#I want a whole series of just michael and francesca doing press together

[newtonsheffield]

I don't know why, but I can't the idea of Michael playing 'Spill your guts, or fill your guts' with James Corden and being asked a personal question about Frankie, only to have to eat something rank. Anyway, thanks for your hard work on this universe, its crazy how much I look forward to it each week. It's this stressed uni gal's guilty pleasure!!!

Okay! I LOVE this idea! Love and adore and from someone who used to be a stressed uni gal: You gotta have those guilty pleasures to get you through. Mine was Orphan Black which if you haven’t seen and you enjoy Science Fiction, give it a whirl girl! 

Anyway! Let’s look at Michael Stirling + Press 

Michael knew many actors had problems with press, they found it boring, or irritating or awkward, but Michael had never had a problem with it. He’d never had issues talking to people, and honestly it was kind of fun if you let it be. Playing games, making jokes, talking to another person, connecting with them for a split second, talking about work you were proud of having done, he took pride in it. It didn’t hurt that prior to his relationship with Francesca it had meant he got to see her outside of set, one more time he got to see her smile, laugh, he’d started looking forward to them. And still, though he saw Francesca every day now, saw her in the morning when her eyes were barely open, when her hair was tangled together, in her pyjamas that had Disney princesses on them, their dog cuddled on her lap, he loved doing press. Loved talking about the work they did together. It made him burn with Pride. 

“Michael, Michael, Michael! Fresh off your BAFTA win last month how’re you feeling?” The host was saying, broad smile on his face. Michael smiled. “I’m feeling great, we were really proud of the last season and ah, feels great that other people respond to it.”  “And,” The host said excitedly, “ A bit of exciting news in your personal life, Francesca Bridgerton confirmed your relationship in her speech which you’ve been very tight lipped on in the past and you confirmed your engagement the next day. Congratulations!” The live audience cheered, pride burning in Michael’s chest, his smile growing impossibly wider, he could see Francesca smiling at him offscreen, the engagement ring on her finger sparkling nearly as brightly as her eyes.  “Thank you. Frankie and I are really happy, thrilled. Ecstatic even.” Michael said grinning, his eyes locked with his fiancée’s.  “I think all of England’s pretty excited. Your family’s must be pretty excited too.” The host was saying as Michael’s attention flicked back, nodding lightly. “My Mum’s pretty excited, and most of Frankie’s siblings.” A smirk coming to his face. The host laughed.  “Well, that sounds like a story we all want to hear. Don’t we everyone?” The crowd cheered. Michael laughed himself  “Mmmmm I’m afraid we’re going to have to keep that a secret.”  “Well, we have to take a break, but when we come back, Michael and I are going to play a game with the help of someone very special.” The host said as the crowd cheered again. 

Which is how Michael came to be standing in a TV studio with his jacket abandoned and his Fiancée holding a bucket of ice water over his head.  “Okay, Michael you know the rules, we’ve played before. We’ll ask you a series of questions, when you don’t want to answer, you get the water.” Michael kept the smile on his face though he had to admit, he was feeling slightly unnerved by the appearance of Francesca’s sly smirk, as though she had a plan forming. Always a little unsettling even as she kissed him on the cheek, with a  “Good luck, sweetheart.” and the crowd hollered excitedly. 

And most of the questions were easy. whose idea was it to start an instagram for their puppy Fergus? Michael’s. The crowd laughed at that.

Who was a better cook? Francesca hands down

Who liked watching Kilmartin more when it was on TV? Neither of them though Frankies Family’s group chat was very active. Another chuckle. 

Who took longer getting ready? He did he admitted with a laugh as Francesca nodded vigorously. And then 

Which of Francesca’s siblings was Michael’s favourite? Well. Panic rose in his chest, there was absolutely no way he was going to face her already manic family after answering that question. Francesca’s eyebrow was raised, a satisfied little smirk on her face as she tipped the bucket over his head.