#yes i am aware colin started it

[kloppenheimer]

i’ve never knew fury until EVERY character on ted lasso was given a second chance apart from jamie

[frost-queen]

Tempting fate (Reader!Featherington x Colin Bridgerton)

Requested by: anon, Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex--awesome--22, @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly@denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco@subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07, @melsunshine, @panhoeofmanyfandoms, @venomsvl, @the-uncoordinated-house-cat, @rosecentury,  @imagines-by-her,  @evilcr0ne, @vviolynn

The night was out. Chilled but rather comforting on the skin. You were outside, waiting as your sister had already taken the carriage in a haste. Not a few moments ago she had a little encounter with Colin Bridgerton. One that you witnessed from afar. You could tell by your sister’s expression that she was displeased. Distressed to say the least. Once again had Colin Bridgerton said something to upset your sister. It was getting out of hand and you hated him for it. Hating how he toggled with your sister’s feelings.

They had been friends for a while now, but your sister desired more. He was the only good gentleman that gave her attention during the balls. Even if it was just a little. It wasn’t his first slip, but this time you clearly had enough of him. Now that your sister had run off with the carriage, you were left to return home on your own. Waiting for the carriage to return to the estate of this night’s ball would take awfully long.

Rubbing your arms gently, you hesitantly decided what to do. Go or stay? Slightly turning your head you noticed in the corner of your eye a figure approach. Once you fully got a glimpse of him, you rolled your eyes with annoyance. – “Y/n.” – Colin said approaching you. – “Good night Mr. Bridgerton.” – you answered coldly turning your posture away from him. – “Do you not need a chaperone?” – he asked making you stop in your way. With a deep sigh, trying to temper your annoyance down, you turned back to him.

“Certainly not from you.” – you answered with a forced smile. He stared confused at you. Trying to process the meaning of your words. He slightly came closer to you. – “Did…did I say something to offend you?” – he questioned. You scoffed making him furrow his brows dumbfound. Colin and you hadn’t been the closest, yet he considered himself acquainted with you through your sister. – “To my sister you did!” – you bit back finding his act of stupidity tiring.

“Pen?” – Colin. – “I…I don’t understand.” – he answered. – “Why do you minimize my sister?” – you asked him boldly. Colin was taken back by your reply, looking surprised at you. – “Minimize… no, Y/n… I…I wrote to your sister everyday this summer with little reply.” – he said with a charming smile. You smiled in return as Colin flourished from seeing you smile. Yet your smile had other intensions. – “Oh, yes I know all about the letters you wrote her. Letting her know about all your adventures. I am well aware of that Colin!” – you pressured on.

Colin chuckled nervously. – “Are… are you going to make me say it out loud?” – he responded feeling a bit foolish. You quirked your eyebrow up unintrigued.  – “I missed her.” – he told you. You busted out in a laugh. – “You miss her?” – you positioned yourself stronger, fiercer to go up against your sister’s good friend. – “You miss her, but you would never court her is that correct?”

“Y/n I…” – Colin started finally losing a bit of his  boyish foolishness towards you. – “I overheard you!” – you called out. – “At my mama’s ball last season… telling everyone you would never ever court Penelope Featherington.” – You felt yourself get a bit emotional, defending your sister against her best friend. Against the one she loved. Some voices approached as it drew Colin’s attention briefly away from you. – “Bridgerton.” – one of them greeted as they passed. Colin bowed his head to them before leaning a bit closer to you. Lowering his voice he spoke – “Perhaps we should go where there’s somewhere private?” – he suggested.

“Because I embarrass you?” – you said loud enough for anyone walking around to hear. – “My sister can change her entire wardrobe and gain confidence but that would never take away that she is the laughingstock of the ton.” – you outed in anger. – “My sister doesn’t deserve a cruel man like yourself in her life.” – you picked up the hem of your dress. – “Good night Sir!” -  you saluted coldly at him before taking off in the night. Colin watched you leave with a certain guilt eating at him.

Two days later you were with your sisters and mama at a garden event. Your sisters sitting down in a chair underneath a tent, waving themselves some cool. Your mother was chatting with some of the other mother’s. You had no idea where Penelope was. You on the other hand were playing battledores and shuttlecock’s with some of the other season’s participants.

You stood on one side with a girl you were quite familiar with. On the other side were two gentleman. The shuttlecock went high up in the air as the boys knocked it to each other. You were waiting for the shuttlecock to come your way to hit it to her and then back to the boys without it touching the ground.

Somehow your attention got drawn away from the heavens. Seeing Colin Bridgerton clearly look for someone not far from you. – “Miss Y/n!” – one of the men called out as the shuttlecock went your way. Your attention was back as you calculated the moment your battledore hit the shuttlecock. The shuttlecock went up in the air as you thought back of annoying Colin.

The shuttlecock came down once more as you needed to pass it to your companion. Yet you let the shuttlecock come lower, batting it away with your battledore towards Colin. You watched as it hit him in the head. The shuttlecock fell in his hand as he looked down at it confusingly. Rubbing his sore head with the other one. The girl at your side pointed firmly at Colin to go and fetch it. You sighed loud going over to him. The moment Colin noticed you approach, he dropped to a bow. – “My shuttlecock.” – you said offering your hand for him to lay it in.

 “You hit me.” – Colin responded. – “Must have slipped.” – you responded sarcastic. Colin was all but amused. – “Now my shuttlecock.” – you insisted upon. Colin was about to give it to you till he changed his mind last moment. He had taken a deep breath, moving the shuttlecock behind his back. – “I’ll give it back if you allow me to apologise first.” – he started throwing a charming smile at you. – “You should apologise to my sister.” – you made clear not wanting an apology from him.

Colin tensed his jaw, as he had hoped for another outcome. – “I…Y/n.” – he sighed out. – “I don’t require your useless apology. My sister needs to be apologized to.” – you told him clearly. Colin sighed loud getting worked up by your attitude towards him. – “Fine! If you don’t accept my apology, you might not even deserve it.” – he snapped back. – “I don’t even want it!” – you fired back. – “Fine!” – he finished. – “Fine!” – you repeated loud.

“Good luck getting this back than!” – he showed you the shuttlecock again. You slapped your hand at it as Colin had pulled it away in time. – “Give it back!” – you called out to him, getting some attention from bystanders. – “You don’t deserve this.” – he mocked, taunting you by showing you the shuttlecock just out of reach. You groaned annoyed as he moved it behind his back. You knocked into him full force to reach for it behind his back. A bit too forceful perhaps?

Colin stumbled backwards as you fell with him. With a loud oof fell you on him. Now having the full attention of those around you. You were very much aware of the staring eyes. You pushed yourself hard off him. He felt the air get sucked out of his lungs. – “Eat it!” – you cursed at him storming off. Colin sat up, swallowing nervously at the sudden attention. Getting up, he saw Penelope look his way. He shamefully turned his head away, getting up and taking his leave.

**

Lights were flickering in the warmth of the room. Music filled the room. Dancers were taking in the centre of the room. You stood by the side with your two other sisters and mama. Your gaze went across the room. When your eyes fell upon Colin, you glared at him. He glared back at you, turning his head proudly away. You stubbornly looked away as well. Looking down, you fidgeted on your dress. Somehow it pained you to see him act so coldly towards you.

You didn’t intend on doing so but the more time you spend with Colin, arguing and bickering, the more you felt drawn to him. You shouldn’t be falling for him, but yet you were. Some novels say that you grow more attracted to those things you hate the most with frequency. This might be the case for Mr. Bridgerton and you. Mama nudged you hard making you lift your chin back up. She gestured to you, to smile so you could attract more eligible men.

Not being in the mood for her interfering, you took off. Blending through the crowd to escape her. Pushing yourself through the crowd. Coming to a brief stop, you came face to face with your sister Penelope. Your eyes widened briefly before you rushed off to the hallway to avoid her. Penelope blended with the crowd, lowering her head when she saw Colin near. He was clearly in pursuit of someone.

Almost panting he disappeared through the same door you had left moments ago. It made Penelope think doubtfully. You exhaled loud setting your hands on the desk from the room you had run off to. Clutching your heart, you felt it beat faster. Faster then it normally did. Was this Colin’s doing? Shaking your head you didn’t want to think about him. It was wrong to think of his that way. Your sister was madly in love with him. You couldn’t… not for the sake of her. – “Y/n.” – you jumped back startled at the hearing of your voice.

Colin had entered the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. You rounded the desk, creating more distance between you and him. – “Shouldn’t you dance with my sister.” – you sarcastically suggested to him. He exhaled soft, practically done with your flight modus. Done with how you kept pushing yourself away and shoving your sister to the front. – “Y/n.” – Colin started as you didn’t want to hear it. – “You keep doing it Colin. You keep minimizing my sister.” – you told him.

“Ignoring every hint she throws at you, and you too blind to see it. I hate how you ridicule my sister’s feelings towards you. She is not some object.” – you ranted out as Colin came nearer, going round the desk to reach you. – “You tell her you miss her, but you won’t court her. Why?” – you asked desperate. – “I can’t court her.” – he answered standing face to face with you.

“Why?” – you repeated wanting to have a clear answer. Colin felt himself be swept up by the heated moment. – “I just can’t.” – he responded loudly feeling his hands tremble to get a hold on you. – “Answer me. Clearly!” – you called out getting up in his face. – “Because I want you!” – Colin shouted back, practically panting from the tension released inside of him. Your eyes widened.

Colin grabbed for your face. The hell with being a gentleman. The hell with your reputation and his. In this moment he just wanted you. He forced himself forwards, pressing his lips on yours. Your gaze widened more at his touch. His lips gently brushing against yours as you fell under his spell. Giving in to the sensation as it was beyond this world.

Butterflies flattering around inside till they suddenly dropped with realisation. Guilt. You pushed Colin off, breaking off the kiss. Colin blinked confused at you breaking it off. Stunned you held your hand before your mouth. As if something was stolen from your lips. A kiss perhaps? – “My sister…” – you whispered out knowing just how much she loved him. – “Y/n…” – Colin said wanting to approach you.

“No!” – you called out clear, taking a step back. – “I…I can’t do this…” – you told him running around the desk. Throwing the door open and taking your leave. Colin went around the desk as well, standing in the door opening. One last attempt to call out to you, but you were out of reach.

Exhaling deep, he lowered his head, heart broken at the loss of touch. He never courted Penelope but he found himself falling for you. Her sister. The sister that yelled at him. That wasn’t afraid to speak back even when some might find it out of turn. He liked how sincere you were, but also caring and free. A bright personality when one got to know you, truly know you.

Penelope bit the sour apple down. A single tear fell down her cheek, yet her face stood bitter. Bitter with hatred for what she had just seen. Her own sister fleeing a room with Colin Bridgerton showing himself in the door opening. It was clear to anyone that you had been in there privately with him.

Penelope made her way to the carriage. Rushing to get home. In the carriage she pulled out a piece of parchment from her reticule. The carriage hobbled yet she maintained balance. Taking out a pencil, she set it down on the parchment.

Dearest gentile reader…

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

Read more of my fics on my Masterlists!  [read part 2 & part 3 & part 4 & part 5 & part 6 & part 7 & part 8 & part 9 & part 10]

[bingiessm]

WARNING, LONG POST

Hello, welcome to the Bridgerton Season 3 trailer over-analysis corner. I am bingiessm--a film student that needs an outlet right now and wants to practice some film analysis--and am here to bring forth the FIRE/FLAME/CANDLE motif that was all over this trailer and I feel will be a HUGE motif throughout this season for Penelope and Colin (Polin).

So within the Polin context, let's look at each shot where a flame of a candle or lack thereof could represent their romantic interest in one another--and in particular the understanding/recognition of it.

This show is going all out putting candles EVERYWHERE--yes it was actual lighting in regency era, but you don't have to have it in the shot. That is a CHOICE. Also a choice to have it lit or not.

Also, "I burn for you" anyone?

FIRST SHOT: somewhat obvious but considering the context of both the mirror as well as other future shots within this trailer, this flame represents the feelings Penelope has for Colin, that she is well aware of and has held for a long while.

I also just have an inkling that she is seeing herself differently in this moment (feeling something for the first time possibly)--the way Nicola looks feels shocked/contemplative, but not scared as if it might be Whistledown-related.

SECOND SHOT: they are outside, talking about Penelope being a "lost cause." WHY IS THERE AN UNLIT CANDLE IN A MARKET STALL, if not to represent some unrealized feelings on Colin's part? It is also on his side of the frame. This is similar to this next one, both of which I believe are earlier in the season, as this is the start of him "helping" her.

THIRD SHOT: Once again, right there on Colin's side of the frame, YOU DID NOT NEED THIS IN THE FOREGROUND. It was a CHOICE to put a candle there again. They could have not had it, yes the shot would have had less depth and this does give a better sense of the space, placing them in a corner of the room instead of in an open space--but they didn't need to make it another CANDLE.

Colin has not fully recognized his feelings for Penelope yet, though they have always been there, and these two shots demonstrate that lack of understanding/feeling, but one that is soon to come with an unlit candle.

FOURTH SHOT: this, in the timing of the trailer, does come before the third, but RIGHT THERE IS A MIRROR AND CANDLES. It is on Penelope's side of the frame, but Colin, the mirror, and candles are what is in focus. She might be center frame, but we are drawn to the light as well as the contrast in Colin's outfit. This could arguably be Penelope's perspective, her burning feelings as he compliments her--also her future (we all want that mirror scene).

FIFTH SHOT: a HUGE TURNING POINT--a small flame, barely noticeable suddenly burning brighter as we focus on Colin in the background. This is so clearly him realizing his feelings for Penelope. It is also at the midpoint/turning point of the trailer when there is a big tonal shift. There is no more talk of Colin helping Penelope, but a larger focus on his perspective of her (all the gazing), the idea of romance, as well as mention of Debling--his rival. It will be a turning point for Colin when Debling--an actual suitor vying for Penelope's hand--comes into the picture. EDIT: Also going to add in, the candle is in a lantern--though that might have been easier to manage filming-wise--which could also represent him still holding back, especially with Debling in the picture.

SIXTH SHOT: This comes right after we hear Debling say "You look especially beautiful tonight, Miss Featherington." One of the many examples of Colin staring at the two of them, being jealous/worried. But right behind him? Oh, more candles. That they totally didn't need to have in the frame. Also, it doesn't look so much like a candle, but they are placed so close to one another that it looks like more of a flame. The lack of focus adds to this.

THEN WE GET TO THIS FINAL SEQUENCE--which imo is a FANTASY SEQUENCE

SEVENTH SHOT: Colin is coming from the darkness, with an unseen flame flickering directly behind him (small ember that he can't see).

EIGHTH SHOT: Penelope, also coming out of the dark, but with another flame on (what in this sequence is) her side of the frame. Though it is somewhat hidden behind these bars--some rough patches/guarded emotions? (probably depends on what point this is in the series).

NINTH SHOT: Penelope, already in the light of these fires, Colin entering with the large burning flame in the background covered by some growth.

TENTH SHOT: Penelope, lit by these fires, breathing heavily. A very clear close-up with so much blur to focus just on her face.

ELEVENTH SHOT: Colin, with a flickering/burning flame literally right behind him, lit by these other fires, staring right at Penelope.

So this whole sequence, in my opinion, is a dream sequence. But, in terms of this flame representation, this is Colin realizing he has feelings for Penelope. We see the flickering from the unseen light behind him in the seventh shot build and become the flame right behind him in the eleventh. It feels so obviously representative of the season. (The fog also seems to lift for him in this sequence, he comes out of the fog to Penelope--I could say more about this sequence and why I do think it is Colin's dream, mostly due to costuming and lighting and the fog as well) ______________________

And thus comes to a close my analysis/evidence of the FLAME/FIRE motif between Polin. I am cutting myself off here because this is a lot and I have an actual film shoot to plan. Thank you if you actually read all this. I love film analysis and Bridgerton is so fun and a stress reliever for me, so this was fun for me to write out.

Anyway, if any more of this fire/flame stuff comes up I might add on later.

TLDR: they are using fire and candles to represent the burning love between these two.

[nikkisheep]

To Be Alone With You (Part Six)

Anthony Bridgerton x female!Sharma!sister reader

Benedict Bridgerton x female!Sharma!sister reader

Warnings: improper alone time (Ben & reader), sexual tension, me as a writer questioning if I want Ben or Anthony to be the end ship, kissing, male nudity, reader fences Benedict (I know nothing about fencing so I'm sorry if this is bad), semi-smut, handjob, hair pulling

*One of the longer chapters

Summary: You spend more time with a certain Bridgerton brother and start to question whether you could be happy with Benedict rather than Anthony.

Playlist:

Labyrinth by Taylor Swift

If Only by Dove Cameron

Back to the Start by Somo

Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey (Maybe not a good choice, just depends)

Tag List: @shealuna , @m-rae23 , @littlepeanut03 , @aellabridgerton @sydney-m, @faatxma , @wildthoughtnananna @uraesthete, @themadhattersqueen, @theroyalmanatee, @urfavnoirette, @budugu, @helen06dreamer, @galactict3a, @imagineme2you. @sabii5, @anehkael, @aesthetic0cherryblossom, @lxovesgy, @lemonwithstupidity, @luvwithau, @stvrdustalexx, @jess4rush, @tallrock35, @msrawog

Not many nights had passed since the ball and you were being invited to the Bridgerton house by Daphne, or at least you thought. The days following the ball had been crazy as you were having numerous suitors calling on you because they thought the viscount had forgotten your sister and set his mind on you. Not that it was completely wrong, but you were not talking to Anthony and would not do so until the wedding which was to be in about a month. Not that you were keeping up for when you would have to walk down the aisle, not in a white dress.

Upon your arrival to the Bridgerton home, you were wandering around the house trying to find something interesting. You wandered to the garden and sat under a tree. The refreshing wind cooled you as the tree limbs were shading you away from the harsh sun. You close your eyes and listen to the sounds of nature. Soon, rushed footsteps and shouts had called your attention and you decided to follow it.

---

Benedict and Colin were fencing, and it looked like Colin was winning this match. Benedict was sweating in his fencing uniform and a bead of sweat slowly drips down the side of his face and disappears under his collar.

"Are you going to just stand there and stare or are you going to come over?" Benedict called out, snapping you out of the trance-like state you were in.

"How long have you boys been fencing?" You ask, shielding your eyes from the sun.

"About an hour," Colin smirked, watching you watch Benedict. "I actually have grown quiet tired."

"Would you like me to take over, Mr. Bridgerton?" You asked, hands folded together in front of your waist.

"Do they teach you girls how to fence during your lessons?"

"No, but I have seen my cousins do it."

"You are quiet aware that fencing is a man's sport, Miss Sharma," Benedict said, pushing you. He knew that you would see it as a challenge and it was, the results were exactly what he wanted.

"Rule number one, Mr. Bridgerton, do not underestimate a woman."

Colin mentions your clothing and you realized that it would be harder to move in your dress. You press your lips into a thin line before deciding to walk to the shed. Once inside, you look through the wardrobe inside, finding a pair of fencing clothes. You pull at the buttons of your dress, slipping out of the many layers, including your corset. Putting on the trousers felt odd but they were quite comfortable, more so than your corset.

Coming out of the shed, you walk to the boys again, pushing the leftover shirt into the trousers. You gave them a twirl and beamed brightly.

"Well, don't they fit lovely?" You smiled.

"Yes...yes they do," Benedict looked at the sky, not trying to hide that he couldn't look at you. Your shirt wasn't completely buttoned and Benedict was struggling not to look.

"Are you all right, brother?" Colin asked, a teasing grin creeping onto his face.

"I am quite well, you need not to worry about me brother."

You move closer to him and press you hand against his forehead and felt his temperature. Your breathes mixed in front of you, your chest was practically pressed against his. Benedict's first instinct was to lean in for a kiss, you were intoxicating to him, but as soon as he went to slightly move, he pulled away.

"Shall we return to fencing?" He spoke into the silent garden.

All while Colin was just sitting on the bench, watching the interaction between his brother and the love of his other brother's life.

---

Colin eventually leaves the garden because the heat nearly made him pass out. As you were fencing Benedict, he kept talking as a distraction, and it was working.

"Darling, are you prepared for the art lesson that I have planned for us?" He asked.

"Can't make it, Mr. Bridgerton," You said. "I have a tea party with Daphne. She sent me an invitation letter."

"That was me," He said, tapping you on your left side.

"Benedict, did you invite me here to teach me art or something else?"

The two of you stepped closer, leaving the fencing weapons on the ground. His hands came to rest on your hips, looking around the garden quickly before turning back to you.

"Did you or did you not come here for an art lesson and nothing more?" He asked, dipping his mouth to the underside of your jaw.

"I came here thinking that I would be having tea with your sister," You gasp when his teeth graze your skin. "Benedict, someone will see."

"Let them see," He said. "You should be mine."

Your head tips backwards as his mouth continues the assault on your neck. You let out a moan and he pulls away, placing his index finger over your mouth, making a shhh-ing sound.

"Quiet darling, do you want me to stop?"

You shook you head.

"Words or I will stop."

"I don't want you to stop, Mr. Bridgerton."

His mouth pressed against yours in a searing kiss, lips moving in sync and his hand moves down to your bottom. He walks you over to the bench that Colin had been sitting and he sat you down, bending down to kiss you, never wanting your lips to leave his. You pull back, pressing your hand against his chest and try to catch your breath.

"Stop...stop, we shouldn't do this," You whisper as his mouth chases yours. He is in a kneeling position and his hand is on your hips, covered by your trousers.

"We shouldn't, but we want to and who are we to deny our desires?" He pants.

"Benedict."

---

Making it to his art studio, you laugh at his rain soaked clothes. You were still in your fencing clothes and your dress was in Benedict's hands. You brace yourself against a table, smiling as your hair clung to your face and neck. You were breathtaking in Benedict's mind. How Anthony did not see how truly beautiful you were was beyond him.

"Shall we get to drawing?" He asked, breaking the silence in the cooler room.

"Yes," You said. "I was wondering if I could draw you?"

He nodded and moved to the couch. You shook your head, motioning him to come over to you.

"How do you want me?" He asked, smirking at the fact that you were watching him with such attentive eyes.

"I want you...right here," You moved him to the center of the room, right in front of the window that was lit up by the thunder and lightening from outside.

You moved to the couch to start sketching him, frowning because you could not get his figure right. You walked to him and looked up at him, your noses nearly touching.

"Does sketching me include you being so close to me?"

"I need your shirt off. I need you naked."

"Why?" He asked.

"So I can get a better view of how your body is shaped."

He slowly starts to unbutton his shirt and shrugged it off. Smirking when he noticed your hand instantly reached out to touch his toned chest. He grabbed your sketchbook out of your hands, placing it on the nearest table, and placed them on his warm body. Your mouth opened slightly at the feeling of him. He felt warm, sturdy, and perfect.

His hand was still on yours and he slowly moved it down his chest to his abs to his trousers. You gasped when he moved your hand lower.

"Do you feel what you have done to me?" He asks. "How crazy you have me feeling?"

You nod. Too dumbfounded to say anything.

He moves your hand back up and then completely off him. He takes the button of his trousers into his fingers and pops it out of the hole. He then slowly moves them down his strong, long legs. He then pulls down his underwear. His cock springs up and hits his stomach. He was big. You could tell that the genes in this family were extremely strong. You shook your head and grabbed your sketchbook, instantly drawing what you saw.

"Is this what you wanted?" He asked, his wet hair sticking to his skin. Water droplets were still falling from his head and dripping down his body. The lightening from outside lit up his entire body, making him look like a literal angel.

"This is exactly what I needed." You walked over to him once again, pressing your lips against his. His mouth opened to allow your tongue entrance, swallowing his moans of pleasure. You were doing that to him. You were making him needy for you. You were making him want you, he needed you.

You grip his leaking cock, slowly moving up and down, feeling the silky skin. He threw his head back in pleasure as your hand stroked him.

"Oh my..." He gasped.

"Is this what you need, Mr. Bridgerton?" You look up at him before grabbing his hair to pull him down to your level. "Is this what you need?"

"Y-Yes," He stutters as he tries to hold in his moans.

"Let me hear you, baby." Your hand starts to get more slick with his pre-cum as he gets closer and closer to his end. He starts to shake in your hands as you speed up your hand. He starts to curse and moans started to spill from his mouth.

"Oh fuck, darling," He moans out as he cums on your hand.

You kept pumping him as he shakes from his orgasm. You slowly come to a stop and look him straight in the eyes as you lick his cum off your hand and moan at the taste, eyes rolling back.

"Oh fuck..." He pants, hair sticking to his forehead.

"I love you," He whispers, you don't hear it and he quickly gathers himself up.

"How was your drawing?" He asked, once dressed. His hands were resting on your hips as he presses a quick kiss to your neck.

"I think I will need to finish it a different day."

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Once Upon a Time 5

Warnings: non/dubcon and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

Characters: Andy Barber

Part of the Bookstore AU

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

The uneasy interaction follows you around the rest of the day and into your next. As you try to relax and forget about everything outside your apartment, your mind can't help but stray back to Andy. Not what he said, more the look on his face. You know the next time you see him will be less than pleasant.

Great. You always get anxious about work but now you have a whole new pest. You start to think you said something wrong. Gave him some idea that you were doing anything but your job. You're paid to be helpful but he's just another one of those ‘professionals’ who doesn't see your work as work.

You huff and puff as your time off comes to a pitiful close. Your stromach is squirming at the thought of walking through those doors the next morning. You brew some chamomile and retreat to bed in a futile effort to settle down.

Your sleep if fitful and unrewarding. The morning greets you, painful and gray. You get up, get washed, and get dressed.

Your eyelids droop on the train ride, prompting you to stop by the cafe for an early medium roast. As you approach the facade of the bookstore, you see a figure at the doors. Your heart flips before you recognise them. It's Mr. Pine.

He punches in the security code on the pad before slipping the key in the slot. He peers over and greets you with a smile. You could hug him. This place has been rather empty without him.

“Good morning,” he pulls open the door and steps back in his gallant way to wave you ahead of him.

“Morning,” you reply as you sweep into the store ahead of him.

The censor triggers the lights and illuminates the eerily vacant space. Pine closes the doors, locking them from the inside. He strolls forward casually, easily cafching up to you with long strides.

“Good to be back,” he preens, “and how have you been?”

“Okay,” you answer, “how about you?”

“Very fine. Some family matters,” he explains ligthly, “but much better than they were.” He walks with you up the center aisle, “why just okay?”

You shrug and hesitate. It sounds like he has a lot going on. Besides, you're only an associate, he must have much bigger issues as the owner.

“Oh, just tired. No big deal,” you assure him.

“Ah yes, I find this time of year rather draining,” he agrees as you near the back of the store, “should require support however, you know I will do my best to accommodate.”

“Thanks, Mr. Pine but I think I'll survive,” your force a smile, “better get clocked in.”

You stop and peek towards the employee lounge. You'll go that way and he'll head off to the back office. He doesn't. He lingers as if he can sense your doubt.

“Of course, but please, take some time to enjoy your coffee. It smells wonderful and I should hate for it to go cold,” he says. He's the nicest boss you've ever had, it's too bad he hasn't been around.

“Thanks, erm…” you purse your lips as you contemplate your sudden spark of boldness, “actually, I almost forgot. There's been someone asking for you. A man.”

“Oh,” he tilts his head curiously, “did you direct them to Colin?”

“I offered but they were insisting on you. I don't know if it was business or not so…”

“Did this man give a name?” He slants a brow.

You cradle your coffee with both hands and swallow. You feel like a snitch, like a child taddling. You nod, “yeah, Andy?”

He's quite as a line etches between his brows and he hums, “ah, he was here?”

“Several times,” you confirm.

“Hmm, curious,” he muses and the tension quickly slakes from his features, “well, if he should appear again, you will fetch me. I'll be certain he does not continue to ask after me.”

“Oh, yeah, thank you, sir,” you let out a breath of relief. It's a bit cowardly but you just can't deal with him again.

“Certainly, but…” he raises a long finger, “did he bother you very much?”

“Me?” You echo.

“Yes, he wasn't rude, was he?”

“Not really, just a bit… pushy.”

“He is that type,” he scoffs, “well, he shouldn't be hounding my place of work, it's wholly inappropriate and unfair to you and the other staff. It shall be dealt with.”

“Thanks again,” you say, “I'm just gonna… put my things away.”

“Yes, yes, don't let me keep you,” he feels along hia jacket and slides his phone from his pocket, “I have a call to make before opening.”

He sets off and you do the same. You feel a little less addled but not entirely relieved. Something about Mr. Pine's reaction makes you suspicious. He's usually unshakeable but you saw that fine crack in his veneer.

You're not entirely certain Andy is a fond acquaintance. It's hard for you to see the two men getting along, almost complete opposites in their demeanour. The more you think about it, the more Andy seemed ready for a confrontation each time he asked for the elusive owner.

Whatever happens, hopefully, you're not the one dealing with the fallout.

[booboodaddysblog]

Promise

Warnings: alcohol, therapy with a psychologist, self-pity, bad mood

Words: 2823

———

Hour after hour passed, day after day, week after week. He didn't even realize when almost an entire month flew before his eyes. Almost a month when he last saw Marg and talked to her.

He wasn't doing very well. He was sleeping badly, eating badly... Even work wasn't going well for him, but he was going to work. He didn't want to sit at home. He didn't give up like the previous time he betrayed her. Now he was trying to be stronger, but...

- Colin! Why do I smell alcohol from you again?! - Mare pulled over and stopped the car halfway to the place they were just about to search.

Colin looked at her and shrugged his shoulders. He lowered his head, looking at his hands.

- I don't know...

- What do you mean you don't know?! Is this about Marg? - she said a little softly.

- Yes... - he closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

- I know you screwed something up, but I don't know all the details. You know I don't like to gossip. I know everyone around me is talking about it, but I haven't been focusing on it.

- I don't think I'm really coping...

- How often do you drink?

- Usually only in the evenings... after work… - he finally dared to look at her.

- At home or in a bar? - Mare wanted to know every detail.

- The bar and the house. Does it matter? - he raised his eyebrows.

- How much do you drink a day?

- Mare... I really... okay… beer... about four... hmm... - he sighed again - I also drink whiskey... three glasses... usually... - he whispered.

- Oh fucking Christ, Colin! You have a fucking problem! How long have you been drinking like this?! - Mare shouted at him again.

- Hmm... about a month... - he looked out the window, he didn't want to look at her anymore. Perfectly aware that in this way he shows that he is weak.

- Today you will meet with my psychologist. If not... I will inform our chief that you can no longer work with us. You will probably return to your previous workplace. Unless you are fired - she threatened him with her finger - yes... this is a threat and a warning at the same time, Colin! - Mare started the car again - let’s go back to work!

Colin looked at her with terrified eyes. Talking to a psychologist was the worst solution to this problem. He was afraid of psychologists. The only plus was that it wouldn't be their police psychologist. At least his problem would remain a secret... for a while.

——-

It was time to meet with a psychologist. Colin's thoughts were racing in his head and he felt sick. He felt dizzy. He sat in the waiting area outside the office and felt like he was about to throw up. He quickly walked over to the water dispenser and poured a full cup. He drank it all. He was breathing heavily while leaning his back against the wall.

- Mr. Zabel? - the psychologist lady looked out of the office to invite another patient inside.

- It's me, here I am… - Colin said nervously, pushing away from the wall. He pulled a tissue from his pocket and wiped his sweaty forehead with it. He followed her into the office.

- Please sit on the couch and relax. You can also lie down. As you are more comfortable - she sat down opposite him in an armchair.

Colin looked at her confused. Finally, he sat down on the couch. He tried to calm himself down. "I can do it, I can do it," he repeated in his mind.

- Now that you are comfortably seated. Let me start by saying that my patient Mare, has arranged for you to see me, because she is worried about you - she corrected the glasses on her nose and opened her notebook.

- Yes? I think so... I guess so… - he replied uncertainly.

- What is your problem that someone has started to worry about you, Mr. Zabel? - she clicked a pen to start taking notes.

At this sound Colin jumped up slightly on the couch. He was so focused on his thoughts that such a sound had a bad effect on him.

- I...

- Please do not be afraid. Everything we talk about here will stay just between us. I want to help you. Please, allow me to do so.

Colin silently nodded slightly in confirmation.

- Hmm... I... have been drinking too much lately - he focused his attention on his fingers.

- Can I know why?

- I can't cope with private problems. Too much going on at one time - he sighed deeply and forced himself to look at her.

- I understand. What's the problem? - she began to write something in her notebook.

- My girlfriend is pregnant, I mean fiancée... it's almost two months and... - he slightly raised himself on the couch trying to see what she was writing down - What are you writing there?

- Please sit down and don't look. These are my private notes, which will make it easier for me to understand you. But I can't show them to you - she pressed the notebook to her chest so he couldn't look.

- Aha… - he furrowed his forehead and sat down on the couch again. He reached for the water decanter and poured water.

- In that case, please tell me why you are not coping with the fact that you will soon be a father? - she put a pen to her lips, looking at him and waiting for an answer.

Colin noticed this and focused his gaze on her lips.

- Sir? Mr. Zabel? - she snapped her fingers in front of his eyes.

- Oh, sorry - he swallowed his saliva loudly - well... hmm... why? It's just that I've always been used to the freedom in life to... it scares me that I can't afford this child. I can't afford to get married. I can't afford a bigger house. I'm not even ready to tell my mother that she's going to become a grandmother - he said it quickly and wasn't sure she understood everything.

She stared at him for a moment before speaking again.

- Hmm... Mr. Zabel... it's really... hmm... to be honest you are not the only man in this world who has such a problem. Everyone tries to deal with it differently. Some escape into sports, others into work... and still others into alcohol - she shook her head with dissatisfaction - you chose the worst solution. And you know it very well.

He looked at his hands again. He drew in air loudly and let it out through his mouth.

- Yes, that's right... this... I wish I could stop drinking. Or rather, I would like to be able to deal with problems differently.

- I see that you are an athletic man. How about the gym? Do you go to the gym? - she raised an eyebrow with curiosity.

- No... I don't have time for that. I usually run in the morning and sometimes do a workout at home. I get home very late. I don't have time to go to the gym.

- I understand... maybe sometimes... I have an idea. Maybe you will start keeping a diary. You will describe in it all the things you are afraid of and can't cope with. Then you'll read it and start thinking about whether it makes sense and whether you can do something about it - she noted something in her notebook - I think it's a good idea. I don't want you to come to me without meaning to. I know that you can cope with the current situation. Everyone struggles with this. Not only men. Believe me. When too much happens in our lives at one time, you can go crazy. A person starts having doubts and thinking too much - she got up from her chair and walked to her desk. She reached for her business card and handed it to Colin - please, take this and use it only when you really can't handle your thoughts - she smiled at him.

Colin took the business card from her and looked at it silently.

- Please also promise me that you will stop drinking. You are a young and handsome man. Please don't waste your life over such foolishness as alcohol. You may lose your family and your job. I'm sure you don't want that.

He got up from the couch and sighed.

- You calmed me down a bit. I mean you didn't calm me down. You made me realize that I have a chance to somehow cope with such big changes in my life - he extended his hand to her to thank her.

- I believe in you. And believe me, women really don't like it when they smell alcohol from a man - she also extended her hand to him.

They shook hands while smiling gently at each other. Colin nodded his head confirming that her words had reached him.

- How much do I owe? - he reached into his pocket for his wallet.

- No... no. Please, put it back. I don't want anything from you. This was a meeting on the basis of getting to know you and your thoughts. Mare asked me to simply unlock you... unlock your thoughts. You were locked up - she smiled - you were only here for half an hour and I can already see that you are more relaxed. That was the plan for this meeting - she went to the door to open it for him - please take care of yourself and don't do stupid things. Because through foolishness you can lose the trust of everyone around you.

- You are right. I'm going to the store to buy a notebook and I'll write down my thoughts, or at least I'll try - he left the office - thank you and goodbye, or rather, I hope not to see you again.

- Goodbye, Mr. Zabel - she closed the door behind him.

He left the building and headed toward the store. He went inside and moved toward the stationery aisle. He selected a notebook and paid for it.

He was about to order a cab to go home when a restaurant caught his eye. He glanced at his watch.

- It's only 8 p.m. Last drink. I'm done with it tomorrow. Definitely - he moved towards the restaurant.

He went inside and sat down at the bar. Next to him on the countertop he put a notebook and his phone on it.

- What can I get you? - asked the bartender.

- Whiskey, thanks - he pulled a few bills from his wallet, placed them on the bar and moved them toward the bartender.

The bartender handed him a glass of amber liquid. He reached for it and looked at its contents.

- One last time - he said to himself and took a sip.

Colin didn't just drink one glass...he drank three. He was barely sitting on the bar stool. Lately, such an amount doesn't affect him so badly. The bartender refused to pour him another shot of alcohol.

He leaned his elbows on the countertop and closed his eyes. He breathed deeply and slowly. Suddenly he felt a touch on his shoulder. It was light and gentle. He wasn't sure if he thought it was delusion or if it was really happening.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. He felt like he was dreaming.

Marg was here with Roby. They had come to the restaurant for dinner. They were about to sit down at a table when Marg noticed Colin sitting at the bar. He didn't look good. He looked drunk and sad. He was alone. She walked up to him and touched his arm.

- Colin? Baby? What are you doing here? Are you all right? - she sat down next to him, waiting for an answer.

He looked at her with misty eyes. The fact that she was here and approached him as if nothing had happened between them really amazed him.

He rubbed his eyes to sober up slightly. But it didn't help much. Alcohol was raging through his veins. He tried to look at her with the most sober expression he could get right now.

- I just... just had to have a drink - he said slightly confused. Not wanting to go into the details of his mental state right now.

She looked at him with sad eyes.

- You know very well that you shouldn't drink - she grabbed his hand and squeezed it - Were you at work today?

He really didn't expect her to show him any affection now. He had the impression that she had been more frigid towards him at first, but now she was actually nice. But that touch… It was almost as if she had already missed him. Or maybe it just seemed that way to him. It was impossible for things to go back to normal.

- Yes, I was working today... - he said, nodding slightly.

She smiled slightly at him. But in truth, she was sad to see Colin in such a state. She thought he was over it.

- Colin? I have a request. Could you order a cab and go home? Tomorrow morning you have to get up for work. Please don't drink. That doesn't help at all, and only makes things worse. You will feel bad. Believe me. And remember, I didn't leave you, we just have a small crisis. Everything will be fine. I love you...

- But… - he fell silent for a moment.

He was really surprised to hear these words. And the fact that she was still worried about him was also nice. He felt that maybe the situation really wasn't as hopeless as he thought it was.

- Okay, I'll do it... - he was even able to smile a little more after she said those tender words. She was right, he needed sleep, but he knew he would definitely wake up with a hangover.

- In that case, I'll see you at work tomorrow. I've been to the doctor today, he gave me permission to work because I feel better - she kissed him on the cheek - shall we have lunch together tomorrow during the break at work? - she whispered in his ear.

He smiled and felt warm at heart. He really liked the idea. He missed her so much. But he didn't want to show it to her.

- I would like to have lunch together tomorrow, yes... it would be nice to talk to you again... - he said in a slightly trembling voice.

- Great. I'm really happy. Okay, well I'm going back to my friend. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you - she kissed him on the lips and laughed like an excited teenager - Oh, you taste like a whiskey, bleh, but I love you anyway! - she laughed again and walked away towards the table where her friend was sitting.

- I love you too...

He watched her walk away without even bothering to finish his drink. He was actually quite pleased that she came up and talked to him. But that kiss on the lips? She could have given him a kiss on the cheek, then he wouldn't have gotten so hot. He undid a few buttons of his shirt at the neck and loosened his tie more. He drew in the air deeply.

Marg noticed that Colin was watching her and smiled at her. She waved him off and sent him a kiss. She was pleased with this chance encounter. She had not seen him for almost a month.

Colin reached for the phone and ordered a cab. After a moment, he got up from the bar stool, put on his coat and headed for the exit. He deliberately walked past her table and touched her shoulder, smiling. He staggered slightly because of the alcohol he had consumed, but she believed he would be fine tomorrow.

He went outside and looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. He felt more confident as he walked past her table. He tried to take his steps correctly, but it didn't quite work out.

- You are pathetic, Zabel! - he shouted toward the sky and laughed.

One part of his body wanted to stay there with her, but the other longed to be back home to start getting ready for tomorrow. He needed to sober up.

————

@robnovetre

[herejusttosufferalong]

The vibe I get from Nic and Luke (pure speculation).

We don't know what we are. It's like they enjoy the way they're behaving subconsciously, but mentally staying friends. Cus safe, I guess? Kinda of satisfying pain when you bite your lips, but you shouldn't do that, cause it makes the cut worse.

That's why it's so confusing for fans and, tbh, them. And that's why since Brazil crossed every possible boundary. You wrote about the drama with gf. Tbh, I can get what she was feeling there. It was too clear and too prominent at the end of the tour, like they started off being flirty for promotion and ended up being whatever they are...

I wouldn't tolerate it as a person in a relationship, because Pr doesn't require that much of performance. And I have some personal experience being in a relationship like this.

I had a friend like that. I mean we were so comfortable in each other's presence. Again subconsciously there was always a sexual tension tension, but nobody acted on it due to various reasons. We knew each other. Though we did laugh a lot, we were silly either each other, and everything seemed so effortless, talking or touching. Every time the 3rd part came, things were getting awkward as hell. There were hundreds of questions. His gfs were always pissed because of me. I can get why now. Luckily, we did act on it. Had a beautiful long-term bond and broke up. Still friends though.

Just opinion. Maybe, I am delulu. But it is this impression I get when I watch them. Maybe, could be the opposite one, who knows

I definitely get it because I as well had two friends that I was close too like that, there was only one difference. One of the guys I was never touch feely with and the other one I was. Can you guess which one is my husband lol

The point of PR has always struck me as quite funny. To a point PR is necessary but not so much for these two. They broke the fandom with one photo last year.

The way they interacted while he was in his previous relationship was not even close to what we saw on this press tour. There were clear boundaries. There seemed to be next to none on this press tour and it begs the question, why?

A was in the picture beforehand, so why wasn't the same courtesy shown to her as was shown to J? That is what is so hard to wrap my head around with Nic and Luke. Because what we saw is not something that would be contractually obligated by the actors.

Yes, they are friends and yes they are close but where was the respect for the gf? I guess this is where we get into the reality that humans are morally gray overall. I absolutely believe Nic and Luke are attracted to each other and that they are both aware of the mutual attraction. Luke has repeatedly made the comparison of Ross and Rachel for Colin and Pen but it logically does not make sense. The rumored belief is that they hooked up last year and then she shut it down. If that is the case, again pure speculation, the Ross and Rachel comparison makes more sense for them.

Their timing is off and maybe one day they will get it right or maybe not. Either way we can just love and respect the beautiful friendship they do have.

[bridgerton-bard]

Polin Angst Thoughts

Warning: Spoilers (Romancing Mister Bridgerton, Netflix Season 2)

I have been seeing the online discourse about how much angst people think should be included in the Polin storyline of season three, and I thought I would add my two cents.

Personally, I am a little excited to see the power dynamic in the relationship shift in Penelope's favor. She has spent years pining after this man who has never seriously entertained the idea that she would make a good partner. Maybe she should have moved on when it was clear that Colin didn't reciprocate her romantic feelings, but then we'd never have the Polin story.

I'm not saying I want Colin to suffer for the sake of suffering, but I do think some angst from him is going to be required, because he so thoroughly dismissed the idea of courting Penelope in season two. In real life, if someone dismissed Penelope (or anyone else) in this way, they would need to earn their way back into her heart, to prove that their affections were not part of a cruel joke. It would be unrealistic for Colin to dismiss Penelope as a prospect for courting in such a resounding, public fashion at the end of season two, and then win her back by simply saying "I missed you" at the start of the next social season less than a year later.

Even considering the social mores of the regency time period, I think Penelope unequivocally accepting Colin's "I missed you" as an apology and beginning to court Colin would be unrealistic. Julia Quinn stresses in several of the Bridgerton books that women in the regency period generally had little power in the courting process. Women had to wait for gentlemen to be introduced to them (never introducing themselves to gentlemen they were interested in), women had to accept offers from any man to dance unless their dance card was already full or they were betrothed, etc. In most of the courting process, regency women had to be passive and wait for their desired suitor to approach and court them. Accepting or not accepting offers to court and marriage proposals were the two significant points in the courting process where regency women actually held the upper hand in the dynamics. Penelope making it clear to Colin that she will not court him is simply her exercising what little power she does have in the social mores of the time.

I think one thing that gets glossed over about Colin's behavior towards Penelope in seasons one and two is that it is also the behavior of a rake, but in a different way than Anthony or Benedict's rake behavior. Anthony and Benedict's bachelor periods tend to show them both as rakes because they kept mistresses, visited brothels, or had a parade of women engaged in some sort of fling. Colin's behavior in seasons one and two is rake behavior because it should be clear to everyone, including Colin, that he is leading Penelope on. Without any intention to court her, Colin is impeding Penelope from moving on and finding a suitor who requites her feelings. This does get a little complicated because in the books, it is Violet Bridgerton who is encouraging Colin to dance with Penelope, and Penelope is aware of this or at least suspects it. However, I still argue that just because Colin is not in possession of a parade of flings, it doesn't counteract that some of his behavior towards Penelope is befitting of a rake.

So yes, I do think it's important that we see Colin fight a little for Penelope's affections. It's important for him to realize what he had once she's gone, and that she's worthy of more than always being the backup on call for when he's lonely or feeling misunderstood. I would like to see Colin realize his feelings for Penelope before another suitor proposes to Penelope. Otherwise, I think we get into territory where it just feels like he wants her because he can't have her.

[swallowedbyfandom]

She sits down with her mama after leaving Bridgerton house. She figures if she has already burnt two bridges this evening, another will hardy matter. She regrets her decision after listening to her mama shriek and squawk about her sitting room seconds after she opened with,"I am Lady Whistledown." Deciding that her head hurts too much to listen to her mama's blustering she redirects the conversation into more pertain matters.

"Mama for the love of all things holy, please do control yourself! As I was hoping to explain the Crown's inquiry into our estate has come to an end. The Queen is aware of my identity and that I have funneled much of my income into paying off the most pressing debts against our estate. I have also made a few investments under papa's name that have helped us fund our lifestyle. It is implied that your recent inheritance was from that income. It would behoove you to let that story continue. While I am aware of where that inheritance most likely came from, I cannot claim to have any genuine knowledge. I would like it to remain that way."

"The Queen wants my identity to remain secret. So you are not to breathe a word of this to anyone. We have agreed that I will announce my retirement in my next issue. The Queen wants to avoid anyone piecing together my upcoming marriage and move to Vienna with the end of Whistledown. Her majesty is most pleased with my courtship with Lord Samadani."

She watches as her mama attempts to reorder her upstanding of the world. She should warn her mama that the Queen wants to plan the wedding but that will just set her off again. No it is better to throw Colin under the carriage to distract her mama from further questioning. Yes. That is the better course of action set her Mama on Colin for being cruel and trying to shame her. Let him deal with her mama's plots, while she continues her courtship with Samual peacefully.

She gets up and pours herself and her mama some wine.

"Mama I need your help."

Portia scoffs at this pled, "What help could you possibly need from me? After publishing how tasteless and tacky, I am? After ruining our good name by exposing Marina's shame for the world to read?"

Internally she rolls her eyes at her mother's pettiness. Their home and their clothing have always been a gaudy assault on the eyes. However she imagines the Queen would sooner forgo her wigs than her mama admit she has no taste what so ever. She decides to leave her mama to her delusions.

"It would have looked suspicious if I did not write about what society was saying about us. Besides, Lady Cowper was the one who started the rumor that you were color blind. I have tried to protected us!"

"Whether you realize it or not, Anthony Bridgerton is dangerous! He can also count. It would have been obvious Marina's children were not Colin's. Do you really believe he would have shown us mercy? If he believed we aided in putting some stranger's bastards in line for his family's inheritance? He would have destroyed us all."

"Mother, we were ruined the second Marina entered our home! I did the best I could to minimize the long term damage. There was only so much I could do. Everyone in society claims you to be a desperate title chaser! I could not spare you from the fallout but I could spare my sisters and I. I thought you would willing deal with scrutiny and the cut direct so long as your daughter's remained secure."

"I did not write the things I wrote to hurt you."

Her mama jumps out of her chair in a rage. "That vile scarecrow said that?"

She gives her mama what she hopes is a consoling look.

"Yes, mama. However I am worried about Mr. Bridgerton. I formally cut ties with him this evening. You know how the Bridgertons hate being told no! I worry that I will be distracted by his shenanigans. What if he attempts to interfere with my new courtship? Oh, mama! Just look at how he ruined my proposal from Lord Debling! The Marquess is an even better match! What if he scares him off?"

"No!" Her Mama firmly states, "Colin Bridgerton may have cost us an Earl but you have gained something better. You must focus your attention's on Lord Samadani. While he appears positively besotted with you, we cannot afford to let his interest wane. Nor can we afford to have some light skirt use your distraction to peddle her comforts to him. You are to put Mr. Bridgerton out of your mind. I shall handle him."

Her mama runs her critical eyes over her.

"You must rest immediately. You need to look your best tomorrow for your suitor. You must continue to dazzle him. The Queen's favor likely depends on the outcome of this courtship. "

She lets out a relieved sigh, "Thank you, Mama. Good night." Her mama waves her off distractedly. If Colin wants to play the victim, she shall let her mama make him one! She smirks the entire way back to her chambers.

Portia is so terribly aghast. Her daughter a gossip writer! If the Ton ever learned the truth, she shudders to think on it. Good Lord, she has always said nothing good can come from reading! To think she always thought Penelope her most timid child. She scoffs. That girl is everything but timid.

There is a part of her she can admit that is also terribly proud of Penelope. Her Penelope has held society in the palm of her hand from the shadows for three seasons. Even now that her youngest has stepped into the light she still holds power. After that messy situation with Lord Debling, her daughter gave no quarter. She watched Penelope plot her way into being the most sought after lady of the season!

She has watched in disbelief as her daughter captivated the men of society. She has watched her run circles around the gentlemen vying for her attentions. She had thought Penelope reckless in how picky she was being. It is clear to her now, that Penelope was not desperate for a match. Penelope wanted to be married but she did not need to be marry. She had never imagined any of her daughters would wield such a freedom.

Well, she has failed Penelope in the past but no longer. If Penelope is ready to marry Lord Samadani then she will clear the way for her. She will not let that ridiculous Bridgerton boy stop her. Penelope has made her choice! Colin Bridgerton will accept it or she will ruin him!

It only takes four days! Four days for that idiot boy to try something! She cannot believe the nerve of him, trying to make her daughter jealous. As if Penelope has not already proven she is too good for him! Portia cannot believe her luck! When that whorish glutton's trousers split she makes her move. She gleefully shamed that child in public! She felt a momentary twinge of pity for Violet but really what was she thinking letting him run about in public half dressed? Really, she is doing Violet a favor. Not that Violet will thank her for it.

She gets a marvelous idea watching as all the ladies flee from him. She barely refrains from cackling as she orders her staff to pack up. Then she marches her girls from Hyde Park straight to church. If she had to enact some hysterics to have their eyes washed out with holy water, who could blame her? She is a widowed mama concerned for the virtue of her daughters! If her hysteria triggered Phillipa and Prudence into dramatically begging for prayers lest they be accused of adultery, how is that her fault?

In the end it is Penelope the priest is most moved by. Gentle, demure Penelope who asked tearfully what penance she must undergo to be considered chaste enough to marry under the eyes of god. The priest is appalled by her fears and ends up assuring Penelope her virtue is safe. He sends her youngest daughter off with an extra blessing to ease her shock.

Sunday service is her crowning achievement.

[sunwarmed-ash]

Roy/Jamie fic idea: just Roy being secretly obsessed with Jamie’s nipples ever since he flashed them at Roy at the gala in S1. One day in S3 or beyond, Jamie’s being a little shit and Roy finally snaps, taking Jamie to bed and declaring that he’s gonna undo Jamie just by doing all manner of things to those nipples. Jamie couldn’t be happier.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! i love all the royjamie prompts I got, so I combined all three into one response!

Prompts:

Coach kink-Jamie calls Roy coach at practice to rial him up, a sequel to 4 AM

Jamie gets his nipples pierced. Roy goes insane

Nipple obsession/nipple worship

Hope you enjoy it!! I certainly had fun writing it!!

Insatiable Tartt

Ships: Roy x Jamie Fandom: Ted Lasso Rating: Explicit Tags: Nipple piercing, nipple worship, public sex kinda, bottom Jamie, Roy/Jamie's ever developing relationship, The Infamous Boot Room, hand jobs, fic under the cut and on ao3, Jamie has a praise kink, and a coach kink, PWP

‘Coach this,’ ‘Coach that,’ ‘Yes Coach,’ ‘please coach’

Coach. Coach. Coach.

In the almost 20 years Roy has been in sports he has never given the word a sexy, second thought. But then Jamie fucking Tartt, his previous business and romantic archrival-turned friends-with-benefits had to go and sob the damn title while he was posted up on Roy’s cock. Begged him, his coach, to make him cum, again and again. And now, after one night together, it’s had an almost instant, pavlovian response with his dick. 

Goddamn you Jamie Fucking Tartt.

-A month later-

They've only hooked up two other times since the first time. The next time was in Amsterdam, after the little shit spent the entire evening teaching him how to ride a bike to honor his grandads memory and then took him to see a windmill because Roy had never seen one before, and then  to add cherries to an already perfect night, Jamie leaned over and kissed him, taking his breath away with a simple press of lips that he hasn't felt since Keeley. 

Jamie didn't kiss him for long, he actually misinterpreted Roy’s freezing as denial and started to retreat almost instantly. Roy was quick to remedy that. His hand was catching the back of Jamie’s head and pulling his lips right back down against Roy’s own, where they belonged. 

Jamie and he then hauled ass back to the hostel the team was staying at and Roy fucked Jamie into the mattress. At least until Roy’s knee started acting up. But then Jamie took over, riding Roy hard into the bed for another good half hour.  

-

The third time was after Roy’s ‘misguided though comical’ attempt at ‘teammate awareness’ with the whole dick tying thing. It wasn't all bad. Jamie had admitted that it actually turned him on. After he blamed Roy for the new pain kink he developed around his dick because of it. 

That night, Roy had spent an hour tying Jamie up with the remaining red rope, binding his legs and arms away from his front so Roy had unlimited access to his body. He even tied up his cock, like a nice little present for Roy to admire and praise. Before slapping it hard with his hand while Jamie sobbed and pled for more. 

“Like that, do you slut?”

“Yes Coach…” Jamie pants without a fuss. 

-

After that last time, Roy thought he had finally gotten a one-up on the man. But evidently, he had underestimated the little shit, again. Because when Roy walked into the locker room after practice and the team was getting changed, his eyes caught a shining glint off something and someone he did not expect. 

And he wasn't the only one who noticed. 

“Oi boyo, when’d you get those?” Colin asked Jamie, referring to the matching piercing bars through the man’s nipples that were currently making Roy’s mouth fucking water. 

Jamie smirked and tossed his shirt over his shoulder instead of putting it on, letting Colin get a nice long look. 

“Long time ago mate,” Jamie shrugged. “16? 17 maybe?” Roy hates that that fact means he could have had those bars in his mouth already but Jamie specially chose not to disclose having them until today. 

“Only wear em when I’m tryin’ get lucky, ya know.” 

Roy looks at Jamie just in time to realize he was pointing that intention directly at him and his burning arousal and fear of public displays of affections has him shouting a familiar threat in the full locker room. 

“TARTT, BOOT ROOM! NOW!”

-

“I didn’t even do nothing wrong this time!” Jamie whines the second the boot room door closes and Roy’s mouth is on his to silence the bitchy noise. 

“Take off your shirt,” He says when he breaks apart and Jamie smiles, all the way up to his ears.

“Oh, oh, yeah, okay,” and then his shirt’s off and Roy’s hands replace it, running over every inch of skin he can reach before settling on what he really wanted to see. The silver and blue barbells through each of Jamie’s dusky brown nipples. 

“It's a good thing these aren't new,” Roy says, and before Jamie can ask why, Roy’s mouth is latching over one, biting into the pec hard before soothing the bite with a suck and several pointed licks around Jamie’s nipple. 

Jamie’s painful shout morphed into a pleased whine with the attention to the piercing with his tongue and Roy was happy this was making Jamie as crazy as its making Roy. He's admittadbily been obsessed with Jamie’s nipples since that little tart decided he was too good for a shirt at the charity auction. 

“Roy, please,” Jamie whines, breaking Roy out of his thoughts and back to the current moment. 

“No,” Roy growls against Jamie’s skin, and it makes Jamie’s cock twitch against their bodies. “Address me right if you want something,” 

“Coach,” Jamie whimpers, quickly entering the matter phase of melted goo in Roy’s specially crafted hands.

“There's a good boy,” Roy praises, and Jamie melts even farther with a pitiful whine. “Shouldn’t surprise me you have these pierced. Actually a little cross you didn't tell me sooner.”

Jamie’s eyes open and bore into Roy’s. There’s too much there to attempt to process it all.  

“Wanted to surprise you.”

“Suprise me? Why?”

Jamie flushed pink, now avoiding his eyes. 

“Don't know... Thought maybe you'd like them. Do you?”

Roy raised his eyebrow before grabbing Jamie's hand and holding it against his own cock. 

“Does this answer your question?”

Jamie hums and his eyes flutter and he nods. 

“Fuck me?”

Roy shakes his head. 

“Can’t here Sweetheart, as much as I want to. But I can keep this up, probably make you come apart without even touching your cock. Would you like that?”

Jamie’s whines don’t contain actual words. He just nods and reaches out for Roy, pulling him close so Roy can bite and lick across his chest any way he wants to.  

Roy does. He loves the way the metal feels against his tongue, how much it makes Jamie gasp and squirm when he just barely scrapes his teeth across the hardened flesh. Loves how loud he cries when Roy bites him so hard it’ll leave marks tomorrow. 

Jamie’s cries get pitchier when he sucks around Jamie’s nipple, licking the piercing balls on either side with his tongue, Jamie's hips thrust forward, bumping against Roy’s thigh and pulling another moan from the younger player's lips. 

“Coach, please,” Jamie begs and Roy moves up from the hickied and bruised chest to Jamie’s lips, biting roughly into his lower lip. 

Jamie whines and Roy chuckles, soothing his cries with another deep kiss.

“What do you want Jamie?”

“Make me cum, please, I’m close.”

“That all?”

“No,” Jamie huffed. 

Roy’s playful tug on Jamie’s piercing with his teeth had the younger man humping against Roy’s thigh now. 

“What else then?”

“Want you to fuck me, at home. You can tie me up again if you want.”

“You really liked that huh?”

“Your fault, you put the image in me head.”

“Something tells me you have the capacity to think devious thoughts up all on your own,” Roy laughed before slipping his hand down the front of Jamie’s track pants and gripping his hard cock tight. 

Jamie’s retort died on his tongue and his hand shot out for Roy, pulling his head forward and mouth back onto his chest. 

“Fuck, touch me, please,” Jamie pants and Roy goes to work. Jamie wasn’t kidding, he was getting close. Most of Roy’s hand was now slick with Jamie’s precum. 

The younger seemed to really like when he bit hickies into his chest Roy continued his pointed assault, squeezing the head of Jamie’s cock the next time his pumping hand reached it. 

“Fuck-” Jamie cries and it’s all over. His thighs tremble below Roy’s hand as his orgasm pulses through him. Roy’s hand gets slicker but he doesn't stop pumping. Not until Jamie’s pretty bite swollen lips beg him to. 

Roy pulls his hand out of Jamie’s pants and uses his clean hand to pull the man forward, kissing him back down after an intense, public, orgasm. 

Jamie hums under the kiss, slumping onto Roy’s chest and giving him all of Jamie’s body weight to support while he came back down to Earth. 

“Are you still hard?” Jamie asks after a couple of minutes, and Roy chuckles at the ridiculous question. 

“Course I am.”

“Still wanna tie me up? We can go, like right now. If you wanna.”

Roy chuckled before kissing Jamie again. 

“Insatiable tart.”

[trentcrimminallybeautiful]

20 Questions For Fic Writers

Tagged by @rngaredead :)

For simplicity's sake I'm going to go with just my biDEMONium/trentcrimminallybeautiful ao3 and not try to combine it with my thesorrowoflizards one (why do i have more than one? because i was, among other things, an idiot who didn't know how pseuds worked next question) even though that would probably double some of these numbers lkfjgh

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Again, just on this account? 171 (some of those are oneshot compilations though)

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

661,851 for now

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Ted Lasso, The Mysterious Benedict Society, The House on the Cerulean Sea, House MD, Death by Dying, Instinct, King Falls AM. Also, sort of Gravity Falls. Mostly those first two though, tbh. This one I think I will include other fandoms I've written and posted for on other accounts because it's fun and less about math. So also Shadowhunters, The Librarians, The Mentalist, The Dresden Files (TV), Roswell New Mexico, The Sandman, Star Trek, Professor Layton, Sanders Sides, Miraculous Ladybug, and sort of The Legend of Zelda. Also see, for unposted or posted a very long time ago and no longer something I would willingly share, Supernatural, Dirk Gently (both 2016 and 2010), Doctor Who, Warehouse 13, SurrealEstate, Person of Interest, Haven, Leverage, Bones. Psych, and probably more

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Ted Lasso Kisses Trent Crimm On The Mouth (Trent/Ted - 1,157 kudos)

semaphore (Trent/Ted; Trent & Colin - 997 kudos)

off the handle (Trent/Ted - 736 kudos)

linger (Trent/Ted - 709 kudos)

a preacher, a bikini, and a kiss or two (Trent/Ted; Diamond Dogs - 673 kudos)

5. Do you respond to comments?

I try to but I always get really busy/tired and then it's been so long it feels like it would be weird if I did. Plus, sometimes my answers by nature of the comments can get repetitive and then even though I'm being sincere I feel insincere which sucks. However, if a comment has a direct question or something I actually have like, something unique to say about, I'm much more likely to respond sooner rather than later/never. I appreciate every single comment soooo much though literally my motivation to get through the day like 80 percent of the time

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I'm going to stick with Ted Lasso fics here since I have so many fics posted and this is my Ted Lasso sideblog and say... well, most of the time I have a bittersweet ending and then some sort of hopeful epilogue (such as with ink sunset and make a mess of you) but I guess betrayal's sting / absolution's balm or something to get off my chest may qualify?

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Uhhh, honestly, most of them are happy endings. I think trick & treat and matters of the heart end on particularly high notes?

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not in this fandom! Yet

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Oh, yeah, baby. So much. Not sure what "kind" means in this context. It sure is explicit smut. I have tended almost exclusively towards hot transgender sex the last few years because. yknow. hi. but somehow I don't think that's the intention in the question.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I do, but I haven't posted a lot. Only one on this account (a Gravity Falls x The Mysterious Benedict Society crossover that started as a joke because of a shared actress) although I had an interesting Shadowhunters x The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess fusion on my other account. I've written some pretty weird WIPs, though. And I've got some posts about Ted Lasso crossover/AUs, like a Sarah Jane Adventures AU, a Pushing Daisies AU, a Stardust AU... You can find that kind of thing in this tag on my blog.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yes. Not in this fandom, though, as far as I'm aware.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! Again, not in this fandom, though.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Not really.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Oh, man, I don't know if I can decide. Magnus/Alec (TV version only I'll die on this hill) will always hold a special place in my heart, but I've got other "obsessed with this when I was a kid" ships and also recency bias/current hyperfixation means Trent/Ted screams as an immediate answer, and so on and so forth. I'm bad at picking favorites. Overall, I'd probably say one of those two, or both.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Sticking to Ted Lasso again (I have. so many MBS WIPs. god.) I'd say lost sight of (who you are) (lost motivation, want to finish, fuck!!) or sweeter than heaven (hotter than hell) (got mad at it), or!! oh!!! ink sunset (stuck) and possibly the next installment of matters of the heart. Yeah, I have a problem

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I'm pretty good at being funny and also at eloquent but perhaps a little too verbose metaphors. I love me an elaborate metaphor

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

It's hard for me to focus and get what I have in my head out sometimes, even when I really want to. Whether it's being unable to organize or just my brain flat-out refusing to cooperate and do anything. Also, I'm way too like. easily discouraged with lack of feedback, and even a little negative feedback can kind of ruin my week and make me never wanna go back to that story ever again.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I just realized. The questions seemed familiar but I wasn't sure why and now I know, now that I've gotten to this question. I have done this game before and I remember bc of this question. I was confused bc it was under a different name, I think the questions were in a different order, and it was sometimes slightly differently worded but nope! This is the same one! Weird Anyway, just for this particular question, I'm going to copy-paste my old answer because I'm lazy. I’m extremely bad at linguistics in general, so if I must include someone talking in another language in my fic, I think I’d tend to cheat and do italics or some other indication that this is ‘in another language’ (ie “Where are you going?” she asked in Russian), but that’s admittedly a lazy approach. But I also think it’s probably better than butchering it with an auto-translator? Also, when people just include the translation in the end notes, even with a link (although that makes it marginally better) it breaks the flow of the story and makes it hard to read. Making an effort to at least match grammar is good (which I would do if it was for longer than a single scene, probably) but I think the best solution is when people know what they’re doing and like, have an actual translation with a little html code so you can click on it and it reveals what it means? Or if you’re clever, revealing what it means using context around it, but that has its own limitations. So that both like, uses the actual language and doesn’t break up the flow. It balances accessibility, flow, and respect for the other language in question well. But you’ve got to both know what you’re doing with the language (either asking someone/hiring someone/knowing the language yourself) and the html (although there are guides for that you’d have to spend time figuring it out + know it exists in the first place to look). And this is fanfiction, something we ultimately do for free in our spare time, so the lazy approach, I think, can be understandable. Maybe not in every context, but it’s not worth stressing a lot over in a few random lines or anything, you know? It is really cool when people do know a language well enough to include it properly in a fic, though, it can say a lot about a character or dynamic; and their background(s) and like. it’s neat :)

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Ever? Doctor Who. And I don't remember the order, but after that I know I wrote some stuff about Star Trek (mostly TNG but I believe also TOS), Supernatural, A:LTA, Marvel, WTNV, and the Stanley Parable? I think I first posted either Supernatural or WTNV

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

I have no idea. Some of my top ones (for Ted Lasso again) would be matters of the heart and trick & treat I suppose?

Tagging: whoever wants to do this man, I probably tagged everyone I'd normally tag last time so if you see this and you wanna do it, go ahead and tag me and do it!

[thelostexperiment]

☕ + topic : about bradford (for Colin)

Collin felt the feathers down his back stand on end, it's not often he's invited to rant about the buzzard who lives rent free in his spite-filled mind and he was not about to waste it.

Collin: "Gods, where to start? His hypocrisy? His narrow mindedness? There's no depth that's too low for him to stoop if it means getting what he wants! He already made a career out of lying to everyone's faces for over 30 years, even if he gave the most sincere sounding apology for all he's done, nothing he says can be trusted! Not that he'd ever apologize anyway."

"For all his talk of 'raining-in chaos' and 'not being a villain', he certainly is the causing factor of some major catastrophes! Yet if you pointed this out to him, even set all the evidence in front of him and made him look at all the harm his shadowy influence inflicted he would still deny responsibility for any of it! He has a slippery way with semantics, to blame everyone and everything but himself, to play the victim that'd have you sympathize with him and think of him as far more reasonable than he is... So long as you don't think about it too hard... It's only afterwards when you release all the holes in his so-called 'logical' ideologies!"

"Of course he loves complaining about the chaos in the world, preaching about the greater-good of 'control'- whatever ends he can justify the means to! The mental hoops he's jumped through to convince himself he's in the right astounds me that he's not won a gold medal for 'most delusional'!"

"I do say this moreso for my own sake. He did, after all, destroy my previous life and identity then left me to rot as a forgotten, broken tool- but not only because of that! If it wasn't for him, Della Duck wouldn't have found the spear of Selen. Don't misunderstand, I couldn't care less about the McDucks, personally. STILL! If Della hadn't flown into that storm Moonvasion wouldn't have happened! The McDucks weren't the only family affected by that event. I'm talking about my assistant's family. Susan. I've seen the cracks of grief that's shown through her smiling exterior, I'm aware of the loss weighing heavily on her and I personally know that she didn't deserve any of it. That's more than enough reason to hate the old buzzard!"

"Yes! I'm aware of his unfortunate childhood with Isabella Finch. It may be a reason why he became the way he is but it's certainly no excuse! So I refuse to be like him, to hide behind any of that nonsense! Bradford may have made me, but I won't credit him for becoming the villain I am now! that choice was mine! I refuse to grant him that much control over me! Whatever consequences result from my actions I accept fully! I'd sooner be petty than a hypocrite!"

[cookinguptales]

wwdits tarot: the empress

Okay, so I’ve already talked about The Empress and The Emperor, but I’ve never found a subject that I couldn’t manage to talk about more.

(I’m… so sorry. For who I am. lmao)

So yeah, okay, here’s III. The Empress.

I was a little unclear before which of the two I’d assign as The Empress and which was The Emperor, but I’ve made my decision. A typical differentiation between The Empress and Emperor is one of gender; The Empress is a mother figure and The Emperor a father one. But both The Sire and The Baron seem to identify as male while having no genitalia that lets them physically sire offspring (I……….. think) so that’s not really a good way to split them.

Instead, I’d like to focus more on other aspects of both cards. The Emperor also has a thread of the ruling class to it, while The Empress tends to emphasize more abundance. So… yes, I decided to make The Sire The Empress.

I’ll elaborate more on The Baron as ruler and leader later, but for now, I’ll focus on The Sire’s abundance.

Now, The Empress is a hugely maternal card. It symbolizes motherhood, nurturing, abundance, femininity, nature, etc. It’s not just literal motherhood but also the sense of something greater than all of us that birthed and sustains us all. Think… Mother Nature. That kind of situation.

The Sire, though presumably unable to sire physical children, actually has more descendants than anyone else — even probably Genghis Khan, Colin. Every vampire that has ever been and ever will be is descended from The Sire, and he is actually peculiarly… nonviolent, compared to other vampires of his stature.

He has seen all, it seems, and he has seen all fade away. He has spent eternity locked in a tiny, little box. And when he finally escapes, he doesn’t take revenge on anyone. He doesn’t attack anyone except for necessary sustenance and to escape from people he thinks are trying to kill him. And when he realizes that no one is trying to hurt him, he stops fighting back and instantly acquiesces to his new home with The Baron.

Let’s all be real with each other, would most vampires in his situation be so chill about all that? God. Just imagine if Nadja were locked in that room for five minutes. Nah. For a vampire, The Sire actually seems somewhat gentle, for all that he’s a terrifying, ageless little gremlin.

If you ask me, there’s a sweet sort of fondness between The Sire and The Baron, like The Baron has taken him by the hand and is finally introducing him to a modern world that he barely understands himself, and The Sire in turn never makes The Baron feel like he is any less than he should be. The two of them do seem like a partnership, and one that’s strongly associated with being the mom and dad (or I guess dad and dad, or sire and sire) of the main group. And if anything, it seems like being around The Sire has calmed The Baron quite a bit. He’s gone downright domestic by the time we see him in The Wedding.

THEY’RE IN LOVE

So… I think it’s fair to say that The Sire fulfills the sense of gentleness, fertility, and abundance that we need for The Empress — or at least as much as any character in this show might. He is far older than any other character, and has become staid, quiet, and almost affectionate now that he’s free of his cage. He does in some ways feel like the ageless, understanding mother of all vampires.

Even if he is more aware than anyone that all love turns to dust in the end. :’)

(Anyway, who ever said ya gotta be female to be a mother anyway? We do what we want here.)

Now, for the imagery…

As always, we start with the Rider-Smith-Waite tarot version of the card:

The original Empress sits on her throne surrounded by fields of grain to symbolize her dominion over abundance, life, and all growing things. The stars on her crown symbolize her dominion over the months of the year and time itself, and the pomegranates on her dress symbolize fertility.

Now… none of that quite suits The Sire’s brand of fertility and life.

I think, if you’ll allow me to be a romantic, I would make The Emperor and The Empress to be twinned cards. Both cards traditionally feature thrones, but I’m thinking about the way that The Sire and The Baron like to sit together in their living room with The Hellhound…

Instead of a field of grain with a river running through it, I would have The Sire seated in a field of desolation. Heaps of earth and rivulets of blood and cold, wizened trees. To the outside observer, this would be a scene of death, not life. But to The Sire, these are all features of the life he has given and the life he has created for himself. He has left heaps of ancestral soil all over the world, and his blood runs through the veins of every vampire. His new roommate just loves burning trees, and would be currently lighting one of them on fire.

No crown on his head, but above him, 12 stars shine in the night sky.

Rather than a traditional throne, I would have The Sire seated amongst all this in a comfortable chair, and rather than a scepter, he would be raising a chalice full of blood — his blood, in fact, which has been given to countless vampires to drink.

Like The Empress, he would be seated facing somewhat to the left — all the better to make a toast with The Emperor, The Baron, who in his card will be seated facing the right with his own chalice in his hand.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for love and violence. :’)

wwdits tarot masterpost

[myshredda]

There's three of them! and i said i wasn't going to get invested in this but now i am so here are some headcanons:

pink kills the bugs when it's just the three of them. she's brave like that

yellow and pink have ratty hair; it's always a mess. green doesn't know why it's so hard to brush ur hair everyday and is generally confused why they don't

pink wants hair like Ariel form the little mermaid tho, all poofy and floaty. sometimes she tries but she doesn't take good enough care of it bc there's just so much. despite what green says, it takes longer than five minutes to style her hair lol

several brushes have been stuck/broken while trying to detangle her hair so the adults have kind've given up on it

occasionally red or duck will try to preen her but they give up after ten minutes like "yeah, that's as good as that's ever going to get"

idk if you've seen wwdits but pink is like baby colin robinson, just hammering holes in the wall as soon as no one's watching

red and duck went on a really quick tesco run once and thought they would be fast enough to leave the kids at home and... they were wrong. she had knocked a good chunk of the living room wall out and cheerily explained that she was building her own room bc she was tired of living w "smelly boys"

red tried to stay as calm as he could given the circumstances and explain why she can't just knock walls out (but internally he was screaming). Duck just went ballistic

yellow and green got in trouble too bc they knew what she was doing and didn't try to stop her at all. their reasoning was they didn't want to share a room with her either, she snored too loud

ofc it was all ok in the end, but that was not a good day for anybody

in my mind, pink is like marie from the aristocats, "Ladies don't start fights but they can finish them!" or Mouthface from the trail to oregon musical, "I get a turn with the gun first! I have bloodlust *does cute little pose*".

she favors red just bc he was so nice to her at the beginning but she does have duck's violent streak

shes the only one that has teeth besides red so her bites hurt

she has a hard time differentiating between the types of love, romantic, platonic, and familial, and misreads social cues a lot bc of it. she's getting better but at the beginning it was really bad

she would mistake basic kindness/familial love for romantic love and then get really upset when it turned out just bc duck made her favorite food or yellow shared his toys doesn't mean they want to marry her

it took a long time for her to find value in herself outside of her relationships w others

her and yellow are the chaos crew. they're the kids that will put a big ugly toad on the kitchen table and beg to keep it as a pet. green swears up and down that he told them it was a bad idea but really he was just as excited as them

also ducks delighted to have another person to feed. he gets to cook more, make more types of food, and get the satisfaction of watching them fill out to a healthier shape

it is very hilarious to me that you started out that first ask with 'idk if i'll get very deep into this' and my response was 'oh you might not, but I certainly fucking will' and then my life spiraled out of control forever <3 Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go on a 1.2k rant about a literal one off character and give her trauma and then attempt to heal said trauma I made up for her <3 <3 <3 Love all the bits about her hair being messy because she's 100% forget to brush it now because she has STUFF TO DO and NATURE TO EXPLORE and FORTS TO BUILD and brushing her hair is boring and she doesn't want to do that 💗I think Duck would take preening her as a personal challenge and on nights where she's really sleepy and lazy and just wants to watch TV she'll let him work at it for a while and he's having the time of his life while working at her rats nest because grooming the people he loves is his biggest love language.

Yes to her knocking holes in the wall (I'm vaguely aware of baby Colin from wwdits ((I think him and Nadja's soul that's trapped in a doll are friends which is cute!))) Yes to her attempting to build a new room and knocking out half a fucking wall, yes to Red trying to gentle parent while Duck's just making a high-pitched noise of absolute horror in the background (which Pink fully ignores) Green and Yellow are like doing the innocent BUT WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING routine but Duck is NOT having it (they've lived with them enough to know better by now!) and it's kind of sucky but it's really a good opportunity for Red and Duck to enforce rules and boundaries in a healthy way that the kid's aren't used to bc 'punishment' for them in their past was violent and traumatic.

Love the idea of Pink and Red bonding bc they have teeth. Duck's like I HAVE TEETH SOMETIMES (which he did! when he was having his organs removed!) and bonds with Pink over biting people because they both like to do that 💗

Yeah at first she has a REALLY hard time with love bc in the cult there was only ONE type of love and everything fell under that umbrella (not that it was real love obviously) and Red and Duck have to explain to her over and over that No she doesn't have to marry them for them to love her and it upsets her a little because she feels like she's doing something bad bc experiencing love outside of marriage is a big no-no in Shrignold's eyes (as he told Yellow when he introduced Pink as special one in the first place!) so it's a really long process of them being gentle with her and her being uncomfortable with it but eventually they get there.

Her and Yellow have ZERO control of their impulses for different reasons but they band together and make messes wherever they go and Green watches in amusement because he thinks its good scientific research to watch them go fucking ham

Speaking of ham Duck is like fully gone Barefoot Contessa and just COOKS and cooks and cooks and makes way too much food and pushes leftovers and helps Pink realize that she doesn't have to be skinny to be feminine and she can eat whatever she feels like and doesn't have to eat less than the boys just because she's a girl and she doesn't have to help cook because she's a girl but because it's a good life-skill that everyone should know how to do and she doesn't have to help cook for the others if she doesn't want to

[shameonmeeguiltypleasure]

Ben being a source of jealousy for Colin will be something that Pen will be aware? I can see your Penelope using that information.

Also, can you elaborate more on why/how Colin escalated a mention of a 'random' name to be something of to be concerned? I don't remember the chapter, but it was at a ball and I'm pretty sure that's what Colin said to Penelope after she told him that Anthony and Benedict danced with her and he punctuated to her that Ben was married but totally dismissed Anthony because he wasn't of his concern.

Camarlez!! Grateful for the ask <3<3 All the infinite love xx

SMB Colin has… issues. They haven't really come across or been explored/highlighted cause I'm breadcrumbing for the future. SMB is definitely an AU series and I am taking my time building it.

I'm trying my best to focus on SMB Polin's relationship. So things aren't really going to start rolling until after Maccasfield ball (because if you remember book timelines we're very close to the LW discovery).

I will say that when it comes to Authority, SMB Colin accepts and respects Anthony as an authority figure. Ben…mmh it's a bit of a toss-up. Colin has had a bit of a one-sided unspoken rivalry since childhood toward Ben since Edmund died and it has a lot to do with Eloise. Poor Ben is a victim of circumstance tbh when it comes to Colin's ridiculous jealousy and complex. (You're absolutely right that Pen uses this against Colin when it suits her).

As I mentioned before (seriously need to update the tags) UNRELIABLE NARRATORS! I keep picking and choosing what to share and phrasing things a certain way on purpose to keep the mystery and tension going. (Although I know I gotta start writing answers soon lol. This is just dragging at this point). I really wanted SMB to be a story readers could re-read over and over again and discover something knew they didn't think to consider the last time they read it (ambitious, I know, but I'm trying)

I think the chapter & scene you're referring to was for Violet's bday and it was Polin's first dance since Colin returned from Greece (?) [SMB Chapter Two]

Let me explain my writing choices & intentions:

So when Pen says Colin is no longer obligated to dance with her. Colin was triggered cause in his head it translated to 'I don't need you/ I'm not interested in entertaining you anymore'. One could argue it was the first time she ever dismissed him (unintentionally but Colin is a moody boy and an extremist). Despite her agreeing to the dance, it's too late, his mind is going wild with theories about why she didn't immediately say yes. (Which is why his reaction to her saying 'Why' after he said 'Marry me' might make a little more sense)

During the dance we're reading from Penelope's pov, and all she understands is Colin being weird and having mood swings that eventually annoyed her. If we were reading from Colin's pov, the scene would be entirely different. How? Well, they're physically close while dancing and Colin is noticing all kinds of things about Penelope and his brain is like 'If I'm seeing her like this, who else has?'. BOOM!! Jealous Colin ACTIVATED.

When Pen has enough of his mood and tries to leave after the dance… BOOM!! Possessive Colin Activated.

When he crowds her and demands she tells him who she dances with when he's out of the country, Pen begins her sentence by mentioning Ben's name… BOOM!! Jealous & Possessive Colin enters the red-level danger zone. (Is that Controlling Colin possibly being activated !?!)

You might be wondering: But Why is Colin more threatened by Ben than Anthony when it comes to Penelope?

I remind you of my statement earlier. Colin has had a bit of a one-sided unspoken rivalry since childhood toward Ben since Edmund died and it has a lot to do with Eloise. Poor Ben is a victim of circumstance tbh when it comes to Colin's ridiculous jealousy and complex.

Anthony is the eldest of them all and Colin respects him 100% for it. He doesn't fight against Anthony's decisions as the head of the family (Anthony is the Alpha of their pack if we go wolf pack mentality). Ben tho? Ben doesn't want to be the leader or decision-maker. Ben wants to paint. (I'm leaning more toward the show for Ben's characterization cause I haven't read his book). Ben likes being the easy-going second-born and Colin can't help but envy Ben for knowing exactly what he wants to do in life. Boom!! Inferiority Complex Colin has appeared.

If Ben weren't his brother, Colin probably would have done something horrible to make him disappear. When Eloise wants to really hurt Colin when she's pissed at him or he's pushed her too far, she uses Ben to dig at Colin. (It works every time). That's not to say that Colin hates Ben, he loves his brother as deeply as he does all his treasured ones.

But Colin struggles with tempering his envy and jealousy towards Ben the most out of his siblings. Why? Because Ben knows his purpose. And over the years, Colin has noticed that after him, Benedict is the second male presence Penelope is comfortable enough to be around. (Of course, this is again a bit of Eloise's fault because Ben & Eloise are as close as Showverse and well Penelope really took a shine to Sophie)

I'm gonna stop here, but gawds have I enjoyed sharing where my brain was when writing these scenes. Thank you so much for the ask (I hope I answered it lol) and hopefully this satisfied :)

My ask is always open.

<3

[polinlover]

Not My Brother

Chapter 4

By: storyhadmelike

Penelope found herself trying to catch her breath rethinking about the conversation she and Colin had earlier that night. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone? She found a frog settling in her throat. Her eyes started to water.

She almost let slip that she loved him. Almost told him everything. She couldn’t resist his eyes pulling her in. His hair softly tossed. His getup made him look like a tanned well-traveled man. His scruffy face. She wanted to sink into him. At the same time, she wanted to slap him.

He kept doing this. Overtaking her mind. When she left the party she hadn’t even stopped in the ballroom. She stole away out the maid's entrance and ran all the way home. How silly was that?

“I am over you Colin Bridgerton,” she murmured and then remembered her words earlier. She had said that to him. If he didn’t know she loved him before he definitely knew now.

It didn’t matter. They would still never marry. They would never suit because he wouldn’t help her keep her lifestyle as Lady Whistledown a secret. She was sure of it. He was a blabbermouth and couldn’t hold in a secret if his life depended on it. Or could he? Was she just making things up now? She let a soft scream into her bedroom pillow.

The truth is she could never marry him. Because she loved him. And he would never love her back. Her heart would break and she’d be dead.

“Miss?” A maid knocked on her door.

Penelope looked up with tears in her eyes. She had immediately undressed and put on a night dress when she got home. She also took out her hair so now her curls were down to her mid-back. Her eyes were puffy and wet. She wasn’t thinking one hundred percent straight. “Yes, Sarah?” She asked, sitting up straight and wiping her eyes.

“I know this is highly unusual but you have a visitor,” she said awkwardly giving her a worried look.

“Mama is still at the ball and won’t be home for hours. Who could it be? I am not dressed for company.”

“It’s a boy,” she told her with interest. Dark hair and is quite handsome actually."

Her heart sank. Colin was here. He was here to talk. She closed her eyes. She looked in the mirror. Wow, she actually looked desirable in her silk green nightgown. It was the first one she picked out alone. She knew it was scandalous getting a low-cut, thin night dress but who was going to see it?

It would be entirely inappropriate to go down like this. Tease him and show him what he was missing. He wanted to pull her into rooms alone and hold her hand and stand two inches away from her and act like she was his anyways. She half smiled.

“I’ll be down in a bit. You can be relieved for the night,” Penelope told her keeping her voice straight and even-toned.

“I don’t think I can leave you alone with him. Propriety and all?” Sarah swallowed looking at her curiously.

But Penelope knew her way around Sarah. They had become close since her mother hired her a few months back. “Let’s just keep this our secret. Please?”

Sarah sighed. “But your mama..”

“Won’t be home until the wee hours of the morning. I’ll be just a few minutes with the man downstairs.”

Sarah was aware that Penelope had a secret life doing something. She was not sure of what it was. But she thought it fun to sneak and giggle with her. “Okay Miss,” she smiled. “I’ll put him in the drawing room and head to bed. Should I bring a tea tray first?”

Penelope knew Colin would be starving. “No. And thank you,” she smiled sweetly.

Sarah scurried off.

Penelope would leave him waiting for a bit. She sat in front of the mirror pulling a light green practically see-through robe on over her night dress. She dabbed her eyes and took a deep breath.

This was once-in-a-lifetime revenge. Then she would never see him again. She would be sure of it. She’d make it happen.

After a bit, she slowly made her way downstairs. The doors to the drawing room were open and she saw a dark figure standing in the room. Her skin prickled. This was her. She was confident and over him.

“Mr. Bridgerton,” she sang sweetly entering the room in a low voice. “Oh!” She jumped back startled by the man.

Read full story here.