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mr-yuugo · 7 months ago

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All In Your Head

-Mairimashita! Iruma-Kun! X Reader [Gender Neutral]-

Words: 1,985

Summary: The reader is hit by a hallucination spell when fighting Netherworld beasts. When the reader's eyes land on other demons they can't help but mutter out apologies. Apologies for something that never really happened.

Quick note! This takes place when Opera and the others are attending Babyls!

Posted this on my AO3 as well!

Staring at the bodies in front of you, you couldn't move. How could you? Your breathing became irregular as you began to cry. Falling to your knees you sobbed their names out, apologizing for what you had done.

Kalego, Shichiro, and Opera. Their names left your mouth as you screamed out apology after apology. How could you!?? Your eyes stayed lingering on Opera, your heart felt like it had cracked into billions of pieces.

You didn't remember what had happened, you only really remember coming into the woods for your daily beast slaying. Did they somehow fall victim to your attacks? They had to, their bodies were all cut up in various ways. Your weapon was thrown a few feet beside you.

But why couldn't you remember? It's not like you normally blacked out. Was this maybe the beast doing? Maybe you were hit with an attack that made your memory fuzzy.

You heard a quiet chirp. Staring ahead you found that Kalego was never really Kalego. It was some type of Netherland beast. Standing up you made your way to it. It has reverted back to its original form as it cried out in misery.

Your eyes were empty and cold as you stood over it. Now that you calmed down slightly you noticed how the blood around you was not red, it was a purple-ish one. Your mind raced back to something you were learning back in Babyls.

Looking over the creature carefully you determined it was a type of bird species. While this certain species, the male birds were able to shape-shift while the female birds sprayed sometype of magic.

Rage filled you, how could you be so stupid? It was never real, you never really killed them. It was just a dumb trick, the damn bird had gotten the best of you.

Even though it was all in your head, you couldn't stop yourself from mumbling out apologies. Ghosting your foot over the bird's neck, you cried harder. Stomping your foot on it repeatedly your apologies were muffled put by the bird's own cries.

After a while it stopped but you continued, trying to get your sadness out. When you finally stopped you went to pick up your weapon. Using your bloodline magic you made it disappear into thin air. It was the weekend so the only place you had to go was home.

Your legs just started to move on their own as your blood-soaked clothes just stuck to your skin. Finally, you had made it home, it was deadly silent.

"Dad must not be home yet..." You thought as you made your way to your room. You entered your own bathroom in your room soon after. Stripping off your clothes you just threw them on the floor.

Turning on the shower you didn't even give it a moment to get warm and just got in. The flakes of blood fell off of you and fell into the drain below.

You couldn't go to school tomorrow. You just couldn't, if you were to see any of them you were sure you would just break down crying.

It was all in your head, you kept telling yourself. It wasn't real it was all just some animal's magic, it was going to be alright.

The shower water only merged with your tears, hiding them as if they weren't even there.

After showering you got out, grabbing a towel that was convincingly there. Picking up your clothes you just threw them away. Quickly brushing your teeth you then made your way to your closet where you picked out your sleeping clothes like normal. Brushed your hair like normal. Laying on your bed you realized you were crying the whole time.

Was this part of that bird's spell? The thought made you angry. You had only seen those 3 male birds, if you were really put under a spell there must have been another one of those disgusting creatures. You vowed to yourself that you would kill every last one of them.

Allowing your eyes to close you fell asleep.

....

You were currently eating breakfast as you had already woken up and gotten ready. You didn't really have the energy to do anything, you didn't even want to wake up. Your father had walked in, turning into his usual egg-like form as he began to shower you in kisses. You would normally laugh or try to push him away but today you just let it happen.

Sullivan found it strange as you hadn't muttered a single word. He called out your name a few times only to have to shake you to get your attention. He noticed how you kept your head low, staring down. Pushing back your chair to get up caused him to back up slightly.

"Y/N sweetheart? Is something the matter? why won't you talk to me!" He cried

You didn't even look at him as you grabbed your school bag and began to make your way to the door. Just about when you reached the front door he put a hand on your shoulder stopping you from moving any forward.

"Ignoring your father is no way to treat me, unacceptable!"

This whole time you had kept your head down not daring to look up at him, well that's what he was thinking. The whole incident with the stupid birds triggered something in your head. For some reason you saw your own father laying down on the floor, his eyes cold and empty as blood surrounded him. You thought you were looking at him the entire time, it was all in your head.

You shoved his hand away and made your way out of the mansion. Leaving Sullivan in shock. He knew something was wrong, were you on your evil cycle? No, you didn't normally act this way when you were. His eyes stayed on you until your figure was nowhere to be seen.

When you finally arrived at school eyes were all on you. By being the honor student it was normal to get this type of attention. Your father had practically made you into a celebrity. The girls and the boys would always whisper about how good-looking you were as you walked passed them.

Making your way to homeroom your hands began to shake slightly as you swallowed a lump in your throat. You shared homeroom with Opera. Currently, as you were walking to your class, your eyes were still glued to the ground and you wanted to cry.

Seeing all these "dead" people was unbearable. In truth, if you got close enough you heard them talking as if they were still alive. That was the only thing keeping your sanity together. You knew it was all in your head, a trick, but for some reason, you thought it was your fault.

As you opened the door to your homeroom class you quickly made your way to your seat. After a few minutes, homeroom had begun. Your teacher began to call names for attendance. Your name was called out once, then twice.

You felt a tap on your shoulder, turning your head slightly you heard the body of the girl next to you speak.

"Say...yo...her..." (Say you're here)

Your name was called out again, opening your mouth it was quickly closed as you felt a presence next to you.

"They're here."

This voice was much more recognizable than the last. Much clearer and easy to hear. You felt a finger poke your cheek. Flinching at the feeling you heard a quiet laugh. You knew it was Opera, your eyes threatened to release the tears you were holding in.

"What's up with you?" The poking action was repeated. The voice you heard was becoming less recognizable as you heard a ringing sound in your ear. "Did I do something to upse.." The voice drowned out in your ear. At some point, the poking stopped.

After a while, you saw how the bodies began to crawl towards the classroom door. Getting up you began to leave. Only for you to be slightly held down. Meeting eyes with Opera you were still looking down. Finally looking at their dead eyes you began to cry again, apology after apology you sobbed.

"Why are you crying?" They spoke in disbelief. You were always a happy person, nothing really ever got the best of you. "Why won't you talk to me? Did I say something you didn't like? I'm sorry if I did."

Hearing Opera apologize to you made you ball your fists. "No, it's my fault you shouldn't apologise." You sobbed. "Please stop looking at me like that! I already said I'm sorry!" You screamed. Your voice echoes in the empty classroom.

Opera furrowed their brows. Was their concerned gaze upsetting you? But they did notice how not once you had looked at them dead in the eyes. They were confused.

Saying one last sorry you shoved past them and made your way to the door leaving Opera speechless. As you closed the door you began to head to your first class of the day. Luckily it was not far so you would still be able to make it in time.

"Y/N!"

You recognized that voice, clear as day. "Shichiro!" You yelled out happily. He had embraced you in a tight hug. Though when you saw him, his eyes were also cold and empty. "Oh" was all you could think. Your smile turned into a thin line making Shichiro send you a questionable look.

"Ugh let go of her you big animal." Kalego huffed. "Come on Y/N let's walk to class together." He said as he continued to walk. He didn't look back to see if you were following him.

Shichiro noticed your hesitation. "Ar....you....alright?" (Are you alright?) His voice beginning to drown out in your ears as well.

Placing your hands over your ears you stopped thinking for a second. You took deep breaths as you tried to calm yourself down. "I'm sorry I'm not feeling well."

"Do...yo...nee...the...urse?" (Do you need the nurse?) Shichiro asked

"No I don't need the nurse, I just need to talk to my father. Don't worry about me I'll be fine. You guys go ahead I wouldn't want you to be late." Walking away quickly you made your way to your father's office.

You knocked on the door before heading in. As soon as you stepped in your father jumped up from his seat excited to see you.

"Ah! Y/N! How nice of you to come to see me! Did you get lonely without me?" He chuckled as he hugged you tight. "Don't worry about class! How about you stay here with me and keep me company from all these papers I have to sign!"

Looking down at you he halted from speaking. Pushing you off of him just a bit he noticed the tears in your eyes. His hands trembled slightly as he freaked out. "Hey, what's wrong! Is it something to do with what happened this morning?"

Hugging him again you held him tightly. Your quiet sniffles fill the room. "Dad I want to go home. I don't want to be here anymore."

"Of course but you have to tell me what's wrong. Did someone hurt you in any way?" He asked, his tone changed. He was talking much more gently so as to not scare you away.

"Dad...I...don't know what to do. I can't face anyone."

"What do you mean?"

You stayed silent. You didn't mean to but you did. From the moment you walked into his office, you couldn't hear anything. Not even the ringing sound from earlier. It scared you truly.

The embrace with your father only radiated a slight warmth. But it wasn't enough. Would you stay like this forever? The thought of it scared you. "Why can't I hear you, dad? Please just take me home.." You whispered, your voice trembling with every word you spoke out loud.

#mairimashita! iruma kun #welcome to demon school iruma kun #wtdsik #opera #naberius kalego #opera x reader #kalego x reader #balam shichirou #balam x reader #lord sullivan #babyls #welcome to demon school iruma kun x reader #fanciction #fanfic #anime #manga #iruma suzuki

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prettylittledollswork · 7 months ago

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Opera-san from m!ik/wtdsik and illumi from hxh are really similar.

I feel like Illumi has traits that aren’t spoken about as much in the HXH fandom. like i feel if you two were married, he would come up to you and be like “you know (child’s name or killua) said that if you don’t kiss me that they’d hate you.” And you can just tell he wants some kisses but is too embarrassed or ask. I feel like he’d joke but you can’t tell if he’s serious or not with the stonic face.

With this, i feel Opera-San from m!ik/wtdsik is similar to Illumi in a way. Extremely powerful, stonicnface, joking with that same stonic face. Like they’d be similar to Illumi by saying “Iruma kun said if you don’t kiss me, he’ll hate you.” Leaking a sort of aura similar to bloodlust but harmless, and then if you say something like “no he wouldn’t” to either of them, they would just be like “hes my (brother/child) how would i not know?” Or opera-san would be like “wow so are you saying i’m lying, i live with iruma-kun 24/7 how would i not know.”

I also feel like those two would often ask for affection in discreet ways, you’re laying in bed next to them and they suddenly rub up closer to you, trying to hint at it. Or after a long day of work, you may just be sitting in the edge of your bed and they come and just lay their head on your lap. Opera-san definitely purrs, no doubt.

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ranpoe-is-canon · 2 years ago

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no, because the little to no amount of contents that "Welcome to demon school Iruma kun" has is just not fair. LIKE WHY?????? WHY CAN'T I FIND MORE FANFICS????? NOW I NEED WRITERS TO WRITE AND FEED ME FICS OF THEM, THIS SH!T IS MANDATORY, IF YOU ARE A WRITER AND SEEING THIS, THEN WTF ARE YOU WAITING FOR, GO. WRITE. A. FANFIC.

#mairimashita! iruma kun #iruma suzuki #iruma x reader #asmodeus alice #Asmodeus alice x reader #welcome to demon school iruma kun #opera x reader #naberius kalego #kalego x reader #I NEED FANFICS OF THIS SH!T #DON'T JUST STAND THERE AND READ THIS #GO MAKE A FANFICCCC!!!!!

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thatgirlyourejected · 10 months ago

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Yandere Opera x ex girlfriend reader. Prompt 2

You live like this? Clearly you need me to take care of you.

Trigger warning, smoking, depressing themes, yandere themes, abuse, homelessness, kissing, bondage, mentions of sex.

You lazily took a drag from your cigarette, inhaling the bitter tobacco; let it fill your lungs, infesting them, tainting them. With a puff a ring of rose, releasing the addictive substance into bitter morning air. You rest your upper body against your veranda, a small consolation attached to your otherwise decrepit apartment.

Things hadn’t been going smooth for you, your bloodline magic weaker compared to the rest of your siblings; not a good thing considering how traditional your family was, “only the strong survive.” You could hear your mothers voice echo with the taunts of your siblings. They were merciful enough to kick you out after graduation, rather than follow up on the promise of killing you. Things spiraled from there, with no friends or support so to speak, it was hard finding shelter, with little to no money there was a bit of time you were on the streets. Sneers of disgust at your grimy appearance we’re plentiful. Finding a job was equally as challenging, and you weren’t about to prostitute yourself, you still had your pride as a demon. So you scrounged, clawed, fought… and finally you found where you fit; a small time job working at an ice cream stand at an amusement park, newly hiring employees after it was demolished by a freak accident. It was small change but it was enough to live.

If you had to say anyone would’ve been on your side, it would be your ex Opera… well not really, you were just childhood sweethearts, things changed and you lost contact with him. What can you say that’s life, demons come and go.

You sigh heavily, flicking you cigarette. The past month had been odd, ever since you settled in to your apartment you couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on you. Thing moved, or disappeared all together; you tried writing it off as being forgetful, or just because of how messy the apartment was, but it was hard with how frequent it’s becoming.

The apartment was one room, you had a small cot, at the center, the kitchen consisted of a small folding table, a microwave, and a mini fridge, the bathroom was hidden by a curtain, leaving little privacy. Most of your thing were strew about in no particular order, seeing as you had nowhere to store them, clothing was folded next to the cot, under the cot was your essentials, laundry was piled high next to the toilet, the kitchen was filled with boxes of dried food, cutlery and dished stacked under the sink counter. With how mall the room was it left barely a path to leave.

Too deep in your thoughts you were startled feeling arms wrapping around your waist, kisses were planted on you neck, with a familiar purr. “Opera?” You recognized his scent, his purr. “You live like this?” He murmured. I hummed, “not much of a choice.” His arms tightened, “clearly you need me to take care of you.” He growled. I shook him off, “what do you mean? I’m doing the best I can?” I whispered, avoiding his piercing gaze. “Marry me.” It wasn’t a question.

You wished things hadn’t been so rushed, you wished you never agreed, but a part of you loved him and hated him. He was never around, and your resentment grew. You tried to leave, but every time ended with punishment that left you delirious with pleasure, sometimes you were left chained to the bed for days. If only you hadn’t be so desperate for a happy ending.

#welcome to demon school #welcome to demon school iruma kun #demon school #yandere #asks are open #opera #opera x reader #reader #prompt 2 #yandere x reader #yandere Opera #tw #gn #gender neutral reader #no gender specified

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j-cartoons-blog · 2 years ago

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Hello to all my iruma kun fans!

I designed and in the process of manufacturing the adult trio enamel pins! I have them up for preorder on my website:

I have them at a discounted price for preorder so take advantage of that before them become back to their original price of $16.

If you want to see more of my work, I'm most active on Instagram @thedancinflower007

I hope to continue making more merch for mairuma because I think this anime deserves it. Thank you!!

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meabh-mcinness · 10 months ago

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A Holiday Treat 18+

Main Masterlist

Warnings! MINORS DO NOT INTERACT! This is an 18+ piece whose entirety is just smut.

Now that that's out of the way, time for the second half of the warnings. This fic includes: Dom!Opera, Switch!Reader, Sub!Kalego, voyeurism, bondage, holding down, teasing, clawing, biting, hair pulling, oral both giving and receiving, fingering, vaginal penetration, pet names, knife-play, blood-play(but not really), cock ring, knotting, aftercare!

Summary: Me and my friends are spiritual whores. Happy late holidays. Enjoy this filthiness.

Kalego x Opera x Chubby AFABReader

Kalego squirmed as your hands ran down his thighs. Legs pulling helplessly at the restraints tied around his limbs, hands and ankles not even moving a millimetre despite using all his strength against Opera's. Whimpers and pleas spilt from his mouth for more. To touch him where he wants it the most.

You both ignored him.

Instead, you focused on tracing the femoral artery in his thigh with your nails before leaning over to lick and suck your way from his knee back up towards his pelvis. Once again, you avoided the one area he wanted the most attention, coming up at the last second to repeat the same action on his other thigh. It wouldn't be as much fun if he got what he wanted, and you all knew it.

Looking up when you heard shifting, you saw Opera moving so that they were using their legs to hold down Kalego's arms as they leaned over themselves to kiss him. Their hands gently held his head in place before reaching up as far as they comfortably could down his abdomen -- reaching either side of where his cock bobbed just under his navel -- and lightly dragged their nails back up towards them. Thin lines appeared in their wake, slowly welling with the thick red liquid that gave Kalego life. The groan Kalego let out was swallowed by Opera as they took advantage of Kalego's open mouth.

You, in turn, brought your attention back to his thighs. Unlike your demonic lovers, your nails weren't built as well for tearing into skin -- cleanly, that was. You could certainly gouge flesh out if you wanted, but this was neither the time nor place for such acts. Instead, you reached down to your garter and pulled out a shiny dagger, the hilt carved from a Netherworld gem called Hemolite -- which looked like a beautiful swirling mixture of amethyst and ruby -- a courting gift from Opera. You brought the cool metal and ran it along the femoral artery, tracing the many branching paths that it took, careful to never nick any of them.

You watched as his muscles seized and grew taut with each pass you made. Waiting, anticipating, for when the blade would press into his flesh as well. You took your time choosing. Would you do it here, you pressed the metal harder into him, just barely avoiding splitting his flesh open, directly down the middle of his thigh. Or perhaps here, along one of the many branching paths of smaller veins that your dagger twisted and danced across. Or, as your eyes flicked up, you could do it somewhere else entirely.

With a smirk on your face, you climbed up slightly higher, letting the knife trail from back up his thigh until you reached his throbbing member. The blade moved just above the metal ring wrapped around his cock before slowly grazing up to the tip. You let it circle around the head, just barely letting the metal graze him until you made a quick shallow cut along the edge. Kalego let out a choked gasp as blood welled to the surface of the cut and dribbled down, mixing with the pre suddenly leaking from his cock, turning a light pinkish colour.

Your eyes watched it trail down before you leaned down to drag your tongue up his cock, catching the liquid as you followed the path back up to the tip. Kalego's thigh tensed around you and you heard him make a deep guttural moan from above you as your tongue worked to clean the mess you had made. Your hand dropped the dagger and moved to grip the base, using your saliva as a lubricant to smoothly move up and down slightly. Your tongue making kitten licks and tiny swirls around the tip of his head, listening to his groans and pants into Opera's mouth and the rattling of the chains around his legs as they twitched.

Deciding you had teased him enough, you opened your mouth further, flattening your tongue and engulfed the entirety of the head. You heard Kalego shout the sudden change, felt his hips lift as much as they could to try and force you into taking him deeper, chasing the feeling to spread to his entire cock. The resulting act caused you to choke a little and you heard Opera hiss in warning as your hand moved from his member to dig your nails into the line where his thighs met his pelvis for your own threat. Kalego whimpered but reluctantly listened and lowered his hips back down.

With Kalego tamed for the moment you turned your focus back to the thick piece of meat pulsing in your mouth. Raising your head, a little again you gave the tip another swipe of your tongue before lowering again. Every time you raised your head you would drag your tongue along the underside of his shaft before swirling around the head and going back down again, taking more and more of his dick in your mouth with each pass. Over and over again you bobbed your head, pre and drool leaking out of your mouth and down his throbbing member, taking more and more of him in until eventually you felt the head hit the entrance to your throat, with still a few more inches of him left to go.

You had a sudden decision you had to make now. You could just continue as you had been, simply bobbing your head and listening to the mewls and whimpers coming from Kalego, or you could take it a step further. Well, you had never been a coward.

As you came back up this time, you took advantage to rearrange your body. Throwing both of your arms so that your elbows were perched on his hips it was easy to place one hand to wrap back around the base of his cock and the other underneath to cup his balls that were so desperate to blow a load but couldn't do so due to the cool metal rings looped around them. With a devilish smirk on your face, you lowered your head once more until you felt the head bob the back of your throat again – and then you swallowed.

You felt the head pop into your throat, heard Kalego give a deep snarl and felt his balls tense in your hand as you roll them around. Could feel as they tried so hard to empty themselves into your stomach but were stopped by the cock ring even as Kalego bucked and whimpered underneath you. Begging the both of you to just let him go, to please let him cum. You almost choked as he moved underneath you, not fully expecting his throbbing member to force itself further into your throat but swallowed around him again just in time.

You nearly choked again, this time in surprise, around Kalego's cock at the sudden pulling sensation of your hair, light pain pulsing where the strands attached to your head. For a second you thought Opera had let Kalego go, only to pull up, drool and pre-cum dripping from your lips, to see Opera's face in front of your own. Kalego whined at the loss as Opera pulled you closer. Their tongue darted out to lick up the mess on your chin and lips before drawing you in for a deep kiss, the rich taste of Kalego's blood mixing in with the saltiness of his pre and Opera's own unique taste. You moaned at the taste, hands reaching out to cup Opera's face as you both fought for dominance. Opera always won, but that didn't mean you wouldn't try.

The prize, while running along the same veins, was always different. This time it was you, as their arms circled your waist, digging into your soft flesh before lifting and turning you in one smooth motion, before dropping you on your back right next to Kalego. A short squeal left you as you fell, followed by an 'oof' when you landed.

You felt the mattress dip below you and spread your legs as you looked up to see Opera towards you from the bottom of the bed. You blinked in confusion before glancing over at Kalego to see his arms had now also been restrained by the same cuffs and chains that held his legs down, his eyes, lidded and glazed over, but still sharp as they never left Opera's form as they came closer to you. You had know Opera was fast, but this speed bordered on ridiculousness.

Your own eyes trailed back to Opera as their shoulders nudged your legs further apart, tongue darting out briefly to lick their lips as they stared directly into your eyes. It was unfair how unfazed they looked despite the slight flush to their pale cheeks and loosely tussled hair. You already knew both you and Kalego looked super flushed and dazed out. And it would only get worse you concluded, as Opera lowered the front half of their body down so that their arms braced under your upper thighs and hoisted your lower legs up so that your feet rested on their back.

Their eyes stayed locked on yours as their face lowered even further, the feline demon's eyes just barely being seen over the chub of your stomach where their clawed hands rested. Hands which were gripping and releasing your flesh over and over again like an actual cat kneading. They were far more careful with their nails on you then either of you had been with Kalego. Not once did they draw blood or even leave angry trails behind. Their hands trailed down your gut before settling themselves around the flesh of your thighs.

Their long digits pressed themselves into skin causing your fat to ident and overlap on itself around them as their claws threatened to rip it open and expose your lifeblood that was the same colour of their hair, forcing your legs to stay open as their head dipped low. Their fire like eyes stared into yours, never wavering even when yours closed with an accompanying gasp escaping you as their tongue poked out and ran along your slit.

You couldn't help squirming at the feeling of the rough bumps along their tongue scraping against your flesh as it ran up before soothing out the pain by running the smooth underside of their tongue back down again. Whimpers fell from your mouth as they repeated the action over and over again before you suddenly jolted at the sensation of pleasure that ran through your veins as that rough tongue scraped itself over the bud poking out of your slit.

Mewls and pleads tore from you as you begged them to do it again, hands pulling at their horns as you tried to direct them towards it. Considering the differences in strength between the two of you, they hardly even moved beyond their tongue continuing its original path. Never mind that you were pulling as hard as possible, they didn't budge an inch and simply continued in torturing you slowly, always just barely brushing the edge of your clit but never fully touching it.

Briefly your mind considered simply ordering them to do it, but you had long since learned that despite being Opera's mistress, it was them who was in control of these sessions.

Finally, after dozens of pleas left your lips for more, Opera's fingers repositioned themselves to reach past your stomach and hold your lower lips open. The sudden full exposure against the cold air coupled with Opera's warmer breath sent shivers down your spine until your entire body seized as their tongue made its first swipe up your clit. It was nothing much really, just a little kitten swipe up but it had sent floods of pleasure through you and wanting more. Even voicing as such with whimpers puncturing your every word until Opera deigned to give another swipe. An then another, and another until they were focusing all of their attention around playing with your bud with their tongue.

Poking, prodding, and swiping this way and that around your clit and never once letting up now that they had decided to go for it. After going so long without any touch the sudden onslaught was almost to much for you. Tears pooled around your eyes as your body squirmed at Opera's ministrations, pants escaping your mouth every second you were trapped beneath them. Your body was coiling tighter and tighter, a warmth in your core flaring so bright and you were so close –

Opera pulled away suddenly.

The wordless cry you let out at the lack of feeling almost made you actually cry. You supposed it was karma for what you had pulled with Kalego, who you could see watching the both of you with rapt attention from the corner of your eyes, but that didn't mean you felt it was fair. Your hands clutched at Opera's horns in desperation to let you finish. You had been so close and you wanted that orgasm to flush through your body so badly.

Whimpers and pleas fell from your lips until you felt the tongue swipe return, except it was far lower than you had been expecting and your entire body jolted at the sensation, eyes going wide in surprise. Their tongue once again lowered itself to the bottom of your lower lips and ran up its length before giving your clit a little flick at the end.

A low groan left you as their appendage forced your lips open and snuck its way inside. Forcing your core to spread and stretch itself around the muscle. A muscle that was far longer and more prehensile than it had any right to be, you concluded, as it moved this way and that inside of you. Wiggling and writhing and somehow managing to hit every spot that needed to be hit until you were once again a squirming and panting mess above them.

Your mouth opened in a silent scream as warmth rushed through your veins. Your back arched, fingers and toes curling in tandem with the clenching of your cunt, trying its hardest to milk Opera's tongue for something that would never come. Your hands, clutching their horns in what would be a death grip for anyone else, but didn't present even the slightest bit of a challenge to them as they lifted their head back slightly to be able to clean your lowers lips with their tongue. The ruff bumps adding an extra sensation that your body couldn't decide if it was too much or just right.

It was your turn to whimper as Opera moved away, their tongue doing one last swipe up your overly sensitive clit as your body wracked and shivered in the aftermath of your orgasm. You laid there dazed and floating, barely registering as Opera nuzzled into your neck with anything more than mewls. It even took your brain a few moments to realize they were also contorting your body into a different position, not fully realizing until your face was smushed into the pillow, your hands weakly grabbing at the soft fabric. Your back was arched and knees bent so that your arse was presented to the world.

You squeaked in surprise as large hands suddenly grasped your hips and felt something thick swipe along your entrance and heard Opera hiss again along with Kalego's yelp and the hands were gone just as quickly. Daring a glance back you saw Kalego sitting up on his knees behind you, Opera towering behind him with their hand wrapped in his hair and forcing his head back so that his neck was exposed to Opera's sharp claws. Opera's mouth was bent close to Kalego's ear and appeared to be hissing something in his ear. Forcing your way through the fuzzy headspace you caught the end of it, "-t slowly Kalego-kun."

You saw Kalego's throat bob and watched as he tried to nod his agreement before gasping out a "yes senpai." You could only assume Opera had tightened their grip on Kalego's hair to cause the gasp. Suddenly Opera let go and Kalego was forced to catch himself by clutching your hips again, the thin digits grasping harshly into your plump flesh and sharp claws even nicking your skin a little. You couldn't help the little 'oof' you let out as your body was forced forward slightly and the side of your face was smushed against the pillow. Even with your face in this position, you could still glance back behind you, only to widen your eyes at the sight.

Kalego had managed to straighten himself back up, though he was still folded inward slightly, likely due to Opera, who was curled flush around his back. One of their hands was around Kalego's chest fiddling with his nipple and leaving more claw marks around the areola as they circled it. One claw even nicked the nipple itself, leaving blood to well up and drip down his chest. Opera's other hand, however, was wrapped firmly around the based of Kalego's cock. It took a moment to realize that their fingers were also deftly moving, only fully registering when you saw a flash of metal fall before feeling the thump of it hitting the bed.

Opera had removed the cock ring.

You unconsciously bury yourself deeper into the pillow and spread your legs wider at the knowledge, consequently raising your arse higher, catching both of their attention. With half-lidded eyes you watched Opera's hand leave Kalego's nipple, a small amount of blood dripping from their claws before it lowered to out of your view. You gave a small jolt as you felt said claws run down your sensitive slit before spreading you back open again. A shiver ran through your body as you felt run up and down over and over again before you suddenly bit down into the pillow at the feeling of being punctured.

Opera's slim finger squeezed inside of you slowly but surely, your cunt clutching onto it easily and eagerly sucking it in more despite still quivering from what their mouth had down to you just moments before. You mewled in both pain and pleasure at the feeling of oversensitivity as the finger inside you started making a come-hither motion before it was joined by a second. Your hands gripped the pillow harder, your body shivering as Opera's fingers continued spreading you open, and apart. Constantly flicking and moving about, stretching you out and preparing you for what was coming next.

Then just as quickly as they had entered you they were gone. Leaving behind a feeling of complete emptiness in you and half a mind to beg them to come back. To enter you again and take the hollowness away once more. You were even about to open your mouth to do so when your words were replaced with a startled gasp as something far larger drug itself up and down your slit, coating itself in your juices and teasing you with what you wanted.

You turned your head slightly so that you could see behind you better and sent a glare towards the two demons behind you. 'Quit teasing me,' you tried to say with it, 'or I'll take matters into my own hands.' Kalego simply lifted an eyebrow, his mouth smirking in response from around Opera's fingers. It was his turn to you it appeared.

Greedily licking each digit thoroughly to clean up any last traces of you as his hips once more shallowing moved. With a huff you settled back in, knowing Opera wouldn't allow either of you reprieve until they felt their fingers had been cleaned of every last trace of you.

But you had a trick up your non-existent sleeve.

Clutching your hands into fists, you looked back over shoulder with wide eyes and a pout on your lips as you watched Kalego's tongue dance around Opera's sleek fingers, chasing every last drop of your juices that he could. When at last Opera's digits were cleaned of all traces of you and replaced with only Kalego's saliva they withdrew from his mouth, a small stream of spittle stringing itself along to follow the path and leaving you gulping at the sight.

Seeing Kalego suitably distracted, you caught Opera's eyes over his shoulder and watched the almost imperceptible nod. Always five steps ahead that Opera.

As Kalego went to tease you again you forced your hips backwards, just enough pressure that it forced the bulbous head inside and stretched you apart even further that Opera's fingers had. You whimpered at the feeling, but let out a strangled yelp as Kalego snarled and clasped your hips even tighter, claws almost breaking skin as they sunk into the plumpness of your flesh.

You whimpered and whined as Kalego continued to fill you up slowly, your flesh still sensitive from Opera's onslaught earlier, but still greedily wanting every inch he could give you. Suddenly the feline demon was beside you, hand brushing through your hair and whispering reassurances.

You're doing so well.

Look at you take him perfectly.

Such a good girl.

Just a little more to go darling.

Finally, when you felt so full and as if you could take nothing else, Kalego bottomed out. Hips flush to your arse and hands gripping right above your plush hips as he patiently waited for you to get use to him. You shivered and shook at the slightly overwhelming feeling of being stretched so pleasantly, Opera still whispering in your ear and claws untangling the knots in your hair as they brushed through. Eventually after a minute, or perhaps two, you felt your body finally give up its tantrum and give in to receiving more pleasure. Giving your hips an experimental wiggle -- Kalego letting out a moan at the feeling but obediently staying put until either you or Opera gave the okay -- you found nothing but a twinge of pleasure. Doing it once more to make sure you were truly OK, you let out a low moan as you accidentally hit, what you thought was your cervix, dead on. With a nod to Opera, you braced yourself. Opera may be the powerhouses of the group, but Kalego was no slouch either.

And this fact was quickly proven true as Kalego slowly pulled out, your body shivering at the feeling and your core walls clutching him tightly, refusing to give up their prize even when he was almost all the way out and then suddenly you were full again. A gasp tearing from you abruptly as you were pushed forward slightly from the strength of it. You barely had time to wrap your head around it as he set a fast and brutal pace to your innards. All of your and Opera's teasing had clearly affected him as he seemed to desperately chase the both of your climaxes.

You were already both so sensitive that it hadn't lasted long, not that you were disappointed. As much as were willing to have your insides pummled all night long, you could already feel your body tightening again and when Kalego paused for just a second to angle himself to hit that spot inside you, could feel as he found it harder and harder to fit all of himself in you as his knot swelled further until he gripped your hips tightly, and it was certainly going to be bruised in the morning with that strength, and forced all of himself into you – knot and all.

White spots scattered against your vision and your cunt clenched rhythmically around him. A feeling of warmth settled deep into your gut as came inside of you and you couldn't help the groan at the feeling. All you knew was pleasure. Pleasure racing through your veins, pleasure spanning its way from your cunt outwards and toes and fingers clenching at the overwhelmingness of all of it. You were so distracted by your orgasm that you almost didn't notice Kalego's hands moving from your hips to wrap around your shoulders as he laid out his entire body of yours and forced you to lay on your side, tucked into his arms.

Your body racked itself with shivers as the euphoric feelings of an orgasm left you. You were overtly aware of the feeling of being stretched out by Kalego's knot, of his long arms digging into your soft stomach to hold you taunt against his warm body. You jolted a little in both surprise and sensitivity at the feeling of your hair being pushed back from your face. You let out a quiet mewl, as if to say no more – even weakly trying to push the hand away with your own. You sighed in relief as the hand left you alone. In the long run of things, you hadn't done much, but it was amazing how much these two demons could overwhelm you and your body by having you do very little.

So much for human stamina.

Suddenly the hand was back, pushing your hair away again as you groaned in protest only to sigh in relief as it was replaced with a cool cloth. The cloth brushed against you in small gentle strokes, brushing away all the sweat, blood, and other things that had collected on your body. The icy coldness of the cloth felt so good against your overheated skin that if you had the energy you would lean into it. Cracking open your eyes just barely, you could see the blurry image of a pale being with red hair and a black blob moving with them.

Closing your eyes again you settled back in as Opera continued rubbing your body down. Methodically moving up and down your skin with the cold cloth and leaving nothing but a pleasant cooldown in their wake. A soft sigh left you as your body and mind started shutting down and getting closer and closer to falling asleep under Opera's careful movements while being wrapped in Kalego's arms.

You let out a whimper of pain as Kalego suddenly jerked from behind, the resulting movement of the still hard cock inside you causing more pain than pleasure for once. His arms squeezed you tightly and he nuzzled into your neck, whispering apologies into your ear as his hands rubbed in methodical movements around your stomach, tracing random patterns into your skin as he calmed you back down. Under the watchful eye of your two demonic partners your eyes closed for a final time that night, wrapped and filled in your two favourite demons.

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demon-guardian · 2 years ago

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I live for adult comfort - child/teen reader! Can you do Opera, Balam and Kalego with a student reader who wants to be like them? Do the same job. So, they ask them to help them realize this dream. Because Opera/Kalego/ Balam is their model in life? Ur work is amazing

This is a cute scenario! Thank you for enjoying my work. For the story you are in the misfit class. Also takes around the harvest festival.

Opera

After seeing Opera fight at Walter Park, you were inspired by them and wanted to follow in their footsteps

When you go up to Opera and ask if can they teach you how to be like them

Opera is caught off guard for a second but then looks at you to see if you are serious

Opera, "Y/n you being a security demon means a lot of work right. You need to have a dependence on your serve. You need that "trust". Are you willing to do that?"

Y/N: "Yes I am willing!"

Seeing you so willing to learn and have that "trust" in another demon, Opera understands

After that day you start working with Opera at the Sullivan household

Even in a similar suit as Opera wears

Iruma was excited to see you there and try to interact with you like he would at school but Opera stopped him

Opera: "Sorry Master Iruma they are in training right now. So please treat them like you would me."

Iruma: "Oh alright. Good luck Y/N!"

The first week was a bit difficult, to say the least. You were surprised by how Opera does

But you never gave up and your hard work begin to show during the harvest festival

Opera taught you even during that time as well

You team up with Gaap and Agares and end up helping them by temporarily serving them

You help them fight and protect the base

At the end of the festival, you were able to go up a rank

You were proud of what you were able to become with Opera teaching you

(Who would have thought Opera would become your teacher again in your second year as well)

Kalego

While you knew Kalego was not the nicest teacher out their

You can appreciate how much he dedicated to his job

Seeing how well detail he is in his notes when you go up to him to ask a question he answers

Even turning the Walter Park Event into a teaching experience (No matter how bad it was)

You won't outright go and ask him to teach you on to become a teacher, because you don't think he will be too thrilled about that

So you go to him and ask him other questions about school and classes

But he catches on quickly to your plan and sees how you want to be a teacher

He takes pride that you see him as a good role model and when you come around he will start giving more tips and advice on the subject you ask

While both of you never admit to the true intentions of your interaction everyone else can see how you become Kalego's favorite student

Balam

Unlike the other two, you started to look up to Balam before the Walter Park event

It was during the crazy studying for your exams when you went to the class on the imaginary creatures due to you having trouble in the subject

That was when you met Balam who was substituting for the class

You were nervous to meet him of all the stories you had heard about him

But once you stepped into the class and heard him teach, his excitement for the subject made you want to stay

You try to go talk to him more after that class but you can never find the right time to do so

But when you got to Walter Park you saw this as an opportunity to learn more about him

Seeing him fight and how he use his demon knowledge to win a fight made you really love the subject and want to learn more about it

After the fight, you went up to him and ask him to teach you more about the subject

While you don't know if you want to be a teacher like him, what you do know is that you want to be a biologist like Balam

#welcome to demon school iruma kun #mairimashita! iruma kun #iruma kun manga #opera x reader #kalego x reader #balam x reader #balam sicirue #naberius kalego #platonic #teen reader

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kiraxxwisteria · 9 months ago

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small fluffy drawing due to a lotta stress and negativity lately 😓😓

#opera x reader #opera x oc #welcome to demon school #opera

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0whyyou-stillalive0 · 2 years ago

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Big sibling

Big sibling!opera x reader

Hi! Its my first time posting like this, hope you like it

English isn't my first language,

I imagine them as a reliable siblings when they grow old and a little shit sweet when there younger -like one time when you guys are younger, you were playing on the mountain just having fun, and then they push you out of nowhere and your just stare at him and watch them glare at you and walks away And when you guys got older you ask him why they did that Y/n: opera Opera: hum Y/n: when we were younger, why did you push me down the mountain? Opera: oh that Opera: its probably because you were having too much fun Key word probably -they're sometimes not honest with you Like seriously -Endless teasing, they won't stop teasing you, speak of which you guys -Would definitely team up just to tease kalego its fun to tease him -Will definitely fight you with random shit -Would definitely tell you random facts that are neither true or not just to scare you you something believe them like seriously

andddd that's all

Here's my art work of them, when there older hope you like it

Im open draw other characters feel free to dm me

[Open for commission]

#Opera #opera x reader #Welcome to demon school iruma-kun #Welcome to demon school iruma-kun/reader #siblings #Ikuma-kun #Kalego naberius #shichirou balam #m!ik fanfic #mairimashita! iruma kun #iruma suzuki #dadlego

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luxthestrange · 3 months ago

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WTDSIK Incorrect Quotes#59 Puppers

Y/n*Sitting in the Principal chair*LISTEN WELL!

Kalego & Opera*On their knees with backs straight and hands on their knees*...

Y/n: The only one!...THE ONLY ONE!-WHO I WILL BEG IN THIS LIFE! TO FOREVER STAY WITH ME! WILL BE MY PUPPERS!...And Balam*Points at Cerberus*

Cerb*Wags tail faster as he lifts their heads high proudly*!!!

Y/n*Hugging Hellhound while glaring at the demons*NO ONE ELSE!

Kalego"...YOU TRAITOR-I DIDNT TRAIN YOU TO BETRAY ME LIKE THIS-"

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lav-bee · 1 year ago

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Welcome to Demon School x Reader Headcanons

Their reaction to reader saying ‘‘tis but a scratch” when they’re actually injured

Characters: Balam, Kalego, Opera

💛- read as platonic

Balam

- Oh boy, let's say Balam is aware that you're human

- This will lead to him being even more concerned, sure you've survived for this long without anyone knowing you're human but still, he’ll be worried

- He’ll accidentally come across you bleeding out, first thing he notices is the injury and the smell of your blood

- Panics ‘cause demons and humans smell different -> any demon can come after you -> quickly brings you to his office and takes care of your injury

- Even if you insist ‘tis but a scratch’ he’ll just stare at your bleeding side while taking out many bandages and first aid stuff

- He may not know much about humans but what you have is definitely not a scratch!

- Makes you check up with him everyday to make sure its healing correct, gives you extra healing and bandage supplies to take home

Kalego

- He didn't know you were human until you were injured

- We’re gonna say he’s okay that you're human in order to write this

- First thing he checks is if there are any other demons around, it could be a problem if you're secret got out

- In a rush he brings you to Balams office/ room

- He knows he can trust Balam, and also Balam is the best demon he can think of that can help you

- While you guys wait for Balam to show up you keep insisting that you're okay, that ‘tis just a scratch’

- He pauses to take in what you said and then- “Are you an idiot?”

- Thinks you lost too much blood and makes you sit

- Tries to find anything to wrap you up for the time being

- Once Balam shows up he explains to Kalego that everythings good, Kalego stays until he sees for himself that you're okay

Opera

- They know because Iruma told them

- So when you come stumbling by them with a major injury they immediately take action

- They bring you home (the mansion), quickly informs Sullivan, and gets to work with cleaning you up

- As they bandage you, you tell Opera that you're okay, ‘tis but a scratch

- They ignore you and forcibly make you take some meds ,it's some tough love okay? No way they are letting one of Irumas friends bleed out

- Once the injury has been maintained and taken care of, they will make some tea and cookies for you and let you rest

- Gives you suckers before you go

- For the next week or so Opera asks Iruma if you're doing alright

#headcannons #x reader #mairimashita! iruma kun #welcome to demon school #welcome to demon school iruma kun #welcome to demon school x reader #balam shichirou #balam x reader #kalego x reader #naberius kalego #kalego #naberius kalego x reader #balam shichiro x reader #balam #opera #opera x reader

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breadcheese444 · 1 year ago

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Phantom of the Opera malleyuu save me

#twst #twisted wonderland #twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #twst yuu #twisted wonderland yuu #twst mc #twisted wonderland mc #twst yume #twisted wonderland yume #my commission #malleyuu #malleus x yuu #malleus x oc #malleus x reader #malleus x lily #mallily #phantom of the opera

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sunshine-for-serotonin · 7 months ago

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I was wondering how Erik would react to his Beloved while ovulating or being clingy ect due to lack of sleep? (You don’t have to that’s totally up to you!!)

Headcannons, let’s go~ TMI, but it’s my ovulation week so that’s what you’re getting :) but don’t worry, you’re both clingy afterwards.

Oh boy, poor, poor Erik-

While Erik is a true polymath and has extensive knowledge on anatomy and science, he’s never actually had a partner to know what ovulation is like first hand.

However, as true as that may be, he’s going to be all over you as soon as you make any implication of having a need, whether that be to make love to him or even for just some chocolates or cuddle time.

You’ll find him nervously hovering over you, his hands flitting about as though scared to touch you until they come to gently hold your hands for about five seconds before he starts fussing again.

He’s so, so, so incredibly sweet, fretting over you, your needs, and your comfort obsessively. Sometimes you have to put on that tone of voice and tell him to sit back and relax for a bit. Maybe you sit by him on his organ bench as he writes music and plays the keys to try and help calm him down.

Erik is incredibly desperate to please, but you may find that he is one of this partners who’s very like “it’s not uteri, it’s uterus”, so expect him to match your horny levels as best he can. (Keep in mind he’s older and doesn’t have nearly as much stamina, you’ll have to kind of pace things throughout the day if you want to pull more than four orgasms from him).

You know that white goopy stuff that gets mixed in with your normal discharge? Don’t expect any fear of it from him. Erik knows it’s natural, and will still gladly go down on you like you’re his favorite meal anytime, any day. (Because, let’s be real now, you very much are).

He actually finds the difference in your taste fascinating, and you’ll find that he eats you out much more voraciously when you’re ovulating.

Expect Erik to extremely in tune with how you’re feeling physically. If your breasts are a bit tender or sore, you can expect that this will be one of the only times you can really keep him from latching. Of course, even if you can’t handle him nursing, he’s more than happy to gently cup your breasts and massage them for you. He’d actually probably explode though if you asked him to use lotion or anything.

As mentioned previously, Erik is overly eager to please and down to tend to your every need. He has absolutely no problem getting on top and doing classic missionary or something similar, rutting into you as the most musical little whines and moans leave his malformed lips.

You do have to remind him he can’t come inside during this week though. He’s normally very good at respecting that rule, but on occasion he finds himself getting so overwhelmed that he cums out of nowhere, thick hot ropes of white spurting inside of you and filling you to the brim as he keens and tears wind down his ruined cheeks.

Of course, you must have pity on him. He won’t be anywhere near able to keep up with you, and you really have to hammer it into his skull that it’s necessary for him to tell you when he needs a break and that you realize you’re borderline insatiable in this state so he needn’t overdo himself.

Of course he’s going to try to anyway though.

Please reassure him that he’s adequate enough and that anyone would be hard pressed to keep up with you in this state, he really does feel horrible for feeling like he can’t make you come or please you enough.

This and when you’re on your monthly are occasions where he simply won’t budge on handling aftercare duties, and he’ll wail if you try to take care of him instead of you letting him take care of you for once.

Erik goes for the full works. Bath, chocolates, he makes you your favorite meals throughout the week and always makes excess in case you find your appetite increased. He even pulls out a stunning nightgown made of the most comfortable material money can buy that he literally made from scratch for when you just want to be comfy or are getting ready for sleep.

And of course once you’re properly taken care of and sated, Erik loves nothing more than to lay down in your arms, curled up against your chest as you both drift off with the dreams of seeing each other tomorrow all over again.

#erik destler #phantom of the opera smut #erik destler smut #disney x reader #yandere erik destler #erik x reader #erik poto #erik destler x reader #yandere phantom of the opera #phantom of the opera x reader

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atlabeth · 11 months ago

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(not so) simple pt 4 - anthony bridgerton

masterlist

summary: coercing lord bridgerton into pretending to court you to avoid the affections of a baron is very simple — that is, until it isn’t.

a/n: SO. UM. once again this took fucking forever to come out which is kind of insane when you think about it because i've had 7000 words of this chapter written for like 4 months. truly wild. 2 babies have been born in the time that it's taken me to write this mini series but anyways there’s a lot happening here, shoutout to anthony for finally getting some more pov parts, the fun thing about your mc being out of commission for a while is that you have no choice but to write for the other characters. equality we love to see it. anyways most of it is angst, but it’ll all be wrapped up with a little regency romance bow i promise

wc: 7.6k

warning(s): aftermath of the end of last chapter which is angst. stab wound, talks of death, mentions of edmund's death, quite a bit of crying, anthony bridgerton's inner angst, miss worthing makes poor decisions. not a happy chapter but WHAT CAN YOU DO

“What were you thinking?” Violet demanded.

Anthony could barely hear his mother over the sound of the blood pounding in his ears, the pure terror gripping his heart. He’d no idea how to respond to her. He doubted she would like to hear that he, indeed, was very much not thinking.

And he was certainly not thinking much now, what with you on the brink of death with their doctor and his apprentice the only thing there to stop you. He could be of no help to you, bent half over in his chair, head in his hands, the image of you collapsing burned into his mind.

“Anthony Bridgerton, answer me.” Violet stood over him, her face flushed and eyes filled with anger and fear. “What were you thinking, bringing Miss Worthing out into the city?”

“I cannot deal with your questions right now, Mother!” he snapped, something letting loose inside of him. Anthony would have been ashamed had he any sense. “My future wife is in that room fighting for her life, and it is because I was not able to protect her. I am hardly able to form words at the moment, Mother, so please—” Anthony’s voice broke, and he ran a shaky hand through his hair. “Please just be quiet.”

It took a bit of nerve to be such an ass in front of his very own mother, but Anthony apparently had plenty of nerve at the moment. After you collapsed, he’d done the only thing he could think of in the moment and brought you back to Bridgerton House—it was closer than your residence, and if their physician had been able to keep his mother alive through eight pregnancies, then surely he could bring you back.

Now, though, he was not so sure. Every other option seemed to be plaguing his mind, for your blood still stained his hands and his clothing and Anthony didn’t know if he would ever be able to get it off.

His father died in his arms from something so small as a bee, and yet you had been stabbed. How were you meant to come back from that?

The door suddenly slammed open, and when Anthony glanced up, his insides twisted.

“Where is she?” Eloise demanded. Her windblown hair matched the wild look in her eyes, and the flush of her cheeks and haggard breathing told him everything. She was meant to be promenading with Penelope Featherington—her speed on foot was admirable.

“With our physician,” Violet responded. She seemed more subdued now, and though Anthony knew he would apologize profusely later, he could not find it in himself now. He could hardly find anything in himself apart from panic.

“With our physician—” She turned on Anthony, her gloved hands clenched into fists. “What in God’s name happened, Anthony?”

He allowed himself a moment to breathe before he responded. “She was stabbed.”

“Stabbed?” Eloise cried. “She was with you! How could she have been stabbed?”

“I was not with her when it happened—”

She scoffed. “That is a likely fucking story.”

“Eloise,” Violet said, “language.”

“I do not care about my language,” Eloise spat, gesturing wildly with her hands. “My best friend has been stabbed— I will say whatever I please!”

And then, as if to just add fuel to their fire, Benedict rushed in. Anthony held back a slightly unhinged laugh and shook his head. You were dying and they were out here arguing.

“I’ve made sure this hallway is off limits like you said, Mother.” Benedict looked just as shaken as the rest of them, and in a strange way Anthony was grateful. You’d grown closer to his family than he’d known. “Your lady’s maid is outside the door alongside a footman ensuring privacy, and your driver is on route to the Worthing residence to alert her parents. They’ve all been sworn to secrecy—no one will be disturbed, least of all Miss Worthing.”

“Thank you, Benedict.” Violet sighed, and she collapsed into an armchair. “At least one of us is in order.”

Benedict sat down on the sofa, his words coming out in a mumble. “I am hardly in order.”

The fire seemed to have died down in Eloise, for however temporary a time, and she settled down next to Benedict. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around her.

“She’ll be okay,” Eloise whispered, “right?”

No one answered for a moment. At last, Anthony looked up, his hands clasped in front of him.

“Yes,” he rasped, hoping with everything in him that his words would be true. “She will be okay.”

He would not have been able to live with any other outcome, not when it was his fault in the first place that you were in this position.

Anthony didn’t know what he should have done, but he should have done something. He should have brought you to your senses and suggested a promenade in the park instead. He should have called on you at your estate, safe and sound in your drawing room. He should have been arm in arm with you, his heart steadily melting as you smiled and laughed and made him aware of all things good in the world.

He could not lose you. Not when he still had so much to tell you, so many words left unsaid.

Not when you didn’t know he loved you.

“I’m sorry, Anthony.” He looked up at the sound of Eloise’s voice—though she did not look at him and her arms were still crossed, the sincerity of it was not lost on him. “I know it was not your fault.”

His chest tightened. It was his fault.

“You clearly care about her,” she said. “It is not fair to pin this on you.”

“Sometimes we hurt the people we care about,” he said, his voice hollow.

“Sometimes,” she agreed. “But not this time.”

His eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Eloise had been at odds with him for nearly this entire season because of their ruse. Though she knew of its falsity, she still chastised him for taking up time that could have been spent with her, still rolled her eyes when he announced his leave to go see you, still questioned why he had to go after her best friend.

But Eloise was driven by her emotions, no matter how red hot or icy cold they may have been. At this moment, her concern for you outweighed anything, and she recognized the same in him.

So Anthony nodded. Once, twice, hardly moving but a clear acknowledgment. He glanced at his mother and brother, both unfocused with glassy eyes. His mother’s were red-rimmed, and she held a handkerchief tightly in one hand. The guilt hidden from earlier struck.

He silently thanked their governess for keeping Gregory and Hyacinth occupied, thanked that Francesca was on an outing of her own. The last thing he needed was for his littlest siblings to find out that the woman they believed to soon be their sister was one misstep away from death. And thank God for Colin’s decision to spend the day with Mondrich—one of his younger brothers in the heat of the moment was enough.

Anthony let out a shuddering sigh, screwing his eyes shut for a moment before he ran a hand through his hair then planted his palms on his knees. He could hardly sit still but he hadn’t the slightest idea of how to get his nervous energy out.

All he could think of was you. Of how the last word you spoke was his name. Of your dried blood on his hands, staining his clothing where he had held you. Anthony barely kept you from hitting the ground when you collapsed, and he nearly did the same once he reached his residence.

Yelling at any servant in the proximity to call for the physician, unaware of his mother trying to calm him until she shook him by the shoulders, having to literally be forced out of the room by the physician’s assistant once they arrived because he refused to leave your side.

It all felt like a blur, and yet he remembered it perfectly. It all played on repeat in his mind no matter how much he tried to block it out.

The door slammed open this time, and when Anthony looked up, he felt as if he could wither away.

“Where is my daughter?” Cecilia Worthing demanded, her husband trailing after her. She was all out of sorts, with an even wilder look in her eyes and a deathly grip on her skirts. Mr. Worthing’s expression made his heart sink, with his haunted eyes and taut lips.

“I am so sorry, Cecilia,” Violet rasped, and she crossed the room and enveloped her in her arms. It took a moment for your mother to respond, but she returned the hug as a sob escaped her.

“Your footman said she had been injured,” your father said levelly, though his voice shook ever so slightly. “How?”

“She was stabbed,” Anthony spoke up, forcing himself to look at your parents. “Some zealot in the city. I brought her here as quick as I could.”

“The city—” your father started.

“Stabbed?” your mother interrupted, halfway into hysterics. “How?”

“We got caught up in the midst of a riot,” he said quietly. “We were separated, and I assume it happened then.”

Mrs. Worthing let out another sob as she pulled her husband into her arms, and though he kept a semblance of solemnity as he whispered to his wife and held her close, Anthony could see the fear in his eyes.

How could he possibly offer reassurance? It felt different, staring at the desperation of your parents. The horrific realization that they might leave a family of two, might have to bury their only child.

His stomach twisted and Anthony’s head fell into his hands again. He couldn’t.

Eventually, Philip helped his wife onto the couch, and she remained curled into his side. No one said a word—how could they?

Apart from whispered reassurances between your parents and even shorter conversations between Benedict and Eloise, their saddened group continued in silence for the better part of an hour. No one spoke louder than a whisper, no one rose and left—they just sat together in their fear, hoping and praying that the inevitable could be denied.

Until the door creaked open and each of their heads snapped towards the noise. Anthony shot up at the first glimpse of their physician’s assistant.

“What news?” he asked immediately. The tension in the room had grown to be near palpably thick.

“The surgery went well,” the assistant said, and all the air dissipated from Anthony’s chest. “Miss Worthing lives. The doctor is ensuring a final few things, but provided our treatment is followed, we believe she will recover fully.”

Anthony fell back against the couch with a breathless laugh, and Mrs. Worthing sank against her husband, wrecked by thankful sobs. Eloise’s smile was enough to brighten the whole room, Benedict’s relief just as obvious. Violet just let out an exhausted sigh, her hand pressed to her heart.

“Thank you,” your father said. “Can we see her?”

“Miss Worthing is resting,” he said. “You will not be able to speak to—”

“We do not care,” your father asserted. “I need to see that my daughter is still alive.”

The physician’s assistant nodded after a moment, and the tension lessened in his shoulders. He helped your mother up, their hands clasped tightly together, and Mrs. Worthing looked at Anthony. You truly had your mother’s eyes.

“Will you come with us, my lord?” she asked.

“Oh, I—”

“You are family,” she said softly. “You’ve a right to join us.”

Emotion swelled in Anthony’s chest, and it took a moment for words to come to him.

“Of course,” he finally said, inclining his head. “And it is just Anthony between us. Please.”

The slightest smile spread across her lips as she nodded, and they all stood up together. Anthony took her offered arm and they started down the hallway together, your father on her other side.

How strange it was to be arm in arm with your mother. She thought the man beside her would be her future son-in-law, when he was truly nothing but a liar.

No, he thought, not wholly a liar. Not anymore. Because they believed that Anthony was to be your husband. And if there was anything this had proven to him, it was that he wanted nothing more than for it to be true.

Anthony just had to figure out a way to tell you. How strange that it would be the most difficult part of this ruse.

Violet’s maid and the footman stepped aside when they arrived and the assistant opened the door. Anthony followed your parents in, and his heart nearly stopped upon seeing you.

Your mother’s eyes filled with tears as she approached your bedside, and, after a nod from the doctor, brushed a loose strand of hair behind your ear and laid the back of her hand against your forehead.

“She’s burning up,” she whispered.

“It is typical after surgery,” the doctor said. “With any luck, she will sweat it out. I will monitor her throughout.”

Your mother nodded, a shaky sigh escaping her, and she took your hand.

“I am so sorry, darling,” she whispered. “I am so sorry I was not there for you.” She brought your intertwined hands up and lightly kissed the back of your hand. “I love you more than anything. Please, come back to us soon.”

Your father joined her, and he pressed a kiss to your forehead. “I do not know if you can hear us,” he said, voice slightly shaky, “but we are here for you. We will be here when you awaken, and every moment onwards.”

Mrs. Worthing looked back at Anthony, inclining her head towards you. Anthony swallowed his doubt as he moved forward, but the breath was stolen from him when he could fully see you.

Your eyes were closed. Your chest rose and fell just so, hardly noticeable, thin linens provided by the doctor rested over you, and sweat beaded on your brow. Alongside the discoloration of your skin, you looked…

You looked as if you were dead.

And Anthony knew that you were not—for God’s sake, you were breathing—but all he could think about, all he could see, was his father, all those years ago, dying in front of him while he could not do a single thing to stop it. And he felt that same helplessness with you; just standing there, watching, unable to do anything but hope.

“We are here for you,” he whispered. “...I am here for you. No matter what, I am here for you. Just know that, if nothing else.”

Your mother’s watery smile made him look to the doctor for fear of the same emotions eliciting even further in him.

“When will she wake?” Anthony asked. His voice sounded almost foreign to him.

“In a few hours, with any luck,” the doctor said. “At the very most, it will be the end of the day.”

“We will gladly host her until she is able enough,” Anthony said, looking at your parents. “And we have plenty of spare rooms for you to choose from if you wish to remain by her side during those days.”

“Thank you, Anthony.” Your mother placed her hands on his shoulders, though she had to look up at him, and she smiled. “You make her so happy. It will be my greatest pleasure to officially welcome you into our family.”

Anthony’s throat bobbed. God above, he hoped that was the truth.

“Thank you,” he murmured. “She… she means a great deal to me.”

“You’re a good man, Bridgerton,” your father said. “I’m thankful my daughter will end up with someone like you.”

“Your approval means the world,” he said, and he found he meant it wholly.

The doctor cleared his throat. “It would be best for her visitors to be limited as of now. The parents can stay, but…”

Anthony nodded, smoothing his lapels. “Of course.”

“We will alert you of anything,” your mother said. Anthony nodded again, and he allowed himself one more moment to look at you before he left.

You were alright. You would be alright. That was all that mattered.

Still, when he found himself alone in the hallway, finally able to breathe again, he still had that weight on his shoulders.

A revelation such as the one he’d had should have been a blessing, a relief. A man in love was meant to be a happy one. But a man in love did not usually find his feelings in the midst of season-long ruse whilst his beloved fought on her deathbed.

Anthony blew out a loose sigh, shaking his head as he continued through the halls. Being on his own, he found, was worse than sitting in silence with his family. He was trying to think of something to say, trying to gather his emotions and push them aside so he could be the man of the house as he was meant to be, but when he reached the room from before he was only met with Eloise.

She looked up from the floor, and he noticed the puffiness of her eyes, her slightly blotchy skin. His heart sank yet again.

“Benedict helped Mother to bed,” she explained, her throat bobbing. “All of this exhausted her. I’ve no idea where he is now.”

Anthony nodded, his mind still wandering. “Ah.”

“How is she?” Eloise asked, her brows knit in concern.

“As well as she can be.” Anthony sighed. “She has a fever, but she’s resting. Her parents are with her and the doctor is watching over her. He said she should awaken before the end of the day.”

The furrow softened as she smiled. It was good to see her smile. “Good. That— that’s good. I’m glad.”

“And how are you, Eloise?” Anthony asked, folding his arms.

“As well as I can be,” she responded wryly. Anthony’s lips twitched in a momentary smile, but she leaned against the couch and let out a sigh of her own. “This all certainly ended in the best way it could have.”

“The best way would have been for it to have never happened,” he said. “I should have prevented it—I was meant to keep her safe.”

“Brother,” she said wearily, “I already told you that you cannot blame yourself.”

“And I’ve never been one for listening to you,” he said dryly, “have I?”

Eloise huffed a laugh and shook her head. “I am not a fool, Anthony. I know what is happening between you two.”

Anthony frowned. “Eloise—”

“You love her,” she said bluntly. “Do you not?”

He tried to say something, but no words would follow. He could only stare at his sister and her nerve, resulting in a small smile from her.

“You are not that talented an actor, brother,” she said. “It is easier for me to believe the two of you are truly in love than that you could actually trick me in such a way.”

He blinked. “You believe she loves me?”

Eloise laughed, turning her head slightly. “I do,” she said. “And seeing as you are not denying it, I believe that means you love her.”

Anthony bit the inside of his cheek. So the two of you could fool the entirety of the ton for over half the season, but apparently not Eloise. How typical.

He walked over and took a seat on the couch next to his sister, leaving a bit of space between them. He took a deep breath before he spoke.

“I do.” He glanced at her. “I love her.”

Saying it aloud—admitting the truth of feelings he’d been fighting for so long—brought him an unexpected lightness. One other person knew both truths: that they had been lying about their love, and that Anthony had been lying about his lies.

It would have been laughable had he not been so unsure of everything else.

It took Eloise a moment to say anything back. For a while, she merely looked at him, unreadable depths in her eyes. He didn’t think he would ever be able to fully decipher his sister.

“I know my blessing means very little in the scheme of things,” she finally said. “But know that if this does come into fruition… I will support you two. Every step of the way.”

The smile that spread across Anthony’s lips was brighter than anything he’d experienced today, and he inclined his head. “Truly?”

“Yes, truly,” Eloise said, a smile of her own growing though she tried to hide it as she glanced away. “It is not a big deal. Do not make it out to be one. There are far worse men that she could end up with.”

“Alright,” he said, unabashed in his joy. For such a solemn day, Eloise had turned his mood around.

“And I will also keep your secret,” she said breezily, “again, so do not worry about that.”

“You say it does not mean much,” Anthony said, “but you are wrong. Your support means more to me than you know.”

She shifted, seemingly bolstered ever so slightly by his praise. “...I’m glad.”

He smiled as he stood back up, smoothing out the wrinkles in his outfit. Anthony grimaced as his hands came into view. He was in dire need of a bath and some new clothes. He could not deal with your blood on him for much longer.

“I must be going,” Anthony said. “I need to clean up. And,” he sighed, “ensure that none of this has spread to the rest of the ton.”

Eloise hummed, and Anthony was nearly at the door when she spoke up again.

“...Thank you. For being here for me.”

His expression softened as he glanced back at her. “I will always be here for you.”

Her lips curved just so. Anthony had never been so thankful to no longer be at odds with one of his siblings.

Your head hurt.

That was the first thing you could truly understand as your eyes slowly cracked open, squinting while you came to. You blinked a multitude of times, trying to regain your bearings and relieve the dryness of your eyes.

It took another moment for them to adjust to the darkness—the curtains were closed, but no light filtered through. How long had you been asleep?

You grimaced as you shifted ever so slightly, a dull but constant ache in your chest leaving you stiff, but there was a weight of a hand in yours. You glanced over and recognized your mother, asleep but still grasping your hand.

You smiled. She came for you after all.

But as you tried to shift further in the bed, you groaned, a sharp column of pain shooting through you. Your mother’s eyes shot open, her body starting from instinct, but it took a moment for her to truly realize it all.

“Nice of you to wake up,” you said wryly.

“You—” tears sprung in her eyes, and her lips spread in a grateful grin— “You must be alright if your first words are to antagonize your mother.”

“I am still here,” you said. You didn’t want to tell her you didn’t think you would make it. That you thought your fate was sealed when you pulled your hand away to nothing but blood.

“That you are,” she said breathily. “Are you alright, though? How do you feel? Does it hurt?”

“I believe I am alright,” you responded, “I feel… tired. And my chest aches.”

“The doctor said that would be expected,” she murmured. “What do you remember?”

“...That depends,” you said. “What do you know?”

Your mother gave you a look as she said your full name. “This is not the time for games.”

Your cheeks heated and you averted your eyes. “I was in the city with Anthony. I was stabbed after a riot broke out. That is all I remember.”

“Lord Bridgerton is the reason you are alive,” your mother said. “He brought you back to Bridgerton House, and their doctor saved your life.”

Somehow it was possible for your face to burn even more. You dragged Anthony out to that meeting, and you repaid him by making him drag your near lifeless body all the way back to his estate.

You were the worst fake fiancee a man could have.

You felt your eyes begin to fill with tears and you rapidly blinked them away.

“Where is he?” you asked quietly. “Where is Anth— Lord Bridgerton?”

Your mother gave you a knowing look. “It is alright to call him by his name, darling. It is quite clear how much he cares for you.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat. You could not do this. “Where is he?”

“He is with his family,” she said. “You caused everyone quite a fright.”

“I can imagine,” you said hollowly.

“Would you like to see him?” she asked. “Because I am sure he—”

“No.” The haste with which you sat up drew out another wince. “No— I…”

You closed your eyes, biting down on the inside of your lip. You could not do this.

Your mother said your name softly. “What is it?”

You opened your eyes, ignoring the wetness around them as you looked at her. “Anthony and I cannot marry.”

She blinked. It looked as if it took a moment for your words to sink in. “What?”

“We cannot marry,” you repeated. “We— we never could marry. Our courtship is a ruse.”

Your mother blinked again, this time wholly taken aback. “What?”

“It is a ruse,” you repeated, more forcefully. “I wanted to escape the baron, and Anthony wanted to escape a thousand desperate debutantes. I proposed a mock courtship between us, and he accepted.”

Her brows furrowed deeper than ever before, as if she still couldn’t fully believe it. “You lied to me.”

“To everyone,” you said. You hadn’t a clue what had gotten into you, tearing apart a story carefully crafted throughout nearly the entire season, but something burned inside of you. You couldn’t keep going with this—you couldn’t keep stringing Anthony along, not when your feelings were far more real than they had any right to be.

“I don’t understand,” she said. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“Because I did not want to marry,” you repeated. “The baron is nothing more than a lecher, and the thought of any sort of marriage to him disgusted me, but you and Father refused to listen to me. The only way to get out of it was for you to believe I had caught the affections of someone better. Anthony Bridgerton’s word was certainly better than mine in the eyes of the ton.”

Your mother stared at the floor for much longer than you anticipated, and you could not tear your eyes away from her.

“Mother,” you said quietly, “say something. Please.”

“I do not quite know what to say.” She finally looked at you, and your throat bobbed. “All of our plans have hinged on this marriage for the entirety of the season. What am I to tell your father?”

“Do not tell him,” you begged. “Please. It is enough that you know— I could not handle the shame if he were to as well.”

“I do not keep secrets as well as you,” your mother snapped. “Marrying into the Bridgerton family would have saved us, both in riches and name. Even your dowry would have gone to use for something of your choosing.” She shook her head, clasping her hands together. “And now you have almost died and we will have to control this and I just—”

“I will marry Lord Cardew,” you interrupted.

That ceased her arguments quite quickly. “What?”

“I will marry Lord Cardew,” you repeated. “He has both riches and name.”

Your mother frowned as she gripped your hands tighter. “You despise him. You got yourself into this entire mess in order to avoid him—you’ve said so yourself.”

“What choice do I have?” you asked desperately. “His name is enough to weather the scandal I’ve created. His money will secure a life for you and Father, and he has a fine pedigree. It is the only way to save the Worthing name.”

“Have you not considered the very man who has been courting you this season?” Your mother gestured with her hand. “Look where you are, darling! Lord Bridgerton has offered up his estate to us so we can be near you as you heal. Your courtship may have started as a ruse, but the man clearly feels something for you!”

“We have become very good friends over the course of the season,” you said, “and I am thankful for it. But I cannot taint the Bridgerton name further.”

“Dearest—”

“It is necessary,” you interrupted, but your quick movement brought on a sharp thread of pain in your chest and you winced.

“Do not push yourself,” your mother whispered, and you nodded.

“It is necessary,” you repeated, though slower. “My rebellion was just… naivete. I will not be the reason for our family’s ruin borne from my own stubbornness. I will secure our legacy, I will secure my future—I will marry Lord Cardew, and… and I will finally stop trying to resist my fate.”

Your mother stared at you, and you stared back. “You said it yourself—our family’s well being hinges on my marrying into wealth. What sane man would consider me after what I’ve done?”

She continued to look at you long and hard, her expression one of unreadable depths. “You are sure?”

No, you wanted to say. You had never been less sure of anything in your life. But you could see no other choice. So you nodded.

Your mother glanced away from you with a sigh, eyes searching the room for a moment before she nodded as well. “...Alright. If that is what you wish, your father and I will contact him once you are recovered.”

“Mother—”

“That is non-negotiable,” she said, and she smiled at you. “You may be blossoming into a true lady, but you are still my daughter. And I will not allow my daughter to do anything until she is fully healed.”

You nodded. “Alright.”

“I am sure that it goes without saying that you are never going to be allowed out of our sight until you are married and settled?” your mother said, and though it caused a sharp pain in your chest, you couldn’t help but laugh.

“I assumed just as much, Mother.”

Dearest Reader,

It is a fact well known throughout Mayfair that the social season requires the full attention of every single person, frantic mamas and bored bachelors alike. It is a game of wits unlike any other, and this season has proven no different. The middle of our merriment marks many of the most eligible debutantes as engaged — this author pays special attention to the season’s diamond, Lady Adelaida Kennington, who has found her happy ending with the young Earl Pembroke.

Though congratulations may be due to another lady of the ton, one of the simple yet highly discussed Worthing family — as it seems, Miss Worthing has tossed aside the much desired Viscount Bridgerton for the hand of the Baron Jonathan Cardew. One can only be left to wonder what Lord Bridgerton must have done to go from an obviously incoming proposal back to his rakish ways in little more than a night, but it most certainly has to do with Miss Worthing’s recent disappearance from society. Word has passed around of her frequent visits to the lesser parts of London, engaging in activity that can only be described as scandalous. Perhaps it was not the fault of the viscount indeed—Miss Worthing may have finally pushed Lord Bridgerton to his limits.

No matter the reason for the ending of the courtship, this author must extend her thanks to the pairing for providing such material for my pen. It is not every day a nobody in the ton manages to bring down two families at once. Perhaps Miss Worthing deserves congratulations for conducting this fantastical feat all on her own. If it was outrage she was searching for, she has certainly earned it.

Yours Truly,

Lady Whistledown

You huffed a sigh and threw the leaflet across the room, letting your head fall back against the wooden headboard. It was one thing for Lady Whistledown to criticize you, it was another thing entirely for her to bring your family and the Bridgertons into it. You deserved everything that came towards you for what you had done, but your parents, the Bridgertons, Anthony— they were not a part of any of it.

Especially when all your father had done was visit the Cardew estate to have a conversation with the man, see if he was open to the possibility of a marriage with you. Nothing was at all set in stone, but the way Whistledown told it, you were already steps from the chapel with a ring on your finger.

So now, as if it weren’t enough that you were bed bound until your physician deemed you recovered for regular activity, as if it weren’t enough that you were likely set to be married by the end of the season, as if it weren’t enough that you were constantly denying Anthony’s requests to visit you, every single one of your idiotic mistakes was revealed to the ton through a woman too cowardly to write without a pseudonym.

If you ever found Lady Whistledown, you thought bitterly, you would strangle her.

The silence in your room was broken by the door opening, and when you looked up you were greeted with Julia’s face. The usual smile she bore when around you was not there, but before you could ask she answered your unspoken question.

“I apologise for the interruption, my lady, but you have a visitor. He insisted on seeing you.”

A small part of you knew who it was even before she stepped aside, but when Anthony Bridgerton walked into your room your breath still hitched the tiniest bit.

“What are you doing here?” you asked immediately, holding back a grimace as you pushed yourself into a sitting position.

“I had to see you,” Anthony said.

“And you chose to do so by invading my privacy.”

“I have not heard a single word directly from you nor your pen since the accident,” he said, his voice not without a slight barb. But underneath it all, an uncommon hurt festered inside of him. You could not see it, exactly, but you could sense it. “Forgive me for wanting to confirm with my own eyes that you were still alive.”

“I will remain here as a chaperone,” Julia said, closing the door behind her. “You may talk as freely as you please — I will not repeat a single word.” Anthony nodded and pulled the stool away from the vanity so he could be closer to you, then sat down.

Despite Julia’s reassurance, neither of you spoke a word. The silence began to weigh heavily, the tension growing so thick it could be cut with a knife. For so long you had been rejecting Anthony’s requested meetings, not wanting to see him after what you had done. You feared for how he would react, both to your complete ignorance of him after your nearly fatal injury and your acceptance of Lord Cardew’s courtship.

You left Bridgerton House without a word mere hours after your ill-fated decision despite the protests of your parents—you could not stay there for another moment under Anthony’s good graces, not when you had doomed any possible future with him. You did not deserve a single millimeter of Bridgerton good will.

You stared down at the covers you laid under, fidgeting with your hands in your lap as you focused on everything except your visitor. You could not bring yourself to meet Anthony’s gaze, though you’d felt his own on you for the past five minutes.

“Is it true?”

You finally looked up at his sudden question, meeting the intensity of those dark brown eyes you’d lost yourself in so many times. “Is what true?”

“Your marriage to Jonathan Cardew,” he said stiffly. “Is it true?”

Just as quickly, you glanced away. It was near impossible to even be in the same room as the viscount since you had made the decision, even more so to think of the reason why it was that way. So instead, you just nodded.

“Yes. If all works out, we are to be wed at the end of the season.”

“Why?” Anthony leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees as his hands clenched into loose fists. “You openly despise the man—you asked me to court you to avoid him. Why in the name of all things rational would you willingly enter a marriage with him?”

“He will provide for me,” you said. “He has money, he has land, and he is a respectable member of society. He has already been content with the possibility of marriage once, and his name is enough to weather the scandal I have created. It is the smartest choice available.”

“And what of us?” He had an almost wild look in his eyes, and the worst desire took root in you to root your fingers in his hair and ease the troubles you’d caused him. “We have spent the near entirety of the season becoming closer, and you are willing to just throw it all away for a man like Cardew?”

“I could not trap you in a marriage you do not want,” you insisted. “You deserve more than a woman you share no love for, Anthony, and to be married to the woman who made a fool of your entire family. Lord Cardew is the only option.”

“Even if all of that is true, that does not mean it is a smart choice!” he exclaimed. “He is not a safe man to be around! If he has been pursuing you so strongly and only backed off because of my influence, what do you think will happen when you are his legal wife with no sort of protection?”

You swallowed thickly at his words. “He is not that sort of man, Anthony. He may be… horrid, and a complete egoist, but it will be a life of comfort. And that is the life that I need.”

Anthony laughed breathlessly, completely devoid of mirth as he frowned. “You cannot be serious. I have been by your side for an entire season of feminist rants and marriage complaints, half of which revolved around Cardew himself, and now you are telling me that you are just— just alright with this sort of compliance?”

“Nearly dying because of my own idiotic choices has forced me to reexamine my life,” you said plainly. “If I had been even the slightest bit unlucky, I would have perished on those streets, and what would I have had to show for myself? A rebellion that I was only able to take part in because of the privilege I so often fought against?”

“You have made a difference,” Anthony insisted. “You provided for women that no one has the gall to look out for. You’ve spoken out for your own rights, you’ve stood up for your own interests rather than sit around and take what you have been given.”

“I have been fighting against a life that so many less fortunate than myself would kill for,” you said. “I believed death to be a better fate than being forced to marry a man I did not love, but when I was on death’s door, I realized how foolish I was— how utterly selfish.”

“You are not selfish,” Anthony said, but you shook your head.

“I am. Unbelievably so.” You huffed a mirthless laugh as you looked at him. “My parents did not love each other when they married, but they were friends. They could tolerate the other’s presence, and neither of them were fortunate enough to be able to care about anything else. They have grown to love each other in their own way, of course, and they are in a better situation now, but they could not have known it would turn out that way. They did what they had to for the sake of their families and themselves, and it is time I do the same.”

“Love matches are rare,” you murmured. “And even if I were granted the opportunity… I would not deserve it.”

Anthony shook his head. “Do not say that.”

“It is the truth,” you said, letting out yet another humorless laugh. “I have been horrible to my mother when all she has ever wanted is a better life for me than she had. I have fought her for every step of the way for no other reason than my hubris and the dim belief that I deserved different than everyone else simply because I wanted it, no matter what the greater good was. How can that not be selfish, Anthony?”

“You do not have to do this,” he insisted. “You said you dreamed of unmarried life! You told me your fantasies of escaping from society, of living on your own and depending on no one but yourself. You are willing to give all of that up, just like that?”

“I was a fool for ever doing so!” you exclaimed. “Anthony, this world is hard enough on its own for married women — what do you think will become of my family if I do not marry? What do you think will become of me?”

“But you are strong.” Anthony leaned forward, his brow knit in determination. “You are strong, and intelligent, and fully capable of managing on your own. Spinster brand be damned, if it is what you wish, you will flourish completely!”

“Will I?” you questioned, and you gestured at yourself. “I am bound to this room of my own doing because I refused to see the truth of the world around me. I was young and naive to believe I could achieve anything of the sort I dreamed of without consequences, and I will be naive no longer.”

“If you insist on marrying, at least find somebody else,” Anthony begged. “You will be miserable for the rest of your life if you marry Jonathan Cardew.”

“I cannot afford to marry for love, my lord,” you said simply, “and even if I could find a man who loved me, I could never love them back. I would not force anyone into a marriage they did not want, not when…” You trailed off, the words catching in your throat.

You shook your head, choking them down. “It is not important.”

“Please do not marry him,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper, “I beg of you.”

“Then who should I marry?” you asked, almost brazenly. “Who should I marry, if not him? I am certainly not one for options.”

You did not know what you wanted Anthony to say. To marry him? That he felt the same for you as you did for him? That, while you were indeed a fool for falling for him, he was one as well. That he would not leave you, not now, nor ever.

But instead he just stared at you with those dark brown eyes that even now could make you melt, a million emotions brewing inside of them yet none of them being given an outlet.

“I do not know,” he murmured, and your heart sank. “But I beg of you, do not let it be him.”

“It is not your decision to make,” you said quietly. “Soon I will be engaged to Lord Cardew, and I will be out of your life.”

There was an underlying desperation in Anthony’s eyes as he looked at you now, that storm of emotions thundering inside of him begging to be expressed. “I do not want you out of my life.”

The words felt like poison leaving your lips. “You do not have a choice.”

Before Anthony could protest any further, you stood up and looked over at your lady’s maid. “Please escort Lord Bridgerton outside. I wish to be alone.”

“My lady, are you—”

“Julia,” you said, your voice strained, “please.”

She nodded and she gestured for Anthony towards the door, but he did not move a centimeter.

Anthony said your name with such pain that you could not even stand to look at him, the inside of your lip drawn so tightly between your teeth that you could taste blood all in the effort to prevent tears from emerging.

“Do not make this harder than it has to be,” you whispered. “I beg of you, Anthony.”

“Lord Bridgerton,” Julia said quietly, “please obey my lady’s wishes.”

He stared at you with desperation before he finally nodded and walked out the door, Julia closing it behind him.

You screwed your eyes shut as you dug the heels of your palms into your forehead, letting out a frustrated sob as your hands dropped back down. The pinpricks of tears were already starting, and while you were thankful you were alone, you already longed for Anthony’s presence.

You wished, more than ever, that things could be how they used to be. You wished you’d never even made this ridiculous deal with him—then you would not be in such pain, yearning for a man you could never have while the reputation of you and your family was destroyed and your life fell to pieces around you. You could not do a single thing about it, and you could not blame a single soul for it other than yourself.

You’d never felt so useless.

taglist, only bc this series has been going on since i still had a taglist lmao. pls dont ask to be added because i do not do tag lists anymore!! follow me or rb the masterlist or something idk @ifilwtmfc @readers-post @fangirling-galore @funkydinosaurs @baby-i-am-fireproof @mess-is-my-aesthetic @likeballet @mdkfh @brezzybfan @magical-spit @lafy-taffy @miss-celestial-being @mercurysrhapsody @evilsailorsenshi @mainstreambitchlife @aangsupremacy @chloepluto1306 @lostaudfound @panhoeofmanyfandoms @blhemmings @my-acrylic-heart @seninjakitey @vlodi @arianagrandes-things @preciousbabypeter @youraliendaddo @stupidlittlebei @illuminwtesz @eringaitskill @otheliesstuff @users09 @chloepluto1306 @lady-loki-barnes-djarin @m-rae23 @the-horror-and-the-wild-simp @diemdurantia @theyoungestchild0w0 @mschievousx @alwaysreading1019 @ibelieveindragons141 @pretzywetzy

#this is so soap opera of me #anthony bridgerton x reader #anthony bridgerton x you #anthony bridgerton fic #bridgerton x reader #bridgerton fic #anthony bridgerton fanfic #x reader #bridgerton imagine #sadie writes

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