#this post earnt that tag

[eemoo1o-animoo]

What if Sebastian was in a silly goofy mood and just decided to become the Smile demon

[pingunaa]

dude what the hell tumblr glitched and it made me unfollow you?? i got so confused when i didn’t see you on my following list JDHSJSJKSJS 😭😭

GASPED😨😱 😣 atleast im back on ☝️

[hinderr]

.

[5sospenguinqueen]

Pocket Money Pt 2 | Lance Stroll x Reader

Summary: After some time apart, you and Lance realise your love and future mean more than fans' hateful comments

Warnings: Swearing. Sexual innuendos? Hateful fans

Female reader. All pics found on Pinterest.

prev.

F1 Masterlist

━━━━━━ ༻𖥸༺ ━━━━━━

astonmartinf1 just posted

liked by chloestroll, scottyjames31 and others

astonmartinf1 fighting for points in imola. lance brings it home in P9, securing valuable points for the team #imolagp

5,396 comments

user1 lance stroll domination might bore some people

lance_stroll the car felt good this weekend. let’s keep it up, team

user2 just me or was lance looking a little happier this weekend than he has recently? 

YourUserName wonderful race result

liked by lance_stroll

→ user3 the first social media appearance we’ve had from y/n in weeks and it was in support of lance?!?! what does this mean

user4 does this mean they’re still together?

→ user5 nah he definitely dumped her ass and now she’s just trying to get him back

user6 y/n commented and lance liked it! please tell me they’re back together. most underrated but cutest couple on the grid

user7 @ YourUserName talk about trying too hard. he broke up with you, sweetie. let it go

user8 i know they’re more private but i need them to confirm they’re still together so i can sleep easy

astonmartinf1 @ YourUserName fancy paying us a visit in canada?

liked by YourUserName 

user9 not a bunch of you switching up like you weren’t calling for her head on a pike

→ user10 literally, you guys are probably the reason they broke up but now you’re acting like it’s not what you wanted, and the end of the world

━━━━━━ ༻𖥸༺ ━━━━━━

━━━━━━ ༻𖥸༺ ━━━━━━

astonmartinf1 just posted

liked by YourUserName, lance_stroll and others

astonmartinf1 all ready for race day tagged: lance_stroll, fernandoalo_official, YourUserName

4,889 comments

user11 omg lance looked so happy this weekend and i bet it was because y/n was there

fernandoalo_official y/n looks far better in lance’s helmet

→ YourUserName should put me in his seat next time

→ astonmartinf1 deal

→ lance_stroll my father will hear about this

→ YourUserName okay draco malfoy

chloestroll okay but i think i just fell in love with those eyes

→ scottyjames31 why are you never this publicly obsessed with me

→ chloestroll because you’re not y/n

→ danielricciardo she is the moment

BestFriend do NOT put her in the car. girly barely passed her driving test the second time

→ YourUserName you can shade me in our messages but publicly, you’re supposed to support me

→ lance_stroll you told me you did pass the first time

→ YourUserName no, i told you i tried really hard. and you claim to listen to me

→ lance_stroll i do! 

→ YourUserName it’s okay. i’m still proud of you

→ lance_stroll and i’ll still let you behind the wheel so long as the drive is less than 10 minutes

user12 is this confirmation that they’re back together!!

→ user13 it has to be. not only is she in the paddock but she’s on an official post AND lance commented in response to her

user14 so you’re still trying to tell me she’s NOT a fame whore? she vanishes from social media after being found out as a gold digger to come back on an f1 page

→ user15 seriously, what is your issue? lance looked happier this race than he has in weeks, and he scored some points. there’s obviously only one reason for that

━━━━━━ ༻𖥸༺ ━━━━━━

user1 agreed with @ daddynando. when you search her business, she is literally like second face you see after the ceo. she worked hard and deserves to flaunt it

→ user2 honestly. everyone talks about her being with lance for his money like she’s not loaded herself, and earnt it

→ user3 lance stroll wins for #1 wag because he’s always been so supportive of her and proud 

user4 funny how many of you have switched your opinion since finding out y/n is in charge of running a pretty wealthy company, and has enough money to keep herself comfortable without lance

user5 i also really miss y/n and lance. they were a more lowkey couple but he was always caught in the background of driver clips staring at her

→ user6 i won’t believe in love until they get back together 

→ user9 @ user6 you’re such a hypocrite. you literally have rts from two months ago of hateful tweets about her

user7 i’m so happy other people are finally being supportive of lance and y/n

user8 the way the two of them used to gush about starting a family and growing old together but the internet had to make her feel horrible about being in love 

user9 not that i’m not happy to see all this support for y/nance. i’m just wondering where you were when she was getting death threats?

user10 omg guys, lance just posted! 

user11 aston martin reposted this as well

→ user12 so did f1

→ user13 and mclaren, redbull and mercedes

→ user14 and danny ric, charles leclerc and a whole bunch of the grid

→ user15 they really said, we’re fed up with all of you

user16 people who have actually met her in the paddock say she’s the nicest person ever so idk why all you keyboard warriors thought you knew better

user17 the grid really said “not our y/n”

user18 anyone else feel like that last sentence was a bit of a threat? 

→ user19 it’s because aston martin’s legal team located one of the women who was sending the most threats and served her 

→ user20 i love that the official F1 website did an article about this because it serves as a warning to others

→ user21 lance stroll will find you lol

━━━━━━ ༻𖥸༺ ━━━━━━

YourUserName just posted

liked by lance_stroll, danielricciardo and others

YourUserName here’s what you missed on glee 

3,115 comments

user1 omg welcome back. we’ve missed you 

user2 excuse me but all the lance pictures. my favourite f1 couple are back together! 

lance_stroll my pretty girl 💚 but why did you have to post the ice-cream pic?

→ YourUserName but i also posted that hot pic with the chain ���

→ lance_stroll i thought we talked about that emoji

→ danielricciardo don’t try and change her

user3 woof woof (i can’t tell which of them i want to sleep with more)

user4 okay but the black shirt and the chain. i’m starting to see what miss y/n sees him in

YourBrother dude, i do not need to see your underwear on this app. please do not post what are clearly post-sex pics

→ YourUserName they were not! we did that the night before. this was me begging him not to leave for a meeting and get back in bed. he declined :( 

→ BestFriend how dare he! 

→ lance_stroll it was an important meeting! 

→ BestFriend and she’s an important person! 

estebanocon at least lance will stop moping now

→ lance_stroll i think i was allowed to mope! the love of my life was sad and in another country 

→ user5 ladies, get a man who simps over you like lance stroll  

chloestroll um, why am i not included in this photo dump? do i mean nothing to you?

→ lance_stroll how many times do i have to tell you that you’re not her favourite stroll

→ YourUserName it’s actually lawrence 

user6 do you know what i like seeing more than happy y/n and lance? no hate comments on y/n’s post. our queen is being respected and loved as she should be 

user7 excuse me, are those wedding pics in the background

→ YourUserName oops

lance_stroll just posted

liked by alex_albon, fernandoalo_official and others

lance_stroll 💚🤍

4,006 comments

astonmartinf1 everybody stay calm! We are totally normal about this! 

→ user8 admin is all of us 

astonmartinf1 a huge congratulations to the newlyweds but we’re still disappointed that you didn’t have an aston martin themed wedding :( 

→ YourUserName we had an aston martin as our wedding car?

→ astonmartinf1 keep talking

→ user9 not admin acting like they didn't know this prior to y/n spilling on her recent post

YourUserName i love you, my darling husband

→ lance_stroll i love you more, my breathtaking wife. thank you for marrying me

→ user10 get someone who THANKS you for marrying them

danielricciardo what a beautiful day, mate. and what a gorgeous bride 

→ YourUserName no amount of compliments will make me forgive you 

→ danielricciardo i didn’t mean to! i was drunk

→ YourUserName you still kissed my husband

→ lance_stroll you promised you wouldn’t tell the internet! 

→ YourUserName i lied!

→ landonorris this marriage is off to a great start. nice work, ricciardo 

chloestroll have i stopped crying? not really. my baby brother and perfect sister-in-law

→ YourUserName i’m so lucky to call you my sister-in-law. although i think you’d do better as my wife ;)

→ chloestroll there’s still time

→ lance_stroll stop

→ scottyjames31 agreed

user11 i don’t understand how anyone could deny that these two truly love each other. the way they look at each other 

landonorris could you go be ridiculously in love somewhere else?

→ lance_stroll this is my instagram?

user12 omg they still got married on their original date

YourBrother nonna says it’s time for babies now

→ lance_stroll i’m trying my best

→ danielricciardo don’t tell the internet that you’re raw dogging every night

→ YourUserName that’s it. you’re blocked

━━━━━━ ༻𖥸༺ ━━━━━━

YourUserName just posted

liked by lance_stroll, georgerussell63 and others

YourUserName say hi to baby stroll

3,421 comments

lance_stroll my amazing family 🥰 y/n, you have given me the best gift by being my wife, and then by being my partner in parenting. i love you 

→ YourUserName why do you insist on making me cry, my heart. i love you and our family more than anything

user13 excuse me but where was the pregnancy announcement!

chloestroll baby and the bear

→ YourUserName baby stroll loves his bobo bear more than anything 

→ chloestroll what can i say, i’m the ultimate gift giver

→ lance_stroll you gave me an old vogue magazine for my birthday last year 

→ chloestroll yes but for your 18th, i got you a hot date who eventually turned into the love of your life so i think i’m off the hook until the end of days 

→ YourUserName i only agreed to it because i thought i would be YOUR hot date @ chloestroll 

→ lance_stroll i have feelings 

user14 we get their wedding and then we get nothing until they announce a whole ass baby 

scottyjames31 am i still banned from the stroll household?

→ lance_stroll idk will you stop bringing red bull baby stuff into my house

→ scottyjames31 but then how will he show that he’s uncle scotty’s #1 supporter

→ danielricciardo and uncle danny’s 

→ lance_stroll because he’s his dad’s #1 supporter 

→ danielricciardo @ scottyjames31 this is uncle erasure 

user15 when lance told us y/n wasn’t at races for the past 5 months because she was swamped at work, what he really meant was she was hiding a baby bump from us

user16 i knew her showing up in a different team hoodie every race was more than just a running joke! 

→ landonorris she wore those because she loves mclaren! she loves us! 

→ YourUserName debatable

→ landonorris i thought being a mum was supposed to make you nicer

→ YourUserName it did but you’re not my child 

user17 i know this is gross but from doing the math, he got her pregnant on their honeymoon

→ user18 faster than he is on track 

user19 um, mr stroll, we weren’t familiar with your game. those back muscles

→ YourUserName they’re what got me pregnant 

→ user20 um, hello mrs stroll. PR might be after you now 

→ astonmartinf1 she’s off the hook for now. we’re kind of hoping for them to make a grid’s worth of babies

→ user21 lawrence stroll ghost wrote this 

→ lance_stroll sounds like we need to get started on baby #2, sweetheart 

→ YourUserName only if you push this one out 

→ lance_stroll deal

━━━━━━ ༻𖥸༺ ━━━━━━

Hands up if you were shocked by Lance’s contract announcement today 😂 Never saw that coming

Baby Fever Angst Series

F1 Request are open! (They might just take some time)

Tag list

@callsignwidow @luvrrish @evans-dejong @sadsierra2 @justdreamersdream @spookystitchery @dark-night-sky-99 @majusialikesfastcars @luckyladycreator2 @mrosales16 @reguluscrystals @tvdtw4ever @alwaysclassyeagle @gigicisneros @thecubanator2 @goldenharrysworld @awritingtree @jxnellat @lav3nder-haze @hc-dutch @mxdi0 @buckybarnessweetheart @ironmaiden1313 @dreamercrowd @yourbane @glow-ish @g-l-o-b-e-w-h-o-r-e @weekendlusting @lemon-lav @minkyungseokie @bibissparkles @peachiicherries @rosecentury @exotic-iris13

[djs-sideblog-for-pog-trains]

James and his ballroom dancing teacher

a rewrite of this post/ficlet from 2021 :] and a partner to this art piece i posted yesterday.

wordcount: 8.9k words

relationships: romantic 4x5, implied background 2x3.

characters: ALL HUMANISED James, Gordon, Thomas, Edward, Henry, Percy, Flying Scotsman, Topham Hatt (who have talking rolls, everyone else is implied to be there or potentially name-dropped)

tags/warnings: brief mention of alcohol, kissing, anxiety/spiralling thoughts. Can't think of anything else.

Kind of hurt/comfort but mostly just emotional fluff. A slowburn oneshot, if you will.

Full fic under the cut ^-^

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

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

The anniversary of Sir Topham Hatt taking over from his father, (also Sir Topham Hatt) is a scant few months away. James won’t lie he’s been eyeing up the calendar – he’s been sensing a good opportunity – so he’s spent the past week or two voicing his …wonderings as to whether the Fat Controller will throw some sort of event, surely he should, he’s earnt one by now.

Thomas finally looks up, and eyes James over their mediocre breakroom cups of tea.

“You just want an excuse to dress up, don’t you?” he drawls, even as he idly stirs his tea, the spoon clinking against the cup.

James sticks his nose in the air even as he flushes just a little.

“And what if I do?” he huffs. “I have a lovely dress-coat that I ordered all the way from Manchester, and I haven’t even had a chance to wear it yet! A ball would be perfect! When was the last time we ever had a ball?”

Thomas stares into his tea.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a ball,” he says, then he frowns. “Well, maybe when the queen came. But, y’know. That was the queen.”

“I’m just saying, we should have one,” James says, waving his hands. “I mean, even besides all that, surely Sir Topham Hatt deserves one. It’s been a long haul.”

Thomas rolls his eyes, but he does nod.

“You have a point,” he says. “You could ask him. Or are you hoping the gossip will reach him first?”

James laughs. “You know me too well,” he says. “Oop, it’s 1:40, my next train’s in five minutes. See you later, puffball!”

“Bye, bootlace,” Thomas calls back as James rises from his seat and hurries away.

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

It seems James’ plan has worked. Within the week, murmurs are already spreading about a ball. Hatt even sends out a letter of interest, to which actually most everyone replies with enthusiasm.

“Sir, would you let us go to the mainland to get appropriate formalwear?” James asks, eventually, when their paths cross at Knapford. “It would be a shame if we couldn’t dress to impress – the opportunity for such things comes so rarely. It’d be a real treat.”

Topham eyes him knowingly, but laughs and tugs at the lapels of his coat as he thinks.

“I have to admit, you raise a good point, James,” he nods. “I can’t let you all go at once, but… Hm. Perhaps I will organise some sort of schedule within the coming month.”

James beams. “Oh, thank you sir!”

“Before you get too excited,” Hatt smiles wryly, “Go take your next train.”

The clock overhead in the station chimes 10am. James flinches, before he nods at Hatt and hurries away.

It’s fine. He counts this as a win.

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

After work today, James ends up walking home with Edward. Not that they do this often, but, well, they only live a couple flats down from each other anyway. And besides! James has a favour he needs to ask as unnaturally as possible.

“Ugh,” he starts. “The ball coming up, I’m so nervous.”

“Nervous?” Edward repeats. “That’s hardly like you, James.”

“But I don’t know how to dance,” James complains, shooting Edward a kind of look.

Edward shakes his head, frowning in fond confusion.

“Now that’s a lie,” he says. “I’ve seen you tap, James.”

“But that’s not ballroom dancing,” James stresses. “I don’t know how to- say, to waltz. I can’t show up to a real, fancy ball not knowing how to waltz.”

And Edward lets out a little snort now that he’s catching on, his smile slowly growing and his eyebrow slowly raising.

“Not like you,” James finally lays down his honey trap. “I remember seeing you dance, once, Edward, you were wonderful.”

“And you want me to teach you.”

James clasps his hands, grinning. “Yes!” he exclaims.

“No,” says Edward.

“Ah! Why not?!”

Edward laughs, and keeps walking even as James stops, putting his hands on his hips dramatically as he pouts at the back of Edward’s head.

“I need you!” James calls. “Edward, it’s my time of need!”

“Uh huh,” Edward says, not looking back and not stopping.

Eventually, James is forced to rush to catch up, and he quickly manages to fall back in step with Edward.

“But I need a teacher,” he pleads again. “Edward, I don’t want to make a fool of myself!"

"You could have fooled me,” Edward laughs, before he rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Look, if you really want a good teacher, why don’t you ask Gordon? He taught me everything I know.”

James stops dead again – but this time, he has a much more different, far more flustered expression on his face. Edward stops this time, too, a few paces ahead of James, and looks back at him with a knowing smile.

“Do ask nicely though, hm?” he tacks on. “You wouldn’t want Gordon to turn you down, would you?”

James’ flush only deepens.

“Sod off,” he finally says.

“Mm, this is my house,” Edward replies, smiling, and James realises he has in fact walked Edward all the way home – past his own place, too. “I think it’s you who may have to sod off.”

James flushes redder.

Edward laughs at him, in that fond knowing way of his that’s almost more infuriating than anything else, and waves goodbye as he heads up the path to his flat.

James balls his fists, before he lets out a hissing breath between his teeth, and walks himself home while he definitely, totally, does not stew over ask Gordon.

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

On Tuesdays, he has a small overlap with Gordon at Knapford at 10am.

So James is already loitering on the station platform as Gordon hops down from his engine, and Gordon spots him leaning on one of the pillars, attempting to look as casual as possible.

“Oh!” he says. “Hello there, little James.”

James hopefully manages to control his expression. He hasn’t decided if he is annoyed by the ‘little’ or if it’s grown on him, because Gordon has managed to make it sound …endearing, nowadays. Though James is, uh, may be imagining that bit. Probably.

“Hi,” he replies.

“…Were you waiting for me?” Gordon asks, and he draws in closer, pausing a good metre away and putting one hand in his pocket, resting his weight over one hip, and it’s not fair, because he looks so good and he cuts such an imposing figure in his work uniform that James has to focus to get through his sentence.

“Yes, actually,” James says, straightening up from where he was leaning against the station pillar. “A little bluebird told me you can dance.”

To James’ surprise, Gordon actually… stiffens a little. James watches his expression close up just a fraction, almost imperceptibly so if James didn’t happen to know the minutia of Gordon’s facial expressions well by this point.

“…What of it?” Gordon asks, folding his arms. He sounds somewhat… miffed.

James clasps his hands behind his back and smiles as brightly as he can.

“Teach me.”

“No.”

James pouts. “Please?”

“No.” Gordon repeats, more out of instinct, before he sighs, and looks down dolefully at James. “…Are you going to drop this, at all?”

“No,” James says sweetly. “Teach me?”

Really, James hopes Gordon will say yes without too much hounding. H-he does like the idea of learning off of Gordon. Whether Gordon denies it to not, he does carry himself in his day-to-day life with the grace of poise of a dancer. Now Edward’s mentioned it, James isn’t sure how he hasn’t noticed sooner.

A-and, well, really, he trusts Gordon. Gordon will make fun of him to his face, but he probably wouldn’t tattle on James’ potential two left feet to everyone else. And James doesn’t really want to… broadcast that he’s having to learn these things. Or something. He doesn’t know, it’s probably all a bit silly anyway.

Gordon tips his head back for a moment, and sighs heavily.

“Okay,” he says.

“Now, I know that you don’t-!” James cuts himself off. “Oh. Um. Thank you.”

“We’ll talk about this later,” Gordon says. “Catch up with me after work, if you’re serious.”

“I’m dead serious!” James clasps his hands. “I am.”

“Well then,” Gordon says, as he nods at James before walking past him, to go get some morning tea or something, probably. “That’s that, then.”

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

Gordon catches him after work, his expression somewhat intense as he grabs James’ arm and his attention. James pauses, looking up at him.

“Oh,” he says, “yes?”

“Tonight,” Gordon says, voice low, not far off murmuring into James’ ear. “Are you willing to start tonight?”

James lights up. “Yes!” he says, though he does his best to mirror Gordon’s hushed tone. “Where? When?”

Gordon snorts, amused, and pats his left trouser pocket knowingly.

“Hatt gave me a key to the ballroom they’ll be using,” he says conspiratorially. “We will practice there.”

James smiles, bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement.

“…And, I was thinking after dark,” Gordon says softly. “…Just to, shall we say, preserve our dignity.”

James flushes a little, despite himself.

“What,” he says, “you think I’m going to be that bad?”

Gordon laughs, and lets James’ arm go. He also doesn’t answer the question.

“How’s 11?” he asks instead.

“…pm?”

“Yes.”

“…Gordon.”

“…10?”

James closes his eyes for a moment. Well, if Gordon is really that embarrassed to be found with him, then fine.

“We can do 11,” he says tiredly. “You’re the one with the earlier trains, anyway.”

Gordon snorts, and nods. He gives James the address.

“Do you have dancing shoes?” he asks, as James begins to walk away.

“I got some recently,” James says, waving his hand. “I only had tap shoes before, and I didn’t think that’d quite work out.”

Gordon laughs again, before he nods at James, seemingly satisfied.

“See you later,” he says, finally raising his voice back to his normal speaking register, before he turns on his heel and strides away.

James takes a moment to massage his temple. That was weird. That was weird, right? He’s not going nuts?

“…That was weird,” comments Thomas from across the room. “What on earth were you talking about?”

“Ah!” James practically jumps out of his skin, and jolts around, glaring at his coworker. “How long have you been there?!”

“Not that long,” Thomas says, as he pulls on his coat. “But long enough to see that was kind of weird. What did he want?”

“He’s doing a favour for me,” James says, before he shakes his head and starts to walk. Thomas falls into pace beside him, head tilting in curiosity, waiting for an explanation. “…Privately.”

“Ooh,” Thomas teases. “You finally told him?”

“What?!” James goes red despite himself, and gives Thomas a shove. “You’re delusional. There’s nothing to tell. Shut up.”

“Uh huh.”

“Shut up!”

James speeds up, hoping it’ll make Thomas leave him alone. It notably does not. In fact, Thomas tails him the entire way back to his flat, asking leading questions the whole while, and James has to slam the bloody door closed in the prat’s face until Thomas finally leaves him alone. And James can hear Thomas’ laughter through the door as he walks away.

James takes the moment to let his back thump against the door and to cover his face, screaming into his hands a little bit, just for fun. This is… James needs a lie down, or something.

He also needs to find his dancing shoes before tonight.

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

James trudges up to the hall, his bag with his shoes in it thrown over his shoulder, his coat thrown over top plain, casual clothes he doesn’t usually let people see him wear – he likes to be well presented at all times, but tonight he also needs to be comfortable enough to dance.

He’s so nervous. What if he can’t get it? What if Gordon gives up on him? What if this ruins their friendship? The building is dark, did James get the right time? The right place? He feels ill. Why couldn’t Edward have just said yes? If it turns out Gordon has stood him up, James is blaming Edward.

James tries the door handle. It’s …unlocked. He lets out a sigh of relief and slips inside.

…Wow. This room is huge. And that may be a stupid thing to say, considering it’s a ballroom, but James pauses, wide-eyed, by the door as he takes in the space. He didn’t even know the NWR had one of these.

And down the other end, Gordon is already there and waiting, though he’s lit a few candles, filling his end of the hall with a thin, watery yellow light, and he’s setting up… a tape deck?

“You still use cassettes?” James calls, and Gordon looks up at him. James hitches his bag up over his shoulder again as he crosses the room. “Way to join the modern world, Gordon.”

“What, would you have rather I brought a record player?” Gordon replies, as he inserts a cassette. “Besides, these are the tapes I learnt off. Figured it was a good place to start.”

James has to sit on the floor to swap his shoes over. Looking up at Gordon, who is still poking at the tape deck, James… drinks him in, a little. Gordon’s down to just his white button-up shirt, and he’s undone his tie and top two buttons, not to mention he’s rolled up his sleeves. James does his best not to stare at Gordon’s forearms. Gordon lets the tape start playing, and a waltz James doesn’t know the name of fills the air.

“Are you ready?”

James jumps, and shakes his head to clear it, and finishes lacing up his shoes. He rises to his feet, shedding his coat, and he puts his things to the side as Gordon watches him.

“…I don’t think I’ve never seen you in a just a t-shirt before,” Gordon comments, as James hurries back to stand in front of him.

And James looks down at himself, flushes, and wonders briefly if he should put his coat back on. It’s a long-sleeve t-shirt (red, of course), because he’s not about to let Gordon inspect his scars. It does have a lower neckline, showing the hints of some, though, and it leaves the scars on the back of his hands visible.

Gordon… doesn’t comment on any of that, though his eyes graze over them briefly.

“Feel honoured,” James jokes instead, shivering despite himself. “I don’t usually dress down.”

To his relief, Gordon laughs, and holds out his right hand to James.

“Then I do feel honoured indeed,” he says. “Now, lets begin before it gets any later, hm?”

James puts his left hand in Gordon’s, before he tries to play it cool as Gordon puts his other hand on James’ back. …Um, huh. His hands are big. And warm. James focusses on looking Gordon in the eye instead of reacting to the feeling of Gordon’s hands on him.

“Put your hand on my shoulder,” says Gordon. “And don’t lean your arm on mine. You should be poised.”

James blinks, but nods, words escaping him, and he strikes the pose he thinks he’s supposed to – he can copy what he’s seen on Strictly Come Dancing at least this much.

“Good,” Gordon says. “Now, we’ll start with the waltz.”

James… James actually gets his head around it far quicker than he expected, which he is thoroughly relieved by. He does have his eyes glued to their feet, and he sometimes steps backwards when he shouldn’t, but, successfully, he hasn’t stood on Gordon’s toes yet.

Gordon spends the night teaching James a basic going-in-a-little-circle thing.

“I do expect you to memorise all the steps,” Gordon does say eventually. “But it will be less important for you, seeing as you’ll be following a lead anyway. As long as you can be reactive, read what is coming next, and follow it, then you should be fine.”

James’ arms feel heavy, his feet feel sore. It’s been a good long while since he’s had a dancing lesson of any sort. The muscles in his legs are reminding him of that fact so courteously.

…Gordon smiles at him anyway, though.

“Well done,” he says, and James blinks in surprise at the compliment. “It’s not often anyone picks it up that fast.”

“Was I quicker than Edward?” James asks, half-teasing as he steps back, taking his hands off Gordon and stretching a little.

Gordon laughs, his head tipping back, and it rings around the empty room. James finds himself smiling in response to the sound, he’s always liked Gordon’s laugh.

“Yes, James,” Gordon says. “You were indeed. Now, it’s… late. We should finish.”

James swaps his shoes back over and pulls on his coat, and Gordon blows out the candles and turns off the tape deck, though he leaves it where it is. And he swaps his shoes out, too, and turns to an already waiting James.

“I’ll walk you home?” James offers.

“…If you insist,” Gordon says, and he gives James a little smile that almost looks a little fond, if James dares to believe as such.

They walk quietly, not wanting to wake anyone, and James pauses as Gordon stops by James’ front gate.

“You don’t need to double back,” Gordon says. “I can manage the rest on my own, I think.”

“Oh,” James says. “…Of course. Thank you, by the way. I didn’t expect you to go quite this late.”

“You were doing well,” Gordon shrugs. “I didn’t want to…” he gestures vaguely with one hand, “…interrupt the flow of progress.”

James shifts on his feet. “When will we do this again?” he asks.

“Tomorrow?” Gordon offers, before he blinks at himself even as James looks up at him. “I-if you like.”

“Okay,” James agrees before he considers whether he should. “That’d be splendid.”

“Done.” Gordon says, before his lips quirk into a wry, lopsided smile, and he tacks on, “Sleep well, James.”

James nods, and hurries down the path to his front door without another word. It’s once he’s unlocking the door that he realises Gordon’s waiting for him to go inside before he leaves. So James waves goodbye, closes the door behind him, and watches through the peephole for a moment to see Gordon walk away.

His heart is racing. James hangs up his coat by the door, presses the flats of his palms to his cheeks to check whether they’re as hot as they feel before he stumbles his way to bed.

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

Time passes. At first, it was rough, returning to the habit of dancing every day, but a month has passed, and there’s only one month more until the ball, and James and Gordon have been meeting to practice by candlelight every night. James is even used to the adjustment of sleeping schedule now.

Is it silly that James really likes the candlelight aspect? It’s… romantic, if he may be so bold. Though on the other hand, it feels almost mean to take up so much of Gordon’s time like this. Yes, James asked, and asked again when Gordon said no, but Gordon is giving him far much more time than James had ever considered he’d be willing to give.

Which is very nice of him. But… James just didn’t expect it, he supposes.

Over those four weeks, Gordon has gone from bossing him through the steps and correcting his form, to… quietly complimenting him when James pulls off a nice piece of footwork. And there’s been more and more compliments than before, even though Gordon has gotten quieter. That’s the only way James can put it. Gordon’s been talking less and watching more – he must actually be quite quiet if you just leave Gordon be. And… Gordon has just been looking. At James. Sometimes, he seems distracted doing so.

And James can’t help but admit he’s guilty in return. James didn’t realise how dark Gordon’s eyes are, how warm and rich a brown they are – not until they’re looking down at him, glinting in the candle light.

It’s as James waves Gordon goodbye one night more, Gordon standing with his hands in his pockets under the streetlight, and Gordon smiles and nods and waits for James to close the door, that it all hits him.

James closes the door so Gordon can’t see his face as he flushes dark, and he puts his hands flat on the door and leans there, bracing himself as he flushes hot and flushes cold, and-

Cinders. Cinders and ashes. James has a crush on Gordon.

Like, okay, fine. Fine! James has ‘had a crush on Gordon’ for a while. He thinks the guy is big and proud and strong and pretty and handsome and all those good things, but James had actually always considered that fairly superficial. Maybe even bordering on jealousy, if he really wanted to try analysing himself. And that was the biggest reason why he never wanted to tell anyone, and why the idea of telling Gordon felt so mortifying. Because… what if it wasn’t real?

But now? This time? This is… this is a real, actual crush. James turns so he can put his back to the door, flopping there as he feels a little lightheaded, standing in the dark of the entrance hall of his home. He hardly knows what to do with himself like this.

A-at the very least, they’re good dance partners. It feels pretty natural, actually. James is surprised how natural it feels. They dance best when they aren’t bickering – and… Gordon and him haven’t bickered for a while.

James shivers, and marches himself into the kitchen to go drink a glass of water and then throw a glass of water in his face. He’s being melodramatic. Despite that, he almost feels like he’s coming down with something, now the realisation’s hit him.

It’s moments like this where James is glad he lives alone. No one to see him like this, no one to make fun of him. No one to ask weaselly little questions that make him feel more confused.

He shakes his head, grips the sink as he takes a big breath in and a big breath out, before he whisks himself off to bed. Maybe he’ll sleep it off.

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

Nope. Three weeks until the ball and James has to acknowledge that he is, in fact, in love with Gordon. He has to grapple with this night after night as Gordon’s hands are on him and he gets to rest his hands on Gordon, and he can spend the whole time studying Gordon’s face instead of having to look at his feet, because Gordon has gotten him good enough that James doesn’t need to watch his feet anymore. And Gordon’s even taught him multiple dances at this point, though James is still learning the tango. The foxtrot and the quickstep were easy enough. And sillily enough, he didn’t consider Gordon to be a man who knew how to tango.

The candlelight catches Gordon’s eye again, as they turn a corner, and it makes James’ breath hitch a little, before he swallows the rising guilt in his throat, and opens his mouth.

“If, uh,” he starts slowly, following Gordon’s lead as they do the fancier turn Gordon taught him, “if you ever want to learn how to tap, for any reason, I can teach you too, if you want.”

Gordon tilts his head. “Well,” he says, lips quirking into a little smile as he leads James through a promenade and spinning him at the end for good measure, “I don’t know when I’d need that, but I’ll keep you in mind.”

“Or even something like-!”

James can’t help the rising agitation in his voice, and to his- his- his horror? Gordon comes to a complete halt, making James stop with him, and he raises an eyebrow at James even as his hands feel so heavy where they rest in James’ own and on James’ hip. It kills the words trying to form in James’ throat.

“What’s all this about, James?”

Cinders, Gordon asks it so plainly.

“I feel guilty,” James blurts – before he can think about whether he even should. “For taking up so much of your time.”

Gordon pauses, pursing his lips, and he looks quietly amused for a moment, before he shrugs. “You’re not taking anything I’m not willing to give,” he says, and he gives James an enigmatic smile, and James wishes the man would stop talking in circles. “I don’t mind spending my time like this.”

I don’t mind you, is what Gordon’s eyes seem to say. James hopes his cheeks don’t look as hot as they feel. He’s almost shaking.

“But!” Gordon finally lifts his hands away. “If you really feel that way, then I’ll take a batch of your scones after this is all over.”

And James laughs at that, slightly too loudly, a burst of the frantic energy that was building inside him, and he smiles and nods and steps backwards so the gloom will hide his expression which most certainly must be moonstruck. “Done,” he agrees.

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

The time has been flying by. It’s now the week of the ball, and James should be excited. They’re still practicing by candlelight in the ballroom in the evenings, but the ballroom is slowly getting populated with things like tables and lights and decorations as the days pass, signalling the ball’s arrival.

James feels anxious! He’s not even sure why. It’s clearly not over his ability to dance. They can now run several dances start to end, and at multiple speeds, with ease. He’s even figured out that tango.

It dawns on him gently as he and Gordon are doing their latest lap, breezing down the entire length of the ballroom, that James doesn’t want this to end. He wants his candlelit nights with Gordon, stolen away from the chaos that daytime and the railway and their workmates present.

He likes this. He likes Gordon.

So when Gordon is asked to give his key back three days before the event, James can’t help but look distressed at the news. And Gordon laughs, he claps James on the back and tells him not to worry because he’s going to be fine.

Gordon doesn’t… get it, then. James takes a breath in, a breath out, and offers Gordon a smile and a little thank you. That’s fine. Gordon doesn’t… have to get it.

It has left him sitting in the breakroom, staring into his tea as he muses over it all, though. And while he doesn’t hear the approaching footsteps, he does hear the clink of a mug set down, and the thump of someone taking the seat across from him, and Thomas asking, “What’s got you so glum?”

James jumps, not realising he must have been wearing his heart on his sleeve, and offers Thomas a smile even as he goes to drink his tea to try hide his misery.

It makes Thomas eye him warily.

“Gordon’s not broken your heart, has he?” he asks.

James chokes on his drink, and splutters, “I beg your pardon?!”

Thomas laughs at him, leaning back in his seat, and James glances around the room to doublecheck that they are thankfully alone right now.

“Edward mentioned to me that you’d been having lessons,” Thomas winks, gesturing a cheers with his tea.

“That wanker.”

“I haven’t told anyone,” Thomas quickly follows up, eyeing James over his mug, before he smiles that cheeky smile of his. “Mostly because I know you’ll have my head.”

“Damn right,” James says, and he takes a pointed drink of his tea, not even wanting to know how red he’s gone right now.

“Easy,” Thomas raises a hand in defeat. “I guess I’m just checking in. You’re looking pretty put out.”

James sighs. His shoulders sag. He cups his hands around his tea and stares into it.

“I’m just in a little over my head, I think,” he mumbles.

“More like head over heels.”

“I’ll throw this at you. Don’t think I wont.”

That makes Thomas laugh, even as James tries to glare at him, before Thomas’ expression softens.

“James,” he says, in a quiet voice that makes James’ stomach drop. “In all seriousness. I’ve known Gordon for longer than you have, and… if he didn’t want to have you around, he simply wouldn’t.”

James gives up on trying not to flush.

Thomas opens his mouth again, before he clearly decides against saying more, and he gets to his feet, shaking his head before he drains the last of his tea from his mug.

“Think about telling him, maybe,” he suggests, before he pats James on the shoulder and leaves the room, leaving James to stew in his thoughts, and try to gather himself before his afternoon train.

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

The night of the ball itself is absolutely brimming with excitement. Everyone is dressed to the nines, in their fancy clothes from the mainland that Sir Topham Hatt let them all go get, and the energy is infectious. The crowd is full of people he knows and people he doesn’t, it seems all of Sodor’s invited, and about half of England too.

James himself is wearing his lovely red dress-coat, all wine-red and gold braid, his crispest white gloves, a cravat and a lovely pair of red boots he had to go buy from the mainland too, which are just perfect for dancing in after he’s spent the week breaking them in. And he’s grinning like a lunatic as he drinks in the room around him – the ballroom he’s only ever seen in half-light has absolutely exploded with life and colour and noise.

From behind him, someone clears their throat. James spins on his heel to see Gordon standing there, and oh! He’s looking absolutely resplendent in midnight blue tails of his own, adorned with silver braids, and a single red flower (a rose or a carnation, James can’t tell) in his lapel.

James grins as he sees it, feeling a little less self-conscious about the rich blue pocket square he added to his own outfit too.

He opens his mouth to speak, but Gordon beats him to it.

“You look just splendid,” Gordon says, awed.

James preens at that, he can’t help it. He then smooths down his coat and pointedly looks Gordon up and down in return, letting his admiration shine on his face. “I could say the same for you,” he says.

“Have you heard about all the invitations?” Gordon says, stepping in a little closer as someone slips behind him. “Hatt sent some out to celebrities who’ve been involved with the railway.”

“Oh, yes, I heard,” James nods. “I’ve even seen City of Truro here tonight! Fancy him coming along, Duck will be pleased.”

“Yes, yes,” Gordon says, glancing around. “But…”

James’s face falls in realisation. “Ah.”

“Yes. Not only did Hatt invite my brother, but he damn well accepted,” Gordon half-laughs, tugging at his lapels, straightening them, “and Hatt only told me this morning! And I know how Scott likes to present himself, so… I couldn’t be shown up.”

“Of course,” James agrees politely, but he purses his lips, reading the anxiety weighing down Gordon’s board shoulders with ease. “…Do you want to avoid him?”

“No,” Gordon says, almost too quickly, and he steps back to accept a couple flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and hands one to James, and James sips it politely before his eyes go wide, Hatt really didn’t spare any expense on getting the good stuff, huh? “I just… hope it will be less frigid tonight than the last time we spoke.”

James looks up at Gordon sympathetically, who muses on his statement for a moment longer, before he shakes his head like he’s shaking off water, and Gordon turns to him, smiling.

“But enough of that!” he exclaims, and offers James his arm. “I do believe we’re under distinct instructions to enjoy ourselves.”

James laughs, and takes it, stepping in closer as a couple tries to slip by them to get to the dance floor.

“Shall we go attack the hors d’oeuvres before Henry does?” he offers.

Gordon laughs, and pats James’ wrist with surprising tenderness, it almost makes James gasp.

“That’s a splendid idea,” he grins back, the ice finally melting from his face.

James’ heart totally doesn’t not skip a beat over the way Gordon says splendid.

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

It’s all fine. The evening goes fine! It’s now about 9pm, and the room is now lit with electric lights, candles, and strings of fairy lights. It really does make the mood more magical. James splits off now, to go natter with his friends. He gets heckled by Thomas and Percy, but they’re all laughing, and James has to compliment their formal gear too.

“It’s nice to finally get a flattering tailor, I’ll tell you that much,” Percy says, smoothing down his coat. “I don’t think I’ve ever owned a waistcoat before.”

“And I can’t remember the last time I actually wore a tie,” Thomas jokes, making a show of tugging his collar. “But really, James, I see why you wanted to dress up so badly. You look great.”

James plays up preening, and does a little spin for them. “Thank you,” he says. “Call me vain, but honestly, I do find it splendid to see everyone dressed up like this.”

“It’s true,” Thomas nods. “I’ve seen more pretty gowns tonight than I think I have in my whole life. Have you seen what Emily’s wearing? Showstopper.”

“So many sequins,” Percy nods.

James moves closer to their side so he can take in the whole room, and as his eyes graze over the dance floor, he realises Edward and Henry are out there.

And then he barks with laughter.

“What’s up?” Thomas asks.

“I see why Edward refused to teach me!” James laughs, and points them out. “Look.”

Henry is leading, god bless him, and he’s very, very carefully watching their feet. He’s not unconfident, certainly, but he’s not necessarily confident either, and glancing up at Edward’s face, who’s smiling encouraging at him, and not even wincing when Henry steps on his toes.

“That’s cute,” Percy says. “Good for them.”

And… watching them go? Maybe it’s the live music. Maybe it’s the candlelight. Maybe it’s the champagne. But James is suddenly possessed with the need to go find Gordon and drag him out onto the dance floor right now.

“Excuse me,” he says, and Thomas smiles at him knowingly, and James flips him off for fun even as he begins to weave his way through the crowd.

James finds himself outside, stepping through the grand French doors that have been thrown open to welcome the warm summer night. The spill-out area is filled with classy outdoor furniture, there’s fairy lights everywhere, the gardens have been completely redone and all the hedges are beautifully trimmed, and there, standing off to the side, is Gordon and his brother.

Gordon’s laughing along to whatever Scot is saying, but the way he has his arms folded across his chest, the set of his shoulders, the way his body is angled away from the conversation, it’s clear to anyone who knows him well that he’s a little too uncomfortable right now.

So James makes a beeline for him, and pops up by Gordon’s elbow.

“Hullo, Gordon!” he chirps warmly, and smiles as the tension just rolls of Gordon now someone else is here. “And, hello,” he says, polite yet slightly stiff to Scot, who nods at him and offers him the big smile of someone who is very used to meeting new people.

“Hello!” he says, and offers James a hand to shake, which James does take (and tries not to wince at the strength of his grip). “Who might you be?”

“James,” James offers. “I’m a good friend of Gordon’s.”

“Aha!” Scot’s face lights up far more genuinely this time. “Gordie was just telling me about you.”

James tastefully manages not to laugh at Gordie, more so because he’s jumping straight into oh broken buffers, what did Gordon say about him?

“My prized student,” Gordon jokes, lightly elbowing him, and James grins back.

“Speaking of,” he says. “I reckon we go show Henry and Edward up. They’re not too bad, but Henry can’t keep his eyes off their feet.”

Gordon and Scot both laugh at that, and Scot graciously lets them go.

“Thank you,” Gordon leans down to whisper in James’ ear as they walk away. “It always feels like an interrogation with him.”

“It’s alright,” James shrugs. “I… had a gut feeling. Anyway. You want to dance?”

Gordon seems to be keeping himself from glancing over his shoulder.

James frowns softly at him. “We don’t have to,” he adds.

“Oh, nonsense,” Gordon says, and the hand Gordon has on James’ shoulder squeezes gently. “I’d love to. Let’s let this song finish first.”

They have to muscle their way through the crowd, ending up slipping past Hatt himself, who pats Gordon on the back and offers James a smile and nod as they go past. Before long, they end up out on the dance floor as the next song ends.

“Any ideas?”

“My guess is waltz,” Gordon says, adjusting his cufflinks before he offers his hands to James. “They’ve played a couple fast numbers back-to-back.”

“You’ve found our warmup, then. How thoughtful,” James laughs, stepping into Gordon’s arms. It’s so easy to lay his hand on Gordon’s shoulder now, to feel Gordon’s fingers curl around his hand. James isn’t sure how he ever could have dreaded it.

He laughs again as Gordon turns out to be right.

The music starts, and it’s just so natural to follow Gordon’s lead. And they’re off! Off around the dance floor, and Gordon successfully steers them through the crowd, pulling James out of the way of a close call of a collision with a quick pivot and a spin.

As they draw back together, Gordon eyes him, and James blinks back.

“You alright?” he asks. “You look flustered.”

“Flustered!” James exclaims, trying to play it off. “Me? Never.”

And Gordon actually… laughs at that, laughs at him, and James is struck with the realisation that perhaps… Gordon knows.

Well, it takes two to tango, doesn’t it?

“Well,” James changes tune, and he smirks up and Gordon. “In truth, I was just so taken by how handsome you look tonight.”

Now it’s Gordon’s turn to stammer, to falter, and for the colour to leap to his face. James hasn’t ever been brave enough to flirt before, but clearly, it works, and if Gordon’s going play that game then James can match him.

“Obviously,” Gordon manages to catch himself. “You must’ve liked the blue.”

He nods towards James’ pocket square, and James shakes his head with a bashful little smile.

“And I can see you went to match!” he nods back at Gordon’s flower.

Gordon goes to speak, before his eyes widen, and he quickly pulls James in close as another, far less-coordinated couple barrels past them, before letting James migrate back to the normal dancing distance.

“You do mean it? You think I’m handsome?”

“Of course I do,” James’ grin drops into something far softer despite his best efforts, and he says his next statement with far more heart than he means to. “I think you’re splendid.”

Gordon meets his eyes with a look that James literally cannot describe with any other word except tender.

“We need to talk, don’t we?” he asks, so softly, it’s amazing James can hear it over the music and the chatter.

“I’m listening now,” he replies.

Gordon swallows hard, before they’re brought to a halt as the song ends, and they – along with the rest of the dancers – politely clap for the musicians, before the next song starts. A quickstep. James’ face lights up instantly, and Gordon grins.

“Time to do some laps?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

They are the fastest and most fluid pair on the dancefloor. James’ dress-coat flairs out behind them in a most stunning way as they go all but flying past, a whirl of red and blue, and James can tell people are watching, and he’s relishing in it, grinning so brightly as Gordon smiles back.

They’re left panting and laughing and stumbling off the floor as the song ends – as not only the crowd but the band applaud them too. Gordon waves it off with a laugh. James takes a playful little bow, before they both stagger off to go find somewhere to sit and catch their breath.

Edward appears out of the crowd, Henry in tow, as James and Gordon find some seats, and James passes Gordon a drink.

“That,” Edward says, “was the most impressive thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

James chortles and slumps back, slumps back against Gordon without thinking, feeling Gordon tense under him for just a moment before he… yields, and melts a little back.

“You were doing well, too,” Gordon nods at Henry. “James wasn’t learning to dance from square one.”

“Just let a man be jealous in peace,” Henry grumbles jokingly, plopping himself down next to James with an oomph. “I don’t know how you manage being on your feet for that long, sometimes. I even got new comfortable shoes and my back is still killing me.”

As James pats his arm in consolation, Edward turns to Gordon with a glint in his eye.

“Dance?” he asks, holding out a hand. “For old time’s sake?”

Gordon fights down his smile, but gets up with no hesitation. Though he pauses a moment later, and glances back at James. “I’ll be right back,” he says.

“Sure thing,” James waves them off with a smile. “Show them all up.”

That makes Edward laugh, and the two of them disappear back into the throng to go dance.

James leans his head back against the wall, letting out a big, contented sigh.

“You alright?” Henry asks, as he shifts on his seat.

“Yeah, I am,” James says happily. “Or, I think so.”

Then he eyes Henry, and frowns, before he reaches over to the seats beside them and starts stealing all their cushions.

“Here, you look miserable,” he says, and helps pad Henry’s seat a little more.

“Thanks,” Henry says breathlessly. “I thought I was going to be alright, I really did.”

“No, no,” James nods along, “I understand. Especially when you’re not used to dancing.”

“How long have you and Gordon been practicing?” Henry asks.

“…Two?” James tries to count back on his fingers. “Yeah, two months.”

“Oh, thank god you said months!” Henry slaps his thigh with a laugh. “If you had said weeks, I really would have to start feeling bad!”

James laughs at him, and he opens his mouth to say something, before he realises someone is standing over them, and the two of them look up, and James tries really hard not to let his jaw drop as he realises it’s none other than superstar Scot Gresley, the Flying Scotsman himself.

“Hello Henry, James,” Scot says warmly, and Henry greets him back. James almost asks how they know each other, but glancing between them, it’s the cut of their noses that reminds James of all the drama a few years back. Henry’s got a little Gresley in him, too, that’s right, he always forgets that they’ve met before.

“James, that was some wonderful work out on the floor,” Scot turns to him, and James tries not to flush and gape, and he plays it off as politely as he can. “Would you dance with me?”

James… stares. Blinks once or twice. Henry’s gone a little stiff with surprise beside him, too. Scot extends his hand, still offering a warm smile, and after a second or two, James hesitantly takes it, rising from his seat. Scot’s fingers curl around his hand, but it doesn’t feel as gentle or soothing as Gordon. And as Scot starts to lead James out onto the dance floor, James shoots a look back over his shoulder at Henry, who mouths ‘good luck’ to him as they go.

Before he knows it, James is out on the floor, being lead through steps he knows so well by the Gresley brother he doesn’t know at all. And somehow, Scott is even faster and even lighter on his feet, and James can’t even make small talk for how much he has to concentrate on keeping up – which, notably, does not help his nerves. And Scot keeps this up for the whole quickstep, before they pause as the song changes, James fighting to hide that he needs to catch his breath.

As a slow waltz starts, Scot… relaxes, slows down, and shoots James a wink.

“Just wanted to test how good a teacher my brother is,” he banters. “You’ve both done very well.”

James blinks and swallows hard, before he offers a polite smile of his own.

“Thank you,” he says. “Gordon is a good teacher.”

“…You seem to make him happy.”

James stumbles, now, sheer shock, and his head snaps up to look Scot in the eye. Scot looks back evenly at him, lets James stare. …Scot has Gordon’s brown eyes, but the strength of his sideburns, his eyebrows, the slightly harder set of his face, even his sharper jawline. It’s just… not quite his Gresley.

“I hope you treat him kindly,” Scot continues, his voice dropping, but James flushes and is so glad he’s wearing gloves because he’s gone all clammy. “Gordon deserves something good to happen to him, and you do seem to be a delight.”

“I…” James is – as uncommon as the phenomenon is – lost for words. His old anxiety sweeps through him, makes his knees weak, and he hopes he isn’t shaking.

“I’m not asking you this as a celebrity,” Scot suddenly adds, his expression crumpling with concern as he must read all that straight off James’ face. “I’m asking you this as his brother.”

“I-I… of course,” James says, biting his tongue about telling Scot about how much Gordon didn’t want to talk to him tonight, because if Scot is so concerned about Gordon, then they’d have a better relationship, wouldn’t they? Cinders. And ashes. He wants out. James looks away, and ends up seeing Gordon and Edward, who are surprisingly close by, and they’re both shooting him concerned looks.

James bites his lip now, hoping he doesn’t look as upset as he feels, though he’s never really been good at hiding it. Don’t hurt Gordon? James hasn’t dreamt of it, not now, not anymore. He’s realised Gordon doesn’t really ever talk about his past before Sodor, and that’s telling in itself, isn’t it?

It must be the fact James is being asked this by someone who has probably hurt Gordon in the past is the thing that makes it sting like this. …What? Can Scot see that James is no better? Is that what Scot means by warning him?

Scot says nothing more either. James closes his eyes for a moment, willing the song to end, but suddenly, someone taps his shoulder, and he knows that hand, which is such a strange thing to say, isn’t it? His eyes fly open, because thank god, it’s Gordon and Edward. They must have danced their way through the crowd.

“You remember my friend, Edward, don’t you?” Gordon calls over the hubbub. “He’d love to catch up with you.”

“Of course,” Scot smiles broadly, …the practiced smile, James notes. He turns back to James, then, and squeezes his hand gently.

“A pleasure to meet you,” he says, and it does actually sound earnest, which is nice. It doesn’t soothe James’ nerves, though. “I hope you’ll keep our talk in mind.”

“I will,” is all James says, and he lets Edward take his place with a grateful, if not a little faint, smile.

Gordon practically dances their way off the dancefloor now, and James is more than eager to follow where Gordon leads. They end up pushing and weaving past several of their friends and workmates as they go, and James must still look a little stricken because he gets a few concerned glances as they go.

Gordon ends up leading him outside, and James immediately takes a few big breaths in and out as soon as the cooling evening breeze hits his face. It’s too stuffy, too loud, too much in there.

And as soon as it’s quiet, as they’re in private, as James can breathe, Gordon takes him by the shoulders and turns James so Gordon can look at him.

“What did he say to you?” he asks, and his voice is… surprisingly dark.

“He warned me,” James says, and he does his best not to sound bitter, but he thinks he fails. “He said I better not hurt you because you deserve nice things. A-and he’s right, but it rubbed me the wrong way.”

Gordon scoffs. “Bloody rich, coming from him,” he agrees, before his hands slip down from James’ shoulders, skating down his arms to take James’ shaking hands in his own. “Are you okay?”

“Just needlessly upset,” James manages to smile, though his eyes are a little too bright to sell it. “I come here expecting a good time and I get both a personal dance and a personal threat from the Flying Scotsman. Not your average evening, I’ll admit.”

Gordon squeezes his hands. “I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault, Gordon,” James says, gently squeezing back. “I suppose I was insulted that… that he’d insinuate I’d hurt you on purpose. I care about you far too much for that.”

And-

They both flush at that. That’s the first time either of them has said it plainly.

“That’s… heartening to hear,” Gordon smiles softly at him. “And it only took me turning you into the best ballroom dancer on this island.”

And James laughs. The tension finally draining away, his stomach finally settling. He’s glad Gordon’s holding onto him now, because he feels light, and he wouldn’t want to float away.

“I have to admit it too, then,” Gordon’s practically whispering again, his voice rumbling low, and it makes James shiver. “I’ve… grown quite fond of you, too.”

James steps in a little closer, it just feels right.

“That’s good,” he says.

Then, looking Gordon in the eye then and there, the nerves come crashing back in, and James ducks his head, drops his chin, and starts fiddling with Gordon’s cufflinks instead.

Suddenly, there’s a hand cupping his cheek, and James can’t breathe. Gordon tips his head back up, and smiles at him – all soft and tender, all for James.

“Is this okay?”

“Bah!” James tries to laugh past his dark flush, turning his head away, withdrawing one hand to touch his cheek, he can feel the heat there even through his gloves. “You say that like I haven’t been in love with you for months!”

“Months…?”

James laughs again, bright and embarrassed, before he dares to look back at Gordon. His flush darkens at the painfully fond expression Gordon’s wearing, and James finds himself grinning.

“Just shut up and kiss me,” he says instead.

Gordon – several things cross his face in that moment. A flush of his own. Wonder, awe, tenderness, a little shock, and most importantly – Gordon rolls his eyes fondly and leans down to oblige him.

As their lips slot together, James makes a little noise of contentment, and drapes his arms around Gordon’s neck dreamily. Oh, this is good. This is what James has been dreaming about. Officially, this has been the best investment of dancing lessons James has ever made.

When they break apart for air, and James gets his breath back, he finally invites Gordon around tomorrow for those scones he promised however long ago it was, and Gordon has barely any time to accept before James kisses him again.

And… oh, for god’s sake. They pull apart again at the sound of applause from the doorway, and James turns to see… Edward and Henry, Thomas, Percy, god, even Toby and Henrietta, Emily, Rosie, Molly, Daisy, …is that all four of the Little Westerners? And more. It’s far too big a crowd, and James is suddenly wondering if him and Gordon was some kind of soap opera to the wider North-Western Railway, which makes him flush.

Thomas cups his mouth and hoots, “snog him again!”

James goes to yell back before Gordon pulls him in, and James immediately softens, looking into Gordon’s eyes, and he accepts the kiss Gordon gives him, Gordon wrapping his arms around James and dipping him with ease, and James lets Gordon hold his bodyweight as he frees one hand to lovingly flip off the crowd of onlookers.

They once again receive a round of cheers and applause. James doesn’t care, though, not when he can cling to Gordon and Gordon’s lips can brush his own, and Gordon’s breath can dance over his skin, and Gordon’s hands are on him, and this is real, and they’re…

James tears up.

“I love you,” he whispers, too quiet for anyone but Gordon to hear. “I love you. Thank you for putting up with me.”

“It was no bother, little James,” Gordon says, so very fondly, and James shivers again at the way his voice rumbles when he speaks low and quiet. “I love you too.”

It’s a shame the night has to end. James doesn’t want it to end at all. And here, kissing Gordon under the stars, it almost feels like it never has to.

thank you for reading! reblogs are always appreciated and feel free to let me know what you think of this ^-^

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

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

[pretend-pretend-vampire]

there are a lot of fun reasons I've earnt mutuals and "I saw that this person has a character who stuffs dead bodies full of bugs and figured it understood the assignment posed by the post I was scrolling through the tags of" is definitely one of them

[p1nkc4lyps0]

i like the tags you put on my trans shane post, youve earnt a follow

hell fucking yeah

[emmashouldbewriting]

I swear I remember you talking about how book advances work I can’t find the post. Was it that Harry would get paid the whole $20mil upfront or just a portion for spare.

Advances are broken down into thirds. Forgive my crude maths here, I'm not a numbers girl so I'm going for easy numbers HAHA

Assuming he got three books, let's say the advance was $99 per book, totalling $297.

On signing the contract, he would have received a third of the total advance, so $99. $33 for Spare, $33 for Financially Bare, and $33 for Lack of Hair.

On turning in the final, edited manuscript of Spare, he received the second part, so another $33. On publication day, he received the final $33 for Spare. He'll receive no more money until PRH have earnt back what they paid him, then he'll receive royalties. (Usually around 25% of the profit for ebook and less than 10% for hardback, but he may have been able to negotiate a higher percentage)

At this moment, PRH would still owe him $66 for Financially Bare and $66 for Lack of Hair.

No publisher is paying 100% of an advance up front.

I've also tagged this 'publishing talk' and will try to remember to do that for shop talk in future!

[oak23]

I posted 11,247 times in 2022

792 posts created (7%)

10,455 posts reblogged (93%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@oswednesday

@silly-slacker-person

@gnomicgabby

@pandor-pandorkful

@tryclops

I tagged 347 of my posts in 2022

#youtube - 32 posts

#1k post - 10 posts

#instagram - 8 posts

#doll meme - 6 posts

#everything everywhere all at once - 5 posts

#doll - 4 posts

#barbie - 4 posts

#monster high - 3 posts

#watarukun - 3 posts

#watarudoll - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#like essentially different plastics need to be processed differently and there's literally no efficient way of breaking down multi plastic t

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I think the main reason why the obscenely rich attract so much hate towards them noeadays in a way they hadn't before is because the current round of uber rich people are people who benefitted from generational wealth rather than meaningfully contributed anything to have earned that money or understood the optics of appearing to have earnt that money.

The stuff they spend money isn't even things that a normal person could ever want like a handcrafted artisanal music box or a Faberge egg or rare delicacies or even a 50-foot statue of themselves. It's all shit that is either intangible, like stocks and assets and cry/to or just obscenely ugly like modern houses or a mcmansion.

Hell, they don't even have the decency to dress well or influence how fashion goes; a lot of these second or third generation rich people dress like the most boring and unappealing fashions imaginable in order to appear like a "normal" person while they destroy the world doing shit like buy ugly ass computer generated art on twitter.

I'd much rather have watched a rich person use their wealth to buy bad dragon dildos and 30 custom fursuits while financing a furrybait show rather than see yet another techbro in a grey shirt and pants talk about their startup company that uses daddy's money that they will use the profits from to buy stocks or whatever

2,790 notes - Posted February 7, 2022

#4

me thinking about Everything Everywhere All At Once and how it says suffering is temporary and fixable while joy and love is always possible no matter how absurd it seems

3,490 notes - Posted April 24, 2022

#3

Burden bearing hips

21,235 notes - Posted June 8, 2022

#2

I hate how a lot of cultural appropriation discourse has forgotten the reason why it started appearing. It wasn't meant to punish white people for being ignorant and ban them from partaking in other cultures.

It was a discussion meant to draw attention that people of colour were constantly being overlooked or punished for the exact same things that white people were celebrated for. It was meant to elevate people of colour to an understanding and respect that white people had been afforded for years, often unearned.

So seeing people go "white people don't partake in anything that isn't white" misses a lot of nuance in the discussion, because a lot of different cultures ARE willing to share and allow people into their culture on their own terms and in a respectful matter.

There's a massive difference between a white person going "I just invented the BEST version of this" where everything had been watered down and stripped away versus one going "I try out this thing to appreciate cultures and viewpoints that aren't my own".

As a first generation Asian Australian whose own cultural identity is a massive clusterfuck I do think we need to remember that cultural exchange and sharing is incredibly important for an ever changing and global culture.

34,560 notes - Posted January 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Like the fact is, being a gay stereotype when you're gay is actually quite fun and spending years of your life trying to avoid doing it for the approval of homophobes is not fun.

35,461 notes - Posted June 4, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[vlantar]

I posted 267 times in 2022

That's 60 more posts than 2021!

11 posts created (4%)

256 posts reblogged (96%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@maeraevokaya

@nonbinaryvulcan

@nervousspacerobot

@springmagpies

@xspuhurax

I tagged 258 of my posts in 2022

Only 3% of my posts had no tags

#star trek - 75 posts

#lmao - 68 posts

#spock - 44 posts

#schn tgai spock - 42 posts

#nyota uhura - 37 posts

#spuhura - 31 posts

#aos - 28 posts

#benvi - 27 posts

#ben gross - 26 posts

#never have i ever spoilers - 26 posts

Longest Tag: 91 characters

#literally the number of times ive pressed that damned button on multiple separate occasions

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Don't reblog. Take a screenshot and upload it, but tag your OTPs.

4 notes - Posted November 23, 2022

#4

So what’s up with (SNW) Spock’s side burns???

See the full post

39 notes - Posted July 26, 2022

#3

I can’t wait for all the Benvi gifsets and fanvids, y’all. So excited!

59 notes - Posted August 12, 2022

#2

Hello, noticed you ship spock/uhura from the trek series, i was going to ask have you seen the new show strange new worlds and what are your thoughts about the uhura and the casting. please feel free to be honest. i personally think she is totally miscast and looks like a masculine man and they have downgraded uhura on the show so she is no threat to anyone, reason why the uhura in snw is presented as a very ugly masculine teenager. however if u voice that opinion you are called racist and sexist. i hope all uhura fans can begin to speak out more and be honest about uhura in strange new worlds

Yes, I have seen strange new worlds.

And, I'll be honest, I think Celia is an incredible cast for the role. They're an outspoken person with progressive morals who absolutely fits the legacy of Uhura as a character and the importance of Uhura as someone who challenges the social norms of the time.

As for looking like a "masculine man", I completely disagree. Snw Uhura's gender expression may challenge your perceptions of feminity, but I don't believe she's any less feminine in snw than in other series. She dresses in the "feminine" active duty uniform, wears stereotypically feminine accessories and dons a haircut that, as I've read and witnessed, is extremely popular among the black feminine community (as I white guy, I don't believe I have any right to speak to that authentically, however). A character could not be considered more "typically" feminine unless she adhered to the demeaning and misogynistic tropes of the twentieth century and earlier--such tropes might include "damsel in distress", "all she wants in life is to marry and have kids", "knows nothing/dense as a brick", etc.

I don't see how Uhura is and/or isn't a threat to anyone. And she certainly hasn't been "downgraded" in any way. Although we haven't much character development for her so far in snw, she's at least been given more of a backstory than in any previous series (albeit, it is a very typical family trauma trope, which is a little uncreative, imo). In the second episode, she expresses uncertainty as to her capabilities and her posting, then proceeds to save the day (demonstrating her genuine skill and intelligence and her importance and power as a character, independent of her womanhood). She is young, I'll give you that, but she's no teenager (especially not when compared to Wesley Crusher in tng) and she may have expressed insecurities, but this is to be expected of a fresh (or near fresh, idk) academy graduate who's been awarded an extremely prestigious posting. I would think it a little unrealistic were she not at least a little uncomfortable with her position, no matter how much she has worked for and earnt the position. This, in no way, diminishes her character, it only adds to her authentic characterisation if anything.

Lastly, she's not ugly. She's not at all ugly. She's gorgeous! Have you taken a look at the woman? She's a fashion sense and a beautiful array of facial expressions. And, separate from the character, Celia, too, is a splendid sight. They appear frequently happy, wear incredible outfits and speak out about what they believe in. What could be more beautiful? Though, of course, I understand that beauty is subjective. But to call her "a very ugly masculine teenager" is incredibly minimalising of Uhura as a character and of Celia as a person. To not at least appreciate her style and effort or, at least, respect her with human decency- Would you tell someone to their face that they're "a very ugly masculine teenager"? I reckon not.

I, in no way, mean to label you as "racist and sexist", as your experience with those of my opinion might suggest, though I do believe you should reconsider your perceptions of feminity and of gender expression. Perhaps, you may benefit from a more open mind toward such matters or, simply, a more progressive mindset. If both are too challenging, at least live by the maxim "live and let live" and not judge her for her appearance. To not do so is plain rude and disrespectful.

68 notes - Posted October 26, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

“What if nobody ever loves me? ‘Cause I’m always too much?”

Bruh, Ben’d die if he heard her say that.

1,784 notes - Posted August 12, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[turning-the-frigging-frogs-gay]

can y’all tell I’m absolutely milking cherry blossom season

[unpredictably-ghostly]

Ghost Explains His Ruby Redfort Playlist At Great Length

(aka the most self-indulgent and probably longest post i’ve ever made, enjoy!)

Also, I’d love to hear any songs you think fit the story/characters! In the tags, replies whatever, I’m 100% down for RR themed song recommendations :D

- Ruby Slippers: Both a reference to her name, and the infamous red clogs from Look Into My Eyes. Also: “Drowning, neck deep in the drama, these catastrophic problems that follow your around” is perfect for her ‘reputation’ at Spectrum.

- Rules: Links to Ruby’s rules, and has themes of questioning/rebelling against authority. “You know you’re never gonna get to find out anyway, the game plays us for fools, you know you’re never gonna get to have the final say, you don’t get to make the rules” matches with Ruby’s defiance of Spectrum, especially her issues with LB.

- Spy?: It’s straight up about spies, what more could you ask for? Also, thought it was good for the mole situation, as well as Ruby’s tendency for self-endangerment.

- Bubblegum Bitch: She wasn’t called “bubblegum girl” by Lorelei for no reason, plus thought it had a fitting amount of attitude.

- It’s A Trap!: It’s a call for action! It’s defiant! Links to wanting to be a field agent rather than a desk job like code cracking, and desire for action instead of waiting around.

- You’re Nobody Till Somebody Wants You Dead: Ruby sure did accumulate a lot of enemies, unfortunately most of them being bloodthirsty killers instead of the standard middle school rivalry. Also reflects a growing paranoia, because isn’t that fun :D “You’re nobody till somebody wants you dead, and the list it grows and grows until it’s everyone you’ve ever known.”

- Blood Red Youth: Ruby’s youth sure has been bloody! About being involved in stuff you probably shouldn’t be at that age.

- Meet Me On the Roof: The roof of the Redfort house is a popular hangout throughout the series, and the line “How high is your low gonna go?” can link to Spectrum potentially lowering standards/relaxing rules to let her work for them. Also! “Taking drowning lessons, secret words and true confessions goes super well with Take Your Last Breath: links to the threat of drowning and the truth serum.

- The Last of the Real Ones: This one I think can be interpreted multiple ways: could be Clancy and Ruby about each other, Ruby about Bradley Baker, or (i think this one is strongest) LB about Baker. About someone who’s had a strong impact on your life: both people feeling set aside from others and connected to each other.

- The Reckless and the Brave: Fits Ruby’s temperament v well, and it’s about wanting a more exciting/meaningful life- wanting to be a part of Spectrum and determination to prover herself as an agent.

- Perfume: This one encapsulates Pick Your Poison for me- Links to the perfume code, Lorelei von Leyden and her signature of Turkish Delight, and “I don’t like his eyes, and I distrust the name” for Ruby’s suspicion of Blacker.

- Bad Decisions: She has quite the track record of making questionable decisions, so,,, 

- The Kids Aren’t Alright: The title alone earnt it a place I reckon, but also “Former heroes who quit too late, just wanna fill up the trophy case again” could fit Buzz and Baker for different reasons, and “I’d do it all again, I think you’re my best friend” is Ruby and Clancy.

- Daniel in the Den: It’s paranoia and betrayal again!! “It’s harder than you think telling dreams from one another” for difficulty discerning genuine concern with paranoia, and “And felled in the night by the ones you think you love, they will come for you” speaks for itself.

- HEY CHILD: Replace child with kid, and I think it’s a decent fit for Hitch to Ruby.

- Don’t Stop Me Now: It’s fun and confident, something nice and upbeat for Ruby.

- RISE: It’s a fighting anthem! Similar to Reckless and the Brave, it links to wanting to prove herself in Spectrum, and her determination to succeed in dangerous situations against the odds.

- Send Them Off!: Really like this song to represent the jealousy dealt with by Clancy and Ruby- Clancy’s jealousy of Ruby, and Ruby’s jealousy of Bradley Baker. The opening lines stuck out to me particularly as being about Baker’s death.

- You’re My Best Friend- Clancy and Ruby are best friends your honour!! I think this song fits their friendship super well. 

- Kung Fu Fighting: I saw this in another RR playlist looking for inspiration/songs outside what I normally listen to, and adfgdfgfh brilliant idea i love it! Fun to imagine the training scenes in Pick Your Poison.

- The Edge: This one is for a very specific scene- At the end of Blink and You Die, where Ruby is on the window ledge as Buzz and Hitch try to convince her to trust them, and that the other is the mole. Lyrics about a balancing act on a high edge as a metaphor for the tipping point in a relationship.

- I’m Still Standing: A fantastic and triumphant song to finish off! “Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.”

[greenmild-avocadoguacamole]

Wellllll... Remember this post up here? Great!

So basically my therapist wanted to see some of my drawings, since I told her I was feeling insecure about my skills, and so I showed her the ship art sketch I made of the Archdruidess and Alva, and damn It! I,.. It got pretty weird.

Like She was like "Who do they remind you of?"

And I was like "Idk, She looks like a Youtuber I used to follow, great design!"

And then She told me "No I mean in your real life"

So I told her that the archdruidess might remind me of my mother, and I know what I wrote about the archdruidess, but again what can I do if She's got a really cool yet hot design? And on the other hand what can I do if my mother is the classic "strong, mean, beautiful, indipendent woman"?

Nothing! She passed me most of those genes! She's always gonna be the first person I think about when saying "bossgirl", cuz that's what She is, heck She even earnt a medal at the Vatican!

Weird, mostly jokes, comments aside tho, I understood what She meant to make me notice, and yes, of course Alva reminds me of my father, so now I've got really conflicting feelings about why the hell I draw them so much🤔

Maybe this actually makes me a good author? Well, only one way to find out!

......sssssssssSince She asked me to bring out my inner child through "Little comics for children", I'll try to take the best of both worlds, or Better of many worlds, and try to make a long comic in full "Matt Groening Art Style" about Alva and the Archdruidess and the Trøgs... and my attempt at a self-insert (of the likes I used to make when I was 11, but written with the skill of 10 more years) on the Moon and back!

If it's cringe, deal with It, I'm Just sharing my therapy... I'll try my best not to make It so, tho!

Now the tag I'll use for this experiment🤔🤔

Could be "#Elen From the Moon" ? You know 'cause Elen means "Star" in Elf language, but also sounds like my first a legit name.

...

The best of Many worlds 'cuz I'm about to start an animation class, and they told us we Need to learn to draw in different, already existing Styles!

Thank you for your attenzion, please enjoy yourselves the best way possibile❣️💕❤️🌺💗🩷💞💖

Ok I finished Disenchantment a couple days ago, and all I can think of is the "archdruidess x alva" ship (to the moon). Like they're literally living in my head rent free, I need to make something about them.

I don't even know why them specifically, but I guess It has to do with them being the only couple with a long consistent past.... Most likely.

Or maybe I just simp for the archdruidess... Who knows?

[lavaeolus]

Peaceful Wanderer: exploring Guild Wars 2 without attacking

Combat! Dare I say, an important thing in a lot of MMOs.

But when I first played Guild Wars 2, I noticed it almost always went out of its way to provide non-combat alternatives to clearing hearts. Oh, sure, those were probably meant to be done whilst clearing out the local bandit population, but it did get me thinking.

If you did want to get through this world leaning on this sort of thing, how dirty would your hands have to get? How viable would it really be to get around without partaking in the inevitable violence of Tyria?

I decided I'd set out and see. Explore the world, reach level 80, see how it goes. Since I'm posting, you can gather I was overall successful; I think I was tagged as killing one monster during the whole affair, and that was through means other than directly attacking them. (I was credited with inflicting a centaur with [Burning] while others were fighting them; I believe someone inadvertently gave me a Fire Aura.)

Rules

A term like pacifist run can be a little vague and mean different things to different people, so when posting things like this I think it's important to be clear. The rules I settled on when starting were these:

No using damaging skills. The core rule: I can heal, I can stun, but no using skills to hit things. In general, I attempted to not do damage at all and -- if damage had been done inadvertently -- to ensure the fight ended without anyone dying. This is a little hard to keep track of and verify, though. What I can tell you is I didn't use any damaging weapon skill, never put a damage skill on my second bar except to use non-damaging tool belt tools, and while I picked up items/weapons from the environment, I didn't use them to hit things.

Summon hits counts as my hits. Fun fact: my first character was an asuran Necromancer. So, you know, if I wanted to sit back and let a veritable personal army handle things, I'd hop on them. I decided things I actively summon, whether through skills or items, are an extension of my character. On the flipside, NPCs and other players aren't my responsibility, although for obvious reasons I didn't just group up and get a friend to babysit me.

No shortcuts. While accumulating 80 Tomes of Knowledge would technically get you to level 80 in short affair, it's also a bit out of spirit of things. So no Tomes, no writs, no XP boosts. I didn't have a hard rule on account-shared stuff or crafting, but I likewise didn't just port myself a bunch of equipment or use the gold I've previously earnt to craft my way from level 1 to 80.

You could be a bit looser with the rules, such as allowing damage against objects. Or you could be harsher, and try to moderate what actions you take in the overworld (e.g. squishing spider egg sacs). But those are the rules I set myself.

The build and playstyle

Enter Queemva, sylvari and faithful adherent to all-things-growing. It may be wrong to think of her as an active peacemaker. Rather, Queemva's a child of the dawn who wants to view the world in both all its splendour and horror. While she might lend a helping hand, she doesn't really want to right any great wrongs or control/change the world; she just wants to see it.

She's also an Engineer. You know, having done all this I'm still not sure what the best approach to a passive explorer would be. I considered a Thief that just stuck it out in stealth, but felt that would be a little one-note. A Water-focused Elementalist, perhaps? Feel free to mull on it in the replies, but in the end I went with that odd-grabbag of skills that makes up the Engineer profession. In hindsight, asura get a bunch of non-damaging racial skills and are probably best suited to this type of character; but, you know, gotta get that RP.

Queemva uses a shield but no weapon, but mainly focuses on using the Med Kit. Being an Engie, she's also got a few gadgets and elixirs, and can throw a net at people to very briefly immobolise them; the Net Turret itself can do a bit of damage when initially summoned, so has to be deployed more carefully. Elixir S might not be that useful for outright stealthing an area, thanks to its cooldown and 5-second length, but is a nice thing to have when you have to stop to heal someone or commune with power. When combat inevitably breaks out, she can dodge, drink or do whatever's necessary to keep herself up while tending to wounds and hurt NPCs (or players, if a big group event's started).

In a pinch, she can also just outright lure NPCs places. Hey, this wasn't my go-to, but I'd be lying if I said me running around combat areas like a headless chicken didn't occasionally end up going balls-up and backfiring for a few NPCs. Those guards were probably pretty surprised when a sylvari came running out followed by a bunch of monsters. Look, the important thing is, I got heart points for reviving them.

On the record, I did try to keep a better watch out for screwing over other players. The last thing an AFK player needs is to be swarmed by a bunch of spiders.

How'd it work out?

You know that odd sense when you first start out, the Personal Story isn't unlocked yet, and the world's just staring at you with little direction provided? Good/bad news: you're not going to be able to do your Personal Story, so that feeling might be staying a while.

Freeing in its own way, but if you don't like setting your own goals or exploring the world for its own sake, this probably isn't the run for you. It took me a bit to get into the groove of things, myself, since while the early levels go by quickly they're also when you're without any of your later tools. An Engineer with no weapon, elixir, gadgets or kits is a poor Engineer indeed.

Once I was a bit more built-up, though, I found it fairly relaxing (dodging bullets is very peaceful). No doubt progress is slower without combat XP, but I still found myself steadily levelling up each session. Always new places to see, new vistas to reach and added incentive to work them out. Minimal loot, of course, but if you're avoiding actually fighting you can probably afford to let your gear slip a bit; I was still gradually making money.

Well, I say 'always'. Once I got to the higher levels, let's say 55+, I noticed myself start to lag behind the map level curve. Completionism had kept me up to date beforehand, but it couldn't last forever. Fortunately, at this point I had generated enough coin and karma to supplement my levels with crafting (I went with raising Cooking). Even so, reaching level 80 forced me to do some hearts I'd not bothered with earlier.

I admit to feeling a certain level of burn-out. Part of which might be down to my pacifist playstyle, but if I'm honest, I hit a similar burnout when originally playing the game. On my first character, I think I used Tomes to just skip the final push to level 80, but that wasn't an option here. Guild Wars 2 is fun and has an overall engaging world, but it can -- combat or no -- get tiring or repetitive after a while.

So, of course, I took some breaks; between you and me, a lot of this was done between bouts of Great Ace Attorney. Like I'd generally recommend when going for Map Completion, I think it's important to pace yourself. Log-in, take in the sights, come back when you're in the mood. That's how I tried to approach it, and certainly reaching 80 took a fair amount of gametime; but it was done in bits while making slow-but-steady progress.

Final notes

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. While writing this, I found this similar no-kill run, which you may be interested in since they've actually gone further than me. A final thank you to anyone who noticed some erratic behaviour from a sylvari player and let it go without comment, because not once in this run did anyone break down and call me a tosser.

I don't know what's next for Queemva. I could take her further. Sure, 100% Map Completion isn't possible; even if you can score credit in combat Hero Challenges through healing, I believe there are a few odd challenges here and there that do require you to actually 'attack' something. But certainly there's more to do (I missed 70 POIs!), and I haven't touched any of the expansion content.

At this point I probably wouldn't take her through the personal story even if I could. Everyone else is the Pact Commander; it's fun being some random plant for once. Good luck with the whole dragon thing, incidentally.

Have a good one, all, and know that the quaggan uprising is coming. None will be spared.

I originally posted this to Reddit, but decided to crosspost it here. Apologies to anyone with sudden déjà vu.

[imissthembutitwasntadisaster]

I posted 7,611 times in 2021

3080 posts created (40%)

4531 posts reblogged (60%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 1.5 posts.

I added 2,212 tags in 2021

#taylor swift - 693 posts

#tvd - 467 posts

#teen wolf - 260 posts

#ask games - 194 posts

#art - 127 posts

#evermore - 106 posts

#to save - 103 posts

#red - 89 posts

#alice syfy - 87 posts

#the vampire diaries - 86 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#tthe younger obviously good brother who is very keen on making sure everyone knows he’s the obviously good one djflhdsfldlkjshlkafsdsa drag

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Reblog if there’s no way you’re going to monetize your blog let’s see where we all stand

704 notes • Posted 2021-07-21 18:13:44 GMT

#4

Doctor Who is so funny because it’s a weird sci-fi tv show with a terrible budget and regularly awful little monsters but it’s still out here saying being able to save one person at least is better than none, no one in the world is unimportant, horrors do not need to beget horrors sometimes they can turn people kind, mostly all over the universe you will find Good people mostly people are trying to be good, nothing bright is ever wasted, no one is ever alone, the world may look like it’s ending but hold on and maybe it won’t, love is given not earnt but it must be given, nothing is more important than making sure there are no children crying silently in corners

1669 notes • Posted 2021-08-29 16:18:47 GMT

#3

All I'm saying is that once RTD comes back to doctor who that budget better drop DRASTICALLY we are returning to our ROOTS if the TARDIS wall doesn't wobble when you push it I DON'T WANT IT

3076 notes • Posted 2021-09-24 17:09:20 GMT

#2

Alright tell me in the tags, what’s Your Poem? That poem you heard once and it has dwelt within you ever since?

19009 notes • Posted 2021-01-26 19:02:46 GMT

#1

Two houses both alike in dignity never establishes the level of dignity they both obtain. This is usually assumed to be high, but could in fact be extremely low. Thus an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet with both houses being rival clown troupes would not be in opposition to the text. In this essay I will

29709 notes • Posted 2021-06-14 20:53:09 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[chuckbass-love]

Reader surprising Henry Cavill with a home cooked meal and dessert since he’s finished filming so he can have a bit of a binge🙏🏼 I would love to do this for him since I was raised to feed our loved ones, “keep their favourites under lockdown in your heart”💗

Hi love, thank you so much for the request, i really love it and Henry too, also hope you’re well and enjoy this short and sweet fluff fest.

Disclaimer: My work is not to be posted anywhere other than MY Tumblr, Wattpad and Ao3 without my permission. However, reblogs are welcome.

Pairing: Henry Cavill x Fem!Reader

Warnings: All fluff.

Word Count: 1,466

GIF NOT MINE!!! Credit to @henry-cavlll go check them out 💕

Two Course Meal

Being the girlfriend of actor Henry Cavill wasn’t the easiest job ever but it was certainly rewarding.

Not even minutes after it was revealed to the world about you two being together, you were bombarded with likes, comments, follows and even some hate messages. But that was all worth it in the end when you would cuddle in bed with Henry and Kal between you. Your boys.

The only downside to being with him is the distance. When he goes away to film he’s away for a long time. You miss him like crazy but thank god you have Kal with you this time to keep you company through the long days and nights.

He’s been away for months filming for a new Netflix series The Witcher, based around the books and video games. He was so excited when got the role of Geralt of Rivia. Beyond excited in fact but the role required a very intense and strict diet and workout regime. 

He had to go some days without water, barely any food and it worried you. 

Whenever he’d call you to catch up, you could hear the exhaustion in his voice, the dehydration. But no matter how much worrying you did, he convinced you that it was worth it for the outcome. 

So all you could do was wait patiently until your man was back in your arms again, eating and drinking normally and giving himself a much needed break from the workouts.

He’s due back later today and you plan to treat him to a big feast for when he returns. 

You head into the kitchen to get started on the prep, putting together a mixture for the joint of beef and once it’s done you rub it all over, whilst the oven heats up to the temperature that you need.

You cut up and peel the vegetables, putting them all in a pot but not cooking them just yet. They don’t need to start cooking for another hour, but it’s good to have them ready.

Desert is next. A caramel tart that Henry just can’t get enough of when you make it, he practically finishes the whole thing with only one slice for you and his excuse is always that he just loves your cooking. He tells you that if you want him to share then you need to be a bad cook. But you could never be bad even if you actively tried. 

You make up the pastry, setting it into the oven to cook a little whilst you start on the filling. 

Once you finish up, you take the pastry out of the oven and leave it to cool off before finishing it off and storing it in the fridge, ready for later on. 

An hour has passed and your phone goes off, signalling that you’ve got a text, then another, then another.

All from Henry.

‘Change of plans, i’ll be home in 20. Can’t wait to see you’

‘I’ve missed you and Kal so much’

‘I love you’

You smile to yourself, thanking god that he’ll be home earlier than expected. You just can’t wait to be in his arms, kiss those lips of his and to share a bed with him once again.

You put the veg on a low heat, pouring water over them and placing the lid back onto the pot to let them cook.

Time to change whilst you wait.

After looking through a couple of outfits in your wardrobe and having a mini meltdown, you settle on some leggings and a nice dressy top. Comfortable yet stylish. 

You then head back down to finish the food, checking on the beef before the veg and it’s almost done just a couple more minutes. It’s all going to be ready just on time. Thank god. 

Just as you get some plates out, the front door opens and closes and you hear the voice you’ve been dying to hear for months “baby?” you drop everything, running out to meet Henry who hasn’t even taken his coat off yet. You jump into his arms, luckily he catches you, picking you up like you don’t weigh a thing.

“I’ve missed you too” he chuckles before showering you with kisses all over your face until he feels Kal nudge at his legs. He then puts you down, kneeling to give the pup some well earnt attention “and you buddy, missed you too” he barks at his dad before following you into the kitchen. 

The smell fills Henry’s nostrils, the smell of the home cooked meals that he’s missed all too much. 

“Something smells incredible” he beams, standing behind and cuddling you, using a hand to move your hair out the way to gain access to your now exposed neck.

“Henry” you groan, sinking back into him “what? i’ve missed my girl, accept my love” you just giggle before pushing him back so you can bend down to get the beef.

“Looks amazing baby, i can’t wait to taste it” he searches around the kitchen, taking out some wine glasses and a bottle from the fridge, white wine. 

He lays the cutlery onto the table, along with the wine glasses and bottle before putting some music on a low volume. The song I Won’t Let You Go by James Morrison that you were last listening to on Spotify. You had it hooked up to your speaker.

He hums along to the song. Pulling you to him, in a dancing stance. You agree much to your dismay, wanting nothing more than to force some food down him but all he wants is to dance with you. He spins you around, singing now and looking into your eyes “open up, open up your heart to me now. Let it all come pouring out, there’s nothing i can’t take” he spins you again before pulling you flush against him and dipping you. 

You lift up slightly to meet his lips as he lowers his head to kiss yours softly. He really is the best. Once you’re standing upright, he kisses your hand before letting you finish off with dinner.

“I love you so much” you walk over to the table and place the plates down, taking a seat opposite him “i love you too Henry” he reaches out for your hand across the table.

“You must be hungry” you say and he nods, letting out a huge sigh “starving, is there desserts too?” 

“Caramel tart” he punches the air before you both dig into the food now, catching up properly as you eat, laughing too. He’s always managed to make you laugh, especially during awkward and inappropriate times. It’s one of the reasons why you struggle to drink properly in front of him. But you love that about him and being with him is a dream.

His foot touches yours under the table, running up your leg slowly, making you almost choke on your vegetables “what?” he asks, shrugging as if he has no clue why you’re flustered “you didn’t seriously think that i’d come home and not make a move on you did you?” you just roll your eyes “down boy, that’s for after desserts” he laughs.

“What if you’re my desserts and the caramel tart waits until after the sex” you widen your eyes, gulping, not bothering to hide how turned on you are thanks to him.

He can probably smell your arousal from here.

“No food first, then me” he accepts your decision, watching as you collect the plates and head out to get desert.

Once you return, he licks his lips watching you cut him a slice and he pretty much swallows it whole. 

“I wish they’d let you eat and drink normally on set” you say, eating your own “it is what it is sweet. It’s worth it for the outcome of the show. And besides, i get to come back to this after it all and that’s more than enough” you move around the table to sit on his lap. 

He welcomes you, manoeuvring you so you’re legs are over the side of him and your head is on his chest. He’s home and everything is back to normal. Just the way you love.

“Probably best we wait a while before you know” you furrow your brows in confusion “i’m so full, i forgot how much food you cook” you giggle “there’s more for tomorrow too”

“Can’t wait”

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

General Tag List: @deadlymistress24 @coffeebooksandfandom @chris-butt @holtzkinnon @mychemicalimagines @llamadelreyx @haus-of-bitch-talk @buckstaybucky @thewinchestergirl1208 @chrissquares @patzammit @adriannajackson @dummiesshort @cevans-fics @americasass91 @toni9 @aaliferouss @bradfordmyworld 

Henry Cavill Tag List: @summersong69