#the artful dodger fanfic

[pentopaper23]

Our own form of courting: Chapter One - Dinner with a final course of courting.

Jealous was not a feeling that Jack was familiar with. As child he would simply take whatever he wanted and maybe deal with the consequences if he was caught.

So, sitting here now he was confused as to why he felt the way he did. He had been invited to yet another dinner at the Governor’s house and was fully expecting it to just be the usual attendees. But when he arrived there was an extra place around the table and a clearly rich man sitting at it. The man was engaging Belle in conversation and from the way she was looking at him Jack knew that she was bored. Jack's hold on his fork tightened when the man patted Belle's hand and she pulled away in annoyance her eyes flicking to his for a second and then returning to the other man.

Jack didn’t really know what their relationship was. Talks of congress and stolen kisses in the hospital storeroom had given him the impression that she was open to further engagement, but the unmoving judgement that was the class system stood in their way. A marriage or really any form of relationship between a Lady and a penniless Doctor was unheard off and not approved of. But the draw to her was unavoidable and they found themselves often tangle together in the storeroom each time she attends the hospital.

He thought about her morning, noon, and night. She was the first thing he thought of in the morning and the last thing at night when he struggled his way up to his room. Thoughts of her filled his head during the day when he was meant to be tending to people and her face filled his mind when he reached for himself at night to stem the ever-growing feeling of want and desire for her. She had frozen the first time she had felt him press hard up against her lower stomach during one of their stolen moments and blushed unable to meet his eyes, when Jack pulled away with stammered apologies. But as time went on, she had grown more assertive in her actions and started to drag moans from Jack when she moved against him as they kissed. One such moment had ended with her legs wrapped around his waist and their hips thrusting together in primal need, Jack had pulled away just in time to avoid spilling in his pants and Belle was left panting and flushed leaning up against the storeroom shelves rubbing her legs together to chase the unknown feeling that was flooding her body. Jack would remember said legs as he stoked himself to completion that night and gasped out her name at the memory of her hips moving against his.

“What say you Dr Dawkins?" Belle said trying to get Jack's attention to avoid speaking to Mr Glendale, "Jack!" she called again when he did not reply. Jack jolted and almost dropped his fork and looked at Belle in confusion. She looked back widening her eyes as if to say, 'save me for the love of god'.

"I’m sorry?" Jack said placing down his knife and fork trying to work out the question that was ask. "I said what do say you about the recent outbreak of flu that is sweeping across the city?" Belle asked again.

"Um, yes very bad indeed. Far too many cases are coming into the hospital, beds are starting to run low my Lady”.

"Father might it be time to talk about the hospital extension? I’m sure Dr Dawkins would be happy to make some recommendations." Belle said looking at her father who was in no way listening to the conversation. He like Jack too struggled to find an answer for a question that he hadn't listened to.

"Yes. Yes, that could be arranged." He said taking a deep sip of his wine really having no idea what he had agreed to. Belle rolled her eyes and looked at Jack with a faint smile. He returned it, that was until Mr Glendale took it upon himself to brush his hand over Belle's arm to garner her attention again. This time Belle didn’t try to hide her annoyance and moved her chair noisily to the side to place some distance between the two. Jack's anger flared up when Mr Glendale tried to hide a look annoyed at her action. Not that he was one to talk given their daily storeroom romps, but at least said romps were away from the public eye and didn’t make her uncomfortable.

Belle was very much over this dinner and the man sitting next to her. If he wasn’t boring her with talk of his “rather large estate” then his hands were wandering. First it was a pat on the hand and next a brush on her arm. She had noticed that Jack seemed to not be able to take his eyes off the man’s hand and she could see he was starting to get annoyed at the man. It wasn’t until Mr Glendale placed a rather firm hand on her upper leg that Belle did something. With a quick slip her knife sliced across the palm of her hand leaving what she thought was a shallow cut.

"Oh, silly me!" Belle gasped holding her bleeding hand in a fist, "I seem to have cut myself. Dr Dawkins if you could be of assistance" she said ignoring her mother disapproval and giving Jack a pointed look. "Yes of course" Jack said getting up and rounding the table to assist Belle with leaving the room. He held his arm out for her, and she took it immediately wishing nothing more then to leave the table.

"Belle, I don’t think..." her mother started but was cut off by her father when Belle let a drop of blood escape her fingers, "Now dear Dawkins can attend her." With a nod to the Governor Jack led her form the room and up to her bedroom.

Belle didn’t think the cut was deep enough to warrant a doctor's attention, but she was sick of being pawned over by Mr Glendale and had needed an exit before Jack leapt over the table and assaulted the man. She had been watching his movements ever since they sat down and knew he was on a wire's edge when she saw his jaw twitch and his hand tighten around his cutlery.

When they reached her bedroom Jack lead her over to her bed and sat her down on the edge. He knelt before her to and began to examine her hand. Contrary to what Belle had thought before it actually was quite a deep cut and would require a bandage of some sort. Jack rose and walked over to her supplies and began searching in silence. Belle could see that he was put out and it wasn’t just his normal annoyance at having to attend a dinner at the estate. She stopped her musing when he knelt back down in front of her and began cleaning the cut. He worked in silence meticulously cleaning cut and she couldn’t help but winced at random intervals when he had to dig in the fabric of the cloth into her broken skin. Blood was still slowly dripping down her palm and he put pressure on the pulse at her wrist to slow down the blood flow.

"I don’t like him touching you," Jack said quietly as he was bent over her hand. Belle bit her lip trying not to laugh, her sweet man was jealous. "Really? I hadn't noticed" she replied with a teasing tone. Jacks jaw twitched in annoyance again and his fingers had started to stoke the inside of her wrist lightly. "He shouldn’t be touching you like that in public" he continued without looking up at her. Wanting to see how far she could push him Belle teased again, "as opposed to how you touch me" she said biting her lip and slowly opening her legs so that he came to rest between them. Jack's fingers paused and she watched how he swallowed deeply, his eyes flicked to the closed door and then back to her hand before he stood up gathered her in his arms and kissing her deeply. Belle reacted in kind by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in closer to rest against her between her parted legs.

He placed rough kisses down her neck that made her head roll back and she moan deeply. Hands began to franticly grab at each other's clothing and their hips were starting to roll against each other. Soon Jack's jacket had been discarded onto the floor and his necktie was somewhere over Belle’s shoulder where she had thrown it. In-kind the buttons on the front of her dress were undone, as was the under shirt beneath. Jack had pulled them open, and they were revealing her chemise and corset, her skirts was up bunched up around her waist showing a improper amount of leg and a thin sneak peak of her hips. "I don’t want him touching me either" Belle breathed out while Jack was attacking her neck with nursing sucks, and she felt him harden against her stomach in reaction to her words. She could feel that he was tense and not in the normal way he was when they stole kisses, and he was worried about being found or pushing too far into her space. His was tense in a way that made her think he was about to steal her away in the night and never let her out of his sight. Tense in a way she had never seen him before and the only thing she could think of was jealously. Bone deep, soul burning jealously. "I only want you" she confessed grabbing his face between his hands to make him look at her.

"I only want you, Jack. Only you." she continued, and Jack searched her face for any word of a lie. When he found none his shoulders relaxed and kissed her softly. Belle moaned when Jack hitched her legs up around his hips and started to grind against her. A chorus of moans and whimpers echoed in Belle’s room as the pair thrusted against each other. Jack could feel her warm wet heat against his hard length and could feel himself weeping into the inside of his pants. Groaning at the thought of having to reappear downstairs with a wet patch on his pant Jack pulled away and held Belle from him with a firm hand in the middle of her chest.

“What?” Belle panted still slightly moving her hips back and forth, Jack looked down at his erection and blushed when Belles eyes followed, “Oh,” she said. Jack swallowed, “If we go any further, I won’t be able to hide the effects of our actions on the fabric of my pants”. Belle looked confused for a moment and then her eyes widened in understanding, “Can’t you just…take it out?” she asked shyly. Jack pulled her back into his arms, “I could. But we haven’t…” his words faded off hoping she would understand. She did and nodded in understanding, “I want you to. Want to see you” she whispered against his lips before gently biting them. Jack shuddered when he felt her soft hands start to unbutton his pants and buried his head in her neck and moaned when he felt her pulled out his hard cock from its fabric coverings. She timidly stoked him a few times before he had to pull away with a harsh cut off moan of pleasure. He reached down quickly and gripped the base tightly hoping to stop his orgasm. He succeeded and pulled her against him again, returning her legs to high on his hips. He felt her jolt when his warm length brush against her wet womanhood.

He began to slowly thrust against her, and she tightened her arms around him. Their lips slipped together with want and Belle groaning against Jack’s tongue as he licked feverishly into her mouth. She gasped against his kiss as his fingers dug harder into her soft legs and her gasp turned to a needy whine for more when his cock slide over her clit. He groaned desperately; his arms moved to wrap around the small of Belle’s back to pull her in closer as the other hand weaved through the back of her hair. She cried out as he gripped her hair with a sharp but subdued tug, the new position allowing his hard cock to hit her clit harder.

"Goddammit." Jack growled out, his eyes wild with heat and absolute want. His hips were starting to jerk uncontrollably, and Belle was starting to feel a deep pulsating tightening in her stomach. With each rut, Belle could feel the rolling arousal come closer and closer to the edge until she was whimpering into his scathing kiss.

"I...I'm gonna...,” She breathed out against his lips, sharp pangs of ecstasy shooting through her clit as Jack continued to snap his hips against her. He growled low and raw as he let go of her hair and gripped her hips tightly and started to thrust harder into her. Belle cried out and moaned against his tongue as her hands ran through his hair. A few long moments passed before Belle’s hands gripped his hair with a cry, her back arching as she felt her orgasm completely wreck her and made her vision blur around the edges. She heard Jack let out a strangled groan and felt the erratic and final thrust of his hips against her before he stilled, his cock twitching against her still pulsing heat and he buried his face in her neck, his mouth opens in a silent cry of pleasure against her slick skin.

There was silence, the only sound being the panting between the pair and Belle’s soft whimpering as Jack rocked slowly against her trying to draw out every last beat of pleasure form the both of them. Guiding his lips to hers she groaned a final “Jack” into him, and he stilled with his own moan of contentment. They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped up in each other breathing deeply.

“That was…”

“One of many?” Belle jokes pushing him away gently so she would clean herself up. Their mixture releases were coating her mound and inner thighs, and she could feel them sliding down towards the inside of her knees. Jake laughed at her joke as she bent to pick up one of the cloths he had brought over. He lifted her again and began to wipe the insides of her legs and smirked when he brushed over her womanhood, and she jerked with a deep moan.

“Never one of many” he said placing a kiss under her jaw. Before she had time to repay his kindness and clean his now soft cock, there was a sharp knock at the door that had them scrambling to redress and once Jack tad tucked himself back into his pants, he was frantically trying to gather all the medical supplies that had ended up on the floor and hide the cloth that was covered in their releases. He tucked said cloth into his jacket pocket and grabbed a now dressed Belle's hand just in time for the door to open to reveal her mother standing there.

"It should be fine now my Lady. It won’t need stitches." he said patting her hand gently. Lady Jane eyed him suspiciously as he walked past her running a hand through his now messy hair and he threw an apologetic look over his shoulder to the now cornered Belle. They had definitely lost track of time and been upstairs for far too long.

Belle looked away from the retreating form of Jack and played with her well tied bandage trying to not meet her mother’s eye line "Belle...," her mother started in a disapproving tone. "Mama don’t start please," she said knowing what her mother was going to say and she didn’t want to hear it.  

"You may think me unkind Belle, but no relationship with a man of his background can end well and we both know it."

"I love him," Belle said determinedly jumping off the bed and squaring her shoulders to face her mother. Lady Jane took in her daughters flushed complexion, rumbled clothes, and sighed. She closed the door softly and walked closer to her daughter.

"My dear, I know that it may seem like that now. But once reality sets in and you see that he cannot provide for you, the world will snap into a sharp and harsh focus." She said taking her daughters injured hand gently.

"He is a good man Mama and I truly believe he would make happy, and I will want for nothing that I desire" Belle said. Her mother scoffed at this, and Belle ripped her hands from hers and spaced in anger, tears forming in her eyes.

"I don’t care that we won’t live in a house like this!" Belle said waving her hands around her room, "and I don’t care that he has no title. I love him. I love him Mama and I won’t be made to feel bad about that. He is kind, so much kinder than any of the men you have thrown in my path, and he is smart Mama, oh you have no idea how smart he is. At last, I am on equal footing with a man that doesn’t make me feel silly or inadequate. We spend hours talking about a world of things and he listen to me Mama, he really listens to me and cares about my thoughts. He is gentle and when he...and when he kisses me, I never want him to stop. But he always does and there is never any pressure from him to fully ruin myself and by god I want him to ruin me, if just to stop other man from thinking they can have me." Belle said throwing herself at her mother's feet and grasping at her hands, "Mama I am begging you, please give us you’re blessing. I want for no one else and there will be no one else but him" Belle begged again pleading for her mother to understand.

Lady Jane looked at her daughter in shock, she could have sworn that the pasting flash in the pan between the two of them was just that, passing and would burn out once the doctor had had his fill. Never did she think for a second the connect between the two ran this deep. She noted the terrified look in her daughters eyes and the tears that were rolling down her cheeks, she was also trying to ignore the hastily button dress and dark bruises forming low on her neck. She felt Belle's hands tighten in hers and was drawn back to her daughters pleading face and concluded that there was no hope in fighting this connection. She knew that Dr Dawkins gentlemen like ways would not hold out forever and not to mention her daughters own apparent wants and a child born out of wedlock was more of a scandal then her titled daughter marrying a man of a lower station.

Lady Jane had to admit the one thing that Jack Dawkins had his in corner was an unblemished military recorded and an officer title to his name. Military titles and battle born bravely went along way for untitled men in their family's circles and she knew that her husband held Mr Dawkin’s navel career in the highest regard. The truth of the matter was that her daughter could do better, but she could do worse then Naval doctor with no title or family.

"Mama?" Belle asked breaking the silence that had fallen over the two. "We shall speak to you father. Ask your good doctor to stay behind tonight once dinner has concluded." Belle let out a sob and threw herself into her mother's arms, "Thank you Mama! Thank you!"

The rest of dinner passed without issue and easy conversation. Lady Jane now in full understanding of her daughter’s heart was now privy to the small looks the pair shared over the table and the cold looks that Jack sent Mr Glendale each time he spoke to Belle. She had to give it to them, if you didn’t know they were in love you wouldn’t have noticed the slight blush on the doctors face when Belle smiled at him or the slight shake of her daughters hands when Jack smiled back. Lady Jane was trying to think back on the all the dinners the Doctor has attended and was trying to remember if she had noticed the looks before. She couldn’t remember a time and now was even more convinced that they were at least equally paired in their skills of deception if not in their love for each other.

Jack was almost at the front door when he was pulled into the Governer's study and felt lips connected with his. His hands held Belle's face to his and he chuckled as he gently pushed her away, "You will be the death of me" Belle smiled and kissed him again. Jack’s hands started to wander, and she found herself slowly slipping into his warm arms and forgetting why she had pulled him in there. Voices from the hallway brought her back to her senses and she pulled herself away from Jack with a groan. She laughed when Jacks lips tried to follow her, and his eyes were still closed in bliss.

"Mama has given us permission to court" she said quickly and laughed again when is eyes snapped opened. He didn’t say anything and was just looking at her in confusion. Her smiled faded the longer he just stood there in silence. "Jack?" she said confused at his reaction and wondering why he wasn’t more excited at the idea of being with her. Oh god, what is her mother was right Belle thought and the cold feeling of dread began to settle in her flipping stomach. What I he did indeed have no plans of marrying her and what if he lied about their time together and the plan all along was to make her one of his many. She was going to be sick, and she felt a look of disgust forming on her face.

"You said I wasn’t one of many," she said sadly as tears began to form in the corner of her eyes, "You never planned on marrying me did?" she asked his still silent form. Jack on the other hand was reeling, his thought bouncing around his mind faster than he could think about them and all he wanted was to kiss her.

"Jesus Jack!" Belle yelled angrily, "I can't...," But she was cut short by Jack slamming their lips together in a harsh kiss. She lost her footing slightly and stumbled back against the bookcase. Jack was pressed tightly against her and was driving his tongue into her mouth with passionate abandonment. Belle had whiplash and her brain was foggy, his lips were the only thing she could think about.

"What’s the meaning of this?" Her father thundered making the pair break apart as if they had been yank by invisible strings. Jack wiped his mouth his thumb and looked at Belle for help, but Belle was looking at him for the same. Silence fell over the study as the group just stood there, Belle and Jack in slight embarrassment, her mother in shocked annoyance and her father in anger.

"Father," Belle said, but was cut off by her father holding up a finger to silence her. He turned to Jack with a look of fury, "I invite you into this house and this is how you repay me! Taking advantage of my daughter!" He yelled striding towards Jack. Jack had just enough time to duck under her father’s hands and come to stand beside her, Belle took his shaking hand in hers not knowing what else to do.

"My dear calm is needed," He mother said moving to take her father's hand, "Belle and I have spoken on this and I have given my blessing. Perhaps we should speak on this".

"Blessing! What blessing? There is nothing to blessing!" He father continued to yell.

"Father I love him!" Belle yelled back and this silenced the Governor. He looked between the two of them and his eyes fell to their entwined hands. "Love? You barely know him, Isabelle!" He yelled. If Belle was startled by the use of her full name, she didn’t show it, she turned into Jack and wrapped her other hand across her body to hold his forearm, "Yes Father. I love him and he returns my love" she said looking up at Jack with all but stars in her eyes, he returned her look tenfold and rubbed his thumb over their joined hands.

"Why don’t we sit?" Her mother pressed leading her father over to his desk and stood beside him when he sat down. When the pair didn’t move she snapped, "Sit. Now." Belle and Jack rushed to take their place on the chairs opposite her father.

"Explain." the Governor said sharply. Belle started but was cut off again and the Governor spoke to Jack. "Now Lieutenant"

Jack sat up straight as if his rank was an invisible string through the top of his head and held his head high. "I love your daughter Sir. More than I can put into words. I know that my station is of a concern, but I am Gentleman Officer and know what circles my rank provides me entry into. With respect Sir I will love her with or without your permission. If she will have me," Jack said looking towards Belle. She again has tears in her eyes and reached over to hold his hand again. "Belle?" Her father asked, and without looking away from Jack she nodded, "Yes. I return Doctor Dawkins’ feelings and affections whole heartedly."

Her father sighed and slumped back into his chair, "You must know that people will not understand”.

"I don’t care," Belle said quickly looking at her father, "He is a Naval Lieutenant, an Officer and a Doctor. He is not so far beneath my rank to cause gossip and even than we should not listen to it." The Governor nodded and like the military man was he knew when a battle was lost and by the looks of couple sitting before him, he was well and truly beaten.

"Marriage?" He asked Jack plainly. "Eventually with your blessing Sir" Jack answered back with well-rehearsed soldiers’ quickness. The Governor nodded in acceptance and turned to his wife, "My dear?".

"I see no other option, as our daughter has made it bluntly clear there will be no severing of this relationship. Marriage will be the end goal, but six months of courting should temper down any rumours of any...impropriety." Jack and Belle both blushed at her mother insinuation and her father was trying to look anywhere but the couple or the abused bookcase.

"I take it you understand the rules of courting Doctor Dawkins?" Lady Jane asked. "Yes, my Lady," Jack lied and Belle tried to not laugh. Of course, he didn’t know the rules of courting, where he came from courting was a non-issue. Normally pregnancy was the motivation for marriage and many a woman had been forced into an unhappy situation due to a moment of starvation or lust.

"Very well. You have our blessing to court Lady Belle Doctor Dawkins," The Governor said standing up from his desk. He held out his hand for Jack to shake and pulled him in close to speak quietly to him, "Just know Dawkins if any word reaches my ears that you have been improper with Lady Belle or caused her any harm, know that laws don’t cover everything in this place and a father can be far more dangerous than a governor when pushed." He let go of Jack's hand and placed a gentle kiss on Belle cheek before leaving the room.

"You will not embarrass this family do you understand" Lady Jane said to both of them, "No children shall come from this partnership until you are marriage, no untoward public shows of affection and for the love of god Doctor Dawkins no more sneaking into my daughter’s bedroom. We have a front door!" She yelled before following her husband from the room.

Jack let out a sigh and fell back into his chair, Belle moved to sit on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jack relaxed into her hold and wrapped his own arms around her. "You lied" Bell whispered against his neck. Jack shrugged, "Just a small one" he confessed. "You have no idea about the rules of courting" Belle laughed as his hand moved down to fondle her ass. "This isn’t one of them?" Jack asked against her lips as his hands now wandered up to cup her breasts. Belle groaned into their kiss and could feel his equal excitement against her leg.

"Holly hell, we're in trouble" Belle said breaking their kiss to rest their foreheads together. They were both panting and not at all concerned with the fact that they were breaking many of the seemingly unknown courting rules.

"So much trouble," Jack replied before pulling her face back towards his and joining their lips again in a heated kiss.

[bobsfic]

Summary: A missing moment between episodes 7 and 8.

Word Count: 2,862

------

Her eyes meet his, shiny with tears, bottom lip trembling as she lets out a shaky breath, like she’s relieved that her secret has been set free. And she’s the strongest person he knows, will stand up for what she believes is right, has told him off in all manner of ways, and she isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. But this—this isn’t something that she can fight or scheme or talk her way out of.

He doesn’t ever recall being so overcome with emotions before, unable to stop tears from blurring his vision. And then she says words that he knows he can’t ever erase. Words that he’ll hear in the depths of his worst nightmares, the memory of her small hands on his cheeks, her tears dripping onto his fingers, a whooshing in his ears.

“I’m dying, aren’t I?”

Read more on ao3!

[wildwren]

Belle/Jack, 3.9k, Rated E

Belle is developing a new theory. Jack takes some convincing.

“What sort of bet?” Belle says, tilting her neck to one side. Jack is suppressing a smile. “Whatever you’d like.” “If I win, you have to support my theory.” “Done.” He’s lacing his fingers and stretching them, as if preparing for some complex surgical effort. It’s quite concerning, really. “So let me get this straight,” he says. “You’ll be trying very hard not to enjoy yourself, is that correct?”

Read on AO3

[chemical-killjoy]

Healing Kiss

Jack Dawson x Female Reader

Summary: y/n is Struggling™ and in hospital, can her best friend and doctor heal her?

Word count: 2.3k

Warnings: mentions of self harm, suicide attempt, sexual and physical abuse, blood and bruises, semi smut. If any of this gets to you, please don't read, it is a STRONG theme. Stay safe <3

Author's Note: ... I got issues, m'kay? Anyway this fic is a little old but I'm finally publishing it. As always if you like it, please reblog, and if you want to be tagged in my fics please click here!! Thank you <3

Jack had never been so terrified in his life. It was just another Thursday night, when the blond man walked up to Y/N's door and knocked, grateful to have a moment free for his best friend. But instead of her bright face opening the door, Jack was greeted by an eerie silence. After waiting for a few minutes and eternity, dread filled his chest. He knew that Y/N was going to be home, the plan was for Jack to come over so you could get his opinion on your latest poem. Y/N doesn't back out of plans.

Jack called out, and for a moment he calmed down, tried to rationalize. Maybe Y/N had lost track of the days again, as often happens when she's writing. But instead of silence, this time he heard a small voice through the walls, calling his name like a question. Without hesitation, Jack broke through the door and ran to Y/N's room.

He'd never been scared of blood before.

The carriage jostled as the horses sped towards the hospital, and a groan escaped your lips at the movement. You kept hearing Jack whispering to you.

“Eyes open, Y/N, do you hear me? Keep your eyes open, please. Please.” His voice broke on the last word. You wanted to answer, to keep your eyes open, but you were so tired, and sleep was so welcoming. You wanted to slip into that abyss, the nothingness of the black ink behind your eyes. Maybe, if you just let the pain go, you could sleep forever. That was the latest plan. But the carriage jostled and bruises collided with floor and you whimpered. There was no rest. But by the time you got to the hospital, you were unconscious.

You woke up with a headache. Such was expected, after the night you had had. The night before came crashing back into your mind, five times worse than the headache. Tom. The fight. Hiding in your bedroom. Tears streaming down your face and a hollow ache of numbness settling over you.

You raised a hand to rub your head when you noticed the bandages. Shame settled deep into your bones and tears sprang to your eyes. What had you done? You took a bad situation and made it so much worse. You shouldn't have fought back. No, you shouldn't blame yourself. Both thoughts spun around in equal measure, making you feel dizzy. What would your family think? What will happen when Tom finds out? Who found you?

Jack.

Oh no, not Jack, you thought. The tears came harder, dehydration be damned, you couldn't stop. The nastiness of your mind started up again. He hates you now, he feels sorry for you, he's going to leave you, you've disappointed him, he doesn't care about you like that and you know it, and he never will now. You started to gasp for air when you heard the door creak open just enough to see Jack's eyes peer through, not wanting to disturb you if you were asleep. You couldn't fake it fast enough.

The door opened wider as Jack walked inside. In just a few strides, he was at your bedside, and for a second you thought you saw him hesitate to come closer.

“How are you this morning?” Jack voice was steel as he clenched his jaw and looked to the ceiling, playing the clinical doctor, not the terrified friend.

“Jack. I'm so sorry.” You said, softly, scarcely concealing the hurt in your heart. You didn't want the voices inside to be true.

Jack nodded once. Twice. And then he kept nodding, as if the more he nodded, the more sense it would make. The nodding turned into a shake and he looked at you with fierce eyes.

“Why?” he asked, anger covering fear as well as a band-aid covers a bullet hole. “Dear God, why?! What happened?” Hesitation gone as he sat down on your bed, taking one hand in his. “Y/N, please, tell me what's going on. You haven't been yourself for months now and I didn't know what to think, and now this?” He took a breath, and shamed still prevented you from looking at his face. “Please, tell me what brought you such pain that you thought death would be better. I'll take care of it, please, just-” You'd never heard the self proclaimed artful dodger's voice break before. “Just don't leave me.” He pressed your knuckled to his forehead, and for a second, the pain of the night before didn't seem to hurt.

You didn't see a way around it. You had to tell someone the truth or you'd burst, and you trusted Jack more than you trusted yourself. After a moment, you took a breath and began to speak.

“Tom. He-” Jack's face hardened immediately at the name of your fiance. He'd never liked the man, half because his gut told him he couldn't be trusted, and half because he was betrothed to the woman he loved. “He attacked me. When I told him the wedding was off. He- he pushed me against the wall, said that I had just been leading him on, that he could make me his wife one way or another, a- a- and and then-” your breathing was coming fast and you could feel a panic attack coming on.

It took Jack a moment to realize what was going on, as he was lost in his confusion. Since when was the wedding off? Who would be dumb enough to attack high nobility such as yourself? What did he mean- oh hell no. The rage came quickly and diminished just as fast when he saw you gasping for breath.

“Y/N/N, breath, everything is alright, calm down. Breath with me. You are safe, you are here with me.” You had told Jack once about the panic attacks, the way it felt like you where drowning in air, anxiety rising over and killing you. You'd explained what helped you through them, even though medically speaking, you sounded crazy. But Jack trusted you, would never think you crazy and would do anything to see you smile.

Jack repositioned himself to hold you against his chest, too scared to squeeze hard, even if that's what you'd previously instructed him to do. The sound of his heartbeat and movement of his chest under you calmed you down a bit, and the hysterical crying and panic dulled to simple tears. You continued talking.

“I was so scared. So I ran into my bedroom, and locked the door. But I could hear him screaming and feel him slamming against the door against my back. And it occurred to me that I can't run from him, Jack. He was right, I'm going to be his one way or another. I just couldn't do it, I couldn't take it. He repulses me, I just...” you stopped talking for a moment in the hopes the tremble in your voice would calm. It didn't. “I just feel like the only way to be free of him is...” you trailed off, leaving Jack to fill in the blank.

Jack pulled back and looked you in the eye.

“No. No, your death is not the answer. Tom, on the other hand...” Jack trailed off. You wanted to be scared but couldn't find the sympathy within you, drained of emotions from the panic attack. “There'll be a way. We will find one. Just don't leave. I cannot fathom a life without you.”

The tears in Jack's eyes only furthered those in yours, until the pair of you were holding each other and sobbing. Jack held you tighter, and for a moment it was comforting, until you breathed in and the pressure hurt the bruises on your waist and hip, making you gasp.

“What's wrong?” Jack asked, immediately springing to his feet and checking both your bandages, but no blood seeped through.

“Nothing, just a bruise, I think.” You said. Only it wasn't just a bruise, it was the mother of all bruises, and you were scared to think of how bad the damage would have been had you not been wearing a full skirt and corset.

“Where.” Jack's question was more of a statement, doctor mode activated.

“My waist and hip.”

You weren't expecting a small blush to appear on Jack's cheeks, but the sight made your heart leap. How could the smallest flush of colour be so adorable and attractive in equal measure?

“Is it alright if I take a look?”

You hated the thought of anyone seeing your body, let alone the person you loved seeing the markings of the man who hurt you, but you also knew you were in hospital and this was your doctor concerned for your health. You pushed down the blankets, and Jack gave you the slightest nod to double check if it was OK. When you nodded back, Jack took the edges of your nightie and slowly and gently pulled it up, fingers softly grazing your skin.

Jack sharply gasped when he saw the bruises, a deep blue and black spreading from your just below your waistline across most of your right hip, and a smaller purple bruise on your lower ribcage. He lightly touched the skin around the bruising on your hip.

“Y/N/N,” Jack said softly, looking up at you with pleading eyes.

You took that the wrong way.

“I know. Alright? I know, it's ugly, I'm ugly, and I'm scarred, I'm damaged.” Jack looked up at you with those big eyes that you loved, care and concern brimming his eyes as the words you'd been keeping flowed out. “I hate this all so much. I hate the bruises, the scars, I hate how I feel unsafe in my own mind, that I am unsafe in my own home. I hate how one minute we're all children, safe and adored, and bruises can be solved with a quick kiss better, and the next we're adults, the bruises last and kisses complicate.” You sniffled. “I wish all this could be healed so simply as a kiss better.” You went to wipe your eyes, but Jack beat you too it, quick as a flash, drying your tears and looking into your eyes with a playful smirk. Though he was too scared to let it show, his heart was nearly beating out of his chest as he spoke.

“I'm not magic, but as your doctor, I'd like to give it a shot.”

“What?” you asked, heart caught in your throat, assuming he was kidding or just about to kiss your cheek.

“A kiss.” You looked at each other for a moment. “To stop the pain.” Jack clarified, backtracking with fear. You merely nodded.

The hand that was cupping your cheeks after drying your tears softly trailed down your arm, turning it over so the bandage covering the cut was facing him. Jack raised your arm to his lips, and though you couldn't feel it past the bandage, you fought yourself to maintain composure. Jack turned your arm back and held your hand, rubbing your knuckles with his thumb. He looked into your eyes as he brushed his lips against your knuckles. His lips were soft as they touched your fingers, and you were speechless. A small shiver worked it's way down your spine.

You mistakenly thought Jack would stop there, but Dodger was nothing if not bold as he shimmed back to kiss around your bruised waist. Feather-light fingers gently touched you before settling on your waist, as he lowered his mouth to the top of your bruise, just under your ribs. Small pecks peppered all around your bruise, inching lower, until the kisses became more. More sure, more of a kiss than a peck, but light enough to leaving you longing. By the time Jack had gotten to the base of your bruise, you were breathing hard and suppressing a moan by biting your lip as one of his hands was on your inner knee, the other near your bruise, partly on your hip, partly on your ass. He slowed down slightly, looking up at you with what could only be described as hunger and desperation, as though he'd been wanting you for so long that he could barely contain himself.

“Jack-” you whispered.

There was a knock on the front door and Jack barely had time to pull your nightgown back over your legs and sit up when Hetty came in.

“Sir, we've got-” Hetty faltered for only a moment upon seeing your flushed cheeks and Jack's red lips and ruffled shirt. “Ah, we've got three new patients for you to see before midday, if you're free soon?”

You were mad at Hetty for interrupting, but grateful for her grace and tact.

“Yes, yes of course, I was almost on my way out, just give me one moment with Miss Y/L/N, please.”

Hetty lowered her head and closed the door behind her.

For a minute, neither of you could look each other in the eye, too scared of what you'd show and what you would or wouldn't see back. Jack broke the silence.

“So,” he cleared his throat. “Er, if you need anything, at anytime, call the nurses and ask for me, alright? Even if you start to feel distressed for only a moment, even from your own mind, call for me. I don't want you to be alone right now. I-I can't let you get hurt, Y/N. You're-” he stopped himself before he could say 'my world', adding instead “you mean too much to me.”

And with that, Jack slipped out of the room, leaving you to analyze the kisses. You already felt better.

[reneeluv154]

Frostbite

Hope you enjoy🤍🤍🤍

In this imagine Newt finds out you have frostbite and takes care of you.

(More on my profile if you like this.)🫶🏼🫶🏼

I was cold, so cold but I wouldn’t let the others know, we had been walking in the scorch for weeks, although I wouldn’t call it the scorch anymore. It was cold, cold enough to make your lips blue and your skin crack and bleed. Newt tried to offer me his gloves when it first started getting cold two days ago but I denied them, instead wrapping them up in my sock’s.

Now the sock’s were just to hide my gruesome frostbite rather than keep them warm. “Guys, let’s stop here, we’ve been waking for far too long.” I couldn’t agree with Minho more, the blisters on the back of my heels and my toes making it to where I could barely walk.

“Y/n are you okay?” Thomas asked wearily before watching me stumble to the ground. “Woah hey.” Thomas tried to catch me but I hit the ground with him and Newt on either side of me. I began to weep which then turned into sob’s of anger. I punched the ground, “I’m fucking done! Do you hear me!” I screamed out as loud as I could, causing a vicious pain to shoot through my head. Everyone was crouched down forming a circle around me, fear and worry plastered on their faces.

“Hey, take a breath Y/n.” Newt was calm with a comforting hand on my back, the other on the sand, trying to keep from slipping. I violently sucked in air never fully finishing a breath. I truly couldn’t breathe. I looked at him with panic in my eyes as I tried to breathe, tears still rolling down my cheeks. “Okay, everyone back up.” His voice was stern enough so they understood but calm enough to not scare me. He gently grabbed my face.

“You’re gonna be okay. Focus on my heartbeat alright?” He grabbed my hand, placing it on his chest gently, leaving me to feel the calm, steady beating of his heart. After a few minutes, my breathing slowed, and my tears were gently wiped by his simple calloused hands. “You're okay.” He whispered, bringing me into a tight hug. I believe more for him than for me. He knew I never liked hugs. Although I had always wanted one from him, I hugged him back knowing that’s what he needed at the moment. I didn’t want to let go but loosened my grip leaving him to let go.

“Thomas, help me walk her over to that building.” He nodded over to what was more like a small shack a few feet away. So with Thomas on my left and Newt on my right we carefully walked over to the shack, taking a few minutes to settle down. I sat on a small crate while the others cleared spots to sit and sleep for the night. I was staring at the ground when Newt came, sitting down beside me, offering me a cup with something in it. Not bothering to zone back in, I shook my head.

“It’ll warm you up.” He said, setting it by my foot on the ground and kneeling in front of me. “Can you take these off for me?” He asked gently, laying a hand on top of mine. I finally zoned back in still not looking directly at him but carefully taking the socks off my hands trying not to let the fabric pull on the cracked skin.

His eyes widened when he saw the purple and blue, bloody knuckles and fingertips. ‘Fry, can you make a fire real quick?” He asked, not taking his focus off of my hands. “Already on it, Newt.”

“Why didn’t you tell someone Y/n?” He asked gently, trying to warm my hands with his own as well as blowing on them.”I don’t know.” I was quiet, barely even audible. “My feet are pretty bad too.” The look he gave me was the sweetest yet saddest thing I had ever seen. “They don’t have frostbite, just lots of blisters.” He nodded. “Go ahead and take your shoes off, the cold should make them feel a little better.”

I nodded, taking my shoes off while he went and grabbed a thin blanket we had stolen from W.I.C.K.E.D. wrapping it around my shoulders. He was right, the cold felt good on my hot blistered feet. “Here, let’s go sit by the fire.” He handed me the hot cup making my hands sting but I knew that meant it was helping. I was caught slightly off guard when he picked me up and carried me to another crate, this one close by the fire, my feet still being cooled off by the patch of cement underneath me.

I decided to sit on the ground closer to the fire. Newt came and sat on the crate behind me, his legs on either side of me. “Newt?” I asked and received a small hum while he set down his cup which I learned was just hot water, and started to play with some strands of my hair. “Is it okay if I just give up?”

“Give up?” He questioned. “Yeah, If I just quit trying to make it out alive.” I was ashamed of asking such a question but I knew he wouldn’t judge me. He grabbed both my shoulders leaning in close to my ear. “Y/n you can not give up, I won’t for one second let you believe that you can give up because I would never let you do such a thing.” And for the first time in a long time, a small smile made its way onto my lips. It felt so good to smile, especially with someone like Newt.

Around an hour later he had braided my hair and wrapped up my hands now everyone was getting ready for sleep. “Where are you sleeping, love?” He hadn’t called me that since the first time I came to the glade but it made me feel special.

“Can I…sleep next to you tonight?” He nodded, “Of course, c’mon.” He laid out some clothes on the ground and used a jacket as a pillow. “Go on, I'll tuck you in.” He smiled, so I laid down letting him lay two blankets overtop of me, given that was all we could spare. He then laid down, a small bit of space between us. “Goodnight Y/n.”

“Goodnight Blondie.”

I woke up a tad bit cold and a bit scared. There was thunder and rain all around us. The small shack was the only thing keeping us safe and that wasn’t promising. I moved over to where Newt was lying and rested my head on his shoulder, he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer. “Are you okay?” He whispered, his voice still sleepy making me blush. “Yeah, I’m a little cold but more scared than anything.” Just then lightning struck close making me jump. “Shhh it’s okay. I’m here, I’ll keep you safe I promise.” He rubbed my back and gave me a small kiss on the head now wrapping both arms tightly around me. Humming a small song, which soon put me to sleep.

[weepinglavenders]

Small Newtmas Artful Dodger AU:

Thomas cried out in pain, gritting his teeth as his hand clasped his side. Of course it had been stupid to taunt a stranger in a bar but he hadn’t counted on being shot.

Minho had rolled his eyes before dragging the man to the Hospital, the Australian heat making him feel like he was melting. A dark skinned women with a strict face saw the at the door.

“Dawkins! Shot to the side.”

Thomas looked up and felt his stomach twist as a wave of adrenaline washed over him, seeing a blonde man walk quickly towards them. His hazel eyes, face knitted in concentration, studied the other’s wound.

“Bring him to the surgical theater, it’s closed off.”

She nodded and lead the two to a room in the back that opened up, a wooden strap table in the center surrounded by blood stained oats, and higher up, benches peered down at them. The women gestured for Minho to set him on the wooden table and he did so, Thomas groaning in pain at the effort.

“Name and reason for injury?”

“Thomas, and I got shot outside the Cat n’ Bagpipes.”

The women nodded as she scribbled something down on her pad before looking up.

“Dr. Dawkins will be in shortly, continue applying pressure to the wound as I grab supplies.” She instructed Minho before leaving.

Soon, he was lying down, Lady Belle, Hetty and the very pretty doctor moving around him. The blonde gently placed a suction thing over his nose and mouth, those hazel eyes looking at him with such care it made his heart flutter.

“Breath in for me,”

He did so, the ungodly smell of ether seeping into his senses but his mind started going foggy and he was out as soon as the mask was pulled away.

When he woke he only felt a small sting in his side and he was laying a medical med. Dr. Dawkins spotted him and walked over, a smile gracing his lips.

“How do you feel Thomas?”

“Pretty good actually.”

The blonde hummed in approval, going around the bed and carefully rolling up Thomas’ shirt, checking the stitches and completely missing the blush that covered the dark haired man’s face.

“Well everything is intact, rest here for a few days so we can monitor them, just in case. Stitches in the side are more prone to ripping.”

Thomas nodded and smiled a little at the doctor. “I guess that’ll mean I’ll be seeing a lot of you then”

“You’ll definitely catch a lot of glimpses of me, I don’t know if I’ll have time to talk though, Tommy.”

Tommy. His heart was doing acrobatics at this point.

“Glimpses are enough for me..”

“Newt, you can call me Newt.” And with that the doctor left to attend more of his patients.

Idea by: @cherie-luvv

I hope you like this<3

[soup-is-nice-sometimes]

okay okay hear me iut

newtmas "the artful dodger" au.... but they're lesbians (so we still have the "girls can't be surgeons" plotline)

'Jack' (aka newt obviously) has short hair and pretends to be a man when doing surgery so a lot higher stakes if she gets caught

Fagin is either ratman or ava

Charlie is Chuck

obviously our dear Belle is Thomas (and Fanny is Teresa)

and for shits and gigs Hetty is Minho (maybe gender swapped too?)

not to toot my own horn but if anyone wants to write this just give a credit that'd be great 🫶

[terrywho-cartoons]

“Is she breathing? IS SHE BREATHING?!”

[cordelia-noir]

Call for prompts!

Hey all, I'm sick and my WIPs feel too daunting to work on at the moment, but I do want to write something. So I'm asking you guys if you have any requests for short fics in the following fandoms

Dead Boy Detectives (Gen or Charles/Edwin)

Carry On / Simon Snow Tillage (Gen, SnowBaz or other cannon couples)

The Artful Dodger (Belle/Jack or Gen)

I'm not promising to do all the requests I receive (if I get any), but I'd like to write some short stuff while I'm sick (think like a scene rather than a novel, ~1k-3k).

Some Ideas of what you could send me:

An idea for a small story you don't want to write yourself

Fan Art that you think deserves a story

General vibes that fit the characters

A soulmate universe idea (We all know I love those)

I don't write smut, but beyond that I'm open to anything. So let me know if you have any ideas!

[emonerdphan]

The lack of fanfic for The Artful Dodger is killing me. Don't get me wrong, there's some brilliant stuff on AO3 but I finished them all so quickly and wish there was more. I need more Jack x Belle in my life

[meandheraresoulmates]

Drunk-dazed — a dodgerfox fanfic

Fandom: The Artful Dodger (2023)

Warnings: none

Relationship: Jack "the Artful Dodger" Dawkins/ Belle Fox

Characters: Jack "the Artful Dodger" Dawkins, Belle Fox

Tags: Fluff / missing scene from 1x06 / canon compliant / kissing / lots of kissing / just a hint of smut / Jack centric / 3rd person narrator

Word count: 2.1k

Summary: Belle had the audacity to huff, «Of course not, don't be ridiculous. I dismissed the coachman a few blocks from here so that even if my parents suspect something, he won't tell a thing.» «That was quite smart of you» Jack admitted, relishing in the satisfied smile that made its way up Belle's face. «But how did you plan on returning?» For the first time since they met, Belle looked almost sheepish. «I was rather hoping that you'd walk me home» she muttered, not meeting his eyes. or, the missing scene we all were waiting for between 1x06 and 1x07

AO3

Jack Dawkins had been drunk before - hell, he was a sailor. They handed him his first pint long before he could call those sparse blonde hairs on his chin stubble. But no amount of alcohol in his system had ever come close to the feeling of Lady Belle's body pressed on his front, her lips on his and her scent filling his nostrils, leaving him lightheaded and weak in the knees.

It was almost pathetic, he thought in a fleeting moment of clarity before losing himself again in the intoxication that came from her closeness - the way Belle had manhandled him and pushed a bewildered Jack against that pillar. She was the inexperienced one - not that they had ever talked about experiences of that kind, he just knew that Milady had never been with a man like that before.

Yet here she was, soft mouth moving fervently against his, hands laced in his ruffled locks, not giving a care in the world about what anyone could see and think. She was facing the physical aspect of their newborn relationship the same way she took on surgery and everything medicine-related: head-on, confident, and daring, taking everything in her path as it belonged to her. Jack would be lying to himself if he didn't admit that it was her brilliance, her sharp mind and even sharper tongue that pulled him in like a moth to a flame, that lit a fire in his belly and gave him a sense of euphoria that 'till that moment only thievery had granted him.

He almost didn't recognize himself when a low hum escaped his throat. Belle was running her nails down his scalp, and it felt heavenly. Goosebumps erupted on his skin and he needed her close, closer than what was deemed sensitive outside a beaten-up tavern, even if sensibleness was thrown out the window the moment he put her mouth on hers. His hands sneaked around the heavy clock on her shoulders to latch on her waist and he pulled her flush to his chest; a gasp escaped her now swollen and moist lips and Jack was all too eager to swallow it, slanting his mouth on hers and grazing her lower lip with the tip of his tongue.

He moved one of his hands up between her shoulder blades while the other anchored Belle against him when he realized something - and before all blood left his head and went south, he forcibly tore himself from her wanting mouth.

«Belle» he gasped in the small space between their bodies, trying to put a bit of space between them. She was not having it, as the deep frown that had settled between her eyebrows foretold. She looked at him briefly, eyes going from his flushed checks to his parted mouth, before capturing the young doctor's lower lip between hers again.

For a moment Jack forgot why he stopped in the first place and resumed kissing her with renewed vigour until his hand, which was moving as if it had a mind of its own, crept up her back and brushed hot and smooth skin. Suddenly he remembered why he was trying to halt this madness and abruptly moved away, putting Belle at arm's distance but still keeping her close.

«Belle, » he said breathlessly while his chest heaved. «Are you not wearing a corset? »

She looked at him as if he had gone completely mad, chest going up and down while she tried to regain her breath. «Of course, I'm not wearing a corset, » she told him as it was the most obvious thing in the world. «Why would I wear one if I am in my nightgown? »

«Your night-» Jack's eyes were the size of saucers. He closed them, breathed in deeply, and lowered his hands so that they rested properly on her hips. When he blinked, he found Belle looking at him with an amused expression, her eyebrows raised. «So, » he said slowly, looking at her intently to gauge her reaction. «You're telling me that you have gone out, in the middle of a Friday night, in your nightgown, and» he looked down for a moment «slippers? »

Finally, it seemed that the reality of the situation dawned upon Belle. «Well, » she gulped, looking away while the apple of her checks began to flush. «It seems like I didn't think that far when I decided to go out and look for you. »

She was so adorable that Jack couldn't help a soft grin from spreading on his face. «Well, » he mimicked her, raising a hand to brush away a soft curl that had escaped her hairdo and had fallen onto her face. «It seems like you didn't think at all, Milady. »

Belle huffed, clearly annoyed but at a loss of words. Jack barked a laugh, a feeling almost like pride running through his veins: she had been so eager to see him that she hadn't thought it wasn't proper for a lady to go out dressed - or more exactly, undressed - like that. It was intoxicating, he thought while he nudged her nose with the tip of his, to know that he had that effect on her, almost like the one she had on him.

Belle scowled, annoyed, and stepped sideways to move away from him. Jack strengthened the grip on her hips - the proper, chivalry reason for that was that he didn't want her to feel embarrassed and exposed in front of the drunkards going in and out of the tavern. The most selfish and true desire was to savour the sensation of her warm, velvety skin, even through the thin fabric of her gown.

«I jest» he said softly, swiping a thumb across her cheek. Normally, he wouldn't have dared to touch her like that. However, he thought he could blame his tenderness on the alcohol. Just this once. «But you have to admit that it was careless of you. It is dangerous for a lady to go out at night, even more so in this state of undress. » His voice had reached a more serious tone in the last sentence.

Belle smirked and, getting on the tip of her toes, invaded Jack's personal space, bringing her face at a breath's distance from his. Something akin to butterflies fluttered in the doctor's stomach, or perhaps the contents of his intestines were fighting a civil war with all the liquor he had put in his system.

«How chivalrous of you, » her voice had a teasing edge, hands resting on his chest under the pretence of adjusting his jacket. «I didn't deem you a gentleman. »

«Then you poorly underestimate me, Milady» Jack answered in tow, enjoying this playful banter fully. «Also, it is not safe for anyone to be strolling around at this time of the night near Cat and Bagpipes. Usually at this wee hour, the patrons go from blind weasels that dance to...» he caught a movement from the corner of his eye. He swirled himself and Belle away from the pillar they were resting on before a poorly dressed man puked on their feet. «...to pesky badgers » he continued, unphased.

Belle on the other hand was trying very hard not to flinch. «Oh» was all she said. Jack laughed at her rare lack of eloquence. «Right. I think it is time you return to your chambers, milady. May I escort you to your carriage? » he offered her his arm.

She gladly took it, and together they made their way between passed-out men and equally drunk but still on their feet women. «I think now it is a good time to say that there is no carriage» she stated matter of factly. Jack almost snapped his neck upon hearing these words. «Wha- what do you mean there is no carriage? Did you come here all the way from Government House on foot? » he asked, in equal parts horrified and worried.

Belle had the audacity to huff, «Of course not, don't be ridiculous. I dismissed the coachman a few blocks from here, so even if my parents suspected something, he wouldn't tell a thing. »

«That was... quite smart of you» Jack admitted, relishing in the satisfied smile that made its way up Belle's face. «But how did you plan on returning? »

For the first time since they met, Belle looked almost sheepish. «I was rather hoping that you'd walk me home» she muttered, not meeting his eyes.

All thoughts about teasing her vanished from the young surgeon's mind. She was looking at him with those big, brown eyes of hers and reflected in them he could see a vulnerability that Belle had never shown before. Jack flashed her a small smile. «Then what are we waiting for? »

It wasn't that long of a walk from the suburb of Port Victory to Government House - two miles or even less. Still, it took them almost one hour to reach the back of the garden where Jack usually sneaked in. If somebody were to ask him why, he would answer that the shoes Lady Belle was wearing weren't suited for walking - but deep down they both knew it wasn't the truth. They wanted to savour the unique, peaceful stroll holding hands, pretending to be a typical couple in the early stages of courtship.

When they reached the bottom of the spiral staircase outside Belle's bedroom, Jack let go of her hand to help her climb and open the window shutters.

«Do you go all these lengths every time you come here when there is a perfectly functioning door? » Belle asked, making her way into the bedroom to light a candle.

Jack turned and was about to reply when the sight before him left him breathless. Under the candlelight, Belle looked ethereal - her hair had escaped the braid she had put them in to go to bed and was now framing her face like a halo. Her skin was golden, her eyes as deep as the oceans he had navigated all these years. She was the most beautiful woman Jack had ever seen, he thought, and she wanted him. She had kissed him. This mere notion made him euphoric.

«Jack? » Belle called, confused. His eyes snapped to her face, and in two long strides, he was in front of her. The surgeon took her face between his hands and sealed their lips together, a rough desperation he had never felt before cursing through his veins. Belle had just enough time to put the candle down before fisting the material of his shirt between her fingers and kissing him back with the same amount of passion.

Jack felt delirious and he knew that the alcohol had nothing to do with it. He wanted Belle as near as possible, to touch every inch of her skin, memorize and explore every nook and cranny of her body with his hands, eyes and lips. His mouth seemed to have a mind of its own as he moved away from her lips, trailing kisses down her jaw and along the soft skin of her neck.

It was only when a soft moan erupted from Belle's parting lips that Jack regained control of his actions. He forced himself to part from her skin and took a step away, putting some distance between their bodies. He was panting, and so was Belle. It took them a few minutes to catch their breath, and when they did, they were too embarrassed to look each other in the eye.

Reluctantly, Jack withdrew his hands from where they rested on Belle's waist. «So» he stammered, an uncharacteristic awkwardness slurring his words «I bid you goodnight. »

Belle nodded vigorously as if he had just uttered the most brilliant thing in the world. «Goodnight, Jack. »

He nodded back and turned around, making his way to the window. He already had a foot on the first step of the stairs when he turned, and found Belle looking at him from the same spot where he had left her - in her eyes, the same longing that was squeezing his chest and made each step feel like he was walking into the sea with rocks in his shoes. Jack's determination faded away and in just two swift steps, he found himself standing in front of her. He cradled her face between his hands and molded their lips together, tenderly, as if too much pressure could break her.

When they parted, Belle was already smiling, as was he. «Goodnight, lady Fox, » he whispered, brushing his nose against hers, basking in the smile she gifted him.

«Goodnight, dr. Dawkins, » she said softly.

Jack Dawkins had been drunk before. He enjoyed the feeling of a warm stomach, a buzzing head, and tingling skin, the way the world seemed to lose all its blunt edges, and people were more inclined to unfiltered happiness or unending sorrow as if the fumes made their restrictions disappear.

However, he would have given up alcohol forever if that meant he could see Belle's smile this close one last time.

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

...is anyone still here? hello fellow The Artful Dodger enthusiasts!! thank you for clicking on this story. this is my ode to the fantastic show and a gift to all of us who have loved it and are still waiting for a season 2. i can't believe my longest story is a brainrot about Jack Dawkins and Belle Fox but here we are, these two have all my heart and if we don't have a canon happy ending i will do something that will change the course of hulu's life forever. i hope you liked it and if you did i would love to hear your opinions and comments :") bye!!

[pentopaper23]

His Fingers. Her Pulse.

Often Belle wakes up to Jack fingers at one of her pulse points. Gentle fingers searching for her pulse on her wrist, neck or under her breast. His warm fingers would be pressed firmly against one of these when she woke in the morning, and she felt him search for them just before she drifted off to the sleep.

His favourite pulse point seemed to the one hidden under her breast.. She would wake to the feel of his hand tucked under her breast, pushed tight against the skin to feel her heartbeat against it. She knew that he still worried, more than ever after they engage in congress. During sex she could feel her heart trying to beat out of her chest and she knew he could feel it too. But no matter how many times she told him she was fine she still fell asleep to the feeling of his fingers searching her skin.

Her heart truly was fine, the whooshing sound had disappeared, and she had not had an attacked since he operated on her. But she could tell that he was scared, with every glance towards her when she made a sound of discomfort to the searching look he gave her after she climaxed and her heart was beating in her chest at a rapid rate. She could see the fear in his eyes, and she hated it. Gone was the carefree love they had shared before her operation. Gone was the laugher they shared in her bed after sex. It was now replaced with him silently counting and her trying to not look annoyed when he did.

She had tried to speak to him about it but it was no use. He brushed away her concerns and they ended up in fight. He had stormed away with the slam of her bedroom door, and she had thrown a book at him.

“You need to stop!” She had yelled roughly wrapping her dressing gown around her naked body.

“I can’t!” He had yelled back, “I can’t…I won’t lose you again”.

“I’m not going anywhere…but I will if you don’t stop”.

She will remember the heartbroken look on his face when she had said those words forever. His eyes tearing up as he grabbed his clothes and started to dress. Anger was rolling off him in wave and she just stood there watching him not sure how to take back her words.

“Fine. Fine” he said roughly pulling on his shirt and tucking it into his pants, “Sorry if me wanting to keep you alive is an inconvenience!”

“You’re being ridiculous.” She scoffed, annoyed with the tone he was taking with her.

“Ridiculous!? If my love for you is ridiculous then I don’t know what we are doing here!”

“Neither do I!” She had yelled back. They both stared at each other for a moment, then he had left slamming the door behind him. She had picked up the closest book and thrown it at the door with a shout of rage, the hard covered corner leaving a dent in the wood.

They didn’t speak for days after that and each time they saw each other at the hospital no words were shared. It wasn’t until Jack was summoned to the estate by her mother that any words were spoken. Belle had caught a cold and had been bedridden with a fever for days before she allowed her mother to call for Jack.

“You stupid women!” he had yelled rushing into her room with his medical bag swinging in his hand. “You stupid, stupid, women” he said again as he pulled her into a sitting position. He reached for the ties of her nightdress, and she sighed when she felt his cold fingers on the pulse point on her neck, her fever had robbed her of any normal temperature. He sighed in relief when he felt that her pulse was fine and that it was just a cold.

“I’m sorry” she sobbed out, her fever taking away any form of censorship from her mouth.

“My darling” he soothed as he laid her back down and reached for the bowl of water and cloth that was by her bed. He gently wiped her brow and settled in to doctor her through the night. It was touch and go that night, her fever has worsened, and she started to thrash and groan. He ended up striping her of her nightdress and lowering her into a cold bath pouring water over her as the night grew dark. Come daybreak she was asleep, and he was exhausted. Her fever has broken just before sunrise, and she fell into a fitful sleep with Jack lying beside her.

That's how she found herself now, her head throbbing with a post fever headache and Jack tucked beside her with his hand cupping her breast, his fingertips against the beating of her heart. She could see that this was a battle she would not win, not against him and his panic. She reached over to brush the hair from his eyes, he groaned and his hold on her breast tightened. He didn’t wake and his hand relaxed slightly, Belle smiled and moved herself closer to him tucking herself under his chin and falling back to sleep.

[wisteriander]

one thing i do like that the artful dodger does (i couldn’t tell if it was intentional at first, but seven episodes in i believe it is!) is that, yeah, sure belle is “innovative” or whatever but the only reason she needs to be is because her family is the one preventing innovation (and the only reason she Gets to be is because of who she is). charlie only got injured because she was taking a carriage to the hospital. ether is banned because her father said so. the hospital is a cesspool because of who her father appointed head surgeon. people are killed in raids approved by her father. every single problem in this show is caused by the upper class.

i feel like a lot of times shows like this have a “cynical worldly sad” paired with “hopeful” - but this show shows time and time again that jack’s “cynicism” is 1. very earned and 2. not really cynicism at all. it’s care for his patients. experiments aren’t worth it if the patient dies/suffers unnecessarily. and belle’s “hope” is not actually hope - it’s naivety and privilege (which isn’t inherently bad but she’s not painted as the Ideal between the two). jack doesn’t need to change his outlook - he needs a system overhaul. “your family are the real thieves” is really the crux of the show in many ways. it hits as hard as it does because it’s saying out loud what the show has been hinting at the entire time.

[wildwren]

Jack x Belle // Rated M // Post-Canon

After Jack is secretly removed from Port Victory and forced into exile, Belle has no choice but to move on with her life as best she can. But Jack has never stopped trying to return, and he’s about to get his chance.

Jack thinks about her sometimes. When the light first touches his face (usually). When his mind teeters at the edge of a dim, cluttered sleep (almost always). He thinks about her when he measures quinine powder, mixing it into liquor in precise, rationed doses. When he cleans and sharpens his surgical tools, even though they get little use.  He thinks about the way she wanted him to cut her open with a knife.   Sometimes it’s the only thing he can think about — the red stain of her blood coating his hands. He’s certain the soldiers must be able to see it on him — see it dripping from his sleeves like a curse, like a spiritual plague. Then he remembers he’s a rational man.  Jack thinks about the way she wanted him.  Belle is alive, or at least she was, last time Jack saw her. That was approximately 193 days ago. He can’t trust the tally to be exact. 

Chapter One (5.1k): Bathurst // The Women's Ward

Jack gets a lucky break. Back in Port Victory, Belle visits Fagin.

Chapter Two (5.5k): Fever // The Decree

Jacks becomes a patient. Belle's actions have unexpected consequences.

[chemical-killjoy]

Healing Kiss part 2

Jack Dawkins x Female Reader

Summary: smut following the first part. Yeah it's mostly just smut

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: very fluffy but VERY smutty

Author's Note: yeah so this has been sitting in my "to edit and publish" folder since April... Sorry!!!! I hope it's OK and still interesting.

It was nighttime and Jack still couldn't get you off his mind. He felt dirty, and hated himself for what happened. How could you open up to him like that and he just took advantage? He lost himself in the moment, he showed too much emotion, and quite probably made you too uncomfortable for words. But then why, when he looked up to see if there was a small chance that you wanted more, were you blushing wildly and biting your lip? Why was your breathing so quick? And the way you said his name was so... So... there weren't the words for it. Nor how soft your skin felt under his touch. How beautiful the sent of your perfume was in such close proximity. How you looked like a goddess, even with bruises.

The thoughts wouldn't leave his mind, and he quickly grew hard at the memories of how close he was to your heat. Lying in bed with only a single candle lit, Jack started to work his crotch, rubbing over his pants at first then pulling his erection out for better access. Soft pants left his lips as he worked himself, eyes fluttering shut. Again, however, Jack was interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Jack?” you called.

You were lying in bed and couldn't sleep, ruminating on your encounter Jack. It was turning you on whenever you thought about it, but you couldn't help the creeping doubt. What if it was just in your head? What if things where going to be weird? And the worst thought: what if he ended up being like every other man and just wanting your body? The voices in your head started screaming at you, and while you knew it wasn't a good idea (what if someone saw you sneaking into Jack's bedroom at night? Your reputation as a lady would be destroyed, your family ruined!), you needed to see your best friend, even if he—or your feelings towards each other, whatever they may be—were the problem.

You stood outside Jack's door for a second, trying to work out what to say, before finally just giving up, knocking on the door and calling his name. He was your best friend, you didn't need to be anyone but yourself in front of him.

A flustered sounding yell of “just a second!” graced your ears as you heard Jack rummage and rush about in his room. For the first time all day you smiled, laughing at the ridiculousness. But you stopped laughing when Jack opened the door.

Jack was a sight to behold, blond hair ruffled and hovering over one eye, nightshirt exposing the majority of his chest, with tight pyjama bottoms, and a flush to his cheeks from rushing around. He was leaning against the door frame, and you couldn't help but notice the barely hidden erection in his pants.

“Hi.” Jack said, surprised to see you, and feeling more than a little uncomfortable considering what he had been thinking of when touching himself moments ago was standing right in front of him.

“Uh.” You tried to remind yourself how to speak as your brain short-circuited. Get a grip, you thought. “I couldn't sleep. I was just, um, thinking too much, I guess.”

Jack nodded and ushered you into his room before shutting the door. The room was small, with one bed and one window, a wardrobe, a table, and clutter everywhere. There was a single candle lit on the table, and the room smelt earthy with a hint of leather. Overall it was just overwhelmingly him. Jack pulled out a chair for you and pushed it in—a gentleman, even half dressed in his pyjamas—and sat down opposite you.

“What were you thinking about?” Jack offered, breaking the silence.

“I-” you hesitated for a moment. “I was just thinking about earlier today, actually.”

“Oh?” Jack said in a 'what about it?' tone.

“When you were kissing my bruises. And my arms... and hands. I... I just don't want things to be weird between us and I don't know if I'm misinterpreting things, but it's just making me panic a little cause I really don't want to lose you.” You finished your small ramble, slowing down on the last words, and became very interested in the hangnail on your finger. Jack stopped you, putting a hand over yours.

“You don't need to do that with me,” Jack said, looking at your hands and back to your eyes. “I don't bite.” You smiled.

“I know. I just get scared.”

“I know you do. But I'm not going anywhere, alright? I could never leave you, and I never intend to hurt you. You're everything to me.”

When you looked up, Jack's eyes were honest but shielded, as though he was trying to tell you through his eyes what his lips wouldn't say. You knew the feeling, as you looked back at him with hope.

“I also wanted to say thank you,” you spoke carefully, unsure of yourself but determined to take one step closer. “For the kisses. It did help, I do feel a bit better.” You looked up at him from under long lashes in your best attempt at flirting without giving yourself away.

“I'm more than happy to have helped; and I'd be honoured to help some more anytime, if you'd allow me.” Jack gave a soft half-smile as he spoke.

“I do feel a bit sore actually, now that I think about it.”

“Then let me take that pain.” Jack said tucking your hair behind your ear.

You both rushed forward to kiss each other, but stopped just short of each others lips, hesitant. But Jack's lips softly brushed yours and a wave of electricity coursed through your body. You pulled each other closer over the table, eyes shut and lips lost in discovering the other person's. But the desire between you had been growing over time, and now that it was sparking out of control, a kiss wasn't enough. Wordlessly, the two of you stood up, abandoning your chairs and the table in favour of being chest to chest, your hands in Jack's hair, his cupping the back of your head and around your waist to draw you in closer. It wasn't long until you were both moaning into the kiss. You couldn't ignore Jack's erection any longer, and your body took over to grind against him. Jack bucked his hips against you once, then started to kiss along your jawline and down your neck. He picked you up and sat you on the table and you wrapped your legs around him. You gasped and moaned when Jack bit your neck, and the hand from your waist reached to massage your breasts.

“Jack.” You moaned as he left a trail of kisses down your neck, inching lower to your chest. Jack hummed back in response. His hand came to play with the strap of your nightgown, and he stopped for a second to look up at you, eyes asking. You nodded, and Jack gently pulled the straps down.

“Fuck, you're perfect.” A groan escaped Jack's lips as he took in the sight of you—naked from the waist up, lips swollen and hair tussled from kissing him on his desk. Brushing a hand through your hair, Jack let his hand rest on the base of your head again before kissing you, open mouthed and hot. You pulled Jack in from the waist and sighed at the sensation of the thin fabric of his nightshirt against your hardened buds. Jack's hand that wasn't on your neck gave a gentle squeeze to your breasts, pinching as rubbing your nipple with his thumb. You moaned into the kiss, and grinded against Jack's hips. Jack stopped the kiss as his hand rubbed the top of your thigh, inching under your skirt.

“Stop me, if I go too far, alright?” Jack said, earnestly.

You bit your lip and nodded. But it wasn't enough for Jack.

“Words, sweetheart. I need to be sure.” His hand was ghosting the inside of your upper thigh now, driving you wild, but he refused to go further until you spoke.

“Jack,” you whined. “Touch me.”

Jack's fingers brushed against your naked core, collecting the wetness. You let out a high pitched sigh when his thumb found your clit, and Jack continued kissing you. As he rubbed your clit at an agonising pace, his fingers found your entrance, and slowly, he pushed a finger in. You gasped into the kiss, and it was killing Jack not to just take you then and there. But he wanted you to feel safe. Loved. Adored. He could wait.

“More,” you mumbled against his lips, when suddenly a second finger was thrust into you. Jack started working his fingers faster, and you rocked your hips, holding Jack close in an embrace. When he kissed down your neck, sucking on your sweet spot, you felt the tightness in your core begin to build. You wanted more, you needed more—but you were scared.

“Jack, stop.” You said softly through pants. Even though you asked for it, you whined a little at the empty sensation when he removed his fingers.

“Are you alright, love, did I do something?” Jack asked, concerned eyes meeting yours.

For a moment you forgot why you asked him to stop, too busy having your heart warm at the nicknamed you'd never heard him call you before. How you wished for him to call you 'love' all the time.

“No, no, you didn't do anything wrong, I, uh. I'm just a little scared. I've never actually done any of this before and I...” you trailed off.

Jack waited patiently as you looked anywhere but him. He brought a hand to your cheek, guiding you back to look at him.

“Hey, look at me. We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. How can I make you more comfortable? Do you want to stop?”

“No!” you exclaimed, causing Jack to laugh a little as his ego inflated. You rolled your eyes. “No, I'm just a little insecure. Like, what if I make a weird face?” Jack laughed again.

“I promise you, any face you make will be either adorable, or so insanely sexy that I won't be able to contain myself.” He kissed your nose. “And if you're still scared, we could always just cum at the same time.”

You let out a strangled mix of a laugh and a gasp at Jack's crudity. After all, you were still nobility and not used to hearing such things. But when you thought about it, you couldn't think of anything better.

“You know,” you started, slowly, hand trailing down Jack's chest. “I think I like that idea.” You hooked a finger into his pants, pulling him closer, and whispered in his ear. “I really like that idea.”

Jack's lips were once more on yours, and he lifted you up bridal style, carrying you to his bed. You laughed into the kiss until Jack gently bit your lower lip, and a moan replaced the giggle. Jack lay you on the bed and stood up to take his shirt off, before crawling over you. The pair of you groaned at the skin on skin contact, kissing each other as your hands roamed and you hips met. After a moment you reached for Jack's pants, and he took the cue, quickly stripping you both of your last items of clothing.

You bit your lip as your eyes wandered the naked Dodger, as he did the same to you. Your eyes widened at his length. You squirmed under his gaze, squeezing your thighs together for relief.

“God, you're beautiful.” Jack said, climbing back on top of you and kissing you like he had never done so before.

You gasped as Jack's hard on rubbed against your entrance, your hands rubbing his back as you kissed. Jack held you closer as he kissed you before detaching his lips from you and pressing his forehead against yours. For a heartbeat there was silence, as you felt his breath fanning your face. You opened your eyes, and a moment later Jack opened his. Your breath caught seeing how much he cared for you written on his face. He nuzzled your nose with his.

“Y/N,” his voice was low, full of desperate desire, but determined never to hurt you. His eyes flickered shut again. “If you don't want this, tell me now. You can change your mind, and I won't hold it against you.” He opened his pleading eyes. You nuzzled back against him and said softly “I want this, Jack. I want you.”

With that, Jack thrust into you, and you cried out as he groaned at the same time, eyes shut in pleasure. You whined a little in pain, and Jack kissed you softly, holding your hand until you nodded your head. The pain gave way to pleasure as Jack started to move. The friction was delicious and as you wrapped your legs around him for deeper thrusts, he picked up the pace. The bed frame hit the wall as the pair of you rocked, and you raked your nails down Jack's back. He kissed you, still holding both your hands with his. Jack released on hand and slipped it between you, slowly rubbing your clit. You whimpered at his feather-light touch, and Jack moaned loudly as you clenched around him. It wasn't long before you felt the tightness in your stomach again, and you looked at Jack with pleading eyes.

“You're perfect.” he reminded you, before kissing you fiercely, sending you over the edge. Watching you come undone beneath him, feeling you tense around him in ecstasy was enough for Jack to reach his high too, and he grunted and moaned into your neck as he came in you. Squeezing your hand tight, Jack rode the pair of you through your highs, before collapsing on top of you.

“Wow.” Was all you could say. Eloquent, you thought. Jack just laughed.

“I could say the same.” Jack raised the hand he was still holding to his lips, and pressed a soft kiss to your knuckles. Even in your position, you still blushed.

Jack climbed off you, and held you to his chest. You snuggled in, nervous for whatever could come next, struck by the anxiety of the unknown.

“Y/N, I hope it's not out of bound for me to be saying this, but I have been hopelessly, maddeningly in love with you since the moment I first saw you. I have never been the same since. If you won't have me, I understand, but I feel like you deserve to know that, all things considered.”

You were in shock for a moment before craning your head to look into the eyes you loved so much.

“Jack, I don't know what to say,” you felt him tense under you, bracing himself. “Why didn't you say anything sooner?”

“Because I'm not exactly of your class, Y/N. And while class doesn't mean shit to me, it does to society. And I am still not deserving of you. I didn't want to lose you. Then you got engaged to Mr. Ass-wipe.”

You snorted at the name, and the overwhelming jealousy in his voice.

“Jack, I would have left him for you in a heartbeat. I love you.”

It was Jack's turn to be in shock as he pulled his head back to look at you, brows furrowed.

“You're not joking?”

“Jack, I literally just gave you my virginity and reputation as a lady. No, I am not kidding.” You gave a soft laugh at Jack's adorable smile, as pure as a puppy.

“I don't know what to say now.” Jack said, laughing a little. “I love you so much, Y/N.”

“I love you too, Jack.” You kissed him once more, and this was different than all the other kisses. It wasn't driven by desire, it wasn't scared. It was slow, and deep. Full of love.

After a while the pair of you fell asleep. You would face the next day as it comes. But for now, all that mattered was you were in each others arms. Loved.

[reneeluv154]

Lost

Hope you enjoy 💗💗

I stood inches away from Newt, his arm around me holding me close to his side, and hid behind the little bit that remained of an abandoned building, while a swarm of cranks stood just on the other side, we had been running from them for what felt like forever, It was just now I realized… we weren’t with our group anymore.

“I’m scared,” I whispered while tears formed in my eyes, I never cried, and when I did I never let anyone see. So when Newt looked at me with a shocked yet concerned expression I couldn’t help but know why. He nodded his head swallowing hard. “I know, but right now I need you to stay calm okay? I won't let anything happen to either of us alright?”

I nodded my lip quivering and a tear rolling down my left cheek. I avoided eye contact with Newt and quickly wiped my cheek. “Alright they’re gone, why don’t we find a place to sleep tonight, we can look for the others in the morning.” The whole time we looked for a place to stay Newt had a hold of my hand, we walked in silence until we found a safe building, although no building in the scorch is safe.

Me and Newt sat at a small fire, it barely put out enough warmth for one person much less the both of us. A shiver made its way up my spine as I heard the screeches of cranks a few miles away. I wanted to scream, I wanted to throw and kick shit. I was so angry and so sad, I was afraid I might would hurt myself if I was given the right moment.

“You okay?” Newt’s smooth accent pulled me from the deep cave in my mind where I often resided. I nodded. “Most people who are okay don’t cry, you know that?” I scoffed wiping my face of the tears I was oblivious to until he pointed them out.

I sat with my legs cris crossed and my face as close to the fire as I could get my hands holding my cheeks. Newt had shuffled over to me. Lying back against the large rock behind us.

“If you get any closer to that fire you might just singe your eyebrows off.”

We both chuckled.

“You can go to sleep Y/n. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I sighed. I was terrified, it made me miserable in every way. Newt opened his arms inviting me into them. I never liked hugs or physical touch in general, the boys would always mess around but they had never actually hugged me, other than Chuck I wouldn’t necessarily give out hugs. I knew Chuck felt left out of most shenanigans, I knew how that felt.

I looked at him, a moment before giving in and letting his strong arms engulf me. I didn’t want to let go he rubbed my back for a little while and played with my tangled hair, carefully combing out the knots with his hands. Eventually, I made myself comfortable in his lap. Slowly drifting off to sleep.

“Goodnight y/n” His warm breath caressed my ear down to my cheek.

“Goodnight Newt.” I fell asleep with my head nuzzled into his neck and his hands trailing through my hair.