#TELEGRAPH HILL

[vintagehomecollection]

The most well known of San Francisco's numerous pedestrian streets is that section of Filbert Street between Montgomery and Battery streets on the steep eastern slope of Telegraph Hill - the Filbert Steps. This pastoral enclave, which includes the cross streets Darrell Place and Napier Lane and the nearby Greenwich Steps, is dotted with cottages that are testament to the bittersweet challenge of cottage living.

The Cottage Book, 1989

[sweetprfct]

Telegraph Hill

Joseph Quinn x Fem!Reader

Summary: Distance... It can be hard sometimes, but Joe always reminds you that it's worth it.

Author's Note: This was one of y'all favorites from my old deleted blog, so here's me re-publishing it. :)

Disclaimer: 18+, smut

Wordcount: 2.7K

Distance.

It was the one thing that made it hurt sometimes. It was the one thing that stopped the both of you from being together all the time. It was the one thing that made this relationship difficult. But it also made the both of you stronger and learned how to be patient and understanding. It made the both of you fight for this relationship harder. 

“Rough night?” That English accent slipped through his voice as you took a sip of god knows your fifth shot of tequila. 

You let out a scoff and turned to him with hazy eyes. “More like a rough month.”

He didn’t say anything but just chuckled softly as he drank his beer before you turned to him and said, “What? A girl having a rough time is funny to you?”

“No.” He answered sternly. “Though, you have to be careful. It looks like you had too many drinks and there are some weirdos in here.”

“And how do I know you are not a weirdo or a creep?”

He gave you a shrug and said, “Because I probably would have already come and hit on you like those three other men that had gone up to you tonight.”

He had a point.

You gave him a small smile, agreeing with what he said before ordering another shot of tequila. He had introduced himself to you as Joe. Joseph Quinn, the actor. You kinda heard about him, but you have never seen Stranger Things nor any of his projects before that, which made him give you a fake hurtful look on his face when you told him, and it made you giggle. Explained to you that he was in town for some project and since he hasn’t been in San Francisco, he decided to stay for a few more days to explore the city.

“Well, you picked the best city to explore.” You commented. 

“Seems like it.” He grinned. “Though, your hilly streets got my legs doing a workout.”

You laughed softly. You didn’t know then that it was the beginning of something new in your life. You had been having a rough month due to the fact that you just had moved to a new apartment and work had been kicking your ass left and right. You had come to the bar to get your mind off things and didn’t expect that you would be meeting someone new that night. The rest of the night was spent talking and getting to know each other. Joe knew how to make you laugh, and you knew how to make him blush and question his little comments on certain things. By the time you two had left the bar, you had mentioned that your apartment was just a few blocks away. 

“I can walk you.” Joe offered. 

You couldn’t help but giggle softly because you knew that your apartment was on top of the hill. You didn’t say anything though just to surprise him as you accepted his offer. The hilly streets were lit by the dimmed street lights and the both of you could hear the city noise surrounding you. The streets were empty and there were a couple cars that drove by here and there and when you both arrived on your street, Joe had taken a pause and gazed straight up at the hill that was in front of him.

“You must be joking.” He stated.

“Sorry.” You shrugged, laughing softly as you continued up the hill.

For a moment, you looked back and saw Joe shaking his head before following behind you. You were a bit drunk, so the hill definitely wasn’t helping you balance yourself. By the time you both arrived at the front steps of your apartment, you were both out of breath and red on the face. You sat at the steps and patted the space next to you.

“Come, look.” You said. 

Joe sat next to you and saw the view that you were looking at. It was the view of the city flickering in front of both of you and from a distance, you could see the Coit Tower standing bright and behind it was the Bay Bridge. 

“Wow.” Joe exhaled. “That’s beautiful.”

“I could never get used to this.” You grinned at him. 

“I could tell why.” Joe turned to look at you.

That was two years ago. You had invited him inside your apartment, and you both got to know each other more. Nothing happened, not even a kiss that night. You both just fell asleep and when the morning arrived, you had offered to take him around the city. By the end of the three days that you have known him, that was when he had kissed you. He had kissed you when you took him up the roof of your apartment to enjoy the city view. He leaned in and kissed you softly, and you didn’t expect it at all, but you didn’t reject it either because you wanted it too. Now, he was back home in London, and he had visited you from time to time, but he had been busy, especially now that he was starting to book more projects.

It wasn’t like you weren’t happy for him because you were. You were so happy that his career had been taking off ever since Stranger Things, but you couldn’t help but miss him. He just finished doing some comic con conventions mostly at the East side of the country and now, he is off to Malta to film Gladiator. You won’t see him for another few months and oh god, you missed him so much. You had let yourself indulge into some projects at work to occupy the loneliness that you have been feeling and let yourself stay overtime in the office. 

“Hey, go home.” Your co-worker, Sam, said when he had passed by your office. “It’s almost seven and it’s a Friday.”

“God, I didn’t even notice the time. Thanks Sam.” You sighed.

“Have a great weekend.” Sam smiled before walking away.

You took a deep breath, closed your laptop and got up from your chair. You let your arms stretch over your head and lean back to stretch your back before packing your things. Turning the lights off of your office, you walked over to the elevator and out the building. The bus ride home was crowded since everyone was trying to use the public transportation to go out on a Friday night. You, however, were dreading to go home and cook yourself some dinner. So, once you had gotten off the bus, you stopped by one of the restaurants to pick yourself up a takeout before walking up the big hill towards your apartment. You let your keys slide in the keyhole and let yourself inside. The moment you opened the door, you saw how the lights were all turned on.

Did someone break in?

You quietly dropped your bag by the front door and grabbed the baseball bat that was sitting behind the door. Letting your feet quietly walk towards the living room, you tighten your grip around the baseball bat.

“Is that you, darling?”

Your fingers suddenly loosened the grip from the baseball bat as soon as you heard that voice and saw Joe standing in front of you with wide eyes.

“J…Joe?” You muttered, letting the baseball bat fall on your side. 

“Woah.” Joe laughed, putting his hands up in the air. “It’s just me.”

It took you a moment to realize that Joe was actually standing there in front of you and that he was here. He really was here. You dropped the bat from your hands and immediately threw yourself in his arms, making him stumble back a little bit as he wrapped his arms around you tightly.

“I missed you so much.” Joe murmured.

“You have no idea.” You buried your face on his neck. 

You let yourself enjoy the moment and let Joe just embrace you in his warm and safe arms. 

“I cooked dinner.” Joe murmured, making you smile. 

“I bought dinner.” You chuckled, pulling away from him. 

You stared at him for a moment, studying every feature that you have missed so much. His curly brown hair, chocolate button eyes, pink lips that you missed so much, and how he looked healthy and happy. You love every part of him, and you still couldn’t believe that he was standing in front of you right now. 

“Wait, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Malta?” You asked.

“Actually,” Joe scratched the back of his head. “I was in Italy. I wanted to meet up with some friends, but I wanted to come here and see you before I fly to Malta next week.”

“Oh.” You played with his fingers. “How was Italy?”

“Great, but it would have been even better with you.” Joe grinned, slipping his hands on your waist, pulling you close to him. 

You hummed softly, your eyes staring at his pink lips. You bit your bottom lip as you gazed up to him, and you could see the want in his eyes. 

“God, I love you so much.” Joe whispered to you before planting his lips on yours. 

Smiling through the kiss, you wrapped your arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. Joe found his hands at the back of your legs, making you squeal as he wrapped your legs around his waist and walked you over to your bedroom. It had been so long since you had touched each other since the distance between the both of you had been a bitch. Laying you on the bed gently, his eyes studied you closely, a small smile tugging on his face. 

“I can never get used to how beautiful you are.” Joe smiled, towering over you and kissing you again. 

Your hands roamed every inch of his skin under his shirt as Joe’s lips found your jawline and down your neck, nibbling on the skin a little bit, letting out a small gasp from you. Joe let his hands slip under your shirt and unclasped your bra before squeezing both of your breasts, letting out a moan from you. 

“Joe.” You said, breathless. 

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you every day.” He murmured, his eyes finding yours as he unbuttoned your trousers. 

“Me too.” You replied. “I wish you’re here with me everyday.”

“You have me every day even if I’m not here physically.” Joe whispered, kissing you passionately as he let his hand slid under your panties, and curled his fingers inside of you. 

You moaned softly, feeling his fingers inside of you as he worked them. Your lips traced his jawline and let them roam down his neck, making Joe gasp at your hot kisses on his skin. His fingers left you as he pulled your pants down and threw it across the room. Joe moved himself lower and let his palms push both of your inner thighs.

“Joe, you don’t have to—” You gasped as his mouth found you. 

You were so wet for him, and he could taste it. He let his tongue work your clit as your fingers had found his hair, tugging on it lightly. He loved every minute of it. He loved every moan that you let out as he let his mouth continue to work. Your whole legs were shaking, and your mind was spinning. Joe grinned from the way he was making you feel as he towered over you again, and kissed you. He was still in his clothes, and you couldn’t help but think how unfair it was. So, you tugged on the hem of his shirt and slid it off his body. Then, you got your fingers working on the button of his jeans and oh god, you could see how hard he was for you. 

“Hm…” You smiled through the kiss. 

Joe helped you with your shirt, tossing it with the rest of your clothes on the floor as his mouth found your breast and let his mouth bite, lick and suck on it. Letting himself inside of you, both of you moaned softly. You were quick to flip the both of you over, towering over him and moving with him faster. 

“Fuck.” Joe cursed under his breath, his hands gripping on your hips tightly. 

You moved faster with him, catching your breath as you leaned down and buried your face on his neck. Letting your mouth suck on his skin, you moaned as Joe found the right spot just for you. His lips were giving hot kisses all over your body, letting your back arch at every kiss. You couldn’t think straight anymore. Your head was spinning, your eyes were barely opening as Joe slid his big hands on your back, holding you. He sat up on the bed and moved faster with you, continuing to hit you right on the spot, both of you panting and moaning each other’s names. 

You loved it. 

You loved it when he moaned your name. You loved it when he held you in his arms as your body shook from the orgasm that took over you. Joe followed you right behind before you let your body collapse on his. Taking your comforter and covering the both of you, Joe held you in his arms as the both of you still tried to catch your breaths. 

“I love you.” You murmured. 

“I love you so much.” Joe whispered in your hair as he planted a kiss and drew circles on your bare arm. 

When morning came the next day, you slipped on Joe’s shirt and made your way to the kitchen to make yourself a cup of coffee. The sun was just rising, and you tried to enjoy the morning peace for a moment. The thought of Joe being in your room right now made you feel warm and cozy on the inside. It was something you wished you were able to have everyday. Looking out the window, you felt two strong arms wrapped around your waist and Joe’s head leaned on your shoulder. 

“Hm…” Joe hummed. 

You smiled and looked over your shoulder to see Joe still had his eyes closed. “Baby, you could go back to bed. I know you’re tired.” 

“I can’t sleep without you.” Joe muttered, voice deep and raspy. 

You chuckled softly and set the mug on the kitchen counter before turning your body around. Joe wrapped you around his arms and buried his face on your neck. He hummed again, and you could feel his warmth radiating off of him. 

“Okay, let’s get you back to bed.” You said as the both of you went back to your bedroom. 

Joe laid back on your bed, grabbing you at the same time, letting out a squeal out of you. You laughed when you landed on top of him, and Joe grabbed the comforter to cover the both of you before planting repeated soft kisses all over your face.

“Joe!” You laughed. 

Joe laughed, finally opening his eyes and stared into yours. “What if I just don’t go to Malta, and I stay here instead.”

“Hm…” You poked the top of his nose. “Then, you will lose your job, and I don’t want to be the reason why you got fired.”

Joe laughed, caressing your cheek softly with his thumb. “Okay, but I’m coming back as soon as I can.” 

You laid next to him, resting your head on his bare chest. “Okay, but for now, you have me for the weekend.”

“That sounds perfect.” He kissed your forehead before closing his eyes again. 

Gazing up to Joe, you smiled and watched him slowly fall back to sleep. 

Distance.

It hurts sometimes. It made it difficult for you sometimes but looking at him sleeping peacefully in your bed, you knew that wherever he was in the world, he had your heart and you had his. Somehow, that was enough reason for you to keep being strong. You knew one day, you’d be able to be with him every day but for now, your little moments with him in this little apartment on top of Telegraph Hill was enough. 

The End.

*********

Taglist:

@palomahasenteredthechat @sunvick @eddies-acousticguitar @demonsanddemogorgons @joesquinns @mmunson86 @ghostinthebackofyourhead @corrodedcoffincumslut @figmentofquinn @tlclick73 @browneyes8288 @munsonluvrr @ali-r3n @ficsbypix @capricornrisingsstuff @missonlypost @ali-in-w0nderland @amberolivia666 @lalalala-melmosworld @niallersfreckles @nanas-lasagna @emma77645 @indulgence-be-thy-name @readergf @ladamari68 @1paire2vans @d4rk4ng3l86 @paleidiot @josephquinnsfreckles @readergf

[rabbitcruiser]

The Coit Tower was dedicated in San Francisco as a monument to firefighters on October 8, 1933.  

[accidentallyrose]

Another rooftop collage.

[tastethebuscuit]

Coit Tower, San Francisco

[inyoureyes-415]

Mar 5, 2023

Location: Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, CA

Coit tower, 360

[dansnaturepictures]

Corn Bunting, Orange Tip and Cuckoo: Three of my key species over the last month 

Over the last month I have had some brilliant times seeing these species. Corn Bunting was a fantastic late addition to the amazing time we had in Scotland with the one in the first two pictures in this photoset that we got phenomenal views of on a fence at Banff in Abderdeenshire. It was so good to watch it singing so well in the sunshine, these were some of our greatest ever views of this species. A species we have mostly seen at Martin Down over the last few years, and on our first visit to this brilliant reserve of the year yesterday we also got some stunning views of this species; from one seen near instantly on arrival atop a bush to one by the ditch in a similar position which I took the third and fourth pictures in this photoset of that we enjoyed prolonged views of. Like the Banff bird it sang it’s heart out which was very pleasurable to witness. That’s the key thing with this bird of the year so far for me that I’ve seen them singing and appreciated their song perhaps uniquely more to previous years. 

The day after we arrived back from Scotland my butterfly year took a step up in gear seeing my first Orange Tip of the year on a fine sunny lunch break walk at Lakeside. It was an honour to see this ice lolly butterfly dancing through the air and landed, I took the seventh picture in this photoset of it on a daisy that day. That week in Winchester I was delighted to see these delicate beauties at Winnall Moors, taking the fifth and sixth pictures in this photoset of it. As we’ve stepped towards going for the more site specific species as our butterfly year has grown we’ve enjoyed seeing Orange Tips on these including at Noar Hill and Martin Down with recent views at Lodmoor and the River Stour too. These are bright butterflies I always cherish seeing and I love when they emerge in spring. 

My spring has stepped up nicely for the birds over the last week or so with a string of strong Cuckoo encounters. I firstly possibly heard a faint one calling on a sunny day at Lodmoor last Saturday, before one of my most epic ever Cuckoo encounters in the New Forest last Sunday. We saw a bird my Mum is calling Terry who frequents the area between Telegraph Hill and Eyeworth Pond in the New Forest, and we got some sensational views. Seeing the bird fly effortlessly over the heath, go onto trees, pop down to the ground and back up. I cherished enduring and spectacular views of this striking and wonderful bird. There was possibly a second seen on the walk. Inside what has been a hugely packed time of many top wildlife encounters over the last month it’s important to remember just how monumental this Cuckoo sighting was as it was some of the finest views I’ve had of them in my beloved New Forest where we’ve seen them so much over the last twelve years and has been so important to us seeing them. The one big moment I will look back to I think was seeing this Cuckoo go to ground and pick up a worm, one of those simple moments of nature but perhaps a rare glimpse into their world so you also feel so privileged to see it. I took the eighth and ninth pictures in this photoset of this bird.

I heard more at Bentley Wood the next day, Lymington on Saturday and also at Martin Down yesterday. Then this cemented itself as perhaps my best ever Cuckoo week when after ten years of often hearing them here but never seeing them at the reserve we saw two Cuckoos, one of them shown in the tenth and final picture in this set. It was an honour to see them flying and on top of small trees. It was precious extra time seeing these birds after securing the species for my year list a week prior. This has been an extraordinary few weeks of bird and wildlife watching and photos for me and it’s been fantastic to see these three species so well. 

[joe-takes-photos]

[kojiarakiartworks]

June 2013 KTM Kathmandu Nepal Patan

© KOJI ARAKI Art Works

Daily life and every small thing is the gate to the universe ：）

[icannotgetoverbirds]

blease read this quote from this book about a pair of lesbian cockatoos

under a cut because it's kinda long

Some birds bond only with other birds, some only with humans, and some with both. Sammy had shown interest in other birds at Earth Angel, and had even spent time in her enclosure with a few favorites, but she hadn't found a mate. I was beginning to think she would never bond with anyone but me. It made me sad.

I think finally being in a fulfilling marriage myself made me realize how much Sammy was missing. There are plenty of unhappy marriages in the world - as a psychologist I see more than most people do - and a bad marriage can tear two people down. A good marriage is different. It can make us stronger; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Still, humans can survive happily with no permanent partner. It's in a parrot's nature to want a mate.

Then Sammy met Little Girl and everything changed.

Little Girl was a Moluccan cockatoo, and with her pink-tinged feathers and bright crest, she looked a lot like Sammy. Unlike Sammy, she still had most of her feathers. She had spent years in a garage, usually with the door down. In that unventilated space, most of Little Girl's days were dark and stifling. She didn't have people or birds to interact with.

Her owner came out to the garage occasionally to give Little Girl food or clean her cage, but most of the time she sat alone. She didn't even have a window to watch the outside world. She was truly in solitary confinement.

The neighbors heard Little Girl's cries, and they called the police. The police visited, but there was little they could do. There aren't laws protecting lonely parrots. The most they could do was cite the owner for the noise, and they didn't even do that.

The neighbors kept complaining, though, trying to get something done for the bird. Eventually, the owner called us. She was tired of dealing with the neighbors.

When we came to pick up Little Girl, the owner wasn't there to say goodbye. She said she was busy and left her son to open the garage for us. She'd said on the phone before we arranged the pickup: "If she wasn't so noisy I wouldn't have put her in there."

We took Little Girl out of the garage and drove her to our veterinarian. Once he cleared her for Serenity Park, it was time to find her a perch.

We decided to place Little Girl with Sammy. Sammy was never aggressive with Mango; she just wasn't crazy about him. Maybe a different bird would work. Sammy hadn't been interested in any males, so maybe it was time to test her with a female. I've observed several parrots through the years who, like some humans, prefer their own gender. Somehow, Matt and I both felt it was a good match.

We introduced the two birds slowly. First, we let them see each other for a while. Then, when they seemed comfortable, we put them on opposite ends of the enclosure. We let the birds take their time approaching one another. For Sammy and Little Girl, comfort seemed to come right away. Once we introduced them, they didn't have time for any of the other birds. The two groomed each other. They shared a perch. They seemed to talk together in a language that was their own. They were physically affectionate. Little Girl had suffered for a long time, but she was no longer alone.

Sammy was enthralled by Little Girl. She still got excited when I came to visit, and she still let me cuddle her, but she'd soon move back to Little Girl's side. Sammy had been the first bird I'd been close to and I missed our special interactions, but I was thrilled for both of them.

We had both found our mates. Everything was as it should be.

-- Lorin Lindner, Birds of a Feather, pages 204-206

@fishandchips321 us

anyways brb i gotta go cry about these lesbian birds

[pleatedskirt]

Julia Pacha for Telegraph Luxury February 2023 by Hill & Aubrey

[vintagehomecollection]

The Filbert Steps on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco is filled with cottages accessible by stairs and boardwalks. This adorable cottage is still part of that neighborhood today. The building is still red and still has the scalloped fascia.

The Cottage Book, 1989

[rabbitcruiser]

The City of San Francisco was incorporated on April 15, 1850.

[holyviolence]

WATCHED IN 2023: I had a strange feeling that Aunt Sophie saw through me. I wondered, if I could have spoken to her, whether she would have understood. She did look kind and wise. Yet I couldn't help myself from feeling that something was wrong in this house. 

THE HOUSE ON TELEGRAPH HILL (1951) DIR. ROBERT WISE

[tastethebuscuit]

Fresno and Kearny Streets, Telegraph Hill

[cyphertronix]

its funny being a californian especially from the bay area where piedmont is because then i'll be like "yeah alex hirsch probably named him stanford after stanford university bc that school is basically a west coast ivy league" and "oh yeah oakland's the big city right next to piedmont, someone got shot at the 7/11 near my work there once"