#the idea of what anthony and benedict could have taught him is kind of a hilarious side tangent

[spaceorphan18]

I have some Colin headcanons because it's 1am and apparently, this is what I'm thinking about tonight. Headcanons based solely on the show - Book!Colin is just a different animal.

Some time after the whole Marina incident, he and Anthony had a very uncomfortable conversation about how and where he can go get laid. Benedict found out about it, and finds it hilarious

He totally lost his virginity to the Contessa. Like - he DOES NOT shut up about her.

And she seduced him - because I just cannot imagine him ever having that much game. (Colin is not a liar, but he is kinda dumb and rather pretty, and I'm sure this woman knew what she was doing.)

She also is the one who taught him how to properly pleasure a woman (c'mon, he had to learn that from somewhere and I highly doubt /that/ was something Anthony or Benedict was going to go into-though that'd have been a hilarious convo.), plus, while the European Tour was definitely his slut era, I'm guessing 99% of that was at brothels.

(Though, I am amused by the idea of Colin asking so many questions at the brothels and the sex workers being like... okay, my dude, usually sex does not include this much talking.)

Also, slut era isn't as slutty as he lets on when he gets back. I mean, he only keeps telling the ONE story. And sure, discovering sex is fun, but as he writes in his journal, doesn't stop loneliness or provide genuine connection.

How many times did he end up at a brothel after he wrote to Pen and thought about the fact that he's been hearing nothing back from her?

[arbitraryreveries]

My Ranking of the Bridgerton NOVELS

From someone who read all but the last two. I can't read the last two yet. But this is the first six.

The Official Reading Order Is:

The Duke & I

The Viscount Who Loved Me

An Offer from a Gentleman

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

To Sir Phillip, With Love

When He Was Wicked

But I Read Them:

The Duke & I (after I watched the show)

When He Was Wicked (because everyone said it was sexy)

The Viscount Who Loved Me (after I watched the show)

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (because everyone likes Polin so much)

To Sir Phillip, With Love (because I was curious)

An Offer from a Gentleman (because I was at last willing to have Benedict ruined for me since everyone said he was a jerk in the books)

Now, here's my list IN ORDER OF ENJOYMENT from LEAST to MOST (discounting all factors such as the amount of sexism and quality of plot and writing, etc., because there are some wild things in these books, BUT for the sake of the ranking, this is just HOW MUCH I LIKED THEM with no other factors involved):

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

The Duke & I

To Sir Phillip, With Love

The Viscount Who Loved Me

An Offer from a Gentleman

When He Was Wicked

I didn't actively HATE any of these, though there were moments in most of them that I hated.

And here's why they are in that order.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton - #6

I think the thing that destroyed this for me was expectations. Y'all love Polin so much, but I just felt like their relationship wasn't developed AT ALL? Like, the story relies on them being "friends" to lovers, but I never felt the friendship. It felt like Penelope had a silly crush on him, Colin suddenly found her hot after she "grew up" (got skinnier, even?), and they started wanting to bone. Further, it wasn't that sexy, and y'all have been acting like it's SO SEXY. But even things like the mirror scene are just ... a fantasy Colin has but never actually does?? Like, that's so lame? And what they do do is off screen or not very hot, with the exception of the carriage scene which is kind of weird/creepy in the first place. Plus, Colin is a jerk, and Penelope is not much better if only because she refuses to communicate in a helpful manner.

The Duke & I - #5

They really did soften that non-con in the show, didn't they? Like, in the show, I really do think Daphne had NO IDEA what she was doing. She wasn't taught consent. In the book, she feels very much in control, and that's gross. That said, I get that in the era ... like, I know it's wrong, but I get it. Anyways, all this to say, it was kind of vanilla, and not super charming, and Daphne really is "not like other girls." I did like the sibling interactions, though.

To Sir Phillip, With Love - #4

I think because y'all like Eloise in the show, you have villainized this one, but it's actually pretty solid. There are some iffy bits, and like every single hero in this series, Phillip can be ... yeah. Wildly sexist and obviously dealing with issues that are never resolved. BUT that said ... I didn't think it was half-bad? I think it could have been adapted well, but show Eloise is more a jerk who feels like discount Hyacinth (I adore Hyacinth, but she's likable). So I was pleasantly surprised with this one as I expected it to be far, far worse, especially as I don't like show Eloise. But this Eloise is fine, if she does need a little more personality!

The Viscount Who Loved Me - #3

Not actually that good of a book, but I LOVE Simone and Jonathan, so that's why this is up to high. Since I watched it after watching season 2, I JUST. I CAN'T. HELP. MYSELF. Their chemistry has made the book better. Also, the book removes the annoying subplot with Edwina and all the wedding drama and just ... it makes it better. I wish they'd found a way to work it out without the pain that was that one really bad part of season 2 (where they carried on with the wedding with Edwina) while also giving Kate and Anthony the ability to choose each other/not have an arranged marriage. Like, surely there must have been a way!

An Offer from a Gentleman - #2

The only reason this is #2 is because my expectations were on the GROUND. I read this last because I just KNEW I was going to come out DETESTING Benedict, and I didn't want to. He's like my favorite character in the show (other than Kate who is absolute perfection ... oh, and Lady Danbury, though she's a much more minor character ... and Simon, I actually really like show Simon), and like, I wasn't ready to have my baby Benedict destroyed. But again, I dreamt worse than was true! I inserted more sexism and bullying and evil in the book in my head than was true! So because my expectations were so low, I really enjoyed it, and I thought Sophie was the SWEETEST (other than Kate and Francesca, she is my favorite book heroine - they're all tied for 1st place) and ... like, I even liked her so much that I went back to Eloise's book to reread her scenes because I LOVE HER. Benedict wasn't fantastic, but their sex was sexy, and I think Sophie deserves all the world. She is a gem. Protect my baby forever. <3

When He Was Wicked - #1

I LOVE THIS BOOK. Why don't you talk about it more? Francesca and Michael are GREAT. I can't wait to see the Fran/John/Michael trio in the show (I hope!!!). The chemistry, the sex, the tragedy and heartbreak, the angst, the longing for a child ... all of it touched me in a deep place. I also think it was better written than some of the other stories, though beauty may be in the eye of the beholder. Sure, there are some typical-of-the-books weird moments (Michael at times can be really sexist/angry/borderline playing with non-con in an unhealthy way when it comes to his "seducing", but it was less creepy than some of the other ones because Fran is always so into it, and it was clear that her regrets were entirely due to John, not because she felt violated or used by Michael, which is what really would have been disturbing). That said, I felt like I was sighing and suspending my disbelief less with this novel? And really, it almost made me cry several times, sometimes even during the sexy scenes, because I just FELT FOR THEM. Like, truly, I don't know if it's because I'm dealin' with some baby issues or because it hits my sexsy times tastes so well, but like, I was INVESTED. Anyways, I just thought this book was great (for a Bridgerton novel).

I know there are some unpopular opinions here, so I may get beat up, but hey, guys, they're just books! And a TV show! Let's not be mean to each other about tastes, okay? Even though I was snarky here a bit lol so I deserve it. OKAY have at me! BULLY AWAY. I'm sorrrrrryyyy.

[deadmunds-ghostbee]

Rambling thoughts/analyses on each of the stills bc I’m procrastinating:

1. This is episode 4, so we might already be at Aubrey hall at this point (or maybe not I don’t think Violet would decorate with pinks???) He looks kind of angry and very horny so maybe this dance is right before or after a first kiss? Definitely not the first time they’ve danced though, just from body language. Also she doesnt have a dance card again! What does it all meannnn?  Anyway I’m obsessed with the hands. Obsessed with his thumbs and her hair and how close his chest is to her back. The other hand looks like its hooking into her dress almost. Literally don’t know how just a picture can have that much tension. This picture is getting tattooed on my heart along with being pasted up on all my apartment walls.

2. Great possibilities with this one, especially since its episode 2. I assume theyre probably talking about Anthony’s courtship but I love the idea of this being connected to the Deadmund flashbacks. Maybe he taught each of them to fence? Maybe they’ll teach gregory and get emo that Deadmund couldn’t teach him? This shot really captures fun and nostalgia but maybe its just anthony huffing about miss sharma and taking it out on colin. 

3. This one is...interesting? Like the wigs and outfits but I am interested in the location. Is this Eloise’s room? Pen has a reticule and she wouldnt have that in her own home right? It gives bluestocking or professor-y vibes, and it looks like they’re talking about something important. I know there’s a LW plotline, but maybe this is about Eloise’s subplot! In the books she refuses marriage three times her first season so they could be discussing that, or maybe it’s about Eloise’s involvement in a social movement. From what we have seen about extras and new characters it seems like a possibility. There are literally so many things it could be I’ll just stop rambling.

4. From the first episode! My guess is they are discussing “rakes” at the beginning of the episode, have guests, or are talking with Mary. Maybe discussing attending the Danbury ball. Kate seems casual but Edwina is very attentive and upright. Also NEWTON IS JUST FUCKING HUGE JESUS CHRIST. No doubts he could knock someone into a body of water with all that weight on him. Other thoughts: Kate’s wig looks weird but fucking whatever I don’t care. Charitha looks gorgeous and so Edwina. Kate has a lot of that dark teal color in her wardrobe and is giving much older vibes. 

5. From episode three! CVD said something on twitter that made it seem like this was the Aubrey Hall study. Interested by their facial expressions. Daphne’s concerned and he looks weirdly chipper. Probably talking about matchmaking or Kate. Maybe she’s upset he doesn’t want a love match and is telling everyone, or saying  that Edwina and him won’t suit. Hopefully Daphne won’t find out about the premarital kiss. regardless she must be most heavily involved in the courtship, more than colin or benedict or even violet.

6. Episode...er I forget. This will be vague but I wonder what they’ll do with the queen this season? Obviously she’s still concerned with LW and maybe even the activism subplot that will be prevalent. Hopefully more with her and the king, bc she wont be invested in the romance like she was with Daphne and Simon. Whatever it is they’ll have to keep her on screen bc they have a whole show to promote about her soon!

7. Episode 1! I would think they’re lookin bejeweled for the debut in front of the queen? If not then for a ball, but that would mean they got their hands on some money. Either from the Featherington heir or maybe Pen used some whistledown $$$ like she did in the books. Anyway they lookin fly makes me wonder why Pen is still in her old yellow clothes in the still with Eloise. In other news if Mr finch and Phillipa dont get more screen time I’ll commit some netflix HQ arson. 

8. Final pic is from ep 4! (Same as the dancing one hmm). They’d probably be at Aubrey Hall for shooting at least, and it’s interesting that Jack is there but not Colin! Love that we’ll get Kate/Ben content and Kate’s jaunty Danbury-like cap is immaculate. She’s wearing that teal-ish color again, going along with Anthony’s dark blues. It seems like the show is going hard on them being competitive what with Pall Mall, horse racing/riding, and now shooting. We know Anthony is kinda bad at shooting and I’m sure this will just be anther silly opportunity for Kate to show him up but I’m not like, that mad at it. I don’t think she’d actually be comfortable killing a real animal though. Maybe they’ll be clay. Anyway, I love the Kate is a jock content bc we know she doesnt like to read lol. It kind of makes more sense than Eloise being randomly great with guns.

All in all I’m so excited looking at these stills! I think at least some of my predictions will end up being right, and whether some of the topics, subplots, romances, whatever are tackled well or poorly remains to be seen until it’s in front of our faces. In the meantime it feels good to be excited and be overly analytical as I often like to be!

[music-is-love-90]

Summary: A delay in the ballroom means Kate doesn't hear Anthony lay out his list of requirements for a wife. In turn, he doesn't ruin his chances with her. Even the best laid plans can fall apart when love interferes.

Ch. 12:

Tea with the ladies of the house was a bright affair with much laughter.

“He would send Benedict to dance with me any time another man came within ten feet of me.” Daphne said with a laugh as she bounced Auggie on her knee.  “It was a nightmare!  I could have cheerfully killed him.”

“You see, Bon?” Kate said imperiously as she took a sip of her tea.  “It could be worse.”

“I don’t know.” Edwina replied thoughtfully.  “I seem to have a lot of Bridgerton dance partners these days.  Perhaps the Viscount is giving lessons?”

“Oh, you poor dear!” Daphne exclaimed, laughing as Kate glared at her sister. 

“Dances with you are simply an apology for having to dance with me.” Kate said primly before turning to Daphne. “I’m not a particularly strong dancer. I’m too used to leading.”

“I never seem to have any complaints.”

The ladies turned to see Anthony and Simon enter the room.

“Perhaps my brothers are the poor dancers.” He continued, sitting next to her as Simon took his seat next to his wife.

“Perhaps you are just better at avoiding, my Lord.” Kate replied, smiling at him. “You did say you had much practice with your sisters.”

“Anthony!” Daphne exclaimed, reaching over to smack her brother. “Surely you didn’t imply that I am a poor dancer!”

“I am.” Eloise chimed in from where she was talking to Edwina. “Frankly, you should never let me dance, brother. Simply to protect your fellow man, of course.”

“You’re a lovely dancer, dear.” Violet called from across the room where she sat, locked in conversation with Mary and Lady Danbury. “Nothing you say will get you out of dancing next week.”

Eloise grumbled and sank further into her seat, making the other smile into their cups.

“I rather think Kate’s level of competence with Lord Bridgerton has more to do with her level of distraction.” Edwina said blandly with a wicked look in her eye.

“Bon.” Kate hissed, glaring at her sister fiercely.

“What?” she asked innocently. “Clearly you and Lord Bridgerton enjoy your sparring. And it, in turn, takes your mind off dancing, Didi! Why, whatever did you think I meant?”

Kate muttered at Edwina in Tamil, but her sister just serenely drank her tea. Anthony looked at Kate curiously, but she studiously ignored him.

“What language was that?” Simon asked. “I don’t believe I’ve heard it before.”

“Tamil, your Grace.” Kate replied. “It’s my mother tongue.”

“It sounds so beautiful.” Daphne told her. “I wish my grasp of languages was stronger. I’m passable in all the fashionable ones, but I’m not particularly fluent.”

“I have a gift for languages.” Kate replied. “My father had to deal with people from across the world in his position as secretary to the Royal Family. When he would learn a new language, he would then teach them to me and I, in turn, taught them to Edwina.”

“Kate is better than me, though.” Her sister interjected. “She is truly gifted when it comes to languages.  She used to help Appa when the Maharaja would need a translator.”

“I now understand how you can be so at ease around the Queen.” Anthony commented. “Clearly she is not the first royal you have dealt with.”

“The Royal Family were kind to us.” Kate said simply. “We were of an age with the Raja and Rani and were allowed to form friendships with them and share their tutors. We are grateful for their friendship and support.”

“There was a time we thought the Raja might offer for Kate, but he married the daughter of another Raja.” Edwina told them gleefully.

Anthony felt rage rush through him at the thought of some foreign prince marrying Kate before he ever had a chance to meet her. The idea that he may have never met her seemed inconceivable to him.

“You and Mary may have believed that, Bon.” Kate said with a shake of her head. “Appa and I never had such thoughts, I assure you.”

“He did favor you, Didi.” Her sister protested.

“Princes do not marry the daughters of secretaries.” She replied in a tone that said they had had this conversation before. “Only in stories.”

Anthony was desperate for a subject change. He would give anything for any other subject.

“Where exactly has your ferocious beast run off to?” he asked, making a production of looking around. Kate turned to glare at him and he breathed a sigh of relief.

“I have sent your devoted follower into the loving care of your youngest siblings.” She told him. “Since you have so utterly failed in your duty to provide a companion for your dear sister, I have graciously allowed her to take charge of Newton while we are in residence.”

“Oh, I’ve failed in my duty?”

“Utterly, my Lord.”

“My ‘dear sister’ is a hellion who is probably plotting to steal your animal as we speak.”

“Well, she would not have to kidnap poor Newton if you would bow to common sense!”

“Poor Newton?! That dog is a menace, and you know it.”

“Newton has never done anything wrong in his life.”

“Are they always like this?” Simon asked as Daphne watched with clear delight.

“Yes, your Grace.” Edwina answered brightly.

“You should have seen them at Ascot.” Eloise added.

“Speaking of Ascot,” Kate said, abandoning her defense of corgis everywhere for this new subject, “you still owe me my winnings, my Lord.”

Anthony grinned at her.

“So I do.” He got to his feet. “And it just so happens that your present is here at Aubrey Hall. Miss Sharma?”

She took his hand with no reservations as she returned his grin brightly, letting him lead her out of the room. Simon and Daphne rose to follow, but Edwina and Eloise begged off, returning to their debate on philosophy. They followed Kate and Anthony to the stables, amused as the other couple bickered the whole way. Kate finally realized where they were and stopped, confused. Simon and Daphne hung back to allow Anthony his moment.

“Why are we here, my Lord?” Kate asked suspiciously.

“Come with me and I’ll show you.” He taunted, boldly taking her hand once more and pulling her forward.

He led her to a particular stall and moved to stand behind her. Inside was a beautiful, large chestnut mare.

“I don’t understand.” She said softly, turning slightly to see his face.

“This is Isis.” He replied, his voice just as soft. “She’s yours.”

Kate gaped at him.

“My Lord, you can’t!” she protested. “It is too much!”

“It’s really not.” He told her. “I have been waiting for someone worthy of her and I cannot think of anyone more worthy. Besides, you’ve already raced her brother, Osiris.”

“She’s your mount’s sister?” she questioned sharply and he nodded.

Kate turned back to Isis and Anthony could tell she was beginning to relent.

“I thought we could race again tomorrow.” He whispered, his breath warm on her neck. “Care to see if you can best me again, Miss Sharma?”

Once again, he was so close. He always was invading her space like no one else ever had. Before she could think better of it, she leaned back so she was pressed against his chest. She felt him inhale sharply and every place they touched felt like it was on fire.

“I think you’ll find, my Lord,” she told him, her voice low and breathless, “I never lose.”

Every fiber of Anthony’s being wanted to wrap her in his arms, to press a kiss to her neck, before turning her around and kissing her until they were both breathless. Instead, he stayed exactly where he was, knowing just how close his sister and her husband were and took a breath.

“Prove it.”

Kate’s eyes snapped back to his, fiery at the challenge.

“Tomorrow, then.” She agreed. “Isis and I will do just fine, I am sure, but I should get to know her, don’t you think?”

With that, she pulled away and Anthony felt his body following her before he made himself stay still as Daphne and Simon joined him.

“Kate’s going to ride Isis?” Daphne asked, surprised.

“Miss Sharma now owns Isis.” Anthony corrected. “She won her fair and square.”

“Your brother perjures himself most egregiously.” Kate called from where she was stroking Isis’s neck.

“No bet I could have placed would ever cover the price of a horse such as this, but I find I don’t care because I have fallen in love. Isn’t that right, my gorgeous one?”

Anthony studiously ignored the other couple’s gazes as Kate continued to speak to the horse.

“My Lord?”

Anthony turned to find a footman at the door.

“Lady Bridgerton requests you return to the house to ready yourself for dinner.”

He nodded and turned back to Kate.

“I’m afraid you must abandon your new love until tomorrow, Miss Sharma.” He told her, enjoying her pout tremendously. “My mother bids us to dinner.”

Kate sighed and pressed her forehead against Isis’s briefly before returning to Anthony’s arm.

“Thank you.” She said, leaning into his arm as they headed back. “She’s gorgeous.”

“I’m glad you love her.” He replied warmly. “I could not have parted with her for anyone who could not truly appreciate her worth.”

Kate blushed and ducked her head. They were quiet the rest of the way to the house, but it was comfortable. Anthony had never been as at ease with a woman before, not even Sienna. When he was with her, he didn’t have to be anything other than himself. He knew in his soul that he could never let this go. He could not lose her.

He loved her.

He had always thought he would be terrified by that thought, but, somehow, he knew she was worth the terror and that made it less scary. As long as she was there, he could face anything.

Next to him, Kate’s mind was spinning out. This didn’t make any sense. How could he be serious about this? He was a Lord, nobility, and yet when he looked at her it was like she was all he could see.

Like he loved her like she loved him.

She was terrified. Every moment she was with him, he dug himself deeper into her heart until there was no room left. All there was was him. She needed his smiles like she needed to breathe, his steadiness at her side like a bulwark in a storm. She needed him and it was the scariest thing she had ever experienced.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs to the guest wing, he lifted her hand to press a lingering kiss to it that made her blood burn.

“Until later, Miss Sharma.”

“Until later, Lord Bridgerton.”

He let her go and watched as she turned away, heading up the stairs. Before she disappeared, she glanced back and smiled softly, waiting for him to return it, before turning the corner. When she was out of sight, he turned on his heel and disappeared into his study, leaving Simon and Daphne staring after him.

“Well.” The Duchess of Hastings said finally. “This will be an interesting two weeks.”

“Yes, it will, my dear.” The Duke agreed.

~.~

Before dinner, Kate took a moment to walk in the gardens by herself. Her emotions were in total turmoil. She couldn’t begin to comprehend what was happening. She had come to England with a plan, to marry off Edwina and protect Mary. She never once considered she would feel this way, that she would want to stay.

“You look pensive, Miss Sharma.”

She turned to find Lady Danbury behind her.

“I am just thinking of everything that’s happened since I arrived from India.” She told the matron. “I had a plan.”

“Plans change, Miss Sharma.” She told her. “That is not a failing.”

Kate shook her head, taking a shaky breath.

“I don’t know how to do this.” She whispered.

Lady Danbury motioned to a nearby bench, and they sat.

“You are a young woman, Miss Sharma, no matter what you seem to think.” She told the young woman. “Do you enjoy the Viscount’s company?”

Kate nodded, not trusting her voice.

“Do you think you could love him?”

She nodded again.

“Then do not let your fear push him away.” The matron told her. “Anyone with eyes can see how much he esteems you.”

“But this was to be Edwina’s coming out.” Kate protested. “I cannot take the attention from her, not for me.”

“You believe your sister would begrudge you a marriage of love?” Lady Danbury questioned incredulously.

“I believe that I have spent years preparing Edwina for this.” Kate replied. “This is all she’s dreamed of for years. I will not take that away from her.”

“Have you told your sister of the Sheffield’s requirements?”

Kate shook her head.

“I don’t know how.” She admitted. “I’ve lied to her. How do I tell her that?”

“It will be worse if she falls in love and then finds out.” Danbury shot back.

Kate nodded sadly and Lady Danbury sighed.

“You have put yourself behind your mother and sister for years.” She told her. “You need to decide if the Viscount is worth putting yourself first. If you love him, do not let him get away. In our world, that is incredibly rare, and it is worth fighting for.”

“Why do you care, Lady Danbury?” Kate asked. “You offered to shepherd Edwina, not me.”

“I abhor anyone wasting their potential.” She told her. “You are strong, intelligent, and capable. You could be so much more than a governess. Something more than what the ton believes.”

Kate was quiet for a moment.

“I don’t want to hurt Edwina.” She whispered. “I don’t want to let her or Mary down.”

“I think you don’t give them enough credit.” She replied. “And if you finding love means their disapproval, then they are not the women I believe them to be, and I am rarely wrong.” She was quiet for a moment. “Your mother asked too much of you in the wake of losing your father. You should have never had to fill the role you took on.”

“I did what I had to do to make sure they survived.” Kate protested.

“You were a child, Miss Sharma.” Lady Danbury shot back. “Your mother was grieving, yes, but that doesn’t mean you should have had to be mother and father. You should have been allowed to be a child.”

Kate stayed silent.

“If you decide you don’t want to stay here, that you want to go back to India, no one will stop you.” The older woman told her. “But do not let your fear drive you to do something drastic against your own interests because you feel like you owe it to someone.”

Kate nodded and subtly wiped away a tear. Lady Danbury reached over to pat her hand before standing up.

“Dinner will begin soon.” She told her. “I shall see you in there.”

With that, she left Kate alone with her thoughts.

[newtonsheffield]

Could we maybe get some Benophie for Spicy Sunday? 🌶 any AU? Your call of AU but pretty please? 🥺 it’s been so long since we’ve had some Benophie spice

It has been a long time since these two have gotten freaky on Spicy Sunday. They deserve it.

Welcome Good Girls Sophie and Ben to the stage everybody

Sophie Beckett loved her boyfriend, that much was true and everyone knew it. And maybe it was ridiculous, because she was only 16 years old, but she thought a little desperately that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Benedict Bridgerton.

He had been very sweet, right from the beginning, as he'd walked her to work, loitering nervously outside, his lip caught between his teeth as he'd said

"Excuse me, Sophie!" As she'd walked inside with an awkward wave, his hands fluttering nervously with his signs as he spoke. "Could I maybe have your phone number? It's okay if you don't want to, I'm a practical stranger but um, I think you're really pretty and-"

His eyes had slipped down to his sneakers as he'd spoken, Sophie's heart hammering away, she interrupted him with a touch to his arm, waiting for his eyes to slide up to hers so he could read her lips.

"Ben, do you want to go out with me some time?"

And his smile had been the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. They'd barely been apart since, His hands guiding hers as he taught her BSL, him signing Can I dye your hair?! Let's do it mint green! excitedly, as he grinned at her. He was so beautiful, so in touch with who he was, that she couldn't help but be attracted to it. She who'd never had anything.

She'd thought his Smile was the most beautiful thing that she'd ever seen, and it was, Until she saw his face when he fell apart for her. It was nothing short of extraordinary, the way he shuddered against her, the way he tugged her closer, his hands in her hair, their foreheads pressed together I love you so much Soph. She'd never felt so loved in her entire life, so wanted. The only problem was, Ben was a little loud.

It wasn't his fault, really it wasn't, he had absolutely no idea, and she liked hearing the desperate choked noises ripped from his chest, it made her feel a little powerful, but it did make it a little difficult to do anything with his family home. And that was the last thing she needed. She had been desperately afraid of Mrs. Bridgerton's judgement, with her rainbow coloured hair, and a nose ring, and the entire teen runaway aspect of her life, she'd been fairly sure she was not the kind of girl that Mrs. Bridgerton wanted for her son. But she'd been warmly invited inside and brought into the family, and the last thing she needed was his family thinking she was a harlot or something similarly archaic.

Ben, babe, you need to be quiet. Sophie signed laughing as she trailed down his body, her teeth, nipping at his collarbone. Ben nodded, though he whined loudly.

Babe, I mean it, Anthony's next door, and he's cool but he's not that cool.

Ben nodded, his eyes squeezed tight, as soon as she'd finished signing. Sophie fumbled wth his belt, palming over his jeans, grinding against his thigh a little.

"Soph." It was practically a whine, pulled from his chest, they rarely talked verbally when they were alone now , he was self conscious about his speaking voice, she knew and signing made him so much more comfortable, but in moments like this, sometimes words slipped out, strangled and desperate and it made her feel bold.

She tugged his jeans down his legs, heat building in the pit of her stomach already as she knelt before him, catching his attention with a touch to his arm.

Eyes on me, Ben. and then she started moving over him, the taste of him against her tongue a little heady, and as soon as she started, so did the noises. Benedict's groan was nearly constant, desperately pulled from the back of his throat, his hand tangling in her hair, pulling her closer, their eyes locked together as she moved, tension building in the air, and she really didn't fucking care if anyone heard. His mother could walk in and she wouldn't have stopped. The control she had over him in that moment, a little too good as her hand reached between her own thighs, Ben's hips cants erratically towards her as he saw, his eyes widening, the noises from the back of his throat bouncing off the walls, her name strangled by the noise again and again and again pushing her closer and closer to the edge until his hand was desperately trying to catch her attention his hands moving frantically

You have to stop if you don't want me to-

It's fine Babe his eyes rolled back in his head, his hands clutching at her desperately again, and a scream ripped from his chest and he collapsed back on the bed.

I really fucking love you. He said as he pulled her to his chest his shoulders still heaving.

not very quiet, Babe, but I guess I don't care. Sophie leaned down, their lips meeting lazily.

Anthony's a smug prick anyway. Give me a second and then It's your turn. Their stupid laughter echoing through the room.

And unfortunately Anthony was a very smug prick, Signing delightedly a smirk on his face.

Sophie I feel like I should be applauding you. Congratulations ickle Benny!

Fuck Off Anthony! Signed in tandem.

Fortunately for Sophie she didn't have to wait long for revenge, woken in the early afternoon just a few months later by Anthony's headboard banging against the wall. Sophie groaned

What's Wrong?! Benedict sat up to attention immediately, feeling the vibrations of her groan.

It's Anthony and Kate. Benedict frowned at her words, Sophie rolled her eyes as the noises from next door intensified

"Oh Fuck, Kate, Yes Princess."

They're Fucking. It's foul.

She did feel very smug though standing at the top of the landing clapping slowly as Anthony scooted past, his ears red, Kate smirking.

"Fuck off, Sophie."

"No, Shan't Anthony!"

[livlepretre]

Okay so Bridgerton.

What did you think of the season as a whole and will you continue watching?

Do you think Penelope is really lady whistledown or is that a red herring? And if she is, why would she bring down her family like that, outside of the Marina/Colin stuff or is that the only reason?

Speaking of which I love the idea of Penelope/Colin, what about you?

I really thought the Dukes reticence to having a child was ridiculous, just because of a vow to his horrible father. Luckily that's changed by the end.

Did you like how Marinas story ended or if not ended, how she now has a sort of new beginning?

What did you think of Anthony/Siena and are you glad it's seemingly ended?

I can't wait to see more Eloise and Queen Charlotte, they were both amazing. What did you think of them?

I really enjoyed it! Between this show and The Great I am all over this new genre of sassy anachronistic period dramas. And, you know, like everyone has been saying, it really fills that particular catty void that Gossip Girl left behind. I thought the characters were pretty well developed and amusing-- exactly what they needed to be in terms of depth and humor to keep the show interesting and dramatic. I wouldn’t say it was a dramatic smash or that it swept me away to the wildest emotional highs and lows, but it also didn’t need to. I very much enjoyed it throughout. Also, during episode six (the sexcapade episode), my eyebrows climbed so far up my forehead I learned I can actually wiggle my ears. And I also learned that I have taught my husband enough about period pieces that he was constantly gasping things like, “THEY’RE TOUCHING HANDS WITH NO GLOVES ON!” in the most scandalized tones imaginable. I was so proud. 

So, yes, will definitely continue watching. 

You know, it hasn’t occurred to me until just this moment that Lady Whistledown could be anyone other than Pen??? I think the fact that she writes about her family (and Daphne! her best friend’s older sister!) in such tones really goes to show all the ways she feels neglected or slighted by them-- her family is not particularly nice to her, and they are also incredibly controlling (well, her mother is) and tend to take her for granted. I think the Whistledown thing is how she takes her revenge for those slights (at least in terms of her writing about her family). I have no idea why she said that stuff in the first episode that hurt Daphne’s chances, other than naivetée which is possible. I think it wasn’t so much jealousy over Marina/Colin that caused her to write about Marina, so much as it was the dressing down Marina gave her when she told her to grow up and that Colin would never care for her or see her as a woman-- even though the conversation was about Colin, I think Pen’s response was a reaction to Marina being “cruel to be kind” (but really, pretty cruel) to her. She felt betrayed and hurt by Marina so she lashed out. What this all says to me is that Pen is in so many ways still such a young girl. She is very intelligent and thoughtful and loyal, but things like revealing Marina’s secrets like she did because she was hurt are the sort of responses of a very young person who is still learning and growing emotionally. 

I am RABID for Penelope/Colin!!!! 

Agreed agreed agreed about Simon and his vow to his dad. I kept mumbling that he’s the architect of his own unhappiness when he was refusing to marry Daphne/then when they were on the outs about the children question. So glad he had that wake up call! Honestly, revenge vows to the dead are never worth it. 

I very much so view Marina’s story as a tragedy. She has true love, but he dies; she is the belle of the season, but she can’t really take advantage of it; she finds a good man who loves her, but her fear holds her back from being able to tell him the truth and that’s why she loses him (and honestly? would anyone have told the truth there? she stood to lose everything, so much of the tragedy is that even though what marina did wasn’t right, it’s also really hard to imagine doing anything else in her shoes). I’m not sure how I feel about Marina’s path-- I suppose I’ll have to wait to find out how she’s doing in season 2. I’m relieved she’s not cast out, and I suppose I’m willing to accept the premise that basically her career would be in finding a good husband, but it’s always sad to see a character make due with her dead lover’s brother marrying her out of obligation rather than finding true love like so many other characters seem to be doing. 

I was a bit whatever about Anthony/Siena to tell you the truth. They had wicked chemistry, but Anthony was sort of a doofus and Siena is totally right that he always wants her to be what she isn’t (and what she doesn’t want to be), he always breaks his word to her, he’s totally unreliable both as a lover and as a person, and just in general he sucks? I’m glad they seem to be over, because I always enjoy it when relationships end because one side decides they respect themselves too much for this. I’m interested to find out where Siena fits into the story going forward, and if Anthony manages to grow up next season. 

As for Eloise and Charlotte! I have to be honest, I didn’t much care for Eloise-- my main problem with her is that she assumes she knows better than other characters who see the world differently than her. Like, I didn’t appreciate the way she blew Daphne’s concerns over the marriage market off-- like, Eloise, you’re very lucky you can afford to be so cavalier about it and that you are in a situation where it doesn’t really matter if you get married because you’re rich and your brother will support you no matter what, but for lots of women, it’s deadly serious. I HATED the scene where she broke into the maid’s room and was so haughty and high-handed and I LIVED for the dressing down she got! I suppose my main issue with Eloise is that she cannot conceive that it’s not that she sees more and knows more than others, it’s just that other people see the world differently than her. Also that child is much too young to smoke, BAD BENEDICT for letting her! Maybe she will improve next season though. 

Charlotte had most of these flaws as well and yet she kind of works as a villain-stand-in or at least antagonist in the sense that she is a powerful figure capable of really upsetting the apple cart/threatening the happiness and futures of the characters, so I found the same haughtiness and high-handedness very amusing in Charlotte. I also really enjoyed the little touches, like that scene with her husband. Also: HER CLOTHES! 

I don’t know why Francesca was away most of the season. I sort of forgot she had been sent away/didn’t remember her from episode 1 so for most of the season I kept wondering where the F child was and whether there were 7 or 8 Bridgerton children. 

I also kept expecting Benedict and Henry Granville to be a thing and was very surprised it never happened. 

Anyway, those are my thoughts :) 

[justinmoviereviews]

The Class of 2019

As always, just trying to catalog what I saw this year. Let’s do this shit.

1917 - Sam Mendes

I’ve never seen a war movie like this. I’ve never seen something that was so empty, so decayed and lifeless. Usually these things are about honor or brotherhood or whatever. This one was a horror movie. Gothic. Disturbing. And credit Dunkirk for helping everyone else realize that war movies should be told in the present tense.

Uncut Gems - Bennie and Josh Safdie

Good Time was better because it’s rawness was more painful. Because it’s kineticism was more sociological. Because it physically hurt to watch it. And because Robert Pattinson is a better actor than Adam Sandler (my sincere apologies). But these guys have figured out to a science how to film desperation and visceral consumption and need; they chronicle the ugliest parts of the mind and shoot them in the ugliest parts of New York. 

Little Women - Greta Gerwig

Oh no, I’ve lost interest in writing these. Greta Gerwig is sharper than the average writer, and is going to get a lot of mileage writing interesting female characters, which will keep me occupied way longer than, for instance, JJ Abrams writing Strong Female characters so he gets to keep his third house. But look for this refrain whenever I see good movies that aren’t really made for me, my favorite character here was Timothee Chalamet, popping up sporadically to mack (suavely!) on all three sisters.

Bombshell - Jay Roach

Structurally it’s a little bit of a mess, but Megyn Kelly playing detective to an internal corporate scandal works surprisingly well.

The Two Popes - Fernando Meirelles

Some nitpicks: this movie engages with the child abuse a little bit, but it doesn’t offer any resolution--how could it? The scandal is ongoing, and has mired the legacy of Francis, the good Pope, just like it mired his predecessor’s, the bad one. And some of the dialogue is a little trite; was Benedict this much of a close-minded conservative? Was he really this bad at selling his own vision of the church? I also wonder if movies seem smaller now that we’re watching them all on our TVs. But mostly I thought this was fantastic. I love movies about ideas centered around conversation, and this one does it with so much humanism. The Pope as a role is one of the most complex, elite and fascinating people on the planet. This movie comes so much closer to showing that than I thought it would.

Marriage Story - Noah Baumbach

A cursory search of images from this movie for this post makes me realize how well it’s shot--maybe this really was meant to be his Scenes From a Marriage. It isn’t--he’s not a good enough director to ever be Bergman, he’s too burdened by the things he likes and thinks about, like hipster references and witty repartee--but this is the best movie of his I’ve ever seen. Funny, sharp, and if it isn’t a universal depiction of the disillusion of love, it’s empathetic and compassionate about two characters he likes and cares about. Adam Driver is the best actor working right now. Scarlett Johansson can’t quite keep up, but who could?

Ford v Ferrari - James Mangold

Fast cars and the manly men who build them. This could have been better--the writing is a little too beholden to a generic structure that’s beneath the A+ power of Matt Damon and Christian Bale, who are, straight up, two of our finest actors. Ideally this flick just lets these two dudes dick around for 150 minutes. But fuck man, this shit rocks.

The irishman - Martin Scorsese

This is the calm gangster movie made by a bunch of men who haven’t had to hustle in 30 years. Scorsese is a smart guy, so he probably knows that a de-aged Robert De Niro isn’t going to be as resonant as some young hotshot trying like hell to make a name for himself. It makes the movie weirdly low-stakes, and it only truly comes alive at the end, when De Niro is looking back on his life and facing his regrets, like a man in his 80s ought to be. But look, Scorsese is one of the best to ever do it, and gangster movies are where he lives. If this is mostly a retrospective on four of the best careers to ever track through Hollywood, and I sort of think it is, it’s still got ten scenes that will stand up against any of our man’s best.

The Laundromat - Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh does The Big Short. Turns out he’s also pretty good at it.

The Lighthouse - Robert Eggers

Robert Eggers is a formalist who understands that movies can be about whatever they want as long as they look good and sound good. This is a movie about, I think, madness. Just madness, just the idea of being isolated and going mad. If you’re wondering, like I was, if that’s enough of a theme to hang a whole movie on (I mean, these things are expensive), well, I think the point of this one is that it’s weird as fuck, it looks real good and it sounds real good. 

Parasite - Bong Joon Ho

This movie is at it’s best when it’s at it’s weirdest. I like Bong most when he’s using a heightened absurdity to point out the ways in which our political systems are unforgivable. 

Motherless Brooklyn - Edward Norton

I know it was in the book, but the Tourette’s syndrome of the main character seems to me like a postmodern tic, like making a straight noir in 2019 wasn’t enough for a studio that assumed audiences would need some kind of a 21st Century bent. I don’t think it adds much to the story, so I want it out there that this is just such a good fucking straight noir. I would personally finance it if they made like three of these a year. 

High Flying Bird - Steven Soderbergh

Soderbergh is gonna need to get over his love affair with the iPhone camera--someone needs to remind him that movies can look a lot better than this--but this is the kind of movie that could have been and maybe started as a play. Things happen off camera and all you see is characters talking about them after the fact. But the writing is phenomenal. Snappy and smart. Maybe my favorite script of the year.

Joker - Todd Phillips

Upon further review, I think this movie never should have been made, but I do like it. I’m not a purist, frankly I think comic book movies are for nerds, but what makes the Joker powerful is that he doesn’t have a backstory. This movie isn’t good enough to justify giving him one, but it’s so ambiguous and strange that it doesn’t ruin anything either. I spent a lot of time wondering if the events of the movie actually happened, or if they were all in the protagonist’s head. I guess the answer is that it doesn’t really matter: if it all did happen it would destroy the throughline of the Nolan movies, and if it all didn’t it would make the movie kind of lame. Ultimately it’s a story about a discarded man who learns that evil gives him a control he never had before. That’s a heavy topic to make a movie about, and a better movie would have been heavier. But  it’s still an interesting watch, and Joaquin Phoenix goes to the places the movie itself won’t.

Ad Astra - James Gray

I have nothing against pretentious movies. Some of my best friends are pretentious movies! But if you’re going to be as solemn and portentous as this one is, I think your thesis needs to be a little more insightful than that love is important. This movie looks fantastic. It’s got killer monkeys in it, and an Apocalypse Now meets 2001 pedigree. It should have been a lot better.

It Chapter Two - Andy Muschietti

Ugh, this one was not good. The writing is pretty bad, storylines open up and fizzle out without going anywhere, the structure is simple to the point of being lazy. The first one was so good, and this is just a crappy cash-in. Oh well. 

Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood - Quentin Tarantino

Look, Tarantino is probably my favorite director. Pulp Fiction is the movie that first taught me to love movies, and he’s never in his life made an artistic choice that I didn’t intuitively understand. I don’t think anyone else has justified their otherworldly self-confidence more than he has. If other directors are more artistically or technically accomplished, I’d struggle to find anyone who better put the thoughts and images in their brain onto celluloid better than him. If this had been made by some new hotshot named Chris Anderson or something, I’m buying a poster of it and telling everyone who will listen about the breakout auteur of the decade. But for the first time in my entire life, I wondered what Tarantino’s point was. Why did he make this movie? The highlight, for me, is Leonardo DiCaprio, who since Django Unchained has apparently realized that he’s at his best when he’s hamming it up and having a blast.

Midsommar - Ari Aster

Two movies in, Ari Aster has mastered tone. My man is in control of his movie from frame one, and the result is that his stuff feels smart. This one wasn’t as wild or unexpected as Hereditary--in fact the most surprising thing about it is that it really isn’t surprising at all; it’s about a sinister cult in northern Sweden, and it hits all the beats that tagline would suggest. But that’s not the same as saying it’s predictable--he still has a gift for ultraviolence, and he hovers in a space that forces you to prepare yourself for anything. My only complaint is that I wish it had been more of a mindfuck. It’s ultimately a simpler movie than you might hope for. But this guy isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be on the prestige list for as long as he wants.

The Perfection - Richard Shepard

If Allison Williams is going to make a career out of deconstructing overachieving white girls, I don’t want it to get lost that she is also insanely hot. Like, just so hot. Anyway, this is one hell of a grindhouse flick, all the way down to being a little less pleasant than you’d expect or even really want. Watch it on a Saturday afternoon and feel a little queasy afterwards.

Avengers: Endgame - Anthony and Joe Russo 

Look, I don’t know what to say to you if you take these movies seriously. You probably wouldn’t like my blog anyway. I thought this was a really good ride. If you have problems with the plot holes or the character inconsistencies, I might recommend catching something other than the final installments of global franchises that are obligated to gross two billion dollars.

Us - Jordan Peele

If Jordan Peele were a quarterback he’d be Deshaun Watson--a top level talent who’s going to be relevant for at least the next ten years. Get Out was a statement, a cheap little movie from one half of a decent sketch comedy show that blew the doors off the tavern and walked in so much smarter and better than anyone was prepared for. But right now, sitting on my couch, Us is the movie I want to watch. It was never going to be as surprising as Get Out because this time out our expectations were so much higher. But this is the kind of movie I ultimately want him to make his fortune with--funny, scary, worth talking about afterwards. A horror movie from a guy with interesting ideas who’s been given the keys to do whatever he wants.

Glass - M. Night Shyamalan

I caught this bad boy in January. At the time I figured there was no way I’d remember anything about it by the end of the year. I don’t.