#it-is-bugs

[olafur-neal]

So I am reposting my old drabbles that I had posted on my original tumblr account. I’m moving them over to ff.net so they’re all in one place. Will post what I have weekly, might even go back and write new ones. 

[mountainana]

TDBM Drabble challenge “Drought”

He wakes to the realization of being shaken.

“Lucien! It’s time to get up!”

There are days when he is awakened by sunshine and birdsong outside his window – but not today. Today, it’s a cold rain and Jean’s insistent warning: “Come on, Sleepy head, or you’ll be late.” He reluctantly crawls out from under the covers to begin his day.

Jean has tea and breakfast waiting for him in the kitchen. There are days when the Spring morning calls them outside for tea, and they revel in the warmth and fragrance of Jean’s garden – but not today. Today, Jean hands him a jumper to wear against the chilly, damp day ahead.  It briefly registers with him that this is one she has knitted for him. He had never worn a homemade jumper before his return to Ballarat…

They share the paper and comment occasionally on what they have read. There are days when they share their souls with one another: old hurts and new joys – but not today. Today the BLOC is getting ready for their latest Gilbert and Sullivan production.

Matthew calls. There are a couple of things in Lucien’s last report that need to be clarified before the paperwork can be completed. Jean helps him into to his coat and gives him a peck on the cheek to send him on his way. There are days when they linger over deepening kisses at the door – but not today. Today, Lucien looks at the rain and turns to Jean with a pout.

“Can’t I just stay here?”

She smacks his bum with the society section of the Courier. “Off with you!” They each smile to themselves as she closes the door.

Midday he calls to say he will miss lunch but will be home in time for Surgery. Jean admonishes him to drive carefully in the rain.

Later, she puts the finishing touches on supper while Lucien sets the table. They chat about the day. Jean washes dishes while Lucien dries. It has become their routine.

After whiskey and brandy, he stretches and groans. “The rain has seeped into these old bones,” he says.

Jean smiles as she begins to massage his shoulders. “Not so old,” she says fondly.

There are nights when her touch sets him on fire, and he moans in desire and passion – but not tonight. Tonight, her touch comforts him so completely he starts to doze off.

“Come on, Sleepyhead, time for bed,” she whispers. He feels her smile against his ear.

He brushes his teeth and gives the bathroom one last look before turning out the light. There are stockings hanging on the shower and her fuzzy white robe hanging on the door. He leans over with a rueful smile to “put the seat down” when he has the epiphany:

This is his Life now.

After all the pain of loss and rejection, of war and wandering, after years of days walking through drought so vast it seemed like desert, Lucien Blake is hit with the realization that he now lives in Jean’s Garden. He has found there true passion born of love, deep comfort born of acceptance, the verdancy of a loving routine - and he is flooded with such warm contentment that it fills his heart and spills from his eyes.

There have been days when he could hardly find a reason to keep living – but not today. Not ever again.

“Lucien?”

“Coming, my love.”

He turns out the light and goes to find Jean waiting with her arms opened wide to welcome him.

As ever.

[mountainana]

The Coming Storm

Hoo,boy, is this late! For the drabble challenge “Storm Warning” And, as usual, it’s too many words to be a drabble...

*******************************************************************************************

No autopsies in town, check. No patients on the surgery schedule, check. Jean working in the sunroom, check.

Lucien slipped in to Jean’s room while he had the chance.  He sat in her impossibly dainty vanity chair, silently opened her jewelry box, and immediately spied the ring he sought. As he put it in his pocket next to the ring that had been his mother’s he heard the door creak open behind him. 

Damn! Caught! 

Pasting what he hoped was an innocent smile on his face he turned around and...nothing. The breeze coming in from the hall window must have been the culprit. He got to his feet and putting his military training to good use, headed downstairs quite stealthily, he thought. He looked to the right - no Jean, looked to the left - no Jean. Good. His heart rate had almost returned to normal. 

Now, just a few more steps and he would be home free. Like a 9 year old boy playing hooky he tiptoed down the hall. Almost there.  He reached for the doorknob and - 

“Lucien?”

Bloody Hell! He thought he had been electrocuted! ‘”Pull yourself together, man!” he growled to himself. Taking a deep, calming breath he answered.

“Yes, Jean?” (Did she suspect something?)

“If you are headed into town, can you pick up my order at the butcher’s?”

“Um...yes. Of course. Be back soon.”

Finally in the car he felt for the rings in his pocket again. He hardly dared to let himself feel the glimmer of hope that stirred within him. He put the car in gear and headed off to the jeweler’s. Smiling, and making plans.

****************************************************************************************

Mei Lin leaned back on her heels and closed her eyes to feel the gentle morning sun on her face. After years as a prisoner, treated as less than swine, and fighting with every gram of energy she possessed just to survive, here she was in her own house. In her own garden. She was certain she would never take this luxury for granted.

Luxury. The word almost made her laugh.  She had known true luxury once – had lived with it most of her life – but the war had changed all that. Now she was without husband. Without child. And even though she was no longer held within prison walls, she was just as surely held prisoner by her own memories.

A shadow falling across her face pulled Mei Lin from her thoughts. She opened her eyes and gasped in shock.

“Good morning, Mei Lin. Enjoying your day?”

“W-what are you doing here?”

Derek Alderton tutted softly. “Is that any way to greet an old friend”

She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat, and quickly rose to her feet.

“Of course,” she said, coldly. “Forgive me.”

Casting her eyes downward, she gestured to the two-room hut she now called her home.

“Please come inside. I will make us some tea.”

 Mei Lin could feel Derek’s eyes on her has they walked out of the heat of the late morning, and felt his judgement as he took in her meager furnishings. She struggled to still her trembling hands as she poured their tea.

“What are you doing here, Derek?

He smiled at her (Oh, how she had grown to hate that smile!).

  “I have a proposition for you.”

Before she could fear the consequences, she spat out in anger.

“You have propositioned me before, and you see all the good it has done me!” She spread her arms to take in her poor surroundings.

“What would you say if I told you that you could have your old life back?’

Her anger spent, she replied with weary resignation. “I’d say that you’re a fool.”

“Mei Lin.” Derek waited until she met his eyes. “Lucien is alive”

“DON’T!!” She stood quickly, throwing out her hands in rage. “I will not abide cruel jokes at my expense in my home!” She slammed open the door and angrily pointed for him to leave.

He had expected this reaction. Walking toward her, he pulled a newspaper clipping from his pocket and placed it in her hands.

‘The Courier’ it said. She stared in disbelief at the picture of a handsome, bearded man. It was clearly Lucien. Older, no doubt, but there he was.

Lucien.

The headline read “Young Doctor Blake Takes on Father’s Practice”.

Mei Lin had been so strong for so many years, but this news was too much.  Her legs would not support the shock. She sank to the floor, never taking her eyes from the picture.

“Where did you get this?”

“I’ve seen him, Mei-Lin. My job took me to Ballarat and I found him there. We talked. We had drinks.”

Derek saw no need to tell her this had been three years ago. He needed her now and would use every weapon in his arsenal to bring her around.

She looked up, tears streaming, unheeded, down her face.

“You saw him? Spoke with him?”

Derek crouched down beside her and looked into her eyes as he answered her unspoken questions. “He has searched for you and Li since the day he was a free man. He swore he would never give up.” He took her hands in his. He has never remarried.”

Again, he saw no reason to share that Li was, almost certainly, alive. If his plans worked out, they would all be reunited soon. And as for Blake’s little “housekeeper”, well, she could be handled easily enough.

“He’s alone, Mei Lin, and lost. Will you help me save him? Will you help me bring him back?

She hardly dared to let herself feel the glimmer of hope that stirred within her.  She allowed Derek to help her to her feet. He pulled her chair close to his and they sat together, long into the night. Smiling and making plans.

[akachankami]

it-is-bugs reblogged your photo and added:

So adorable! Buon Natale!

Grazie!!! *-* merry christmas!

[lucindarobinsonvevo]

it-is-bugs replied to your post “how did edward know whomst rose got her tip about the blake divorce...”

Just so happens I saw that episode last night. I have a friend who was a cub reporter for a while and one of the grunt duties is the court beat. One of her assignments would definitely be to call the courts every day and check on any Ballarat citizens being before the dock. He still exhibited some Spidey sense to notice her reaction to the call and decide to follow up, since Rose gets dramatic about everything.

huh, learn something new every day.

[rumpledwhoonmars]

it-is-bugs mentioned you in a post: “soong-type-princess: catsbeaversandducks: “But I AM smiling!” ...”:

…like this?Was it @ rumpledwhoonmars who has the ultimate…

#kitteh#philip glenister#human animal twins

Oh, FFS! I can't remember how to do things on here any more, like respond to your post, lol! This must be the way...I guess.

N E way, wasn't me. By which I mean, it didn't originate with me, must've come from someone much cleverer.

[lovelikewildness]

it-is-bugs said: and you can’t block them with savior it seems. nice.

It disappeared for me about three hours after they started popping up on the start of the dash, I’m wondering if it was some kind of glitch? (or otherwise they got a load of backlash from it)