#copper barclay

[nortism]

i’ve really enjoyed watching alison become increasingly unhinged over the seasons of ghosts. i hope in season 5 she finally gets to kill a man

[brookiedaaroacecookie]

Heya, sorry to bother, but could you please explain what Murder drones, Wilderlore and TADC are? Like what medium and maybe a quick summary of what it's about?

oh my gosh you just asked me to explain my biggest hyperfixations im so fucking happy.

and no you aren’t bothering, im so fucking excited!

TADC, better known as The Amazing Digital Circus.

The Amazing Digital Circus is a 3D animated series written by @gooseworx and produced by @glitch-productions-official on YouTube. As of 1-3-2024, only the pilot is released. It centers around wacky characters who are humans transported to a digital circus through a headset. Once they arrive, all memories of who they were before are lost. The only ones there are the other humans transported in and Caine, an AI that doesn’t really understand what’s going on either, but he’s trying to help at least! The story starts when our main character, Pomni gets put in this digital hell realm. She must figure out how to adapt, and hopefully eventually escape this circus.

2. Murder Drones

sidenote: in case you couldn’t tell I fucking love murder drones *ahem* ANYWAY-

Murder Drones is a 3D animated series written by @liamvickersanimation and produced by @glitch-productions-official on YouTube. As of 1-3-23, only 6 episodes of the first season are out. The story centers around main character Uzi Doorman, an angsty worker drone teen that just needs a hug. Her planet of Copper-9 has been tormented by disassembly drones, better known as “Murder Drones”, for years. One day, she leaves her colony to find and kill these despicable monsters. Until she meets N, a friendly disassembly drone wio doesn’t realize Uzi is a worker. She manages to get some info out of him before fleeing, and accidentally leading him to her colony. The rest of N’s team follows him and they kill like, 80% of the robots there. N and Uzi take down N’s former teammates, and form an unlikely friendship. Suddenly, there’s a mysterious symbol plaguing Uzi. Now while their world slows my collapses around them, Uzi and N need to find out what everyone’s hiding and unravel the secrets of the symbol… before the universe dies.

3. Wilderlore

Wilderlore is a book series written by Amanda Foody. As of 1-3-23, only 3 books are out. The story centers around young Barclay Thorne, who is raised an orphan in Dullshire. In Dullsjire there are rules, rules that should not be broken. Until one day, Barclay breaks the biggest rule of them all: no Lore. (Lore is what they call magic.) By accidentally bonding with a beast, he has gotten his own magic or Lore, that makes him very feared. So he leaves with a mysterious girl, Viola Dumont. Together they travel through different regions with their Trainer or Master, hoping to fully master their abilities with their Beasts.

I typed every one of these by hand, from memory. I’m very dedicated if you couldn’t tell, lol.

[holmesillustrations]

Vote for your favourite, the top 9 will proceed in the bracket. Since theyre all different shapes and sizes, make sure to click into the full views!

Paget Eliminations // Other Artist Eliminations

Full captions and details for each illustration below the cut:

All Sidney Paget illustrations are for the Strand Jul 1891 - Dec 1904

"Good night, Mr Sherlock Holmes" Scandal in Bohemia Characters: Watson, Holmes, Irene Adler/Norton

"We found him faced down in a little green-scummed pool." Five Orange Pips Characters: Elias Openshaw, Butler?, John Openshaw

"Holmes lashed furiously." Speckled Band Characters: Holmes

"I am so delighted that you have come." Copper Beeches Characters: Violet Hunter, Holmes, Watson

"Nothing could be better," said Holmes." Stockbroker’s Clerk Characters: Watson, Holmes

"It's Nancy!" Crooked Man Characters: Henry Wood, Nancy Barclay, Miss Morrison

"I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae." Naval Treaty Characters: Holmes, Watson, Percy Phelps

"The proposition took me completely by surprise." Hound of the Baskervilles Characters: Dr Mortimer, Sir Henry, Watson, Holmes

"He stopped suddenly and stared fixedly up over my head into the air." Hound of the Baskervilles Characters: Holmes

"They both remembered that they were conscious of the smell of powder." Dancing Men Characters: Mrs Saunders, Local surgeon, Holmes, Village police, Watson, Insp Martin

"He stood with slanting head listening intently." Charles Augustus Milverton Characters: Holmes, Watson

"The dog sniffed round for an instant, and then with a shrill whine of excitement started off down the street." Missing Three-Quarter Characters: Watson, Holmes, Pompey

[thiswasinevitableid]

A New Role (Sternclay)

The winner of the "spooky jobs" prompt poll was: Actor known for horror & person fake dating them to help soften their image. Thanks to @bellafarallones2 for playing in the space on discord. This fill is NSFW

“Remind me again why I’m doing this?” Barclay loops the copper tie around his neck as his agent lounges in a living room chair.

“Because if you ever want this career change to work, dear boy, you need to make it so that the first things people associate with you aren’t blood and gore. You said as much yourself.”

“And I’m regretting it more every minute.” He grumbles, slipping on his jacket. Dani helped him pick it out when he first made it big. Paisley lining was lucky, she said. 

Ned sighs, professional schmoozer mask dropping, “If it turns out to be miserable or he’s clearly bad for your health, we can cancel the agreement. But remember, you have three dates to decide. If it goes past that, you’re seeing this through for six months.”

“Don’t look so glum.” Boyd steps into the entryway, keys in hand, “Guy’s a looker.”

“Didn’t take you for a cradle robber.” Ned says brusquely as he stands. 

“Nothing of the kind, pussycat, so keep your head on. C’mon big shot, let’s get you on the road.”

They drive towards UCLA, stopping well before the student housing but not in an area that’s been sorely neglected by the city. Boyd stops the car and whistles out his window, setting off dogs up and down the block. When the man waiting outside a grey apartment building looks up, Barclay feels like howling too. 

“Evening, Joe. Hop in.”

“Joseph. And thank you.” He climbs into the Kia’s backseat with Barclay and Boyd steers them towards the freeway. 

Joseph Stern turns his blue eyes on Barclay, who’s too busy wondering if Ned is fucking psychic–because there’s his type and there’s “this guy walked out of a late-night jerk off fantasy and into his car”--to hear the question he asks the first time. 

“Sorry, what was that?”

“I said” Joseph replies calmly, “it’s nice to meet you in person, Barclay, and would you like to see the list of conversation starters I wrote for this ‘date’?”

Barclay chuckles.

“I’m serious.”  Joseph turns his phone screen so Barclay can see the bullet points. 

“You really think we need those?” Is the guy that convinced Barclay will be boring?

The other man tucks his phone back into his pocket, “Look, if this doesn’t pay off for you, all you have to fall back on is a beloved film career and the money that comes with it, and the fact people will hire you for those same kinds of roles again. If this doesn’t work out for me, I get more sessions reading over bad exposition in a Discovery Channel basement. If I’m lucky. So if you’re me, it pays to be prepared.”

Great, he thinks Barclay is boring and stupid. 

He takes the phone, glances at it, then hands it back, “Okay, got a few.”

“I can send-”

“Memorized” Barclay taps his temple, “professional, remember?”

A flicker of annoyance, or maybe stress, crosses Joseph’s face, “Right. Of course. Sorry.”

They’re booked at a trendy “New American” place, high ceilings and bright lights showing him just how many immediately recognize his face as he walks in. By the time Joseph pulls his chair out for him, there are no fewer than ten cameras on them.

Some days he really fucking hates cell phones. 

Even with the starters, the conversation is stilted through the appetizers and bordering on stale when the main course comes.

Barclay takes a bite and sighs, “I wish places like this wouldn’t take this kind of shortcut.”

Joseph looks from his own risotto to Barclay’s pot pie, “Pre-made filling?”

“Close. Pre-made crust. I mean, I know crust isn’t always easy to do but, like, the filling is fucking amazing and then they’ve got it on wet cardboard. See?” He spears a piece and holds it out. 

Joseph leans back like Barclay’s about to stab him, manages to smile, “I’ll take your word for it.”

They make it to the end of dinner, but only just. As the check appears, their server murmurs shyly, “I loved you in Blunt Edges.”

It’s the highlight of Barclay’s night. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------

A Killer Romance?

Horror heavyweight Barclay Cobb was seen out last night on what seemed to be a romantic dinner for two….

Joseph sets his phone on the table, goes back to staring at the ceiling and replaying everything he did wrong last night. Their gambit is working, but Barclay had a miserable time and Joseph felt got to have all the fun of first-date jitters with none of the benefits. 

Maybe he should have just told the actor that he’s had a crush on him since college. 

If they were dating for real, maybe he could have confessed over a few glasses of wine that he once broke a vibrator from how he was using it during Thin Air, where Barclay’s murderous ski guide picks off a group of rich friends at a chalet. 

But if Barclay is trying to leave that image behind him, Joseph doubts he wants to know someone used to jerk off to the sight of him covered in gore.

He has two more chances to make this really work. He’s charmed his way into, and out of, plenty of places. These dates are just another two job interviews to ace. He doesn’t want anything more from them than that. 

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second date is going better. Their conversation doesn’t feel stilted. Barclay just feels like a sheep being herded into position by a very cute border collie. 

Joseph is far smoother tonight, bordering on flirtatious, and maybe it would work if Barclay didn’t know why he was really agreeing to this. He decides to let Joseph steer the conversation, content be smiled at and complimented while ignoring how it all feels rehearsed. And the fact Joseph didn’t order a cocktail in spite of Barclay knowing they’re killer here. Like he’s afraid Barclay might try something. 

Then the T.V above the bar switches from playing some B-list thriller to one of his movies. Someone front of house must have realized he’s here. He doesn’t hide the scowl quick enough, and Joseph turns to look at the screen, then back with a quizzical expression. 

“Sorry, know I should be flattered but I feel weird watching myself. Especially in that one; director was a fucking dick.”

“Really? I've heard mixed things about him.” 

“Yep” Barclay refills both their water glasses, “he spent the whole shoot antagonizing me. Then at the end he was like ‘surprise, I did that so you’d give a believably angry performance and it’s just like, man, what the fuck? I literally get paid to pretend, you don’t have to goad me into having the feeling for real.”

“Ugh, that’s awful. Any time I read about that happening it just sounds so insulting to the actors and their skill.”

“Right?” Barclay shakes his head, amused at the memory that’s resurfaced, “I got so fucking stressed during that shoot I figured out how to make pizza from scratch in my hotel room.”

“Wait, how?” Joseph is leaning forward, mouth quirked in thought, “you’d need an oven.”

“Place had a grill on the deck, so I used that. Made for some good sauce too, since I could char the tomatoes.”

Joseph makes a little sound of delight, then smiles, “If it had been me I think I would have ended up getting the dough stuck to the ceiling when I tossed it.”

“Uhhhh”

“You didn’t” Blue eyes brighten.

“Technically it was the ceiling fan…”

Barclay’s description of the incident lasts them through to dessert. As they’re eating lemon basil gelato, Joseph casts another glance at the T.V.

“If you’re trying to break into the celebrity chef game, why not go that direction?” He gestures behind him to where a younger Barclay is menacing campers on the beach, “a horror cookbook could be a good enough gimmick to get people invested, especially if it included stories like the one you told me. Then people buy it, use it, realize you’re also a great cook, and then you can sell more books. And I’d certainly watch a horror themed cooking show.”

Joseph is earnestly thinking through the logistics, as if trying to help, so Barclay gives him the earnest answer.

“I thought about it. And I think doing some of that could be fun. But a big part of doing this is that I’m kinda tired of horror. I want people to see what else I can do and I…it’s hit the point where it’s like all people see when they look at me as the guy who’s good at playing killers and monsters. That's had actual consequences for me in places I really, really didn’t expect. So much that I don’t want to go near the horror stuff any time soon.”

Joseph rests his hand near Barclay’s on the table, “I hadn’t realized it was that bad.”

“Yeah.” He thinks about the snotty comments from casting directors and the invasive questions in interviews and the disappointed boyfriends. He pushes his dessert away, half done, “I’m gonna grab the check.”

“Okay.” Joseph’s hand doesn’t move as he adds, “Barclay? If people can’t separate you from your characters, that’s on them, not you.”

In spite of Boyds’ best efforts, they get caught in a traffic snarl on the way back to Joseph’s place.  As the driver inches them forward, Barclay catches Joseph staring at a billboard for Ghost Adventures. 

“Sizing up the competition?”

A short, flat laugh, “I wish. I can barely get in front of a camera, let alone get a full time hosting spot.”

“Anyone who can’t tell that putting you onscreen would boost ratings needs their eyes checked. Uh, I mean” he blushes in the darkened backseat, “you have Haunted Woods, right?”

“That’s only voice work, which means I don’t get to do any actual investigation. I mean, I like a good bigfoot sighting story as much as the next guy, but I want to go to where it happened. I want to interview people myself, I want to do stake-outs of haunted places or sighting hotspots, I want to actually help people figure out what they saw. What good is paranormal investigation if it’s just grown men scaring themselves in night-vision and misusing the word debunked?” Joseph gestures emphatically out the window, “he has four shows and a museum! For no other reason than he was a little ahead of the curve and men like him fail upwards!”

Barclay blinks, amused, and Joseph sits back in his seat and straightens his tie, “I’m sorry. It just bugs me to see so many programs not actually devoted to solving the mystery. I didn’t mean to, um, to go all angry nerd on you.”

“I didn’t mind” Barclay nudges him with his elbow, “and if it’s any consolation, you look way better in black than he does.”

Joseph returns to his smooth, subdued demeanor for the rest of the ride. Intrigued by the other sides of the man he glimpsed, Barclay decides to go off-script on their third date.

“I thought we were going to that new beach spot?” Joseph peers out the window as they head toward the L.A County Museum of Art.

“Figured we could change things up a bit. Know Ned made a reservation at the other spot, but he’s not actually my dad who gets to tell me where to go. Or anyone else’s, I think.”

“Not a chance.” Boyd adds from the front seat.

They head into the museum holding hands, since several people spot Barclay and pull out their phones as they’re getting out of the car. Because they’d planned to go dining on the beach, Joseph is dressed more casually, in jeans and a button-up short sleeve. It’s only when they pass through a darkened gallery–showing off art made with deadly items, including radium paint– that he sees the dark blue fabric is dotted with glow-in-the-dark flying saucers. 

When they round the corner, Joseph actually gasps, putting his hands over his mouth, “I didn’t realize At Home With Monsters was back in town.”

“Yep, they brought it back for the lead-up to Halloween. Y’know, a friend of mine was in one of Del Toro’s movies-”

“Amazing, tell me everything while we look, come one” Joseph pulls him into the exhibit. They emerge two hours later, talking animatedly about Barclay’s experiences wearing monster make-up, and make for the cafe for lunch. They spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the other exhibits, and Barclay quickly texts in a reservation to Pho King, aka the best kept dining secret in the area, when Joseph agrees to dinner. 

When they leave the museum, Joseph holds his hand the whole way. Without checking for cameras first. 

—---------------------------------------------------

“You wanna give this a try?” Barclay passes Joseph his phone, where he’s been unsuccessfully been trying for an artful shot of his finished, Coffee S’more Cupcakes to post to Instagram. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t bother, but it’ll look good to a prospective publisher. Plus, whenever Dani posts photos of his stuff, it gets a ton of compliments. 

“Yes, but only because if I have to go any longer without trying those I might cry.” Joseph looks at the plate, then at the ceiling, then moves the plate across the counter to a pool of sunlight. He tries a few different angles, then hands the phone back to Barclay. 

“I warn you that I’m no food photographer.”

“This one’ll work, thanks.” He nudges the cupcakes towards him, “you first.”

Joseph takes a bite, then moans and politely covers his mouth, “Oh. Oh my lord. We have to get you that cookbook deal, the people deserve to know about this.”

Barclay grins and peels the wrapper from another cupcake. Joseph continues eating, more messily than he’s ever seen, and if this were a real date he’d lean over and kiss the stray frosting from his lips.

A knock at the door reminds him why they’re here, and when calls for Ned to come in, his agent looks perturbed. 

“Gentlemen, I know this was meant to be a simple check-in, but I’m afraid we have a problem: the press may be catching onto us. Because they have, I am afraid to say rightly, noticed you two are not demonstrative in public.”

“How do they know we’re not just very private people?” Joseph leans on the counter, arms crossed. 

“When have internet speculators ever preferred the simple explanation?”

Joseph sighs, “I hate to say it, but you’re right.”

“So, what, we’re just supposed to make-out in public until someone sees us?” Barclay loves kissing, but can’t think of anything he’d like less at the moment. 

“Yes. But never fret, my lovebirds; I’ll make sure your next date is somewhere that feels appropriately passion provoking.”

Barclay steals a glance at Joseph, who raises an eyebrow in reply, smile one of conspiratorial sympathy, “Gee, thanks.”

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a terrible idea, but Joseph's options were either be nervous in his apartment or be nervous at Barclay’s house, so he’s choosing the one with a better view. 

His knock summons the actor still in his casual clothes, looking worried as he opens the door.

“You’re early. Like, early-early, even for you. What’s up?”

The fact his shirt is more low cut than normal has nothing to do with Joseph replying, “I think we need to practice. For this evening.”

“You…want to practice kissing me?” Barclay shuts the door, leaving them in the darkened entryway. 

“Yes. Not that I think you’ll be bad at it. Or that I’m bad at it. But, well, the first kiss with a new person is usually pretty obvious and awkward and I’d hate for us to be caught on camera not, um, not doing our best work.”

This was a terrible idea. 

“Sure. Guess it would look pretty awkward if the first time we did it was in public. You wanna sit down on the couch or…”

“Couch is fine.” Joseph hurries to the plaid sofa before he changes his mind. Barclay sits next to him, moving like he’s approaching a scared deer. 

“It okay if I put my hand on your hip? Don’t wanna fall over on you.”

“That’s fine.” He sets both his hands stiffly on Barclay’s shoulders, closes his eyes as a big hand cups his cheek. Then full lips peck him once, shyly, on the mouth. 

“Come on big guy” he murmurs, “you can do better than that.”

An indulgent laugh, then another kiss, a real one this time, sugar sweet and sunshine gentle. He smiles into it, stopping Barclay from breaking the kiss. The actor leans in, hand gliding from Joseph’s hip to his lower back, and when Joseph teases his lips with his tongue there’s a scuff of feet leaving the floor as Barclay tips them down onto the sofa. 

Joseph surrenders any pretense he doesn’t want this to be happening, runs his hands along Barclay’s back, it’s muscles tensing every time Joseph returns for another kiss instead of pulling away. 

When he hazards a lovebite to Barclay’s lower lip, the man above him groans and tangles their legs together, expression so blissful when he pulls back for air that Joseph is one second away from telling him to text Ned and cancel their reservations. 

Barclay stiffens, suddenly won’t meet his gaze as he fumbles one of the small throw pillows into his lap and sits back up.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just, uh, just needed a change of position. Old back injury from a stunt.”

It’s a lie. So Joseph does the most loving thing he can in that moment and believes it. 

“Thanks for telling me.” He smooths down the mussed patches of Barclay’s beard, “I’d say I’m ready to, um, perform in public. Unless you need more practice?”

Barclay shakes his head, “I’m good. Think I know just how to play it now.”

Joseph smiles, heart like a crushed tin can, and lets Barclay rest his head on his shoulder. 

—---------------------------------------------------

“You did WHAT???”  Indrid’s laugh is one part horror and two parts shock on the other end of the line.

“You heard me. I got hard from kissing, like a fucking teenager-”

“And then ‘freaked out’ like one, as the kids say.”

“Indrid, no one’s said that since we were kids.”

“My point stands, do not try to change the subject.” His friend reappears in the frame–he never holds still on video calls–draped in a sweatshirt that’s clearly the wrong size for him. 

“Duck’s visiting again?”

“Yes, since we’re shooting in Richmond I flew him here to spend the weekend with me. Mercifully those aren’t days when I have to get into swamp monster make-up. And” Indrid looks at him over his glasses, “changing it to my favorite subject is still changing the subject.”

“It didn’t mean anything. Joseph’s doing this for his career and mine, he doesn’t want to deal with my dick.”

“Ah yes, the ‘I will arrive early at your house so it is just the two of us and suggest we practice kissing’ gambit. A classic move by those decidedly not interested in seeing your dick.”

“His reasoning made sense! And he’s worked so hard that’s exactly the kind of thing he’s willing to do for his career. You don’t know him, okay?” Barclay sets his mug down with a defeated thunk.

“I know he’s masterfully dodged questions about your endowment from more than one interviewer in a way that suggests he’s spent at least some time thinking about your dick. More to the point, I know you; and you, my friend, have a crush on him that can be seen from space. So for goodness sake, tell him that before I fly myself back to L.A and do it for you.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell him. I just have to find the perfect time to do it.”

—------------------------------------------------------------------------

Their plan really is working. Not only has Barclay gotten his book deal, with talks of a show on the horizon, but Joseph has been recognized more at this one party than in his entire career up until now. 

Maybe he can use that to convince Barclay they should keep dating for at least another six months.

The event was in San Diego, and rather than try to drive home in the dead of night they booked a hotel downtown. Barclay always springs for ones with beds that can actually fit two, six-foot tall men, and so they’re currently in a corner room with a stunning view and cartoonishly large bed. 

Joseph hangs up his jacket and tie, turns to find running his hands over the dress sweater still stretched over his chest. 

“Gonna have to take this one out of the rotation. Apparently it looks too much like the one I wore in Camp Blood; got a bunch of comments on it, even a joke about how it must be nice to never need a Halloween costume.”

“Christ.” Joseph crosses the green carpet, “some people really can’t use the power of thinking about things for two seconds. If you do take it out of the rotation, promise you won’t get rid of it?”

“You like it?” Barclay’s brow unfurrows in an instant as he turns to face Joseph. 

“It makes you look like a hot teacher on back to school night.” He runs his hands over the blue and grey wool, “the kind that makes all the moms linger for a chat and all the dads jealous enough to consider actually making their wives cum at some point in their lives.”

Barclay laughs, “Okay, babe, it stays.” He sighs happily as Joseph continues petting across his chest, “thanks for coming along tonight. It’s funny, after all these years I still get a little nervous at, at these…” his next breath is shuddery. Joseph has an answer to why when he glances down at the actors fly. 

“You don’t seem nervous now.” He teases.

“Fuck” Barclay hisses through his teeth, “fuck, Joseph, I’m so sorry. I’m just, I’ve always been so fucking sensitive, it’s just one more thing that disappoints my partners, it’s fine, I’m fine, it’ll go away eventually. I just didn’t want you to have to deal with how fucking hair-trigger it can be-”

“Barclay” he says it firmly, and brown eyes snap to meet his own, “it doesn’t bother me. And if you sit down, we can, uh, find a way to get rid of it quicker.”

Barclay doesn’t even make it to the bed, falling into the nearest armchair as Joseph lowers to his knees. In three, deliberate movements he has Barclay’s pants and underwear around his ankles and the nicest cock he’s ever seen inches from his face. He’s practically licking his lips and Barclay still looks like he’s about to say “sorry.” Again. 

“Barclay” Joseph runs his from the tip to the root, “if I ever catch you apologizing for this gorgeous thing again, I will slap you. Or possibly it.”

Strong fingers twist at the hem of the sweater as a breathy, hopeful voice replies, “Really?”

Joseph looks up, grinning, “Do you like when your partners are mean in the bedroom, big guy?”

“I, I think so. I want it so bad but no one was every fucking interested! They all wanted the guy they saw on-screen. That’s all I was; the monster they wanted to be roughed up by.”

Joseph eases Barclay’s hands from the fabric, brings them to his mouth to kiss his knuckles as he muses, “You know, you’d have made a pretty victim in those movies just as easily.”

The other man looks away, “M’too big.”

“I think the right man could make you seem like a helpless puppy. Don’t you?”

Barclay turns wide, pleading eyes on him, “I wish he would.”

Joseph stands, yanks off his belt, and snaps, “Hands above your head. Now.”

Barclay obeys instantly, chest heaving as Joseph traps his wrists above his head. Joseph rests his hands on either side of the top of the chair, looming into Barclay’s space, “Out of curiosity, big guy, did you ever think about what monster you’d be at the mercy of?”

His boyfriend mumbles something.

Joseph digs a hand into auburn hair, forcing the other man to keep his eyes on him, “Try that again.”

“S-secret agent. Like a rogue one, or an ex-sniper or something. Sorry, I, I know it’s goofy-”

“Barclay, if you apologize again I will play with these” he shoves the sweater up to reveal Barclay’s pecs, “so roughly you’ll cry. Understood?”

“Yes sir.” Barclay glances at him, not hiding his smile, “sorry, sir.”

Without another word, Joseph straddles him, shoves the sweater up into Barclay’s mouth and barks, “hold that” before diving down to bite the left side of his chest as hard as he dares. 

Barclay yells but keeps the gag in place. Without looking up Joseph pats his cheek and coos “good boy” before doing the same to the other side. Then he kisses and bites his way back and forth, pausing now and then to suck his nipples, which results in an adorably small noise from such a large man. Even better are the sounds when he grabs and squeezes, Barclay whimpering and moaning as Joseph fondles him like he owns him. 

He shifts up onto his knees, denying Barclay the chance to rub off on him, and pinches each nipple in turn. Barclay squeezes his eyes shut, muffled sounds of pain turning Joseph on too much to even worry if enjoying them makes him a bad person. 

When brown eyes open again, they’re teary. So Joseph carefully eases out of his lap, kissing his cheek as he goes. 

“There. Now that you know what I’m capable of, are you going to be a good boy and let me suck your cock?”

Frantic nodding accompanies his trip to his knees. He kisses the shaft up and down, mouth already watering, “This really is spectacular. Makes me feel almost a little bad at the thought of torturing it.”

Barclay moans, then gasps when Joseph bites his inner thigh. Another bite sets the bigger man squirming.

“What’s wrong, big guy? Afraid I might bite somewhere I shouldn’t?”

Barclay nods and moans. 

Joseph smiles wolfishly up at him, “I could. It’s not like there’s anything stopping me. And it’s not like you can get away.” He opens his mouth, allowing his upper row of teeth to just, and only just, touch the head for an instant, and Barclay’s how body goes taught. Then he opens wider, pushing his head down to suck Barclay off. A relieved moan is followed by another one of those endearing squeaks as Joseph cups his balls and squeezes them a tad too tightly. 

Then it’s his turn to gasp, cum hitting the roof of his mouth and dripping onto his tongue as Barclay twists and whimpers in his chair. 

Joseph swallows what he can, wipes the rest away with the back of his hand as he stands. 

“Right. My turn” 

He hauls Barclay from the chair, shoving and stumbling them both over to the bed and pushing the other man onto his back. He pulls the spit-soaked sweater free and grips Barclay’s chin hard enough to redden the skin. 

“You are going to get me off with your mouth, or there will be consequences.”

“Fuck yes, sir.” Barclay purrs as Joseph yanks and tosses his pants away. When he lowers onto Barclay’s face, it’s a toss-up as to who moans the loudest. 

“Jesuschrist, oh, oh I see why you like the rogue agent idea.” Joseph tangles his fingers into Barclay’s hair, grinding against his eager mouth, “you know you’d, you’d be a perfect hostage. Because all it’d take is someone slapping you once and calling you a pretty boy and you’d be on your knees letting anyone who wanted to shove their cock down your throat.”

“Mmhph!” Barclay nods, hands fighting against their bonds. 

“I know, you’re just an obedient, sweet boy who needs to be put in his place. Which, which happens to be, oh, oh fuck, Barclay, Barclay.” He cums hard and collapses forward, catching himself on his arms and rolling off to avoid breaking Barclay’s nose. It’s still zinging through him as he undoes the belt and guides Barclay onto his side to study his face. 

“Was that okay? Are you okay?”

“Uh huh” the deep voice is dreamy and far off, “so okay. You’re so good. So amazing.”

“I’m going to get us some water okay? I’ll be right back.”

He fills two clean glasses in the bathroom and hurries back. When he gets to the bed, Barclay is curled up, trying to drag the blanket beneath him up around him. 

“Oh, oh big guy hey, hey it’s okay. I’m right here. I’ve got you.” He brushes Barclay’s hair from his forehead, “I think you’re dropping. I, I’ve had this happen before, if you want I can-”

“It’s not that.” Barclay wipes his eyes, “I mean maybe a little but it’s…you’re gonna leave in two weeks. This, this is all just for the contract. You, you don’t-”

“Bullshit I don’t.” He hugs Barclay tight, “I want to be your boyfriend, your real boyfriend, so badly it’s like a constant ache in my chest. God, I’m so stupid, I should have started with that, I was just so caught up and a little afraid that this would be my only chance to be with you like this.”

“I was thinking the same thing. And I was gonna ask you this morning if you wanted to keep dating but I chickened out and planned to do it tomorrow instead.” A gentle chuckle, “guess we were both being foolish in the same way.”

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

“I was nervous. And I kinda convinced myself that if you wanted me for real you would have said.”

Joseph runs a hand over his hair with an embarrassed laugh, “I did the same thing.”

“Man, we really are two, big fools huh?”

“Maybe” Joseph kisses him, “but we’re fools in love.”

Barclay’s grin is brighter than all of L.A combined, “Yeah. Yeah we are.”

[foxglove-the-never-fairy]

Fairy Names Pt. 2

Fly with you! It’s been a while hasn’t it? Anyway, I’m here for a second part of one of my most popular posts.

The first post listed fairy names that were used in the DS game “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue” in the create-a-fairy section of the game. While the names provided were feminine, I have pulled all of the masculine fairy names from the original Pixie Hollow game. Some names are repeats from the original post, but I kept them in as I wanted to get this out as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy. Here’s the original post.

~🧚🏻‍♀️🔥 Foxglove 

First

Aaron

Ace

Acorn

Agate

Ajay

Alabaster

Alder

Alec

Aleron

Alex

Anchor

Andrew

Archer

Axel

Badger

Bailey

Baker

Bale

Banjo

Barclay

Basil

Benjy

Bert

Bevel

Birch

Bo

Boomer

Boone

Brock

Bruce

Brynn

Buddy

Burr

Burton

Buster

Calder

Casper

Cecil

Cedar

Chance

Chase

Chip

Clay

Cliff

Coal

Cog

Comet

Cosmo

Cote

Covey

Crag

Crane

Cyan

Dale

Dane

Darius

Darrin

Dawson

Decker

Deon

Devlin

Dewey

Donner

Drake

Dug

Dunn

Dustin

Dusty

Echo

Eddy

Edward

Elk

Emery

Erik

Ernie

Errol

Fennel

Fincher

Finn

Fir

Flint

Ford

Francis

Garnet

Glen

Gourd

Gourdie

Grove

Grub

Gull

Hale

Hare

Harris

Hawk

Henry

Heron

Hob

Jacob

James

Jasper

Jay

Kernal

Koto

Lance

Lark

Leaf

Lore

Lute

Lyric

Martin

Maze

Mica

Michal

Nadir

Nester

Oak

Ollie

Onyx

Otter

Peat

Pier

Pine

Quake

Quarry

Quinn

Rain

Ranger

Reed

Richard

River

Robin

Rook

Rusty

Rye

Sage

Sam

Scout

Sean

Seth

Shale

Shoal

Skimmer

Skyler

Spike

Spruce

Sterling

Stone

Tad

Teak

Thatcher

Thistle

Timber

Tiny

Toadstool

Tobey

Todd

Topher

Torn

Torrey

Vail

Valiant

Vern

Vic

Wedge

Wes

Wren

Wynn

Zak

 Middle

Air

Almond

Apple

Aspen

Autumn

Badger

Bark

Beacon

Bear

Bitter

Brave

Bright

Brisk

Broom

Bumble

Candle

Cedar

Chilly

Citrus

Cloud

Cloudy

Clover

Cocoa

Copper

Cricket

Crow

Cub

Dapple

Dash

Day

Drift

Eagle

Elm

Evening

Falcon

Far

Fern

Fig

Fire

Fleet

Flicker

Foggy

Fox

Frost

Frozen

Funny

Garlic

Green

Hail

Hasty

Hawk

Hickory

Holly

Hurry

Ice

Ivy

Jelly

Jumpy

Lemon

Light

Lightning

Lime

Little

Lock

Lotus

Magic

Mango

Maple

Merry

Misty

Moon

Morning

Moss

Mossy

Mountain

Muddy

Never

Nickel

Night

Nimble

Oak

Orange

Otter

Parsley

Pear

Pebble

Pepper

Pine

Plum

Pollen

Pumpkin

Purple

Quick

Rain

Rainy

Rock

Rumble

Sage

Sandy

Sea

Shy

Silk

Slight

Snow

Sour

Speedy

Spider

Spring

Squall

Star

Storm

Stout

Strong

Sugar

Summer

Sun

Swift

Tangle

Thunder

Tiny

Toad

Tumble

Twisty

Water

Whiffle

Wild

Wind

Winter

Wrinkle

 Last

Beam

Bee

Bell

Berry

Breath

Breeze

Bug

Button

Buzz

Chill

Chime

Cliff

Cloud

Clove

Crash

Curl

Dale

Dance

Dash

Dew

Din

Drop

Dust

Ear

Elbow

Eye

Feather

Field

Fig

Flame

Flap

Flash

Fleck

Flight

Flip

Flipper

Fly

Fog

Foot

Forest

Freeze

Fruit

Garden

Gem

Glade

Glimmer

Glow

Gourd

Grace

Griddlee

Gust

Heart

Hill

Hop

Horn

Hush

Jewel

Knee

Lake

Light

Lock

Loop

Lull

Meadow

Mello

Mint

Mist

Moon

Muddle

Muse

Newt

Noise

Nose

Peal

Pebble

Petal

Pin

Plume

Pond

Pool

Ray

Ripple

River

Roar

Root

Row

Ruckus

Rumble

Sand

Shadow

Sky

Smash

Song

Spark

Sparkle

Sparrow

Speck

Spirit

Splash

Spring

Sprite

Sprout

Stem

Stone

Storm

Stream

Stripe

Swamp

Swirls

Thistle

Thorn

Toad

Tree

Twill

Twist

Vale

Valley

Vine

Weather

Web

Whirl

Whisk

Whisper

Willow

Wind

Wing

Wings

Wink

Wish

[tradermade]

Europe Mixed. Learn more: https://markets.tradermade.com/stocks-and-indices/european_equities_open_cautious. Miners dive on softer copper. Barclays soars 5.4% on major overhaul. US markets back after holiday, Fed minutes & PMI on deck

[ailtrahq]

Leading UK bank Barclays has implemented a substantial measure that could potentially result in certain expatriate clients encountering difficulties in accessing their savings and pensions. On Friday, the bank made an announcement stating that anyone of British nationality residing outside of the United Kingdom will no longer have the option to possess a Barclays UK current or savings account. Many foreigners who depend on these accounts for their financial transactions may be impacted by this decision. Account Termination Looms Barclays is currently issuing notices to its clientele, apprising them of the impending termination of their accounts. This decision comes as a result of a thorough evaluation of the bank’s international banking services, a process that was set in motion back in 2021. As part of this evaluation, the bank has taken steps to notify its customers about forthcoming alterations, and they will be provided with ample time to adapt to these changes through a six-month notice period. For individuals who have embraced an expatriate lifestyle and belong to the affluent segment of customers, Barclays presents an attractive solution: the opportunity to open a global account. This type of account offers several appealing features, including the convenience of online banking and the flexibility to handle multiple currencies. Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware that to avoid incurring a monthly fee of £40, account holders must maintain a minimum balance of £100,000. This move by Barclays reflects the financial institution’s commitment to optimizing its international banking offerings to better serve its diverse customer base. By providing this notice period, the bank ensures that its valued customers have sufficient time to consider their options and make any necessary adjustments to their financial arrangements. Barclays has stated that its UK products are primarily intended for customers residing in the United Kingdom. The Financial Conduct Authority has responded, acknowledging that this is a commercial decision within the bank’s prerogative, as banks have the autonomy to establish their own customer criteria. Crypto market cap is currently at $1.03 trillion. Chart: TradingView.com Barclays Bank Clients Oppose Some customers, such as 89-year-old Professor David Barker, who relocated from London to Australia in 1988, have expressed strong disapproval of this decision. The April letter from Barclays that Professor Barker and his wife received left them both stunned. The official informed him that his family may re-register at their daughter’s UK home. He said: “We are concerned about the way Barclays is handling it. I couldn’t believe that we would get a cold call telling us we would be debanked.” A representative from the FCA said lenders have the prerogative to establish their own criteria regarding the domicile of account holders, while still adhering to relevant domestic legislation and regulations when providing services to consumers residing outside the United Kingdom. “Whether or not banks decide to extend services to customers outside of the UK is a commercial decision for them, but we expect them to treat their customers fairly, comply with equalities legislation, and provide adequate notice to the customer if they decide to close their account,” the representative said. Barclays Backs Crypto  Despite the continued spate of bankruptcies in the cryptocurrency market, Barclays invested in Copper, one of the most renowned companies in the sector, in July of last year. Copper offers custody, settlement, and prime broking services to institutional investors that are investing in cryptocurrency assets. Barclays expresses a favorable outlook regarding the enduring sustainability of bitcoin (BTC) in the long run. In that same year, the British lender voiced its perspective about Core Scientific, a bitcoin miner, deeming it as a “superior choice” for leveraging within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

[xtruss]

Brooklyn's First Supertall Skyscraper Reaches Completion

— Ben Dreith | 8 August 2023 | De Zeen

New York studio SHoP Architects has completed the black and bronze facade of the supertall skyscraper Brooklyn Tower, the tallest building in the borough.

At 93 storeys and 1,066 feet (325 metres) tall, the supertall skyscraper topped out in March 2023, but the intricate cladding of its exterior was only recently completed.

The skyscraper features blackened stainless panels running from the top of the tower towards the bottom, where it meets the preserved, historic Dimes Savings Bank, which has been integrated into the tower's podium.

SHoP Architects has completed the facade of the Brooklyn Tower

Running the length of the tower are bronze and copper pilasters that give definition to the black facade, which at certain points comes to edges, creating a staggered appearance. The building has quickly become one of, if not the most, visible structures on the Brooklyn skyline.

Last year, SHoP principal Greg Pasquarelli told Dezeen in an exclusive interview that the structure, because of its special zoning, "would be kind of like the Empire State Building of Brooklyn."

It is clad in blackened steel with bronze and copper pilasters running its length

"We wanted to make sure that no matter what grid you were on, looking at it from wherever you were in Brooklyn, you felt like you were looking at the front," he continued.

The residential skyscraper, which has more than 500 residences as well as retail at its base, has a wider base than many other supertalls because of the winds in Brooklyn.

It has a historic bank at its base

The larger base means that the tower tapers, drawing attention to the smaller peaks of the tower as it narrows towards the tops. The base is clad in white marble, reflecting the art deco bank, and darkens as it rises.

The tower also has a number of "wind floors" throughout its length that allow heavy gusts to pass throughout without rocking the massive structure. According to New York magazine Curbed, one of the taller wind floors has been outfitted with a basketball court, the highest in the world.

The tower's distinct form and colour have led some in the city to compare the building to the architecture of Sauron's Dark Fortress, a tower in Peter Jackson's filmatisation of the Lord of the Rings novels.

It is the tallest structure in the borough of Brooklyn

Inside, the art deco design of the Dimes Saving Bank has been carried through many of the public spaces, including the lobby design by Krista Ninivaggi.

The tower features multiple entrances, one directly from the street and another through the renovated bank, which has become a retail and pedestrian space.

Local interior firm Gachot Studios carried out the design of most of the residences.

Above: Barclays Center demonstrated the potential for digital fabrication in design. Photo is by Iwan Baan. Top: The Brooklyn Tower became the tallest building in Brooklyn last year. Image is courtesy of SHoP Architects

SHoP Architects is also responsible for the nearby Barclays Center, a stadium clad with thousands of steel panels.

It has designed a number of other buildings throughout the city, including 111 W 57th Street on Billionaires Row in Manhattan, the world's skinniest supertall skyscraper.

— The Photography is by Max Touhey.

111 W 57th Street in Manhattan is the skinniest supertall skyscraper in the world. Photo is by David Sundberg/ESTO

People take selfies with the Brooklyn Tower (centre), SHoP said. Photo is courtesy of SHoP Architects

Project Credits:

Developer: JDS Development Group

Builder: JDS Construction Group

Architect: SHoP Architects

Residential Interior Design: Gachot Studios

Amenities Interior Design: Krista Ninivaggi of Woods Bagot

Landscape Design: HMWhite

Structural Engineer: WSP

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineer: JB&B

Curtain Wall Consultant: MW Skins

Civil Engineer: AKRF

Geotechnical Engineer: Mueser Rutledge

Wind Engineer: RWDI

[crazily-lost]

Barclays to Shut 21 ETNs a Year After ‘Staggering’ Note Blunder

The $71 million iPath Series B Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN (JJC) is the largest of the notes being closed, which hold around $533 million assets in total. from Wealth Management https://ift.tt/NzXyHAK

[stock-cgcr]

A strong U.S. rebound?

U.S. stocks hit four-week highs, with the Nasdaq rising for a fourth straight day and copper rising above $9,100 for the first time in seven months

On the eve of the release of CPI inflation in December, the president of the Boston Fed spoke dovish in favor of only a 25 basis point rate hike in February. European and American stocks rose across the board, with the Nasdaq notching its longest winning streak since September last year and the Dow Jones Industrial Average up nearly 270 points. Amazon rose nearly 6 percent to its biggest gain in two months, 3B Home, a retail group that warned of bankruptcy, rose nearly 69 percent to its highest level since going public, doubling in three days, and Alibaba rose seven days in a row to its highest in six months. Yields on 10-year European bonds generally fell more than 10 basis points as the inflation outlook improved. The dollar hovered at a seven-month low, facing its first technical "dead cross" in two and a half years, and the offshore yuan was at its highest in five months. Gold turned higher in late trading to hit another eight-month high. Oil prices rose more than 3 percent to a one-week high, while European natural gas fell more than 5 percent to a near one-year low. U.S. gas hit its lowest intraday level in a year and a half and is down nearly 19 percent this year.

Us financial markets will undoubtedly have the most important trading day to start the New Year on Thursday, January 12: The US Labor Department will release the December consumer price index at 21:30 Beijing time tonight, the last CPI indicator to be released before the Federal Reserve's next rate-setting meeting.

With last week's cooler-than-expected payroll data fueling speculation that the Fed might end its rate-hike cycle earlier than expected, tonight's inflation report has come into focus early: investors in stocks and bonds will be looking for more evidence to support a further rally this year; And Fed officials have widely said the inflation report is likely to be the key to deciding whether to raise rates by a quarter-point or a half-point next month.

Consumer prices are expected to rise 6.5% in December from a year earlier, down from the previous month's 7.1% year-over-year increase, according to the median forecast of economists polled by media. In June last year, the CPI rose 9.1 per cent from a year earlier, the biggest increase in more than 40 years.

In one sense, the 6.5% median forecast is even relatively high, since the average of media surveys is already much closer to 6.4%.

From a series of market indicators before the CPI data release, the overall inflation cooling momentum is also extremely obvious.

The median survey at the end of last week had originally predicted a 0 per cent month-on-month change in CPI tonight, but the figure has started to move closer to minus 0.1 per cent. Well-known Wall Street institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, now expect the CPI to fall 0.1% month on month in December, while Wells Fargo even expects it to fall 0.2% month on month.

Economists now widely expect the core CPI, which strips out food and energy prices, to rise 0.3 per cent in December from a month earlier, up from 0.2 per cent the previous month. Year-on-year, it would rise 5.7 percent, compared with 6.0 percent last month, which would be the highest December core inflation rate since 1981.

According to a chart from the derivatives team at Barclays, "never in the past 10 years has the S&P 500 reacted as negatively to economic indicators as it did to CPI in 2022."

And it is the CPI data that is now so influential that almost all market participants can no longer ignore it. With the December CPI data out tonight, traders expect the S&P 500 to move at least 2% in either direction on Thursday, up or down, according to the latest pricing in the options market.

[straubindeutschland]

Last Day in Bosnia

December 21, 2022

We climbed up to the tower over the Old Bridge to have a Bosnian coffee. This is Barclay YouTubing how to consume. It’s a process. You have dip the sugar cube in the coffee to soften the cube, then take a bite of the sugar, then sip the coffee, then take a small bite of the jelly cube candy (hidden by the copper mug). The coffee is high octane to say the least!

We saw this castle (which ended up being an entire medieval village that people still live in) from the road. We turned off quickly and climbed the hillside to the top. Love a good roadside surprise.

Sheep crossing!! Bosnia is hands down my happy place.

[wakefieldgossip]

I think Copper is cheating on Juliet with Winnie!

Wait, I thought little Abbott was a lesbian? Or was that the other one? They're not even identical and I still get confused. Either way, weird, I thought if anyone would cheat in this little relationship, it would be Juliet. ( @wcrstorm @qvietwhispers )

[qvietwhispers]

closed starter for @wcrstorm​

Sterling pulled a face as he went to pour himself a coffee, before realising they were out. “COPPER!” He yelled out across the house, “Did you drink all the bloody coffee-” He cut himself off as he heard his phone chime, brows furrowing together as he went to pick his phone up. His lips curled into a smile at the message from Poppy, before he looked up to notice Copper staring at him. “...what?”

[thiswasinevitableid]

71. you’re famous and you want to hide out in my bookstore which is fine except the stupid paparazzi won’t leave and now there’s a photo of us in the tabloids and they’re printing misinformation and why the fuck won’t you clear this up on your twitter account

Sternclay, NSFW, please!

Here you go! Let's end this round of meet uglies with a bang

The post-holiday slump is always the worst; everyone maxed out their credit cards last month and doesn’t want to buy anything, and the tourists won’t be back until the spring. It’s not that he’s concerned about keeping the lights on; Bookworms is popular and has a prime spot downton. It’s that he’s bored out of his mind.

All his orders for the day are in, everything’s been received and shelved, and he’s running out of things to tidy. If he’s lucky, the clouds that have been threatening a snowstorm since this morning will burst and drive some people to shelter among the stacks.

Dingdong

Thank the lord.

“Welcome to Bookworms, can I help you?”

The man stays by the door, peering through the glass onto the street while pulling off his beanie, “Huh? Oh, uh, nope, just coming in to, uh, get out of the cold.” He turns, and two realizations slap Joseph in the face.

One: this is the hottest man he has ever had the pleasure of seeing.

Two: He’s seen this man dozens of times, just never in person.

Barclay Cobb is a Food Network darling who got his start on Youtube, sharing recipes from vintage cookbooks he found at garage sales. That’s not why he’s starstruck, but it is probably why the taller man is hiding in the craft books alcove and keeps nervously looking his way.

“I won’t tell anyone you’re here, Mr. Cobb.”

“Phew” the man sighs, unzips his jacket, “thanks man. Thought I’d be bundled up enough that no one would spot me while I was out, but I didn’t get my hat on in time coming out of the Chinese place down the block.”

“I love that spot, they have the best beer-braised duck.”

“Yeah, I always stop by when I’m in town, they’re food is worth getting photographed for.”

It’s odd, everything he’s read suggests chef Cobb is friendly and warm when approached by fans in public.

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate that people like my shows but, I, uh, sometimes I just want to eat or walk down the street without someone taking pictures of me.”

“Do you want to head into the back sections? There’s no windows in that half of the store.”

“Sweet, thanks. Uh, would it be cool if I autographed any books of mine you have? I like doing that, means I can send a little business towards smaller stores.”

“Of course. Here, the cookbooks are on this wall.” He slips into his office to grab a sharpie while Barclay pulls a stack of books and sits down on the floor. As the scratching of the pen fills the air, Joseph takes a trip to the paranormal and occult section, coming back with three copies of The Case for Bigfoot.”

“Y’know, not everyone stocks these.” Barclay smiles as he adds the paperbacks to the pile.

“Which is terrible business; you’re just as famous in the cryptozoology community as you are in the foodie one. This is the best book on bigfoot ever written, and I should know; I run a, um, a blog where I review books on paranormal topics.”

“You a true believer?” The cook blows on his signature in the copy of Desserts for All Seasons

“More an optimistic skeptic; your book is perfect because you make your case using actual evidence instead of reporting the same ten, poorly verified stories that everyone includes in their books. And I appreciated that you included recipes from the places you visited; that was a very nice touch.”

“Funny story about that” Barclay freezes as the front door opens. There’s definitely more than one person coming in, and when Joseph pokes his head around the corner he sees fifteen people, all with cameras or phones.

“Shit. You might want to hide in my office for a few minutes.”

By the time the crowd reaches him, Joseph is almost done re-shelving the signed books.

“Good afternoon, let me know if you need help finding anything.”

“Uh, yeah, we do, someone saw Barclay Cobb in your store-”

“Strange, we’ve only had one customer” he winces as someone’s shoulder knocks a hardcover off its display, “I didn’t get a good look at them before they went downstairs.” He tips his head at the staircase to the YA and Graphic Novel sections and is promptly knocked into the shelf as the throng hurries away.

“Come on, I can get you out through the back door” Joseph whispers to the Red Dust on his Soul poster on his office door. Barclay is remarkably quiet for a man his size as they sneak across the floor and let frigid, January air rush into the store.

“Thanks man” Barclay whispers, “I owe you one.” He sets a big hand on Joseph’s shoulder, squeezes it with a wink, then pulls on his hat and disappears into a crowd coming off at the bus stop.

---------------------------------------------------

Joseph always comes in through the back, flipping on lights as he goes, so the sea of bodies pressed to the front windows like a zombie horde surprises him. He knows Barclay tweeted about the signed copies, but this seems like excessive excitement even for a celebrity chef.

“Morning, Joseph--whoa, what the heck?” Aubrey clocks in without taking her eyes off the crowd, “why is everyone here this early.”

“Fan culture. I think.” The registers finish waking up, “I’ll pay holiday rates if you open that door for me.”

Aubrey gives a thumbs up, unlocks the double doors, and is swallowed up so quickly he worries she might have been trampled until she emerges near the greeting cards. Some people swarm the cookbooks, but an alarming number cluster around the counter, all shouting for his attention.

“How long have you been seeing Chef Cobb?”

“What?, I, I’m not-”

“Does he often visit your store?”

“No! He just came by yesterday!” There’s a horrible clatter of all the books on display near the door taking each other out like dominoes.

“Do you fuck in the backroom all the time?”

“Oh come on” He pushes past the man who asked that, deals with shouting all the way to his office and slams the door. A quick Google search for “Barclay Cobb” brings up a blurry photo of them in the alley, Barclays hand on his shoulder, and multiple headlines speculating on why the reclusive chef and author has chosen a nobody bookstore employee (he’s the owner, damn it) as his lover.

Okay, there’s a logical, easy fix to this.

He opens the door enough to speak, whistles so everyone will be quiet and listen to him, “I’m sorry, there’s been a misunderstanding. Mr. Cobb isn’t in any kind of relationship with me; he just came into the store yesterday for some peace and quiet. So, if you’re looking for information about him, this is not the place for it. If you’re looking for the signed books, the cookbooks are there, and the paranormal section is just around that corner.” He gives his best customer service smile as the paparazzi exchange perplexed glances.

“...Is it true he bought you this store?”

“Wh--no! We rent this space.”

“From him?”

“Arggh!” He closes the door, slumps against it and cards his fingers through his hair. As he contemplates closing for the day, he spots a little, copper card on his desk. It’s Barclay’s, which is what he expected, but when he flips it over there’s a message scribbled in pen.

Main St Hotel, room 503, here until Monday.

He pulls out his phone, tells Aubrey she’s allowed to get the crowd out by any means necessary except for fire, and elbows his way out into the winter air.

------------------------------------------

Barclay almost purrs when he peers through the peephole in the hotel door; Joseph, as his nametag read, is standing on the carpet, looking twice as handsome as he did yesterday. His cheeks are even a little pink, and Barclay has some thoughts on how to make that blush deepen.

“Hey, glad you found-”

Joseph holds up his phone, screen in Barclays face, “please fix this.”

“Oh fuck.” He ushers him in, “I’m so sorry, I thought they’d stopped doing this shit.”

“No, and they’re fucking up my inventory as a result.”

“On it, lemme text my assistant, she’s good at drafting these kind of messages.”

“Thank the lord. Right, thank you for that, I’ll go now.”

“Wait” Barclay reminds his instincts that blocking the door is rude, “do you wanna stay a few minutes? You look kinda stressed.”

“Because my store is being overrun!” Joseph snaps, then takes a deep breath and straightens his sleeves, “I’m sorry, that wasn’t called for, this morning has just been a mess. And it, um, it’s a little bittersweet to have people thinking I could land a hot chef when I can’t get past a first date with most people. Um, sorry. Too much information. That’s a bad habit of mine.”

Barclay tucks his hands into his pants pockets, “About that. Y’know how I left my card?”

Blue eyes blink, then brighten, “I thought that might be the reason but I dismissed it as wishful thinking.”

“Nope. A guy who's hot, nerdy, and competent enough to sneak me away from the paparazzi? Sign me the fuck up.”

“I’m not opposed to a, um, tryst, but I really, really need to get back to the store, I can’t abandon Aubrey to deal with this mess on her own, that’s not fair, and now we’ll have to reorder things too....” He laughs, a tense sound, “good lord, I get a chance to fuck a celebrity crush and I’m turning it down for work.”

“Hey” Barclay sets his hands on Joseph’s shoulders, “it’s okay. You’re not the first guy to be married to his job. But, uh, out of curiosity, you got any vacation days to spare?”

----------------------------------------------

“This is all yours?” Joseph takes in the sprawling farm as Barclay unlocks the front door of a charmingly rustic house.

“Yep, all the way to the creek and all the way to the road. Might surprise you, but I like my privacy.”

“I’d never have guessed.” He replies with faux shock.

“Smartass.” Barclay kisses his cheek, holds the door open with his shoulder so Joseph can pull his bags inside. He packed as light and efficiently as he could for two weeks away (he’d initially planned on one until Aubrey and Moira ganged up on him and told him he hadn’t taken a real vacation in years so he was taking one now, damn it) but his suitcase is still heavy as he rolls it to the stairs.

“I got that.” Barclay shoulders his own travel bag and hoists Joseph’s in the other hand, carrying them to the second floor like they’re nothing more than pillows.

The week the chef was in Madison, Joseph went to his hotel almost every night. Fell asleep in his bed more than once, when discussions of fusion cuisine or the Fresno Nightcrawler turned into frantic, heated kisses under the covers. It’s only when the cook drops all luggage into the master bedroom that the truth of why he’s on this trip sets in.

“You really invited me all the way here because you think I’m hot.”

“Yeah but no.” Barclay drapes his arms over his shoulders, lips still a little chilly as he kisses them, “brought you here because you’re smart” another kiss, this one on his jaw, “and funny” another, on his nose, “and you’re the biggest bigfoot fan I know.”

“You wrote a book on it!”

“Point stands. And yeah” he pushes Joseph back so he lands on the bed, crawling atop him as he growls, “I invited you here because you’re so hot I wanna pour sugar on you and see if it melts. Now get your pants off; I’ve been thinking about sucking your dick since we left the city.”

------------------------------------------

“How did the whole bigfoot thing start?” Joseph sips his Irish Coffee as Barclay puts his feet into his lap.

“Guess the same way any famous person ends up with two gigs; I was doing the thing I love, then was dicking around on cryptid hunter forums and found out I was also hella good at researching bigfoot. By the time I got really into it, I had enough cash that I could write my book without worrying about going broke. Helps that I’d handed off The Arch and The Lodge and was just the exec chef on them, since then I could travel if I needed to.”

Joseph nods, moves one hand down to rub Barclays foot; in spite of no longer working the kitchens of his five restaurants or having to test recipes for the books right now, he spent most of today on his feet making elaborate meals for two. Joseph teases him that he’s trying to stuff him to the point he can’t leave. Barclay always chuckles and says he doesn’t know how right he is. The last two days, Joseph then wraps his arms around his boyfriend and tells him he’d stay forever if he could.

He’s never thought of himself as romantic; he’s pragmatic, knows that relationships are things built out of time, trial, and error. But god help him, he’s fallen for Barclay like they’re rom-com leads with only ninety minutes to reach their happy ending.

They’re out near the creek--really more of a small river--the next morning, talking about books and speculating on the existence of life on other planets, when a storm sweeps through the trees. As trunks groan and roots pull loose from the snow, Barclay calls, “we better head back.”

He gives a thumbs up. Then the ice under him cracks.

He doesn’t correct course quickly enough, the rest dropping from under him and dunking him in freezing water. It’s deep, too deep to stand, but he’s a decent swimmer and kicks towards the surface. When the shadow covers the opening with a boom, panic threatens to push the rest of his precious breath away.

The tree that fell across the ice is heavy, and no matter how he pushes it won’t give. He bangs on the ice on either side, trying to get it to crack, but his lungs scream and his limbs alert him that the cold will soon shut them down.

He closes his eyes, trying to think, not ready to give up, not with Barclay so close. There’s a groan of wood and frozen water. His mouth opens without permission, desperate for air, and chokes him on frost instead.

-----------------------------------

“...be dead, please don’t be dead, please please please don’t be fucking dead.”

“Nnff.” That’s not what he meant to say, but it seems to calm the voice above him.

“Thank fuck. I’m so sorry, I got to you as fast as I could, do, do you need anything?” Barclay sounds exhausted.

“Cold.” He mutters.

“I’m trying to warm you up gradually, that’s what the first aid book said but, uh, here.” Warm, fuzzy arms draw him into a hug.

Wait.

The first thing he sees when his eyes flutter open are arms covered in reddish-brown fur. When Barclay rubs their cheeks together, it tickles more than his beard usually does.

“Barclay? What the hell is going on?”

“Uh. So.” He’s rolled with ease to face a creature he’s never seen and eyes that he’d know anywhere, “I’m bigfoot. Or, uh, a bigfoot. Maybe that’s kinda obvious now.”

His brain crackles to life, “What better way to stay undiscovered than get famous by giving people the wrong information about you.”

“Some of it’s true. Just not anything people could use to actually find me.”

“Smart, big guy” Joseph pets his face.

“You’re taking this pretty well.”

“I think my system is too shocked to experience more shock.” He shudders, “relatedly, how’d I get out of the river?”

“I lifted the tree off and pulled you free. Took my disguise off to do that and, uh, the fucking thing fell into the water when I got you. So I’m gonna be stuck like this until a friend of mine can get me a new one.”

“No complaints here. You look incredible.” He runs his hands up and down Barclay’s side and chest, warmth seeping into his fingers as he does, “But I’m a little surprised you were willing to risk someone seeing you or me blabbing to someone and trashing your whole life in the process.”

A low rumble as Barclay kisses his forehead, “It’s worth it. I, this is gonna sound so fucking cheesy, but I haven’t felt this way about someone in a long time, and there was no way I was gonna lose you.”

“Oh.” Affection and surprise well up in his throat, pressing down his words so all he can do is nestle closer to the cryptid and let himself be loved.

His mind rebounds quickly from his misadventure. His body would like him to remember it for a while so he doesn’t put it in such jeopardy again any time soon. Instead of helping Barclay with cooking and chores, he lays under the covers while the storm rattles the roof and the cook clangs pots on the lower floor.

Barclay, attentive to a fault, is downright doting now that he’s stuck in bed. He’s never without a hot drink or something to read, and the cryptid is happy to answer the majority of his questions about the finer points of being bigfoot. When it’s bedtime, his boyfriend pulls him atop his massive frame and cuddles him, whispering over and over that he’s glad he’s okay, until they fall asleep.

Today followed much the same pattern, though when dinner time rolls around he gets a fantastic surprise.

“Chocolate fondue?” He peers hopefully at the bed tray in Barclays hands.

“Only the best for you, babe.” The cook sets the burnished wood down on the bedside table, “we lucked out, the berries I bought last week are ripe.”

Joseph reaches for the fork, but Barclay beats him to it.

“You should save your energy. Since you’re, uh, still recovering.”

He shrugs, sets his hands in his lap and opens his mouth for a chocolate dipped raspberry. It doesn’t take long to spy Barclay’s ulterior motive. The cook has a whole wardrobe designed to fit his cryptid form, but it’s having trouble concealing certain things.

“You’re getting off on this.”

“I, uh, I, maybe a little” Barclay blushes under his fur.

Joseph raises an eyebrow, tilts his head at the bulge in Barclay’s pants, “You call that ‘little’?”

A rumbly whine, the fork paused halfway to Joseph’s mouth, “I can’t help it. I’ve got a thing for taking care of partners, especially ones who are all competent and put-together the rest of the time, and you look so good when you eat and, ohfuck.”

Joseph inhales sharply as chocolate hits his exposed upper chest. It’s not hot enough to burn, and he moans as the sensation seeps across his skin. Barclays eyes, wide and ravenous, keep flicking between the splatter and his face.

“Looks like you made a mess, big guy.” Joseph begins undoing the remaining buttons on his pajamas, “you should clean it up.”

“Fuck yeah.” Barclay lunges, mouth first, lapping and sucking at the marked skin as Joseph laughs. Their shirts hit the floor together as he digs his nails into auburn fur. Barclay grunts at the pressure, sits up with a grin, and drips a line of chocolate down the right side of Joseph’s ribs.

“Oops. Better fix that too.”

“Cleanliness is importantAH, ahhnn.” He squirms a bit as Barclay nuzzles his stomach before dragging his tongue up his skin. There’ve been times he mourned the fact T didn’t make him as hairy as some other guys, but right now he’s grateful for the clear canvas Barclay can mark however he pleases.

“A mess can be more fun.” The cook licks his lips, sucks a hickey above his belly button, “and by the time I’m done with you, babe, won’t be a single part of you that isn’t one.”

“Then get to it.” He shoves his pants down, lets Barclay pull them the rest of the way off and fold them. He lays back, resting his arms behind his head, and moans as the cook drizzles chocolate on each hip. Joseph feels like a gourmet dessert and, from the growls between his thighs, Barclay intends to treat him like one.

His boyfriend is always enthusiastic when sucking him off, but tonight he throws finesse out the window in favor of burying his face at the crease of each thigh in turn, licking his hips clean while clawing at his calves and sides. He lifts his head, wipes his mouth with a satisfied grin that shows the points of his teeth, and dives down again.

Joseph yelps with pleasure, the hint of fangs hitting all his buttons, lighting him up like downtown on a dark night. It’s intense, the scratch of fur on skin just different enough from the usual beard to remind him of who’s down there, and his legs try to kick closed. Barclay growls again, holding them open with ease.

“Not until I’m done with you, babe.”

He surrenders to flood of feelings from both outside and within him, Barclay’s sheer delight at his body rendering all his doubts and worries toothless and small, quieting them until all he can think about is incredible creature holding and all he can say is some variation on-

“Barclay, please, right there, lordalmighty that’s good, that’s so good big guy, please.” He squeezes his eyes shut, craving the impending orgasm more than he has words for. Barclay sucks determinedly and huffs, pleased, as Joseph's thighs tense in his hold and his climax chases away the remnants of yesterday's aches.

As his brain insists that really, body, opening our eyes isn’t that hard, there’s a metallic zip and strong legs bracketing his thighs.

“Here I thought you couldn’t look any better.” He murmurs as Barclay gleefully strokes his cock, “as soon as my brain works again, I’m coming up with so many ways to use that gorgeous thing.”

“Can’t, fuck, can't wait to hear ‘em, but I only got one for tonight; I’m gonna use it to cum alllll over that fucking perfect body, fuck, Joseph, you look so good when you’re ruined, fuck.” An impressive amount of cum spatters up his stomach, chest, and neck as Barclay howlgrowlpurrs and then sets his hands carefully on the bed.

Joseph’s whole body is sticky with chocolate, sweat, and cum, and Barclay definitely has at least two of those things mussed into his fur.

“You’re right, big guy, a mess can be fucking amazing.”

That being said, being sticky gets old quick, and soon they’re in the tub, Joseph whistling as he shampoos Barclay’s chest. The cryptid hasn’t stopped purring, and every time he looks Joseph’s way the sound deepens.

“When are you next in the city?”

The cook yawns, “Was gonna check on how the new chef de cuisine is getting on at Kepler in about two week.”

“Would you like to stay with me? It’s not fancy, but it’s close to the Ismuth, so you can get to Kepler on foot without trouble, and there are fewer crowds there this time of year. I suspect paparazzi are also less likely to track you down at some random house than at a hotel. That might make up for my lack of, um, high class amenities.”

“Good point. But I gotta be honest babe; as long as you’re there, that’s all I need to be happy.”

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“Captured Fugitives Like Young Truants,” Toronto Star. March 22, 1930. Page 33. ---- Don Jail Breakers Humble and Subdued - Remanded Until 28th --- Looking like nothing so much as a motley group of ‘kids,’ huddle in the corner of a school yard, expecting every moment to be grabbed by the principal and spanked for playing ‘hookey,’ Albert Murphy [MIDDLE], Hugh Barclay [BOTTOM], James D. Smith, Frank O’Donnell, Joseph Smith, and Patrick Intowease, appeared in the dock today on charges arsing out of the miniature jail delivery of Thursday evening last. [Basil O’Donnell, one of the other jailbreakers, is pictured TOP.]

Murphy and Barclay were charged with escaping from the jail, the others with assisting in the getaway. So far as outward and visible signs were concerned, the boys, who only a few short years ago, were babbling at their mother’s knees, or begging coppers for all-day suckers, showed no signs of being in the desperado class, and were apparently a distinct disappointment to the crowd of police court ‘followers’ who had come in expecting to see a lot of beetle-browed thugs, in dire need of everything from a shave to a moral code. Some of them looked as if their teeth were chattering, or at least would chatter if ever they opened their jaws. But there wasn’t so much as a squeak out of the whole lot, and when Crown Attorney McFadden asked for a remand until the 28th, and Magistrate Brown fixed the time for trial at 2 p.m. the ‘worried-to-death,’ little crowd made a rush for the dock stairs and disappeared from view.

ALLEGED ACCOMPLICE HELD IN $1,000 BAIL --- Betty Kitts Accused of Aiding Don Jail Break ---- Betty Kitts, the 17-year-old Toronto girl, alleged to have assisted in the escape from the Don Jail of four young men Thursday evening, appeared in women’s court to-day in answer to the charge. On request of F.T. Malone, assistant crown attorney, the girl was remanded until March 28. Bail was set at $1,000.

[my-protection]

What can another lockdown do to our economy and your business?

Rahul Bajoria, Chief India economist at Barclays said, “Taking into account rolling Covid curbs, if the current restrictions remain in place until the end of May, we estimate that the cumulative loss of activity could amount to around $10.5 billion, or around 0.34 percentage point of annual nominal GDP”.

Apart from the loss to the Indian economy, imagine the physical stress and mental pressure another lockdown is capable of doing to us. What about if the businesses have to shut down for operations once again? We have gone through this phase the whole of last year and not in the wildest of dreams would anybody want this to happen once again.

Simple things like being consciously aware of our surroundings, continuously sanitizing the common touchpoints, wearing efficient masks made of carbon and copper, and building on our immunity levels by working out and eating a balanced and healthy diet can go a long way in helping us get through this without much loss to our economy, business, and our mental and physical health.

Stay safe and remember, "If Wealth is lost, something is lost but if Health is lost then Everything is lost".