#sidney/charlotte ff

[spacecleavage]

what madness is this

here i am, back like i never left.

if you haven’t watched the show Sanditon, give it a try, i really love it and i only started watching it yesterday. anyway here we go with a little post 1x06 fic about the trip home.

Charlotte stared out the carriage window as they meandered through the old London streets. She attempted to keep her mind on the horizon, so that she could memorize it for her next letter home, while her father may have scoffed at it, she knew he would lean forward in his chair as her mother slowly read the details to the rest of their family. The younger ones would be struggling to keep their eyes open, while her dearest sister would be wringing her hands wishing that she had asked (begged, pleaded) with their father that she might accompany Charlotte to Sanditon with the Parkers too. Charlotte would have to write a letter just to her, detailing the ball she had just attended, the styles of dresses, the beautiful arrangements of flowers and the dancing, oh how her sister loved dancing. She tried to focus on composing the letters but a loud snort from Mister Tom Parker disturbed her yet again.

It brought her back to her surroundings all too rudely, back to the jaunting carriage, the loud snoring from Mr Parker sitting across from her, the indomitable presence of Mister Sidney Parker sitting beside her. She tried not think about the rest of the ball, sneaking back to the alcove where Lady Susan was, her paltry attempts at polite conversation with the lady. She definitely tried not to dwell on the fact that neither Mister Parker noticed she was missing until it came time to leave.

Lord did she try. But her mind kept replaying the conversation that she had with Mister Tom as they danced, interspersed with images of Mister Sidney smiling down at her, and the way that same smile seemed somehow brighter as he spoke to Ms Eliza.

Mister Tom Parker snuffled again as they hit a particularly large pothole. That same pothole sent her sliding in her seat to crash into Mister Sidney Parker.

She tried not to blanch as she felt the warmth of him against her. She mumbled out an apology and endeavoured not to notice his smile. The same smile he had worn earlier in the night, or perhaps that was just her imagination because the only light in the small carriage was that of the lamps by the road as they drove back to the London house. Yes, that was it.

She definitely did not notice the way his smile froze on his face and faded back to his mask she withdrew herself, cramming back into the furthest corner of the carriage.

She returned to staring out the window, hoping something would catch her attention enough for her to put the memories playing behind her eyelids to bed.

And even though she was tucked into the corner, so tightly she feared she may never be able to be removed, and even though her breath was slowly fogging over the window, she could still feel the heat of him beside her, seeping through her skin to settle deep down in her bones.

She supressed a shiver as a breeze of cold air rushed through the carriage through some unseen hole. It had been a warm night when they had left for the ball, and warmer even at the ball with so many people (and so much dancing). Charlotte herself had removed gloves as she spoke with Lady Susan, with the hope that it would decrease her perspiration, and she had forgotten them in her haste to depart. But England’s weather would not be thwarted, the cold leeched into everything, and though she had been sitting in the same spot for five minutes, the seat still felt cold.

The carriage lurched again, though this time she was prepared for it, and was able to catch herself from crashing into Mister Sidney again, by putting her hand in the middle of the seat. It saved her a second of awkwardness before the carriage lurched the other way, sending him careening towards her.

He used the exact same manoeuvre that stopped her from falling into him, except his hand landed on top of hers, completely encompassing it.

She knew logically that he would have bigger hands than her. He towered over her; it was to be expected. Yet still, it shocked her. She could feel the second knuckles brushing against the ends of her fingers, how much wider they were than hers and heavier too. They were calloused too, perhaps in ways that a gentleman’s should not be. And the heat of them? They were on fire compared to ice that had coursing through her veins since Mister Parker had revealed who Ms Eliza was and their history together.

She barely heard the shout of apology from the driver as Sidney picked up her hand, her tiny frozen hand. He wrapped his hand around it and Charlotte felt her heart begin to race as he let their fingers intertwine for a second.

He said something then, she made out the word frozen over the thundering blood in her ears.

She watched unable to make a sound as he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her. There was a trail of fire in the wake of where he had casually touched her, it consumed her as she was not only wrapped in warmth put in smell. The scent of his tobacco, horse and a musky sweat clung to the jacket as she instinctively burrowed into it.

Her eyes fell closed as she lost herself, temporarily, in the smell and heat of his overcoat. But was brought out of it quickly by his hands taking hers again. She stared, utterly befuddled, as he brought her still cold hands up to his mouth and blew gently over them, before rubbing at them softly.

Some faraway logical part of her brain whispered that it was to warm her up, but that whisper was lost. Lost in the heat of his gaze as he stared down at her, bringing her hands up towards his lips again. His full, full lips and his eyes so dark. The heat that had settled in her seemed to pool at her belly and then clenched as his lips came so close to grazing her fingertips.

Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she could not help as her tongue darted forward to lick her lips. His eyes left hers to stare at them, her breath catching in her chest as he leaned ever closer.

Nothing around them mattered at all in that moment, all Charlotte could think about was whether his lips would taste of the same smoke that he favoured from his pipe, or perhaps more like the Alsace white that he had been drinking all night. She lent in as well, she just had to find out. They were so close…

Then the moment shattered, the carriage pulled to an abrupt stop in front of the townhouse and Mr Parker was startled awake.

The driver opened the door on Sidney's side, and he slipped out quickly, followed by Mr Parker.

She took a shuddering breath. What had just happened? Had almost kissed Mister Sidney Parker? A man, who not two hours ago had seemed to crush her fragile heart?

She took another breath, resolving not to dwell on it until she was safely tucked away in her bed. She would thank the Misters Parker for a pleasant evening, return the coat and flee straight to bed. Hopefully Georgiana would already be asleep, and she could escape without having to dwell on anything. Of course, there is a saying about good intentions, hers were quite thoroughly dashed, when instead of finding Mister Parker giving her a hand out of the carriage it was Sidney and the dark look had not left his eyes. Indeed, he clung to her hand moments too long after she had disembarked.

Mister Parker had entirely disappeared in the second she had taken to fortify herself, instead she was left all alone with Mister Sidney yet again.

Indeed, he did not remove his bare hand from hers at all, as he arranged her arm so he could lead her inside.

Charlotte knew that all reason had abandoned her as she tried to find an excuse, any excuse, to head to her bedroom alone. Instead, she found herself led there, her slowly warming fingers interlinked with his.

She was still trying to find the words to say good night when they arrived at her door. Before she could utter her modest words, he spoke.

"If it is amenable to you, Miss Charlotte," Charlotte he said her name, her Christian name and her heart of hearts whispered that she would love to hear him say it for the rest of her days. "I would ask that you dream fondly of me tonight, for I know you shall haunt my own dreams.”

And with that he was gone.

Charlotte stared at the spot he had been and wondered at which point her life had become a romance novel.

[sweetrupturedlight]

Sanditon Finale Wishlist 

Sidney teasing Charlotte about her impersonation of him earlier in the season and her teasing him back 

Another appearance of Sidney calling her Admiral Heywood (come on its an endearment now) 

An Esther/Babington hug – a long, tight but happy one. We deserve. 

Sidney and Charlotte back on the beach together – but this time they’re alone

 Copious amounts of soul shattering, butterfly inducing, fist biting romance 

Shy, secretive smiles as their opening scene because Sidney confessed his feelings and they both don’t know what to do with that fact

[doomedship]

To be honest, you all should have been ready for this. Look at my blog name. This is what I do.

[spacecleavage]

one of these days

i honestly don’t know anymore

rating: G

words: 745

Charlotte had to admit, Mary Parker had a singular skill in getting Charlotte into situations she much rather would have avoided. The first major incident was her walk with Esther Denham  when she had first arrived in Sanditon, and now this? It was almost too much to take! So, there she was, rowing in the little boat, completely alone with Mister Sidney Parker for the first time since… well since he had walked her to her door the night of the masked ball.

Charlotte was sure she would have a tighter grasp on her feelings by this time, she had even gone as far to promise herself that she would. Yet here she was, unable to meet Mister Parker’s eyes properly as he studied her from across their small boat.

“Have you been well Miss Heywood? It seems as though we haven’t spoken since our trip to London.” The soft timbre of his voice had had the same effect that it had on her during the masked ball, her heart to clenching before almost racing away from her.

“Quite well, though I have to admit, I could do without another adventure like that for the rest of my life.”

“Oh, I agree with you there.” She could see a smile trying to pull at his lips, but he suppressed it. His dark eyes looked across the water, glinting in the soft sunlight. “I meant to ask; did you enjoy yourself at the masked ball?” He shuffled further forward in his seat as he asked.

Her attention was brought to his hands, as his grip tighten on the oars. Even in the light of day, she was surprised at how much bigger they were than hers. She knew how strong they were, memories of him fighting off her would be attacker clear in her mind, but she also knew how gentle they could be, as in her dreams the feel of his hands on her as they danced and then later as they sat next to each other in the carriage.

That was all that was, just sitting next to each other in a carriage, whatever else she had felt was merely because she was over tired. Yes, that was it, her over tired imagination had decided to run away from her.

But still, heart whispered to her wondering what his hand, that beautiful versatile hand would feel like interlinked with her own, not just in the dark of a carriage, but as they walked down the beach, perhaps like the Parkers did when they took the children for their walks. Or what feeling those fingers would cause as they dragged along the skin of her face before he kissed her.

“Charlotte?”

One of his hands wasn’t on the oars anymore, it was reaching for her waist.

Time froze for Charlotte, she could clearly see the determination on his face, and the longing too. Why would he have longing on his face when looking at her though, when Mrs Eliza Campion was back on the shore waiting for him? His eyes weren’t on the shore though, they were on her, more precisely her lips.

“If we weren’t on the middle of this lake, I think I would kiss you.”

“What?” her surprise was palatable.

“Surely you know how I feel about you Charlotte, you make my heart soar and these past days where I have been unable to speak to you, have caused me great pain.” His hands were top of hers and this had to be madness didn’t it? Complete and utter madness was the only logical explanation.

“But Mrs Campion…” she trailed off, not quite sure how to put her fears into words. How could she describe the utter heartbreak she had felt when Tom had told her who Mrs Campion was at the party, or the way that she was made to feel so immature every time that they were together?

“Is nothing, compared to you.”

Charlotte felt for sure her heart was going to burst!

He lent forward again, his eyes totally on her lips and she couldn’t help but let her eyes fall to his. They looked fuller than they had that night in the carriage and this time, this time she had to find out what they tasted like, damn the consequences.

“Sidney! Sidney, I need you!” Mister Tom Parker called from the bank.

“One of these days, we will be completely alone and I will get to kiss you!”

[spacecleavage]

what a green eyed monster

so this all someone's fault! you know who you are!!

this will probably my only fic for the next fews days, i've got a double shift tomorrow and probably a busy on the next, i'll see you all on the other side of the ep! good luck!

rating: t

words: 859

Sidney Parker thought he may actually kill someone. No, not someone. He was going to kill one person only, a person who had basically signed his own death warrant. He glared again at James Stringer as he ducked his head down to talk to Miss Heywood. Anger boiled in his stomach and his hands clenched so violently that they almost felt as if they would break from the strain of it.

Then Charlotte smiled at him, and that anger changed so quickly from boiling to frozen that he almost felt sick... it should be him that she smiled for, not that jumped up foreman. Sidney imagined ripping him away from Charlotte, flinging him into the river before this stupid regatta even began. Then sweeping her off her feet and taking her far away from these strutting buffoons.

Before he could move towards them, a hand fell on his wrist and he was brought back to his own body. Eliza smiled up at him, but he could see the tight corner to it and the way her eyes were cold.

"Don't they look like a cute couple, Sidney?" She spoke so mildly that he nearly missed the gleeful look she sent their way. Sidney made himself look at them again, instead of Eliza's desired effect of making him leave them alone it just spurned him on all the more.

He stalked towards them, devoid of all reason, knowing only that if he didn't take Miss Heywood away from the wretched man he may have actually carried through with his plans of murder. 

The rage was so great that he could feel himself shaking with it. It shouldn't have shocked him that she was smiling and talking with Mister Stringer, he could recall their gentle teasing at the cricket match. He had thought things had changed between himself and Charlotte, after their trip to London and of course their dance. But then, he had that with his other guests, particularly Eliza, his time had been in such short supply, and he had not been able to speak properly with her again.

How he had longed to! But only, Tom needed his help with one thing or another and he found himself having to entertain his guests, lest he lose his own investment. There never seemed to be time to more than merely nod at Charlotte before beginning another action packed day. But surely, she knew of his affection for her, he'd been as obvious as he could be; flirting with her at the masked ball, even dancing with her (properly this time, unlike when Georgiana had interrupted halfway through), and of course their boat ride together.

As he got closer, he could hear what they were actually saying to one another, or rather what young Mister Stringer was saying.

"I know that we have only known each other a short time, but in my experience, that can be enough for a heart to know what it truly wants. And I want you Miss Heywood, most ardently." Young Stringer's accent was thick, no doubt, and only became thicker as he spoke those words. And Sidney was on the wrong side of them to see either of their reactions, but the anger rose even further in him and threatened to burst at the seams.

So, he didn't see the emotions play across Charlotte's face as she comprehended what James Stringer was saying. He couldn't see the soft smile that Charlotte gave Stringer, or the way that his face fell as he realised what the smile meant. He definitely didn't hear the gentle words that Charlotte spoke over the blood rushing through his ears.

When he was a scant two yards from the couple, Young Stringer turned towards him. Sidney, usually the sharp young man who noticed everything, almost didn't see the tears brimming in his eyes, or the reproachful glance that he gave him as he went to join his teammates.

All the emotion that had been tormenting Sidney since he had seen them together, the jealousy, the unbridled anger, and the despair he felt clench his soul when he had seen her smile, that beautiful smile, almost burst out of him in a fit of temper. But he caught himself

There was no trace of her smile now, only an expression he couldn't quite read.

"Mister Parker?" Her voice held a quiver he did not even know it could contain.

"I…"

Before he could stop himself, he lent towards her and did what he should have done at the ball. He kissed her.

He knew his jealousy had overcome him entirely, but that didn't stop him. No, he craned his head down and claimed her lips.

It was strange to describe how his imagination had captured exactly how it felt to kiss Charlotte. But it was not all that it could be, she stood as stiff as a board before him. Not moving at all, as he lifted his hands to grasp her own.

He pulled back, opened his mouth to speak, only to feel the sting of a slap across his face and see the back of her marching away from.

[spacecleavage]

little by little

for @cachekakusu

back again, what is this show doing to me?

this fic is basically Sidney’s pov before they head back to Sanditon, can be read alone or with my other fic recommended to be consumed with a glass of wine (i’ve got a syrah with me at the moment).

my other little note before the fic, prompts are tentatively open, i will try my best but i make no promises

rating: T

words:1,375

Sidney Parker had spent the better part of his adult life perfecting the ability to be completely aloof to all his surroundings, while missing nothing. Take his walks around Sanditon for example, to the common person it would merely look like the eligible middle Parker brother was out for another stroll, perhaps after imbibing too much at the local tavern, when in actuality his temper had most likely flared at an off remark from his companions and he was using such an opportunity to study the progress that had been made on the terraces, he also noticed how few labourers that seemed to be milling around. It was these quiet little things that he noticed, the way someone held their breath a moment too long, or the angle of someone’s head as they spoke, that allowed him to make little conclusions based on his not inconsiderable life experiences. Which led to him appearing to be aloof, but one of the most well informed gentlemen in London, and indeed what made him so very good at his work.

All that being said, one little slip of a girl… woman, had managed to completely undo his aloof mask and lay him bare on multiple occasions.

He flushed with embarrassment when he thought about the flash of temper she had brought about when he had found Otis with Georgiana. Embarrassment not only at the way he had drawn the attention of every person around them, nor just at his harsh treatment of her. But the fact that it had happened at all was embarrassing. While he was inclined to go into an argument all guns blazing, to actually yell? To scream and shout as if he was nothing more than a petulant child? He had drunk a whole bottle of port by himself trying to drown out that memory.

Charlotte Heywood though, Charlotte had the ability to bring it out in him, and not just the negative emotions that he kept in tight control, but the positive ones too, the ones he had kept so tightly bound that he was not even sure he had still had them. Even the memory of her playing with his nieces, particularly in his brother’s house, Tom’s pleading had faded away as he had watched her normally attractive face change to blindingly beautiful with a simple smile, had a smile pulling at his own lips even now. He thought about how foolishly he had let those positive emotions rule his decision to come back.

If he had only steeled his heart, then perhaps he would have not come back to find Otis and Georgiana together, and his trust in Miss Heywood would not have been broken. But where would that have left them? Perhaps he would have back to the cricket match only, and instead of Miss Heywood fawning over that young Mister Stringer she would have been with him, teasing him about watching him play, daring him to play for her. Then instead of the cold distain he had shown her after winning, he could have smiled at her and maybe she would have smiled back, his heart seemed to clench at the thought of it. Georgiana would not have felt the need to sneak off to see Otis, so he could have stayed and basked in the triumph of their win, for it had been their win, after Tom had sulked off. Perhaps later he would have asked her to go on a walk with him, or even a picnic, somewhere he could have had all her attention, all her smiles.

He exhaled sharply, dwelling on the past or way things would be different would do him no good. His experience with Eliza had taught him that all too well.

Eliza… he had definitely not expected to see her at the party. Seeing her, speaking to her it was like he was a young man of nineteen all over again. But he was not that man, he could never go back to a time before she had broken his heart so completely. It was without a doubt, one of the worst things to ever happen to him and simultaneously one of the best. It had broken his heart, utterly destroyed it he had thought, but it was also the catalyst for everything in his life after. If not for it, he would most likely still be living in his brother’s shadow, at his beck and call for everything to do with Sanditon. Instead, Sidney Parker was a man of means, had a house in London, was asked to important parties with important people. It was the life that any parent would want for their child, especially his mother.

He could almost hear her voice, telling him a story before he went to sleep, a young man who started out as nothing, with nothing, but who rose above all the evil things around him to become a knight, off defeating dragons and rescuing maidens. The story of course ended with a happily ever after, the knight riding off with the fair maiden he had rescued. Looking back on it, he could tell the important parts that his mother had wanted for him, the happily ever after she envisioned for all her children. She had done well with Tom and Mary; her next project would have been him. She would have cajoled him into settling down with someone. Even if he had denied her vehemently, had taken on more licentious behaviour to drive her away, she would have begged, borrowed and stolen to get things her way.

He idly wondered what his mother would think of Miss Heywood.

“She’s a good young woman. Headstrong and stubborn for sure, but you need someone like that to counteract your own pigheadedness. Pretty too, think of what handsome babies you would make.”

His imagination had clearly escaped from him today. He took a long drag from the cigarette that had been dangling precariously from his fingers, settling further back into his chair.

His mind unsurprisingly went back to Miss Heywood, his mind’s eye lingering on her body. How delectably scrumptious she had looked last night; her golden gown has silhouetted her figure perfectly and brought a warmth to her skin that he didn’t know she was lacking. Indeed, the base wanton part of him lingered on cleavage, the way it had looked as she panted after their dance. It whispered to him about how she would look when she was in the midst of pleasure and wondering what sweet noises she would make in the dark.

He bit the inside of his lips sharply to repress the thoughts. It was most ungentlemanly and would only lead him back to his morning predicament.

Oh, how she tempted him. He knew he still had those desires, but most women tended not to bring out that side of him. In fact, at the rate that Miss Heywood was going, she was going to completely destroy all his carefully constructed walls, and all that would be left was him.

Perhaps that was what she wanted, to undo him at every turn. He knew that if she exposed him again, found some part of him that he had thought dead, he would lose himself to her completely.

His mind’s eye conjured her lips next, full and pouting ever so slightly as they had been after their dance and then later in the carriage…

No! He was in control; he controlled all his emotions, just as he had these past long years. He had just been stressed, yes that was it. He was stressed which was impacting on the tight leash he kept on his emotions. Miss Heywood had no control over him. None whatsoever.

When he opened his eyes, set on his resolve, there she was. She looked almost angelic with the morning light pouring through the open curtains behind her, her sheer sleeves almost invisible in the bright light and her brown overdress almost a dark red.

She opened her mouth to speak and before he knew what came over him, he was out of his chair, bowing to her, with a smile on his face. A smile only she seemed to bring out in him.

Well, damn it!

[spacecleavage]

be you. no one else can

this girl is back, work was hectic af and this was half written during my short breaks. i have been getting all your lovely prompts, but sadly i am a slow writer and i must work to pay the bills.

summary:- slight au, a party after the race

rating:- G

words:- 1208

The words danced circles and circles around her head. "Be you. No one else can,"

The phrase itself was so beautiful in its sentiment, that she had to swallow down the rush of emotions that accompanied it. Or maybe that was because of the memory that came with the words. She had escaped down the shore, away from the regatta revellers as they celebrated all too loudly for her tastes. The regatta had been a brilliant success, with the Stringer team clinching a close victory. But the carefully veiled comments from Mrs Campion had nearly spoiled her mood, thankfully Mary had dragged her to the finish line before she'd had to make actual conversation with the unpleasant woman. The noise from the party echoed off the water in front of her, sounding strange to her poor ears. But as she'd looked out over the river, the lights from the party reflected from it, her mood had picked up. It was something she could write home about, that was for sure.

She did miss her home, it was like an ache in her chest, especially as she'd watched Mary and Tom embracing the children earlier.

She had been tempted to give up on the party, make her excuses and go home to the warm house and have a strong cup of tea. 

But then she would miss the dancing that was sure to begin very soon, and she had promised Arthur that she would save a dance for him.

Still, she waited by the shore, hoping that her distance would mean that she wouldn't have to interact with anyone.

Anyone? Or just Eliza Campion who makes you feel singularly inferior and immature in only a few sentences? 

It was that dark little part of her spoke it, but she knew it to be true.

"Some days, I wish I were someone else entirely." She whispered up to the moon, even though it wouldn't answer back, it felt better to speak aloud her silly little wish.

"Please don't." Sidney's deep, gravelly voice came from behind her, causing her to all but jump out of her skin. She spun on her heel to stare at him. "You are entirely too singular to be anyone else."

His dark shape was silhouetted from the lights of the party, though with his preference for darker clothes it was hard to differentiate between the shadows and him.

She wondered how he could have snuck up on her so effectively, one moment she was completely alone and the next he was beside her.

And now that she knew he was there, he was impossible to ignore, his dark shape looming over her. She could not breathe as she waited for him to say something, anything. Why was he just standing there? And how long had he been there?

“Mister Parker,” She tried not to stare at his face, but the darkness made it near impossible to see his expression. She could help but wander that even if she could see his expression, if she would be able to understand it. She had thought herself coming to understand them, but then Mrs Campion and arrived and left her in a tailspin.

“Miss Heywood,” his head ducked down with his greeting, and for the briefest moment she was able to see his genuine smile reflected in the light of the moon across the water, “what are you doing so far away from the party?” Such a pale light softened his features, and Charlotte was again struck by how handsome a man that he was.

“I...” she began to speak but caught herself before the rest of the sentence slipped out. I didn’t want to see you flirting with Mrs Campion, she bit her tongue to stop the rest of it from coming out.

“Are you feeling well?” he stepped forward, and with him closer she could see the concern marring his face.

She could not help the rush of breath as he stepped closer than common curtsey would have allowed. She was frozen in place as his hand moved closer to her face, nearly brushing her cheekbone with his fingertips. Just the change of pressure over her cheekbone, sent a shiver down her spine, her gut clenching and mouth suddenly dry.

“No, actually, I think I spent too long in the sun. Please make my apologies to your brothers, I think I shall head back to Trafalgar house.” She spoke quickly, the excuse sounding weak to her own ears but the need to be away from him and the overwhelming emotions he always invoked.

She tried to move around him, the need to do something so encompassing that if she didn’t move now, she feared she may do something she regretted.

“Wait, I shall accompany you back.” His hand caught her wrist, his finger caressing her as if she was made from glass and then they were gone and only the tingling on her skin as proof of his touch.

“Please, I do not wish to tear you away from the party.” She softly begged, her eyes firmly fixed on the path towards Sanditon; she could not look at him for fear he would see through her fallacy.

“It would be remiss of me to leave you unescorted, therefore I must insist.”

She opened her mouth, hoping a reply, or another excuse would be forthcoming. In the fraction of a second it took her to recall Lady Susan’s request for another conversation, Sidney had already began moving to escort her towards Sanditon.

“I apologise but I promised Lady Susan I would walk with her.”

“Well then, before you leave, I would make a request of you myself?” He was so close to her again, and again she was consumed by his proximity; the way there didn’t seem to be enough air in her lungs, her heart pounding so loudly it almost drowned out all the noise.

“After last time?” her voice was barely above a whisper and she couldn’t help the tremble that it held.

“Indeed,” he smiled grimly to himself, “be you, no one else can.”

With his declaration, her heart stopped its frantic pace in her chest and the air in her lungs disappeared. She was left speechless by such a simple phrase, yet it rocked her to her very core.

His hand materialised near her face, again glancing over her cheekbone again, before threading itself around one of her wayward curls.  He lent ever closer as he pushed it behind her ear. She stared up at him, and he stared, with his rich dark eyes down at her, not though into her eyes, but rather at her lips.

She couldn’t help but do the same, and when she looked at them, she could not help but be intrigued with how luscious they looked, and full too. His tongue darted out to wet them and she felt herself copy the action. He swayed even closer, there was but a few inches between them when she heard the voice pierce the fog of her mind.

“Miss Charlotte,” Arthur’s voice was clear and not far away. “You haven’t forgotten our dance, have you?”

She rolled over in her bed again, the memory still playing over and over again.

[sweetrupturedlight]

You’re telling me this show hinted not once, but twice at what life as Mr & Mrs Sidney Parker would look like and we failed to get a return on this investment?

Exhibit A: Charlotte joins Sidney at the river with the Parker children and fight me but it’s like a flashforward to the two of them playing with their kids.

Exhibit B: Sidney watches Charlotte play with their daughter his niece when Tom’s being annoying af asking for assistance again.

BONUS: Scene at the beach when he approaches Charlotte building sand castles with the children. Let’s just ignore Eliza’s presence shall we?

[spacecleavage]

girl like you (impossible to find)

Charlotte stared at the ceiling, the whiteness of it slowly blinding her to everything else. Air rushed from the open window over her face. She blatantly ignored how cold it felt across her cheeks. She blindly reached out for her phone, turning up the volume as Christina Perri's melodic voice took a sorrowful turn.

She focused on releasing the tension in her jaw, fearing that if they clenched anymore she may have broken her teeth. The silly exercise that a substitute teacher had taught the class, breathe in for four seconds, hold for another four and then release for four. Square breathing, she reminded herself.

It worked for the time it took to breathe out again, but her heart, her traitorous heart went back to Sidney Parker.

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