#arthur isles

[julieverne]

"You're my daughter, darling. Of course I love you," Constance says, and Maura wishes she could believe her. She lets herself be held anyway, understanding that Constance is trying. That Constance believes she loves Maura.

+++

"I loved you before you were born, and I'll love you long after I'm dead. I only regret that I didn't have as much time with you as I could have." Hope's eyes fill with easy tears, and Maura nods. Knowing how it must have felt for Cailin to live up to a dead baby, because that's what she's trying to do. She lets Hope hold her, rock her like the baby Hope sees when she looks at her. The one she still mourns.

+++

"I'm sorry I'm calling and I'm sorry about the way I was, last time you saw me," Frank Rizzoli says, and Maura knows how hard it must be for him to apologise. "I know I can't make it up to you, and I really do appreciate you taking care of them all the way you did when I..." And he's gone, and Maura stares at her phone.

+++

Maura visits Paddy in jail, now and then. Sometimes with Jane, sometime without. He's never said it, but Maura knows. She remembers the sepia photos of her school days, knows Constance fed him information, even knowing who and what he was. Maura has always wanted to be loved, and Paddy has always loved her. From afar. It's awkward up close, especially since he knows so much about her and she knows so little about him.

"Thanks for coming," he says, his voice low like he doesn't want to scare her. He fiddles with rings that aren't there, and Maura clenches her own fingers, aware she is mirroring him. She reaches out a hand across the table, the guard watching carefully for any transfer, and she covers his hand with hers. Jane's smile is soft and sweet, her hand on Maura's lower back on their way out to show support.

+++

"Maura, you're brilliant and I love you, but you are so wrong." Cailin pulls up an article - one Maura hasn't seen. One that adds ambiguity to a previously straightforward scientific statement. Maura reads it, her brow creased.

"I love you too, but the parameters of this experiment are not holistic enough to give a definitive conclusion," Maura informs Cailin. "The sample size is insufficient, and it hasn't been peer reviewed."

"Yeah, but it's possible," Cailin goads, and Maura concedes with a nod. Jane watches with wide, pleased eyes.

+++

"Would you like to come to a lecture with me?" Arthur asks, and Maura agrees. Knowing that Arthur is a simple yet complex man, and that his love for her, however misguided, is firm and steadfast.

+++

Maura brings LC to the aged care facility, and today Paddy Senior smiles at her, then Jane, before smiling at LC.

+++

"I couldn't love you more if you were my own," Angela says, and Maura is already adopted, a single child with a dead half brother and a living half sister after nearly four decades. She does not need another mother, but sometimes she does need mothering so she lets Angela's embrace enfold her.

+++

Jane wakes from nightmares; she texts. Sometimes Maura goes to her, sometimes she comes to Maura. They huddle together in the same bed like all the sleepovers Maura always wanted and never had.

"Thanks," Jane says quietly. She cradles Maura's head on her chest, and Maura can't imagine being closer to any other single living thing in her life. Jane's heartbeat, so familiar and steady. Jane's breath brushing through her hair. Jane's fingers rubbing at any tension she finds in Maura's shoulders and back.

There are people who say they love Maura, and people that don't. There are people Maura doubts, because sometimes she doesn't feel she deserves to be loved.

But here and now, with Jane, she has no doubts. Nothing but Jane's heartbeat bared to her, the soft Jane that only Maura gets, treasures and hoards.

"I love you," Jane whispers, hours later, assuming Maura is asleep. Maura chuckles, and Jane's heartbeat spikes, beating crazily beneath Maura's ear.

"I know. I love you too," Maura says, nuzzling closer into her favourite pillow of Jane's chest. Jane's heartbeat slows and steadies, and Maura has found the one love she's never doubted, has never had to doubt.

Anything else can wait until morning. Because now she's lying in the arms of the woman she loves, the woman that loves her. And Maura knows she deserves to be loved by Jane, and she never, ever doubts that she is.

[senditothemoonn]

My headcanon is that the bros are prone to a rather intense board game night

[forsoobado137]

Being a nation's next door neighbour is probably wild. Like you're just a normal person with a job and shit and your neighbour is an eccentric immortal being. Some are so used to being in the general vicinity of a nation's chaos that nothing surprises them anymore.

America's neighbours simultaneously hate how loud he is but love when he brings his bbq over. Also, they're always witnesses to the mind-bogglingly stupid physical stunts he pulls.

England's neighbours find him polite and courteous, but they are FED UP with his magic bullshit. From summoning demons to creating foul smelling concoctions, There have been many ruined movie nights. Though England tries to make up for it with tea and mending things.

Still, the neighbours care deeply about their nation. They're the first to look past their status and see them as just another person. They check on their nation neighbours often, and most of the time, they're willing to lend a helping hand.

This panel with Ireland basically sums up the NP Neighbour experience.

Just simultaneously concerned but also exhausted.

[cainopeia]

// I’m not a violent dog. I don’t know why I bite.

-

Arthur and John with a side of the carnal canine poetic. This line from Isle of Dogs really resonated with me for them hehe. + Arthur is using a cane in this drawing and I need everyone to know because it’s my fav headcanon.

[zours025]

Theory of FrUk. (in my crazyperson eyes)

[hetagrammy]

Of her many children, Lady Eigyr kept her only daughter and youngest son with her most often at court. The daughter was obvious, but the son, some whispered, was because she intended for him to be her heir at court if he could not be her heir of Storm's End... a notion rarely shared in the company of Lord Alasdair.

[liorlen]

Some illustrations I made for a module as interpretations of some passages from the Welsh poem 'Preiddeu Annwn'

[storytellering]

It's very interesting to see how what platform you're on informs the fandom experience you get, and how certain fandoms seem to basically insulate themselves on one platform. Part of why it's been so hard to not rely on twitter primarily is that that's where the dmc (and specifically spardacest) fandom is, for the most part - you'll get some traction elsewhere too, sure, but if you REALLY wanna engage with the community, twitter's the place to be. (and I'm not talking about it for clout or numbers' sake - I'm talking about like. Purely the feeling of finding more people who like what you like, people you can talk to, get inspired by, have fun with - if your fandom is just you, your one friend and two non-english speaking artists who stopped posting 5 years ago... well, you can still have fun, but it can feel pretty isolating, too) With red dead, I came into it a bit resigned already because the reason i checked it out in the first place is that my boyfriend's best friend got him into it earlier this year, and he's been in my ear about it since (if he's reading this: ily and i say that lovingly lol), and I finally caved to see what the buzz was all about - but that friend, despite being a very successful artist on twitter, ended up discouraged by how crickets it seemed over there - like it was really just the two of them and a couple more friends interacting, and I just assumed that's the landscape I'd be setting foot into, so I was very ready to just be making art, as usual, because for me it's a primal need, just for me and my boyfriend and a couple of our friends, and if people outside that ended up enjoying it it would probably be just a happy fluke. But I feel like I ended up receiving quite a warm welcome here and over on bsky! I've been digging deep into tags and it seems a lot more alive here than twitter, haha. I'm still really only expecting to put out stuff for a couple people at most, but I'm happy to be proven wrong :)

[houseofkirklands]

Ireland headcanons cause I'm bored

P.D: Mention of mental health problems (depression, anxiety....)

1. He took the role of oldest brother even though he is aware there might be a possibility Wales could be older than him but since they don't know, the brothers just decided to go in a certain order

2. Ireland influenced a lot in Scotland, his younger brother used to look up for him a lot when they were only the two of them and the parents figures they had dissapeared. Ireland tried to teach him everything he knee from basic survival tips to how to shot arrows, personal development and culturally influenced as well. However, Ireland hasn't forgotten Scotland for what he did to him during the plantation of Ulster.

Ireland just though that Scotland among all the brothers, he could be the one who could listen and understand Ireland then to realize Scotland agreed with some things England did

3. He has every reason and right to hate England. He is aware England isn't like it was before, that he has changed, their relationship is quote good comapred with the past and he knows many things England couldn't really control them but he can't forget neither forgive, the few things England had in his control, he didn't do anything to help Ireland

4. There was a time he hated all his brothers, all of them, even North at some point. He just felt..left out...lfor him it was clear none of his brothers wanted him just tk follow England shake

5. The last 200 years have been very difficult for him, very, very difficult, starting from the famine, where he just wanted to dissapear, it was too late when the brothers helped him, consequence of that and the fact the population of Ireland hasn't recovered yet. He really struggles with food...it causes him so much anxiety, there were times he just couldn't even eat....The brothers noticed this...how little he ate, how he would suddenly have panic attacks, even thought his people are doing well nowadays but the trauma and the PSTD still lingers in him and he really struggles with it. Sometimes he could eat without any problem but when his thoughts go back in the past....

He just thinks, the less he ates, the more his people could be feed, his brothers specially Scotland and Wales try to talk with him and assure him, the famine has ended now and his people nowadays live in good conditions overall, that he deserves too eat but for Ireland it's difficult, it's very difficult...is still there and it still haunts him...

When he is in the UK house visiting the brothers, he would really try to think "it's okay, I should eat" but he sees the amount of food that are in the table and he just can't help it.... England knows that he can't talk to him when Ireland suddenly get so anxious cause it would make the things worse, given he fact Ireland in that moment, thinks he is still in 1847 not in the 21st century, and if he looks at England, he will see the Empire, not modern England.

He has really tried not to be like this, not in front of the brothers and specially not in front of North, he knew North knew about the famine but he didn't know the details of what Ireland went through both physically and mentally during that time. It didn't help to Ireland when North was a young child and he would be very picky with the food. Scotland would get very angry at him telling him that if he wasn't angry, then don't eat but the food wasn't going to go on waste and North with time learned the lesson and stopped being picky. Even England sometimes would tell North to shut up and eat knowing thay if Ireland was there, the fact England told North those words made some impact of Ireland

6. He likes to be alone but he hates feel alone, he knows he has been alone most of the time, nobody listened, nobody cared, he felt like he wasn't important, not even in his family but with time he has noticed he is important and he is loved

7. He is best friends with Spain, Belgium and France, specially Spain and Belgium, Spain was both Catholic and hated England and Belgium was Catholic and understands Ireland even it comes the division of brothers between religious beliefs (Belgium being catholic and The Netherlands being protestant)

8. Despite of his Catholic belief, he is still pagan and hasn't forgotten about his Paganims beliefs when he was very young

9. Wales and Scotland agreed back then when Ireland was just not okay to call him once per week to ask him how was he doing and if he was doing alright? Sometimes Ireland will try to dismiss his own feelings but they will encourage him to open up and that it was okay, he deep inside appreciates this gesture from both of them and thanks to them, he is accepting a side of him, he has always refused to acknowledge

10. Related with the previous one, Wales and Scotland agreed also that becasue of all the damage mentally and physically England has caused to him, as a "punishment" and to make Ireland get better, England was and still is forced to pay for all the medications Ireland needs, Engkand wasn't aware on how much badly Ireland was until he went to the pharmacy and bought all the aspirins Ireland needed cause yeah he needed quite a lot but like Scotland said "If you really feel bad and wanna help him, pay for those medications he needs cause most of them he needs to take them because of your actions"

11. Despite of everything, Ireland and England are now on good terms, there are times when Ireland would be very hesitant with him but they actually have learned to not to be at each other throats for more than 5 minutes

12. Despite of living separately, Ireland has been a huge influence when it comes to North raising. He had always tried to be there on special occasions when it was important to North like a performance in school or when he celebrates his birthday and North wanted him to be there or even when North couldn't stand the other brothers and called Ireland to some comfort and talking. Also he has helped him financially,since North lives with England in London, Ireland send money to England just for the raise of North such as basic needs he needs like clothes, school books or anything related to his education, another activities like swimming and ofc when Christmas arrives and he knows North waits for that moment every year, he always tries to be there

There have been sometimes when Ireland couldn't attend a special day for North and he had always sent him a little present, might be a book or a toy he wanted and apologise for not being there but wishing him the best and always reminding North that he was very proud of him.

13. He and Scotland talk to each other in Irish/Scottish gaelic always because both of them are scared to wake up one day and completely forget their native language due to the lack of people they have nowadays speaking it.

They kinda envy Wales because Wales has managed to save Welsh but due to the fact North was to learn and speak the language, both are very happy he wants to learn it, England doesn't like it but he also understands why North woukd want to learn it

14. For me as the oldest brother, he is the one who has more knowledge of magic and spells but due to the fact magic requires so much concentration and strength, Ireland for a very long time couldn't use most of the magic he knew since he was constantly feeling ill and tired enough for not even trying

15. Sometimes he keeps wondering what would have happened if he had stayed in the UK instead of going for independence? The question of maybe North wouldn't even be alive its very disturbing for him, he loves that boy so much

16. North many times call him a boomer but its his boomer

17. Despite of everything, Ireland and North are very close, there are some conversations they prefer to avoid (and know they need to be talked about) but North time to time is understanding so much better Ireland and his positions, his own past and is trying to be more fairer with him. Ireland always tries to reassure him that he understands he is not easy to deal with but he doesn't want to cause any harm to him and that North can trust him with anything, Ireland won't force him to speak up if North doesn't want to but if he ever needs someone...he is there, he is always there for him.

18. He plays Hurling and Gaelic football, sometimes the rest of the brothers join him specially Scotland and North

19. He speaks French and Spanish to some degree and has very basic knowledge of Danish and Norwegian

20. Wales might be the less closer brother to Ireland but is the only one who has always listened to him to some degree. Wales has always shown him so much respect and have tried to speak with England and make him considerate his choices when it came to Ireland or when something about North is around. He has always hated the way England treated Ireland, Wales couldn't do more than he actually did but he regrets not have pressured England way more to make him relaxing Ireland was in a very bad condition

21. Despite of their history, Ireland would never change his brothers for nothing, nowadays they are fine, even though there is still so much going on but they have never been more in peace than they are nowadays and that's everything he has ever wanted

[twistedshipper]

"Go to the place that men call the Isle of the Blessed, where the power of the ancients can still be felt. There you will discover Arthur's salvation."

[justaz]

i “read” this one klance x descendants au and it literally altered my brain chemistry (i recently went back and reread it and honestly nostalgia gave me some rose tinted glasses but it was still fun LMAO) so like the idea of a descendants au for my ships has been in the back of my mind for years but see heres the fucking issue. my ship rn is merthur and i cant exactly do a descendants au as they’re literally in disney and it would be confusing as all hell. i mean. i guess if i ignored some things. maybe.

[leavethemtorot]

Arthur: Well, maybe I don't find staying at the Beck and call of Grandmother like a slave particularly appetizing

Maddy: Oh, but doing so for Uma is perfectly fine. I truly wonder just how you earned your spot there, how long did it take you to-

Arthur: Acting like you don't do the exact same-

*Maddy and Arthur continue arguing*

Maitland (taking a long drink): How the fuck am I the stable one here

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Statue of King Arthur, England :: [Gallos is an 8-foot-tall (2.4 m) bronze sculpture by Rubin Eynon located at Tintagel Castle, a medieval fortification located on the peninsula of Tintagel Island adjacent to the village of Tintagel (Trevena), North Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. It is a representation of a ghostly male figure wearing a crown and holding a sword. It is popularly called the "King Arthur statue", but the site's owner English Heritage states that it is not meant to represent a single person and reflects the general history of the site, which is likely to have been a summer residence for the kings of Dumnonia.]

* * * *

“Yet some men say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not dead, but had by the will of our Lord Jesu into another place; and men say that he shall come again, and he shall win the holy cross.” ― Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur

+

“This is beyond understanding." said the king. "You are the wisest man alive. You know what is preparing. Why do you not make a plan to save yourself?" And Merlin said quietly, "Because I am wise. In the combat between wisdom and feeling, wisdom never wins.” ― John Steinbeck, The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

+

“I will tell you something else, King, which may be a surprise for you. It will not happen for hundreds of years, but both of us are to come back. Do you know what is going to be written on your tombstone? Hic jacet Arthurus Rex quondam Rexque futurus. Do you remember your Latin? It means, the once and future king.’ ‘I am to come back as well as you?’ ‘Some say from the vale of Avilion.’ The King thought about it in silence. It was full night outside, and there was stillness in the bright pavilion. The sentries, moving on the grass, could not be heard. ‘I wonder,’ he said at last, ‘whether they will remember about our Table?” ― T.H. White, The Once and Future King

+

“Arthur without Excalibur was still Arthur.” ― Kendare Blake, Anna Dressed in Blood

[a-luran]

Oooh trans Arthur lover here. Any and all info I’ll take. I adore how you portray and Alasdair and his reaction (or lack there of) does Arthur have much support elsewhere. I’ve always though as Arthur as this kinda pale lanky being no matter what’s in his trousers and thus able to pass very well.

sorry pal! I was away but I'm home and delighted to come back to this ask.

My Arthur headcanons all depend on the AU I'm thinking about but i do feel like there is a general baseline so I'll answer based on that/ give a take on something approximating canon (or the canon that lives in my head rent free).

Like you say, Arthur is probably able to 'pass' from a young age playing on the biases of the people around him. He unassuming, lanky, fails to execute idealised masculinity in a way that makes him stick out as historically queer but not necessarily trans. (I wrote a bit more about my thoughts on Arthur, vanity, and historical masculinities here.

I think that growing so isolated, Arthur was in for a harrowing realisation when he (still very young) comes to live amongst settled humans and discovers that gender and sex matter to them in a way that it never mattered to Scot/Wales/Ireland (other nations coming across him would not have been able to tell, would never have gotten close enough. In my headcanon not even Francis knows, necessarily, for a good while. This is both a blessing and a curse). I think this makes Arthur zealous, isolates him further, and makes him defensive to the point of cruelty in the long run. He knows what people are capable of and going stealth is a defence mechanism at first, and later on just a commonality. This robs him of support and community, however necessary, and robs him of broader, more fluid perspectives on gender. I do mean it when I think that Arthur's greatest tragedy is of his own doing. In this case there are obviously a lot of other things in play-- his physical safety and the parameters of his social and economic conditions throughout history, his personal relationships and what others expect of him, etc.-- but there comes a point where the people and nations who love him would welcome him and he just won't have it. I think it leaves him angry and aching and with a skewed perception of intimacy.

I think he starts dabbling with cross dressing to explore aspects of femininity he admires but doesn't truly lean into it into the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. I had a couple of scenes in my drafts of a '5+1 times Arthur wears a dress (starting from the early middle ages to the present)' exploring this desire to explore gender as a trans guy but life happened and sadly I never got around to finishing it. My main takeaways from writing it though were his innermost thoughts about gender and beauty. This is also where a lot of my Alasdair-reacting-to-Arthur headcanons began to take shape. I think the Isles grew up relatively isolated and wrapped up in each other, in a lot of ways, which definitely affected Alasdair as well. He has never questioned his gender himself, or Sean's, and Wales', and so it never occurs to him to question Arthur's; it is just who he is. The only person he might question gender around if probably Francis (which is funny to me, and a little endearing. I think of Francis finally putting two and two together and figuring that Arthur is trans a lot, and the scenario usually involves Alasdair's fat mouth and his clumsy musings about gender).

Sean is similar to him in this sense, albeit probably a little more inquisitive about gender and sex and all things human (inquisitive but unwilling to chase down Arthur to clear any questions he may have; Sean's experience with transness comes from experiencing other people, and then turning to look at Arthur with a realisation of 'ah, I see you in others, and see them in you too. I understand you a little better now, and it makes it even more difficult to hate you.')

Wales has always been sympathetic and probably would have been the first to try and address gender around Arthur... only to get immediately shot down. I think that he is also he only person who truly knows the things that Arthur saw and experienced that so harshly made him into the man he is, and so despite how much he wants to talk about it, help Arthur, be the safe space he needs in the world, he understands he needs to let it happen on Arthur's terms.

Francis pushes where Wales doesn't, and insists on Arthur's wellbeing and talking things out in a way that a lot of the time ends up pushing Arthur further away too. It would never be Arthur's first choice to run to Francis, even if he might do it subconsciously. As the most gender-literate of the whole bunch, Francis would probably also get frustrated, which would make matters a million times worse. If anyone could cut Arthur deep it would be Francis, and it probably has been. Theirs is a complicated relationship despite Francis' best intentions.

I think that Arthur turns to Alasdair for all of these reasons. It's his gruff acceptance, the wordless kind of understanding he offers, and the fact that he lets Arthur decide for himself. Unlike Francis he isn't offering him words to describe what he is; he is just a constant presence by his side. It isn't all roses, I do think that Arthur needs the questioning and the pushback he gets from others to an extent, and Alasdair can be blunt and crude and insensitive. Part of Arthur might resent how at ease Alasdair is with his own body and the fact that he has never had to question his gendered role in the world (this assessment is also unfair, and Arthur knows that, but he wouldn't be able to help it. Envy isn't rational). Even with all that, Alasdair is a shield, a sword, and a castle wall. They all would be, if Arthur let them.

[oumaheroes]

I need more brit bros in my life 🥺 pls, i am starving, i might succumb to the darkness and never return 😭

I will do anything for more brit bros please, i am down on my knees 🧎🏼‍♀️

~Izzy

Izzy, please don't starve, I know times are hard but I have a crumb for you 🙏 And longer things will come later, I promise

And Anon, I hope this fills your void too!

Characters: England, Northern Ireland

-----------

‘Why.’

‘You know why.’

‘What’s a shit answer.’

‘It’s a terrible question.’

‘Why.’

‘You know why, Sean.’ England clicked his tongue and sat up straighter in his seat. ‘You’re not seventeen.’

‘You’re right, I’m over a hundred.’

‘You don’t look seventeen.’

‘Oh come on, Art.’

‘Come on, Art? Come on, Ar- for fuck sake, “come on Art” what? You want me to change the law for you? Hmm? Somehow grant you special exemptions from what everyone else has to follow?’

‘Patrick would let me.’

England gave a sharp dark laugh, ‘On my roads? Sure. On his? You can fuck right off.’

‘Please.’

‘No.’ England said sharply, ‘You can drive on private land. You can go on youth courses. You can even go in an illegal Banger Race and burn out your needs there if that hell so suits you-‘

‘You’d never let me go in a Banger Race-‘

‘-but you are not getting a special driving licence. Not till you’re physically seventeen like everyone else.’

North groaned and dropped his head back against the headrest, ‘But I know how to drive.’

‘That tree you reversed into earlier says otherwise.’

‘It was a stump! I didn’t see it, it was too low down.’

‘So is a toddler.’

‘And toddlers won’t be running about the back of the car, will they!’

‘Look,’ England unclipped his seatbelt and turned to face North better, ‘Despite what you may think, I’m not being a hard arse. I’m not telling you no just to be cruel, or because I have a twisted sense of joy in your suffering-‘

North snorted.

‘-because woe betide you poor soul, with all of the perfectly good public transport available to you-‘

‘That’s not the point.’

‘I know it’s not the point.’ England put a hand on North’s shoulder, ‘The point is, you look too young. If you hit anything-‘ he gave North a warning look when he tried to interrupt, ‘-if you hit anything, or cause any sort of accident at all, then it’s going to be a legal and political nightmare. Doesn’t matter how old you are, or how well you can drive, it can’t be explained if anything goes wrong.’

‘It’s not fair.’ North said quietly. He ran his seatbelt between his thumb and forefinger. England’s old jeep hummed softly in the silence, the engine keeping the windows from misting up in the frigid January air.

‘I know it’s not.’

North wondered if England knew that he was talking about more than just the car, or being able to go out and drive one on the roads. It was the attached shackle of being trapped in a body that didn’t age, restricted by rules and milestones that he wouldn't be able to reach for an undefined time. Life unchanging and stunted by it. It was different from just being treated like the age of the face he wore, it was North being pinned in place by its rules.

His brothers had been physically far younger for far longer- North knew that without being told- but he was sure that they hadn't chafed against society as much as he did. Hadn’t been told no to everyday skills based on age alone. If they could physically do something, they did. Their bodies’ age hadn’t held them back from riding horses or sailing across oceans to die in wars they didn’t ask for, or that they did.

North couldn’t even drive to Tescos.

‘Come on.’ Evidently, the silence had stretched on too long for his brother to be comfortable. England squeezed North’s shoulder and clipped himself back in, ‘Let’s see how far we can get on what petrol we’ve got left.’

‘You mean until you get panicky when we get to half a tank and make us turn around.’ North pressed the clutch down and pushed the gearstick with some force into first. ‘You need to oil this.’

‘You’ve said. Three times.’

‘Well, it’s still stiff as shit, like.’

‘How on earth do you expect me to do anything about it now?’

‘Matt’s probably left some WD-40 in here somewhere.’

England chuckled, sounding fond, ‘Probably.’

Taking off the handbrake and releasing the clutch, North rolled the old jeep back onto the tiny road that ran through England’s rural estate.

As they drove, England began talking about something or other that was happening in London and North let his mind wander; the familiar tree lined roads and the early morning haze softening the sun making him feel lighter the further they drove. He was grateful that England hadn’t tried to push the issue, or convince him of anything. A change in the last twenty years that North was thankful for.

‘How about a pub lunch?’ England said after a time, ‘We’ll switch when we get near the B road and I’ll drive us to The White Hart.’

‘Will you let me get a pint this time?’

England pressed his lips together, ‘Only if you don’t tell Rhys.’

[hetagrammy]

hi it’s me again, sorry, may I ask in the regency au how Arthur’s siblings reacted to the kids? Because 1-2 bastard children, understandable, things happen; at least he’s being responsible and taking care of them. But four?

Oh they were pissed when he came home with Ralph and Eleanor. Arthur left home either right before or shortly after Matthew had been sent to live with them. Unlike Alfred, who had been there since he was a baby, Matthew didn’t come to England until he was two and it was a BIG adjustment for him. This is a big reason why he’s slightly more attached to Alasdair as a father figure. So Arthur already has these two children at home, one of whom he really hasn’t met properly. And then he comes back with two more from halfway across the world.

Part of it is about the family’s reputation, because for someone who constantly claims to have the family in mind, Arthur isn’t giving them a good look. The only reason Arthur really does have a chance in society is because he has had such a good naval career and is admired for it. Typical Arthur hypocrisy, but he makes up for it and they can live with that.

The big part is that they could recognize Arthur was fucking up other people’s lives trying to outrun his own pain. Mothers of these children aside, their focus is on the kids themselves. Molly almost lost it on Arthur the first time one of his kids called her “mama,” because the circumstances of their births directly deprived them of that. Matthew’s whole situation is what pissed off Alasdair. Eleanor is the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Boys are one thing. Bastard or not, they can learn a trade and become respectable in that sense. They can be independent. A girl does not have that luxury. Add on top of that Eleanor is not just a girl, but she’s also biracial. In having her, Arthur has damned her to a life with few prospects. Let’s not get it twisted, they love Eleanor to bits, but they are infuriated at Arthur for the lot he’s given her.

Arthur bringing them home culminated in a huge fight. We’re talking even Alwyn is visibly upset. By the point he got home he’d already started thinking about being a more present father, but they demanded it. Alwyn and Alasdair essentially sat him down and made him actually make plans for things like trusts for the boys and a dowry for Eleanor. Molly didn’t speak to him for a week. Seán kept finding excuses to get out of the house to be away from him.

However, the bright spot in all of this was that for the first time in a while, Arthur was actually home. And the only people excited for him to be there were his kids. Alfred adored Arthur already, and he was dragging a still cautious Matthew along with him. He’d already been at sea with the two younger children, and it was up to him to help Ralph adjust, because it wasn’t easy for him. He had the time to develop enough of a bond with his children that made him realize “Oh God, I actually have to be responsible.” As he realized this and started to take charge independently, things cooled down and a routine was settled into.

Now of course, within the next year he’s running off to fight in the Peninsular Wars. He doesn’t magically become a perfect father by any means. However, he agrees to stop taking such long tours at sea and sticks to European waters. He starts considering settling down, hence why he eventually gets engaged to Emma. He writes to his children more consistently when he is at sea and occasionally sends them things. He also starts whoring around less, and is more careful when he does. It just took him having a Come to Jesus moment with the rest of the family to actually get to that point. There’s still conflict there because he still does have these absences, but it hasn’t come to a head like it did when he first brought home Ralph and Eleanor.