#ts blue cigarettes

[wholesaletobaccoaustralia]

Cheap Cigarettes in Australia

A 20 pack of cigarettes in Australia will burn a hole in your wallet. The price is so high that criminal groups are smuggling them into the country via air cargo and passenger luggage.

A tax increase large enough to ensure that packs of cigarettes reach critical price points would prompt many smokers to seriously consider quitting. This is especially true for low- and medium-SES smokers.

Cheapest Brands

Despite the fact that it’s possible to find cheapest cigarettes in Australia, you should be aware that tobacco taxes are quite high. Consequently, it’s important to choose your brand wisely.

Increasing the cost of cigarettes is one of the most effective strategies for decreasing smoking rates among young people, according to experts. However, the effect of price increases is not universal and differs across subgroups of the population.

In addition, tobacco taxes in Australia are higher than in most other upper-middle and lower-middle income countries (see Figure 13.4.3). It is also worth noting that the affordability of roll-your-own tobacco pouches has deteriorated over time. However, this trend stalled in 2017 because of the introduction of smaller pouch sizes with a lower upfront purchase price.

Cheapest Prices

With tobacco taxes rising in Australia, many smokers are turning to cheaper foreign imports. Illicit tobacco is smuggled into Australia through sea and air cargo and passenger luggage. It has been linked to organised crime and is often made using sub-standard production processes. This can pose risks to human health, and has been linked to smuggled drugs and weapons.

While annual increases in tobacco excise have helped to reduce smoking, they have not done so without disproportionately impacting certain subgroups. This includes low income groups. In fact, on a relative income basis, Australia is sixth out of 32 high-income countries (see Blecher and Van Walbeek).

Smokers in these groups would pay a disproportionate share of their incomes to increase government revenues. They may find it difficult to afford the price hikes and therefore be less likely to quit or stop smoking altogether.

Variety of Flavors

Cigarette prices are continually increasing as part of the government’s mission to drain smokers’ bank accounts. The government also plans to tax loose-leaf and rollyour-own tobacco products. These measures will likely drive many smokers to decrease their consumption or quit entirely.

This is why it’s no surprise that Motley Crue singer Tommy Lee was shocked when

he saw the prices at a 7-Eleven in Australia. Lee shared his disbelief on Instagram, drawing attention from skeptics who pointed out that tobacco taxes are the main reason why buy cigarettes online cost so much.

Cigarette affordability is best assessed by comparing prices to people’s ability to earn them. On this measure, Australians pay the fourth highest price for a pack of cigarettes. In fact, it takes Australians on average wages almost an hour to earn enough money to purchase a pack of 20 cigarettes from the most popular brands sold at recommended retail prices.

Convenience

As a result, the demand for electronic cigarettes has increased significantly. Many people in Australia are turning to vaping for their health and convenience. However, they must be careful to choose a trusted provider like ecChoice. They offer a wide range of vaporisers and liquids at affordable prices.

In contrast, the Australian cigarette market is expensive for all smokers. It ranks sixth among 32 high-income countries for price per pack of cigarettes, behind Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland and Norway (Table 13.4.2).

In addition to the hefty prices, Australia has one of the world’s highest tobacco taxes. This makes it very difficult for young people to afford a pack of cigarettes. This is a major factor in preventing youth smoking.

Safety

The high price of cigarettes has been a key reason why smoking rates among young people have declined in Australia. This policy has been supported by both sides of politics and by many health experts. But concerns about the unequal impacts of tobacco taxes on disadvantaged groups have been raised by some.

According to the global price comparison website Numbeo, Australia is the most expensive country in the world in which to smoke. A pack of 20 Marlboros costs close to US$36.

This is particularly concerning for disadvantaged groups, as evidence suggests that their uptake of smoking is linked to the availability of pocket money and other income sources. This is reflected in the fact that, on average, a cigarette packs makes up about one-third of young people’s weekly expenses.

[noforkingclue]

Hakxoicsjskd

As you can probably tell I am a sucker for vengeful, protective Thomas Shelby.

Like-yes, Thomas, kill for me, even if I don't want you to! Hold me close and rub my back and murmur in my ear that you're doing it for me, to protect me, it's all alright-don't watch, or maybe do, he'll keep me safe, just stay like that-they were trying to hurt you, don't you see that? They were going to hurt you, but I stopped them. You need me.

God, even if he was lying just a little-he really does want to protect you, you know, but on his terms, his ideals-it would be alright. Just let him hold you, your face to his chest as you hear the sound of a gun firing in yours ears and your head and your heart-

Note: requests are currently closed

Of course anon! I know exactly what you mean! I love a protective Tommy.

Title: For You

Peaky Blinders tag list: @stylesofloki, @ohshititsfenharel, @lenaskyler02, @elenavampire21, @swordofawriter, @zablife, @cillmequick, @polishcrazyone, @nataliewalker93

Thomas Shelby tag list: @alreadybroken-ts, @darlingdevil, @lyrxbz, @watercolorskyy, @notyour-valentine

Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary, @byebyebreezywrites, @spngingerbread21, @layazul, @lov3vivian, @simonsbluee

Your eyes were wide as you staggered back, terrified of the man in front of you. He sighed as he took carefully measured steps towards you. You winced as your back hit a brick wall but the man didn’t stop walking. A soft, consistent drizzle dampened your clothes and you wished you had the ability to walk through the wall blocking your escape. Finally, he stopped, so close you could feel the heat from his body. For a second neither of your spoke. You too terrified to get a word out and him, well, he was probably assessing the situation. Finally he said,

“You weren’t meant to see that.”

“R… really Tommy?” you said shakily, “Wasn’t I?”

Tommy lit a cigarette and looked away from you as he took a drag. When he looked back his face was stony and he offered the cigarette to you. You took it was shaking hands and took a deep drag.

“You killed him.” You said at last

“I thought that was obvious.”

“Why?”

Tommy sighed and took off his hat. He looked up at the sky, his hair quickly getting damp in the increasingly heavy drizzle, before he ran a hand over his face. You continued to glare at him as he put his cap back on, the shadow from the brim hiding his impossibly blue eyes from you.

“Thought that was obvious too, love.”

“Not to me.”

“They were using you to get to me.”

“Wh… what? To get to you.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t- why? I’m not anyone special.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

Tommy took a step closer, fully trapping you against the wall. He raised a hand and brushed his knuckles against your cheek. You held your breath as he lower it and took the cigarette from your loosened grip. He took one last drag before his flicked it away. It hissed out when it hit the wet ground.

“You are special to me,” said Tommy quietly, “and I should’ve realised it sooner.”

He cupped your cheek and brushed his thumb over your cheekbone. He pressed his lips against your forehead and you closed your eyes at the soft touch. Tommy wrapped his arms around you and pulled you roughly against his chest. His heart was beating steadily, a sharp comparison to your rapidly beating one.

“I did this for you,” he said softly, “to protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting.”

Tommy let out a humourless laugh and even as you said those words you knew them to be a lie. Being involved with the Shelby’s (in any way) was bound to bring danger to your life. You weren’t like the Shelby’s. You had never killed someone and yet, somehow, you found yourself dragged into their world.

“I never wanted it to be like this,” said Tommy softly, “I thought I could keep you safe without having to resort to violence.”

His grip on you tightened and you were powerless to escape his grip and part of you didn’t want to. Tommy had only killed those people in order to protect you. He was doing it with your best interest. As you relaxed against Tommy, with those thoughts swirling around your mind, you could almost forget the smell of gunpowder on him and the feeling of someone else’s blood seeping into your shirt.

Yes, Tommy had killed those people in order to protect you. He hadn’t wanted to kill them in front of you, that was never meant to be part of the plan, but with you in his arms he knew it was the right decision. It showed you that only he could protect you. You would be safe as long as you were with him.

[sl33paholics]

The Unraveling Knots of Love

Jet Black x Black!fem reader

Warning(s): Mentions of sex, cheating, angst, tbh I just wanna make smth emotional

You were currently sitting across from your ex, Jet, on the navy blue round back sofa in the living room. Smoke was curling from the ends of the cigar you’d been smoking for the past half hour, and it was starting to burn your fingers. The air inside the apartment had been stuffy, hot even. You crushed the cigar on your ashtray, but Jet didn’t seem bothered. He looked bored with the whole thing. He wasn’t even drinking anything right now – he had a glass of water at his elbow instead, which he took great care to stir occasionally when he thought no one was looking. You wondered if that was intentional. Probably not.

It had been 11 years since the two of you last saw each other. A decade since your break up. Eleven years, and still nothing had changed about him. You could tell just by looking that he hadn’t changed a bit either. Now bald, those sideburns going down his cheeks to form a beard, you can see that the sides and the back of his head have hair, though. You lifted up your legs and had them to the side as you let out a huge sigh.

“I don’t know why I agreed to meet with you again,” you told him. It came out more like an accusation than a question. You tried to light another cigarette, but they were all gone, so you decided not to waste any time in saying whatever was on your mind. “We haven't spoken' to each other for 'bout, what, over ten years??" You asked. “And this is how you wanna spend your Friday night? Smoking cigars? Sitting on my couch in silence while we try to rebuild our...friendship?” You paused and waited for a response from him. Jet let out a laugh, and it echoed through the room. “You're still the same, Y/N. That sassy attitude of yours, the same way you acted when we first met." he said. "Same mouth. Same stubbornness."

You opened your mouth, ready to respond, but he cut you off. "Just look at yourself," Jet continued. His eyes were narrowed as he focused intently on you, and it almost seemed like he was searching for something.

"Look at yourself and tell me there's anything different about you."

"Well, maybe there is," you countered.

You knew he wasn't going to accept that. You'd given up trying to convince him. "I'm not going to sit here 'nd pretend 'ts okay, just because you want it to be. It don't change the fact that you cheated on me with a friend from high school." You leaned forward slightly, leaning towards him. Jet could see your breasts from your black nightgown, and he watched them move under your gown as you spoke. He swallowed hard. "You ain't sorry." You knew it would get to him. You knew it would make him realize. You wanted him to realize. There was no use in denying it anymore, after all these years. He could see it. He couldn't deny it anymore. You both knew that. But he was too caught up in pretending to ignore the truth to admit it. You knew you shouldn't give up on him, though. You knew he wouldn't do the same for you. Not yet. So you sat back against the cushion and crossed your arms, waiting for Jet to say it. You felt your heart beating faster as you waited. You hoped you weren't sweating. Jet was staring at you, but he wasn’t making eye contact. He wasn’t saying anything.

"Y/N…" he finally started. You waited, and he looked away before continuing. "Listen, I know I fucked up. Fucked up badly to the point where I can barely look at you without remembering all the times I used you. And I'm sorry for that. If only we could go back… I mean, I think you know that." He looked you straight in the eye. "Back then, I was stingy. I didn't apologize, doubled down, you know the whole deal. I guess I just got scared...getting caught." You nodded slowly. "And now I've matured and I can't run away from that...anymore." You stared at him, trying not to look like you wanted to jump out the window or cry. Your heart was racing, and you could feel the moisture collecting behind your eyelashes. "Can you forgive me?" The words sounded foreign coming out of his lips, as if he wasn't sure he was asking permission.

Your voice cracked as you answered. "Jet…" You sighed again, you felt tears beginning to fall down your face. Your hands started to shake uncontrollably. "I can't…I can't forgive you for what you did..." You couldn’t bring yourself to look at him anymore.

Jet leaned in, closer. Too close. "I'm sorry." You couldn't hear him breathe anymore, it sounded as if he was whispering into the shell of your ear. He placed a kiss on your cheek. It left a damp spot, like the rain outside on the balcony. "...asshole..” Jet pulled you into him and you put your head onto his shoulder. His shirt smelled like smoke and cigarettes, and his smell reminded you of home. You couldn't stop thinking about how long it had been since the two of you hugged like this. How long it had been since he held you this closely, kissed you this gently, or whispered these sweet words.

You could hardly believe you were holding him, kissing him...it had been eleven years. Ten if you counted the day he broke up with you. You were crying, shaking in his arms, and you couldn't remember the last time you cried this much. Or this hard. But you couldn't stop yourself from sobbing, feeling like a child whose parents had just kicked them out of their house. "I love you...Jet.." you managed to mumble between sobs. You didn’t really know why you were telling him all this. You'd be lying to yourself if you told him that you haven't thought about him from all these years. Hell, you've imagined this exact scene a thousand times since the day you realized he was cheating on you. You just never expected it to happen in real life. But it did. It was here, in front of you. It was real. Jet was here, holding you, kissing you. You loved him.

"I don't wanna lose you again, Y/N. Let's start over."

[moonchild-in-blue]

darya can you give me some soft song suggestions?? 👀

Boy, can I??

Okay, SO! This is a bit of a mix of genres/vibes I suppose, to give it a bit of variety. Also it's highly biased list since these are quite literally some of my all time favourites ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (blue for my mostest beloveds!)

(cut here because i don't wanna spam people's dash. It's so longggg omgiapologiseoop-)

Indie / Pop vibes (aka more on the mainstream artists spectrum):

Cigarettes After Sex - Sweet ; K

Billie Eilish - i love you ; everything i wanted

Rex Orange County - Untitled ; Happiness

Bon Iver - Flume ; Holocene ; Wash (he's one of my top 3 artists of all time omg i love him so much everything he does is perfect 💙 also a certain someone has cited him as an influence... :::) )

Ry X - Sweat ; Only

Cuco - Hydrocodone ; Amor de Siempre (my beloved chicano 💙 - lofi pop vibes)

Joji - Glimpse of Us ; Ew ; Like You Do (i would give up my kidneys for him)

Frank Ocean - Pink + White (maybe not super singing-friendly but I had to include him) ; Bad Religion (not exactly soft per-se but it's beautifully heartbreaking)

Bright Eyes - Lime Tree ; Lua

Jake Bugg - Love, Hope and Misery

Owl City - Vanilla Twilight

Rock / Metal / Alt vibes (i'm leaving a million bands out because otherwise this would just be my depression list... I listen to a lot of sad/angsty stuff lol)

All Time Low - Therapy ; Somewhere in Neverland (there's an acoustic version of it!)

Being As An Ocean - Dissolve

Bring Me The Horizon - Deathbeads ; Follow You

Crown The Empire - Millennia ; Lead Me Out Of The Dark ; For Days

Dayshell - A Waste Of Space

Linkin Park - Iridescent ; The Messenger (just typing this already broke my heart)

Of Mice & Men - Space Enough To Grow

Our Last Night - Falling Away

Panic! At The Disco - Northern Downpour ; She Had The World ; The End Of All Things (i am a panic girlie what can i say)

Parachute - Kiss Me Slowly (the cutest love song ever omg)

Plain White Ts - 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Hey There Delilah (sure it's mainstream but whatever it's beautiful)

Pierce The Veil - I'm Low On Gas (...) ; She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty

Queen - Love Of My Life (this one is a must ugh the cutesttt)

Real Friends - I've Given Up On You (my heartbreak song lmaoo) ; Sixteen

Red - Nothing and Everything ; Of These Chains (these are sad and emotionally heavy btw. one of my all time favourite bands everyone should listen to them more)

Seahaven - Honey Bee ; Silhouette

Sleeping With Sirens - Don't Fall Asleep At The Helm ; 2 Chord

Eepie Voucher - Drag Me Under ; Telomeres ; Give ; Shelter (i know it's unnecessary but!!! Oh well)

The Story So Far - Navy Blue ; Phantom

Twenty One Pilots - The Hype (specifically the Locations - Berlin version) ; Truce

Vinyl Theatre - Thank You For The Good Times ; Speak My Mind (it has soft vibes, you'll get it if you listen. They are crazy good and criminally underrated)

Random Songs that I just remembered lmao:

The Beatles - Yesterday

Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved

Goo Goo Dolls - Iris (SWS covered it and I love that version so so much)

Joe Brooks - Superman

Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth

Elliott Smith - Between The Bars

Terrenoire - Jusqu'à Mon Dernier Souffle (my fav frenchies)

Over The Garden Wall - Send Me A Peach (i sing this song at least once a day 🥺)

Kermit The Frog - Rainbow Connection (lmao i knowwww but this is one of my all time favourite songs hahaha it makes me so happy and soft and yeah 🥺🌈)

Baby I'm so sorry for the never ending list. I literally just scrolled through my music player curating songs. And I know I'm forgetting a million other songs but OH WELL 🥺💙💚

[tortoisebore]

Hi! just wanted to ramble about some songs I related to the fic cuz I need to tell someone and none of my friends care about wolfstar 😭

-love song (lana del rey) I can't stop imagining sirius getting ready for a date with remus and that song stars playing and he just realises how accurate the lyric is to the way he feels about remus -cry (cigarettes after sex) sirius in the last chapter literally -ignoring the posible cheating implied in the song and relating it to the way sirius feels about hurting remus in general- -sweet (cigarettes after sex) self explanatory -let me love u like a woman (lana del rey) sirius in the next chapter hopefully 😭 -yes to heaven ( lana del rey) remus to sirius in the last chapter -the grants (lana del rey) because of the amount of times sirius mentioned that he wanted to keep remus in his memories -iris (the goo goo dolls) self explanatory again -dark paradise (ldr) self explanatory again -andante andante (abba) its just so sensual and romantic i love ittt -willow (TS) sirius to remus -heaven (niall horan) specifically the lyric "how i obsessively adore you" -kill my mind (louis tomlinson) remus to sirius in the last chapter -beso (josean log) the song it literally just abou kissing -la luna (josean log) "the moon" it is just so romantic and so them -flaco (mon laferte) maybe not really exactly the meaning of the song but overall the way the need and crave she expresses for the man she loves -lovebug (jonas brothers) literally remus in the fic since we now that he already loved someone in the past -friends (ed sheeran) self explanatory -baby im yours( artic monkeys) self explanatory one again -say something (christina aguilera) remus to sirius last chapter -wild at heart (LDR) sirius literally -defenceless (louis tomlinson) remus to sirius -only the brave (louis tomlinson) gays🏳️‍🌈

I'l probably think of more and mention them later, hope you like them if you haven't heard some of them

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

BEST ASK EVER BEST ASK EVER

you and me are just alike oh my god i curate playlists and songs for everythingggggg like i’m constantly reading or watching things and being like “god this is so mirrorball by taylor swift” or “omg this is such a true blue by boygenius moment”

most of these songs i’ve heard and some of them i hadn’t before so i just had a fun little morning listening to all of these & imagining them in places in the fic 🫶🫶🫶 like LOVEBUG??? YES TO HEAVEN??? baby i’m yours, beso, andante andante like oh my god you GET ME

i love u so much thank u for sending this it made my whole day 😭😭😭🫶🫶🫶

[solaceishere]

sitting on the balcony feels so much nicer with a cigarette like i like geek bars ts is basically a meal replacement for me atp with the flavor and 15k puffs is insane in this lil device but i feel so fucking stupid with my blue baby binkey led light up smoke bar bruh begging vape brands to jus make smth that looks normal and not like a toy or usb stick

[oldsalempost-blog]

The Old Salem Post

Our  Local Tamassee-Salem SC Area News each Monday except holidays            Contact: theoldsalempost@gmail.com                              Distributed to local businesses, town hall, library.                            Volume 7 Issue 12   Week of March 4, 2024                https://www.tumblr.com/settings/blog/oldsalempost-blog                                                         Lynne Martin Publishing

EDITOR:  Remember the 1970 Keep America Beautiful commercial with a polluted river filled with debris amongst a background of buildings and billowing smoke from industry along the shore? The commercial ends with a Native American standing with a tear rolling down his face.  We have been fighting pollution for years, yet no one thinks they are polluting when they sell off family property to be developed into industry.  No one thinks pollution is a cigarette butt, bottles, cans, or fast food left-overs tossed carelessly out the car window or at the entrance to a building. No one thinks of the foul words that fly out of the mouth in public as pollution.  No one considers pollution when they mount glaring lights around their house in a rural area where once held a view of the celestial night skies.   The commercial  ends with “ People start pollution.  People can stop it.”  LRM

 TOWN of SALEM:  * Visit the Downtown Market every Sat, Winter hours 9am-1pm. *  Easter is coming.   Community Egg Hunt March 30th at 10am at the Town Park.  We need candy!!  Candy donations are welcomed!

SALEM LIBRARY:  Hours Monday 10am-6pm. Tues-Friday 9am-5pm. Closed 12-1 each day for lunch

Jottings from Miz Jeannie  by Jeannie Barnwell...Jeannie says hello and is taking a holiday this week!

ASHTON RECALLS: SALEM'S BASKETBALL TEAMS BOTH ADVANCED TO DISTRICT FINALS IN 1954 - (The following story was in the February 24, 1954 Keowee Courier). . .Little Betty Lee Towe, peppery captain of Salem High's girls' basketball team, captured plenty of honors over the past week even though her team lost a heart-breaking two-point, 32-30, decision to White Plains after battling through the Class C tournament at Pelzer to reach the finals. . .So great was the impression she made, however, that she was selected most valuable player among Class C girls and was chosen to the all-tournament team in that classification. . .Salem's boys also scrapped their way to the finals only to lose a 47-42 thriller to Dixie after leading most of the way. The Golden Eagles were handicapped greatly by an ankle injury sustained in the semi-finals game by Max Nicholson. .   Despite the injury, Nicholson was named to the Class C boys' all-tournament team, as was his teammate Gerald Townes. . .Howard Abercrombie was the team captain. by Ashton Hester                                                                                                    

JOCASSEE VALLEY BREWING COMPANY,(JVBC) & COFFEE SHOP* 13412 N Hwy 11 Open Wed–Sat 9am-9pm and Sunday 2pm-7pm. Events this week:  Wed:  Blue Grass Jam 6:30pm  Fri: Food:  Kodesh BBQ  Music:  Chris Wayne  at 6:30pm   Sat–Food: RadDads  Music: Cannon & Cohen Trio at 6:30pm  *Featuring Pisgah Coffee Roasters and fresh brewed delicious coffee made to order.  More information call 864-873-0048    

EAGLE ALUMNI GATHERING- On March 2  from 2pm-5pm there was a huge return from all classes from the Salem, Tamassee-Salem, and Eagle Ridge charter school alumni. Two former teachers Robert Griffin and Horace Dyer were welcomed by all.  “Mr. Griffin” as know to all taught from 1969-1973 and said he loves Salem so much he moved back here when he retired.  He lives on Lake Keowee in Salem.    “We are all Eagles,” stated Russ Price, former TS alumnus.  A        T-Shirt was created from his Eagle Spirit inspiration and is for sale to benefit the Eagles Nest Art Center.  The T-Shirt also has an Eagle print from the mural still present in the auditorium by artist Gale McKinney.   Held at the Eagles Nest Art Center and hosted by many alumni volunteers, Susan Hopkins and Judy Hines were pleased with the multi-generational turnout.  Teresa Barker, Carol Queen, Ginger Porter helped serve delicious foods donated by the alumni.  Tours of the working facility warmed the faces of all as they recalled where they stood in line for lunch, sat on the sidewalks for breaks, and walked the halls that held memories of youth.  The graduating class of 1972 had 9 classmates in attendance, many of them celebrating they are turning 70 this year.  The gymnasium is still a revered beauty enjoyed by our youth and adults through the Salem Recreational Department.   Eagles Nest Art Center is a 501c3 nonprofit  and owns the  former 13 acres of Tamassee-Salem school property.  ENAC is governed by a small board of volunteer directors.    “Once an Eagle always an Eagle” is another famous quote on a T-Shirt shared by kindred spirits.   The gathering area also displayed a mural recently repaired by Fred Edgar, retired art teacher with SDOC, funded from the Bill Hines Memorial funds.   All donations from the gathering go directly to ENAC.  ENAC has a mission to provide a venue for education, arts, performances for all ages communities and regional areas.  ENAC welcomes volunteers who share in our mission.

EAGLES NEST ART CENTER 2024 UPCOMING EVENTS       March 23rd, 7pm  Oconee Mountain Opry  Tickets $10 at the door day of the event or online at eaglesnestartcenter.org Ticketleap.  This evening will feature popular Upstate SC singer-songwriter Angela Easterling accompanied by Brandon Turner, the Mountain Bridge Band, comedy, mystery guests and more!  Don’t miss this local unique variety gem. 

April 26th, 7pm  Friday Evening Wellness Event:  Reclaiming Our Inalienable Wellness  Doors open at 6:30pm   Free event hosted by ENAC featuring speaker Meredith Orlowski, AFMC, INHC.  Bring your friends and family along. Gain Energy, Lose Weight, Feel Happy, & Save the World While Doing it!                                                The Eagles Nest Treasure Store is open every Saturday morning 9am-12pm.  We are accepting donations during that time or call 864-557-2462.  Information on sponsorships, events, volunteering, donations, or rentals call 864-280-1258.

PROM DRESSES :  Ladies Prom Day is approaching!!  On March 22nd from 3pm-6:30 pm and March 23rd from 9am-12pm we will displaying and selling prom dresses for the upcoming proms.  We have many beautiful gowns short and long to choose from.  We look forward to seeing you. Please call  Donna at 864-557-2462 for more information.     

YARD SALE:  Rent a spot if you would like to bring a table and set up for our big sale on March 22nd and 23rd.                                                           

                                     CHURCH NEWS Bethel Presbyterian Church (PCUSA),  580 Bethel Church Rd Walhalla, 29691. Worship at 10:30 a.m.  March 10, Message by Mel Davis. March 31 Message by George Harper, Easter Sunday with Communion. 

CONSERVATION and PRESERVATION starts with each of us.  OPUS Trust is a local nonprofit in Oconee County with a mission to educate landowners in preservation of open spaces, farm lands, and other precious places. Check out the Unique Wine Tasting Fundraiser>>

From a Kindred Spirit Reader:   I fully agree with your opposition to the "growth for the sake of growth" philosophy. There should continue to be cities for people who like city life and rural areas for more laid-back people.

                                            11th Annual BELLFEST 2024        FRIENDS OF LAKE JOCASSEE will host BellFest 2024 at Devils Fork State Park on Saturday, March 16 from 10am-3pm.  Celebrate the rare Oconee Bell, Shortia galacifolia, local harbinger of spring.  Learn  its  history and view it blooming in the park.   Interpretive Bell Trail walks* Oconee Bell story presentation* Music each hour* Exhibits* Local vendors* Food Trucks* Kid and Family activities* Silent Auction to benefit FOJ * Park entry fees $8 Adult, $5 SC Senior, $4 Children 6–15, 5 and <free.  Find us www.friendsof jocassee.org  or email friendsofjocassee@gmail.com  

Prayer:  Thank you God for the beautiful world you have entrusted to us. Amen                                Use your blessings to help on another!   LRM    

[wholesaletobaccoaustralia]

Reduce the Harm of Smoking

TS is harmful to smokers and non-smokers alike, and it causes serious long-term health issues. Smoking also increases the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. But there are a few things that can be done to reduce the harm of smoking.

The FDA Tobacco Education Resource Center features content for students, teachers, parents, and teens. The content is easy to navigate and optimized for each audience.

Camel Blue

The Camel ts blue cigarettes are a new addition to the line of RJ Reynolds light cigarettes. These cigarettes are very mild in strength and offer a smooth, rich tobacco flavor. They are made with a premium blend of tobaccos and feature a unique crushable filter capsule. These cigarettes are available in both mentholated and non-mentholated versions.

The blue color code on cigarette packaging typically indicates a milder product, with lower levels of nicotine and tar than traditional red-labeled cigarettes. However, a cigarette’s overall level of nicotine and tar may vary depending on the brand and type of cigarette, and smokers should consult the label or their healthcare professionals for accurate information about the specific cigarettes they smoke.

The Camel Blue cigarette was one of the most popular brands in the US. The cigarette was a premium brand that used Turkish and domestic tobaccos. It was known for its great taste and high quality. The cigarette was also very affordable.

Chesterfield

Known for its mild taste and high quality tobacco blend, Chesterfield cigarettes are a great choice for those who enjoy a smooth smoking experience. They are also available in a wide range of flavors and packaging options, making them perfect for smokers with different tastes. In addition to their rich flavor, they also offer a unique smoking experience that cannot be found with other brands.

The brand is also well-known for its sponsorship of TV and radio shows. In fact, in the 50s, the famous TV show Dragnet was sponsored by Chesterfields and Liggett & Myers, while the popular radio series Gunsmoke was sponsored by them as well.

The name “Chesterfield” is often associated with the Goldsboro Weekly Argus, which ran an advertisement in 1914 featuring a woman wearing beads and a large Chesterfield cigarette. The ad reads, “Shirt Waist Rings the Latest Fashion Cry – at

Meyer’s Department Store, you will get them for free with your box of Chesterfields.” The cigarette was sold as a non-filtered 70 mm smoke and later was introduced in filtered 85 mm form.

Marlboro

This collection of oral histories and promotional materials documents the advertising history of marlboro red cigarettes. It was created in 1985-1987 and includes interviews with Philip Morris executives, advertising agency personnel (including Leo Burnett), photographers, production staff, and Marlboro cowboys. Interviews were conducted in the United States and abroad, in Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and West Germany.

The company used this branding to target male smokers, who embraced the brand’s Western heritage and cowboy imagery. These campaigns were incredibly successful and made Marlboro one of the world’s largest tobacco companies. The company also used its cigarette branding to promote its products through sponsoring rally drivers. This included factory World Rally Championship teams, such as those of Lancia and Mitsubishi, as well as drivers such as Markku Alen, Timo Salonen, Juha Kankkunen, and Miki Biasion.

A recent study found that most smokers who use Marlboro are White or Hispanic/Latino. The study also found that a higher percentage of lesbian/gay smokers use Newport than heterosexual smokers. This finding suggests that the marketing strategy for Marlboro is effective for attracting sexually active smokers, especially those who are interested in macho imagery.

Winston

Winston cigarettes are a well-known brand of cigarettes that are made with a highquality tobacco blend and have a unique taste. They are also known for their innovative packaging design and range of specialty cigarettes. The company’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact is evident in their use of responsibly sourced paper and recyclable cartons.

The Winston cigarette brand is famous for its advertising campaigns that highlight the differences between Winston and other cigarettes. These ads are often based on the idea that Winston cigarettes are free of additives and that smokers will experience a different taste. This ad technique resembles George Orwell’s 1984 motto: “Ignorance is strength.”

In the early 1950s, when researchers began to link cigarette smoking with lung cancer, only a few brands had filters. In 1954, RJ Reynolds introduced the Winston cigarette with a filter and it became the #1 cigarette within 10 years. This success led to the eventual formation of RJR Nabisco and ultimately the current owner, ITG Brands.

[noforkingclue]

Loyalties Chapter 14 (Tommy Shelby x reader x Alfie Solomons)

Merry Christmas Eve guys. I was only planning on publishing this next week but I decided to do it early! Hope you all like it!

Loyalties tag list: @jk-acc, @eventhedarkestlightshines, @secretdiplomatspyknight, @myjumper, @liesandghosts, @ischysiaclark, @cnoute, @geeksareunique, @idiotlegs, @belenosblack, @deepsketchsupernaturalcowboy, @spaceybissh, @joan2914, @ttae-yong, @not-urct,   @writers-hes,   @shaddixlife,   @optimisticsandwichgladiator, @cookiez56-blog, @character---obsessed, @johnmurphys-sass

Thomas Shelby tag list: @alreadybroken-ts, @darlingdevil, @lyrxbz, @watercolorskyy, @notyour-valentine, @neonpurplestars89-blog

Peaky Blinders tag list: @stylesofloki, @ohshititsfenharel, @lenaskyler02, @elenavampire21, @swordofawriter, @zablife, @cillmequick, @polishcrazyone, @nataliewalker93

Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary, @byebyebreezywrites,@spngingerbread21, @layazul, @lov3vivian, @simonsbluee

It was strange how things settled back into some sense of normality. Messages still came from Alfie, you delivered the relevant ones to Tommy, you and Tommy… talked. Slowly you spent more time down The Garrison and your presence was becoming more expected. You could sense the Shelby’s becoming more relaxed around you and you wished you could lower your guard around them.

And the one night, everything changed.

You raised your eyebrows as tommy got up from his seat after you handed him Alfie’s latest letter. Even his brothers seemed slightly taken aback as he grabbed him coat and muttered,

“Business, love. Don’t want anything to happen to you in my city.”

“How very kind of you, Mr Shelby. I’ll be sure to let Alfie know about your generosity.”

The two of you walked out in silence. It was strange having Tommy walk you back although not necessarily unwelcomed. People didn’t fuck about when you had a Shelby walking next to you. Tommy offered you a cigarette and you took it wordlessly, only pausing to let him light it for you. It was strange having these familiar actions be completed by Tommy and not by Alfie. You had become too used to Alfie walking you home in an evening, his arm slung about your shoulders. However, the two of you had only walked down a couple more street before Tommy let out a curse and dragged you into a nearby alley.

“What the-“

Tommy slapped a hand over your mouth and you couldn’t help but feel a pang of nervousness course through you. Was this it? Was this how you were going to die? What had Alfie done to piss of the Shelby’s this much that Tommy was going to kill you in some random Birmingham alley? However, and much to you surprise, Tommy lower his hand. He took a step closer and said quietly,

“Trouble, love.”

“More than usual?”

Tommy’s gaze locked with yours and your breath hitched at the look in his eyes. The steely blue that hardened expectantly. Tommy took a step closer, pinning you against the wall. His hand cupped your cheek before slowly moving to grasp your chin.

“Trust me?” he asked

“Do I have a choice?”

“Yes.”

“Then I do.”

You don’t know what made you say it. Maybe it was just a moment of madness or maybe it was something deeper. However, you didn’t have any time to react before Tommy pressed his lip against yours. It was a surprisingly gentle kiss for someone as rough as Tommy. Your eyes widened at the unexpected action but you couldn’t help but lose yourself to the sensation.

Tommy pulled you closer against him, one arm wrapped around your waist. His other hand was still cupping your cheek, his thumb brushing softly against your cheekbone. Your hands found their way to his shoulders and your fingers curled against the lapels of his coat. You shouldn’t be doing this. You should be repulsed by it but, much to your horror, you weren’t. When Tommy eventually broke the kiss he remain close. His nose brushed against yours and you could feel his breath fan against your face. He glanced towards the entrance of the alley before saying slowly,

“They’re gone.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then can you give me some space.”

Tommy’s gaze snapped back to you. He smirked and said,

“Is that really what you want?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t want to think about it?”

“No.”

Tommy leaned in and you turned to the side. Tommy’s lips pressed against your cheek. He lingered for a second and you resisted the urge to lean into it. Eventually he moved away and you grimaced.

“This shouldn’t have happened,” you said as you staggered away, “this really, really shouldn’t have happened.”

*

It had been a week since you had seen Tommy. Part of you were concerned about why Alfie hadn’t sent any messages but you also knew that these things did happen. Mrs Goldberg was away for the week visiting her sister so you were tasked with looking after her house. You had just finished doing the last of the washing up when you heard a pounding at the door. You rolled your eyes but when the knocking continued you threw down the towel and marched towards the door. You flung it open and froze when you saw Tommy. You tried to slam the door shut but Tommy was quicker. He caught the door and pushed his way in before shutting the door behind him.

Neither of you spoke, an uncomfortable silence settling between you. Then Tommy lunged forward. He grabbed you roughly and pushed you against the wall before pressing his lips against yours. This was the type of kiss you were expecting from Tommy. Rough and bruising, his teeth nipping at your bottom lip when you refused to open your mouth for him.

His hands grabbed your wrists as you two of you stumbled further back into the house. You were pushed against the table and he let go of your wrists and you wrapped your arms around him. You tangled your fingers in his hair and he let out a soft moan when you tugged at it. The two of you broke apart, both gasping for air. Tommy was standing between your legs, his hands firmly on your waist.

“Tell me this shouldn’t be happening.” he breathed

“This shouldn’t be happening.”

“You don’t believe that.”

“I do.”

“Then why did you kiss me.”

You opened your mouth and Tommy seized the opportunity to kiss you again. You moaned and one of Tommy’s hands moved to the back of your head. He pressed you firmly against his chest and you moved your hands to his chest. You pressed against it and almost reluctantly Tommy broke the kiss.

“Tell me, y/n,” your breath hitched when he said your name, “tell me again we can’t do this.”

“We can’t do this, Mr Shelby.”

“Then say my name.”

“Make me.”

[anotherhawk]

Mechtober Day 27 - make-up

Technically speaking only the Captain or the First Mate were allowed to call mandatory all-crew meetings, but one of the earliest of the Shipwide Harmonious Interaction Tenets was that Jonny was absolutely not allowed to call any meetings under any circumstances, and so by and large the crew of the Starship Aurora survived quite nicely without any meetings at all. Sometimes this meant that important information about small matters like where they were going, if they'd just been boarded, and whether any given member of the crew had accidentally been left behind in a sun, or a Midgardian prison, or a vat of whisky, could get lost in the shuffle for a century or so, but hey, that was a price worth paying for not having to sit through another boring meeting.

And so, with important information that needed to be shared, Ashes didn't call a meeting. Ashes called a rehearsal. And barricaded the doors.

As soon as everyone was in the room they set down their bass. "I suppose you're wondering why I called you all here today."

The Toy Soldier's smile dimmed fractionally. "I Thought There Was A New Song. Is There Not A New Song?"

They gestured over to where Jonny was lying on the floor, one cigarette in each hand, taking a puff from one, then the other, and generally looking like he hadn't slept in a century. "Does it look like there's a new song?"

Jonny briefly set one of his cigarettes down on his vest in order to throw a proper obscene gesture their way.

"Then why are we here?" Raphaella asked warily. "This is a rehearsal and not a meeting  right? Because I have a doctor's note excusing me from meetings."

"She does," Marius agreed. "I wrote it myself. And I got that doctor who abducted us a few years back to sign it, so it's completely legitimate."

"I gathered you all here today," they went on hastily, before the meeting...before the rehearsal could be derailed any further. "Because I have grave news. News that might prevent us from reaching our next destination."

"Wherever that might be," Brian muttered.

Tim frowned. "Is there something wrong with the ship?"

Everyone looked at Nastya. "Aurora is fine. Very fine. So what is going on, Ashes."

They took a deep breath. "So. Do you remember last week? When Tim was messing around with the ancient probe Ivy stole from that defence grid and accidentally blew up storeroom B with me inside? And that started a fire, so Marius let the slathering moonbeast out and it got into TS' tea supply, went on a caffeine-fuelled rampage and threw up on Raphaella's science, creating the sentient gas cloud, which chased Brian through the ship until Jonny inhaled it and trapped it in storeroom C so Nastya jettisoned the whole room into space?"

There was a general, if vague, nodding of heads. It was definitely possible that had all happened.

"Well," they went on. "We lost a lot of supplies during all that. So I was doing an audit, yeah? And I've got bad news." They drew their hand out of their pocket dramatically. "This is all the make-up we've got left on board."

The whole crew stared down at their hand, brandishing a single purple eyeliner and a frosted blue lipstick.

There was silence.

And then there was a riot.

"What the fuck?!"

"That's not even my colour!"

"We're never gonna make it!"

"How far are we from the nearest shop?! Is there a wormhole handy?"

"Can we create a wormhole?"

"We still have the Bifrost invocation, right? If we break down the walls of reality can we go any faster?"

Shouting only lasted so long. Violence was looming, betrayal, inevitable.

Raphaella snatched the eyeliner out of Ashes' hand and immediately took to the air, flying determinedly towards the nearest vent.

Nastya cried out, and the vent immediately sealed itself shut, forcing her to turn around and make for the door. She was still staying high, but Marius scaled the wall like a crazed koala and lunged, bringing her down and grabbing for the eyeliner, but Tim shot them both and bolted for the door, throwing aside Ashes' makeshift barriers. Meanwhile Ivy had the lipstick and was methodically hiding it in her flute, but Ashes was on her, molotov cocktail in hand, and the room was on fire but the lipstick was back in their hand. They shot Tim while he was still in the doorway,  but Jonny snatched up the eyeliner before they could reach it and, in one swift motion, swallowed it.

There was a second of frozen silence. 

"Get him!"

"Cut the fucker open!"

Jonny ran and most of the crew piled out of the rehearsal room after him, instruments abandoned, weapons in hand.

Left alone, Brian looked at the Toy Soldier. "Thank god for paint, huh?"

The Toy Soldier looked thoughtful. "I Believe I Would Like To Be Involved," it said, drawing a knife.

Much later, with all the Mechanisms lying in the wreckage of Storeroom A, Ashes remembered something. "Oh, yeah, we're also out of food."

[postnuclearophelia]

style staples for 2022:

xxxlarge extremely distressed band ts, holes cigarette burns etc.

cowboy boots

white dresses with fake tan stains

turquoise and plum jewellery

obnoxious gold septum rings

lingerie with tits showing

extremely low rose jeans with bloated belly from breakfast hanging over

gun holsters

thong with bush sticking out the top and sides

extremely oversized floral dresses

vintage sunglasses

leather jackets with fringe

everything hitting the floor

blood red velvet dress with blue eyeshadow

lace fingerless gloves

using old onion bags as ur purse

[peakyscillian]

Are you mine? | Tommy shelby X OC | Soulmate AU | Part Two |

Summary: Your soulmates initials appear on your skin, on you're eighteenth birthday. Finding them is the hard part or so Tommy Shelby thought? Warnings: 18+ in some places. Language. A/N: The war has happend even though dates don't add up, don't come for me!

•Are you mine?•

Part one here Masterlist

•Part 2/?•

(July 1921)

Laura stepped from the train, her bag heavy, she was exhausted, she still needed to find the pub that had been advertising for a barmaid with a room in the upstairs apartment, Small Heath wasn't her first choice but something had been pulling her to go, to take the job and start a new chapter, away from her suffocating family away from her father trying to marry her off, when her soulmate was worn on her arm like a constant reminder.

She finally stopped outside The Garrison, the miserable day not making it look appealing, with a deep breath she pushed her way in, the noise inside stopped, all eyes on her as she walked towards the bar.

Tommy frowned as the loud noise of the pub stopped outside of the snug, the room saved for the Shelby family "What's got to them?" he sighed grabbing the bottle of whiskey as John pushed through the door "New lass just turned up" he gestured towards the bar "looks all kinds of posh" he added snatching the whiskey from Tommy who was curious, he stood up opening the hatch that gave them direct access to the bar, his blue eyes fell on her, she had rose pinched cheeks, brunette hair with hints of gold, carrying a suitcase and elegantly leaning on the bar talking to Harry.

His eyes were stuck on her, as she walked behind Harry back down to the bar, without her coat and bags "Laura this is Mr. Shelby, his brother owns this pub, I'm just a measley servant" he joked, Tommy didn't crack a smile he was memerized by this woman in front of him "Nice to meet you" she held out her hand, Tommy took it slowly but the electricity that shot through both their fingers was unmistakable. She pulled away a blush on her cheeks, Tommy smirked "are you one of Harry's whores?" he questioned, she looked shocked, her mouth falling open at his blantant remark "No, I'm a barmaid as advertised in the papers" she replied before turning on her heel to serve a customer.

----

Laura made her way into the snug, Harry had asked her to go in and clean up some bottles and glasses, she wasn't expecting to see anyone in there "Oh, sorry Mr. Shelby" she collected the glasses from the table "Tommy, please" he looked at her with a small smile on his lips "Tommy...Shelby?" she asked feeling her heart speed up, catching her breath "Yes, that's right" he pulled the pack of Sweet Aftons from the inside of his blazer pocket, pulling out a cigarette, wetting his lips and running the end across them. She nodded quickly, reaching for the last glass on the table, before she headed for the door.

Tommy felt the marks on his wrist pulse, speeding up with his realisation "Wait, what's your name?" He called after her, he'd caught the glimpse of markings on her wrist, he could swear his were pratically glowing with the heat radiating off them "Laura, Laura Rose" she swalllowed still facing the door her back to him.

She heard the chair scrape back across the concrete floor "Do..do you have them?" he asked not wanting to scare her away, he stood by the table his heart pounding, she nodded slowly, fingers absently running over the marks on her right wrist, he let out a sigh at the soft flutters against his own markings "TS" he whispered, she turned slowly lip between her teeth "Tommy Shelby"

[babylooneytoonz]

A Gangster's Heart - Tommy Shelby x Reader

A/N : I just felt like writing this because I was feeling weirdly emotional when I woke up. Also, I didn't get a chance to proofread it so please pardon me if there are some grammatical shits. I was on a Peaky Blinders hiatus and I just hadn't written in so long, please forgive me if this is bad .

Warnings : Just Angst , Mentions of vulgarity

You glared at the man in the Blinder cap that was leaning against the doorframe of your quaint little shop in Small Heath, Birmingham City. You pulled out a small brown box from one of the drawers and slammed it rather loudly against your desk, sliding the keys in as you twisted it around and the box unlocked with an unceremonious click. You looked at the bills that were securely resting inside, and a hollow feeling filled you up when you realized that you had been saving this to buy your mother that dress at the seamstress shop.

"I always pay my bloody rent. This month the business 's tight. I even told Finn that this month I need a relaxation on the bloody rent and I will pay it all with the next month's rent. Why are you here again asking for the goddamn money?"

"Listen, Miss, we really are in no fucking position to not do what Tommy asks us to, so if Tommy –“ the man you knew as Curly shuffled the weight of his body from his left foot to right, and his palm slid into the pocket of his pants as he pulled out a box of cigarettes.

"So if Tommy asks you to jump off a fucking building, you are going to jump off the fucking building, yeah?' Exasperated, you slammed the box shut, and slid it back into the drawer again.

"I can come back tomorrow, Mr. Shelby won't ask me for the money until 9 in the morning. I can come collect it at 8."

You let out a loud groan of frustration, and involuntarily, your elbows came to rest on the desk as you buried your face into your palms. Finally taking a deep breath, you looked up, and your lips parted, your lower lip almost quivering, "Listen, I - I can't bloody pay Tommy the rent this month, the business is tight, and I barely made enough to pay my apartment rent."

Curly almost shook his head, scratching the side of his face as his hand mechanically flew up to his lips and he took a drag of his cigarette. Finally he nodded, and cleared his throat, "T's okay, Miss Y/L/N, I'll inform Tommy."

"You do that." You nodded and watched him leave. Almost instantly, you slammed your fist against your desk in frustration and let out an unceremonious groan, more so at the sudden onset of a headache at the side of your head. "Great, just fucking great."

An hour later, you grabbed your trenchcoat, throwing your arms through the sleeves in a hurried manner, and wrapped your scarf around your neck to keep yourself warm. These days, you were staying at your shop for longer hours, and this meant that you left from the shop at the odd night hours, mostly after 10. You grabbed your house keys, and walked out of the shop, your boots crushing the faint hue of ice that blanketed the streets of Small Heath, and you locked your shop.

Hugging the side of your arms, you started walking down the sidewalk, keeping your head to the ground, when you heard the sound of hushed whispers that made your head snap up in the direction of the voices. For the people of Small Heath, the men who belonged to the Peaky Blinders always stood out, perhaps it was because of how they dressed, and the unmistakable razorblade caps on top of their heads.

Of course, Tommy Fucking Shelby had sent them to probably collect the rent from you. You didn't know what came over you, but the nearest you could classify it as was a fit of rage, as you found yourself walking towards the men, your nostrils flared, and your fingers clenched together in a fist, balling the side of your coat.

"Listen here, I already told Curly that I'm in no fucking position to pay this month's bloody rent. You can all go and tell your boss that intimidating me by sending you lads is not going to fucking get me to pay the fucking rent."

One of the man took of his cap and stepped a bit closer, raising both his hands in the air, "but Miss Y/N, Mr. Shelby hasn't – "

"Oh, please lad. Don't justify the threatening acts of your boss, just because he runs your razorblade gang, it doesn't mean that I'm scared of him. Where the fuck is he anyway? I would rather settle this with him on his bloody face than stand around in the middle of the street at 10 at night and argue with you all." You huffed, as words shot out of your mouth like bullets raining down on them. The man who had began speaking stood there with his jaw slightly hanging, and no words came out of his lips.

"Well, I'm gonna go and settle this at the betting shop. Talk directly with Tommy." Before waiting for them to reply, you turned your tail, and started walking down the same street again, in the same direction from where you had come. But this time, your steps were confident, your head was raised as you found yourself walking towards the Shelby Betting shop.

•·················•·················•

"Miss, where do you think you are going?" Someone's voice called out as you barged through the front door, and pushed your way through a few men that were already on their way out, ignoring the voice of the man who had called out to you.

You walked up to the massive copper door that held a plate that read TS, and you abruptly knocked on the door. You waited a few seconds when you heard the muffled voices inside the room go off, and heavy footsteps began ascending towards the door on the other side.

You crossed your arms over your chest, and waited until the door finally opened, and you saw John leaning by the door.

"John."

Acknowledging him barely, you pushed past him and stepped inside, until you were striding towards Tommy who was standing by the telephone, speaking to someone. His icy blue eyes met yours and he slowly raised his palm towards you, asking you to hold on to whatever you had to say to him, while John just made his way to where you were and fixed himself by your side, giving you a confused look.

Finally, after about a minute, Tommy finally hung up and placed the receiver back, slowly turning to you.

"Is there anything –"

"Cut it, Tommy. If you think you can scare me off by sending your Blinders to do your dirty bidding for you, then you're wrong. Here– " Your fingers flew to your scarf, and Tommy just squinted his eyes, his confusion evident from his face as he turned to look at John and then back at you.

"What are you– "

You pulled off a gold chain that you remembered wearing almost all your life; ever since you were a little girl. It was that one piece of jewelry that you owned, and that you cherished, because it had been given to you by your father. You literally pulled at the chain, hissing slightly as it detached itself from your neck and you curled your fingers tightly around it, and finally slammed it on Tommy's desk.

"There. I hope this will be enough. I don't have anything else that I can give you. I hope to God that this settles it."

Turning around, not even waiting for Tommy to reply, and without sparing a look at his confused brother, you turned your tail and fuming, you walked out of Tommy's office, without giving him another look. Brittle tears stung in your eyes and your cheeks felt hot. You kept walking, ignoring the way your body was shaking, like an autumn tree shedding its leaves until you were outside and fixed to the wall, the back of your head resting against its surface. Finally, you broke down, your palm pressed to your trembling lips as you were taken over by uncontrollable sobs.

You didn't know how you calmed yourself; but somehow you did. You wiped your tear stained cheeks with your sleeve and looked up at the sky for a bit, staring at the moonless night, as you started walking back home, with your thoughts and your heavy heart. You were angry with Tommy Shelby, you were angry with yourself, and how you had to depend on the Peaky Blinders to run your little shop.

You kept walking, until the familiar silhouette of your tiny apartment was visible, it's dull grey white walls a striking contrast to the red brick buildings around it. A lonely flickering lightbulb illuminated the front door, and the windows of the building looked like they were about to fall off. It wasn't the best place to live, but it was home. You smiled to yourself when you saw your mother standing by the kitchen window, her frail little hands working on the dishes as she scrubbed them relentlessly. And just as quick the smile was, it vanished into thin air at the sight of her.

You lifted your foot, ready to walk towards her when a vulgar leer subjected to you made you freeze on spot, "Oi look what we've got here, eh lads, what a pretty little thing she is." You could only look at them, with bewilderment and fear in your eyes, as two men stepped out of nowhere, and fixed themselves on either side of you.

"Yeah, leave me the bloody hell alone," you mumbled as you tried to manoeuvre your way through the space between them, in an attempt to walk away, but one of them grabbed your arm, and pulled you back with a rough tug, "Now who the fuck asked you to leave eh? Fuckin' whore."

The man stank of booze and sweat, and it made you want to throw up. You threw him a look full of disgust, and anger as you placed your palm where the man was gripping your arm and tried to pry his hand off you, "Get your fucking hands off me. Don't you dare touch me."

"Maybe you didn't hear me, you whore. I didn't ask you to leave. Where's a pretty little thing like you headed when I can show you, yeah, a bloody good time?" He only laughed, while his hand suddenly shot out and grabbed the hem of your coat, his fingers now dragging it up so he could reach your skirt. You smacked at his hand, hard enough for the slap to echo back into your ears and tried to move away.

"Maybe you need to be taught a fucking lesson." The man spat at the ground beside you, and the other man grabbed your other arm, as they started dragging you towards the dumpster by the side of the street, on the sidewalk. You screamed, as loud as your throat could, thrashing your feet and trying to get away, but they were two, and you were a woman, nowhere as strong as their grips on you were.

The men somehow managed to drag your protesting form to the dumpster, and they pushed you over it, so you had your front pressed to it, your body bent over it at an awkward angle. You hissed, your eyes closing as reflex when you felt a slithering hand latch itself to your thighs, underneath your coat and the hand started moving upwards, forcing you to try to press your legs together to stop him from going any further, "Quit whining you bitch, and let me show you what a real lad takes a whore like. You must like it rough yeah? You must love to have our cocks smashin' into that tight little cunt of yours?"

You closed your eyes, your throat now parched from the screaming, but you knew, deep down that no one was coming. You were on your own.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" That voice enough was enough to tell you that the men had their death sentences already laid out. Maybe it was Tommy's voice, or maybe it was the realization who he was, the hands that were seconds back trying to grope you immediately pulled away.

"We were, uh, just having fun."

"Would you still have fun if I decide to fucking cut your throats and leave you to bleed to your deaths?" Finally, he stepped closer to you, and that's when the men saw who he was, and the realization finally sunk in, as the pale moonlight now illuminated his face, his emotionless eyes and the vein that popped over his eyebrow.

"Mr. Shelby, we .. we.. oi, get the fuck out of here, Jack.." He screamed at the man that was accompanying him, and the two of them turned around immediately, pulling you by your arm and thrusting you into Tommy's chest, to buy them time to escape. The minute your body collided with Tommy's, his arm immediately wrapped around your waist, his hand coming to hold you from the low of your back to steady to your feet. Once he was sure that you were okay, he roughly shoved you towards the wall, and his form stepped in front of you, shielding your vision from what he was going to do.

"Look away, Y/N," his voice commanded.

"Tommy, please get me out of –"

"What bloody part of look away do you not understand?" He practically snapped at you and the crudeness in his words made you almost whimper and press yourself against the wall, as you turned towards the wall and pressed your face to it.

Your body shuddered, even more so when you heard the two shots that were fired from a gun, and suddenly it went silent.

"Come on, love," you felt someone place his arms over either of your shoulders , almost pulling you towards him and slowly, numbly you turned around, tears freely spilling down your eyes, the shrill ringing sound buzzing through your ears. Tommy pulled you close, almost into his chest, as he protectively wrapped his arm around your shoulder and nudged you to walk with him.

"You killed them, you fucking ... killed them." Words began spilling from your mouth as tears began spilling again from your eyes, and you didn't stop mumbling, it was like your mind was blank, and your lips were moving on your own. It was only when Tommy's index finger pressed to your lips, that you stopped mumbling those barely incoherent words, and craned your neck to look at him as you mouthed, in a low voice, "you killed them, Tommy."

Tommy kept you pressed to himself, his arm holding you as he began walking down the street, and you moved along with him.

"This is who I am. Yeah, I fucking killed them, and I would do it again, and will not feel a bloody ounce of regret if they tried to do that again."

It was as though your mind had frozen out, you couldn't think straight. You were still shaking from the aftermath of what you had just witnessed. When you didn't reply, he slowly let go off your shoulder, and you stepped away, almost immediately. He didn't say anything though, as his hand slid into his pocket and he pulled out his box of cigarettes, "I'm going to walk you home."

"No, I need a fucking drink. Just walk me to a place where I could get a fucking drink."

•·················•·················•

Tommy Shelby brought you to the Garrison. And now you were seated on a couch, in the private room of the pub that Thomas Shelby owned. You had already drank two glasses of Irish Whiskey and Tommy was pouring your third glass for you, when you finally looked up at him and reached out, roughly grabbing his other free hand that was laying on the table. He immediately looked up, his eyes meeting yours halfway, as you tilted your head and questioned him silently with your eyes, "I appreciate what you did for me, Tommy, but you didn't have to shoot them."

Tommy leaned forward, sliding your glass towards you and he sat back again, his hand mechanically moving up to his lips as he inhaled the smoke from his lit cigarette.

"Listen, there are things that I do, I do them for a fucking reason, I didn't want you to see which is why I asked you to bloody look away." His voice was cold.

You curled your fingers around your glass and lifted it up, bringing it to your lips as you took a small sip of the drink, letting the burning liquid rush down the canal of your throat. When you didn't reply, Tommy leaned forward, his fists clenched and his lips pressed together.

"I can see that you want to say something, Tommy." You almost whispered.

"This is the fucking reason why, I don't like you working at the shop after the sun sets."

You almost snorted at his words, and instantly your glass flew to your lips, and this time you gulped down two mouthfuls of it and placed the glass back, giving Tommy a look that reflected the annoyance you felt at the situation, "Are you telling me it's my fucking fault, that I wanted this to fucking happen?"

"If I wasn't there on time," Tommy almost began, but his voice was incredibly low, and he immediately stopped his words from spilling out, thinking that you hadn't heard, but you had heard him nonetheless, "Where the hell were the boys when this happened?"

"What?" Your head snapped in his direction, as you gave him a look of confusion.

"Nothing. Come on. I'm gonna walk you home."

"Thomas –" You stood up almost immediately, your eyes burning a hole at the back of his head. "What did you mean about the boys?"

Tommy took a last drag of his cigarette before stubbing it into the ashtray as he stood up, and slid his hand into one of his pockets, before placing your gold chain on the table.

"Curly told me of the word he had with you today. And I told him that it was alright." He pressed his palm against the chain and slid it towards you, pulling his hand away. You kept glancing at the chain for a few seconds before you slowly lifted your gaze, fixing it on him.

"I don't understand. Then why were your Blinders following me?"

"They weren't. They were just doing what I had asked them to do."

You stood up, striding towards Tommy until you had placed your palm on his arm, and yanked his head towards you so you could stare into his eyes. "You asked them to follow me. So you could get the fucking money."

The man in front of you shook his head, and pulled his arm away, without uttering a word. You watched as he walked up to the door and fixed himself by the doorframe , his back turned towards you.

"Harry? Where the fuck's Curly? Send him in, yeah?"

He cleared his throat, and turned back towards you, not meeting your gaze.

"I won't accept that chain. You should keep it. And as for the rent, Curly can collect it next month."

You opened your mouth, but at that exact moment, a rather flustered looking Curly knocked on the door and Tommy's attention drifted away, "Curly, can you please make sure Miss Y/ L/N gets back home?" Without giving you a second glance, he walked off and you were left to look at Curly, wondering what you had said to him for him to react the way he did.

"Curly?"

"Yes? Miss Y/N?"

You walked up to the doorframe, and looked out, your eyes scanning for Tommy but you didn't see him anywhere. You craned your neck back so you were now looking at Curly, "If Tommy was okay with me not paying you today, then why were the Blinders following me?"

His hand flew to the back of his head and he gave you a sheepish smile, before flicking his glance away and then back at you.

"It's not really my place to say."

"Curly."

"Oh alright! Tommy sends the Blinders everyday. He just wants to make sure that you safely reach home from the shop and no one bothers you on your way."

•·················•·················•

"Harry! Have you seen Tommy anywhere?" You were literally out of breath as you slammed both your palms against the counter and the bartender looked at you.

"Mr. Shelby just left a few minutes ago."

You didn't even listen to anything else, you had already turned your tail and were practically running out of the Garrison, not bothering as your shoulders knocked into people on your way out.

Stepping into the cold, brittle street, your arms reflexively flew to the side of your arms as you ran down the street, ignoring the way the people were looking at you and murmuring whispers amongst each other. You weren't bothered what they were thinking about you, and your eyes were fixed on the man who was now inches away from you, smoke coiling around him and his back turned towards you as he walked down the street.

"For fucks sake, Thomas Shelby, are you really going to make me run after you like this in the dark?" You called out, watching him freeze as he turned towards you.

"Does that man never listen? I thought I asked Curly to take you home."

Immediately, your hand shot up, and you almost placed your palm up so you could let him know you were speaking. His cold, emotionless eyes moved from your hand to your face, his expressions unreadable.

"I was wrong. But you are worse than me. You send in your fucking Blinders to make sure that I get home safe but never once bother to tell me why. You secretly care about me, but never let me fucking find out. Thomas Shelby, I really don't understand why you do the things you do. You see, from the day I've known you Tommy, the only impression you've given me is that you probably hate me. Or, I don't exist. And then you secretly do this. I am tired of playing these games Thomas Shelby, and I am done begging you to answer. What is wrong with you?"

You watched as Tommy parted his lips in an attempt to reply, but all that shot out of those lips was the foggy winter air before he clamped his mouth shut again. He almost took a step closer and suddenly all you could feel was a weird tension lingering in the air.

"You know what your problem is? You think too much, you bloody assume too much. You're telling me you think I fucking hate you, when all I've ever done is to make sure you're okay."

"Why would you even fucking care about me?" Your voice sounded weak, but you didn't care. You hadn't realized when your lips had started trembling and hot tears had started skimming down your cheeks. Tommy let out a barely audible sigh as he brought his palms closer to your face, his reluctance to hold you pretty evident. Finally, after fighting with himself for so longer, he let his palms cup your cheeks as he pled your face to his, pressing his forehead against yours.

"Some things are best left unsaid, love. I will always care for you, whether you like it or not. Who knows where you'll be tomorrow, who you'll be with, but you will always mean something to me." You smiled when you felt Tommy's lips press against yours, and in those few seconds he kissed you, he gave you all the answers that you wanted, and he didn't even have to say a word.

Permanent Tommy Shelby Taglist ( Fill the form here if you want to be added ) :

@captivatedbycillianmurphy @really-dont-forget-it @thepeakygurl @baumarvel @nyotamalfoy @peakyfooky

[collecting-stories]

Speak Now - JJ Maybank

Request: hi!! could you possibly do a jj x reader based off the taylor swift song speak now?

A/N: So I know I kinda switched roles in this but I just had this idea in my head so...sorry.

The TS Anthology Series | Outer Banks Masterlist

_ . ◦ ⭐︎:*.☾.*:⭐︎◦∙._

✰...so don’t say yes, run away now✰

When you left the Outer Banks after high school you were more than a hundred precent positive that you wouldn’t be back. At least not with any frequency. You kept in touch with some of your old friends, if only so no one could accuse you of leaving an entire island because you got your heart broken.  

18 was too young to know a lot of things but you had been more than positive that you knew exactly how you felt about JJ and how he felt about you. But when you told him that you could see the two of you getting married, a white wedding with all your friends on the Cut, he told you he didn’t feel the same. Worse even, that he didn’t know if he loved you.  

But that was six years ago and now you were back. Engaged and getting married and totally over JJ. Except he was the first thing you thought of when you stepped off the ferry. He had also been the first thing you thought of when you got engaged, picked out your dress, and imagined yourself walking down the aisle. But you weren’t marrying JJ.

“Do you need anything,” Kiara asked, leaning over your chair, pouting at you in the mirror. You leaned back, looking up at her and shaking your head. “Okay, I’m gonna go check on everything and I’ll be back for you soon.” She kissed your cheek and headed out the door, leaving you alone in the Sunday School classroom that you were using as a dressing room.  

You were dressed already, hair and make-up done, just waiting for the ceremony to start. The nervous jitters that everyone talked about weren’t there, no butterflies in your stomach or goosebumps at the thought of being married in a few short hours. Instead there was just this feeling of dread. One that was begging you to cut and run.  

When someone knocked on the door of the classroom you got up, praying that Kiara was back or anyone that could distract you from the feelings you were having.

“JJ-” You were positive that all the oxygen left your body as you stared at him, standing there in his usual t-shirt and cargo shorts. Like nothing had changed in the last six years. “What are you doing here?”

“Kie said you were getting married.” He said, offering little other explanation.  

When you noticed your mom at the end of the hallway you grabbed his shirt, pulling him into the room and shutting the door. When JJ broke up with you after graduation your parents were thrilled. They’d never liked him and you had known, when you’d told him that you wanted to marry him, that you would’ve been choosing him over your family.  

“Why did you come here?”  

JJ shrugged, running a hand through his hair and sighing, “I just...Kie told me last week that you were getting married and I woke up this morning and I just...don’t do this.”

“What? I’m, I’m getting married...I can’t just...not.”

“Why not?” JJ asked, “you said before-”

“Six years ago!”

“You said before that all you wanted was to pack up a van and drive around the country together. That we just...needed each other.” JJ continued, unfazed by you cutting him off.

“I said that six years ago JJ...six years ago! And you said that you weren’t sure you loved me.” You replied, “or did you forget that part?”

“No, I just...I didn’t mean it okay. Fuck, please. I didn’t mean it.”

“So you waited this long to tell me? I’m getting married JJ...married! To someone I’ve been with for like, three years. We have an apartment together. Oh my god.” You squeezed your eyes shut, covering your face with your hands. When JJ reached out to touch your shoulder you moved away. “Fuck.”

Another knock on the door and you looked up, startled. You shoved JJ over to stand behind the door before opening it, your mom on the other side. “Uh, hey, hey.” You said, trying to clear your throat. “What’d you...what’s up?”

“I thought I heard you talking to someone.” She said, looking passed you into the room.

“No.” You shook your head. “No one.”

“Ten minutes...fix your makeup.” She replied, looking at your skeptically before heading back down the hall. Once she was out of sight you shut the door, leaning your head against the wood.  

“Look, I’ll go-” JJ piped up.

“Good, please do.”

“I’ll go if you tell me right now that you don’t still love me.” JJ said, more serious than you’d ever seen him.

“JJ-”

“I love you. I’m sorry that I said I didn’t and that I waited so long to make things right but I can’t lie to you anymore. I love you and I always have. Please, don’t get married. I know you love me too.” JJ said, cutting you off, “I know it’s been a long time but I know you. I knew you then and I know you now. And I have to believe that you still love me. Please?”

You closed your eyes, tears escaping, ruining the makeup that Kiara had spent a good two hours perfecting. Everyone was out there. Friends, family, your fiance. Standing at the top of the church, waiting for you to walk down that aisle and marry him.  

“Damn it JJ.” You cursed, grabbing your phone off one of the tables and texting Kiara to come back. “This is supposed to be my wedding day.”

“So-”  

“Yes, yes, fuck. I still love you.” You snapped.  

JJ smiled, that slow grin that always made you feel like you were on fire. You welcomed his hand on your cheek, the rough skin of his calloused fingers against brushing hair out of your face as he kissed you, ruining the red lipstick that you had fretted over. You kissed him back, your phone slipping out of your hand as you reached for him, trying to pull his body closer to yours. You had kissed him in years but it still felt the same. Safe and warm and like everything else in the world stopped. It wasn’t something you could compare to anyone. It was something you only felt with JJ, a feeling you’d been trying to run away from and chase after at the same time.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, kissing your forehead, traces of your lipstick smearing there. “I love you and I swear to god I’ll never make you doubt that again.”

“JJ,” you bit your bottom lip as he kissed your neck,  feather light and you had to pull yourself back to reality. “We should go.”

“What?”

“We need to leave...I’m supposed to get married in two minutes...we need to not be here.” You said, just as the door clicked, Kiara slipping inside before she looked up, wide eyed when she realized exactly why you’d sent her an SOS.

“JJ...no. No...oh my god.”

“Hey Kie, you can uh, tell ‘em we had to cut out,” JJ asked, grinning at her as he grabbed your hand, pulling you toward the door.

“Wait, wait.” She grabbed your phone off the ground, handing it to you before hugging you and JJ both. “I’ll see you at the Chateau?”  

“I’ll be the one in the dress.” You teased.  

JJ tugged on your hand and you gave Kiara one last hug before following him into the hall and heading for the back doors. At the other end, near the Chapel, you heard your dad call your name and you looked back, positive you must’ve looked nuts with your lipstick smeared and your mascara running.

“Sorry.” You called, though it was an empty apology. You let the doors close behind you and climbed in JJ’s truck after him. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“Cold feet?” JJ joked, starting the engine.

“Not about you.”

-

Taglist: @maplelattes22 @poguesrforlife  @freckled-and-daydreaming  @chasefreakinstokes @millie-753 @fangirlwithme @alex12948 @katherine097 @tangledinsparkles @carbonated-beverage @mariofgreengables @damonsalvawhore27 @dopedoodes @dolanfivsosxox @belledutchess @poguelifeeee @faded-blue @parkerpetertingle @thebookwormlife @summer-clouds-and-long-days @jellyfishbeansontoast @minigranger @hoewkeye @love-someone-special @tiredfeels @strangerthanfanfiction713 @the-only-nana @tomzfrog @mozz-are-lla @vindictive-hearts @ssprayberrythings @jenahbell @beautyandthebleh @gothackedalready @teenwaywardasgardian @sarahcxmeron @haha-fuck-you-thot @stillbelieve398-5 @rewindlr @queenniccimicci @kissessforharryyy @thedarkqueenofavalon @alytavzla @bqmblebee @linniep @nerdypartytrashpsychic @xxchxrryxx @spencer-reid-is-a-cutie @danielladreaming @obx-saltlife @youngestxhearts @spnobsessedmemes @wowitswondergurl @mybnkjj @pineappleandcherries @mysterious-adventurer @justawilddreamerchild @rhyetaylor62 @calm-rejects @oh-annaa @aiifandomsunite @x-lulu @ceruleanjj @wicked-laugh @obxwriterfan @allie-mcginn @literarycharleton @khiaraaa-in-spacee @crushe-s @teamnick @daydreamlilys @collectiveuniverses @activist-af @mdgrdians @buckys-sunflower @vindictive-hearts @copper-boom @talksoprettyjjx @5am-cigarette @smiithys @dontjinx-it @outerbanksbro @mysticsthinking @heavenlymama @rudy-pankow-needs-an-oscar @babymatilda @raekenliar @lemur46 @under-a-canyon-moon @calums-betch @jolomez @summerkaulitz @pancakefancake

[whereflowersbloom]

Pumpkin Disaster

Richard could almost smell the cinnamon spice, vanilla scent and cinnamon sugar in the air. The colors of the leaves changed from green to a dazzling display of red, orange and yellow. The air became crisper and temperatures dropped a bit as a chill came into the air.

Richard Grayson absolutely loved Halloween. As expected of the eldest Wayne sibling, he was the kind of person who enjoyed decorating and preparing the manor for Halloween because of his everlasting enthusiasm for holidays. He loved the cheesy and horror movies, the excuse to stuff his face with candy, the seasonal special editions of cereal, the elaborate and extravagant costumes, the creative decorations. It was his second favorite holiday. And he definitely considered it a holiday.

Halloween wasn’t just a day to him. Oh no. The whole month of October was Halloween. But with his vigilante duties, intermittent Titans training and constant Gotham crises cropping up, he had made it through two weeks of the month without an ounce of Halloween festivity. But that was about to change.

“You never carved pumpkins for Halloween?” Dick Grayson asked incredulously, pressing a hand to his chest in a move overly dramatic.

Damian exclaimed a familiar ‘TT’ in response. For him seeing people playing pretend, wearing flashy and ridiculous costumes was not particularly interesting. Thought they weren’t much different from the impractical clothing Todd and Richard insisted on wearing. It was just a recurrent reminder that he was not a normal child.

“Which part of I was raised in the inhospitable and desolate mountains you didn’t comprehend, Grayson?” Damian brusquely returned with furrowed eyebrows.

“But we cannot celebrate it without carving your first pumpkin...” Grayson sounded so downhearted it stung Damian with shadowy guilt. Out of all his adoptive siblings Grayson was the pleasant and tolerable one. Damian swallowed hard.

“I want all of us to carve a pumpkin!” Dick declared holding up his index finger in contempt. Damian raised a dark eyebrow as a go on communicating silently. “We are all doing this together as a family.”

“It’s not necessary. I’m not a small child anymore.” Damian scoffed, rolling his eyes before refocusing on his Robert Frost book, flipping another page. No. He would not acquiesce easily into this. He was self-sufficient, mature preteen. Not a child.

“Demon spawn, you are only eleven.” Jason commented before putting out a finished cigarette. Fortunately Alfred wasn’t lurking around to give him disapproving eyes for smoking inside the manor.

“Is this your way of asking for a new scar, Todd?” Damian threatened through gritted teeth and clenched fists, mind quickly calculating the damage of throwing an explosive batarang.

“You’re getting less insufferable to be around.” Jason scoffed and met Damian with a sly smirk. “Dickie, pouting is not an acceptable reaction for a full-grown adult.” Jason sing-songed as he grabbed his motorbike keys.

“This includes you Jaybird. I plan on getting you into the Halloween spirit.” Dick announced with his authoritative leader tone, letting Jason know he would be part of this wether he liked it or not.

Jason groaned dreadfully, cursing under his breath. Great. Now he was part of the Halloween circus. At least he didn’t have to take the annoying gremlin pumpkin picking. God knows what would happened if they fed him candy. The thought gave Jason chilling goosebumps.

Damian folded his arms over his chest in a sign of disagreement. “I don’t do pumpkins. It’s a waste of food. It amounts to about 18,000 tons of pumpkin, including flesh and seeds. Have you read the recent studies on how it’s destroying the environment?”

“Come on, D. You will have fun. You can carve your own Robin lantern” Dick encouraged, practically vibrating with excitement. Damian wondered what on earth he did to deserve such blinding sunshine as his adoptive sibling. “...and I’m sure Alfred will find a convenient way to make use of the pumpkins.”the last words seemed to have done the trick to convince the younger boy.

Damian considered the options carefully for a solid minute. He knew better than ignoring Richard wouldn’t get him anywhere. He wouldn’t leave it alone. Sigh. If it meant he could help Pennyworth baking a pumpkin spice pie with ginger-snag crust...

“Lead the way, Grayson.” Damian sighed resignedly.

Dick squealed in joy, bouncing to his feet and wrapping his arms around Damian’s neck.

It was just pumpkin carving what exactly could go wrong. Right?

~~~

Less than two hours later Jason Todd walked into the kitchen of the Wayne manor, initially looking for a cup of peppermint tea as the Gotham chilly autumn winds were making him crave a hot beverage.

“Would anyone care to explain why is there a whole fucking pumpkin patch on the kitchen table?” Jason muttered audibly, mouth opened in stupefaction. What in the name of Halloweentown....Where did all these pumpkins come from?

“Language, Jay.” Dick scolded him glancing up at him over a pile of massive mutant pumpkins with a provoking grin.

“I grew up in the Narrows. I’m allowed to swear.” Jason rolled his eyes in reply as he tried to avoid stepping on the pumpkins, accidentally squashing them, they were scattered on the floor, table, those fucking things were everywhere. “Dickie, are you going to explain?”

“These are from Roy.” Richard gestured the numerous orange bulbs with his right hand. “I think he got these from some illegal smuggling bust. I didn’t really ask a lot of questions. I just accepted them because I thought it’d be fun to try carving Batman lanterns with little D.”

It took Jason less than two minutes to process the information. Why was the golden boy not bothered by this?

“You mean these are contraband pumpkins.” He remarked skeptically, green-blue eyes widening still rather incredulous.

Dick simply shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d have a problem.”

Right. Only if Bruce found out about the origin of the contraband pumpkins. Then he’d be blamed for being the bad influence and his merry band of disreputable friends. He groaned as he rubbed the nape of his neck.

“And where is the demon spawn. I don’t seem him anywhere.” He questioned narrowing his eyes and tilting his head to the side the slightest. He had to be close to Dick, but the kitchen was alarmingly too quiet. Too quiet for his liking. This meant trouble.

Tim didn’t try too hard not to flinch as a knife flashed dangerously close to his face and flied past Jason. “This is the third time in the last hour. I’m starting to think it’s personal.” Tim spoke calmly with a sarcastic tone as he continued sipping his black coffee expressionless as usual. Getting knifed by the little demon spawn before Halloween would hav been the cherry on top of the misfortune cake.

Jason was genuinely concerned and wondered how many cups of coffee Tim has had today. Hopefully not over five.

“If he wanted you dead, you’d be already in a casket.” Jason pointed out. It was no secret Damian’s strong aversion towards replacement, but he didn’t wish the shortstack dead.

Tim just shrugged his shoulders casually. “Well, I suppose we always could use your old one.” Fuck that. He took it back.

“Low blow, replacement.” Jason feigned hurt putting a hand to his chest right above his heart in a offended manner.

“It’s juts not cooperating.” The young kid voiced his frustration and discontentment . Leaving the kitchen knife he used on the table. Tt. He was trained and raised for excellence and he couldn’t carve flawlessly a stupid pumpkin. Mother would be entirely displeased.

“Requires time and practice, Dami.” Dick whispered softly with a warm smile, running his hand up and down the preteen’s back.

“I don’t know D, to me it looks like you’re slaughtering it mercilessly.” Jason joked with a wolflike smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Head moving in different angles trying to find a figure or face in the pumpkin Damian had been carving. “Unless you were thinking of the Joker, If so then you have my seal of approval.” The little demon spawn was never the most pleasant person to be around but deep,very deep down maybe Jason had a soft spot for him. Not that he would ever admit it out loud. Never.

“Do us a favor and keep your mouth shut, Todd.” Damian barked, glaring daggers at him.

“I never did Halloween with my parents.” The words escaped Tim’s mouth before his brilliant brain registered the order. The pain wasn’t there anymore. No. There were charity Galas, social events for wealthy socialites, last minute journeys for significant discoveries. Because people often assumed there will be plenty of time later. Tim didn’t want Damian to live for the later.

“I remember trading a cheap wristwatch for expired candy once. Not a great deal.” Jason muttered nonchalantly, giving it unimportance. Tone flat and factual. His memories from the narrows weren’t memorable for being happy or enjoyable but he had what he managed to obtain and he did what was necessary in order to survive. Nothing to be ashamed of.

“There’s always a first, Timbo.” Dick placed sympathetically a hand on Tim’s shoulder in a comforting way. Tim smiled softly back. Well, perhaps this pumpkin carving experience could be fun.

~~~

“This is the grossest thing I’ve ever done.” Tim announced, scooping a handful of pumpkin guts out of his pumpkin and examining them distastefully. “Seriously. I’ve done some pretty gross things, but this takes the cake.”

Jason flicked playfully a few pumpkin seeds at him and Tim moved fast enough to evade almost all of them. “Don’t be such a crybaby, replacement.” He has been playing with the large pumpkin, stabbing it numerous times picturing the joker’s fAce.

“Look at the gremlin, he’s been doing it for like two hours. What if he’s developed an addiction?” Jason mumbled slightly concerned and half-joking to Tim.

Damian pulled the pumpkin impossibly closer to him, practically cradling the thing in his lap. His mind completely absorbed in the task of carving the perfect pumpkin. His back was pressed to the cupboards behind him, a series of knives and napkins scattered at his sides. He looked focused, impossibly focused, like there could never be a more important thing for him to pour his energy into. Because Damian Wayne even if he didn’t admit it was obsessed with maintaining perfection. Failure was not a word he accepted.

Damian rolled his eyes. “I’m fairly sure no one has ever got addicted to pumpkin carving and I can hear you, mindless fools.”

"Any behavior can become compulsive.” Tim supplied absently, eyes fixed on the small pumpkin in front of him.

Dick paused briefly from working on his Nightwing lantern to just observe Damian, not even trying to hide the smile on his lips.

Dick and Jason quietly exchange discreet glances. Quickly they picked a few pumpkin seeds out of the bowl that resided in the scented of the kitchen table, flicking them over towards Damian who squawked and tried unsuccessfully, to duck. Due to being too focused on the task assigned. “Will you stop distracting me? I have a masterpiece to finish!”

“A masterpiece?” Jason asked teasingly, glancing pointedly at his Batman lantern.

“Yes. A masterpiece, Todd.” Damian exhaled exasperated. What did anyone have to do to carve a mere pumpkin in peace?

“Come on, little D. It’s time to have some fun!” Jason threw a handful of pulpy flesh at his face. Oh. This would be seen as a declaration of war. Quickly, Damian grabbed a portion of pumpkin and aimed for Jason’s leather jacket. ‘NOT MY JACKET’ several minutes later, Drake was covered in the orange flesh from head to toes. He was in urgent need of a bath. Grayson was smart enough to grasp a breakfast tray and use it as a shield, however it didn’t work for long. Damian and Tim teamed up to caught him on the top with a surprise attack, Drake sneaking behind his back. Needless to say the kitchen was in shambles at this point. Good thing Pennyworth has been busy the whole day reorganizing the library.

“What’s all this mess in my kitchen?! Master Richard I demand a proper explanation!” A very agitated British voice came from the doorframe. Alfred very upset, furrowing his grey brows appeared looking utterly baffled by the chaos.

Oops.

“Fuck me” Jason and Richard grumbled in unison from the floor covered in pumpkin pulp. Soon they broke out in bowls of laughter all four of them. Damian genuinely laughed at his heart’s content with the innocence of a normal child. His family may have been unstable and insane, but canned if they weren’t entertaining and the best part of his new life.

Some mandatory batbros bonding October prompt 🎃 🙈🙈🙈❤️💜💜

Also I’m celebrating 1.8K followers. Thank you so much for your support and reading my stories. I appreciate it 🥺🥺

Edited here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26891536

@sofiii @chromium7sky @deep-in-mind67

[wholesaletobaccoaustralia]

Buy Tobacco Online Australia

Purchasing tobacco online can be tricky. Some websites are very good and offer competitve prices while others have bad reviews and no customer support.

Australia’s astronomical cigarette taxes have driven some smokers to buy cheaper overseas cigarettes online. While these sales help lower excise tax rates, they also fuel black market operations and benefit organised crime groups.

Convenience

While the success of tobacco control strategies internationally and in Australia has focused on demand-side measures, there is growing momentum around also strengthening supply-side measures. The retail availability of cigarettes is a barrier to cessation and may encourage young people to start smoking.

Participants were asked to describe the reasons they buy tobacco online Australia or ecigarettes online, and 14 responses were identified across four themes: price (cheaper online, discounts, bulk purchases, avoiding taxes), product characteristics (availability, quality), buying experience (convenience, time, COVID-19 concerns, discretion avoiding salespersons, reading reviews) and curiosity.

Tobacco products can be bought online from overseas websites that offer to deliver to Australian addresses. However, some of these products are considered prohibited imports and require a permit from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ABF) before they arrive in Australia. A list of prohibited imports can be found at Prohibited goods. These items can be seized and penalties applied by the ABF upon arrival in Australia.

Wide selection

A large selection of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco products is available online at Sassy’s. This includes premium native brand and discount cigarettes, chew and snuff, pipes and accessories. The website also carries a variety of tobacco flavours and sizes to suit all preferences.

You do not need a permit to bring tobacco into Australia, however you must pay duty on all tobacco and tobacco-related products above the duty free allowance. If you try to bring in prohibited goods, such as molasses tobacco or 'heat-not-burn' tobacco products, the Australian Border Force (ABF) may seize the goods and issue an infringement notice.

Illegal tobacco undermines public health measures to reduce smoking prevalence and evades taxes, putting Australians at risk of harm. It is a key source of revenue for organised crime, which channels profits into illicit drugs and other illegal activities. The ABF and other Australian agencies work together to combat tobacco smuggling through the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce.

Taxes

Smokers are paying some of the highest tobacco excise taxes in the world, and both Labor and the Turnbull Government are considering further increases. This has made the price of cigarettes unaffordable to many smokers, who are turning to the internet to cheapest cigarettes in Australia from overseas. These products can be shipped through international mail, although the ABF may seize any prohibited tobacco items that are mailed in.

The tobacco industry employs pricing strategies to minimise the impact of and confuse price signals after tax increases. This is known as cushioning. This study examined evidence of cushioning in a major Australian retail channel over a period of large scheduled increases of tobacco excise.

The ABF will seize any prohibited tobacco products that are sent in via international mail or air cargo. This includes cigars, chewing tobacco and snuff intended for oral use (up to 1.5kg). Prohibited tobacco products can also be imported into Australia by air or sea cargo, but the importer must pay all duties and taxes when they arrive in Australia.

Security

When a person buy cigarettes online aus, they need to know that their information will be securely protected. British American Tobacco takes reasonable technical and organisational security measures to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information. This is done by storing it on secure premises or in electronic databases that require logins and passwords to access.

It is important for everyone to realise that buying illegal cigarettes is not a victimless crime. Those who engage in this trade are not Robin Hood-types saving average Australians from the evil taxman, they are participating in global organised crime and possibly financing terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah.

The Federal Government’s announcement of reforms aimed at reducing daily smoking prevalence in Australia is a positive step forward, but it will be a long road ahead. The tobacco industry is spending millions of dollars to promote novel products and discredit evidence-based measures. The Government must fully resource these new initiatives to achieve the desired results.