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empirearchives · 4 months

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Napoleon and Water

Excerpt from the book Aaron Burr in Exile: A Pariah in Paris, 1810-1811, by Jane Merrill and John Endicott

Aaron Burr lived in Paris for 15 months, and this book goes into detail about those years living under Napoleon’s rule. This part focuses on Napoleon’s water related reforms.

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Napoleon’s fountains gave drinking water to the population, that is, children drank water, not beer. The water was free, not purchased. And the apartment would have had a separate water closet equipped with squat toilets (adopted from the Turks) and a bucket to wash it after use. Some restaurants and cafes had W.C.s, even one for ladies and one for gents. These were hooked into the sewer system that branched under each important street.

Napoleon merits points for delivering fresh water to Paris. If serving Paris with water from the d'Ourcq River by canals was not be a consummate success, Paris gained 40 new fountains, and the emperor commanded that fountains run all day (instead of a few limited hours) and that the water be free of charge.

Perhaps the most laudable of Napoleon’s policies were utilitarian city works, especially bringing clean water and sanitation to Paris. The improvements to infrastructure included new quays to prevent floods, new gutters and pavement, new aqueducts and fountains, and relocating cemeteries and slaughterhouses to the outskirts of the city. This was also a way of keeping up employment. An Austrian aristocrat in town during Napoleon’s wedding to Marie-Louise wrote his mother, in Vienna: “Nothing can give an idea of the immense projects undertaken simultaneously in Paris. The incoherence of it is incredible; one cannot imagine that the life of a single man would be enough to finish them.”

It was a tall order. Previous rulers had been aware of the problems and one big engineering initiative, a failed marvel, had been the waterworks at Marly, located on the banks of the Seine about seven miles from Paris. Louis XIV had it constructed to pump water from the river to his chateaux of Versailles and Marly. This was the machine marvel of its age, with 250 pumps that forced river water up a 500-foot rise to an aqueduct, and it was a sight Burr mentions going to see. By 1817 the “Marly machine” had deteriorated because it was made of wood, and the waterworks were abandoned.

Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve, the prominent 19th century literary critic, wrote that there had been “ten years of anarchy, sedition and laxity, during which no useful work had been undertaken, not a street had been cleaned, not a residence repaired nothing improved or cleansed.” Postrevolutionary Paris was at a nadir in terms of both the inadequate, disease-ridden water supply and the filthy streets, which were basically open sewers, deep with black mud and refuse.

“Napoleon,” writes Alistair Horne, “was obsessed by the water of Paris, and everything to do with it.”

Parisians had mostly been getting their water directly from the Seine or lining up at the scant pay fountains. In 1806, nineteen new wells for fountains were dug that flowed day and night and were free. Napoleon had a canal built 60 miles from the River Ourcq, ordering 500 men to dig it, while still a consul in 1801. It brought water to the Bassin de la Villette, opening in 1808. Some doubted the wisdom of having such an abundance of water—an oriental luxury that might incur moral decay. Now the supply of water for firefighting was also much improved. The canal had light boats, as Napoleon tried to make back some of the huge expenditure by licensing navigation, and a circular aqueduct from which underground conduits went to the central city. In 1810, there were still many water porters wheeling barrels through the city.

Now Napoleon attacked the problem of the Seine as a catchall for pollution. Parisians were so used to it that men swam naked in the river and a contemporary guidebook advised merely that the water of the Seine had no ill effects on foreigners so long as they drank it mixed with wine or a drop of vinegar. Thus houses on bridges were demolished and an immense push began to clean and modernize the city sewers.

As this book is about Aaron Burr, here is section about Burr taking inspiration by a new water related invention during his time in Paris:

Remarkably for someone who was very aware of his health, he never complained of the water. He did, however, take an interest in an invention to make it easier to dig a well. When the inventor of a process to make vinegar from the sap of any tree was not in his shop, Burr and a friend, “Crede”, went to see another invention: “We went then to see Mons. Cagniard, and his new invention of raising water and performing any mechanical operation. His apparatus is a screw of Archimedes turned the reverse, air, water, and quick silver. Cagniard was abroad; but we saw a model, and worked it, and got the report of a committee of the Institute on the subject. If the thing performs what is said I will apply it to give water to Charleston.”

[Bold italics for quotations by me]

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thingsmk1120sayz · 11 days

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#hockey #Ryan O'Reilly #Nashville Predators #John Marino #Jon Merrill #New Jersey Devils #Wild #Minnesota Wild #NHL

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scarfacemarston · 1 month

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Going on a trip tomorrow that I really don't want to go on. Spam me!

It can be anything. Headcanon requests, prompts, meta questions, history questions, just anything. It sucks because it's me going from my toxic household to visit more toxic family. They're super MAGA..........I'm a queer disabled adopted immigrant so you can imagine how that goes. Anyway, send me anything! Tagging for visibility and what I'll write for. I can't fit many tags so if you don't see your fave character, ask anyway!

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jeanharlowshair · 5 months

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Motion Picture Magazine, August 1940.

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politicaldilfs · 3 months

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New Hampshire Governor DILFs (Vol. 3)

#John Lynch #John H. Sununu #Judd Gregg #Hugh Gallen #Meldrim Thompson Jr.#Steve Merrill #Chris Sununu #GovernorDILFs

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brokehorrorfan · 1 month

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Sci-Fi Chillers Collection will be released on May 21 via Kino Lorber. The Blu-ray set features three sci-fi/horror films: The Unknown Terror, The Colossus of New York, and Destination Inner Space.

1957's The Unknown Terror is directed by Charles Marquis Warren and written by Kenneth Higgins. John Howard, Mala Powers, Paul Richards, and May Wynn star.

1958's The Colossus of New York is directed by Eugène Lourié (The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms) and written by Thelma Schnee, based on a short story by Ray Bradbury. Paul Christian, Paula Raymond, Cecil Kellaway, and Kenneth Tobey star.

1966's Destination Inner Space is directed by Francis D. Lyon and written by Arthur C. Pierce. Scott Brady, Gary Merrill, Sheree North, and Wende Wagner star.

All three films have been have been scanned in 4K by Paramount Pictures. Special features are listed below.

Special features:

The Unknown Terror audio commentary by film historian Stephen Bissette (new)

The Colossus of New York audio commentary by film historians Tom Weaver, Larry Blamire, and Ron Adams

Destination Inner Space audio commentary by film historians David Del Valle and Stan Shaffer

The Colossus of New York interview with film historians Tim Lucas and Steven Bissette

Destination Inner Space interview with film historians Tim Lucas and Steven Bissette

The Colossus of New York theatrical trailer

In The Unknown Terror, a millionaire (John Howard) leads a remote jungle expedition to find the legendary “Cave of the Dead” where his wife’s (Mala Powers) brother had disappeared long ago. Instead, they stumble upon a mad doctor who has created a horde of foam-spewing, fungus-covered monster-men. In The Colossus of New York, when a brilliant scientist (Ross Martin) is accidentally killed, his preserved brain is transferred to the body of a giant robot so that it can continue to serve mankind. But when it gains awareness of its own hideousness, this steel colossus embarks on a rampage of destruction. In Destination Inner Space, when an object of unknown origin is detected in the area of an underwater laboratory, scientists investigate and come face to face with the object—an extraterrestrial saucer! They board the craft and discover a mysterious cylinder, which they take back to the lab for closer inspection. It is then that events take a monstrous turn!

Pre-order Sci-Fi Chillers Collection.

#the unknown terror #the colossus of new york #destinaton inner space #sci fi #science fiction #kino lorber #dvd #gift #50s sci fi #1950s sci fi #ray bradbury #john howard #scott brady #mala powers #gary merrill

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70sscifiart · 2 years

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John Schoenherr, 1962, cover for ‘The Tomorrow People,’ by Judith Merril

#Judith Merril #John Schoenherr #1962

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michael-after-hours · 1 year

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First Time for Everything

Summary: Ace Merrill isn't unlike everyone else in aspects of he's always had a first time for everything in his life, even if he tries so hard to deny he ever had a first experience with anything.

His most recent and jarring experience is with Richard 'Eyeball' Chambers, his best friend and the real leader of their little gang.

Warning: mentions of past child abuse and child neglect, underage drinking and smoking(it's stand by me we should know these fellas aren't quite adults yet) homophobic language (it's like the 50s), Ace being a typical asshole, mental breakdowns. Mentions of self-harm, and mentions of losing a loved one. Child abuse, bullying, it... it's ace merrill...he can only be oh-so nice.

Notes: I just think they're kinda fruity✨

Ace Merrill always had his issues, his ups and downs, highs and lows in life. While contradictory to what he spews and boast, he's fallen on his ass screaming and crying for help more times than he has tripped and walked it off.

Ace was only five years old when he was back handed by his father for "Being too loud". He still feels the sting of it, how he fell to the ground and a ways away from his father.

He remembers his mother rushing to pick him up and scolding his father only for her to get back handed as well and take Ace with her to his bedroom. That was the first time he was ever back handed.

Ace was only eight when he was picked up by his pants and nap of his shirt, then chunked into the water by an older cousin.

He couldn't swim yet and was trying to teach himself to fish while at a lake house of a relatives for the thanksgiving holidays. Screaming and crying, wailing gasping on water.

He went under three times and only came up a fourth time after an Uncle jumped in to get him. He was eight the first time he nearly drowned, and thankfully the last time.

Ace was ten when he was left at school alone for three hours. His mother was in the hospital due to sickness, and his father off too drunk to remember to pick him up.

He told the ladies at the front office someone was coming to get him, and he didn't need to ride the bus home...only to walk the long long walk home.

It was a crisp autumn evening, the sun vanishing quickly and the walk to his house had no lights and he didn't have anything to ride home on.

Hot wet tears stained his face that day he dragged himself home, scared, alone and hungry and let himself in the house that was left abandoned for the night. He was ten the firs time that happened, but it wouldn't be the last.

Ace was thirteen when he was offered a ride home during winter.

A boy named Richard Chambers, a smile that was so warm it could've melted the snow, and a laugh so intoxicating it made Ace smile.

He rode a little bicycle, ruby red, an "Early Christmas gift" from his relatives down south who couldn't make the trip this year for him. It has room for someone to stand on the back.

"I normally take my little brother home, but he went home with some friends, and you live near me!" He happily told him.

Ace gladly accepted the offer and held on tight to Richard as they went up and down the large hills. Ace basked in how it felt like they were gliding, flying down the long stretches of hills and oh how he and Richard laughed and ran out of breath when they got to Ace's house. He was thirteen when he made his first ever friend.

Ace was fifteen when he experienced his first major loss in life. His mother passed away from her illness.

Ace didn't actually know what she passed away from, none of them really did. She would get more clumsy and forgetful, pass out more and more, nearly caught the house on fire....

The doctors said it was a stress induced illness. so ace took it upon himself to help her more. he learned to cook, clean, do laundry, wash dishes properly, how to keep the house tidy, and do his school work, and have dinner done in time for his lousy father to get home.

The stress free environment was never stress free however, since his father loved using him and his Mother as his punching bags after a bad day, and everyday was a bad day to that man.Ace swears he put his mother in an early grave, and he was fifteen when he lost the only person to ever protect him, he was fifteen when he vowed to hurt his father for taking away his mother. It was the first time he ever lost someone he truly loved.

Ace was fifteen when Richard joined him at the funeral. It was spring and beautiful, the perfect time for his mother to pass. "You said she always did love spring, now she'll be immortalized in it." Richard told Ace.

"What do you mean?" he croaked out, voice weak from the crying he'd been doing for the past week.

"On you know, every time you think of her, you'll think of spring, and how beautiful it is, and how nice the flowers are....That's what I do when I think of my aunt, the flowers of spring on her grave.." Richard always had a way with words, and the words made Ace cry again, and just as the fresh tears fell from his face and a sob broke out of his mouth and echoed in the still silence of the funeral, you could hear thunder and the sound of rain starting to pour down on the church while Ace wailed his heart out for his Mother. The stormy gloomy weather matching his mood. It was the first time he felt a hole in his heart and wailed until he couldn't talk.

Ace was sixteen when he learned how to replace a razor blade on his shaving razors. Ace learned quick how sharp they are and how you have to be careful with them, or how you can easily hurt yourself by accident on them. He learned that pants covered up bruises and cuts, and during the winter months when he dawns long sleeves for warmth no one questions it.

Ace learned that the thighs were the best and easiest place to cut, and how to pinch the skin. He learned having a scolding hot shower or bath that turned him a pretty pink made him bleed more. He learned the relaxation that would come with hurting himself. He was seventeen when he hurt himself to feel a litlte something. It was the first but not the last time he hurt himself on purpose.

Ace was seventeen when he felt the world collapse beneath him. He was told to get his shit together or it was off to the military with him by his Father's wrathful hands.

He discovered the joys of drinking, and smoking not just a month earlier, along with the joy of cutting and stabbing. He was seventeen when his father broke a bottle over his head and pushed Ace out of the house.

He was seventeen when his father pushed him out of a moving car at night and made Ace limp home.

He was seventeen when Richard found him....crying by the lake, and offered him his hand and a shoulder to cry on.

Ace was seventeen when his father skipped town suddenly, leaving Ace to live home alone, and with his uncle....who ran the junkyard. He was seventeen when he stabbed someone, and did a damn good job of hiding the body.

It was the first time he killed someone, and hopefully the last.

Ace was Eighteen when life got better again. Richard had formed a gang, or as he called it "A group of the local outcast Ace" and outcast they were.

Drinking, stealing, threatening, vandalizing, raising hell and smoking a pack a day nearly. They all got names that weren't their own. Ace was no one, he was John Merrill, but now? Now he was Ace...

He was special, everyone wanted an Ace for a full deck of cards, people would love and adore Ace. He was Ace Merrill, and he kicked Richard off the pedestal of leader and appointed himself the new leader, calling Richar, "Eyeball". Why? His eyes did this adorable twitch, that made Ace chuckle every time he watched his eyes wiffle and droop, twitch and make him shake his head.

He was eighteen when the cobra gang formed. It was the first time he felt alive.

Ace was eighteen again when he got a girlfriend. She only lasted about a month? Maybe two...Ace kept her around as eye candy, she was some cheerleader chick the guys bragged about who gave good favors in return for cigarettes and booz.

She was hung up on Ace like he hung the moon itself but he couldn't stand her in his lap. Or how she giggled, he hated her, she filled him with a blind rage so much so he back handed her in front of everyone one night. Screaming at her to "SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH!!" Well she didn't like that and broke up with him, and none of the guys really agreed with it. He didn't care he brushed it off.....

Until Richard pointed it out. "Ace...hey man....your acting like my dad..." His dad, Mr Fucking Chambers....no better than Ace's now dead and gone dad. Ace thinks thats the first time he really truly felt bad for hurting someone, if only due to it concerned tone from Richard.

Ace was on his seventh bottle of beer and nearly done with his pack of cigarettes when he realized how shaky he felt. How he couldn't breath, how the world spinning and seemed loud around him.

How his skin felt tight and how nothing felt like he was really there and living.

The cold air of autumn felt colder than before but welcoming, and he felt hot and sweaty, he fell off the porch steps he was on and stumbled around aimlessly before falling to his knees, unaware and oblivious to his surroundings. Ace could feel himself breathing heavy as his heart pounded in his ears before he felt like he was puking out sobs with how they didn't want to come out.

Gagging and choking on them before he wailed and screamed. He still doesn't know why just that he had clawed at his arms so badly they were red and a few spots bloodied. He remembers the coldness of that night and then the warmth and reassurance of being rocked and soothed. He couldn't breath until later and apologized profusely. It was his first, and not his last breakdown.

It wasn't until the cold harsh winter that would cover the ground in snow rolled around that Ace had to dial a lot of things back and realize a few things. He and the boys....

Didn't ever do anything during winter. Spring thought mid Autumn was their peak rebellion time, of being horrible. Winter? No one wanted to get to wild, they drank more and smoked more, flirted more and went out to diners and stole a bit more on occasion, but mostly it was a "Buckle down for school" time sadly.

Ace...ace wasn't doing good in school. How bad was it? .....He was getting by with the skin of his teeth levels bad. So here he was at the kitchen table, getting tutored from Richard in math and biology.

"So you have reading down, and spelling, history is perfect...Hey you should do that!" Richard was going through the study rubric of what all Ace was good with, so far he sucked ass with math and biology. "Do what?" Ace spoke dryly as he got up for a beer, popping the cap off as it fell onto the counter with a little tink sound.

"Go do something with history! You love the stuff, even when Mrs Johnson says your being a lazy screw off you pop off to her the right stuff! Stuff we never even know about!" Richard had that beautiful warm smile that got Ace to crack a small one before slumping in his chair.

It was the first time he considered life outside of Castlerock.

Winter break rolled around, and ace Somehow passed midterms of "See what you know" with flying colours except in math. His biology improved! But...math still suffered severely he didn't care much though. "So why are you so good with history and reading anyways Ace? Of all the things, i'd always expect you to be bad at those...no offence."

Richard always spoke the truth when it was just the two of them, and while they were once again at Ace's house, this time he was making homemade hot chocolate, yes homemade hot chocolate, for the two of them, it felt...odd. "Hmm? Oh uhhh...mom, she always...She always read big books to me, and would hold me as we listened to those radio dramas you know.." He vaguely explained as he stirred the pot holding the warm coco.

"You never talk about her...she was so sweet, why dont you talk about her Ace?" Richard seemed genuinely curious, and Ace couldn't fault him nor blame him for that. He didn't say anything just poured the hot coco into two mugs for them both, it wasn't until after he poured them he realized it was the quote on quote 'wedding' mugs his mom got for her and his father, back when they were happily married that is.

It was just matching mugs, Something with flowers...If you placed the mugs just so, next to each other it would make a cute heart.

"I just...She was...I just don't like living in the past." He stated. "You barely live in the now Ace...it doesn't hurt to talk about the past I mean..don't you ever wonder where your dad is?" Ace snapped, he didn't even mean to he just did. "HE'S IN THE GROUND WHERE HE BELONGS!" A loud bang on the table, shaking it as some coco swirled, then spilled over the sides, and a choked gasping cry left him as he covered his mouth shaking.

"...John....Hey...I'm sure that's true but...It's okay, he deserves it...come here." Ace wasn't budging and so Richard pulled the chair to him, the sound echoed in the house as it skid across the hardwood floors, and stopped when he was thigh to thigh with Richard. It was the first time he talked about his past, but not the last.

on one of them..his first one, the rest he neglected, or shoved off and away until they left him.

"Yeah im gonna get heeaaad~!!!" This made both of the boys burst into side holding laughter. Barely able to contain themselves from such a shit joke about getting head from some chick. "Okey, okey, really tho...like making out...you gonna kiss her?" Ace got slightly serious after their fit of laughter.

"....Ace I don't know how to kiss a girl.." This took Ace aback. He always thought Richard was more of a ladies man...least he saw him as such. He was handsome, sweet, a bit of well a dick at times but that added to his charm Ace felt. "Oh...that's okey, I haven't either." He foolishly confessed to him.

"You've had more girlfriends than me and haven't even kissed one!! HA! Fucking fairy!" Richard was laughing hysterically again as tears pricked the corners of his eyes. "Hey! Your one to talk! Least I've had some! You barely got the town whore to kiss your cheek! Fucking Jennett McNEeeeerrrr that CUNT what a biitch.." This earned Ace the pleasant sound of Richard wheezing from laughter, and Ace was going him soon after.

"FUuuck mee! Oh Ace...fuck man, uggh...okey...I have an idea though...why not practice on eachother?" Ace burst into more fits of laughter until his eyes fully fell on Richard who seemed dead serious and had that sly grin on his face.

"...Really? Thats faggy.." He stated taking another swig from his bottle. "Yeah, and? You wanna be good at kissing girls? What are you a pansy?" Without a moment's notice Ace took another swig of his drink and launched himself at Richard.

Half on him, half off, hands cupping his face as he pulled him towards him and littered sloppy breathless kisses all over his lips. Richard joined quickly as he dropped his bottle and pushed Ace on the grass cupping the blond's face as he moaned and whined into the kiss. It went on for what felt like hours but it quickly died when they pulled away for air. "You taste really good..." Richard breathed out. "Yeah you too..." Ace returned to him, panting and realizing they had a lot saliva over their lips and face. Seems they were a bit messy with this whole kissing thing.

"Wanna go again?" Richard barely had time to gather himself before Ace was back ontop him kissing him deeply and letting a few giggles escape them both as they started tussling on the grass.

It was a month til Summer, and just four days before Graduation. Ace was sitting in the Principles office, leg bouncing up and down as his right hand covered his mouth, the other held a death grip on his bag.

Something about his grades and passing, he was terrified. He didnt want to be held back again, he dididn'tant to be alone again, he dididn'tant to deal with any of them at all.

"Merrill John? Come here now please" Oh he felt sick, he could feel his lunch wanting to come out the way it went down. He felt sweaty yet was freezing to death, his heart was pounding, and his breaths were severely uneven.

"So John, take a seat," He fell into the chair in the small office. Looking around seeing normal things. Books, files, couple plants, small trinkets, normal office no different than the counsellors. "So You have been doing wonderful in History, as well as English which is good! Your Science/biology has greatly improved to where your passing.....now your math." Oh god.

Oh god no, not the math, it cant be that of all fucking things, MATH!? That will be his downfall he SWEARS! MATH! OF ALL THINGS!!!

"It's still quite low, but the good news is-" He didnt hear the Principle, he already dropped his bag and pulled the trashcan that was in his office to vomit into. Gagging a few time before his lunch came up.

"Christ almighty Merrill! Now! Do you need the nurse before we continue? John! God son calm down, your not failing!! You passed math! The grading period is done! You passed!! Your extra curricular dont count towards graduating calm down!!! Go To the nurse! Take the can with you!!" Ace gave an extremely weak nod before puking again, he couldn't help it sadly. All this stress, all this anxiety and worry came out in the form of him sweating and puking, better than crying and weeping he supposed.

He did get to lay down for a bit in the Nurse's office with an ice pack, so that was nice, and Richard took him out as congratulations for passing math finally.

"Took you til graduation but hey! You made it!!"

He did..he did make it didnt he?

Graduation went as well as anyone could have predicted. Which was shockingly well! Ace wasn't even the trouble maker there! It was some other guy named Adam....who thought it would be funny to steal a few awards and hide them, making everyone sit around for an extra hour.

Ace and Richard didnt mind, sneaking close to eachother to talk and make fun of everyone, already reminiscing about thier prom that they barely attended, and what all they would be doing after graduating.

"thinking about getting a job out of town maybe...or in town and moving one day." Richard told him. "Yeah? sounds good...sounds good..." Ace told him. "What about you Ace?" "Hmmm? Oh uhh...I dont know...maybe work at the mechanics shop for a bit...." He wanted to go with Richard, where he went he wanted to follow, where he would go he wanted to be there with him. Where Richard went he wanted to be there home, to welcome him, or vise vera.

"Im gonna miss our study days.." Ace weakly confessed. "Dont have to! Might go to college and we can help eachother!" Collage...he forgot all about that, college...oh what would he do with College? What would he go to school for.. "Heh..yeah college..yeah...." the conversation ended quickly after as everyone was ushered into the Gymnazium where graduation was being held.

Richard passed with a very high score, all things considered, and Ace passed with an Honors in history and english...

He passed with honours in two of his classes...

The summer was hot as always, even when it was heading back into fall, but while speeding down a strip of the well known and worn path of Castlerock, hte Cobra gang was once again rasing hell for one last time, yelling, screaming, causing hell for one last time.

Why the last time? Well Ace was starting work soon, as was Richard, and they found a college the next town over, offered dormitories, and thier work would be in that town. So this was the last time to raise hell before making the long drives to work and start college.

The summer was full of swimming, fun, fights, more theft, and of course, Richard and Ace being together constantly. That brat of Richard's brother even joined them a few times.

As the day was winding down to a final end, and everyone was dropped off, Richard stuck with Ace walking with him to his house. "So...You wanna admit it?" He asked out of the blue. "Admit what?" Ace sounded confused as he said this. "Admit that your a homo, a fairy like my brother teased you about~" Ace could deal with meny meny things, but Richard getting that chim in his voice? He couldn't ever deal with it. "NO! Im not!! Fucking door won't open!" Ace always fumbled whenever Richard made him flustered, he couldn't help it the guy had him wrapped around him like string.

"Come onnn~ Admit it Acey!" He leaned against the door nearly pinning Ace against the door as he gave him a quick little kiss.

"Im not!!" Ace finally got the door open and rushed inside with Richard following closely behind. "I think you are! We always make out! Kiss! I know you've gotten off to me and well come on what guys moan each others names and give each other hand jobs Ace!?!" Richard had a very valid point to all that..

"Its not! Its! Its not! Not!!! Its only faggy if you fuck another guy!!" Ace was red now. "Oh so you giving me head in the car at lovers peak doesn't mean anything~" Oh he had a point.. "NO! IT! No it doesn't!! You have to...to penetrate them...you know...like with girls.." Ace told him.

"Well i mean...we got time, got all night, next week we start getting ready for collage~ dont see why not...Come onnn John!!" Ace didnt sya anything he just stared at a spot on the floor while leaning up against the wall. He wasn't expecting this tonight.

"I dont know..." He softly spoke out. "I'll be gentle! i wont hurt you!" "Yeah but we dont even know how to do that! Why do you think we've stuck with hand jobs! And Whos gonna penetrate who Dick!" Ace was yelling and more scared and anxious than anything, "How about I take care of you on the bed doll~" "NO! Not tonight no!! fucking goddamn whisky always makes you a horndog!" It didnt take Ace long to march upstairs to his room.

"There's a first for eveything you know Richard..." Ace sighed out and laid by Richard. Both glowing in the aftermath of thier orgasms, thier first, penetrate orgasm at that. "Yeah...yeah there is....fuck..." Ace recovered fairly fast from his orgasm, and was smoking, while Richard laid our catching his breath. "What do you mena theres a first for eveything?" Richard asked him. "Oh you know....first time to fall, first time to hurt yourself, first time to....lose someone..first time to...smoke, to drink, to nearly drown, to kill, to...to everything." He had a sour taste in his mouth suddenly. "First time to love~ First time to fall in love and last time, first time to kiss the most handsome guy in all of Castlerock, first time to moan your name and you mine, first time to go on a date, first time to cuddle~" Richard was curling up on Ace dragging him down to get him to go to bed with him and put his cigarette out.

Ace gave in and put it out before cosying up against Richard in the bed.

There really was a first for everything wasn't there?

#stand by me #ace merrill #stand by me fanfic #ace merrill fanfic #fic #ace x eyeballs #ace x richard #i dont remember their weirdly cutesy shipname....#not beta read at alllll #kiefer fans come get yalls JUICE #kiefer sutherland #i want this fic SEEN DAMNIT #fact! ace merrils name is john...and he was only 16 when he tormented the bkys in the film!! i had lkts to do and go off of✨️✨️

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rabbitcruiser · 1 year

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When the John Hancock Center (now 875 North Michigan Avenue) topped out on May 6, 1968, it was the second tallest building in the world and the tallest outside New York City.

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hollyand-writes · 9 months

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WIP WHENEVER

I was tagged in various WIP Wednesdays / Whenevers / WIP Games in the last few months by @barbex, @starsandskies, @aria-i-adagio, @ziskandra, @pinkfadespirit, @a-shakespearean-in-paris, @little--abyss and others too – I'm so sorry I've been so slow!

I can't share my art/fic WIPs for the Dragon Age Reverse Big Bang, so.... I'm sharing a snippet from Chapter 57 of the Regency AU Carver/Merrill fic "A Chance Engagement", which I'm hoping to publish on AO3 soon 🥺

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‘I will miss you!’ Merrill cried as she hugged her friend, taking Miss Hawke so much by surprise that the latter dropped the folded letter she had been holding. ‘Oh! I am so sorry, Miss Hawke – let me get that for you—’ and here Merrill bent down to pick up the parchment that had floated to the floor; Miss Hawke had bent down for it too; but, in her nervousness at having done something wrong again, Merrill was quicker. As she picked up the sheet of paper, which was full with Miss Hawke’s handwriting, Merrill caught sight of the words: I will submit to any thing you may command me—but cease to respect, to love and adore you, I never can or will.

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I tag everyone who tagged me, as well as.... um.... @mikkeneko, @hechizero-emplumado, @faux-fires, @jentrevellan, @charlatron, @illusivesoul, @amarmeme and anyone else who sees this and wants to do this. No pressure, of course! ❤️

(Yes, I messed around in Procreate for the banner image above LOL)

#hollyand writes #WIP whenever #dragon age 2 #merrill #Regency!AU #dragon age #Regency AU #fun fact: that last line was from a real love letter from 1816 – from the painter John Constable to Maria Bicknell #i just thought it was very romantic and wanted to include it #WHO COULD MISS HAWKE POSSIBLY BE WRITING TO

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l3irdl3rain · 4 months

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woke up to varying shades of orange all lined up

#my post #Merrill #John #Kenny

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motionless-friction · 2 years

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Is it bad that I like him twisted and dangerous?

I like him dangerous, and even though he'll probably get me killed, I don't care. I don't want to change him, I need him this way, I need him to ruin my life even more than I already have. 🥺

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countrymusiclover · 1 year

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29 - The Ranch Legacy

Part 30

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @artoldfartsandunicornhearts @hcwthewestwaswcn

"Mom, can I ask you something. It's about me and Carter?" Turning my head in the direction of the sound of my daughter's voice, I stopped brushing the hair of my horse when she walked up to me.

Sitting the brush down I sat my hat down on the hook on the wall leaning my back against the wall focusing my attention on her. "Sure anything baby girl. What's going on. Will I need to get your father involved?"

"No not dad please. He'll just make a threat or something and I don't want that." She explained tipping her tan hat up with her hair falling over her shoulders looking like the girl version of her father more and more everyday.

Chuckling with a smile on my face. "Oh I think the threats were hinted at by the wall of shotguns in the kitchen when he first arrived here. Anyway what about you two hmm?"

"He wants to take me out for ice cream when he finishes work for the day. Can I go?" Bree asked me to intertwine her hands together begging like she was still a child.

Nodding my head yes towards her I could barely get the sentence out. "Yes, you can go. Just be back before-" I grunted, catching her arms flinging around my neck and her giggling in my ear before rushing outside to go find him.

Shaking my head I opened the door leading my horse outside by the reins stepping outside seeing my husband helping Rip with the cattle. Rip had set up a team to move the cattle off the ranch and somewhere else since they almost got sick from the grass here. I was about to climb on my horse and go for a ride until John came over wearing a suit and tie since he was going to meet the leader of the Indian reservation about something. "Y/n, can I talk to you about something?"

"Yeah John. Do you need me and Kayce to go with the others?" I asked, holding my dark cowgirl hat in my hands. Leaning against the wooden fence looking up at my father in law.

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his suit wearing his typical black cowboy hat too. "I need to ask Kayce and you something while I'm gone. And no you don't have to go with them. It's the opposite, actually I need you and Kayce to stay here. Someone always needs to be here at this place. Otherwise this ranch won't be here for your children. For Bree, Tate, Elsa and Dallas."

"You never have to ask us, especially me to stay , John. I gave you my loyalty years ago when I came here and you offered me a place in your home when I was pregnant with Bree. The only thing I regret is that I didn't do this sooner." Pulling part of my shirt down I showed him the brand on my chest that was now healed and not beating red. "This ranch is my family. It always will be."

John smiled seeing Kayce come over to me wearing his tan shirt and black hat which is the same exact outfit he wore the day we met. "East camp. There's an old house there that needs a little work, but it's yours if you'll take it." He paused, resting a hand on my shoulder. "I can't give this ranch to my grandchildren if it's not here and I don't want that nightmare to ever come to the surface."

"Anything you need, dad. We'll be here." Kayce came up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist resting his chin on my shoulder eyeing his father.

Intertwining my hands over his I smiled leaning against his chest savoring the feeling of being like this. We usually get so little moments anymore. "I've been a Dutton at heart from the day I met this guy."

"Momma, Dallas won't get me back my pony!" The front door opened and we heard Elsa hollering through the property.

Dallas came outside sticking his tongue out towards her. "I'll tell Auntie Beth on you. You know that you can't call all the ponies Evelyn!"

John chuckled, waving bye to us heading towards his governor car driving off leaving us alone to deal with the twins. Kayce nuzzled his head into my hair kissing the crown of my head. "How about you go riding? I'll handle the two rascals." He tilted his head towards the front porch offering me his right hand helping me up onto my horse even though I was fully capable on my own.

"Thanks Kayc. Don’t forget to remind me them that the wrath of auntie Beth is much worse than any punishment we give.” I clicked my tongue, getting the horse to slowly start running as I called over my shoulder back to him. “Oh and I love you!”

He chuckled with a dorky smile on his face waving back to me. “I love you too, darlin’.” He walked towards the house as I focused my attention in front of me feeling the wind blowing through my hair. When I stepped onto this ranch with my parents to introduce ourselves to our neighbors I never imagined that I would have found the love of my life too.

It was almost dark by the time I returned to the main house of the ranch. Entering the barn I dismounted my horse before removing my ant running my fingers through my hair tousling it a little bit. Putting my horse up it was gonna be weird not having everyone here for awhile. But the life of a rancher was never an easy one. Entering the front door I gasped seeing a paper flower trail at my feet leading me into the living room. Standing in front of the fireplace was my husband holding a guitar in his hands smiling nervously at me. “I’ll take the shock on your face as a good sign homey.”

“Kayce, what is all this. Not that I am not enjoying this view but what is the occasion. Our anniversary is still a few months away.” I giggled walking around the couch taking a seat in front of him resting my hands on my knees removing my hat in the process.

He smiled, messing with something on the guitar staring longingly at me. “The twins made the flower trail on their way to bed. But this was my idea. I just thought we’ve been so concerned with the legacy of the ranch that we need a second to focus on our legacy. The legacy of me and you. Because I am absolutely overwhelmed with you by my side sometimes so listen to this.”

Kayce started strumming his fingers across the strings and I grin ear to ear the way he is at this moment. No stress without his hat allowing his natural curls to run free on top of his head. “I'd be spinnin' my wheels goin' nowhere fast. Pocket full of sorrys and an empty glass. All hat and no cattle and some tumbleweed boots. I'd be blowin' in the wind if I didn't have you. I'd be a drunk without a drink to drink. A guitar with a broken string. Without you, I'd be a fallin' star without a midnight sky. A cowboy with no horse to ride. I'd be drivin' in the dark with no headlights on. On a one way highway that didn't go home. I'd have to borrow from the devil just to pay my dues. I'd have nothin' worth havin' if I didn't have you. Be a drunk without a drink to drink. A guitar with a broken string. Without you, I'd be a fallin' star without a midnight sky. I'd be a train runnin' out of tracks. Missin' pages in a paperback. Without you, I'd be the kind of lost that's hard to find. Walkin' through this world a liar. A cowboy with no horse to ride."

Jumping up to my feet I was crying happy tears when he sat the guitar on the ground catching my body when I fling myself into his muscular arms. He buries his face into my shoulder muffling my giggle with his own laughter. He spins us around for a few seconds finally sitting my boots back on the floor cradling my face in his hands. “I love you Y/n Dutton, I always will. I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t have you by my side.”

“I love you Kayce. I have since the first day we met.” Draping my arms over his shoulders I leaned up on my toes kissing the cowboy in front of me deeply. He deepened it, tugging me up against his chest, smiling at me. “The legacy of this ranch couldn’t be in any safer hands than ours, cowboy.”

Comments really appreciated ❤️ Since we aren't getting anymore episodes for awhile send me any ideas of what you would like to see next and I'll see if I can update this book again

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