#xbasilrp

[shanghuuo]

✎ any... that u may feel like vibing with... mayhaps... 🌚

DRAWING YOUR MUSE / no longer accepting! / @xbasilrp​

does she know that i think of her every time i go out to eat pho ....

[seborga]

closed with @xbasilrp

「 ❊ It's a beautiful night for a cocktail.

Early spring rings in a hot summer, and the Mediterranean is as unforgiving as it is lovely. Carlino likes the drive here - he finds himself driving more often than not, these days, with harvest not yet impending and more free time on his hands than he knows what to do with. He'd followed the coast until he reached Barcelona, rattling down the highway in his ancient Fiat with his bags still in the back seat, and found parking on the vast cobblestone roads, wandering quietly through bustling streets and loudly chattering tourists until he'd found a more low-key bar worthy of his attention. It's a common one - seated on the main level of a large brick building, with windows open and seating on the terrace surrounded in a glow of strung up fairy lights.

It's here that Carlino takes a seat, setting his phone on silent and patiently ordering at the bar, his chin in his hand as a glass of Cava is slid across the counter for him to enjoy. It's 9pm on the dot. He can't see the water from here, but Carlino likes to imagine the way they'd dance across the rippling tides. Tonight, he wears comfortable beige slacks and a loose fitting linen shirt tucked into his pants, countless necklaces tangling against his chest and a particular emerald drop earring nestled beneath auburn curls.

He's waiting for someone. A light smile creases his lips, and he tastes another sip of his drink and enjoys the bubbles all the way down.

[samaradiso]

@xbasilrp liked for a starter !! (it's been so long i am so sorry)

Kato! Kato--I've heard the news, sweetheart, წარმატებებს გისურვებ! [ nana leaps at her with an almost tackling sort of hug, thrusting a bottle of amber wine into her hand. there's a crank of her lips to the side and a finger wag. ] I hope you didn't believe for a moment that I'm less than one to come prepared, no? This is a 2010. [ she clears her throat. ] Not vintage. I have to keep the lights on, ah? But close.

[vogelschadel]

[Antonio] radio or peach. 🌞

The car sits atop a cliff that watches over a vast shore. Only a low wooden fence stands between the securely locked vehicle and the rocky depths brushing the sea that glints in the setting sun. The scene is beautiful and unbelievably lonely. Gilbert knows that just one doting post on Instagram would ruin the peace of this relatively secret spot, possibly forever, and thus vows to keep the pictures he takes on his phone securely to himself.

The breeze that creeps in through the open backseat window he occupies is surprisingly cool. He cranks the window up a bit more and then smooths the comforters laid down on the collapsed seats. The car and the blankets are old, but something about spending the night in a cushioned, air-conditioned and rainproof vehicle instead of a brittle tent can only ring luxurious to an old soldier like himself. Taking his shoes off and switching to a new pair of socks after a long drive, a cup of takeout coffee and brushing his teeth only adds to the blessed mood that's taken over him. Gilbert puts his phone away, falls back against his pillow and closes his eyes briefly. All he hears is the breeze outside and the radio on low.

His choice of company isn't bad either. The sound of Antonio's footsteps returning to the car and opening the door to get in urges Gilbert to open his eyes and smirk at his friend. Judging from his empty hands the Spaniard had found a public trash can for their dinner containers and coffee cups.

"Bump into anyone?" Gilbert asks, backing up to make room for Antonio, who comfortably settles down beside him. Antonio shakes his head with a charming smile and just as charming of a statement that they're totally alone. Gilbert doesn't always have the common sense to recognise sub-text, but Antonio's implication is easy to understand. It flusters him, and he knows that Antonio knows. His green eyes look him over in a way that makes Gilbert feel exposed and tingly, but the arm that pulls him into a hug and the warm smile that accompanies it drizzles it in comfortable safety.

"You're so handsy," Gilbert mumbles, loving to state lovely, obvious things. Spain knows he doesn't mean it in a bad way, and only pulls him closer and starts to whisper more fluster-worthy things in his beautiful native tongue. Those Gilbert understands too. He drapes his own arm over his best friend's waist to return his affection and tilts his head slightly, already well-versed enough in these affairs to know it must be cute enough a sight to warrant a kiss. And it does.

It starts soft but eager and it doesn't take long for it to become too deep to retreat and just go to sleep. They have no reason to hurry and thus the kissing continues for a pleasurable while before advancing beyond explorative touches.

Gilbert feels himself being pulled on top of his friend, and a strong hand squeezes over his back pocket in a decidedly needy way. His jeans already feel tight and he can't help but frot into the clothed mound he feels underneath his own. A grunt escapes his mouth alongside a hitched breath and he takes a moment to admire Antonio who has begun to move his hips softly, teasingly, beckoning Gilbert to resume pressing himself against him. Antonio sighs as well, brown hair tousled and messy already and his eyes glazed over the most tantalisingly. It's driving Gilbert crazy.

Antonio's hand slips underneath Gilbert's waistband, urging out another content groan. Gilbert breaks off their kiss only to launch an attack on the Spaniard's neck instead. He kisses, and nibbles, and sucks a mark somewhere he decides will be low enough to hide under his collar.

He whines into Antonio's skin when he finds sensitive spots on Gilbert's. The hand under his waistband slips further the more kisses Gilbert paints Antonio with. He has no intentions to stop. He doesn't want this moment to end. Gilbert always wants to feel this close to Antonio.

[brassandblue]

[ Antonio/Carmen>Arthur ] TENDER : receiver wakes up to sender caressing them gently; a hand carding through their hair, brushing hair off their forehead, a hand on their cheek, a thumb swiping under their eye.

Arthur pried his heavy, weary eyes open. The painfulness of consciousness was being delightfully softened by Carmen's touch--fingers through his golden waves, the warmth of her hand at his cheek, the devastating tenderness of a thumb brushing softly across. Feeling this, and seeing her, made him want to weep an ocean's worth and empty his sorrows so he could make that much more room to love her.

It was 1855, and while he had mostly recovered from the disastrous Franklin Expedition, he hadn't yet recovered to a healthy weight. Even as an Empire, he suspected it would take several years more before he returned to any kind of robust shape. And while the scurvy and the poison of lead had finally left him, he knew the scars of his journey would not for a long, long, long time.

When he was at last able, and healed enough to travel again, he went to her. He could not bear the thought of writing to her before then, as this was something he felt ought to be done in person. And perhaps, maybe, he was embarrassed, ashamed... Yes, ashamed of himself, of his own imperial ambitions, of his hubris, and... of how he had failed so many people, including her. He'd traveled to her door, told her everything--he loved her, he was sorry, and he loved her, he loved her, God, it had kept him walking out of that frozen Hell-- he loved her--

Arthur's sleepy eyes looked tenderly on her, a spark of warmth shone in them and like a catching flame it woke from his lips a loving smile.

"Hello, Love," he murmured.

[islandiis]

Eight questions for nine people

Tagged by @fangmother i love u

1. Last Song I Listened to : monster, the automatic (banger)

2. Favorite Color : YELLOW!! also love greens and hazels tho, and reds. but my whole life is being overtaken by yellow bc it makes me happy lol

3. Last TV Show or Movie I Watched : The Boys

4. Currently Watching : listening to Critical Role if that counts, otherwise lockpicking tutorial videos while I fight my first real lock lol

5. Sweet, Savory, or Spicy? : it totally depends on my mood! all of them!

6. Relationship Status : single and happy

7. Current Obsession : my OTP, jfc. and BG3. Been playing on multiplayer with my dear friend (whose muse forms the other half of my OTP) and I've been so inspired I've been sketching non-stop. I'm also really enjoying the football and reading about radical mycology :) also chillinøtter tbh. they slap.

8. Last Thing I Googled : "psychotomimetic ditran" it's an anticholinergic but it was mentioned in a book I'm reading and I love a bit of toxicology/psychopharmacology/pharmacology?? idk what you'd call it lmfao

tagging: @frestoniia @maroonhigh @jatkuleiba @dziedietmeitas @kuragryning @xbasilrp @vekvolkodav @bujorulgalben @czesarevich if you wanna!! <3

[tuiskutukka]

ROMANTIC GESTURES

BOLD what applies to your muse, ITALICIZE if there's potential / it depends. Repost, don't reblog.

holding hands (in public) · buying flowers · cooking · cuddles · writing a poem / song · holding door open · fixing out of place clothing · sharing a milkshake with two straws · offering their jacket when it's cold · kissing in the rain · publicly confessing love · long walks at the beach · doing the titanic pose on a boat · taking cute pictures in a photobooth · sharing a taxi / uber · kissing the back of their hand · slow dancing · getting tickets of their favourite artist/sports team/other · introducing them to their parents · lighting candles · flower petals on bed · love letters · star gazing · brushing / doing their hair · picnics · teaching them to play an instrument/sport while gently guiding their hands · compliments · late night drives · taking selfies together · drawing them · self-made gifts · massages · proposing with a family heirloom ring · lending them their favourite book to read (they are required reading, actually) · paying for dinner/coffee · mixtapes / playlists · surprise birthday parties · feeding them · handing them keys to their apartment · making space in drawer for their clothes when they stay over · sharing a blanket · couple costumes · tucking a hair strand behind their ear · running after them at the airport / keeping them from leaving · moving cities to be together · blowing a kiss · breakfast in bed · defending them in a fight (verbally / physically) · joint bubble baths · dropping the L-bomb ("I love you") · dedicating a song at the karaoke bar to them · wearing their clothes · yawning before putting an arm around them while watching a movie · grant them the last bite (from a meal)

tagged by: @islandiis ! Thank you so much, this was particularly fun and interesting to do! tagging: @vogelschadel, @jatkuleiba, @danishlxw, @xbasilrp, @frestoniia

[banamaak]

and if not, then I want to remind you and the good things we have enjoyed: for at my side, many the crowns of violets and roses you have put on yourself.

— azadeh heidari & hellen kōnstantina láskari̱s @xbasilrp

i. about elly (2009) // ii. the wave, forugh farrokhzad // iii. fatima and manoubia, alexandre roubtzoff // iv. the rival, sylvia plath // v. euphoria (2019) 1x10 // vi. i’ll be around, empire of the sun //  vii. a modern artist's recreation of prehistoric hand stencils found in caves // viii. letter to caitlin macnamara, dylan thomas // ix. fear street part three: 1666 (2021) // x. would you lay with me (in a field of stone), tanya tucker // xi. fragment 94, sappho 

[attrociteas]

[any muse u like] ⛵ 👀

You know that I had to do Hellen I just love a sea-motif milf I mean. you understand

“You would rather have gone on feeling nothing, emptiness and silence; the stagnant peace of the deepest sea, which is easier than the noise and flesh of the surface.” 

Margaret Atwood, “Eurydice” 

“I long to reach my home and see the day of my return. It is my never-failing wish.  And what if one of the gods does wreck me out on the wine-dark sea? I have a heart that is inured to suffering and I shall steel it to endure that too. For in my day I have had many bitter and painful experiences in war and on the stormy seas. So let this new disaster come. It only makes one more.” 

Homer, The Odyssey [tr. E.V. Rieu]

“It’s important to always be by the sea. The sea is the element of love. The Greeks say so. Aphrodite emerged from the water.”

from Uncle Yanco (dir. Agnes Varda, 1967) 

[permitte-divis-cetera]

@xbasilrp: reunion

It had felt like a punch to the gut when Romulus had learnt that his wife of his past life was still alive. Not only that, but she was still alive and did not want him to know. It brought forth many complicated emotions for him, as he had not exactly been searching for this information at all and had already grieved the loss of her from his life. Funny that they had both persisted in this state of constancy.

It didn’t take him long after learning of her existence to coax out information on where Hellen was, her address, and her schedule from those who were still in contact with her. He had contemplated whether seeing her was a good idea or not, but regardless of any decisions of logic he knew that he had to see her face again. So he set off on an odyssey of his own, off to the island of Naxos- a place that he had not gone to since his time as an growing Republic. 

Within a week, Romulus was at Hellen’s doorstep. His heart was pounding out of his chest with nerves, and he cleared his throat several times before even thinking about knocking on the door. He had no idea how he was going to react when he saw those sea-green eyes again. Would she even recognise him? Would she still think him handsome? Was this all a mistake? He had probably stood there contemplating these questions for upwards of half an hour.

And on a whim, with his pulse racing beyond what was healthy, he knocked.

[aux-armes-citoyens]

@xbasilrp

[Francis just.... hands Toni a glass of wine.] 

Lovely to have you around, dear.

[shanghuuo]

your shoes are piled up with mine, and the heat comes on, makes a simple noise, a dog-yawn. people have done this before, but not us. 

— longwei liu & liên anh nguyễn ( @xbasilrp )

i. the vertical ray of the sun (2000) // ii. on earth we’re briefly gorgeous, ocean vuong // iii. a moment of romance (1990) // iv. radio silence, alice oseman // v. girls, luo yang // vi. tumblr post by rosewater 1997 // vii. chungking express (1994) // viii. i will, mitski // ix. fallen angels (1995) // x. at a train station that fell off the map, mahmoud darwish

[seborga]

continuing from christmas || closed with @xbasilrp

「 ❊ It wasn’t that Carlino was entirely shocked by the letter held in his hands. Antonio was famously kind and hospitable, and if he really thought back, he did distinctly remember mentioning that he would love to visit the country in the new year and explore the cuisine and sights in earnest. To be invited so plainly, however, had the dual effect of extreme relief that he wasn’t imposing his company and also a blinding excitement - for a nation so close in so many ways, Carlino had so few opportunities to travel westward. Never mind the literal hundreds of dinners they’d had together, the chaos of their families generally disallowing any kind of real interaction between the two of them. Carlino was on the phone in moments, still reading over Toni’s words as if his eyes betrayed them, free hand twirling the curly cord of his landline between thin fingers.

“Toni? Uah-! Scì, it is Carlino. ... Oh, very, very well. I j--just got your letter an I ww-was wo-- Oh! ... Yes, I would love to. ... Two weeks from now? This is okay, yy-you are positive? Wonderful!”

And when Carlino embarked just a few weeks later for Spain, he chose to drive. More than a day, yes, but with a stop to see Cecile and Francis on the way and a chance to drive his vintage Porsche along the coast, he was the last person to complain, and would much rather avoid the anxious mess he became after flights. Toni did not deserve a trembling ball at his door - and planes had such a special way of stripping Carlino clean of any calm energy he clung to.

With that in mind, what did arrive at Antonio’s door on a sunny Spanish afternoon was a positively beaming Carlino, breezy long sleeve button down tucked into fitted light brown shorts, knotted with gold chains that had tangled in the wind. Sunglasses were pushed into his mess of curls to keep the worst of it out of his eyes, and with a few pets to the cloud around his head and a laugh in the sideview mirror to keep his hair under control, he was bounding to Toni’s front door.

“Ciâo, Spàgna-!”

[iztocka]

@xbasilrp | x

“Actually, I’m quite pleased with the heat.” More like confessing to be tortured. Only armed with a folded map with a newfound purpose to fan off a sunny beat-down. “A little hot,” he confessed, popping a few buttons loose as if it helped; it didn’t. “... Yes, I’ll take you up on that offer. Hm, I greatly loved this sweet cane sugar drink last time I visited. Besides, what is the point of hot weather if not to enjoy something cold and sweet?”

[vogelschadel]

[Kateryna] meadow or blinded. 🌞🌞

X Send me a word / phrase and i’ll write an erotic drabble. (accepting!)

The mesh on the dress is a soft colour. Maybe a light blue, or perhaps the slightest pink that brings out the beautiful tan on her skin. But the tan's not just from hard work, not this time. It's from many leisurely days spent basking in the sun, doing nothing in particular. And the fabric is really, really expensive and soft, despite being so see-through that his fingers feel her warm skin underneath it.

She lies completely in his arms atop the blanket they have spread out on the peaceful meadow, head against his chest. Her skirt, long and flowing has risen up her leg, revealing a soft thigh filled out from a year with, finally, no shortage of food. And as nobody is near save for the occasional bee and a bird in the distance Gilbert feels brave enough to stroke it.

And when he starts to move his fingers upwards, caressing all the while, he decides to play a little joke on her and suddenly tickles her round stomach. He loves to see her smile and giggle and her cheeks grow redder than they already were. And her full, red lips look so irresistible that he kisses them with no further thoughts.

She tastes like the powdered sugar on the many pastries they had shared only moments prior, as well as the sweet, bubbling strawberry wine they had made themselves. It makes her even more irresistible, which Gilbert had thought impossible. He hums into the kiss, doesn't stop it, can't stop it.

His hand settles from her stomach to her hip after pulling the hem of the skirt out of the way entirely. His soft affection turns into an equally gentle desire and he presses his hips against her, one of her legs between his. His other hand, draped over her shoulder, slips under her arm to find and stroke her chest instead.

His wants grow concrete. He wants to unlace her dress, remove her undergarments and have her unbutton his shirt and trousers. He wants to love her, closely and safely here where no one can interrupt them.

And if she answers 'yes' when he voices this want in a whispered question, he will.

...

"I'd like to do that," Gilbert concludes, his eyes strictly focused on his lap, afraid of being laughed at even if what he said wasn't as bold as how he imagined it and even if he knows Kateryna would never laugh about this. They had agreed on this imaginary game together, after all.

They had gotten so good at it, lately. The more detailed they let their ideas become, the easier it was to dive into them. Enough to completely forget where they actually where. Gilbert chips off little pieces of the firewood to find bits dry enough to ignite in the ancient stove. The draft feels horrible. He shudders as little sparks in the oven fight to stay alive and he pulls Kateryna close to himself for a short hug that cannot last. Someone could forbid it just because.

"One day," he says, squeezing comfortingly. "When we're no longer here."

[brassandblue]

Who are your muses best friends?

Arthur's best friends are: @bertievi's George VI; @admiraltyspride's Lord Nelson; @ageofxail's Daniel/America (husband!!!), Noel/England & Royal Navy; my Jack/London; & @xbasilrp's Toni/Spain (spicy boyfriend).

Not quite besties but very close platonically (unless otherwise noted) are @terrorcaptain's Crozier (very father-son tbh); Thera at @therapardalis; Mycroft at @governmentofficial (also husband!); @hope-on-hope-ever's John Franklin (friends/colleagues in general but also estranged father and bastard son in THAT ONE AU); endearingly fond of @imprvdente's Fish; & Pris at @herstoriies

@honorhearted gets an honorable (ha!) mention because of how complicated Ben and Art's relationship is. Arthur admires Ben but also wants to punch him in the nose. Arthur enjoys punching things though, so take that with a whole spoon of salt. He genuinely wants the Americans to win and believes Ben to be a properly good man--part of the reason he razzes Ben like he does is because there's really no other way (in Art's opinion) to try and shake Ben out of seeing the war as a largely black and white problem. He sees a lot of himself in Ben--they are both educated, stubborn, hot-headed, and courageous in stupid ways, and they both have a heart. Arthur doesn't want to see America get its start as a country with all of the kindness burned out of all its founders. They are... complicated.

I don't like to go godmode people, but Art's "default" is that he is besties with Portugal, France, India, U.S. America. However, I handle that on a case-by-case basis because, again, it would be shitty of me to force that decision on other writers.

Goodsir's besties are: The Henry Collins that lives in my head; @tooxldtorememxer's John Irving; @herstoriies' Priscilla (big fat crush on her too tbh!!!!!); @therapardalis; @terrorcaptain; Silna at @tatteredxsails; @bertievi of course; he's also pretty close with @ageofxail's Noel; & @imprvdente's Fish; & he has........ complicated feelings about @honorhearted's Ben.

Thomas Blanky's besties are: @wantsusdead's Francis (I mean we just started threading but LISTEN-); oh also @terrorcaptain's Francis (+ husband); he's also super fond of @admiraltyspride too; can't forget about the Sidebear, thank u @tatteredxsails; & if I get my way he's going to continue to 'Dad' at @imprvdente!!!!!

The Railroad Man has no besties because he's an abject piece of sh oh wow, Moriarty actually!! @multipleoccupancy