#garden benches edinburgh

[classicmemorialbenches]

Is oak wood good for outdoor benches?

Oak wood is an excellent choice for crafting enduring and sturdy outdoor furniture. It possesses remarkable strength and durability, which makes it an ideal timber for creating timeless pieces. As oak ages, it develops a stunning silver-grey patina that is highly desirable to many people.

Oak wood can be a good option for outdoor benches, as it is a strong and durable hardwood that can withstand weather and outdoor conditions. Additionally, regular maintenance, such as cleaning and resealing, may be necessary to maintain the appearance and longevity of the bench.

[marvelettesassemblenow]

Under my Umbrella

Pairing: Steve Rogers x female Reader  

Summary: On your vacation in Edinburgh you spot a lonely man sitting in the rain on a bench. You decide to give him a hot beverage 

Word Count:  ~1.8k

Warnings: none I think 

A/N: This takes place before Infinity War and Endgame didn’t happen as did certain things in IW because who knows me, knows I only write fluff. So Steve stays and gets his happy ending. 

The sun had just been shining, but now the first drops of rain were landing on the fabric of your jacket. You struggled with the mechanism of your umbrella before you finally managed to open it and even more droplets had found their way onto your skin in the meantime.  

When you were more secured under the protecting fabric, you continued walking towards the pavilion that was selling hot beverages. While you were waiting in line you spotted a man sitting on a bench. He was staring at the castle (as most of the people in Edinburgh were) and didn’t seem bothered by the changed weather. His baseball cap protected his face from the rain, but that was about it. He wasn’t even dressed like most of the tourists with rain jackets and walking boots. 

“Don’t mind him, he’s been here for a few days now. He’s harmless,” the vendor ripped you out of your thoughts and you realized that it was your turn to order. You ordered two hot beverages and struggled to hold the hot containers and the umbrella at the same time. You managed to arrive at the bench the man sat at with only one shoulder slightly more wet. 

“Um hi, I thought you might want something to drink to warm you up. I’ve got tea or hot chocolate if you want.” Blue eyes started into yours and you almost let the paper cups slip. Wet pieces of hair came out under the cap, his beard also had some droplets of water in it, but his blue eyes were what caught your attention. “Don’t feel pressured, I just saw you sitting here in the rain and thought you’d might like something.” 

“That was very thoughtful of you. I’d like the hot chocolate if that’s okay with you.” His voice was raspy as if he hadn’t used it in a while. 

“Of course, I offered, right?” You tried to hold out the right cup, but lost the grip on the umbrella you had with your arm. 

“Let me,” he said and when he reached out to take the umbrella and hold it over your head he was very gentle. 

“Would it be okay for me to sit here and drink my tea?” you asked and he nodded and told you to wait before you sat down. He took a t-shirt out of a backpack that you hadn’t spotted under his legs and swiped the bench dry with it. You offered to share the umbrella and the man agreed under the premise that he would hold it. 

It was quiet for a while until he said: “Do you know that over two million people visit the castle every year?” 

“Wow, that’s a lot. But I get it, I haven’t seen something like this before. And the people here are so nice!” 

This was a start of a discussion for the two of you. He provided more facts about the city and you learned that he wasn’t originally form Edinburgh too. You talked for almost an hour and the cups were empty when you had to leave. 

“Thank you for the hot chocolate and the companionship,” he said when you stood up and he got up with you – still holding the umbrella. 

“You’re welcome. Thank you for the nice conversation -” you stopped and noticed that you haven’t gotten his name. 

“My name is Steve,” he provided. 

“Farewell, Steve,” you said and took your umbrella. When you looked back you saw him sitting again in the rain and you weren’t sure if he really had a small smile on his lips or if it was your imagination. 

The next day you found yourself back in princess street garden. There were a few reasons for that: 1. The castle was like a magnet, as you could see it from almost every point in town. 2. The garden was such a beautiful place! It was so green and clean, you felt relaxed walking through it. And the 3. reason was something that you had to admit was Steve. You just hoped to see him again. 

Was he living there? The vendor had said he had been there for days, but he hadn't smelled or anything. On the other hand he had a backpack with clothes in it. Maybe he was an unfortunate traveler that had been stranded here? Maybe he wasn’t even there anymore and you had come for nothing. Well not nothing as you had clearly come for the view of the castle and the tea. Maybe you’d try the hot chocolate today as Steve had seemed to enjoy it. 

And why on earth was your mind always going back to Steve? A guy you had talked to for not even an hour? And were your feet also carrying you faster when you saw the shade of a man with a baseball hat on a bench? You stopped by the pavilion again and ordered two hot chocolates this time. 

“I’m trading a hot chocolate for a fun fact about the castle,” you said and held the cup in front of Steves face. This time you were sure there was a smile on his face as you saw it clearly. 

“Above a door in the royal palace are the initials MAH engraved. They did this when Mary, queen of the Scots, gave birth to King James IV.” 

“Definitely worth a cup of hot chocolate,” you held out the cup and he took it and patted the seat next to him. This time you didn’t have an excuse to sit as closely to him as it wasn’t raining. You were in the middle of a sip when a touch on your leg startled you. You looked over to Steve who pointed a finger towards the grass where a small squirrel was, before it continued its way towards the two of you. It nibbled shortly on your shoelaces before it decided it wasn’t a snack and went back to its next target. 

“Did you see that?” you asked full of glee. 

“I did!” he confirmed. It did seem like he just noticed that his hand was still slightly touching your leg and he removed it. “You want to take a walk with me?” he asked and you agreed. 

Visiting Steve was like an unspoken rule. Just like you never asked why he was always sitting on that bench. Time with him flew and one hour turned into two. He made you laugh, he was very attentive and, on the day, when it rained again, he held the umbrella so you wouldn’t get wet while he had to duck his head. 

“This is my last day here. I should be packing, but I rather saw you for the last time.” You couldn’t believe that you told him that. But there was nothing to lose, this was the last time you saw him. 

“I think I have to stay a little longer, but at least I’ve got to know you.” You had reached the end of the park and looked at each. Steves skin was tinted red from the reflection of the umbrella and you had never seen someone more beautiful! 

“I’ll miss our daily dates,” you almost whispered. 

“I’ll miss you,” was Steves simple response. He bent forward and suddenly he pressed his lips against yours. It was gentle at first but then he put more pressure in it when you didn’t pull away. His hand was touching your face softly and his finger stroked your cheek when he put some distance between your faces. 

“Stay safe, sunshine” 

A few years later 

“I can’t believe that we took the hard way. No one else here is out of breath!” you complained when you let yourself fall on the grass and watched the people walking the paved path while you and Steve had walked the hard way to the top of Arthurs seat to enjoy the view of Edinburgh. 

“Have I told you that you look even more beautiful than the day I first saw you, sunshine?” Steve sat down so close to you, so he could put his arm behind you and you could lean against it. 

“You tell me that every day,” you laughed and put your head on his shoulder. 

“It’s the truth! When I saw you struggling holding all three items in your hand and the rain falling down your umbrella, a small slip of sun came through and illuminated you. I don’t call you sunshine for no reason.” 

“You are a charmer. I can’t believe we’ve met that way!” 

It had been two days after your farewell when you saw the news about Captain America destroying a train station in Edinburgh. It only took a few seconds of the footage until you realized that the homeless/ stranded man you had seen daily was actually Captain America who had been on the run. Months later there had been a letter in your postbox. It had been from Steve who figured out where you lived and wanted to give you the option if you wanted to see him or not. 

Of course you had wanted to see him and after a lot of dates, that didn’t include a bench in the park, you moved in together and finally decided to visit the place again where it had all begun. 

“It is a nice story. But I think we could leave out the part where you thought I was homeless,” he laughed and pressed a kiss to your side of the head. He was very affectionate since the two of you began dating and you were loving it. When the two of you met again in person, he had told you that he had been searching for Wanda. And while he had be sitting in the park, he had heard about all the stuff people said about the castle, so he could provide the facts he told you in exchange for the hot chocolate. 

“I will never leave out that part. It is one of the best parts.” it was your favorite part because it made everyone laugh. 

“My favorite part was meeting you,” he pulled you towards him until you both fell back onto the ground and kissed you. Never in your life would you have thought that you’d meet your future husband on your vacation. Not that Steve knew about your upcoming proposal. The only other person who knew was the vendor in princess street garden who would make sure that your bench wouldn’t be occupied tomorrow. But for now you would enjoy being in Steves arm. 

Masterlist | Library Blog

[scotianostra]

Edinburgh's Coastline

The shoreline fro Granton to Cramond is a mecca for dog walkers, joggers and folk just wandering in general, like myself.

To get here there are a few different options. The buses don't actually take you down to the Village itself, when you see the road there you will understand why.

The number 41 starts at King's Buildings, part of the University, travels through south Edinburgh along Forest Road, The Mound, Hanover Street and George Street through west Edinburgh and into the larger area that is Cramond. I would get off at Gamekeepers Road, it's about a 25-30 minute walk down to the village where you will find the remains of a Roman Fort, a nice wee Kirk (Church) A pub that has been closed, but is recruiting now, so opening soon. A wee walk from the bar and you are down to the harbour. A lot of visitors will want to walk over the causeway to Cramond Islands, but don't get caught out by the tides, plan your journey in advance, the tides will need to be in your favour. Tide times can be found be found here Tide times

There are a number of buses that will drop you at Waterfront Avenue, the 8,19 & 47, but the 16 & 27 will also drop you close enough as well. These buses start at Granton near Edinburgh College. You will see the Granton Gas Holder, aim for that. To the right before you reach this you will spot the restored Train Station of a previous post today. Head down towards the Gas Holder and follow the road round to your right behind the big office block. This Caroline Park Ave, it leads you down to where Granton Castle used to stand, have a wee nose about, The Walled Garden here is open for a couple of hours on Saturday and Sundays. The road/cycle/Walkway lead to West Shore Road, following this to your left leads you down to the East end of Silverknowes Promenade and take you all the way along to Cramond.

If you don't fancy the longer walk along, the 16, 27 & 37 buses take you Silverknowes Parkway, the buses terminate here, then head back the way into town, Silverknowes Golf course is here, to to left is Silverknowes Road, this leads you down to the shore where you can walk either direction toward Cramond, or Granton.

There is a cool place to get refreshments here, either takeaway or sitting in, Boardwalk Beach Club. As well as hot drinks,  ice cream, homemade cake and refreshing iced coolers are available, a welcome pitstop, especially on warmer days, they have ample outside seating, or walk down, catch a bench, or sit on the seafront and enjoy the views to Cramond Island and beyond to Fife.

Another tip, if traveling about Edinburgh the bus service is very good, a fiver will get you unlimited daytime travel. Download Lothian buses app and you wont go wrong  https://www.lothianbuses.com/app/

Look out for more pics as I post them.

[endless-summer-soldier]

you see me - epilogue

pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

summary: Bucky has grown used to a life of solitude after a mysterious accident leaves him forgettable. every person he comes in contact has no memory of him the moment he walks away. until he meets a cute girl at a record store who actual remembers him.

warnings: alcohol, sex (minors do not read), slight mentions of depression

taglist: @sebsgirl71479

word count: 1k

series playlist

series masterlist

X

“What brings you to Edinburgh?” the customs agent asked him.

“Holiday,” he responded. This became the standard answer they provided as they traveled throughout Europe. He reviewed the passport before giving it a firm stamp and allowing Bucky through.

Traveling was a challenge given Bucky’s predicament, but the two had fallen into an easy routine. He still had some credentials on him from when he was an Avenger which granted him easy access to different countries. His language skills became very useful as they crossed border lines and Y/N finally started picking up some conversational skills thanks to Bucky (and Duolingo). 

Making money was surprisingly easy. Y/N started writing travel articles for magazines and kept up a popular blog where advertisers paid to be featured on her site. Bucky found a new passion in photography and started documenting all their adventures together and selling his photos to travel magazines. They didn’t have a ton of cash coming in, but it was enough to support the vagabond lifestyle.

Y/N still kept in touch with her family and friends, constantly reminding them of her new beau, but being apart from them didn’t bother her all that much. All she needed was Bucky in her life and she loved exploring all these new places.

Y/N was especially excited to visit Scotland, mostly because Bucky was always talking about how much he loved it. Bucky had planned some excursions for the day and they were fortunate enough to get a beautiful day in the sun. After a quick lunch in a fish and chips shop, they headed to Edinburgh Castle. 

They walked up toward the castle hand in hand and Bucky was surprisingly chatty. Usually Y/N led the conversations, but today he was making comments left and right about seemingly pointless things. She figured he was just excited to be visiting one of his favorite spots again.

They navigated around the groups of tourists with little kids running around and walked through the castle as Bucky whispered bits of knowledge into her ear. Y/N was constantly amazed at how much he knew about history. He had his camera with him and was constantly taking shots of the architecture and views from impeccable angles. He always managed to capture a few candid shots of Y/N when she wasn’t looking, with the light hitting her in the perfect way. Once she started to pick up on his lens, she fell into a habit of photo bombing his shots with a peace sign or her tongue out.

As the tour came to an end, Bucky said, “I have one more spot I want to show you.” They walked down the hill of the castle and weaved through the gardens to an ornate fountain. 

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. She always loved sitting around fountains with a cup of coffee and a book. Bucky would take photos from all different angles and she would sneak a peek to watch as he worked. Occasionally he would capture candid shots of strangers and would send Y/N to talk to them so he could send over some of the photos.

They fell into their standard routine: Y/N snagged a cup of coffee from a nearby cart and sat on the bench, book in hand, as Bucky circled the area to find the best angles for photos. 

In between snapping shots, he approached a young couple, chatted with them a bit and showed them some of the photos he took. Then he called to Y/N and gave a head nod to come over. 

“What?” she asked him, confused.

“Come on, this is my favorite place with my favorite girl. Let’s get a picture.” Bucky wasn’t usually one to pose in front of the camera but she couldn’t argue with his logic here. He handed his camera off to one of the kind strangers as Y/N walked over towards the fountain. She easily slid under his arm and they smiled together as the young woman snapped a few shots. 

“One more,” she called to them. Y/N adjusted her pose ever so slightly when she felt Bucky’s arm unfurl from her shoulder. She turned to him, thinking maybe he was doing a fun pose, but instead, she found him down on one knee, a small velvet box in his hand.

“Y/N…” he started. Oh boy she thought. “These past few years have been the best in my life. I never imagined I’d meet someone who would bring me so much happiness and teach me what it is to be in love. You’ve changed everything for me and now that I’ve met you, I can’t live a life without you. So now I’m here, at my favorite place in the world with the only woman I have ever truly loved, and I’m asking you to make me the happiest man alive and marry me.”

A teardrop slid down her face. “James, of course I will.” He jumped up from his knee and captured Y/N into a warm embrace, his hand found her jaw and his lips softly enveloped hers in a passionate kiss. They were removed from their bubble by the sound of applause coming from all around them. She pulled away from Bucky to glance around as a blush crept upon her freckled cheeks. The girl holding Bucky’s camera was absolutely beaming. She showed them all the photos she captured of the special moment and it could not have been more perfect. The couple offered to treat them to a round of champagne at the local pub which Y/N and Bucky happily accepted.

As they walked together, hand in hand, she whispered into his ear, “I can’t believe this is my life.”

He kissed her on the cheek, “I’ve had that thought every day since I met you.”

[harrison-abbott]

When my dog Bell was a puppy she ran away from the house.

I was staying at my Dad’s flat and had brought Bell along. It was in the evening, summer, a warm night. And I was in the garden with her. I had the living room window open above me, and was reading on the bench. By the by, I needed a pee, so I climbed back through the window into the flat, leaving Bell sleeping on the grass in the garden. And when I returned a few minutes later, she wasn’t there.

And I freaked out and went looking for her. My Dad’s flat was in an urban part of town, very near a busy main street.

I ran up the road. And I met these two people who were in their 20s or so. A young man and woman. The woman was talking on the phone to her friend. And the guy was opening the door to his sports car. This glitzy flashy sports vehicle. And I said to them,

“Excuse me! Have you seen a dog? A puppy? A little border collie!”

And the guy stared at me blankly. And the girl went, “No, sorry.” And then seamlessly went back to speaking to her friend on the phone.

Neither of them gave a shit that I had lost my dog. Then they just got into their sports car and left, presumably to go somewhere else and party.

They must’ve had pets themselves, right? Most families have dogs or cats as pets. And they must’ve had some kind of care for those animals … but they couldn’t have cared less about my missing dog.

I did, however, get to the end of the road. Where there was a bar. And there were men outside smoking. And I asked them if they’d seen the dog. And they asked me questions, as in, what kind of dog, etc – so at least they were trying to be helpful.

In conclusion, the whole incident was terrifying for eight minutes or so. I found my dog on the main street. A young woman had found her and was carrying her by her collar. And I lifted Bell up and thanked the woman profusely and took my dog back home.

She will have bolted because she didn’t realise I had gone back into the flat – and she will have thought that I’d left her alone, and then fled the garden looking for me.

Just earlier this year, I was walking in another part of Edinburgh. And this older woman came up to me, panting and flustered. She’d lost one of her dogs and was panicking. And so I stuck with her for emotional support: and stayed with her as we searched the woods for her dog. Again, it turned out to be a false alarm because the dog had only galloped on ahead of her. But, I thought it was important to help out the woman anyway, in any way I could.

Those two young people who were getting into their sports car? They didn’t care about anything but themselves. The man didn’t even say a word. And the woman said, “Sorry,” as if she was saying jam or golf or pigeon, or any other noun … nothing apologetic whatsoever.

[kath-diary]

“I enjoy nights in Brixton, Shoreditch in the afternoon.”

After spending hours and hours walking around London to the point her feet hurt. Katharina finally gave up and took a seat on the park bench where we could see the London Bridge clearly.

It's so much fun tracing back the memories of London. She passed by the bookstore she often visited a long time ago. The owner's kids are toddlers now. She remembers the first time she met them, they're just babies!

And the bakery! Where people always lined up for the fresh baked red beans bread, croissants and other pastries. The aroma of it was so good. But today, Kath decided not to go there. There's somewhere she needs to visit.

There's three things she loves the most in the world, a whole galaxy even. First, Him. Yeah, this is stupid. To put 'him' on the top list where everything is just a blurred mess. But, hey, let her taste her own poison.

Which crazy girl that loves to drink her poison until she's dead— dead? Yup, it's Katharina Rosellyn Hawthorne, the one who enjoyed hurting herself in order to erase the feelings of love in her. No wonder Rex loves her so much.

Second, any kind of bread. People always warned her about the danger of gluten. But, no. You only live once, do and eat whatever you like. No wonder the bakery shop she passed by earlier really took her mind off for a bit.

Third, It's red roses. Since a little girl, her family always told her stories about roses. How they should protect the Rose, be the thorns for the Rose, even her middle name made up with Rose in it.

“Sleep, little rose, in the garden's embrace, Feel the gentle breeze kiss your lovely face. Rest, little flower, 'neath the silver moon, Morning will come, but not too soon. Dream of the meadows, the rivers, and streams, Dance with the fairies in your sweet dreams. Sleep, little rose, let your worries go, Wrapped in the love that forever will grow.”

Still remember all the lyrics perfectly. It's the lullabies her grandmama always sang to her. She was on her way to his favourite place, the flower shop that always sells fresh roses, her phone ringing. . . Knew exactly who the sender of the text she just received. The damned— Rex. "Please don't ruin my day, Rex." She sang the words in rhyme with the lullabies she just sang on. Never minding the phone that kept ringing repeatedly. What’s so urgent, Rex? 

After a few minutes' walk and her phone rang three more times, she finally arrived at the beautiful flower shop. She immediately went to the section where the roses were being displayed. “My beautiful roses.” She sang, a little too excited to bring the roses home, back to Edinburgh. 

Then, Again, Her phone rang, for she didn't even know how many times already. “What?!” She snapped. “I miss yo–” Without finishing the sentence that someone on the phone was about to say, Katharina just shut the phone. 

Miserable, Depressed, Headache. Those will be her future. It’s all because of her work, museum, ballet institute, her twelve dancing princesses, and again, that damned– Rex. 

The night fell, the sky turned dark, it’s time to go home. To Edinburgh. She will miss London so much. Especially the memories.

[photosbyjez]

In The Gardens -- Pull Up a Seat Wk #38

In The Gardens -- Pull Up a Seat Wk #38

Hi all 😃 My entry for Xingfumamas Pull Up a Seat Challenge. This bench sits by the lower path in the Western Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. Bench in Princes Street Gardens This wee guy I’ve featured before, sits across from the bench 😃 Andy Scott Baby Elephant Sculpture

[terrigalaustralia]

Recently renovated atop Terrigal Golf Course

[icurrey]

Someone’s back garden. #edinburgh #scotland #garden #vine #bench #flowers (at Edinburgh, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHf5PNAOwP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j64p7sddvt9j

[classicmemorialbenches]

How do I pick the perfect garden bench?

When choosing the perfect garden bench There are several factors to consider to ensure it suits your needs and preferences.

Here are some tips to help you pick the ideal garden bench:

Purpose: Determine the primary purpose of the bench.

Size and Space: Consider the available space in your garden or outdoor area.

Material: Garden benches are available in various materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and stone.

Style and Design: Decide on the style and design that match your personal taste and the overall theme of your garden.

Comfort: Test the comfort level of the bench before purchasing it.

Maintenance: Consider the maintenance requirements of the bench.

Budget: Set a budget for your garden bench purchase.

Reviews and Recommendations: Read reviews and seek recommendations from friends, family, or online communities to gather insights on the quality and durability of specific garden bench models or brands. This can help you make an informed decision.

By considering these factors, you can find a garden bench that not only complements your outdoor space but also meets your functional and aesthetic preferences.

Click the benches below to take a closer look.

[apinchofm]

Books and Looks

Story of:

credit: @gaybridgertonuniverse

"Miss Sheffield."

Edwina knew she was being called by the headmaster and repressed a sigh as she walked into his office. It seemed at St Paul's she had been registered using her grandparents' names, not her actual name.

"My name is Edwina Sharma, sir," Edwina politely corrected when she entered the office and he actually seemed sorry about it.

"Apologies. I knew your grandparents, I completely forgot that your mother married," The headmaster said, then indicated she sit down, which she did, "So, India, Somerset, now London. How are you?"

"I am well. Just excited to start my A-Levels." Edwina said, genuinely ready to start.

Moving around was never an issue for her, but she missed Somerset. The quiet of the countryside. London was busy and loud. It was nice though. She could still see Kate more often than she did when her sister was at Cambridge. Their new old house had a garden for Newton to run around in, but the puppy missed the vast countryside he was able to run in.

Her A Levels were a welcome distraction from any nerves.

"Good," He smiled, "Universities. What are your choices?" He began writing things down in her file.

"Cambridge is my first choice," Edwina said determinedly, "English and Philosophy. After that, Edinburgh, Bristol and Durham." She had decided this

"Okay. We can get you with our Cambridge prep program. More of our lot prefer Oxford. You and another girl." He smiled, "That would be nice."

....

Eloise thought everyone at school was a moron.

Not everyone at school was a moron. Not Penelope - they were good and sociable. She was on the school paper, so she ate lunch whilst writing about the goings ons at school.

Eloise noticed someone was sitting on the bench next to her and was about to tell her to go away.

She had not seen this girl before. She was pretty - really pretty - as one could be in the drab school uniform. Her long dark hair was down and her nose was in a book Eloise couldn't read.

"What are you reading?" Eloise blurted out and instantly regretted it, seeing the startled look on her face, "Sorry, I did not mean to startle you, it's just people don't tend to read at lunch. Aside from me."

"Oh, um, The Gypsy Goddess by Meena Kandasamy. It's written in Sanskrit," She indicated to the cover.

Eloise blinked, "Wow. You read in other languages."

"Yes. I've always been good at Languages. My parents and my sister; we all speak multiple and I grew up with them reading in various languages." Edwina explained, her face warming. She didn't mean to ramble.

"That's impressive," Eloise said, shuffling closer, "I'm Eloise Bridgerton."

"Edwina Sharma." They shook hands, "What are your A-Levels?"

"English Literature, politics and history." Eloise said, "You?"

"I'm also in English Literature!" Edwina was relieved at meeting someone else on the same course, "And Philosophy and Sociology."

...

Edwina joined Eloise and Penelope's little twosome. They had lunch together, talked. Edwina liked Penelope, even if she didn't engage in their conversations as much. But Eloise and Edwina just clicked.

At the weekend, Edwina and Eloise decided to go to Oxford Street to shop for interview outfits for Cambridge.

"What's wrong with liking pink?" Edwina asked. She clutched her pink purse close to her,

Eloise stopped, "I mean, nothing's wrong. I just think that it's a sign of traditional feminity and oppression."

"You are privileged, even being a woman." Edwina frowned.

Eloise scoffed, "Because I have a rich family? I know, but I'm still limited by expectations."

Edwina nodded, "Have you ever been followed around a store by someone who was not a personal shopper? I have, my sister and her friends have. Have you ever been confused with the only other person who is of the same ethnicity as you? I doubt it, considering every girl resembles you. You're not different, you are the norm."

"So, yes. Eloise. You are privileged. You can scorn parts of femininity because it has always been people who look like you who have defined it." Edwina said, "I like pink and flowers and girly things. I like those frilly dresses because my idea of feminity comes from multiple cultures. My elder sister taught me how to ride a horse in a dress because we liked the idea of it. Don't be one of those people who gatekeep feminism," Edwina finished.

"I'm sorry. I did not realise." Eloise said. She had felt rather stupid, "You are a lot smarter than me, I suppose."

"You should expand your reading list," Edwina recommended, "I can lend you some of the feminists my sister and I read?"

"I would like that." Eloise smiled and then, hesitantly asked, "Are we still friends?"

"Of course, we are." Edwina said, slipping her hand in hers, "Come on, let's find cute blazers."

Eloise hates shopping less after that day. Only with Edwina, however.

...

Eloise becomes unnecessarily angry with Benedict when he meets Edwina.

Benedict is Eloise's favourite brother. Her favourite person. He got her.

She wanted to throttle him.

"Hello, Edwina!" Benedict greeted her happily, "Why the sad face?" The girl was a human ray of sunshine, he had never seen her sad.

"I cannot get my head around poetry." Edwina pouted, "I don't want to fail this essay." They were sitting in the drawing-room of their house, working on homework.

"Let me see?" Benedict asked and she handed him her anthology, "Nice, Keats. But the Romantics can be tricky.

"Don't mansplain poetry," Eloise said, a little more edge in her tone than she usually did with him.

"I need him too!" Edwina joked and Eloise hated how her eyes shined with admiration every time Benedict explained something and how her brother laughed and encouraged her.

Yes, fine. She was jealous.

...

Edwina came over, so she and Eloise could go to the cinema. Penelope decided that they should go alone.

"Mum? We're going out." Eloise yelled, when Edwina came, wanting to leave before-

"Edwina!" Benedict smiled, seeing her.

Eloise held back a groan and she hated how Edwina smiled at him. Sure, Edwina smiled at everyone, even the pigeons.

"Thank you for your help with Keats' poems," Edwina said, smiling brightly at the artist.

"No problem. How did the essay go?" Benedict asked, genuinely interested.

"I got an A," Edwina said and she gave him a hug which he returned happily.

....

"Do you like Benedict?" Eloise blurted out when they were sitting on their bench at lunch.

"Yes. Your brother is very nice. I can see why he's your favourite," Edwina replied honestly.

"Well, he's not very good at relationships. He sleeps with someone new every week," Eloise said dismissively, "And he's old."

"That does not sound very healthy." Edwina frowned slightly, "Maybe he should get tested. My mother is always saying that."

But Eloise didn't laugh about that and Edwina frowned when she realised what Eloise was asking. But she also felt a little hope.

"Oh, El. Were you worried that he was trying to seduce me?" Edwina asked, nudging her playfully.

"I-" Eloise stuttered, "A little. I suppose I just am protective."

"You are like Kate in that respect," Edwina said, "But you do not have to worry. May I tell you a secret?"

"Yes,"

"I don't really like boys." Edwina said, quieter, "Um, not like that. I like Benedict, but that's because I would like to have a brother, that's all."

Eloise's heart fluttered and she gave her a small smile, "We can share him, I suppose. He also has a good book collection I steal from."

...

"Amma, how do you know if someone likes you?" Edwina asked over pizza one night. She curled up on the sofa, feeding the sausage to Newton.

Kate and Mary looked at one another. Edwina didn't talk about people she liked.

"Well, usually they say so. But they like spending time with you, say nice things, you share some interests," Mary explained.

"Is there someone you like, Ed?" Kate asked, teasingly.

"No, just...wondering." Then her phone rang and she saw it was Eloise and smiled, taking her plate and running upstairs.

"Do you think she and Eloise...?" Kate asked their mum who nodded.

Mary sighed, "My baby might get her first girlfriend. I'm not ready." She mockingly wiped a tear, making Kate laugh, "Give her time."

...

Eloise kisses Edwina on accident. Well, it's not an accident.

They decided to go for a picnic in the park, to read because the weather is unseasonably warm. But Eloise stopped reading to look at Edwina.

"Eloise?" Edwina called her, noticing her staring.

Eloise leaned in, kissing her quickly before pulling back.

"I'm sorry!" Eloise said, her cheeks red out of embarrassment. She had just ruined it.

Edwina blinked, "Well, I would have liked a warning. Or at least a really sweet way of asking, like in Pride and Prejudice."

"Everyone is straight in Pride and Prejudice?" Eloise frowned.

"El, you are no romantic," Edwina chuckled and leaned over to kiss her properly this time.

...

"If I have to go over every single law the Tudors made," Eloise groaned, lying back on her bed.

"I will kiss you every time you get one right," Edwina promised, holding up the cards.

"That's bribery!"

"It works," She then leaned down and pecked a kiss on her lips. But Eloise pulled her down further to deepen the kiss, the two giggling in between kisses.

"Eloise! Is-" Violet's cheerful voice interrupted and they both looked up at the door as she stuck her head in.

"Mum." Eloise stared back at Edwina and her mother, who had gone pale.

"Oh, um," Violet was hesitating about what to say.

"Edwina, I think it's time you went home, dear." Violet eventually said. The girl nodded and blinked, looking at Eloise sadly but picked up her bag and left the room.

Eloise scoffed and went downstairs after her, "Edwina, you don't have to go!"

"I should," Edwina said, squeezing her hand, "It will be okay. I'll text you later."

"Eloise, you are too young to be-!" Violet began, but her daughter turned to her, upset.

"No! You do not get to dictate this," Eloise argued, "You do not get to tell me that!"

"What's wrong?" Anthony had come out of the office, looking between the two, hearing the yelling.

"Eloise was kissing someone in her room-" Violet tried to explain, "She was kissing Edwina," Anthony raised his eyebrows at that, looking at his younger sister. He had not expected that.

"But Anthony can sleep around? Benedict?" Eloise scoffed, "But I'm too young to know what and who I like?"

"They don't do that in this house!" Violet argued back.

Eloise stormed out, with Violet on her heels, Anthony close behind, "Eloise, come back!"

"No!" Eloise ran down the street, practically sprinting.

...

Benedict was not expecting anyone that afternoon, so hearing the rapid knocking at his door startled him.

He went and was surprised to see Eloise.

"El?" Benedict saw she was sniffling, trying not to cry. Quickly, he pulled her inside and wrapped her in his arms. She just leaned in, crying.

[scotianostra]

On December 8th 1980, John Lennon was gunned down and killed in New York.

Over the years  it is Paul McCartney who is the Beatle most connected with Scotland, but John Lennon has links with our country going back to his childhood.

The ex-Beatle was a regular visitor to Durness in Sutherland during his younger years after his dear Aunt Mater remarried a dentist called Bert who owned a home that overlooked Sango Bay. John, who travelled north with his cousin Stanley Parks, who lived in Edinburgh and later in Largs, would head to the coast for weeks on end, often being dragged into helping his uncle fix up the house.

“The family party roughed it in a primitive farmhouse lit by oil lamp and candles and noisy with the screeches of Mater’s pet parrot,” wrote Philip Norman in his biography John Lennon: The Life. 

The house where Lennon holidayed at Sangomore, a settlement at Durness, was demolished just a few years ago with a new property built by the owners.

Parkes also recalled:

John never forgot those times at Durness. They were among his happiest memories. He loved the wilderness. John was nine when he started coming up with my family to the croft in Durness. The croft belonged to my stepfather, Robert Sutherland, and John just loved the wildness and the openness of the place. We went fishing and hunting and John loved going up into the hills to draw or write poetry. John really loved hill walking, shooting and fishing. He used to catch salmon. He would have been quite a laird. In the last letter to me before he was killed he quoted a famous Scottish saying that says ‘It’s a braw, bricht moonlicht nicht since I last had a word’.

John later took his to Scotland, but his visit was tainted by an accident he had in his Austin Maxi car.

He, Ono and Kyoko sustained cuts to the face and Ono’s back was injured.They were taken to Golspie’s Lawson Memorial Hospital where Lennon was given facial stitches, Ono 14 in her forehead, and Kyoko four. Julian Lennon was treated for shock but was otherwise unhurt. He was taken to stay with Lennon’s Aunt Mater in Durness, around 50 miles away, before his mother Cynthia took him back to London the following day.When she arrived at the hospital to demand an explanation from Lennon he refused to see her.Lennon remained in hospital for five days and famously told reporters: 

“If you’re going to have a car crash, try to arrange for it to happen in the Highlands.“The hospital there was just great.”

Lennon was never a confident driver and gave up driving after the accident, hiring a chauffeur to take him wherever he needed to go and reportedly having the old car’s carcass mounted on a pillar at his English estate.

This 1969 crash wasn’t John’s first brush with danger on Scottish roads; Ken McNab, author of The Beatles in Scotland, revealed that the Beatles had an accident during their first tour in 1960, when they were backing up singer Johnny Gentle as the Silver Beetles.

As McNab put it, “John Lennon began the ’60s with a car crash in Scotland and managed to end the decade with another car crash in Scotland.”

There is a wee memorial garden to Lennon’s memory in Durness, other memorials in the country include a bench in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens and a plaque  in Durness. 

[jiejie-eonni-onee-sama]

A royal affair...

For the amazing @someone-like-robsten​ and @marilynmonroefanfics 👸

Hope you’ll enjoy this story!

N.B: This is an AU!

Leaning against the window of her flats, Margaret smoked her cigarette while looking sadly at the November sky. 

The last two years have been difficult for her. 

Tired of putting up with her husband's infidelities and seeking comfort in the arms of other men, she had decided to file for divorce. 

This announcement caused a scandal in Great Britain, and the media did not hesitate to talk about the new antics of the Windsors' "rebel princess".

The Countess of Snowdon didn't care about the headlines. For years, her every move had been checked by the public. What did bother her was that her children, David and Sarah, were at the centre of this media storm. 

Her children were the most precious thing in the world to her, and Margaret feared that they would not handle the media attention well.

Thank God they were holding up, but for how long? Especially since they couldn't count on their father to support them through this ordeal.

Indeed, Anthony Armstrong-Jones preferred to spend time with his mistress than with his children. An attitude that Margaret's elder sister Elizabeth and her husband Philip disapproved. The Duke of Edinburgh did not hesitate to express his displeasure with the Earl of Snowdon.

A voice drew her out of her thoughts:

"Excuse me, Madam..."

She turned and saw her faithful butler, Howard, standing in the doorway.

"Yes, Howard? What is it?"

"I came to tell you that your children were home from school. But they're in a sullen mood. I'm afraid the media hype has affected them greatly, ma'am."

The Countess put out her cigarette, cursing the journalists.

"Damn paper-pushers! Can't they find another target?"

She rose from her seat and asked:

"Where are they?"

"Your children are in the garden, Madame. I think they needed some fresh air."

"Thank you, Howard."

Margaret walked towards the garden and found her children there, sitting on a bench, looking sad. She walked over to the two teenagers and asked them:

"How was your day at school?"

David replied:

"I couldn't wait for it to be over. Apart from the teachers, everyone was asking me about the divorce. I was sick of it!"

"Same with me, except they were asking me who started the extramarital affairs between you and Dad." sighed Sarah.

At hearing this, Margaret felt a twinge of sadness. She took them in her arms and whispered:

"I'm so sorry you're involved in this. How I wish I could keep you away from all this fuss!"

"You're doing your best, Mum. It's not your fault," her daughter reassured her.

Margaret nodded before declaring:

"If going to college gets suffocating right now, I can arrange for you to stay home from time to time."

"We'll see. As long as we don't have to see Dad, I'm fine with it. He doesn't care how we are anyway." muttered her son.

The mother and her children stayed there, enjoying the surrounding silence, away from the tumult that took over London at the same time.

Leaning against the window, Howard watched the scene with empathy: since he had been in Princess Margaret's service, he had created a bond of friendship between his employer and her children. So it pained him to see them so distraught at this painful time. The butler hoped that soon all this would subside. And who knows, maybe someone would come to fill the void in Margaret's life.

Howard never imagined for a moment that his thoughts would come true and in a spectacular way.

Three months later.

In one of the many rooms at Buckingham Palace, Margaret had tea with her sister, Queen Elizabeth II.

The two women discussed the turmoil surrounding the divorce. But also the well-being of the Countess of Snowdon's children.

"Margaret, I think you should double the security around your children. You never know: it might be reassuring."

"But then, I already have several bodyguards on duty. Besides, I'm not going to have David and Sarah followed all the time: they'll feel suffocated!"

The queen nodded. She knew that her sister wanted her children to enjoy a certain amount of freedom. But she would not take that risk, given that some people reacted violently to the revelations of the Snowdon couple's adultery.

"I understand that. What I'm saying is, take every precaution necessary."

Margaret remained silent but nodded. In the end, it was better not to risk an attack on her children. It might give Anthony arguments to tell journalists that she was a bad mother.

After some thought, she said:

"You're right. I'll think about recruitment."

"Wise decision. If you ever need help, don't hesitate."

"I won't forget in a hurry. Thanks, Lizzie!"

Elizabeth smiled ruefully at her younger sister. Decidedly, Margaret was not very lucky in love. Her sister's heart got broken several times: she had to give up on marrying Captain Peter Townsend, the great love of her life, and now her marriage to Anthony Armstrong-Jones failed. Even her few lovers could never fill the void she felt.

Until the media frenzy subsided, the Queen of England hoped that someone would be able to give Margaret unwavering support and love. 

The monarch could not have been more right.

Three days later.

Sitting in his office, Howard was leafing through the CVs of candidates for the position of personal bodyguard for Princess Margaret's children. So far, none of them caught his eye, and that annoyed the butler.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!"

The door opened, and a rather large man entered the room. Judging by his build and upright posture, Howard knew he was dealing with a former military man.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning," the man replied.

"Have a seat, please."

The newcomer sat down without further ado.

"Well, we can start this interview. Can you introduce yourself as briefly as possible?"

"I'm Captain Julius Magnussen, a former member of the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade. I served in the army for 15 years. I got honourably discharged two years ago."

Howard nodded.

"Very well. Have you ever worked in the personal protection service?"

"I've escorted important people before during my career. It always went well, and my superiors can attest to that."

"Another question: do you have a problem working with children or teenagers?"

Julius gave an amused smile.

"I wouldn't be here if I did. I'm the father of a twelve-year-old girl myself. So I can handle it."

The butler understood that Captain Magnussen was not the type to let this happen. A quality quite appreciated.

"You have a point. Well, after reading your CV and following our little interview, I'm announcing that we hire your services!"

"Thanks, but I'll have my little condition."

"What's that condition?" asked Howard, praying that it wasn't anything extravagant.

"I guess I'll be staying at Kensington Palace."

"Yes?"

"In that case, I'd like my daughter to come and live with me."

The butler held back a sigh of relief.

"If that's your only request, I'm sure we'll work something out. I don't think Princess Margaret will object. Well, if you have no further requests, I'll give you a tour of the premises while explaining the rules."

For almost an hour, the two men toured the royal residence. 

"I think I've covered all the topics. Do you have any questions, Mr Magnussen?"

"No."

"Good. In that case, I'll give you your first assignment: in two hours, you're to pick up Princess Margaret's children from their respective colleges."

"Very well. But can I pick up my daughter?"

"No, not today. I will send a member of staff to pick her up, though."

Julius raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"That's the first time anyone's ever offered me anything like that. All right, here's my address."

Magnussen handed a piece of paper to Howard, who read it.

"Well, I'll pass the information on to Francis, one of the drivers. I can assure you that your daughter will be safe with him."

Julius nodded and walked over to the massive black car. He sat behind the wheel and started the engine. 

But before he drove off, Howard asked:

"You mentioned your daughter, but I don't remember you mentioning your wife. Are you divorced, Mr Magnussen?"

A sad smile came over the bodyguard's face. 

"Indeed, I don't mention my wife. But it's not because of the divorce. She died nine years ago."

The butler felt ashamed to have brought up such a sensitive subject.

"I beg your pardon. I didn't know you were a widower."

"You couldn't have known: I didn't tell you, and I didn't mention it on my CV. Besides, it's a subject I don't like to bring up."

"That's understandable."

Julius cut the conversation short.

"Well, there's more to it than that, but I have to pick up Her Highness's children."

"Yes, of course. Here's the address of the schools."

"Thanks, see you later."

And Julius set off in the direction of David and Sarah Armstrong-Jones' schools. On the way, he wondered what kind of person Princess Margaret was. After all, since he was her children's bodyguard, he would have to deal with her often. Let's hope she's not a bitch like MP Thompson's wife!

A few minutes later, he arrived at the wide gate of Collington College, where several dozen schoolchildren had gathered to chat or wait for their parents to pick them up.

Julius spotted David and Sarah chatting away, watching out of the corner of his eye for any paparazzi in the area. 

He parked the car at their level and got out before calling them.

"Sarah? David?"

The two teenagers turned to him in surprise.

"Yes?" replied David.

"I'm your bodyguard. Howard has instructed me to come and get you."

"I believe you: I identified the car," smiled Sarah.

"Very observant, young lady. Now, come on: it's time to go home."

As the two teenagers entered the car, a man in his forties rushed towards them, a camera in his hand.

"Lord David! Lady Sarah! Wait!"

"Oh no!" sighed the teenagers.

Julius barricaded himself between them and the stranger before asking:

"May I ask who you are and what you want with Lord David and Lady Sarah?"

"Graham Fester, I'm a reporter for the Daily Mail. I wanted to ask them some questions about their mother..."

Peering at the man, Julius said firmly:

"Her Royal Highness's children do not have to answer to the press."

"Look, man, you do your job, and I want to do mine. How about freedom of the press?"

Julius gave a contemptuous sneer.

"That's too easy an excuse, but coming from a moron like you, I'm not surprised. So, a little advice: get out!"

Graham was about to retort but stopped when he saw the icy look the man gave him. Understanding that there was no point in insisting, the journalist stammered an apology and walked away.

Satisfied, Julius sat behind the wheel and drove home. Along the way, David asked:

"How long have you been employed?"

"This is my first day. I had my job interview this morning, and I got hired later today."

"You must have made a big impression on Howard for him to hire you right away!" joked Sarah.

"I don't know about that, but in any case, he judged me to be the best qualified for the job!"

"Right, but you didn't tell us your name!" the young man pointed out.

Amused by this remark, the former soldier replied:

"In that case, I'll make you a deal: you have the right to call me Julius if you allow me to call you by your first names!"

David and Sarah looked at each other with amusement before answering:

"ALRIGHT!"

"Fine! Something tells me the three of us will get along just fine if your mother doesn't mind!"

"Oh, don't worry! Mum's not the type to be too conventional! As long as you do your job, she's fine with it!" reassured David.

Meanwhile, Jasmin Magnussen finished tidying up her belongings in the suite allocated to her and her father. 

For the girl, everything seemed like a dream. She did not expect a luxury car to be waiting for her, let alone a chauffeur in a suit to tell her that she was moving to Kensington Palace.

After that, everything went very quickly: a dozen servants arrived and had everything tidied up within an hour.

For the twelve-year-old, it was the beginning of a new life.

Once she had finished settling in, Jasmin started to visit the place. On her way, she greeted the staff.

She arrived in the sumptuous main lounge and sat down on the sofa. Jasmin could not take her eyes off the magnificent decor of the room.

At the same time, Margaret returned from an official visit to Liverpool and headed for the living room. What a surprise when she saw a little girl sitting on her favourite sofa!

Clearing her throat, she asked:

"What on earth are you doing here?"

Startled, Jasmin turned around and recognized Princess Margaret. She stood and curtsied a little awkwardly, stammering:

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

The child's candid reply amused Margaret, who replied:

"Only my sister is called Your Majesty. People call me Your Highness."

"Excuse me, Your Highness."

"Good. Now, can you tell me who you are and what you are doing here?"

At the same time, Howard came running into the room.

"Your Highness!"

"Here, Howard! May I know the reason for your Olympic sprint?"

Turning his head towards Jasmin before turning his attention back to his employer, Howard explained.

"Madam, I wished to introduce you to young Jasmin Magnussen, the daughter of the new bodyguard."

"Oh yes? And where is this famous bodyguard?"

"I sent him to pick up your children, Madam."

Suddenly the front door opened and Margaret saw her children coming, followed by a man.

"Hi, Mom. We're home!"

"I see that."

The princess turned her attention to the man and asked:

"And I see you've met your new bodyguard. Nice to meet you, sir..."

"Julius Magnussen, Your Highness. It is an honour to meet you," the man replied politely.

Looking at him more closely, Margaret thought to herself that he was rather handsome. Mr Magnussen exuded an aura of power and charisma that did not leave her indifferent.

As for Julius, he noticed that Princess Margaret was an attractive woman, with a cheeky charm that contrasted with the sober elegance of her sister, Queen Elizabeth.

Margaret spoke again:

"I see that you have begun your work among us. I hope that everything will go well."

"I'm sure it will, ma'am."

He glanced at his daughter with amusement.

"And I see that you are acquainted with Jasmin."

"Indeed I am. I see that you have a charming daughter."

As the princess and the bodyguard continued to chat, David and Sarah began to get acquainted. All this under the amused eye of Howard, who thought that he had done well to hire Mr Magnussen.

A few months later.

Julius and his daughter Jasmin had been living at Kensington Palace for several months. While Julius continued to work as a bodyguard for Princess Margaret's children, Jasmin continued her studies at the same college as Sarah. All thanks to her father's employer, who thought it would be more convenient for everyone.

Speaking of Margaret, she continued to honour her official commitments without worrying about David and Sarah because she knew they were safe. 

They seemed to be smiling again and spending time with Jasmin and Julius. Their bodyguard was not like the others.

Firstly, he called them by their first names, and secondly, he quickly became a sort of mentor. 

Whenever they had a question or a problem, David and Sarah knew that Julius would be there to listen and guide them. Something that their father, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, would have to do if he wasn't spending most of his time in the arms of his mistress around the world.

As she read her newspaper in her room, Margaret heard laughter coming from the garden. She interrupted her reading and leaned out the window to see that her children played basketball with Jasmine and Julius.

Amused by the scene, she went down to the garden to get a closer look.

David, Sarah, and Jasmine were trying to steal the ball from Julius, who seemed to be having a great time playing with them.

"Daddy, give us the ball back!" laughed Jasmine.

"Come and get it, if you dare!"

David had an idea.

"Okay, girls: change of tactics! I can only think of one way to get the damn ball!"

"And how do we do that?" asked Sarah, exhausted.

Without warning, David threw himself at Julius and shouted:

"TICKLE ATTACK!"

Immediately the girls followed him, and Julius found himself on the ground, attacked from all sides by tickling hands.

"Stop it! Stop it!" he begged, laughing.

Margaret couldn't help but giggle at the sight. What a funny scene!

Julius caught sight of the Countess of Snowdon and thought that the fun was over!

"Come on, children: the game is over! You've earned the right to take a shower!"

"What a first prize!" giggled Sarah, making David and Jasmin laugh.

"Come on, girl: obey Mr Magnussen! The same to you, young people!" replied Margaret with a mischievous smile.

The three teenagers walked off in the direction of the house, leaving Margaret and Julius alone.

"I see you've had a good time!" remarked the princess.

The bodyguard smiled, slightly embarrassed.

"Let's just say I wanted to show them another sport... and they enjoyed it a lot!"

Margaret smiled.

"I think they like it when you teach them to play basketball. How relieving it is for David and Sarah to be able to talk to you in confidence..."

"Just doing my job, ma'am..."

"Margaret."

"Excuse me?"

She moved closer to him and answered:

"I permit you to call me by my first name. And if you ask me, I think you're doing more than your job. You have a different approach to your mission, and it's quite pleasant, Mr Magnussen."

"Julius."

"I beg your pardon?"

The former military man replied with a smile.

"I give you permission to call me by my first name."

At these words, Margaret burst out laughing.

"You've got some nerve, and I appreciate it!"

At the same time, Howard arrived and announced:

"Madam, I've come to inform you that the meal will be ready in an hour or so."

"Excellent! Thank you very much, Howard!"

She turned to Julius and replied:

"I'll go and change. See you later!"

"See you later." the bodyguard replied as Margaret walked away.

As he walked towards the residence, he couldn't help but notice Howard's amused smile.

"Problem?"

"Not at all. I'm just noting that The Countess leaves no one indifferent. And you, especially!"

"What are you getting at?"

The butler replied with a hint of malice in his voice:

"I am sure you like her very much!"

"What? Sorry, but I think you're mistaken: I'm not the kind of man who sleeps with his boss!"

"I don't think you're the type to think about sex, certainly. But I also think you like Princess Margaret a lot..."

He added.

"And if it will reassure you, I think she likes you very much!"

Julius couldn't believe it: here was Howard, the epitome of wisdom and rigour, encouraging him to have an affair with Princess Margaret!

But deep down, he had to admit that he no longer saw the Countess as his employer but as a sort of friend. And there was only one step between this budding friendship and a forbidden romance.

Two weeks later.

As he walked through the corridors of Kensington Palace, Julius heard shouts from Margaret's office. 

Intrigued, he walked over to the door of the office, which was ajar.

He saw the Countess of Snowdon shouting at someone on the telephone. And that someone was none other than her ex-husband.

"YOU BASTARD! HOW CAN YOU DO SUCH A THING TO YOUR DAUGHTER? YOU PROMISED TO BE THERE FOR HER HORSE SHOW!"

The bodyguard pursed his lips. True, he had never met the Earl of Snowdon, but from what the staff told him, the latter was a womanizer and an insatiable party animal. Moreover, since the announcement of the divorce proceedings, he had been neglecting his children. This situation revolted Julius: how could he not see how lucky he was to have such lovely children? 

He imagined Sarah disappointed that her father was not watching her at her horse show. Unlike her older brother, she still hoped her father would make up for his mistakes. But the more time passed, the less she believed in it.

Margaret's angry voice drew him out of his reverie:

"Perfect! Since you feel that way, I advise you not to come to Kensington Palace before Christmas next year! Stay with your bitch if you feel like it!"

She hung up the phone violently before dropping into her chair, exhausted.

That was when Julius knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

He entered the room.

"Margaret, is everything all right?"

Margaret interrupted him.

"I'm not a fool, you know. I know you heard me shouting!"

"I admit it. And may I speak up about it?"

"At this point..."

Julius sat down beside her and said:

"With all due respect, Margaret, your former husband is a selfish man! Having a bad relationship with him is fine, but I don't understand how anyone can tolerate him being unavailable to his children. But what's worse, he makes you look like the bad mother!"

Margaret sighed sadly.

"I'm tired of all this fuss. I wish people would leave me alone!"

She murmured:

"And to think I'm bothering you with my moods. Don't pay any attention to that, Julius!"

Without thinking, the bodyguard put his hand on the princess's shoulder.

"Whatever it is, know that I'll always be there to support you."

This admission had a strange effect on the Countess of Snowdon, who looked up at her bodyguard. Apart from her sister, her family, and dear Howard, no one had given her support.

Besides, she appreciated the presence of Captain Magnussen at her side. Ever since he had joined her service, Margaret could not do without him. Was it because he was playing the role of a father to David and Sarah? Or was it because he embodied an ideal of a man she never thought she would see again since Peter Townsend? Or perhaps because she simply liked him?

Whichever of these reasons was valid, she leaned in and placed a quick kiss on his lips.

This impromptu gesture surprised Julius, who remained unmoved. It looks like Howard was right!

A little embarrassed, Margaret stammered:

"I don't know what came over me: I'm sorry. Maybe we should pretend it never happened..."

She was interrupted by Julius' lips pressing against hers. He didn't mind, quite the opposite. 

Once their kiss was over, they remained face to face. 

The bodyguard murmured:

"Don't apologize for being what you are. That's how I like you best."

Amused by this answer, the princess replied:

"Keep being so direct with me. That's how I like you best!"

"At least we agree!"

They remained silent for a long moment, enjoying each other's presence when Julius remarked:

"We'll have to be discreet. I wouldn't want this to backfire on you or your kids to take it the wrong way!"

"You're probably right. But don't worry: all the staff have signed a confidentiality clause! No one is going to report us to the press!"

She nestled into his muscular arms, happy to have found a new ally in this turmoil.

As for Julius, he was both happy to have this unusual woman in his arms. But he was also worried. How would Jasmin react if she learned of his romance with Margaret? What would Queen Elizabeth and her family say if they found out? Would David and Sarah resent him for having formed a relationship with their mother?

Whatever the case, this story had to be kept secret for as long as it took. But for how long?

Three months later.

Lying in a large bed, covered only by the sheets, Margaret and Julius were embracing, enjoying the warmth of each other's skin. 

The quietness of the room soothed them and made this intimate moment even more enjoyable.

For the British princess, every moment spent in the strong arms of her bodyguard took her to other realms of pleasure. And Julius was an ideal lover, both vigorous and gentle.

Snuggled up against her lover, the Countess of Snowdon murmured:

"And to think I wasted my time on Anthony!"

"Don't worry about him! If he enjoys his freedom as a divorced man, do the same with your life as a free woman!"

Margaret smiled:

"What I like about you, my dear Julius is that you never lose the opportunity to give me any of your valuable advice!"

"Oh, but you like my precious advice! Look: since you've been following it, you've cut down on your drinking, and you've slowed down your nightlife! Moreover, your behaviour in public got often cited as an example! For a rebel like you, I think you are following my advice to the letter!"

With a seductive pout, the Countess of Snowdon replied:

"I am only wise in public, but once the door is closed... I become a naughty girl. And I know you like that!"

"I've always had a weakness for beautiful rebels!"

They kissed again when Margaret glanced at the clock. Seeing the time, she leapt out of bed exclaiming:

"OH MY GOD! I'M LATE!"

"Late? But why?" the bodyguard stammered, baffled.

While getting dressed, his lover explained:

"I have just remembered that I promised Lady Anne Tennant that I would go to her house for tea at four o'clock. I already hate latecomers, and I'm not going to start doing that!"

"That makes sense. I'm leaving in an hour to pick up the kids anyway!"

Once dressed and made up, Margaret blew a kiss to her lover:

"See you tonight. Be a good boy!"

"I always do!"

Amused by this reply, the princess left and set off to join her friend.

Julius, for his part, dressed and left his lover's room. As soon as he closed the door, he turned around and found himself face to face with Howard.

The latter remarked with an amused smile:

"I see you have taken up your quarters in Princess Margaret's room."

"It's not what you think!"

The butler shook his head:

"I am not blind, my dear. I am aware of your romance with Her Highness. But if it makes you feel better, I don't mind."

It reassured Julius, who asked:

"And why do you approve of this?"

"Let us say that your presence is beneficial to Princess Margaret and her children. Besides, you're just her type."

"Well, at least you're on my side, which is no small thing!"

"That's true, but I'd rather warn you. If you ever break my employer's heart, I guarantee I'll do everything I can to ruin your life. Do I make myself clear?"

Amused by this threat, the former military man slapped the butler on the back in a friendly manner.

"It's as clear as day, mate!"

"No, it isn't! I don't allow you to be so familiar with me! I appreciate your company, of course, but there are limits!" offended Howard.

Julius rolled his eyes:

"Oh, please, don't be such a prude. I've seen you much less uptight with the cute little maid. What's her name again? Oh, yes! Sally Frogmore!"

At these words, the butler felt the red flush rise to his cheeks.

"I don't know what you mean!"

The bodyguard sneered:

"I'm not blind, my dear: I saw you in the laundry room the other night! A real movie kiss! But I think Sally's brother works here as a bodyguard. And since he's quite protective of her, I doubt he'll appreciate learning that you're having an affair!"

"Okay, okay, I get it!" grumbled Howard.

He replied:

"You can be appalling when you want to be!"

"But I learned from the best! But since I like you, I promise I won't say anything to Sally's brother! Does that suit you?"

Sighing, the butler replied:

"That's fine with me... mate!"

"Ah, but we're making progress!" laughed Julius, making Howard laugh in turn.

After this hilarity, the butler cautioned the bodyguard:

"However, be careful! You never know: some people might want to harm you or Princess Margaret!"

"Don't worry, Howie: I'm not about to let my guard down!"

"Don't ever call me that again!"

"Why not? It suits you!"

"Don't push it!"

As they teased each other, the two men had no idea that the secret would be revealed in the heart of another palace: Buckingham Palace!

One week later.

Tonight, Queen Elizabeth was hosting her family for an informal dinner. The sovereign wanted to have her family around her for a convivial moment. Of course, Margaret and her children went to this dinner. And they were going to be accompanied by Julius and Jasmin.

Of course, Julius had to be there due to his job. The presence of the young girl can get explained by Sarah's desire to invite her friend. Of course, Margaret prepared a pretty dress for her and helped Jasmin to get ready. She treated the young girl as her daughter.

And of course, Howard was also there, as the Countess of Snowdon could not do without her faithful butler.

When they arrived at Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth, her husband Philip, their four children, Lady Diana Spencer, Charles's girlfriend, and the Queen Mother greeted them. 

They were all surprised by Jasmin's presence.

"Margaret, who is this young lady with you?

"My dear sister, this is Jasmin Magnussen. She is the daughter of my bodyguard, Julius Magnussen - do you remember him? Well, Sarah wanted Jasmin to share this moment with us!"

Elizabeth smiled kindly at Jasmin, who curtsied to her.

"Good evening, Your Majesty!"

"Good evening, young Miss Magnussen! I hope you will spend a pleasant evening in our company!"

"I am sure I will, Your Majesty!"

At the same time, one of the servants announced that everyone could go to the table. On the way, Margaret gave Julius a teasing glance. Of course, he tried not to smile at this seductive gesture. A teasing that Princess Anne noticed. The Royal Princess suspected that something was going on between her aunt and the former soldier, and she would like to know what.

An hour later.

As the servants brought in the various dishes, the Windsors chatted merrily, Margaret regaling the guests with her witticisms. 

Her cheerfulness delighted her mother, who said:

"It pleases me to see you so cheerful. I wonder what it is that has put you in such a good mood!"

"Let's just say that concentrating on the essentials has given me back my zest for life!"

"You don't say!" murmured Anne, sipping her glass of wine.

The evening continued when Margaret pretended to need to go to the bathroom and left the room. Once alone in the corridors, she headed not for the toilet but for a small sitting room which she entered.

Luckily Julius was there, enjoying the quiet of the room. She approached him and whispered:

"So, was it boring without me?"

Julius turned and exclaimed:

"What on earth are you doing here?"

For all answer, the Countess passed her hands under her lover's shirt and whispered in a teasing tone:

"I wanted to see you. I can't get enough of you!"

While trying to keep his composure, the bodyguard stammered:

"But if anyone saw us..."

"Oh, come on: what would life be without a little risk?"

This argument convinced Julius, who kissed Margaret passionately. Their hands caressed their excited bodies without interrupting their hungry lips.

Suddenly, a scream of astonishment tore them from their embrace. The pair turned around and saw the Queen Mother staring at them in horror.

The old lady stammered:

"I can't believe it!"

And she fainted, attracting the attention of the rest of the royal family who came running.

"Mother, what on earth is going on?" asked Elizabeth before turning to the drawing-room.

"OH MY GOD!"

"Oh, Good Lord, no!" grumbled Howard as he facepalmed.

"Well, this is a funny scene!" smiled Philip, amused.

"I knew there was something up! You did very well, Aunt Margaret!" smiled Anne.

"I can't believe it!" stammered Charles.

"Nice choice, Auntie!" laughed Andrew, giving both thumbs up.

"I admit it was rather unexpected!" muttered Edward.

"What a surprise!" remarked Diana.

But the ones who were amazed were David, Sarah, and Jasmin. They had never imagined for a moment that this could have happened.

Gradually emerging from her stupor, Sarah asked:

"Since when?"

"Three months and a fortnight ago," her mother whispered.

"And you were going to tell us when?" asked David.

"Yes, we were planning to tell you the truth. But we wanted to wait a while."

Julius met his daughter's shocked gaze and felt guilty. He should have been honest with her from the start, but how could he explain it to her? Perhaps she would see it as a betrayal of her mother?

As Charles and Edward tried to revive their grandmother, Elizabeth said:

"I'm beginning to understand why you've seemed more cheerful in recent days. How did you manage to keep this from us?"

"I have no idea. Let's say that, unlike the other lovers I've had, Julius is the only one who respects me and loves me as I am!"

"How could you throw yourself into the arms of your bodyguard?" cried the Queen Mother.

"And now she's back from the dead!" muttered Philip.

The Queen Mother sat up and lectured her daughter:

"I can't believe you took a lover..."

"MOTHER, FOR GOD'S SAKE, STOP!"

This outburst of anger imposed silence on the room.

Margaret continued her tirade:

"I've had enough of your perpetual blaming of my love life. Not only did you stop me from marrying the man I loved, but you didn't support me when my marriage started to fall apart. You even dared to say that I wasn't making any effort! For all I know, I'm not the one neglecting Sarah or David, but your ex-son-in-law is! And now that I've found a man who genuinely loves me, you want me to give it up again? When are you going to understand that thwarted love leads to disaster? You still haven't learned your lesson!"

Her mother wanted to reply but remained silent, like the rest of the family.

Only Diana spoke up:

"Having seen my parents hate each other, I agree with Margaret. No one should get forced to choose who they love, not even members of the royal family."

She turned to Julius.

"I don't know you well enough, Mr Magnussen, but if you love Margaret as she loves you, know that I support you!"

"So do I!" added Anne.

"I have heard of Captain Magnussen's service record. All your former superiors speak very highly of you. If my sister-in-law is to have a lover, it might as well be a man as serious as you!" added Prince Philip.

The other members of the family expressed their approval. 

Even Queen Elizabeth did not mind:

"I have to admit that I find this all very surprising. But to tell the truth, it's been so long since my sister has been so happy. So I think we can accept your presence here..."

"It's all good for me, Mum," replied David, to which his sister agreed.

"So have I! Although I wish I'd known about it, Mum!" 

"All in good time, young lady!" smiled Diana mischievously.

Jasmin spoke up in turn:

"I accept your relationship... but it's going to take me some time to get used to it. Not everyone has Princess Margaret as a stepmother!"

Julius and Margaret were relieved: at least the majority of the family seemed to accept their relationship, much to Howard’s discreet relief. Even if the Queen Mother needed convincing.

"I hope you intend to have a serious relationship with this gentleman, Margaret!"

"Oh yes, I do, Mother! I'm ready to settle down. Well, as much as possible!"

You can't change a rebellious princess unless Captain Magnussen has achieved that feat. And that begins their happiness for many years to come...

Thanks for reading this story!

I hope you enjoyed it!

Take care! 😘🥰😍

[wafflesetc]

Chapter 19: An Unexpected Meeting (previously)

Claire Beauchamp is a second year medical student. Due to many late nights with her clinicals, and studying for her pharmacology class, she’s at wits end. One Friday night she decides not to join Joe Abernathy and her other friends out at Church, their local hangout spot, but instead winds up in a dive bar close to her flat with a very nice whisky selection. In fact, one of the best one she’s ever seen. When the bartender calls her ‘Sassenach’ and pours her a double, Claire gets a feeling in her chest she’s never felt before.

A/N: I *know* it’s been... A while. I could give you every reason under the  sun why it has been that long. My excuses are valid and reason enough, I still want to apologize for the lengthy delay. I never intended to go a whole year between updates. I promise it won’t be that long again. The revival of this fic is long owed to @happytoobserve​ who has been one of its biggest cheerleaders since day 1. To @walkinginland​, @kkruml​, and @missclairebelle​ who held my hand during this process of getting my legs back with these two, I owe you indefinitely.

And most importantly, to the readers who even after A YEAR are still excited for what is in store for these two, I hope this was worth the wait. 

ALL MY LOVE, WAFFLES

PS- This is a bit angsty. I just ask that you trust me, okay?!

“Joe, I will call you… Later.” I crossed my arms and gave my friend a knowing glance, one he’d seen before and knew I needed space for a bit. 

“Ok, Lady Jane.” He gave a nod in the direction of John and found his way out of the building. 

I took a breath and turned my attention to our guest. “There’s a courtyard just outside the building. Is it okay if we talk there? I have another class in about 45 minutes.” 

“That is fine.” He agreed. I gestured towards the doors and we slowly made our way.

“How are you?” John asked, politely. I could feel he was trying to ease the palpable tension between the two of us. 

I was trying to be pleasant and cordial, but whatever reserve I had would quickly fade away.  “All things considered, I am doing just dandy.” We rounded a corner and I sat down on the first bench that I saw. “Finals are coming up soon, Jamie’s healing just fine, and I have an amazing opportunity in Paris.” 

“That’s wonderful.” John said earnestly as he sat down next to me. “I’m really happy for you. I must apologize for coming to you while you’re in classes… But this is rather time sensitive.” 

“I have one question, first.” I closed my eyes and took a breath. “I think you owe me that much.” 

John stifled a laugh and put his hand on my knee. It startled me for a moment, but after a quick glance at his face I could tell how honest he was trying to be. “I have turned your world upside down, basically overnight. I think a question is reasonable.” 

“Does Jamie know?” I could feel the tears rising to the surface. “Does Jamie know about William?” 

“No.” John took a breath and released it. “As far as I know, he doesn’t.” There was a sincerity in his voice I couldn’t point, but something in me knew he wasn’t lying. 

“I am going to need you to elaborate on that one.” I was being honest. The last bits of strength that I had were hanging by a few fine threads, ready to be cut at any moment. 

“Jamie and Geneva… They went to high school together. Their families were very fond of each other. My future father-in-law granted the Frasers the land that Lallybroch thrives upon. Jamie comes from a good family and has a good head on his shoulders.” 

I turned my face towards him to find him looking about the courtyard. There were a few students sitting on benches and blankets, presumably studying, however they were all scattered on the opposite side. We were alone in many respects, no one to hear or interrupt us. John stayed silent for a little while. I could see the small film of tears in his own eyes. Surely, whatever he was about to say was going to change things for me.

“But unfortunately, we are all human at one point or another and make mistakes.” He sat back and looked around the garden once more, staying silent for a minute. I could tell he was gathering his thoughts, trying to tell me a story I wasn’t sure I even wanted to hear. Carefully trying to thread together a story that was neither his nor mine, yet that we had been somehow woven into.

“Isobel did not go on at length, but the summer before they were going away to university is when it happened. Geneva never gave her family the details, and when her parents realized what was going to happen in a few months' time, they sent her to England to live with her aunt and uncle.” 

I wiped a tear and waited for him to continue. The reality of what he was about to tell me started to sink in. Those fine threads were about to be cut, I could tell. I didn’t want to cry over a past that was not mine, but Jamie’s past was putting kinks into our future- a future I had planned with him.

“She stayed there and raised him, but about three years ago the crash happened and Geneva died.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. It put a small smile on John’s face. A sense of relief flooded through me, I did not want to dislike this Geneva, but another woman who knew my Jamie, intimately, well I was not prepared to handle any issues of jealousy. Was it selfish and morbid I was relieved I didn’t have to meet or try to measure up to the mother of his child, but also regretful over the fact the poor boy had lost his mother? Probably, but having lost my own mother as a child, I knew first hand how hard it was, and no child deserved that sort of pain. Nonetheless, it didn’t make the current circumstances any easier and I did think I was allowed to  be a bit selfish when it came to my future. 

“She left the care and trust of her son to Isobel- but at the time Isobel was still young herself, finishing university with plans of graduate school. Their aunt and uncle were rather fond of William, so they allowed him to stay with them. England is all William has ever known, and he is very attached to Edith and Mark.” 

I must have been crying more than I knew because John handed me a tissue. 

“Shall I continue, or is that enough?” I saw a helplessness in his eyes. This news was life changing for me, yet in many ways it had been for him too. 

I sat motionless, not knowing what to do or say. I didn’t know what I wanted but something must have urged him to go on. 

“Mark fell very ill last year, and he isn’t doing well. That’s when Edith contacted Isobel asking what they would want for William, should something happen. Life has a funny twist of fate….” He let out a small laugh at what I presumed was his so-called twist of fate.

“Because Jamie and I met during our years at university- I had no clue he was acquainted with the Dunsanys. Isobel and I met during graduate school, and when I mentioned a story with James Fraser, her mouth dropped. She told me about William only a few months ago though, and that is when I started trying to call Jamie.” 

“And now, I’m pulled into your so-called funny twist of fate.” My words were short, and I could feel something brewing in my stomach. 

Truth was, I wanted to like John Grey. He seemed to be an honest, respectable man. It wasn’t his fault for the events that had happened in the past, yet he was here and seemed to be wanting to talk about this, even before he told Jamie. This was all confusing in so many different ways. This- John Grey- a long time friend of Jamie’s, was really someone from my boyfriend’s past I was sure I’d enjoy his company, but given the current circumstances, I didn’t like the news he was bringing me. My reading on him was all over the map. 

“Yes, you are.” John gave me a soft smile. “I’ve been coming to Edinburgh for business lately, and I knew I would find Jamie here. We talk, not all that often, but we are old friends. Always able to pick up where we left off.” 

“Mhmm.” It was all I could muster. Mentally and emotionally, I was just drained. This was too  much for one conversation, but I had to try to hold myself together. Just for a little while longer at least. 

“I had wanted to tell him the first time I was in town but when we met, he was so excited to tell me about something that had happened to him…” John reached across and took my hand in his, giving it light squeeze. 

“It was me, wasn’t it?” Jamie and I had happened quickly. I hadn’t been looking for a relationship, especially after Frank and I had ended just shortly before. Yet Jamie had fallen into my orbit and was something that held to me like gravity. He had seamlessly fixed himself into my universe and just fit. Even I had a hard time explaining it to anyone.

“It was,” John smiled at me. “I had never seen him smile the way he did when he said your name. And when he started to tell me about you he’d never been so proud of anything in his life. Even his bar. Claire…” He gave my hand a firm squeeze this time and smiled so wide I knew that deep down whatever he was about to say he meant it with every fiber in his being.

“I hope I am not about to overstep a boundary, especially because we don’t really know each other, but Jamie loves you and is planning his future with you in it. Whether you are aware of that or not- I have seen it in your eyes you feel the same way. The news of William will rock the foundation on which he has lived his life since his parents died.”   

“Yes, it will.” I agreed. 

“It’s complicated, in many ways. And Geneva should have told him, or my future-in-laws should have too. But I think they all wanted Jamie to live his life rather than doing what was right at the time. It stunned me when Isobel told me about it, so much so, I questioned whether or not to continue with the engagement…”

“But you did.” 

“I did, and I do not regret my choice. When Jamie told me about you, I made a vow to myself I would tell the two of you together, so he had you to ground him. But I am glad I told you first. I think it would be best for you to know so we can tell him together.” 

“Together.” I whispered either to myself or to John, I didn’t really know. “You want to do it together so I’m there to comfort him, right?

“I think I have taken up enough of your time, and I have surely given you something to digest.” 

I laughed at that, and I saw a small purse of his lips. 

“Yes, I have.” He chuckled at the look on my face, “But Claire… I am telling you as a long time friend of Jamie’s, you either stick with him through this or don’t. He has already lost so much in his life. I cannot stand for it to happen to him again, so whatever you choose to do, I hope you make a wise choice.” 

“What do you mean?” I felt the pit of anxiety raising in my stomach. 

“I told you he sees a future with you. If you don’t think you can handle whatever relationship William is to have with Jamie, then you should leave him now. Don’t help him through this and leave him later… He… Would never recover.” 

With that he stood and handed me a piece of paper. “Here is my number; Jamie doesn’t know I’m in town yet. I made reservations for dinner for you, me, Jamie and Isobel for tomorrow night. You can tell him on your own if you’d like tonight since it appears you have a glass face, or we can tell him tomorrow...But please, think of what you want with him, with whatever choice you make.”

John gave me a small bow and left me. I felt the buzz of my alarm going off alerting me that class was starting in ten minutes. I wouldn’t be going. The last thing I could do was sit in a lecture hall and pretend to be interested in pharmacology.

Hastily, I reached into my bag and typed an email to my professor.

Dr. Glassman, I have had a small family emergency arise. I will not be making it to the lecture. I will get notes from Joe Abernathy and follow up with you after the next class. 

Claire Beauchamp 

The whoosh of the email sounded in my ears. I shoved my phone back into my bag, rising to my feet. 

I had already made my choice. Long before I had even known about a man named John Grey. 

Jamie had told me we had room for secrets but not for lies. And I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he had no clue what was going on. Jamie was an intuitive man, so I knew he could sense John had life changing news for him, but what the news was, Jamie surely didn’t know.

I didn’t know how I was going to tell Jamie or what my plan was, but I knew he would be seeking my forgiveness for this- for all of it. Truth was, I’d give it to him. I’d already forgiven everything he had done and everything he could do long before today. 

For me that was no choice, that was falling in love.

[thedreadvampy]

every time I walk past the big private gardens in New Town I fantasise about getting an angle grinder and tearing apart the railings

I don't even want to GO IN THEM I'm just bitter that 1/8 of people have no access to any outdoor space and 3,200 people in Edinburgh are homeless and there's these huge gorgeous parks that go virtually unused because it's important to the owners of the like 20 massive million-pound townhouses that ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN ATTACHED GARDENS that none of the Poors be allowed to use their Special Rich Person Gardens

I would also take an angle grinder to the railings on things like Princes St Gardens that are publicly owned but unaccountably closed from 9-7 (afaict exclusively to make it harder for rough sleepers to use the benches)

it's by no means the biggest or most important hill but it's the one I've chosen to die on. when my ex used to visit I was always like 'hey if we wanna shoot porn we should definitely break into the private gardens bc I'm Unaccountably Angry that they exist and having illicit lesbian sex in them will make me feel better'

[heavens-bookshop]

merry christmas

(This is mostly just an excuse for me to project my own issues with family and the holidays. I wanted to write at least one thing for @drawlight​‘s Ineffable Advent Calendar event but I didn’t end up having much time in December. “Love” seemed like a good theme for this. Excuse the sloppiness.)

It was strange being back in Tadfield. Neither of them had been for a visit since they’d averted Armageddon and had largely intended to avoid setting foot there ever again. However, Aziraphale insisted it would be rather rude to turn down an invitation to Christmas dinner, and while Crowley couldn’t have given a toss about bad manners, he was somewhat lacking in willpower when it came to Aziraphale. So, after a quick jaunt down the M40 in the Bentley, they found themselves approaching the doorstep of Jasmine Cottage holding the fanciest bottle of wine Aziraphale was willing to part with. There’d been some initial awkwardness stirred up by the damned horseshoe hanging above the threshold - Aziraphale had been entirely unwilling to allow Crowley to enter the house until Anathema had assured him that it had no power over invited guests (demon or otherwise). But it didn't take long after that for things to settle into something resembling pleasantness.

Everyone from the airfield was there. The Them were in full attendance alongside their parents, who all seemed terribly confused by the strange assortment of people their children had befriended but nodded along politely as they were regaled with tales of vanquishing War and Death. Sergeant Shadwell was talking Newt's ear off in the corner while Anathema fled to the kitchen under the pretense of needing to check on the roast. Madame Tracy sidled up to Crowley's elbow, beaming as she congratulated the pair of them.

"Oh, you should have heard the thoughts that went through his head when you turned up in your car!" she said with a cheeky grin. Crowley bit down his laughter as Aziraphale's face turned a few shades shy of the red wine in his glass.

"I think I'll go check on our lovely host in the kitchen," he said tightly, turning on his heel. Crowley watched in silent amusement as he disappeared through a cheerfully decorated doorway, while Madame Tracy continued chattering away about what a handsome pair they made.

A few drinks later, Crowley found he was in fact having a what could be described as A Good Time. It wasn't until he'd finished successfully convincing Anathema, Adam and Pepper that the Earth is shaped like a tetrahedron that he realised he hadn't seen Aziraphale in a while. He excused himself from the living room and started wandering through the corridor, following the faint trail of angelic energy to the back of the house. Through a window, Crowley spotted a pale figure with a crown of platinum blonde curls sitting on a bench at the bottom of the garden. He slipped through the back door and picked his way across the garden path, feet moving silently over the flagstones. When he got a few steps from the bench, he heard Aziraphale sniffle and sigh heavily.

"Aziraphale?"

The angel startled and quickly dragged his hands down his face.

"Oh, my dear, I didn't see you there," Aziraphale said in a watery voice.

Crowley settled himself down next to him on the bench. When he could finally get a look at Aziraphale, it ripped his heart open a little. His face was flushed and blotchy, and - despite his best efforts to wipe away the evidence - his cheeks were damp.

“Is everything alright?” he asked, gently laying a hand on top of the angel's knee.

Aziraphale smiled half-heartedly and nodded his head. “Yes, of course, it’s nothing really.”

That was obviously a lie. Even without the thousands of years of practise, Crowley could have spotted it. Aziraphale had never been good at lying. But Crowley understood how difficult it still was for him to not just default to hiding his feelings. He understood how difficult it was to avoid falling back on the old habits that used to keep them both safe. So he sat in patient silence, stroking the side of his knee with the pad of his thumb. Finally, Aziraphale heaved a tired sigh.

“I suppose I just wasn’t prepared for how difficult Christmas would be," he said quietly. "It was always a busy time, you know. I used to get far more assignments around Christmas. Possibly the one time of year I felt that I was actually doing some good."

Aziraphale turned his gaze up to the sky, his profile outlined in silver moonlight. Not that long ago, Crowley would have been falling over himself to commit the view to memory, save it for a lonely night.

"I know it's silly," he said, not quite able to hide the quiver in his voice. "I'm much happier without any of them, I can actually enjoy my life now. But it still feels like I've lost something. It… somehow feels like I'm the one who's done something terribly wrong."

There was a blunt ache in Crowley's chest, a burnt out hole left by the grace that had been torn from him millennia ago - the dull pain of a phantom limb. He'd never wanted Aziraphale to feel anything close to it.

"It's not silly," he replied, squeezing his knee.

Aziraphale covered his hand with his own, soft and warm and wonderfully familiar now. There was a fragile smile on his face, and it lanced Crowley right in the heart.

"It feels silly."

Crowley wanted desperately to take away his pain, to draw the venom out of the wound. He remembered the little surprise he'd prepared, tucked next to his chest. It was something he’d meant to give him later, something he’d hoped might look like a sweeping romantic gesture, but this seemed like the right time for it.

"I've got something for you," he said.

He withdrew his hand from the warmth of Aziraphale's palm, reached into the inside of his jacket and produced a small wooden box. The angel plucked it from Crowley's fingers, turning it over a few times and inspecting the design made of inlays of mother-of-pearl. A small heart embraced by two wings.

"I thought we said we weren't going to bother with getting each other gifts." 

"I've had it for a long time, doesn't really count," Crowley replied, waving off the protests. "I'm just passing it along."

Aziraphale pried open the box and gingerly dropped the contents into his hand - a small, very weathered coin.

"Is that… an old sixpence? What on Earth are you doing with one of these still on you?"

The coin winked at them from the middle of his palm as it glinted in the light spilling out from the cottage.

"I don't expect you'd remember, but it was one of the times we were at The Globe, watching our old mate Will put together the debut of Hamlet. We were figuring out who was going to draw the short straw and hike all the way up to Edinburgh."

Aziraphale chuckled softly and swiped his thumb over the surface of the coin.

"And we tossed for it," he said, smiling. "Of course I remember, darling. You kept this for four hundred years?"

Crowley gently nudged the angel with his shoulder.

"I did. Every time I found it in my pocket, I thought of you." He reached out with slender hands to close Aziraphale's fingers around the coin. "And it reminded me that no matter how alone I felt, how rejected by Heaven or hated by Hell I was, there was someone in the universe that cared about me. There was someone on my side."

Aziraphale smiled at him - a smile that put crinkles at the corners of his eyes and shifted a few tears loose.

"Oh, Crowley."

He wrapped his arms around the demon's neck to pull him in for a kiss, enveloping the both of them in a golden haze of tender affection. When they parted, they settled into each other's arms, with Aziraphale's head nestled in the crook of Crowley's neck. Blonde curls tickled at his jaw, and Crowley buried his face into them, into the familiar scent of sandalwood and rosewater. They sat like that for some time, listening to the muted voices floating down the garden from the house alongside the soft rush of the motorway somewhere close by. Aziraphale leaned his weight a little further into Crowley's shoulder and began turning the coin over between his manicured fingers.

"I can't believe you kept this," he said with a chuckle.

Crowley craned his neck to get closer to the angel's ear and smirked.

"And I can't believe you never even considered I'd cheat at the coin toss."

Aziraphale sat straight up and threw him a look of mock outrage, the cheeky spark that Crowley loved dearly dancing in his eyes.

"You wily old snake," he said with a grin.

Crowley pulled him back in against his chest, their noses almost touching.

"You did always think the best of me," he said, tilting his head to kiss him. "Even if it was entirely undeserved."

The warmth of Aziraphale's hand caressed his cheek.

"I love you, Crowley."

It had been months now, but the words still made his heart backflip inside his rib cage.

"Love you too, angel."

After one more kiss, Aziraphale stood up, straightening out his waistcoat with a few sharp tugs.

"I think I'm ready to go back inside," he said with a gentle smile.

Crowley rose to his feet as well, taking the time to enjoy the way the light of the waning moon caught the tips of his curls. He took the angel's hand in his and they walked back up the garden path together, towards the kindness and laughter of their gathered friends, towards a houseful of people Crowley knew loved his angel the way he always should have been.