#Lizzie and Freddie

[jam3sacaster]

“I wish I could stop thinkin’ about ‘ya.”

(Rivals) Freddie Jones x Lizzie Vereker

Suggestion by a sweet anon 🫶🏽 / After weeks, Freddie finally manages to get hold of Lizzie at the Rutshire annual ball…

18+ FANFIC / Just some super soft Fred-Fred & Lizzie 🥺 My first time doing something a bit different to my usual! Hopefully you enjoy 🩷

“You’re not wearing that, are you?” James Vereker questioned, staring at his wife’s gold iridescent wrap-around skirt and low cut charcoal black blouse. Lizzie was pinning up her copper curls in front of the mirror, and felt her lip wobble, anticipating her husband’s criticism. “Yes, why?” She asked, meeting his gaze only through his reflection in the mirror. She couldn’t bare to meet those adjudicating eyes face-to-face. “Jesus, Lizzie. You’re not 26 anymore.” He huffed, rolling his eyes and returning to choosing a shirt for tonight. Vomit green or piss yellow, Lizzie thought to herself. Freddie Jones would’ve told her that her outfit was fit, in that marvellous Cockney accent of his. But, unfortunately, she was stuck with James.

Beginning the drive to Rutshire Village Hall, James spoke only to ask whether his shirt was the right choice — he had chosen piss yellow — and to warn Lizzie to stay away from the buffet. “There will be lots of important directors there tonight, and Tony will be watching me like a hawk, of course. I don’t want him to see you stuffing your face with scotch eggs.” He hissed, fingers impatiently tapping the tune of Cotswold Round-Up against his steering wheel. Lizzie hummed in response, watching the willow trees create the most hilarious shadows against the night sky.

-

Once they had arrived, and exchanged usual pleasantries at the door, James had immediately separated from Lizzie, almost making an effort to schmooze with people at the other end of the hall to her. “Hello, darling. How are you?” Rupert Campbell-Black spoke, handing Lizzie a rather enormous whiskey, which she graciously accepted. “Okay. I’ve been warned against eating too much, speaking too much, doing too much.” She grunted, swallowing the amber liquid down without breathing, leaving only a small sip. “Oh, just tell him to fuck off,” Rupert snapped, paused for a moment and then sighed, “I’ve been here for bloody ages. I was waiting to see you before I could slope off. Freddie’s asked me three times if you were coming.” He winked, nudging a suggestive elbow into her side. Lizzie tried her best to disguise her grin, but Rupert could read her expressions with lightning speed.

“Oh, really? What did you say?” Lizzie feigned nonchalantness as she spoke, scratching behind her ear. “I said you’d be here soon, hot and ready.” He chuckled and handed her his glass of whiskey. “Right, darling. I’m off. Drink that, and many more. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Rupert gave her a soft kiss on her left cheek as he spoke and sauntered towards the door, shooting her an enthusiastic thumbs up before he left.

There was no sign of Freddie anywhere. Lizzie had already drank the equivalent of two large bottles of whiskey, and had already put back as many scotch eggs as one could muster. James was talking to Sarah Stratton in the far right corner, running his fingers through her golden hair and exchanging sultry whispers. “Hello, swee’art. I was wundrin’ when you’d arrive.” That familiar Cockney voice boomed from behind her, rounded belly straining against his crisp white shirt. Lizzie’s denim blue eyes ignited with exuberance as she spun around on her heels to be greeted by Freddie Jones, who was balancing a flimsy paper plate loaded with potato salad, sausage rolls and fairy cakes. “I ‘af to eat this as quick as possible, before Mousie catches me.” He grins and waves the plate under her nose, prompting her to pinch a sausage roll.

“I’m sorry about… You know.” Lizzie sulks, flakes of pastry snowing from her lips. Just over three weeks ago now, they had arranged to meet up at a hotel just outside of Cotchester — serene and away from prying eyes. But, Lizzie, ever faithful to Mr Vereker, hadn’t attended. “S’alright. I understand,” Freddie softly informed her, “I’ll wait for you.” The words made Lizzie’s heart sink. She had never been this besotted with anybody before, not even James in their very early days. On more than one occasion now, she had stood Freddie up without explanation but to him, it didn’t matter. Lizzie could take the rest of her life to muster the courage, and Freddie would be but a phone call away.

“Sharif don’t like it, rocking the Casbah, rock the Casbah…” The Clash began to wail from the speaker systems dotted around the lavish hall, provided by Freddie, of course. “Ah, I fackin’ love this one! Come on, Lizzie, dance wiv’ me.” He simpered, clamping onto Lizzie’s hand and dragging her onto the dance floor. Showcasing the least fashionable dance moves of the eighties, Lizzie and Freddie became an awkward jumble of limbs, her copper curls breaking free from the pin and soaring through the air like the wings of a freed Phoenix. The combination of her untamed dancing and numerous tumblers of whiskey had induced a soft rosy glow to Lizzie’s cheeks, that made Freddie stop dead in his tracks.

“Lizzie…” He begun, and Lizzie’s smile faded as she recognised the solemn look across his face. “I wish I could stop thinkin’ about ‘ya.” He confessed. “Oh, Freddie.” Was all Lizzie could mutter from her stunned mouth. Freddie brought his thumb to her cheek, caressing it softly. For that moment, he could only see her. “Lizzie, what did I tell you about bothering people? Sorry, Mr Jones.” James Vereker spat from behind her, ushering Lizzie away from Freddie, who could only stand and watch in silent sorrow.

[lanniisters]

smiley babies 🥹

[brandyvampirexx]

nobody breaks my heart

[barkovsasha]

LIZZIE VEREKER and FREDDIE JONES Rivals S01E05

[eloiscbridgerton]

LIZZIE VEREKER & FREDDIE JONES in Rivals (2024) I hope you don't mind, I read your chapters. They were brilliant and sexy... like you.

BONUS: Rupert rooting for them

[im-kiaraaa]

Elizabeth Afton thing

[wjjaw]

I love Lizzie and Rupert’s friendship, and Rupert shipping Freddie x Lizzie is hilarious and underrated

[fabiolajyx]

FREDDIE JONES and LIZZIE VEREKER Rivals - S01E03

[juliewlters]

RIVALS (2024 - ) S01E03

[lizzievereker]

[toxi-works-at-culvers]

@maip--macrothorax yayyy family outing!! :]

[blurick07]

FIRST NIGHTS AT FREDDYS HAS JUST BEEN PREMIERED

did more characters

[martinluvrr]

why isnt there anyyyy rivals fics??? yall need to start writing pleaseee 🥲

[nastasya--filippovna]

So I finally finished Rivals

so here's my review followed by my episode-by-episode, PowerPoint presentation, Danny Motta style reaction (which no one asked for)

⚠️so massive spoilers heads-up⚠️

WHAT A WATCH! for the first time in, well, forever I did not binge the show immediately after it came out. I gave it time. Watched one episode each day and I think I liked the experience! I remembered a lot more stuff that I do when I binge things. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. Pfft let'g get into it huh!

So I read the book like ages ago when the show was first announced and though I remembered some stuff from the plot, I mostly let myself be shocked by it. Would I have watched it if David Tennant wasn't in it. Hmmmm? Probably not!

I mean this show....ugh... man there's no one word to describe it, is there! It's not all romp and pomp although it may seem like it. The strangest part is that for a show that's dealing with some really dark matter it (for some darn reason) refuses to take itself seriously (as @davidtennantgenderenvy wonderfully put it). I mean one minute we're dealing with woman rights, the other Matador Ole is playing while Rupert and Cameron stare each other like that.

I think it's unfair that the media constantly limited the premise of the show to its sexual aspects. The story is a clear socio-political critique of the power politics, sexual politics, and elite culture of the time and it's still quite reflective of the same things in our time too. In fact, the very fact that it disguises itself as a period piece makes it all the more applicable to our time. While watching the show I felt as if each character represents a different segment of the upper class; like Antonio Gramsci said the capitalist class is not a unified group. We have Rupert who represent the political elite, the ones that come from powerful families and then we have Declan who's the intellectual elite, Tony who's one of those new-money business elite people who will never really fit into this cult, Fred the technology millionaires, and Monica who represents that fading, waning part of old British aristocracy that was all about decorum and honour and values and virtue, something that is no longer valued in all the new kinds of elites that are springing up.

It's a very turbulent time. We're on the brisk of turning the world into the way we have it now, pulling it out of another era that is now fading away.

Rupert.... um man! Alex Hassell should be banned from playing this character because he injects more charisma in it that he deserves. I almost started liking him. And it's weird to me that his character development is fine, it's great it's wonderful, he goes from a careless heartless scoundrel to a nice caring person. The only problem I have here is what he did to Taggie in the beginning. How can someone ever possibly expect a woman to forgive a man for s3xual abuse or harassment. That's like major rizz-killer. But his friendship with Lizzie was one of the things I really liked. Made him seem so much more human.

Talking of Lizzie. My girl. My favourite character. Although if I'm being honest EVERY single woman in the show was impeccable. Every one of them ten thousand times more complicated than any male character. We need more women written by women. Sarah looks like a dumb blonde but she's not. She's just a woman who's trying to make something of her life in this male dominated world. Cameron Cook. Absolute goddess. She's powerful. She knows what she wants and how to get it. We just don't have enough ambitious women in media portrayed as "good". Ambitious women are always shown as bitches. And she's not passive in regard to her sexuality. It's her weapon and she uses it with her full agency. Monica, what can I even say about her. Perfectly embodies the crumbling grace of old aristocratic families. Beautiful performance, beyond words. Maud. Oh boy. I lowkey hated her for a bit but her last scene was so amazing.

Aaaaaaand Tony. Tell you what they should NOT let David Tennant play bad people. 'Cause he's gonna do it so good it will give you nightmares for ages. I love that he is always in command of the kind of response he wants to elicit from the audience in regard to his character especially when playing an antagonist. I mean if we compare them, Des makes you feel like you're gaping at the fucking abyss, Tom Kendrick is just awful and scary like a bad father, Kilgrave is (like the character's personality) the kind of performance where you want to hate this person bcs you know they're awful but something about them is sucking you in and you hate that feeling but you can't stop it somehow (cz that's what Kilgarve does!). For Tony he knew what he was doing. He knows how to turn on maximum rizz and then turn it off. He reels in the viewer, making them think oh this is the most charismatic human being I have ever seen (just like Tony does to other characters) and then he strikes when you're in deep.

Another interesting bit about this character was how (esp in eps 7 and 8) there's bits where you think that maybe he's not altogether bad, that maybe there's a bit of kindness and love hiding there somewhere. But then you realise there isn't. All that tenderness is deliberate. He does it on purpose because it draws people in. He cannot love because he doesn't have it in him. Everything is, for him, about social status and winning. He doesn't love his wife. He doesn't love Cameron. He just wants to have them because she feels like he didn't have the things he deserved at some point so now he's gotta have everything. Like he says "just let me have this one"; it's all about winning. Heard someone call him a cartoon villain. Nope guys he's very real. Also the only time you feel like he's being genuine is when he's being a sopping wet pathetic mess in the end.

And he's also very relatable to some extent. I get that what he goes through. His insecurities and whatever complex he has. I do. I go to a university with rich kids from filthy rich families. My parent's parents weren't rich. They just made their fortunes in the last generation and even though I get to be in the same circles as these rich pricks, I feel always (or they make me feel) left out. Like I'm an imposter. Like I could never really have any real class. And that itches a very particular itch in my brain.

As an afterthought, I think you can measure men's personalities and worthiness in terms of DT characters: On a scale of Alec Hardy to Tony Baddingham what kind of man are You!"🫵

On the whole it was a great show. Lovely music. Loved the introduction of each character and how it just lets you know what kind of person this guy/gal/person is! Wonderful cinematography and visuals. Gripping sub-plots. An what an ending! Perfect cliffhanger. And tbh I'd really like it if they left it here. To me a good story doesn't always need to be resolved. There's something to be said for those little ambiguities and uncertainties in life and all the thigs left unsaid. [and if someone is really anxious they can go read the book] Remarkable watch. ★★★★★ (5/5)

And now the reaction!

(Tap for full picture and better quality)

Anyways, here's some memes I made while watching Rivals

Episode 5 Live Reaction:

[barkovsasha]

LIZZIE VEREKER and FREDDIE JONES Rivals S01E05

[midnight-nightrose]

Lizzy protecting Evan from bullies