#colin is definitely the annoying older brother

[in-my-feels-probably]

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Request: Have you considered Benedict falling for a friend of Daphne's? Like if they're as close as Pen and Eloise but maybe with a little less drama? I think it would be funny for Benedict to ask for advice on how to talk to her and Daph being done. Just "you've known her for as long as I have."

Hi! Thank you again for the request, this is such a cute idea. I hope you don’t mind, but I made the reader a Featherington. I went a little off track too, it was easier for me to write that way. If this isn’t what you were looking for, I’m happy to take another request or alter this one. Sorry for the long wait on getting this out, but I hope you enjoy this :)

(Warnings: insecurity, middle child trauma, nothing else i think? idk, let me know if i missed anything)

—

Living in Grosvenor Square certainly had its ups and downs.

On one hand, you were mere steps away from your best friends. The Bridgertons lived right across the street, and you could visit them practically whenever you wanted. On the other hand—the not so nice hand—your family is the Featherington’s. Which isn’t an inherently bad thing. You loved your family, and could ignore most of the negatives. It just certainly has its pitfalls, being a Featherington daughter.

The Featherington’s—while rich and somewhat dignified—aren’t considered to be the most respectable of families. There wasn’t any one main reason why members of the ton didn’t much like your family, they just didn’t.

It wasn’t a personal grudge with you they had. In fact, you were quite liked by the ton.

More often than not, however, they didn’t pay much attention to you. It was easy to forget you were there when the rest of your family was the center of attention.

You were born soon after Phillipa but before Penelope, making you a middle child.

Your Mother seemed to connect with her eldest far more than her youngest, and that put a strain on your relationship. Not only that, you were much more akin to Penelope, having a lot more in common with her than your older sisters and your Mother combined. You were a bit of a wallflower, like Penelope, and it was a hard trait for your Mother to get past.

It wasn’t all negatives, though.

One of the biggest perks of being a Featherington was the fact that you lived directly across from the Bridgertons. You had spent most of your life over at their residence since the day you developed the ability to walk.

And, subsequently, the ability to walk across the street.

Violet Bridgerton’s first girl—Daphne—was born right around the same time as you were, and she decided Daphne was going to need a friend. Being the first girl born to a family of three brothers was a challenge, and Violet thought it best that Daphne should be able to socialize with a girl her age.

By the time you were both able to talk, you became inseparable. Just as your sister Penelope had come to develop a deep friendship with Eloise Bridgerton, you had come to develop your own with Daphne.

And by extension, you became good friends with her eldest brothers.

Anthony was the oldest, quite a bit older than you. He was already a handful of trouble by the time you showed up, and he already had plenty of practice teasing girls with his sisters as victims. In your first few years, he’d make it his mission each time you visited the house to fluster you, and annoy Daphne. It was harmless fun, and it never really bothered you, although he tried his hardest nonetheless. But as you got older, he became quite protective over you. It was like you were another sister to him, and you definitely bantered and squabbled like siblings do. As annoying as he could be, you loved him like a brother.

Colin was a similar story, although you saw something more to him. It was easy to, with the way Penelope talked about him endlessly. She could ramble for hours, making you listen to every painstaking detail. You definitely understood her affection for him, though. He’s charming and kind, much like his other brothers, but he’s also fun and witty. Daphne tended to favor him the most. They were closest in age, after all. Between her and Penelope, you spent quite a lot of time with him, and you certainly enjoyed his company.

But—besides Daphne—you enjoyed no other Bridgerton’s company like you did Benedict’s.

Benedict was different. He was more.

He was just as kind and charming as Anthony, and just as witty as Colin—certainly as annoyingly beautiful as Daphne—but he was more than that, too. He was sensitive and sweet, far more so than the rest of the Lords of the ton. He was passionate about art and love and valuing the little things. He didn’t care about marrying the prettiest girl for advantage, or inheriting her dowry. He cared about pursuing his dreams, and inspiring others to do the same.

Just the way he talked about his passions and values was enough to make any girl swoon, and yet he was still genuine with his words. It wasn’t for flattery or manipulation, he meant every word. Everything he did, he did for himself and the people he loves.

If it weren’t for Daphne currently holding the number one spot, you’d consider him your best friend.

He’d consider you the same.

You spend just as much time with him as you do with Daphne, and over the years, he’d come to cherish your company.

You saw him for him, not for his title. You listened to his endearing ramblings about his passions because you genuinely enjoyed hearing about them, not because you felt obligated to listen. You treated him like a person, not a prize to be won. It was all he could ask for in a best friend.

But that’s just it. That’s all you were to him. A best friend.

He was so sure that was all you’d ever be. Perhaps one day you’d be his sister in law, considering how close Penelope and Colin had gotten. You’d be family, and that was alright with him. It was what he expected. And then the unexpected happened.

He started falling.

—

The first time he noticed his feelings for you had shifted was the evening of a ball the Queen was throwing.

You’d come over early to get dressed with Daphne, wanting to help make sure she was perfect. She had finally revealed to you her ruse she was sharing with the Duke, you being the first person outside of their agreement to know. You were shocked at first, but as you listened to her speak, you gave her a knowing smile.

“You love him.”

Her eyes widened in shock, her cheeks blushing a rosy pink. “What? Why would you say that?”

“You love him,” you said again, smiling gently at her. “I’ve never seen you speak with such passion. With the way you talk about him, there’s no other possibility. One couldn’t possibly think that highly of another without feelings being involved—”

“You speak of my brother like that,” Daphne interrupted, chuckling when you swallowed your words.

You chose to ignore her statement, continuing to advise her on the best course of action for how to get through the remainder of her agreed upon days with the Duke. If the way he looked at her without her knowing was of any consequence, you were sure he felt the same way about her. All she had to do was make him see that.

When it was time to leave for the ball, all the Bridgerton’s piled into carriages. Daphne was hurried out the door, and she left with her Mother and Anthony, leaving you behind. When you tried to head back home to be escorted by your family, Benedict stopped you.

He had opened and closed his mouth a few times before he was able to choke out any words. Normally, he found it pretty easy to talk to you. But for some reason, the sight of you standing by his front door made his knees weak.

“I’m afraid they’ve already left,” he finally said, stopping you at the door. “They must have assumed you’d be accompanied by us.”

You groaned, feeling a pit form in your stomach. “I have no other way to get there. I promised Daphne I’d be there for her. Pen, too. She seemed quite nervous about attending tonight.”

“Not to worry,” he smiled, offering you his arm. “You can ride with me.”

You sighed in relief, thanking him profusely. “Well, aren’t you a lifesaver? Thank you, Benedict.”

“Of course,” he nodded, helping you into the carriage.

As you settled into your seat, a thought occurred to you. “Benedict…why are you still here? Not that I’m not grateful, but I don’t understand. You’ve been talking about going to the palace for days to see the Queen’s gallery. I would have expected you to be the first one out the door. But here you are.”

He was quiet for a moment as he took in your words, his eyes softening on you.

There were many things he could have said to you to easily explain it away. I’ll see the gallery soon anyways, or, I promised my Mother and yours that I’d make sure you got there safely. Numerous excuses he could have come up with to satisfy your curiosity, and yet, all that was coming to mind was, I can see the gallery another time, but I may never get to see you alone and sitting in front of me looking this beautiful with your undivided attention again, and I won’t pass up on the opportunity for anything.

“I don’t know,” he finally said as he shrugged his shoulders, feigning innocence. “But here I am.”

—

He didn’t truly acknowledge his feelings for you until months later, after attempting to ignore it for so long.

The second time he noticed was when he found out that the only reason he got into art school was because Anthony made a sizable donation to the Academy.

You had found him alone during yet another ton gathering, sulking on the edge of the party. Daphne had already gone home to Simon, and wouldn’t return for some time. Besides Penelope—and occasionally Eloise—Benedict was one of the only people you actually liked enough to be around. And seeing as both Penelope and Eloise were nowhere to be found, Benedict was your only hope.

You just hadn’t expected to find him nearly in tears, anxiously tugging at the cufflinks at the bottom of his sleeve.

It didn’t take much to get him to spill, and you found yourself pulling him inside to keep him away from prying eyes while he was in such a state. He told you all about Anthony’s meddling, and you knew it had crushed his heart to find out that he hadn’t actually achieved anything on his own.

“I know he did it out of the good of his heart…but I wish he hadn’t done it at all.”

He brought his hands up to cover his face, groaning into them. You reached for his wrists and tried to pull them away, but he wouldn’t budge. He finally relented when you said his name softly, letting you take his hands in yours.

“Benedict, it doesn’t matter how you got in. You’re an incredible artist, that’s all that matters,” you said softly, squeezing his hand in yours.

He shook his head, sighing in frustration. “I’m not. My work is child’s play compared to the other artists at the Academy. They all knew why I had even been given a spot in the first place. I’m an imposter, Y/N. A fraud. It was humiliating.”

“That’s a bit dramatic, darling,” you lightly chuckled, your smile fading when his defeated look didn’t waver.

“Alright, that’s it. Fess up. This can’t be all that’s bothering you. I know you, and I know you’re not one to give up that easily. You’ve been flustered all week, so what is it? You can tell me. Not that I have anyone to tell, but I won’t tell. I promise.”

His eyes softened on you as you spoke, and you could feel his grip on your hand get tighter. “I just…I’m tired.”

“Of what?”

“Of being second.”

You frowned, swiping your thumb across the back of his hand. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s just something Anthony said,” he murmured, keeping his eyes on your joined hands. “How I may be the second son, but that it doesn’t mean I am any less required to do my duties to the family. It’s rich coming from him. I’ve been second to him literally my entire life, and he’s only recently started taking his role seriously. I’ve played Father’s role since his passing. Isn’t it just my luck that he’s getting the credit for it?”

“You may be second to him in birth, but that is the only way you’re second. You’re every bit as good as him, Benedict,” you said firmly, but you weren’t sure if your words were sinking in.

He was uncharacteristically quiet, though his grip on your hands hadn’t wavered. His eyes were still on the floor, and his shoulders were shaking as he took uneven breaths.

“I know what that feels like, you know,” you finally said, making him glance up at you. “I’m a Featherington. A middle child at that, and it’s no secret my Mother favors my older sisters.”

Benedict let out a small laugh, shaking his head. “She’s wrong to. I don’t mean to be rude, but you and Pen are worlds more interesting and gracious than your sisters. The eldest, at least.”

“You don’t even know them,” you said in shock, but you couldn’t stop yourself from laughing, too.

“I don’t need to. You’re the only one I’m interested in knowing. Middle child or not.”

You couldn’t help but smile, although his kind words weren’t enough. The more you thought about just how second to the world you were, the more your smile faded.

“It’s not just being the middle child,” you continued, speaking softly. “I love your sister more than almost anything in this whole world, but I have always been second to her, too. She was the diamond of the season the second she was let out of leading strings, and now she’s my Duchess. I’m so happy for her, but it does put a damper on your confidence. Watching your best friend grow into this person everyone loves, and it’s like she didn’t even try.”

“Y/N—”

“Sometimes I feel awful, thinking this way. I know she tried, I was there for her every time she’d get overwhelmed. But she made it look so easy. I don’t know how she did it,” you rambled, taking a shuddering breath as you stopped yourself from speaking.

Benedict’s eyes softened on you as you spoke, making you want to shrink away from his gaze. He was being kind, and you didn’t know if it was genuine or not. If he was faking it for your sake, that was much worse than his actual pity.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make this about me, let’s get back to you—”

“Y/N,” he said again, this time effectively silencing you. “You can’t possibly feel that way.”

It was your turn to look at the floor. “Why shouldn’t I? It’s true.”

“That is the furthest thing from the truth,” he said gently, taking your hand. “You’re every bit as good as my sister. I know she makes things look easy, but she spoke just as highly of you as you do of her.”

You raised a brow. “Really?”

“Really. She used to tell me how kind you were to her, even after Lady Whistledown printed her supposed scandals. You were never judgemental.”

“I have no right to judge anyone, especially not her. She’s never said a bad thing about anyone, it isn’t right that people just took a scandal sheet as truth. And, if anything, she was kind to me. She, Eloise, Colin, and you are pretty much the only members of the ton that treat me like a normal person and not an outcast because of who my family is.”

Benedict smiled, squeezing your hand. “I would never dream of treating you any other way.”

You fought the flush that crept up to your cheeks, feeling the heat settle in them. You cleared your throat, shaking your head.

“Anyway,” you smiled, meeting his eyes. “I don’t mean to keep you away. Should we go back to the party? Someone may be looking for you. You’re quite popular, you know.”

Benedict couldn’t help but smile. And as he watched you look up at him through gentle eyes and an open heart, he couldn’t bring himself to move. It was like his feet were stuck to the floor, and he didn’t want to do anything to pull them up. He shook his head, keeping his hand in yours.

“No,” he finally answered, taking a seat. “Let them look. I’d much rather spend my evening with you. If you’ll allow me to, that is.”

You shook your head, taking a seat next to him. “I’ve got nowhere I’d rather be.”

—

The third time he noticed was when you, Daphne, and he accompanied Penelope and Colin to promenade throughout the square. She and Simon had come to visit, and she wanted to spend time with you and her family.

This time, he couldn’t ignore his feelings.

You followed behind Colin and Penelope, giving them enough room to speak privately without feeling like their older siblings were on their backs. You smiled as you watched Penelope look up at him, Colin being as gentlemanly as ever.

“It took him long enough,” you said, making Benedict chuckle.

“I thought he’d never figure it out.”

“Me either,” you agreed, grinning as you watched Colin smile down at your sister. “I should bash him over the head. I’ve listened to Pen spend countless hours rambling on about how utterly oblivious Colin can be. He owes me a debt.”

“He isn’t the only oblivious person I know,” Daphne piped in, making your eyes widen.

You had told her countless times about your feelings for Benedict, and how he never seemed to reciprocate them.

What you didn’t know is that he had done the same, on more than one occasion going to his siblings for advice on how to address them. Pushing them down until he couldn’t feel them seemed to be working, at least until now. And as far as he knew, you didn’t reciprocate his feelings either.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you said nervously, silently pleading with her to drop the subject.

“Neither do I,” Benedict added, making Daphne chuckle.

She just grinned, ever so slightly raising a brow. “I mean Anthony, of course. It took him quite a while to realize that what he felt for Kate was much more than rivalry. I practically had to beg it out of him.”

“You’re a little matchmaker, aren’t you?” You asked, smiling at her. “Who’s next? Eloise, perhaps?”

“Perhaps…you?”

You immediately stilled, making them stop, too. “Me?”

“Don’t look so surprised, Y/N. You’ve been my best friend for ages, and I know what’s good for you. You’re lonely. And as awful as it is, the ton will start to talk. If the only people you talk to outside of your own family are Benedict and I, they’ll begin to notice.”

You frowned, nodding. She was right. Harsh, but right. The threat of becoming a spinster was looming over your head every season, and it had only gotten worse after Daphne married in her first season. Your second season came and went, and you were now in your third.

Without any prospects.

And it was looking like your baby sister was going to beat you to the punch as well. You were silent, a small frown on your face.

Thankfully, Benedict broke the silence. Just the thought of you marrying someone—especially someone who didn’t deserve you—made his skin crawl. He felt like he could keel over, and by the look on your face, he could tell you were feeling similarly. He couldn’t keep himself from turning you away from Daphne’s advice.

“Why settle?” He asked cautiously, giving you a sympathetic look. “Don’t let the ton pressure you. You’ll know when it’s the right time.”

You had fully made it around the square, now back in front of your house. Penelope was saying goodbye to Colin, at least for the moment. His Mother invited you and Penelope to dinner to welcome Simon and Daphne home, and so they’d see each other again in mere hours.

You gave Benedict a grateful smile, nodding. “You’re right. Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time to pull our siblings apart before they actually become attached at the hip. Mother wants us home before we join you later.”

Daphne chuckled, taking your hands in hers. “I think you’re right. I’ll see you soon, dearest.”

You squeezed her hands in yours, before going to gather your sister. You gave Colin a knowing smile, turning and heading inside with your sister in tow. The Bridgerton’s did the same, filing into their house one by one.

The second Benedict shut the door behind him, he collapsed against it, groaning. “What was all that for, Daph?”

“What? I was simply giving you both a little nudge. God knows you needed one. You’re even worse than Colin was, brother.”

“I don’t need a nudge. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Colin laughed, taking off his coat as he headed up the stairs. “I could hear your stuttering. It was laughable.”

“Oh, piss off,” Benedict pouted, waving away Colin as he chuckled the rest of the way up the stairs.

Daphne offered him a small smile, letting out a sigh. She took his arm, leading them to the sitting room. After promptly sitting down, she gave him an expectant look, and he reluctantly sat next to her.

“Out with it,” she urged. “Why did our conversation with Y/N bother you so?”

“I don’t know,” he huffed, shaking his head.

Daphne narrowed her eyes, speaking gently but firmly. “You do know, Benedict. Admit it. You feel something for her.”

“Does it matter? She doesn’t feel the same way.”

“How could you possibly know that?” Daphne exasperatedly asked, nearly bursting at the seams.

She knew of both your affections for each other, and yet, she couldn’t bring herself to tell either of you about the other. It didn’t feel right, going behind the other’s back. She had decided the moment she knew of each of your feelings to let the matter run its own course. What she hadn’t anticipated was it taking this long.

It was getting near impossible to keep the secret, and she decided a little meddling was excusable.

“She’s never said anything to me that would allude to her feeling anything for me. What would you have me do? Ask her directly?”

“There’s an idea,” Daphne shrugged.

Benedict sighed, trying to shove down the anxiety he felt at the thought of confronting you. “You saw me out there. I wouldn’t even know where to start. How do I talk to her?”

“You’ve known her as long as I have, brother. She’s your best friend! Just talk to her. She’ll understand, I promise. She won’t hurt your feelings if that’s what you’re worried about. You know she won’t.”

“Then why do I feel like I’m going to be sick at the mere thought of talking to her about it?”

Daphne smiled, her eyes softening. “Because you love her.”

Benedict’s shoulders fell, like Daphne just saying it out loud was the first time he was admitting it to himself. Like his feelings hadn’t fully sunk in, and now they were hitting him all at once like a freight train. It was a realization for him, and it both excited and terrified him at the same time. His emotion was clear on his face as his mouth fell open, making Daphne’s smile widen.

“Don’t worry, brother,” she reassured him. “It will all work out. I truly believe that. Take the afternoon to yourself, and keep your mind off of it till dinner. You’ll know the right thing to say when it’s time.”

—

That evening, you returned to the Bridgerton’s residence with Penelope.

The family gathered in the sitting room before dinner was ready, but Daphne pulled you away before you could follow. She took you all the way to the backyard, sitting down on the swing. She motioned for you to follow, and you took a seat on the swing next to her.

“I wanted to apologize about earlier,” she said softly. “I saw your face, I know I upset you. That wasn’t my intention, and I hope you can forgive me.”

You shook your head. “Don’t apologize. I needed to hear it. I might not like it, but I needed to hear it.”

“It hurt, Y/N. You don’t have to minimize that to spare my feelings. It’s alright to admit it. Do you…do you want to talk about it? I think there’s something more to it that’s bothering you, love.”

She was right.

Of course she was, she was always right. You sighed, turning to look back through the window into the house. You could see Penelope standing with the rest of the family, laughing at something Colin was telling her. He was smiling down at her like she had hung every star in the sky, just so he could have the chance to watch them sparkle. It was beautiful.

And it was painful.

“I just,” you started, keeping your eyes on Penelope. “I’m happy for her. I’m so happy for her. But I’m feeling a bit left behind.”

Daphne took your hand, leaning closer. “What do you mean?”

“I feel so selfish saying this, but…it’s what I want. She’s getting all that I want. All my life, I’ve wanted what you and your family have. You’re all so loved, and you love each other so deeply. Pen deserves that, I want her to have that. And I have no doubt that by the end of the season, she’ll have it. She’ll marry Colin, and officially be a Bridgerton. Part of the family. But she won’t be mine anymore. And I won’t be hers.”

Daphne frowned, squeezing your hand in hers. She turned you to meet her eyes, giving you a knowing look.

“I have a feeling this has more to do with a certain brother of mine. And I don’t mean Colin.”

You frowned, and she knew she was right.

“This is about Benedict. With Penelope being with Colin, it’s a reminder that you’re not with him. And you want to be with him.”

You couldn’t deny your feelings any longer. “I do. God, I really do. But it’s more than that. I want to be his family. I want to be your family.”

“And you’ve had to silently watch Penelope get what you’ve been waiting for,” Daphne said in realization, her heart breaking when you nodded.

Daphne stood up, pulling you with her. She wrapped you into a tight hug, refusing to relent until you hugged her back. You sighed in frustration, letting her gently rock you back and forth.

“Y/N,” she said softly, pulling away. “You’re already my sister. Regardless of who you end up with, whether it’s my brother or not. Wherever you end up, it doesn’t matter. You will always be my sister. You never have to worry about that. Not ever.”

You smiled softly, squeezing her hands. Just as you opened your mouth to speak, a throat cleared behind you. You quickly turned to see Benedict standing at the door.

“Mother told me to come collect you both. Dinner will be soon. Daph, Simon is asking after you.”

Daphne nodded, turning back to you. “Come along, then.”

“Actually,” Benedict interrupted, his eyes falling on you. “Could I have a moment alone with Y/N, please? If it’s alright with you.”

“Of course,” you said nervously, nodding towards Daphne.

Daphne smiled, nodding back. She patted Benedict on the shoulder as she headed back inside, closing the door behind her.

When she was gone, Benedict gave you a sheepish smile. He motioned for you to sit down, and you took a seat on the swing. He sat on the swing next to you, turning his body so that he was facing you. His knees brushed yours as he settled.

“What is it?” You asked, giving him all your attention.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

Your eyes softened on him, and you laid your hand on his arm. “I’m alright, Ben. Better now, since you’ve arrived.”

“Cheesy,” he smiled, but his heart was fluttering in his chest. “You know how to make a man smile, don’t you?”

“I didn’t think I was doing anything in particular,” you shrugged.

Benedict’s smile widened, and he couldn’t help but ponder his feelings for you. From the moment he found you alone on his doorstep, to when you took care of him at his lowest. From the way you treated his family, to the selflessness you never failed to put before your own wishes. From the way you made him feel, to the way he so desperately hoped you felt. He couldn’t stop himself from confessing, hoping his words wouldn’t come back to haunt him.

“I have to tell you something,” he murmured, taking a shuddering breath after he realized what he said, and what he was about to do.

You nodded. “What is it?”

“I think—and in case this is a huge mistake on my part, please forgive me—but, I think…I think I’m in love with you.”

You stiffened, standing up from the swing. “What?”

“I,” he stuttered, standing up as well. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was—”

You cut him off, taking his hands in yours. “Say it again.”

Benedict’s eyes widened, and you had caught him at a loss for words. He felt like you had punched him in the gut, sending him to his knees. But he nodded, squeezing your hands in his.

“I love you,” he said again, softer this time as he looked at you through gentle eyes. “I’ve loved you from the moment you got into that carriage with me, and I’ve loved you every moment since. I love you.”

Your shoulders fell, and you could feel the tears welling in your eyes. You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding, clinging tightly to his hands. You felt like your knees could give out, and the only thing holding you up was him.

“You’re not lying? You’re serious?”

Benedict almost laughed, nodding. “Yes, Y/N. I’m serious. Do you really think I would jest about this?”

You couldn’t help but laugh as well, bringing a hand up to cover your mouth. “All that time. All that time, and you couldn’t tell me? You certainly waited long enough.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand, darling,” he said, cocking his head in confusion.

You were starting to worry him now, concern written all over his face. It made your heart clench in your chest.

You smiled, wrapping your arms around his neck. You were so happy, you couldn’t help but hold him close, smiling wider when you felt his arms wrap around your waist, despite his confusion. You held him tight, standing up on your toes so he could hear you loud and clear.

“I love you too, Benedict.”

He instantly pulled away, holding you back at arms length. “You what?”

“I love you,” you said again, taking his hands. “And I’ve been waiting ages for the day you’d finally tell me you felt the same. I never thought I’d hear you say the words, but I am so happy that you did.”

It was his turn to ask. “You’re serious? This isn’t a joke?”

You shook your head, and he squeezed your hands. You brought one of your joined hands up to press a kiss to the back of his, smiling up at him.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my entire life.”

—

A/N - Hi! I’m so sorry this took so long, it took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to write. Not sure why this one was so difficult, but I finished it! I hope you enjoyed it :)

[multifandomrandomgirl]

Nowhere To Go PART ONE - Carl Wilson x Female!reader

Masterlist:

A/N: Wrote a little something as it would be Carl's 77th birthday today! Part two will be up by next week.

Trigger warning: mentions of abuse

----

Y/N sighed as she brought her hand to the door, getting ready to knock. She didn’t want to come here, and she definitely didn’t want to see the occupant of the house either but she almost had no choice.

After a few minutes of debating the pros and cons in her mind, she finally knocked on the door, she stepped back slightly. She fiddled with her fingers anxiously. After a few minutes of waiting, she heard footsteps approach the door. Then, she came face to face with him.

“What are you doing here?” Carl hissed at Y/N. Carl was the bandmate of Bruce, Y/N’s older brother. Y/N and Carl had never really got on and more often than not, Dennis and Bruce had to sit in between them.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know where to go.” Y/N whispered, she blinked rapidly in an attempt to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes as she looked at the guitarist. 

“You didn’t know where to go? Y/N, you have an older brother, you should know where to go.” Carl rolled his eyes and began to shut the door on her.

“Carl, please. I know I have Bruce, but I really can’t go to Bruce for this.” The door reopened.

“What you mean you can’t go to Bruce? Y/N, what’s happened?” Carl’s face changed as the tears started to fall out of Y/N’s eyes. Carl grabbed her arm gently and pulled her into his house.

“Y/N, talk to me.” Carl said. Truth be told, he was a little annoyed by the fact she had shown up on his doorstep out of nowhere, disturbing his Thursday evening, but he was a little worried. He despised the woman, but he had never seen anyone this upset, and she chose to go to him over her brother which made Carl worry more. He knew that Y/N and Bruce were practically inseparable so the fact she hadn’t gone straight to him was concerning.

“H-he hurt me again. I can’t tell Bruce because you know what he’s like.” Y/N sobbed, Carl handed her some tissues from his coffee table after he helped her sit down.

“Your boyfriend hurt you?” This was news to Carl. He knew she’d been in a relationship with a guy called Colin, but he didn’t know a lot about him He’d overheard Bruce complaining to Al and Dennis about the guy a fair few times, Bruce seemed to hate him.

Y/N nodded and looked down at her knees.

“Y/N, hey. I know we’re not friends or anything but I’m here if you want to talk about it.” Carl offered, his tone softer than earlier. He decided to not further question why she came to him instead of her brother.

“Thank you.” She sniffed. “Carl, I am so sorry that I came here. I panicked. I left him, I broke up with him and I was too scared to go straight to Bruce because I know how angry he’s going to be.” 

Carl stayed quiet as she explained, giving her sympathetic nods every now and then to signal that he was listening to her.

“He’s been violent the whole time we’ve been together, he hits me, he kicks, he’s verbally abusive too. He’s horrible. Bruce hates him, he always tells me how I need to leave him, how he’s no good for me, but I never listened because I was so in love with Colin that I was foolish enough to believe he loved me despite everything he was doing. I’m honestly too embarrassed to go to Bruce, I should have listened to him.” Y/N cried heavier, Carl awkwardly moved an arm around her and he pulled her into his side in an attempt to comfort her.

Carl found that he was angry, he wasn’t sure why. What Colin had done to the girl who was sitting broken in his arms was awful, but why Carl felt like this, he wasn’t sure. He hated Y/N, he really did. He hated it when she would come with Bruce to the studio or a Beach Boys hang out, he hated it when she laughed and joked with his brothers and the other band members. Carl hated her, but right now, he felt this overwhelming urge to help her and keep her safe.

“Shit, Y/N. I’m sorry. I can’t believe someone would treat you like that. You did the right thing in walking out, and don’t worry about telling Bruce, you don’t have to straight away, we can figure out a way to tell him without him going insane. Can I just ask, you don’t have any open cuts or bruises, do you? I can get some plasters and antiseptic.” 

Y/N showed Carl a few small cuts hidden behind some hair and some that were hidden behind her jumper as well as some bruises. Carl grabbed some medical supplies and some ice and set to work on cleaning the girl up.

“Thank you.” Y/N whispered as Carl finished up.

“It’s not a problem Y/N. How are you feeling?” 

“Better, thank you.”

Carl smiled at her and the two sat back on the sofa in silence, every now and then, Carl kept sneaking glances at his bandmate’s sister as her eyes started to flutter shut. He watched her as she fell asleep and draped a blanket over her.

“Goodnight Y/N.” 

______

When Y/N woke up a few hours later, she felt a panic rise up in her, it was dark, she was alone, and she was confused as to where she was. She began to cry again as she remembered what had happened earlier and then she remembered, the last time she walked out on Colin, he rang Bruce to demand she return to him. This made her panic more as Bruce had no clue as to where she was, and she had no idea if Colin had rang her older brother.

The door to the room slowly opened and a figure moved into the room, Y/N began to panic more. 

“Please don’t, Colin please don’t touch me.” Y/N croaked out, still half asleep and confused as to where she was.

“Hey, hey. Look at me, it’s okay. It’s Carl. I’m here, I’ve got you, okay?” The figure got closer, it was Carl. He rushed over to her and sat next to her, he pulled her into his side and rubbed circles on her back, trying to get her to calm down.

“I-I’m sorry Carl. I woke up confused and panicked and then got scared because I thought you were him. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up and-”

Carl cut her off.

“It’s okay, Y/N. I don’t mind. I’d rather make sure you’re okay. I shouldn’t have left you alone. Look, this is a bit of a weird question, but can I take you to my bedroom? We can um, share my bed? Just so I know you’re okay. I apologise if that’s uncomfortable for you, I just, never mind, I’ll stay with you here.” Carl mumbled.

“I don’t mind, I just don’t want to be alone.” Y/N smiled up at the guitarist.

“I think my bed may be comfier than the sofa” He helped her to her feet and guided her up the stairs. Carl pulled back the duvet and they both got in the bed, Carl moved as close to the edge as he could to give her space, and he hated her so he didn’t want to be too close.

“Carl? Um, this is a bit of an awkward question, but could you move a bit closer, please? I’d um, feel a bit safer if maybe I could hug you?” Y/N asked shyly. 

Carl internally sighed but agreed and moved closer to her, she rested her head on his chest and he wrapped an arm around her. She let out a sigh of relief before closing her eyes again.

“Thank you Carl. Good night.”

“Night Y/N.”

Hours later when the pair awoke again, Y/N shot up and started apologising non-stop to Carl for having slept on him and having gone to his house in the first place.

“I’m sorry, I really am. I definitely overstepped last night, in general, not just with the hugging. I shouldn’t have come here knowing how much you hate me, I should have been less of a coward and gone to Bruce’s house straight away. I’m so sorry Carl, I’ll leave now. I completely overstepped your boundaries.” Y/N crawled out of Carl’s bed, found her shoes and ran out of the man’s house before he was able to get a single word in.

Carl frowned, the night had been unexpected and confusing, but he knew he’d changed his mind about Y/N Johnston and he needed to go after her.

[sea-owl]

I'm posting this separate from the au ask that started it mainly because they were just trying to have fun, and I honestly do like the prompt they sent. Unfortunately, certain aspects of it spilled this.

I know many, and I myself have done it, immediately have someone Penelope knows "helps" her with Whistledown from the beginning, but in all honesty the more I sit on it the more I think this is something Penelope had to do on her own. Or, at the very least, she needs to establish by herself. Yeah, she technically had her solicter, but the way that read it honestly came off more as a business mentor than anything else. I think having someone there from the beginning would have led her to blow up on them as she felt they were probably trying to put a leash on her or control what she writes no matter how well meaning they would have been. Lady Whistledown wasn't only a business for Penelope but also an escape.

Alerting Anthony for seasons 1 and 2 would really depend on how far things went before Whistledown was the only out Colin and Eloise had. Anthony says himself in season 1 that thanks to Whistledown saying Marina was pregnant before she came made sure no one even suspected Colin being the father and then them risking what happened to Berbrooke in the beginning of the season when he was basically run out of town for fathering a child out of wedlock. If it was early, then yeah, Anthony can definitely intervene, and hopefully, Colin's dumbass listens because that was another big thing in season 1 that I barley see being brought up, which was that Colin did not listen to anyone who tried to give him advice. Not his mother, his brother, or Penelope.

Then comes season 2, where Eloise is basically doing what she wants and like Colin the season before not listening to anyone's advice. She's also not being careful and putting herself and her staff in danger by coming to the bad part of town in diamonds and silk. She's caught by the queen, and as shown by Genevieve and Penelope's discussion, the queen would only think Penelope is only trying to save her friend if she could get a meeting with the queen at all. Penelope also saved Eloise's virtue being called into question by saying she was seen at political rallies instead alone with a working class man. She could still leave the house and attend functions. If they found out about Theo, Eloise could practically say goodbye to the life she's known and Theo would have a target painted on his back. Plus you would also think having a reason not to attend balls would be something Eloise wants. She's always saying it after all.

With Marina, Penelope has only known her a few months at best, and in those few months, she has tried to get Marina to choose someone else or tell Colin the truth. Yeah, Marina is her cousin, but when Marina pieced together that Penelope loved him, there was no girl code, no don't date your friend's crush. Y'all would be fighting Marina in real life. Now don't get me wrong, I do feel for Marina's situation, but to be honest, Marina was kinda dumb too. If she was smart, the older lord would have been her choice. He was one foot in the grave already, and all he wanted was an heir. Deals like that one weren't that uncommon. The dude probably had like ten years at best, maybe five. Her and Phillip in the show are another thing I won't get into here.

Penelope has known the Bridgertons for years, loves them, so it's really no surprise when her back was to a wall that she chose the family that was always kind to her and in some ways treated her as if she was their own and better than her own family. And this decision to write what she did, both times was shown to deeply hurt Penelope, who I suspected was crossing a personal moral she thought she wouldn't cross.

Now I'm not saying Penelope is completely innocent, I just get annoyed when people make her be the only one to apologize and give the other characters some sort of high ground when in reality Penelope just told the truth of their own actions. Also, don't say that without her, no one would have known there are other confirmed gossip writers in universe, and word gets passed pretty quickly, as shown when Berbrooke was run out of London. Everyone in the Featherington house, family and servants, knew Marina was pregnant it was just a matter of time before the knowledge got out of the house. The queen easily found Eloise, who didn't bother to disguise herself, so someone else could have easily found her too or followed the Bridgerton carriage. In all honesty, everyone just kinda has some growing up to do. Which I'm hoping the writers really show us next season.

[kanthonyficrecs]

Masterlist: Modern AU (G-K)

updated 2/6/24

Game, Set, Match by xtenn Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kate and Anthony make a friendly bet on the outcome of their tennis game: If he wins, she’ll be his date to an annual dinner. If she wins, he’ll get her off. Later that night, he keeps his word.

get out your map, pick somewhere and just run by pinkmallet Rating: T Status: WIP Summary: Kate and Anthony meet while they are both interrailing in Europe

Ghosts by penny_loaf Rating: T Status: Complete Summary: Thomas Dorset-Fife, former professional chef and current co-owner of a struggling bed and breakfast, wakes up from a coma only to discover that his brush with death has left him with the ability to see ghosts. Although the manor his husband Charles inherited is unbelievably filled with fascinating ghosts, each with wild stories about their lives and deaths and afterlives, Tom is particularly intrigued by the story of Kate and Anthony.

give me a photograph (to hang on my wall) by inlovewithimpossibility Rating: G Status: Complete Summary: when colin leaves for a world tour with his girlfriend, benedict fills his spare room with the new girl at his work. anthony is less than impressed.

Glass Houses by kateandanthonyaremyparents Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Anthony was a full-time (surrogate) dad. After the tragic death of his mother, he didn't have a choice. So when he was reunited with his childhood rival, he didn't expect her to be the light that he needed.

Gloria et Regnum by oonbeaat Rating: E Status: WIP Summary: "Gloria": from latin, "glory". "Regnum": from latin, "royalty". Long may Queen Katharine reign.

Gold Rush by Moomin_94 Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Kate Sharma is definitely not going to let anyone distract her from what she came to the olympics to do: win a gold medal

Good Day UK! by anidlequeen Rating: M Status: WIP Summary: Kate and Anthony are morning show co-hosts, married to other people. Until, of course, it blows up in their faces.

Good Girls by Moomin_94 Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Kate Sharma is the Head Girl and Anthony Bridgerton lives to annoy her

Good Morning Starshine by Stars_of_Kyber Rating: G Status: Complete Summary: Anthony and Kate cannot figure out who's playing I'm Still Standing at their Alexa and waking up their children at an ungodly hour in the morning.

H-O-R-S-E by somethingclearandtrue Rating: M Status: WIP Summary: Hyacinth Bridgerton is set to be the star of the freshman basketball team—if a wobbly English grade and an overbearing older brother don't get in her way. Luckily, she has someone in her corner: the new basketball coach, one Kate Sharma. One problem leads to another, and it seems that Kate and Hyacinth's brother can't keep their hands off each other.

Heirlooms by WaterlilyRose Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Kate gets the Bridgerton family ring stuck on her finger.

Hello! I love you! Call me! by LoveIsStrong Rating: T Status: Complete Summary: Kanthony University AU

Here I Go With Nothing by juniper5x5 Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: It catches them both off guard, the way he throws his head back with glee, and soon enough Kate is giggling too. It’s terrifying, the way her smile lodges itself into his heart. (Kate and Anthony navigate distance, both geographical and emotional)

Home For Christmas by Mx Kate B Rating: G Status: Complete Summary: It’s Christmas Eve and Anthony is stuck in an airport, afraid he won’t make it home on time. When he runs into Kate there, he’s content to stay as long as it’s with her.

(his majesty's) pleasure by euphoriapotion Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kate and Anthony help Daphne and Simon move in together.

how it glistened as it fell by Moomin_94 Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Forced to see one another at Christmas and yet he still thought of her every week in between. And despite that, the very last person he wanted to see as his flight disappeared from the flight board was Kate Sharma. And even less did he want to see her leaving the car rental line with the very last set of keys in her hand

how shall I correct it? by royalwisteria Rating: M Status: WIP Summary: It begins with a simple deal: Kate gets her Community Center, and Anthony gets a Chief Counsel he won't sleep with. It doesn't remain simple for long.

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by moresassythanclassy Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Kate and Anthony are desperate for some alone time, but having three kids and a million responsibilities makes it tough. One interruption after the next leads to one very awkward situation, an impromptu discussion about the birds and the bees, and a happy little accident somewhere down the line.

Hush by lookingforthestars Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kathani sleeps with her stepbrother before uni, but it's a one-time thing. Except for the other times.

i can't find the words, so i guess it's time by pentaghastly Rating: T Status: Complete Summary: They make it to the wine cellar. It’s a long, long while before they make it out.

I Didn’t Know I Needed You (Like I Didn’t Know I Needed This Hat) by Searching4paradiso Rating: G Status: Complete Summary: Kate Sharma shares sunrises with the guy next door.

I didn’t know that loving you was the happiest I’ve ever been by lookingforthestars Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Anthony is a public trainwreck on the verge of being pushed out of his father’s company. Kate is a tutor struggling to make ends meet. Enter an arrangement that solves both their problems…and creates a lot of new ones.

i don't like a gold rush by alljustrunaways Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kate Sharma expected certain challenges when she accepted her offer at Oxford University with a tennis scholarship. She expected the difficulty of balancing her classes with a rigorous training schedule. She expected the sexism, racism, and elitism she would face as a woman of colour on a scholarship at a school teeming with entitled rich kids. She expected the stress of playing at a university level for the first time, going up against some of the best players in the country. She did not expect Anthony Bridgerton.

I don't want to be just a memory, baby by Allatonceyouaretheone Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Anthony Bridgerton is a secretly lonely wreck, wearing the mask of a wealthy fuckboy. He meets a woman who turns his world on its head.

I Dream of You by Mx Kate B (katelai) Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: A modern AU about Kate, currently working her way up the corporate ladder, and her solo nighttime activity to an eerily familiar, yet anonymous, amateur pornographer whose enjoys a good wank on camera.

(I feel) the lavender haze creeping up on me by Moomin_94 Rating: M Status: WIP Summary: Anthony had no idea when he walked into his sister's absolutely awful idea to get a tattoo for her eighteenth birthday, that he'd fall in love with the woman about to scar her forever

I Just Called to Say I Love You by moresassythanclassy Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: “What would you want us to do?” she asked the woman quizzically. The woman’s smile suddenly turned sly, and Anthony knew, right then, that he wasn’t going to like what she was about to say. “Well… it might be a little silly, but people have seemed to enjoy it so far. Basically, I’m filming people calling their crush and asking them on a date to see how the other person responds” she finished with a wink. The group stared at her before she cleared her throat and continued. “No silly games, no runarounds, just complete honesty.”

I Think I Know You by utterlycliche Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: They meet. They fight. They get it together by the end.

I Wouldn't Know What to Do by trash4ficsaboutlurv Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Kate and Anthony have known each other for more than a decade. Anthony dated Kate's best friend Siena in college and even though that relationship ended a long time ago, it means he's 100% off-limits. Kate has a code. Anthony just thinks she's the most confusing person he's ever met. And also, though he shouldn't say, the prettiest.

I’ll care you even when you tire by girlinaregencynovel Rating: NR Status: Complete Summary: Anthony works really late and is a tired baby but Kate takes care of him and puts him to bed

I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me by Searching4paradiso Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton were a couple always in sync. Career driven and duty bound to their families. Amongst it all they found time for each other. Life was in sync. Until one day it wasn’t. Except it didn’t happen in one day. It was a slow motion derailment that neither noticed until one day it was staring Kate in the face.

i'm lost, exposed by juniper5x5 Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kate is a PI, Anthony is a vampire

I'm on Fire by folklauerate Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: The new addition to the Sharma house is taking forever. It might be because Kate's sleeping with the head of the building company.

I'm so excited about your match by MGMango Rating: M Status: WIP Summary: What he definitely hadn’t expected was to be matched with someone as infuriating as Kate.

If I lose myself tonight by lookingforthestars Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: When Kate finds herself in dire straits, Anthony offers to solve her financial problems in exchange for spending one night with him. One night to do everything he asks of her.

if the shoe fits, walk in it (til your high heels break) by Moomin_94 Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Anthony Bridgerton is everything Kate Sharma hates about being at Oxford. Rich and entitled and cocky, so why does she keep ending up with her skirt rucked up around her waist with her fingernails digging into his back

In Bloom by Moomin_94 Rating: T Status: Complete Summary: Anthony Bridgerton, Florist Extraordinaire, has been hiding in his shop for a decade, until Lady Kate Sharma walks through the door

In love and death, we don’t decide by lookingforthestars Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Edmund goes for a run and never comes back. In the blink of an eye, Anthony's life changes. Drowning in his responsibilities and burying his grief, he finds himself drawn to Kate, a bright spot in the darkness. What happens when you meet the right person at the wrong time?

In my defense, I have none by kateandanthonyaremyparents Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kate goes to Florence to support her bestie Michael at the opening of his exhibit. Little did she expect to meet the poshest and arrogant guy ever.

In Or Out by kateandanthonyaremyparents Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Kate is on a race against time to be at grand central station at midnight. Anthony asked her to meet him there. For what she didn't know. All she knows is that his lack of true commitment is making her wonder how *real* their three year long relationship truly is..

In The Name of Science by cassianendor Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: After the fifth incident of indecent eating – in which Anthony might as well have performed fellatio on a raspberry ice lolly at the annual employee potluck, and during which Kate may have suffered from a mild cardiac arrhythmia (yet to be determined) – she regrettably admits to herself that Penelope may have been right all along: Anthony is a terribly messy, sloppy eater, and Kate has unquestionably noticed.

Indelible Sins by Mx Kate B Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: Anthony Bridgerton is a playboy. At least, that’s what he tells himself. Then one day he meets Kate who constantly challenges him, reminding him how sweet life can be. However, the sins of Anthony’s past are not so easily forgotten.

Is This What Happiness Is? by LilyGoop Rating: G Status: Complete Summary: Kate had spent way too many years believing there was no space for love in her life. She was too busy, there was too much to be done. It was not worth it. And then Anthony Bridgerton had walked into her life and proven just how utterly wrong she was. And there they were, on their six-month anniversary. She wanted to show him just how much he meant to her. But what to give a man who already had everything?

it had to be you by ZeGabz Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Tell me if you've heard this story before: the first time they met, they hated each other. The second time they met, they thought they had found the right people. The third time they met, they became friends. They were friends for a long time. And then they weren't. And then they fell in love.

It Is Not Far Enough by lookingforthestars Rating: T Status: Complete Summary: Anthony finds out that Kate plans to return to India after they graduate. He does not react well.

it only takes a taste by starkswinterfelling Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: A sequel of sorts to operation: barista (snitches get stitches): as Anthony and Kate begin to grow closer, we can put to bed once and for all who won the bet.

june, after dark by stutteringpeach Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Edwina drags Kate along to her idea of hell—a week in the country to celebrate Daphne Bridgerton's wedding.

just give these loving arms a try, baby by collectionoftulips Rating: E Status: WIP Summary: Anthony Bridgerton is an actor who, after a minor public scandal, decides to go on Strictly Come Dancing to save his reputation. He gets assigned to work with one of the show's new professionals, Kate Sharma.

just go with it by suitsusboth Rating: G Status: Complete Summary: Kate mistakenly selects the title of 'viscountess' when she books her flight and the airline think they're doing her a favour by changing her seat to with her (not) husband, the viscount.

Just My Best Friend’s Brother And My Secret Lover by in4yu Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: They had rationalized it as lust and categorized it as an agreement.

Just This Once by BurnerrAccount Rating: E Status: Complete Summary: After losing a bet, Anthony Bridgerton goes on a blind date. He knows nothing will come of it.

Know Your Worth by WaterlilyRose Rating: M Status: Complete Summary: Kate decides she needs to forget about Anthony Bridgerton. It hasn't happened. It will never happen. And Kate needs to stop dreaming it will happen because she can never let it happen anyway. Pity that Anthony is not good at taking hints...

[pointedly-foolish]

[ dσn’t run frσm mє rívєr ]

word count: 2605

pairing: upgraded connor | rk900/gender-neutral!reader

genre: hurt/comfort

a/n: ya boi is an idiot who made more wips than he could handle,,,, but anyway i wanted to write a nines fic because,,,,,,,,,,,, idk inspiration struck? i must admit i had no idea where i was going w this fic skfksfjaskdfhjk btw nines is deviant in this fic, i just have a hc that since he was forced into deviancy (unlike the 3 protagonists who reached some sort of catharsis) he isn’t as familiar with emotions as those 3, hence his difficulty identifying and expressing them. also rk800-60 and rk900 have assigned names, being colin (nickname sixty) and conan (nickname nines) respectively. connor is just connor lmao,,,,, i am god in my fics and i decide that my 3 bois are bros and happy lil deviants,,,, mk, go!

the ambiance inside the bar was loud and suffocating. many people came to celebrate an officer’s promotion to detective, and while nines wasn’t particularly close to them, he showed up regardless (although a certain duo of rk800 models may or may not have had something to do with his decision). mere formalities; he politely congratulated them and stepped away to ruminate on his own in a corner, absently watching the scene in front of him. for a reason that escaped him, he was (disappointed?) (hurt?) that you got along with colin. he still experienced anomalies in his system when near you, even after being told that he was perfectly fine at the maintenance centre. if the problem wasn’t from within, then there was only one probable cause: an outside factor. a recurring event. one that triggered these anomalies. you.

so he requested to change partners. now, he really wished he didn’t.

while you have taken to your new partner wonderfully, he wasn’t as gracious with his. between reed’s incessant snide remarks and overall unwillingness to cooperate, he’d much rather be deactivated. he found himself missing your partnership. for one, your cooperativeness was a relief. you were determined, passionate and kind. truthfully, he missed you. the shine in your eyes when you find a lead, your composure and professionalism, the soothing quality of your voice, the way you’d let you hand linger in his, how your features softened when you smiled—smiled at hi— he caught himself. why did that last part come to mind? how did you still manage to affect him when you’re so far away? he was about to check why when a laughter caught his attention. your wonderful laughter. One he was oh so familiar with. you were laughing with his brother, probably at another of his bad jokes. seeing you happy with him stirred an ugly feeling inside him. one that he did not recognise nor acknowledge. one that caused him to glare at his older counterpart.

he was miserable after parting ways from you, having to deal with reed’s complaining. he was hurt, he was away from you and it didn’t feel right. this distance between you two manifested as physical pain on his part, so how come you were fine? how were you able to move on in your life as if nothing happened? sadness and hurt turned into something more despicable: how dare you not feel the same pain he did? seeing you so happy twisted the knife deeper in his heart. how could you? conflicting emotions; he wanted to see you happy. he also wanted to see you suffer with him.

his glowering must’ve been pretty obvious as connor “addressed” him, asking if he was alright, to which he replied with a curt « all systems fully functional ». clearly the wrong answer as the rk800 frowned slightly and asked him to follow him. nines did as told. you watched him as he left, but he’d never know that.

the alleyway wasn’t the cleanest of places, but it was private and quiet enough that the two could converse verbally. connor watched his younger brother, concern in his eyes, and tentatively threaded the topic of his relationship with you. nines squinted his eyes fractionally as he observed his brother, pausing before dismissing anything connor may have assumed: « i don’t know what you’re trying to insinuate. the older model raised a brow in as he doubted his younger counterpart’s words. – you’ve been scowling at them for the past few minutes. – everything is perfectly fine between me and the detective. he forced out, probably more defensive and harsh than he meant it to be, as his brother’s eyes widened slightly, flashing with something akin to recognition. there was a pause before connor spoke up. – are you… jealous? he finally asked. »

nines looked a bit more than scandalised as the thought of being jealous, face contorted to slight disgust: « that’s preposterous. he scoffed. jealous? jealous of what? connor thought back about the scene before he intervened: nines was glaring intensely at you and colin, just after you laughed at one of his quips. – well for one, of collin. how he managed to get [ ᶠᴵᴿˢᵀ ᴺᴬᴹᴱ ]’s attention. maybe you’re yearning for theirs, for their affection. his proposition has certainly made nines realise something as his eyes widened, making him look like a deer caught in the headlights. – what are you trying to say? his voice wavered in unsurety. – what i’m trying to say is tha— » he didn’t manage to finish his statement as another voice, not too dissimilar to his own cut him off, announcing how “nines had the hots” for you. connor looked slightly irked at being interrupted while nines quickly dismissed the statement before fully processing it. colin was slightly taken aback by the quick rejection, before smirked mischievously: « great! then you wouldn’t mind if i asked them out right? – colin! exclaimed his twin. »

a sudden rage took over nines’ body as he pushed colin out of the doorway and stormed back inside the bar. a few beats passed before connor threw a chastising look at his twin, which colin shrugged nonchalantly to.

yes, nines knew what dating was. he knew that if two individuals were to harbour romantic feelings for each other, they would come together and be “dating each other”. date1 /dāt/ verb gerund or present participle: dating 3. go out with (someone in whom one is romantically or sexually interested). technically, it was fine. logically, it was fine. he didn’t own you. if you were to date his brother, then that would be your choice. but the thought of you being close and loving someone other than him felt so incredibly wrong. he wanted to leave. he needed to leave. this is all too much. he had feelings for you? he needed time to digest that statement. in his rush to get out, he accidentally bumped into another person, who made a small « oof » and an apology. he was about to apologise as well when you both realised who you were talking to.

« nines! i’ve been looking for you! can we… uh, talk? » he realised from this distance that he could smell your scent: lavender, fabric softener, and something pleasant that was unmistakably you. he nodded and followed you absentmindedly. how did you have this power to erase all thoughts from his mind, make him think of you and only you? has he really fallen for you? you both went outside, a distance away from the bar’s entrance when you finally restarted the conversation: « nines. – detective. » you bit your lips at that reply, and he realised now you looked tired, that radiant smile absent. « look, nines, i- i’m not blind, okay?... i-i know when someone’s avoiding me. – what do you mean detect— – i thought i told you that it was alright to call me by my first name… look, i… by “avoiding” i mean this. acting like you don’t know me. speaking to me as if we were just “coworkers”. acting like we aren’t friends. you sounded tired, the lilt in your voice that he has grown accustomed to sullen. – i’m not avoiding you. he lied, but he knew you were smarter than that. – nines please don’t lie… this distance… between us. i don’t understand, nines. your voice cracked. what happened? Why are you doing this? »

watching you hurt inside because of him was worse than any punishment he could’ve received. any and all previous wishes for you to suffer was quickly erased. he’s much rather suffer alone than watch you break. he took hesitant steps back. away from you. distancing himself from you. you noticed his actions and whispered a desperate « nines… please… » he wanted to run away. he wanted to stay. he wanted to leave and pretend this conversation never happened. he wanted to hold you and tell you everything: his fears, his doubts, his growing affection for you. in the end, he found himself running away from his problems like a coward. you didn’t bother to chase after him, desperately crying out « please… please don’t run from me conan. », last part choked out as you tried to hold yourself together. hearing your voice crack and waver because of him was awful. he wanted to turn back. comfort you. But his body didn’t obey him. when he finally stopped to pay attention to where he was going, he was right back at his shared flat. he swallowed dryly and moved to enter his house, a solemn air around him.

the next few days were absolutely torturous. he increased his initiative to avoid you, never seen in the same place as you, much to your chagrin. an act so blatant than someone as ignorant as reed noticed, an act that become the core of his recent round of taunts. avoiding you hurt. so why did he continue to do it? the thought of approaching the subject made him go cold. it immobilised him, stopped him from uttering a single word. a quick search told him he was scared. nervous. for rejection. he doesn’t know if his heart could take much more. he does resolve to tell you one day… just… not today…

but maybe he should’ve taken the chance when it was presented to him, as he may never get one again.

you died. well, you almost did. his mind jumping to the worst case scenarios as anxiety filled his system. arrest gone wrong. gunshot. 9mm bullets embedded within your abdomen. what if it hit your vascular system? you were rushed into the er. he knew that in this profession, the chances for an individual to be shot rises. but he didn’t expect to grow so attached to one of them. so as the surgeons work to quickly remove all bullets from your body, he sat, rigid, as he waited for the procedure to be done. he fiddled anxiously with his coin when your partner placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. he mechanically glanced at its owner, who told him to not worry, that you’re “too much of a stubborn ass” to die from this event. he didn't acknowledge colin’s input as he continues to play with the quarter. he should’ve told you. told you when he had the chance.

the clock ticked. and ticked. and ticked. when finally, the surgeon informed the two that you were alright. they managed to take out all the bullets. your condition was stable. you were ok. heavily sedated and going to be in a lot of pain. but you were ok. nines didn’t stop the heavy sigh of relief that escaped him. the doctor told them that visits will be allowed as soon as you were settled in recovery. he was going to tell you. he told himself, like an unspoken promise. he was going to tell you then. it’s the least you deserve. he was going to apologise and come clean. hopefully you’ll have it in you to forgive him.

when you finally came to, your body ached, you didn’t want to move, so you settled with eyeing your room. what happened? you were chasing this guy… and he pulled out a gun… pain and then darkness. and now you’re here. the recovery room was filled with gifts and get-well soon cards. balloons of assorted colours filled the room, bouquets of diverse types of flowers adorned the table.

« you’re awake. »

you turned your head at the source, seeing connor at the doorway. « how—you cleared your throat—how long was i gone for? you asked, voice raspy. – around 3 days and a half. you’d gain consciousness a few times, but you were too heavily sedated to be fully coherent. he explained as he took a seat near the bed. you groaned. – gosh that long? connor nodded. how’s colin? – doing pretty well all things considered. he does, however, feel immensely guilty about failing to protect you. – well, tell him it’s not his fault and that i forgive everything he’s blaming himself with. you worried about him. despite sixty’s mischievous exterior, he had a tendency to get himself stuck in a depressive loop of self-deprecation. connor smiled graciously. – will do… he placed a paper cup filled with what you assumed was thirium on the floor. how are you feeling? – everything hurts but i’ll live, you quipped. » the android chuckled and was about to reply when a knock caught both of your attention. the door creaked slightly open, as nines peered in. he hesitated before asking if he may speak with you. the “alone” part being left unsaid as connor bid you farewell and left.

you and your former partner were locked in an intense stareoff, you on the bed on one end and him glued to the door on the other. he took tentative steps towards you. closing that distance. when he was besides your bed, he nervously called out your name. you parroted him, mustering out a curt « conan. » he took a deep breath that he technically didn’t need and whispered out an apology: « i… i’m sorry. for everything i’ve caused—for all the hurt i’ve caused… for what it’s worth… i never meant for all this to happen. » his voice was clipped as guilt overcame him. you watched him, silent as ever. he wished you would say something, anything. the silence was deafening.

« then please tell me why… he promised himself that he’d come clean. – i… i don’t… i don’t think i know... for sure… i experienced anomalies in my system when i was around you.. you’d consume my every thought, i’d feel immobilised and i… i’ve been told that i’m being nervous… i’ve been told that i harboured romantic feelings for you… i-i don’t know. i… i yearn for your attention, your touch, your affection… but is it right for something like me to desire such a thing? am-am i broken…? his voice was barely a whisper when he choked out the lay part, and he waited for his response, growing more anxious as each second ticked by. what if you didn’t want him? what if he wasn’t enough? – no, you aren’t broken. you shook your head. just human. »

nines. confident and assured nines was an insecure and trembling mess as he poured out all of the doubts that plagued his mind. your heart aches as you wished to comfort him, so you do. you reached out, best you can, and grabbed him into a bone crushing hug. an action that took him by surprised as he stiffened at your touch. but he soon relaxed and carefully snaked his arms around your waist, returning the hug. you slowly caressed his hair as he nuzzled into your neck.

you both stay like this for a moment, relishing in each others presence, before you spoke up again: « it’s okay to be unsure, you know. he stopped his nuzzling, indicating to you that he was listening. if you don’t feel ready at the moment… if you just wanna be friends for the time being, i’m ok with that. and if one day you decide that you want to be more, just remember i’ll be right here. » you pressed a gentle kiss on the crown of his head and stayed in that position for a while, neither wanting to part ways, but this awkwardly positioned hug took a toll on your back so the both of you half heartedly pulled away from each other. hands holding the other’s, you asked for one more request: « just promise me one thing. – anything, he breathed out. – please… don’t ever run from me again. – never. he promised, fully intending to fulfill said request. »

« thank you. »

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[klarolijahs]

Benedict being sick and tired of Colin being clueless about his feelings for Penelope so he decided to make him jealous..by flirting with Penelope lol 😭

Thank you anon, this got my writing bunny working! Not sure if this is exactly what you were looking for but here it is.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a long time now Colin had considered Benedict to be his favorite brother. Gregory was adorable but still too young to partake completely with his older brothers. Anthony was just too much entirely - too stern, too strict, too set in his ways of behaving more like their father than their brother. 

Benedict had been a big brother when he needed someone to bail him out of his stupid decisions and a friend when he wanted to be stupid. Benedict understood, more than anyone, that Colin felt stifled in London and the ton. When everyone despaired over his endless thirst for travel, Benedict encouraged him. When Mother hurled every suitable debutante his way, Benedict cleverly distracted her, winking at her with his boyish charm and rescuing him from a banal conversation with a girl barely out of the schoolroom.��

Currently, however, Colin was very willing to take Benedict and his boyish grin on a trip to the Mediterranean and dump him straight in the ocean. Unwittingly, Colin felt a smile creep up on him at the visual of shoving his beloved brother into the turbulent seas of the mediterranean.  

Because currently Benedict was doing something particularly annoying.

Flirting with Penelope Featherington. 

Penelope Featherington.

And so in the open when anyone could see. 

Where even her mother could see. 

Colin let out a groan as he saw a maddening gleam in Portia Featherington’s eyes as she followed Benedict and Penelope’s promenade around the lake with hawk-like precision. Colin half expected her to start distributing wedding cards before their turn was over. He wouldn’t blame her, because Benedict hadn’t ever cared about propriety but he knew to keep away from the ladies at the ton. 

And yet, there Benedict was, strolling with Penelope on his arm, standing a little too close, leaning in a bit too far and most definitely whispering something indecorous that caused her to blush prettily and then laugh the next second. Colin debated between intervening himself, forcing Anthony to interrupt them or simply picking up the rock in his line of sight and hurling it at Benedict. 

This was Penelope. 

His friend. 

His Pen. 

Benedict was old. An entire ten years older than Penelope. And yes, while that age gap wasn’t just normal but expected in couples - it was still ludicrous.

And it had to be stopped. 

Now.

Before Portia Featherington swooned at the thought of capturing a Bridgerton for one of her daughters.

Before Benedict and his stupid, blue, twinkling eyes made Penelope do something regrettable - like fall in love with the bounder. Perish the thought. 

Read the rest on AO3

[jessmalia]

Come on, drop your Pevensie siblings headcanons

Alright, alright, alright, I have so many. Literally think about this all the time. By the way, this is going to be a mix of canon compliant and Modern!AU cause I don’t have the time to sort them. Also most of these are Edmund ones lol. 

— Let’s start off with a classic, Edmund is definitely into photography. He has a camera hanging around his neck all the time. He's really good at it too. Definitely hates when people take pictures of him, though. He prefers to be behind the camera.

— This is totally a stolen headcanon, but I can’t stop thinking about it since I read it: Lucy steals her brothers hoodies and sweatshirts all the time. It’s basically her entire wardrobe. They’re both annoyed by it but she won’t stop. 

— Susan always wore dresses and skirts growing up, but when she became an adult she found she loved the black pants + belt and white dress shirt combo. Also red lipstick! excuse me while I bi panic for a while

— Peter’s favourite class is P.E because of course it is. He’s really good at it, too. Susan is a faster runner than him though, something he always denies.

— Peter’s definitely this well known nice jock kid that everyone likes, so most people assume he’s straight and get really surprised when he mentions his crush on Sam Wilson. Then he singlehandedly ends homophobia at his school. 

— Edmund is definitely the type of kid who wears a hood over his head and has headphones on at all times. His hair is a mess and his neck hurts all the time from staring down at his phone. 

— It’s been said before, but Edmund’s music taste is just really weird indie songs no one has ever heard before, BUT he is also definitely a closeted swiftie. I won't take any critique on this. 

— Also he has a tumblr account. 

— Susan REALLY likes sad songs. Like, she basically only listens to sad songs, happy ones aren’t her thing. Songs about loss, heartache, death, that's her jam! This prompts Peter to call her a heartless monster repeatedly. 

— OH OH! Something I’ve thought about for a long time and really like: Edmund’s favourite author is Jane Austen. He loves the sass in them and the romance part is also very appealing. No I will not take criticism. 

— Lucy never got into the novels but she always watches the movie/tv adaptations with him. When it’s Pride and Prejudice night they always fight over which version to watch, because Edmund has a crush on Colin Firth and Lucy has a crush on Keira Knightley.  

— Peter is the most hopeless romantic. He loves all the classics: lending your jacket to your partner, buying chocolate and flowers, picnic dates etc. Valentine’s Day is his favourite holiday. Edmund is a hopeless romantic too, but he would never admit it. Susan is not, she’s way more realistic and grounded, and Lucy is a romantic but not hopeless lol. 

— Lucy loves painting her nails (especially in loud colours) but she’s really bad at it. She constantly messes up and gets it all over her fingers and shit. But with some help from Susan it usually ends up looking okay. 

— Edmund let Lucy paint his nails once because she wanted to see if it was easier to do on someone else. He didn’t wanna do it at first but after she begged he relented. To his surprise, though, he actually really liked it, and he started wearing nail polish regularly after that. To Lucy’s aggravation he was really good at it, too. 

— Susan keeps doing archery when they come back to England. She’s amazing at it. 

— I’ve always thought that Edmund feels like the type of guy who mostly has female friends. I just think his whole life he’s just preferred the company of girls over guys. Don’t know why, he just gives that vibe. Peter is probably his closest male friend, to be honest. 

— Edmund and Lucy are both hardcore gamers, and Peter and Susan absolutely suck at video games. They have the rare dynamic of the younger siblings always beating the older ones, something both Ed and Lucy bring up all the time to tease them. 

— I have this Modern!AU caspeter concept of the Pevensies and Caspian’s family having neighbouring summer homes (is that what you call them in English? Like, I’m talking about like a house on the countryside where you go during vacation). So they’ve like spent a lot of summers together growing up and Peter and Caspian has this sexual tension filled rivalry that everyone can see through except them. 

That’s all I have right now, will probably add more to this later. Hope you liked them! 

[attllhak]

If you don’t mind me asking, what will be Rusl and Uli’s role in your adoption au?

I don't mind at all! I love talking about my AUs.

Rusl and Uli are Twilight's 'godparents'* in the Adoption AU. They're Malon and Time's neighbours, in the way farmers are neighbours in that there's a lot of space between the two properties.

Twilight and his brothers would walk or bike down to their place sometimes to hang out and get away from the house. Rusl encouraged the interest in weapons that Twilight and Wild got from Lullaby/Sheik and helped Twilight carve a sword for himself out of wood when he was younger, and then helped Wild when he was a bit older too. It's been a standing offer for the rest of the boys as well, though only a few took him up on it.

Colin is also in this AU as their son, and Twilight took the role of cousin-brother (sorta a cousin, sorta a big brother, somehow both but not solidly either). My Mom told me a funny story about building a house out of those big square hay bales, so Twilight has definitely done that with Colin and the rest of the Ordon kids at some point, maybe with the help of some of his brothers. I imagine Time was more annoyed than Rusl upon discovering the little mansion they'd made of hay.

They don't play a huge role in the overall plot this AU acquired, but they're important to the family as a pseudo-Uncle/Aunt pair. Twilight does call them 'Uncle Rusl' and 'Aunt Uli', and some of his brothers picked it up from him.

*I say godparents but Twilight was never baptised, or whatever equivalent I come up with. They made a joke about it once for if it ever happened (it will not), and then it stuck.

[newtonsheffield]

Hi Molly! I’m not sure if my last (kind of long) message went through because of my shitty internet, but here’s a quick summary of what I said because I’m too lazy to retype it like I had before! Sooo, I said that I totally understand needing an outlet while working all day with people, especially healthcare. I look up to you because I hope one day to find something I can create that helps me and others enjoy too! I’m so glad that writing this universe is a hobby and not a burden!! I’ll be here to provide prompts until you tell me to leave 😂

I also said that I looooooved the drabble you wrote about what happened right after Enchanted, and it got me thinking about Sophie and Anthony and their interactions. Then I started thinking about other rare duos that we don’t see a lot and I was wondering if you had any headcanons for some, specifically a sibling + a spouse. Sophie and Anthony, Benedict and Lucy, Daphne and Kate, Penelope and Gregory (I had a random thought of Greg coming up with an idea for a fantasy novel and going to Pen and saying “I have this idea, but I don’t have the writing skills. Will you help me write it?” And Colin is just like “ummm I’m your brother. Why not pick me?” And Penelope and Gregory start having weekly book meetings, and eventually get a book published, and even though Colin acts annoyed, he loves that his wife and brother are close and wrote a book together. Random thought I had haha)

If you got the first message, I’m very sorry for the duplicate and go ahead and delete one of these haha

Abby! No! I didn’t get your other message!  Working with other human beings is an exhausting experience I think we can agree! Especially in healthcare where you tend to have to take on the problems of other people and that... takes its toll. People crying on your shoulder becomes very emotionally draining, for me at least: And when you’ve had to have a parent hold down their child who has screamed and cried and bitten you so you can take a tooth out that’s going to kill them if you don’t? Yeah It’s rough man  😂. Anyway! You shouldn’t look up to me, I have a genuine problem with redbull and I think it’s a breakfast drink and whenever I have a problem, I just get a new tattoo, which I’m gonna do again soon (🌷🌷) When I say it’s a problem, I mean: Like If I have one I have to have 3, thems the rules and I don’t make them. 

I love This idea of like odd bod Bridgerton pairings. And I LOVE the idea of Gregory and Penelope writing a novel together. Love and adore so I am gonna just leave it untouched! But! Here are some more Bridgerton rare pairs! 

Sophie knew it wasn’t fair to be nervous around Benedict’s family. They hadn’t been anything but kind to her, but still she couldn’t help but feel a little skittish around them. Especially his older brother Anthony. Anthony was an imposing man, even more so than his wife, who was so warm and friendly but so confidant and magnetic that people seemed to be drawn in by her energy. Anthony was in general, a stoic silent person, standing by his wife who was always laughing loudly, with the softest look on his face. But that kind of stoic silence made Sophie nervous. Because it was almost impossible to tell what was happening inside his mind. The last place she expected to find herself was in Anthony Bridgerton’s kitchen, the man right beside her, cooking in companionable silence, the sound of their partners floating back to them. You... like to cook? Sophie said quietly, questioning him lightly, watching carefully for his reaction. Anthony smiled softly, still hyper focused on his task chopping evenly I Do. I know Ben is useless in the Kitchen, much to our Mother’s heartbreak but I like it in here. Everything makes sense, there’s an order to do things in, I find it... calming He said shrugging and Sophie smiled, understanding just a little more about this man. I get that. I got into cooking because it felt nice to create something out of all the chaos so I get that. Anthony laughed Well, you’ve met my wife so I’m sure you know how much chaos is in my life.  Sophie laughed, her heart warming at the soft look in his eye anyway. And then, with a cheeky smirk on his face Anthony Bridgerton, the stern, stoic man said Plus I think we can agree earns you huge points in the bedroom no?  And Sophie couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled from her chest You’re definitely not wrong Anthony. And next time she went to his house she was barely surprised when Anthony grinned at her and said Get in the Kitchen Sophie, we’re making Risotto! 

Lucy Abernathy had been very nervous when her new boyfriend Gregory had tugged hr by the hand into his Mother’s house and yelled out Hyacinth Bridgerton! Get your arse down here! Lucy loved how much Greg loved all of his siblings, and she had heard the way Gregory talked about his littlest sister. She’s like my favourite person, Luce! He said with his eyes shining brightly and Lucy’s breath had caught as he’d said Don’t be nervous, she’s gonna love you. But from the very first moment Hyacinth locked eyes with Lucy it was evident that she did not, love Lucy. Hyacinth raised her eyebrow as she took Lucy in Hy, this is Lucy who I’ve told you so much about! Lucy’s heart thumping a little wildly at the thought of Greg telling his little sister about her. Hyacinth clicked her tongue I assumed, given the way you were wrapped around her like an octopus. Lucy shifted uncomfortably. Gregory scoffed, I’m going to get some snacks and then we’re gonna play Playstation he said ruffling his sister’s hair. Hyacinth narrowed her eyes at Lucy as she kissed Gregory’s cheek before he left. You’re different than I thought you’d be. Hyacinth said lightly, I looked at your instagram I hope I’m wrong about what a princess you are. And Lucy had stared open mouthed after the young girl, sitting quietly all afternoon as Hyacinth quietly sniped at her, indignation and frustration rising in her chest until she snapped Hyacinth if you want to hate me that’s fine, but I love your brother and I’m not going anywhere! Lucy hissed at the girl when they were alone in the kitchen immediately feeling guilty that she’d let the stress get to her and then Hyacinth laughed brightly Ooooo She’s got some claws. Maybe I am wrong about you. And as odd as it was Lucy couldn’t help but feel she’d won this girl’s respect when Hyacinth begrudgingly slid a bowl of crisps in her direction.    

[heliosoll]

what was your what we do in the shadows dr like??

I shifted to the tv show version! So I was a vampire along with Nandor, Nadja, and Laszlo (and Colin)! I was also the only person who was nice to Guillermo and we were besties 🥰

I got turned into a vampire around the 70s? I also don't participate in the more... sexual activities (those damn orgies are dramatic man 😭). But it was a pretty normal DR as far as things go! It was mostly me just hanging out with them and bonding :) I did notice some major differences between my DR and the show (plot-wise mostly) but it wasn't a big deal for me :)

Nadja lowkey acted like a mom friend with me occasionally but that was mostly her yelling at the others whenever they bothered me akdjghakdgh And ngl, Laszlo has strong dad vibes! He taught me a lot about vampire culture and he reminds me a lot of those well-meaning but largely clueless dads who can't relate to their teen kids. It was fun to mess around with Colin! He was definitely annoying but there were also times where I helped him annoy people so adjghjakldh And Nandor felt like an... older brother kind of figure?

[fangirlovestuff]

A Very Colin Christmas - Colin Shea x reader

Ch.3 - Meet The Family

ch.1  ch.2

a/n - Hey lovely people!! I hope you’re having a wonderful day and here’s the third chapter, enjoy!!<3

Summary: The big weekend arrives and you get to meet Colin’s family. Your plan’s going smoothly, they seem to like you. But there might be another problem...

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: curse words, innuendos, annoying relatives

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The big weekend has arrived, and in hindsight, you should've been more prepared.

You were sitting in your living room when you heard a flurry of voices from outside your door. Getting up and putting your ear to the door, you tried to realize what was happening.

"Colin dear, how are you?" a feminine voice was saying. "You know, I've just realized I don't think I've ever been to your apartment," she, who you assumed was his mother, continued.

"First time for everything, mom," you heard Colin's voice affirming your thoughts. "Come in," he said, and after a few moments you heard a door shutting and the voices died down. You went back and sat down on your sofa before getting up again and getting dressed, assuming Colin would ask you to come soon.

When you got dressed, you went over the details in your head one last time. Colin's parents were staying with him, Andy and his family were staying at a hotel nearby. You and Colin were serious, but didn't live together yet. He told you to act like yourself, just "double in love than you already were".

"Double zero is still zero, Colin. Don't make me regret I'm doing this," you had said.

"Okay, okay," he had laughed.

Now, you were standing in front of your mirror, examining yourself. But it was a poor distraction from the thoughts going through your mind. There was an awful lot of them, but the general point was – am I really going to do this?

Because when you had met Colin, you said you were going to be just friends, and that you were never going to let yourself feel anything more for him, because there was no way he would reciprocate. And you couldn't help but think that this little favor was really a recipe for disaster.

Just then you got a text from Colin that read "be here in ten pls".

Realizing this wasn't really time to rethink this, you shook your head. Then, you put on some lipstick and shoes, and grabbed a jacket and a purse. Colin's family didn't know you were neighbors, and if the plan succeeds, they wouldn't realize it.

Ten minutes later, you were knocking on Colin's door. It opened to reveal a man about as tall as Colin, but he was a bit older. His beard was neatly trimmed, his hair a bit darker than Colin's but you immediately saw the resemblance. The eyes. Looking at his face, you resisted the urge to sigh. Damn, I didn't realize everyone in this family got the pretty gene. So unfair.

"Hey," the man said with a smile. "I'm-''

"Andy, right? Colin's brother?" you said with a smile.

"Exactly," he chuckled. "And I assume you're Colin's girlfriend?"

"So you've heard of me?" you said playfully and then told him your name.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you. And for the record, all I heard about you were good things," he extended his hand to you and you shook it before he gestured for you to get in and followed you inside.

You made your way to the living room, where the entire family was sitting. His mom and dad were on the couch with who you assumed were Laurie and Jacob, Andy's wife and kid, while Colin was sitting on a chair from the kitchen. Your entrance stopped the conversation they were having, whatever it was about, as they all looked up at you.

"Merry Christmas!" you greeted them all before Colin saved you from having to think of anything else to say. He got up and made his way to wrap his arm around you, gesturing towards the chair he just got up from. "Sit down babe, I'll go get another chair," he smiled.

You smiled back at him in what you hoped was a lovey way. "Thank you," you drew out the 'you' before going to sit and introducing yourself to his family. They introduced themselves, and their smiles were inviting and warm. Colin's mom, Eleanor exchanged a look with his dad William, but it didn't seem to be a menacing one. At first glance, everything was going great.

Andy sat down on the other chair that was there. "So, what do you do?" he asked you with a smile.

You told him about your actual job, thankful it wasn't anything Colin-related. In the meantime, Colin came back with a chair and sat down next to you, taking your hand and squeezing it in his before resting your joint palms on his lap.

"How come you're spending Christmas with us?" Laurie asked with a smile. Her question seemed a little less genuine. You didn't know if you were reading into it too much, but it seemed like she was asking you 'Oh, what makes you think you can join our family? Get your own.'

But that was probably paranoia. I mean, that would be crazy.

"Well," you answered, "my family couldn't really do Christmas together this year, since my dad has a work thing, so we decided to meet up in a week instead, for new year's. When Colin heard I had no plans, he invited me to meet you guys, and how could I say no to that?" you smiled and looked at Colin as you said the last part.

"Tell me," Eleanor leaned forward, "with a job like yours, aren't you hoping Colin gets a profession that's a little more… professional, maybe?"

If you thought Laurie might be passive aggressive, there was no room for error with Eleanor. At second glance, things might not be going that great.

"Wow, getting straight to business, mom," Colin chuckled.

"What, I wanna hear what she has to say," she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Colin's very professional at what he does already," you offered, "And I know it's what he wants to do, so I want that for him too," you clutched Colin's hand and smiled at him.

"I see," she nodded. There was an awkward silence before Colin spoke up.

"So Jacob, how's school?"

"Great," he said without even looking up from his phone.

"I'm a little hungry," you said, "Colin, let’s go get the food out," you smiled and got up.

"After you," he gestured and followed you to the kitchen. His kitchen had no door, but it was far enough from the living room that when you heard voices of conversation, you felt okay about whispering to Colin.

"What the hell?" you whispered as you took some boxes out of the fridge.

"I know," he whispered back, "I told you they were a lot. Sorry."

"It’s okay, it's not your fault. But damn, they are definitely… interesting."

You heated up the food and brought it to the living room table. A few days ago, when you and Colin had sat here, he was smiling, and the light from the Christmas décor created a very warm atmosphere. Now, the same room somehow seemed manufactured, unauthentic, and Colin's smile seemed the same.

You had dinner without any touchy subjects coming up, thankfully. While they were talking about a case Andy was handling as the district attorney, you figured what Colin was trying to say about him. Andy wasn't a bad person, didn't seem like a bad husband or father or brother or son as well. But that was the thing about him. He was so perfect it was almost unsettling, it made you want to prod around until you realized what was wrong with him. Hell, he almost made you feel inadequate, so you could imagine what it was like for Colin, who has him as a big brother.

As dinner was coming to an end, you excused yourself, saying you should probably get back home. Colin got up and handed you your jacket from the hanger, like a good boyfriend should, when –

"Hey, you two are under the mistletoe!" Laurie exclaimed with a smile. You looked up, realizing she was right.

"Oh," you giggled, "I guess we are."

You rose on your tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek, but at the same moment he turned his head, resulting in you planting a kiss on his lips. You stifled a squeak of surprise when he put his hand on your lower back, pulling you closer for a moment before breaking the kiss.

"Goodnight," you smiled at everyone, avoiding Colin's eyes.

"We'll see you tomorrow, right?" Eleanor asked.

You were tempted to say no. Colin was the one who broke the rules, and his family was admittedly kind of annoying. But when you snuck a peek at him from the corner of your eye, you saw the look on his face.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," you waved and promptly left, closing the door behind you.

Later, you found yourself in bed, struggling to fall asleep. You were almost mad at yourself for not making up an excuse and telling them you won't be able to make it tomorrow, But then you remembered the look on Colin's face. It was so hopeful, and you couldn't let him down.

You know, because you keep your promises to your friends. Nothing more. It's not the way his eyes were shining in awe. Or how soft his lips were when you kissed him. Or how right it felt to have his hand on the small of your back, pulling you in.

Definitely not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

feedback is always welcome!!<3

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[irishseeeker]

Having a crush on your boss is embarrassing. Inappropriate. Wrong. Especially when your boss is Anthony Bridgerton, the most insufferable man on the planet whom you actively despise.

What does Kate have to say on the matter?

...No comment.

~

Kate doesn’t know how it started.

Kate Sheffield did not like her boss. She actively despised her boss, Anthony Bridgerton, and he despised her. It was like a hobby. Her hatred for him was like a pet, like Newton, her gorgeous corgi, that she tended to and nurtured by making Bridgerton’s life as difficult as possible.

Except, something had changed.

She still despised him, she hadn’t gone completely insane-expect, that loathing went from pure loathing to...loathing with a side of oh, Anthony Bridgerton looks good in that suit today.

She now noticed things like when he got a haircut. His chestnut hair had been cut sharp, there was still a bit of height on the top but it was shaven quite tight around his ears.

He looked good.

Really good.

She wasn’t a teenager anymore. She was an adult. A 29 year old adult with a degree. A nice apartment. She even had house plants she managed to keep alive.

She shouldn’t have crushes like this.

Especially on him.

She didn't. Nope. She couldn't. Kate Sheffield did not have a crush on Anthony Bridgerton.

It wasn't possible.

He was just on her mind a lot, she tended to stare at him quite a bit and she may have a new routine of stalking his social media on a daily basis.

So, to conclude, she definitely did not have a crush on Anthony Bridgerton.

It was probably some type of illness. She could have an underlying cold coming on that deluded her into thinking Anthony Bridgerton was good looking and looked really good in expensive suits and his gym gear when it came into the office late every Wednesday after a personal training session in the morning.

Oh God.

It had gotten to the point where it was affecting her work.

Like right now.

She should be working on her mountain of paperwork sitting on her desk, but instead, she was watching Bridgerton stretch through his office glass windows. His office was parallel to hers on the top floor of Bridgerton & Family group building. It was the headquarters of the decades old Bridgerton & Family hotel group. Kate was the head of finance for their United Kingdom group, specifically dealing with approving budgets and projects. She had qualified as an accountant when she was 24 and had moved up from there.

She could see his white shirt, which probably cost more than her rent and was never wrinkled, slowly rise above his waist as he stretched his arms. She could see the outline of his pelvis, and the tanned skin he must have got from his recent work trip to Barbados. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, which showed off his forearms quite nicely. When did he get muscular?

The phone rang, making her jump and resulting in her reusable coffee cup spilling all down her white blouse.

“Shit!”

“All okay?” Sophie, her assistant, popped her head in.

“Just a coffee spill, thanks Sophie.” Kate said, sighing as she grabbed her blazer and buttoned it up, which covered the brown stain on her chest.

“I just sent you the proposal from Anthony!” Sophie called through the door. Sophie Beckett had been Kate’s incredible assistant for a year now. She was a few years younger than Kate, and she was working to put herself through university. Kate dreaded the day she lost her, but also signed her up for company funded courses as Sophie would go far in life and Kate couldn’t wait to see what she achieved.

“Cheers!” Kate shouted back, sitting down at her desk and opening up her email. Her eyes scanned the email and the proposal, and her stomach dropped as her chest filled with fury.

“That motherfucker,” Kate spat, shoving herself away from her desk as she stormed towards Anthony Bridgerton’s office, ready to commit murder.

Gregory, his assistant and younger brother, wasn’t at his desk. She had checked Bridgerton’s work calendar and it was clear, so he wasn’t with a client. She didn’t bother knocking.

That was her first mistake.

“Bridgerton, I don’t know if you were dropped on your head as a child-“

Her voice caught in her throat. His office was occupied by two other men, who had heard every single word she had just said.

That was her second mistake.

“Oh! I am so sorry," Her cheeks flushed with red mortification and she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. "I can come back-”

Anthony sat behind his desk, smugly beaming at her as she flushed in embarrassment. “Ah, Kate. Charming as always. I was waiting for you to storm in and annoy me today. Have you met my brothers? This is Benedict and Colin,” He gestured to the two men sitting in front of him.

“The famous Kate Sheffield,” Benedict extended his hand, grinning at her as he stood up. “It is an honour to meet you.”

“We’ve heard so many great things,” Kate raised an confused eyebrow at Colin as he stood up and spoke, shaking his hand as well. “From Gregory. We’re big fans of your daily torment of our dear older brother.”

“He definitely was dropped, by the way,” said Colin, grinning cheekily at Anthony who scowled at him. “Mother would never admit to it, but it would explain a lot.”

Kate laughed at him as Anthony scowled. “The chances of you getting the travel money you wanted are looking incredibly low, dearest brother,” said Anthony, narrowing his eyes at his Colin. “What did you want, Sheffield? I’m busy.”

There was a knock at the door just as Kate opened her mouth to retort, and Sophie popped her head in the doorway. “Excuse me for interrupting,” She said, looking at Kate. “Kate, there’s an important phone call waiting for you. Hi Anthony.”

"Hey, Sophie," said Anthony, pleasantly smiling at her which made Kate glare at him in disgust. Sophie and Bridgerton liked each other. Sophie had said on more than one occasion that he wasn't as bad as Kate made him out to be, and Kate usually threw a pen at her.

“Thank you, Sophie,” She smiled at her assistant, before turning around back to Bridgerton and putting the proposal on his desk with the word ‘DENIED’ scribbled across it in red sharpie. “I don’t want to see this proposal on my desk again. I don't feel like denying it for a fourth time.”

Benedict had turned around and was staring at Sophie, and Anthony rolled his eyes. This was one of their new arguments, that had been going on for a few weeks over a hotel design proposal that Anthony desperately wanted and Kate wouldn’t approve under any circumstances.

“Your wants aren’t really my concern, Sheffield,” Anthony said, his tone dismissive. “It’s an excellent proposal-”

Kate snorted. “It’s an obnoxious, reckless, extremely over the top hotel proposal that is not going to happen just to boost your ego. The Board would never agree to it and I certainly won’t.”

“We’ll see about that,” He smirked at her, but his eyes were glaring at her. “The Board are very fond of me. I can be very persuasive.”

“You need finance clearance and-oh. Who in finance has that authority?” She tilted her head slightly, before looking back at him to smirk right back at his smug face. “That’s right, me.”

“Who is CEO of the company and whose name is on the company?” Anthony retorted, furrowing his brows before smirking at her. “That’s right,” He mimicked her, “Me.”

“Does this happen often?” Benedict asked, amused as his head flicked between Kate and Anthony.

Gregory Bridgerton, who was eating a packet of crisps, appeared at the doorway and joined the conversation. “Everyday.”

“Every single day,” Sophie added in agreement, smirking slightly which faded as her cheeks turned crimson when she caught Benedict’s eye, quickly looking away.

“No it does not!” Both Kate and Anthony said at the same time.

Kate shook her head in frustration, “I have to go. If you email me that proposal again, I will stamp it once again with DENIED and hammer it onto your door until the message gets through your thick skull.”

“I am your boss, Sheffield,” said Anthony, his tone rather sharp. “You can’t talk to me like that.”

“Oh, forgive me,” Kate said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Should I write it down so you will actually understand what I’m saying?”

Anthony glared at her furiously, pushing himself up with his fists. “You can shove it up your-”

“So lovely to meet you both,” said Kate, interrupting Anthony’s insult loudly as she smiled at his laughing two brothers before walking out of the room, Sophie at her heels.

It was no way to talk to her boss, he was right, but they had long passed the proper etiquette of employer and employee relationships. They regularly insulted and shouted at each other, whether it was in person, over text or on the phone, and it just sort of became what they did. It somehow worked, as they worked well together and the company was making its highest profits to date.

Kate sat at her desk, her heart thumping in her chest. What was she thinking? She did not like that man. He infuriated her. She grabbed her jacket on the back of her chair and quietly screamed into it, then took a deep breath before answering the phone. “Edwina? Is everything okay? Is it Mary? Is it Newton?”

“Relax, Kate,” Her sister said, with amusement in her voice. “I had to say it was an emergency for you to answer during work. It is technically an emergency.”

“Not funny,” Kate mumbled, resting her cheek against her desk and putting the phone on speaker. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”

Kate heard her sister swallow before biting the bullet. “I need you to come to this charity gala tonight.”

“No.”

“Kate-”

“No!”

“My date just bailed on me for Paris fashion week. I can’t go alone. It would be so embarrassing. He’s already been photographed with some Russian model this morning,” Her sister’s voice broke slightly. “Please, Katie.”

Edwina was her younger sister by four years, and she was a famous supermodel. She had been scouted when they were walking down Oxford Street, and it had been runways, magazines and brand deals for Edwina ever since. Kate would do anything for her sister, especially when she pleaded with her, even if that thing made Kate want to set herself on fire.

Actually, she probably would prefer having a civilized conversation with Anthony Bridgerton than go to one of Edwina’s events. That’s how much Kate hated them.

She groaned. “Fine, but two hours top. I will choose what I wear and if you try to set me up, I will leave.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! “ Her sister squealed to the phone. “Be at mine at six! Do not be late! I love you.”

“I love you too, but I want you to know at this very moment, I really despise you,” Kate said as she heard her sister chuckle before hanging up. Excellent. She hated Edwina’s events. She had been to many of Edwina’s parties, galas and events, which involved Kate trailing behind her famous sister who everyone cooed and praised and only ever acknowledged Kate with a “Oh! I didn’t know you had a sister!” after Edwina introduced her.

As if her day couldn’t get any worse.

She heard a buzz, and then Sophie’s voice over the intercom. “Can I get you anything?”

Kate groaned. “The will to live.”

“How about a milkshake?”

She lifted her head off her desk slightly, perking up. “Please. Chocolate with extra crème. I’m feeling fragile.”

“Of course, I’ll go right away,” Sophie spoke, hesitating slightly before continuing. “Anthony has just sent an invite for the hotel proposal presentation with the Board in a few weeks. Talktoyoulaterbye!”

Kate’s head snapped up off her desk, “What?” She spat out, fury filling her veins and she twisted her neck towards his office. He was looking right at her, smirking like the devil himself, and he had the audacity to wave.

Kate’s middle finger waved right back.

a/n: chapter 2 coming soon!

[kiara-carrera]

How does Theresa get along with all the other Bridgertons??

oo okay i’ve been hoping to get this sort of question! so just as a lil backstory, theresa somewhat grew up around the bridgertons because her parents were friends with their parents. anyways, without further ado:

anthony: she’s had a massive crush on him since she was a teenager. he lowkey knows but pretends he doesn’t, but they do have some nice serious conversations where she acts like a normal person and not like,,,heart eyes to the point where he’s like when the hell did she become such a lovely young lady?

benedict: sweet sibling bond. theresa’s older brother, isaac, was the same age as benedict so they went to university together and were super close friends. so when isaac passed away, benedict kinda keeps that “watch over her” big brother vibe.

colin: not super duper close, but they have a lot of witty, comical banter (largely centered around theresa being exactly one year older than him and acting like she’s his elder)

daphne: since they were the two girls closest in age amongst the families, they sorta got stuck together a lot and have a very close friendship. i personally wanna chuck daphne out a window, but you know, theresa can call her out when she annoys me.

eloise: not particularly close, but theresa definitely enjoys eloise’s whole “fuck the patriarchy” vibe, she’s like yes be independent!

francesca, gregory, and hyacinth: i don’t know a ton about them because they’re not featured a lot (rip to francesca’s 10 seconds of screentime) and i haven’t read the books yet, but like,,,she’s amused by gregory and hyacinth’s antics.

violet: violet adores theresa. literally anytime violet’s giving anthony a matchmaking list, theresa’s always at the top, she’s just waiting for her son to fall in love so theresa can officially become part of the family.

send an ask about my ocs?

[waywardwrestlewritingwaif]

TheGuardian’s Oath, Part Ten

I’m definitely making progress... You can get caught up on previous sections by following the links in the Master List. 

Pairing: Feargal Devitt/ Finn Balor x OFC

Word count: 3,035

Content advisory: Some sexual content, not as graphic as in previous chapters. 

At first, I wondered if Sophia might have made them when she first started talking of her lost younger brother, but even a quick look dispelled that idea. The needlework was that of a skilled worker, a grown woman, not a child. The fabric was very soft and fine and the blanket was edged with a distinctive type of lace. Even the thread used for the embroidery looked expensive. Whoever had made these pieces had done so with the aim of making something very special and had the knowledge of what was needed to do so. Whatever had become of Colin, someone had gone to great lengths to make him something to show that he was loved. 

Perhaps the proper thing to do would have been to put everything away and wait to discuss these matters with my husband but I knew myself well enough to know that the thought that Kate might have lied to me about the origins of “Colin” would eat at my heart until I knew the truth.  So I gathered up both items, carefully folding them because I hated the idea of showing them any disrespect, and went downstairs to the kitchen. 

“Good morning ma’am,” Kate greeted me with her customary cheer. “Can I fix you something to eat?”

“Not right away,” I stammered, laying the mysterious garments out for her to see. “I was making some room in the cedar chest upstairs and I found these inside it. I’m not quite sure what to make of it.”

Kate stepped closer and her eyes widened. She looked every bit as shocked as I was, her jaw falling slack as she turned to face me. 

“These were upstairs? They were with… her… things?”

I nodded. “I remember what you told me about Sophia and I thought at first she might have made them but… there’s no way…”

Kate shook her head, rubbing her hands on her apron as she often did when she was anxious. “Oh no, these are her doing… the first Mrs. Devitt. That lace is from her part of the world. She brought some with her and she made blankets and wraps for Miss Sophia and Master William just like these. It’s been years since I’ve thought about it but doing such work was one of the only things that made her seem happy.”

She pursed her lips a little, as if she felt she’d said too much. 

“So there must have been some background story then, something she shared with Sophia,” I mused. “Is it possible that Mrs. Devitt had a younger brother who died? Perhaps Sophia heard the story when she was very young and confused it in her mind?”

“I suppose it could be something like that, ma’am. Although that name, Colin… that was the Reverend’s late father.”

“True. And the late Mrs. Devitt’s people were French.”

“I suppose they might have chosen that name for their son and then decided to change it to William afterwards,” she offered. 

We puzzled in silence for a few minutes before we were startled by a sharp gasp. We hadn’t heard Susan make her way into the kitchen but more unnerving was the expression on her face when she saw what we were looking at. 

“Oh she can’t have kept those,” she exclaimed breathlessly. “With the name and everything.”

“Do you know what these are, Susan?” I asked her, a little more sharply than I had intended. 

The girl’s face could hardly have looked more shocked if she had seen an actual ghost. 

“I’m sorry for speaking outside my place, ma’am but it caught me off guard. I never realized that they named it.”

“Named what?”

“Well when the Reverend’s first wife disappeared, when she died, she was expecting a child.”

“What on Earth are you talking about?” Kate snapped at her. “Who told you such a thing?” The cook turned her attention to me before continuing, “Ma’am, I’ve been here many years, and I was here during both of her confinements and I knew practically as soon as she did when she was in the family way.”

“I know she never shared the news,” Susan retorted, “but there were people in the village knew about it all the same.”

“Shame on you for listening to idle gossip!”

“Wait,” I interjected softly, trying to make sense of what I’d just heard. “Susan, why would Mrs. Devitt have told people in the village about this?”

“Why indeed?” Kate huffed. 

Susan shot the older woman a hot look but addressed her comments to me. “It wasn’t that she told people there, ma’am. She went to see my Aunt Anne because she was having a terrible time of it. My aunt always helped ladies in distress that way.”

Kate shook her head a little, her dark eyes furious and I was worried that any word she spoke would cause a fight.

“Your aunt helps with the lying-in?” I prompted. 

Susan nodded, looking a little gratified that I was taking her seriously. “She does whatever’s needed along the way.”

I didn’t need to ask Kate for her opinion because her disgust was painted across her face for all to see. 

“I can’t say what the problem was exactly but she asked me to set up a meeting for her with Aunt Anne and that’s what I did. I never knew what they discussed, as it wasn’t my business.”

Kate ejaculated a hard little laugh and I held up my hand to calm both of them. 

“Clearly, we’re not going to be able to learn anything more on the subject and that may be for the best. I am going to place these back where I found them and I don’t think we should any of us speak on it any further.”

The rest of the day unfolded under a sort of dark cloud that was reflected in the weather. A squall rolled in by late afternoon and everything for miles around was battered by wind and rain. I entreated Susan to stay until the storm passed for her own safety but she remained in such a mood that she refused. Dinner was quiet, with Kate a little tart that I had given any credence to Susan’s story and, I imagined, a little annoyed that she was unable to come up with an argument to categorically refute it. 

“Will you have a cup of tea with me?” she piped up once I had put the children to bed. 

“I would enjoy that,” I sighed. 

She sat with me and asked friendly enough questions about how I was managing and whether or not the children were afraid of the storm, but it was clearly all a prelude to what she really wanted to say. 

“I hope you don’t think I’m being impertinent, ma’am, but that girl’s story about…”

I nodded and bade her continue. 

“I don’t know if you’d decided on saying anything to the Reverend about those blankets you found, but if you do, for pity’s sake don’t start talking about his former wife going to see that old woman in the village. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with her helping young mothers when their time comes but it’s well enough known that she’s hardly better than a witch. You know I don’t believe that the Reverend’s first wife was any saint but there’s wild and then there’s ungodly. I don’t think there’s a hair of truth to that tale Susan told us. I don’t believe she meant any harm because she’s like a lot of the village girls, a bit simple and a measure too fanciful for her own good. But I’ve heard enough about that old woman and goings-on there to know that if you tell the Reverend that people are saying that his wife went to see her because of a family problem that it will be like a knife in his heart.”

“I understand, Kate. I wish I hadn’t found those things and started any of this. When I feel the time is right, I show them to him and ask what he wants me to do with them. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the end of it.”

We sipped our tea, both clearly ruminating about the fact that this was likely the end of nothing. It seemed that whatever I tried to do for this family, now my family, I was forever disinterring their dead. 

Then, from upstairs, there was a bloodcurdling scream followed by a loud crash. Kate and I leapt to our feet and ran to the children’s room, finding them both wide awake and in tears. 

“What happened? Did something fall?”

Both children shook their heads frantically, both of them trying to grab hold of me. 

“It came from upstairs!” William wailed, burying his face against my skirt. 

“Very well then, I’ll go and look.”

As best as I could with the children attached to me as they were, I made my way to the door leading up to the garrett. It felt strange that I was so intimidated, considering that I had still slept more nights in the attic than in the master bedroom. But the narrow door seemed like it led to something dangerous and I found myself hesitating before it. 

“Leave it ma’am, I’m going to go for the watch,” Kate mumbled, grasping my shoulder. 

“There’s no need for that,” I answered, as much to convince myself as her. “If someone wanted to break in, they’d have come in through the ground floor. We are in no danger.”

I managed to extricate myself from the three of them and cautiously opened the door. I could immediately feel something different than I remembered. I could feel the wind and the scent of the sea was thick in my nostrils. I slowly ascended the stairs to my former room, my breath quickening. I wanted to tell Kate to bring the children back to their room, although I knew they would never go. Unlike them, I had no fear of burglars. I knew that something else could be lying in wait. 

The attic was oddly bright and it took my eyes a moment to adjust and understand what I was seeing. The little window from which I had been able to see the ocean was completely smashed and part of a tree hung through it. In the end, I was alone and this was nothing more than a common accident brought on by the storm. As much of a mess as it was, it was neither physically nor spiritually threatening. Nevertheless, I was filled with unease as I observed the carcass of the tree and the shards of glass glittering like stars across the floor. 

“Well I won’t be easy to clean up but it’s nothing too bad,” I sighed, giving Kate and the children a weary smile. “That big Scotch pine’s fallen and taken out the window.”

Kate shook her head. “The Reverend’s been asking Mr. Jones to cut that thing back for two years now. He’s going to be fit to be tied when he finds out.”

“At least I’ll be able to get the worst of it dealt with before he gets home.” I smiled to reassure everyone that I had things in hand. “Please get yourself some rest, Kate. I’ll get these two settled again.”

William and Sophia went back to bed easily enough, their tears dried and their rush of excitement quickly fading. I gave them both a kiss and promised them again that all was well. I was about to leave them when something occurred to me about the sequence of events from earlier. 

“Sophia,” I began, trying to recall every detail of what had happened in perfect clarity, “what was it that made you scream earlier?”

“I was just frightened by the noise,” she answered tensely. 

“Of course, it’s just that I thought… I thought I heard your voice before the tree fell.”

Her dark eyes met mine and, even in the shadows, I could see her brow twitch and furrow just a little. 

“I must have been mistaken,” I whispered. “Good night, sweet girl.”

As I returned to bed, I replayed the events of the night in my head. I tried to convince myself that I’d made a mistake but it was no use. Sophia had screamed and then the tree had fallen. She had seen or heard something that scared her but it was something else, something that had disappeared in the commotion afterwards. It could easily have been that she awoke and was frightened by the grotesque shadows cast on the wall by the trees outside. But there was that other possibility; I knew that there was that other figure who lurked here and now it seemed that he had approached the children. 

“The arrangement is that you don’t touch them,” I whispered aloud. “You do what you want to me but the children and their father are spared.”

I realized in my heart that I had no power over him and that I could not depend on him honoring our bizarre ‘contract’. Still, I repeated the phrase again in the hopes that he would hear: 

“They are to be kept safe.”

*

I shouldn’t have been surprised that the following day I had a terrible headache. Shifts in weather often had an effect on me and with the stress of having to deal with Mr. Jones and arranging the repairs, along with another sleepless night, I was in so much pain I found myself having to squint. 

Mr. Jones was none too happy about being called in to deal with the tree, all the more so when I insisted on hiring men from the town to repair and replace the window rather than allowing him to bring in members of his family to do the job. He cursed at me under his breath whenever he thought I was out of earshot. 

Strange men were in and out well into the evening, filling the house with the sound of shouts and heavy footfalls. The men who had come to work on the window were aggravated that Mr. Jones insisted on cleaning up the remains of the tree at the same time. Kate and Susan were aggravated that there were so many people coming in and out of the house. An argument broke out when Mr. Jones fell from his ladder and insisted that one of the men inside the house had distracted him and caused the accident. The foreman was equally adamant that none of his men had been in the room at the time and that our old gardener was trying to stir up trouble. 

By the time everyone was done for the day, I was so exhausted I could barely speak. Seeing the state I was in, Kate ordered me to bed. I did not like to impose on her any further, since she hadn’t had an easy night either, but I was in no state to put up a fight. I retired early and would have fallen asleep right away but for what I saw when I entered the bedroom: three lines scratched roughly into the floorboards just inside the doorframe. 

I wanted to cry out but there was nothing that I could say. Although the workers hadn’t been in our bedroom, they had been moving throughout the house. The marks could easily have been an accident. Even if they had been made on purpose, there was no sinister meaning to such markings that I was aware of. Still, their presence was a torment to me. It wasn’t enough that he could come and claim me whenever he wanted, Balor needed me to know that he was always there, always watching, even when I couldn’t see him. 

I fell asleep quickly and found myself dreaming of a walk in the coastal forest, of wandering and trying to find something, my way home or something I had lost. As I walked, I found myself growing shorter and shorter of breath, until I realized that I was underwater, that I was struggling to breathe because there was no air for me. I awoke some time after dark, gasping, aware only of a weight on top of me and rapid, hot breaths on my neck. His claws were wrapped in my hair and I could feel his sex pressed close to mine. His shoulder pinned my face to the pillow and kept me from seeing anything. I might as well have been running through the underwater forest still. 

His touch was rougher and more insistent than ever but I felt a little relieved because if he was focused on me, it meant that he wasn’t marauding through the house or targeting the children. I even slipped an arm around him, pressing my hand against the base of his bony spine and encouraging him to take what he so obviously wanted. He bit down hard on my neck, enough that I felt blood droplets form and trickle from the wound as he thrust into me. 

As always, I tried to resist surrendering to the ecstasy he made me feel and, as always, I failed, becoming an eager participant in our ungodly coupling. 

He was exceptionally animated, a stream of filth and curses flowing from him amid declarations that I was his and no one else’s, that I had been made for him, body and soul. I wanted to tell him that he was a monster and I was meant only for my husband, and at the same time, I felt connected to the very force of life when I was with him in a way that I never could without. In the end, my mind seemed to become confused as it shifted between Feagal and Balor and all I could do was mewl and whimper in reply to his goading. 

When it was finished between us, Balor ran his tongue slowly over the length of my collarbone, sucking gently at the hollow where it connected to my throat. He spoke in a rough whisper, tapping his fingers against my shoulder, a beat for each word he uttered. 

“One. Two. Three.”

And then he was gone. 

[secondgenerationnerd]

can we have some hcs about bluepulse and donny and mel?

Of course! Sorry, I was at work all day! Enjoy!

Blusepulse

Jaime is Demisexual and Bart is Pansexual

Jaime is really worried about what his parents are going to say when they find out he’s dating a boy. (They overhear him on the phone with Bart. Alberto is the one that tells Jaime that he will always be their son, no matter what. Jaime tears up and can’t look his dad in the eye as he tells Alberto about Bart. Alberto hugs him and repeats what he said. Tu eres nuestro hijo.)

Their first date is to a drive-in movie theatre showing horror movies

They’re both pretty physically affectionate without being like super handsy-- pushing hair back while they talk, squeezing their hand as they walk by each other, throwing an arm around their shoulder, etc

Bart is the big spoon more than Jaime (fight me)

Khaji Da has a long conversation on when it’s appropriate to pull lasers out after he tries eviscerating Bart when they’re making out

Bianca, in a way to be supportive, gave Jaime ‘the talk’ again with more of an emphasis on being with a male partner (honestly not as painful as the first talk with Alberto. 

Milagro interrogated Bart for half an hour. She wanted to know why he thought he was good enough for her big brother. Jaime was laughing too hard to help Bart.

Jaime and Bart somehow both propose to each other at the same party. 

They do a courthouse wedding but have a huge party instead.

Jaime keeps working in the auto shop with his dad through college. Bart does a lot of freelancing.

Jaime cooks more than Bart, but Bart helps him a lot

They talk about adopting after Max is born (definitely an older kid after talking to Colin)

Mel X Donny

Their first date was a food festival going on. 

They date for a year before they move in together. (Mel teases him about missing his teeny tiny apartment. Donny looks at her and says “Baby, the only thing I’ll miss is how close the bed is to everything else. For multiple reasons”)

Donny usually makes breakfast while Mel usually makes dinner. They do try to cook together a lot

Donny’s an engineer. Idk he gives me those vibes.

I honestly don’t know what Mel does, but she kills it lol

They have a standing bar night. Just one day of the week they go out with friends and be normal

Mel and Dawn get alone like a house on fire and it terrifies Donny.

Mel threatens to ground Bart once she finds out that she’s his mom whenever he annoys her. Does it once too. Bart tried to argue only to be hit with Donny’s “Don’t argue with your mother.” (payback from years of being called Dad XD)

They have a pretty decent sized wedding, in which every speedster gets drunk.

Mel does get pregnant about 3 years after they start dating, but has a miscarriage. It’s a hard few weeks after she tells Donny, but he keeps telling her that it wasn’t her fault.

Donny just really loves Mel ok? and she loves her Donny

[tricksters-captain]

TMR: The Death Cure/Gally imagine - You Made Me A Promise

AN: Due to my Colin Ritman fic being so popular I have also received requests for other Will Poulter characters. I used to write a lot for the maze runner when the first film came out so it actually feels strange going back to this but nethertheless I hope you enjoy. Also I’m sticking to the movie concept and script rather than the book. I am also using some of the deleted scenes from the movie. 

Summary: You and Gally met as rebels against W.I.C.K.E.D and now that his old maze friends have returned, you’ll be damned if he thinks he’s leaving you out now. 

Pairing(s): Gally x reader

Word count: 2,866

Warnings: Strong language, Fluff, there is smut at the end but I will put a smut warning for those who don’t like smut. There is plenty of fluff at the beginning but there is rough, unprotected s e x  at the end. Hair pulling. 

You shook your head when you heard Gally had gone out on patrol.

“You gotta trust him, (Y/n), he’s a tough guy.” Lucille called to you as you strutted away.

“I do trust him. I don’t trust the fuckers with guns shooting at him.” You called back.

You and Gally had been close ever since he joined the group. You initially repressed your attraction towards the boy due to the fact that it’s hard to have relationships with people due to the loss you have to endure. This world was dangerous and being so close to the city was worse.

You repressed your attraction until you couldn’t ignore it anymore. You were out on a run and it was Gally first hazardous mission which you tried to fight with Lawrence on, however, you lost. Gally got shot; it was just the shoulder and his injuries were minor but you had never felt so much concern for one person until that moment.

He had kept bugging you during the mission on why you didn’t want him to be a part it but you just blanked him or made up some bad excuse like how he was inexperienced. However, he just then snap back a snarky remark like ‘how could he get experience if you didn’t let him out’.

Then he got shot and your concern made it very clear that there was feelings there.

You visited him in the medical area a few times as he recovered and things went from there.

After that incident, you two were put on almost every patrol and mission together as everyone knew you’d watch each others back and you were pretty much inseparable. That became even more so after what happened to your brother.

“(Y/n)! He’s back.” Lucille came and got you from your living quarters when the vans returned from the patrol. There was a bombing on the outskirts from the guns you hated so much and you had been worried out of your mind. Lawrence forced you to stay within the premises after you tried to make a break to find Gally when the guns went off.

You ran down to the vans and managed to catch Gally getting punched by some brunette guy.

“Hey!” You yelled, your protectiveness kicking in hard as you thrusted forward. One of the boys grabbed you and stopped you from going any further.

You watched the brunette hover above Gally with his fist raised as Gally told everyone it was ‘alright’ which definitely wasn’t true to you.

“He killed Chuck.” The brunette grumbled as a skinner blonde tried to calm him down.

“Yeah, I know. I remember. I do, alright? But I also remember that he was stung and half out of his mind. Just calm down.” The blonde one said which managed to just work as the brunette pushed himself off Gally.

Gally also rose to his feet and held his jaw. He saw you and shrugged. ”

“Kinda had that coming.” Gally stated. “Anybody else? Fry? Newt?” Gally looked between the other boys.

“You know this guy?” The older man out of the group asked the kid who seemed to be called Fry.

“He was an old friend.” Fry must have been referring to the maze. That was the only way you could think these boys would know Gally.

“How-How is this possible? I don’t... We watched you die.” Newt, the blonde one, stared at Gally with disbelief as if he might be a ghost or phantom.

“No, you left me to die.” Gally corrected them. “And if we didn’t find you when we did, you’d be dead right now.” There was a pause before Gally spoke again. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Minho. WCKD has him here.” Newt told Gally. “We’re looking for a way in.”

You scoffed which caught Gally’s attention for a moment.

“I can help with that.” Gally told them to your surprise. You had a way into the city but if Gally thinks he can get them into the W.I.C.K.E.D building he’s wrong. “Follow me.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” The brunette refused. You admired his gut but now was no time for holding grudges.

“Suit yourself but I can get you through those walls.” Gally shrugged.

You knew the boys would take this opportunity, you could see it in their faces.

You moved to Gally’s side, shoulder to shoulder almost immediately as he lead the newbies to Lawrence.

“We need to talk.” You mutter, Gally shook his head slightly at your anger which only made you wanna slap him even more.

You peered over your shoulder at the boys raising their eyebrows at your interaction with Gally and just looked them up and down.

Gally explained how he was alive to the group as you all walked down to Lawrence.

“Gally, glad to see you made it back. Jasper told me what happened.” Lawrence greeted Gally as you approached him. “(Y/n), here was worried sick. Practically had to strap her to her bed to keep her within the premises.”

“Thank you for that.” You nodded, slightly annoyed he would say that right at that moment.

“It was a slaughter. There's nothing we could do against those guns.” Gally informed him.

“No, but they can only poke the hornet's nest so long before they get stung.” Lawrence brought a flower up to what was left of his nose as he spoke. “(Y/n), do you mind fetching Lucille for me, I need a word with her.”

You nodded and walked away from the group. You couldn’t fight against Lawrence. He clearly wanted you out the room for some reason.

Gally caught Fry staring at you as you left the room and whacked him on his chest.

“Hey!” Gally snapped, “That’s mine.” Gally warned the guys as he nodded in your general direction. Not that you heard that.

When you returned you found out that Gally would take Thomas, the brunette, and Newt to the city to scout the WCKD building.

You grabbed Gally’s arms and pulled him to one side.

“You’re funny if you think you’re going into that city without me after what just happened out there.” You tugged Gally further away to have a private conversation but you knew the boys would try to listen in anyway.

“(Y/n), I’ll be fine...” Gally tried to tell you, pulling his arm out of your tight clasp.

“I am not losing you.” You quickly cut in, staring at him with an intenseness that even Gally couldn’t ignore.

“It’s just a run, just to show them the building.” Gally told you.

“Yeah, and Mike went out for ‘a run’ and never came back. Where you go, I go. That was the deal.” You reminded him of the promise he made when he asked you to be his partner in everything. Work and life. You were his and he was yours.

Mike was your brother. He went out on a quick run where he was just going into the city to go to the lookout but he was caught by the night patrol and he was killed.

You didn’t trust the city and you didn’t trust Gally to come back alive every time he went which is why you always went with him. If he died at least it was the both of you going down not just one.

“Alright. Aright, you can come.” Gally pressed his lips against your head and wrapped his arm around the back of your neck to embrace you.

Gally was flipping off the boys behind your back as Newt and Fry looked at each other and smirked.

“Come on, we need to change if we’re going.” You pulled back and headed to yours and Gally’s room.

Gally followed you and told the group to wait with Lawrence until he came back and that he wouldn’t be long.

“I can’t believe the only time you go on patrol without me is the only time they drop bombs and shoot at you. Do you realise what could’ve happened?” You asked as you toss the boy a clean jumper.

“Look, I’m sorry. They were a man short today and––” Gally tried to apologise but the anxiety was rattling your brain as you started overthinking all the things that could've happened.

“––Sorry doesn’t cut it, Gally. We’re a team. You made a promise and today you broke it.” You spun around as you snapped to look at him. You hadn’t been this upset with him before and Gally knew that.

Gally threw his jumper over his head before taking a few steps towards you.

“Hey.” He whispered as he pulled you into a hug. “I’m sorry.”

You held him back tightly and breathed in his o-so-familiar scent.

“It’s okay.” You moved back and touched his face. His hard expression melted away at your touch and he closed his eyes.

“Let’s go.” He took your hand and kissed the palm before walking towards the door.

As you made your way down to the tunnels you fell back so that the newbies wouldn’t. Gally lead at the front as the boys in the middle complained about their way in.

It took a while as it always does to make it to the door that lead to the city. There was a close run-in with one of the trains which almost gave you the second heart attack of the day.

Newt fell and Gally went back for him and they dived under the train. You swore you could’ve died right there.

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack today?” You glared at the boy as you and Thomas ran over to them to help them up.

“Keeps up an exciting relationship.” Gally tried to joke.

“I swear to God that if today doesn’t kill you, I will.” You turned on your heels and made your way to the door that lead out into the station.

As soon as you walked into public you took your natural instinct to stay close to Gally and you stayed stuck to his side until you reached the lookout point.

“There it is.” You gestured towards the large glass building that is the WCKD HQ as you rounded the stairs.

“If they’ve got Minho, that’s where they’ll be keeping him.” Gally told the boys as he picked up the hidden telescope.  

“Lawrence has been trying to find a way in for years. The place is crawling with soldiers.” You folded your arms across your chest as you stared at the building you detested so much.

“Surveillance everywhere. Scanners at every entrance.” Gally added.

“Sounds like a bloody fortress.” Newt frowned, looking between you and Gally as you stepped back from the edge.

“Yeah I thought you said you had a way in.” Thomas confronted Gally.

“I might.”

“What do you mean you might? Gally you said you could get us in there. We’re following you’re lead here, we’re trusting you, we don't have to do that.” Thomas barked at Gally.

“Alright, let’s get a few things straight first otherwise there’s no point in going any further.” Gally turned to Thomas to try to explain himself. “Look, I know what I did, okay? I may not remember but I know. I see Chuck’s face every time I close my eyes.” He admitted honestly.

You looked down at your feet and sucked on your lower lip. You knew this all too well. There would be some nights when Gally would wake up, covered in sweat and screaming. Some of the nightmares he has, especially of the boy Chuck, even kept you awake at night. You knew the personal hell he was going through.

“Listen, we don’t have to be friends and I’m not asking for anybodies forgiveness. I’m asking to put it behind us because we want the same thing. And after this, we go our separate ways but until then, none of this works unless we trust each other.” Gally continued.

“Okay...” Thomas backed off. “Okay, what’s your plan?” 

“Take a look.” Gally moved away from the telescope to let Thomas have a look.

Thomas looked through the telescope for a minute before his head shot back up.

“I said I had a way in. I didn’t say you were gonna like it.” Gally knew what this meant for Thomas and so did you. Gally had told you about the girl before and about Thomas, however, it only just clicked.

“Okay, you’ve shown him the building, you showed him the girl. We gotta get back. The later we’re out here, the more likely we’re gonna get caught.” You stepped forward and touched Gally’s shoulder to bring yourself into the conversation.

“She’s right. We can talk this through back at home base.” Gally took the telescope down and hid it away.

When you made it back to base, Gally told Thomas to sleep on it before making any big decisions and that everyone could talk about it in the morning.

Gally sat down on the couch in your living space. He groaned as he ran his hand over his head. He must’ve ached from the near miss with the train earlier and all the running around the city.

You sat slightly behind him and wrapped your arms around him, circling your fingers on his chest.

“I’m sorry I got so worried today.” You whispered. You didn’t like it when you got mad at Gally but on some days you couldn’t help it when your anxiety is telling you you’re gonna lose him. You didn’t want to lose another person. Especially this one.

“Hey, it’s alright.” Gally kissed the top of your head then sighed.

You lifted your head up to his and kissed his cheek. He pressed a thin-lipped smile onto his lips for a second. You used your finger to turn his chin to face you as you took his lips with yours.

He kissed you back warmly before sitting back and taking hold of your hips to move you on top of his lap.

**Smut warning**

You straddled the boy and deepened the kiss, lifting your shirt off over your head quickly.

Gally’s hands were cold and rough as he gripped onto your hip and the back of your neck. You could already feel him growing hard beneath you as the kiss became breathless.

You removed Gally’s shirt, breaking the kiss for only a second, and Gally’s hand soon moved from your hip to your breast as he grew excited.

“Gally.” You whispered his name hinting at what you wanted as you circled your hips against him.

Gally flipped you over so that you were on your back on the couch before he started unbuckling his trousers.

You undid your own and Gally easily took them off of you as he situated himself between your legs.

Gally lowered himself to kiss you, one hand on the arm rest behind your head and the other stroking down your bare stomach.

You arched your back and your lips part as his fingers ran over your clit, he knew exactly what to do by now to make you putty in his fingers.

Gally smiled against your kiss at your reaction before pulling away to watch you underneath him as he only continued to tease you as he rubbed your clit faster, his touch already bringing you close to orgasm.

“Gally... Fuck me.” You begged as he teased. Gally happily obliged as he took his throbbing member and lined it up to you before kissing you one more time and squeezing himself inside.

You dug your nails into his shoulders as he entered you. He waited for you to beg once more before properly fucking you.

“Please.” You whined, and with that Gally started to thrust into you, gaining a a rhythm.

It didn’t take long for Gally to be pounding you into the couch cushions, you both liked it rough. Gally took a handful of your hair as his other hand balanced him on the arm of the couch.

You winced as he tugged but it only brought you closer to the edge with each pull.

Gally clenched his jaw as he too was getting close to climax as he pumped in and out of you.

Gally knew you were getting close, you pulled the same face every time you were nearing your orgasm which only encouraged him to pound you harder.

“Fuck.” You hissed as you felt your walls start to pulse. Gally rode you through your orgasm and then pulled out, covering you with his own finish.

He held himself up as you both tried to catch your breath.

You looked up at him and smiled. He rolled his eyes at your cuteness then leant down to kiss you.

“Come on, you need sleep.” You patted Gally’s bicep so he would get up. He swaggered over to the small kitchen area you had and tossed you a towel to clean yourself up before he scooped you up and carried you to bed.

(PART 2 HERE)