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[alyssamonah]

Choosing the Right Standing Solar Lights for Your Garden

When it comes to illuminating your garden, standing solar lights have become an increasingly popular and eco-friendly choice. Not only do they provide soft and ambient lighting to enhance your outdoor space, but they also harness the power of the sun to do so, reducing your electricity bills and environmental footprint. However, with a wide variety of standing solar lights available in the market, choosing the right ones for your garden can be a daunting task. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the factors to consider and provide you with a selection of the best standing solar lights to brighten up your garden.

Why Choose Solar Lights for Your Garden?

Before diving into the selection process, it's essential to understand why solar lighting towers Australia are an excellent choice for your garden.

Eco-Friendly Lighting

Solar lights are powered by renewable energy from the sun, making them an eco-friendly lighting option. By using solar lights, you reduce your reliance on traditional electricity sources, which typically rely on fossil fuels.

Energy and Cost Savings

Since solar lights draw their energy from the sun, they are cost-effective and can significantly reduce your electricity bills over time. Once installed, they require minimal maintenance and operate free of charge.

Easy Installation

Most solar lights are designed for easy DIY installation. They don't require complicated wiring or an electrician's expertise, making them accessible to everyone.

Enhanced Outdoor Aesthetics

Solar lights add an enchanting touch to your garden or outdoor space. They provide soft, warm, and atmospheric lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetics of your landscape.

Automatic Operation

Many solar lights are equipped with light sensors that automatically turn them on at dusk and off at dawn, ensuring your garden is well-lit without any manual intervention.

Now you understand the benefits of solar lights, let's delve into the key factors to consider when choosing the right standing solar lights for your garden.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Solar Lights

Lighting Type

There are various types of solar lights available, each with its own purpose:

Pathway Lights: Designed for illuminating walkways and paths.

Accent Lights: Used to highlight specific garden features, like statues or plants.

Floodlights: Provide broad, intense light and are suitable for larger garden areas.

String Lights: Add a festive touch to your outdoor space and are ideal for events and gatherings.

Consider the primary purpose of your solar lights and choose the type that suits your needs.

Brightness and Lumens

The brightness of solar lights is measured in lumens. Higher lumens mean brighter light. Decide how much brightness you need for your garden, keeping in mind that pathway lights may require fewer lumens than floodlights.

Battery Capacity and Runtime

Solar lights have built-in batteries to store energy during the day for use at night. Check the battery capacity and runtime to ensure the lights can provide illumination throughout the night.

Charging Time and Solar Panel Efficiency

The solar panel's efficiency affects how quickly the lights charge during the day. Look for solar lights with efficient panels, especially if your garden doesn't receive direct sunlight for extended periods.

Material and Durability

Since solar lights are exposed to the elements, choose lights made from durable materials, such as stainless steel or weather-resistant plastic, to ensure they can withstand various weather conditions.

Design and Aesthetics

Consider the design of the solar lights and how well they match your garden's aesthetics. Some lights come in various styles and finishes to complement your outdoor decor.

Installation and Maintenance

Check if the lights are easy to install and whether they require regular maintenance. Most solar lights are designed for hassle-free installation and minimal upkeep.

Price and Warranty

Set a budget for your solar lights and compare different options within your price range. Additionally, check for warranties to ensure you have some protection in case of defects or malfunctions.

Top Standing Solar Lights for Your Garden

To make your selection process easier, here are some of the top-standing solar lights available in the market, catering to different needs and preferences:

GIGALUMI Solar Pathway Lights

Type: Pathway Lights

Brightness: 12 lumens

Battery Capacity: 600mAh

Charging Time: 6-8 hours

Material: Stainless Steel

Price: Budget-Friendly

GIGALUMI's Solar Pathway Lights are an excellent choice for those looking to illuminate garden paths and walkways. With a stainless steel construction and automatic on/off functionality, they offer both durability and convenience.

MAGGIFT Solar Garden Lights

Type: Accent Lights

Brightness: 15 lumens

Battery Capacity: 600mAh

Charging Time: 6-8 hours

Material: Plastic

Price: Affordable

MAGGIFT Solar Garden Lights are perfect for adding a charming touch to your garden. They come with a stake for easy installation and are designed to highlight specific garden features.

URPOWER Solar Flood Lights

Type: Floodlights

Brightness: 800 lumens

Battery Capacity: 2200mAh

Charging Time: 6-8 hours

Material: Plastic

Price: Mid-Range

URPOWER Solar Flood Lights provide ample illumination for larger garden areas. They are equipped with motion sensors for added security and come with adjustable brightness settings.

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights

Type: String Lights

Brightness: 3,000K soft white light

Battery Capacity: N/A (powered by solar panel)

Charging Time: 6-8 hours

Material: Weatherproof plastic

Price: Mid-Range

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your garden. They are perfect for outdoor events, parties, and gatherings.

Conclusion

Selecting the right standing solar lights for your garden is a decision that should be based on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Consider the type of lighting you require, the brightness level, battery capacity, solar panel efficiency, durability, and aesthetics. By keeping these factors in mind and exploring options like GIGALUMI, MAGGIFT, URPOWER, and Brightech, you can transform your garden into a beautifully illuminated oasis that's both eco-friendly and cost-effective. Enjoy the enchanting ambience of your garden while knowing that you've made a sustainable choice for both your outdoor space and the environment.

[kaitaiga]

COD MW OC: Damien Whitlock Profile & Reference Sheet

》 Open File

GENERAL INFO

Full Name: Damien Whitlock

Nickname: Damo

Birthday: 7th March 1996 – Sydney, Australia

Face Claim: Zane Phillips

Affiliation: 2nd Commando Regiment (2CDO REGT), Tactical Assault Group East (TAG-E), Task Force Dagger 🗡️

Rank: Sergeant

Call sign: Bravo 2-6 (2CDO)

Height: 186cm (6’1)

Weight: 90kg

Blood Type: B- (B NEG)

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Pronouns: He/Him

Languages: English, Arabic (conversational), Indonesian (conversational)

Family:

Father: Arthur Whitlock

Mother: Audrey Mae Whitlock

Older Brother: Thomas Whitlock

Older Sister: Sienna Whitlock

Younger Sister: Zoe Whitlock

Affiliates:

Task Force Dagger

→ Captain Lachlan Jones (2CDO)

→ Sergeant Daniel Greenhill (2CDO Combat Medic)

→ Flight Lieutenant Archie “Frost” Campbell (RAAF F-35A Pilot)

→ Sergeant Joseph “Joey” Hernández (RAAF Combat Controller)

Task Force 141

→ Sergeant Major Hannah “Sparrow” Cayton (@revnah1406)

→ Sergeant Annabelle “Kit” Pham (@applbottmjeens)

→ Charlotte “Jade” Le Jardin @sleepyconfusedpotato

→ Captain Price, Gaz, Laswell, Soap, Ghost

Los Vaqueros

→ Alyssa “Aly” Martinez (@alypink)

Para SF

→ Captain Arjun Dhingra, LT. Aditya Tripathi (@welldonekhushi)

Warrior Task Force (@islandtarochips)

→ Tiala "Shark" Toa

→ Agnes "Blast" Falagi

→ Nigel “Squirrel” Harrison

Urzikstan Liberation Force (ULF)

→ Farah Karim

→ Alex Keller

Other

→ Jackson Wyatt (1CDO, Warcom)

→ Benjamin “Otter” Lee (SAS)

Appearance

Hair: blond, short mullet.

Eye Colour: blue/grey

Build: tall, muscular

Scars: Bullet wound (left shoulder)

Beauty Marks: Right jaw, above and below the left eye.

Tattoos:

Personality and Traits

Damien comes across as a very laidback and open guy, very easy to approach and talk to. He is a pretty big jokester, likes to crack a few jokes here and there to make people laugh or lighten the mood.

Though in the heat of battle, he has known to be brutal towards his enemies, sparing no mercy and absolutely no time - getting a job done quickly and efficiently. He isn’t afraid to speak his mind when needed, even if it may be more emotionally driven.

Nevertheless, towards those he likes, he is a very caring and loyal person. Ride or die buddy. It’s pretty damn obvious too, he’ll never stop bugging someone he cares for no matter where they are in the world. He can read their emotions like a book too; he can tell when someone’s feeling down and will try his best to cheer them up.

ESFP-T (MBTI)

Damien is also really good with any sort of trade work which he learned whilst growing up on his family farm. You need an electrician, mechanic, or welder? He’s your guy.

Damien’s also the sort of guy to take care of others but not himself. Truthfully, after he lost Daniel, he found it very hard to cope. Thus, he took on Daniel’s role of looking after others.

Skills/Specialisations

Like any other commando, Damien has undergone a multitude of training, preparing him for anything and everything. Alone or with his squad. A few of these include:

Demolitions and Breaching

CQC/Melee Attacks

Wilderness Survival

Long Range Recon

HALO / HAHO (including water insertion)

Roping (aid climbing)

Hostage Rescue

First Aid

And so on. In his own time, Damien frequently trains in Jiu-Jitsu, earning his purple belt, further enhancing his CQC.

Biography

Coming from a family of farmers, Damien spent most of his childhood living and working out on his family farm in rural New South Wales. Throughout his younger years, he was constantly harassed/bullied by his drug addicted older brother, Thomas. Young Damien was no match for him but luckily enough, his older sister had his back at all times. Thomas would eventually runaway and was never seen again – presumed dead.

As he grew up, Damien attended an all-boys boarding school in Sydney where he met Daniel Greenhill – his best friend for many years to come. He never really excelled at any subjects other than wood/metalwork and P.E., so when it came down to his final ATAR exams he absolutely flunked them. Not wanting to continue studying or returning to farm life, Damien worked the odd job here and there to make ends meet.

Whilst working one of his jobs alongside his buddy, Daniel had dropped that he had met an operator by the name of Jackson Wyatt and suggested that he should meet with him.

After hearing all about Wyatt’s career as a Commando, Damien was sold on the idea; so much so that at the age of 19, he enlisted into the Australian Army after being trained by Wyatt himself much to his parent's disapproval. He served two years as an infantryman within 3RAR before completing the Commando selection course and earning his green beret, where he was placed in Lachlan’s B Company. Turns out he had a real knack for this sort of thing as he continued to undergo a range of further Commando specialist courses after initial Commando training.

 Since then, he’s done multiple tours to Urzikstan, Afghanistan and Iraq where he was introduced to Captain Price (via Lachlan) and Benjamin “Otter” Lee (via Wyatt).

Damien has since then worked alongside Captain Price closely thanks to Lachlan’s close connection to him, particularly in Urzikstan, but isn’t opposed to flying out to lend a hand wherever.

Modern Warfare I

During 2019, Damien is first seen in the UK on a training exercise with the SAS before he is swiftly sent to London’s Piccadilly Circus to assist against AQ’s terrorist attack, alongside Gaz. Afterwards, he joins the SAS Anti-terror wing along with Price and Gaz to clear a house in Camden, full of AQ affiliates in search of any information related to the Piccadilly attack and The Wolf.

Damien returns to Urzikstan alongside 2CDO REGT, where not long after he is called to assist Captain Price, Gaz and the others at the US Embassy, also aiding to save the Ambassador’s Assistant, Stacy. Following this, he follows the rest of the team back to the ambassador’s residence only to find the Wolf had been extracted by AQ forces already. Furthermore, he is seen briefly helping SAS and CIA on the night raid to locate The Wolf at his compound.

2020/2021

After the events of MW19, Damien spent this time on rotation in TAG-E, though was later sent back to Urzikstan on an emergency deployment to help aid in the assassination of an AQ leader. This proved to be a struggle. They were given little to no information and thus were subsequently ambushed, leading to the death of best friend, Daniel Greenhill, who tried to pull an injured Damien out of enemy fire.

After the funeral, Damien spent his time spiralling down. He became depressed, not leaving his Sydney apartment for days at a time and ultimately almost being discharged from his duties. Though thanks to his Captain and two close friends - Lachlan, Sparrow and Aly - they helped him find the means to work towards getting better and soon enough, he was ready enough to go back to his duties.

Modern Warfare II

In 2022, Damien is first seen undercover at Café Gracht alongside Captain Price where they wait for representatives from both AQ and Las Almas Cartel to show up. After seeing Gaz tranquillise the cartel member, they all move to enter Laswell’s vehicle and leave the area swiftly.

Later on he returns to Urzikstan, where he is again enlisted for help by Price to rescue Laswell from AQ along with ULF fighters.

Modern Warfare III

Damien spends this time going home to Australia for a little while before being sent on another tour around the Middle East. It is in Urzikstan that he (and 2CDO REGT) work alongside Phillip Graves and his Shadow Company, unaware of the events in Las Almas concerning Los Vaqueros and TF141. He is only made aware when seeing his friend Sparrow again, where she rips the SC patch off of him and promptly has a go at Damien for wearing that thing around them, explaining the full story.

2024 Onwards

Sometime during 2024, Damien was recruited into Task Force Dagger, a task force created in order to combat and end ‘Project Nightfall’ created by ‘STALKERS’ personnel. To be continued…

Trivia

EDM and rock/metal music is what he listens to most.

He is a Mclaren F1 fan, as well as being a big fan of the AFL team: Collingwood Football Club (Magpies).

Absolute gym junkie. Has an extensive collection of pre-workout, protein powder and creatine stored in his apartment (and snuck onto base). If he wasn’t a Commando, he’d probably be a bodybuilder or athlete of some sort.

Drives a 79 series Landcruiser. His number plate is “WHITLOCK”.

Damien keeps a scrapbook that he fills with stickers, trinkets, thoughts or drawings from various places he has visited.

During his downtime in Sydney, he likes to go café-hopping! He’s a big foodie. Also likes to take long walks during the night, overlooking the Harbour Bridge and generally just taking in the city lights. It's one of his favourite things to do to ease his mind.

In the past, Damien has never had a good relationship - they’ve all either cheated on him or ghosted him. He gave up looking for a partner even though he longed to have a family of his own.

Does jiu-jitsu and is currently at a purple belt.

Thanks to Daniel, Damien is pretty good at speaking Indonesian and really enjoys Indonesian food! His favourites are nasi campur and soda gembira. He’d mix Indonesian and English together to gossip about something to Daniel. After they both graduated high school, Daniel took Damien to visit Jakarta for the first time and he loved it! Also owns a couple batik shirts.

Frequently visits Daniel’s grave when he has the time. He sits there for hours just catching him up on every little event or thought that has happened, as if he were there to listen like the old times. Frequently catches up with Daniel's family too, they've taken him in like he's their son.

Moodboard + Playlist

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

Last King of the Cross Returns for Season Two: Here’s Why You Should Be Watching

Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Plus / Daniel Asher Smith

The Australian crime saga set viewing records in its first season. Now it’s back for another season with more action, underworld figures and drama. In partnership with Paramount+, here are the standout reasons to dive into season two.

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Cinematic and stylish, it’s no wonder Last King of the Cross became the most-watched Australian show on Paramount+ on its debut last year. The Sydney-set crime series is fictitous drama inspired by the true story of brothers John and Sam Ibrahim, who escaped as children from war-torn Lebanon and became rising figures in the Australian underworld of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

As the darkly compelling, fictional saga returns from August 30 on Paramount+, the focus switches from Kings Cross to Oxford Street. Season two picks up 18 months after the last season’s white-knuckle climax, with both new and returning characters on board. The second season proves even more suspenseful and perilous – with more punchy action and family drama than before.

We’ve highlighted five key reasons to add the second season to your must-watch calendar. If you haven’t seen season one yet, don’t worry – you’ve still got time to catch up.

Naveen Andrews joins the cast as a formidable underworld figure

Best known for his long-running role on Lost, British-American actor Naveen Andrews joins Last King of the Cross as fictional character Ray Kinnock, the current boss of Oxford Street. That places him in direct opposition to John Ibrahim, who has set his sights on the bustling district to bolster his waning Kings Cross empire. Given Andrews’s track record for playing quirky yet charismatic characters, audiences can expect Ray Kinnock to be an unforgettable antagonist.

Brotherhood sits at the heart of this expanded family story

The first season thrived on the friction between brothers John and Sam, played with gritty conviction by lead actors Lincoln Younes and Claude Jabbour. This season introduces younger siblings Michael and Fadi Ibrahim, played by Dave Hoey and Alex Kaan respectively. While the younger brothers play a smaller role, they complicate the already tense struggle for dominance between John and Sam. That heated family dynamic will be at the centre of season two, as Sam is released from prison and begins to assemble the most substantial bikie chapter in Australian history. Meanwhile, John gets to work re-establishing himself as a key Sydney nightlife figure.

Sydney’s Oxford Street provides an energetic new backdrop

The first season was firmly centred on Kings Cross – but this time we jump to Oxford Street, with the former hotbed of crime and nightlife all but extinguished. The corridor was home to Sydney’s fashion scene and queer culture in the late 1990s, when this season takes place. That makes for a colourful and diverse new location to rival Kings Cross, which was famously recreated with an elaborate set for season one. With new antagonist Ray Kinnock dubbed as “the reigning queen of Oxford Street,” a focus on the street’s lasting queer legacy seems promising. After all, it’s where Sydney’s first Mardi Gras was held in 1978.

Fast-paced action punctuates this high-stakes crime drama

Realistic car chases, shoot-outs and brawls set the tone for Last King of the Cross. That’s especially true of the second season, which ramps up the action and the stakes. As brothers John and Sam each ascend the ladder of Australia’s criminal underworld, their competition won’t go down without a fight. And don’t forget Liz Doyle (played by Tess Haubrich), the driven Sydney detective who has been promoted to senior sergeant and commissioned a new crime taskforce.

John Is a strong addition to television’s modern canon of antiheroes

Modern television is full of memorable antiheroes: think Tony Soprano, Breaking Bad’s Walter White and Mad Men’s Don Draper. This season, John makes a strong case to join their ranks. While Sam and their younger siblings are compelling in their own rights, John moves to centre stage as he wrestles with Ray to gain control of Oxford Street. The tug-of-war between John’s underworld machinations and his family loyalties proves especially gripping this time around.

Season two of Last King of the Cross is streaming August 30 only on Paramount+.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Paramount+. Last King of the Cross is a dramatisation inspired by true events from John Ibrahim’s autobiography. Several characters and events represented in the series are fictional. Any similiarity to the name, character or history of any living persons is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

Source: Broadsheet

[f1]

Former racing driver turned OnlyFans star set for a stunning return after quitting the sport

Former racing driver turned OnlyFans star set for a stunning return behind the wheel SIX YEARS after quitting the sport to pursue a career in the adult industry... and subscription platform will sponsor star's Audi R8 By Ollie Lewis For Daily Mail Australia Published: 05:28 EDT, 19 April 2023 | Updated: 05:28 EDT, 19 April 2023 Renee Gracie is set to make a stunning return to motor racing six years on from quitting the sport to pursue a career in the adult industry. The Gold Coaster, 28, works on the subscription service website OnlyFans, where she posts raunchy content for her subscribers.  And next weekend, she will take to the wheel of an OnlyFans-branded Audi in Perth, which is dressed rim to roof in the company's iconic white and blue colours, while it also shows QR codes presumably linked to her online profile. However, it has been reported by News Corp that the QR codes will not be on the car for the Perth event.  'OnlyFans are really excited to be on board for the full 2023 season and to be part of the championship - and Motorsport in general,' Gracie said. 'They are becoming more involved in supporting content creators on their platform with their passions and I'm excited to work with them on this journey. 'It's all come together in the last couple of months, but it has come together really quickly and they are excited to be at this level. 'I think the car looks fantastic and it just makes it all seem more real as we get closer to going to Perth.' Share or comment on this article: Former racing driver turned OnlyFans star set for a stunning return after quitting the sport via Formula One | Mail Online https://www.dailymail.co.uk?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

[bullprint]

Affordable Business Card Printing Options for Professionals Across Australia

In a world where first impressions matter, business cards are powerful tools for professionals. These cheap business card printing offers an excellent opportunity for businesses in Australia to make a lasting impact without breaking the bank.

Offering same-day printing services, these budget-friendly solutions cater to urgent needs while maintaining high-quality standards. Choose from an array of finishes, including Matt, Gloss, and Velvet lamination, to add a touch of sophistication to your cards. For those who value a sleek and modern look, rounded corners are an elegant option.

The versatility of these printing services is evident in the variety of cards available:

Same Day Business Cards: Swift printing on 350gsm or 400gsm artboard with full-colour options.

Standard Business Cards: Double-sided full-colour prints on 350gsm board with multiple corner options.

Uncoated Smooth Business Cards: A refined choice with a smooth finish on 350gsm white board using CMYK full colour.

Premium Business Cards: High-end 400gsm artboard cards with luxurious lamination and custom finishes.

These cards are not just about aesthetics; they represent a practical solution for businesses aiming to expand their network efficiently. As the digital age progresses, the tangible nature of a well-crafted business card can leave a memorable impression, reinforcing your brand in a tangible way.

With cheap business cards available across Australia, professionals can conveniently design or upload their press-ready files online, ensuring a seamless process from concept to creation. Whether for a start-up or an established enterprise, these affordable printing options make it easy to produce business cards that reflect the professionalism and ambition of any brand.

Reach out to a reliable printing service today! 

[biographygen]

Jackie Chan Biography, Net Worth, Early Life, Career, Girlfriend

Full NameChan Kong-sangNet Worth$400 millionDate Of Birth7 April 1954Age70 yearsGenderMaleHeight5 foot 9 inches

Jackie Chan Biograph

Jackie Chan Biograph hong kong actor Jackie Chan poses during a promotional event for his film "Chinese Zodiac" in Beverly Hills, California October 16, 2013. Hong Kong martial arts film star Chan, 59, who declared last year at France's Cannes film festival that he was retiring from action films, now says that after more than a decade of contemplating quitting, he is going to let his body decide. As Chan starts to enter his twilight years he laments how Hollywood typecasting may force him to begin using a stunt double for his acrobatic scenes as he believes Hollywood studios would never cast him in dramatic roles. Picture taken October 16, 2013. Jackie Chan Biography is a Chinese stuntman, actor, and director who was born in Hong Kong on April 7, 1954. His daring acrobatic stunts and captivating physical humor made him a star in Asian action films and contributed to the mainstreaming of kung fu films in American cinema Chan was born in Hong Kong to poor parents. When Chan was six years old, the family relocated to Canberra, Australia. Chan's parents sent him back to Hong Kong so he could attend a rigorous boarding school that prepared students for jingxi. He studied mime, singing, martial arts, and acrobatics from the age of 7 to 17. Full NameChan Kong-sangNickname Y'uen Lo, Sing Lung, Pao Pao, Kung-Fu Master, Big BrotherPorfessionActor, Director, Producer, Singer, Comedian, Voice Actor, Screenwritter.Physical Height Eye Colour Hair Colour 5 foot 9 inches Brown BrownWeight65 KGDate Of Birth7 April 1954Age70 yearsNet Worth$400 millionNationalityChineseHometownVictoria Peak, British Hong KongBirthplaceVictoria Peak, British Hong KongReligionChinese BuddhistSchool China Drama Academy, A Peking Opera School Run By Master Yu Jim - YuenCollegeDickson College Hong Kong Baptist UniversityFavourite FoodIce creamFavourite ColourSky BlueFavourite SongEndless Love, Ok I Love U, Hong Kong Twilight, Favourite CelebrityMichael JacksonMarital StatusMarriedParents Name: Father MotherCharles Chan  Lee-lee ChanBrother SisterFang Shide, Fang Shisheng  Chan Yulan, Guilan ChanGirlfried's  Name Wife NameElaine Ng Yi Lei Joan Lin

Jackie Chan Net Worth

Jackie Chan Net Worth is a movie star who was born in Hong Kong and has a $400 million fortune. Jackie Chan started out as a stuntman in the 1960s and became well-known in the 1970s for his inventive stunts and acrobatic fighting in Hong Kong action movies. The 1978 movie "Drunken Master," which featured Chan's distinctive fusion of comedy, stunts, and martial arts, was his big break.

Jackie Chan Early Life

Jackie Chan Early Life was born on April 7, 1954, in Hong Kong. Chan was known as "Pao-pao" as a child because he was a hyperactive child who would roll around the house in a ball. Since his parents were employed by the French ambassador, he was raised on the grounds of the French consul. Chan's first year of primary school ended in failure. Soon after, he was accepted into the China Drama Academy as a result. Chan discovered acrobatics and martial arts at this school, where he flourished in both disciplines. Yu Jim-yuen, who trained numerous other well-known martial artists, was his instructor.

Jackie Chan Career

Jackie Chan Career attended making movie appearances at the age of five. At the age of eight, he starred in Big and Little Wong Tin Bar with numerous classmates, which was his most significant early role. Chan was signed to the Great Earth Film Company following a string of other small roles. This would turn out to be a useful starting point for his subsequent profession. He performed stunts for Bruce Lee in the renowned movies Enter the Dragon and Fist of Fury through this company. As a result, he was cast in the lead in Little Tiger of Canton, a film released in 1973.

Jackie Chan Girlfriend

Elaine Ng Yi Lei

Jackie Chan Wife

Joan Lin

Read the full article

[a1flooring1]

Expert Installation and Supply of Bamboo Flooring in Adelaide

Why are people choosing bamboo flooring Adelaide?

Our solid strand bamboo flooring Adelaide has become an increasingly popular choice. While it’s a highly aesthetic product, there’s also a number of other benefits that come with bamboo flooring including: moisture resistance, environmental sustainability, extreme hardness ratings, durability, affordability and distinctiveness. Better yet, our bamboo flooring options are guaranteed for 25 years. They’re designed to really stand the test of time; pre-finished with 11 coats of premium European UV cured urethane. We can also use the same re-sanding and re-finishing techniques to create a finish that resembles traditional solid timber. We have an extensive natural colour palette for customers to choose from, which is highly reflective of contemporary style. With a quick installation process and long-lasting durability, bamboo flooring Adelaide is a fantastic option for many of our customers. Come visit our showroom to scope out the full range today.

The story behind our bamboo flooring

Our bamboo flooring Adelaide is created using fast-growing andsustainable bamboo plantations. It’s processed using a solid woven technique, and compressed under immense pressure to achieve a hardness rating of 15. This rating is among the hardest in the business, representing extreme durability. Poor quality bamboo flooring Adelaide is likely to warp and move, subjecting the planks to increased risk of wear and tear. Because of the high-quality single plank construction of our products, we’re able to use the simple floating floor installation method. There’s no sanding or exposure to toxic fumes—just simple ready-for-use installation. The A1 Flooring team is made up of a team of educated and experienced workers, all with Quickstep Master Installers qualifications to back the quality of our workmanship. So, you can rest assured that we’ll achieve a highly professional and aesthetic flooring finish to complement your space.

Why choose A1 Flooring for your bamboo flooring?

Why us for your bamboo flooring Adelaide? Because for 35 years, we’ve maintained our status as the leaders in quality timber flooring. Our range is exceptionally diverse, with a number of colours and finishes that enable our customers to fully customise their flooring design. This includes variations of solid timber, engineered timber, laminate, and bamboo flooring Adelaide. We have a team of highly trained and professional tradesmen on board who are qualified Quickstep Master Installers for reliable workmanship. Additionally, we’re always happy to extend our knowledge and walk you through the benefits of each product. Our showroom, located at 228 Magill Rd Beulah Park, showcases our range to give customers the opportunity to browse, feel and even walk on our products to get a feel for your future space. For a more immersive shopping experience, make sure you stop by and have a chat with our friendly team! Our professionals will always provide you with the best products and customer service.

For More Information:-

Address:- 228 Magill Rd, Beulah Park SA 5067,Australia Website:- https://a1flooring.com.au/bamboo-flooring-adelaide/

Contact:- +61 8 8333 2999

[lencer]

Sound Panels Factory Echo Absorb PET Sound Acoustic Reduce Soundproof 3D Polyester Sound Panels

According to customer requirements of different production technology and equipment level, we are to provide special specifications. We practice large scale production and professional production mode from the beginning, and take advanced modern company management concept as the management guide line, as well as take "people foremost" and "science innovation" as our operation concept.

As a result of our high quality 3d effect tiles products and outstanding customer service, we have many customers from maintenance and construction company, flooring supplier, property development studio, construction contracting company, etc. InteriorADecoration is an award-winning full-service interior design company specializing in commercial environments, professional office spaces and home interior decoration. DesignJConstruction specializes in a single-family house, expansion and renovation project, and guarantees you one-stop efficient design, creativity and construction management. BTSKA is a full-service general contractor that provides full-service, including alterations, decks, pergola, basements, retainig walls, custom water features, etc. RLCA is your one-stop resource for industrial custom machinery, contract manufacturing, manufacturing, and the design and construction of challenging environments.

Acoustic Absorbing Meeting Room Hall 3D Decorative Wall Hexagon Acoustic Proof Sound Polyester Panel

Our products are famous for the excellent quality and competitive price. They were sold to Vitória Brazil, Pune India, Istanbul Turkey, Brisbane Australia, Liverpool United Kingdom, Medan Indonesia, Puebla Mexico, Cairo Egypt, Genève-Annemasse Switzerland, Pyongyang North Korea, Bridgeport United States, St. Louis United States, etc.

Common Inquiry

1. I am from Bangalore India? We required 3d ceiling art and 3D wall panels. Send me the price list and colour catalogue.

2. Have an apartment of 150m2, currently under renovation. All flooring has been removed. Require to produce a sound proofing system report to be submitted to the management to approve installing hard flooring (engineered parquet and ceramic tiles). Once approved, We could purchase the material from your company.

3. We are a company from the Netherlands that builds and designs interiors, and we are busy setting up an extra company specialised in wall panels. We are looking for a pet-felt supplier to work together with. Can you give us more information about your way of work, products, and possible prices? Thanks in advance, we look forward to hearing from you.

Moreover, our products are extensively used in the construction of Guangzhou Liwan Guangya Middle School Art Building, Huizhou Candy Bar, Foshan International Sports Culture Performing Arts Center, Foshan CPPCC Office Building, Clementi Residential Sound Absorption in Singapore, Longmen County Cultural Center, Huizhou, Guangdong, etc.

Please contact us for further details, and we will promptly answer your any questions.Website: https://www.3dwallboards.com/products/3d-board-panels/

[allovertheworldblog]

Sweden to ...???

Back in Stockholm I was trying to figure out where I’d go to next.

Finland was first in my mind.

Ferries to Finland were either incredibly early in the morning or late at night with the requirement that you take a cabin, making them pretty expensive for the relatively short distance.

I looked at another option, Denmark, the home of the Danish pastries and butter cookies, and the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen.

I can’t think of anything else that Denmark is known for.

A train ticket from Stockholm to Copenhagen was incredibly reasonable at 320 Swedish Krona so I decided on Denmark.

The people in the hostel had all changed since I was there the week previously.

I was back in the same 12 bed dorm, but this time it seemed to be full of Australians.

There were what seemed like 15 hip skinny snow crazed kids who were skiiers and snow board addicts, they’d been all over over Europe.

Everything good with them was ‘sick’, the breakfast in such and such a hostel that they were recommending to someone was 'sick’; such and such a hostel was also 'sick’.

There was also an older Australian woman in the dorm who wasn’t travelling with them.

She was colour of an orange from all the sun she’d soaked up on the slopes.

In the kitchen there were two English bikers talking to a Germany-based skinhead American Army lieutenant who was of Swedish heritage and spoke fluent Swedish.

The English guys were complaining that Britain should never have handed back Hong Kong to the Chinese.

I thought about telling them that the market for opium isn’t what it was but think better of it.

I have to move dorm after a night or two because it’s all booked up, a welcome break from the 'sick’ Australians.

In the new dorm there’s a different Australian guy who’s travelling on his own.

His Hungarian-born father went to a conference in Austria in the time of Communism in Hungary, claimed asylum, for which was tried and convicted in his absence in Hungary.

He then moved to Australia to start a new life.

You hear some great stories from people that you meet, some of them are embellished but some are just the stories of life.

Before I leave Stockholm for the second time I find some more free things to do.

I visit the Storkyrkan church which is in effect the cathedral for the city and see the 15th century statue of St. George Slaying The Dragon,

which includes a figure which is weirdly similar to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The church charges entrance fee in Summer but not in Winter.

Then I visit the (free on Monday’s) Royal Coin Cabinet, which has way too many similar coins.

It’s a big collection of old coins from Sweden and all sorts of banknotes from around the world.

They have some notes that I’ve used on my travels.

They have notes that are a thing of the past, just like the countries that printed them.

They even have Concentration Camp banknotes, a concept I find hard to believe.

The following day I get going to Denmark.

The train sets off for Malmo.

The land is pretty flat.

The closer we get to Malmo the more there are brick built houses, farm buildings and buildings associated with the train, stations etc. This is farming country.

[blogger360ncislarules]

EXCLUSIVE: The CW, Roku and Australia‘s Stan are working up Good Cop/Bad Cop, a comedic crime procedural The CW with Jeff Wachtel’s Future Shack Entertainment.

Good Cop/Bad Cop stars Gossip Girls alumna Leighton Meester in her return to the CW, Clancy Brown (Dexter: New Blood) and Australian actor Luke Cook (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina). The series comes from writer John Quaintance (Will & Grace) and marks the latest international co-production for Stan, the CW and Roku, all of which have identified the model as core to their strategies.

Cook and Meester play a brother-sister detective team in a small Pacific Northwest police force who must contend with colourful residents, a serious lack of resources, their very complicated dynamic with each other and their police chief, Big Hank (Clancy Brown), who happens to be their father.

Production on the original series begins soon in Queensland, Australia, with The Jungle Entertainment and Future Shack Entertainment — the company former NBCUniversal International Studios President Wachtel formed in 2022 — attached as co-producers. Wachtel will be an executive producer on the series, which is a “blue sky procedural” in the vein of the series he shepherded as President of USA Network, including Suits and Psych.

Phil Lloyd, who is behind Stan’s Ben Feldman comedy Population 11, is co-executive producer, with that series’ director Trent O’Donnell is setting up the series alongside Natalie Bailey (Joe vs. Carol), Gracie Otto (Bump) and Corrie Chen (Bad Behaviour). Stan’s Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie also executive produce and the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. ITV Studios has International sales rights.

For the CW, the series is its latest international co-production bet, coming after it boarded the likes of Canadian cop drama Wild Cards and the upcoming UK series Joan. Wild Cards has been a breakout for the network. Coming off series high ratings last week, it ranks as the CW’s #1 series this season in Live+7 total viewers (840,000).

“It is really exciting to collaborate with Roku and Stan on this great new series starring Leighton Meester, who we are honored to welcome home to The CW, where she launched her career and made Gossip Girl, one of the network’s most iconic and successful dramas of all time,” said Brad Schwartz, ​President of Entertainment at The CW. “Writer John Quaintance and executive producer Jeff Wachtel have created a fun and funny drama full of clever storytelling and irresistible characters that we are confident will resonate with audiences worldwide. With Jeff’s track record of launching shows like Suits, Dawson’s Creek, and Psych, we are thrilled for him to bring his hitmaking magic to The CW.”

“Backed by the all-star creative team of John Quaintance and Jeff Wachtel and featuring dynamic leads Leighton Meester, Luke Cook and Clancy Brown at the helm, Good Cop/Bad Cop is the type of series that will instantly draw viewers in,” said Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Originals, Roku Media. “The Roku Channel’s industry-leading scale and reach enables us to bring great stories directly to U.S. households with an estimated 120 million people. We strive to bring our audiences bold and fresh original programming and can’t wait to introduce them to this amazing series.”

“Stan continues to be the Australian partner of choice for the international market and we are delighted to collaborate with global content leaders the CW and Roku to deliver more world-class original content for our audience,” ​Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said. “Good Cop/Bad Cop is a highly anticipated addition to our Originals slate, and we look forward to working with Jeff Wachtel’s Future Shack, with the team at Jungle and with Leighton Meester and Clancy Brown in the sunny state of Queensland.”

Meester is repped by UTA. Cook is repped by Artists First and Shanahan Management. Brown is repped by CAA and Pop Art Management.

[ilovewoodentoys1]

Advantages of Wooden Baby Toys: Safe for the Environment

The fact that wooden toys can be reused and decomposed makes them a greener option than plastic ones. You might get your kids eco-friendly toys instead of contributing to landfills full of harmful plastics.

Sturdiness and Resistance

You cannot beat the longevity and eco-friendliness of wood. There is no doubt that it is the most compelling reason to choose wooden toys for babies and toddlers. Toys manufactured in high-quality timber tend to endure longer than their plastic counterparts. The widespread availability and greater appeal of plastic toys often lead to the neglect of wooden toys for youngsters.  

As a family, you can enjoy the many advantages of playing with many kinds of wooden toys available today. 

The yo-yo is made of wood. 

The wooden yo-yo is the best toy for children, in our opinion. If you are looking for a strategy to divert your children's attention from their phones, try this easy yo-yo.   

Kids would be more focused when playing with Wooden Name Train, which helps them develop a longer attention span compared to other kids their age. 

These beautiful toys are handcrafted from ivory wood that is acquired locally and painted with environmentally friendly water-based paint.

Toy Train Made of Wood

 Wooden pull-along toys are great for children who have just started to walk. Your kids will be entertained for hours on end with Wooden Train Set.  

Kids may practise their spatial awareness as they guide this wooden toy's intended destination by determining the best route to take, the distance to cover, and any necessary course corrections. While you play with your child, you may help them learn basic directions like left and right, which will help them improve their language abilities. Young children benefit from this because it clarifies their spatial relationships.

Shape Stackers Made of Wood 

These seemingly inconspicuous toys are vital for your baby's early learning development and will keep them entertained for hours. Young children's physical and cognitive development is aided by Educational Wooden Toys beginning at approximately six months of age. As the youngster plays with the forms, the vibrant colours help them to catalogue the colours mentally. Babies as early as three months old can benefit from stacking toys because the basic abilities they teach lay the groundwork for later, more complicated activities.

Boards for Balancing on Wood

Your child's creativity is the only limit to the endless possibilities of a wooden balancing board. A mountain, a boat, a tunnel, a doll's bed, and a slide are just a few of the many play possibilities. 

Your kid will improve their physical growth, perception of space, and coordination via the practice of these skills while they pretend to climb, balance, or use a balance board. It is the ideal toy for subtly nourishing your children's growing bodies, engaging their minds, and imparting important life skills. 

If you want to make a lasting investment in your child's development through play, Wooden Toys Australia is a great choice.

[heavensalons01]

Best Hair Salon Melbourne

Heaven Salons was started back in 2007 Brisbane Australia by Highly awarded hairdresser Jack Hanna,

Including:

Stylist of the year

Salon of the year

Colourist of the year

Artistic group of the year

With over 41 years experience in the industry, working for some of the worlds leading hair salons around the world , UK. U.S as well as some of Australia’s renowned hair salons in Melbourne, Sydney and QLD decided to open his flagship salon in Brisbane CBD as well as the Gold Coast. The salon group opened the first Salon in Melbourne in 2018 and is located in the Iconic Bourke Street Melbourne. And our new salon soon to open Chapel street South Yarra.

HEAVEN SALONS HAIR COLOURS ON TREND

2023 is going to be a major year in the glorious land of hair. Say it’s because we saw more split ends BAD HAIR than friends over the last two years, but alas, we plan to go all in with our cuts and colours, mainly because we damn well can again.

But because the need for change is burning bright (and at this stage we’d consider magenta mohawks if it meant we looked different/felt fresh), we are embracing the changes, yet staying within the ‘chic’ lane while experimenting.

Luckily, they don’t plan to reign us in too much: “Anything with an impact [could be on the cards]” People will want big changes to help them recover from the last few years! Were looking forward to seeing bold, liberating and empowering looks.

We will be creating big chops and lots of colour transformations. People have had a long time to think about their new look and will be much more willing to experiment with dramatic changes and have fun with it,” he shares.

So if you’re on board to sample something fresh, but don’t know where to start, allow us to bless your inspo boards with the expert-approved colours, cuts, styles and overall hair trends set to reign supreme in 2023…

Warm honey blondes are a vibe,” confirms Jax Hanna, Founder and Director of Heaven Salons, “Lived-in warmer-toned blondes will give life to full blondes,” he says. “Warm blonde shades such as golden, honey and caramel will give hair an instant brightening boost.”

“Copper hair tones will continue to be big next season,”

Gigi Hadid is currently teaching a masterclass in how to rock faux red. “Whilst the concept of copper can sound daunting, it’s surprisingly versatile because it works well with a lot of different hair types, skin tones and textures. There are so many different shades of copper which means it is super adaptable and everyone can wear it; the best way to approach copper locks is to tailor the shade to your eye and skin tone colour.”

“Spicy copper tones with rosy pink hues are also making a comeback, “We love blending copper tones with pink highlights for depth and interest,”

Don’t stress if you’re not down to go all the way in the warmth department, though – it can be layered over darker locks, too. “Rich brunettes with sun kissed highlights will also be a trend,”

low-maintenance but highly chic options do exist, and we understand why you’d want to embrace them. “Having people work with their natural hair during COVID, A lot of people will opt to grow out their natural colour and work with what they have and simply highlight it with a fresh update,”

“Girls who have previously coloured their [natural colour] will be interested in blending [it in] but still looking polished,” . “For blondes this means fewer lowlights, light front face frames and less visible grow-out. Our brunettes will be focused on shine and health, possibly with a ‘peekaboo’ bright colour underneath.”

“Girls and Guys are really embracing their natural colour amongst their blonde, taking lived-in to a whole new level,” she says. “This type of colour will get you anywhere from 3-6 months in between visits.

[zennyrichkkb285assessmentjournal]

7. Bibliography.

1.3 Research.

Foster, S., Kinniburgh, J. P., & Country, W. (2019). There's No Place Like (Without) Country. In D. Hes & C. Hernandez-Santin (Eds.), Placemaking Fundamentals for the Built Environment (pp. 63-82). Springer Singapore Pte. Limited.

Millard, C. (2015). Young People and Placemaking: Engaging Youth to Create Community Places. Project for Public Spaces. <https://www.pps.org/article/young-people-and-placemaking-engaging-youth-to-create-community-places>.

2. Brainstorming.

What Aussie bird are you? – Aussie Bird Count

Check In Qld is no longer required | Queensland Government (covid19.qld.gov.au)

Pokémon GO (pokemongolive.com)

Maintenance Software, Maintenance Management, CMMS | MEX

5. Budget.

Mural Costs & Fees - what to charge - HAPPY DECAY

How Much Does a Walkway Cost? Use this Calculator (homestratosphere.com)

How Much Does Stained Glass Window Cost? (2023) (spendonhome.com)

STRANDTORP / ODGER Table and 8 chairs, brown/anthracite, 150/205/260 cm - IKEA

LINANÄS 3-seat sofa, Vissle dark grey - IKEA

IDALINNEA Cushion cover, anthracite, 50x50 cm - IKEA

HOLMVI Throw, grey-beige, 120x160 cm - IKEA

SANDSBERG Table, black, 110x67 cm - IKEA

NOLMYRA Easy chair, black, black - IKEA

KALLAX Shelving unit, white, 112x147 cm - IKEA

UPPKALLA Fridge/freezer, IKEA 300 freestanding/stainless steel colour, 216/95 l - IKEA

how much does it cost to have contractor add sink in business? – ictsd.org

Buy Zip Hydrotap G5 Boiling & Ambient Filtered Classic Plus Chrome Tap (H55785Z00AU) Residential Online | Kogan.com. .

J.Burrows Stainless Steel Twin Compartment Pedal Bin 60L | Officeworks

Moccona Freeze Dried Instant Coffee Espresso 400G | Woolworths

Essentials White Sugar 3kg | Woolworths

Twinings Every Day Black Tea Bags 100 Pack | Woolworths

Devondale 100% Pure Full Cream Long Life Milk 1l | Woolworths

My Eco Bag Compostable Bin Bags Large 36l 25 Pack | Woolworths

Crayola 48 Pack Washable Sidewalk Chalks - Kmart

Dulux Design Black Chalkboard Paint - Bunnings Australia

Deluxe Game House - Kmart

Line Up 4 - Kmart

UNO Card Game - Kmart

Jumbling Tower - Kmart

Guess Who? Game - Original Guessing Board Game - Kmart

Monopoly Classic Board Game - Kmart

Scrabble Original Game - Kmart

Phase 10 Card Game - Kmart

500's Playing Cards - Kmart

Cluedo - The Classic Mystery Board Game - Kmart

How Much Do Gardeners Cost? [2023] (hipages.com.au)

Salary: Groundskeeper (April, 2023) | Glassdoor

6. Concept Pitch.

Image reference:

Stringer, L. (2015). Why Mindfulness Matters in the Workplace. Work Design Magazine. <http://www.workdesign.com/2015/04/why-mindfulness-matters-in-the-workplace/>.

[dk-sims]

Hi everyone

I’ve decided to un-launch my Patreon page. While I am so thankful for the generosity of all of my Patreons, the page was never created for that purpose (my content has always and will always be free) yet you guys are still just supporting me anyway, you are amazing. Thank you. I’m still in shock that you guys actually like my creations. I never thought I’d get 100 followers on Tumblr, let alone 11k! Lately I just do not have the time, patience or inspiration to create. I have been pausing the billing cycles but people have still been signing up as Patreons, so instead I have just closed it.

Don’t get my wrong, I did enjoy creating and it really did help get me through 9 months of lockdown and the depression of my career being pulled out from under me. I’m just so drained.

But for those wondering, not to worry - I have moved all of the files to SFS and have linked them all below in a complete portfolio archive, with links to the original posts with all of the info.

Thanks again to those who have been nothing but supporting 🧡  Appreciate you so much.

______________________________________________________________ - Please see original posts for any mesh and/or EP requirements - I will not be checking my inbox - Remember that all troubleshooting questions are already answered on my FAQ page.  - Files will not be updated if broken by updates (way to avoid this happening below) and links will not be reposted if broken - No, I will not upload to MediaFire. If you get an error from SFS, just click the back button once or twice and it will download! - My TOU still stands. I’ll still be around and I will still see if they are not being abided by.  -  Before running any TS4 updates, first move your downloads folder out of the EA folder eg. to your desktop. Run and install the update, launch game, re-enable mods and exit. Move your downloads folder back in (replace the one that has been created from launching the game - it will be empty). Voilà, game is updated and no CC is broken!

______________________________________________________________ BUILD

Boho Wall Murals | SFS Brighter Whites Build Set | SFS Cafe Murals | SFS Farmhouse Tiles v1 | SFS Farmhouse Tiles v2 | SFS Glass Fish Scale Tile Walls | SFS Glass Herringbone Tile Walls | SFS Kids’ Map Murals | SFS Map Murals | SFS  Mega Wall Set (incl. full wall subway tiles) | SFS Monochrome Colour Correction Built Set | SFS Restaurant Murals | SFS Seamless Masonry Build Set | SFS SIMcredible’s Fireplace Recolours | SFS Solar Shingle Roof Recolours | SFS Wood Panelling Feature Walls (improved) | SFS Wood Panelling Feature Walls (original) | SFS 

BUY

13P’s Built-in Wardrobe Recolours | SFS  13P’s Office Nook Recolours | SFS Anthropologie Collection | SFS Arch Decals | SFS Art Series | SFS Art Side of Life | SFS ATS4′s Bicycle Recolours | SFS Australia Unseen Landscapes | SFS Baby Announcement Letter Boards | SFS Boho Art | SFS  Boho Art II | SFS Boho Deco Dump | SFS Christmas Prints (landscape) | SFS Christmas Prints (portrait) | SFS Decorative Letters Decals | SFS  Decorative Word Decals | SFS Doormats | SFS Family Portraits | SFS Farmhouse Signs | SFS Fine Line Art | SFS Float Loungers (Scandi) | SFS Float Loungers (Summer Brights) | SFS Flower Rattan Bedhead | SFS Handwoven Basket Wall Art | SFS Johnston Sofas Recolour | SFS KaleHouse’s Bedding Recolours | SFS KaleHouse’s Nursery Recolours | SFS Letter Boards | SFS Letter Blocks | SFS Lonely Planet Travel Guides | SFS Macrame Wall Hangings | SFS Melbourne’s Brighton Beach Boxes | SFS Mini Toddler Set | SFS Mix n Match Art Series | SFS Monochrome Nursery Prints | SFS More Maps | SFS Mounted Hats | SFS Music & Movie Posters | SFS Nursery Decals | SFS Nursery Letter Decals | SFS PD’s False Creek Home Recolours | SFS PD’s Shaker Kitchen Recolours | SFS Peacemaker’s Elsie Recolours | SFS Peacemaker’s Hamptons Recolours | SFS Peacemaker’s Shaker Kitchen Recolours | SFS RSVN’s Simmer Down Kitchen Recolour | SFS Sage x Claire Nudie Rudie Bathmats | SFS Scandinavian Nursery Prints | SFS ShinoKCR’s French Country Kitchen Recolours | SFS Sims4Nicole’s Sue Toddler Bedding Recolours | SFS Typography Mega Set | SFS Wondymoon’s Germanium Kitchen Recolours | SFS

CAS

Denim Skirt (CF) | SFS Drawstring Shorts (CM) | SFS  Gorman Skater Skirts (CF) | SFS Gorman Swim Collection (T-EF) | SFS N*des Wardrobe (T-EF) | SFS Stevie Blouse (T-EF) | SFS Toddler Turbans (patterns) | SFS Toddler Turbans (solid colours) | SFS Wheels & Dollbaby Dita Cardi (T-EF) | SFS

[sarahjkl82-blog]

Artistic Instinct: Chapter 11

Header thanks to the lovely @yespolkadotkitty

Summary: Marcus Pike and OC Anushka Pierce have been selected to work on a 5 eyes (Australia, Canada, NZ, the UK and US) intelligence team to track down art forgeries as a part of taking down an international white terrorism cell. Marcus is trying to escape his broken heart, Anushka is just trying to escape what the world expects of her.

Word count: 12.6k (whoops)

Warnings: Language as always, grief, loss and smut. If you're under 18, please skedaddle.

Pairing: Marcus Pike x reader (OC)

This comes with a MASSIVE THANK YOU to the lovely @yespolkadotkitty , who reads, re-reads, points out the constant flipping between tenses and gave me the confidence to try to write something. This is the first thing I have written since angsty poetry as a teenager. Apologies if it is shit!

True redemption is… when guilt leads to good - Khaled Hosseini

Chapter 11

You:

Yes, Sir.

Blood pounding. Heart thudding. Tunnel vision. People spinning out of nowhere into view. Hands tingling, fingers curling, feet screaming for you to run. Bubbles build in your tummy- that hideous discomfort as if you’ve taken a direct hit of caffeine to your veins that your elevated heart rate allows to unfurl its tentacles through every synapse in your nervous system.

You have to get away from Sotheby’s, and fast. Taxi? No. Too much. Bus? Too slow. Walk? Walk.

There’s those ants in your veins. That constriction in your throat. The swirling of your stomach and the buzzing headiness as your lungs try gasping feebly at the air around you but fail miserably in their attempt. Your feet are walking along a well beaten path - along Regents Street until you find the side roads you can cut down to head towards St James’s Park. A lump rises in your throat along with a mouth full of saliva.

Five things you can see: trees, grass, path, lake, ducks.

A wave of vomit washes through you, dredging your stomach for the remnants of your breakfast and far too many coffees. As you spit the bile tinged saliva beneath the trees, you take a moment to regather your breath and gaze around. Your brain feels as though it may swell beyond the capacity of your skull and the dehydration makes your insides feel furry - in desperate need of water.

A kindly hand - warm and generous in a time when you are not at your best - is placed upon your lower back as you grip the tree trunk for support.

“You know, they say that the ducks in St James’s Park know all of the secrets of the world’s affairs as they so often are fed bread by secret agents meeting clandestinely that they have developed their own Pavlovian reaction.”

The sob that escapes your throat on hearing that familiar voice, throws away any pretence of self-defence, “I didn’t have you down as a Neil Gaiman reader, Stephens.”

“Well, you nagged me so much to watch it that being the purist I am, I had to read it first. Rather enjoyed it, to be honest,” his clipped vowels comforting you as he guides you gently towards a bench and away from the contents of your stomach, “Water?”

Your head nods independently of your body as your brain feels like a storm cloud of cotton balls - utterly dehydrated and fuzzy, “What are you doing here?”

“Still trying to catch you as you fall, it seems,” an awkward arm is extended around your shoulders, with a light patting of your arm - not unlike a bumbling housemaster at a boarding school trying to comfort a Year 7 who’s missing home.

“I miss you around the office, you know. Everything is so grey, starchy and boring. I miss those brightly coloured tights you wear and the heap of unfinished paperwork upon your desk with a week’s worth of coffee cups growing various stages of mould. I also greatly miss your mum’s samosas so if you ever find yourself with an abundance, make sure to drop some off with me.”

Examining the flimsy plastic of the bottle Stephens has passed you, you frown before retorting, “You got rid of me. As my world was falling apart, you passed me on to Education.”

“I had to. Firstly, you needed a break from the field - your partner had died and I knew there was no other way to force you to take a break. You would have either ended up dead or with a severe nervous breakdown and there was no way that I was about to allow you to take either of those routes. Secondly, I had my reasons. For mostly unselfish reasons but I must admit, there were some selfish ones mixed in there too,” Stephens sighs before crossing one Harris tweed covered leg over the other.

“I knew that the job in 5 Eyes was coming up and after everything that happened, I felt it would be the perfect fit for you. I spent days speaking to anyone and everyone who mattered so as to ensure that you would be a dead cert wherever you applied upon the team - even if you’d wanted Pike’s role, it would have been yours.”

The older man looks down at his hands - considering the lines and liver spots - before continuing to fill you in on the decisions that had been made over your head, “Selfishly, I couldn’t bear to see you. You were this constant reminder of my loss and what could have been in a different set of circumstances.To have called you my niece would have made me so intensely proud.”

A cramp of subsequent heartache grips its iron fingers around your heart. The sun dipping behind a cloud, the air stilling and the ducks quietening their quacking in a sort of reverence for the pain shared by the two of you. It was never just Jasper you lost, but his family too.

Gulping down the ache with a glug of lukewarm water, you turn back to Stephens, “What are you really doing here?”

“Ah, you know the drill, Anushka. If I told you, I’d have to kill you. Anyway, surely the question should be, what are you doing here?”

“I fucked up.” You shift uncomfortably upon the bench, the toes of your shoes wiggling in uncertainty.

“Badly as in you left a briefcase of state secrets on a train or badly as in something that you could come back from with a heartfelt apology and a promise to toe the line for at least a month?”

Trying to shut down the meerkat part of your brain that is trying to declare a cobra in your midst, you swing your legs and furrow your brow before answering, “Probably the latter.”

Stephens gives a barely perceptible nod before turning to face you, “Tell me, what is your impression of Agent Pike?”

“I think he is a good man. Doesn’t seem to have a bad bone in his body.”

“I truly hope that he is deserving of you, Nush.”

“What…?”

Two papery thin hands take hold of your hand, “In all of the time of us working together, I cannot remember you becoming so upset at fucking up something that you were completing for me that you vomited - and there were some fairly big fuck ups.

“The only time I ever saw you in such a state as this, was when you tried that honey trap on the forger and in doing so, put yourself in massive danger. Jasper’s reaction was understandable as he genuinely thought he was going to lose you- so I entirely understand why he would have shouted so harshly at you. But you. You thought that was it, didn’t you? And consequently, your lunch was in my metal mesh paper bin. I learned to line it with plastic bags following that.”

The corners of your mouth turn up slightly at the memory - of the mirroring of today’s events - how in that moment, Stephens had morphed from being just your boss to being like a kindly uncle to you.

You allow your eyes to wander your surrounding environment - the dead straight paths lining the sides of the pond that scattered couples drift along and businessmen in stuffy, constricting suits march along with a single goal in mind. How the ducks utterly ignored each and every one of those humans, happy with their lot of searching for roaches amongst their larder of the muddy green undergrowth with their feathered bottoms in the air.

“How do I earn his trust back?”

Frowning for a moment at your question, Stephens follows your eyes to the middle distance before responding, “You know how to do it. You have done it before. An honest apology and keep your head down - maybe take the time to tackle some of the paperwork on your table, instead of dreaming up elaborate schemes.

“Pike does not strike me as a stupid man and that is exactly what he would be if he gave up on you as an agent or as a potential future for him. Just give the man time to re-establish you in a trustworthy position in his head and heart.”

The words you wish to speak so eloquently in response to Stephens break up in your mouth - turning into stuttered, mumbled sounds spoken into the back of your hand as hot tears stream down your face. You sit there unmoving apart from your eyes squeezing tightly shut in the hope your tears would stop.

“My darling girl, take a piece of advice from an old man. The world cannot be saved by just one person - you must learn to work as a team in all areas of your life.” You hear the crunch of sixty year old knees as the bench tells you that Stephens has risen from beside you. “I know our paths will continue to cross but please, don’t be a stranger. My door will always be open to you - particularly if you come bearing samosas.”

A warm, tender hand brushes an errant tear from your cheek before you are left alone, biting your lip and observing the pond from the bench. On the surface, there is a duck - sparkling white with a bright orange bill - that keeps dipping its head below the water and shaking tiny diamond-like droplets that fly outwards, creating concentric circles that grow and grow and grow.

You watch Stephens as he walks away from you, as his hand dips in his pocket, the duck quacks and swims towards him - its wake stretching behind its tail in a perfect v. It moves through the water as if it is powered by an outboard motor as its legs work hard to move it at such a pace - the effort never showing upon its firmly set bill - as it heads towards the crumbs strewn across the water’s surface. Stephens turns to face you with an amused curl of his lips, “Turns out, Gaiman was right.”

✪✪✪✪✪

“Where on Earth have you been?” the sharpness of Dian’s tone is not lost as you walk back through the office door.

“I fucked up. I organised a viewing of Modigliani’s Nu Couché sur le Côté Gauche with my friend, Hephzi at Sotheby’s and guess where Pike’s meeting was?”

Dian’s brain stutters for a moment as her eyes widen, letting in more light as her thoughts catch up, “Oh that’s a fuck up and a half. Why on Earth would you go against orders? What an idiotic thing to do!”

A sharp Australian accent cuts through Dian’s angry accusations, “Because nine times out of ten, those moves pay off. You can’t always toe the line or you end up stale and pushing paperwork around.”

“Anushka may have jeopardised the investigation into this piece - if they allow us to go and check it out, she’s our art history person. No one else has that level of knowledge here - what the fuck were you thinking?” you brace yourself against the acid spewing forth from her lips as it burns Dian on the way out and catches you on the receiving end.

Harper forcefully steps between the pair of you, acting as a shield of sorts, “Dian, you need to step away right now. This isn’t helping anyone and judging by the look on her face, she’s pretty eaten up by her actions. I’m sure Pike will speak to her when he’s back from his meeting and bollocking Nush is for him, not you.”

You stand there dazed at the interaction between your workmates. The stun grenade that is Harper has the three of you standing, blinking hard after the initial flash - the reboot you need to spin back into work mode. Walking towards your desk, you spy a Violet Crumble left on the keyboard and look up to find a shy smile spreading across Harper’s face.

“I wanted to prove that Violet Crumbles are superior to your Crunchies. Found them when I unpacked another box last night - my mum must have snuck them in,” she wriggles a bit in her chair before turning back to her screen, face flushed.

You quietly mouth a thank you at her - genuinely touched by the sweet gesture - before the office door swings open again to several greetings from your co-workers. There is no need to look up to know who has walked through the door as you hear the confident steps of his polished brogues pattering across the parquet flooring. A shadow is cast across your paperwork and a small rap on a minutismal bit of uncovered wood forces you to lift your head and look up into Marcus’ eyes.

“Gimme twenty minutes, then come through.”

He punctuates the end of his sentence with another tap upon the table and a small, barely discernible furrow of his brow. A small nod from you acknowledging his request allows Marcus to walk on quickly, giving a small chuckle in response to an unintelligible riposte from Andy.

The blue light from your screen just highlights a singular phrase that keeps repeating itself in your brain.

Where do I begin?

It feels like forever before your fingers start tapping on the keyboard. Whether the words you were writing could be translated into any intelligible language is yet to be seen but at least it feels like you are attempting to work as the minutes tick down before the meeting. You kick your shoes off underneath your desk to try to feel the coolness of the wooden bricks making up the flooring - tracing geometric patterns with your toes as you try to ground yourself.

Stephens’ placating yet entirely honest words edge in and out of your thoughts. You’ve been here before, Nush and you’ll probably be in this situation again. Marcus is far from stupid but are you really worthy of his attention?

A small flash of light dances across the polished floor as the glass in his door catches the glare from the fluorescent strip lighting above.

“Ready, Agent Pierce?”

✪✪✪✪✪

As you walk into the room, Marcus doesn’t go to sit at his desk. Instead he makes his way to the more comfortable chairs in the corner - the low table already bedecked with his phone and two freshly made coffees. Marcus Fucking Pike - the most thoughtful bloody boss, even makes you a drink when telling you off.

Perching on the edge of the stylish, angular-armed mid-century style chair, you tuck your feet neatly underneath - attempting to look both semi-professional and hide the fact that your shoes are still beneath your desk. Fuck.

“Did you just give up on shoes today?” a small sweet smile curls upon his lips.

Pressing your hands into the cool, polished wood arm rests to rise back onto your feet, you mutter, “Give me two ticks and I can go grab them…”

“No, it’s fine. You’re probably comfier without them on,” again that smile - that sweet smile unfolding as Marcus sits back in his chair, his arms folded lightly across his chest.

Why doesn’t he sound angry?

“I shouldn’t have set up the meeting with Hepzhibah and gone directly against your wishes or lied to you. I know that what I’ve done has jeopardised the case and I completely understand if you want to have me moved to another team or put me through disciplinary action,” you acknowledge - desperately wanting to make eye contact with him but the shame stemming from your earlier behaviour making your head hang low.

Lifting your eyes slightly, you catch the furrow of his brow and the uncrossing of his arms as he nods slightly before responding, “Hephzibah used to work here, didn't she?”

With a barely perceptible confirmation from you, Marcus continues, “Yeah, she’s made sure that the Modigliani’s being transported over to our labs later today so that we can undertake a separate authentication of the piece.

“Tomorrow, I’m gonna need you working alongside the lab team so we can undergo a full analysis of the piece. Did you get some good notes?” his voice is firm yet smooth - not giving away any notes of anger - as the words hit your ears and the realisation hits of what Hephzi has done for you.

“Uh, yeah - I managed to take some good photos of the piece too. I was logging those as you called me in,” -Hephzi has had it transferred here? Sotheby’s never does that as they have their own labs- “How did…”

“I think whatever Hephzibah says, goes there and having worked in the labs here, she was able to convince her boss that the painting would be safe with us for 72 hours,” Marcus continues in his irritatingly calm tone - why can’t he just shout so you can feel suitably castigated and move on?

It feels as though every nerve is screaming within your body - his quiet disappointment at your actions seeping through your veins like a poison. Screaming you can take. Spluttered angry words you can take but this? This is hell. A tendon tics in your jaw as you clench your teeth against the deafening silence in the room.

“I need to know that this won’t happen again, Agent Pierce. I’m not pursuing disciplinary action but as your boss, I need to be able to both protect you and trust you.” With his eyes closed, Marcus rubs the bridge of his nose, adding, “Nush, the owners of the painting are seriously unscrupulous. They’re possibly attached to one of the far right groups we’re investigating - I didn’t want you at Sotheby’s and risk your face being attached to the case. I can’t keep you and the team safe, if you all go off and do your own thing. No intel in the world is worth putting your life at risk.”

“It won’t happen again, Sir,” you catch a small, pained twitch that crosses his face as you clearly enunciate the respectful address.

Unsure of what should happen next or where the conversation should go, you shuffle forward on the chair - flattening your feet ready to stand. Marcus seems uncertain too, his eyes trained on you but so many unspoken words lie on the tip of his tongue.

“Also, I completely understand if you don’t want to have the date later in the week as I know the betrayal cuts deeper than just work,” you quietly squeeze out through the feeling of strangulation in your throat.

A flash of alarm passes through Marcus’ features - his lips parting and brow furrowing as the meaning in your words unfurls in his mind. Sharply swallowing and with an abrupt shake of his head, he reaches forward - the warmth of his fingertips gently searching for your hand, “No. Work and home are separate. Unless, you… You don’t want to…”

“No. No, I … I still want to,” you say fervently to Marcus, and nod with your heart throbbing in your throat as your fingers intertwine with his - a modicum of comfort in an entirely awkward moment. How can one man be so patient? So kind? So forgiving? How can he still want to be around me?

You pause before rising to your feet as one ugly thought keeps ricocheting off the walls of your head, “I have to know - would you have done this for the others if they’d fucked up similarly? If it was Harper, Kiri or even Andy who’d done this - you’d react in the same way?”

“No preferential treatment. Everyone deserves a pass at some point and all things considered, it’s not that big of a mistake - you’re safe, nothing has been leaked or blown. Well, Hephzibah has totally saved your ass by talking her boss into freeing it up for our testing. Otherwise it would have been you talking in one of the other agents’ ears. But,” Marcus shrugs, “We’d’ve found a way around.”

Managing to take what feels like your first proper inhalation since you heard Marcus’ voice behind you at Sotheby’s, you nod and straighten up a little, “I’d better get back to my desk. Tackle some of that paperwork.”

“Well, I guess I’ll catch you later.” Marcus’ fingers pull away from yours with a final small brush of the back of your hand as the ache rebuilds in the back of your throat.

✪✪✪✪✪

You knew it would happen.

You knew that you would end up disappointing Marcus at some point but so early on? It has barely been a week of sharing the same orbit and yet, you’ve managed it already. Even with his calm, sweetness in that debrief? Disciplinary? Whatever the fuck that meeting was, you could hear the hurt in his voice that you went against his orders. The whole situation and your sheer bloody- minded stupidity has been fixed by having great friends perfectly placed but still.

Flicking the mouse to awaken your screen so you can get back to work, a pair of eyes burn into the side of your skull - still glowering with a little of the anger from your previous actions. You refuse to meet them and instead fix your attention upon the details you’ve captured from the Modgliani - making notes alongside each picture - forcing yourself to focus on the screen in front of you, and not on the clock that slowly ticked away the hours, the minutes, the seconds until you could leave and bury yourself in a pile of cushions and comfort food.

Would he say goodbye as he leaves tonight?

He might have said that work and home are separate but how on Earth that is meant to work when you live for your job, you are entirely unsure. FOCUS. Focus. Look for crack junctions to extract features.

Imagine if he changes his mind and wants to cancel the date for later this week? You could hardly blame him, you’re a fucking mess.

Physically shaking your head side to side to try to empty it of the panic that Marcus would call it a day based on your behaviour today, you try to focus on the colours and positioning of the signature. Colours match the palette of the piece, shaping of the signature shows flow and positioning matches most of his other pieces. It doesn’t matter what Marcus thinks - I still have my job. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.

It totally does matter.

Drawing a deep breath, you close your eyes. You try to listen to the white noise of the office to stop those intrusive thoughts - the comforting drip of the coffee machine, the tapping of keyboards, the clunk of empty coffee mugs hitting the desk, the creak of spinning chairs and scratchy scribbles across post-it notes. A slightly heavier thud lands upon your desk pulling you from your blue screen tinted reverie.

“Coffee. Thought you could probably do with one,” Harper nods at you without catching your eye.

Pulling a spare legged chair closer to your desk, you pat the seat as an offer to her before opening your desk drawer to pull out and snap the Violet Crumble in half, “Definitely need that coffee - sugar hit?”

A reluctant grin forms across Harper’s face as she reaches across to relieve you of her half, “Brought that in for you.”

Sitting there drinking your coffee at your desk, you take a bite of the legendary Violet Crumble - scrunching up your brow as the honeycomb sweetness hits your tongue, “Ok, call me a Philistine but I’m not sure I could tell the difference between this and a Crunchie!”

“Maybe it’s just a comfort association,” Harper nods, “I’ll get you on TimTams next. Teach you how to drink tea through it.”

“What the fuck is a TimTam? And drinking tea through them, that sounds sacrilegious,” You snort, spraying coffee and honeycomb crumbs across the table.

Looking up, you see Dian surreptitiously glancing over - holding out the remaining piece as a peace offering , you ask, “Would you like to try some?”

A small shake of her head and a turn back towards her screen makes your heart sink a little. You hug your coffee a little tighter - allowing its warmth to seep into the palms of your hands.

“She’ll be right. Just give her time to calm down,” Harper soothes quietly.

A large shadow is cast across your desk making you look up, “I’ll take it off you if you don’t want it?” Kiri grins down at you as he takes up residence on the edge of your desk.

“Show us what you found,” Kiri points at your screen that’s filled with a collage of photos and notes.

“Everything is pointing to it being real but as it’s not in his catalogue raisonnée, we’re going to struggle to have it authenticated. I think the main worry is who owns it - Marcus mentioned that they’re pretty dark,” you pull up the shot of his signature, “So, signatures are always a good place to start as it’s pretty hard to mirror a signature perfectly. Picasso always used to sign his pieces in pencil - the angle of letters and the spacing adds another level of difficulty in reproducing it.

“Modigliani’s signature is similar to Picasso’s in that it looks printed rather than written in cursive. When he signed with a pen, it was joined - generally at the o to the d then the i by itself before joining from the g to the final i. It was only when he was painting that he printed his name.”

With a chuckle, you continue, “The marks above his letter i’s are quite striking as often they look a bit like a heart - proper pre-teen girl moment.

“When it arrives tomorrow, I’m going to need to take some samples for the lab and take a closer look using the microscope and X-rays.”

“Too early to tell?” Kiri muses, “Marcus and I found some links between the owners and The Old School. Shady bunch of fuckers who still believe in racial purity and hardcore anti - immigration.”

“They sound delightful,” Harper shakes her head, suddenly looking up, making you join her gaze.

“Yeah, there are questions that they have been attempting to pass fraudulent as authentic pieces and the opposite, in the hope of devaluing certain artists,” Dian adds as she steps closer to your desk, wrapping her cardigan tightly around her as she walks.

Upon your screen, you bring up the versions of Modigliani’s signature to show the others against today’s- busily entrenching yourself in work and trying to ignore the creak of Marcus’ door opening.

Your heart throbs wildly in your throat as you point out another feature, “So on this piece we also have a loop on the l - this isn’t there in every painting but in most sketches it is as it would match the style of cursive he would have learnt as a child.”

Careful not to crowd you, Marcus crouches down with a creak beside you to investigate your findings on the screen, “What about this g? Did he generally create a loop with the tail to join it?”

“Not necessarily, but, there are several that match that style of g in other paintings. Thing is even when we sign things, our signatures change from day to day so it’s understandable that Modigliani’s would too,” you shrug, trying to keep what little cool you can muster as a waft of warm Marcus hits your nose. The hint of verbena, sandalwood and dark roast coffee makes you want to rugby tackle him to the ground and kiss him so hard that your lips bruise.

Fuck. Keep it together, woman.

His head nods in acknowledgment of your comment, his eyes not moving from the screen, “Love what you said about how he dotted his letter i - I can remember being told not to put soccer balls above mine in school.”

Kiri’s eyebrow arches, before giving Marcus a little wink, “I’d have you down for more the hearts type, Sir.”

His baritone chuckle lifts the cloud from the Monday soul of the office. Marcus’ laughter is so free and pure - so child-like despite his adult years. It comes to your ears as a tickle and bounce - and only the hardest of hearts could do anything but join in such infectious mirth.

“You’ve probably hit the nail on the head, Kiri. I’m sure my sisters could probably provide you with some evidence for that.” The deep creases of laughter highlighting the crescents of his eyes as he adds, “Is everyone heading off now?”

“I need to finish running my report,” Kiri grimaces darkly.

“Can’t be finalised tomorrow?”

“Tried that on Friday - lost the lot. Nah, it’ll take me five minutes to get it finished. Just came in search of sugar and then got a free art history lesson at the same time.”

“Yeah, think that’s the danger of heading towards this desk,” Harper laughs, giving your arm a small pat as she heads back to her desk, “I’ve got some data to input but I might finish it tomorrow. Got netball training starting in half an hour and I don’t want to have to jog there - no more effort than I have to put in.”

“Dian?”

You look over at the back of her rapidly disappearing figure as she walks away from you. Without looking back she mutters, “Got a few bits I want to finish before heading off.”

Marcus’ brow furrows as he considers her comment, “M’kay - just if you stay late, make sure that you come in a bit later tomorrow. There needs to be a balance.”

With a small tilt of his chin, Marcus locks you in his gaze, “What about you?”

“Might head to a yoga class before heading home but not got anything else planned,” you say, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.

“Your brother mentioned that you do yoga. Can you hook me up with a local teacher? He said it'd be good for my running?”

“Hah, I wondered whether he’d nab you on that! He’s so passionate about his work - mentioned that you have a good gait after you left,” you grin, remembering the relief on Marcus’ face when you pointed out your familial link to the kids surrounding you, “Yeah, I can give you the number of a teacher who’s brilliant for running support. She also coaches long distance running if you ever fancy doing a marathon or two?”

Folding his arms across his chest, Marcus’ eyes dart to the left of him as he considers your comment, “Always fancied doing the London Marathon. Lots of amazing landmarks.”

“Trust me, there are better ways to sight see,” you shake your head at the horrifying thought of running anywhere, let alone destroying your joints on twenty-six miles of concrete and tarmac, “Anyway, what do you have planned for tonight?”

“Probably trying to get through some of the food you left in my fridge,” your smile only grows as he pats his tummy at the thought, “Otherwise, nothing really.”

“K - well, I’d better save this work before heading out,” You point awkwardly towards your screen.

“Yeah, I’d better sort my office out before heading off,” You catch how his hand twitches - as if it wants to reach out and pull you close to him. Instead of a PDA, he scoops a couple of old coffee cups from your desk before walking away.

At the thought of him wanting to hold you, you can’t help but call after him, “Have a good evening, Marcus.”

With a small glance over his shoulder before disappearing back into his office, he smiles, “See you later, Nush.”

✪✪✪✪✪

The studio is pretty empty and as the previous class was a mum and baby one, and it doesn’t smell too bad as you settle yourself towards the back of the space. Grabbing a mat from the pile, you curl yourself into a child’s pose - your knees as wide as the mat and heels touching lightly under your bum with your forehead touching the floor and arms outstretched.

Just need to stretch some of this fizziness out of my joints.

Slowly, quietly the room fills around you. The lights are low and the sounds muted and whispered - a calm you have needed all day. Mats are unfurled and flattened on the carpeted floor and apart from the odd creaky, cracking joint, there are very few noises.

The teacher quickly runs through some basics and checks injuries before starting the session. Getting everyone into their comfortable seated pose, she talks you through relaxing every muscle and joint in your body - letting go of that tic in your jaw and the tightness in your shoulders before putting you back into a child’s pose.

After a quick cat/cow stretch of your spine, she then brings you into a downward dog - getting you to pedal your feet to warm those hamstrings into stretching that little bit further. With your bottom in the air, she guides you all from a three legged dog to a wild thing pose and then a fallen triangle. The coordination and elongation of your body feels exquisite and you almost haven’t thought of Marcus for ten minutes. Almost.

God, that’d be a distracting session.

Marcus stretching out beside you. You cannot help but allow a smile to spread across your lips as you move from a triangle to a half moon, thinking of how tempting it would be to tickle him when he is balancing alongside you. How goddamn tempting it would be to slap his bum when he’s in a downward dog.

Concentrate, woman!

Perhaps the teacher picks up upon your concentration floating out of the room as she invites everyone into a series of heart openers. You feel the day’s constricting belts around your ribcage loosen and untie themselves as you slowly edge each of those intercostal muscles into stretching a little further, allowing the stale air to finally escape. As you push your tummy skyward into your full wheel, you hear a sob echo around the silent room- wondering for a moment where it originated from before you realise it is yours.

Bloody heart openers making those stupid feelings bubble to the surface.

Tears streak into your hair as you hang suspended upside down, gravity dragging the salty wetness across your forehead into the tight sweep of your bun. Ever in tune with her students - having noted your sobbing the teacher guides the class down into the savasana, the lights lowering and after a gentle padding around the room, a soft fleecy blanket is placed at your feet.

Cocooning yourself in its warmth, you shut your eyes and allow your body to melt away into the mat. Whilst the initial part of the savasana is a guided breath meditation, the teacher then allows you a moment to float away. Those emotions that have been bubbling away beneath the surface threaten to break free again - this being your first in the field job since Jas’ death, Marcus Fucking Pike, seeing bloody Seb, kissing Marcus and then fucking everything up in a blink of an eye today.

The subsequent tears that are shed, streak sideways - a glossy trail cutting through the dryness of your skin. After bringing yourself to an upright seated position, they flavour your lips with a light saltiness. On opening your eyes, a white tissue is held out to you - the perfect present before you head back out into the world with your goddamn game face on.

“Sorry.”

“You can’t hide from your emotional gunk when you’re practising - you know this, Anushka,” your teacher reminds you, “That’s the whole reason to practise - to release it and let that shit out because it does zero good inside of you. Are you staying until the next class? It starts in ten minutes.”

Gently shaking your head, you bring yourself slowly to standing, “No, I need my pjs, a hoodie and a fuck ton of chocolate but I’ll see you later this week.”

A soft hand rests upon your shoulder before a small squeeze and with that, you are released back into the world.

✪✪✪✪✪

On arriving on your landing, you see two pairs of shoes attached to two pairs of outstretched legs kicking out from your doorway.

“The fuck are you two doing here?”

Adam grins up at you, “That’s no way to greet your baby brothers when we come bearing food from Mum!”

“You ok, Nush? Your face is all blotchy and your eyes are red,” Jacob frowns as he takes in your face.

“Just a day of it. My fault, but work was tough.”

Adam sticks out his hands for you to pull him to his feet, grinning at you lopsidedly, “Well, as nice as your doorstep is, we brought beers, pakoras and samosas so, come on, let us in.”

Instantly, your mouth waters at the thought of biting into the crisp pastry of your mum’s samosas - the spice cutting through the oiliness and the juxtaposition of the softness of the pakora. You might have filled your bag with sugar at the local off licence but this was the comfort food you needed. A hug from your mum wouldn’t go amiss either but she was probably helping one of your sisters in law get all the kids in bed or nagging Noah, your baby brother, to go to bed at a decent time. The fact that he is a twenty year old man studying medicine at uni still doesn’t quite seem to click with her.

“Can I kick the door this time?” Jacob offers - scratching a hand through his thick jet black hair, “I’ve just finished four nights in a row and my two are just being delightful.”

The consternation on his face brings a grin to yours - after unlocking your door, you stand back for him to give the door the required force to the baseplate that it needs. As soon as the three of you are inside, it feels like your flat is full to the brim with bodies as you kick your shoes off by the door.

“Nush, why are there still boxes here?” Jacob tries his soft paediatrician eyes upon you - a trick that has not worked as he noses into one in the pile stacked in the corner, “How long have you been here for?”

“Leave it,” the warning tone in your voice growling at your younger brother.

You catch the shake of Adam’s head and his mouthing of not now and a level of anger threatens to burst through at the thought of their pity. The poor big sister. Living by herself in a shitty flat with boxes full of ghosts. Nothing except her job, which is worthless as it isn’t medicine. No partner. No babies. No value.

Trying to calm your breathing, you try to draw some deeper breaths instead of decking the men who have brought you some food, “Before I hit either of you - where’s the fucking pakoras?”

Two large tubs are produced from what feels like nowhere and a small sense of peace seeps back in as you pry the lids off to display the golden goodness beneath, “‘K - we gonna pretend that we’re civilised or just dig in?” you question your brothers as Jacob collapses back into your mountain of cushions - his mouth already full of fried onions and potatoes - and Adam disappears in search of a bottle opener.

As Adam re-enters the room, he tosses the bottle opener towards the pair of you - it disappearing quickly into the quagmire of cushions between you. After a quick delve between them, both Jacob and you have open beers and you sit in a companionable silence of swallows and gulps before Adam announces, “Didn’t we buy those shelves when you first moved in?”

Shaking his head, Jacob rises to his feet - heading towards your cupboard of doom, “Right come on, Nush. I actually don’t care if you get angry with me - we’re getting this shit sorted. We’re all fed up with you living in a half home.”

You feel Adam’s eyes on you as your face crumples, turning quickly into a stream of snot and salty tears. You know that he was expecting you to launch yourself at Jacob - rugby tackling him to the ground, a head lock, some wrestling moves from the early nineties - something other than the sobbing mess of his sister in front of him.

“Right, found your tools - where do you want the shelves? Oh…” Jacob looks as confused as Adam by your reaction.

Adam sinks to his knees in front of you, tilting your chin up to try to catch your eye, “Tell us where you want the shit to go and we will get it sorted. Then, you’re going to go get in the bath and into something more comfortable, k?”

You point wordlessly at pictures and the shelves - placing them around the room - the boys nodding in agreement at your placement. Stumbling away between the bodies and furniture, you head towards your bathroom in search of a soak to dull your senses. The thunder of the water and squealing of the pipes almost drowns out the sound of your brothers bickering in the next room as they try to figure out whether they were hanging pictures straight.

Switching off the taps and submerging yourself beneath the skin of the water - your hair billowing around you in dark thunder clouds - you allow yourself to be supported by the water. Allowing those muscles to finally relax, you bring your head back above the surface, resting it against the gentle slope of the back of the bath.

Still listening to the gentle and not so gentle ribbing your brothers were giving each other, a bit of warmth fills your tummy. Your family still loves you. Even with how little sometimes it feels like you give them in return - they’re always there. Your mum’s invisible visits to clean your flat and fill your fridge, your brothers’ protective - yet teasing love of you and even your dad’s wordless pats of your arm.

A sudden knock at the door disturbs your guilty thoughts making you question, who on Earth would be knocking at almost 8 in the evening? You hear Adam drop the hammer on his toe - his swearing turning the air blue as Jacob’s footsteps can be heard heading towards your door. A third male voice can just about be picked out over the top of Adam’s swearing and Jacob answering the door.

It doesn’t sound like Dad or Noah has joined the others -not that Noah could when he was down in Brighton being a baby doc. Who the fuck could it be? Unless the boys have ordered some more food?

Quickly washing yourself, rinsing your hair and jumping out of the bath - you wrap your fluffy bathrobe around you and another towel around your hair in a vain attempt not to drip everywhere. In your bedroom, you pull open a drawer in search of some jammies - still trying to listen carefully to the voices in the other room. The third voice is still there so it can’t have been a delivery.

Your breath catches in your throat as you pull your pj t-shirt over your head - a familiar baritone chuckle fills your flat.

Marcus?

Heading out of your bedroom, back into the front room, you survey the tableau in front of you. Adam is chatting happily away at Marcus - passing him an open beer as Jacob is giving him some serious side eye and questioning him whenever he can squeeze a word between Adam’s stream of consciousness.

“… I mean, most patients exaggerate their pain as they think they will get better attention if they do so but having someone moaning in pleasure - that has to be the most awkward appointment,” Adam chuckles away - mostly to himself.

The cocked eyebrow of Jacob - unrelenting in its mission to find out why your boss was at your door well after hours, remains arched as he shakes his head, “I would say kids are trickier. They say their tummies hurt and rub their heads. Most of what we do is detective work as they’re pretty unreliable narrators.”

Marcus pauses before taking a swig of his beer, nodding towards your middle brother, “That must be really tough. Where do you work?”

“Great Ormond Street. Amazing place to be but some tough cases,” Jacob replied as he unashamedly eyes the tote bag at Marcus’ feet. “What did you bring with you?”

“Uh, last night Nush cooked one of her curries for the team and while the rest of us had piles of leftovers to take home, she forgot to take her share so I thought I’d bring it over,” desperate to escape the interrogation that Jacob keeps putting him through, you watch as Marcus rifles through the Tupperware boxes in the old cotton bag he’d chosen to bring the food over - mainly in the vain hope of sharing it with you.

As Marcus brings his gaze back up, he catches yours - the sweetest of smiles spreading across his face as you stand there in the doorway, in your oldest, baggiest pjs. You shuffle awkwardly as you feel him drinking in every detail of you - memorising each crease, wrinkle and grey hair as if he is frightened that if he looks away for too long, he’d forget.

“Hey,” Marcus shuffles further forward on his seat towards you as you step into the room - his gaze never faltering, “I.. Uh, brought some of the food from last night - thought it could save you from cooking.”

Sending him a grateful smile back, you grab the bag and head towards the kitchen, “Everyone hungry?”

After a chorus of yeses and affirmative grunts, you set about reheating the food. Listening carefully to Adam’s easy and cheerful chatter with Marcus - the conversation flowing as easily as it did at the lake, the juxtaposition of Jacob’s protectiveness tickles you as it feels like they’re playing a game of good cop, bad cop with a man who is genuinely the good cop.

Throwing each bit in the microwave, you grab four mismatched plates and fill them to the brim with a heap of brightly coloured, steaming food. Passing equally poorly matched cutlery to each man, you bring them their plates before settling yourself on the sofa next to Marcus.

“My mum sent over some pakoras and samosas that she made earlier today so we have these to supplement the meal,” you nod at him, in the direction of the somewhat depleted boxes on the breakfast bar.

“Mmm, so good food runs in the family then?” Marcus mumbles through a mouthful.

Adam cannot help but splutter the food on his fork across the floor at Marcus’ compliment, “Yeah, you wouldn’t be saying that had you tried what she’d made in the past! Although, grudging respect where it’s due - this isn’t half bad, Nush.”

Jacob nods, “Gonna have to let mum know that you can cook, Nush.”

“Nooooooo! You can’t do that to me - she’ll stop filling my freezer,” your face falls - utterly aghast at the thought.

“Keep cooking us these curries and you might get to keep your secret,” Adam winks at you.

You catch the amused creases of Marcus’ face as you mutter about bribery and corruption - the warmth in your belly growing a little more.

He wouldn’t have dropped it off if he didn’t want to see me. Would he?

As the plates in front of the four of you are virtually licked clean, you stretch cat-like as the day’s tiredness catches up. Marcus goes to clear everything away and you join him in the kitchen as he rolls the sleeves of his work shirt up his arms, ready to start the washing up. You hear the clinking of beer bottles as Adam picks them up to put in your recycling bag and the Hoover being quickly pushed around by Jacob where the boys had put up your pictures and shelving.

It was an oddly domesticated scene - each of you eagerly beavering away in the tiny, tight space. You rummage through the drawer beneath where you keep the cutlery - the one where your mum puts all the cleaning and drying up cloths. Whereas normally, you’d let everything drip dry, today you will dry up. Obviously this has nothing to do with wanting to stand elbow to elbow with the gorgeous man who’d dropped off food for you.

In a moment of sheer silliness, Marcus grabs a blob of bubbles and boops you on your nose with them just as Jacob walks into the kitchen. Just as you cross your eyes to look at them, you catch your brother go into his wallet and pass Adam a ten pound note, making you pause.

“Gentlemen - what’s going on?”

Adam grins widely as he tuck the cash into his back pocket, “When we bumped into Marcus at the lake in Sutcliffe Park, I said to Jacob that I reckoned the two of you would be together before the end of the month - didn’t think it’d be quite so quick. The way the two of you look at and tease each other - it’d be a shame if you didn’t.”

The heat from the embarrassment is intense as it seeps through your body and although every instinct screams to hide your face in your hands, you own the moment, “It’s early days still - I mean we kissed for the first time yesterday - but yes, Marcus isn’t just my boss.”

Taking your face in his hands, Marcus gently brushes the half-forgotten bubbles from your nose before pressing a kiss to your forehead, “Your sister is a wonderful woman - ridiculously intelligent and beautiful. It is early but when you meet someone as special as she is, you don’t really want to hang back.”

“I need to apologise…” Jacob starts.

Waving his hands as he shakes his head, Marcus smiles as he looks over at Jacob before saying, “Not at all. I’ve done the same for each of my sisters’ partners.”

Jacob’s eyes widen, “You have multiple sisters? Shit, poor man.”

“Yeah, two,” Marcus nods chuckling, “Not that they can’t look after themselves but it’s hard not to be the protective older brother.”

“They’re not even older than me - just two bloody idiots who bet on their sister’s love life,” you shake your head at them, herding the two loveable idiots towards the door, “Go on, piss off. You’ve been useful and I’ve fed you in turn - go home to your wives and kids.”

After a series of goodbyes, bone crunching squeezes for you and welcoming handshakes to Marcus, your brothers head off together to find their cars. You lean over the landing - alternately waving them off and sticking two fingers up at them in turn as they make hearts with their hands and flutter their eyelashes at you from the car park.

Turning back, you catch Marcus in the doorway, smiling widely at you.

“What?”

“Just admiring the view,” he chuckles as a rosy hue reaches his ears.

“Yeah?” you grin, wiggling your bottom at him, “Even in my oldest, least sexiest pjs?”

“Uh huh. C’mere,” Marcus reaches forward for your hand before tugging you into him, “You could make a trash bag look hot.”

Pulling back slightly from his arms, you take a moment to look into his eyes, “Are you sure that you still want to be around me - after today?”

A flicker of consideration crosses Marcus’ face as he takes a small step back inside your flat, both of your hands in his, “Did you meet someone else today?”

“No.”

“Did you do this on purpose, trying to hurt or anger me?”

“No.”

“Right, and one of the major things we need to think about is that working together, we’re gonna grate on each other as partners and as colleagues,” Marcus shrugs as his thumbs stroke small circles on the back of your hands, “We’ve got to figure out a way to try to keep work stuff at work and home stuff at home, if we wanna give it our best shot.

“So whaddya think?” Marcus brings his hands to cradle your face, “You wanna give this a go?”

Gazing deeply into his eyes, you nod unable to bring the words past your lips.

“C’mon, I need you to use your words, Anushka Pierce.”

Giggling, you can’t help but dig at him - tickling his sides as you grin up at him, “ Was that you trying to full name me?”

“I know you have two middle names but I can’t remember them,” Marcus mock winces cheekily at you.

“Meera Leah - my grandmothers’ names,” You nod with the easiest smile that has graced your face today, “So, when we were out in France, I saw that you have an F as your middle name. And I decided it stood for Fucking - Marcus Fucking Pike.”

A wave of relief washes through you as Marcus laughs heartily at your moniker for him as you shut the door behind him.

“It’s for Francisco after my Uncle but I need to know more - why Fucking?”

Blowing your lips out, you dig back to early last week and your initial view of Marcus, “‘Cos my initial assessment of you was that you were Fucking nice, a fucking tease and…” the heat rising through your cheeks forces you to pause.

“And what,” Marcus inquires.

“And fucking hot.”

The throaty chuckle that emanates from his throat, gladdens you as he pinches your chin between his thumb and forefinger, “So Ms. Anushka Meera Leah Pierce, you wanna give this a go?”

“Definitely, Sir Agent Marcus Francisco Pike,” you nod, stepping closer to him.

Marcus’ unsteady breath is warm against your lips as your hands slide up his chest - the strong, rhythmic thrumming of his heart beating into the palms of your hands. A small push on to your toes brings your face more in line with his as you take note of the constellation of freckles at the base of his throat and the small scar to the left side of his nose. A voice in your head begs you to ask him where the mark came from in desperation of knowing everything about the man in front of you.

But that can wait.

Right now, you need him.

The deliciously hypnotic smell of Marcus - that personal blend of clean woodiness and the spices from your cooking - pervades your nostrils, making your breath catch in your throat as your lips part desperate to taste him. A light push from you, presses him into the wall of your hallway as he tilts his head slightly to meet yours.

And then he’s kissing you. Enveloping you.

Marcus effortlessly spins you so that it’s your back against the wall - your body that he’s pinning tightly - the light vibration causing one of the pictures Jacob had hung to fall to the ground. The sudden thud makes you both laugh into the kiss, giggling into each other’s lips as if you were school kids on the back of the bus rather than middle aged adults with responsibilities. The moment quickly sobers with the intensity of the kiss resuming - open mouths and soft lips, hands clinging tightly to each other’s form - it was almost as if you didn’t, one of you might cease to exist.

Breaking away momentarily from your lips, Marcus kisses you along your jaw - the delicacy of his kisses against the comforting sensation of his frame pressing into you feels entirely decadent and makes your whole body tingle. With a hand, he cradles the back of your head, pulling you ever closer - claiming your mouth as his - again and again until your knees feel like those of a newborn foal.

Marcus seems to notice your giddiness as he lifts you upwards - ensuring that your legs can easily wrap around his waist. His closed eyes are now wide open, as a gentle curiosity washes through his features.

“Couch?” he politely questions.

“No. Bed.”

For a moment, he seems half-stunned at your answer - to the point that you are about to ask him if he’s comfortable with that before a sweet dumbstruck smile spreads across his face. It’s a smile that’s so irresistible that you cannot help but mirror it back at him - the two of you just goofily gazing as if the other had hung the moon for you.

Pulling you away from the wall with a quick bounce of you to ensure that he has a firm hold under your bottom, Marcus walks towards the open door of your room.

You nestle into his neck, alternately pressing kisses against each freckle there and inhaling the addictive scent of his skin before he lightly settles you on the edge of your bed. Barely a split second passes before you tug him clumsily towards you - noses bumping and lips bruising as his mouth devours yours - a half moan, half growl emanating from the back of his throat making shivers of pleasure shoot through you.

Initially, your hands seem to have a mind of their own as they grab clumsy fistfuls of his cool cotton shirt - pulling it free from his suit trousers. You’re not sure when, but at some point, they manage to work together to find their way under Marcus’ shirt in search of the smooth, soft warmth of his skin beneath. Pressing your shoulders deeper into the mattress, you pull back a little to look into his eyes - checking in with him as your fingers find the buttons.

Staring back at you, his lip twitches as he nods - the affirmation needed for you to start unbuttoning his crisp white shirt. Your breath judders as you begin to uncover the broad expanse of his chest - his slight shyness at the softness of his tummy as you reach the lower buttons, utterly endearing him to you as your heart sparks alive and swells to the point of bursting. Marcus’ hands coast downwards over the soft jersey of your top, fingers skimming over the creases as they search for the radiant warmth of your skin.

Where your top has slightly lifted, a flushed strip of your tummy is able to be skin to skin with Marcus making your body hum and tingle from head to toe. Not wanting to waste anymore time with anything blocking contact between your bodies, you push up from the bed to wriggle your top off - a little embarrassed that the first underwear he gets to properly see you in is your galaxy printed crop top rather than a sexy, lacy little number.

Marcus does not seem perturbed by your choice as he sits back on his heels to peel his shirt from his shoulders. He stays kneeling up - just looking at you. Adoring you. His hands lightly tracing your curves as you watch him memorising each stretch mark, freckle and scar across your skin.

“You are beautiful. Inside and out, Nush,” his voice falters slightly as his tongue lightly trips over the words.

As you go to respond to him, he leans forward to kiss you again. The type of kiss that leaves little breath in your lungs and little space in your brain for clear thought. All you want is him. To feel him. To taste him. To know him. To love him.

“My beautiful, beautiful girl,” he murmurs thickly against your lips - your hands exploring, stroking every inch of his back as your hips mould together, moving against one other.

“Marcus,” you half whisper, half moan as you tighten your arms around him - raking your short nails down his back.

The groan he releases as you gently soothe the ragged red marks with loving strokes brings a heat between your legs - the same heat you felt this morning when you were worried about making a mess of his suit trousers. As he sits back on his heels to adjust himself, you sit up with him bringing your hands to his belt.

“Don’t want to get your trousers messy,” you utter with a wink as your fingers make light work of undoing the buckle, top button and fly.

“You have no idea how your words have tortured me all day,” Marcus growls in your ear as he shakes off his pants over his hips, “The thought of you soaking the material and being able to smell you on me was making me feral.”

Pushing you back lightly that your back bounces against the bed, Marcus bends down over you - lightly brushing his lips across each cheek, “We don’t have to do this though. If you want to stop, we can at any point.”

Nuzzling your neck before allowing his teeth to gently graze against your pulse point - his light touch sending shivers scattering throughout your body. Lower and lower Marcus’ lips explore your skin - your senses heightened by the tender attention he is showing you. In a momentary decision, you softly push his shoulder up away from your hip bones - his eyes widening as he considers the meaning of your action.

Lifting yourself up so that you rest on your elbows, you lean forward to kiss the creased furrow between his eyebrows - his skin velvet soft against your lips.

“Do you wanna st…”

To quell that thought spinning through Marcus’ mind, you quickly haul your crop top over your head, reach up and pull him back down to you - swallowing the little oof he releases into your mouth as his chest hits yours. The witchery of your actions and lips have Marcus bewildered momentarily until his eyes drift down and his breath catches in his throat at the sight before him.

You’ve never been what society deems as sexy or beautiful as you’re not skinny, pale or blonde. Not dark enough for people to pick out your heritage quickly but definitely not just English. But the way that Marcus looks at you. The way that he strokes over your soft curves and relishes the strength in your muscles. The way that he enjoys your robust realness.

Through his eyes, you feel beautiful.

It isn't the first time for either of you - not by a long shot -, but you’re both so nervous you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. There's something about Marcus that lights you up from the inside and in turn, there's something about you that melts his very being to nothing at all. Touching him is like being handed the holy grail - like your heart is finally on course for being mended even though you never truly knew the extent to which it was broken.

As Marcus regains the clarity of his thoughts and the co-ordination of his limbs, he lightly grazes his fingertips over your breasts. Slowly - very slowly - he draws circles - barely making contact with your skin, hardening your nipples as wide-eyed, you watch his focus on this one part of your body.

You couldn’t move if you tried as his fingers have short-circuited your brain in the best possible way. Marcus’ movements are so exacting that although he’s barely touching you, the lightness of his fingertips are resulting in intense waves of pleasure. In a desperate attempt to not try to flip him onto his back and ravish him, you close your eyes - trying to concentrate - not react and rush things.

Marcus, however, has other thoughts. As the warmth of his breath moves from your cheek, you feel it take a slow path - dancing over your skin - as his mouth lowers onto your body. You cannot hold back the gasp that escapes your mouth as his lips move slowly downward, brushing lightly across the surface of your soft skin. The tip of his tongue traces the circles his fingers drew before until it reaches one of your nipples - his lips gently wrapping around it, mouth sucking delicately as his left hand massages the other.

“Oh, Nush,” he growls at you as his lips part wider to take more of your breast into his mouth, his sucking gently tugging at your soft flesh

Under his ministrations, your breathing quickens and your body feels weak. You move your hands from his shoulders where your hands have been stroking and kneading his skin in turn, so that they are now behind his head - your fingers curled tightly into his hair as you gasp into the twilight darkness of your room.

Marcus only lifts his head long enough to move to your other breast - quickly resuming those light licks and that sensual sucking that has your body on fire and toes curling in response. Suddenly, he removes his mouth - pushing his body up from his elbows and by placing his hands below your bum, he scooches you up the bed. Caging you between his arms, he sorts a pillow beneath your head before leaning forward to kiss you again before settling beside you - his head resting alongside yours as he gazes deeply into your eyes.

Your brow furrows lightly as you stroke the side of his face - brushing a curl from his forehead before asking, “Are you ok?”

“Nush, I wanna be straight with you. In all my previous relationships, I fell hard and fast,” he quietly utters as his hand strokes over the soft skin of your tummy, past the waistband of your pj bottoms onto your hips, “I keep checking in with you not only to get your consent but to protect my own heart. ‘Cos once we go there - once we are intimate together, I know I will be in love with you.

“So, for my own sake, I need to know that you feel the same. I need to know that I might be something you want. Something that you want to keep. That you want me to keep you.”

The vulnerability in Marcus’ eyes makes you want to gather him up and cuddle him safely in your arms - protect him from the ghosts of his past and his own self doubt.

“I’m not sure that I’m entirely deserving of your love, Marcus but I want this. I want you.”

As he leans into you to seal your promise with a kiss, you show him your eagerness to return it - reaching your hand behind his head and pulling his face into yours as your lips part slightly. You can feel his tongue playing with the tip of your own - stroking, tenderly probing.

Marcus slides his body lower, leaning over yours to kiss a path down your body - starting through her cleavage. You can feel him using his tongue to trace a path between your breasts - stopping occasionally to kiss patches of skin. He surprises you by stopping at your tummy button -pausing to push the elasticated edge of your pj bottoms down a little to be able to kiss you across your lower belly.

“May I?” he asks you quietly as his thumbs trace the waistband, making your tummy twitch and tickle beneath his touch.

“Yes.”

In a fluid movement that is helped by a quick lift of your hips - you are lying fully naked in front of him - entirely vulnerable and yet, completely unafraid. Before you have a moment to register what’s happening, Marcus is freed from his boxers and your bodies are flowing softly together. Sliding over each other like the finest of silks. You feel his hand stroking your hip - slowly moving its way across, through your tight curls before stroking lightly back and forth over your slit.

“So fucking wet for me.”

His touch drives you crazy as he entwines you in a kiss - and then he’s inside you, making your breathing change with each thrust of his thick fingers - his thumb rubbing addictive circles across your clit. His eyes are hooded and heavy as he watches his effect on you - watching you writhe and unable to articulate a single thought in your mind.

Suddenly, his fingers are removed - leaving you aching and empty. You feel the bed shift as Marcus shuffles further down the bed, placing his head between your legs - his plush lips pressing sweet kisses along the inside of your thighs before you feel his nose nudging your pussy lips.

“You don’t have to…”

As you peer down between your splayed thighs, Marcus looks up - his dark, lust blown eyes a little confused by your words, “Yeah, but I want to.”

Nudging your curls with his nose, he then gently kisses you along your slit before the taste of you drives him wild. With a glorious abandon, he digs his fingers into the flesh of your bum as his tongue sweeps through the folds of your pussy - drinking you in and searching for that sweet spot that will have you singing his praises.

His lips encircle your clit as two of the fingers from one of his hands have you gasping - pushing into you and curling forwards - beckoning you into a screaming high. Your thighs clamp around his head as your hips fly up from the mattress - his large hand moving to pin your pelvis back so that his tongue can coach you through your high.

Marcus’ ministrations have you alternately gasping and turning the air blue with your whispers of, “Oh shit,” and, “Holy fuck.”

“Come on, precious girl. You can give me another,” Marcus mutters thickly before his lips and tongue go back to work on you

The five o’clock shadow that has built upon his face tickles your inner thighs and your already sensitive flesh as he kisses you like a starving man consuming his last meal. Sucking at your already hypersensitive clit has you tugging at his silky thick hair, moaning his name again and again as if it is the most precious prayer to pass your heathen lips.

Marcus feasts upon you as he slides a third finger into your warm wet depths as his gentle cajoling guides you into a mind-melting second wave of overwhelming sensations.

As you finally loosen your fingers from his hair and your breathing resettles into a calmer pattern, you watch as he lifts his head with the smuggest smirk upon his slick face. You can’t help but grin back at him as you beckon him back up the bed, beside you.

“What was that, Agent Pike?”

“Do you need a reminder? I can head back…”

As he makes to settle down again between your thighs, you laugh - grabbing him unceremoniously by the shoulders to haul his broad frame back up the bed. Bringing your hand to his cheek, you pull his face towards yours, tasting yourself upon his lips and tongue as your hands explore the soft, olive skin of his chest and tummy. Your fingers drift lightly through his treasure trail until they reach the thick, heavy length of his cock - the end already shiny wet and begging for a release.

“Sweetheart, if you are about to touch me - I won’t last. I wanna feel your sweet pussy wrapped around me but your hand or your mouth wraps around me and I’m gonna embarrass myself,” he chuckles as his cheeks charmingly flush with a rosy hue.

Flipping yourself over so that you half hang off the side of the bed, you fumble towards your lower drawer searching beneath your supplies of batteries and toys for the condoms you know are hiding in the depths of there.

Resting his chin on your shoulder, a deeply impressed voice speaks over your shoulder, “That looks like a fun drawer. Might need to have a proper look in there next time.”

“It’s been a long three years,” you grin back at him, “A woman has needs!”

“Honey, I wasn’t judging. Meant it.”

Your fingers eventually find one of those precious foil packages that you rip with your teeth to open it and pull the rubber out, “May I?”

“You’re gonna be the death of me,” Marcus gasps as your hands stretch the condom over the length of him - his breathing ragged and uneven.

“La petite morte?” you tease mercilessly - biting your lip and watching his face closely as your touch comes close to being the undoing of him- your strokes making him groan and swallow hard.

Before he allows you to lie back, he places one of your pillows beneath you to elevate your hips. As he braces himself over you, he shakes his head before muttering, “Not sure what you’re going to do to me can be called a little death.”

Grinning up at him, you thread your fingers into his hair and nudge your nose up to his - softly kissing his lips, enticing him closer to you. Marcus leans into you - his breath warm on your face as he lines himself up - you shifting your hips up towards him as he pushes gently in.

“Oh fuck, Marcus-” you breathlessly whimper as he fills every inch of your need.

“Do you need me to stop?” the consternation for you written clearly across his face.

“Don’t you dare,” you growl, before cupping your hands around his face - the hungry kiss you place upon him leaving him in no doubt of your feelings for him.

“I need you to move, Marcus.”

The groan he releases as he bottoms out makes every nerve come alive in you. A warm smugness builds inside your tummy as you can feel that it has sparked something in him too through the gradual increase in his pace as he glides back and forth through your wet folds. Marcus pushes himself up to kneeling between your thighs - one of his hands gently stroking down your belly to your overwrought clit.

“I can’t again,” you moan pitifully through the rapidly building pleasurable waves he creates with the confident circles of his thumb.

“Yes. Yes, you can, sweetheart,” he rasps before kissing your ankle that’s resting on his shoulder - the alternate thrusting and rubbing bringing your body to the point where you shatter again around him.

As your high gradually ebbs away, you lean onto your elbows, arching your back to lift your hips higher - offering ever more of yourself to him. This deep, sweet angle becomes the undoing of the stoical loving man inside you as he loses the tenuous grip on the thread of his resolve.

“Fuck, Nush,” he hisses and groans, collapsing forwards into the nook of your neck - pushing you flat on your back as waves of indescribable ecstasy wash over him.

Both of you lie there dazed - heaving chest to heaving chest - neither of you can move yet. Neither of you want to move yet. Eventually, Marcus nuzzles his nose up the sensitive skin of your neck before pressing sweet little kisses against your jaw. As he pulls out, you find yourself already missing the radiating warmth of his skin and the delicious pressure of his weight against you - the coolness of the night air almost torturing your skin.

As soon as he has dealt with the condom, he goes to get a washcloth from your bathroom but before he can move too far from you, you tug him back into bed.

A small furrow builds between his brows as he tilts your chin up, “You ok, princess?”

Nodding slowly, you smile up at him, “Just feeling ridiculously fucking needy right now and want your arms wrapped around me.”

“Uh huh?” a lazy grin spreads slowly across his handsome face as he climbs back into your bed, “Can definitely provide that.”

You hum contentedly as he organises himself into somewhat of a human pillow for you - his chest beneath your head and his strong arms swaddling you close to him. Deep inside his chest, his heart beats a steady comforting rhythm that you cling to - a kind of sanctuary and auditory cocoon.

“Marcus?”

“Mhm?”

“Can I stay like this forever?” you stupidly ask - wanting to kick yourself as soon as the words pass your lips.

His arms instantly squeeze away your skittishness and you feel him smile into your hair, “Yeah,” he whispers happily, “I’d really like that.”

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