Dream a Little Dream of Me

Thank you to the lovely, lovely Barris fandom community for cheering me on with each and every drawing (and helping me find references every now and then) 💙

Chapter 1 Chapter Text

Chapter 2 Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

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What's poor Richard sad about? I have no idea, but at least he has his Thomas!

Chapter 3 Chapter Text

Chapter 4 Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

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Notes:

I have no idea what they're doing but they should get to be goofy once in a while :D

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EffervescentYellow on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 02:49AM UTC

WHAT this is incredible. their FACES! <3

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:42PM UTC
  
  Thank you!!
  
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Ariel_Tempest on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 05:05AM UTC

YAY! More arts!

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:42PM UTC
  
  More arts indeed! Glad to see you are still enjoying them!
  
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T&RFan (Guest) on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 05:38AM UTC

ahhhh beautiful thanks so much for sharing your wonderful talent with us! [my HC for this drawing is that even though they are in an established r'ship, Richard is still as smitten as he was day 1 of the Royal visit! and he is also more of a morning person than Thomas!!]

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:41PM UTC
  
  Thank you for your sweet comment!! 💙✨I totally share the HC that Richard is the morning person and Thomas likes to sleep in 😆 I have no idea why, but it just seems to fit them.
  
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Naevery on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 07:35PM UTC

I love this drawing so much! Richard's face, that smitten, loving, adoring expression, just does me in! I love the way his hair curls at the front, both generally speaking, but also in regards to what it implies about what might have happened earlier that night, and also just that added sense of him also being able to let loose (in every sense of the word) with Thomas. I also just adore his neck, collarbone and shoulder here!
And Thomas of course! I'm just so impressed with how you manage to get his profile down so perfectly! And the hair, too! I love his oblivious, peaceful expression and completely relaxed position. I love that his hand is bare and the implication that he no longer feels like hiding it from Richard (I also think you did such a great job with the scar). There's just such warmth, comfort and coziness in this picture and it makes me so happy to think of them this way!
I'm also really impressed with your ability to draw pillows and blankets, I feel like that's got to be tough, with the shadows and folds and all. And I also really love how the background is blank, I think I might have mentioned this the first time, but I just really love how it gives off this impression that this bed is their whole world at that moment, and that just adds to the overall sense of safety and togetherness.
Everything about this picture is just so wonderful, thank you so much for sharing it!

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:40PM UTC
  
  Elaborate comments like this are SUCH a treat 🥺🥰💙 Finding out which details you notice just gets me every time... sometimes you put things into words that I didn't even think about but that totally apply. For instance, I drew Richard's hair curling like that because of course it would be a little mussed when he's in bed... but it does also communicate that he's feeling relaxed and able to let loose in Thomas' presence.
  And I'm really glad the blank background gives off that cozy, cocooned feeling! Leaving things purposefully unfinished and using blank space and placement on the paper to add to the vibe is something that I'm still learning to do. I'm so happy I'm getting somewhere with it.
  Thank you so so much for this sweet comment, I really appreciate it! 💙
  
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2. 1. Naevery on Chapter 1 Thu 05 Jan 2023 09:11PM UTC
    
    Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a kind reply! I feel like every time I see a picture of yours, I notice something new, they're always so incredibly multi-layered, so rich in beauty, emotion and meaning. I can't imagine ever growing tired of looking at them.
    I unfortunately have no idea about art myself, but I really think that purposefully blank background works so well to support and highlight the focus of the picture.
    
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  2. 1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Thu 05 Jan 2023 10:14PM UTC
      
      You say you have no idea about art, but I love the way you're able to talk about it and put the components of it into words! And I'm very happy you deem my stuff worthy of that attention ✨💙
      
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    2. 1. Naevery on Chapter 1 Sat 07 Jan 2023 08:22PM UTC
        
        You are so sweet! That's so kind of you to say! And your artworks are so wonderful that it's both a joy and an honour getting to look at them!
        
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JellybeanlovesBarris on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:24PM UTC

Having seen all your lovely art on Discord, I think this is my favourite, the likeness to the boys is stunning.I
The scene sums Barris up perfectly ~ there is so much love, intimacy and trust here💙.
Can't decide if this is post coitus or just waking up or both 😂.

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:31PM UTC
  
  Thank you very much 💙🌛 I'm just glad it hasn't become boring to see the same stuff all over again 😂
  
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51stcenturygirl on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 11:43PM UTC

Omg this is perfect, I'm not actually sure which word to use to describe it! It's incredible. Where do I see more of these art pieces cause I'd love to?!

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Wed 04 Jan 2023 10:06PM UTC
  
  Ah, thank you, you're so kind 🥺✨ I post fanart sporadically on here and on tumblr... There's still the drawings from Barris Week 22, though those are in a bit of a different style 😅
  
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Jolie_Black on Chapter 1 Mon 30 Jan 2023 08:29AM UTC

This is so sweet! I can't decide if this is Early Bird Richard watching his Thomas still asleep in the morning, or if they're both awake and just taking it easy. Thomas looks so peaceful and so like a child, in that way adults sometimes do when they're sleeping or very sleepy. And Richard is so besotted. Can't blame the poor fellow though.
Also their respective hair is exquisite. So recognisable.

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 1 Mon 30 Jan 2023 09:36PM UTC
  
  Might I raise the third option of Thomas having been the first to fall asleep that night and Richard just taking a moment to make the soppiest heart eyes before he too goes to sleep? It could be any and all of them really... whichever strikes your fancy 😘
  Thomas looks so peaceful and so like a child, in that way adults sometimes do when they're sleeping or very sleepy.
  Still not over the fact that the ADORABLE sleepy Rob gif I used for reference was from the show where he is an absolute douchebag of an antagonist. And YET, he looks so young and sweet when he's all cozy in bed like that...
  
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JellybeanlovesBarris on Chapter 2 Fri 06 Jan 2023 10:29PM UTC

Oh No~ has my boy had a nightmare?.
Stunning once again ~ love, tenderness, support and empathy💙💙

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 2 Fri 06 Jan 2023 10:44PM UTC
  
  A nightmare in which he got married and Thomas ran away to America brokenhearted, maybe? 🧂Luckily he woke up and all is well 😉👌
  Thank you dear 💙
  
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T&RFan (Guest) on Chapter 2 Sat 07 Jan 2023 05:56AM UTC

I LOVE this.
Lots of people want to write/draw Thomas with hurt/comfort scenarios- and fair enough! But, one of the things Thomas was always denied in canon, was to be allowed to care for others (without stigma) until the kids came along (or when he got to work in a hospital to an extent) but I think he wanted that connection just as much. Beautiful artwork, and wonderful capturing of emotions in their expressions.

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 2 Sat 07 Jan 2023 11:16AM UTC
  
  Thank you!! 💙
  I gotta admit, I am a huge fan of Thomas being on the receiving end of some comfort. Poor boy has suffered for six seasons and only received the absolute BARE MINIMUM of comfort when he got hurt. If he got any at all, that is.
  But I agree, he's a very caring person. When he was trying to help Edward at the hospital, that side of him really came through, not to mention the times when he helped Andy, when he took a beating for Jimmy, or when he rescued little Sybbie from the abusive Nanny. So of course a scenario in which Richard trusts him to be there for him would be wonderful for Thomas.
  Not to mention wonderful for Richard, who, I think, has a very hard time letting go of his whole "I am the coolest guy in the room and have absolutely everything under control" thing. Him trusting Thomas in a vulnerable moment is a beautiful thing indeed.
  
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Jolie_Black on Chapter 2 Mon 30 Jan 2023 08:36AM UTC

Oh no what happened?
Whatever we imagine, I love Thomas' caring side coming out here. It's a very strong aspect of his personality indeed and it's alwasy thrilling to see it at work. And a vulnerable Richard is always a treat, too, for being so rare.
I find myself staring at Richard's face here. The eyebrows, the bedraggled look of his hair, the way he's casting his eyes down... he's still utterly recognisable but certainly not doing well. I feel this is something way more serious than just "I got wet when I was outside and now I'm catching a cold".
So heartwarming to think that he has Thomas who has his back, literally. We always tend to focus on what a miracle Richard is to happen to Thomas, but I'm sure Richard has never had this with another partner before, either.

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 2 Mon 30 Jan 2023 09:48PM UTC
  
  Oh no what happened?
  I really don't know... this didn't come from a specific scenario, just from a Royals screenshot with that really sad expression. Could be anything from a nightmare to a sick or dying family member, to the strain of his workplace and the long distance between London and York... but whatever it is, at least he's got a Thomas to care for him. And we all know that Thomas Barrow goes all in for those he cares about, too.
  
  I feel this is something way more serious than just "I got wet when I was outside and now I'm catching a cold".
  Oh no, let's not give him a cold on top of whatever is troubling him as well 😭 ~~I'd have drawn him rather more sniffly and snotty and less tragically beautiful in that case though~~
  
  We always tend to focus on what a miracle Richard is to happen to Thomas, but I'm sure Richard has never had this with another partner before, either.
  I also think men like Thomas wouldn't be a dime a dozen in Richard's life!! They're both very sincere and caring with each other, and I'm sure Richard had a reason for going "that one. I want that one, no matter the complications". Not that I'm saying Richard would just use Thomas for that like... CERTAIN individuals in the show that I will not name 🧂But you know what I mean... Thomas' loyalty and support are something that any man would be very lucky to have.
  
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2. 1. Jolie_Black on Chapter 2 Tue 14 Feb 2023 01:03PM UTC
    
    Could be anything from a nightmare to a sick or dying family member, to the strain of his workplace and the long distance between London and York... but whatever it is, at least he's got a Thomas to care for him. And we all know that Thomas Barrow goes all in for those he cares about, too.
    *happy sigh*
    Don’t worry, you definitely don’t have to be specific. I love that it’s possible to see various different scenarios in this. I insist that a cold is on the books though. Richard Ellis would look tragically beautiful even with a cold! 😆
    Thomas' loyalty and support are something that any man would be very lucky to have.
    Absolutely… Only there are some who’d deserve it and some who do not. 🧂
    
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  2. 1. saeculorum on Chapter 2 Tue 21 Feb 2023 10:02PM UTC
      
      I'd be a poor visual artist if I didn't manage to show a character had a cold 😤 My professional pride bids me to make him sniffly in that case... or my illustration teachers would have my hide 😂
      Only there are some who’d deserve it and some who do not. 🧂
      Say it louder for the people who still don't get this!
      
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Naevery on Chapter 2 Tue 31 Jan 2023 07:48PM UTC

This is once again so very stunning! Richard's sad expression is absolutely gut-wrenching. You have such an incredible skill for facial expressions, it's insane! I always imagine that they must be so very hard, like one wrong stroke and it's no longer quite right. But in your drawings they're just always so perfect, so complex and meaningful.
The way he casts his gaze downward, and how his eyes seem literally dark is just so wonderfully done! I also once again admire their noses. I (as usual completely cluelessly) imagine that noses must be really tough to draw. And I love both their noses, but I also feel like they're not the most simple ones, yet you always get them down perfectly. Richard's facial structure/cheekbones are just perfect here, too. I love the way the right side of his face is subtly cast in shadow. And the way his lips are set just adds so much as well!
I love how his hair has become a little bit undone (albeit for very different reasons than the ideal ones), I feel like it really adds to visualizing his inner turmoil. Just a few days ago I saw a picture of Max Brown where you could see his neck well and I think you did such a fantastic job with it here as well. Like, there's literally no detail that's not perfect!
I adore the gestures here, Thomas holding him from behind, wrapping him in a blanket, that gentleness and tenderness in both his touch and his kiss, and how we can see his own sympathetic and somewhat sad expression even though his face isn't fully visible – pure witchcraft! (And his hair is as always absolutely perfect, too!)
I also just so love Richard reaching up to touch Thomas's hand here, it's such a lovely gesture. His expression feels like he's not quite in the present moment, but caught in his sad thoughts, but lovely gesture of him reaching and reacting to Thomas's touch has something so ...well, touching, and hopeful, too. Like Thomas's presence is helping him to get through this and out of it. It's just so lovely and soft.
I'm also a huge sucker for Thomas getting taken care of/looked after, and I suppose because Richard is so suave and easygoing in the movie, one doesn't necessarily initially think of him having his own demons and struggles, but I think it's such an interesting premise to explore, and Thomas has always been shown to be a wonderful caretaker who also seems to enjoy doing it, which makes it all extra touching.
I'm sorry, I'm once again rambling and rambling, but your drawings just have such an incredibly engaging quality to them, thank you so very much for sharing!

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 2 Wed 01 Feb 2023 04:42PM UTC
  
  Ohhhh goodness! Your comments are always such a treat 💙 You don't know how happy it makes me that you can speak about my drawings at such length... thank you, truly 🥺
  I love how his hair has become a little bit undone (albeit for very different reasons than the ideal ones), I feel like it really adds to visualizing his inner turmoil.
  The duality of messy hair, huh? Also, I admit it's just more fun to draw when it's not perfectly styled... but that's neither here nor there 😁
  His expression feels like he's not quite in the present moment, but caught in his sad thoughts, but lovely gesture of him reaching and reacting to Thomas's touch has something so ...well, touching, and hopeful, too.
  You think so?? I'm so glad. I was somewhat unsure about that hand, because I left it so extremely wonky and sketchy... but I felt that Richard reaching out to let Thomas know his comfort is welcome, even while he's a bit lost in his own head, added something important to the scene.
  
  I suppose because Richard is so suave and easygoing in the movie, one doesn't necessarily initially think of him having his own demons and struggles, but I think it's such an interesting premise to explore
  You're right! Even the most chill and suave characters will have moments of struggle, and times where they need a little support - it's just human. I'm not even the biggest fan of going, "ACTUALLY, this character should be just as troubled as the angstier ones, if not more! No one here gets to be chill ever!" in general, but neither do I like it when they never have any moment of weakness, being unsure, needing some help...
  I guess my point is, mostly easygoing characters being well-rounded and human for the win! 😂
  I'm sorry, I'm once again rambling and rambling, but your drawings just have such an incredibly engaging quality to them, thank you so very much for sharing!
  Don't apologize for rambling and rambling, long comments like this bring me so much joy! (And opportunities to ramble a bit, myself 😁) Thank you for taking the time to write all this!
  
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Naevery on Chapter 3 Sun 26 Feb 2023 06:18PM UTC

This is soo sweet and adorable!
I actually just read Infy's fic „Fortunate, indeed“ earlier today and now this picture makes me think of the moment they adopted Hercule, the dog they have in that lovely fic.
I just love their happy and affectionate expressions so much. I know I keep repeating myself, but you're so great with their hair, their facial structure and their features! I love their eyebrows, their noses, their lips.
And that dog! It's soo cute! I just adore how he looks up at Thomas, with such a sincere, attentive expression! His snout and that cute little nose are adorable, and those ears are just so pretty! I wanna pet him, too!
This is so cute and wholesome, I love it so much, thank you so much for sharing!

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 3 Sun 05 Mar 2023 06:50PM UTC
  
  Your comments always make me so happy 🥰
  Now that you've said it, I totally see it... and I love that fic so much. They deserve all the four legged friends! So glad the little dog makes you wanna pet him too. My work here is done 😁
  Thank you so so much for your comment! And sorry I took so long to answer it 🙈
  
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JellybeanlovesBarris on Chapter 4 Thu 26 Jan 2023 08:25PM UTC

The boys having some fun and frolics 💙
I'm imagining that's Richard's hat that Thomas is messing with 🎩😏
Your talent never ceases to amaze me!

Last Edited Thu 26 Jan 2023 08:26PM UTC

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 4 Thu 26 Jan 2023 09:28PM UTC
  
  Thank you 💙✨🌛 I did use Richard's hat as a reference 😁 Hat thief Thomas just seems to work, huh?
  
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Jolie_Black on Chapter 4 Mon 30 Jan 2023 08:37AM UTC

Goofy dorks! Thomas definitely stole Richard's hat and now he's doing slightly exaggerated impressions of how Richard doffs it to people in that super smooth Richard Ellis way of his.

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 4 Mon 30 Jan 2023 09:49PM UTC
  
  Yesss! That was about the idea 😁 And Richard is all "I do NOT sound like that, you're horrible at impressions" but he's too fond and amused to truly be offended...
  
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Tricia_McMillan on Chapter 4 Wed 30 Aug 2023 09:29PM UTC

Haha god I love all of these

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1. saeculorum on Chapter 4 Thu 31 Aug 2023 10:42AM UTC
  
  And I love that you went and commented on all my Barris stuff! Thank you 🥺
  
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kielbasa_84 on Chapter 4 Sat 30 Nov 2024 03:02PM UTC

is that a coronation street reference i see 👀

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Dream a Little Dream of Me

saeculorum

Summary:

Notes:

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 3

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

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EffervescentYellow on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 02:49AM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:42PM UTC

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Ariel_Tempest on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 05:05AM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:42PM UTC

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T&RFan (Guest) on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 05:38AM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:41PM UTC

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Naevery on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 07:35PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:40PM UTC

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Naevery on Chapter 1 Thu 05 Jan 2023 09:11PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Thu 05 Jan 2023 10:14PM UTC

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Naevery on Chapter 1 Sat 07 Jan 2023 08:22PM UTC

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JellybeanlovesBarris on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:24PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 09:31PM UTC

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51stcenturygirl on Chapter 1 Tue 03 Jan 2023 11:43PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Wed 04 Jan 2023 10:06PM UTC

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Jolie_Black on Chapter 1 Mon 30 Jan 2023 08:29AM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 1 Mon 30 Jan 2023 09:36PM UTC

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JellybeanlovesBarris on Chapter 2 Fri 06 Jan 2023 10:29PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 2 Fri 06 Jan 2023 10:44PM UTC

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T&RFan (Guest) on Chapter 2 Sat 07 Jan 2023 05:56AM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 2 Sat 07 Jan 2023 11:16AM UTC

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Jolie_Black on Chapter 2 Mon 30 Jan 2023 08:36AM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 2 Mon 30 Jan 2023 09:48PM UTC

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Jolie_Black on Chapter 2 Tue 14 Feb 2023 01:03PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 2 Tue 21 Feb 2023 10:02PM UTC

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Naevery on Chapter 2 Tue 31 Jan 2023 07:48PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 2 Wed 01 Feb 2023 04:42PM UTC

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Naevery on Chapter 3 Sun 26 Feb 2023 06:18PM UTC

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saeculorum on Chapter 3 Sun 05 Mar 2023 06:50PM UTC

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JellybeanlovesBarris on Chapter 4 Thu 26 Jan 2023 08:25PM UTC