Darling Things

An inordinate fondness for stars and beetles

[darling-jack]

If he weren’t such a useless cripple…

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55638514/chapters/141223009%23workskin

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

One of the hardest things about existing is comparison. You walk a mile, you see someone else walking two. You bake a cake, and there are a dozen cakes that look and taste better in the grocery store. Post a chapter on Ao3, someone else has better stats and a more well-written fic.

You post a sketch on tumblr, and you’re bombarded with a million sketches that are a million times better and you think—what’s the point?

Unfortunately, according to my therapist, we just have to suck it up and do it anyway. Or at least I do—I’m the dumbass who has “exposure therapy” on their treatment plan.

Something something “mortifying ordeal of being known.”

[darling-jack]

“Like Moses through the sea, like a knife through soft fat, like a dog through a flock. Its throaty bellow trailed into the cold air like smoke.”

The Unyielding North

[ https://archiveofourown.org/works/55638514/chapters/141223009#workskin ]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

On the advice of my wonderful therapist (and my ever-supportive @emmithar-blog ), I’ve decided to try easing back into some of my hobbies, hopefully without the whole “crippling rejection sensitivity” part this time.

Have a quick sketch I put together! Maybe go read my newest fic! Sometimes I even remember to update it!

[darling-jack]

Gnarled and desiccated, the joints of a bony hand creak as it births from the dust. This post falls from its fingers as they crumble like a Nature Valley granola bar. The wind whispers an apology heard only by the stones. There is no forgiveness in their reply.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Plus bonus concept art for you lucky tumblrers 😎

[cowboydisaster-deactivated20250]

I'm requesting your help, please! I read this fic on tumblr one time where John Marston was a raccoon, and it was just absolutely golden. I can't seem to find it so if anyone could assist me, it would be greatly appreciated!! <3

[cowboydisaster-deactivated20250]

FELLAS WE DID IT!!! big thank you to @pine4pple-b0i for sending me the link! I was wrong. It was ao3, not tumblr! Here is the link because a couple people mentioned that they would also like to read it:

[cowboydisaster-deactivated20250]

The fic is by @darling-jack and they have some really amazing art on their page that goes along with the series!!

[darling-jack]

FtchhhhchTThhchhchcghh 🦝

(which is how Raccoon John says “omg thank you” 💕)

[darling-jack]

Survival.

[darling-jack]

ADHD Tip: if you leave your WIP open in a separate tab, you still won't remember to write, but at least you'll remember to feel bad about not writing!

[emmithar-blog]

AU where Arthur meets Hamish earlier and introduces Hosea, because he know they'd be good friends.

[darling-jack]

BFFs!! (Best Fathers Forever)

[darling-jack]

The end ♡

[darling-jack]

I am INSPIRED by @emmithar-blog‘s recent Digital Bob Ross series, so I tried my hand at one… and then added Arthur just for kicks. Love me a good cowboy.

It was super fun though, and Em has taught me a few tricks to try, so I’ll probably do more!!

[darling-jack]

Beaver Hollow was unbearably quiet. There were no stories by the fire, no gentle strumming or low, muttered songs. Folks drifted. It was as if the life had drained away from each of them and… and maybe it did. 

He could feel it draining from himself, at least. 

A hell of a thing, the doctor had said.

The saga of Raccoon John continues in chapter 7! Come check it out and leave some love!

[darling-jack]

Slipping in at the final hour here with a quick little drawing, but I wanted to wish everyone a very, very merry Christmas! I hope your day was exactly what you needed! And if it wasn’t… well, there’s always tomorrow, and every day after that. Love you all ♡

[darling-jack]

Raccoon John is back and raccoonier than ever! Only took about a month! I mean… that’s not TOO long between chapters, right…?

[darling-jack]

I promise I haven’t forgotten about the raccoon John fic!! It’s just the time of year where everything happens all at once. I promise the next chapter will be out soon!!! Until then, have this hastily drawn comic!

[darling-jack]

He and John had taken to sitting in the puddle, making mud pies. Rather, Jack made mud pies. John just sort of sat there and patted the mud, which wasn’t really making mud pies. Jack had tried to teach him, but John never got any better, so he stopped. 

Chapter five is up! Come see what John the actual, real, regular raccoon is up to these days.

[darling-jack]

John stared and reached a small hand out, grasping. Arthur felt the bloom of fondness in his broken ribs.

“I’ll be okay,” he whispered, more to himself than to John, who was a raccoon and couldn’t understand a damn thing, “I’ll be alright, I promise. You ain’t gotta worry none about me.”

Oddly enough, he believed it. 

Chapter 4, out now! Come stop by and read Who We Thought We Were!

[darling-jack]

“He ain’t my damn brother—c’mere you fat bastard—What d’you want?”

Dutch waved him over; Arthur struggled to keep John from wiggling out of his hands, but manage he did. He stood in Dutch’s tent, only momentarily put off by the thick scent of cologne. 

Dutch took a thoughtful draw from his cigar, “I need you to do me a favor. Hosea told me ‘bout some sheep headed for the auction in Valentine. Could fetch a good bit of cash if we were to… emancipate them from their captors. And take John with you, he’s antsy today.”

Chapter 3 of Who We Thought We Were!!

[geckodoodles]

Illustration for Not Anymore by @darling-jack for this year's @rdrbigbang. It's an awesome (and cathartic hehe) story, make sure you check it out! This one was a fun challenge :)