Thomasshelbyswife - Rose - Tumblr Blog

I’M TIRED OF SMUT, I WANT TOOTH ACHING FLUFF AND HEART SHATTERING ANGST.

i have a bone to pick with EVERYONE ON THIS APP.

if i am looking for fluff and SEARCH fluff with a character, but the first thing i see is SMUT i’m going to be outraged. CMON GUYS JUST LET ME FEEL LOVEY FOR ONE TIME WITHOUT HAVING TO SCROLL PAST HUNDREDS OF SMUT IMAGINES😭😭😭😭

Reunited once more

Thank you, professor.

Dames Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright c2018

Dame Maggie Smith as Muriel Donnelly The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

Brilliant series wow

GOLD RUSH MASTERLIST read on ao3

the woman from the picture. the woman from the late night movie he was absentmindedly watching on a late night. you. or: you have a stalker. Ghost is your bodyguard.

PAIRING: BODYGUARD!GHOST x ACTRESS!READER CW: MENTIONS OF STALKING/THREATS. PINING, OBLIVIOUS & PROTECTIVE SIMON. IMPLIED PTSD. PANIC ATTACK. HURT/COMFORT. FLUFF. adding info as i write!

1. Simon has a new assignment. 2. Simon lives up to the nickname. 3. Simon travels with you. 4. Simon takes you to the museum. 5. you're going out. 6. you panic. 7. Simon thinks he could live like this.

The Ties that Bind - Chapter 4

I'm not going to lie... this 5k chapter does not contain an awful lot of plot. No spoilers here but... well, the rating has definitely gone up! The Emmys happened, ok? And I've been on a whole other planet since then. No apologies, the heart wants what the heart wants 😂

Onwards! Enjoy 🤭 - I'd love to know what you think!

Tagging: @thomasshelbyswife, @cillmequick

CH 1 | CH 2 | CH 3

Masterlist

Chapter 4

He took a few steps to the table, it had been a while since they'd been actually been alone together and the weight of that wasn't lost on Seren. Tension seemed to seep into the room under door cracks and through keyholes until she felt paralysed with a nervousness greater than any she'd felt before. Their weeks and weeks of banter and flirting had built to a level they were both unable to ignore. Beneath his own tense fidgeting, Seren decided that River looked like he could devour her at any moment. His face gave nothing away but it felt as if he knew what she thought about when she was alone with him, as if he could read her mind. Her breath quickened and the urge to press her thighs together was overwhelming. Before she could answer his question, he crossed what was left of the room, forcing her to take one final step back against the counter, and leaned down to capture her mouth in a messy kiss. The shock of it made her gasp, giving him access to deepen the kiss, his tongue gliding with hers. His hands were everywhere, trying to touch as much of her as possible. Seren let her hands roam up his arms and into his hair to keep him close, trying to get him even closer. The length of his body pressed against the length of hers and she felt him hard against her hip. Deja vu. Feeling how much he wanted her only made her need him more and all sense of propriety was heading out of the door, along with her previous reasons for keeping their distance from one another. “Are you staying?” He asked again, his hot breath on her collarbone. He reached into the open hoodie to the bare skin between her short t-shirt and jeans. 

“River,” she moaned as his hands gripped tighter. He sighed and pulled away from her.

“Stop?” He asked, the disappointment evident. Seren shook her head, trying to find her voice, her breath.

“No. No, don’t stop. But not down here,” she said, breathless. She wished she could bottle the smile that broke out across his face, instead settling for running her thumb over his lips and cupping his cheek. He turned his head to kiss the palm of her hand before freeing her from his grip and leading her to the stairs. She switched off lights along the way and as they crept upstairs they both avoided the same creaky floorboards. She’d never been in his room properly, only to leave any belongings he’d left scattered around the house. He must have been given some free reign to decorate at some point because it was more masculine than the rest of the cottage. The walls were dark navy and a large bed took up much of the space. He had a small bathroom through a door in the corner. As he turned to ask her something she brought a finger to her lips. “Sshh, we need to be quiet,” she whispered. He grinned wickedly and pointed at her.

“You need to be quiet.” She opened her mouth to argue but he kissed her instead, clicking the door quietly shut and pulling her all the way into the room. He tugged at the loose sleeves of his hoodie, pulling it off her body, “think I'll take this back.” He whispered. 

“Finders keepers,” she told him, dragging his t-shirt over his head and then reaching for the button on his jeans. 

“Slow down, I'm not going anywhere.” He stilled her trembling hands and then toyed with the hem of her t-shirt, “I've been so patient, waited for so long,” he whispered, she laughed quietly into the crook of his neck. He pulled it over her head and threw it on the floor with his own, and with a quick flick of his wrist he had the button of her jeans open and slid them to her hips. She wiggled them down impatiently and kicked them away. Seren blushed as he took in the sight of her in summery coral lingerie in the dim lamplight, he watched like a starved man as she reached behind to unclip her bra and let it slide down her arms, reaching to pull her into him. His hands were warm on her bare skin, tickling up her left side and taking the weight of her breast. “I deserve a fucking medal for keeping my hands to myself,” he muttered, “you won't be able to get rid of me now.” 

“You're an idiot,” she teased, blushing. 

“You're beautiful.” He told her, hands dropping to grip the curve of her ass. She pushed herself against him, feeling him hard against her core. Slotting a hand between them, she slid a finger along the waistband of his boxers before dropping to her knees in front of him, pulling his jeans down over his hips. She pulled them all the way off, and he stepped out of them. Seren heard the shaky breath leave his body and focused her attention, her mouth watered in anticipation, it felt like she'd waited an eternity to touch him. She ran her hands up the taut muscles of his thighs and, holding his gaze, pulled his boxers down.

“Do you think you can be quiet, River?” She whispered. She slid her tongue along the underside of his cock and swirled it around the hot tip. He rocked against her, his hands fisted at his side, tense from trying to stay quiet. She took his hands one at a time and put them on her head, looking up his long body to watch his reaction to her pumping his cock with kiss swollen lips. 

“Fuck me, you look so fucking good -” He rasped, his voice strained. She hummed in agreement, the vibration running through his body as she let him control the speed and depth. He tugged her hair lightly, the sensation sending waves of desire to her core and making her thighs rub together in desperation. He removed one hand, reaching down in search of hers, intertwining their fingers. Seren squeezed his hand in reassurance, it had become clear in the months they'd known each other that River had very few people in his life he had physical contact with. In all their encounters, he seemed to seek out her touch. When he tugged her hair again, it was a request for her to stop, to come back to him. He wasted no time in nudging her to the bed, caging her with his body. He kissed her softly, swallowing her sighs. He slid a large hand down her side, reaching to grab her hips and press them into the bed. She arched her body up against him. 

“River, please-” she whispered, his hand pushing her thighs wider open to accommodate him. His grin was wicked as he kissed a hot path down her body, roughly palming her breast as he nipped at the dip of her waist. 

“Seren,” he warned, his voice deliciously low and dangerous, “If you make a sound, I'll stop,” he warned as he dragged her knickers down just before he circled her clit with his tongue. “I wonder if you taste as sweet as you look?” He asked. She gasped as his tongue eagerly slid into her aching cunt, “is this ok?” He asked. Seren sucked in a sharp breath and nodded. She held it for what felt like hours as he devoured her. The effort of keeping quiet was torture, his every touch designed to bring her closer to the edge. She had to bite her own fist to stay silent, but it was impossible to disguise her laboured breathing and tiny whimpers. He didn't need her to make a sound to know she was close, her thighs quivered and he got right to the point where he was certain she was about to come… and stopped, moving away from her entirely so he wasn’t tempted to let her finish just so he could keep tasting her. Seren's eyes widened at his audacity and she clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the whine of desperation she couldn't hold back. He removed the hand and pinned her wrists above her head bringing himself level with her breasts, swirling his tongue around her nipple. Seren's hips rutted up against his stomach.

“River,” she pleaded. 

“Fuck, Seren,” he could feel how wet she was, how much she needed him, and it only made him harder. 

“You like that? Think I could make you come like this?” He sucked at the soft, sensitive underside of her breasts, leaving his mark on her and dragging her so close to orgasm again. Seren was in no doubt that he could make her come just from this alone, “No, please no,” she pleaded again as he denied her again, “I need you to touch me, River.”

“Tell me what you want, babe,” he whispered, moving above her, held up on his elbows. 

“Fuck, River, I need you inside me,” she whispered quietly, her body vibrated with her need for him. She was certain she looked a mess underneath him - her hair tangled in bedsheets, her lips red and swollen from where she'd been biting them in an effort to keep quiet, and her eyes glazed with lust.

“You're so beautiful.” He whispered and sat up, dragging her into his lap as he did. She lifted up onto her knees, hands on his shoulders for balance as she lined him up against her, he cupped her heavy breast with one hand while the other grabbed the swell of her ass as she lowered down onto him. “Fuck-” he hissed, his forehead pressed against hers. With her thighs spread wide over his, the depth was incredible and his size took a second to adjust to. His tongue followed his hand across her nipple, taking it into his mouth, rolling it and biting gently. It was enough to have her grinding down on his cock and arching her back to have him fill her right to the hilt. Her forearms on his shoulders gave her the perfect leverage to rise and fall on him over and over, he used the proximity to keep his eyes fixed on hers while his hands kneaded and grasped her hips, helping her keep her rhythm while his cock split her open. She rolled her hips slowly, not wanting to make huge movements and make the bed squeak under them. The languid pace and tight, deep thrusts were intoxicating. River barely took his eyes off hers, Seren was taken aback by the intimacy  and tenderness of it all. 

“Feels so good, River,” she moaned quietly as he reached a hand between them both. Her breath hitched as she bared down against his thumb on her clit, her head dropping to the crook of his neck, “oh, god-” she whimpered. 

“Wanted this for so long, Seren,” he whispered into her ear. 

“Please, River, more-” she begged. “I need you.” His previous ministrations had taken her so close to the edge, she couldn't take the anticipation any longer. She clutched at his shoulders as she sank down onto him, desperate to find her release. He keened against her, his nose buried in her throat while his fingertips left bruises on her hips. With a final swipe of his thumb against her clit, she reached her peak and shuddered as her climax overcame her. River had managed to remember their whereabouts and quickly captured her lips with his own, disguising the babbling expletives and whimpers of his name. Her movements stuttered so he gently twisted them round and lay her on the bed.

“Still with me?” He murmured, bracing his body on his forearms and rolling his hips as he fucked her into the mattress. The new depth and angle made her melt against him, she smiled, reaching up on her elbows to kiss him again.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she mimicked his earlier words. Her words seemed to ignite him once again. 

“God, Seren-” he groaned into her mouth as she pulled him down on top of her, relishing in the weight of his body against hers. She wrapped her legs around him as he took her wrists and pinned them either side of her head once again. He set a new, desperate pace, hungry to feel her walls flutter around his cock again. Seren tried to hide her breathy moans as she felt the tension coiling in her abdomen once again. She closed her eyes tightly, her attention split between her need for release and the need to keep quiet. “Look at me,” he asked softly. She opened her eyes and held his gaze as she clenched around him and felt his hand gently cover her mouth as she came with a wail of his name. She felt his muscles tense as he joined her over the edge with a whisper of her name, not taking his eyes off her at all. He slumped against her, his hand slipping from her mouth as he replaced it with featherlight kisses instead. He released her other wrist and she grazed her hand up and down his back as they both regained their breath. They lay still together for a while, his nose in the crook of her neck while his hand softly smoothed across her ribs and the side of her breasts. Seren's legs no longer locked around him, she stretched out and enjoyed the weight and warmth of his body covering her. 

“‘M crushing you,” he mumbled. His voice low in her ear made her shiver and despite not being ready for another round quite so soon, her hips bucked, “You're keen, give me a minute,” he laughed.

“You're not crushing me, and I'm not ready yet either,” she grinned into his hairline and kissed his temple. 

“Hmm if you say so.” He rocked against her, half hard again already, needing to hear the broken little moan that ghosted over his head. He moved away enough to wrap the blanket around them both and rolled onto his back, taking her with him. “Better?” She sighed happily.

“Hmm yeah, much.” She closed her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair, the small, intimate gesture making her sleepy. River reached out to turn out the lamp and held her as he fell asleep. 

*

He woke to an empty bed. With a frown, he lifted up onto his elbows to see Seren fastening her bra and looking around for the rest of her clothes. She smiled shyly at him. 

“Hi.”

“You're going?” He asked, his voice thick with sleep. He'd lost count of the number of times they'd found each other during the night, sleepily reaching for one another. 

“I need to go and get changed, I can't be here when he wakes up.” She said apologetically. He sat up fully and reached out a hand to pull her close to the edge of the bed.

“Time is it?”

“Early, 5am. Go back to sleep.” She brushed her hand across his cheek. 

“Just a bit longer?” He kept a hand on the back of her thigh to hold her against him, and the other traced the leg of her underwear, hooking inside. “Let me make you come one more time?” He dragged his fingers along her slit, already wet for him. 

“River-” She rocked down against his hand, her body giving away how much she wanted him. His fingers slipped her underwear to one side and he pushed two inside her, curling them just so. Seren gasped, clinging to his shoulder to stay on her feet. His thumb rocked against her clit, his fingers fucking her as she moaned quietly.

“Fuck, River I-”

“I know, I've got you. I need to see you like this again and again, and when you're driving home I want you to know that I'll be thinking of you, you see what you do to me?” He palmed his cock through the sheets. 

“Ohhh-” She sighed, he noted the hunger in her eyes. 

“You like knowing that?” He pressed his palm harder into her clit and kept his fingers moving inside her. Seren’s breath hitched with every movement of his hand, her walls clenching around his fingers. She wobbled against him as her knees buckled with her climax. She gripped his shoulder tightly to stay upright.

“Shit, River,” she mumbled. He held her hip a little tighter. He removed his fingers with a pop and brought them to his mouth to kick them clean. “You're a menace.” 

“You're welcome.” He grinned, dropping a kiss to the soft dip of her waist. She stepped out of his reach and finished getting dressed. He watched her from the bed. When she was ready, she went back to him, cupping his face between her hands. 

“Get some more sleep,” she said with a soft smile.

“I won't be here when you get back. I'll call you later?” She nodded, kissed him lightly and crept out of the room, taking his hoodie with her. 

*

“Seren, this is the third game in a row you've lost.” David smiled over chess. She'd returned to the house later that morning as promised with croissants and they'd completed the previous day's crossword, walked to the village library and had lunch. Seren had been uncharacteristically distracted throughout. 

“Sorry David,” she sighed. “Why don't you take your book to the sitting room. I'll get some jobs done and then you can set me free on your garden?” She hoped the physical excess of cutting the grass and preparing the garden for autumn would stop her replaying the previous night over and over. She hadn’t realised how isolated her life had become, aside from the families or individuals she worked with she saw very few other people. Family lived on the other side of London and her work had led her to a very limited friend circle and social life. Until she’d hugged River in the kitchen, she struggled to remember the last person she’d had any kind of physical contact with. In her initial recognition of River seeking out her touch, she could also clearly see herself. In the garden, she worked hard. Pulling the heavy old mower up and down the garden, emptying old pots and clearing away fallen branches. From his perch, David pointed out new things for them to tackle over the coming weeks.

“We need to repair that fence,” he pointed. “Do you think we can get it painted before the weather turns?” He looked to the sky as if asking the weather gods.

“I don’t see why not. I can drive us to pick up paint tomorrow if you like?” “No offence dear, but your car splutters like it’s about to give up the ghost. I’ll get River to take us at the weekend, you can help me pick out some plants.”

“You want me to come with you and River to the garden centre?” She asked, arching an eyebrow.

“I do indeed, you’ve a good eye for colour. It’s been such a long time since anyone actually enjoyed working in this garden.” He mused. She smiled and slumped into the chair next to him.

“Deal. I’ll be charging you overtime at this rate though.”

“Hmmm. Take it up with the boss.” He chuckled, pulling his hat down over his eyes for a short nap.

“Yeah, I think I should.” Seren wondered. 

They didn’t make it that weekend, nor the three weekends following. River had become overrun with work and his visits were few and far between. Seren had upped her time with David to compensate and ensure he wasn't lonely. His memory lapses were difficult to predict, she could spend entire days with him and have no problems but the last half an hour he would have no idea who she was, or there could be one moment of lucidity in a whole day. The hardest days were when his mind couldn't decide. She could fetch him a cup of coffee and he'd forget her, she could return with a slice of cake and be remembered. Finally, finally, Seren arrived one Saturday morning to find River already at the kitchen table. She stopped short in the doorway. 

“Oh. Hi.”

“Morning,” he smiled. “He's upstairs,” he explained, seeing her wondering where David was. They both hovered awkwardly, unsure of how to proceed. Though they'd been in plenty of contact, it had been weeks of not seeing each other and though that in itself was nothing new, the circumstances were certainly different. Standing on opposite sides of the kitchen felt so similar to the last time they were in the same place at the same time that Seren couldn’t help but laugh. River chuckled, “what’s so funny?”

“Nothing, just… the last time we were in here, and now… well, here we are again.”

“Yeah,” he nodded in agreement. They fell into silence, furtively stealing glances at one another. Seren wrung her hands.

“Should this be this weird?” She asked finally. “We didn't leave it this weird?”

“No, no you’re right. I don’t want it to be weird?”

“Good. Me either.” She nodded firmly, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. Her heart thrummed in her chest.

“Apparently the old bastard has big plans for today?” River spoke up. 

“I'm taking him to the garden centre. He wanted to wait for you but you've been busy.” He looked bashful. 

“I'm sorry,” he said sincerely. “Every time I've tried to get here it's been too late to see you.”

“It's not a criticism. He's missed you,” she explained. 

“And you?”

“What about me?”

“Have you missed me?” Seren opened her mouth to answer but heard David on the stairs and smiled apologetically.

“You’re here,” he said happily to Seren. “Shall we be off then?” He asked, the tension in the room going completely unnoticed.

“Lead the way,” Seren replied, following the Cartwrights to the car. She slid into the backseat behind River in the driver's seat and focused on watching out of the window so she didn’t keep catching River’s eye in the rear view mirror.

“What are you going this way for?” David demanded from the front seat, “it’s left at the lights.”

“There’s half the road dug up down there, I’ll go around.” River countered.

“Bloody ridiculous,” David muttered. Seren kept her eyes on the window, bringing her hand to her mouth to keep from laughing. 

River finally escaped from the car. He’d been bickering with David for the whole journey. His grandfather led the way, instructing River to follow behind and pick up everything he pointed out. Seren ambled along between them both, occasionally picking things up. He watched her closely, cursing his own stupid awkwardness from earlier. He’d wanted to tell her he’d missed her, had thought about her everyday, couldn’t stop thinking about their night together… but hadn’t. She stopped ahead of him, reaching up to a much higher shelf. David had gone on ahead so River stopped. 

“Here, I’ll get it,” he muttered, a hand on her bare waist where her t-shirt had ridden up. He reached over her head with ease. “This one?” He asked. She shook her head, wide eyed but quickly recovered.

“River, that one’s half dead. The other one, please.” He took a small step forward, her back pressing to his chest as he reached further along and handed her the plant she’d been after. Taking a quick look around for safety, he dropped a kiss into the crook of her neck.

“Sorry I made it weird.” He whispered against her skin. She shivered and shook her head.

“S’ok, you’re not the only weirdo,” she admitted. His hand dropped to the curve of her ass and squeezed.

“We’ll talk later?” He asked, feeling her nod against him. “I might die before then if you keep walking in front of me though.” He teased. She pushed him away with a gentle shove and a knowing smile, and walked away to catch up with David. He trailed after her as she followed David, watching them together as they argued good-naturedly about which colours would look good in the garden and how much work they could palm off onto River. River took every available chance to be near her, letting David take the turning into each aisle so he could take her hand just for a moment or walk alongside her. The trip out had exhausted David. By the time they reached the car again, his temper was rising. When Seren offered him an arm to help him out of the car, he snapped. 

“I’m not a fucking invalid, Seren.”

“I know,” she held up her hands and took a step back. “I’ll get the kettle on.” She offered.

“Don’t bother. River will do it, I can’t stand the niceties anymore today. You should go.” He told her. She hesitated but he went on, “just stop being so sodding nice all the time.” He demanded. River paused, halfway into the boot of the car.

“I’m not being nice because it’s my job, David. I’m being nice because I like you and I like spending time with you.”

“Oh bullshit. You’re paid to be here.” River peered around from the back of the car,

“Grandad-” he warned.

“It’s fine,” Seren assured him. “You’re right, I am.”

“You’re not going to go, are you?” He sneered.

“No, I’m not. I’ll do what I always do when you ask me to leave, I’ll stay out of your way until you’re ready to talk civilly again.” She let him make his way to the house, grumbling under his breath.

“I’m sorry-” River started.

“It’s fine, really. He gets like this sometimes, when he’s pushed himself a bit too far. He’s just tired.” She lifted one of the paint tins from the car. “By the time all this stuff is away, he’ll be asleep and when he wakes up he should be feeling better.” She was right. River followed David into the house while Seren offered to put their purchases away in the garden. She knew the easiest way forward was to do as David had asked and at least stay out of his way. When she made it back to the kitchen, River gestured to the coffee he’d made her on the table. He sat at the table so she leaned against it facing him.

“He’s asleep,” he informed her.

“Told you he would be.” She reached over to brush his hair from his eyes. “I can handle it.” He took the hand and pulled her into his lap, her legs straddling his on either side of the rickety wooden chair. It creaked dangerously underneath them both. “If this chair breaks…”

“I’ve got you.” 

“We’ll be in trouble, was what I was going to say.” She chided him. He ran his hand up her back, drawing her closer, finally capturing her mouth in an impatient kiss. Seren let herself sink into him with a sigh. “I’ve been thinking about this all day,” she whispered.

“I’ve been thinking about this for weeks.” He countered, grazing his nose along her collarbone. She squirmed in his lap, the chair responding with an ungainly squeak.

“We need to move.” “Upstairs?” He asked. Seren shook her head.

“Sorry to disappoint, no time.”

“You’re far from a disappointment.” He told her, taking another kiss. She rocked against him, trying to get closer, he smiled against her mouth. 

“We can’t do this now.” She huffed, frustrated.

“I know,” he agreed, “I’ll make it up to you.” He promised.

*

Seren immersed her hands in the kitchen sink. River had called to say he was stuck in a work ‘thing’ so she’d opted to keep David company for a little longer than usual in the hopes that they might get some time alone when he did arrive. She hummed along softly to the classical record David played in the living room. She’d picked up some vinyl records for him from a shop a few villages away and he was enjoying educating her on which ones were worth her money and which were duds. She looked up and out of the window, the evenings had been getting darker sooner and it always seemed to catch her off guard. As she peered through the window, a face peered back. Her breath froze in her throat as terror overtook her. She backed away from the sink, hands dripping water everywhere.

“David,” she half whispered, voice strangled. “David!”

“Come and listen to this piece, it’s truly remarkable-” David called through from the sitting room. The face in the window grinned as it came closer to the glass, a leering sneer that then winked suggestively.

“Fuck. Fuck, David,” Seren turned and bolted for the sitting room. “There’s someone outside,” as she spoke, the back door banged.

“Who?” “How should I know? A man, shit, David we need to call the police.”

“Call River.” David instructed, rising quickly from his chair. “What the hell is he going to be able to do?”

“We need to get out of here, into the fields,” from the drawer by the chair he pulled out the same pistol he’d drawn on Seren months previously.

“The fields? Wait, he gave that back to you?!” She stared at the gun, incredulous.

“Seren, I need you to trust me. Call River, tell him we’re aiming for the farm and we’re on foot. We need to move, now.” He spoke firmly but calmly and Seren knew he was utterly lucid. She pulled out her phone and brought up River’s number, hitting the green call button. David pulled her along with him to the front door as the back door banged in its hinges again. On the way past, she grabbed the long iron poker from beside the fire. “Excellent idea my girl, now come.” Seren didn’t notice the call connect, or hear River shouting for her attention. The back door banged and this time, opened. Seren shrieked.

“Run David, we have to run.” She bellowed as her phone clattered to the stone floor and the call ended.

me when I reach the angst part of the angsty fic that I specifically chose for the angst

Where it all began

https://gofund.me/5954916f

‌Vetted by @gazavetters, my number verified on the list is ( #31 )

Hello, my name is Iman, a mother of five children, the oldest is 15 years old and the youngest is two. I live with my family in northern Gaza. Our life has turned into a battlefield. We lost our home and were forced to flee and escape with our lives. We have been displaced eight times, moving from one school to another, and we are now living a life of homelessness and hunger. Even clean water is unavailable 💔😭. My children are suffering from starvation and malnutrition, going to bed hungry every day. I cry for my little daughter, who is two years old, when she asks for milk, which we don't have, and her frail body survives only on flour and stale bread. She has been deprived of everything. My children long for vegetables, meat, and fruit, which we haven't had in 11 months since the war began. Our bodies have been worn down, our bones are brittle, and my son Mohamed's chest bones are now protruding along with his spine. His body is covered in scabies due to a lack of cleanliness and the absence of medicine. Our bodies are swollen from the intense heat as we live with 40 people crammed into a small classroom filled with displaced people. My children have been deprived of education, even though they are all excellent students. On top of everything, there's constant bombing, fear, and hunger every day 🥺. This is why I am reaching out, as I have no income to provide for their basic needs as we try to rebuild our lives.

Your donations will be the lifeline for my children, offering them a chance to survive and live through these difficult and harsh conditions. Even a very small contribution will make a difference in their lives. Every dollar counts in helping them through this crisis. Please, join in lending a helping hand during this tough and challenging time.

We are in northern Gaza, bodies without life, starvation is killing us, from the youngest to the oldest. We need your support, even if it's something

If anyone can donate please consider doing so, if not please share!!!

🚨 Urgent Appeal: Do Not Scroll Past This! 🚨

🚨 This GoFundMe will get VETTED by butterflyeffect.project soon

🎉 Thank you so much to everyone who donated and shared our GoFundMe! We’ve hit $5000, and we couldn’t have done it without your incredible support. Your generosity means the world to us!

Dear Tumblr Friends,

I’m begging you—please, do not scroll past this post. Mohammed, his family, and his young niece are in a desperate situation, and they need our help urgently.

The airstrike that shattered their lives has claimed the lives of everyone in his niece's family—leaving her completely alone. They have lost everything: their loved ones, their home, and their sense of security. 😢💔

Now, they are living in a tent, struggling daily with no fresh water and barely any food. To make matters worse, Mohammed’s brother is still missing. Their situation is critical and time is running out. 🚨

Mohammed is trying to escape to safety in Egypt, but the cost is staggering: $5,000 per person. Without these funds, their chance to flee their nightmare is slipping away. 😔💔

Here’s how you can make a REAL difference:

Donate: Every dollar counts. Your contribution can help cover the crossing fees and offer Mohammed and his family a glimmer of hope for a safer future. 🌟💪

Share: Spread their story. The more people who hear this, the closer we get to our goal. Your voice matters! 📢💬

Offer Support: If you have any resources, connections, or ideas to help, don’t hesitate to reach out. Every bit of assistance can change their lives. 🤝💖

Please, don't let this opportunity to help slip away. Their lives depend on our collective action. Your support can mean everything to them in this critical time.

gofundme.com

Donate to help me save my family from the war on Gaza, organized by mohammad alwadyeh

My name is Mohammed Alwadiya. I’m a math teacher, I have a doctorate deg… mohammad alwadyeh needs your support for help me save my family fr

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support. Together, we can make a life-saving difference. 🙏✨

smut is great but do you know what’s better? heart wrenching, soul twisting angst that makes you want to cry (take my money)

is this the slow horses fandom?

(edit: QUESTION IS... WHO'S DRIVING 🤠)

"we need to go somewhere safe" *goes to Catherine*

River Cartwright  (Jack Lowden) in Slow Horses Season 4 Episode 2

Not seeing Kipps’ character arc on screen has been one of the biggest crimes in modern history

Do you randomly cry over the fact that Quill Kipps went from wanting to stab Lockwood to taking a stab for Lockwood and how that is the best character development you have and will ever see, but still people forget about him and his amazing jokes? .....Or are you normal?

it's giving river and spider

Two episodes into Slow Horses season 4 and I’m still missing that bitch Spider😞 He was an ass, but an ass that served an astronomical amount of cunt constantly

Lost Bird! Reward:$500!!/ Cockatiel (Fremont)

Update: Someone saw my bird near Monroe Middle School, San Jose 95128, 8/20 around 7 PM. She's likely still wandering around the area. If you live nearby, please keep an eye out. Please, if you have any information, contact me immediately. Your help is greatly appreciated!

My bird a lutino cockatiel, named Milky was LOST on July 27, 2024, in Fremont 94538, CA. and on July 30, someone last saw her near Westinghouse Drive, Fremont 94539, if you see her or find her, please contact me, thank you so much!

it's just you vs. yourself sometimes (only if you're katie ledecky)

Girlll this was so good! I’m loving the progression Seren’s making with David and of course I LOVE her and River’s relationship!!! Fab chapter, can’t wait for the next part 🥰and thanks for adding me to your tag list :))

The Ties that Bind - Chapter 3

River and Seren work on avoiding each other 👀

Thank you for reading, hope you're enjoying it!

CH 1 | CH 2

Masterlist

My first taglist - let me know if you need adding! 🙌 @thomasshelbyswife

Chapter 3

Avoiding him had become torture. In reality, they were avoiding each other, which was somehow worse. Seren made sure she was gone on the evenings he was expected and tried to avoid going over during the weekends when she knew he was more likely to be around. Their previously friendly text exchanges had been reduced to a schedule of their planned whereabouts, and River’s evening calls to check in had all but disappeared. It wasn’t always possible to avoid him, but she tried. David had gone to bed early, poor sleep and his whirling mind often exhausted him, it exhausted Seren too. She slumped at the kitchen table, head resting in her arms. Just a little bit of quiet before going home. The bright lights of River’s car outside lit up the kitchen and a few seconds later, he clattered noisily through the door, bringing the cool autumn air with him. Seren shivered and pulled the hoodie she was wearing tighter around herself.

“Shit, sorry. Fucking door.”

“Keep it down, he’s in bed.”

“Already?”

“It’s been… a day,” she sighed, rolling her eyes.

“You’re here late?”

“I just needed to sit for a minute before I went.” She mumbled into her arms. 

“Beer?”

“Yeah, thanks.” He retrieved them from the fridge and sat a few seats away from her at the table.

“You ok?” He asked, watching her curiously. She shrugged. “That’s my hoodie.”

“Oh. Sorry, I was freezing and spotted it in the sitting room. I’ll leave it and bring mine tomorrow.”

“No, it’s… it’s ok.” He took a long pull of his beer, keeping his eyes on her. The hoodie swamped her, wrapped all the way around her and the sleeves far too long. “So are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Ok?”

“It feels a bit like I’m in an episode of Upstairs Downstairs.” River frowned. “The servants live downstairs while the grand family live upstairs? He’s very much the lord of the manor.” She explained. 

“Ah…. yeah. He is a bit.”

“Not always, but sometimes… I feel very much like ‘the help’.”

“I’m sorry-” He started, she brushed him off.

“It’s fine, I see it a lot. It’s an age thing usually. Don’t worry, I’m not going to suddenly go all ‘would you like to take your tea in the library, sir?’” She sniggered. When he didn’t respond she looked up sharply. “Oh shit, that hasn’t just unlocked something in you has it?” 

“Depends, is there a uniform?” Seren shook her head, laughing, and threw her bottle top at him. 

“Stop it, I'm trying to stay out of your way.”

“Same. But let’s not rule out a uniform just yet.” They drank their beer in silence. “Explain it to me again?” He asked suddenly.

“Explain what?”

“Why… this, whatever this is, is such a bad idea?”

“I don’t want to confuse him. I also don’t think he’d approve. And,” she hesitated. 

“Go on?”

“River you literally pay my fucking wages. Tell me that's not a bit weird?

“I mean… Ok I'm going to skip over the last one-”

“Convenient.” She rolled her eyes. 

“But my grandfather? It’s not up to him what happens between us?”

“No, but he’s your grandfather. And notice how you didn’t correct me? On any of my points? You know he wouldn’t approve. Like I said, I’m ‘the help’ and you're the one paying me.”

“You’re not the help.”

“I mean, I kind of am? Just in less of a Victorian sense.”

“That's-, it's not like-” He tried to find the right way to get his point across.

“See. Look, I know you don't see it like that-”

“Then isn’t that all that matters?” He interrupted. “Why does it matter that I'm the one paying you? I wouldn't expect you to do this for free.” She didn’t answer him. “I need you here as much as he does. I’m not sure how to handle it when he’s not himself, when he doesn’t know who I am.” He said, changing the subject. 

“I know. I usually take my cue from whoever he thinks I am. Sometimes he thinks I’m his wife, sometimes he thinks I’m his daughter, sometimes he’s really pissed off when he thinks I’m a total stranger.” 

“How do you get through it?”

“I just talk to him normally, try and be patient.”

“I’m not very patient.”

“I hadn’t noticed.” She raised an eyebrow.

“Well how do you separate it then?”

“6am body combat class.”

“Are you a fucking masochist?”

“A dark room, stupidly loud, brain frying music and punching shit all before breakfast? Works a treat, don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.”

“Is punching shit a technical term? Don’t think it’s for me,” he grimaced, recalling being on the receiving end of most punches.

“Throw yourself into something else then, find a distraction.”

“I just don’t know if I’m doing this right. I’m forever going to be the bad guy for making decisions he doesn’t like.” He rose from the table, adding his bottle to the recycling bin. She could feel her resolve crumbling, the urge to comfort him was overwhelming. She stood to join him and before she could bottle it, she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his waist, anchoring herself to him. She felt his body slowly relax under her hold, leaning into her and bringing his arms around her. He dropped his chin down to rest on her head. His breaths deepened to match hers and as he relaxed she closed her eyes. 

“You’re doing really well.” She promised. He let go first, clearing his throat and stepping out of her embrace. Embarrassed, she moved away from him. “I’ve got to go. Combat at 6. I’ll sort this door tomorrow.” She gave it a pull as it stuck in the frame again.

“It was good to see you.” He said softly, catching her hand in his and holding it.

“You too.”

“Can we agree that avoiding each other is a stupid idea?” He pulled her gently towards him. 

“Can we agree that this is evidence enough that we should avoid each other?” She countered, gesturing to the minimal space between them.

He shook his head, “I haven’t done anything?” He leaned down, pausing millimetres from kissing her.

“Yet?” She whispered, getting there first and kissing him, her hand snaking up to the nape of his neck.

“What am I doing? Hmm, you started this.” He told her, not daring to move his mouth from hers. He kissed her back with a fierceness she hadn't realised she was so desperate for. Her hands worked fast, pushing his jacket down his arms and onto the floor with a thud, and pulling him back by his t-shirt. Seren found it impossible to disguise her reaching hands. Tangling in his hair, slipping under his t-shirt, she ached to feel his skin against hers. “What happened to this being a terrible idea?” He asked, kissing along her jawline.

“It’s an awful idea.” She moaned, her body arching to meet his. 

“So stop?”

“You stop.” She muttered, the sigh tumbling from her lips. With great restraint, he did.

“Really?” His forehead rested against hers while they caught their breath. 

“Yes,” she groaned sadly, “No. Fuck, why is this so hard?” He went to reply, “do not make a joke.”

“Wasn’t going to.” He kissed her again lightly.

“Yeah, you were.”

“Yeah I was. Really stop?”

“Yes, really stop.” She kissed him back.

“Seren,” he groaned, “I’m getting very mixed messages.”

“You’re right,” she leaned back away from him a little, “you’re right, I’m sorry. This isn’t fair, it’s not about what I want.”

“So this is what you want?” He asked.

“River,” she sighed, clearly torn.

“Fuck, Seren,” he kissed her again, “ please don’t say my name like that again.” 

“I’m trying not to, but you-, ohh-” his teeth grazed the sensitive skin under her ear and her hips canted towards him in response. “God, you are not making things easy.” 

“And you are?” He let his head drop onto her shoulder, breathing her in. “So. Are we stopping, or are we not stopping?”

“We’re stopping.” Seren said, hesitantly. “This will get too complicated, and we’re dealing with enough as it is.”

“Or…”

“No, no or.”

“Hear me out. Or, this is a distraction.” His voice was still muffled against her neck.

“A complicated distraction. River, I’m trying to keep my hands to myself but I need you to help me, please ?” She pleaded. She felt his sigh against her neck, making her shiver against him. His hands moved from her waist to take her hands, and he stood up straight, putting some space between them.

“Ok.” He acquiesced. 

“I’m going to go home now.” She said firmly.

“Ok.”

“Ok. Goodnight, River.”

“Goodnight Seren,” he placed a quick kiss on her lips. “And just so we’re completely clear, I don’t want you to keep your hands to yourself.” He smirked. She shook her head and let go of his hands. “I’ll call you tomorrow to check in.”

*

The previous tactic of avoidance had given way to pretending to completely ignore the tension between them and act as if nothing had happened at all. There were still the sly remarks he liked dropping into conversation to fluster and frustrate her. He much preferred the gentle teasing and flirting, and sharing the mental load of looking after David had helped them both lighten up. The nightly phone calls had resumed, to River’s relief. The routine of picking up the phone on his way down the death stairs of Slough house to hear Seren’s voice practically powered him through the day. He hadn't seen her since their previous encounter in the kitchen weeks previously, every time he found himself alone in there, the memories flooded his senses, the warmth and softness of her skin, the smell of her perfume, her shampoo and the sweet taste of her. He'd turned up late the previous day, annoyed and frustrated. His car had been in the garage all week so he'd suffered the bus or tube to work and hadn't faced the train to his grandfather's house until the weekend. He'd missed Seren, she'd been and gone again, leaving a note about homemade pie in the fridge. He and David had eaten the lot along with a bottle of red wine and a handful of gin and tonics. David had not only recognised and remembered him, but he'd been in the best mood River had seen for weeks. He sang Seren's praises, as did River after a few drinks, and told stories of work that River had heard a million times previously but listened as if it were the first time. He was terrified of the day David would remember the stories for the last time and they'd never be told again. 

“Car alright?” David asked. 

“Should be now, they've had it all bloody week. I can collect it tomorrow.”

“I keep telling Seren that her car is no good, spluttering down the lane. You can hear it from a mile away.” 

“I might get her to drop me at the station if you'll be alright for half an hour?”

“Of course I will. I'm no invalid, River.”

“I know, I know. I just don't want you to be pissed off.”

“Story of my life.” David muttered as the unmistakable sound of Seren's car turned into the driveway. “Go on then, I'll see you in a few days.”

“Take care, grandad.” River embraced him briefly and went out to meet Seren. She peered over her sunglasses at him, the window down. “Can I have a lift?” He asked. 

“Depends, are you going to take the piss out of my music?”

“I would never do that. Obviously.”

“Hmm. Get in then.” She swung the car around on the drive and headed back in the direction she'd come from. “Where's your car?”

“Fucked.”

“Technical term?”

“Something like that. How was combat?” He noted the gym bag in the back seat. 

“Fucked.” She mimicked with a smile. “Did you have a good night?”

“The old man got me pissed and we ate the pie you made.”

“Nice”

“It was, thank you.” 

“You'll have to let me know what you like and I'll make it next time.” At the traffic lights she shoved the car into gear and made the turning for the train station. She pulled into the nearest space. “Seems I've been upgraded to driver.”

“Not going to call me sir this time?” 

“After last time? Absolutely not.” He watched her watching people going to and from the station. 

“I'm glad we're talking again.” He told her. She turned to look at him, taking off her sunglasses. 

“Me too.” She watched his face screw up into a frown. “What's up?”

“Nothing. I'll let you go.”

“River?” He reached across the gearstick between them and weaved his hand into her hair, pulling her to him. He sighed, lips millimetres from hers and reluctantly let go. 

“I'm fine, Seren” he nodded, “thank you for the lift.” It wasn't until the car door had slammed that River let go of the breath he'd been holding. 

*

“Have you spoken to Lamb about taking more responsibility yet?” David questioned.

“No,” River sighed. “He’s not exactly approachable is he?”

“But he’s the only one who can get you out of Slough House.” 

“I’m aware of that, grandad. It’s just not that easy.”

“Nothing good ever came from being easy, boy. You have to work at it, show that you can handle the responsibility of more work, better work. Prove that you want to actually leave Slough House?”

“I am working at it. I am.” River argued. He’d been arguing for the whole weekend. Seren had walked in during breakfast, heard the raised voices and had backed out of the room with wide eyes and a questioning look to River who’d just rolled his eyes. Over twenty four hours later David was still on the same topic of River’s commitment to work, commitment to the service and why on earth he was still allowing himself to be kept with the Slow Horses.

“You need to push harder, no outside distractions. Your grandmother didn’t see me for weeks on end, she knew the toils of the job. No distractions, no half arsing it.”

“Things have changed, people don’t work like that anymore.”

“Pfft,” David countered, “of course they do. You think Jackson Lamb couldn’t put you back at the Park? Course he bloody well could, if he wanted to.”

“Well then there’s the problem. He doesn’t want to.”

“So make it worth his while. Make yourself useful. Can’t you reach out to old friends and do some work for them on the side, make Tavener see that you’re an asset?” River frowned, not sure that either Lamb, or Tavener would ever see him as an asset. Plus working at Slough House allowed a little more autonomy than he suspected those at the Park got. Some of the things he was working on were interesting because they were separate from Tavener and her ironclad grip. Eventually, worn down by criticism, River agreed that David was right. Maybe he wasn’t working hard enough? Maybe he was distracted.

“He’s just frustrated because he’s had a rough few weeks.” Seren reassured him while he made coffee,  “he’s taking it out on you because he knows he can.”

“Does he do this to you?”

“Did you forget the whole housekeeper conversation?” She asked.

“We never said housekeeper,” he grinned. “There was definitely talk of a uniform and I was picturing more of a maid than a housekeeper.”

“Piss off. I’m being nice to you!”

“I know, I know,” he laughed, dodging the water she flicked at him from the sink.

“It’s hard for him, someone who’s used to being at the top of the tree. I don’t know what on earth he used to do for work, but I can tell it was something important. Something where he was very important. And now his mind is holding him hostage and stealing everything he knows.”

“You’re right.”

“So we just need to be there for him and ride out the bad bits. There’s still time to sign up for combat class?”

“There are other distractions I’d enjoy a lot more.” He nudged her on his way back to finish the game of chess he was losing to David. He watched her from the doorway without her knowledge for a minute, enjoying the flush in her cheeks and shy smile that lingered after she thought he’d gone. He worked hard to not let the distraction of Seren affect his work, took on board David's advice and to Lamb's annoyance, made himself overly helpful. 

“So how’s it going with your grandfather now?” Louisa asked, stirring him from his thoughts days later and handing him a cold beer bottle.

“S’good. He gets on with the woman who looks in on him so that helps.”

“And his memory lapses?”

“Happening more often, and he gets angry. Really angry, when he can't remember.”

“Shit, I'm sorry.”

“He thinks he's being watched.”

“Is he?”

“Who the fuck knows. We probably all are.” 

“Has this got anything to do with this fucking annoying mission that you're on?”

“I dunno what you're talking about?” He blustered.

“Oh don't give me that,” Louisa laughed, “you are literally the most irritating person in that building at the moment - and that's saying something! ‘Anything I can do, Lamb?’, ‘shall I collect your takeout?’, ‘any errands need running?’. It's gross. And it's not you.” She pointed her bottle at him. “You are the least helpful person I know, please don't change now.” He fell silent, peeling the label off the bottle. 

“He keeps on at me to get out. Be more helpful, no distractions.”

“There's nothing distracting about Slough House except the smell.” She watched him curiously. “Ohh. Is it her? The woman who looks after him?” He downed his beer without answering. 

“C'mon, I'll walk you to your car.” 

“Nooo, come on! Let me live through your love life!” She teased. 

“I don't have a love life, Louisa. I barely have a life.” He grimaced, opening her car door for her. 

“Fucking saddo.” She pinched his cheek and then slapped it gently. “Night night.” He watched Louisa drive off away from Slough House and then jumped into his own car. He'd already told Seren it would be a late one and though she'd offered to stay, they both knew that David was still perfectly capable of being alone from time to time. He hit redial on his car display and called her. 

“Hello?”

“It's me.”

“Good night?”

“Long day. How was he?” River could hear tinny splashes in the background. “You're not still there are you?”

“Nooo, no. I left an hour ago. I'm… y'know what, nevermind.”

“Oh.” It dawned on River where she was, the tinny sound, the unmistakable sound of water. The bath. “Oh.” He said again trying to banish the mental image accompanied with hearing her voice. 

“He's fine, by the way.” She said, her voice taunting. 

“Good. I'm on my way.”

“Don't forget, be clear about who you are, don't raise your voice.”

“Got it. I'll leave you to it. See you soon?”

“Yeah, soon. Bye, River.”

*

Seren was resilient. Able to bend and sway to adapt to the harshest conditions and people, she had no problem sticking up for herself when required. But against David at his worst, her patience was wearing thin. Since his evening with River, his cognitive capabilities had taken a turn for the worse. Seren had bared it and been his constant throughout. She picked up the phone and went to stand out in the garden while David had lunch.

“Cartwright?”

“It’s me.”

“Hi.” She could hear the smile in his voice, “Everything ok?”

“Not really. Another bad day. I need to get some more mugs. And plates. He keeps throwing them at me.”

“Fuck. Seren, I’m sorry. Are you ok?” She tried not to think about the way he said her name. How she wanted him to say her name.

“Don’t worry, I’m getting good at dodging them.” She kicked at the weeds that had taken up on the driveway, making a mental note to do something about them.

“Yeah that doesn’t really fill me with confidence.”

“At least it’s only a mug, not a gun. And when he’s back, when he’s himself again, he’s so apologetic. It’s just been a hard few weeks.” Neither of them acknowledged that this was the case for all of them, not just David. “Anyway, I just thought I should let you know before you get here later.”

“Yeah, ok thanks. Will I see you later?” He asked. The silence dragged on so long he had to check the call was still connected.

“I… I don’t know.”

“I'd like to? Might be good to catch up.” He suggested. 

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” She stared out to the open fields before her. “I’ll still be here,” she said finally. She watched a figure in the lane, watching her. “There's someone….” She frowned.

“What’s happened?”

“Nothing, I can just see someone.” A dog appeared in the lane only a few feet away from her. She flinched. “Shit!” The dog gave a short bark and ran back up the lane to the owner. 

“Seren?” She held up her hand and gave the figure a little wave, embarrassed that the dog had made her jump so much.

“It's ok, it was just a dog.”

“Sure?” 

“Yeah, course. He just came through the gap in the hedge. You sound like David, he keeps saying the dogs are out to get him. Silly sod.”

“If you’re sure?” River skipped over her previous comment.

“Yes, River, I’m sure. I’ll see you later, you can bring some dinner.” She told him, hanging up. She watched the dog walker retreat down the lane, occasionally looking back at her, and turned back to the house. The afternoon went on far longer than Seren wanted it to, the anticipation of seeing River grew by the minute. The afternoon fell away to nightfall and when River arrived with a bag of takeout, Seren and David were playing cards. 

“This is a ridiculous game.” David grumbled.

“It's a great game, you're just a sore loser.” Seren grinned wickedly as she put down another card from her hand. “Oh! Shithead!” She slapped down her last card. “Good timing, River brought dinner.” David looked at River for a long few seconds. 

“Right, I'll get washed up then,” he said, his voice small and distant. 

“Are you ok?” Seren asked, watching him carefully, cards halfway into their box. 

“Fine dear, fine. Boyfriend of yours is he? Handsome chap.” He left the room muttering to himself. Seren froze at the table. She could hear that River had stopped opening food containers and turned slowly to face him.

“I'm so sorry,” she said softly, “he was right here, I didn't think he wouldn't recognise you. We've been talking about you all afternoon.” She could see the sadness and resignation in River's eyes. He shook his head a little. 

“S'alright. I expect it now.”

“That doesn't make it alright.” 

“Dinner's getting cold.” He stated. She frowned, wanting to say more but it was clear that the conversation was over. She took over opening the food while River moved it to the table, his hand lingering in the small of her back as he passed between her and the table. “You taught my grandad a card game called ‘Shithead’?” He asked, his voice teasing. 

“How long have you been courting Seren then young man?” David interrupted, taking his seat once again.

“I wouldn't say I'm courting her, she's very stubborn.” River blushed. 

“As she should be,” he chuckled. “A smart girl like her shouldn't be won over by the first handsome man that comes along and shows an interest.” Seren rolled her eyes and snapped her chopsticks apart.

“I think you've got the wrong end of the stick here, David.” She warned, taking a dumpling from River's plate. “There's nothing going on between River and I.” 

“Oi, that’s my dumpling and you’re still wearing my hoodie.” It was true. In the last weeks and months, River could have counted on one hand the number of times his hoodie was where he left it, or available when he needed it in the draughty old house. Whenever he could find it, Seren’s perfume surrounded him.

“Ah but it's high time River had his attention caught by a pretty girl.” With a glance between them, Seren confirmed to River that David was back again. 

“Eat your dinner, old man,” River told him, Seren could see the relief in his smile. She watched the Cartwright gentlemen barter back and forth, noting how tired David looked. 

“Are you ok?” She asked him, concerned. 

“Just tired.” He admitted quietly.

“Shall I save you some food for lunch tomorrow? You could take the newspaper to bed, I saved the crossword for you?” She asked while River watched their short exchange.

“That's thoughtful Seren but I think I'm too tired. We'll do it tomorrow over breakfast.”

“Deal, I'll bring croissants.”

“She's good to me,” he told River, “I might have to admit that I'm grateful for you bringing her here.”

“I'll take that, and I won't even say I told you so.”

“See the cheek I put up with, Seren? River forgets when to stop talking sometimes, I think.”

“You're definitely right on that. Come on, time for the old man to go to bed.”

“Why do I feel like you're both as bad as each other?” He muttered but didn't argue. 

“I'll see you up there.” River offered.

“Come on then, make sure I can remember my way around my own damn house.” River followed David up the steep old stairs of the cottage while Seren packed away leftovers. 

“Need me to do anything?” River asked when he came back down. He watched Seren potter around the kitchen, making sure everything was cleared away. 

“Nope, all done.”

“And are you…” he shrugged, fidgeting with his hands, “sticking around? Or going home?” He asked, the question hanging in the air between them.

someone has to write a story on Simon Riley and a civilian reader with work song by hozier as a plot