#(the tatoos are a bit less than what pictured but its close).

[asea0fmxses]

* This is pretty close to what my Demi looks like 👀

[meetinginsamarra]

mayprompts2024, #30 journey

Chapters 1 to 6 here on AO3

If you like the tattoo AU give it some love on my AO3, please. It would mean a lot to me. TYSM!

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White Pony Tattoo - Part Ten (journey)

Eight days later, once again, John found himself hovering in front of 221 Baker Street. He wondered if there would ever come a time when he would be able to simply just walk inside because he was sure about it like every other normal person would probably do.

The days since he had last seen Sherlock had flown by, with John barely noticing the passage of time. He had thought a lot about what Mrs Hudson had said to him in her kitchen. Not the threat she had uttered. But the thing about Sherlock having had a hard time in his past.

John had pondered about what might have happened to him, what had hurt Sherlock so much that he had needed to put up that wall of protection around himself. To build an armour around his heart.

Of course, John wouldn’t ask. He also promised himself not to stalk Sherlock on the internet any further. If Sherlock wanted to trust John with telling him anything about his past, it was solely up to Sherlock to take the first step into this direction.

Calais Reno, the movie star, whom John had begun to follow on Instagram out of sheer curiosity, had posted a picture of the newly acquired tattoo yesterday. It had been placed on the outer side of the right calf and reminded John of a mixture between HG Wells’ steampunk-inspired time machine and Doctor Who’s Tardis. It was intricately detailed and although it was very close to a technical drawing, the image seemed three-dimensional. Given that the movie star was known to be a fan of stories about time travel, it was the perfect choice.

John would have expected nothing less, coming from Sherlock.

Which made him more and more curious about the phoenix Sherlock would put onto him this afternoon. Excited. Also, a bit anxious. What if he didn’t like Sherlock’s design after all? Sherlock had only texted John, giving him a time and a date when the tatooing would take place but he had not given the tiniest hint concerning its design.

John remembered very well the part of Sherlock’s shop sign that demanded no arguing. He would just have to trust Sherlock, John supposed.

Into battle. John opened the door.

Sherlock, dressed in a deep green shirt today, was already waiting and welcomed John with a radiant smile. This time, he reciprocated John’s firm hug with much more comfort and surety.

Without further ado, John was led into the tattoo parlour behind the curtain and Sherlock wordlessly gestured at the computer screen. It showed a black-hued phoenix. In a realistic 3D view that turned from side to side in an endless loop as if John was moving his arm. The firy bird totally eclipsed the Virgin Mary tattoo, depicted in faint red hues underneath, leaving not even the least bit of ink uncovered.

John stared with his mouth hanging open and didn’t know what to say.

“Given that you just perform the perfect impersonification of a gold fish, I take it that the design pleases you.” Sherlock deadpanned.

“Holy cow, Sherlock, this is,” John’s voice was hoarse as a multitude of feelings rushed through him, “this is… perfection.”

 John must have chosen the right word because Sherlock’s face flushed red.

“It had to be. More than any tattoo before.” Sherlock swallowed, fiddling awkwardly with his hands. “I made it for you, John.”

“Sherlock, I…”

But Sherlock launched into a flurry of rapid movements, starting to set up everything for the tattoo session. It looked like a meticulously rehearsed ballet performance and John was transfixed by the lithe beauty and grace.

“Get comfortable in the seat,” Sherlock said whilst putting various needles, phials and two tattoo guns onto a tray, “I estimate that it will take three and a half hours to tattoo the phoenix. If you need a break, to move or stretch, just say so.”

John did as he had been asked and then Sherlock took off his dress-shirt to put on sterile surgical gloves. Underneath it, Sherlock wore a skin-tight black t-shirt where the short sleeves had been cut off. For the very first time, John saw Sherlock’s arms and the sight made him grateful that he was already sitting.

Sherlock’s arms were nothing short of spectacular.

Beautifully muscled, like a dancer’s, skin milky-white and smooth like marble. His right arm was not tattooed, but the left was wholly covered with intricate lines of deep black and brilliant red. From John’s point of view, they looked like dancing flames.

Sherlock apparently felt John’s eyes on him because he suddenly kept still. He turned, stepped up to John and held out the tattooed arm so that John could take a look at its front side. He carefully watched John’s reaction.

“You also have a phoenix on your arm!” John gasped. “A huge phoenix surrounded by flames!”

“Brilliant observation, John.”

John realized that every time Sherlock had become sarcastic before, at least when he had talked to John, it had been an indicator of Sherlock being nervous. Something that he would never openly admit.

But what should Sherlock be nervous about?

The tattoo was beautiful and perfect and then John remembered what Sherlock had said about perfect tattoos. That they had to connect to their wearer’s personality and history. The implications of Sherlock’s professional credo in connection with chosing a phoenix for himself made John dizzy.

Did that mean…

“Are you a survivor, too?” John blurted, overwhelmed by his sudden epiphany.

Sherlock sighed. He fought an inner battle, the pros and cons of the choice he was about to make clearly written on his face.

John didn’t say anything, knowing Sherlock needed time for what this was. To find the courage and the trust to tell John about it.

When Sherlock had made his decision, he straightened his back and carefully wiped every emotion off his face, but his eyes stayed wary and apprehensive and he looked right over John’s head.

“It’s been a long journey before I’ve arrived where I am now.” Sherlock gestured with his hand to the tattoo parlour. “It’s not been a joy ride for a very long time. I’ve literally died, John! My heart had stopped and I’ve been brought back to life.”

John simply nodded one time. He did not dare move another muscle, lest Sherlock might get spooked and retreat back into his shell.

Sherlock took a deep breath, gathering his strength. He slowly searched for John’s eyes. After finding them, he asked silently.

“Have you ever wondered why I chose the name White Pony Tattoo?”

++++++

tagging some people @totallysilvergirl @peageetibbs @lisbeth-kk @raina-at @calaisreno

[annetteblog]

I spent January 1 watching YoI and it’s the best way to start a new year, I guess

So, yes, after all these years I finally watched Yuri on Ice. The biggest thanks to all people, who recommended me to do it, because it was amazing :) 

Now, beware of my incoherent rambling about the characters, the plot, figure skating, Victuri (Victuuri?), LGBTQ+ representation, and Russia, just because I need this 🙃

First of all, I had never thought that one day I would end up having a crush on a Russian man, but here I am, having crush on a Russian 2D man. Victor Nikiforov, how dare you steal my heart like this! He’s some kind of a damn Russian Apollo... So I perfectly understand Yuri’s gay panic in the first couple of episodes 🤣 dude, I feel you.....

What I specifically liked about the characters, it’s their growth. They were not frozen, but gradually developed to become more mature towards the end. Victor becoming less selfish, more compassionate and empathic; Yuri becoming mentally stronger and more confident. And Yurio... he’s such a lovely pirozhochek!!! :D Really, this “I-am-strong-and-independent-grown-up” kid with his love to pirozhki is just 🥰 But yes, he also mentally grew.

For me as a Russian, it was a pleasure to see normal Russian characters in a foreign show. They were talented and nice, wow, that really happened!!! Honestly, I’m so sick of this “bad-drinking-vodka-prison-tatoos-nucklear-weapon-terrible-accent” narrative (I watched Tenet the other day, and I was literally sitting like this 😐 the entire film; they forgot to add a bear for the full picture). And normal Cyrillic! Not perfect or 100% correct, but at least it was readable and understandable, not just a classic American movie with a Russian text, which looks like this - зжэщгардгрвъ шщыралойцы фвзпролдрппппп (yes, I just hit my keyboard). The same applies to the athletes from other countries. Kazakhstan!! Otabek!!!! 

I also needed to pause one of the episodes just to scream at this

Aeroflot (rus - Аэрофлот) is a Russian airline. And yeah, it sucks 😄

But seriously, you can clearly see that they did their research, cared for details and payed attention to things, and I, as a foreign viewer, really appreciated this. I really hope, that one beautiful day shows’ producers start to make characters from different cultures, who are just... you know... ordinary normal people? and not just a bunch of stereotypes?? or necessarily devilish evil just because they are from another country??? 

And now, the ship! 

I’m not really familiar with a lot of anime, and definitely not familiar with genres like yaoi, although I’ve heard about its stereotypes and certain common patterns. Here, however, it was a pleasure to see a same-sex relationship, which was not just a cool fetish for some young straight girls (nothing against young straight girls), but like... an actual relationship? Plus the creators successfully embedded it into the main plot, without shifting the central focus of the show and abandoning the actual sport competitions. 

I really enjoyed the delicate approach to the relationship’s development. Considering the characters’ own path of progress, the relationship they formed were equal and mature. Also their care and clear tenderness towards each other were speaking louder than words.

Sidenote. I had never realized how much I needed a Russian non-straight character in my life until, well, yesterday. Thankfully, I had the Internet since I was around 11, so I spent my teenage years watching a lot of American/ West-European tv-series. LGBTQ+ representation was not something out of the ordinary, it was not a taboo; and it mattered to me, a young girl, who tried to figure out what the F was going on with my own self. But I had never seen a Russian LGBTQ+ fictional character on the screen. Ever. Honestly, I had never payed attention to this fact. Normally I don’t really care about a person’s nationality, so I couldn’t even think that having some queer character, who is Russian, would be somehow important to me. As it turned out yesterday, it was actually important. And, I guess, one of the deeply personal reasons why I liked YoI, was the fact of seeing someone from my own country and my own culture, who was non-straight and being just fine and perfect the way he was. Even though I’m not a struggling young girl anymore. 

Okay, back to the tale, before I become a teary mess again. 

Their relationship was heartwarming to watch. Although there were clearly some sexual undertones, it didn’t end up being just some sexy gay boys. It was definitely about the growth of love, firstly fragile but becoming stronger and more affectionate with time. Their bond became psychologically equal; and they do complement each other, being codependent in the best sense. And it was beautiful. 

However, from what I quickly gathered while reading a few comments, some people still claimed that there was not enough clarity in terms of their relationship?? I have to disagree with this completely. Excuse me, but you don’t exchange matching golden rings in a church with your friend to wear it on your ring finger. You definitely don’t passionately kiss it seconds before an important performance. And you don’t cry your eyes out if your friend suggests you to end your partnership. If you do, I have some news for you, dear 🤡

I honestly can’t figure out what kind of a bigger clarity some people want. If the same plot was shown between a man and a woman, you would get the message from the episode 1. Or at least from that episode, where they were naked making out i mean...... practicing some moves?? wtf it was, honestly, I was too busy laughing 😆 However, seriously, what do you need? Is this really necessary to show an R-rated sex scene for some people just to get it? Lame. 

Sure, YoI was not perfect. Some bits with figure skating were off, and there was some obvious magic going on in terms of homophobia, more specifically - its absence. I mean, I’m not an expert in LGBTQ+ rights in Japan (although I know it’s not  that great), but if a Russian figure skater came out or just had some kind of (publicly known) unidentified close relationship with a same-sex partner, their successful career would be over. And not just Russian, I guess, any figure skater would face similar problems. It’s a very conservative sport. 

But, actually, I was grateful that they showed it the way they did. Fairytale-ish. A show doesn’t have to be realistic to be great. It’s enough if it warms our hearts and gives hope to the brighter future. The real world may be cruel and unjust, but we all need kind and reassuring stories to keep us going. And such story about caring relationship and love is the great example of this. 

Lovely, funny, refreshing, and heartwarming. 

Or, just quoting Victor

vkusno!!! (c) 

😄

I will definitely rewatch it at some points in my life.

and now excuse me, I need to fall into the rabbit hole of fanfiction, haha stupid me

P.S. 

This moment was 

hot

[lordofsunshadowandsailor]

story replies

Thank you @declarations-of-drama @simcatcher @simblu for the comments, that I have tried to answer thoroughly, and to all of you who have liked and supported my story.

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Praecepta tua in domo tua!*”  Alvar mouthed, immediately regretting...”

I really don't like Alvar with that eye monicle thing - it makes him look so creepy to me! Great scene though!

I have to confess that I don’t like it either. But the monocle, along with the top hat, the cape, the cravat, even the beard, are the things Alvar currently hides underneath -- hides his feelings, hides his doubts, hides his sadness, his traumas --, as well as being the items he needs to impersonate the role he still isn’t comfortable in -- that of Lord Phallihurst, 4th Earl of Mentoolshire.  

It was also a way of differentiating the young Alvar we see in college and the grown up Alvar, more than 10 years later.

Thank you for the compliment!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “The boy was freezing to death.” Alvar tried to parry the physician’s...”

Is that a heart tatoo on Alvar's chest? I can picture Tobio's hand over it feeling the throb :D

That was my try and take on the blast injuries caused by the mine explosion that crippled Alvar and killed his cousin Frederic. They are actually bird tattoos, that I’ve described as “the distinctive tiny craters left on the otherwise fine, pale skin, by the mine explosion, which had also burned the tissue delineating his master’s still desirable biceps “. Simprovisation!

I bet Tobio wishes to lay his hands again on Alvar, but now that they are adults, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I might be wrong, though...

(or are you referring to his nipple? omg...)

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Alvar inspected the stairs. Covered with carpet, they seemed almost...”

Aww :( So sad. And I love this shot with the light shining in on such a terrible scene of death and upset :(

I might have given the impression, when Alvar says “We won’t be needing it anymore…” that Apollo Tim has just passed away... But what I meant is that there is no reason anymore to place a cloth to hide boy’s crotch, since they are indoors now... That’s what then enrages Tobio!

Light beams are always a pretty addition to the scenes, but I have to control myself otherwise I’m always trying to find an excuse to insert them...

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Won’t we? Really!” Tobio stamped his right foot, which made the...”

He has a kid? :O

Yes, Tobio is a widower and a father -- and I wanted to introduce this before his sex scene with Alvar, that comes in a flashback from their youth, to actually complicate things, and perhaps make the character less linear :)

declarations-of-drama replied to your post “replies to replies and sexually charged replies”

Well, that certainly cleared up a lot and educated me on a lot of things! Thanks very much for these replies, and I do look forward to delving deeper into the story of LoSss, and I am so glad that I would be shocking Alvar with my words, yes he might blush at Sly Dog! But I would look him in the eye and say "Acting all innocent, licking your hand and hitting the target? YEAH YOU KNOW!" and Alvar would blush and look away because he would agree with my name for him :D :D

But I am very fond of him already so I would never say that to his face ofc :p

Again, you made me laugh so much with this comment. 

Alvar probably needs someone in his life to make him blush and lose his phlegm, especially now that he is an Earl in all his composure -- I really have to consider that and introduce such a character in the story!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Boys from the congregation. Dubious looks he had probably misread,...”

And so it begins for Tobio SMH :(

I’d say it has never stopped -- sex was a rather brief interlude, a moment of losing his head that will have its consequences for the rest of his life... We’ll see more of Tobio in Chapter 3.

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Boys from the congregation. Dubious looks he had probably misread,...”

Also can't believe we are getting an update tonight! This is so much to read, I need to buy some crisps or something to go with my hot chocolate :D

So nice to imagine you getting all comfy to read my story! :)

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Little Lord, wasn’t he called, too? As Tobio looked Alvar with new...”

Oh dear, this is going to be horrible for the both of them. I can just feel it. How the mind can make you see things like that in order to taunt you and make you think you've not enjoyed something so much that it must be tainted or disfigured to make it seem all the worse. Stupid Human Brain huh!

This instance I mean. I can sense some sort of fight perhaps or upset

It’s an acute observation that you wrote above! In reference to Alvar and Tobio, though, this is just the closing of their sex scene, but not the closing of the chapter yet, and I hope to satisfactorily summarize their different reactions to what has just happened to them, perceptions that change even over the time -- but the fact is, they are still together, somehow, ten years later. 

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Freddie.  His beloved, solar cousin Frederic, who at that moment he...”

Oh my!

simcatcher replied to your photo “Freddie.  His beloved, solar cousin Frederic, who at that moment he...”

He really is handsome !

Thank you both! This is one of those Sims I use as base and modify each new story I tell... Simcatcher ‘surely’ remembers Armand de Montbelle from The Last Canvas -- well, cousin Freddie is the 20th variation of Armand!

simblu replied to your photo “Freddie.  His beloved, solar cousin Frederic, who at that moment he...”

I admit I don't know what a "solar " cousin is.. off to go google

I’m sorry, dear. This was a licentia poetica (poetic license in English?). Freddie is so blond, so beautiful, so tanned, so intense, so bright, so... solar, do you understand now what I meant? He is also nicknamed Phoebus,  meaning shining, radiant, bright in Greek, as I have already mentioned in his first appearance. 

Maybe I’ll edit this post and add his nickname, that is actually an epithet for Apollo (the god, not the character). A bit confusing still, is it?

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “The communication between them forever forbidden.  Or secret, since...”

What did the missive say I wonder? Does Freddie have the same feeling for Alvar?

Thank you for asking. I am slowly introducing this character and his vital importance in Alvar’s life, but Freddie will have his moments of taking the center of stage in this story, so we will learn more about him, and his relationship with Alvar.

simblu replied to your photo “Alvar?” Tobio whispered, trying again to wake the other from his...”

Again, so sad, the separation between them despite their physical intimacy

Sad indeed, but also quite cliche from me, isn’t it? This has been happening to people from the dawn of humanity, I’d say... Lots of sex, fleetingly satisfying, while love remains quite more rare, and often detached from sex, or sex happening without affection. 

At the same time, for all I have commented in other replies, love at first sight was never a possibility between Alvar and Tobio.

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “There was one thing more, though. Feeling confident, feeling he had...”

I can feel the tension now rising in Tobio. Get out of there Alvar, just get the hell out!!!

Anyhow, he doesn’t seem to be violent as a young man (though the war might change that in him), so Alvar has nothing to fear for now -- except, perhaps, a slap (on the face, not on his butt, or it might get things going again). A slap that comes indeed, in the form of words. 

simcatcher replied to your photo “Along the perceptible dimming of light, both out and indoors, came the...”

Maybe it's just to me, but Alvar seemed much more of an evanescent young man, a dreamer, all in all, a little boy in his college years. I like the contrast with the strong, very manly version of himself all these years later. After the war and all its horrors, I wonder if there's still room for the little boy inside him ? He's quite an intriguing character :)

Thank you so very much for reading my characters so well!!!!

You’ve been doing that since The Last Canvas, and it says a lot about you as a writer and a reader and probably as a person, too.

I did want to stress this contrast between 19 yo Alvar and him at 31 yo (I guess somewhere around that age, at least), just as you have perceived it.

But of course, this is not the only development arch this character will cover. 

I’d say there is no room at all for the little boy inside him at the moment. But, after some struggle at Pennington Park (Chapter 1), Alvar opened space for the ‘little boy’ (Apollo Jim) he is now carrying in his arms -- and how that will affect him is what we will see throughout the story. 

While in the sex scene Alvar was referred to as ‘boy’, in the scenes of the present, Apollo Tim is ‘the boy’, so that’s another change of perspective over time.

And, of course, we still don’t know why Alvar decided to rescue the boy, though I’m sure an idea is forming in some reader’s minds...