Raymond - Blog Posts
Cringetober day 8: Tumblr sexy-man
Hey, remember some time ago about an alternative PL scenario in which Bronev and Raymond raise Desmond together and want to take down Targent ? Weeeell 👇👇👇
Chapter 1 : Unexpected encounter
The alarm was buzzing like a tolling bell in the corridors. Two silhouettes running, out of breath. Their were holding hands as if Hell was after them and as if their touch was the only thing keeping them alive. And the bell ringing, again, again, screaming at them. “Don’t give up, we’ll find the way !” But no answer, except a panting voice, exhausted by their mad run. “I-I can’t… Please, dear, run away...” “We’ll get away together, darling, come on, don’t give up !”
A dead-end. They were trapped. Again. Dark figures behind them, holding guns and wearing uniforms. A shot. A scream. “RACHEL !”
Leon woke up abruptly, jolting from his desk covered in papers and books, causing a few sheets of paper to fly away. He took the time to remember where he was and when. Alright, a little house away from the centre of London, three years after this awful nightmare, nightmare that was, in fact, a memory.
With a tired and frustrated sigh, he took his face in his hands and drew a decent breath before taking off his glasses and putting back on the desk the flying papers. He closed his books, looked at the clock on the wall and sighed again. Four in the morning. Wonderful. Again he wouldn’t sleep much tonight.
–Dad ?…
The archaeologist looked up with a slight jolt and stared at the young boy with brown hair and ruby eyes who was waiting at the door, holding tight a little plushy rabbit in his hands. His face winced with concern and he slowly came closer from his father who took him in his arms to hold him and hug him, trying to be comforting.
–I didn’t know you were awake, my boy… You should go back to bed.
–But… I heard you scream mommy’s name…
The man’s heart skipped a few beats but he did his best to keep on smiling and stared at the youngest with some tender eyes, taking his son away from the desk and from this bloody room to bring him back to his tiny bed, in his room full of books and little creative games, some piece of metal and woods were laying on the ground. Nah, he would ask his son to clean it all later. Tonight wasn’t easy for them both. Once the boy was comfortably under his blanket, resting against that big fluffy pillow of his, the oldest smiled a bit and patted his hair.
–Now, you have to go back to sleep… Tomorrow, I’ll have to go down to London, you know what to do right ?
The young boy grew worried again, almost hiding his face behind his plushy rabbit.
–Are you sure I can’t come with you, dad ? he muttered. I don’t want to stay alone in there… w-what if they come back ? What if they got you in London ?! Please, I’ll be silent and discrete, I swear-
–Hershel, please, calm down my boy… Hush now…
Leon took the time to breath and sighed while shaking his head.
–They won’t find us there… You’re my son and I work at the tea shop down the street. I am always very careful when we have to move somewhere else and I don’t want you to get involved. You are safe here, I promise. And if anything, you go down to the shop and ask the nice lady here to keep you with her until I come back. No one, not even the Birds, are going to look for some herbalist in a small English village. We are no longer the Bronev family. For everyone else, we’re Desmond and Nikolaï Sycamore, remember ?
He kissed his forehead and smiled a bit more.
–Do you remember what I told you when I chose this name, “Desmond Sycamore”, among any other name ?
The boy discretely whipped a tear from his eye and nodded slowly.
–Yeah… You said that there was a tree named like this in the Bible… it represents comfort, refuge and abundance. And… About “Desmond”…
–… I said it was an old English name, with German roots, meaning “valuable, courageous and protected”. And when I chose these names, it was indubitable. I would make sure they would protect you, and I will protect you too, my boy…
The oldest chuckled a bit and hugged him again while the youngest was starting to smile, slowly, while hugging his father back. This was a bittersweet feeling indeed but it was worth it, because at some point it was sweet and less bitter.
–… I miss mom and Theo…
The hug tightened a bit.
–… I know, my boy… I know… But for now, you have to go back to sleep. And, if you do your lessons well, I’ll bring you a new book from London tomorrow. Sounds like a good agreement to you ?
This was enough to bring a big bright smile back on the boy’s lips. He wasn’t an idiot, his father was trying to distract himself from grim thoughts to make sure he would fall asleep quickly and have a good night. But he also knew that the situation couldn’t be changed and he was happy to at least have his father by his side. So, not to worry him any further, he nodded and kissed his father’s cheek before almost diving into his pillow to find the courage to sleep. Leon smiled too and made sure he was comfortable before leaving the room as silently as possible after having left a soft light in the corner of the room to look after his boy’s sleep and to keep nightmares away. Once alone in the corridor, the man sighed again and anxiously went back to his own room to go to sleep, but for sure it wasn’t going to be easy. “I am sorry Rachel… Our family is like a broken glass… But as long as I live, I’ll protect our dear boy. And I’m going to make sure they never use that legacy to hurt him.”
“Whatever the cost may be.”
Leon had become incredibly good at lying. The more the time passed and the easier it was getting because he was feeling less remorseful for the lies he had to make up to keep his son and himself out of troubles. So when he said to Desmond that he was going to London to buy him a book and to go buy groceries, it wasn’t a complete lie but it was enough of a lie to be mentioned. In fact, he was not here only to buy food and books, he was also there to drink a bit and to listen to what was going on in the capital city of England.
There was, in the East End, a few very good places to be when you were desperate enough to use questionable means to achieve questionable goals, and so it was the perfect place to learn some crucial informations if you needed to know, for example, if some Birds of ill omen were about to go somewhere, or what they were currently interested in. Also, Leon still had a few friends in town ready to help him. To find these informations, Dorset Street was the best –or worst- place to go. And, in Dorset street, there was a Scottish pub, the “Trì drongairean daoine”, also called, in proper English, “Three drunk men”. Here, there was a few men always ready to talk too much and to ask very few questions.
The ex archaeologist entered, sit at the counter and asked for a single malt whiskey, before staring at the glass half-empty in front of him and drinking him in a matter of seconds. The barman said nothing and went to serve other customers. Leon knew drinking was only bringing problems on the table and it was, at best, only a temporary solution. But he needed some strength before going back to his son and pretending he was doing fine. He missed Rachel, he missed Theodore, he missed their little house, their little life, and he knew it was all his fault. If he had not been so stubborn about finding more evidence about the Azran, then nothing would have happened.
While he was busy blaming himself for every unfortunate things happening to his family, some Scots playing cards were beginning to get agitated at a table, not so far from him. They were speaking some weird dialect Leon didn’t understand and they seemed to be quarrelling about something. One of them seemed to be the target of some accusations, judging by the fingers pointing at him angrily. The man didn’t really catch Leon’s attention, at least not until he bumped into him while trying to escape the quarrelling table. The archaeologist grunted and looked at the stranger with angry eyes. Fuck, couldn’t he even drink and drown into whiskey in peace ?
–Hey, careful ! No one taught you how to properly apology ?
The Scottish man turned around and stared at the little man in front of him with merely an annoyed look. A beige pullover, jeans, old shoes, long face, some thick hair tied as much as he could in a ponytail resting on the neck, ruby eyes, the beginning of a moustache and the attitude of a man who just lost his job or something.
On the contrary, the Scottish lad was quite peculiar. Leon glared at him but didn’t forget to notice a few details. That guy smelled fuel, and whiskey, and he was wearing some leather clothes and heavy boots. Probably he had a motorbike, if he hadn’t gambled it already. Strange look, his hair was thick too, despite being shorter than his and brushed to the back. His eyes were dark, almost black, and he barely had some goatee growing on his chin. But, even if he was annoyed, there seemed to be a mischievous smile hanging at the corner of his lips.
–Apologies ? A’m sairy, can ye say that again ? Leuk, a’m not in the mood fer this, so ferget ‘bout it, right pale ?
Leon frowned and stood up while crossing his arms.
–Quit your bullshit, I’m not having a good day so now you’re going to apologise, “pale”.
–Oh, feck off ! A’m not havin’ a guid day either so go get drunk som’here else.
But then, while they were almost going to pick a fight over some damn apology, another voice came to their ears and made them stop to turn to the source of the noise.
–Hey, you !
And then, when they saw these two men in blue/grey uniforms with their hat and sunglasses, they both opened wide eyes and exclaimed the same.
–Fuck/ Feck !
They jolted and looked at each other, not knowing who these men were addressing to.
–Ye know these clawns ?!
–How do you know these guys ?!
The agents in uniforms were already making their way inside the pub, so the man in leather coat and the ex archaeologist decided it was better not to stay and they quickly fleed by the other entrance, momentarily allies because of having had to face the same enemy. They blocked the door with some old pipe lying in the alley and they took the time to look at each other again. The Scottish man was more than surprised.
–Fer feck's sake, pale ! Ye're a damn legal grave-digger ?!
–What the fuck is this supposed to mean ?! I'm a herbalist !
But the other one shook his head, grabbed Leon's wrist and was quick to go in the street, looking for some way to escape that place without being followed by the agents trying to break free from the pub. He then came closer to a red and black motorbike, took the keys out of his pockets and made the motor roar. The man with ruby eyes frowned and broke free from his grip.
–You look like everything but an archaeologist, looking at the way you're being such an asshole with people.
The other one sighed, frustrated, and did a little curtsy, mockingly.
–Oh, A didn't know only British archaeologists were geid with their manners ! Now, can we stop bickerin' and get outta here ? If Targent is there, we're doomed ! Now come on, A take ye out o' town and we part. OK?
–No, not OK ! How did you-
But it was no time for questions because the agents were getting out of the pub and they were actively looking around to search and find the person they had spotted, and neither the Scottish man nor Leon knew which of them they were after. The herbalist sighed angrily and got behind the biker who was already ready to put the max distance between them and these birds of ill omen.
–You better ride fast because once we're far away, I swear I'll-
But the face of his son imposed itself to his mind and he gasped as they were heading away from Dorset Street.
–Oh no no no, Hershel-
–A call meself Ray !
–Not you ! My son ! If they follow me, they'll...
Said "Ray" sighed but looked into the mirrors. The agents were way behind them, and the man seemed to be in troubles. He sighed again. Fuck, this was supposed to be a cool day, he was supposed to bluff and trick people while winning at cards and drinking whiskey. Dammit.
–... OK, hold on tight and tell me where to go, we'll heid there. A've got no Bentley but trust me I'll go 90 miles per hour in this bloody city as long as we're far away from these birds. What's yer name, sassenach ?
Leon didn't want to trust that man but he had no choice. Right now the only thing worth it was going back home as soon as possible and leave again. For a better place. A place without any birds.
–... What makes you think I can trust you ?
The man sighed and used his brakes to stop the motorbike, with little to no care for the circulation, causing Leon to gasp under the surprise and almost fall off the motorbike.
-Listen, pale, A know Targent is lo'kin after us, both of us, ye were involved, A was too and now we need to flee. Ye don't trust me ? Guid, then get down me motorbike and I'll disappear. And guid luck with yer lad, sassenach !
Leon took the time to think about it. He couldn't just pretend everything was fine because it wasn't, he could put Hershel in danger if he was bringing a stranger to their house. However, they both seemed to be in trouble anyway and Targent would not abandon so easily. A danger against another bigger one. Or, to be more precise, choosing between the plague or the cholera.
–... you better not swear in front of my boy. Once we're there, we part. Fine by you ?
The Scottish man had a grin on his face and chuckled a bit before accelerating once again to go back on the road.
–Fine by me ! Now, what's yer name ?
-...Nikolaï.
-> Next chapter
Handsome Men´s
Oh BOI I sure am excited to open this surprise box and get another Skelton guy-
ARE YOU KIDDING ME
More AF and it still going on lol
Source:Stindaan
I just randomly thought of giving AC villagers some flower hats (? Or flower costumes? LOL!) I may draw more villagers as flowers ☺️🌸 (Raymond, Poppy, Judy, Raymond)
me, asking raymond to come to my island only so i sell him for 100 nook miles tickets: listen i don’t like capitalism but i gotta work within the system
Never the same
A Raymond imagine ( 'The Gentlemen' 2020)
Summary: Before Raymond became a man hardened by the harsh reality of the world he belongs to, one to never get attached and live for himself alone, there was her. Someone he would have given his life for and someone he ultimately chose to let go. And after her, he has never been the same.
Warnings: Substance consumption, angst
I hope you will enjoy reading this piece as much as I enjoyed writing it. It has been way too long since I have written something, but whilst I was gone I developed a massive love towards Charlie Hunnam and characters portrayed by him, the latest one being Ray. Feedback is always appreciated and my apologies if the aforementioned warnings lack something important, as it is the first time I am disclosing them in my writings! Enjoy! :)
Italics indicate retrospectives!
~
Raymond wasn't always quite like this. He wasn't one to seek out one night stands, too endorsed in guarding his already broken heart to give a shit about the heart of a girl he takes home for the night. Too endorsed in satisfying his primal needs after drinking the night away to forget the emptiness his soul has strung along since the day he left her. The day his soul last felt complete. Ever since then nothing has been able to fix what was broken and Raymond hadn't bothered to, anyway. He didn't feel like he deserved it. Too engrossed in self-hatred that he has managed to hide from the prying eyes of his boss and subordinates. At least that's what he thought.
Every morning is a painful reminder of a past self that he can no longer recognize in the mirror, however, that has never stopped him from putting on a happy face and going on with his duties as Mickey’s right hand, only to fall in bed with a woman whose name he wasn't even bothered to remember, too drunk to feel anything at the end of the day. The only thing keeping Raymond from going insane is that he truly believes letting her go was the right thing to do, even though lately he has been having trouble distinguishing right from wrong, happiness from sadness and dreams from nightmares. It's her that has been poisoning his dreams, getting a hold of his most hidden memories, ones too good, yet painful to ponder on even for a minute without them leaving a bitter aftertaste in his mouth with what-could-have-beens and what-ifs. Ones that make him wish he could take it all back and once again become the man he used to be with her.
~
“You do realise that I love you more than life itself, do you?” she said, letting out a light chuckle afterwards as to not sound so desperate. Desperate to love him, have him, call him hers. But her eyes gave it away. They always did. Raymond was able to read her like a book. A book filled with secrets, pain, suffering and outweighed by joy, happiness and love so pure it could complete his own corrupted soul. With her sun seemed to shine a little brighter, the water seemed to be a tad bit bluer and he was able to see past the life of a criminal he had decided to become a part of.
This was a reoccurring conversation they seemed to be having almost daily at this point. Just like Raymond was able to read her like a book, so could she read him. And behind that handsome face and beautiful, albeit tormented soul hid a vulnerable man scared to fully commit to her, give himself to her and just love, because the life he is used to leading is no place for love and weaknesses. And a weakness she is.
“I know,” is all he would answer. But that seemed to be enough for her because behind those two words hid a sea of emotions he felt for her. And she knew. She knew he loved her, possibly more than she could even comprehend. What she didn't know, however, is that through these simple, yet oh so vulnerable conversations they have also been saying goodbye.
~
Raymond awoke in cold sweat, too shaken by his dreams to fall back asleep, too restless to just numb his mind and rid of the feelings he thought he had grown out of. Foolish of him, he knows, but how could he not think that the love he once felt for her is gone if he doesn't even remember the last time he willingly thought of her. Only in his dreams does he let his guard down and unconsciously prays to go back to the days when he called her his. Before he found a remedy in alcohol and drugs that for once filled his system with something that numbed his bottled-up feelings. But tonight it wasn't an option, he was on a job that required for him to be alert of his surroundings and the looming threat of getting killed by Mickey's rivals looking to retaliate. And so he was forced to face his biggest enemy in the dark of the night. Himself.
~
“I just… don't understand. How can this be a goodbye, how can you just walk away?” she cried, too hurt to hide her tears, too broken to pretend like she can fix this. Because even though she doesn't want to believe it, she knows he is leaving. And there is nothing she can do, even though there is nothing she wouldn't do just to have him for one more day.
“You knew all too well how this is going to end when we decided to give this a shot. We are not working out and there is nothing you can do to change my mind,” he said, seemingly unphased by their imminent parting on the outside, while he was absolutely breaking on the inside. However, for once in her own heartbreak she wasn't able to see past his exterior, only meeting his cold eyes and stoic face that made her soul break a little more, for she thought she had truly lost him. In reality, he was breaking on the inside, too, a little more now that he sees the pain he has inflicted upon her. But this had to be done to protect her. Because if there is one thing in the world he wouldn't forgive himself for, it's being blinded by love and letting her get hurt by the world he belongs to, a world all too harsh for someone so pure.
~
The job had gone smoothly and Raymond awoke to a world filled by one less enemy lurking behind his back. And so it called for a celebration, one to numb his mind and put the last night's events to rest. What he didn't anticipate, however, is seeing her occupying his favourite seat by the bar he often joked to be his third home. While at first, his heart skipped one too many beats, causing his face to pale and palms to sweat, something about her presence brought the feeling of peace. For once in the longest time, everything seemed to fall into its place, as if stars had aligned in his favour. Because he can no longer stand the thought of living through another night dreaming of their shared past that still haunts him. Admittedly, after her, Raymond has never been the same. But maybe, just maybe, after seeing her for the first time in years, the same glimmer in her eyes, bright smile and laughter that made him fall utterly and unconditionally in love with her, being the foolish boy who once used to be able to call her his is not what he yearns to be any more, for he was the one who let her go. Maybe what he needs is another chance at being a better man.
With her.
I really wish animal crossing had interesting gameplay because I love love LOVE the character designs but holy biggleballs is the gameplay just not fun after a while
I forgot to post this a while ago