well I do keep some things to myself.” The poet said, a soft smirk on his features for proving the politician wrong.

“Really? Like what?”

“That would be none of your concern, Julian.”

“But come on!”

“One hasn’t the must to share every woe they bare, ought they plead not to” Y/N chided, always the voice of reason.

“Easy for you to say, Captain Secretive! We don’t even know your first name!”

“Tell that to Cap over there.” She responded, rolling her eyes so hard that, if she were to roll them any harder, they’d have fallen out of her head,

“It’s... Cap-TAIN, L/N!”

“She has a point though, Captain.”

“She only told us her name because I was also a captain and you can only call one of us captain.”

“I felt the need not to be problematic... if the newly dead were to kick a fuss then it’s curtious to fix the problem they mewl ‘bout” Y/N said, before winking for the second time that hour.

“Yes but most of these lot went two, maybe three, centuries without any clue of your name.”

“Guys! Please! Settle down! Secrets of our lives can be kept a secret, secrets in general can be kept as secrets.” Pat said, directing the last part to the forgotten poet of whome was looking more more conflicted by each jab the other three ghosts threw at each other.

“A lady always keeps a secret!” Came Fanny’s stern reply,

“Aye, thank you, Lady Button.” the pirate replied, sending a grateful smile at the lady whome was only older in appearance, yet so much younger in age.

“I believe that the only secrets that should be shared are ones at sleepovers about people you have feelings for and want to start pining but need advice on how even though it might be unaccepted because of reasons to do with religion...oh and the secret that you ate or stole something you shouldn’t have” Kitty exclaimed, still smiling.

“That was oddly specific, Kitty.” Lady Button responded, eying the happy Georgian woman.

“Oh yeah, that’s because I once ate more cheese than I was supposed to” she said with a giggle as the rest of the room looked at the naive woman, brows raised,

“Not that one, Kitty, the other one.” Fanny corrected

“Oh? Oh yes! Does a bit... Just make sure the person your pining isn’t at the sleepover. That would be awkward... oh and the friends you’re with are ones that are trustworthy- people might tell the church.”

“Does there be witches?” Asked Mary, looking at Kitty’s faultering smile before a look of nervousness,

“Oh, I hope not. Well, at least I don’t think so.”

“Rights”

“I think they have by now”

“What?���

“Oh, you were just saying right...”

“Well, I agree with Katherine. Secrets that are held close can be kept secret”

“But t’isn’t the greatest sin to ask advice and spead few ‘a rumour on the status of ones love life.” Y/N countered

“On the subject of love, all of us love food... and that leads us on to food club!” Pat exclaimed excitedly

“Whoopie-doo” came The Captain’s sarcastic response before Mary stood up to tell the group about the best way to make butter.

“Thorne?” Y/N whispered quietly to her melancholy friend

“Hm?”

“Remember... if you need to talk, ‘bout anything at all...”

“Right- yes... I’ll.. tell you.”

The poet kept mentally denying the fact that he was slowly but surely catching feelings for his housemate but the nagging at his mind never stopped... neither did the frantic butterflys in his chest or the urge to be near her. But he resided in the fact that it would possibly go away and turn out to be a silly phase. At least he hoped, for his heart couldn’t bare to be rejected... not again.

He looked at her soft features and felt a twinge in his quiet heart. Thomas couldn’t help but smile at her softly; He didn’t want to love again...

But he was falling

____________________________________

I hope you liked part two! Part one did ok so I’m making it into a series! -🍯xx

Part 3-

#reader insert #fluffy #six idiots #bbcghosts #bbc ghosts #bbc #ghosts #thomas thorne x reader #matt baynton x reader #piarate!reader #part 2 #thomas thorne #the captain #the captain is y/ns gay bestie #y/n is best mates with everyone #ok im soft for loving friendships #bisexual!kitty #but only if you squint #if you squint you can see #kittyxmary #y/n is best friends with julian too #kitty is very gay rights y’know? #gosh i love these babies

[petork]

-105 please

NB i am told this was meant to say 1-50

thanks queen <3 here we go

1. Who is your favourite ghost?

lately? it's been kitty. and i'm contractually obligated to love the captain

2. If you could see the ghosts like Alison, which one do you think would come the closest to making you want to leave the house?

the obvious answer is julian but probably actually robin, i HATE being spooked (as the asker can attest xx)

3. How would you feel if you couldn’t see the ghosts, but knew they were there, like Mike?

i'd feel mad jealous even though i'd actually have it pretty good. the other person would be trying so hard to tell me how much it sucks and i'd just be like 'but... goast.....'

4. Would you want to see ghosts like Alison, or would you rather be ignorant to their goings and doings?

again my immediate answer is I WANNA SEE THEM but i also know that might suck in many ways. at least for a while. i am not a patient person so i don't know if i could learn to live with them like alison could. but on the other hand... the chance to actually talk to people from the fucking actual past... thinking emoji!

5. If you were a ghost living in the house, would you rather be upstairs with the main nine ghosts, or downstairs with the plague ghosts?

upstairs for sure, sorry to the plague ghosts but i do not want to hang out in a basement for eternity

6. If you were someone who died in the house would you rather be “sucked off” immediately, or would you like to hang around a bit and get to know some of the other ghosts before getting “sucked off”?

i would probably just end up staying forever because i'm scared of the void of death.... <3

7. Which ghost would you miss the most if they were “sucked off” in the next series?

UNBELIEVABLE question? i'd miss ALL OF THEM. but see question 1 also

8. Which ghost do you think you’d get along with the best?

it's hard to say. i think they would all get on my nerves because as said i am not very patient. but the one who would irritate me LEAST... maybe pat?

9. Which ghost would you say you’re most like?

captain. not to be a cliche but i'm gay and repressed. and also irritable and grumpy

10. Which ghost would you say you’re least like?

JULIAN

11. What is a (popular or not) fan theory that you love?

(pasted from prev answer) i don’t actually like ship it because he’s definitely older than her, but a couple of people have said kitty sometimes acts like she has a crush on thomas. which is cute to me even if she does need to get better taste (love u kitty xxx)

12. What is a (popular or not) fan theory that you don’t quite agree with?

(pasted from prev answer) not so much a specific theory but i disagree with the general idea that anything of consequence went on with the captain and havers. i think it was meant to come across as just a snippet of the captain’s poor sad gay life and, as several brain geniuses have pointed out, due to the timing of germany invading france + the captain’s medals the flashback must have been from a good few years BEFORE he died. and i think the flashback was the last time they ever saw each other, so i don’t think that a) havers has any link to the captain’s eventual death or 2) anything romantic ever happened between them

13. Favourite ship and why?

captain x my cute oc boyfriend because i've tailored it to my exact needs. why ship retail when you can ship bespoke?

14. Least favourite ship and why? (Please be nice though!)

patcap as we all know. like YES i'm a contrary bitch so i don't like things that are popular and i do think i'm better than everyone else... but really idk why exactly i just don't gel with it at all. and when i've tried to read fic in the past it feels to me like their characters are kind of flattened. and i think the captain is too much of a bitch. and i think pat is serving us normie heterosexual. it's the 'cinnamon roll' ship of this fandom and i can't STAND (metaphorical) cinnamon rolls. AND ALSO pat is not the simple soft dad cinnamon roll fandom often makes him out to be! like he is a very nice person but he's also fucked up and insane like all of them. anyway my brain charges extremely low rents

15. If you could go back in time and live in the house/on the property at the same time as one of the ghosts when they were alive, who would you pick?

captain. need to know wtf's going on with him

16. Would you rather inherit the house (and its ghostly inhabitants), or just visit?

realistically... visit. i think i would lose my mind eventually if i lived there

17. Do you think we’ll ever know how every ghost died? Do you think there will be anyone whose death we’ll never learn about?

i hope we do, but i also appreciate that isn't the sole point of the series, otherwise it would be kinda boring and discovering how they died wouldn't be as impactful. if there's anyone's death we don't find out about, i think it would probably be robin? lol what if it was so long ago he just forgot

18. What is your favourite Ghosts fanfiction?

so i'm stupid and i never use bookmarks on ao3..... i've read a LOT of different fics i like but do you think i can revisit them? no! because i'm stupid! so i cannot fairly pick an absolute fave sorry

19. What is your favourite Ghosts fan art?

THIS <3

all the babies and children on here talk about horrible histories the show being 'their childhood'........ put some respect on terry deary's name. and this artist did!

20. Tag 5 favourite Ghosts fandom content creators!

honestly i'm not good with like. knowing people. but here are 5 fanfics i've enjoyed (based on the author's replies in my inbox because, again, i am too stupid to use bookmarks)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28287567

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29868645

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28653192

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28067277/chapters/68761830

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26957662/chapters/65795407

21. Are there any historical periods you wish we’d have gotten to see a ghost/ghosts from but didn’t?

(pasted from other post) not to be predictable but i would have liked to see a 1960s ghost. like a mod who crashed his scooter or something. we have enough 20th century ghosts though but i believe the us remake has some kind of hippie ghost…

22. What is something you’re hoping to see in a future series?

flashback to the captain getting some. like implied or whatever. i can't cope with him dying a virgin. he needs this

23. What is something you’re hoping to see in a future series, but know we probably WON’T get to see?

(pasted from other post) alison meets someone else who can see ghosts, and we get to see the ghosts at THEIR house…. i always love it when we see extra ghosts but i know they probably won’t make any recurring because it would come off as running out of ideas. but i still think they should add a 90s teenager named roy

24. Which lesser-seen characters would you like to see more of in future series?

tbh there's none i can think of that i think we should SEE more of, they get a pretty good balance. there are some i definitely want to learn more about though

25. Are there any characters you wish we’d see less?

don't make me pick a least favourite child </3 but also i think thomas could probably tone it down a bit.

26. Favourite one-liner?

I'LL WAIT FOR YOU, MY COMELY NUG - me whenever i order chicken nuggets on just eat

27. Favourite episode?

DON'T EVEN... i like 2x06 and 3x05 a lot

28. Top 5 headcanons for [insert character name here]?

i'm going to do the captain because obviously i am

- he may or may not have been lavender married

- he may or may not have had a drinking problem

- public schoolboy with domineering father, clearly

- IF he had a lavender wife then she spent all her time in the company of her 'odd' female friend who wore men's clothes, smoked cigars and drove a motorbike. the captain was obviously clueless

that's 4 so a cheeky one for fanny:

- she did a lot of medicinal coke

29. Whose costume is your favourite?

kitty. gotta love an ott ballgown

30. Whose costume is your least favourite?

that's an offtopic question. you have been stopped.

31. If you could do a complete redesign of one of the ghosts’ costumes, whose would you change and how?

i would give thomas his double denim

32. If you could play any of the existing ghosts, which one would you want to play and why?

i think i'd be good at playing mary. meek weird girl who says things that don't make any sense? omg she is LITERALLY me

33. Which ghost would you least like to play and why?

julian, i'm not getting my pussy out

34. What one thing would you miss most if you became a ghost and had to live by the same rules as the Button House ghosts?

FOOD. food. eating and food.

35. How do you think one or more of the ghosts whose deaths we haven’t seen died? Or, if we know the cause of death but not the reason for the death (like Mary being burned as a witch or Humphrey being beheaded), why do you think they were killed?

i think mary's execution might have had something to do with her husband's death and her being unfairly accused or something. also like, she just acts kinda weird, and we know how that often played out for women back then...

and i think the captain died in some really boring mundane natural causes way (congenital heart attack or something) but he's stuck around because a) he's never come to terms with the whole h*mo thing and 2) he was just really mad that he died so boringly

36. Favourite [insert character name here] moment?

CAPTAIN GETTING KITTY TO SMILE

37. What do you think [insert character name here] was like when they were alive? Do you think they were exactly the same as they are now, or do you think there were any major or minor differences?

ok i'll do fanny for this one. i think she was less domineering when she was alive, in death she clearly thinks of herself as above the other ghosts and bosses them around, and when she talks shit about george it's not like he can get back at her in any way. but it would be interesting to see how they interacted when both were alive

38. It’s your turn to pick a movie for film club! What are you watching?

(from prev post) i haven’t seen any movies errr….. maybe austin powers because it’s so sad that julian died just a few years before it came out because he would love it and get really annoying about quoting it all the time and it would be really funny for the captain (who thought the movie was unironic) to have to deal with that. and fanny would NOT COPE.

39. Would you rather share a room with Thomas (constantly sighing and reciting bad poetry) or Fanny (falls out of the window screaming every night)?

fanny. men be quiet challenge

40. If you could do some kind of historical swap (i.e. place a ghost in a different period from their own), who would you choose and what period are they from now?

i would like to give kitty the chance to be a 20th or 21st century girl. maybe an era like the 60s or 80s that was known for daring fashions, i think she would luv it

41. Let’s settle this once and for all. Who’s the real leader, the Captain or Pat?

fanny

42. If the ghosts could eat, what is one food you would like to share with them that they might not have tried before?

doritos tangy cheese, mountain dew baja blast, 4loko. i would make thomas try a jalapeno. i would also make them try my cooking experiments because i do that to anyone i live with

43. You’ve heard rumours of a tenth upstairs ghost who doesn’t often venture out of their room to visit with the other residents of the house. Who are they? (i.e. make up a ghost OC. I know i’m putting you on the spot. I just want to see what you come up with.)

it's george button and his bitch ass is too scared of his wife to come down. his downfall comes when he finds out there's another gay ghost and simply has to clap them cheeks (he fails)

44. Tell me a song you think [insert character name here] would like, or a song that reminds you of them!

i think alison's probably already introduced him to them but thomas + anything by the smiths. i would also make the captain sit quietly and listen to a tracy chapman cd (for my lover...)

45. What song(s) do you think would annoy certain ghosts the most?

the smiths would annoy everyone except thomas. literally they'd all be trying to re-kill him

46. Who is one actor you’d love to see guest star? What kind of character would you like to see them play?

steve coogan as like. anyone. preferably a ghost. a roman centurion ghost if you wanna get cultural. but seriously i just want alan

47. If you could have one Horrible Histories song in Ghosts (either sung by a ghost/ghosts, or playing on the TV or computer for them to watch), which one would you want it to be and why?

that song about how no 'british' stuff is actually british. like tea. i want julian to melt down

48. What do you think the ghosts’ jobs would be in a modern living-human AU where they’re all just chaotic housemates?

captain & kitty: have their own wedding planning company

julian: still a politician but instead of an mp he's like a parish councillor. handforth antics

fanny: headteacher

robin: cool off the shits teacher at same school who undermines fanny wherever possible. deals weed to students

mary: runs a shop selling like healing crystals and incense and dreamcatchers

humphrey: customer service supervisor who actually likes his job because he takes no shit and just fucks with every single customer

thomas: unemployed podcaster

pat: dogwalker

49. What is one modern invention you think [insert character name here] would be surprised or confused by?

fanny would be so baffled by any Feminine Products. when she discovers tampons it's all she can talk about for a week. the mooncup made her go into a coma

50. Name an AU you haven’t seen someone create content for, but which you’d love to read a fic or see some art for.

not to be the way i am but i'd love if anyone ever drew art or something about my au which is a modern-day au where fanny and captain are alison and kitty's divorced parents, julian and robin are captain's brothers and alison's wack uncles, mary is their childhood nanny, thomas is a student lodger at button house, humphrey is a cat and pat is just some guy. but yeah in the past i've had a couple of anons on here mention it and i did melt into a puddle... i think if someone did art i'd explode and die. in a good way like

[laniidae-passerine]

~Bees and Flowers~

- A Ghosts fanfic

(Author’s note - I only have Tumblr on mobile so I can’t put a -read more- on and I’m really sorry for that!)

The light was shining through the windows, throwing a glow over furniture and paintings. The air was soft and slightly sweet, tinged with the scent of blossom. The world was new on a Monday morning and Kitty, lying on her favourite chaise, well, she couldn’t be happier.

Except.

She had been in the garden with Fanny a few days ago, a simple question on her lips. In return she had received a complex rambling answer - which didn’t really count as an answer now she thought twice - but one part had stuck out to her. She was walking away from Fanny, attempting to escape her convoluted bee-flower-not about babies metaphor, when she caught the words-

“And sometimes, Kitty, bees only like other bees.”

Kitty had been confused about that for the past few days. Of course bees only liked other bees. Bees could move and buzz and do those funny little jigs on petals. Flowers couldn’t. Why would a bee like a flower more than another bee? Of course, she had always liked both bees and flowers equally, but still - it didn’t make any sense. What was Fanny saying?

She let the sun cloth her in its rays for a minute more, allowing one of the few things she could still interact with hold her, mulling what to do with her bee conundrum. One option would be to have Fanny explain what she meant, but that could be more trouble that it was worth. Kitty was never one for trouble, and if she was, it wasn’t often. So not Fanny. Who else?

She could ask Pat but she didn’t know if he would understand. And she was never going to ask Julian anything about anything ever again, she had already decided. Kitty was quite sure all the things he’d listed didn’t even make babies and she was not ready to hear about them ever again.

The Captain might be some help, but for some odd reason, Kitty felt as if he might be upset by the bees liking other bees story. Better not then.

Who else? The plague people in the basement scared her, Robin would be no help at all, Mary would say it was all the work of the devil and Thomas would just recite poetry at her.

There was nobody else, she frowned petulantly, and that wouldn’t do. Someone in the house must be able to answer her about the bees and flowers, yes, someone must, but who?

Suddenly Kitty heard a curse from the kitchen.

“Oh Jesus Christ - Mike! Mike! It’s the faucet again!”

Alison!

Of course! She could ask Alison, dependable, almost all knowing Alison, provided she wasn’t being distracted. Kitty waited a minute for the cursing to die down before lifting (levitating? she was never good with her words) herself off the chaise. She turned into the kitchen, greeted with an Alison who had one sleeve dripping wet, and the other grappling with the faucet.

“Hello,” Kitty said.

Alison, who had clearly become accustomed to the Ghosts entering rooms (provided they said something instead of lurking) looked up.

“Oh, hello Kitty.” Alison pushed hard on the tap and it ceased spraying water everywhere. “What is it?”

“Alison,” Kitty began, before pausing, unsure of her next sentence.

“Yes, Kitty?”

“Well. Fanny said something to me in the garden, when I asked her about babies? And I’m confused about it.”

Now Alison looked slightly worried.

“Uh - what did she say exactly?”

Kitty took a deep breath.

“She said - well she said that flowers and bees usually belong together. But sometimes, you’re a flower and the other bees, they don’t want you. The bees only want other bees. What does that mean?”

Alison blinked confusedly. “Wait, am I a flower or bee or myself in this metaphor?”

“You’re a flower. I think. Maybe.”

Alison pulled her arms away from the sink and turned to face Kitty. Her face was unreadable for once, and she appraised Kitty for a moment, before deciding to speak.

“Kitty, do you know what being ‘gay’ means?”

Ah, now this was a question Kitty could answer!

“No.” She hadn’t the slightest clue.

“No, I didn’t think you would,” Alison replied, “so I’ll explain. Kitty, have you ever liked anyone?”

Kitty stared. “Of course I have. I like you, and Mike, and the Captain, and Pat, and Fanny, and Thomas, and Mary and-“

“Not like that,” Alison cut off. “I meant, have you ever liked liked someone Kitty? Have you ever loved someone?”

Kitty thought for a moment. “Yes,” she replied, thinking of many the people she had loved when she was young and alive, so Alison went on.

“You see, when Fanny was talking about bees she really meant to say boys, and when she was discussing flowers, she was talking about girls. Of course, those aren’t the only genders, but those two are the two that most people identify as. I identify as girl, and you do too, don’t you?”

Kitty nodded, and Alison took that a sign that she still understood. Now came the harder part.

“Well sometimes Kitty, boys like boys. And girls like girls. And that’s what Fanny meant by bees liking bees, and flowers liking flowers. It was just a metaphor.”

A short empty moment past, but then Kitty’s eyes implored her to explain further - and so she did.

“Being a boy who only likes boys means you’re gay, and being a girl who only likes girls means you’re a lesbian. And both of those things are perfectly normal, and it’s okay to be both,” Alison finished.

With that, a silence fell on the kitchen. An awkward, slightly uncomfortable silence fell on the kitchen. And then suddenly, Kitty smiled.

“Is that it?” she asked.

“Uh- pretty much, yes,” Alison replied bemusedly.

“Oh! So... what’s the name for people who like both?” Kitty queried, still smiling in her signature grin.

“Um, uh - Bisexual,” Alison recalled, reciting the name of her own sexuality out loud, the first time she had done so in the new house.

“Bisexual.” Kitty tried it out on her tongue, letting her tongue roll over the vowels and catch on the “ul” sound. Did she like it?

Yes, she liked it. She liked it a lot.

“I’m Bisexual,” Kitty said, decidedly, “I like bees and flowers equally. They’re such fun!”

Alison paused. “No, Kitty it’s not about bees and flowers, it’s about boys and girls,” she tried, not wanting Kitty to confuse herself by midday.

“Oh. Well. I like boys and girls equally too. Am I still bisexual then?” Kitty asked, desiring clarification.

“Yes Kitty, that does mean you’re bisexual.” Alison grinned.

“I’m going to go tell people now! Oh, I shall sing a ditty about it! ” Kitty exclaimed, throwing her hands to her chest in exaltation. “What rhymes with bisexual?”

Just then, Pat walked in.

“Hello ladies! How are you doing on this fine day?” He greeted them, polite as ever.

“I’m doing well, Pat,” Alison smiled, “but Kitty has something she’d like to tell you.”

“Pat!” Kitty cried, taking him by both hands and beaming. “I’m bisexual!”

“Oh! Well, that’s wonderful Kitty!” Pat returned, equally as happy to see his friend in such high spirits.

“I know, it’s great!”

Quickly, Kitty rushed out the room, yelling at the top of her voice. “Everyone! Everyone! I’m Bi!”

The sounds of Julian telling her to “join the club” and Thomas telling her “I’ll write a sonnet about it! It will be a masterpiece!” soon joined her yells and the house began to fill with call of excited chatter. It even sounded like Fanny was not entirely perturbed by such a revelation.

Alison, who was still standing with Pat, began fiddling with the sink in the kitchen once again.

“Well isn’t that lovely!” Pat said to Alison, as she reached for the faucet.

“Yeah, it’s great,” she returned, turning her head back to face him. “But I tell you one thing. If I never hear another bee-flower metaphor again, it’ll be too soon.”

————————————————————

epilogue:

It was empty in the left wing, all except for one man. He stood, curiously peering over the side of the banister, attention captivated by the sound of shouting. From what he could hear, his compatriots were in good spirits. Ah, but nowadays that was hardly a surprise, with Alison and Mike living amongst them. Yet whatever it was that was causing the noise was something most spectacular indeed. They hardly ever yelled like this, not even when he - uh, the film crew - came around.

He leaned over further, paying no mind to how dangerous it would have been (he was dead, what was safety to him now?) and suddenly spotted someone on the floor beneath him. He tried to make out who it was but then, they looked up.

“Well, hello there!”

“Greetings Julian,” He replied, rather wishing it had been Pat or even Robin instead. “What on earth is causing all that hubbub downstairs, may I ask?”

“Oh, that.” His trouser-less companion looked rather bored, not like how the rest of the house were clearly feeling.

“Kitty just announced she’s bisexual.”

The Captain froze.

“I’m...I’m sorry?”

“Yeah, she’s been running all down the hallways, causing an awful racket. I mean, I couldn’t hear the race on the radio over all of it. Ridiculous. And I had an imaginary fiver on Seabiscuit with Robin too! Honestly, there’s no need for such a fuss!” Julian was ready to continue ranting but then he turned up to look at his friend. The Captain still hadn’t moved, and Julian didn’t know any better about the physical states of death, he’d say the Captain had paled a little more than usual.

“God, what’s the problem? Captain? Captain!”

At the sound of his name, like if he was a video that was just unpaused, the Captain jumped back to life.

“I just... How did everyone react?”

Julian pondered for a second. “Quite well actually. I mean, Fanny threw a little bit of a fit, but that’s to be expected and she calmed down a tad after - now, what did Alison say? Ah, yes, ‘being gay is accepted nowadays, Fanny, and just because your husband was a bad person, doesn’t mean Kitty is one too. Being gay is perfectly alright.’ Damn right too. I mean, I moved in a lot of directions when I was alive, a bit like a pendulum but only really if it swung up people’s-”

“Okay, yes, thank you Julian,” the Captain intervened hastily, not wanting to hear about where Julian, most likely incorrectly, thought pendulums could go. He paused.

“Did, did Alison really say that being gay was accepted nowadays?” He asked Julian, trying to hide the underlying interest in his tone.

“Oh yes,” Julian replied, “Why?” He smirked slightly at the Captain, who flushed.

“No, no reason! I’ll talk to you all later,” he told Julian hurriedly before straightening up, moving away from the bannister until Julian was out of sight. He looked down at himself, and saw his hands were slightly trembling - in both fear and intrepidation. He replayed the paraphrased words of Alison over again in his head. It sounded a bit like a mantra, like a prayer, like a blessing to him and he clung onto it.

And eventually, as he walked back down the hallway to mull Kitty’s revelation and his own feelings, the Captain felt a small, tentative smile creep over his face.

#ghosts bbc #bbc ghosts #bbc ghosts fanfiction #ghosts #kitty ghosts #kitty bbc ghosts #alison bbc ghosts #alison ghosts #the captain bbc ghosts #the captain ghosts #julian bbc ghosts #julian ghosts #thomas bbc ghosts #thomas ghosts #robin bbc ghosts #robin ghosts #fanny ghosts #fanny bbc ghosts #mary bbc ghosts #mary ghosts #pat bbc ghosts #pat ghosts #fanfiction #fanfic #ugh its not that good #bi kitty au bbc ghosts

[ghostssona]

LONG POST!! SORRY AHJSDKDS,, HERES MY 3 BAPYS……. Name: Bjorn Ottoson Date of birth: 772 AD Date of death: 806 AD  Age when they died: 34  Cause of death: Killed in self defence in a raid-gone-wrong for supplies for his village. Died on the grounds of Button House.  What are their thoughts on the ghosts there?

Pat: Bjorn is a funky man, respects Pat a lot and yearns to learn more about his era.

Thomas: He drinks respect women juice, so Thomas is not 100% on his good side - but he’s fine with him overall and enjoys listening to his poems.

Fanny: Like I said, drinks respect women juice. Doesn’t mind the screaming either as he’s a heavy sleeper.

The Captain: Gay mlm / bi mlm solidarity, loves the captain like a brother and appreciates and respects his authority.

Kitty: Loves her like a daughter!!

Robin: Best friends!! Plus Bjorn means bear, imagine the funky convos!!

Mary: Respect . Women . Juice . 

Julian: As soon as Bjorn learns the phrase “you’re on thin fucking ice buddy” he says it to him all the time and that’s that on that.

Humphrey: Carries his head around…loves this funky headless man.

The Plague Ghosts: Doesn’t see them enough to comment on ‘em!!

Jemima (the little girl): Women he respecc, but jemima he protecc.

Do they have any special ghost powers? Nope! If they could be seen by a living human, what would their response be? He’s funky and loveable and he’d want to hug them So Bad What do they look like? Ref coming soon!! Other: - First Viking invasion of England was 793 so he would have been 21 at the time!!  - Big soft dad vibes  - Best friends with Emelia and platonically parents Morgan……… ***

Name: Emelia Langdon  Date of birth: 1888 Date of death: 1911 Age when they died: 23 Cause of death: Died in her sleep from general weakness due to hunger strike and police brutality in Button House. What are their thoughts on the ghosts there?

Pat: She loves pat!! They don’t talk too often but she appreciates him!! 

Thomas: Not really got an opinion on him, but is one to follow him when he’s being overdramatic (i.e stay with him near the lake post episode four)

Fanny: I imagine Fanny would have invited her to stay at Button House while she worked for the WSPU due to living around the same time. Quite close, somewhat forming a mother-daughter relationship.

The Captain: Gay / lesbian solidarity, loves him like a father and is always down to listen to his war ramblings.

Kitty: Like a naïve little sister to her, very protective.

Robin: Fully engaged in his lunar eclipse tradition, appreciates him as the wisest.

Mary: Not much to say about her, nor is she too interactive with her, but they are wlw solidarity and Emelia is genuinely interested in Mary’s stories!

Julian: Refuses to even look at him unless someone is covering his lower half - does come to him on political stuff though!

Humphrey: No opinion formed really.

The Plague Ghosts: ^^

Jemima (the little girl): Akin to Bjorn, very protective of her.

Do they have any special ghost powers? Nope! What do they look like? Ref coming soon!! Can be seen on the 2nd draw the squad meme though!  Other: - Born to a working class family, hates the bourgeoisie. - Cried when she found out about the first female MP (Nancy Astor), especially since that is something she wanted to achieve.  - Scared of falling asleep.  - Also cried when same-sex marriage was legalised w/ captain *** 

Name: Morgan Palmer Date of birth: August 1st 2000 Date of death: 17th March 2017 Age when they died: 16 Cause of death: Drowned in the lake of Button House during a kayaking incident on a weekend school trip.  What are their thoughts on the ghosts there?

Pat: Loves him like a….third dad. Very close due to having that solidarity of dying in team activity incidents.

Thomas: No opinion.

Fanny: Annoyed by her screams and how uptight she is, but Emelia seems to like her a lot so they tolerate her.

The Captain: Fascinated with the wars and was studying it for GCSE, catches up on all the intricate details with him. 

Kitty: Finds her kind of annoying but she’s nice so they like her. Would never utter a bad thing about her to her or anyone else.

Robin: Fights the urge to call him valid all the time. Has a mega soft spot for Robin. 

Mary: Loves her!!! Thinks she’s funny as hell and wants to learn more about her history and period.

Julian: Rightfully think he’s a bastard, but can’t help but find him funny.

Humphrey: Can’t take to him. They want to because he seems nice enough, but has a general distaste of the Tudor era and the romanticism of it (Alison does get them into SIX though,,)

The Plague Ghosts: Doesn’t see enough of them to form a solid opinion, but finds them funny from little interaction.

Jemima (the little girl): Doesn’t see enough of her to form an opinion.

Do they have any special ghost powers? Yes! Nothing set in stone though, but something to do with water since….well, they died a watery death. If they could be seen by a living human, what would their response be? They’d rather not….they’re very closed off so they’d probably skedaddle. What do they look like? Ref coming soon!!  Other: - Nonbinary, goes by they/them pronouns!  - Very very close to Bjorn and Emelia, can usually be found in hugging sessions with them.  - Cries a lot about never being able to fulfil their dream of joining the army. - Has ADHD!

#OCs #oc: bjorn ottoson #oc: emelia langdon #oc: morgan palmer #ghosts oc #bbc ghosts oc #ghostsona #submission

[dex-xe]

Regarding the ficlet ideas :)

You don't have to do all or even any of these, these are just the things that popped into my head when I was scrolling through! Also if you want to write them romantically you do it, we love and support youuu!!!

Fluff: 7 (Mary and Robin, probably platonic) & 10 (Mary and Kitty, also probably platonic)

General: 18 (Julian and literally anyone, it'll be hilarious)

And General 45. With Alison and Cap (and maybe all the other ghosts) becuase I feel you'd write it really sweetly and honestly it's a scene I'd really like to see

Alison & Captain General #45: “Are you afraid to die?”

So there’s still one more prompt from this person (the Julian one) but I’m combining it with other ideas so expect that soon!! The others have also been done here:

Fluff #7

Fluff #10

But yeah,, this got no interaction at all on AO3 but that’s okay cause I actually really enjoyed writing this one there are some good lines I think. Let me know what you think either here on on AO3 I don’t mind. (Also there is a Doctor Who reference in here but I can’t remember which episode it’s from so if yall find it let me know XD)

TW:// in depth discussions of death.

The dark ceiling of Alison’s bedroom swirled in front of her as she listened to the soft rumbling of her husband’s snores beside her. The glowing red lights of her alarm clock served as a warning to her impending sleepless night: 2:15am.

Worries of life and family and the hotel and the unusual presence of 20 odd dead people inhabiting her home raced through her head as she begged for some kind of distraction from her thoughts. She tried not to set too many rules for the ghosts: whenever she did, they would work even harder to break every written order she laid down - and also every unwritten rule that common sense laid down. But one rule Alison was strict on was their nighttime curfew: do what you want around the house (as long as it doesn’t make too much noise, mess or irritance) but do not, under any circumstance, enter the master bedroom.

She’d originally given them the usual “only in emergencies” protocol but, after Robin had scared Alison out of bed at 4am having deemed a fat ginger cat on the front lawn an emergency, this had quickly been scrapped. But watching the dust flow through beams of moonlight while contemplating every life decision she’d ever made, the prospect of some inconceivable disaster interrupting the ghosts’ eternal deaths was seeming ever more pleasurable.

Alison sighed and sat up to look over Mike deep in sleep, jealous of his peaceful snoring. She swung off the bed being careful not to jostle the sheets but flinched at the freezing floorboards touching her bare feet. She tiptoed slowly through the empty corridors occasionally stopping to listen at the doors of the ghosts’ bedrooms: quiet snoring from Pat’s, mumbled sleep talking from Kitty’s, total silence on behalf of the others.

Every common room lay vacant, excluding Robin curled up in front of the dying fire, so Alison continued on to the kitchen - taking Nigel’s advice to fetch some milk when she’s stressed.

Upon entering the kitchen, she was taken aback to find it was not as empty as the rest of the house would suggest. Leaning back against the far tiled wall with his eyes shut and head resting back on the cold surface, the Captain looked as if he could be asleep standing upright. His eyes snapped open and settled straight on Alison frozen in the doorway. He blinked slowly before darting towards the corner of the room in his usual long-legged, gangly run.

“Captain?” Alison called as he turned away from her. “No, no! It’s alright!”

The Captain stopped. Still. Silent. In a moment of alarming quietness.

“Sorry for disturbing you, Captain. I’ll only be a moment!” Alison said quietly, making her way over to the fridge. “God, I hope Robin isn’t in here.” She pulled open the door with great gusto, fleetingly thrilled by the presence of broccoli, strawberry yoghurt, and half a pasta bake rather than the shouting menace of a caveman.

She shut the door with the milk carton in hand and turned to find the Captain still facing the wall, breathing heavily in what appeared to be a WW2 remake of the Blair Witch Project.

“You can just go back to… whatever you were doing, now,” Alison took a swig from the carton. “Plotting your latest hair-brained scheme to get rid of me?”

“Now, now, Alison,” the Captain said, turning back around to face her and swaying ever so slightly on his heels, stick gripped tight behind him. “I’m less inclined to dispose of you nowadays.”

“Yeah?” Alison raised her eyebrows with a knowing glance and took another sip. “Well, I appreciate that, Cap.”

“Hmm,” the Captain agreed.

“Why are you awake then? Are you awake or do ghosts sleep upright against a wall? Is this some mechanic I don’t know about? Do ghosts have to sleep?” Alison asked rapid fire.

“Of course we sleep! What did you think we do during the night?” The Captain pointed to Alison’s milk and frowned. “You shouldn’t drink it like that. That’s how disease spreads.

“It’s only me that uses it, just don’t tell Fanny, yeah?”

“Mum’s the word,” he murmured.

Alison smiled. “So why are you up, then? Shouldn’t you be getting that beauty sleep?”

“Sometimes it’s a little difficult to drift off, I’m sure you understand that being awake at this hour too.”

“Oh yeah,” Alison said quietly. She lifted her carton up in a small gesture of cheers and made a move to leave. “Well, got my milk. I guess… I’ll just head back to bed then. Good night, Captain.” She had barely made it out of the door before the Captain spoke up once more.

“You could stay for a while,” the Captain said. “If you wanted to. I mean, if you didn’t want to just lay in bed gazing at the ceiling.”

“I’d like that,” Alison pulled out the chair closest, scraping the legs across the tiled floor and interrupting the silence of the house. She left the chair open for the Captain and moved to sit opposite him, settling into the quiet comfort.

“Isn’t it weird to think the dead sleep?” Alison commented. “Doesn’t seem right, does it? Cause sleeping is a bit like being dead only without the commitment so it’s like you’re kind of double dead.”

“Death is nothing like sleeping, Alison. Don’t talk to me about death if you don’t understand it.” The Captain sniffed at her and leant back in his chair maintaining his usual stoic exterior.

“Sorry,” Alison said. “I didn’t mean-,”

“It’s fine,” the Captain said quickly. The pair fell back into silence, they had never exactly been the closest of friends and Alison certainly wouldn’t describe him as her best (undead) friend but they were friend-ly, for sure. Certainly more now that he’d ceased trying to drive her from the house at every opportunity that presented itself. Then again, death does strange things to people, Alison thought, her friends had proved that much. They showed little regard for the lives of the living, thinking very much of themselves and the Captain was surely the embodiment of that.

“It’s not awful, as such,” the Captain interrupted the quiet. Alison looked up from the table to find him watching her intently. “Death. It’s not as terrible as you might think. I know that’s what you were going to ask.”

“Oh,” Alison said. “I wasn’t- I wasn’t actually going to say anything.”

“I know. But you were thinking it.” The Captain said. “You’re in a rather unique position, Alison, I must say. Not many people can say they have a good understanding of death before it happens, but you know more than most.”

“I still don’t really get it, though,” Alison admitted drawing lines across the table with her fingers.

“If I’m telling the truth, neither do I,” the Captain confessed. “I don’t remember it too well. It was like- like falling asleep and then immediately waking up again. You know that plummeting feeling  that happens right as you’re about to drop into sleep, like everything is calm and then suddenly you’re losing grip of reality, and then you’re wide awake again.”

“A hypnic jerk,” Alison quipped.

“Sorry?” He asked.

“That’s what it’s called, that falling thing. A hypnic jerk.” Alison said. “We did it in science class, I think. Your body thinks it’s dying so it does the jerk to make sure that you’re still alive. Makes sense that’s what dying feels like, I guess.”

“Are you afraid to die, Alison?” The question took Alison by surprise, it was unlike the Captain to be open about his emotions and even more unlikely for him to ask about others’ feelings.

“If I have to stay with this rowdy lot for eternity, then yes definitely,” Alison joked with a small laugh.

The Captain smiled and hummed in agreement: “Oh I’m sure I’d have agreed if given the choice before death. Not exactly the most peaceful post-death existence.”

“I’m a little bit scared,” Alison admitted.

“You shouldn’t be too worried, it’s not all that bad,” the Captain said with a shrug.

“Yeah, because you seem to be having a blast with your afterlife, Cap. Happy as Larry,” Alison said sarcastically, she threw the now-empty carton into the bin beside her and settled back towards the table, leaning forward closer to the Captain - their faces barely inches apart.

The Captain paused, his eyes boring into Alison’s sleepy face before he leant forward to match her and whisper in secret confidence.

“It is rather bad,” he reneged. “You should fear it, well done for being scared.” Alison chuckled. “Well thanks, Cap! I feel so much better now!”

“Now, you know that’s not what I mean,” the Captain said slowly, unsure of where he was going next. “As long as you die here, you have no reason to be afraid. We’ll care for you in death as you have for us in life. Be sure, Alison, we’ll teach you all we know.”

“You know, Julian has told me the ‘teachings’ you gave him when he died,” Alison chuckled.

“Somebody needed to give that scoundrel a good telling off; heaven knows no one in life ever did. Julian died much as he lived: with an air of superiority.” The Captain coughed and smirked across at Alison. “He waltzed in here as if he owned the place, demanding authority and respect and, as far as I’m concerned, those are qualities that are earned.”

“Like you?” Alison said pointedly.

“I’m sorry?”

“Did you earn the authority you have over the others?”

“That is beyond the point.” The Captain stated. “You’re rather lucky, Alison! You’ve met a somewhat tempered version of Julian, he’s actually rather bearable these days, likeable sometimes, you wouldn’t believe him in the early days.”

“Oh I can only imagine! And I’m better then, I assume? Seeing as I’m deemed worthy of your afterlife teachings?” Alison laughed.

“Indeed,” the Captain said.

“Were you afraid?” Alison asked. “Of death, I mean? Obviously like, before it happened.”

“No,” the Captain shrugged, finally heeling away from Alison and breaking their close eye contact. “A soldier is never afraid. When you enlist to serve for your country, you relinquish any right to fear your death. Service kills many who enter, you cannot fear the inevitable.”

“But you didn’t die in service?”

“I was a soldier. No matter if my demise happened during the war or 60 years later, I lived a soldier and I died a soldier.” The Captain said certainly. Whenever he spoke of his time in the military he straightened right up and masked any kind of emotion he had allowed to trickle through.

“Now that you’re not a soldier then, are you afraid of… you know, moving on?”

“Of being sucked off?” The Captain clarified.

“I refuse to say that,” Alison shook her head. “And frankly it’s cruel that Julian has kept this joke up. But are you scared?”

“I am still a soldier, Alison. I’ll always be a soldier.”

“Time has moved on, no more fighting and no more soldiers but you know that, Captain.”

“Doesn’t change anything. Time.” The Captain said, matter of fact. The darkness of the kitchen mostly shrouded his face but Alison could easily make out the outline of his sharp features and piercing eyes.

“Time changes everything.” She stated. “You should know that better than most.”

“I’m a soldier.” He repeated, mumbling it under his breath like a reassuring mantra. “For King and country.”

“Queen.” Alison corrected.

Allowing himself, for just a moment, to relinquish his solid, iron-clad grip on the past, the Captain softly whispered: “For Queen and country.”

#bbc ghosts #ficbymax

[dex-xe]

i'm not sure if you're still taking asks so dw if you're not! i love your points so much and stuff and you said you were into politics so what do you think the ghosts would vote if they were alive and could? interested to see what you come up with! x

Anon, I love you XD Yes I’m still taking Ghost Post, I am always taking Ghost Post!! So yeh,, I’m a massive politics nerd and I have a lot of opinions,, so buckle up!! (Also fyi,, all of these are just jokes, please don’t take any of this seriously and don’t read anything into my choices. It’s just a TV show XD)

Under a keep reading because I don’t want people who are going to take this even remotely seriously to see it,, its just jokes boys. I’m not generally political on main (side hustles, lord help you) so I obviously don’t care in the slightest

im talking: Ghosts related questions, theories or headcanons yall have, your favourite characters/scenes/episodes/friendships + why, general comments on anything Ghosts you wanna say

Link to inbox: Max’s Ghost Post

Here we gooooo,, all love and jokes so don’t hate me

Robin - All politicians are lizard people, he does not trust them. He would vote MRLP because he likes the costumes.

Plague Ghosts - The Plague Ghosts are Communists, I do not take criticism on this one.

Humphrey - Now Humphrey is interesting. He’s obviously well educated, and is open to progressive views but I honestly couldn’t tell you which way he’d vote. I’d be inclined towards Labour but I’m not sure (of course he’d have to get control of the body first, to cross the ballot)

Mary - I’m honestly not sure about Mary but I’m going to say Green. She strikes me as the herbal tea, knit your own shopping bag type so I think Green would be nice for her.

Kitty - Labour, she’s a champagne socialist (affectionate) and would definitely vote left. She’s shown to be very progressive in her views unlike some of the other older ghosts so definitely left.

Thomas - Thomas is the human embodiment of the Liberal Democrats. If you asked me to paint a picture of a LibDem it would be a poorly proportioned, regency era portrait of Thomas Thorne. This man is everything a liberal dreams of being.

Fanny - Tory, next question

Captain - The Captain is actually really difficult, because as much as I wanna say he’d vote left from a queer angle, he’s not actually aware that that’s an angle for him so I’m not sure whether he’d pick up on that. But obviously the two important things for him are the military and the monarch both of which would suggest a right wing vote. But I honestly am not sure, I’d love to see other people’s takes on this one tbh.

Pat - Pat was Northern in the 1980s with a relatively low paying job in the education sector, he would exclusively vote Labour. No doubt in my mind, not up for debate (is this a fact or is it Max projecting onto a dead scoutmaster? Stay tuned)

Julian - Okay Julian is incredibly obvious but I’ll say it anyway: Tory.

This was fun,, I love stuff like this so thank you Anon!!

#max's ghost post