#Bridgerton inspired hotels

[rosemaryhelenxo]

Discover Newport Pagnell's Chicheley Hall: Luxury Hotel in Breath-taking Countryside | Travel

“Nestled in the idyllic countryside of Newport Pagnell, just an hour away from London, lies the stunning Chicheley Hall Hotel. “ This 18th century mansion turned luxury hotel offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its grand architecture, lush gardens, and impeccable service, Chicheley Hall is a hidden gem that promises a memorable and indulgent…

[jbaileyfansite]

Interview with Evan Ross Katz (2024)

Whether he’s carrying Kylie Minogue to the Hyde Park Festival stage with his pal Andrew Scott, making the Internet go collectively feral for merely running a half marathon, chasing dinosaurs (in the upcoming Jurassic World reboot), romancing Matt Bomer (in Fellow Travelers) or Simone Ashley (in Bridgerton) or Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (in Wicked) or, with his most recent venture, launching an LGBTQ+-focused charity, it seems Jonathan Bailey is always up to something. And yet, he still makes time, from his hotel room in Thailand (where he’s shooting Jurassic World 4), to hop on a Zoom with me to catch up.

We discuss everything from chafed nipples to queer shame to who he’d like to see in the “Drink Your Milk” T-shirt to if we’ll see him on Broadway any time soon, which is to say it’s a brief but wide-ranging chat.

I haven't seen you since the Met Gala! When we last spoke, you were prepping for your first half marathon. I obviously saw the viral photos that went around of you at the finish line, but how did it go?

You know, I should have put those nipple stickers on. That's my main takeaway. 

[Laughs] Did you bleed?

I did a bit, yeah. Did you? I know you've done a couple of marathons. 

I did bleed, and I didn't know about the bleeding beforehand. It's not something you really hear about but it's painful and uncomfortable.

Totally! And not even just beforehand: It took ‘til 4 hours later when my best friend told me there was evidence [of the bleeding]. But anyways… it was euphoric!

At least there was no photo evidence of that element!

Exactly! So thankfully, it's done. But it's just the most amazing thing, isn't it? And the community as well. Hackney Moves is amazing and they raised loads of money. It was the Bridgerton [Season 3 release] week so I feel like you could sort of harness that.

I do have to ask you a pressing question: Days ago, it was announced that Wicked had moved up its release date and will now be released the same day as Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2. Many online were affectionately calling this Barbenheimer 2.0, which led many to try and speculate about a proper portmanteau. Jon Chu wrote on Instagram that the consensus seems to be “Glicked,” which you reposted on Instagram, signaling a cosign. But I have to ask you, Johnny: Are you not considering“Wickediator”?

I love it. Whatever Jon Chu has ever said to me, I’ve taken as gospel, so I actually hadn't explored all the other options. The one that I've now heard since then which is making me reconsider everything is “Gladicked.” [Laughs] It's quite good, isn’t it? 

Yes! To me, “Glicked” feels too Wicked-skewed and then “Wickediator” is just clunky AF, so I like where you're at. 

We want it to be equal footing for sure. Another thing that I love that went viral is someone going: “Oh, brilliant. A film for the ladies and a film for the ladies.” [Laughs] 

I am both ladies! 

Oh, yes. Me too! 

Let’s talk The Shameless Fund, the charity you founded to raise money for LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations. Can you tell me about the formation of this project?

It's been a labor of love over the last three or four years. It's been quite an organic experience, mainly inspired by Fellow Travelers, hence why I started with a collaboration which references a very specific scene and a performance by Matt Bomer.

I think through Covid and Bridgerton coming out, I found that there’s a real sense in the queer community about awareness of people who came before you and other experiences. And then obviously in Fellow Travelers, which explicitly explores that, the character I played was sort of on the front all the way through a very complicated experience for gay men at that time.

He experienced real moments of blooming liberation and quite insane amounts of oppression as well, and he was always fighting. He ends up becoming an activist, essentially, and I think it was in playing that part — which was kind of spiritual for me and for everyone who's involved in it — that I was like: Right, okay. I know that I've got this idea in my head and having experienced how much love there is for things like Bridgerton and how much money there is in collaboration, I felt that there's so many things I had said “no” to because it didn't feel quite right for me but if there was a world in which I could marry all of it in a creative sort of cocktail, then why not? And to give back to the community that I so love, and also, I'm a massive beneficiary of the work that the people that came before us did, so that's where it came to fruition from. 

You collaborated with our dear friend Jonathan Anderson, the creative director of Loewe, on a T-shirt with a memorable quote from Fellow Travelers to promote the launch of The Shameless Fund. How did this collaboration come to be?

During the strikes during the filming of Wicked, I went on a run one day and this idea of a T-shirt came into my head in full form. Then I sat next to Jonathan [at a Studio Voltaire fundraiser], and he’s lovely and brilliant and naughty and has a foundation, so it was all kind of organic.

Then I went over to DC to present Matt Bomer with an award for the Human Rights Campaign and it was really galvanizing to experience the American fervor. It was a gala, and the energy in the room was absolutely wild and there were amazing stories on stage. I texted Jonathan and I said: “Look, I have an idea and it involves milk and a T-shirt. What do you think?” and he said: “Call me tomorrow,” and then he said yes within the same phone call. I just felt tentative because it’s the sort of thing where you ask and you don't know, but then it went from there. 

I do recall first seeing a photo of you in the shirt several months ago during a night out with the Loewe team in China…

I went to the Loewe exhibition in Shanghai, which was incredible, and that night, we had quite a big night out and I wore the T-shirt because I’d been given the first prototype.

I was having a little boogie and [Anderson] uploaded it whilst I had no access to the Western World — my phone was off the whole time. So by the time I came home, you could see that people were gonna go wild for the T-shirt. Now, it's sold out and we're gonna get some more and it'll be a first step for The Shameless Fund to raise some money. 

Jonathan Anderson did my and my husband's wedding looks and I had to send him that same initial text to be like: “Can one even ask this?”

That's what's so brilliant in life: People who have the ability to collaborate, and that's just what Jonathan does.

One thing that you said just now that struck me is: “Why not?” I interview a lot of people in your profession and they're not asking that question all the time. A lot of people say:

“Oh, there's lots of money I can make. I can have more money. I can have more things for myself.”

Why are you a “why not?” person rather than a “why”? Is that something that was imbued in you by your family and your upbringing or is it how you've always been?

I don't know. I just feel quite strongly emotionally. I sense injustice in certain places, and I think what comes with success — especially being a gay actor — is that you think: “Hang on a minute. Are there limitations? Are there glass ceilings?”

When you experience success that you never thought you would and you grew up thinking that you're limited because of your identity and who you are, I think about the people that have supported me and the people that were really pioneering, but also, the actual heroes who do the real work; the people who work for these nonprofits and these charities where the majority of their energy is spent trying to raise money. When Bridgerton came out, I was inundated with requests to help draw attention to [these organizations] or raise money or donate things that they could sell, so that's where the kernel of this idea came from. All my life, I’ve been thinking about how I can give back.

It's not for nothing that you call this The Shameless Fund. We grew up at a time when, and I don't know if this is the same for you, but I didn't know that gay people existed. I thought I was the only one because I didn't have access to the kind of media kids do today where you can go on Instagram and see that gay is not only acceptable; it's cool. There's this very significant paradigm shift. I feel like a lot of gay men of our generation felt this shame as young people and often spend a lot of our adult lives working to rid ourselves of it. What is it for you about this idea of shame? 

I totally agree in terms of generations. I think the queer experience changes every five years. Even with some of my friends who are 10 years older than me — it's just so specific to cultural moments and representation as well, as you're saying. But I think my understanding of shame, especially having experienced Fellow Travelers, is that it permeates. It's not just a community that experiences the shame; it's the people around them. It's the parents who don't understand it and kick their kids out of their house. It's the sisters, it’s the cousins, it's the nephews, it's the children that are in broken families because of it. It's actually so toxic, that sense of self-hatred. That’s why The Shameless Fund is actually something that I hope is going to benefit everyone, even beyond the community itself.

Also, the older we get and because of the world we live in now, you can read The Velvet Rage and you can read Matthew Todd’s Straight Jacket and you can explore and have conversations with your friends that are really enlightening and you can have therapy, if you're lucky enough that you can afford to do that. As a 36-year-old now, I look back and I just go: “My God, I had such a loving family and yet I was still so isolated and so crippled.”

Shame can stop people from having a proper education and from being able to structure proper emotional relationships, like fundamental relationships with their family, which is the one place you're supposed to feel safe. It's flawed if the family is not aware of what you're going through. 

How did you come up with the name?

I did have other names [in mind for The Shameless Fund], but we won't go into them. One was so aggressive! [Laughs] But “The Shameless Fund” felt punk enough and fundamental enough. To me, I think that to be without shame is to be able to be joyful and to be able to thrive and to be able to learn and have a bloody good time whilst doing all those things, so it just felt right that it should be targeting shame because then hopefully it benefits the whole community in every color on the pride flag and, in turn, will also help so many people around them. 

So what can people expect next?

There's going to be some really fun things coming with The Shameless Fund and there's different ways in which it can grow, but I have people who really know what they're doing who are helping lead it. By the end of the year, we'll hopefully have worked with three different charities, starting small and helping people understand the work they're doing because that's the most important thing. If you think about Instagram, other than chatting with Evan Ross Katz [laughs], that's the platform through which you can really draw attention to things. Literally anyone in our community who's thriving at the moment — in a community that's obviously under threat going forward — knows what it's like to receive support. We know what we missed growing up.

I, too, grew up with an accepting family, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t still feel ostracized. I appreciate you recognizing that nuance, one I think many of us experience in some form but don’t always discuss.

Now, on The Shameless Fund’s website, it does say that more collaborations are coming. As you said, there’s going to be a restock of the Loewe shirts, but are there other brands in the mix?

There are other brands, and it'll be really exciting because the scope is endless, but I definitely had a couple of other ideas. After Fellow Travelers, the next thing will be a Wicked garment, so you might have to keep your eyes out for that. Maybe jumpers and sexy boots?

That’s perfect for my fantasy! So we've seen Kylie Minogue wearing the shirt — who I was lucky enough to be introduced to by you on the dance floor at the Met Gala after-party, thanks again — and we've seen Kit Connor, Scarlett Johansson and your Bridgerton co-star Luke Newton sporting it as well. I'm wondering who else is on your wishlist of celebrities that you'd like to see in the Drink Your Milk T-shirt?

Oh, God. What a question! Great shout. I would love to see Jerrod Carmichael in it right now. Very specifically Jerrod Carmichael. 

I feel that.

I would also love to see Hanson in it. Their three-part harmonies are a knockout at the moment.

At the moment?

[Laughs] We were just talking about this today. I’ve literally just come away from a field where I was running towards or away from dinosaurs, and we were talking about Hanson for about four hours today and listening to their three-part harmonies. 

That is not what I was expecting.

Who else? I can only think of people who are going to be wearing it over the next few weeks, which is quite exciting. Is there anyone you want to see in it? 

I have quite a few people. First of all, Jamie Dornan. I would love to see him in it. Paul Mescal, for obvious reasons. And the fans are waiting for Matt Bomer!

Don’t you worry. They’ll be satiated! They’ll be quenched. And Andrew Scott had a good time at Glastonbury is what I’ll say. [Laughs]

I bet he did! Last but not least: Richard II is bringing you back to the stage. Wicked is giving us the musical theater moment we've been craving. Is there a musical theater moment that’ll be live on stage in Jonathan Bailey's future?

Potentially, actually. Maybe in 2026. 

On Broadway?

I would! I had the best time recently in New York and I watched as many things as I could. I saw Stereophonic, which, to me, was like a religious experience. That, and Oh, Mary! And Cole Escola.

That is what it's about. I would come back to watch that; I was so inspired by it. Obviously, I'd love to [be on Broadway] at some point and you just have to wait and see what pops up. 

Source

[emkayewrites]

These two pictures inspired one of the chapters of my Lukola fanfiction called 'Curtain Fall'...

Here's a sneak preview:

17th June 2022 – Brockenhurst (UK)

Everything about The Pig exuded charming British elegance. Nestled in the heart of the historic New Forest National Park, the homely country manor served as a five-star hotel with an acclaimed restaurant. It was a favourite weekend escape for city dwellers who were attracted to it for its natural beauty; from free-roaming local horses to ancient woodlands that were perfect for long walks.

It was a place particularly revered for offering the finest of traditional English dining without excessive pretension. The dining rooms had a rustic, cosy charm, featuring open fires and mismatched antique furniture.

Nicola and Luke sat opposite each other at a farmhouse-style table in a private dining room called the Green Room that was reserved for special guests. A Victorian-style fireplace and floor-to-ceiling conservatory doors opened onto a private garden terrace. Before them lay a half-eaten feast: salads with organic vegetables from the estate's garden, freshly baked bread with warm butter, a plate of oyster mushroom pappardelle for her, and a sourdough pizza for him.

They had been invited to this countryside retreat for the weekend courtesy of the production team. This was their first day and they had been greeted with a prepared lunch. He sat there in a slightly over-sized salmon button-down shirt and jeans. In contrast, she was dressed in a little more sophistication. She wore a dark tapestry mini dress with tie shoulders that cinched in her waist in a way she hoped would be flattering.

"You know, when Jess told me we should get bonding, she mentioned doing it over a coffee. This is a little more than a coffee." Nicola laughed, trying to shake the awkwardness off herself. She was used to spending time with Luke but this setting felt different. It felt intimate.

"It's on brand though." Luke replied, nodding at their surroundings. He was not wrong. This could be a room straight from Bridgerton.

She reached out and touched the green wall panels.

"What do you reckon this is – Farrow and Ball?" She quizzed.

"What's that?"

"You haven't heard of Farrow and Ball?"

He shrugged in an I don't know what to tell you sort of way.

"Well, that surprises me. Maybe you're not as posh as I think you are." She teased. "It's very posh paint, with pretentious names like Elephant's Fanny and Leopard's Arse."

He laughed. "OK, that's quite enough. You need to stop calling me posh. People might start believing you and expecting things from me."

"Anything east of Dublin is posh," she retorted, making him laugh again.

This is what she thrived on: banter. Their friendship was based on her dry wit and sarcasm. Making him or anyone else on set laugh was a small victory for her.  She was trying hard not to think about having to switch gears and drop the humour she wore as armour.

She had not wanted to admit it, but sitting across from him now, it was harder to deny: he was absolutely beautiful. To make matters worse, he was kind too.

Why couldn't the love interest be someone with a hideous personality in real life? She found herself wandering.

She was barely out of her reverie when he reached out and wrapped his hand around hers, guiding it gently away from the wall and in front of his face, inches from his lips. He took a deep breath, and his blue eyes bore into her own.

Oh God, that was his Colin face.

You can read more here:

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

do you know of any bridgerton type klaine reads? thank you in advance!!!

These are not Bridgerton AUs directly, but these are in the time period. I hope you enjoy. ~Lynne

Don’t You Want Me by Quixoticity

Blaine Anderson’s plans of a life spent performing were derailed in his senior year, and he had to compromise on everything he’d dreamed of - except love.

Kurt Hummel, haughty and aloof Broadway darling, was forced to come back to Ohio where there was nothing left for him but painful memories - until he noticed a pair of fine eyes.

(Pride & Prejudice inspired, but set in present day)

~~~~~

We Both Found What We Were Looking For by ittlebitz [PDF]

Wealthy bachelor Finn Hudson moves to the small town of Lima, accompanied by his sister, Quinn, and best friend, the arrogant Blaine Anderson. When Blaine first sees feisty Kurt Hummel, he is less than impressed. But after earning Kurt’s dislike, Blaine is mortified to discover that Kurt’s fine eyes are just one of his many charms.

~~~~~

Gilded Cage by canarian

In the winter of 1895, Blaine Anderson, the son of a wealthy doctor, and Kurt Hummel, the son of a middle class mechanic, cross paths at a luxury hotel in the quiet seaside town of St. Augustine, Florida. With everyone and everything working to keep them apart, can they find a way to be together?

~~~~~

Glee & Glory by Miss_Carmilla

Mr. Kurt Hummel succeeded in playing matchmaker for his widowed father, and his stepbrother is soon to marry as well. Will Kurt find a love of his own in the resort town of Bath? Inspired by the works of Jane Austen. Set in early 19th century England

[kaledya]

Hello, its your "Arencha Amendable ?" Author back and-

I was just working on the rewrite of "Hell is Forever" song and the meeting on next chapter, and then i got distracted by binge watching the third season of Bridgerton… and then i saw your art of chapter 11 on your youtube community post and-

My baby Lolicia in the corner. And i screamed a bit. A lot. The surprise. AH!

My honest reaction was : "Wait... is that...? Omg. WTF?!" Ahah. Let me be excited. Please, it was an heart attack🌸🌸

This is beautiful. The sternly looks of Adam and Lute. Proud Vaggie. Alastor looking down at Lolicia (I believe). Lolicia with her mysterious smile. And of course Charlie singing "Gather 'round in my Hotel"!

The lightning in your piece is dreamy, and the determination in Charlie's eyes. Amazing.

Thank you for making your Sinner Symphony AU burst to my mind. I will do my best to respect your AU and put it to life. The next part will come soon 🌸

Ps : thank you again for all the compliments. I give them all back.

Have a great day!- marquisev

I'm so glad you liked the fanart! And drawing Lolicia was a real pleasure, They became a character whose personalities and Design I really loved! And I can't wait to learn about their past And I'm thinking of drawing them again in the future!🌟🌟❤️

And I seriously can't wait to learn new things about them, especially their past.Charlie mentioned that they moved slowly. Was the Lolicia's cause of death due to drowning? As a result, someone under water moves slower than on the surface.And the reason for the angler fish's characteristics is that they only wish when they is under water in the dark. to have a light??

But Of course, these are my theories and guesses! I can't wait to read more about them!

And I hope I conveyed Lolicia's color pack correctly. If I'm wrong, please feel free to tell me.

And I saw your hell is forever rewrite and it was great. Overall, I think you handled Adam and Charlie's meeting very well your writing was really good and it conveyed the personali.ties of Adam and Lute very well.

I loved how Charlie defended herself. Still wants to approach things in a private and sincere way And there, with just one dialogue, you showed in a realistic way that Constantine behaves very differently from Charlie.I really loved it!🤌

And your handling of Adam and Charlie's conversation as two people who don't understand politics very well was very nice!🤌

And I am very glad to hear that you are watched Game of Thrones, it is a series that can be a lot of inspiration, especially when writing stories about politics.

And the Prince and Dante references in Episode 11 were so good!

I can't wait for the next episode and I'm so excited to see the interaction of the people in the hotel.

I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY AU! And I really thank you. It's truly an honor for a talented writer like you write a fanfic inspired by SSAU ❤️❤️🛐

And have a great day too!

[countrymusiclover]

Hey my readers, I am informing y'all that I will be taking down some stories since I have unfortunately not had inspiration for them in a while.

1 - Detective Stabler's Daughter - Spencer Reid ( I know that many of you enjoy this story but I might be taking it down as well. I'm sorry to say 😔 )

2 - The Last Velaryon - Robb Stark

3 - His Venus Muse - Benedict Bridgerton

4 - Princess Red Thief - Rumplestilskin ( only on Wattpad )

Tag list - @hiireadstuff @person-005 @kmc1989

Tag list @rise-my-angel @cdragons @kmc1989

Tag list - @abq654 @your-musicguru @imgondeletedis @eruannaaa-blog @cherrylovers-world @benedictbridgertonss @callmedarlingsstuff @carrotcaratsworld @sillynilly27 @emmampl-blog2 @bright-molina @erynel1zasworld @ynbutbetter @stranger-chan @blckbarbiedoll @sanaar3006 @urmoom12345 @ritz-hell-hotel @ritz-hell-hotel

[ao3feed-kathony]

Only bought this dress so you could take it off

read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/59419810 by guacamolie From the second she walked in, all legs and curves in that damn beige dress, his drink stopped midway to his mouth. The dress looks incredible on her. But he thought it’d look even better on the floor of his room. Words: 3256, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Bridgerton (TV), Bridgerton Series - Julia Quinn Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M Characters: Kate Sheffield | Kate Sharma, Anthony Bridgerton Relationships: Anthony Bridgerton/Kate Sheffield | Kate Sharma Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, First Meetings, Smut, Hotel Sex, Anthony Bridgerton is Obsessed with Kate Sheffield | Kate Sharma, Inspired by 'that' dress read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/59419810

[firstprince-ao3feed]

how u touch my soul from the outside

by Introvertedfangirl So u know that one scene in Bridgerton s3…Here’s a Red White and Royal Blue scene inspired by it 🤭. Yes i Have problems 😙 Excerpt:“I’ve never,” Alex begins in a halting voice that’s rough with misplaced embarrassment, “not with men. Not with anyone like you,” he finally gets out.   “Let me teach you then.” Henry says gently.   He steps back from Alex and their eyes meet for the second time that night. Part of Alex’s shirt has slipped off his shoulder. Henry’s eyes freeze there, Alex’s eyes following. “May I?” Henry nods at the shirt.   “Yes,” Alex says breathily, “fuck—please.”   The orange light of the hotel room casts Alex in its glow. It seems to melt into brown skin giving it a golden hue. Henry brings his hand up to his clothed shoulder. His hand strokes up Alex’s chest, curving around his shoulder. Hooking a finger around an edge of material, he pulls. He maintains eye contact with Alex the entire time." Words: 3562, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Additional Tags: Tenderness, Gentle Sex, Anal Sex, First Time, Anal Fingering, Safe Sane and Consensual, Hand Jobs, Mirror Sex, inspired by THAT scene in Bridgerton, Alex Claremont-Diaz Loves Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Loves Alex Claremont-Diaz, POV Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Consensual Sex, Consent is sexy folks, spot the pride and prejudice reference, Aftercare, Soft Alex Claremont-Diaz, Soft Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, so so soft 🥺, Comfort No Hurt, Vulnerability via https://ift.tt/E3HTMws

[utterlyinevitable]

I saw these really great prompts by @choiceschallenge-may2023​ and got real inspired to answer these for my non-oph/choices mc’s that currently live rent-free in my head 😶‍🌫️ infinite thanks for coming up with these! 

Penelope Featherington (Bridgerton modern au - x Colin)

Detective Emma Gunstone (The Wayhaven Chronicles - x Mason)

Detective Gwen Sousa (The Wayhaven Chronicles - x Adam) 

First Kiss

Pen: George Townsend. She was 16 and it was a dare. It didn’t last more than seven seconds and both their lips were pulled tight. 

Emma: Anthony Acaster. Prom. Too much tongue and he must’ve taken a sour altoid beforehand. 

Gwen Sousa (my tiny new detective): Bobby.

Dream School

Pen: Cambridge. She was waitlisted, but her family couldn't afford it anyway. Even if she was a legacy.

Emma: Anywhere far from Wayhaven. But when the time came she got a basic degree in the Big City and chose the academy instead of a further education.

Gwen: Big City University. She wanted to stay close to home, just in case. She was planning on getting a masters in political science part time whilst working at the station but then the supernatural world just had to consume her life... 

Dream Job

Pen: Published author, ofc. Even though she tells everyone she wants to be an editor. Hiding her biggest aspiration makes her feel like her spoken dreams are actually attainable. 

Emma: Well, it seems she's living it. Even if this isn't what she thought being a detective would be.

Gwen: Politician. She had dreams of working her way through the civil service and become mayor.

Dream Vacation

Pen: She lived it. She got to travel the med by boat (with Colin). The only thing that could have topped it would have been visiting elephants in Thailand.

Emma: A cabin in the woods and it's raining the whole time. Or a glass hotel in the arctic circle to see the northern lights.

Gwen: Any beach with soft sand.

 Last Goodbye

Pen: Leaving home had no fanfare or even much of a goodbye. Her mother wasn’t even around the fat Pen left for uni and neither were her older sisters. So she had an emotional moment with the home she’s live in the past decade. She hasn’t been back since.

Emma: Splitting with Bobby was her most satisfying goodbye.

Gwen: the death of her granddaddy will forever be on her mind. It came slow and she got time to say goodbye but even then it didn’t feel like enough.

Hardest Goodbye

Pen: Ghosting Colin. Having to pretend like all was okay between them before decidedly blocking him tore her to bits. 

Emma: Splitting with Verda after he finds out about UB/supernatural's and wants nothing to do with this situation. (He comes around because of Eric’s persistence but MONTHS later)

Gwen: Her grandaddy.

First & Last Love Before RO

Pen: she's only ever loved Colin, romantically that is. But maybe her friendship with Eloise has always been her biggest love.

Emma: .....Bobby.... she's only done love once and regrets it. Now she knows it was never actually love at all.

Gwen: Bobby. They were practically high school sweethearts.

First Job

Pen: she babysat the neighborhood terrors. her first actual job was at Waterstones.

Emma: Bagger in the wayhaven mart

Gwen: never had a job before being a policewoman

Home(s)

Pen: Went from living in Knightsbridge to Norwich (uni) to Birmingham (work) then a quick stint in Edinburgh (work / ghost duties) and then unfortunately having to move back to Knightsbridge

Emma: Rebecca's house. The only person around was her elderly neighbor after her grandma died when she was 11. She moved to the City for two years to get her associates degree, then rented the apartment she lives in now. She did seriously consider moving into the warehouse but... it's not a good idea.  

Gwen: With her grandparents. Gran passed when she was 17 and (Grand)Daddy when she was 28. They left their house to her but she couldn't live in it just yet, so she rents it out. She lived in a small apartment in the City, then with Bobby in the City, and now her current place.

An Old Friend/Love That Affects them the most

Pen: Eloise. She can handle Colin - has for years - but nothing could prepare her for facing Eloise after all this time and drama, and Pen has purposefully run away so she never would.

Emma: Bobby. She hates him. Wants to tear his face off. Would let Mason do it too if it wasn’t for all the paperwork involved.

Gwen: She really can't stand the mayor, though they're not anything but colleagues. She's made her peace with Bobby even if she tries to be civil and ignore his existence. The people of wayhaven to this day don't understand why... or maybe they're hoping for entertainment in the drama between B&G. 

Marriage? 

Pen: She’s not getting her hopes up. There’s a mix of emotions in regards to marriage and relationships and she just thinks it’s better if she doesn’t even entertain the idea.  

Emma: Absolutely not.  

Gwen: Yes. She wants it all. 

Babies?

Pen: she'd like them but doesn't think it's in the cards for her. not in this economy.

Emma: no. never.

Gwen: she wants the white picket fence dream. maybe with her connections at the agency they'll freeze her eggs for free......

An event that's stayed with them (twc pre-agency)

Pen: she could never forget new years eve when she was sixteen.

Emma: she went to a festival in a field and it was transcendent. the noise, the people, the comradery. even security was vibin'. 

Gwen: her sweet 16th. it wasn't much of a big affair but her grandparents did what they could and she will cherish the dance with both her grandparents for the rest of her life. as well as the speech. she cries thinking of it still.

Relationship with parents

Pen: Her father is a crook and a drunk and up ended all theirs lives when she was young, but as the only ‘good’ daughter Pen kept in contact with the only man she ever knew to love. Her mother is condescending and stretched thin and never pays much attention to her youngest daughter save for handing out critiques. 

Emma: Vaguely remembers her dad as he died when she was a toddler. Rebecca was never there and Emma resents her hard for it.  

Gwen: Doesn’t know her dad at all, and although she respects Rebecca and Gwen chooses to forgive and forget that she was never there growing up. Her grandparents were more her parents than Rebecca and Rook. 

Childhood memento they keep close

Pen: She has a stuffed elephant that she’s had since she was a youngin’ and lives in a box in her closet.  

Emma: The only thing from her childhood she still has is a few pieces of jewelry. 

Gwen: A box full of scrapbooks her grandparents and she made. 

Piece of meaningful jewelry 

Pen: Portia sold anything remotely of value ages ago. Pen still has the braided bracelets she and Eloise made for each other one summer in their youth. 

Emma: Has a gold necklace she wears every day, she’s had it for longer than she can remember. She likes to think it was an heirloom from Rook’s side of the family. If Rebecca ever owned up to giving it to her Emma has a feeling she’d never wear it again - and just the thought of never wearing it again feels like losing an extension of herself. So very complicated. 

Gwen: The pair of diamond earrings and her grandparents wedding rings. 

Won any awards?

Pen: No, Penelope is painfully average and prefers to fly under the radar. 

Emma: She received an award for service from the station a few months before they promoted her. 

Gwen: Always. She won scholarships and scholarly contests in school, employee of the month seven times at the station too. 

Texts, Calls, Emails or Snail Mail?

Pen: Emails. 

Emma: Texts. 

Gwen: Calls, though she appreciates the thought behind penning a letter. 

[lazysublimeengineer]

Betrothed - Chapter 6

Summary: “Marry me Isagi.” Reo’s calm and collected voice snapped out Isagi’s any wandering thoughts and he faced him harshly.

The impact was much like a ball landed unexpectedly on an enemy’s territory out in the field.

“What the hell are you talking about?” He bit out, demanding answers from him.

Reo remained unperturbed and unruffled by his outburst which made Isagi more irritated with him.

“It’s just like what I said Isagi. Marry me. Or do you have any other options in mind? For sure, your analytical mind can catch up with me, right? Or do I need to spell it out for you?” Reo replied with an arched brow but his mauve orbs held a glint of amusement at the other’s expressions, taking in delight of the multitude of expressions that flitted across the male’s face in just a few seconds.

- Or a Reosagi marriage of convenience AU that no one asked for but I still deliver: Isagi loses on the match and his career is on the line until Reo swoops in with an offer that could still save him and his future.

Characters: Isagi Y. & Reo M.

Link for the 5th chapter:

(A/N: Some of the scenes are inspired by the croquet episode of Bridgerton Season 2 and a bit of research into the croquet game as I’m not really an expert around it. Hence, I would like to apologize in advance if there were some inaccuracies depicted on this game in this chapter as I tried my best to capture the essence of it. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy this chapter as much as I did upon writing it).

His azure irises scanned the surroundings around him while his right hand adjusted the wide brim hat on his head.

It’s a good thing that he wore it today as the bright rays of the sun was hotter at this time of the day especially now that they’re going to play in an open field.

Isagi squinted his eyes as his gaze adjusted to the lush green fields of the grassy area around the hotel and several people conversing with each other. They’re wearing their standard outfit for this event. Even though he doesn’t really pay attention to the way he dressed before, we he got married to Reo, it seemed like the way he presented himself not only to the paparazzi but to his business associates was supposed to be perfect and strategic as well.

Isagi resisted the urge to fidget nor scratch on his skin. He wore a long cream-colored checkered shirt with a maroon bowtie and khaki shorts and a pair of shoes with long, checkered socks. It leant him an aura of a preppy young, urbane man due to his boyish looks and youthful features. He needed to keep his calm even though he was itching to take off his clothes and just wear his comfortable white shirt and shorts.

They’re in the beach for fuck’s sake! Why do even rich people wear these kinds of clothes anyway?

As Isagi was having an internal breakdown over his clothes, his eyes strayed to the entrance where Reo finally entered the scene and he tried not to gape at him.

Reo was wearing a pair of dark jeans coupled with suspenders over his long white sleeve shirt and a gray hat. A pair of sunglasses adorned his face and his dark brown shoes glistened under the bright rays of the sun. He looked dashing as usual. But his toned body and great physique was more accentuated in the clothes that clung comfortably on him like a second skin. And Isagi was trying his very best on not to stare hard at those shapely legs that were well framed by a pair of sexy jeans.

He mentally slapped himself and chastised himself to get a grip.

“Hi darling. Sorry to keep you waiting. I forgot something so I went back to our suite.” Reo greeted him smilingly and bestowed him a casual kiss on his cheek as soon as he reached his spot and removed his sunglasses.

Isagi tried not to explode in a varying shade of red at his action. But the mortification and self-consciousness started to creep on him slowly.

What the hell?

He could still feel the warmth of Reo’s lips against his cheek.

Jesus Christ, Reo’s acting was always top notch. Isagi swore that Reo can get into any character he chose for himself if there’s an audience watching them.

“No worries baby. The game hasn’t started yet anyway.” Isagi replied in faux sweetness but his eyes glaring daggers at him.

Reo just sent him a sweet yet mocking smile in return before heading towards the basket of mallets and took 2 mallets to which he handed the other one to him.

Isagi accepted it with faux graciousness and smiled on the other people who seemed to take notice of their presence around the area.

“Oh, hi Yoichi and Reo! Fancy seeing both of you here. We’re glad that you two newly wed couples made it here seeing that this is supposed to be your honeymoon in this place.” A female foreigner with long, blonde locks and bright, blue eyes greeted them cheerfully. There was a slight twang in her English accent as she spoke.

“Hello Patricia! Of course, the pleasure is ours. Yoichi and I wouldn’t miss this game for sure. We’re glad that we’ve received the invitation.” Reo greeted back smoothly in a perfect accentuated English voice.

Even though Isagi just wanted to stay quiet in the background, he also didn’t want to appear like a male trophy wife to Reo and the others so he needed to at least put an effort to their acting.

Isagi proceeded to gently loop one of his arms around Reo’s and he could feel the other stiffen up on his actions. He inwardly smirked at this. Reo was not the only one who could keep up with this kind of charade.

“Reo and I love these kinds of games where we could showcase our talents. And who knows we might take the win after all, right baby?” Isagi smiled sweetly at him even though his gaze towards the other was the opposite of that.

Reo could only smile tightly at him. “You’re right darling. I love seeing this side of yours.” He replied in feigned delightfulness.

“I love it when you’re both like that. You’re really suited for each other seeing that you’re both competitive and sporty! No wonder you hit it off ever since you’ve both met at Blue Lock!” The woman smiled impishly at them.

Reo and Isagi could only both stare at her with the frozen smile painted on their lips.

Isagi’s eyebrows slightly twitched at the woman’s words while Reo instinctively tightened his grasp on Isagi much to the other’s chagrin.

‘Even if the world crumbles down and he’s the last person on Earth, there’s no way we will hit off!’

They both thought out inwardly.

“So shall we start this game?” One of the men asked them smilingly as he held up the mallet in his hands.

The brief imaginary electric current of tension and anger between the two of them were cut off by the man’s jovial voice and brought them back to their present situation.

“Of course, we can? We can probably start with Mr. Hannaford.” Reo replied with a pleasant smile on his face, not betraying any of his innermost thoughts.

Isagi resisted the urge to scoff and kept the graceful smile on his lips as he watched them. If they only knew of how much of a conniving bastard Reo was.

“Still gracious as ever young lad!” Mr. Hannaford’s light laughter rang throughout the area. “Well seeing that you’re both of our guest players in here, then why Mr. Yoichi won’t do the honors of being the first striker of this game?” He asked smilingly.

“I’d be glad to of course Mr. Hannaford.” Isagi replied pleasantly as he scanned the field. There are two stakes in the middle of the field and four wickets in front of each stake. One wicket is placed at the center of the field. The other four remaining wickets were placed on both sides of the field to form a double diamond around the field.

The simple objective of the game is to be able to score the first fourteen wickets in the two stakes at the correct order.

Since they’re playing the usual individual game, this will be easy for Isagi. He hid a smirk. He made some research on the internet and watched some videos to analyze the players and the nature of the game last night before going to sleep.

Isagi was a competitive person so he didn’t want to go to this game completely clueless and useless. And of course, he wanted to win that stupid bet against Reo.

He won’t be losing to the likes of him anyway.

Isagi readied himself and got into a playing stance as he placed himself on the first stake and hit the ball inside the first wicket, awarding him a bonus shot. He repeated his actions once again and the ball easily went inside the second wicket giving him another bonus shot.

Easy.

He won’t be sweating over this.

Or maybe he spoke too soon.

When Isagi tried to hit the ball with his mallet on the third wicket, it didn’t go inside and he completely missed the shot.

Isagi blinked owlishly.

What the fuck?

“Okay Mr. Yoichi. You’re done now. It’s your husband’s turn now.” Mr. Hannaford’s voice brought him out of his stupor and Isagi begrudgingly agreed with the smile still present on his lips.

“I’ll be taking over now darling. I’m glad that you’re doing your best out there.” Reo smiled pleasantly at him, his eyes twinkling in mischief and humor and Isagi was itching to wiped off that complacent look on his face.

“Don’t be full of yourself baby. That’s just a warmup.” Isagi replied sweetly, as his brow twitched at his words.

Reo just chuckled lightly before he got ready and went on hitting the ball successfully into the first wicket with his mallet.

This went on and on until the other players and Isagi could only watch Reo scored bonus shots as he successfully managed to get the ball rolling inside the wickets.

For fuck’s sake, should he get ready to become a slave to Reo for a damn week because he’s going to lose in this game?!

Nevertheless, in every game it won’t run perfectly if there were obstacles ahead.

Reo finally missed a shot. Isagi tried not to cheer out loud but a victorious grin broke out from his face.

“Wow… you’re way into this Reo. I thought you’d reduce the other players here as your audience.” Patricia remarked jokingly.

“Stop giving me too much credit. I think I’ve gotten rusty seeing that I missed a shot in a single play.” Reo replied laughingly as he went back to Isagi’s side.

Together they watched the other players turn.

“Were you nervous earlier that you’ll immediately lose hmm?” Reo asked lightly.”

“Shut up. I’ll make you eat some dust once I get my turn.” Isagi scoffed.

They’re a few meters away from the other people and both couldn’t help but to bicker with one another seeing that the others were immersed in the game itself.

“Okay! It’s Mr. Yoichi’s turn now!” Mr. Hannaford announced and Isagi stood up smilingly and went to the field.

Isagi stared at his ball and the ball of Reo’s lying still on the ground.

He had a chance now to defeat Reo.

Isagi held the mallet casually on his hands as he looked up at them innocently. “Well, this is merely a casual sport for all of us, right? And you wouldn’t mind if I take this opportunity for the best shot?”

“Of course not our dear Yoichi!” Patricia clapped her hands smilingly. “This is your chance to best your husband after all!” She added enthusiastically.

“Well, what do you say baby? You wouldn’t mind if I perform this shot for your crushing defeat of shame, right?” Isagi asked with an innocent smile playing on his lips but his eyes gleamed challengingly as he stared at Reo.

Reo’s upper lip twitched slightly at his words but the graceful façade and pleasant smile never left his lips. “Of course, not darling. It’s up to you if you want to seize the opportunity after all.”

Isagi shot him a cruel yet cheerful smile before he focused his attention back to the two balls lying beside each other and hit his ball forcefully with his mallet, sending Reo’s ball outside of the field and into the other side of the garden which was draped with large trees.

Reo narrowed his eyes at his actions but he gave him a round of applause just like what the others did.

“I guess it’s my turn now.” Mr. Hannaford spoke out afterward and went into the field, hitting his ball which also hit Isagi’s ball and sent it right through the other side of the garden as well.

“Sorry my bad. I guess you both need to get your balls now out there in the other side of the garden. Or you’re both quitting now?” Mr. Hannaford asked them.

Reo and Isagi glanced at each other before they turned their attention back to Mr. Hannaford who waited for their response.

“Absolutely not.”

“Not a chance.”

They both said in unison making the other players chuckled lightly at them.

“Of course. That’s to be expected from the power couple such as you.” Mr. Hannaford replied idly as he stepped out of the field while Reo and Isagi finally sprinted towards the other side of the garden and went completely inside the thick shrubs and leafy, tall trees to find their balls.

“Damn. Were the trees and plants being always thick and bushy like this in here?” Isagi tried not to hiss in pain as he hit his shoulder on one of the branches of the trees as he walked around, the sunlight was fainted slightly as it was now hidden by the thick leaves on the top of the trees.

“It had been always like this around here. Thought that management was adding aesthetic or something like that.” Reo shrugged as he pushed away the small branches in front of him.

Before Isagi could even reply, droplets of water fell on his skin and an exasperated sigh left his lips as he found out that it was starting to rain.

“Great. Now what? We’re trying to find those damn balls in the middle of the rain.” Isagi grimaced as his clothes were starting to get heavier due to the rainfall seeping into the fabric.

“Well, I’ve already found them. But I’m guessing in your state, you’re giving up right and become my slave?” Reo asked innocently as he pointed at the balls which were a few feet away.

Isagi stared at them before looking back at Reo with a narrowed gaze. “In your dreams.”

Isagi sprinted towards the direction of the balls with Reo running behind him. There’s no way in hell that he’d let Reo take that shot!

He could almost taste the winning glory as he almost reached them when he felt a hand on his shoulder and suddenly he was pulled away by none other than Reo and they came rolling down on the ground with Isagi lying on the wet soil with Reo on top of him with his hand supporting his nape while the other one was on his back hence the solid impact of the ground didn’t make any painful scratches on his body and skin.

“What the hell are you doing?” Isagi breathed out, staring wide eyed at Reo who was also sporting a surprise expression on his face.

“I didn’t mean to pull you with any force. I guess I was to focus with you not scoring that damn shot.” Reo replied breathlessly, his warm breath tickling around Isagi’s skin and the latter felt a tremor slowly creeping around his nerves.

Isagi couldn’t even speak nor came up with scathing retort as the other’s proximity was clouding his thoughts and judgment.

Isagi could only stare at his orchid irises that seemed to bore right through his soul.

For a moment, Reo could only stare back in silence, utterly captivated by the other’s eyes which were a startling shade of electric blues that sucked him into a whirlpool of dark haziness.

As Reo leaned in closer, Isagi felt as if the air between his lungs were being sucked off and he found it hard to breathe. His heart thundering wildly inside his chest.

Nevertheless, it seemed that the rationality came back to Reo at the very moment and pulled away with a sardonic smile playing on his lips. “Ooopppsss… we need to get back to the game. They might try to find us if we’re gone too soon.”

Isagi narrowed his eyes and he grew incensed at the other’s torturous playfulness. He’s running out of patience in dealing with Reo’s teasing and he’s not in the mood to have this sick cat and mouse game that they’re currently in.

“Oh no you don’t. What the hell was that all about huh?!” Isagi caught his wrist and try to pull him back with a bit of a force much to Reo’s surprise and ended up crashing against him on the ground with his lips accidentally landing against his own. This made Isagi froze in his spot and eyes growing wide as saucers.

His thoughts came into a screeching halt as he felt the warmth and soft sensation of Reo’s lips against his own.

What the fuck?

He wanted to confront him.

But not in the way that this turned out to be.

Reo was taken aback as well, blinking a few times at him before he got his bearings swiftly and his eyes held a teasing glint into them.

“Well, if you just wanted to kiss me Yoichi why didn’t you say so hmm? I’ll be happy to oblige your kind request.” He murmured against his lips before one of his hands had reached for his nape and brought his face closer to his own and stole his breath with a one, electrifying kiss that made Isagi’s nerves and body shot on fire.

The heavy rainfall did nothing to soothe the heat that was coiling inside of him as the onslaught of passion hit him at once with Reo’s earth shattering kisses.

If Isagi still possessed an ounce of common sense, the right thing to do was pull away and clock Reo on the jaw for being impertinent. But it seemed that the logical part of his brain had shut down and his traitorous body was having a mind of its own and reacted instinctively: and that was to kiss Reo back as well.

Isagi found himself closing his eyes slowly and reciprocated his embrace in a slow yet deep kiss. His mouth molding sensually against the other and both of his hands had reach out to his shoulders and gripped it firmly for support as he felt that if he’s going to drown from the overwhelming sensations that bombarded his body all at once.

Reo’s tongue gently coaxed at the other’s entrance to his mouth and soon the hand that was resting on his nape slowly made its way to his scalp and softly tugged on his locks which made Isagi moaned weakly against him. The small noise of pleasure almost drove Reo insane as he quickly took advantage and let his tongue made its way inside the other’s mouth, licking at the sensitive crevices underneath it which made the other trembled sweetly beneath him.

Isagi couldn’t even free himself from the other. As if there was a spellbinding cast between the two of them and the magnetic pull of their bodies was too strong to resist. He was getting lost in their heated embrace, their shared kisses quickly turned into a smoldering haze of passion and both found themselves in a thick fog of bewildering yet addicting sensation of being this too close with one another.

He could feel Reo’s tongue licking sensuously at the roof of his mouth which earned a soft moan from him. He was slowly losing control over himself until he felt the other’s hand went inside his shirt and started to give a lighthearted caress on the sensitive skin underneath which made Isagi’s eyes flew wide open and quickly pull away, harshly pushing Reo away from him.

It was like being doused with cold water and being pulled back into the reality.

With a shaky breath, Isagi tried to get up on his own even if his body was still tingling and his legs trembling slightly from the fiery sensation that was ignited from his kiss alone.

Isagi chose to look ahead of the path and refused to even glance at Reo’s form, not trusting himself and his own face with how he might look in front of him.

“C’mon Reo. The others might really go in here to find us. And I guess the bet is off now since this game is cancelled due to the bad weather.” Isagi inwardly congratulated himself for sounding cool and composed even if his pulse was skyrocketing and his heart might jump out of his throat.

He didn’t wait for his answer and walked away from him.

He didn’t even turn around to look at Reo not trusting himself nor his body which was still tingling from the sensations that the other awakened inside of him.

Isagi was threading on a dangerous ground and he shouldn’t fall for the trap in the embodiment of Reo Mikage and get carried away in this sham of a marriage anyway.

[oregonphotobus]

Six European-Inspired Wedding Venues In Portland For Retro-Style Weddings

Are you fond of European architecture and want to host a Bridgerton-style wedding? Portland is the best place for you if you are an Oregon resident. Destination weddings have been popular in Portland, with scenic backdrops and contemporary-styled cultural hubs.

It is expected that Portland is a concrete jungle, and hosting weddings will be more about glass ceilings and driveways. But that’s not all. Portland is a hub of European-inspired wedding venues perfect for a retro-styled wedding. 

If you are getting married in Portland, this blog can be your top guidance provider. Usually, wedding photographers are the first choice, but do you know that photo booth rentals can be your ideal entertaining addition? 

We have handpicked seven European-styled wedding venues that can create a perfect fairy-tale wedding. 

6 European-themed Wedding Venues You Would Love 

Benson Hotel 

The first choice for a European-styled wedding in Portland is the Benson Hotel. The 100-year-old wooden doors, Italian marble, and Austrian crystal chandelier make this place perfect for your retro-style wedding. 

You can capture your best wedding moments under the historic chandeliers with monochromatic shades, pretending they are from a bygone time. 

Villa Catalana Cellars 

Tuscan-themed weddings are hosted at Villa Catalana Cellars, one of the most aesthetic yet affordable wedding venues in Portland. The European-inspired vineyards will take you on an Italian tour alongside the Greek-style stone pillars, adding a perfect touch. 

You can exchange vows near the Greek pillars and host a small gathering in the nearby Greenhouse. Moreover, delightful wine packages are also available from the vineyards, making them perfect for a luxurious wedding. 

Del Mar Villa Dundee

This 26,000 sq ft. villa is built over 46 acres of land in the heart of Oregon Wine Country. It offers various options, such as garden patios, a grand ballroom, and a main entrance to the pool area. 

Hundreds of acres of hazelnut and blueberry vineyards surround the Del Mar Villa, parts of which are rented for temporary events. You can host your outdoor reception in the private gathering spaces, with a glass of wine prepared right from the vineyards. 

The Sentinel 

The Sentinel is Oregon’s most grand and historic hotel and is perfect for hosting European-styled weddings. If you are getting married in Portland and want to host a grand wedding, choose this place to create everlasting memories.

The Governor Ballroom can host approximately 450 to 500 guests at once. You can also provide your guests with luxurious accommodation, quite like an Estate Lord from an English countryside organizing a grand wedding party. 

Chateau Herbe 

Chateau Herbe is a magnificent estate built in the French architectural style on over 24 acres of land. It features a striking koi pond, manicured lawns, and a beautiful pergola. The stoned driveway seems perfect for parking a 1930s Ford Deluxe. 

With the Fench windows in the background and the oak orchards nearby, your wedding photos will look like they are from retro Hollywood.

Chateau De Lis 

Many people grew up dreaming of getting married in a castle, and Chateau De Lis can make this dream come true. The architectural style resembles about 300-year-old European structural designs. Despite this, it is one of the most affordable wedding venues in Portland.

With Chateau De Lis, you can capture beautiful moments near the lake alongside the retro backdrop of a French-style wedding venue. 

Final Thoughts

The right wedding venue can transform even the simplest of moments with Insta-worthy carousels. You can opt for the above wedding venues to experience luxury and beauty at the same time. Try photo booth buses, that come with props and customizable themes to add entertainment for your guests. 

Apart from embracing the emotion attached to your wedding vows, maybe it's time to feel the ambiance of Portland’s most beautiful wedding venues.

[spaceorphan18]

I'm just needing to to talk about writing a little bit. It's going under a cut, not because of anything scandalous or remotely interesting, but because I'm using my blog as a journal and being self indulgent.

I had this somewhat possibly naively romantic idea that while I was away on what is essentially a business trip, I could use the quiet and isolation of the hotel as a place to be inspiring and use my down time to attempt to write.

There have been a few complications.

The first being that this hotel room kind of sucks. There's nothing remotely inspiring about being in it. I'm honestly beginning to miss my home. And miss my library. And I hear you - I could go look for a library or some place to /be/ that's not the hotel room, but I am so exhausted from work that I don't want to be anywhere else.

Which leads me to point two - work is exhausting. I mean, I'm opening a new store, so it's a lot of moving shit around. This evening, despite barely being able to move after I got home, after resting a while, I feel pretty awake but not really able to focus... there's still a bit of time in my day, maybe I'll do some work this evening.

But okay about the writing itself...

So, first of all, let's talk about the Bridgerton hyper fixation. I really want to talk about Penelope. Like, I wanna really dig into Penelope and her character and explore it -- but... how? I don't know what I want to write. I don't know what I want to say? Is there a fic in me? Is there meta in me? I don't know. Usually, I express my love of fictional characters through writing, and I'm feeling stuck because I don't know really how to express all of this. So I feel... gunked up.

So. there's that.

Before Bridgerton made my interests take a left turn, there was Rogue. And, honestly, that really hasn't gone anywhere. I mean, X-Men have been a fixture in my life since I was ten, so it's a part of me. And I have this really beautiful, huge story I want to write. And I've started it, and got a really good outline. But it's a matter of sitting down and working on it. Which is the hardest part.

There are actually two projects -- the first one being the huge, novel-esque fic, that I'm slightly ambitious about, but it'll be so good once I write it. But the other project are one-shots following canon. And I'm so glad that I decided to do this as one-shots. I was so inspired to write the first few. But figuring out what to do next has been a little more difficult. I'm hoping doing the meta will inspire me.

Meanwhile, there's all the Glee stuff. And, maybe hard to believe - the Bridgerton stuff has has helped me re-fall in love with Klaine a little. I miss Kurt Hummel. I do. I need to finish Head Over Feet. You guys have been waiting way too long for that, and I just need to kind of get that squared away and done with. I'm not sure what project to work on next, but everything else I have in progress is at least episodic.

Idk idk. :/

I feel like I need to really just... get my shit together. And instead, I just feel full on stuck. *sigh*

[ggblasts]

Spotted: Elise van der Woodsen bidding farewell to her mother, Victoria van der Woodsen, as she was escorted away in handcuffs for hosting illegal gambling dens at her lavish soirées.

Elise's father, a picture of despair as his wife faces the consequences of her actions. Will he bail her out faster than a cheetah? Only time will tell.

In a plot twist, Alexander, the head of the van der Woodsen clan, is crashing with the kids now. They're ditching the hotel life for Elise's penthouse inspired by the rooms in Bridgerton.

You must be a huge fan of Bridgerton, Elise! I wonder why? I'll let you all solve that question by yourselves. I mean it's so easy to see why!

Now all that's left is for Alexander to decide if he's gonna bail out his wife or let her stay in prison for how long she's supposed to be in there. Will there be a possible divorce between the two? We'll see!

Oh and Elise, how do you feel about Colin being back and his spicy scenes in Bridgerton?

Watch out, Elijah and Luke. If you're interested in Elise, you have a new rival in town with much stronger weapons than you both combined!

Wanna guess what I mean by that? I think you should know by now!

XOXO, Gossip Girl

@elisevdw @thecolinshaw @elijahxhamilton

[bridgertonbabe]

What was the catalyst for Michael wanting to be exclusive to Francesca? Does he still sleep with other women or does he just start sleeping with her (though not naming themselves as exclusive).

Michael was lying in his hotel bed the morning after their night together, the bed sheet clutched to his chest scandalized as he processed the fact that lil Frannie Bridgerton had seduced him and then pulled the old Michael Stirling trick of slipping out before he had woken up. What flabbergasted him the most was that he wanted more than just that one night with Francesca; what they had shared wasn't enough to satiate him.

When he saw her next however, she didn't act like any other woman he had ever slept with - giggly, pawing at him, and batting their eyes in hopes of another night with him - no, Francesca acted as if nothing had happened between them and it was business as usual. Over the next week he tried to grab her for a moment alone but she kept herself occupied. Just as Michael was starting to accept that Francesca truly wanted nothing more than a single night with him, she entered his dressing room when he was all alone ahead of a concert, informing him she was there to personally assist him before locking the door after her. The next thing he knew, Francesca was down on her knees, parting his legs and unzipping his trousers, and taking him in her mouth. The shock from the sudden turn of events combined with the anticipation he had been filled with all week in the hopes of having more time with her caused Michael to come harder like he had never done before - and then when she was finished, she simply zipped him back up and turned and left, leaving Michael once again scandalized at what had just happened.

He felt like a little puppy trailing after her, desperate for her attention, but it was never on his terms; it was always on hers and actually, Michael loved it. He loved not being in control, never knowing when Francesca was going to suddenly pay him a visit to his hotel room or drop by his dressing room. Never before had anyone thrilled him the way Francesca did and even though it frustrated him, he also got a kick out of her nonchalance and her seeming disregard for him outside of their rendezvouses.

After two months of this, however, Michael realised he craved so much more than their clandestine hook-ups. He wanted to spend all his free time with Francesca, wanted to share a hotel room together instead of her sneaking into his, he wanted to hold hands with her and let everyone know she was his. What he felt for her was deeper and more meaningful than anything he had felt for anyone else, not to mention the fact that this was the longest he had been seeing anyone as well as the longest he had gone without having his head turned by someone else. He now had a one-track mind for Francesca Bridgerton and despite his head warning him to steer clear of her (hadn't Colin's reactions to Sophie getting with Benedict, and Phillip getting with Eloise not taught him anything?), his own voice echoed a memory of when he had tried to comfort Sophie for her deep-seated feelings for Benedict; you can't help who you fall in love with.

And so for once Michael was the one to initiate something with Francesca when he apparated into her hotel room one night. He professed his love her immediately before she could seduce him again, telling her he was sorry if she only saw their relationship as sexual and casual but that he wanted all of her. He craved her morning, noon, and night not just for the passion they shared but for her wit, her beauty, her cunning, her shrewd eyes and her curved lips; he was always in want of her company, of her attention, of being by her side. All the songs he had written in the last two months had been inspired by and written about her and every night when he performed he sang his songs with her in mind. Of course he'd respect her if she didn't return any of his feelings and rejected his love but he had to at least tell her, to get it off his chest, to stop wondering what if.

Francesca was silent for an excruciatingly long minute, her face impassive and her eyes deliberately indecipherable; and then a smirk pricked her lips.

"I always knew I'd make you mine." she said smugly. "Always knew you were mine to tame."

Michael's jaw dropped upon her response but then a grin dragged across his face.

"Is that so?" he cocked an eyebrow up and tugged her to his chest.

"Mmhm. Unbelievably easy, by the way." she hummed as her thumb brushed across his stubble. "Didn't think you'd fold so quickly. Played you like a fiddle, didn't I?" she teased and pulled her thumb against his lower lip.

Michael growled with pleasure and captured her thumb between this teeth, distracting Francesca as one of his hands grabbed her between the legs and made her gasp out with delight. He later had her screaming out her love for him as he brought her to orgasm and as she lay in his arms after he asked her to be his girlfriend.

"If you want me to be your girlfriend then you've got to pass the test."

"The test?" he repeated in confusion. "What fucking test?"

Francesca gave him a wry smirk and danced her finger around his lips. "To see how many times in a row you can bring me to orgasm. You pass the test if you fulfill the necessary quota."

Michael's eyes darkened and a devilish grin tugged on his face. "And I suppose that's an unspecified quota?"

"Mmhm." she purred. "So if you want to pass I'd advise you give me as many as possible."

"Challenge accepted." he responded and set about making Francesca his girlfriend - which of course he did, passing with flying colours as only Michael Stirling could.

[protectorofvel]

Inner circle and the TV series / movies / shows they watched

Well, I think we can definitely more or less guess the netflix account of all of them. Let's start!

Morrigan

Her absolute favorite thing would be to watch dramas full of intrigue. No series without love, drama, desires and passion would not have caught her attention. I'm pretty sure she has a favorite sitcom, and she would definitely wrap up whole seasons. She loved watching romcoms and horror movies.

For example:

Dynasty

Bridgerton

Emily in Paris

The Devil Wears Prada

Modern Family

The Good Place

Lucifer

Dark

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Amren Amren definitely liked shows that were dark humored, not long —probably she'd get bored and put it down.- She might also be interested in dramas and intrigue, and there's probably a reality show she's been watching secretly from everyone.

For example:

Russian Doll

Fleabag

Game of Thrones

After Life

Orange is the new Black

La Casa de Papel

Rupaul's Drag Race

Rhysand

Historical TV shows and documentaries would be his favourite—well, come on, we all know he's secretly a nerd— plus he'd enjoy watching sitcoms. There would definitely be a seasonal drama series they followed with Feyre. There is definitely an animated movie that he likes to watch with Nyx.

For example:

Roman Empire

The Last Czars

Black Mirror

That' 70s Show

Rick and Morty

Grey's Anatomy

Dogs of Berlin

Dark

Game of Thrones

The Crown

Star Wars

House of Cards

Harry Potter

Hotel Transylvania

Feyre

Award-winning movies and biography mini-series would certainly she's favourite. In addition to these, crime and drama films would also be interesting content. There was bound to be a seasonal series they followed with Rhys. She used to watch a lot of animated movies with Nyx -and I'm pretty sure she adores them-

For example:

Interstellar

Parasite

Merlin

Dark

Anne With An 'E'

The Queen's Gambit

The Staircase

Unbelievable

Sherlock

Unorthodox

Boss Baby

Shrek

Nesta

She will probably be interested in dramas and dramas full of intrigue. On the other hand, crime-oriented movies may also be her favourite. I'm pretty sure there were reality shows she watched with Cassian, and they liked to watch comedy movies together. Even though she criticizes movies based on books, she couldn't help watching it. She loved to follow biography series and inspiring movies.

For example:

Las Chicas Del Cable

Game of Thrones

Outlander

Gone Girl

Hollywood

The Witcher

Me Before You

Blacklist

Downton Abbey

Black Mirror

Stranger Things

Cassian

Every crime and mafia drama is Cassian's favourite. Engaging biography documentaries, comedy movies, and seasonal TV shows with Nesta. He probably also has favorite animated movies.

For example:

Peaky Blinders

Vikings

Squid Game

Unsolved Mysteries

Bodyguard

The Fall

Black Mirror

Dogs of Berlin

Star Wars

La Casa de Papel

The Boys

Hangover

Kung-Fu Panda

Elain

Romcoms, dramas and sitcoms make up the bulk of the list. She loved to watch useful documentaries about food, flowers, cities and nature. Her favorite reality shows would probably be food and dessert contests. She probably follows stand-ups with black humor. She likes to watch sci-fi movies with Azriel because they end up having discussions about that movie. Probably she's a k-drama fan.

For example:

Grace and Frankie

Gilmore Girls

Outlander

The Good Place

Jane the Virgin

Vincenzo

Anne With An 'E'

Hotel Del Luna

Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis

Crash Landing On You

The 100

Baking İmpossible

The Big Flower Fight

Best Leftovers Ever!

Downton Abbey

Sherlock

The Adam Project

Inception

Azriel

Crime and espionage documentaries are his favorites to watch. I'm sure his very picky about award-winning TV shows and movies. Sci-fi TV shows and movies probably interest him more. And he would definitely be an anime fan. Elain probably has a sitcom that interests him as well.

For example:

Mindhunter

Sense 8

Dark

Spycraft

The 100

Rick and Morty

Dogs of Berlin

How to Become a Tyrant

Castlevania

Devilman Crybaby

Night Stalker

Sherlock

Blacklist

The Good Place

Mr. Robot

Criminal

Game of Thrones

The Adam Project

I only compiled content that I thought would appeal to them. If you haven't watched it, I think you can add it to your list haha :D It's just for fun, have a good time <3

[irishseeeker]

                                        the story of us

summary:  Five times Kate Sheffield and Anthony Bridgeton were just friends and one time they were more.

find chapter 1 here or here

find chapter 2 here or here

find chapter 3 here or here

find chapter 4 here or here

find chapter 5 part 1  here or here

----

chapter 5 part 2: all along there was some invisible string tying you to me

Anthony Bridgerton was an idiot.

He wasn’t just an idiot. You see, usually idiots are not aware of their idiocy. They live carefree and blissfully unaware of their idiocy.

Anthony knew he was being an idiot.

It was eating him alive.

He didn’t stop it, though. He didn’t know what else to do. He kept his distance from Kate as much as he could. It was the only thing he could think to do.

It was just so difficult.

He would screw it up. He would break them. It’s what he did. He screwed things up. He had nearly screwed things up with Daphne and Simon, he had screwed things up with Siena and he would screw things up with Kate.

Kate had been a constant in his life since he was nineteen years old.

Kate was his lifeline.

Anthony knew he shouldn’t put that all on her but he didn’t have a choice. There was nothing he could control when it came to Kate Sheffield. He had been completely hers since the moment they sat down in that lecture hall and she announced that he was wrong to their entire lecture.

Then proceeded to argue with him for the next thirty minutes.

He never stood a chance.

Kate deserved everything. She didn’t need someone who had an irrational fear of dropping dead from a bee sting and couldn’t manage a healthy relationship.

It’s not like he tried.

What was the point? They weren’t Kate.

Anthony needed time.

He needed time to figure it out. He could manage it. He had to get his head straight and learn to just erase his feelings and the constant pain. He had to learn to adapt and inevitably watch her be happy with someone else.

If they got too close, they would implode. The fine line between them had grown thinner and thinner and they were in the danger zone. They had been since their kiss.

It couldn’t happen again.

The thing about Kate was she still had that magic.

Kate believed in love. Kate wanted that struck by lightning, unconditional and inconceivable type of love. She deserved that type of love.

Kate deserved to feel the way Anthony felt every time he looked at her.

Anthony wasn’t a complete pessimist, he knew love existed. He had grown up watching his parents madly in love until his dad died. His mother had barely recovered from it. Anthony still hadn’t recovered from it. Violet Bridgerton still had bad days, days where she forgot to pick up Hyacinth or Gregory from school or lay in bed all day, barely moving. How could he do that to Kate? How could he let himself go through that?

That type of love wasn’t something he could give her.

That’s why he couldn't try with Kate. If there was a chance something could happen between them, he wouldn’t take it.

He wouldn't ruin that kind of love for her.

He would always love her, he would just have to let someone else do it.

He just had to figure out how to.

His only plan so far was avoiding her.

That plan was pretty flawed so far.

Anthony didn’t want to hurt Kate. He knew he was hurting her anyway, he didn’t miss her hurt expressions or uncharacteristic silences when he made an excuse that he had to go out for a while or that he would be late coming home. He was trying to fix things before something bad happened.

It’s just incredibly difficult to avoid the one person you spend all your time with and you happen to live with.

He wasn’t necessarily avoiding her, he was just distancing himself temporarily from her while he sorted things out. which is something he liked to convince himself of to try not feel like a complete and utter asshole.

He had even booked hotel rooms to try to get some sleep. How could he sleep when Kate was a few metres away from him? How could he concentrate on anything but Kate when she was close to him?

He needed to protect them.

He needed boundaries.

He also needed Kate.

“Anthony!” Hyacinth shouted cheerfully, grinning widely at her brother as she ran towards him from the school’s front door. Anthony had been leaning against the railing of the gate, waiting for Hyacinth and Gregory to finish school.

His afternoon meetings had been cancelled so he called their nanny, Pippa and told her to take the rest of the day off. His mother had been down at Aubrey Hall for the week with builders planning some reconstruction and she was due back this evening. She hadn’t said anything yet but he suspected it had something to do with preparations for Daphne’s wedding. Anthony wanted to see his siblings and he needed a distraction from the million thoughts running through his head.

“Hi titch,” Anthony said, grinning back at her as he leaned down and picked her up, resting her on his hip. She was too old at seven to be carried around, but he didn’t really care. He needed Hyacinth to stay little for as long as possible. “How was school? Have you seen Greg?”

“It was fun,” She murmured, resting her cheek on his shoulder and letting out a small yawn. “We had to draw our favourite animal, so I obviously drew Newton.”

Anthony couldn’t stop the smirk breaking out on his face. “Obviously. Can I see?”

Hyacinth nodded slowly, wiggling out of his arms so she could open up her Jurassic Park backpack. She pulled out a piece of paper with her drawing, which had a crayon version of what Anthony guessed was Hyacinth, Gregory, Kate, Anthony and the ginger blob in the middle that was Newton.

Something inside of Anthony’s chest clenched.

“Be careful,” Hyacinth scolded, prying the paper out of Anthony’s hands. “I’m going to give it to Kate.”

Anthony bent down to Hyacinth’s eye level, smiling at her as he held open her back and put the picture back inside. “Kate will love it.”

Kate would love it. She was so incredible with Hyacinth and Gregory and they adored her. Kate kept everything they had given her over the years, it had been pinned up on Anthony’s fridge along with the drawings and pictures he’d received from them since Kate had moved in.

They also adored her demon corgi, who had taken over Anthony’s flat for weeks. The little shit climbed into his bed every single night and he knew Anthony wouldn’t kick him out. He had given up a long time ago.

He also started walking him whenever Kate couldn’t, she usually brought him in the evenings and Anthony in the morning when he went for his daily jog.

It made Kate insanely happy when he did it, so obviously Anthony was going to do it.

He had quickly snapped a sly picture when Hyacinth wasn’t looking, he had to send it to Kate. There was no harm in it. Right?

It was just a picture.

Anthony: [sent an image]

Anthony: Your demon inspired Hyacinth’s picture for animal day. She’s excited to show you this later.

Kate: omg. I want to cry that is so bloody cute. Can’t wait to pin it up on the fridge. You look like you’ve put on a few pounds though x

Kate: please do not talk about your godson like that

Anthony: Please, I’m still the best looking guy you’ll ever know.

Kate: sorry, it’s spelled p-a-t-h-e-t-i-c*

Anthony: Sorry, it’s spelled I-am-letting-you-live-in-my-flat*

Kate: My presence is a gift.

Anthony: Also-We’re not getting into this again. I have no familial relation to Newton.

Kate: He has your middle name!

Anthony: Dogs don’t have middle names!

Kate: Do you want to see his birth certificate?

Anthony: Do you mean the certificate you made yourself and framed on your wall? Unfortunately, I’ve seen it more than once. That’s enough for a lifetime.

Kate: [sent an image]

Anthony: Your middle finger is a bit wonky.

Kate: [sent an image]

Anthony: I hope your boss saw you take that.

Anthony chuckled under his breath as he looked up from his phone, spotting Gregory talking to a few of his friends across the playground before waving at Anthony, jogging towards them. He glanced back at the text chain, internally cursing at himself. Why did he always have to flirt with her? He couldn’t help it.

“Hey mate!” Anthony grinned as Gregory reached them, wearing his football kit. They were heading straight to Gregory’s football training in a nearby park, where Anthony and Hyacinth would go for a walk and wait for training to finish. Anthony ruffled his hair, taking his bag and sports bag. “Good day?”

“Hey!” Gregory said, grunting at Hyacinth before beaming up at Anthony. Anthony knew it wouldn’t last forever but he’d pay every cent he had to keep Greg looking at him like he was his hero. “Are you coming to watch me play football?”

“Of course I am,” Anthony said, nudging at Hyacinth to start walking towards the car. “I can’t wait. Are you excited? Come on, we better get going.”

“Anthony! Hello!” A blonde woman Anthony had definitely seen before was standing around a group of women, with their kids running around them and screaming. She practically pushed another woman out of the way to get to him. “How are you?”

He couldn’t for the life of him remember who she was. “Hello,” He said lamely, glancing at Gregory and Hyacinth who looked bored and were absolutely no help. “I’m great, thank you. How are you? Nice to see you again. I’m sorry, we’re just in a bit of a rush.”

It was slightly rude of him but once one of these parents cornered you, you’d be stuck there for hours. He wasn’t going to get stuck talking about a bake sale for the next half an hour.

“I’m lovely thank you-Oh! Yes, of course. You’re such a good brother. Have a good day!” The blonde woman called after Anthony as he hastily nudged Hyacinth and Gregory along. “If you need any help or are interested in the bake sale next week, I can give you my number-”

“Get in,” Anthony practically hissed urgently, waving his hand in the direction of the women but quickly flicking open his boot and car.

“One of them is Sasha’s mum,” Hyacinth grumbled, glancing back at the herd of women whose eyes had followed them towards Anthony’s car. “They think you’re good looking.”

Anthony threw their bags in the boot and opened the back door, winking at Hyacinth as she climbed into the car. “Well, they’re not wrong.”

Anthony laughed as Hyacinth and Gregory both made disgusted faces.

Gregory frowned at his passenger side. “I’m too old for a car seat.”

Anthony rolled his eyes. “The law would argue otherwise. In.”

Gregory took one look at his brother’s face and didn’t argue, grumbling as he moved into the car seat. Anthony checked their seatbelts and once everything was set, he climbed in himself and drove off to the park.

“When are you and Kate getting married?”

“What?” Anthony’s eyes snapped towards the rearview mirror, widening as he looked at Hyacinth.

Hyacinth didn’t seem phased whatsoever by her question. “When are you and Kate getting married?”

“We’re not,” Anthony said with a steady voice, glancing towards Greg who was too consumed with his Nintendo to care about the conversation. Is that what they both taught? “Why would you ask that?”

Hyacinth shrugged. “Daph and Simon are getting married.”

“That’s because they’re engaged.”

“Oh,” Hyacinth said slowly, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she processed the conversation. “Why aren’t you and Kate engaged?”

“Kate and I are friends,” Anthony explained, feeling the dampness of his palms against the steering wheel. “We’re not like Daphne and Simon.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Anthony said, a slight edge of irritation in his voice as he focused back on the road. He didn’t need to be mean, Hyacinth didn’t understand what she was talking about. “Why are you asking so many questions?”

“Well, people in love get married right?”

“Yes.”

“Daphne and Simon love each other?”

“They do.”

“Did Mum and Dad love each other?”

Anthony felt himself soften. “Very much.”

“Don’t you love Kate?”

“I do,” Anthony said hesitantly because he did in the exact way Hyacinth was asking but he didn’t really feel like getting into that. “People can love each other and not get married. It’s different for Kate and I-”

“No it’s not,” Hyacinth interrupted, a finality to the tone of her voice. It was the tone she used before she had a complete fit or meltdown. “I better be a flower girl.”

Anthony knew he was fighting a losing battle, and the irony of that statement wasn’t lost on him in relation to his current predicament. “At our non-existent wedding? Of course you can.”

Hyacinth stuck his tongue out at her and it reminded him so much of Kate, he nearly laughed out of relief and pain.

There it was again.

Kate.

Kate was constantly on his mind.

This was the problem. It was hit fault. This wasn’t the first time a family member, well, not just his family-anyone-had suggested there was something going on between him and Kate. They weren’t just friends. Kate was his best friend, she was everything but she had always been something a little bit more.

He had found her eight years ago and he didn’t know what to do.

Now, it felt like it was too late.

What the hell was he going to do?

Anthony couldn’t get Kate’s hurt look out of his head as he charged out of the house. It even momentarily distracted him from the blind fury he was feeling while he drove to the police station.

Benedict and Simon were right behind him, Benedict climbing into the front and Simon into the back. Anthony put the car in gear, speeding out of the driveway. The police station Colin was detained in wasn’t far and Anthony had already sorted out everything.

“Why did you do that?” Benedict asked, breaking the silent and tense atmosphere in the car as Anthony danced along the speeding limit, his foot pressing onto the accelerator to get to Colin.

He was relieved his brother was okay because Anthony was going to kill him himself.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you let Kate come? Over Simon?” Benedict asked, staring flatly at Anthony. “No offence Simon.”

Simon shook his head, pursing his lips. “None taken. I’m happy-well, not happy-happy to help.”

“I didn’t let Kate do anything.” Anthony said, in complete disbelief Benedict was bringing this up. There was a reason he didn’t let Kate come, he was trying to distance her from all of his shit. She didn’t need to be involved in this.

“Oh right,” Benedict said, sarcasm dripping in his tone which pissed off Anthony even further. “That makes sense. As if Kate isn’t involved in everything to do with you and our family. Kate is a part of our family. Why haven’t you done something about it?”

“She doesn’t need to be involved in this.” What the hell was Benedict doing? Why did it feel like everyone was against him? Anthony was trying, he was bloody trying and everything still went to complete shit.

Benedict didn’t buy a word of it. “Are you ever going to tell her?”

“Don’t start this shit tonight Ben,” Anthony said, his tense voice a warning, not a request. “Our brother is in jail.”

“I’m just saying-”

“I didn’t ask,” Anthony interrupted swiftly, his grip on the wheel tightening significantly. He could practically feel the vein in his forehead bulging. “Drop it.”

Anthony could see Benedict glance back at Simon, making some sort of gesture but Simon just shrugged, shaking his head.

Smart move, Hastings.

“Let’s go,” Anthony said once they arrived at the station, getting out of the car and walking into the empty police station. He paid Colin’s bail, filling out a form as he waited for an officer to bring Colin out.

Colin eventually appeared, looking worse for wear. He didn’t look in any way hurt, which made Anthony relax slightly. The blue shirt he was wearing was rumpled and the mop of brown hair on the top of his head was sticking up in various directions, but he was okay.

“Anthony-”

“Not a fucking word,” Anthony snapped, his voice deadly low as he looked at Colin who shut his mouth quickly. “Follow Ben to the car. Now.”

Benedict lightly squeezed Colin on the shoulder as Colin walked towards him, opening and closing his mouth before deciding to do what Anthony said.

Anthony had to take a few deep breaths before he walked out towards the car. He needed to keep his cool. Whatever happened, Colin was his brother and it didn’t need to result in a huge argument. As long as Colin took responsibility for his actions, it would be relatively okay.

Colin was twenty-two years old and still acting like a complete child. He traveled whenever he wasn’t at university and didn’t show any responsibility when it came to their family and his own life. Anthony was trying to not get too involved, getting Colin to even go to university had taken ten years off his life but sometimes Colin really tested his patience.

Anthony’s cool temperament lasted about twenty seconds once he got into the car.

“It wasn’t my fault.”

Anthony snorted while Benedict sighed deeply. “It never is, is it Colin?” “I was drunk,” Colin said, slumping in his seat like Gregory did when he was annoyed about something. “Marina dumped me. I met up with my mates and got drunk. It was a mistake. How was I supposed to know you’re not meant to piss on statues?”

Anthony hesitated for a moment, glancing back at his brother’s face. Colin was in pain. He had really liked Marina, the whirlwind he had met while skiing in France over Christmas. Anthony had never seen his brother fall so hard. “I’m sorry about Marina, Colin. I am. That’s not an excuse to act like a complete and utter idiot and break the law.”

“It was an accident!” Colin snapped back, his voice rising in line with Anthony's. “What do you want me to do, Ant?”

“I just bailed you out of jail,” Anthony snapped, the anger he had been holding in finally coming out. He was racing home within the speed limit, the confinement of the car making him claustrophobic. “I made sure that that stayed off your permanent record so you didn’t get thrown out of university or asked about in job interviews. Instead of acting like a spoiled little brat you could be a little more grateful and shut up.”

“I didn’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re right,” Anthony snapped, really focusing on not losing his head. “Yet I did it anyway.”

“I’m so fucking sorry I’m not perfect like you, Anthony,” Colin said, his voice full of venom as Anthony pulled up into the driveway. “That I’m not perfect like Ben, Daph, El, Franny or fuck it, Dad! I’m so sorry I don’t live up to your perfect expectations.”

“Oh shut up Colin,” Anthony snapped, his voice just as angry as Colin's. “You fucked up. I’m not interested in listening to your sob story to make yourself into a victim. Take some responsibility for once in your life.”

Anthony felt the guilt flood his body as he spoke to his brother. He knew he would be ashamed of himself later, he already was as the words sunk in. He was just so angry. Colin never took responsibility for anything and this was just another time he had gone too far and expected no consequences and Anthony to pick up the pieces.

“Fine,” Colin said, shaking his head as he flung the door open. “Here’s some responsibility for you. I’m dropping out of university.”

Then he slammed Anthony’s car door shut and all hell broke loose.

Anthony didn’t have anything left to say.

His fight with Colin, every insult and dagger he had thrown at him, circled around in his head and rang in his ears. He couldn’t find the words to speak as Kate drove them home. He wanted to say something, to put Kate at ease as she anxiously glanced at him the entire way home.

He just didn’t have anything left in him.

Colin’s words were on repeat in his head like a broken record.

“I don’t need to try to be a carbon copy of Dad to figure out my life. I’m not you, Anthony. Desperately trying to be someone he’ll never be.”

Colin was right.

Anthony sat down on the couch in his flat, his limbs heavy and deflated as the reality of his brother’s words hit him like a tonne of bricks.

He then did something that he hadn’t done since the day his father died, in his mother’s bedroom, away from his family.

He cried.

The sobs hit him like a wave and moved throughout his body, flooding out of him and everything he had been holding in for years. He cried for his dad, who he missed so much it killed him a little bit inside every single day. He cried for the man he desperately was trying to be but knew he never would. He cried for his family who had a gaping hole in it he could never fill. He cried for his family, who he tried so hard for but somehow always managed to fuck it up.

Anthony cried for everything that he had lost, everything that he was selfish enough to be angry about. Everyone he didn’t go, everything he didn’t do and everyone he didn’t meet because he had to step up.

He cried for Kate, the person who made him feel like he was worth something and that he was doing something right sometimes. He could never allow himself to let her know how he felt. He couldn’t do that to her.

Kate held him against her chest, her head resting on top of his as she moved her hand up and down his back, murmuring soothing words as he cried until nothing else could come out.

Anthony was surprised when Colin showed up at his flat the next morning. Kate had made him a cup of tea before putting Newton on his lead, throwing one final glare at Colin and a reassuring smile at Anthony before leaving their flat.

His flat.

His flat.

It was incredibly awkward, as both the Bridgerton men sat on Anthony’s couch in complete silence. Colin was tapping his foot against the ground, looking up at Anthony and back at the floor as his mouth opened and closed as he decided what to say.

“I’ve always liked Kate.”

That took Anthony by surprise. “Who wouldn’t?”

“For a second there,” Colin said, a half chuckle coming out of his mouth that was muffled by his pained expression. “I didn’t think she’d let me in.”

“As someone who has been on the wrong side of Kate many times,” Anthony said, smiling slightly as leaned back into the couch. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“She’s terrifying.”

“Absolutely petrifying,” Anthony said, nodding in agreement. “Don’t tell her I said that.”

“Do you hate me?”

Anthony’s head snapped up, the strange lightness of their conversation fading completely. “Of course I don’t hate you.”

“I’d hate me.”

Despite everything that had happened, Anthony was reminded of who was sitting right in front of him. Colin was so like their dad it hurt Anthony sometimes. He was fun, happy, irrational, spontaneous and he cared so passionately about the people in his life. He was also young and still trying to figure things out. He made mistakes. He had his heartbroken. He was just trying.

They were all just trying.

“I love you, Colin,” Anthony said firmly, because it was true and there wasn’t anything his brother could say to ever make Anthony think or feel otherwise. “There’s nothing that could ever happen to make me not love you. Okay? I only want what is best for you. I know how unreasonable I can be sometimes. Maybe I was wrong for thinking what was best for me is what is best for you. I just want you to be okay if something ever happened to me.”

Colin visibly gulped. “Nothing is going to happen to you, Ant. I’ll never be more sorry for what I said about Dad. I didn’t mean it. I am a horrible person for saying that to you. I’ll never forgive myself for it. I do mean this, though. You’re not Dad, Ant. You’re you. You don’t need to be Dad. You don’t need to be anyone else but you. Everyone needs you to be you. We all have gotten this far because you’re you, Ant. Not Dad. Not anyone. You.”

Anthony was absolutely speechless as he listened to Colin. Colin and him had clashed over the years but they were so alike in so many ways.

“I know I haven’t always made things easy on you. I think about him a lot. If he would be proud of me. I don’t think he would.”

“Of course he would,” Anthony said firmly, finally finding his voice. “There’s so much to be proud of. You’re a fantastic person, Colin. You annoy the shit out of me sometimes but you’re an incredible person.”

“I want you to be proud of me.” Colin’s voice was shaky as he spoke, the emotion of the situation finally coming to the surface.

“Colin,” Anthony said seriously, looking at his brother. “There’s no world where I’m not proud of you. You shouldn’t worry about what I think-”

“Anthony,” Colin said seriously, looking his brother in the eye for the first time that morning. “All I think about is what you think. You’re the voice inside of my head. Even if you sometimes annoy the shit out of me, I need you there. I know we all wouldn’t be okay if it wasn’t for you. I’m so sorry I haven’t shown you how much I appreciate that. I’m so sorry. I’ll never be more sorry for that.”

The large lump in Anthony’s throat was becoming extremely painful. “You don’t need to apologize-”

“I do and I am,” Colin said, standing up and moving towards Anthony. “I love you. You’re the type of person all of us can only hope we can be. You’re my big brother. I’m going to hug you now. It’s going to be awkward but I feel like it’s necessary.”

They wrapped their arms around each other, slapping each other’s backs and holding onto each other tightly.

They eventually pulled back, both turning their heads slightly to compose themselves and wipe their eyes with the back of their sleeves.

“That’s enough emotion for a lifetime,” Colin murmured, moving back to his original seat and letting out a sigh. “Beer?”

“Beer.”

Of all the places Anthony Bridgerton imagined himself to be at this point in his life, it wasn’t at his sisters and best friend’s engagement party.

Simon had surprised Anthony by showing up to his flat after him and Colin had sorted things out. Simon had kept a respectful distance since Anthony had found out about Daphne and him, not pushing Anthony into anything and forcing their friendship back to the place it was.

Instead, something else had happened. They were in a new place. They were starting off a clean slate. They were back to hanging out, playing golf, grabbing dinner and drinks. Anthony was his best man. He didn’t want to hold grudges anymore. He wanted his best friend back.

The past week had surprisingly been great. He had decided to put everything on hold with Kate and he had spent an unbelievable amount of time with her this week, going against every part of his initial plan. The only bad part of his week was moving Kate into her new flat. The flat felt so empty and lifeless without her.

He even missed Newton, which is something he’d keep to himself until his deathbed.

Simon joined him at the bar, smacking his back. “Good speech, mate.”

“Mm,” Anthony said, giving him a sarcastic grin as he finished off his whiskey. “I’m happy you enjoyed it.”

“It really came from the heart.”

“Let’s not get soppy,” Anthony said, nodding in thanks to the bartender as he topped up his whiskey glass. “I have just decided I can tolerate you again.”

“Please, I was your favourite person until Miss Kate Sheffield came along,” Simon teased, grinning at Anthony’s side-eye. “Not that I blame you. She’s really something.”

“Back to that speech though,” Simon said, his back to the bar as he surveyed the buzzing dance floor. “I don’t think it was us you were entirely talking about.”

Kate.

Anthony’s heart stopped in his chest. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you don’t,” Simon said, downing the rest of the contents of his glass with a gleeful smirk. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go dance with my fiance.”

Bastard.

His family really needed to learn to mind their own bloody business.

“Anthony.”

Anthony’s vision was fuzzy. He could hear a light buzzing in his ear. Kate’s words were still playing in his ears.

“Forget me. I don’t want to speak to you ever again.”

He couldn’t let this happen. He wouldn’t let this happen. He had tried so hard to protect them and it only ended with him fucking everything up so royally.

He felt like he wasn’t in control of his body, his eyes were stinging and his limbs were moving out of his own accord. He was bustling through the crowd, trying to find Kate who had disappeared into it.

“Anthony!”

Anthony barely heard his own name until someone grabbed his arm. Francesca.

“Did you know Michael was here?”

Anthony was still moving across the room, Francesca still beside him. “What?”

“Can you believe it?” Francesca said, her bottom lip sticking out as she shook her head in disbelief. More emotions were running across Francesca’s face than Anthony had ever seen in his life. “Ben invited him. John didn’t even know! Apparently he’s Ben's new protégé.”

“Fran, can you hold on a second?” Anthony said, shaking his head and running his hands through his hair, pulling at it. “I’m sorry. I-I need to find Kate. I have to find Kate.”

“Anthony,” Francesca said, her face flooding with concern as she steadied Anthony’s balance with her two hands on his arms. “What is going on? What happened?”

“Anthony.” Benedict had arrived, with Sophie beside him, an anxious look across his face.

“Piss off Ben,” Francesca snapped, her anger at her brother not fading in the slightest as she turned back to Anthony. “Anthony? What happened?”

“He’s asked to intern with me this summer! What was I meant to say Fran? I didn’t realize there was something going on between you-“

“There is nothing going on between us! I’m with John!” Francesca hissed, her anger momentarily shocking the two Bridgertons and Sophie. Francesca had always been calm, cool and collected. That wasn’t what was happening tonight. “I don’t need any relationship advice from someone who snuck around for over a year. Get off your pedestal.”

“It seems like Benedict can’t keep his nose out of anything.” Anthony spat out his brother’s name and didn’t care for Ben’s slight flinch. He needed someone else to blame.

He needed to find Kate.

“Someone had to do something!” Sophie snapped, her eyes completely on Anthony. “We’ve all watched this go on for years and it’s exhausting. Where’s Kate, Anthony?”

“What happened with Kate?” Francesca asked again, her eyes solely on Anthony.

“I was going to find her-“ Anthony said helplessly, his chest tightening which was making it hard to breathe. He had messed it up phenomenally. She was never going to forgive him. “It’s bad. We had a fight. A bad one.”

The meaning of his words seemed to translate as Sophie’s eyes widened, her mouth dropping open slightly as she hastily turned to look around the room.

“I think you’ve done enough.” Sophie snapped, Anthony, Francesca and Benedict’s eyes were wide as they watched Sophie storm away in search of Kate.

“Ant-“

“It’s fine, Ben. I’m sorry I ruined your night. I have to go,” Anthony said, “This is my mess. I’ll fix it.”

“You don’t have to fix it alone.”

“I have to fix it with Kate.” Anthony said, charging through the rest of the crowd and searching everywhere for Kate. Benedict, Colin and Francesca were on his tail, trying to convince him to come inside and sit down and talk to them. He couldn’t. He tried her phone a million times that night but she didn’t pick up. He had to fix this.

Eventually, it was confirmed by Sophie that Kate had left the gallery. She had refused to let Sophie into her flat and that was as much as Anthony was told.

Kate was gone.

Anthony woke up with an excruciating headache and aching limbs. He grumbled as he sat up, feeling a hard exterior under him. He was sleeping in his old childhood bed.

The last time he had slept in this bed was the day before he had left university. The day before he met Kate and his life changed forever. He hated saying it, but it was true. His life had completely changed the minute he met and argued with Kate Sheffield and now-

Now he could have lost her forever.

“You’re up.”

Anthony jumped slightly as he saw Benedict and Colin standing at the foot of his bed, “Were you two watching me sleep? That’s creepy.”

“We were making sure you didn’t choke on your own vomit,” Benedict said carefully, a stern expression on his face but he cowered slightly as Anthony looked at him. Benedict had certainly meddled last night. “You drank a lot after Kate left.” “I’d be impressed with how much you drank if it wasn’t because of such tragic circumstances,” Colin joked, failing to lighten the mood with a joke. “I made you some coffee.”

“Thanks.” Anthony said sourly, nodding at Colin but not appreciating the reminder of what a terrible person Anthony was. Kate had gone and he couldn’t cope, so he drank until he passed out.

Why did he open his stupid mouth and tell her about the kiss? Why didn’t he tell her he loved her back? Why did he try to explain to her why they would never work? It was the everything he had been telling himself again and again and when he had said the words out last night, they were meaningless and stupid. The only thing they had achieved was destroying them both.

What was wrong with him?

He couldn’t get the look of anguish on her face out of his head.

He had done the one thing he had sworn he would never do.

He had hurt her.

“I’m sorry about the gallery, Ben.” Anthony said, shaking his head in shame.

“I’m not,” Benedict said, shrugging as he leaned against the wall. “We sold all of my pieces. I knew what I was doing when I put that piece up there. I’m sorry, Anthony. I really am. I never wanted it to cause all this.”

“You didn’t cause any of this,” Anthony said, shaking his head and letting out a deep sigh. “I did.”

“No, he definitely caused this,” Colin said, completely ignoring Benedict’s glare. “That was a dick move. Ant and Kate were always going to come to blows and have it out but you just threw the toaster into the bathtub with that stunt.”

“Anthony got involved with my love life!” Benedict exclaimed, turning around to glare at his younger brother. “I wanted to help-”

“That’s because Ant is relatively okay at sorting out everyone else’s love life and is absolutely shocking at sorting out his own,” Colin said, shooting Anthony a cheeky grin who just glared back. “Tell us what happened.”

“I was furious about the picture.” Anthony said slowly, not wanting to relive the events of last night ever again. He would have to, everytime he told this story and when he saw Kate again. If he saw her again. She had never responded to any of his calls or messages last night and he hadn’t tried again this morning.

He didn’t want to hurt her further by harassing her.

Anthony needed to see her and speak to her.

“I was acting really unfairly. We started arguing. I said some things. Kate said some things. I said something really stupid,” Anthony said, letting out a deep breath before he continued. “Kate told me she was in love with me. I didn’t say it back. I told her I remembered that kiss I had pretended to forget on my birthday last year. She told me she never wanted to speak to me again.”

“That,” Colin was the first one to speak, “That is a lot worse than I imagined.”

“Helpful Colin,” Benedict said dryly, sitting down on the bed beside Anthony and patting his shoulder. “You messed up. Yes. Kate is hurt. She’ll forgive you. You’re Kate and Anthony. You can fix this.”

“I don’t know, Ben. I’ve never seen that look on her face before. She won’t speak to me,” Anthony said, falling back onto the bed and feeling utterly hopeless. “She’s never going to forgive me. I don’t know what to say.”

Benedict bit his lip, nodding his head. “Ant, you’ve never been able to talk to us the way you’ve been able to talk to Kate.”

“The one person you can talk to won’t talk to you.” Colin said slowly, as if he was putting something together in his head.

Anthony and Benedict both turned towards Colin and raised an eyebrow.

Colin’s face lit up, as if he had just won the lottery. He grinned widely at his two brothers, who looked at him suspiciously. “I have an idea.”

Colin’s brilliant idea was therapy.

Apparently, Colin had a heart to heart with Penelope Fetherington the morning after their argument. Penelope and Eloise were studying together for the day at their house and Eloise had left Penelope in the kitchen with Colin whilst she went off for a shower.

Eloise had not been talking to Colin after the argument, which led to his and Penelope’s strange but heartfelt conversation.

Penelope recommended Colin go to therapy.

That’s how Anthony ended up taking Colin’s therapy appointment at 10am that Saturday morning.

“Why are you here today, Anthony?”

Anthony hadn’t been to therapy since university. It wasn’t for this reason. He had been stressed, having bad panic attacks and feeling overwhelmed by everything. He was back again, for similar but different reasons.

“My brothers thought it would be good if I spoke to someone.” Anthony answered honestly, not feeling entirely comfortable to open up to a complete stranger whose office he had walked into two minutes ago.

“Do you think you need to be here?” His therapist asked, scribbling something down in her notebook.

“I suppose so. No. Yes, I do. I do think so,” Anthony said, scrambling over his words before he sat up straighter in his seat. “I do. It’s what Kate would tell me to do.”

“Who is Kate?”

“Kate is my best friend,” Anthony said instinctively, the meaning of the words hitting him a few seconds later. “Well.”

“Well?”

“It’s complicated.”

His therapist looked straight at him, giving him a friendly but stern smile. “I’m trained in complicated.”

“We’re not currently speaking,” Anthony said slowly, deciding to just let it all out. This is what therapy was for, right? He could be honest for once in my life. “It’s all my fault.”

“How long has it been?” His therapist asked, glancing at the round clock on her wall.

“About 12 hours?”

“Okay.”

“That’s really strange for us,” Anthony hastily explained, quickly feeling embarrassed about the situation and if he was appearing overdramatic. “We talk all the time. We lived together up until last week.

His therapist continued to write down a few sentences, the scraping of the pen against her paper making Anthony’s skin itch. “Tell me what happened.”

“It was a bad argument,” Anthony began, the memories of last night filling him with a heavy dread. “My brother had put a picture of us, multiple pictures of us, on display in a gallery. I panicked and I reacted badly. We both said hurtful things. The worst we’ve ever had. She told me she was in love with me. I told her I remembered our kiss I pretended to forget over a year ago. It ended with her telling me she never wanted to see me again.”

“Do you love her back?”

The question caught Anthony completely off guard. This was the most honest he had been in a very long time and his therapist was brushing over a lot of details, focusing on particular ones. “No, I do.”

“But you didn’t tell her that?”

“No.”

“Hmm,” His therapist said, nodding her head as she continued to scribble down a few sentences. “That is complicated. Could you tell me about your parents?”

Anthony’s breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t face that today. When he had gone to therapy previously, they had sometimes spoken about his parents, mainly his father. Anthony didn’t have the strength. “I don’t want to talk about my father. I need to know what to say to Kate.”

“That’s okay,” She said, nodding her head slowly. “You have every right to not answer this question and I will drop it. Why do you not want to talk about your father?”

“He died when I was eighteen.” Anthony explained, figuring it would come out sooner or later.

“That must have been difficult.”

“It was.” Anthony’s words were caught between his teeth.

“Do you have any siblings?”

“I have seven,” Anthony answered, cracking his knuckles in his lap. “I’m the eldest.”

“I can imagine that’s a lot of responsibility at the age of eighteen,” She said slowly, as if she was trying to figure something out. “Especially when suffering from such a loss.”

“It is,” Anthony said, avoiding her eyes completely as he looked around the room. He didn’t want to talk about his family. That’s not why he came. “It’s my family. I’d do anything for them.”

“Why do you think you don’t deserve love?”

Anthony gaped at her. “I don’t think that.”

“If you were willing to step up and take responsibility for your family and ensure their happiness,” She said, leaning forward in her chair. “Why can’t you do the same for yourself?”

“I don’t want to lose her,” Anthony said, his voice coming out a lot shakier and lower than it had in a long time. “She’s everything to me. Everything. I screw things up. I’ve never been good with relationships. I desperately tried to not screw things up and I did it anyway. I really tried to stop feeling like this. I even went to America to stop feeling like this and try to find someone new. It just always comes back to this and now-now it’s too late.”

“This is terribly cliche, but it’s the truth. It’s never too late and you will never know until you try. Why are you so sure you and Kate will fail? I say you and Kate as there are two of you in this. It seems like you put a lot of pressure on yourself. When it comes to your family and your relationships.” Her words were hitting Anthony forcefully, completely overwhelming him. “You should try giving yourself a chance.”

“I don’t think I can.”

“You are standing in your own way. Why is that?”

He was getting really sick of all these questions.

“Kate deserves better.”

His therapist raised her eyebrow slightly, “Isn’t that for Kate to decide?”

Anthony had no response to that.

“Anthony, we have absolutely no control over what could happen in the future. Our fears will still exist in the past, present and future. What we can try to control is now. Good and bad things happen everyday. Nothing also happens everyday. Nothing sounds quite exhausting, don’t you think?”

“Sometimes it is easier to do nothing. Sometimes, we have to take a chance on the good or bad things happening,” She told him, smiling softly at him. “Sometimes, we just need to take that chance.”

Something just clicked.

He had to take that chance.

“I have to go,” Anthony jumped up, running a hand through his hair and slightly waving the other one around. “I have to talk to Kate. If she’ll talk to me, I’ll take that chance. Right? Right. Yes. Wow. Okay. Thank you, doctor. Thank you-”

“I’ll have my assistant book you in for an appointment next week,” His therapist responded, a slight smile on her face as she stood up to open the door for him. “Good luck, Anthony.”

Colin and Benedict stood up as Anthony walked into the waiting room, curious expressions on their faces.

“I have to tell Kate I’m in love with her.”

Anthony glanced down at his phone, which began buzzing his hand. Edwina’s name flashed on his screen.

Anthony answered the call, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. Maybe it was Kate. Maybe she had lost her phone and that’s why she hadn’t been in contact with him last night. “Edwina?”

“Anthony,” Edwina’s shaky voice spoke through the phone, sending cold shivers down Anthony’s spine. “It’s Kate.”

Anthony had burst through the hospital doors, running up stairs and through doors until he found the room Kate was in after multiple directions from nurses, Colin and Benedict hot on his heels.

Edwina had reassured him that Kate was fine. Her brain scans and other injuries had come back completely clear, the worst thing that had happened was her leg had been broken.

He had to see her. He had to see her alive and breathing. He had to make sure she was okay.

“Kate.”

Anthony had never felt so nauseous and anxious in his entire life.

“Are you okay?”

Kate was there, sitting up in her hospital bed with her casted leg elevated in the air. She didn’t appear to have any other injuries, her dark hair was in a bun on the top of her head and she did have some scrapes and bruises along her arms, and a tiny scratch on her cheek.

“That's none of your business.”

That was the response he expected and it hurt just as he expected. He did deserve it.

“Kate was skating in Hyde Park when a cyclist ran into her, and she landed on her leg," Edwina explained carefully, anxiously glancing between Anthony and Kate. Benedict and Colin were behind Anthony, smiling awkwardly at everyone in the room and shooting a relieved expression at Kate. She smiled back at them, at least she wasn't icing them out.

Kate just refused to look at Anthony. “Get out.”

“We’re going to get some coffee in the canteen.” said Mary, beginning to drag an anxious looking Edwina out of the hospital room.

“Don’t you dare,” Kate snapped, raising her voice at her mother and sister. She pointed at the chairs they just vacated. “Anthony is the only one who will be leaving this hospital room.”

What did he expect? She had every right to be furious with him. It wasn't going to be easy and he would do whatever it took to fix this. To fix them. “I’ll wait in the waiting room until you want to talk.”

“I don’t want to talk.”

He nodded, making his way towards the doorway he had only come through. He knew Kate and pushing her wasn’t going to achieve anything. He had fucked up and he had to fix it in the way she wanted him to. “I’ll just be waiting then.”

And waited, he did.

He waited for two weeks until Kate was released from the hospital.

He tried everything. He had taken the time off work to be there during visiting hours, waiting for her to finally let him speak to her. He had drafted about fifty different speeches before she was released, thinking about everything he had spoken about with his therapist. He went to two more sessions during Kate’s stay and he felt something was really changing.

Except for Kate’s willingness to speak to him.

When he knocked on her door, she told him to get lost. When he brought her flowers, she threw them at him. When he brought her food, she wouldn’t touch it. She ignored his texts and calls.

She had every right to make him suffer and she was doing a superb job at it.

He spent his time on business calls or chatting with whoever was visiting Kate. Every Bridgerton but Anthony had been allowed in. He got to know her nurses and doctors, getting updates on Kate’s progress and asking them questions about her leg and the healing process.

Mary sat beside Anthony in the waiting room one afternoon, handing him a cup of coffee. “Thank you.”

“I started worrying less, you know.”

Anthony turns to look at Mary, frowning in confusion.

“Kate is a very good person. She takes care of people. She took care of Edwina and I more than she should have, especially after my husband died.” A sad expression appeared on her face. “My husband always said Kate tried to take care of him when her mother passed away. She was four years old.”

He smiled sadly, taking a small sip of his coffee. “That sounds like Kate.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Mary nodded her head, wrapping her hands around her coffee cup. “I always wanted that for her. Someone who would take care of her and she would let them. I wasn’t so sure it would ever happen until she brought you home.”

Anthony blinked at Mary, completely taken aback. He had known Mary for eight years now and they had spent a good bit of time together, but he couldn’t remember ever speaking to her alone. Especially like this.

“I knew she finally had someone to take care of her. You’ve been so good to her.”

“I don’t know if she’ll forgive me this time Mary,” Anthony said, his voice croaky as he hung his head low. “I don’t know if I deserve to be forgiven.”

“Kate didn’t talk to her father and I for two weeks because we didn’t let her go to an Eminem concert when she was twelve years old,” Mary said, chuckling softly at the fond memory. “She will come around.”

“We all make mistakes, Anthony. I don’t know what happened between you two,” Mary said softly, reaching over to squeeze his hands. “I do know you’ll be able to fix yours.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Kate,” Edwina said, exhaustion flooding her voice as she pushed Kate’s wheelchair to a stop in front of the exit of the hospital. “Anthony’s car is the only car big enough to bring you home! You’re meant to lie across the back seat.”

Kate was glaring at Anthony with such an intensity, he was genuinely terrified. She was absolutely furious at the prospect of Anthony driving her home. “I’d rather walk.”

“I suppose you should have thought about that before you went skating on those death traps,” Anthony said, deciding that if she wouldn’t talk to him, he might be able to at least get an insult if he winded her up. Then, she would technically have spoken to him. “Hop on in.”

Kate’s mouth dropped open as she watched Anthony open up his back door, which had been filled with blankets and pillows to help Kate get comfortable. She knew she had no choice. The two nurses helped Kate into the backseat, buckling her in as Edwina got into Anthony’s car. Mary was following them home.

Kate, furious about recent events, was sulking in the back seat.

Edwina and Sophie hadn’t been overly kind to Anthony the first week after Kate’s accident. He didn’t blame them, he deserved every single bit of slack he got for what he’d done. They had eased up on him the last week, probably out of pure pity as he desperately tried to fix things with Kate who so far wanted nothing to do with him.

They finished their awkward car ride once Anthony parked in Kate’s flat’s underground car park. Now the fun really began. He would make himself useful in any way he could to help Kate, so Edwina and Mary had asked him to drive her home once he had offered.

“Kate,” Edwina said slowly, clearly nervous about what she was about to say as she opened her sister’s door. “Mum and I aren’t strong enough to get you out of the car.”

“Whose side are you on?” Kate snapped, realizing exactly what was going on. “There’s not a chance in hell-”

“I am on your leg’s side!” Edwina snapped, everyone’s eyes widening as Edwina’s temper flared. It was a rare sight. “I am losing the will to live here, Kate. Just let Anthony carry you upstairs and you can do whatever you want. Throw anything you want at him for all I care. Just get upstairs.”

Anthony leaned into the back seat, carefully moving Kate and her leg towards the edge of the seat. They were so close, his arms wrapped around her. If he looked at her, he could count the freckles sprawled across her nose and cheek and how many eyelashes she had. He had done it a million times before.

Except he couldn’t.

Kate refused to look at him.

He got her out of the car until she could support herself on her crutches, making her way towards the lifts. Anthony, Edwina and Mary brought all of her bags upstairs to her flat. Anthony had stocked her fridge and cupboards with all her favourite things and had gotten it professionally cleaned yesterday. He also had about five bouquets of tulips in each room.

“Simon dropped in some food from his restaurant,” Edwina said, smiling softly as she began to unpack the bag. “Thank god. I’m starving. Anthony?”

“I’ll go.” Anthony said, shaking his head as he headed towards the door after dropping the last bag on the floor. The hope he had of fixing things with Kate was really starting to diminish. She really despised him.

She wouldn’t even look at him.

Kate waved a crutch in his direction. It was the first time she had spoken to only him directly in over two weeks. “Stop getting me tulips!”

Anthony turned around to look at her, shaking his head simply. “No.”

“We are going to go out for a walk,” Mary suggested loudly, tugging at Edwina who gaped at her mother in disbelief and then glanced back down at the food. The two Sheffields practically ran out of Kate’s flat, bag of food in their hand, and surprisingly weren’t stopped by Kate.

This was his chance.

“How are you?”

Kate’s hard glare hadn’t faded. “Why do you care?”

He visibly softened. “Of course I care.”

“I don’t think you do, actually,” Kate snapped, aggressively fluffing the pillows behind her back where she sat on her grey couch. “I thought you cared until I realized what you had done. I thought you cared until I stood there telling you I loved you and all you did was tell me that you had lied to me and how we would never work. I never expected you to love me back, what did I expect was some-”

“Are you on drugs?”

“Excuse me?” Kate’s voice was almost a shriek.

Anthony had to really stop himself from rolling his eyes. “I can’t say this if you’re in any way inebriated.”

“No,” Kate muttered, crossing her arms across her chest, “I still despise you, so I’m of sound mind.”

“I should have kissed you. That night. When we were at Aubrey Hall. Seven years ago. I should have kissed you in the lake. I should have kissed you at the Law Ball in college. I should have kissed you when we were in Spain. When we were in my dorm. Your dorm. In the morning. In the afternoon. In the evening. There were so many times where I should have kissed you, Kate.”

“You did kiss me,” Kate spat out, tears flooding her eyes that made Anthony’s chest clench. “You kissed me and you pretended that you didn’t remember.”

“I’m an idiot. I’m a fool. There’s no rational explanation for why I did it. I was so scared of losing you, Kate. But I lost you anyway. I’ll never be more sorry for that, Kate.” Anthony took a few tentative steps towards her, crouching down so he was at her eye level. “I’m so sorry for hurting you. Please, just listen to me. I’ll leave you alone afterwards if that’s what you want.”

“I was on my way to yours when Edwina rang me,” Anthony said, trying to remember everything he had wanted to say and had written down so many times. “I was on my way to tell you I was in love with you. I was an asshole, the night of the gallery. A complete asshole. I panicked. I saw everything on that bloody picture that I have wanted and dreamed of for years, and I panicked. I was so scared of losing what we had that I was too scared to take the chance on having something more.”

Kate stared at him with her wide brown eyes, the ones he had missed so bloody much. He had missed everything about her and now he was here and he was trying. He was desperately trying and he had no idea if it would be enough. “What are you trying to say, Anthony?”

“I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you since I was nineteen years old. I’ve denied it and denied it, because I’m screwed up, and I know you deserve better than me, but it's always been you Kate. It will always be you. I was terrified of screwing things up and losing you because I can’t live without you Kate. I don’t ever want to. You’re my best friend. You’re my person.”

“When I heard you were hurt and there was a chance that I could lose you-I can’t fathom life without you, Kate.” Anthony’s voice broke off as he spoke, his voice choking on air. “I can’t. I don’t want to. All I want is you, Kate. I’ll do anything to prove that to you. I’m all in. If you’ll have me.”

“Why do you get to decide?”

Anthony blinked at her through his watery eyes, hastily wiping them. He had finally said everything he wanted to say and the biggest weight had been taken off his chest. The anxiety of waiting on Kate’s response still clawed at him. “What?”

“Why do you get to decide that I deserve better than you?” Kate asked, narrowing her eyes as she looked at him.

“I don’t know,” He answered honestly, shaking his head as he leaned against the couch. “It wasn’t that I decided. It was just so obvious to me. You deserve everything, Kate. Everything. That isn’t me. All I can do is try-”

“No.”

His heart stopped in his chest, a rigid stance completely taken over. Was this it? Was Kate ending things forever? Has he lost for her good?

“You should have asked me.”

Anthony couldn’t help the sigh of relief that came out of him. “I know.��

“I’ve always been smarter than you.”

He smiled softly, nodding his head. “That’s debatable.”

“Do you always have to have an answer for everything?” She asked, completely exasperated, but there wasn’t any annoyance detected in her tone. It was almost teasing.

“I suppose,” He said slowly, his eyes never moving off hers. “Some things never changed.”

“No,” She said softly, her eyes moving around his face. “They really don’t.”

“I should have asked you too,” Kate added a few seconds later, visibly gulping as she pushed some of the loose strands of hair in front of her face behind her ears.

“I’m still so mad at you,” She murmured, blinking away a few tears that rolled down her red cheeks. “I’m so mad. I’m not going to suddenly stop being mad because you’re in love with me and I’m in love with you. We’re going to have to work at this. It isn’t going to be easy.”

“I deserve it.” He nodded in agreement, not being able to stop the small smile breaking out on his face as she said she loved him. “I know. I’ll do anything, Kate. Anything.”

She loved him.

She loved him.

Kate was in love with him.

“Hold my hand.” She murmured, extending her fingers towards him. Their fingers interlock smoothly, her soft, petite palm and his large, rougher hand against each other.

“If you had asked me,” Kate said, her voice coming out wobbly as she spoke. “I would have told you that you’re it for me. It’s always been you. From the moment I met you, it was always going to be you. I didn’t stand a chance. It’s not about deserving, Anthony. It’s about being there for someone no matter what. You’ve always been there for me. And I always want you to be.”

Their faces were extremely close now. He could smell her again, that soft scene of lilies and soap that he had missed so much. He could count the freckles on her cheek and her long, delicate eyelashes. His lips are “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“Us,” Kate corrected him, her breathing small and shallow. “It only took us eight years.”

“This isn’t how I imagined it.”

“I’m so tired of imagining, aren’t you?”

He kisses her.

It’s better than he’s ever imagined it.

Why?

Because it’s real.