#the case of the artful dodger

[raphianna]

Paul + Touching

(+ + A look)

It's gotta be his love language, I swear

[wildwren]

Gentleman! You've blown away your old gripes, are we all friends again?

JACK'S FIGHT WITH MONKS // 1.07

for @forasecondtherewedwon

[itsamepatches]

[kollectorsrus]

[vimbry]

it's pretty interesting how marvin's defining characteristics in pop culture are the blowing up earth to see venus motivation and 'where's the kaboom' "catchphrase", both things that come from and occur only once in his very penultimate appearance of the golden age era. but in addition to that, are more associated with his initial green/red design, not the gold/green palette actually used for those final two shorts.

what Does also contain that green/red design is duck dodgers and the 24th 1/2 century, one of the two marvin shorts included in the bugs bunny/road runner compilation movie, which also named him and uses a new illustration with the "classic" palette, and I'm guessing that's what embedded those elements into newer generations' public perception and later marketing. I dunno I just think seeing what factors are picked up most by pop culture surrounding classic media is neat!!

[pizzamuffindonutpeach33]

Take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind of song

[marlahey]

We can fix it. Astley Cooper performed the surgery 40 years ago. I read the case report. He killed the patient. I know. I know, but medicine's changed. We changed it. Belle, there is a reason why the best surgeon in the century failed. Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Maia Mitchell The Artful Dodger (2023–) 1.08: "Untapped Potential"

[kestrel-of-herran]

my lady jane fans, i implore you to add the artful dodger to your watchlist

both are based on a previous work, with a twist: while my lady jane remixes both tudor history and the book of the same name, the artful dodger takes its titular character from charles dickens' oliver twist, sends him off to 1850s australia, and makes him a gifted surgeon for a story that switches seamlessly between medicine, heist, romance, and discussions of class inequalities in a british colony

both feature noble heroines who think progressively: lady belle is determined to become the first female surgeon in australia, and as the governor's daughter, she might just achieve her goal, if she can get one irritable surgeon/thief to teach her everything he knows. when she's not reading up on the heart's inner workings (foreshadowing warning) or deciphering notes for a dangerous surgery, she can be found throwing engagement gifts on her unwanted suitor's heads

both male leads are loveable rogues: jack dawkins will sneak into your heart within the first ten minutes of the show, as a gifted surgeon desperate to outrun his criminal past so he can keep helping people (unless his beloved is mad at him, in which case he's opening the next episode with the most outrageous heist you've ever seen)

historical scenes are set to modern rock music in both shows, and as a bonus, an important romantic element i can't reveal for spoilery reasons is woven in jack's theme in a way that will steal your breath when you get to its reveal

bickering to partners to lovers: i can't praise the romance in this show enough, from the punchy banter (jack: "if i die because of you, i'll haunt your every waking moment" / belle: "just shut up and ether the patient"), the amazing eye-contact, respectful work partnership, the tenderest physical touch (rubbing salve into a thigh wound? yes. forehead touching? absolutely) and a love confession for the history books

and don't even get me started on the insane acting because i need the consideration of every award show in existence, and at least two more seasons please and thank you

if all this sounds up your alley, give this wonderful show a shot!

[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

[lamportb]

More Artful Dodger thoughts - not sure when I will shut up about this show, sorry.

I love that the story arch brings back the people that have benefited directly from Jack and Belle teaming up. We see Charlie walking with a crutch in the last episode (after being run over by Belle’s carriage in the first and nearly dying of infection before Belle’s breakthrough with the acid). We see Rotty with a scar on her throat supporting Fagin in his final scheme (after having Jack and Belle fix Sneed’s work in a second surgery). We see Red coming back from the dead to shoot Gaines and proclaim the existence of her daughter (after being saved from the noose by Jack and having Belle and Hetty deliver her baby via cesarean). I appreciate the little reminders in the end of the lives the two of them have touched (and saved in some cases).

[wildwren]

FAGIN + JACK + JACK'S ORIGIN STORY

[the-fiction-witch]

Criminals

Media The Artful Dodger

Character Jack Dawkins

Couple Jack X Reader

Rating CUTE

Warning For Hanging 

I walked the hot dusty Port Victory streets kicking the dust along with my boots, my case in hand as I walked. The sun slowly set on the horizon as I walked I noticed a couple of ladies on their way home with parasols in hand. They of course began to giggle,

"Good evening doctor dawkins," They cooed,

"Evening Ladies," I smiled as they passed me and I moved my hand quickly with my nibble fingers managing to snag the bracelet of the lady closest to me slipping it into my pocket,

Once I arrived back at the little house I headed in setting my bag by the door and emptying my pockets of chains, necklaces, coins and various other things I had picked up from my day hiding them in the small draw in the cabinet as I kicked my shoes off and set them on the rack, at the end of the month I'd empty the draw and sort things out but for now I just hid everything there. I hung up my coat and my hat by the door and headed through the house finding it mostly empty, so I headed up to the bedroom and smiled as I saw her there.

Y/n stood in the bedroom looking at herself in the full-length mirror, dressed in her tall boots, stockings, bloomers, and black dress with very little petticoats honestly I wasn't convinced she was wearing a crinoline at all, her corset laced right and her black button dress over her, as she slowly braided her Y/H/C hair,

I smiled and went over wrapping my arms around her waist and peppering kisses up her pale neck,

"ohh... Hello Jack," She laughed,

"Hello, sugar," I smiled, "Don't you look beautiful,"

"Aww thank you, well you always look handsome," she cooed stroking my chin and bringing our lips together for a sweet and perfect kiss,

"You flatter me, you are far too sweet sugar," I told her rubbing my nose on hers,

"I do my best, how was work?"

"Fine, sneed being sneed, a few surgeries, got locked up in the morgue for a while so I'm sorry for being late home,"

"It's alright, dinner on the stove for you,"

"Oh? Ahhh I see." I nodded, "I should have guessed, So? where are you off to looking so beautiful?"

"Going to bridge with the girls,"

"Aww alright, you enjoy yourself, Y/n," I smiled kissing her cheek, "Maybe as you're going out I might pop out and play some cards for a bit,"

"Of course, you go enjoy yourself, Jack," she smiled as she finished with her hair, "Don't wait up,"

"You either," I told her,

She nodded and we shared another kiss before she headed out, I had myself some dinner and changed my shirt grabbing my lucky coin as well as some cash to go down the cat and bagpipes for the evening.

I headed through the dark woods the only light the gentle glow from the moon, my black cloak around my black dress to keep me and myself concealed. I reached my usual spot out by the graveyard and I opened up the small chest I hid under a tree I covered my face with the cloth inside and pulled up my hood to hide my Y/H/C hair, and I grabbed my pistol making sure it was loaded, I watched the horses pull the coach along through the darkness. So I made sure I was hidden before I out onto the road pointing my pistol at the driver. He panicked and pulled the carriage over, so I opened the door and pointed my pistol at the canoodling couple who both screamed.

"You're money. or your life," I told them putting on my rough voice,

"Ahh! Okay okay!" The man said handing me his money,

"And you madam," I demanded,

"I don't have any money- Please please- take my necklace!" She said handing it quickly over to me,

"Thank you kindly, you have a pleasant evening," I smirked taking it with me and disappearing back into the dark woods letting the coach go and waiting for the next one. This went on all night pulling over any carriage or horse that seemed worth my time once my bag was full of jewellery and cash I put my pistol back in hiding and headed home leaving my cloak by the door and hiding my bag of cash in my hat box. I headed inside and saw the kitchen was flickering with light so I headed in and saw Jack having some water,

"Awww Hello Jack," I smiled going and cuddling him,

"Awww Hi sugar, how was Bridge?"

"Lovely as always," I kissed him, "how were the cards?"

"Good, I made seventeen pounds,"

"Ooohh my clever boy,"

"Aww thank you, I would have made more but Darius was being a cunt,"

"I don't know why you play with him," I rolled my eyes,

"Cause he has money," he laughed, "But I'm just having a drink to keep the hangover off, Are you ready for bed?"

"Very ready for bed," I nodded, "I'll see you up there," I smiled kissing him before I headed up to the bedroom,

"You think I could get a cuddle before bed too?" He called,

"If you're fortunate Jack,

I headed home with a wide smile on my face, it had been an easy day at the hospital and my pockets were heavy with my cut from the recent heist of the governor's estate, I had a plan for the cash of course I'd finally get my lovely Y/n a pretty ring, it was only right after so long together. I always promised her I would, and honestly, I had been saving up for a while I wanted to get her something truly impressive. I arrived home and emptied my pockets as usual hanging my coat and hat by the door before heading up to see her in the bedroom once more fixing her hair from a bath.

"Awww there you are sugar," I smiled kissing her head, "Dressed up again?" I asked noticing her black dress,

"It's Tuesday,"

"Yes... of course Tuesday bridge. Silly me," I chuckled, "But... maybe tomorrow when we both get up maybe we could go out?"

"Ohh where? it's your day off don't you usually just want to become a little bed slug?"

"I know, but maybe... after a little while of bed slugging, did you wanna go out?"

"Aww, I'd love to Jack, where are you going to take me then?"

"I thought maybe... down to the jewellers?"

"...Wait... really!"

"Yeah really!"

"I'd love you!" She squealed hugging me tightly, "You mean it?"

"I do, I have plenty saved up to get you something lovely, and as you're off to bridge... I might even pop down the cat and bagpipes and see if I can worm my way into a few more pounds to get you a nice box for your ring too?"

"Well I can-"

"No. I told you. I'm paying for this I don't want you using your savings for us,"

"Fine, but I get you to buy our wedding rings,"

"That's a deal sugar," I cooed kissing her sweet lips, "So tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, I can't wait." She smiled, "See you later,"

"Have fun,"

We shared another kiss before she headed off for her bridge game, I smirked and took my cash to get sorted for tomorrow.

I grabbed my pistol as I pulled my hood over my head watching the carriage get closer, I jumped out from the trees and forced the driver to pull over, then I forced open the door but I was taken back as I saw Captain Gains with guards all with their pistols on me,

"Shit-" I began trying to bolt but the guards rushed out and grabbed me disarming me and dragging me kicking and screaming at the Captain,

"Well, well, The shadow of port victory," he said as he pulled back my hood and cloth to see my face, "... not what I expected I admit. But your time of judgment has come young lady,"

"Fuck you!" I yelled,

"Take her away." He demanded,

I headed home with a wide smile my pockets heavy with cash after a good night at the cat and bagpipes almost doubling my money for tomorrow, I hid it away and headed upstairs expecting to see Y/n in bed already given how late I got back but... no. Hu... that's odd she's normally back by now? Maybe she got held up or something?

I got changed and got into bed wrapping myself up even if I did feel lonely without her here to cuddle, but I'm sure she'll be home soon.

I woke up very strangely mostly the alcohol I imagine sitting up in bed with a yawn, "Good Morning Sugar" I cooed as I stretched, but I looked over and saw the bed empty, "Y/n?" I asked, "Y/n?" I asked again but nothing I got up out of bed and wandered the small house checking every room and calling out to her but she wasn't here... where... where is she?

I sat angrily in a cell, I was so angry I was caught but I felt this horrible sadness in my stomach. Jack would wonder where I was, he would have no idea where I'd gone... it would probably break his heart, that we had planned to go out and buy our engagement ring and I suddenly ran off never to return, He'd think I left him. I wish I could just see him, just speak to him one more time to tell him how much I adore him... but I know I am going to the rope. I had tried asking for a doctor in the hope they'd send him but they always said they'd fetch Sneed and I didn't trust him to tell Jack, I wanted to ask for Jack to ask to see him but I was worried they would think he was involved with me and thus get him hung alongside me. Besides we were unmarried so I had no right to see him even if I begged to.

Soon enough Captain Gains came to me and stood outside my cell he began with the paperwork his pen scribbling along my papers,

"Any final confession?"

I spat in his face,

He wiped it away and glared at me before he called his guards, who opened the cell and forced me out, "A rainy day today, and as always we make sure to hang twice. Just to be sure." He smirked before they dragged me out.

I walked the rainy streets still looking for Y/n, I had been asking all over Port Victory but no one had seen her, I even checked at the hospital just in case something happened or if she'd gone there looking for me, I was so confused... why would Y/n just disappear like this? it's not like her, much less when we had such lovely plans. The thought... had crossed my mind that she might have... But she wouldn't! surely... surely she wouldn't. Even so, all her things were still at home, and her savings jar was still in the pantry. Nothing pointed to her leaving, so I was worried she had gotten hurt somehow. I heard a bunch of hangings going on but I didn't pay much attention still asking around the market if anyone had seen her, I found Charlie a young street boy who I'd saved his leg some months back, he was at the front watching the hangings.

"Hi, Charlie,"

"Hi doctor Dawkins," He nodded,

"You uhh you haven't happened to see Y/n have you?"

"Y/n? Your misses?"

"Yes, my misses," I chuckled,

"Isn't she up there?" he asked pointing to the gallows,

I looked up through the dark rainy clouds that gave the day a blue hue, on the wooden gallows I saw her... and my blood ran cold, she stood in her black dress, her Y/H/C hair a mess, her hands chained, and the noose around her neck. I was breathless and panicked, but before I could even open my mouth the floor dropped-

I couldn't look, I turned away unable to face watching that swan-like neck snap my eyes flooded with tears, I could barely face it but I looked up and saw her neck hadn't snapped, she was slowly struggling for breath.

But I wasn't going to let her die, I saw a guard so grabbed the bottle I keep on me at all times... just in case things go wrong, I doused a rag and sealed it over his nose and mouth forcing the pistol from his belt as he dropped to the floor, I lined it up and fired one shot breaking the rope she hung from causing the crowd to scream and panic. I bolted over and managed to catch her before she hit the ground,

"Hi sugar," I cooed,

"Hi Jack," She coughed as she got teary holding me tightly I gave her a tight squeeze back,

"Let's get out of here," I told her holding her hand and keeping the pistol as we bolted through the street together, "Why were they hanging you!"

"Long story!"

"Well now or never sugar!"

"Ughh well... you know those reports in town about a shadow highwayman?"

"what the stranger mugging coaches outside of town?"

"Yes."

"what about him?"

"I am him."

"... Ohh..."

"Yeah..."

"...Hu.... Well, if we are being honest, you know all the pickpocketing and thievery been going on?"

"yes?"

"yeah... me."

"Ohh... I was curious why you weren't concerned about that," She laughed,

"We are both criminals,"

"Hardly. you're a pickpocket, I'm a highway girl at most were... moral lacking,"

"They'll still hang us!"

"Good point," she laughed, "What's the plan?"

"Get home, get all the loot I've saved up. Hop on the next boat out of port victory."

"We can take mine too, get us stable and sorted," she nodded,

We quickly got home and immediately we packed up our things, the small trinkets we couldn't bare leave, some clothes and both of our stocks of loot all together we had more than another to get out of port victory, enough to find somewhere new and to start a new life happily.

We loaded ourselves up and we shared a sweet kiss,

"I love you so so much, Y/n,"

"I love you more Jack," She cooed "Let's get out of here,"

"Don't have to tell me twice," I smirked holding her hand as we quickly left before anyone could come after us giving her hand a good squeeze confident I was never letting her go again.

[antiguagealach]

THE ARTFUL DODGER DESERVES A SECOND SEASON

To begin with, I want to clarify that Spanish is my native language, so I will try to express myself as best I can in this post.

I'm a little late to this series, as it premiered about a year ago. At some point I assumed, wrongly, that it was released in the first half of the year. Despite not having had time yet to see your posts, tweets, nor videos about the series (I will do it because I am obsessed with this series), I have read some fanfics, and I must say they are a real chef's kiss!

My interest in this series came about while I was still going through the “grief” of a cancellation. I recently finished watching My Lady Jane, a wonderful series that they cancelled for no reason. So, when I started this new series and was hooked from the first episode by its plot and characters, I asked a friend to research if there was going to be a second season or if it had been cancelled as well. To prepare myself emotionally, I wanted to know if I could expect a conclusion or at least a sequel. However, my friend told me that there wasn't much official information: some rumors indicated that it was cancelled, while others mentioned that it might have been planned as a short series. I decided to assume it was a short series and told myself that, if that was the case, it was fine. But then I saw the ending… and I just can't accept it.

After all the tension of the plots, the operation and the evolution of the relationship between Jack and Belle, I can't settle for such an open-ended closure. How can it all end with a simple “Jack” uttered through thick glass, followed by his incarceration? That ending seems made for a sequel.

As I mentioned before, I'm aware that I'm late to this fandom. All I know is that there is a fan petition for a second season. However, there is a silver lining: according to several people on social media, this series has not been officially cancelled. In addition, the creator continues to share content and give “likes” to those who ask for a second season, which is a good sign. I also consider it positive that it is not Amazon but Disney/Hulu who are behind it, as this could give us a chance. Another inspiring example is Good Omens, a series that, although initially conceived as a single season based on a book, was eventually greenlit for a second season (after years).

I imagine this idea has already come up among fans, but I propose that we make more noise, following the example of the My Lady Jane fandom. The Artful Dodger has enormous potential to explore different avenues in a second season, and I'm sure James McNamara already has some great ideas in mind.

[perfectlyfinespacebacon]

Happy for him but uhhh what does this mean???

it could mean it’s like artful dodger where it was a planned mini series and just the 1 season :(

no season 2 😫😭

season 2 doing anthology series like the books… 😔🥲

he’ll do double duty and film both or that it won’t interfere (best case scenario)

I just can’t remember the last time a series lead was casted in another series of a competitive streamer?

Guys im worried

[forasecondtherewedwon]

remember it once - chapter one

Fandom: The Artful Dodger Pairing: Jack x Belle Rating: T (will change) Chapter: 1 / 7 Word Count: 2831

For today's @dodgerfoxweek prompt: secrets/getting to know each other

Summary: “I’ve never wanted this before.” “What?” “To devote my life to another person. To live instead of just keeping myself alive. I don’t know… I don’t know how to say it…” “You said it very well.”

Jack’s squinting into the sun, fingers bitten by the wooden bow because he (regrettably) refused to wear the poncey little gloves Belle offered him. He wavers his aim across the target.

“You’re doing it wrong,” she calls out, behind him.

Jack huffs from his nose.

“Yes, I believe you’ve said that.”

“But you’re doing it wrong in a different way than you were doing it wrong before.” He can practically hear her impatiently crossing her arms. “Don’t you want me to correct you?”

There is a bead of sweat trickling down his nose. He’s already removed his jacket and he wishes he could do so again. A reprieve from this heat.

“Give me a moment to consider my answer,” Jack requests tersely. He looses the arrow and it sails off sadly into the vegetation. “Damn.”

“Right direction at least.”

Jack lets his arm drop like a hanged man, the bow knocking against his leg, and turns to regard Belle. Her commiserating pout flashes too quickly into a bright it’s-your-own-fault-for-not-asking-me smile. How is it, with the dappled light sieving through the branches overhead, Belle manages to be entirely in the shade while he sweats in full sun? He shuffles over to her across the grass, rubbing the side of his nose.

“You alright?” he checks quietly.

Her top blouses over her torso, trousered legs crossed on the chaise longue her doting father had their servants carry out onto the lawn for her. It’s all designed to keep her as comfortable as possible; beneath her light clothing is a wound that’s still healing.

“It is a little hard to watch,” she confesses, grinning mischievously.

“Well, I’m terribly sorry if my shit archery is impeding your convalescence. It was your idea.” He points limply at the ridiculously ornate little table covered by a pristine white cloth and a pitcher of water that’s the only thing out here perspiring more than he is. “Pour me a glass, would you?”

Belle reaches for the pitcher—her parents baby her, but Jack knows a little exertion won’t hurt her now she’s recovering. The sound of sloshing water is oasitic.

As he gulps, she says, “Do you want to sit down?”

Jack swallows, sighs, sets the glass back on the table, and eyes the space next to Belle on the chaise. He flicks his gaze towards the house. Estate. She mimics him.

“My mother has seen the two of us in bed together, naked,” she reminds him.

“All the more reason,” Jack figures, sinking down to sit on the grass instead. He discards the bow at his side. No need to worry about the quiver; Belle’s kept that tucked under the table, only doling out a single arrow at a time. His incompetency hasn’t warranted more.

He leans back against the chaise, forearms resting on his knees. There’s a rustle, and then Belle’s curling over him, arms looped loosely across his chest, cheek pressed to his. Instinctively, Jack stiffens and grips her wrist in warning.

“No one will see,” she murmurs, “and if they do, I don’t care.”

She sighs softly, her exhalation hitting his neck, the air a relief. He shuts his eyes.

“Breathe with me,” Belle requests.

He does, though he feels like his body’s now radiating the heat it absorbed and having her draped over him is only adding more, though the thought of either of her parents spying them like this seems more intrusive than catching them in her bedroom, in her bed. Jack runs his fingers lightly across the back of her hand.

They’ve afforded him a long leash where their daughter is concerned. In Belle’s mother’s case, it might be more of a long noose. Her eyes were icy when they met his at the door this afternoon, her smile tight. He hasn’t forgotten that she tried to send him to his death. She clearly hasn’t forgotten the sight of him propped up on her ailing daughter’s pillows. Even though he didn’t die and Belle didn’t wind up pregnant, it’s impossible for them to call things square. It’s largely thanks to Belle’s father—her father and, crucially, her sister—that he’s allowed on the property without the lady of the house taking aim at his head with something more explosive than a bow and arrow. And with, presumably, far better aim than what he’s demonstrated.

The thing is, they’re all grateful to him. It’s been damned awkward: Fanny’s unsubtle hints about an imminent union and Governor Fox’s smothering handshake coupled with a gruff avowal to support any hospital initiatives Jack might have in mind, to get him anything that will permit him to continue performing “top-notch surgeries.” Jack’s been tapped for head surgeon, of course. Sneed isn’t even overly put out about it, since he’d have shit himself if he’d had to be the one plunging a metal hook through the cavity sliced open below Belle’s ribs, her blood burbling up like a fountain while he worked. No, he’s grateful too. Jack feels uncomfortably noticed. It’s almost pleasant, how Belle’s mother baldly loathes the very ground on which he treads, cursing his existence, unrepentantly hating that it was he who preserved her daughter’s life after her pigheadedness nearly took it.

Jack shifts, hot and angry, for a moment, over the fact that Belle is still living under this roof. But then Belle’s fingertips are on the clenching muscles of his jaw.

“Do not worry about looking like a fool with the bow,” she instructs soothingly. “I’m sure I would be just as ungainly attempting to wield your sword.”

“I wasn’t worried about looking like a fool,” Jack says flatly.

“Excellent. Forget I said anything.”

She kisses his temple and begins to withdraw, her hands slipping across his shirt. Jack twists before she can get far and presses his mouth up against hers. Belle cradles his cheek. He can feel her smiling. He won’t mention it, but he’s observed that recuperating from her own surgery has made Belle tenderer to those around her, improved her bedside manner—only, she’s the one in the bed. Gently, unhurriedly, he digs his fingers into hair she’s left down today, wavy and swinging forward over her shoulder. Belle’s tongue touches his lip, this delicate promise of a future where his hands won’t need to be quite so gentle in her hair, where their kissing won’t be quite so brief, his fingers finding the pulse beating steadily at her wrist as they draw apart.

“I would tell you if anything were amiss,” she swears.

“I know.” He turns the concentrated pressure of his touch into an affectionate stroke across her skin.

“And you would tell me if anything more than your dismal display at archery were bothering you.”

“Your mother,” he gives her.

“Ah.”

“Good, we’ve discussed that.” Jack swings his head to face forward. Belle grips his chin and turns it back so she can look at him.

“You will be friends,” she decrees.

“Unlikely.”

“She will warm to you.”

“Equally unlikely.”

“Jack.”

“Belle.”

He’s struggling not to smile, even though what she’s saying is absurd and she deserves to be told as much. He’d just as well leave it though, because what little breeze there is ruffles Belle’s long hair and it’s a beautiful day. Three days ago, Port Victory was bombarded with rain so violent it seemed biblical, and that was a beautiful day too; he sat on the edge of a stiff chair in the parlour of Government House, rain snapping at the windows like a wet sheet, and it was beautiful because Belle sat in the chair angled towards his, alive.

“She kept you out of jail,” Belle offers, pulling him back into the conversation.

“She demanded that I be put in jail!”

“That was before you saved my life.”

“Right, perfectly reasonable then.” Belle rolls her eyes and threatens to slouch backwards again, so Jack grasps her hands between his and decides to make peace. Maybe. “I appreciate that I am not rotting in a cell right now—I appreciate it a great deal. However.”

Belle sighs noisily.

“However,” Jack insists, “our interests will simply never align.”

“Nonsense. You both want me to be happy above all.”

“Yes, but she wants you to be happy married to some tosspot like Smails or Sneed or, god forbid, Twist,” Jack rants, waving a hand to indicate this line of dull, unsavory, unsuitable suitors, “whereas I want you to be happy with…”

Belle smiles. She’s both laughing at him and delighted by him, teasing him and reassuring him, and all Jack can do is feel unmoored and emptyhanded after once again foregoing a cautious wade into the topic of marriage in favour of plunking straight down in its center like a badly-skipped stone.

“Finish your point,” she prods, head tilted in fond amusement.

He’s tongue-tied gazing up at Belle, at the tree that shades them, at the house built in just that spot to enjoy that shade, to shelter this woman—a woman to whom he can currently offer no more than a cluttered doctor’s quarters and the desperate look he gets on his face when he allows himself even a moment’s yearning to be her husband. He’s wearing the look now.

“Belle,” he says. “I never asked you properly, and I probably never should. It’s completely inconvenient that I love you. It’s painful.”

She lifts their clasped hands to her face and kisses the back of his before resting her cheek there. Jack finds himself on his knees, both knees, and if her parents were to glance outside now, they might really be alarmed.

“I don’t know how this becomes something that… honours you… that isn’t us saying damn the rules! and doing more than what is appropriate because, if you’d died, it would’ve been worse not to.” Jack pauses, emotion making it difficult to swallow. “You’re not dying, not anymore. I want to do right by you. I want to be decent. I want to stand at your side while your scalpel parts someone’s skin, and I want your mother to stop looking at me like I’m taking advantage of you, and I want to wake up and fall asleep every single day knowing that you know I love you,” he pants. “I’ve never wanted this before.”

“What?”

“To devote my life to another person. To live instead of just keeping myself alive. I don’t know… I don’t know how to say it…”

“You said it very well.”

He looks at her. She’s crying. She nods and dashes the tears from her cheeks with her thumb.

“You’ve had my heart in your hands,” Belle states. “Almost literally. There is a scar on my body that I will bear for the rest of my life attesting to it. I’m alive because of you”—she shakes her head emphatically and fresh tears scatter—“and I mean that in more ways than one.”

“Belle,” Jack implores, “be my wife. I need you.”

“I need you,” she repeats, and hugs him so fiercely that she topples onto him, topples the both of them onto the grass.

She winds him, and when Jack inhales, he smells the bittersweet scent of the lawn, Belle’s skin, his own sweat. It’s all green and gold, fresh and bright. She rolls off of him and they lie on the grass, faces close.

“Sorry,” she mumbles, and starts to laugh. He can only grin and lift a hand to sweep the hair off her neck.

The intensity of the previous moment has gone, the ache in his voice, her tears. Jack’s glad because this is more like who they are most of the time—some of it who he’d like them to be more of the time; when she landed on him, the weight evoked the morning they spent in her bed. He looks at her, knowing she’ll answer when she’s ready, or if he prods her.

Before they get back to that, he asks, “When did you learn archery?”

“Young.” Belle’s fingers skim a blade of grass between them before she plucks it from the earth. “My parents were worried that I was in more danger from wild animals here than I had been in England. Father wanted to keep me inside. Mother bought me that”—she reaches beyond Jack to grab and drop the bow—“and found me an instructor. You look surprised.”

He is, and he can feel it on his face.

“That was very practical of her.”

“Yes, my mother is nothing if not practical. And it is easier to be in denial about the things one can’t see, like aortic aneurysms, than the things one can. Such as large snakes.”

Jack jerks up onto his elbow, eyebrows hoisted towards his hairline as he looks down at her.

“You shot a snake with an arrow? Fuck me, I don’t know you at all!” He shakes his head and blurts, “Sorry,” for his rough language.

But she smiles and eases onto her back. He sinks down to her side.

“I don’t mind. I rather like it when you speak impulsively.” Her smile turns significant. “I like it when you say just what you mean.”

“Belle…” Jack can hear his tone, fearful, even as he fills his eyes with hope and locks them on hers.

“You know I want to marry you,” she whispers, tapping her forehead gently against his.

“That isn’t an answer.”

“Can you blame me for wishing to avoid a schism in my family?”

“What if that doesn’t change? How long do we wait?” He retracts some of his vulnerability back inside himself, expression less open. “When do you decide I’m not worth it?”

Belle gives his scarf a warning tug.

“Do not speak like that about my fiancé.”

“Oh, your fiancé?” Jack echoes teasingly. He can’t help it. She warms him like the sun. Less mercilessly.

“If the engagement can stay between the two of us for now.” Her eyes are cautious, searching his, wishing to avoid hurt or misunderstanding. “Only because I know they will see. Give them time.”

Jack’s brow furrows.

“See what?”

“You.”

He breaks into a smile, leaning over her as her hand tightens on his scarf, urging him down to kiss her.

“What do you think you are doing.”

It’s too sharp to be a question. Jack sits upright immediately. It’s probably best if he doesn’t attempt to answer that.

“Unless there is a worm that requires medical care, I do not ever want to find you sprawled on the ground with my daughter so familiarly,” Lady Fox snaps.

This is the woman Belle expects to warm to him, to embrace him as a son. Confronted anew with fact of her absolute scorn for him, it seems so preposterous that he once again speaks without thought.

“We did try to sprawl formally, but the worm commanded us to be at ease. A bit uppity for someone who lives in the dirt, but he swore he was a retired officer of Her Majesty’s own fleet.”

“Alright, both of you,” Belle says quickly as her mother’s mouth falls open to no doubt retaliate.

Jack’s hand goes to Belle’s back as she sits up. He watches Lady Fox watch him touching her.

“The sun is hot,” Belle explains to her mother. “The reason we’re on the ground is because Jack thought it would be improper of him to sit next to me on the chaise while he rested. I thought it would be improper to have my guest sit at my feet.”

“Oh yes,” Lady Fox says with great sarcasm. “The solution you reached is much more appropriate. Well done. Since the sun is rather oppressive, I invite you to come inside and sit with me.”

“As gracious an offer as that is, ma’am,” Jack forces himself to say, “I should get back to the hospital. This heat—everything… festers.”

“Lovely. You can find your own way out. I need to speak to my daughter anyway.”

“What about?” Belle asks, hand on Jack’s shoulder for support as she rises to her feet.

Lady Fox just smiles at her, eyes glaring when they settle on Jack, and retreats into the house.

“I could really feel the friendship in that last look she gave me,” Jack says, standing up as well.

“Friendship may have been an ambitious goal,” Belle concedes, “but I am certain you will be able to be at least cordial to one another by the time our first child is born.”

“It’s not my fault that—” Jack begins, before he cocks his head as he processes the rest of what Belle said. “You’re not—”

“You know I’m not, but I doubt it will take long once we’re married, what with the frequency with which we will be—” He interrupts her now, cupping the back of her head and kissing her hard. He feels her chest rise and fall against his own. Holds her in the kiss until he almost can’t breathe.

[messymindpalace]

in case my thousands of posts haven't made clear:

i watched The Artful Dodger and loved it