#verse: little miss bridgerton

[murdockparker]

Of the Same Mind

Benedict Bridgerton x Reader

Summary: A mutual distaste in a certain author—should he even have the grace to be called that—leads to an unexpected meeting.

Word Count: 1.9k

Warnings: mentions of drinking/alcohol, pregnancy, fluff, time skip

A/N: a cute lil request! made me actually read a little Byron myself to get the gist! and it wasn't that terrible I'm so sorry to disappoint

Dull. 

Everything was dull. What was supposed to be the social event of the season was shortened due to poor weather—an outdoors event of sorts, it seemed, Benedict really didn’t pay his mother much attention when she explained the whole ordeal. Thus, half of the ton was crammed into Lord Whitehill’s home instead of his luscious grounds, all due to the pouring rain. Most conversation was boring, most of the ladies were whining about the rain, the men whining about their whining wives and daughters. 

At least the drinks were good. 

“…seriously think that fodder is worth your breath?”

Benedict’s ears perked up, focusing on a conversation that was decidedly not about the current weather. A breath of fresh air. 

“I-I did not mean to insult you, miss,” a young gentleman sputtered, his face rosy red. “I only meant to indulge you in poetry of the highest regard—” 

“If that was your intention, you would have chosen from a finer list of poets. Byron?” The lady nearly laughed out loud. “Byron is the bottom of the barrel, as it were, so your intention was ill-placed.”

“Byron is a well-regarded poet—”

“By who? Chamber pots?” 

Benedict nearly spat out his drink. The action alone brought the attention of the arguing couple to him—both sets of eyes trained on the tall Bridgerton at once. “Oh,” he fake coughed, “it seems the drink went down the wrong way, please, forgive me.”

The man—who Benedict now recognized as Lord Whitehill’s son—scoffed. “Bridgerton. You are well versed in the arts, are you not?”

Benedict nodded. “I dabble.”

“Would you please explain to Miss (Y/L/N) that Byron is a novel poet,” Mr. Whitehill asked, “and that she should be flattered I recited poetry for her, regardless of the poet?”

Miss (Y/L/N). So that was the lady’s name. 

“But that would be lying, Whitehill,” Benedict gasped, pressing a hand to his chest. “And I am ever a gentleman, raised to never lie, especially to a fine lady such as Miss (Y/L/N).”

She smiled at that. 

“You do not agree?”

“Oh I certainly agree with Miss (Y/L/N),” Benedict said quickly, setting his glass down. “Byron is a mockery to the art—meaningless words and jaunty titles, why, I tried to read his latest and it put me right to sleep.”

“I fear I had the same reaction,” Miss (Y/L/N) said, turning to Benedict in earnest. “Right before I decided to throw it to the flames.”

They both laughed.

“Imbeciles, the both of you,” Mr. Whitehill said, pushing past the newly acquainted pair. “Keep insulting me like that and I’ll have my father throw the both of you out into the storm.”

“Mr. Whitehill,” Miss (Y/L/N) said softly, her eyes melting into puddles of apology. “I fear we were not insulting you, but rather your taste in poets. I also fear there is a stark difference in that, for if I were to insult you, I’d make a more fitting jab, more educated in that regard.”

The shorter gentleman stormed off, steam nearly pouring from his ears. Benedict laughed.

“I must say, Miss (Y/L/N),” Benedict leaned down. “You have quite the sharp tongue.”

“I am known to be rather well spoken,” she beamed, standing a little straighter. “Perhaps it is my taste in literature?”

“For that, I believe we are in agreement,” Benedict said, grabbing a fresh glass from the table beside him. “May I offer the lady a beverage?”

“Only if you decide to share whatever’s in that pocket of yours,” she pointed to his chest. Benedict’s ears went pink. “Do not think I did not see you pour an added flavoring into the lemonade—it seems impolite that you would neglect to share.”

“It would be impolite,” Benedict said, carefully pulling his flask out of his coat. “I am surprised you saw that, though, given the crowded room.”

“You are a tall man, Mr. Bridgerton,” she said, taking the glass from his hand. Benedict poured a healthy amount of clear liquor into her cup before adding the rest to his own. “I would have found it hard to ignore you.”

“Your first season? I presume?”

“Technically,” she said, looking up into his blue eyes. “My family, we just moved to Mayfair. My father came into some money and relocated us here this year, my brother is set to study at Eton in the fall.”

“And you?”

“I am now expected to marry a rich and eligible bachelor,” she laughed into her glass. “Which I really have no problem doing, save for the fact that gentleman is nothing like Mr. Whitehill.”

“Mr. Whitehill is rather rich,” Benedict smirked. “Would that not placate you?”

“And listen to him dribble about Byron? Perish that thought,” she said. “When I do marry, I expect my husband to be of the same mind, a similar taste in the arts.”

“You know,” Benedict nearly whispered, “that is an admirable thought. But how will you find this man?”

She looked him up and down, quickly and all at once, returning to drink from her glass.

“I suppose I will know when I find him,” she smirked.

Benedict smiled back. “Well, please let me know when you do, I feel rather invested in your prospects.”

“You will be the first to know, I assure you,” Miss (Y/L/N) said, nodding her head. “But, if I may be so bold, if you are not currently preoccupied, would you care to further our discussion on Byron? It is hard to find someone who agrees with such a… contrasting opinion of the poet.”

“Why, Miss (Y/L/N),” Benedict finished his glass, offering his arm, “I was afraid you’d never ask.”

—

The gardens on the property were lovely, so lush and full of life. She made good on her promise to keep them well maintained, only keeping the finest blooms and plants in their care. It was always the perfect place to spend time on days like today, sunny, a gentle breeze. 

They had given the governess a day off, her mother had fallen ill, it was the least the Bridgertons could do for her.

“Mother!” 

The lady looked up from her book, eyes meeting with her eldest daughter. Blue eyes, just like her father.

“Yes, darling?”

“Might I go inside to grab other books? Aunt Eloise recently sent some to Father and I want to read them.”

The lady gave her daughter a trying look. “Do you not think they may be above your comprehension level, my love? They were intended for your father, after all.”

“No need,” a looming voice bellowed. “I have them right here.” 

She didn’t need to look up to know who it belonged to. “Benedict, I thought you were spending time in the studio this afternoon.”

“And miss spending time with my darling wife and children?” Benedict grinned, the crooked way she fell in love with. “That seems foolish on my part.”

“Father!” Their eldest exclaimed, running over to the tallest Bridgerton. “You brought the books?”

“Indeed,” Benedict nodded, handing the parcel off to his daughter. “Aunt Eloise thought we may have better use of these than her and Phillip do.”

Their daughter lit up with excitement—ever the reader, she was. It took a village to keep their library stocked with appropriate books for her age, but she was quickly out-reading her entire family’s collection. “Thank you, Father!”

“Well,” Benedict said modestly, “you must write to your Aunt Eloise and thank her, I had little to do with such a gift.”

“What about me, papa?” 

Their son, only a few years younger than their daughter came bounding up past his escaping sister, clearly having been playing in the mud. “Do I have any gifts from auntie?”

(Y/N) opened her arms. “Not this time, sweetheart, but come here, let mama wipe that dirt off of your nose—” 

“No!” He exclaimed, turning from his mother. “Dirt makes me ruggable—like Uncle Colin!”

“Rugged,” Benedict corrected gently. “And, no, dirt makes you dirty. You need to stop spending so much time with Colin…”

“Once baby brother is here I will,” their son nodded, putting both hands on his hips, looking down at his sitting mother.

“Oh darling,” (Y/N) said, trying to raise to her feet. Benedict quickly offered his hands, pulling her up. “Baby will not be here for a few more months.”

“Then more time with Uncle Colin!”

Benedict and (Y/N) sighed, watching their adventurous son run back to the mud. “We must write Colin, tell him of the monster he has created.”

“Our eldest is such an easygoing flower,” Benedict said, noting how she was carefully skimming through the various books on her lap. “Our son tests our patience.”

“And how do you think this one will be?” (Y/N) asked, placing his hand on her swelling stomach. She only had two or so more months until the delivery, if she had been correct on the conception. The latest Bridgerton wedding seemed to be the culprit, stolen kisses and a romantic rendezvous to the greenhouse away from the party—it was a perfect recipe for baby number three. “Calm and collected? Devilish and adventurous?”

“I pray they are just like their mother,” Benedict rubbed her belly affectionately. “And perhaps a bit more behaved than their brother… I suppose I should also write my mother an apology.”

“Whatever for?”

“I reckon my brothers and I acted much like our son,” Benedict said sheepishly. “Acting like Bridgerton boys, I am afraid.”

“As if that is the only explanation,” she giggled, leaning into his side. “But I am sure your mother would appreciate such a gesture. Perhaps you should send her a bouquet from our garden, too?”

“An excellent idea, my love,” Benedict said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “What a brilliant mind you have.”

“Father, Mother!” Their daughter called out, waving them towards her. “Aunt Eloise sent a book by an author I have never heard of before.”

“Oh?” Benedict quirked his brow, walking with his wife over to her. “And what author may that be?”

“A Lord Byron,” she said, showing the book with a deep brown cover to her parents. Benedict scooped the tome quickly from his daughter’s grasp, holding it close to his chest.

“And you shall never read such filth,” Benedict said seriously.

“Oh Benedict,” (Y/N) laughed. “Perhaps we should allow our daughter to expand her mind—come to her own conclusions on the matter? Surely Aunt Eloise meant the gift in kind.”

“Aunt Eloise clearly meant to send it as a cruel prank,” Benedict corrected.

“What is so wrong with that author, Father?”

“A shorter conversation would be what is not wrong with this author,” Benedict said, turning to call his son. The little boy ran over to his father’s side, ever eager. “Take this and bury it, preferably far away from here.” His wife could not stop her laughter, watching their son hurriedly run over to the new rose bushes, making good work at digging a deep enough hole for the book. “You,” Benedict pointed at the girl, “are forbidden to read anything written by that lowly man.”

“Oh Benedict,” (Y/N) admonished, trying hard to stop her laughter, “forbidding her from reading seems silly—”

“Are we not of the same mind on Byron?” Benedict asked. “I rather think that is how we met, is it not, dearest wife?”

She pursed her lips, fighting a smile. “We are.”

“Besides,” Benedict stood a little straighter, “the roses could use a bit more sustenance.”

She could only roll her eyes.

[thefanficmonster]

Love in Color

Benedict Bridgerton x Reader (Female)

Warnings: None :)

Genre: Rivals/Enemies to Lovers, Fluff, Romance

Summary: Nothing speaks to the soul quite like expressive art. Or maybe the even more expressive artist behind it.

The spring breeze wafts in through the open windows of the small room, curling the curtains to its will. The pleasant smell of freshly bloomed flowers lingers in the air although one could hardly sense it over the suffocating tension that's settled in the room ever since Benedict entered to find Y/N already in there.

Although not a word was exchanged between the two, just her gaze was more than enough to let him know she'd rather be anywhere but in the same room as him. Still, her stubbornness overpowered her distaste for her fellow up-and-coming artist and she remained seated even after Benedict decided to make himself comfortable in front of the canvas farthest across the room from the one she'd taken up.

They are just a couple months away from the mandatory presentations of their final pieces and not a single artist in The Academy can rest easy until they perfect their art. Some have approached the situation as much more dire than others would perceive it but that is simply the burden the so-called greats have to carry.

Y/N and Benedict are prime examples of those artists.

For the amount of disagreements and stubbornness that resides between them, it's quite the miracle they are so alike in nature. And, dare I say, in talent as well. Of course, artists and their art are not meant to be compared but you could never miss the similarities. Not in their pieces, per se, but their personalities.

Competition comes in conjunction with the acceptance letter to The Academy. It comes as no surprise that this place is not exactly a breeding ground for friendships but this headbutting between these two exceeds all limits.

"I sure hope that is mere practice." The mockery in Benedict's voice almost makes Y/N's eye twitch as it echoes off the walls of the silent drawing atelier.

He'd been keeping a watchful eye on her work this whole time, even sacrificing a few important brushstrokes due to his divided attention. Good thing this is just a perfecting attempt on his understanding of anatomy, otherwise he'd be far more upset.

She's become well versed in his game by now. He simply cannot withstand the thought of being in her vicinity without provoking her in one way or another. Although she knows better than to feed into his entertainment, she'd also rather pour ink over a canvas of hard work than take his teasing laying down.

"Very like you to not be able to distinguish practice form a developed piece, Bridgerton." The bite to her words is not at all softened by her leveled tone. If anything it packs that much more of a punch.

One that provokes a smile from Benedict.

"I fail to see how that is my fault. You clearly have made very little effort with this piece but the same could be said for many of your previous ones." He's in no way sincere. In fact, he is openly lying on a dime. He adores her art. All games and personal biases aside, as someone with a distinguished taste in art with a high standard for beauty, he cannot, in good conscience, say her art isn't exceptional.

"Paying more attention to my art than your own, are you?" She doesn't bother turning her head his way, offering him nothing more than a view of her side profile.

"Nothing worth of my attention." He muses, almost forgetting the stool has no backrest as he leans back, catching himself just in time to not topple over and give her the satisfaction she most definitely would've held over his head till the end of time.

She hums knowingly, almost humorously, "That misshapen attempt you have over there says otherwise." She isn't far off the mark. His gaze has been more entranced on each brushstroke of her hand rather than his own. He's missed far more marks than he'd like to admit.

She has him there. But Benedict Bridgerton is nothing if not quick on his feet, "That is certainly one way to admit you are unfamiliar with abstract art. How embarrassing on your part."

A scoff parts Y/N's lips, her head finally snapping in his direction, their eyes meeting with a fiery flare. The tension is so potent a flick of a lighter and the room could be set ablaze.

The temperature only keeps rising when she stands up from her chair, crossing the distance between her canvas and his with three long strides as she comes to stand beside him. Sweat beads form on the back of his neck as a chill rushes down his spine. It is a common reaction his body exhibits whenever her proximity breaches the limitations of scandalous.

They're alone. Unchaperoned. Too close to keep the ton's mouths shut if they were to be seen.

His hand comes up to tug at the collar of his shirt in desperate need for more breathing room. He unbuttons the top button on instinct only to realize how inappropriately the action could be perceived. To his relief, Y/N doesn't seem to notice or care. In fact, she's incredibly disinterested in him at this moment, instead offering her whole attention to the painting in progress.

"Abstract, you say?" She muses, reaching down to toy with one of the paint brushes laying in a small blue pain puddle on the palette. "Allow me to fix it for you."

Before Benedict has even had time to process her words, with a swift snap of her wrist the canvas has now been unflatteringly stained with a blue splatter across it that makes his jaw drop.

"You vixen...." He mutters, eyes wide in absolute bewilderment as he watches the splatter drip paint down below it, coating the previously warmly colored drawing with blue streaks.

"My most sincere apologies, Mr. Bridgerton." The faux remorse in her voice raises his blood pressure a whole lot higher, causing him to gulp down his frustration. "It appears I really lack the understanding necessary for abstract art." If looks could kill, she'd be dead. But that glare, that very glare right there provides her such entertainment.

Having expressed her remorse, she slyly goes to make her way out of the atelier, hoping for a celebratory cigarette outside in the garden now that darkness has enveloped the horizon. However...

Before she has even made it halfway to the door, the loud thunder of quick footsteps shake the walls and marble floor. She's barely had time to turn around to witness the most childish retaliation of all time - Benedict has resorted to smearing the entire palette of colors on Y/N's canvas.

I believe this is an appropriate time to mention that they are both aware of how ridiculous this is. It's not even about the pieces, they were mere attempts. Practice pieces, if you will. It's not about them whatsoever. It's the principle. The disrespect, the mockery.

The need to retaliate for every small comments and remark has now become war, fighting fire with fire. Or rather paint with paint.

With redness clouding her vision and practically all rationale having left her mind, Y/N reaches over to grab the small bottle of ink on the professor's desk. A couple steps later and she's dowsing the canvas with it. She hasn't finished spilling the bottle when a hand engulfs her wrist. In a futile attempt to put an end to her offense and save what's left of his painting's dignity - not much, to be honest - Benedict moves her hand, redirecting the stream of ink so now it splashes on them.

His white shirt and her silver dress are now a quarter black in the front.

That realization brings on a brief moment of peace and silence. No movement, no sound. They're just staring at each other in complete and utter disbelief.

A beat later, they burst out into laughter.

"Oh now you're getting it." He warns her, his words breaking them away from one another like opposite charges of a magnet.

They both hurry to arm themselves with paint they can smear on the other but Y/N unfortunately is beaten to it. She's still in the process of gathering ammo when something cold hits the exposed skin of her upper back.

"Purple goes rather well with your dress." His comment boils her blood, making her immune to the cold paint she's now coated with and fueling her into counterattack resulting in red paint drowning out whatever white parts were left on his button-up. She even got a good splatter on his cheek.

Her cocky smirk speaks volumes as she observes her latest art piece, "Red brings out the color of your eyes quite nicely."

Although he's acutely aware of her comment being nothing more than a tease - as is she in her entirety - he can't help the way the breath was knocked out of him

"Is that so?" He muses, slowly crossing the distance between them as if taunting her to run away.

She doesn't. She doesn't move an inch from her spot, instead crossing her arms over her chest as she hums an affirmation that doesn't even fully leave her lips before they're engulfed by his.

If he was worried about their earlier proximity being considered scandalous, he's clearly lost all rationality now considering their bodies are practically molding together, paint-stained hands roaming previously unexplored territory, fingers tangling in each other's hair, exhales mingling in a single breath.

Suddenly, neither of them seems to mind the mess they've made of themselves. They've been wreaking havoc on the other's composure since the day they met, a couple ruined garments and canvases is nothing.

Some things are so much sweeter when you're not supposed to want them, let alone have them. Taking them despite potential repercussions is a thrill that can't match a single high. So, scandals and the ton be damned, he's taking her. Here and now. Paint and all.

* * * * *

The following morning, upon returning to her room from a lecture she cannot remember whatsoever, Y/N finds quite the surprise awaiting her.

~ Forgive me for ruining your dashing gown, Miss L/N. I unfortunately never got to tell you how greatly I like seeing you in it before I ruined it. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't redeem my actions. So, I beg of you to accept this gesture as both a peace and courtship offering. ~

~ Benedict ~

She rereads the note atop the gown laying on her bed at least three times before she realizes she's smiling and blushing - a reaction she would've condemned herself for just twenty four hours ago. Now, with the, um, new developments, being taken into consideration, she allows herself to revel in this unfamiliar feeling that has filled her with a sense of joyful giddiness she can't recall ever feeling before.

As she falls onto her bed, still grinning from ear to ear, she allows her mind to toy with the idea of giving this offered courtship a chance.

After all, no one has ever brought so much color to her life quite like Benedict Bridgerton.

[shmaptainwrites]

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓 [𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍]

PAIRINGS — Violet Bridgerton x fem!Reader

SUMMARY — Violet has a secret, but it will only stay that way if she can be quiet enough to keep it

WORD COUNT — 2.2K

WARNINGS — 18+ MDNI, oral sex (Violet recieving), pw/op (I mean there is kind of a plot, but it's so minimal)

NOTE — Okay this is just like a fully indulgent little snippet because let's be real who wouldn't want to be in a secret relationship with Violet. Special thanks to @sleepyfireball and @lifesizehysteria for both giving me the confidence to post this and helping me with the ending <3

Violet had never considered herself a woman of many secrets. Yes, there were some things in her life that remained private, but even then, they wouldn’t cause much of a fuss if they were brought to light. 

Recently, though, Violet had been keeping a secret. A big one. 

A secret, her only one that would surely scandalize the whole ton, but Violet, unlike her children, was a little more well versed in dealing with subtleties, with…avoiding scandal. 

“Mother?” 

She blinked away from her thoughts, seeing Benedict holding out his arm for her so she could exit the carriage. 

She gave him a small smile by way of apology and took his arm in hers, climbing out of the carriage and letting her second eldest son lead her into the home that this evening’s ball was being hosted in. 

As soon as they entered the large space, she didn’t even register going to find the host or taking in the decorations. Instead, she scanned the crowd until her eyes landed on a familiar pair. She bit back a smile noticing your discreet wave to her which she returned with a nod of her head. 

She saw you motion your head towards the refreshments table and she quickly let Benedict know she was going to get herself a lemonade and gracefully made her way around the room to the table where she could pour herself a glass. 

“Lady Bridgerton, interesting evening for a ball isn’t it?” 

Violet chewed the inside of her cheek.

“Yes, there is quite a storm outside,” she nodded as you came and stood next to her, pretending to be perusing the desserts. You leaned in to grab a macaron, but your mouth coming awfully close to her ear, her senses overwhelmed by your warm breath against her as your voice dropped to a whisper. 

“I haven’t seen you in weeks. I miss you.” 

She could feel a certain familiar warmth grow in her chest at your admission, still pretending to focus on the lemonade and not how much she wanted to pull you into her arms. 

“Did your carriage have much trouble in the rain?” she pulled back, continuing the cover conversation. 

“Thankfully no, but who knows what the night will bring,” you responded. 

Violet took a moment to appreciate your appearance. The way the jewels that dangled from your ears complimented your dress and shone against your skin. How odd it was that you chose not to wear a necklace, leaving the upper part of your chest bare. Violet supposed for most, attention would not be drawn to it due to the lack of jewels, but for her, your skin was much more precious. 

“We shall speak more later, yes?” you asked and Violet nodded her head. 

“Of course,” there was no question about it, but Violet wanted to do much more than speak and she gathered that you did too. 

You offered Violet a smile, your hand moving to touch her arm in a friendly manner, your touch lingering as you walked away leaving her to yearn for it as soon as it was gone. 

She tried to make friendly conversation with those around her, but her mind kept drifting off to your whispered words, your breath on her face. 

It didn’t help that whenever you walked by you’d find some excuse to touch her. A hand on her back to move her aside, a touch to her arm as you laughed at something she said while in conversation with others, the brush of your hands together as you passed her by. 

Eventually she could not take it any longer, or more, she didn’t want to. 

She sought you out where you stood alone in a quiet corner enjoying a glass of wine. 

“Took you long enough,” you murmured into your glass. 

“I don’t know what you expect me to do when you keep…touching me,” she whispered. “We are supposed to be discreet are we not?” 

“Forgive me, I was trying to get your attention,” you tried to bite back a chuckle, even though you knew Violet was not amused, but she wasn’t angry, no that wasn’t the right word. She had a fire in her eyes. Passion, desire…lust. 

“Well you have it,” she said. 

You pulled the wine glass away from your face, moving to walk past Violet as if you were leaving her, but going slow enough that you could whisper, 

“Hallway. Five minutes.” 

Violet felt a lump grow in her throat, but she continued to take her turn around the room, her eyes constantly drifting back to the clock until the long hand had moved enough to signal five minutes had passed. 

Discreetly she weaved her way through the crowd until she could slip out into the hallway. 

When she arrived, it was dark and she saw no sign of you. She thought perhaps you might have gone further so she walked down, scanning the doors on either side, going deeper and deeper into the home without much regard for politeness of where she should have been. 

Just as she was about to turn around and go back, she felt someone grab her wrist and pull her to the side and into a room. She almost let out a shriek of surprise, but before the sound could leave her mouth a hand covered it and she realized who it was that had pulled her away. 

“Discreet, Violet, remember?” you teased. 

“Oh hush, you scared me,” she removed your hand from her mouth, trying to get her beating heart to slow down. 

“Yes, well,” you leaned in closer, closing the door behind Violet. “Like I said…I missed you.” 

Your lips now ghosted the shell of her ear and Violet could feel her walls beginning to crumble. 

“Darling,” she warned. 

“Mmm I love it when you call me that,” your hands now rested against Violet’s hips, your lips lightly pressing against her jaw. 

“This doesn’t feel very discreet,” she managed to get out in a strangled breath. 

“We’re alone,” you kissed her jaw. “And there’s a ball, no one will notice we have slipped out. In fact, your children might even be thankful for a break from your hovering.” 

“Oh, now you’re just trying to get on my nerves,” Violet could feel herself roll her eyes, but was quickly diverted from her annoyance by the feeling of your teeth grazing along her pulse point. She could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her head and it became dizzying. “Goodness, would you stop teasing me?” 

“I thought you wanted to be discreet?” you pulled your head away, looking her into her eyes, a mischievous smile on your lips. “What you’re suggesting is hardly so.” 

Violet clenched her jaw, looking around the room and behind her at the door. 

“We’d have to be quick,” she said. “And quiet.” 

“How about I worry about the quick and you worry about the quiet?” you asked, leaning in so your mouths were centimeters apart. “You can repay the favour next time.” 

“Assuming there is a next time,” Violet mumbled. 

“We’re not going to get caught,” you assured her. “Now do you want this? Or should I just continue teasing you?” you asked as your hands trailed up her sides, coming to rest right underneath her breasts. 

“No,” Violet breathed. “I want this. I want you,” her head bobbed up and down in a nod. 

“Good,” you smiled, finally closing the minimal gap between you, pushing Violet into the door, her body hitting against it with a small thud. She could taste the faint remnants of lemonade and wine on your tongue and it only served to make you more addictive, encouraging her to hold both sides of your face, pulling you closer. 

The smell of your perfume was intoxicating, how it lingered in the air around her and with each breath how it felt like she was drinking you in, over and over again. 

The back of Violet’s head pressed against the door, her chin tilting upwards, an invitation perhaps for your lips to meet the skin of her neck, dragging along every freckle, connecting dots until you reached her collarbone, your grip becoming more firm around her hips. 

Her chest heaved with each touch, every kiss, the tightness of her corset creating the most deliciously dizzying experience as your kisses lined the top of her breasts, your nose trailing along in tandem. 

It made Violet whine when she felt the cold loss of contact of both your lips and your hands, but it quickly turned into a gasp as fingers lightly traced the length of her legs, the skirt of her dress and any other layers underneath being pushed up higher and higher. 

Once her skirt was bunched around her hips, she took the fabric from your hands, freeing them up for much more important things. 

Her eyes were shut, taking in the feeling of your hot fiery breath against her thigh, your kisses wet as they traced a path up to the cotton fabric that covered her. 

Your fingers were light in their touch while they tugged the fabric lower, down Violet’s legs and she could feel herself practically dripping with need. After you helped her step out of her underwear, you chuckled seeing her foot brush it off to the side, clearly anxious for your touch to return. 

Violet’s grip on the fabric of her dress tightened as she felt you hook one of her legs over your shoulder and she let herself look down for only a moment watching as you pressed kisses to her inner thigh. Despite warnings to be quick, you relished in those moments where you could build up her desire, making her tremble with even just the feeling of your breath against her skin. 

For a few moments, Violet felt nothing aside from your hand on her leg and hip supporting her, and she was about to ask if something was wrong, but just as she opened her mouth to speak she felt your tongue glide over her and words turned into needy moans. 

You squeezed her hip and her thigh, your voice low as you spoke against her making her knees go weak. 

“Remember, quiet, my dear.” 

Violet bit her tongue and nodded her head, pushing herself back so firmly into the door to steady herself as your touch continued, only growing more insistent with each passing moment. 

Just as she was about to lose herself in a haze, Violet thought she heard something. 

“Darling,” she whispered harshly. “Darling, wait.” 

You paused, the only sound in the room being that of your heavy breathing, but outside in the hallway, soft steps could be heard and you both became deathly still. 

The footsteps were accompanied by small quiet chatter, and just as quickly as they came, they left and the hall was silent once more. 

“Now where were we?” you murmured against her thigh and despite Violet’s heart threatening to burst out of her chest and the swirling nausea of anxiety in the pit of her stomach, she let you continue because what you did was so very addictive. 

Violet felt a groan escape past her lips and she quickly let go of her skirt with one hand, placing it over her mouth to mute herself, or more likely muffle whatever sounds she was making. 

You could feel the fabric of her skirt fall slightly against your face and as a result Violet could feel your chuckle vibrate against her making her knees wobble so that she fell more firmly on you.

A sharp gasp left her mouth, muffled by her hand. 

You knew by her reaction you’d hit a sensitive spot and your tongue worked tirelessly against her, feeling her body arch against you, her breathing becoming more rapid and frantic, gripping on the one side of her skirt with such intensity she could feel her nails dig into her skin where they met the palm of her hand. 

Violet felt herself rise, as if with the crest of a wave, building and building and building until finally it crashed down on the sandy shore and pulled away before lapping again and again. 

As you finally pulled away from Violet, her leg still draped over your shoulder, she took a few moments to gather herself before finally removing her hand from her mouth, noticing the marks she’d left on it from trying to silence herself.

You pressed gentle kisses to her thighs, your hands caressing the skin they were holding before moving to wipe your face and move her leg back to the floor. 

Violet let go of her skirt, letting it fall over herself and was about to reach down to grab her discarded underwear before you beat her to it. 

“Really?” her voice was still breathless, her nose merely an inch away from your own while you smiled and came closer to her. 

“No one would notice it was gone,” a devious playful sort of smile crossed your lips. 

“I would.” 

“That’s the point,” you whispered before pressing your lips to hers in a slow kiss. 

“You’re insatiable,” she mumbled against you, pulling you closer. 

“I’m not the one who couldn’t wait until we got home.”

TAGLIST —

@paola-carter @madde11 @thesamesweetie @cherrysxuya

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Bee's Fic Recs 💌✨ | Multifandom works

Happy 2025!! I've been writing on Tumblr since 2020, but I've been reading fanfic on here much longer. So here is a full list of my absolute favorite works from over the years of all the fandoms I love by amazing, talented writers! These writers inspire me every day and I look forward to every time they post. 🥹❤️ might do a part 2 to this soon!!

Note: this list of fic recs contains works that have fluff, angst, smut, canonical violence & death, etc. Be sure to read the content warnings and be mindful. MDNI on works 18+

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

Marvel

You're My Person | TASM!Peter Parker Imagine by @luvingspence

Right Where You Left Me | TASM!Peter Parker Imagine by @loeyparker

You Are Not To Blame | TASM!Peter Parker Imagine by @maximoff-pan

Static Verse | Bucky Barnes Series by @theconstantsidekick

Madripoor | Bucky Barnes Imagine by @imagines-all-day-everyday

Reality Check | Loki Series by @ohmygoodnessgraciouss

From the Void, With Love | Loki Series by @whirlybirbs

Bold | Loki Imagine by @loving-barnes

If I Keep Running Back to You | Loki Imagine by @theonewiththefanfics

No Sleep Till Brooklyn | Steve Rogers Series by @imamotherfuckingstar-lord

Sugar Lips and Starky-Boy | Tony Stark Imagine by @jamesbuchananxsteviegrant

He's Funny That Way | Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes Imagine by @birdsofpry

Only Forever | Steve Rogers Series by @thank-you-for-the-vampire-money

This is Not Goodbye | Avengers Imagine by @imaginesforjoy

Home | Steve Rogers Imagine by @mikrowrites

Stardust | Loki Series by @imaginesoutofahat

Twilight

The Hybrid | Demetri Volturi Imagine by @wallwriterstuff

Revenge | Volturi Imagine by @like-rain-or-confetti

Oh No, He's Hot | Felix Imagine by @captain-yeet

Volturi Queen | Volturi Imagine by @fanficimagery

Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon

Hiraeth | Gwayne Hightower Imagine by @sainttherezia

The Sword and the Quill | Gwayne Hightower Series by @seancekitsch

Campaign Trail | Modern Gwayne Hightower Au by @seafarersdream

The Good Queen | HOTD Imagine by @itsgameofthronesimagines

Top Gun: Maverick

NCIS | Bradley Bradshaw Imagine by @ohtobeleah

Return to Me | Bob Floyd Imagine by @lewmagoo

The Better Man | Bradley Bradshaw Imagine by @bradshawsbaby

Jukebox War | Jake Seresin Imagine by @roosterforme

Call Me Daddy | Jake Seresin Imagine by @eternalsams

White Liar | Jake Seresin Imagine by @mrssturnioloo

Stranger Things

Wicked | Eddie Munson Imagine by @munson-blurbs

Gladiator II

The Prophecy | Lucius Verus Series by @lilmisshellfireswritingblog

Dies Natalis | Geta & Caracalla Imagine by @painted-flag

Near Death Experience | Gete Imagine by @megalony

Golden Empress | Emperor Geta Imagine by @multific

Soulmates | Emperor Geta Imagine by @multific

Men In Black

Happy Little Mistakes | Agent K Imagine by @lesbianstarkx

Harry Potter

Hardly Hurt | Newt Scamander Imagine by @xbarrjallenx

The Magizoologist and The Magizoolinguist | Newt Scamander Imagine by @b-eehive

The White Owl | Newt Scamander Imagine by @redneonmoons

Lovesick Niffler | Newt Scamander Imagine by @miss-authorcita

At All Costs | Charlie Weasley Series by @ardentmuse

Return of the Jackal | Sirius Black Imagine by @stallingdemons

Animal Instinct | Sirius Black Imagine by @ra-veela-claw

The Grishaverse

Gotta put Some Color in the Miserable Place | Kaz Brekker Imagine by @crazyyluvr

Matching Bracelets | Kaz Brekker Imagine by @happyyyandcrazyyy

Helmets | Modern Kaz Brekker AU by @mcntsee

Love Language | Kaz Brekker Imagine by @rubysunnday

The Phoenix and the Crow | Kaz Brekker Series by @ell0ra-br3kk3r-writes

Set, Charge, Boom | Kaz Brekker Imagine by @stray-kaz

Midnights | Kaz Brekker Series by @auroravictorium

Fallout

At the End of the World | Cooper Howard Imagine by @queenxxxsupreme

How About A Nuke | Cooper Howard Series by @not-neverland06

Sweet as Nuka Cola | Cooper Howard Imagine by @periprose

Bridgerton

Over the Garden Wall | Benedict Bridgerton Series by @homeofthepeculiar

Forgive Me | Benedict Bridgerton Imagine by @benedictscanvas

Doctor Who

Lured Desire | The Tenth Doctor Imagine by @doctenwho

Paradox | The Tenth Doctor Imagine by @shenkizoo

No Reset | The Tenth Doctor Imagine by @madboxwithagirl

[thyme-in-a-bubble]

a list of some spring movies/series 🌷

spring is here!! and so is your friendly neighbourhood little organisation freak of a goblin to give you a list of some spring movies and series. as always, just close your eyes and point somewhere on this little list, or even put the numbers in a generator and go with whatever the result is ♡

summer | autumn | winter

🐝 ‧₊˚ ⋅ movies ⋅˚₊‧

mary poppins (1964)

the sound of music (1965)

aristocats (1970)

alla vi barn i bullerbyn (1986)

my neighbour totoro (1988)

kiki's delivery service (1989)

a league of their own (1992)

the secret garden (1993)

pride and prejudice (1995/2005)

whisper of the heart (1995)

clueless (1995)

my best friend’s wedding (1997)

parent trap (1998)

10 things i hate about you (1999)

notting hill (1999)

she's all that (1999)

but i’m a cheerleader (1999)

bring it on (2000)

miss congeniality (2000)

spiritied away (2001)

the wedding planner (2001)

legally blonde (2001)

princess diaries (2001 + 2004)

spy kids (2001-2003)

maid in manhatten (2002)

bend it like beckham (2002)

tuck everlasting (2002)

school of rock (2003)

how to lose a guy in 10 days (2003)

something’s gotta give (2003)

13 going on 30 (2004)

finding neverland (2004)

howl’s moving castle (2004)

saving face (2004)

the notebook (2004)

imagine me and you (2005)

nanny mcphee (2005)

penelope (2006)

miss potter (2006)

step up (2006)

she’s the man (2006)

bridge to terabithia (2007)

enchanted (2007)

atonement (2007)

stardust (2007)

ps i love you (2007)

wild child (2008)

made of honour (2008)

ondine (2009)

bride wars (2009)

valentine’s day (2010)

leap year (2010)

easy a (2010)

from up on poppy hill (2011)

jane eyre (2011)

crazy, stupid, love (2011)

what to expect when you’re expecting (2012)

remember sunday (2013)

saving mr banks (2013)

about time (2013)

now you see me (2013 + 2016)

love, rosie (2014)

testament of youth (2014)

kingsman (2014-)

paddington (2014 + 2017)

far from the madding crowd (2015)

burnt (2015)

brooklyn (2015)

cinderella (2015)

the man from u.n.c.l.e. (2015)

lady chatterley's lover (2015/2022)

creed franchise (2015-2023)

me before you (2016)

mother’s day (2016)

this beautiful fantastic (2016)

the light between oceans (2016)

paterson (2016)

how to be single (2016)

hidden figures (2016)

gifted (2017)

dunkirk (2017)

ocean’s eight (2018)

life itself (2018)

peter rabbit (2018)

christopher robin (2018)

tomb raider (2018)

set it up (2018)

crazy rich asians (2018)

spider-verse movies (2018-)

1917 (2019)

the art of racing in the rain (2019)

can you keep a secret? (2019)

booksmart (2019)

someone great (2019)

endings, beginnings (2019)

emma (2020)

enola holms (2020-)

the last letter from your lover (2021)

the world to come (2021)

we live in time (2024)

🌼 ‧₊˚ ⋅ series ⋅˚₊‧

little house on the prairie (1974-1983)

moomin valley (1990-1992)

greys anatomy (2005-)

gossip girl (2007-2012)

skins (2007-2013)

the great british bake off (2010-)

new girl (2011-2018)

brooklyn nine-nine (2013-2021)

the fosters (2013-2018)

the 100 (2014-2020)

jane the virgin (2014-2019)

outlander (2014-)

grace and frankie (2015-2022)

poldark (2015-2019)

critical role (2015-)

howards end (2017)

girlboss (2017)

she's gotta have it (2017-2019)

the bold type (2017-2021)

mr. sunshine (2018)

queer eye (2018-)

crash landing into you (2019)

the witcher (2019-)

dickinson (2019-2021)

sex education (2019-2023)

bridgerton (2020-)

ted lasso (2020-2023)

nevertheless (2021)

abbott elementary (2021-)

flatshare (2022)

[kolbisneat]

MONTHLY MEDIA: July 2024

I read a lot more than I was expecting this month but I ain't complaining. Here's how I spent the month of July!

……….FILM……….

Evil Dead II (1987) Didn't love Evil Dead (not that it's not good, I just get too spooked by straight horror) but had no idea that this would be what it is. Puppets and stop motion! Looney Tune antics! Magic with rules! This is my kinda movie and I'm baffled the modern films in the franchise don't try for this sort of energy.

Poor Things (2003) It took a while for me to settle into this, but around the time Dafoe's Godwin explains Bella's condition, I was all in. It's a dreamlike movie with dreamlike logic so despite some of the discourse I tried not to take too much of it literally. Beautiful and far funnier than I expected.

……….TELEVISION……….

Columbo (Episode 1.04 to 1.07) Gosh I love the era of television where each episode was self-contained. Episode 7 features Columbo smoking in a doctor's office and I was not at all expecting him to comment on the dangers of tobacco, but he did! I notice this first season only had a handful of episodes with the classic "oh one more thing" schtick so I'm curious if that pops up more in later seasons.

Scavenger's Reign (Episode 1.01 to 1.12) This is a show where I sit down, turn it on, and while the beautiful opening credits play, think, "I wonder what horrifying imagery is gonna f*** me up this episode?" The animation and design are sooooooo good that it made up for the occasionally baffling writing. Please go watch it so a second season can get greenlit.

Bridgerton (Episode 3.05 to 3.08) I missed a few eps there in the middle but it all worked. That final party, and all that went with it (the speech, the bugs, the reveal of who paid for it) was 10/10. Good stuff.

……….YOUTUBE……….

Yoko and The Beatles by Lindsay Ellis Yoko Ono didn't break up the Beatles. And while this video essay expands on the factors that DID split up the band, it's also a really great dive into the weight of fame and the weight of fame on women. VIDEO

Was starting a product business a mistake? by Simone Giertz An honest and detailed insight into the dream vs. reality of small business and internet fame. Looks like it's going to be a full series and I'm looking forward to more. VIDEO

……….READING……….

N or M by Agatha Christie (Complete) Spy Thriller set during the Second World War? With a husband/wife spy duo? Oh heck yeah. Sometimes I find the clues to be a little convoluted/unnecessarily obscure but this one struck a great balance of visible but easily forgettable.

The Knight of the Swords by Michael Moorcock (Complete) Having first read the comic adaptation (penciled by Mike Mignola!) I now realize some of my issues (pacing, understanding the abstract) work better in novel form. An elevated pulp adventure that has some great ironic twists.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula or The Adventure of the Sanguinary Count by Loren D. Estleman (Complete) Thrift find purchased based on the premise alone. Exactly what you'd expect but not much beyond that. It's at its best when you get Dracula directly interacting with Holmes and/or Watson.

Spider-Verse by Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage, Mike Costa, Dennis Hopeless, and many many more (Complete) Really enjoyed reading this but am baffled by its production. Why the issues aren't collected in chronological order, I'll never know. I know the book is over ten years old now but the writing (especially all of the Spider-Women) really stands out as...not great. All but the Superior Spider-Man essentially sound the same (perhaps the point?) but Gwen and Jess and Cindy mostly talk about things like body image and pheromones and it's glaring. I'm curious what I'll think upon a second readthrough (reading in order, and after the first wave of nostalgia has completely rinsed off) but I definitely think this story walked so the movies could break the speed of sound.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe! by Ryan North and Erica Henderson (Complete) North's writing and Henderson's artwork are the perfect blend for such a bright and enthusiastic character. Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is such a great series (which I gotta go back and finish) and this is an equally great introduction to the character.

Superior Foes of Spider-Man Vol 1 by by Nick Spencer, Marcos Martin, and Steve Leiber (Complete) I was really excited for this series (the premise! the cover art!) but the pacing, humour, and art just didn't connect. Honestly really bummed that I didn't like this more.

……….AUDIO……….

3D6 Down the Line (Podcast) A nice change of pace from the modern D&D games I play in. They use Old School Essentials for their system (more akin to 2nd Edition D&D) and play with a mindset similar to the 70s style of play (treasure for experience, everything is lethal). I'm still having trouble distinguishing some of the voices from each other, but it's a great listen.

……….GAMING……….

Oz: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) Tuesday crew watched a peaceful inauguration and gained notoriety for saving a neighbourhood from roaming monsters (you can read all about it here!) and the Mof1 crew is dabbling in dangerous contracts with dangerous people (all for a cap that controls the winged monkeys).

And that's it. See you in August!

[manyfandomocs]

OC Introductions

Harry Potter

Okay first up my 4 new (and hopefully for now, final) Harry Potter ocs! Two time travel fics and one addition to Daniel Potter's verse (tagging @rose-of-oz @cecexwrites @randomestfandoms-ocs @dancingsunflowers-ocs @ginevrastilinski-ocs bc HP)

Maxine Weasley (Alisha Boe FC), Oberon Lovegood ship. Maxine Weasley is the second child of George Weasley and Angelina Johnson and she has always grown up more like her aunt Hermione than anyone else. She's smart and quick-witted, if a little socially inept, but she's also fiercely loyal and kind and believes that people can have the capability to change, and like her father, does love a good time. Max loves her classes at Hogwarts and learning more, so when she also gets the opportunity to use a Time Turner for classes, she is excited. But one wrong twist means she isn't going back for a missed Arithmancy lesson, she's back in time and meeting Tom Riddle himself. But Max thinks this is a chance to change things for the better for her family and the Wizarding World itself, she can change the charming teen who becomes an evil wizard, she knows it.

Oberon Lovegood (Louis Partridge ship), Maxine Weasley ship. The grandfather (great-grandfather?? haven't decided) of Luna Lovegood, Oberon is not quite as fanciful as his descendants. He has dreams, yes, but he also has focus and isn't sure if the Wizarding World is ready for some of the things he thinks up. Which he is okay with, he is content to go into the Ministry and keep his ideas and inventions to his journal and thoughts. When a strange girl is suddenly in the classroom he was using to study, with an odd way of speaking and her own wild ideas, he gets curious enough to speak to her again and again. Which becomes a problem when she gets closer to his housemate Tom, and when his housemate starts getting more obsessed with her.

Indigo Wadsworth (Hailee Steinfeld FC), Regulus Black ship. Indigo wasn't planning on being involved with Harry Potter. She had heard of him, her father didn't like to talk about the first Wizarding War much but her uncle was happy to share, so she knew enough that when he started at Hogwarts the year after her, that she had no interest in getting anywhere near him. Being involved with that kind of ridiculousness was not her plan for her school year. And yet, before she even realized it she was pairing up with him in class and even dating the famous "Boy Who Lived". She's happy now. So when she is visiting her uncle in the Ministry and he secretly takes her to the Time Turners, she wasn't expecting to end up years in the past. The past when her father and uncle were at Hogwarts, when Harry's parents were in Hogwarts, or that she'd end up meeting a boy named Regulus Black. Indigo especially didn't expect to start falling for him.

Phineas Darlings (Kit Young FC), TBD ship. Daniel Potter's ex-boyfriend from Gryffindor, he is one of the wildest boys in Hogwarts. Unable to turn down a dare, an endless flirt, he has no problems with chatting up whoever catches his eye even if they aren't in Gryffindor with him. Which is why he started talking to Daniel. He brings Daniel out of his shell more but ultimately, they aren't meant to be. But they do remain good friends even after they break up

And now for my one new Bridgerton oc who only exists because I got extra attached when I was looking at faces for the above

Theophilius Cresswell (Louis Partridge FC), Daphne Bridgerton ship. He is Daphne's childhood friend, their fathers having been close before Edmund's death, they have always been close growing up. Theophilius was very excited for Daphne's debut so they can enjoy the balls together and so he can see her get what she's always dreamed of, a family. When she is named the Diamond of the Season no one is more proud than Theophilius, but as he watches her dance with other suitors and then even seems to catch the attention of the Duke of Hastings, he isn't as happy as he thought he would be.

[myargalargan]

A Classical Polinalysis: Ep. 2

Hello friends, Polin stans, and classical music nerds!

Picking up from my episode 1 analysis, I am back with the second installment in the series of episode-by-episode analyses I mentioned when I shared the playlist I made of all the Classical pieces used in Bridgerton season 3.

The tracks on the playlist are all in order of when they appear in the show, and here are all the pieces that were used in episode 2: 

Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: VI. Finale. Allegro

Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042: III. Allegro assai

Mozart’s String Quartet No. 8 in F Major, "Viennese", No. 1, K. 168: IV. Allegro

Mozart’s String Quartet No. 3 in G Major, "Milanese", No. 2, K. 156/134b: I. Presto

Mozart’s String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, "Prussian", No. 3, K. 590: IV. Allegro

Joseph Schuster’s String Quartet No. 2 in B-flat Major: I. Allegro di molto (formerly attributed to Mozart as the "Milanese" (or Paduan) String Quartet No. 2, K. 210)

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, “Appassionata”: II. Andante con moto 

All of this music is used over the course of the Full Moon ball, and the choice of music and the scenes each piece of music is paired with turns the ball something of a microcosm for the entire episode. What the hell do I mean by that? 

This episode is all about flirtation, fertility, and passion, and the action in this episode sets into motion some of the major conflicts of the season. We have the Mondriches settling into their new home and attending society events for the first time, the Featherington sisters getting a healthy dose of Sex Ed, Francesca being granted the Queen’s favor, and—of course—Colin and Penelope beginning their lessons and all the tension and drama that brings. So let’s get into how the Classical soundtrack compliments this very meaty episode…

Looking at the track list in order, we’ve got a bit of a composer sandwich (get it? meaty episode? ha-ha-ha?) with Beethoven bread, Mozart filling, and Bach and Schuster toppings. The allegro finale of Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13, which starts as Colin and Eloise’s conversation about Penelope in the carriage ends, welcomes us to the ball. The second movement of Beethoven’s “Appassionata,” which Francesca is playing when Lady Danbury sneakily invites the Queen to observe, concludes the whole event. But I have a lot to say about both Beethoven pieces, so I’m going to save that for later! To start, I want to talk about the flirtatiousness of the other pieces used during this episode. 😏

The next piece after the Beethoven string quartet is the third movement from Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2, which plays when Benedict asks Miss Stowell to dance. We only hear the very beginning of the concerto in this episode, but the distinguishing characteristic of a concerto—which is also what I find so flirtatious about this piece—is the back-and-forth between a solo instrument (in this case, a solo violin) and an ensemble (in this case, a chamber orchestra). In particular with shorter pieces like this Bach concerto, which is an energetic two minutes long with concise musical verses, you get the feeling of a lively conversation, where the ensemble has their say, the soloist replies, the ensemble adds another musing, then the soloist replies, and so on. 

I also think this concerto is fun for this scene for a couple other reasons. One, the soloist-ensemble dynamic calls to mind Benedict getting cornered by a pack of ladies. But also, this concerto is in what’s called “ritornello” form, which means that the ensemble repeats the same musical theme every time they come back in, and I love this as a funny little musical illustration of Miss Stowell’s persistence with Benedict—she keeps coming back, over and over, just like that repetitive musical theme! 

The next piece is the fourth movement from Mozart’s String Quartet No. 8, which starts playing right as Portia tells Mr. Finch that his wife is a pastry and continues as Penelope talks with Colin about his writing. This piece actually elides seamlessly into the track from the season 3 OST called “Attempts to Flirt” the moment Colin says he’ll consider letting Pen read more of his writing if she talks to at least one lord that night, which is a fun little tie-in to our theme. And the string quartet is great for this moment between Colin and Pen because of its fugal quality. A fugue—such as Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, which is used in a ton of films including the original Fantasia—refers to a structure where the musical theme is introduced in different voices or instruments one after another. (Kind of similar to a musical round, like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” but not as simplistic.) Like the concerto, there’s a repetition of musical ideas, and those ideas bounce around from instrument to instrument, again creating a sense of lively conversation. Almost as if one person starts to tell a story to a group of friends, and then another person jumps in to say, “Oh, yes, I know what that’s like!” and tells their own anecdote, and so on around the group as the conversation feeds on everyone’s enthusiasm. 

I love this for Pen and Colin’s interaction because it has a similarly flirtatious energy as the concerto, but at the same time it’s more complex than a simple back-and-forth. There’s a layering aspect to a fugue—when a subsequent instrument picks up the theme, that doesn’t mean the first instrument stops playing. I think this has a similar energy to the way good friends who are comfortable and excited together might end up talking over one another or picking up the ends of each other’s sentences. I think it’s also illustrative of the complexity of Colin and Penelope’s relationship, especially at this phase. They’re friends, yes, but other feelings are starting to get all mixed in. They flirt quite easily with each other, but that makes things more complicated. A playful but multi-layered fugue illustrates this pretty well, I think.

Then we have our second Mozart string quartet of the episode, the first movement of Mozart’s String Quartet No. 3, when Eloise inadvertently lets it slip to Cressida that Colin is helping Penelope find a husband. This piece isn’t a concerto or a fugue, but it does still have an interplay between the instruments that, to me, creates a similar effect. There are several moments within this movement where the violin will start the musical line and one of the other instruments will finish it, like passing a baton. Or, again, like lively and comfortable conversation! To me, it feels a little bit like two people winking at one another as they catch each other’s meaning. 

There’s also a fun little bit about two-thirds of the way through the piece where, for not even 30 seconds, the tone of the music changes entirely, to something darker and more dramatic. Musically this part is known as the “development,” which is where the music meanders and does a bunch of interesting things before it returns to the main theme that was introduced in the beginning. This is a very common musical technique, but it doesn’t appear quite so starkly in any of the other pieces used in ep. 2. Since this piece plays during an Eloise and Cressida scene, we could take this darker interlude to be a reflection of Eloise’s relationship with Penelope—how it has taken a dramatic turn but will be righted again before long. We can also look at it through a Polin lens, since Penelope and Colin’s relationship takes a similar trajectory. Either way, I like the idea that there’s a bit of dark foreshadowing in this otherwise playful, flirtatious piece of music.

From there, we have the fourth movement of Mozart’s String Quartet No. 23, which plays as the Mondriches enter the scene. Other than the Beethoven pieces, this is the longest piece used during this episode, and it gets the most airtime. It plays for the entire duration of Benedict’s spiel about how married couples are free from the rules of society because they have already fulfilled their duty. And I love this piece for this moment because it really goes places. This movement has some fugal passages, giving it that same flirtatious quality as the other pieces used this episode, but there’s also moments where the tone gets much more dramatic, moments when the tempo seems to slow or get interrupted, syncopated sections that almost feel cartoonish… The character of the piece is surprising, and it evolves over time, and—I think—it reflects the journey the Mondriches have been on since season 1 and the surprising evolution their life has taken in season 3. And will continue to take! As they figure out how to navigate this new world and learn that it’s not as simple as Benedict made it seem.

Okay, now onto the last bit of sandwich filling, the first movement of Joseph Schuster’s String Quartet No. 2 in B-flat Major, which plays while Lady Danbury leads the Queen away from the main ball and while Eloise’s group of debutantes lament their chance to show off. Is this piece also flirtatious? Yes, I think this piece has a similar quality to Mozart’s String Quartet No. 3, where sometimes musical lines started by one instrument get picked up and finished by another. But another thing I find really interesting about this piece is that it’s a case of mistaken identity. This piece was composed around 1780, but until the 1960s music scholars attributed the piece to Mozart. And to use this piece during this scene is particularly compelling, because it’s the moment that Cressida denies having any good gossip, but also the moment when the gossip about Penelope and Colin begins to spread throughout the ball anyway, which Eloise (and Colin) mistakenly blames Cressida for. There’s also maybe a deeper meta here about mistaken identities that could tie into Cressida’s false claims to the Lady Whistledown name, which is interesting to consider in contrast to this moment at the ball where Cressida—unlike later in the season—chooses to be the bigger person and renounces the lure of gossip in favor of protecting her new friendship with Eloise. 

Which brings us to the final piece of music featured at this ball, the second movement from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23, the “Appassionata.” Which is of course relevant because Francesca earlier admits to loving it so much during her abbreviated conversation with Lord Petri. Petri describes Francesca’s favorite pieces as “expressive music,” which is fitting for a musical work nicknamed “Passionate.” Francesca also says, “I mostly enjoy the chord progressions,” in response to Petri getting all “can’t you feel it in the music?” and although Petri was talking about the Ries Piano Trios, I like thinking about Francesca’s response in relation to the second movement of the “Appassionata” because that movement is one big theme-and-variation—there’s a musical theme introduced at the beginning, and then that theme is repeated two more times with variations in the melodic structure but always with the same chord progressions.

One thing I love about this piece as the close-out to the ball is the way, with each subsequent variation on the theme, the music builds and builds. It starts out slow and in a low register, and it gets faster and higher pitched as it goes (the part we hear Francesca playing is the fast high part). There’s a really obvious analogy to sex here, which is clear in Petri’s reaction and Francesca’s discomfort with his reaction—which is appropriate because sex is such a major motif in this episode (“Inserts himself? Inserts himself where?”). But there’s also the analogy to the build-up that we’re about to experience at the end of the episode, the way everything Penelope has been through the past couple episodes (couple seasons, really) culminates in that first unbelievably passionate kiss between her and Colin. 

But, more than that! The second movement of the “Appassionata” doesn’t have a true ending—it’s through-composed with the third movement, so that the two are meant to be listened to back-to-back. If you listen to the end of the second movement by itself, you’ll hear a chord that sounds like it’s supposed to resolve to a nice clear ending, but then instead of resolving, that chord is followed by an intriguing, dissonant, kinda jazzy-sounding musical lick. If you didn’t proceed to the third movement right away, musically, you’d be left hanging. (And even once you’re into the third movement, it takes a while for the music to properly resolve.) And I love this! Why do I love this? A while back, I did an analysis of Polin’s theme (from the original score) and wrote a bunch of stuff about how their musical theme, the way we hear it in part 1 of the season, feels unresolved, suspending us in the tension of their uncertain relationship status. We only get proper musical resolution in their theme in part 2, after they’re engaged. So using the second movement from the “Appassionata,” with its false ending, at the conclusion of the Full Moon ball—a ball which encapsulates so much of what’s going on in the episode overall—is such a great way to foreshadow the end of the episode: the build-build-build to the passionate kiss and then—! Leave us hanging as Penelope runs away and Colin’s life starts falling apart around him.  

Speaking of endings…! It’s time to circle back around to the first piece of bread in our Beethoven sandwich, the sixth movement from Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13…

If you’ve stuck with me this far, hang in there for just bit longer! Maybe take a quick break and grab a snack. ;) 

I thought a lot about the usage of the allegro finale from Beethoven’s Op. 130 in this episode. It’s such an interesting choice, not necessarily because of the music itself, but because of the history of the entire quartet. See, when Beethoven first composed String Quartet No. 13, it had a different final movement. However, at the first performance, that movement received such a negative reaction that Beethoven’s publisher convinced him to write a replacement. The replacement is what’s used in the show. And it has an entirely different character from the original. The new finale is light and cheery, while the original was dense and complicated. The original was panned by critics as being incomprehensible, inaccessible, and difficult to both listen to and play. (Give it a listen. You may find that it makes you deeply uncomfortable 😅 but it’s definitely an experience!) The new finale, on the other hand, is…a dance! It’s bouncy and positively Haydnesque, and completely uncontroversial.

The original was ultimately published as its own work under the title “Grosse Fugue,” as Beethoven’s Op. 133. However, some Beethoven enthusiasts and music scholars will argue that the correct way to play String Quartet No. 13 is with the original ending, the way Beethoven intended. Preferences vary, though, and what this means is…there are two possible, perfectly valid, endings to this piece of music. And each ending has a completely different vibe. 

Do you see where I’m going with this? 😉

This piece plays as we are welcomed into the Full Moon ball, and when I set out to do this analysis, I was originally looking at the allegro finale on its own, trying to find something meaningful in its structure or its harmonies… But I think what’s most interesting about it, in the context of this episode, is that it represents the duality of choice. And there’s a few different layers this could apply to: Eloise and Cressida’s decision whether or not to share the gossip about Colin helping Penelope, Colin’s choice to help Penelope in the first place (and to continue to help her after the journal faux pas)...his choice—at the end of the episode—to kiss her. The Queen's choice of a diamond, even! But if we’re talking about possible endings, then this piece is really setting us up for the ultimate narrative choice between Colin and Lord Debling. And it’s fitting as an introduction to the Full Moon ball because it’s at this ball that Colin gets his first taste of jealousy and competition, and then of course it’s Penelope’s humiliation at this ball that is the catalyst for the kiss that sends Colin into his downward spiral of desperate, all-consuming love. So whereas at the end of ep. 1 Colin may have been able to go about his life acting as though he was unconcerned about whatever feelings he may or may not have had for Penelope at that point, by the end of ep. 2 that’s simply not at all possible anymore. And so the show starts building the foundations of one of Penelope’s possible choices, one of her potential endings. (And I guess whether or not you consider Debling to be a perfectly valid alternative ending depends on what kind of Polin shipper you are. 😉) 

So there you have it: the drama of choice, the sexiness and frustration of building yet unresolved tension, misunderstandings (and, you might even say, the probable pains of friendship), SO much flirting—some easy and straightforward, some ceaseless and unvarying, some deliciously complex… All present at the ball, throughout the episode, and in the Classical soundtrack.

♥

And here's some of the research I did for this post:

Beethoven's String Quartet No. 13: https://www.earsense.org/chamber-music/Ludwig-van-Beethoven-String-Quartet-No-13-in-B-flat-major-Op-130/

Beethoven's String Quartet No. 13: https://www.brentanoquartet.com/notes/beethoven-quartet-opus-130/

Beethoven's String Quartet No. 13: https://www.maramarietta.com/the-arts/music/classical/beethoven/

Bach's Violin Concerto No. 2: https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/4549/violin-concerto-in-e-major-bwv-1042

Mozart's String Quartet No. 8: https://fugueforthought.de/2018/07/01/mozart-string-quartet-no-8-in-f-k-168/

Mozart's String Quartet No. 3: https://fugueforthought.de/2016/08/27/w-a-mozart-string-quartet-no-3-in-g-k-156/

Mozart's String Quartet No. 23: https://www.talkclassical.com/threads/mozart-string-quartet-23-k590-sq-review.81909/

Schuster's String Quartet No. 2: https://www.earsense.org/chamber-music/Joseph-Schuster-String-Quartet-in-B-flat-major-No-2-KAnh-C2001-K-Anh-210/

Beethoven's "Appassionata": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR706pYvNl0&

[makaylan]

hey, hey everyone! this is gonna be a little bit of a diary-entry/mini rant, so if my ramblings-on don’t interest you, please scroll ahead! though i would really appreciate if you stuck around :)

If any of my dear friends have noticed, i have been MIA on here for quite a while now, but especially since s3 aired. I have felt a huge disconnect from Bridgerton and the fandom as a whole, from around the time that promo was really heating up for s3. I’ve spent the same amount of time wondering why, over analyzing my feelings, and just generally being confused. I initially brushed it off, as I’ve had a lot going on in my personal life that was taking much more of my attention, but now that I’m feeling a little better mentally, the questions on why i feel so disconnected have come back.

Firstly, i think the way s3 was promoted left a bad taste in my mouth. I won’t go on about Nic or Luke N because they are certainly not the first leading couple of a piece of media to promote in this way, and they certainly won’t be the last, but yeah, weird. Additionally, all of the Bridgerton themed advertising was so over the top, that I was seriously wondering if Netflix was going bankrupt. I mean, a Bridgerton themed allergy medicine? What the fuck? What happened to the weirdly flavored teas with badly photoshopped pics of characters slapped on the front?

Then, s3 dropped. I binged part 1 in one sitting, and was left feeling very confused after i was done. I felt numb, almost. Here was a love story I was so anticipating watching come to life, finally in front of me on my screen, and I felt..severely underwhelmed. The acting felt stiff, the script felt shoed-in and cheap, just generally off??

Part 2 was much better in my opinion, and it even moved me to tears a few times, but i had to agree with the majority of the Polin stans- there were too many other storylines. Now, this isn’t a new thing for Bridgerton by any means, but this season just felt REALLY overpowered by way too much shit going on. I felt very confused by where the Kanthony storyline went, Ben’s storyline felt forced and like a shoe-in for fans begging for him to be queer, and it felt like they kept changing where they wanting Cressida to go AS they were filming. Those are just surface-level thoughts and feelings, but i hope it all made sense.

I would really love to be back in the Bridger-verse with all of the incredible friends I’ve made, but I don’t want to force myself to feel a certain way, I’ve never been able to fake it till I make it, and I would never want to lie to to my friends. However, I do really miss my friends and would love to talk sometime if they were also somehow missing me like I miss them. :)

If you’ve read this far, thank you. I really am looking forward to s4, to the knowledge that we now have our Sophie!!! She is gorgeous and I can’t wait to see where Luke T goes from here. I haven’t lost all faith. I’ll most likely be back as things pick up again, when filming is supposed to start in Sep.

Love you all, and I hope to hear from you/see you soon!!!

[fushitoru]

I must ask, what would a Bridgerton!choso romance be looking like?

I feel like the boo might struggle with it all since he is family forward in mindset and perhaps has never really thought about it. It could be a situation where the siblings push him to find a suitor after almost (if not all) are matched or married.

I also think that he may surprisingly struggle with the whole thing even after observing all his siblings seasons while playing guard dog. It would be interesting to see how the siblings act during his season- maybe a little role reversal and they are over protective? Or would they just constantly be pushing him and telling him to not overthink?

As for the romance part itself, feel like it could be a higher born woman whose the diamond of the season who initially is interacting with him for shits and gigs (kinda like hidden mean girl making the wallflower thinks he has a shot type of situation) but then catches the real feels. — other route two peeps who have both felt like they have lost their sense of purpose and find anew in one another

As you can see my brain has been working overtime on this, but I want to hear the true run down of this little love affair!

Side question/a fuel to the fire— is the kamo family in this universe? If so I’m guessing they would be up on the level of duke with the gojo fam. Further, aka the juicy part, is that I could see this leading into wayyy more problems for the choso route in a way cause I totally could see the kamos abandoning choso for some reason (*cough a bastard cough*) and him getting adopted by the itadoris at a really young age, but later down the road, the kamos want him back in the family line because the itadoris have made him into a fine man. No disrespect to Noritoshi but could see the kamos wanting choso back and being the “head” of the family if he overall was of better bloodline/capabilities

OMG I LOVE THIS. maybe she has another type of motive --- yes, she toy with choso but it's because she's lost interest all men and the only interesting one around in choso. still sort of mean girl, but its because of the situation.

and lowk i think miss itadori / then lady gojo will be super, super protective as well as sukuna. but really miss itadori.

but honestly i think choso will be a bit similar to anthony. he's definitely not short in options (first whistledown was literally about how hot he was) but he's still a pathetic loser if he falls in love / meets him match.

oop pookie i hadn't thought of that. honestly, i could see how that could happen in jjk bridgerton verse for sure --- after all blood relations between sukuna, yuji, and choso were super super complicated in canon. but it's deffo interesting to think about! it could be a situation similar to edwina and the whole sheffields drama.

[apinchofm]

The Edwina Sharma Happy-verse

Some really good Edwina Sharma centric fics!

all the bright places by @phantomphaeton

Edwina doesn’t break, she shatters. Diamonds shouldn’t do that—at least that’s not what she’s been told.

If her time in England has taught her anything, it’s that nothing she’s been told was ever true.

—or— In the aftermath of the Bridgerton/Sharma scandal, Edwina picks up the pieces and trudges forward. A Diamond of the First Water—but the waters are murky and gray, the polish is old and inept, and while the seasons change, the world remains the same. Edwina x Prince Friedreich

Only You Always by datsusara84

Miss Edwina Sharma finds herself without a husband by the end of the 1814 season and she could not be happier-truly, she is happy. She now knows that if she were to ever marry, it will only be for true love like the one shared by her sister, Kate, and her husband, Lord Anthony Bridgerton.

Dr. Lucas Blakeley hasn't the time to find a wife, though, clinically, he knows a wife would solve many of his problems, including someone to keep his bed warm at night. However, when he receives an unexpected letter, he knows his life will be forever changed and he will need to re-enter the world of glitz and glamour that he left behind years ago. Edwina Sharma x OC

A Touch of Homesickness by @spitefularmand

Marcus Whitmore/Edwina - crossover fic of Bridgerton and A Discovery of Witches.

A Thing of Soft Misnomers by @valderois

Love simply was not in the cards for Edwina Sharma. Not if she could help it. Not even on the day of her engagement. character study.

don't be unkind by jynlyra (@lizzibennet)

Three times Anthony Bridgerton and Edwina Sharma most definitely do not discuss literature, and one time they… do?

the girl inside the diamond by thefudge (@thefudge)

AU. What's one more forbidden romance? Edwina/Benedict

Goose by Moomin_94 (@newtonsheffield)

“Edwina met a boy at the museum today.” Kate said her eyes sparkling with the delight only made possible by a sibling’s discomfort. Edwina sighed as Anthony raised his eyebrows.

“He wasn’t a boy, he was just a nice man."

OR

Edwina Sheffield meets a Handsome little Gander named Matthew Bagwell.

I know that you're hiding by MiniM236

She ran. She ran away from the Prince of Prussia.

And now she was hiding under the covers of her bed. When she returned to London, she promised herself she would be braver than she had been.

Edwina is anxious about her second season on the marriage mart. Distant from who she was, she finds the Prince of Prussia has an interest in her. But can she allow herself to be seen and loved?

Hope and Hopeless by TooYoungToFeelThisTired

Edwina and Prince Friedreich meet.

and the rest is rust and stardust by @hptriviachamp

He crooked two fingers to beckon her near.

It didn’t occur for Edwina to do anything but to comply.

Glide forward.

Stop scarcely a breath away from him.

And his hand was on her, hot and heavy as it slid up her spine. He flexed his palm against her nape almost experimentally.

“Very well,” he told her. “You will do.” Edwina/Prince Nikolai

The Education of Edwina Sharma by me!

This was so much fun to write and I'm thanking the lovely @hptriviachamp for allowing me to plot in their chat lol. Basically Edwina getting busy in the countryside. Edwina/Matthew Bagwell

Sirius by @harnitbee

'I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.'

This is what Edwina knew love was, but she comes to learn how different it really is.

I'd Be Your Little Spoon by magicalmenagerie

Wherein Edwina finds her own love. Edwina/Fem!Bagwell

god, its brutal out here by MiniM236

Edwina is different after her first season. Character Study.

[everything-y-nothing]

masterpost

below the cut is a catalog of the moodboards i've created. they're primarily kanthony and bamon related, and inspired by my favorite fics. list of fic recs is also included. i own nothing, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera

+ kathony (bridgerton)

AU AESTHETICS

Charlotte Bridgerton faceclaim (drabble) Charlotte Bridgerton faceclaim (source) Modern-day Kate Sharma Bridgerton | boy mum (drabble) Modern-day Kate Sharma Bridgerton | mama + minis (drabble)

FF MOODBOARDS

june, after dark i can't find the words, so i guess it's time immalleable beings something good

NEWTONSHEFFIELD you might have some bruises (and a few scars) Like a Hurricane Woman Taken by the Wind Nights Like This In Bloom (i feel) a lavender haze creeping up on me (i feel) a lavender haze creeping up on me (manip) Nothing Good Starts Across the Molly-verse: Edwina + Josie (non-kanthony) Mile High Hard Time Late Night (manip) blushing all the way home

FIC RECS (moodboard tbd 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Indecent Proposal Missing Connections Short and Sweet (oneshot series) Crickets at Midnight (oneshot) Wedlock hunt you, unmake you I Never Got Used to Watching Horses Die potential, probable, impossible

+ bamon (tvd)

AU AESTHETICS

Storm + Gambit (X-men AU) Captain Salvatore + Sea Witch (sailor/mermaid au)

FF MOODBOARDS

a cup of coffee Back to You: Chapter 3, Pretence Bitter Dispositions

DARWINQUARK six mornings after | damon + stefan six mornings after | bonnie + caroline six mornings after | kai parker

SARCASTICFINA You Know I Will Adore You (‘Til Eternity) If You Love Me (Don't Let Go), Epilogue Part II

PAINTEDWITHWORDS Dormiente Protagonista (no harm ever came from reading a book)

FIC RECS (moodboard tbd 🤷🏻‍♀️)

less awake (untitled drabble) aka "little blondie bennett" Until the End of Time i wanna live with you (even when we're ghosts)

+ bonnie bennett (tvd)

BBHC Week 2021, Day 6: Hair (drabble) BBHC Week 2021, Day 4: Tattoos (drabble) BBWeek 2021, Bonnie moves to Berkeley (ficlet)

[kitkatt0430]

Woo! All caught up on Doctor Who now and... I am going to be wondering who the heck Mrs Flood is until Christmas, aren't I???

I really enjoyed Rogue, though it was hilarious to me that Rogue was basically Rose and the doctor was basically Jack Harkness. You cannot tell me that the vibes and parallels were not there because they totally were. Somewhere Jack is laughing at the Doctor for this one.

I think I'd have enjoyed the Bridgerton homage more if I watched Bridgerton. It's not a show that rally calls to me though I'm always pleased to see my mutuals who follow the show are enjoying themselves watching it.

Loved Ruby with the battle mode earrings. She keeps those going forward right? We all agree, Ruby keeps the battle mode earrings? Of course she does. I would.

Overall I'm not really sold on the Doctor/Rogue ship. I mean, they're both cute about it and I'd read fanfic about them. But there's something about single episode romances that always ring a bit hollow to me. This one is better than most. But there's still something that's missing. And maybe it's just because love at first sight seems unrealistic to someone who never falls in love at all. How can you fall in love with someone you don't really know? That's just bizarre to me - are you actually in love with them or the idea they represent?

Still, like I said, it was a cute ship despite not having much substance yet. So I hope it gets some cute fanfic to follow. (I'd love for them to have a reunion... one day. Though I'd accept Jack rescuing Rogue too. It'd be funny to me.)

The Legend of Ruby Sunday/The Empire of Death was a pretty good duology, though I think the whole Ruby's mom was important because Sutekh couldn't see her thing was kind of a let down. It kind of works, however, if you consider...

It didn't start snowing around Ruby until after she met the Doctor. Until after she started traveling in the TARDIS. Until after Sutekh saw this random woman 73 yards away whose face he couldn't see... point at him.

The Doctor assumes she's pointing at him. So does everyone else. I thought maybe she was pointing at the TARDIS because maybe she could see Sutekh and was sending a warning for the Doctor. And maybe Sutekh thought the same thing. That would explain his obsession. His need for an answer. What made Ruby's mother so special that she could see Death when no one else could?

Turns out... she couldn't see death. She was pointing at the sign and thinking that's what she'd name her daughter. She'd name her Ruby.

Humans are a little psychic in the Doctor Who verse so it's possible that with everything else going on that night - the goblins, the Doctor, the TARDIS, Sutekh having a melt down because he thinks he's been spotted - left enough of a psychic impression that led from one woman thinking 'I want to name my daughter Ruby' to Ruby receiving exactly that name.

And with both the Doctor and Sutekh thinking something is up with Ruby, that's where the snow came from. Because didn't the first snow instance happen with the Doctor there and not Ruby? It focused on her afterwards, but I could swear it happened to the Doctor alone the first time. (Obviously gonna have to rewatch all the way through sometime soon.) Perhaps it could be some aspect of his true species starting to bleed through now that he knows the truth.

Ruby would have Christmas music in her soul because of course she does. Christmas eve is when she was born and she was understandably obsessed over finding details about her birth mother on a tape that had on it, preserved as best a VHS could, Christmas eve.

And so Ruby had the music within her because it represented her mother and herself and the missing connection between them. It snowed because the Doctor tied himself to that moment, over-identifying with Ruby as a foundling and wanting to know who Ruby's mother is because he wants to know who his real family is. And no one could see the face of Ruby's mother because Sutekh could not see her and because he could not remember her face the Memory Window could not allow anyone else to see it either.

And I really, really think it has to be Ruby's mom pointing that caught Sutekh's attention. Because how many people have walked by the TARDIS since the Fourth Doctor era? And presumably Sutekh didn't see all of them clearly. Hooded cloaks aren't exactly unique. But she stopped, out of his reach... and pointed at him. Or at the sign beside him, rather. But he didn't know that. He was getting so close to finally being able to enact his revenge on the Doctor and destroy the universe in one fell swoop...

And this woman comes from nowhere and sees him. Taunts him. Or so it seems. So close to his goal, paranoia had to be running high...

The ending was bittersweet. Ruby gets to have what the Doctor doesn't. And he loves that for her even as he's grieving for himself anew. Ruby gets to know her birth mother and father. She has a loving foster mom. She has family that wants her and loves her.

The Doctor's step parent abused him. Any evidence of where he came from is lost. The likelihood of ever meeting his parents is likely nonexistent. He's happy for Ruby... but he's finally grieving for himself. For the what if's that will never be.

And then there's Flood and the Christmas episode had better tell me who the heck she is. She's too vaguely sinister to be Susan, the Doctor's granddaughter. Though it would be interesting if the were Susan Foreman after all. But if she were a Time Lady then my first thought would be the Rani. The name is probably completely wrong for the Rani's aesthetic but still. It'd be interesting if it were her.

[shameonmeeguiltypleasure]

SMB Future Gen: Polin baby dynamic ideas

Ive got a whole dynamic for the future gen of Bridgertons for my SMB verse. But really been refraining from writing or sharing about it because, again, we are nowhere near that point in the actual SMB fic.

But I really can't help but want to post a few ideas I have for the SMBPolin babes dynamics/Dark chaotic energy :

1) Oh Shit! Jane what did you do!?

Agatha swallowed as the warm liquid splatter on her cheeks cooled. Her eyes were unable to look away from the mess her baby sister had just made.

"Did she just-" Thomas numbly started to blurt but was cut off by the wrangled scream from the terrified and bloody woman underneath a gurgling body.

"Shut Up." Jane ordered with a hiss before flicking the blood off her quill and poising to continue taking the statement of the whimpering woman at their feet. "Now, repeat for me what you claimed to know about the truth of the infamous Sir Lee Anders and his Lady Red.."

Agatha swallowed and resisted the shudder from the cold of Jane's tone. Papa had always warned her that Jane had inherited far more of his temper than the rest of them... She didn't believe him till tonight. Ugh, and now she will need to call on cousin Neville for yet another favour. The things she did for her family.

2) Can I borrow that?

"Thomas.... is that my Pocket watch?" Miles questioned as he stared at the tiny pieces of his once intact pocket watch. While he had no real attachment to the item, it was still..... well.... it had been his.

"Oh, yes. Apologies I was meant to put that back together before you came to visit." Thomas explained as he continued to scribble in his leather skin note book what ever nonsense that churned about in his head.

"When did you take my pocket watch?" Miles continued to question. He oddly felt as if he was experiencing an out-of-body experience.

"Yesterday, when you bent to kiss Miss Lake's hand after your dance." Thomas absently answered as he grumbled and scratched something he had written.

"Thomas you stole from me...." Miles slowly pointed out as one would to a dimwit.

"It is not stealing if one intended to return what was taken. I borrowed it."

"Thomas..... THAT was a gift."

"Yes, one you barely cared for. By the way, can I borrow your footman?"

"No! LEST You try to disect the poor man as well!!" Miles exclaimed with exasperation. Thomas had the audacity to scoff as if it were Miles being ridiculous.

"Jane is the one with a stronger interest in biology, cousin, you know this."

Miles groaned into his palms and wondered how his Father survived the madness of his siblings genetics.

3) George Slow Down!!

"What do you mean you don't know how to- WATCH OUT!!"

George let out an uncharacteristic cackle that many wouldn't expect has he urged the horses to race faster. Oliver was screaming from his perch beside his cousin as they raced down dirt roads, thank fully empty, and skidded round corners. It wasn't until a wayward goat had found its way onto the middle of their path that Oliver truly felt terror.

"BRIDGERTOOOOOON!!!!"

"HIYAAAAH!!" George searched with a boisterous laugh.

Later, when they'd successfully parked the carriage before the Crane family home, where their siblings and one very amused Lady Eloise Crane waited, Oliver would deny what happened.

"George, You look a mess!?" Eloise exclaimed as she looked over the gentle mannered 16year old. George, with his windswept hair, plump cheeks and mothers eyes, simply shrugged in response.

"Brother?" Amanda called with concern.

Oliver did not reply, not when he was far too busy throwing up what little was in his stomach.

"Never again!" Oliver swore between heaves "You are never to be handed the reigns of any transportation so long as I live, George Michael Bridgerton!!"

George merely blinked in response, looking as deceivingly innocent as his late-mother. Eloise laughed, and if her laughter was tinged with the sound of grief, the children politely took no notice.

4) Ask me no questions and I shall tell you no lies.

Charlotte was nervous, who wouldn't be when one spent the better half of the evening dragging a man along the earthy ground in the dead of night.

"Aggie, are you sure-" Charlotte nervously fretted.

"Shh!" Agatha hushed before carefully adjusting the cloth covering the unconscious, possibly dead, Lord Murtle.

"Agatha, if my brothers or gods my father-"

"Lottie, enough! I'll handle it alright. This ain't the first time I've had to get rid of a Lord or two" Agatha huffed as she proceeded to carefully flit through the pockets of the unconscious figure.

"At least you clobbered him and not gutted him. A drunken wander into the streets proceeded by a mugging should do the trick.." Agatha mumbled.

Charlotte watched her younger cousin expertly strip the lord of his valubles and proceed to stage his plight with expertise. She had only wished to get him away from her, not knock him unconscious.

"Are we to simply leave him here?" Charlotte nervously fretted.

"Yes! Listen, it's best if you hurry home to mine, Thomas and Jane should be good to solidify an alibi for you. Seeing as no one even knows of my return to London, I can safely square everything away. No one will need to know of what could have happened between you and Mr Murtle. I promise!" Agatha assured.

Charlotte still looked hesitant as she glanced at the sheet covered form.

"But I- "

Agatha gripped her older cousin with both arms and sternly looked her deep in her eyes.

"He's not dead Lottie. You did nothing wrong. It was self-defense. Tomorrow, he'll wake with a headache and no memory at all of your encounter believing it a dream. Now go home."

With one last nudge, Charlotte finally left Agatha alone as instructed. Agatha waited until she was sure her cousin was far away from hearing range and sight. Only then did she bow her head and sigh.

From the shadows emerged a man, slow clapping dramatically. Agatha pinched at the bridge of her nose as the man joined her.

"I must say cousin, your ability to deceive is always so very fascinating to witness."

"Oh shut up Neville. Now grab his feet so we can be rid of this mess." Agatha hissed.

Neville Berbrooke grinned, the expression as flippant and airy as his mother.

"Grandmama always did say the mixing of Bridgertons and Featheringtons were sure to be a deadly combination..." Neville kicked the covered corpse with a snicker and smirked. "You still owe me for the last body I helped you bury, sweet Aggie"

Agatha sighed and glared down at the very dead Lord Murtle and lightly punched the arm of her snickering cousin. Undoubtedly, he was going to be insufferable about the many favours she owes.

"The things I do for family...." Agatha later sighed as she watched Neville sink the stone filled corpse into the depths of the sea.

With the help of her Maternal cousin, Agatha arranged the quiet disappearance of Lord Murtle with great care. A few paid whispers among the poor, a theatric performance from hired thugs, two or more manipulated witnesses from the ton and finally a stack of carefully forged letters confirming Mr Murtle's scandalous flee from society. It only took a week for Agatha to see the mess of Mr Murtle neatly tidied and forgotten.

"Aggie.... How did you do it? How did you convince Mr Murtle to flee town?" Charlotte curiously whispered once Mr Murtle's fate was publicly revealed to society.

Agatha laughed and shrugged "Just had a bit conversation with the man. Nothing to it. Believe me, Lottie, there very little talking to be had. Once he realized it was a Bridgerton he'd crossed, you could say the man was damned no matter what."

Agatha saw no reason to burden her cousin with the truth of what was truly and unfortunate accident.

[silverhallow]

Do you have any more headcanons to share about the Bridgerton 11 verse?

Ohhh okay so Lemme share a few of my thoughts for this AU…

Edmund and Violet run a very successful business, a bit like Wayne enterprises: called Bridgerton Enterprises (shock… I know) and are like mega mega mega rich.

Edmund never meant to get into the business of stealing and replacing works of art or jewellery but ended up helping out a friend who found that a piece of family art work went missing and weirdly… it was his mother of all people who suggested it.

His mother was the one who had the business and their father had been using funds from the business in clever ways to help fund her little missions.

Edmund and his mother do maybe one job every 5 years but Anthony learns the skill from his father.

Benedict’s skills come from his Grandmother and it was only after a trip to the Louvre with her and he had painted an almost identical version of one of the paintings form memory that she realised her grandsons has the talent to take over her little network.

Anthony meets Kate on a job.

Where she was trying to steal the same piece of jewellery, for the same client who had hired the two of them. Neither knew who it was but it was an anonymous request. (Lady D)

It nearly goes sides ways when they were arguing so much that when the police arrive Anthony did the only thing he could think of, and that was to stick the ring down Kate’s bra and kiss her.

To the police, they were just making out and innocent by standers and when they saw the duplicate ring in place, as Benedict and Daphne had managed to sneak in and get it in position, no questions were asked.

Kate didn’t go home after that and became part of the team.

Each of the family have respectable jobs along side their criminal backgrounds.

Anthony runs the business with his father.

Kate is actually a trained lawyer and occasionally likes to tell everyone just how much trouble they’d be in if they were caught just as they were doing something.

Benedict is a photographer.

Sophie didn’t really have a job before she meets the Bridgerton’s other than as a maid/slave to her step mother, and ends up working with Violet and Simon in the family business working with finances.

Colin works as a travel blogger which helps with their jobs and helps cover their tracks as he’ll often arrive first in a location and if anyone asks the family have come to visit usually.

Daphne worked as an intern with the business, working as Anthony’s aid and Simon’s until they started dating. Once she marries and has kids she stays at home but she still works and helps organise the jobs.

Simon is an accountant. Works for the family business, much to his fathers annoyance.

[honorhearted]

"I'm twenty, not twelve."

Briefly, Ben's eyes snapped toward her, taking in Francesca's sulky posture with scorn. "Could've fooled me," he muttered.

"What research did you do? Because most of the stuff out there isn't actually true."

"Not much," he admitted. "I well-versed myself in your life, mostly, so I could see if there's any traceable pattern you follow. If your stalker notices a routine, he or she will act upon it." Mouth curling, he coolly added, "So am I to take it you don't actually demand stainless steel straws in your dressing room, and that you don't require all the yellow M&Ms to be removed from your candy bowl?"

The idea was laughable -- he did smile, in fact -- and easing his vehicle up the neighboring street, he grew relieved once his GPS indicated that they only had a few more miles. God is good...

"How much is my brother paying you to do this? It has to be a lot, considering how little you seem to think of my family."

Ben finally did laugh, though the sound lacked mirth. "You think I'm the one being paid?" he asked. "I'm being punished. I'm a federal agent, Miss Bridgerton, not a babysitter, so if any money is passing between hands, it sure as hell isn't making its way into my pocket. And I don't hate you..."

He didn't. He couldn't find it in himself to hate anyone, though as Ben glanced toward Francesca again, it dawned on him that he was being intentionally cruel. All his life, he'd struggled with the idea of not giving anyone their proper due, even with those who were rude or unkind to him, and a sliver of guilt sliced from within, wriggling and writhing like a restless snake.

"I'm..." Ben exhaled, awkwardly flexing his hands around the steering wheel. "Look, we need to consider this a partnership. I'm sure you don't want to die, right?" Without waiting for an answer, he barreled on, "In order to keep you alive, we need to work together -- we need to corroborate in order to figure out if this stalker has actually been in your trajectory before."

When Anthony had first bridged the notion of a bodyguard, Francesca had laughed -- Fully laughed out loud at the absurdity of it. They had a bodyguard, an older man of around fifty with a stern expression and little to say. 'No,' Anthony had said, 'Not for the group. For you.'

She wasn't stupid. She knew that her family had received their fair share of hate mail alongside the adoration, some of them so cruel that Francesca wondered what sort of person could put pen to paper and write such things. But she had not realised until that moment just how worried her brother had become about her safety -- There must have been a letter that had pushed him over the edge, a threat on her safety, and yet whenever she asked about it he had simply brushed her off.

And so Ben had come into the picture, her own personal shadow to ensure that nobody either killed or kidnapped her. Daphne and Eloise found it rather funny, but then her sisters did not have to deal with being treated like a toddler twenty-four hours a day.

"Not soon enough."

Silently seething, she resisted the urge to turn the radio back over to the synth-pop of before simply out of spite. Francesca had not been rude to him, had not asked anything of him that would be considered outside of his job role, had not even tried to be irritating. Yet he hated her for some reason unknown.

"Is there anything you want to ask me? I've done a bit of research on you, but because of my job, I'm intentionally off the grid -- no social media or anything. I know that must be shocking for a kid of your upbringing, but you should seriously consider it with all the threats your family's received as of late."

"I'm twenty, not twelve," she snapped back, the last thread of civility snapping beneath the presumption. A kid of her upbringing? Did he have any idea how pompous he sounded? "What research did you do? Because most of the stuff out there isn't actually true."

Like that one time she found an article talking about her six-month long relationship with a guy on an Australian soap -- She'd spoken to him for three minutes at a party and suddenly their names were plastered everywhere. Francesca wasn't even sure if she liked the guy, yet suddenly they had a ship-name and a whole hoard of fans.

"How much is my brother paying you to do this?" she asked, levelling her glare with his. "It has to be a lot, considering how little you seem to think of my family."