lookingfts

[lookingfts]

You're telling me this AU could give us queer Anthony, jealous Kate, a consensual Kanthony sex tape, danger in exotic locations, one bed, protective Anthony fighting with stubborn Kate about being reckless.... This AU is a goldmine! (Hehe, Au is the symbol for gold on the periodic table of elements. I made myself chuckle 🤭)

Please write this!

(If you want to, of course. 😇)

Ha! There is a lot of dig into here. I'm not ready to commit to another multi-chap just yet (there's so much else going on in my life and my brain is so full) but it's fun to tease it out a little. As always, I so enjoy hearing all your thoughts and ideas!

I'm kind of laughing at the idea of something biting Kate and Anthony freaks out like he does in the show, but instead of a bee it's a poisonous snake. They could really have some bonkers adventures.

I was literally just wondering if you've ever written a sex tape fic. Send very in your wheelhouse. Imagine they're getting carried away and Anthony pauses to turn off the camera but Kate stops him and asks if they can keep it on and Anthony's head explodes (in more ways than one). Ooh ooh ooh is their first time going to be recorded??

"Don't," she says softly, and Anthony stills, his hand halfway to the camera. The tension between them is so thick that she can't breathe, recklessness swirling in her blood, but she wants to remember this. If everything falls apart after, if this is just a strange moment out of time never to be repeated, she wants something to hold onto. "Leave it on."

Anthony stares at her, all flushed cheeks and parted lips, and Kate has never wanted anything, or anyone, so much as she wants him. "Are you sure?"

"I trust you," she answers, and she does. Implicitly. Anthony has been by her side for a third of her life, through so much, through everything. He would cut off his own arm before he would do anything to hurt her.

He hesitates for a second, then withdraws, stalking toward her with dark eyes. Kate shudders a little under his predatory gaze, willing prey, and exhales heavily as he unbuttons her linen shirt and slides it over her shoulders. "You always did look so beautiful on camera."

[lookingfts]

Thinking about a spinoff to #14:

Some time after that, Kate and Anthony are again sharing a hotel room, drinking and flirting, and tipsy Anthony starts recording and interviewing Kate. Things escalate from there, the camera keeps recording (they both know this and are ok with it--in the morning, Anthony makes damn sure that memory card stays separate from his work equipment.)

Oof, sexy. I have thrown around a "filming a sex tape" fic in the past and just never got around to it, but I love the idea.

OMG if you end up writing #14, please name it "the ramblings of an intoxicated slut" I actually laughed outloud at that line 🤣🤣🤣

Also the idea of kanthony getting in some kind of danger together in a remote locale sounds like it could lead to some sweetness and sexiness

We love our messy little slut. And oh for sure. The adrenaline! The fear of never getting to say what they want to say! I'm sure there were times that Anthony and Kate almost confessed their feelings to each other, but they were cut off by something and the danger passed. Maybe Anthony told her once that he loved her but Kate believed he only meant it as her friend. She plays it off after so he does too.

Do you imagine Anthony is the only constant in Kate's crew? Does she hire different sound people, editors, etc? I'd like to think her crew is tiny and that she edits herself even, but she can do everything.

Ooh! This is an opportunity to have them walk the red carpet together at film festivals even while they're just friends/creative partners!

I had this idea that maybe Kate hosts a documentary-style TV show, which is how they're able to travel so much and tackle so many different stories. Anthony could be her constant, and then they hire the rest of the crew locally in whatever country they'll be in, to also act as translators and guides. Sometimes when they have to be discreet and film guerilla-style, it's just her and Anthony. Maybe she wants to go alone to something potentially dangerous, reducing their chances of being noticed, and Anthony flips out about her being reckless.

[lookingfts]

Total When Words Fail Anthony.

Daphne: I saw you buying flowers yesterday.

Anthony: They weren’t for Kate.

Daphne: … I didn’t say anything about Kate.

Anthony: … Good. I was just making sure.

[lookingfts]

Mine - Prompt / Ask Answer

An answer to the prompt 'Newton gets sick and Anthony comforts Kate through it' from @lookingfts prompts in my Ask.

This is actually the following chapter to 'Yours', because how sweet would it be for Anthony to help Kate when she drops their date night for Newton?

(Sadly, the title does not tie into any given line in this not-drabble. I was trying, but nope. Whatever. Here's 3k worth of maybe terrible words.) ENJOY!

-------

Mine

There had been a few dates since the opera, all ending with Anthony kissing her at the door to her flat before leaving, ever the perfect gentleman. The third one had been an eye-wateringly expensive dinner in a restaurant she couldn’t pronounce the name of. Kate had tried her best to at least pay something towards it, but Anthony hadn’t let her, simply stating hat he was treating her.

So on the fourth date, Kate had marched the infuriating man away from the yacht he had rented—or owned; Kate had a feeling Anthony would own something as ridiculous as a yacht—and steered him into a Wendy’s instead.

It had been quite the picture, watching Anthony as he stared down at the burger she had ordered him, slightly perplexed. Then, once he’d taken a bite, it was if he had become quite ravenous and it was the most delicious thing in the world.

Licking the smear of ketchup off the corner of his mouth had also been quite fun, Kate remembered with a blush.

Now, they were coming up to their fifth date. “The yacht you chose Wendy’s over,” he’d teased when they were the only two left at work last night. “Any other person would have loved their date taking them out on a yacht.”

Kate had simply rolled her eyes. “Then I am afraid they have no taste, Bridgerton,” she had replied, looping her arms around his neck. “Wendy’s is the epitome of fine dining, I shall have you know.”

And then he had smiled, the pleasing kind that made Kate want to kiss him. And she had, thoroughly enough that his lips became kiss-bruised and plump, his hair absolutely ravished by her fingers.

They had parted ways maybe a half hour after, promising to see each other tomorrow, and Anthony would definitely, absolutely get Kate on that bloody yacht, so help him God.

Of course, neither of them could always get what they wanted

“Well, hello,” Anthony answered after the third ring, his voice bright. “Can’t wait to finally get on that yacht tonight?”

“I can’t come,” Kate blurted out, her hand trembling as she held her phone. “I—there’s an emergency. At home. I can’t do our date tonight.”

Anthony went quiet, and Kate’s stomach dropped. Then—

“Kate?” he sounded worried, now. “Kate, are you okay? Do you need me to—”

“No,” she said, far too quickly. There was a tremor in her voice. “No, it’s fine. I just—next time. Okay?”

She ended the call, dropping her phone and muffling a sob. Turning, Kate stumbled towards Newton, his ears flat against his head while he whined. She kneeled next to him, scooping her rotund little man into her arms and cuddled him close, a soft hiccup escaping her.

He hadn’t been right all day, Kate had seen it. He had hardly touched his food, for one, something Newton never did. His stomach was also tender, often earning Kate a whine when she touched it. And there was the whining, the sheer pain each one held bringing tears to her eyes. Sniffling, Kate cradled her oversized pup gently, her hand soothing between his ears.

He was her baby, she wanted to help him. Except her vet was closed for the weekend, the emergency practice nearby overbooked, refusing to take Newton in. Anywhere else was too far away, and Kate didn’t drive. She couldn’t subject poor Newton to the subway, either; she wanted her beloved boy to be comfortable, not overwhelmed by smell and sound and fluorescent lights that would only make him feel worse.

So, all she could do in that moment was weep into his fur.

There was a knock at her door about ten minutes later.

Kate blinked, looking up from Newton’s newly-damp fur. He whimpered in her arms when, carefully, she set him down on his favourite purple cushion, and slowly made her way to the door.

She was surprised to see a nervous-looking Anthony when she checked the peephole.

“What—what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice weak, her eyes wet with tears. Almost immediately, she found herself being crushed against his chest.

“Are you okay?” he breathed, his own voice choked. When he finally pulled away, he had gathered her face into his hands. “Are you alright? On the phone, you sounded—you’ve been crying, Kate. Is everything alright?”

She blinked up at him, fresh tears beginning to well in her eyes. He looked distraught, pained, almost. The pleasing smile she adored so much was no longer on his face, the laughter in his voice gone.

And then she was in his arms again, her head pressed against his nice, robin blue button-up shirt, and she was sobbing.

“It’s—It’s—” Her breath shuddered, and she squeezed her eyes shut. She felt a hand in her hair,, gentle fingers stroking down while one arm wound around her waist.

“Hey, hey,” Anthony murmured, his lips pressed against her temple. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Take your time.”

Sweetheart. Kate’s heart swelled at the endearment; it was the first time he had called her that. On all their dates before now, he had never called her anything but Kate.

Finally, after a moment of sobbing, Kate looked up, not daring to look at the very apparent wet spot that now adorned his shirt. Shaking her head, take took another trembling breath, and sniffed in the most unattractive manner.

“Newton,” she whispered, and understanding dawned upon Anthony’s face. “He—something’s wrong. I think he’s sick.”

Anthony’s face softened, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Oh, Kate,” he murmured, leading her further down the hallway of her flat and closing the door behind him. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Have you called the vet?”

Kate nodded, another sniff quickly following. “They’re closed. Emergency vet’s too busy. Won’t take him.” And then she was shaking, cold washing over her as she shook her head. Spinning, she broke away from Anthony’s hold at the sound of another agonising whine as more tears made their way down her cheeks.

“Newton, baby,” she whispered, kneeling next to him. Anthony followed. “I’m sorry. It’s okay, baby, it’ll be okay.”

Kate wasn’t sure how much she believed her own words, how much she didn’t believe her own voice. Then Anthony was there beside her, his arm wrapped gently around her shoulders, pulling her close. Newton barely acknowledged the man’s presence, and it pained Kate even more to see that her dutiful, darling dog couldn’t even find the strength to growl at his newfound nemesis as he usually did.

As she stroked Newton’s fur, Kate was dimly aware of Anthony whispering something soothing, something sweet, his thumb stroking her shoulder gently before he was speaking again, but this time, not to her.

Turning, her eyelashes wet and her cheeks tacky from her tears, she saw that he was on the phone to someone.

“Yes, that’s right… thirty minutes? Perfect. Thank you.”

He slipped his phone back into his pocket, his lips twisted into a grim frown.

“Do you have a pet carrier?” he asked gently, his gaze once again turned to Kate. She blinked, dumbfounded, before nodding slowly. Anthony offered a small smile.

“I know a vet. He can see Newton for you,” he said. “I’ll drive. Okay?”

Kate barely felt herself nod before Anthony was gently lifting Newton from his cushion, his gaze determined. Her mind was a fog as she stumbled to get up, her legs trembling as she went to find the pet carrier she seldom used in the coat cupboard. And then she was whispering apologies to her beloved Newton as Anthony placed him in the pet carrier, Newton’s favourite blanket already cushioning the cold plastic.

They mad their way to the vets mostly in silence. Anthony would often say something sweet, something optimistic, but all Kate could focus on was her poor baby, whining in the pet carrier as Anthony drove them somewhere.

Thankfully, there was very little traffic and soon enough, they were at the vets Anthony had called. Once the car was parked, Anthony was quick to grab Newton’s carrier while Kate followed, blinking back even more tears. Once inside, they were immediately greeted by a person Kate assumed to be the vet.

“Anthony,” he greeted, a brilliant smile plastered to his face. “I was quite surprised to get your call; never pegged you for a dog-person.”

Anthony didn’t return the vet’s smile. “He’s not mine,” he said simply. “He—Newton, that is—he’s Kate’s. My girl— Kate’s. This is her dog.”

Anthony cleared his throat while the vet nodded, understanding settling in his gaze. He was quiet for a moment, looking between Anthony and Kate, before finally reaching out a hand.

“May I?” he asked, and Kate nodded. Swallowing, she watched the vet take the pet carrier as Anthony hissed a quiet, “Careful, Dorset!” while they followed him through a door and down a corridor.

They came to a room and, as the vet named Dorset set the carrier down, he opened the small door and gently pulled Newton out.

“So, Miss Kate,” he murmured, carefully looking over the rather chubby, currently docile creature. “What seems to be the problem here?”

Sniffing, Kate rattled off the issues that plagued Newton. The painful whines, his tender stomach, the fact that he didn’t eat—Anthony snorted at that one, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Kate—and how he had been so different yesterday. The vet nodded along, listening carefully while he pressed a gentle hand against Newton’s stomach, earning him a long, pained whine.

“Stop—” Kate started, but the vet simply put his hand up.

“Wait a moment, Miss Kate,” he murmured, his mouth twisting into a frown. “Give me a moment; I think I know what’s wrong.”

Kate stepped back, her eyes growing wide. “Oh. O—okay,” she whispered, knowing she needed to trust the vet, even though she wished she could scoop Newton up and make sure he didn’t get hurt again.

Then she felt Anthony’s fingers brushing against hers until they were intertwined, squeezing her hand in his. She squeezed back, grateful he was there. Thankful that he was the one who had found a vet who could take a look at her perfect little boy.

They stayed like that for an agonising minute, watching in silence as Dorset the vet checked over Newton and moved him around a bit, carefully, gently, when…

“Did—did he just pass gas?”

Anthony had said this with some disgust, and Kate shot him a glare. Dorset, on the other hand, was smiling brightly.

“Trapped wind can be quite discomforting for animals,” he explained, scratching Newton between his now-upright ears. “It can even be quite a cause for concern, with some animals collapsing. It is always better to be safe than sorry.”

Newton yipped as if in agreement, his tail beginning to swish back and forth as he looked up at Dorset, his gaze filled with adoration. Kate almost sobbed with relief; her beautiful, wonderful bundle of fluff was back, and he was okay. Taking the few steps towards the table, she scooped Newton up in her arms and kissed his head.

“Oh, my sweet little man,” she whispered, burrowing her face into his fur. “I was so scared.” Then she looked up again, her gaze on Dorset, and offered him a watery smile. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Dorset.”

“Oh, please, call me Tom,” he grinned, stretching out a hand to fuss over Newton. “And you don’t need to thank me at all. If anything, you should be thanking Anthony for calling me; I wouldn’t have come in for just anyone on a Saturday.”

Kate stared at him, unblinking. The he was walking away to go and wash his hands, and she was about to say something when Newton growled, newly invigorated, and she looked down to see her beloved pet glaring at Anthony, whose palm was outstretched.

Anthony huffed. “Ungrateful beast,” he muttered, low enough that Kate might not have heard it, had she not been paying attention.

“Newton is an excellent judge of character, I’ll have you know,” she smirked. Anthony’s cheeks turned pink, and Kate scratched Newton between his ears. “But, I have to agree; you’re being a tad ungrateful, Newton. You wouldn’t be feeling better if he hadn’t called up his friend to take care of you.”

Newton was blissfully unaware of his scolding, however, instead seeming quite content to bask in Kate’s fuss, his eyes closed and tail continuously wagging.

Anthony continued to grumble under his breath as they made their way to the car, barely acknowledging Tom with a ‘Thank you,’ before they left. As Kate waved to the vet from her seat—“He’s so kind, isn’t he?” she smiled over at Anthony, who only scowled—Newton curled up in her lap while Anthony put the pet carrier in the boot of his car.

“You can stop sulking,” Kate said brightly as Anthony drove her back to the flat. “Newton is very picky with who he likes.”

Anthony’s scowl only deepened. “He hasn’t even given me a chance!” he started, his neck taut with frustration. “Every time I pick you up, he growls. Every time I try to play nice, he barks. I—why doesn’t he like me?”

At his desperation, Kate couldn’t help but laugh. When Kate shot her a pained look, she realised that probably wasn’t the right thing to do.

“Oh, Anthony,” she said soothingly, reaching out a hand and placing it on his thigh. She ignored the way Anthony’s leg jumped at the small touch. “He will come around, I promise. Newton is just protective; he thinks you’re going to steal me away.”

Antony snorted. “As if that would happen.” Kate couldn’t help but smile at this; it seemed Anthony was aware he was the loser in this battle.

“Maybe,” she hummed, patting his thigh and looking towards the road. “But, he will have to get over it eventually. You are my boyfriend, after all.”

Anthony slammed his foot on the brakes, causing Newton to yip in annoyance and Kate to snap “Anthony!” Thankfully, they had stopped at a traffic light that had just turned red.

What is going on with you?” Kate gasped, cuddling a burrowing Newton to her chest. Anthony turned to look at her, then, his eyes wide and filled with hope? No, delight. He was delighted.

“Say that again,” he breathed, earning him a quizzical look from Kate. “Tell me, Kate. Please.”

Stroking Newton, Kate shook her head and gave Anthony a curious stare. “What? That you’re my boyfriend? I hardly think that calls for—”

Very little came out of her mouth, then, because Anthony’s lips were pressed against hers, his hand curling into the back of her head as she kissed her until she was breathless. It wasn’t until a horn was screaming at them from behind, that Anthony realised he was still supposed to be driving.

“Crap,” he muttered, shifting into gear as he finally passed the green light. “Sorry. Got carried away.” Then he was grinning, almost vibrating in his seat. “You call me your boyfriend.”

Kate laughed, shaking her head. “Yes, and?” she said, amused by how delighted he seemed. “You nearly called me your girlfriend at the vets.”

Anthony coughed, as if he had forgotten. “Well, that is to say—I wasn’t sure you’d like it. We haven’t discussed it, after all.”

He was blushing, from the tips of his ears to his cheeks. He was bashful, Kate realised, and it only made her want to kiss him again, traffic jam be damned. It really wasn’t fair how sweet he could be, even when he didn’t mean it.

“I like it very much,” she said softly. At this, Anthony’s blush only seemed to deepen.

“I wanted to ask properly. Tonight. On the yacht,” he admitted, turning a corner onto Kate’s street. “But that plan seems to have gone out the window.” He didn’t look at her as he parked outside of her building, focusing on lining up his car perfectly instead. Kate watched him quietly, wondering how she could have gotten so lucky. Finally, once he had parked, she said,

“I think this is better.”

And then she was leaning over to kiss him, Newton whining in protest as he was crushed between them both. It didn’t take long for Anthony to part from Kate, his glare fixed on the yapping dog as Kate laughed, her hand still fixed to the back of her boyfriend’s neck.

“You should come inside,” she murmured, her gaze falling to those pretty lips that fascinated her so. “Get acquainted with Newton. Tell me a little more about that yacht you’re desperate to get me on.”

At her suggestion, Anthony’s gaze seemed to darken. “Oh, that could take all night, sweetheart,” he whispered back, his breath falling shallow. “It’s a pretty great yacht; you really should reconsider joining me on it.”

Laughter bubbled up in her throat; knowing Anthony, he would get her on the damned thing, one day.

“Maybe another time,” she whispered, pushing her forehead against his. “But tonight, I need to keep an eye on Newton. I think you should help me.” At her suggestion, Anthony arched an eyebrow, his smile turning a tad cocky.

“Oh, yeah?” he grinned. Kate nodded.

“Mmhm,” she hummed, running a thumb over the shell of his ear as she bit down on her bottom lip. “And no innocent goodbye kiss at the door tonight, either; I think you should leave that for the morning.”

Anthony’s breath caught in his throat, his pupils increasing in size. “Oh, is that so?” he whispered, his breath tickling Kate’s lips. “Is that what you would like, sweetheart?” Again Kate nodded, and pressed her mouth sweetly against his.

“I still need to thank you for saving Newton,” she smiled, pulling back as she opened the passenger seat door. “And I think that’ll take all night, don’t you?”

And with a final, flirtatious look, Kate ran towards the building that housed her flat. Anthony wasn’t far behind, pinning her against the wall of the lift as she giggled and Newton huffed, once again crushed between their chests.

By the time they actually got into the flat, Newton was annoyed with them both, and Kate had barely made it to her bedroom with all her clothing intact.

[lookingfts]

Every time I hear Elphaba sing “he loves her so” about Glinda I’m like girl, what are you basing that on.

there is a lot of comedy potential in how Elphaba truly cannot comprehend anyone flirting with her. Fiyero flirted with her twice super blatantly and only moved on after being shut down, he stumbled over his words, he brought her flowers, he’s got heart eye disease so bad its chronic.

Elphaba: Oz, I wish I was the girl for you

Fiyero:

[lookingfts]

Yes yes yes yes.

Prompt ideas:

- Kate has a secret admirer

- Kate and Anthony have a fight, Edmund (or Hyacinth) are worried that everything isn’t okay, and Kanthony have to explain that a fight doesn’t mean they don’t love each other

- Newton gets sick and Anthony comforts her through it (together or not together yet)

- Something goes wrong during their wedding but it turns into something funny and memorable

So many prompts, too many words rattling around in my nogging. Thank you so much, I appreciate yooooou (and adore you and all you do, forever and ever.) I want to return to one or two others in here, but I ran with a stereotypical Kanthony idea here (it could have been a cute Gregory as Kate's not-so-secret-admirer drabble) for 'Secret Admirer', and so here it is, all 2,003 words of it that have yet to be beta'd or even looked over after writing it. Hope you enjoy, I suppose it's sweet ahahaha. -------------------------------

Yours

“You have a package on your desk,” Cressida muttered, her lips twisting into that ugly frown she so often liked to wear. Kate blinked, finally looking up from her phone as she passed the front desk.

“Another one?” she asked, not at all surprised. Cressida didn’t deign her with an answer, of course; she simply went back to ignoring Kate, as she enjoyed to do most days.

Stalking toward her cubicle, Kate found the third—No, it was the fourth; it was a Thursday—gift that had appeared on her desk before the work day could even begin. This time it was a bouquet of tulips, in varying shades of orange and pink, neatly tie together with a lilac bow. They were gorgeous and, much like the other three gifts she had been receiving since the beginning of the week, left with a card that simply read:

For Kate,

May your day be as beautiful as you.

Yours,

And that was it. No initial. No name. Simply ‘Yours’, written in the most obnoxiously pretty handwriting Kate had ever seen. Whoever it was leaving her these gifts—Beautiful, often expensive gifts, at that—clearly had no desire to be found out, much to Kate’s (and Cressida’s) chagrin.

Really, would it hurt them to at least leave an inkling as to who they were? A hint so that Kate actually stood a fighting chance at learning who he—or she—was?

Sighing, Kate went to fetch one of the break room vases that was thankfully no longer in use, and fussed over the placement of her new bouquet. They really were quite gorgeous and, despite not knowing just who had given them to her, made her smile whenever she looked upon them.

“Nice flowers, Sharma,” came an unwanted voice and Kate had to bite back the groan that seemed ever-present on her tongue whenever he came up to her. “Another gift from your stalker?”

“Jealous, Bridgerton?” she asked, spinning to look at a rather smug Anthony Bridgerton, who was sipping his morning tea from one of the chipped office mugs. “I don’t see anyone leaving you gifts on your desk each morning.”

His smirk only seemed to grow wider. Prick. “True,” he said, though this fact didn’t phase him. “But seeing your delightful face every morning is a gift in and of itself, Sharma.” And before Kate could think of a retort—she couldn’t, annoyingly enough—the aggravating man tuned on his heel and left for his very private, very comfy office that seemed to cut him off from the rest of their colleagues.

Well, now Kate just felt annoyed; of course Anthony would choose to sour her mood, and right after she had been treated to such a lovely gift.

Falling heavily into her chair, Kate huffed as she switched on her laptop and started to work, the flowers seeming a little less joyful, now. How dare Anthony Bridgerton ruin her day.

######

As she packed up for the day, Kate carefully cradled her newest gift in her arms before taking her leave. Her previous gifts, though lovely, had not been quite as wonderful as the simplicity of a well-presented bouquet; she really did love flowers, she just seldom received them.

The day had, thankfully, gotten better; Anthony had been kept busy in his office, which meant his usual visits to her desk had ceased, at least for that day. And, while the office had seemed blissfully quiet, Kate couldn’t help but feel a little lonely that he hadn’t been there to annoy or disrupt her work.

It wasn’t that she had hated Anthony Bridgerton—no, hate was two strong a word; disliked was much better—because she didn’t. In fact, Kate found him to be quite charming at times, his smile infuriatingly pleasant. No, she simply found him to be exasperating, a tad cocky and, loathe though she was to admit, annoyingly handsome.

More often than not, they were at odds. He was set in his ways, often trying to ‘help’ her with her work when she very well knew what she was doing. In meetings, she often liked to point out his mistakes, earning herself an annoyed look as the dimple between his brows deepened.

He often retaliated by looming over her desk, his arms practically caging her while he looked over her work. His breath was always warm against his ear, his scent mouthwatering, divine. He never did this because he didn’t trust Kate, of course; she had considered that when she first started working there, but quickly came to learn that, in his own weird way, Anthony simply liked to bother her.

And with her recent Secret Admirer, he seemed to have increased his pursuit of annoyance. Not that Kate minded, really—again, she had felt quite lonely without him pestering her today—but since she had been receiving these gifts at the start of the week, Anthony had found multiple reasons to flock over to her like a pigeon poised for a fallen chip, his own work be damned.

Was he jealous? No, Kate didn’t think he was jealous, not that she knew what jealousy looked like on him. Maybe he just wanted to know, like the rest of their office—Anthony just so happened to be the only one brave enough to outright walk over to her desk.

She was waiting for the lift when Kate remembered she had left some documents on her desk. Cursing herself, she turned around and walked back towards the office, and straight for her cubicle. The documents were waiting for her, set in a neat little pile next to the now empty vase that she hardly noticed, until something caught her eye.

There, leaning against the vase sat a long, cream envelope, her name in the familiar cursive that she had been reading all week. Kate’s arm stilled, and her eyes grew wide.

Why was a gift already on her desk, as if in wait for her arrival tomorrow? Didn’t her secret admirer bring them in the morning?

Kate stared at it for a minute, maybe two, and held her breath before finally plucking the damned thing from its resting place. With trembling fingers, she opened it and, inside, she found two tickets marked for Saturday night. An opera, she realised; she had never been to the opera.

But she had always wanted to go. Kate had mentioned it once, in passing, to Sophie in the break room. How could her admirer know…?

Dropping her flowers onto the desk, Kate felt her feet move before she could think about this practically. Thankfully, the office was empty, so none of her colleagues would see her stalking down the pathway of desks like a madwoman. She was always one of the last people out of the office, finishing her work off while everyone else filtered out at five o’clock sharp. And yet, even as she left, there was always one person left, one absolute prick who seemed intent on being the final one to leave…

“What the fuck?”

Anthony looked up at Kate from his desk, wide-eyed with surprise, perhaps a little shock. She glared back at him, the opera tickets still in her hand as she stood in his office doorway, panting. As he stared at her, then at the tickets in her hand, Anthony groaned.

“You weren’t supposed to open them until tomorrow, you infuriating woman,” he muttered, one hand flying to his forehead to smooth over the creases that were beginning to form.

“It was you?” Kate hissed accusingly, though she’d already guessed as much; Anthony was probably the only person in the entire bloody office who could afford box seats for the freaking opera. Still, it annoyed her that she hadn’t guessed sooner.

Rolling his eyes, Anthony pushed against his desk and stood, his gaze unwavering as he looked towards Kate. “You weren’t meant to know until Saturday,” he replied coolly, and began making his way over to her. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

As she watched him stride towards her, Kate found herself almost at a loss for words when she finally took him in. Anthony was dishevelled, deliciously so. The knot in his tie had been loosened, his jacket since discarded and hanging over the back of his chair. His sleeves—usually down to his wrists—were now pushed up to his elbows, the veins in his forearms prominent. And then there was his hair, combed through from his own fingers after hours of work, no longer the perfect coif that Kate often thought of when she thought of him.

Oh, God; why did he look like he had just walked right out of a Mills & Boons novel? At this thought, Kate wrinkled her nose, though not in disgust.

“What, that you’re my stalker?” she finally asked, mockingly. Thankfully, Anthony seemed to take his own words being thrown back at him in jest, because he gave her one of those infuriatingly pleasant smiles she seemed to like so much.

“Secret Admirer sounds much more romantic, wouldn’t you agree?” he asked, finally stopping in front of her and—God, it irked Kate to think this was hot—leaned one arm against the door frame as he arched one perfect brow.

“Why me?” she managed, thankful that her brain hadn’t disconnected just yet. “Why have you been doing this all week?” Kate motioned towards the opera tickets, and then to her desk, and Anthony smiled widely, dimples beginning to form on his cheeks.

Oh, fuck. Of course Anthony Bridgerton would have fucking dimples. Kate’s stomach swooped.

“Why not?” he said simply, his shoulders lifting in a light shrug. “There are many reasons why I would want to spoil you a bit, Kate.”

Swallowing, Kate dared to ask, “Name one,” with shuddering breath.

“Because you’re hard working,” he whispered. Then, “Because I enjoy your company.”

“That’s two—” Kate protest, but Anthony shook his head, and continued.

“Because you deserve it,” he said, his voice soft and sweet, and Kate realised too late that his hand had come up to cup her jaw, his thumb gently stroking the indent of her chin. She swallowed, all too aware that she had now lost her voice.

“And, I hope you are listening to me closely, now, Sharma,” he murmured, his lips now impossibly close to her ear as he leaned into her. “Despite how infuriating you can be, I rather like you more than a colleague should.”

And then he was looking at her, those damning brown eyes filled with warmth and a gentleness Kate had not seen before. A look that would probably doom her if she gave in, allowed him to bewitch her with his gifts and the words that tumbled from his pretty mouth…

The same pretty mouth that, in a delirious haze, she had caught with her own, her fingers immediately winding into that glorious mess of hair.

He kissed her back immediately, his mouth greedy upon hers as Anthony dragged Kate over the threshold and pushed her against the wall. His hands were bruising on her arms, then teasing against her waist as he slipped his hands beneath her blazer, hot and wanting while he crushed her body against his chest.

All too soon—or not soon enough, given how hard Kate was panting, now—Kate pulled back, her gaze immediately falling to Anthony’s plush, red lips that looked thoroughly kissed. If she kissed them again, would they bloom even redder?

Before she could ask that, though, she had one more question.

“Why ‘yours’?” she asked, genuinely curious. “Why not sign with an initial on your gifts, or give me a clue?”

There was a beat of silence as she returned Anthony’s gaze, his eyes glassy and pupils blown wide. For a moment he stood there, still holding her in his arms, catching his breath. Then he was smiling again and touched his forehead to hers.

“Because I have always been yours, Kate,” he whispered.

[lookingfts]

Hey, there. Now that you've been on Tumblr for a while, has anything surprised you about interacting so frequently with the people who read your work?

Oh, quite a lot of things haha.

When I started on Tumblr, I literally did not know if anyone would find me (or want to follow me if they did) so I definitely wasn't expecting to have 500+ followers.

I didn't know that people would care about what I was working on or what I would do next. It honestly blows my mind that people remember, let alone look forward to, stories I've talked about in the past.

I didn't know that I would get so many asks about my fics, or would be offered so many ideas. If one of your ideas has ever made it into my fics (and plenty have), I hope you know I'm grateful for it. I love seeing how other people read my stories, and they often have a different perspective and help me get out of my tunnel vision.

And it's just crazy to think that anyone thinks that deeply about my work and has questions and headcanons. When you get comments on AO3, it's awesome, but it's usually that first initial reaction. Hearing from people on Tumblr made me realize that people were rereading things, that fics were sticking with them over time, and that's really special.

Basically I didn't know my experience on Tumblr would be anything like this and I'm very appreciative lol. You're all really sweet.

[lookingfts]

I'm just catching up on these (amazing work, by the way, you're so talented). I LOVE traveling kanthony! Do you think you may add it to your list of maybes?

Thank you! I can commit to a "maybe." I've gotten several messages about that one, and I do think there are a lot of places to go with that concept. Am I well-cultured enough to do them justice, eh, who knows lol. Recognition to @fitrahgolden for the original idea of filmmaker Kate and crew member Anthony.

#14 !!!!! How long does it take Kate to trust that Anthony is 100% in this relationship (as we all know he is) instead of possibly thinking he's drunk or she's just another person to go back to his hotel room? I am obsessed (although not Anthony-level obsessed) with them. Thanks so much for these drabbles. :)

Thanks! It takes a little bit. They make out for a while but they don't have sex that night. The next day, when he's sober, he reaffirms that he meant everything he said, and he wishes he had told her in a more romantic way but he doesn't regret finally breaking down the wall between them. She asks about his other conquests, of course, and Anthony admits that it was mostly a way of coping with his feelings for her without ruining their friendship and partnership, especially during times when she was seeing other people, and that he could and happily would give it all up for her. And like with any relationship, he just keeps proving that until she trusts it fully.

If you add the documentary filmmakers to your maybe list, maybe each chapter could be a different location or film subject to show their relationship over time. Also, I don't think we've seen your take on bi or pansexual Anthony outside of sexy one shots?

That is a fun idea! There could be times when they're seeing something really beautiful together and they have a Moment where it almost turns into something, but they're interrupted. There could be times where it's a tough story and Kate cries and he comforts her. And times where she's in danger and Anthony freaks out over her getting hurt, or vice versa.

[lookingfts]

Dialogue Game - Prompts #17 and #18

#17 - Anthony and Kate Spy AU. Kate is bleeding (your choice of injury) "Oh god there is so much blood. Shhh, I know it hurts, I am here" (Anonymous)

Anthony was no stranger to death.

There wasn’t much that fazed him, now. The last strangled breaths of an informant who had been discovered. The sickening coppery smell of blood all over his hands and clothes. The light going out in someone’s eyes.

It wasn’t pretty, and rarely peaceful. But death was simply a part of life.

“Anthony?”

He heard her weak voice from behind a stack of crates, and ran to her. Something was wrong, he’d already known when she activated her emergency beacon, but this-

His stomach roiled as he knelt beside her. Kate’s face was blanched, dark red liquid streaked all over her hand as she tried to keep pressure on the wound. “Fuck,” he breathed, nudging her hand aside so he could press a cloth to the spot. “What happened?”

“Ambush,” she mumbled. “Shot. Better than the other guy.”

Following her gaze, he could see the dead man halfway between them and the door. Even injured, she had managed to get a shot off. That was his girl.

She moaned in pain, and he shushed her, tugging her against his body. “I know it hurts. I’m here,” he murmured. “Tom is coming with the ambulance. Just hold tight.”

He didn’t want to move her in this state - she was too fragile. Kate leaned into him, breathing heavily. “Talk to me. Distract me.”

“Okay.” Kate was tough - the toughest person he knew, probably. She would never go down with a fight, and he blinked back the tears that were collecting on his lashes, not wanting to alarm her. She would survive. She had to. He wouldn’t allow anything else. “My family is having a barbecue on Saturday.”

She laughed weakly, more of an exhale than anything. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. They’re totally insane. Simon is going to burn the hot dogs, and Hyacinth will probably show off a routine from her dance recital and Colin and Pen will sneak off to have sex and they think they’re so discreet, but everyone knows what they’re doing. And I can’t imagine why you would ever want to go, but I was working up the courage to ask you anyway.”

Kate looked up at him, her lips parted. Well, he’d successfully distracted her. Bleeding out in his arms, and still surprised about being asked on a date.

“I-I don’t think I’m going to make it on Saturday,” she said, slowly moving her hand over the one he had on her abdomen. “But will you ask me for the next one?”

Anthony chuckled damply, pressing their foreheads together. Distantly, he could hear sirens, and it sounded like hope. “The next one,” he breathed. “I’ll hold you to that.”

#18 - “What do you mean he left?!?!” (Anonymous)

“What do you mean he left?”

“Simon heard his car early this morning, and he hasn’t come back yet.” Daphne winced, stepping forward to rub her hands over Kate’s arms. “I’m sure everything is okay. I’m sure he just…”

Her mouth fell shut, and Kate felt a wave of nausea rise in her stomach. She knew women were sometimes left at the altar, but Anthony loved her. More than anything. Didn’t he?

Maybe…maybe this had all been too fast. His issues around love and marriage were deep seated, and even though she thought they had moved past all that, maybe the import of today caught up with him. Maybe he finally realized what it meant to promise himself to someone, forever.

“I’m going to call him,” she said, barely able to recognize her own voice. A single ring, and then right to voicemail. Her hand shook.

“Anthony?” she said quietly. Straight to voicemail meant that his phone was off, or he was screening her calls, but she had to try. Daphne slipped out of the room to give her privacy. “I don’t know where you are. I don’t know if you’re freaking out, and I just…it’s okay, you know? I love you, and that’s all I care about. If you don’t want to marry me today, then we’ll figure out. Please just call me back and we’ll figure it out.”

She lingered, not knowing what else to say, and hung up. Collapsing down onto the chaise, Kate wiped hastily at her eyes. Just as well that the makeup artist wasn’t due for another hour.

God, she was going to kill him. If he wasn’t dead in a ditch somewhere, she was going to murder him and then resurrect him and beg him to stay with her, and then maybe kill him again.

Kate had no idea how much time had passed, minutes, hours, days, but a loud knock on the door startled her. “Are you in your dress, babe? I want to come in, but my mum will throw a fit if I see it before the ceremony.”

She leapt up and threw open the door, gaping at him. Anthony was standing there with a grin on his face, his eyes trailing over her thin silk robe, looking for all the world as if nothing was wrong.

Until she saw the look on her face. “Are you okay?”

It was instinct, really, to raise her hand and smack him across the cheek. Anthony’s eyes widened, and she pushed his shoulders. “Where were you?” Kate said, hurt and fury coloring her voice. “I thought you were gone.”

Kate shoved him again, and Anthony tugged her against his body, holding her tight as she sobbed into his shoulder. “You thought I left you?” When she didn’t answer, he ran a soothing hand over her back. “I thought I could get to London and back before anyone noticed. My phone died, and I didn’t have my charger, and there was an accident, I just- Kate, I would never leave you. Tell me you know that.”

They separated, and she let him clear the tears from her face with his thumb. She was still furious, and a little scared, but she chased his comfort nonetheless. “What was in London?” It wasn’t exactly a skip and a jump from Aubrey Hall.

“These.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out her Amma’s emerald bangles. “Eddie was pretty inconsolable when she realized that she forgot them, so I decided to go so she could help you get ready. I should have told someone where I was going, I’m sorry. You know what a one-track mind I have sometimes.”

Kate laughed, the knot in her chest finally loosening. Not only had he not been leaving her, but he had been determined for her to have a piece of her Amma there. Her most prized possession beside the pearl engagement ring on her finger.

She loved this man so much.

Taking her wrist in his hand, he slipped a bangle on one, then the other. “I promise I’ll get better about communication,” Anthony said, and they shared a chuckle. “But the wrath of God could not stop me from marrying you today, Kathani Bridgerton.”

“I’m not Kathani Bridgerton yet,” she said, lifting her chin imperiously, and Anthony grinned.

“Yeah, you are,” he answered softly, squeezing her fingers. “To me, you are.”

[lookingfts]

Ok, choking is in your top 5 Kate and Anthony kinks. I'mma try to guess the others:

Praise

Exhibition

Degradation

Dirty talk

How did I do? I'm iffy on degradation, but feel pretty good about the others.

Lol! I knew someone would be able to fill out that list. My fics are basically a giant exploration of my *ahem* interests.

Exhibition and dirty talk, 1000%. I would put praise/degradation together because I think they're just two halves of the same coin, and that Kanthony would like both depending on the mood. Like I think I've talked before about Anthony liking degradation/humiliation when he's in a good place mentally, but sometimes that might be too much, and he might seek out praise when he feels like something in his life isn't going right, or like he's failing in some way. Kate likes praise because she's competitive and wants to be good at it, and a little degradation when she's in the right mood because she just likes Anthony's filthy mouth when he does it.

And then I think #5 is either rough sex or sharing. Maybe that's #5 and #6 lol.

[lookingfts]

todays topic: that blank stare anthony does every time he gets his ass handed to him

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Friday Fic Rec 1/17

Thanks as always for your submissions! Titles are links to each fic.

Indecent Proposal by @coveredinbees

“Incomplete but a different story of Kathony set in the same time period that's both mysterious and gripping. They update very sporadically though!”

Description: Following a duel a few years previously, Anthony Bridgerton has been living a life of constant agony. He has not shown his face in society for years, and even his own family think him bitter and isolated. What he needs, he decides, is a distraction. And when he unwittingly propositions a fiercely independent Kate Sharma, a distraction is what he gets.

WIP (14/?) - E - 68k words

every time a bell rings by starkswinterfelling

“The fact that it has so few kudos and hits is a crime. Yes it’s long, but it’s so beautifully written and plotted and anyone who claims to enjoy thinking about Anthony Bridgerton’s psychological state and the family dynamics and hasn’t read it is missing out!”

Description: Christmas Eve, 1945. Anthony Bridgerton, after a lifetime of unfulfilled dreams, disappointment and sacrifice, reaches the end of his tether. A timely meeting with a strange, mysterious woman puts into perspective the vast reach love can have, and shows him that he really has had a wonderful life. An It's a Wonderful Life (1946) AU.

WIP (8/?) - M - 166k words

Show!canon Engagement Fics series by BurnerrAccount ("The Return," "An Arrangement in Flux" and "Green in its many hues")

"As the name indicates, it's basically a series of post-canon fics taking place after the Featherington Ball with Kate and Anthony navigating their (still not public) engagement and courtship. The stories give some truly fantastic insight into the characters and there is some top notch smut of the emotional variety too."

Description: After the Featherington ball, Kate and Anthony sneak away for some much needed privacy. Kate learns a few new things.

Complete - E - 34k words

A Mortifying Ordeal by rubyonline

"A guaranteed download and repeat read x a million! And the author's first?!? Brilliant!"

Description: Yes, Anthony Bridgerton was battling a mortifying ordeal indeed. He was in love with his wife.

WIP (4/10) - E - 31k words

turning saints into the sea by antematter

"Jealous Anthony? SEATED, front and center!"

Description: In 1812, Anthony Bridgerton is struggling to raise his siblings alone after the untimely death of his parents. Heartbroken and swearing off love after his mistress discontinues their arrangement, he impulsively courts and marries Kate Sharma. But as time passes and wounds heal, Anthony finds that his wife has entirely captured his attention. If only she hadn't caught the eye of another gentleman first...

WIP (13/20) - E - 52k words

Matters of Engagement by andromedas_perseus

"A slow burn WORK OF ART."

Description: An AU where Kate agrees to end Edwina and Anthony's engagement, secures her family's future, and falls in love along the way. (Bonus: the wedding of my nightmares never takes place.)

WIP (21/23) - E - 156k words

A Viscount Most Inconvenient by trash4ficaboutlurv

"Marriage of Convenience with the most Regency accurate dialogue and compelling storytelling!"

Description: An Alternate Version of Events: Kate has one goal in coming to England: to get her little sister Edwina married, and not just married--illustrously and happily married. But when the Sheffields refuse to sponsor their granddaughter, Kate sees an unconventional way to give her sister the glittering season she's always dreamed of: she'll have to marry rich herself. And she doesn't require romance and fairy tales. Just someone of fortune in want of a wife.

WIP (14/16) - E - 71k words

Cassandra by @waterlilyrose

"Heartbreak and heart-wrenching emotional growth, only the way waterlilyrose can deliver!"

Description: Kate, feeling that no-one listens to her words, warnings or fears, decides to try a vow of silence. Unfortunately Lord Bridgerton isn't happy about that. And will do just about anything, no matter how unhinged, to get Kate to speak to him again.

WIP (2/3) - T - 20k words

A Loveless Marriage by Liebe

"Fake/pretend relationship? Marriage of Convenience? There can never be enough!"

Description: Kate has always been the one to provide for her family. When Edwina excitedly tells her Bagwell wants to offer for her, Kate knows it's up to her to marry well and secure her family's future. Anthony has always been clear that he wants a loveless marriage. So when Kate has an intriguing proposition for him, he doesn't immediately discount it. But it's not enough to get a special licence or run to Scotland. They will have to convince the entire ton, not to mention their families, that they are in love... and somehow not fall in love for real.

WIP (9/?) - E - 28k words

Make Three by anidlequeen

Description: Co-parenting with your best friend isn't easy. Or, Kate and Anthony meet, become friends, have a baby together, and fall in love. In that order.

Complete - NR - 22k words

the black sky (all those lights) by antematter

Description: Kate makes a deal with the forest god: her father's life for her firstborn child. What she doesn't tell him is that she's not going to have a firstborn. That's okay though. He'll give her one.

Complete - E - 4k words

This Used to Be Ours by @tinacentury

Description: It was, like everything else in the tiny town she’d grown up in, a cloying relic of a lost past Kate didn’t like to linger on. But when Anthony came out of the en-suite and pulled Kate back to rest against his chest, taking a deep inhale as his nose nuzzled against her hair, the thought came to her unbidden. Home.

Complete - M - 2k words

Last Christmas by @rosesatdawn24

Description: This started out as a light hearted secret Santa-goes-wrong story but then, it grew legs, and has become a little angstier than planned. Still a bit of fun sprinkled in there, and as always a HEA, but here is my humble Kanthony Christmas offering.

Complete - G - 7k words

A Port in the Storm by caciopepebowl

Description: A few days before Christmas, a powerful storm passes through Kent. Anthony—hosting the holidays at Aubrey Hall for the first time in several years—provides much-needed comfort to his wife and son.

Complete - E - 10k words

Thanks for reading! You can find previous weeks under the "lfts fic recs" tag.

[lookingfts]

Musing about A Moment Apart Kate seeing Anthony's phone screen at an inopportune time during a visit to London...

Okay, just going to clear out my inbox and respond to messages about different stories!

I love this! Hy representing his family wanting to see Kate is a cute touch. Anthony absolutely would want to monopolize her time and it would cause some drama. I love that as his background too.

So, Perfect Places won't be a dual POV? I know you often prefer Kate's POV (as do I), I'm just wondering.

I don't know yet! I write certain stories in Kate's POV because I feel like she has the bigger arc/it revolves more around what happens to her. And if I do a dual POV, I really like to have both people represented more or less equally. In Perfect Places, I do like the unreliable narrator angle with Kate. But I might also do the first few chapters with her and then switch to him, or give him one chapter where you get to see his take on everything.

would feedback about ones that sound like they could be longer stories be annoying? because i rather like that one in the hotel room. im guessing a scene like that would be somewhere around the middle of the story and maybe the rest would be about working with your partner. i know you've done other workplace romances with kathony but traveling filmmakers is quite a different workplace than the office.

I'm really enjoying hearing about the drabbles people like! That's not to say I'll ever get around to revisiting them, but I'm definitely open to hearing people's ideas. I do love a workplace romance...I tend to gravitate toward ships where the couple are partners in some way. I think when you watch them solve problems together and trust each other, it's just easy to see how they would also be a team as a couple.

Ooh, I'm thinking Anthony wears a titanium day collar and Kate wears a cuff to match. Here are mine for reference:

Anthony would absolutely love this lol. Even more so if it was inscribed with Kate's initials. Just a little KB on the inside, right over his throat.

[lookingfts]

You're writing so much, I feel like we don't deserve all this! I hope you're enjoying yourself. Is this just a fun exercise? Are you getting Anthony else out of it like ideas for future stories or help deciding which of your established AUs you are going to write next?

Anyway, I'm going through a serious bout of loneliness and clinical depression right now and these posts have been tiny doses of dopamine to keep me going. Thank you for sharing. (Really just mean that as a compliment and so you know your work helps people, not trying to saddle you with any responsibility!)

Thank you. ❤️ I'm so glad it's helping in any small way. I am enjoying myself! I always need a break from multi-chaps after I finish one, but I still have the writing itch. Drabbles are a good way to try a bunch of different ideas. It's easy to explore something in a drabble without having to worry about a ton of world-building.

I truly didn't know what I wanted to work on next (and I still don't), so the drabbles are just a nice low-pressure way to keep writing without committing to anything, and I know eventually it'll lead me toward my next big project. I have about 30 dialogue prompts left, so I'm going to try to work through most of them!

[lookingfts]

🙎🏼‍♀️🙎🏼‍♀️🙎🏼‍♀️🙎🏼‍♀️

I'll only allow #15 because it's a drabble and there's no way they didn't end up together and I'm not crying, you are! 😭😭😭

I mean, I did cry writing it. But yes, they do end up together! You can think of #15 and #16 as taking place in the same universe if you want, so they end up married with a baby. My headcanon is actually that he marries Siena, because he's just still not in the right place for loving Kate the way she deserves, but it lasts less than two years. He gets his life together and wins Kate back, and things get serious between them fast. They're married within six months of his divorce being finalized.

[lookingfts]

Dialogue Game - Prompts #15 and #16

#15 - “If I don’t say this now. I’ll always be stuck in this moment never being able to move forward” and “We were just kids, you know?” (Anonymous)

Anthony has very carefully arranged things so that he would never be alone. 

Every moment of his day has been at Siena’s side, or drinking with Ben, or listening to his mother fuss over last minute plans. All to avoid this exact moment - in a quiet room with his thoughts, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him.

He can’t breathe, he can’t - this isn’t how it’s supposed to feel. But he’s already gone so far down this road.

The door clicks open, and he straightens himself out. Maybe Ben with some hair of the dog. God knows he could use it.

Anthony turns, and whoever he expected to see - it isn’t her.

“Hey,” Kate says shyly, her arms crossed over her chest. She’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt - she’d declined his invitation to the wedding, which hurt but wasn’t surprising. But she’s there, in the back room at the chapel, and he knows what this is.

A goodbye.

“I just wanted to see you,” she presses on when he doesn’t say anything. Always so brave, always so willing to step onto the ledge while he shrinks back. “How are you?”

“I’m great,” Anthony says dryly, almost bitterly. He’s so overcome with the desire to grab Kate and kiss her, take her right here against the wall. It’s been so long since he’s tasted her, since he’s felt her, and it pains him to think he never will again. “You?”

Her eyes shine, but she steps forward, her hands smoothing over his lapels. “You look nice.” The tension that has always strung between them remains, tinged with nostalgia and something else that he still can’t name, after all this time. “It’ll be good, Ant. This is a good thing.”

The words are hollow, and they both know it, but they’re good at pretending. It’s all they’ve ever done, with the world, with their families, with each other. “Why are you here?” he asks quietly. He has to know. Even if it will just slice deeper, he has to know.

Kate tugs at his collar once before letting go. “I’m not here to ask for anything,” she says, shaky but determined. He has always been in awe of her strength, trying desperately to steal it for himself. “What happened with us - we were just kids, you know? And I don’t know if it was ever…real, for you. I don’t know if we were in any shape for anything real.”

Two people drowning in grief, stepping into adulthood before their time. Burning everything and everyone in their path. Maybe if it hadn’t happened the way it did, they could have supported each other. Staggered their heartache. But the timing was never on their side.

“It was real.” That’s all he says, and all he needs to say. Kate nods, something solidifying in her expression, growing more resolved.

“If I don’t say this now, I’ll always be stuck in this moment, never able to move forward.” Anthony envies that she thinks she can leave this moment behind. He’s not sure he ever will. Even as it’s happening, he thinks he’ll encase this moment in amber and look back on it as the moment that his life could have been different. “I know we fucked it up, but it meant everything to me. You still mean so much to me, and you always will. Maybe it’s really selfish to tell you this before you walk down the aisle to her, I don’t…I don’t know. I’ve just spent so long acting like nothing mattered, and I didn't want you to think that you never mattered. You deserved to know.”

Kate exhales, a weight lifted, standing on her toes to kiss him. It’s quick and rough, and over before Anthony can properly return it. 

“Good luck,” she says hurriedly, wiping her face, and she’s gone when he blinks.

And Anthony thinks he’ll never be alone with his thoughts again. Because Kate will always be haunting him.

#16 - “Do you know how scared I was?” (Anonymous)

Anthony is head-to-toe trembling when he reaches the room where his wife is - according to her text. Logically, he knows she’s okay, but he doesn’t quite let himself believe it until she’s in front of him. Her ponytail is a little askew and she looks tired, and her ankle is bandaged, but she’s okay.

“Kate,” he breathes, and she’s already reaching for him as he scoops her up in his arms. He holds her so tightly, too tightly, but she doesn’t protest.

“I’m okay,” Kate whispers, and her voice calms something agitated in his chest. “Baby, I’m okay. I promise.”

“Do you know how scared I was?” He got the broad strokes from her message - that she went for a run and got dizzy and tripped on the sidewalk, and a good Samaritan waited with her until an ambulance arrived. “You haven’t been feeling well, why would you-?”

Her cheeks flush, and she looks down at her hands. All week, she’s been run down and a little nauseated. But that’s his wife - she hates to be weak, always pushing herself to overcome her own perceived shortcomings. “It was stupid, I’m sorry. I thought it might make me feel better to move, get outside. The last thing I wanted was to scare you.”

Anthony knows he’s a little more sensitive than most about things like this. After everything they’ve been through, he just doesn’t know what he’ll do if it’s not okay. If he loses the person he loves most in this world, again.

Taking his hands in both of hers, Kate looks up at him. “I have to tell you something.” He tenses, and she laughs quietly. “It’s not bad. Actually, it’s…”

Tears brim her eyes, and he doesn’t know how to feel. She’s telling him everything is fine, but she’s obviously emotional, and he doesn’t know if his heart can take any more terrifying news today.

“I, um, I told the nurse about how I’ve been feeling. And she had a hunch and…she ran a test.” A smile breaks on her face, and realization swells in his chest before his mind can properly wrap around it. “I wish I could tell you in some special way, but I can’t wait. I’m pregnant.”

It feels like ages before he comprehends what she’s saying, but his eyes are already wet. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. And it’s healthy, we’re healthy, everything is okay, I just-.” She laughs thickly, and shakes her head. “Can you just kiss me, please?”

It’s barely a kiss, just their smiles pressing together, but Anthony already knows this will forever be one of his favorite memories.

[lookingfts]

Kate has had her hand wrapped around his throat from the gazebo, now that they're married she's probably even more possessive! i know we've a few possessive Anthony fics but what if... there's one for Kate going above and beyond to claim her husband... just saying

Oh 100%, Kate is just as possessive.

Modern Anthony could totally wear this with a collar underneath, so he spends all day reminded that he belongs to Kate: