The Secrets We Keep: Pt I
Part II >>
Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader
Summary: Knowing someone your whole life doesnât mean they canât surprise youâŠ
Warnings: none yet⊠fluff and angst. Childhood friends, yearning, arranged marriage, kissing. Pt II will contain a warning/rating change.
Word Count: 5.1k (this part)
Authors Note: Part 1 of 2. My longest gestating WIP! Itâs been more than 18 months since I received a request for this secret diary fic. Tulip Anon, I have no idea if you still follow me, but I hope you think I did your detailed request justice. I won't post your ask yet, as it contains spoilers for the second half. Betaed by the awesome @colettebronte, who I canât thank enough. Iâm in the process of writing Pt II, so there will be a gap between instalments. Enjoy! đ«¶
-i-
For as long as you can remember, you have loved one man secretly. To the point that you cannot imagine your life without a deep, burning affection simmering in your very core, as fundamental to your existence as drawing air into your lungs.
Benedict Bridgerton.
Your families have been neighbours in Mayfair and Kent for many generationsâtwo aristocratic dynasties that, despite enduring friendships, have never seen intermarriage. There have been attempted matches down the years, according to family lore, but nothing came to fruition.Â
So when you were brought to Aubrey Hall as a mere babe in arms, the eldest daughter, there were many good-natured jokes that Anthonyâs future wife had been born. But the Viscount, wonderful as he is, was not the man who stole your heart just a few short years later. A bright sunny day in June that you suspect Benedict may not even be able to recall, but you can with perfect clarity, even now, some fifteen years later.Â
He picked you as the first person to join his team for a round of garden games. Paying you heed and ensuring you were included, patiently showing you the ropes and applauding your achievements, ignoring the ridicule from the other twelve-year-old boys for letting a girl - and a little five-year-old at that - join in their games.Â
Ever since that day, all you have ever seen is his enormous heart and steadfast empathy: always the one to reach out to those excluded, to be supportive, and to love harder and more expansively than his siblings. Thus, unsurprisingly, he became the focus of your singular devotionâa childish adoration transmuting into something more profound and complicated as you matured.
On your fourteenth birthday, your mother gifted you a thick notebook. And it became your refuge, the private canvas on which you outlet your innermost secrets and thoughts. The beautiful but now slightly battered, silk-covered tome is still your most treasured possession even now, more than six years later, so close to filled now, with only a couple of blank pages left. Never long from your hands, but when it must be, carefully stashed under the floorboards of your bedroom. Its pages the reflection of a naive, growing heart. There is one person who features frequently on its crammed, jumbled pages. Sketches of his handsome face, mostly from memory, interspersed with ardent notes and poems that, while they may not mention his name, are written for him. Adoration writ large in every pen and pencil stroke.
Little were you to know that the secrets you keep within its hallowed pages would one day alter the course of your lifeâŠ
-ii-
It's the evening of the Bridgerton Ball, and usually, you would be brimming with anticipation for such an occasion, a chance to see the man who holds your most ardent admiration. Instead, you find yourself glum, mechanically stepping into the dress your ladies' maid Rachel assists you with, staring blankly into the vanity mirror as she adorns your hair with jewels. Still reeling from your father's shocking announcement the previous day.
The inheritance of a European title had seen him spend eighteen months abroad. In his absence last spring, you were able to persuade your more indulgent mother to delay your societal debutâa yearning to be free in the ways you know no woman really can be for long. A compounding factor was spending the summer in the Highlands with her sister, your Aunt Eliza, a spirited, independent woman who taught you many things and encouraged your artistic whims. And when you were back in London, your motherâs somewhat inattentive running of the house meant you were often able to slip away in the evenings, spending your time deepening your passion for art. Frequenting galleries and conversing with artists led to you being drawn into the bohemian, artsy underbelly of Bloomsbury, a beguiling, exotic contrast to Mayfair. Another secret you keep.
Upon his return to England, your father was not best pleased to learn that not only had you been allowed to skip the previous Season, but Eliza had also taught you to fish, fence and huntâmost unladylike pursuits in his opinion. He, therefore, made it his mission to ensure not only would you debut this year but also a swift match should be made, lest you âget other fanciful, dangerous ideasâ.
Perhaps that is why, yesterday, nary two weeks into your first season, he abruptly announced over afternoon tea that he had secured a match for you and the man in question would be dining with you all that evening. A deal no doubt brokered in a private gentlemanâs club as if you were merely chattel to be traded.
Revulsion filled your every fibre as you were introduced to Lord Farringdon a few hours later. A wiry man twenty years your senior with a hawk-like countenance and a disdainful disposition. Apparently, a brilliant intellectual mind but accompanied by a mercurial, malevolent reputation. You had read in Whistledown rumours about his mistreatment of his household staff and his previous wife. A forlorn figure who became a recluse long before she died of consumption tragically young. The idea of being betrothed to this cold, abusive man turned your stomachâa seemingly outsized punishment for your rebellion. Once the man left, you had begged and pleaded with your father to reconsider the arrangement, but sadly, your appeal fell on deaf ears.Â
And so here you are. Going to a ball at which your father plans to announce your engagement. The stately beauty of Bridgerton House is not as heartening of a sight as it typically is. Tonight, it feels more akin to a gallows.
As soon as you arrive, you are scanning the crowds for the only friend you know will understand just how ghastly your predicament isâEloise Bridgerton. A kindred spirit whose interest in marriage is as scant as your own. Bonding over your similar yearnings for freedom, you have been good friends since you were little, many a day spent together as children running through the Kentish fields, escaping expectation and flouting convention.
Acutely aware of time running out until your father speaks up, you fiddle distractedly with your fan, impatiently awaiting her entrance.
âFor heaven's sake, y/n, please cease your fidgeting!â your mother chastises under her breath, snatching away the item. âI do not see why you are so agitated. Tonight is to be a wonderful occasion for you!â
A myriad of caustic comments are on the tip of your tongue, but you swallow them down. The last thing you want is to draw attention, and you certainly don't want to be gossip fodder; these ballrooms are a veritable hotbed of eavesdropping if Whistledown is anything to go by.Â
When the collective Bridgerton family finally enter their ballroom as hosts, however, your eyes can't help but drift to Benedict instead. A reflex from years of longing, even though it is his sister, arm looped into his, whose counsel you seek tonight. You excuse yourself to fetch a lemonade as soon as you spy a window of opportunityâEloise standing alone, looking excessively bored. Abandoning your glass, you hurry over to her.
âI have newsâŠâ You try to keep your voice neutral but grab her arm and practically drag her away from anyone within earshot.
âWell, it cannot be good if you are willing to rip my arm off to impart it,â she remarks dryly as you lead her down a hallway.
âIt is not,â you pull a face that you know will convey to her the gravity of what you need to divulge.
With a nod of understanding and a look to a nearby footman, she leads you beyond him into an area of the house off-limits for guests.Â
âTell meâŠâ her tone is sincere as she ushers you into the library and closes the door.
âMy father has seen fit to arrange a marriage for me. He is planning to announce it tonight, right here at your family ball!â
She says nothing, only a sympathetic noise as she pulls you into a consoling hug. The emotions you have been tamping down for hours escape as a couple of bitter tears, her arms banding tight around you. You are not sure how long, but you stand in a hug, just grateful for her steadfast support.
âWhat am I to do?â you whisper.
âI do not know,â she confesses. âHave you tried to reason with your father?â
âA hopeless causeâŠâ Â
Her mouth twists in understanding, knowing you will have put up a spirited defence as much as she would have. She detangles from you and goes to a nearby brandy decanter.
âIt's the very least you deserve, frankly,â she points out, handing you a glass and pulling you into a loveseat with her, wrapping an arm around your shoulder, clinking her glass against yours in a silent but bittersweet toast about your seemingly futile situation.
-iii-
Half an hour later, your parents are distracted across the far side of the room with friends when a large hand grabs yours out of the blue. You startle when you realise it is Benedict, your heart suddenly in your mouth. Before you know it, you are wordlessly being pulled out of the French doors behind you and into the night air.
âWhere are we going!?â you demand when you recover from the initial surprise, his gloved hand tugging yours along through the darkened gardens.Â
âShh, make haste, we must not be seen,â he hushes you but keeps moving, furtive and fast, your feet having to take extra steps to keep up with his long stride over the lush, dewy grass.
âBenedictâŠâ you try again once you round a thick hedge into the rose garden. âWhat is going on?â
He slows a little but does not relinquish his tight hold. Gravel path now crunching under his boots as the honeyed scent of damask hangs heavy in the air.Â
âEloise told me,â is all he offers. âSo we are escaping.â
âW-we are?â you stutter, frowning, a claggy tumult behind your ribs at his use of âweâ.Â
âYes! Or at least we would be if you would keep quiet⊠pleaseâŠâ he amends, sounding a touch contrite about his initial brusqueness, but speeding up again, headed straight for a small wooden door in a high stone wall, almost hidden behind long, draping ropes of ivy, glowing silver in the moonlight.
When you reach it, he releases his grip on your hand and shoulders the door open with considerable force. The weathered wood creaks loudly, almost splintering under the duress. He signals to the inky blackness of the deserted mews behind Bridgerton House.
âIt is now or never, y/n,â he warns as you look back at the house, lit up with the life of the ball inside. âSo what is your choice?â
He may be presenting it as an option, but really, you know there would only ever be one answer. You would accompany him to the ends of the earth if he so much as asked. And so wordlessly, you step through the doorway and into the narrow street beyond.
âGood choice,â he compliments as he follows suit and closes the door behind him. âYou may stay at my friend Granvilleâs tonight,â he offers sagely, âI have not seen him in a while, but I will explain when we arrive; I am certain he can provide shelter.â
âBenedict, I already know Henry⊠Quite well, in fact.â
He looks taken aback as if it had not occurred to him that you may move in the same clandestine circles as he does. To be fair, you have always been discreet in your outings, and itâs not something you have divulged to anyone, including Eloise. Still, what confounds you more is why he is suddenly so seemingly invested in seeing you escape from your predicament. It doesn't entirely make sense.
âWell, then,â he cuts into your brief reverie, âyou know Henry is a generous host and discreet about the affairs of others. Your father will not come looking for you there. It will buy some time to figure out what to do next. To ensure your freedom.â
âFreedom?â You scoff. âBenedict, as much as I may wish it, there is no other path open to me. Tonight is merely a delay tactic at best. The only way to stop my fatherâs pursuit of this union is if I marry anotherâŠ.â
The admittance of this truth out loud makes you restless, belatedly realising that it truly is your only way out. You stalk towards the main road, the faint glow of the street lamp guiding your way over the cobbles. You soon hear Benedictâs footsteps behind.
âThat is ridiculous!â he exclaims as he attempts to catch up with you. âThere are other options available to youâŠâ
âSuch as?â you whip around, raising your hands, countering his assertion. When he falters, you return to walking, throwing a tart addition over your shoulder: âUnlike you, a man, I do not have the freedom of choice.âÂ
âYou should always have a choiceâŠâ he counters earnestly, still catching up to your furious pace.
âShould and do are different things, Benedict. You do not even know how lucky you are!â You add bitterly, rounding onto the main street.
A gust of wind causes you to pause and a shiver to run down your arms, your gauzy dress not enough to ward off the unseasonable chill in the air tonight. Ever the observant gentleman, Benedict shucks his jacket and wraps it around your shoulders. Uncharitably, your ire makes you attempt to shake it off, even while knowing it is intended purely as a chivalrous gesture. You are surprised when he seems to grasp your shoulders tighter, holding the heavy velvet in place. It is cloaked in his woodsy, citrus scent, your vexed state turning into an entirely different type of flush as he crowds closer to you.
âMy birth has allowed me certain privileges, I concede,â he replies, his stare seemingly far away as you are unable to look anywhere but the dampness of his bottom lip, shimmering slightly in the lamplight. Then he tilts his head down to meet your eyes. âBut that does not mean I am able to have everything I wish for in life, y/nâŠâ
Your tongue burns to ask what it is that he wants but cannot have, yet you do not allow yourself to pry. But seeing the wistfulness in his gaze deflates your irritation, your long-held adoration for this man taking over, making you sigh.
âYou deserve the world, BenedictâŠ.â
His face morphs into one of breathtaking intensity, and you realise, horrified, you spoke those thoughts aloud.Â
âAs do you, y/n,â he murmurs, eyes sincere, your heart beating wildly as his chest vibrates against your own.Â
The upheaval of the last day, the man you secretly adore abetting a somewhat daring escape, your heated exchange of words, the lateness of the hour, and the feel of his tall, lithe body pressed against yoursâŠ. It's all a dangerous cocktail that culminates in you being utterly impetuous, pushing up onto your tiptoes and mashing your mouth against his with no thought.
His lips are plush and warm, and suddenly, he is kissing you back. It's like a cannon firing in your chest as his warm mouth opens yours. Suddenly, you are urgently taking from each other. A sweeping tidal wave through you obliterates any kissing experiences you have ever had before. Itâs a desperate slide of tongues, a passionate continuation of your sparring. His hands are like a hot brand through your thin dress as they sweep around to your back, tugging you into him, his heat, scent and taste overwhelming.
But all too soon you are pulling apart, a need for air in your lungs overriding the spontaneous, reckless moment. For a few seconds, you stare at each other, breathing each other's panted air, hands still grasping onto each other, almost confused by what just occurred⊠until the whinny of a passing horse carriage has you springing apart as if burned.Â
Realisation engulfs his entire being. âOh god! Please, please forgive me!â he stutters, backing away, holding his hands out in a conciliatory gesture, almost tripping in his haste to put space between you, even though it was you who kissed him. âPlease, just go to Granville,â he counsels rapidly before turning heel and disappearing into the night, leaving you standing alone, unmoored and breathless, utterly turned upside down.
-iv-
You drift home in a daze, your familyâs London residence only a few hundred yards away. Your escape plans are forgotten in the haze of tumbling thoughts about that blistering kiss. How fervently and immediately Benedict had kissed you back, how wonderful it felt to be caged in his armsâŠ. Climbing into bed and passing out, still bewildered. In fact, itâs only the rude awakening of your bedroom door slamming open the following morning that brings you crashing back to your senses.
âWHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!â Your father roars, holding aloft what looks like the latest copy of Whistledown. âYou have brought shame upon our family and likely ruination to your prospects!!â
Utterly alarmed, you sit bolt upright, blinking, taking a few moments before you can find your voice. âWhat are you referring to, father?â.
He glares at you, then throws the paper onto your bed and stalks out of the room without another word, puce with outrage. You know there will be crossed words at the breakfast table. The sight of your name on the crisp ivory page immediately draws your eye, and your stomach plunges as you read the paragraph:
The annual Bridgerton Ball last night was, once again, resplendent. A triumph that the dowager Countess can be rightfully proud of. Although less contentment could likely be gleaned from the behaviour of her offspring. The second eldest of whom was allegedly seen escaping into the unlit gardens hand in hand with none other than the most reluctant of this season's debutantes, the spirited Miss Y/n Y/l/n. Perhaps the rebellious Miss will not have to endure many more of societyâs events that she so patently abhors, should a proposal from the most wayward of Bridgerton sons be forthcoming? I, for one, however, Dear Reader, am not holding my breathâŠ
Hiding in your room as long as you can, hunger drives you to join the frosty lunch table, apologising for inadvertently ruining your fatherâs plans to announce your betrothal and meekly explaining the incident with Benedict as a complete misunderstanding. It was merely an old friend helping you to gather some air before the big news was to be proclaimed. His taking your hand was out of benevolent concern, nothing more, and when you suddenly felt unwell, he chivalrously saw you the few hundred yards home. The lies feel odd on your tongue, your thoughts only of Benedictâs mouth and body moulded hotly to yours as your father lectures about appropriate behaviour for a young lady and your familyâs long-standing friendship with the Bridgertons not being an excuse for a lackadaisical attitude to impropriety.
âThere is nothing else to be done nowâI must secure you a special licence to be wed tomorrow before Lord Farringdon hears about this,â he decrees with finality, his tone brokering no argument.
You slump silently into your chair, dread creeping through every cell, silently chastising yourself for not following Benedictâs advice and running away. If only you hadn't been impetuous and kissed him, you might have been in your right mind to do so. It feels cruel that the one moment you chose to throw caution to the wind is the one moment that sealed a worse fate.
-v-
That afternoon, your mother ushers you to the Modiste, paying handsomely for a very rushed wedding dress. Something simple that can be finished at such a late hour. It will only be your family in attendance anyway; so much else seems unnecessary. As you stand forlornly upon the raised dias, ivory silk tacked up around you with pins; your mother announces she needs to depart to secure other last-minute arrangements, leaving your trusty ladies' maid to accompany you home once alterations are complete.
âYou do not look a happy brideâŠâ Madam Delacroix mutters after the tinkle of the bell above the door signals her departure.
âYour observation skills are certainly not lacking,â you respond quietly, craning to double-check that Rachel, your maid, is out of earshot, sitting listlessly in the front of the store, staring out of the window.
âI do read Whistledown, my dear,â she remarks delicately, âand this does not appear to be a dress someone marrying a Bridgerton would wear.â
Your stomach vaults at the implication; the thought of marrying Benedict has your heart going haywire, even as you know it would never happen. The crestfallen look as your mind flits to the awful man you will be marrying instead is one you cannot hide as she meets your eyes in the reflection.
âIt is not indeed,â you sigh, âbut Whistledown has rather accelerated my unfortunate fate. Hence the rushed dressâŠâ you gesture to your outfit.
âMr Bridgerton is a friend?â she digs delicately.
âLifelong,â you admit, âbut Lady Whistledown could not have been more erroneous in her assertionsâŠâ
âThat you and Mr Bridgerton are together? Or that he would marry you?âÂ
You look away from the mirror and down to where she is crouched by your hem on your left side, taken back not only at her astuteness but her drive for information. Almost as if she were Whistledown herself.
âI do not mean to pry,â she modifies, âmerely to understand your predicament. Maybe I can be of assistance? I have privately counselled many a young lady on the eve of their wedding. Be it a happy occasion or not. And have kept many a secret of the Ton. âTis the reason my business is so successful, Miss y/l/n. A good modiste can be a trusted confidante.â
âW-we are not together,â you stumble out without meaning to.
âBut you wish to be? Or perhaps something has happened between you?â
Your eyes dart furtively, and your cheeks heat at the memory, but you say nothing.Â
âYou need say no more,â she chuckles and offers a knowing smile that appears as much reminiscent as sympathetic.
You rapidly attempt to deflect. âI do not wish to be married to anyone, really. I do find it so unfair a man is free to pursue his passions in life, but merely due to my sex, I am not.â
There is a nod of understanding, and she stands up with her hands on her hips. âI keep a certain array of refreshments for special clients such as yourself.â She nods to what looks like a liquor cabinet partially obscured behind a curtain at the back of her shop. âIf you can dismiss your maid, I can assist you on your last night as an unmarried lady.â
The suggestion is too intriguing to refuse. And Rachel will greatly appreciate your pin money.
A few hours later, you are sat upon a circular conversation chair, Gen, as she insists you call her, pouring you another snifter of brandy.
âTell me, what is your passion?â she inquires, her polished French accent slipping a little, sounding far more East End than Parisian. Something about that makes you like her more.
âArt,â you answer wistfully, ânot that I have many opportunities to practice beyond a private notebook. But it is my most prized possession.â You gesture to your pelisse, hanging on a nearby hook. âI have it with me always. I have sewn a secret pocket into all of my coats myself.â
âIngenious! â She declares. âYou shall have my job one day!â
You laugh, feeling light for the first time in what feels like days, as Gen leans in, raising an eyebrow. âI can also see well why you may have bonded with Mr BridgertonâŠâ
You giggle and lower your eyes, taking a fortifying sip.
âBut it is not just that, is it?â Her tone is thoughtful, delicate even, as she continues: âA life outside the boundaries of so-called polite society can be so very beguiling, can it not? I have seen you, Miss y/l/n, at parties in BloomsburyâŠâ
A panicked bile rises as your head snaps up.
âAs I said before, I am always discreet,â she reassures, âyour secret is more than safe with me,â she winks before taking a generous sip from her glass.
Possibly, it's the alcohol, but her understanding of your predicament and the fact she has, unbeknownst to you, moved in similar circles brings an odd sense of relief. Having a confidante, someone to finally share your secrets with, albeit a somewhat stranger, lifts a burden from your shoulders. Wonderful as Eloise is, being the sister of the man who secretly holds your heart is not without complications in many ways.
âAnother?â she chimes animatedly, holding aloft the bottle.
You cannot resist that offer.
-vi-
Itâs close to midnight when Gen loops her arm in yours as she guides you, quite inebriated herself, away from the hackney cab to the familiar abode of one Henry Granville. Her declaration that a party is what you need on your last night of freedom is definitely not one you would dispute. A myriad of heightened emotions roil inside as you await the door being answered: contentment at your newly cemented friendship with Gen, bewildered every time you think of your kiss with Benedict and abhorrence for tomorrow.Â
As you wander into the debauched tableau of a party in full swing: the air thick with smoke and merriment, the sounds of pleasure, people consorting together, a hedonistic swirl of self-expression unfurling all around youâit all consolidates into a yen to be reckless. Take part this time rather than just observe as you have before. Alcohol mutating the simmering rage about the injustice of your circumstance into a yearning to experience pleasure, especially physical. To get lost in sensation on your one last night of liberty.
So when you encounter Sir Simms - Matthew - friend to your older brother, renowned rake, but quite handsome, you throw caution to the wind. He seems delighted to see you, instantly flirtatious and familiar in a way you would rebuff any other night but this one. Whispering in your ear how very bold you are to be at such a bohemian event and pondering what other adventurous experiences you might be willing to indulge in. At one point Gen pulls you aside, her breath sweetened with fermented fruits, as she leans in and counsels you to be cautious. But you rebuff her concerns, swatting away her hold and returning to Matthew, allowing him to pull you into a kiss.Â
Itâs not the same as with Benedict; your mind screams at the altogether more jarring experience. A wet invasion of tongue that is less pleasant and certainly doesnât fire anything inside you the way that he had. Merely kindling a defiant resolve to rage against the dying light of your freedom. And so when he slurs into your ear, you consent to his invitation upstairs, knowing fully the implications of what will transpireâfeeling vaguely detached from yourself as he pulls you along by the hand towards the staircase.Â
Suddenly, your field of vision is filled with dark blue velvet, a strong arm wrapping around you, caging you into a warm body mass, disconnecting your hand from Matthewâsâcrossed words in two male voices. A momentarily confusing blur that only begins to make sense when you tilt your chin up⊠and the breath is quite stolen from your lungs.
Benedict.
At first, it feels like a cruel mirage, the man you most desire here to stymie your last gamble at impulsivity. His hold is strong as you sense Matthew shrink away, defeated by Benedictâs threat to expose some dalliance or other. But as he whisks you to an empty room within the house, all you feel bubbling up is anger.
âStop trying to rescue me!â you rail, reeling out of his grip and stamping your foot to emphasise your point, uncaring that you may be behaving more akin to a petulant toddler.
âStop making foolish decisions!â he lobbies back after a fleeting wounded look.
You glare at him momentarily before turning your back and staring out of the window into the inky blackness of Granvilleâs garden, frustration prickling a tear in the corner of your eye.
Behind you, there is a sigh; then his voice turns softer. âWhy did you not follow my advice? I came here this morning only to be informed you never arrivedâŠâ
That he came to check on you weakens your bluster, although you still have no earthy idea why, once again, he is so invested in your actions. But you are not done saying your piece.Â
âWhat does it matter now?â you bite bitterly before spinning around to face him. âBenedict, we are in Whistledown. My father would have arranged a special licence for tomorrow regardless of whether I had come here or notâŠâ
âHe did what?â he splutters, shock almost choking the words.
You square your shoulders and cross your arms defensively. âI am to be married in the morning. 11am at St Georgeâs.â When all he offers is floored silence, you uncharitably dig the knife in. âNo thanks to you...âÂ
Your words are like a body blow, a world of hurt in his quiet tone as he stares at the ground. âI was only trying to help.âÂ
Regret floods your every cell; why you would choose to lash out at him, even you don't knowâso many conflicting feelings and strong liquor coursing through you.
âPlease⊠let me return to the party,â you sigh wearily, after a beat, gesturing to his blocking your exit from the room.
âYou would regret what you were about to do until your dying day,â he attests, lifting his head, a vein on his forehead pulsing as his jaw tenses.
âPerhaps,â you shrug. âBut that is my burden to endure, not yours.â
âI am your friend,â he frowns, âI will always want to alleviate your burdensâŠâ
âI do not want a friend, Benedict, not tonight. I want a beau.â If you aimed to shock him, you are successful; a cavalcade of expressions warring on his face as you plough on. âSo please move so that I may continue with my most inadvisable planâŠ.â
âNo.â It's soft but unequivocal, resolute.
When you realise he is not going to budge, you throw your hands up in exasperation. âWhat do you want from me, Benedict?âÂ
There is a gruff noise in the back of his throat, and then, with two determined strides, he is pressed up against you, his breath hot on your face. Then he is kissing you, ferociously, wantonly, opening your mouth with his, his hands encircling your waist and pulling you roughly into him.
And you are lost.
masterlist âąÂ wips âąÂ taglist (follow this blog to be tagged)
Benedict taglist pt1: @makaylan @longingintheuniverse @iboopedyournose @colettebronte @aintnuthinbutahounddog @severewobblerlightdragon @writergirl-2001 @heeyyyou @enichole445 @enchantedbytomandhenry @ambitionspassionscoffee @chaoticcalzoneranchsports @nikaprincessofkattegat @baebee35 @crowleysqueenofhell @fiction-is-life @lilacbeesworld @broooookiecrisp @queen-of-the-misfit-toys @eleanor-bradstreet @divaanya @musicismyoxygen84 @miindfucked @sorryallonsy @cayt0123 @hottytoddyhistory @fictionalmenloversblog @zinzysstuff @malpalgalz @kinokomoonshine @causeimissu @delehosies @m-rae23 @last-sheep @panhoeofmanyfandoms @kmc1989 @desert-fern @corpseoftrees-queen @magical-spit @bunnyweasley23 @how-many-stars-in-the-sky @sya-skies
441 notes
·
View notes
I saw this reel on insta and a haikyuu scenario with the post that said: 'im in the library and here's a bf helping his gg study and I've been overhearing part of their conversation for the last hour and said "babe, I'm gonna be honest with you. You're going to fail this test, I love you, but there's nothing we can do about it now"
can you do a imagine based on this with Jay and or any other member if you wanna add
(I have my finals coming up plus another exam in a few day. SEND HELP)
a/n: HELP??? WHY DO I ACTUALLY SEE JAY SAYING THIS?? jay giving you that reality checkđ€đ» also good luck!! I currently have projects due soon hence Iâm rushing my workđ€§
pairing: park jongseong x fem!reader
genre: studying with bf, fluff
word count: 1K words
warning: there is no real huge warning but there is tons of jay pecking/kissing you. that's a warning itself bc i'd die to kiss jay
there is no hope
finals
everyone hated them. it was the constant studying and staying up that made everyone hate it. nobody likes staying up to work on some stupid mathematic exam. cramming formulas till 4am in the morning was a nightmare.
your phone pings when a notification pops up. it startled you a little since you were heavily concentrated on your studies.
*1 message from jongseongđ§ž*
â placing this in case the read more messes up â
jongseongđ§ž: babe, are you still in the library? bc itâs dark in there.
you: why tf are you outside? didnât you want to catch up on some sleep bc rugby was kicking your ass?
jongseongđ§ž: bc iâm a great boyfriend and I care about my girlfriend that I can forget about my shit sleep schedule
you: aww jongseong :((
you: iâm at the McDonaldâs nearby
jongseongđ§ž: oh cool. i was kinda craving for some chicken nuggets! iâm bringing my books to help you too.
you: really? thank you, babeđ«¶đ»
jongseongđ§ž: anytime loveâ€ïž
-
it was about 15 minutes later when you heard someone sitting in front of you. you knew that familiar scent, it was your boyfriend. you looked up and gave him a warm smile before looking back down at your notes.
he lifts your chin up and leans to peck your lips.
âcanât even get a kiss from my girl without her looking away from her notes.â
âitâs 1am. the workers are staring, babe.â you whisper. jay rolls his eyes.
âwell they wonât be staring if iâm here as a valued customer.â jay winks. you sighed.
âcould you get me coffee?â
âat 1am? babe, youâre insane.â
âiâm going to need coffee to survive studying till 3am at least.â
jay shakes his head, âfine. iâll get you some latte or something. nothing too strong because you wonât be able to sleep.â
âaww such a caring and sweet boyfriend I have.â you say. jay smirks.
âyou do have a great boyfriend.â he steals kiss from you before going over to order something.
you remained glued to your work. however, nothing was really going in your brain. by now, jay had brought your coffee over and it still couldnât help you.
âjayyyy, I canât do this anymore.â
he scans through your notes. nothing made sense to him. he sighs.
âiâm gonna be honest, babe. you definitely failing this test. a 100%. your notes make zero sense to me.â
âyou mean to tell me Iâve been studying shitty notes that I thought would help me??â you groaned and banged your head on the table. it catches a few of the workers attention but they quickly dismiss it.
âlook, baby. if you wanna pass this test. I can always help you.â jay says.
âreally?â
âof course but first, letâs get out of here and hop in my car.â
âwhy do I feel like this isnât going to help me at all.â you glared at the boy. he chuckles.
âtrust me, love. itâs definitely going to help.â he smirks. you rolled your eyes.
the both of you left the McDonaldâs with your things to get into jayâs car. he places both of yours and his things down. once you settled in, you turned to jay.
âso whatâs this genius plan of yours?â
âkiss.â
âare you serious, jongseong.â
âiâll test you and every right answer you get equals to a kiss from yours truly.â
âyou are so needy, babe.â you huffed.
âthis is beneficial for the both of us. come on.â jay pouts.
you tried to weigh the pros and cons. honestly, there were definitely more pros than cons. you got to kiss jay, he would help you with passing the test and you got to spend time with him. what more could you ask?
"fine." jay smiles at your words.
after letting you read his notes for the topic, he would test you.
"you got 5 answers right. which means, i get to kiss you 5 times." jay says.
"yeah but you tested me 10 questions. i got half of them correct."
"which means you will pass. see i did something good. now, pucker up." jay says.
he leans in and pecks your lips once.
"jongseong-" he pecks it once again.
"this method didn't help." *peck*
"park jongseong." *peck*
"ooo one more." he leans in once again but this time, the kiss goes on far more than a peck. jay's hands rest on your waist. you completely forgot you were even upset in the first place. well that is until you actually remembered you were upset with him. you pushed him away.
"jay, i'm serious. i don't think i'll pass the test." you huffed.
"i'm sorry, i just i miss you. you've been pretty busy lately with studying. how about i help for real this time, hmm?"
"you're making me feel bad now. i'm sorry i don't spend time as much with you." you pout.
"it's alright, you're busy with school work."
"i feel like everyone is advancing faster than me so i take my free time to catch up with everyone. i don't even catch the topic sometimes and i just feel frustrated." you voiced out. jay squeezes your hand.
"well, i'm here. i can help you, babe. you don't have to hesitate to call me or text me when you need help."
"i know. i just feel bad."
jay shakes his head, "you don't have to feel bad. that's my duty as your boyfriend to help you and stay by your side."
"isn't that a job for a husband?" you deadpan.
"we're going to get married eventually, what's the difference." jay nudges your shoulder. you blushed.
"yeah, i guess we are."
"mrs.park, would you like me to help you really study now?"
"yes, mr.park." jay snorts. he leans in to peck your lips.
"okay, where did we stop at?" he says as he scans the notes.
242 notes
·
View notes