#ber bonfamille lyons

[ashlee-bonfamille-lyons]

One Look Back {Simberlee}

Ashlee says goodbye to Simba & Berlioz.

Date: A couple days after the showcase.

@simba-bonfamille-lyons @ber-bonfamille-lyons

Ashlee

This was it, it.

As hard as saying good to Nemo was, saying goodbye to Berlioz and Simba felt even harder, even bigger. It didn’t matter that she knew she could come back anytime. She wanted to be successful, she wanted to be someone they could brag about.

And that meant entering this new chapter with her head held as high as possible and with a fighting attitude.

Still with the tracks behind them and the clock counting down until she would step on that train, she was tempted to run away. To run back to her emptyish room and hide there.

But she wouldn’t because she had the proper skills in place to handle anything thrown at her.

“If you cry I’m going to cry. So no one is allowed to cry.” Ashlee warned.

BERLIOZ: 

“Well good thing for you is I’m not much of a cryer,” joked Berlioz. 

A bit of a lie, really. Berlioz definitely cried plenty, especially when it came to stress and anxiety. But he wasn’t stressed and he wasn’t anxious. He was happy for Ashlee, eh? He was even envious of her, because here she was, getting out of Swynlake, going to her dream job in a big city – the exact thing that Berlioz wanted for himself.

How could he cry with all that? He wanted to cheer for her. So Ashlee got a smile, soft and warm and proud all at once. 

“Maybe can’t say the same for this one though…” Berlioz said, glancing at Simba. 

SIMBA:

Simba was already crying, thank you.

He was being quiet about it, but he’d been crying behind his sunglasses on the way to the train station. There was something wrong about that. It shouldn’t be a nice, sunny day on the day that Ashlee was leaving. It should be a horrible, miserable day. Grey and gloomy. 

Listen--Simba was happy for Ashlee too, but he wasn’t good at saying goodbye. He could be proud of her. And he was. (She’d come so far from the sad, scared kid that Simba and Berlioz had inherited.) He could be excited for her. And he was. But, he would also miss her. And he was already worried about her. 

And he wasn’t good at saying goodbye.

So, Simba glanced away--blinked and sniffled. He wasn’t really crying. Not proper tears. But they shined in his eyes (and one or two had definitely slipped out on the drive here). He looked back at them both.

“What? I’m not crying. It’s fine. It’s fine. You’re gonna be fine.” Simba couldn’t really tell if he was saying that for her or for him. 

Ashlee

Yeah, Ashlee wasn’t surprised about Simba crying. That was a given but she didn’t want to tear up again. This was hard enough already saying goodbye to Nemo. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to say bye to Simba or Berlioz too.

Especially with that smile on Berlioz’s face.

It made her want to get all emotional. To have made someone that proud. It was a feeling she would never forget.

“Are you going to be fine though?” Ashlee questioned a raised eyebrow at Simba and then to Berlioz although her eyes were already starting to tear up too.

BERLIOZ: 

Berlioz smiled softly at Simba, stepping closer to his husband and putting his hand on the back of his neck. He gave it a familiar squeeze. He’d done this a hundred times before. Well, maybe closer to a thousand at this point. It was the only thing he could really do. Nothing was gonna make this easier after all. “He will. We will,” Berlioz added. He glanced back at Ashlee, and that soft smile, somehow, got even softer. He still wasn’t going to cry– he couldn’t do that. But for a moment the sun caught his warm brown eyes and they shined a bit. 

“We will miss you though,” he said honestly. “We’ll miss you a lot.” 

SIMBA:

Between Ber’s comforting squeeze and his words, Simba’s eyes started tearing up again. He couldn’t help himself. He’d always been a crier. Ever since he was a little kid. He cried when he had to leave the turtles alone at the lake even though he desperately wanted to play with them, and he cried after eating a bowl full of fresh strawberries because they were just so good, and he cried when his dad tickled him, screeching with laughter. His mum used to say his emotions were bigger than any she’d ever known.

It was embarrassing, sometimes, but for the most part--Simba had always appreciated it. He couldn’t imagine being any other way. 

He wasn’t embarrassed now. And, though he’d feel a little bit bad making Ashlee cry or think he was sad (well, he was sad, but he wasn’t all sad), he knew this was just…how he expressed himself when his heart felt too big for his chest. 

“Yeah,” Simba said, voice cracking a bit. He cleared his throat. “But don’t worry about us. Just--go and be amazing. ‘Cause you will be. Just don’t forget us little guys when you’re a famous ballerina.” 

Ashlee

“As if.” Ashlee stated very sternly, very seriously, she would never forget them, and just like that a couple tears were already starting to fall down but she was okay with it. Where once ago she would turn away or wipe them away so no one saw her cry she owned those tears.

This was going to be a hard goodbye- a hard see you later - despite it being for bigger and better things.

“You guys know you’re one of the best things that happened to me right? I’m super thankful for everything you did, for all the chances you took on me. Being the best guardian figures while being the best older brother vibes.” Ashlee mused looking at Berlioz for a moment. “And the best Dad I’ve have had.” Ashlee stated simply moving to look at Simba. Sure she didn’t say it often, in fact she may have said it less then a handful of times but if she had to call anyone her Dad it would be Simba. “I love you guys a lot. Okay? And you know me- I hate being sappy like this so take it or leave it. This is what you’re getting.” She sniffled slightly at it.

BERLIOZ: 

Older brother. Honestly – the compliment meant more than he could say. He had always thought he was a shit older brother, really. He and Marie squabbled or struggled through awkward silences. He never really knew how to talk to her, and though things were getting better between them now, there were still so many times he felt like a stranger to her, like the both of them were roleplaying what it was like to be related. So he felt bad about that. Marie deserved better.

And when Jenny came into his life… well, same thing, really. He had been so bloody worried that he wouldn’t know how to talk to her and that he’d let her down. She hadn’t asked for him. He hadn’t asked for her. Maybe he was just kind of shitty at it? 

But things had been better with Jenny. And there were probably loads of reasons for that, but one of them was definitely Ashlee, who had taught him more about being quiet, but present– supportive and understanding, even of each other’s differences.

So he was grateful to her too. So grateful he couldn’t put it to words, he really couldn’t. 

“I’ll take it. Thanks,” he told her quietly. “Just know– you always got family with us.” 

It wasn’t much, but he meant it with his whole heart. 

SIMBA:When Simba and Berlioz had decided to adopt Ashlee, it hadn’t even been a choice, really. It had been the right thing to do. It had been the only thing to do. But that didn’t mean it hadn’t changed Simba too. With Kiara, she’d always been his in a way. They’d known each other nearly their whole lives. Kiara coming back into his life was like remembering a piece of his heart that had been lost between couch cushions, just waiting to be rediscovered. 

Ashlee was different.

Ashlee was brand new. She taught Simba patience and how to be there for someone without knowing them first. And she’d taught him resilience. And even if she hadn’t taught him anything at all: he’d gotten to watch her bloom. That was the most amazing part. 

The Ashlee that stood before him right now, on her way to London and her dreams, was an entirely different girl than the one who they’d taken home from the courthouse that day. She’d gained a voice and confidence. She stood taller. She laughed more.

That was the greatest gift. Her laugh and her smile--and her love. 

Simba didn’t care if she ever called him dad. He was just happy that they’d found each other. That they’d all found each other. 

Words, to him, weren’t enough to express this. Instead, he stepped forward and leaned down to wrap Ashlee up in a tight hug, tears spilling over as he squeezed his eyes shut. 

“I’m so proud of you,” he told her, holding her close. “We love you too.” 

Ashlee

A bell rang behind them, a single she needed to get on the train sooner than later even though for a moment she was tempted to just not. This is where she felt the happiest, the safest, despite all the challenges.

But she hadn’t been raised to hide from a challenge, and she knew Simba and Berlioz wanted this for her, Nemo wanted this for her.

She would excel, she would grow and she would have a great future, with a family cheering her on. Blood or not. This was her family.

Pulling them in for one more hug, Ashlee squeezed them as tightly as she could (Without hurting anyone).

With one final nod, one to say she got this, to say she knew they had her back, to say everything would be okay. Ashlee grabbed her last back and headed onto the train.

To bigger and better things and when she looked back, it was only with fond memories and smiles and a lot of love.

[jenny-marshfoxworth]

To be fair, to Jenny, dinner parties were fancy shit to her.

She wasn't about to have one of those anytime soon and that felt big and lofty and unknown.

"Do one of those dance until you can't fundraiser things. I don't know what you would fund-raise for but..." Jenny shrugged.

@ber-bonfamille-lyons @simba-bonfamille-lyons

Touring Strawberry Hill /./ [Simber + Jenny]

[jere-me--oh-my]

for @lou-bonfightme, @ber-bonfamille-lyons & @marie-a-bonfamille

[lou-bonfightme]

he's not heavy, he's my brother; a playlist for Toulouse and Berlioz

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

listen here.

tracklist:

achilles come down - gang of youths

paloma - MIKA

maman - beyries

pavement - wingtip

sky full of song - florence + the machine

mausoleum - seryn

come on, brother - lawrence, linus lawrence

younger - a great big world

happier - marshmello, bastille

brothers - penny and the sparrow

brother - lord huron

some choice lyrics that make me cry below the cut:

Achilles, Achilles, Achilles, come down Won't you get up off, get up off the roof? The self is not so weightless, nor whole and unbroken Remember the pact of our youth Where you go, I'm going, so jump and I'm jumping Since there is no me without you

Do you need, do you need a change From these old, weary ways? Counting down, counting down the days But we're both too afraid Letting go and leaning out of frame (frame) Two souls out of space

And I can tell that I'm in trouble When that music starts to play In a city without seasons It keeps raining in L.A. I feel like I'm about to fall The room begins to sway And I can hear the sirens But I cannot walk away Grab me by my ankles I've been flying for too long I couldn't hide from the Thunder in a sky full of song

And the kids seem to grow so much faster The older and older I get But time is a clever invention We are helplessly participant Oh we know you've got the soul my brother Why you trying to hide? And the heart is a beast that'll keep you bleeding, Learn to let it lie In the walls of the mausoleum

You know that this is not the end I'm always just around the bend So come on, brother You know I'd never find another Best friend

Lately, I've been, I've been thinking I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier Even though I might not like this I think that you'll be happier, I want you to be happier

How long have I known you, brother? Hundreds of lives, thousands of years How many miles have we wandered Under the sky, chasing our fear? Some kind of trouble is coming Don't know when, don't know what I will stand by you, brother 'Til the daylight comes or I'm dead and gone

[jenny-marshfoxworth]

Jenny's feet swung back and forth for a second before she nodded. This whole thing was scary. The idea of it still made her want to curl up in a ball. And the idea of losing Berlioz, seeing how close she had gotten, She wasn't sure she could think on it for too long before she would burst out crying again.

But she didn't want that.

She didn't want to think about it and see pushed everything further down.

"That's what siblings do right? And I quite like you so I wanna be here." She wanted to be around, she wanted to be wanted but that was nothing new.

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

Aftermath & Puppy Cuddles {Benny & The Jets}

[claraeuterpebaudry]

Boogie Wonderland || Berlioz + Clara

The Music was being such a friggin’ pest this first week of school.

It had started off with funky beats in foot falls and books being sat down on desks, and then Clara dreamed of a room. She had woken up in a coughing fit, the feeling of smoke still stuck in her untrained lungs. The feel of the sweat dripping down her temples from the dancing made her lift her hand to swipe it away. Her lips had still been buzzing from the trumpet mouthpiece.

She finally gave in after trying to sit in a practice room, unable to play her assignments properly due to the Music getting louder and more insistent. She blew out a sour note to say, Fine! Have it your way! 

It guided her across campus, back to the main building’s basement. She had to turn on her phone’s flashlight, eyes scanning the ground for any thing creepy and/or crawly. The closer she got, the more it sounded like she was listening to 70′s playlist but it’s in your neighbor’s garage. 

There was a door toward the end of the hall that seemed to be hiding the Music behind it. She moved her hair away from her ear to listen for a moment and then pushed it open into easily one of the most disappointing scenes in her life. But it was the same room from the dreams, once full of life and music, now held shelves of boxes and dust. So, it still made her lungs spazz. 

Suddenly the fun and carefree music fell to silence. It allowed her to hear the presence of someone (or something) else down here with her. Clara whirled around, dropping her phone so that she could brandish her flute case like a weapon. 

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

[simba-bonfamille-lyons]

Strawberry Hill – Simber's London Residence

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

Overview:

Strawberry Hill is a 4 bath, 7 bedroom, 3 reception room cottage that dates to the 1400s, but was renovated in the 1700s and again in 2024 before Simber moved in. It is a historical house, so most of the renovations were done with this in mind and has an overall historical vibe to the decor. The pictures tend to swing more modern in style, because it was hard to find the right balance, but I think the dining room photo above and the kitchen give the best feeling of the overall vibe of the house.

It is located in Richmond Upon Thames, an affluent neighborhood just Southwest of London. It is a quick train ride into the city and out of the city as well.

See below for information on individual rooms.

For more notes specifically on the renovation of Strawberry Hill, see this post and this post!

Residents: 

Berlioz Bonfamille-Lyons, Simba Bonfamille-Lyons, Ashlee Bonfamille-Lyons (occasionally), Prince David Bowie, Queen Nina Simone, and Turtle.

Strawberry the ghost: Strawberry is the house ghost. She lived in the house before Simber and was a sorceress. She enjoys playing music and whenever parties are thrown.

**note: pictures in the aesthetic are to give an overall #feel of the house, but don’t necessarily indicate the exact furniture/decorations/floorplan. the floorplan, on the other hand is not quite to scale but i did the best i could.

The Receiving Hall

The receiving hall has a big, open, fresh feeling when you first walk in with eye-catching diamond black and white tile. They kept the vintage globe that was in the room. In the winter, there is sometimes even a fire going in the fire place. The floor does get muddy with the dogs and Simba, lol, but it is usually kept pretty tidy.

The Living Room

The living room has a cozy and colorful vibe, with lots of modern art, but also touches of classic pieces. Including Simba's djembe drums and tapestries on the walls. It is painted a nice pale green that is very bright and cheery. The feature is the large, comfy emerald couch.

The Kitchen

Big windows let in lots of light and look out over the back garden, with a door that goes out onto the small stone patio. The cabinets have a classic feel to them and are painted a nice cream. It probably has a fun, funky wallpaper. The cabinets are more modern marble.

There is a large island in the middle of the room that is an actual island and not a table (like in the picture.) There are stools on one side and this is where Simber sits to eat most of their meals when it is just them.

The Dining Room

Painted maroon with cherry wood furnishings, the dining room is more warm and intimate as opposed to the bright and airy living room, receiving hall, and kitchen. The doors to it are usually closed unless they are entertaining.

Back Garden

The back garden is remarkably large, even for the area. It is also surrounded by trees and shrubbery, giving Simber plenty of privacy. They will probably eventually put up a privacy fence as well, mostly for the dogs.

Other Rooms/Notes on Ground Floor:

The house has a nice flow to it, especially between the living room and kitchen. There are also fire places in every room that work and are used to heat the house in the winter. (Even though they also have had central heating installed.)

Simber's Room and Bathroom:

The best room in the house, of course! Their bedroom is painted a soft purple, with dark purple bedsheets on their large bed. There is a little couch and table in one corner of the room, as well as bookshelves (mostly for Ber's use.) There is also a large dog bed in the corner for the dogs. Some of Berlioz’s favorite maps are also framed and hung on the wall.

The Ballroom:

The ballroom is a room in the house that doesn't get used often, except for entertaining, or when Berlioz feels like playing the piano. But, they leave the door open because it gets great light and the dogs like to go in there to nap in the sun. It is painted a lovely baby pink. Unlike in the picture above, it probably does not have portraits hanging up--though, maybe one that Simba brought from his ancestral home.

Instead, it has some fun modern art, probably of people dancing. (Maybe one even painted by Lou?)

The Office:

This is mostly for storage--of all their records: birth certificates, marriage license, etc. Simba uses it sometimes if he has to work from home, but it doesn't get used by him much.

Other Rooms/Notes on First Floor:

There is a spare bedroom on this floor. It doesn't get used very much, because it is right next to Simber's. (And no one wants to stay there, lbr. Though, they're good and keep their hands to themselves when guests are in the house...usually.) But if they are hosting multiple people, it is the overflow.

Ashlee's Room:

For Art. <3

Rooms and Notes on Second Floor:

The second floor, besides Ashlee's room, is all guest rooms. They are always made up and ready for someone to come stay. They each are themed by a place simber loves/has a connection to. One room is Vegas Wedding Chapel themed and features their wedding dashikis framed on the wall. Another is Paris themed. And the final one is Kenyan themed. <3

There is also a brand new bathroom, in a definite cottage core style with one of those old school sinks. It also has a claw foot tub and a standing shower.

Berlioz's Studio:

Berlioz’s study is a warm and cozy space with organized clutter. The walls are painted charcoal grey, so it’s quite dark in there, but it also has a plush, cozy couch you can fall into. There’s a separate recording booth, and then a desk with his computer on it and a mixing board. He’s got several guitars and a keyboard in there as a well. Various records are hung up kinda like art. 

The Game Room:

The game room is right at the bottom of the stairs. There is a large TV for playing games, as well as several gaming consoles. (Rich boys life.) There are vintage arcade games and a fully stocked snack bar.

Other Rooms/Notes on the Cellar:

The bathroom for the ground floor is down here. Additionally, it is where the washer/dryer is. Also, it is mostly storage.

[jenny-marshfoxworth]

The touch wasn't enough to calm Jenny down but it was enough to make her at least take one deep breath and stop talking. Enough to let Berlioz getting some words in.

"I guess that makes sense." Jenny hadn't wanted to just abandon it, especially if it wasn't it. Then she just got rid of some really cool old jewellery.

"Yeah I'll just - uh get rid of it."

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

Cool About It || Benny & The Jets

[lou-bonfightme]

The Sorcerer Union Ceremony of Toulouse Henri Bonfamille, Belle Rose Acheron, and Hades Acheron [Part Two: Decor, Reception]

The ceremony for the union of Toulouse Henri Bonfamille, Belle Rose Acheron, and Hades Acheron was held on June 21, 2023 on a lovely summer's day at 6:00pm in the evening, golden hour, at the Bonfamille Manor.

Before the ceremony, light refreshments were served on the patio at high top tables. These consisted of finger sandwiches and champagne, as well as sparkling juice.

The wedding colors were a rich brown and cool sage green. The cake was French vanilla with a vanilla buttercream icing from Toulouse's favourite Parisan patisserie. Dinner was served in the gardens at long tables. The main course was a savory ratatouille, prepared by Madeline Francoeur.

After dinner there was dancing for a few hours before the night ended...

guest list: @ber-bonfamille-lyons, @marie-a-bonfamille, @amelia-o-gabble, @simba-bonfamille-lyons, @ashlee-bonfamille-lyons, @oh-heartlessman (officiant), @heart-of-dunbroch, @sanmononoke, @letitrain-letitsnow-letitgo, @tirameunpaso-felix, @julicta, @accident-prone-agustin, @thesorceress-hera

[frostskader]

look ashlee would never post nemo on insta so lets live in a pretend world where she does / ashleigh for ashlee

tiny dancers!

ashleigh

[jenny-marshfoxworth]

Jenny grinned, a little jump skip thing when Penny called out. Her suitcase bouncing with the movement as she dragged it behind her.

"Oh that's dangerous girl. I will pick the best room. " Jenny stated with a grin bonding up the steps. While dorms was her first time living away from her parents. This really felt like she was an adult and special, living on her own. (With a roommate)

"Have you met my brother by the way? Berlioz? He's gonna help with some of the boxes and sorting and things like that." Jenny offered gesturing to her brother and then to Penny. "Penny/Ber-...iloz, Ber/Penny."

Nesting || PB&J

[claraeuterpebaudry]

Same Frequency || Berlioz + Clara

@ber-bonfamille-lyons​

If you were to ask someone to describe Clara Baudry, they wouldn’t know what to say. 

Pretty? Maybe, but that was only because they were able to see what was on the outside. Quiet? Probably, but only if they paid attention long enough to notice that she was there at all. 

She had been trying to work on these things ever since she had crossed the ocean. There were so many other adjectives in the dictionary, surely one of them could be placed next to her name. One that wasn’t dirty, poor, helpless. She didn’t even need one of the beautiful ones, she would be happy with something neutral. 

In order to do this she needed to talk to people. A heavy feat, she knew, but everyone on this continent was new. They did not know her. (And they wouldn’t, not really.) A clean slate that gave her the ounce of confidence to try talking to them. The students here weren’t the ones who drove their sleek cars and eyed her second hand flute that was more tarnish than silver with judgement already on their tongue. 

Classes were hard to talk in since they were either playing or listening to something and out side of class was even harder since there wasn’t an excuse to. Not unless she made one. Again, a heavy feat. Clubs and extra curriculars were the next best thing, the first one on her list (since it was the first advertisement she saw,) was the student run radio station. 

To her luck, bad or good take your pick, someone exited the door that she had been walking down the corridor for. She gave a small wave to him as she approached to catch his attention. “Hi! Sorry. Do you work for the station?” 

[labellerose-acheron]

Tried to Slow It All Down *** [Berelle]

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

It had been a long time since Belle had made time for Berlioz. She felt guilty for that, but they had seen each other. At busy family dinners with Simba, Hades, Toulouse, and all the children running underfoot. They saw each other at tense summer board meetings, at friendly game nights, and here and there. But they hadn’t spent time, just the two of them, in a very long time.

So, Belle had shown up at Berlioz’s house with Shuck at her side on a grey, brisk, late summer evening. Fireflies had lit her path up to the house and now, they were walking along the lake. She wished they could hit the trails, but they were still mostly overgrown.

Her arm looped through Berlioz’s as they walked, her cheek on his bicep. The dogs bounded ahead, wrestling together as they went, like children themselves.

They were quiet at first. Belle had not said why she came over. Only that she’d wanted to talk to Berlioz. Now, she just wished they could stay silent. With Berlioz, silence was easy. Talking was usually too, but--Belle didn’t know where to start. Everything felt very tangled. She felt guilty and she felt sad and part of her still felt a bitter sort of jealousy, watching Hades fall apart without Toulouse.

“Toulouse...” Belle started, because that was where it all started, no matter what version of the story was told. “He left for Paris and he hasn’t come back.” They took a few more steps, their shoes crunching along the gravel of the lake.

“I don’t believe he’s going to come home, to the cottage, when he does. If he does.” She sighed a little and shifted her grip on his arm, not looking up at him.

[outfit]

[simba-bonfamille-lyons]

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now /./ [Simber featuring Nala and Kiara]

In which Nala and Kiara make their way to Strawberry Hill for a visit...[takes place: shortly after Simba and Berlioz move in, so mid-March, 2024]

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

[cw -- none]

/./ /./ /./

[link here]

/./ /./ /./

[kouros-herc]

"Oh, I can believe it," Hercules smiled, as he collected up what was the last of the cones and added them to the stack. "I mean, that must be a sign that they're pretty amazing restaurants though, if they're still going, because it's super hard to stay open," he sighed.

"And just you wait, you'll get the gold star treatment. Papa will find out everything about you and Ber so that when you have your fancy dinner parties and serve an after dinner coffee, it will be utterly perfect, and then you'll have to tell all your Richmond friends where you got it." They went for the personal touch at the shop, the real old-fashioned level of service. Still, Hercules loved everything about it, that strong smell of coffee beans mingled with everything else was home to him.

He glanced at the other man, squeezing the cones awkwardly in his hand. He did not want to say bye yet, and yet it was rapidly approaching, like a train arriving at a station.

"So, uh... fancy a kick-about, before we go back?" He gestured to the ball Simba had been kicking around.

@simba-bonfamille-lyons

Pass it Forwards - Simerc

[jenny-marshfoxworth]

Play me a song {Benny & The Jets}

Berlioz welcomed Jenny into the studio and her eyes went wide. Jenny never grew up wanting for anything but the idea of a studio, well yeah that was completely out of the budget.

“Holy Moly Ber.” Jenny was examining everything her hands reaching out to touch anything before pulling her hands back because she didn’t know what she could touch.

“This place is amazing. Can I touch?”

@ber-bonfamille-lyons