𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝.

+ . . . "you'll see." the words sound like they're embraced in a grin, and they are, but the closer they get, the more his heart begins to pound. maybe he should have collected her input first. asked her what she thought about it. or perhaps when charlotte had asked what he was doing he should have told her and at the very least she could have put her two sense in. while he was positive it wouldn't make her miserable -- he did find himself questioning what exactly isabelle would think. ( a little too late to ponder ) was it too much? surely not, he thinks; SHE DESERVES THE WORLD. john settles, squeezing her fingers between his own despite having dropped the one previously covering her eyes. when he meets her emerald gaze he finds his breath getting stuck mid-inhale. mesmerized. "a picnic indeed." his grin is gone. replaced by the softest of twines as he looks down at her. "of course for you," he says as if it is the most obvious thing in the world. not only because it's set up a few feet away from them but because ... well, because. "i thought it would be ill-fitting to waste a beautiful day like today inside and while martha is making edward and charlotte's favourites i figured ..." he gestured to the picnic before them before allowing his other hand to fall, fingers sifting across her back to urge her forward. "you deserved it." that's really what it was, wasn't it? he just wanted to see her happy. he can't stop watching her expression. "is this alright, isabelle?" a question with more meaning than he could even pretend to show or hide.

+ ... to say she was nervous would be an understatement. not because she feared what awaited her- isabelle truly trusted john with everything, she knew he would never lead her astray. but tendrils of worry did start to whisper in her ear ... what if she disappointed him? she's sure that whatever plans he had in store for her would delight her thoroughly, but old habits die hard and she can't help but brace herself for the fallout. it never comes. instead, she is pleasantly surprised and her heart near sings with fond adoration at his efforts. "... i love it-" she says quietly, eyes gazing back at the setting as she looks upon it, until she turns them back on john at his explanation. it IS a beautiful day, and it was wasted inside- that he ensured her children were tended to and cared for has her breath catching in her throat at his thoughtfulness. maybe she did deserve this- but did she deserve him? she will NOT cry, but the green of her eyes shine a little brighter as isabelle stares up at him. "more than, john." she assures him, because how could it be anything but alright when she's never felt so ... loved ... it's THAT thought that shakes her from her stupor, unwilling to delve too far deep into such a notion now- perhaps she'll dwell on it later, when he isn't at her back awaiting her. "i- i don't think i've ever had a picnic like this ..." a light confession spoken with a small but besotted smile, she moved towards the blanket with her hands dropped down to her skirts, lifting them up slightly as she turned to john still drifting backwards, her eyes narrowing at him accusingly, though there is no hint of ire on her tongue. "you spoil me."

+ . . . john couldn't imagine a world where isabelle made him miserable, especially not as they stood there, as he watched every minutiae change in her expression ( her smile and the soft rosiness that coloured her cheeks )- and he positively gleamed back at her in the light of her radiance. smile wide. eyes alight with glee. body canted towards her, just like it always seemed to do. "see," he starts, playful in his pride, "that is precisely how i knew you would say yes." it isn't. there are many reasons he didn't consider her saying no, and maybe even, one of them was because the idea of her saying no would have been despairingly heartbreaking, but mainly because neither one of them wanted to see the other miserable. this, he hopes, will make her anything but miserable. by the way she laughs as he hovers behind her john thinks he's already doing a pretty good job. his smile spreads. "i do, however, i think you are capable of a few tricks." john teases. with his free hand, he reaches down to take hers while the other remains covering her eyes. "i've got you. i will steer you with my life. you have my word." somehow, he's mastered the art of seriousness and jest in a perfect timbre. he begins to lead her down into the flat of the backyard. "careful... let me step down, and then you..." he tightens his grip on her until they're both down the stone step and then he turns her body to face what he has set up for her. the blanket from the market he'd insisted on bringing home after it was declared adoring. a wooden picnic basket. plates, to which john had set out for them. two awaiting glasses. "okay, 3, 2, 1 ..." ( he drops his hand ) "now you can peak."

+ ... eyes would roll despite their closure beneath the palm of his hand as she tilts her head towards him, as if that action alone would indicate her incredulity and her amusement at his lie- for it is a lie, and she can tell. how she knows him so well as to pick up on the unspoken nerves and worry inside him when he's given no obvious clues, she'd be best not to dwell. even as his teasing tone and the taking of her hand leaves her breathless and blushing. her smile sharpens some, the point of her teeth showing in her smirk as she hums good naturedly and gently raises one shoulder in gesture. "the only tricks i'm capable of are often well deserved ... " and john has earned none, yet. isabelle expelled a breath, accompanying a sigh, but she settles with ease, leaning back slightly into his chest and her grip on his hand delicate, but firm, squeezing with her fingers slightly. "... i trust you, john." she says quietly, genuinely, without hesitation or question. and after a hearts beat, she teases back. "even if you lack trust in me." another soft laugh slips through her lips on a puff of air as he begins to guide her, and she stills accordingly when he begs she take care- waiting patiently for him to lead her down and though she takes each step slowly, measured- she's no concern of falling. he's proven time and time again in the near year since they met that he would catch her if she did. "where are you taking me?" she queries airily, not really asking him to reveal his kept secret but the furrow of her brow she's sure he can feel under his hand gives away her curiosity. she's trying to map the path he's taking her, but she's no idea what he has planned. isabelle bit her lower lip gently, worrying it with her tongue and teeth as he turns her, and they stop. when he counts down, she hesitates for a moment after his hand falls, before blinking her eyes open. had he not already stolen her breath from her, it would surely be forfeited now as she shifts back a step into him, her eyes taking in the display set up in front of her, and when she turns her head towards john, her smile is bright. "a picnic?" as if she needs clarification. "you did this, for me? john ..."

+ . . . his eyes hone in playfully, inner corners squinted. what then indeed. perhaps he should have considered the tragedy of her refusing. perhaps he should also consider why he would in fact call that a tragedy -- a word so rich, so deep in suffering -- yet just as he had not done in part to the potential of refusal, he does not do now, and john simply shakes his head at her with a smile gripping the edges of his lips. his arm outstretches as their hands intertwine and she steps away. "well, i would simply have no other choice but to wallow in misery." john declares with a regal air of teasing. about to suggest she would never be the cause of any misery, the words trip in his mouth at their closeness. a beat, a breath. HIS GETS CAUGHT IN HIS THROAT. the smile wavers, but not to frown, rather to adoring grin. it isn't as though he plays shy when it comes to watching her. half of the time, john doesn't even know just how much time he spends taking her in. but she's mesmerizing. only a fool would not agree. he's many things. ( a fool is not one of them ) "i would, yes." john nods before he gives a little tug to her hand, pulling her back in. their faces inches apart for a brief moment before he steps around her to place his own over her eyes. from behind, his lips hover by her ear. "but how ever could i trust you not to peak now, dear isabelle?"

+ ... she beams, bright grin spreading from each corner of her lips, white teeth framed in a pale pink as isabelle shook her head fondly. "well, we can't have that-" a pause, and her grin softens. "i've no desire to see you miserable." no truer words has she spoken, none that she can recall with any ease. a still expression settles 'pon her face, frozen in time as they simply stare at each other- her smile small and serene, even as a light blush colours her cheeks. the way he looks at her ... and the space lacking between them ... and the way he tugs her towards him. isabelle's lips part with a shuddered inhale, breath hitching while she looks up at him. his eyes are so blue- when he moves behind her, and her hand is gently pried away, replaced with his own, isabelle giggled quietly. her hands fell to her stomach, where her palms lay flat and her fingers lightly curled into the fabric of her dress. "john," his name a comfort on her tongue even as she playfully protests with the turn of her head inwards- his lips at her ear gives her pause, and she stills with a sudden inhale that she holds. "... you don't trust me?" isabelle teased faintly, acutely aware of his mouth at the curve of her jaw- not quite touching, but no less intimate. her heart aches, yearns, and she knows why. "you'll have to lead. and i'll be on my very best behaviour ... no peaking."

+ … smile remains, the inner corners of her mouth accustom to it’s curvature when it comes to john- and without thought or reason or conscious effort, she leans into his touch at her side. drifting closer still with his encouragement, allowing his urging hand to guide her astray. “and if i had? refused. what then?” teasing lilt accompanied the gentle hum of mirth in the hollow of her throat as he leads her through the door, her eyes catching his as she passes, indulging her inner yearning with her own hand rising to rest against his chest, fingertips brushing his collar, trailing lightly as she moved ahead. “ah … i suppose that would defeat the purpose.” isabelle turned as she crossed the threshold, awaiting his following with her hand briefly lingering before she let it fall, only to hover over the back of his at her side. stepping away from him, she caught his hand with hers and she quirked a delicate brow upwards with a minute cant of her head. “would you have me cover my eyes?” another teasing quip, and isabelle lifted her arm to place her hand over her face, palm curving over the bridge of her nose, her eyes closing accordingly. only for a second, before she splayed her fingers and peered through the gap with a gentle smile.

i'm making my new multi today/tonight and i have made the executive decision to a. not post the url and b. not follow people from the get go. if you want the url, you're going to have to message me directly to ask for it.

my new multi is gonna have *reads notes* six kelly reilly fc muses ( five of which are ocs ) and no one can tell me no.

no one cares or asked but i'm gonna have my og kendra ( hitwoman/assassin ), my demon succubus, a dragon rider/soothsayer, a hunger games victor, and a witch twin ( with bri ) inspired by persephone and the underworld 😊

+ january interaction call ! ——— if you want a starter, please like this post. if you are a multi-muse, please specify a muse of yours or options for me to pick from, or i will write you something generic and vague. if you would like to plot prior to threading, please comment on this post with 'plot pls!' and i will message you via ims or discord. if you prefer, please send me memes- ** this will be reblogged throughout the month and then replaced with a new one next month.