#rainsford sneed

[wildwren]

Nicholas Burton as Rainsford Sneed // The Artful Dodger (2023)

Now, I assume you'll be maintaining your strong stance against anesthetic?

BONUS:

[bellarke-is-my-death-wave]

The Artful Dodger x The Onion Text Posts 2/x

[muchcelebrated]

The fear in Sneed’s eyes and the way he backs away as Belle is coming to tell him off about the duel is the funniest shit ever.

Like he can pretend women are the “gentler sex” and that they don’t belong in surgery all he wants, but this clip says it all. He knows Belle is not someone to be messed with.

Gif credits to the wonderful @wildwren

[forasecondtherewedwon]

The Artful Dodger, tumblrfied 12/?

[phantomoftheorpheum]

THE ARTFUL DODGER | 1x08 | Untapped Potential - for @weasleyclan

[lamportb]

some random thoughts on Sneed:

He totally thought a 10% share in nutmeg would make the ladies flood their basements

he’s good at shooting people - a hobby entirely contradictory to his profession. Much better at blowing holes in things than fixing them.

The fact that he’s the unconscious third wheel to Jack and Belle’s first kiss is fucking hilarious. Maybe if he gave her a scalpel instead of nutmeg?

how infuriating must it be for him to be Oxford educated in medicine and continually bested at every turn (professionally and romantically) by a cheeky illiterate asshole

Every time he has to humour Fanny because manners

how, when it comes right down to it and his childhood friend’s life is on the line he concedes that he’s not the best person to save her. He’s so good in that scene - a real partner in surgery while simultaneously witnessing and acknowledging Jack’s improvisational brilliance as a surgeon AND his legitimate love for the woman on the table. His line to Lady Jane at the end just kills me - like it doesn’t even matter if Belle survives this, you just killed the Michelangelo of surgery!

he’s a pompous git but he’s also kind of great.

[lucreziaborgiagf]

objectively the funniest start to artful dodger season 2 would be fagin getting out of prison only to find that sneed has already appointed jack as his own convict servant so he can just come back to the hospital. jack and sneed have the same back and forth dynamic as before except now anytime jack annoys him sneed gives him the most ridiculous tasks he can think of

[hiddenvioletsgrow]

Sneed: lol whatever, you can't even read

Jack, holding a surgical knife: I’ve escaped prison once and I’m not afraid to do it again

[psychicbluebirdmiracle]

THE WAY JACKS PUNCH KNOCKS SNEED DOWN AND SNEED JUST PATHETICALLY SLAPS HIM WITH A GLOVE LMAOOOO

[thedepthsoffandomminds]

The guest PT 3

Masterlist

You didn't notice how Fagin still walked up the stairs, or how his light fingers made easy work on the necklace clasp. Not until Gaines called out to inspect everyone there did you realise it had still happened. The older man walked over brushing into and you felt his hand touch you briefly before he turned to Jack. You were finding it hard to breathe, your vision blurring slightly.

"no." You say hardly above a whisper. Your hand came out and reached for Jack as you become limp. He quickly grasps you.

"Are you alright?" He asks looking at you.

"It must be the either fumes, It has effected my asthma some as well." Belle says quickly coming up beside you.

"I can't, this can't happen now." You say leaning more into him. Your eyes flick up to Gaines as we stalks toward you and Jack.

"I've got you, alright, let's get you to your room." Jack says into your ear.

"I'm sure you won't mind if I search you?" Gaines stands In front of you. You shake your head.

"Miss y/l/n is unwell Captain, can you not see that?!" Belle speaks loud enough for the other guests to hear her. Gaines takes a step back, lifting his hands as if surrendering.

"This way." Belle rushed forward and led Jack upstairs, his arms wrapped around. Halfway up your heavy feet trip on the step and you almost fall. Jack scoops you up into his arms and holds you close to him. Almost instinctively you curl into his shoulder, allowing the warmth of him to ease the spinning in your mind. Jack rushes you into your room and lays you down on the bed.

"Take her dress off." He demands Belle, his eyes looking around the room.

"Excuse me?"

"I need to listen to her breathing." He explains further. She nods at him and comes to you, pulling your new dress off your shoulders and helping to remove the corset. She darts quickly to her room, grabbing the stethoscope.

Jack sat beside you, helping to sit you up and slid his leg behind you. He quietly lifts your cotton under top up enough for him to slide the brass onto your skin. The cold catches you for a moment.

"Now, just breathe steady. Just breathe with me. In. And out." His voice was low and you could feel his breath fanning over the back of your neck, "Good. Again. In. Out. Okay. Gonna come around the front." Jack moves the stethoscope round to your chest, his fingers brushed against the scar on your chest. He paused for only a moment, "Once again. In. Good, and out. In. Out." His head was beside yours, you could feel his hair brushing against your ear. With his words and guidance your breathing slowed and evened out. Belle watched on from the end of the bed. True she was happy to see an actual doctor working, but she could not shift the annoyance she felt.

"You're a common thief." She blurted out. You snapped your eyes to her, as if remembering where you were. Her hand stretched out and she dropped the ruby necklace onto the bed.

"Shall I call Captain Gaines now or later?" She pressed her lips together.

"No. No, no. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait." Jack followed her to the bedroom door standing before her. You call to her.

"Belle stop, it wasn't Jack." She looked at you then back at Jack.

"You've got two options. I yell "guards" and you get hanged."

"Not ideal."

"Or you make me the first female surgeon and I keep your secret. That or the noose."

"He'll do it." You snap' now quick back here, make it look like you are still examining me." You say and the two scrambled to position themselves accordingly. The door opens and two guards step in along with Governor Fox.

"What is going on here?" He asks, Belle swiftly rounds the bed to her father's side.

"Miss y/l/n l, felt ill father. Doctor Dawkins is just examining her." She pressed a hand to his chest and patted lightly.

"Yes, well, you seem okay now. The ether fumes I suspect. A good night's sleep and you should be right as rain in the morning." He gave you a quick smile, placing the stethoscope on the right stand and standing up from the bed.

"I would like to see her in the next few days, check her breathing again just to make sure and her arm of course." He says to the governor.

"Yes of course. Thank you very much. Now I am sorry lad, but everyone else has been checked." Fox said as Gaines stepped up beside him. Jack nodded and held his arms out beside him as the Captain patted him down, checking his pockets.

"All clear, thank you Dawkins."

"Doctor?" You say calling him back to your side. He takes your offered hand in his, "I am very grateful to you, Doctor." You say slipping the necklace into his hand unseen by the others in the room.

"My pleasure miss y/l/n."

*_*_*_*_*

The following day you dressed in a pair of riding

Jodhpurs and yellow riding jacket. You had enjoyed the green dress yesterday but this outfit was far easier to move around in. Belle had suggested it as the two of you were heading to the hospital. A maid was sent in to help you dress and do your hair, you knew it was just the way they did things but you were glad of the help. Your arm being wrapped in the splints made it hard to do up buttons.

Once ready you met her at the carriage. She was excited and extremely animated.

"You already know so much more than I, but I cannot wait to learn everything about the hospital." She says happily.

"You should be careful, I doubt they will teach you everything in one go." You laugh, "You know you won't be in charge there." She laughs brightly.

"Oh please I'll be running it by the end of the week." Her giggle was infectious and you followed her bounce as you climbed out of the carriage. Belle almost danced into the hospital, her eyes wide, taking in every inch of it. The head nurse Hetty sees the two of you and comes out of the nurses room.

"Can I help you? Oh Miss y/l/n, is everything okay? Are you feeling better? The Doctor told me about your turn last night." She asked, concerned for you.

"Oh yes I'm fine, but the doctor did ask for me to come into today." You reply with a sweet smile you had perfected over the years of working in a hospital.

"Where is the operating theatre?" Belle interrupted your conversation.

"Through there but no one is in there and women aren't allowed." She called after the blonde woman as she slipped into the room. You quickly apologised to Hetty and followed Belle. She was knocking on a door.

"Just when you think your day's reached its full potential." Jack sighed when he opened the door and saw her.

" Care for an orange, my dear? I've only learned through trial and error that they display more sweetness with the skin off." You hear Fagin say and you can't help but giggle, putting a hand over your mouth. Jack saw you then, his eyes looking over your outfit.

"I've come here to train." Belle states.

"Horses?" Jack asks lifting one eyebrow.

"This was all we could find in a hurry." She explained .

"I'm afraid today is not a very good day for me. You see, I'm trying to resolve a personal issue, and I have patients." He gestured towards you, stepping past Belle.

"It happens to be a very good day for me. Where do I start?" Belle asked ignoring his words. Jack stopped and turned on her,

"Hetty will introduce you to the other nurses and issue you with a uniform. Now Miss, shall we?" His hand drops to your lower back.

" No. I'm not here to train as a nurse. But you are here to teach me the art of surgery."

"That was never the deal." He groaned.

"That was precisely the deal." You say nonchalantly.

"In return for us not handing you over to my father, the governor, the man with all the power and lust for hanging. You will do what I say." Belle stands too close to Jack. He takes a step.bac, almost hiding behind you.

"Women cannot make surgeons." He says

" Of course we can, look at y/n." Belle argues.

"I'm not a surgeon, just a doctor." You correct her.

"She does have both hands." Hetty laughed from behind you.

" Thank you, Hetty. These are not my rules. They are society's rules. Here at least." He gives you a quick glance.

"Mmm. See, you forget. Here, I am society." Belle reminds him

With a frustrated sigh Jack leads you into a private room where you sit on the bed. "Professor McGregor will never accept you." He almost growled out the words.

"Did you miss the part where I said I was the governor's daughter? See, I'm as close to royalty as it comes here."

You laugh at them, you can't help it. You had watched this scene take place and though your presence had altered it slightly their words were all the same.

"Not in this place, you're not. Here, you start where everyone else starts." He commanded.

"Belle. It's where we all start." You say trying to reassure and calm her. With a huff she agrees. Jack checks you over once more giving your chest a listen, Belle watches once more.

Jack's eyes scanned your face as he listened. You could tell there was a question on the tip of his tongue.

"The...the scar on...on your-"

Your mind raced quickly trying to find a plausible answer.

"It was nothing, an accident when I was a child." You said hoping he would not catch the lie.

"Well you seem okay today. Will you be staying with us today?" He asks.

"I can help the nurses, if they need it but with my arm I don't think I will be much help." You lift the bandaged arm as if to remind him. He nods.

"Alright, of course." He gives you another nod, "right, Milady let's get you started."

You watched as Jack had Belle clean out the bedpans before she decided it was time to clean the ward. It definitely needed it and you were happy to see the straw and dirt cleaned out. You helped as best you could with your arm hindering your movements.

You tell the nurses to open the windows and tell them that the Professor will have to just deal with it, it would be better for the patients and them. They did as you said and even smiled as they didn't.

"I gotta say, it's definitely nicer in here now." Hetty whispers to you.

As you're walking around the hospital you hear Belle and Jack's voices coming from outside and you listen at the door. You recall the conversation from the show and decide to let it happen just as it did when you watched it. You had to be sure things happened as close to the truth as possible.

"I play cards. That's how I make my money. And I'm pretty good at it. Except, last time, y/n she... well I kept a promise, but seems like Fagin got cheated, and now, if we don't come up with a year's worth of income, then I get my hand cut off. So, that's why he stole the gems." His words made something in you stir, "You want to be a surgeon? Then expect nothing in return." He finishes his thoughts.

"You made a promise to y/n?"Belle asks in a time you don't recognise.

Jack sighs. "She knows things, have you noticed?"

"She is very intelligent, yes." She agreed.

"It may bring too much attention her way." Jack said, a crease forming between his eyebrows.

"I still don't understand her, Fanny said she just appeared, the driver didn't have a chance to move. It is quite unreal. The way she talks is remarkable." Belle says and you hear the way her skeptical tone turned to adoration.

"hmmm, so you know nothing about her from before she got run over by your sister?" He asked.

"Nothing."

"What are you doing Miss?" You jump at the sound of the male voice and spin round. Doctor Sneed stood before you.

"Oh nothing. I was just-"

"Listening at the door?" He half smiled and you noticed that in front of you here he was much nicer looking than on TV.

"You must be Miss y/l/n." He says seeing the splint on your arm.

"Oh yes, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you Doctor." You say.

"Are you helping here?" He asks.

"for the day yes, Lady Belle has chosen to clean the wards." You find the excuse easily.

"So I see. I admit it does feel nicer to be here with actual sunlight coming through the windows." He chuckles, I have some fresh lemonade in the kitchen if you would like some?"

"Oh, that would be lovely, thank you."

Masterlist

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@fandomfan-102 @deanstolemydragon

[sweetbuckybarnes]

Wake Up, Belle

Pairings: Jack “Artful Dodger” Dawkins + Lady Belle Fox

Summary: What if Belle woke up on the table?

Jack and Sneed had just finished sewing up Belle’s chest, Jack only had time to drop the tools in his hands haphazardly onto the nearby table, before he was cupping her face, bloody fingers leaving red fingerprints on her cheeks.

“Wake up, Belle,” Jack begged, his eyes roaming her face as he is thumb came to rest on the feel of her heartbeat on the side of her neck. Her heart was beating! So why wasn’t she waking up? “Please, wake up, Belle!”

Gaines came around the table gun in one hand, and wrapped his hand around Jack’s upper arm. “Alright, time to go.”

“No, leave me. Belle, wake up,” he didn’t want to slap her awake - she was a lady after all - but if it’s what wakes her up, he’d do it.

Just as Gaines dragged him off Belle’s body, she took in a sudden deep breath, and her eyes cracked open as she caught her breath.

“Oh darling,” Lady Jane pushed herself around to Jack’s side of the table and blocked her daughter’s view of the surgeon. “Oh, my darling!”

“Jack,” Belle called, reaching her hand past her mother and to the man she loves. Lady Jane took hold of her daughter’s hand, who was quick to shake her off. “Jack.”

He peered over her mother’s shoulder, tears of relief filling his eyes. “Welcome back, Lady Belle.”

“Jack,” she reached her hand over for him to take, but pulled her hand away from her mother’s grip once again. “No, I want Jack.”

“Dearest-“

“You didn’t believe me when I told you I had an aortic aneurysm, you tried to tell me I was wrong, but I was right,” she stared her mother down, reaching her hand out for a third time for Jack to take - even with his hands covered in her blood - he took it. “Jack was the only one who believed me.”

Lady Jane stumbled over her words trying to find the right ones which would separate her daughter from the twisted surgeon for good. However, it was Captain Gaines who spoke up. “My lady, he is a criminal and a thief, he will be hung from the gallows in the morning.”

Belle looked up at Jack, whose face had paled - he had saved the love of his life’s life and now he was condemned to death. She turned her head to look at her father. “Papa, will you pardon Jack, please?”

“Belle, my sweet,” the Governor started, looking at his wife (with her eyes, she was telling him to say no), Gaines (who was silently wanting him to allow him to hand Jack Dawkins), then to the man himself - the young man who he presumed to be a few years older than Belle, was as white as a sheet, staring down at Belle both scared for his life and a look of adoration. Then he turns his eyes on Belle, his little girl (despite being the age of 25), as she looks up at him from the theatre table where just five minutes ago was battling with herself to stay alive, she looks over at Jack with the same adoring eyes, and then up at her father. “Do you love him?”

Belle looked back over at Jack, staring up at his face, framed by his dark hair and dark eyes swimming with tears. In the throes of pain, before she was given the ether, she remembers Jack telling her that he loves her.

“I do. I love him.”

“Then he shall be pardoned, and on the Prof’s retirement, shall be made Head Surgeon,” the Governor declares, watching as his daughter’s face lit up, turning her head to look up at Jack and raise a hand to cup his face.

Jack’s face flooded with relief, leaning down so he could press his forehead against Belle’s then nudging his nose along hers.

“I knew you could do it,” Belle tells him, obviously referring to her surgery.

“Edmund, dearest,” his wife comes around the table, digging her fingernails into his arm. “I thought Dr. Sneed was going to be Head Surgeon.”

The Governor looked over at the other surgeon in the room, who was looking at Jack with what could be considered pride. “Dr Dawkins just saved our daughter’s life, we are very lucky to have him as our surgeon in Port Victory.”

Jack hadn’t taken his eyes off Belle, “I’ll be back in a moment, I need to go clean up,” he motioned to his hands covered in her blood, whilst remembering about the spare shirt he keeps in his office.

“Jack,” Belle says, wrapping her hands around a little bit tighter.

“Lady Fanny, will you keep your sister company while I clean up?” Jack asks the youngest Fox daughter.

Fanny nods, hurrying as fast as her skirt would allow her. “Of course, Dr. Dawkins,” she took her sister’s hand, as Jack leaned down and pressed a slightly scandalous kiss to her forehead.

“I’ll be back in a moment, my lady.”

Belle watched, as she tipped her head until she lost sight of him, as Jack made his way to the bowls and cleaned himself up.

“Belle, do you truly love him?” Fanny asked, looking down at her sister in awe and curiosity.

“Yes, I don’t think I could ever stop loving him.”

Belle didn’t pay her mother any kind of attention until Lady Jane made an unladylike noise. “Belle, it is improper from someone of your station to be associated with him. Society will turn its back on you.”

Belle glanced over at her mother. “Don’t you know, mother?” She looks at her. “I am society.”

[wildwren]

Nicholas Burton as Rainsford Sneed // The Artful Dodger

[bellarke-is-my-death-wave]

Belle walks in on Jack and Sneed arguing.

Belle: What’s the matter now?

Sneed: Jack always thinks he’s the smartest person in the room!

Jack: No, I don’t.

Sneed: You don’t?

Jack: Belle’s here now.

[muchcelebrated]

No because I’m sorry but I need a fic about Jack’s reaction to learning that Sneed proposed to Belle. Because I imagine Belle not mentioning it because it really was inconsequential to her. And I imagine Jack trying to be chill and casual about it and failing.

Like I imagine he hears about it in passing from someone, maybe Fanny, and him just sort of being like “?!” then proceeding to “casually” bring it up with Belle and grill her for details meanwhile she’s just like “oh yes. That is something that happened. I forgot about that.” And he’s pleased Sneed is so forgettable to her but also still wants to punch him a little bit.

[the-fiction-witch]

Doctor! Doctor!

Media The Artful Dodger

Character Jack Dawkins And Rainsford Sneed

Couple Jack X Reader + Rainsford X Reader

Rating Flirty

I stood in the prep room for the hospital's theatre, I cleaned and sanitised tools ready for today's operation. As I worked I hummed a gentle tune to myself. My sleeves rolled up around my elbows to not get them wet from the cleaning and my dress hung loosely about me. I perked up a bit when I heard someone else's footsteps as they arrived at the prep room. I glanced over and saw Doctor Jack Dawkins as he walked across the prep room.

"You're early? Now that is a rare sight." I chuckled, as usually Doctor Dawkins would be here with a moment to spare if that, but we had a good ten minutes before surgery would begin.

"Don't be snarky Y/n," he warned as he leant his hip on the table and crossed his arms over his chest that usual cocky grin across his lips, 

"Aww but I'm good at it," I smirked back,

"You do practice often don't you?"

"I do," 

"Speaking of, things you're good at?" He smirked back as he moved himself behind me, he set his hands either side of me on the table, his body closed the gap between us and his head came close to my neck. The tip of his nose moved up the bare skin of my neck starting at my shoulder and moved all the way up before he reached my ear, he stopped and whispered, "I was hoping we could do something else you're good at?"

"Like Doctor Dawkins?" I glared a little,

He chuckled, "You know what I want."

"You have surgery to do." I remind,

"Umm I know sweetheart," he groaned as he pressed kisses to my neck, "you know I'd rather stay here with you," he muttered, "You wanna come up to my room tonight?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, come up to my room tonight, and we'll see just how good you're getting" he smirked,

"I think you already know how good I'm getting,"

"Well I have to keep checking don't I," He smirked, "Eight O'clock don't be late," he said as he kissed my cheek and started preparing getting his apron and checking his tools as Doctor Sneed arrived at the prep room. 

He too began to prep and I helped them both where needed, Hetty arrived and the two doctors did their coin toss and as usual, Doctor Dawkins was to take charge. The four of us headed into the theatre to the crowd shouting for blood and a frightened patient. After a showman-style speech, the doctors got on Hetty working as their nurse and I worked as a clean up doing what I could to minimise the dirt, blood and chaos of the surgery to make sure it went as quickly and seamlessly as possible. 

Within a few minuets, it was over Hetty took the patient back to bed, the crowd emptied out and the doctors went off to do other things without much of a word, I began cleaning up the theatre, I scrubbed, swept, and scooped the sawdust. I got on my knees and began scrubbing blood off the wooden floor, My sleeves pushed up and my dress around me to try and shield me from the blood and mess of the room. I heard footsteps but didn't even bother to look up until I saw a pair of black oxford shoes and a pair of black trousers, Alrerady I knew who it was and didn't need to say another word, But I felt a firm slap on my behind which made me jump. 

"Yes Doctor Sneed?" I asked as I set my brush down and shifted myself to sit on my knees and looked up to see Doctor Rainsford Sneed standing with his usual sly grin in his white well-pressed shirt, black waistcoat buttoned up tight and his black tie, His facial hair well combed and trimmed, his hair flat and slick. 

"Busy today?" He asked as he looked down at me, 

"Lots to clean." I shrug, 

"True," he nodded, 

"You could help?" I glared, 

"I'll leave it to you Y/n." 

"Alright," I rolled my eyes getting back to work, 

"You look so good down there" he smirked,

"Do I now, Doctor Sneed?" 

"You know I appreciate how you look on your knees." He growled a little as he plaid with my hair,

"Don't you have rounds to start on?"

"True." He smirked, "My room Six." He demanded,

Immediately I turned white and froze up, He stroked my cheek and jaw before he turned and headed out,  

"don't wear your knees out Darling." He said as he left the theatre, 

I let out a breath and sighed a little, "That's gonna cut a little close..." 

What is it with these two on surgery days? 

I quickly got on with my work so I could be finished in time to go have a bath before my eventful evening. 

[raging-violets]

The Artful Dodger: "Trust Me, I'm a Doctor" | SneedxOC

*I'm using this gif because I can't find one of Sneed not reacting to Lady Belle stalking him down, haha*

-

Summary: Rainsford Sneed and Molly Atwood have no ill will towards each other. None. They were just doing their jobs: serving and...doctoring. 

Set around Episode 4 with the “anesthesia” and Episode 6 with the “Pepper Jelly” 

Authored by: Rhuben

Original Character: Molly Atwood (*also stuck between the name Effie Atwood*)

- 

“Don’t move.” Rainsford Sneed barely turned to take stock of tools at his disposal when the woman’s hands flew up towards her face. “I said don’t move!” She dropped her hands again, tightly gripping the arms of her chair, shifting and rocking from side to side. “You’re acting like a bloody fish yourself, ma’am. It’s very unbecoming.” 

“You try having a hook stuck in your eye and not moving.” Both eyes firmly clamped shut, Sneed knew she was still trying to gauge just how much damage had been done. The fishing hook shifted and bobbed with each shift of her eyes. At least the bleeding stopped. “I can now surely understand why a fish wiggles so.” 

“Yes, I can only imagine the pain you’re in ma’am,” Sneed replied, “but unless you wish to lose sight in your eye entirely, which, I do insist would be a shame, I must ask that you try to stay still.” 

Squinting open her good eye, Molly Atwood managed to give Sneed her best attempt at a glare. He noticed the green flecks in her hazel eyes with the light of the sun cast across her face. Yes, it would be a shame... Clearing his throat, he quickly stepped away from her, giving a wide berth to look over exactly what tools he needed. He had to be professional.  

“You’re not going to take me into the theater, then?” Molly asked from behind him. Sneed glanced at her over his shoulder. She seemed to be relaxed now If only for a moment. 

“This will only take a few moments,” he said, starting to roll up his shirt sleeves. “The drunkards wouldn’t take too kindly to such an easy foray, I’d imagine.” He sighed. “Don’t think they’d believe it to be a good show.” 

“Yes, I suppose we mustn’t deprive them of excellent entertainment.” 

He took her sarcasm in stride. It was that kind of entertainment that would help get him into the professor’s position. God willing. Still, there was a thrill to surgery. Some might call it barbaric. But he enjoyed it. And those that came out to watch his prowess as a surgeon, when he won the coin toss, enjoyed it, too. 

“You don’t need Hetty?” she asked. “Are you sure you can do this?” 

Pressing his lips together, Sneed grabbed the glass bottle sitting on his workstation, pointed the nozzle at her face, and squeezed his finger around the trigger. Twice.  

For both questions. 

A squeak of surprise came from Molly as she jerked in her seat, face now wet. “What on Earth was that?” 

Letting out a long sigh through his nose, Sneed set down the perfume bottle. A little harder than he needed to, he supposed. But if it worked... His gaze shifted through the window and towards the theater where Jack and Lady Belle were pacing back and forth across the room, deep in discussion. Belle’s head buried deep in the book, index finger gliding across the pages. If they said it worked... 

“It’ll help,” he said quietly. “Does it sting?” 

“Is it supposed to?” Molly asked in alarm, her grip tightening on the rests of the chair she was in. “If my face falls off, Rainsford Sneed...” 

His lips twitched upwards into a hint of a smile. One he quickly erased from his visage. Besides, it was another empty threat, he was sure. She had yet to see his demise after all this time. In fact, he had gotten quite used to these words from her. Only she normally had a sharp knife on her, not the stink of fish, as he usually found her in the middle of assisting preparing a meal for the Govenor and his fellowship. Or another task which Lady Jane Fox had asked of her. 

“So, how did this happen?” he asked. 

“I told you; I was fishing. I caught one. I got startled by a commotion. I jerked back on the line and...” She made an odd squishing sound with her mouth, lazily indicating her eye.  

“You can remove it, can’t you?” 

“Yes, I believe I can.” 

“Will I lose my eye?” 

“I hope not.” 

“Yeah, me too.” After all, how could she fulfill her dream of sailing the open seas without sight? “I do trust you.” 

Sneed gave a sharp shake of his head. How would he fulfill his dream of becoming Head Surgeon if he didn’t concentrate? Sailing the seas was no life for a lady, but just the same, he still had to do his job. He stretched his hands, and his fingers before picking up a scalpel, hovering it over her face. 

“I do mean it this time, don’t move,” he said. Molly’s chest hitched with the deep breath she took in. And held. Sneed carefully pressed the tip to his scalpel to her eyelid, pressing until it sank into her skin. Through it. He tossed it aside, where it landed with clatter on his table, using his other hand to carefully push the sharp end of the hook out through the newly created hole. Then he grasped his bolt cutters, snipped off the end of the hook, and pulled it back out of the original site of injury. “Got it.” 

“Fantastic.” 

Sneed sprayed more of the antiseptic and grabbed a piece of cloth to carefully dab at the remaining moisture and blood. 

“What are the fish for?” 

“To eat, of course.” 

“Molly.” 

“Rainsford.” She copied his tone. Equal mix frustration and amusement. Glad someone found this to be funny. 

“The Govenor and Lady Jane are not one to ask for fish for supper unless they are hosting,” Sneed explained starting to stitch up her eyelid. “And I do not believe catching them would be a task Lady Jane would bestow upon you.” He gave a sharp tug on the thread in his hand, smiling ruefully at the sharp gasp of pain from his patient. “You are selling them, I suppose. The fish. Why?” 

Molly was silent for a moment. “Everyone wishes for fortune, wouldn’t you say?” she asked. 

“I suppose so,” he agreed. Setting down the thread he leaned over her, grasping her chin in between his fingers, turning her head this way and that. “Now, slowly, open your eyes.” He watched as she did so, her hazel eyes fixing on him immediately despite the puffiness of one of her eyes. Silence filled the space as they looked at each other before Sneed found himself pushing himself away from her with swiftness. He cleared his throat, clasping his hands behind his back as he calmed himself. “What can you see?” 

She smiled.  “You.” 

- 

“Good evening,” Molly quickly stopped what she was doing to grasp the folds of her dress in a courtesy as Sneed stepped into the warm kitchen. “You’re back on your two feet, Rainsford!” 

“Glad that you can even see me at all,” Sneed responded with a tight nod of his head. He gazed around the bustling space, absentmindedly repeatedly smoothing his hand down the front of his shirt. “I suppose everything is healing well.” 

“Suppose,” Molly replied. She lifted her hand and gingerly pressed her eyelid. The swelling had gone down immensely. No lasting issues seem to be apparent other than a particularly rough feeling when he blinked. Even that was dissipating with time. “Suppose you are as well?” Her gaze flittered from his lips to his leg. “That is why you came in? To check on your patient?” 

“Yes, of course.” Sneed rapidly nodded his head before taking another step closer to her. He looked around once more and seeming to be appeased with the fact that no one else was paying attention to him, he stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. “It is not just that. I wished to know what was to be served tonight at supper?” 

Molly’s eyebrows came towards each other as she put down the knife she was about to press into the lump of bread dough before her. Then she turned towards him, eyes twinkling with recognition. She felt a smile come to her face as he watched Sneed shift uncomfortably from foot to foot. 

Rainsford Sneed. Recognized surgeon. Nervous. 

Interesting. 

“Nothing with pepper, I assure you,” she replied. She blinked rapidly, startled at the loud “Sssshh” he hissed in her face, looking around. Rolling her eyes, Molly lowered her voice. “There is no pepper in tonight’s meal. Promise.” She then widened her eyes innocently. “Should I ask that it no longer be served to you?” She placed a hand upon her hip. “I’ll make sure Fanny is aware.” She couldn’t stop the frostiness that suddenly coated her words when she added, “Or is it Lady Belle you’d wish to know this about you?” 

He seemed to stiffen; his eyes boring into her. Yes, she was aware of Lady Fanny’s infatuation. And the proposal. And the reason for the duel leading to Sneed’s injured leg. And the Pepper Jelly. Fanny was all atwitter about the whole thing; finding no listening ear in her own sister. Not that Molly was mad. It was actually quite funny. In an annoying kind of way. 

“No, I don’t suppose...they’d need...to know,” he finished quietly. 

“Suppose not.” 

“Though, should you ever want to be tempted again to try...” Molly reached for the small clay bowl in front of her. “I suggest you protect yourself, eh.” 

She dipped her fingers into what looked like some sort of clear jam and spread it across her fingers. Then, she took his chin with one hand, and started to slowly smear the cool jam over his lips. “To save you from another stay in bed, of course.” 

Upon releasing him, Sneed pressed his now shiny lips together. He silently blinked in response to Molly’s smile of mirth as she turned back to preparing that night’s meal. It took a moment for her to realize he was still standing there, just watching her. Still blinking. She jumped slightly at the revelation before relaxing into a playful smile. 

“What?” she asked him over her shoulder. He had his hands up to his lips. “You don’t trust me, Dr Sneed?” 

“What is this?” he finally asked, venturing a swipe of his tongue over his lips. 

“Animal fat.” One side of Molly’s mouth briefly lifted at the alarmed look on Sneed’s face. “You eat the rest of the animal, don’t you?” She had seen it numerous times when he was extended the invitation to sit with the Governor. “We put it on our hands sometimes. Helps from getting any of the spices under our nails. Hurts like the devil, sometimes, doesn’t it?” 

“Our guest will be arriving soon. Girls, I need you out front.” Lady Jane’s voice was carried from the front of the estate. 

“Well, alright, yes, thank you,” Sneed said with a quick nod of his head. “For the tip.” 

“You’re welcome, Dr. Sneed.” Molly cleared her throat. She rolled her shoulders back, tipping her chin upwards. She did not wish for Lady Jane to find her falling behind in her work. Not on a day so important to Fanny. Only a simple glance across the table as she helped serve dinner would give away her proclivity of “Oh, Dr. Sneed?” 

“Yes?” Sneed asked, spinning on the ball of his foot in the doorway. 

“Glad to see you, too.” 

Sneed bent forward in a short, quick bow, his lips lifting into a prideful smile. He mimed a quick tipping of his hat before leaving the kitchen. Laughing quietly through her nose, Molly shook her head, before getting back to the task at hand. 

-

Tag List: @ocappreciationtag @foxesandmagic @witchofinterest @ochub @darknightfrombeyond. If anyone else wishes to be added to the tag list for The Artful Dodger and my OC (who I still can't decide on the name of), let me know!