Good morning! If I tell you that you have been disrespectful, do not lecture me on how you were actually respectful, how I don’t understand D/s, and how I’m a bitch!
Maybe try taking the feedback like an adult, do some self reflection, and BE BETTER.
DOMINATION is the 4th full album from Cherry. It was released on October 18th, 2019 with 15 tracks under Bad B ENT a sub division of SM ENT. The lead single is HWYI featuring King Combs with Sparks featuring latin boyband CNCO and A No No featuring fellow labelmate Lia (@mystarlightwoojin) as promotional singles. All songs are written, composed and produced by Cherry geerself with the exceptions of CNCO nad Lia’s verses on their repestive songs.
So let me introduce you to the new and improved, brand new-oo, you didn’t want it, when you had it, that’s cool-oo now I’ve gone from the 1 to the 2, 2.0
Gossip gossip, as if it’s the truth as if that’s everything, they all talk I have no desire to adjust myself to people I’m uncomfortable with, I’ll just be a bitch
Summary: who’d have thought a dance with the Viscount could lead to such shocking revelations?
Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton x female!reader
Warnings: none!! Pure fluff!!!
You smoothed down the soft jewel toned dress you wore as your mother grabbed onto your arm, all but dragging you into the ballroom.
An abundance of eyes rested on you but not one pair had your interest. In fact, you were rather appalled by the idea of being traded to one of these lords for just a sizeable dowry.
“Darling, I expect you’ll be polite. Your future husband could be gracing this room with his presence as we speak.” Your mother murmurs in your ear and you force a stiff smile to your lips, taking a deep breath through your nose as you simply nod in response.
As you gracefully trapse down the stairway in lady Danbury’s home, you try your best to pretend you’re nowhere near here, like you’re instead at home, in the drawing room with your family.
“Lady y/l/n, would you care to dance with me?” A young man you barely recognize asks politely, stepping directly in front of you as you reach the bottom step, leaving you with a small height advantage to the man in front of you.
You look to your mama with a pleading look, giving it your all but she simply gives him a wide grin and nods, shooing you off her arm. You on the other hand, would rather hide behind her and grab hold of the entrails of her skirt like a shy child.
You take his hand hesitantly, letting him fill out your dance card with a look of despair, glancing around the grand room for anyone you could possibly recognize. You noticed a few of the Bridgertons gallivanting about, including Eloise, one of your dearest friends. You decided then and there you would make your escape to her soon enough, after one dance with the Lord Norton, as you finally read his name to be. Surely she would come up with a plan to get you out of there in one piece and with no suitors in tow.
The young man grabbed stiff and awkward hold of your hand and waist, making you want to wince though you know your mother would later scold you for it if you did, so you remained of neutral face.
“I have heard you are quite the dancer lady y/l/n. Perhaps you could show me so tonight?” He suggests and you force yet another kind smile and a nod.
“Yes perhaps so.” You say meekly, trying to withhold the frown you wanted to let free.
The song went on for a painfully long time and when it ended, you couldn’t get away fast enough. You pretended to notice someone new and excused yourself, slipping through the crowd of people to the outskirts of the dancefloor where Eloise is standing, watching everything with a disgusted look.
“My thoughts exactly.” You say dryly, moving to stand next to her, happy to slink in the shadows for the remainder of the evening.
“It is dreadful isn’t it, being thrown into the ton like cattle to be bought or won? I mean really, how ladylike is that truly?” Eloise asks you, earning some looks from the surrounding Mamas.
The two of you stand in silence for a minute after that, holding in giggles until they’ve dispersed and forgotten about you.
“My brother is a part of it this year. As are you. I suppose the two of you should form some sort of amicable alliance, protect each other from the upcoming stampede of desperates?” She suggests.
“Careful, my mama may hear you and believe that to mean you’re offering me a Bridgerton husband on a silver platter.” You laugh, giggling along with Eloise. Your laughs quiet down as Anthony himself approaches, as though he sensed his presence in the conversation.
“Have you filled your card so soon Lady y/l/n? A shame, I was to ask you for a dance to rid me of the swarm that seems to follow my every step.” He says with a small grin, making you grow a real smile.
“Perhaps there is room for one more partner, though you’ll have to take my wrist to find out, I realize that comes as a difficulty to you lord Bridgerton.” You tease back, noticing the eyes of lord Norton calling to you. You ignore the patronizing look, instead choosing to further tease the viscount by raising your arm so your dance card dangles right in front of his face, raising a challenging eyebrow to him.
The two of you had been performing this rouse with each other for longer than you could remember. The friendships between your families went back years, long before you or Anthony were even a faint thought and so, you’d known each other quite literally your whole lives. Instead of a fast friendship though, you challenged each other at every event, taking turns teasing the other and leading them to a sort of trap. Typically, whichever of you blushed or flustered easier was the loser of the little game you played.
“Well lord Bridgerton? Will you accompany me to the dance floor, or shall I do something truly improper and heaven forbid request your sister’s company instead?” You grin wickedly, watching him roll his eyes as he gently takes your wrist and tickles your gloved hand with the end, writing his name in the second space.
As the current song falls to an end, you take the Lord Bridgertons hand in yours before he even has the option of taking yours first. He looks slightly shocked for a moment but then smiles mischievously before taking strong hold of your waist, pulling you that much closer to him and earning a small gasp in return.
“Were you not expecting that?” He asks, faking confusion as you shake your head with a laugh.
“You are nothing like these mamas think you are viscount. You’ll likely corrupt their poor young ladies with the most miniscule of grins.” You say cheekily, earning a chuckle from him.
He twirls you around and right back into his chest.
“Perhaps I like being an element of surprise in this traditional stiff game.” He suggests, his own eyebrow raised. You scoff a laugh, getting another eyebrow in return. “Do you find my statement humorous?” He says directly into the shell of your ear.
You turn yourself around, back to his hand in yours and the other resting on the small of your back as you sway.
“Not at all, I merely find it untrue. You are a perfect gentleman, a true nobleman and a good man to your family. You, just as the Duke of Hastings was, are every mamas dream. Good looks, good societal stature. I’m surprised my own mama has not yet thrown me at you herself.” You explain.
“You must have spoken too soon, your mother is hastily making her way to us as we dance.” He smirks back, releasing you from his grasp just as the song comes to an end.
“Y/n!” Your mother hisses, carefully and somehow gracefully storming up to you.
“Yes mama?” You ask sweetly, letting her guide you off to the side, a more private place to chat.
“What on earth are you doing? You are to be meeting potential husbands, not off with the viscount again. You make this same attempt every event. Unless you intend to court him, you must demonstrate your availability to the eligible young men who are truly interested.” She scolds, making you bow your head with a sigh.
“Mama I was being polite. Lord Bridgerton asked me to dance and I obliged out of duty. If I had turned him down, imagine how I would appear to all others!” You insist, coming up with excuses on the spot. She sighs and waves you away, walking off to gossip with Cressidas mama some more.
You groan quietly, carefully making your own way over to the refreshments, grabbing a glass of lemonade and taking a delicate sip.
“Tart is it not?” A voice asks behind you, taking you by surprise.
You turn to find Lady Danbury herself and you smile kindly, letting your shoulders rerelax themselves.
“Yes my lady. I believe it is one of the best batches yet.” You say with a grin, getting one right back from her.
“I noticed you having a beautiful dance with lord Bridgerton. Am I right to assume there may be a flame between the two of you? A viscount is quite the prize to win, I’m sure your family would be proud.” She suggests with a knowing grin.
“Oh! no, no. You should have us mistaken Lady Danbury! The viscount and I are merely old family friends. There is no courtship there.” You chuckled, astonished by the accusation.
“Really? I mean are you sure? Perhaps it is more to him than ‘tis to you but I did see a very particular glimmer in both your eyes as you danced. He shall remain at least a little jealous of the suitors you gain from that little dance.” She smiles, patting a hand over your own thoughtfully.
You, too stunned to speak, simply nod politely and excuse yourself, turning to make your leave and instead bumping right into Anthony Bridgerton himself.
“My apologies.” You mumble, your face flushed as you rush the other way, completely puzzling the man.
You practically all but ran outside, gathering your billowing skirt and making your way through the maze of a garden. Your head felt fuzzy and full, you didn’t know what to think.
“Lady y/l/n!” A familiar voice cries after you.
“Leave me to my thoughts Mr. Bridgerton!” You plead, running a hand over your face.
“Perhaps I may help? Come please… y/n we’ve known each other too long for you to dismiss me in such a manner. What troubles you? Is it the lord Norton, because if it was, I shall have a word with him.” He says, suddenly very protective of your integrity.
You snort again lightly. “Lord Bridgerton it is nothing of the sort! In fact, it is the affections of another that leave me so perplexed.” You sigh, shaking your head as you let out a breath.
“I see… and which gentleman may that be?” He asks, hiding the smidge of jealousy that dares to ring in his voice.
“It is not my place to say. Perhaps he could tell you himself, he is standing in this very garden after all.” You joke, a frown taking its place on your lips.
You laugh stiffly as he turns his head every which way, looking for the man in question.
“Lady y/l/n, there is no other man around… or is it too dark for me to possibly notice him?” Anthony asks, clearly completely clueless to what you’re explaining.
“You! I am referring to you Lord Bridgerton!” You decree, turning round swiftly to meet his wide eyes with your own troubled ones.
He remains silent, staring back at you, mouth agape. Anthony was used to such proclamations from random young women in town however you were no ordinary young woman. You were lady y/l/n. You were the lady he had so admired, so come to love. Since the moment the two of you reached an age where you developed feelings for the other gender, he was enamored by you. There was no other who smiled, laughed, joked or looked at him in such a way as you did and that held his affections more strongly than anything else could.
His inability to speak left you with a deep frown of your own, your lip quivering slightly as you bow your head in embarrassment.
“Very well, I see I was led astray. No need to fret, plenty of suitors anyway so no matter.” You say, your cheeks once again flushed.
He quickly recovers from his own daze at the sight of you turning away from him once again, carefully grabbing your wrist and pulling you back towards him.
“Anthony we should not even be out on our own, with no chaperone in sight… it is improper, you know this.” You say, trying to find any possible way to excuse yourself from the conversation you’d started.
“Just as improper as dropping the formalities before so much as the suggestion of courtship?” He challenges, making you go silent.
“Y/n I have never once denied an attraction to you. Do you truly believe me to be such a fool that I would not see your exquisite beauty?” He asks thoughtfully, catching your attention once again, your lips parted in complete surprise at his words. Your face is crimson without the need for the rouge on your cheeks, and you laugh out of sheer confusion.
“Honestly? Yes, I believed that perhaps your affections are captured by another young lady from the town. Possibly the young opera singer…” You suggest, laughing at your own joke.
“Sienna is… she is important to me yes but I’ve only been with her because I believed you to be promised to another, though I now see your hand is not yet taken.” He hums, smiling lightly at you.
“Lord Bridgerton… I do not have words that could respond to your advances… it seems highly inappropriate.” You say, going to turn away again, breaking the remaining hold his hand has over the cuff of your gloves.
“Y/n please drop the title. I see it as meant for those who do not truly know me however we are both very aware of the fact that you and I know each other perfectly well.” He says, gently lifting your chin to make eye contact with him once again.
“Very well, Anthony. This is highly unlike you. I’ve never seen you lose your proper language and tone before, not at public events anyway.” You state, fully aware of your close proximity to the viscount.
“On the contrary I do like to play the wildcard from time to time. And I regard you in too high a manner to pretend we are nothing less than the normal.” He says, moving in closer to you, taking your breath away.
He continues his approach, making you bite your lip with the widest of eyes, unable to speak.
A moment later you return to your senses, blinking out of your fairytale moment.
“We cannot go any further… not unless you’re prepared to propose.” You say, backing up to build distance.
He continued to stare you down, trying to convince you to return his affections with only a look.
“You should like to paint a picture.” You joke in attempts to lighten the mood.
“Y/n if that is all it takes, I shall marry you in a few months time.” He announces, pulling you into his arms and swinging you around with joy.
“What a very romantic proposal, I may just swoon.” You say sarcastically, laughing as he puts you down with his own perplexed look.
“Whatever do you mean y/n? You asked for a proposal and i obliged.” He says, making you let out a snort.
“You obliged?! As though proposing to take my hand is some sort of duty you are ‘obliged’ to do. When I said proposal I meant a truly proper one. You must ask my father for permission to propose, you must bring flowers and be in the drawing room when we announce it as official.” You explain. “I am shocked you did not think of it, you were so very insistent upon it when it came to your own sister last season.” You scoff.
“If you should truly mean what you are asking, you shall be at y/l/n house tomorrow morning to treat me as the lady I am rather than a common whore you wish to trick. Understood?” You ask before he gets the chance to object your ultimatum.
He gulps and then nods rapidly, afraid to speak in case of offending you or further entangling the web of your relationship, watching you smile back at him and walk away, back to the party and away from him.
——————————————————
The next morning…
The very next morning, all of the eligible ladies of the ton are eagerly waiting for their dukes and viscounts and gentlemen to come calling. The center of London is bustling with activity of carriages, footmen and of course their gentlemen calling on the women they seek.
You are among those not so patiently waiting. Since you’d woken, you were in the drawing room, pretending to be distracted by books and needlepoint but in reality, being completely anxious for the day to come.
After you’d left Anthony and returned indoors, the night was somewhat of a blur. Your thoughts remained on Anthony but your physical presence was there, on the floor, where another gentleman, though much older than the others who seemed to fancy you, had asked for your third dance. You agreed, not wanting to be impolite or for your mother to have reason to invoke her rath.
So, you danced with the lord Gillington, and it was all fine but you held no interest in him, nor in Lord Newton, who apparently was to stop by today as well.
When the third dance ended you faked a headache and feigned fatigue to your mother, who reluctantly agreed. There were other eyes on you and she would have preferred you have at least one more dance but you had done as she asked and that was all she could hope for.
You arrived home early but that wasn’t to say you slept well. You were restless, worrying over the possibilities for the next day. Surely Anthony would never lead you on in a way such as this for your silly little game but there was no certainty there. Still you took comfort in knowing that he was typically a man of his word.
But now, as you sat twiddling with your thumbs, you weren’t so certain. He was as he liked to put it now ‘a wildcard’ when it came to romance and you had never actually attempted such a thing in your relationship.
You ignored your nerves and smoothed down your silky day dress and took yet another deep breath, getting ready to settle back in when one of your staff enter the room. Quickly you rise to your feet.
“A gentleman is here for ms. Y/l/n.” He announces and you smile wide at your mother.
“Send him in then!” She urges, just as excitedly.
He obliges and a minute later a man enters but your face falls as you see its not who you’d hoped.
“Lord Newton.” You greet, pasting as much of a smile as you can muster on your face, taking the delicate bouquet he holds into your own hands and giving them a polite smell.
“Lady y/l/n. You look beautiful, as always.” He greets back, lightly kissing your hand. Your mother looks ecstatic but you couldn’t be less so.
You knew it best to keep your options open but it wasn’t your nature. You were interested in one man and one man alone and it was all his own fault.
“Thank you lord Newton, that’s very kind of you. Would you like to sit?” You ask, sitting back down on the chaise, patting it lightly for him.
He graciously accepts, sitting next to you.
“I have come to ask if you should like to court, lady y/l/n? I do not wish to be too forward however I am quite taken with you my lady.” He states, smiling back at you and you don’t even have to look at your mother to know she’s likely bouncing with joy.
“I-” You start but he is quick to interrupt, something you don’t take kindly to.
“You need not make haste with your decision, I’m aware you will have more suitors throughout the day. I only wish to make my intentions known.” He says, once again kissing your hand. “I shall take my leave. Lady y/l/n. Lady y/l/n.” He says, bowing before walking out the door.
“Oh dearest! That is practically your first proposal! Of many I am certain.” Your mother cheers, hugging you tightly, laughing with joy.
You nod meekly, trying to stay somewhat happy for your mothers sake.
Throughout the day, callers come and go, bearing gifts and kind words nonstop. The room is a festival of colours and chatter and the sweet fragrance of florals everywhere. And yet, no Bridgerton caller had arrived thus far.
“Perhaps Lady Whistledown shall write bright things about our home this week! You are getting plenty of attention from the best of the gentlemen.” Your mama says as the latest of the male callers take their leave.
“Yes perhaps this is true mama.” You say with another smile.
As you take a seat, another caller arrives and you stand yet again with a weak smile, tired of the anticipation of the days end drawing near.
“Lord Ambrose for you my lady.” The staff announces and you smile as you dismiss him.
“Lord Ambrose how delightful to see you.” You greet, taking a seat with him. In that moment, your youngest sister runs into the room, chased by your younger brother.
“Children!” Your mother warns, trying to toss them out of the room.
“It is no bother mama, they may stay. That is if it does not displease you Lord Ambrose?” You ask, turning to him for answer.
“Certainly not, I do love children, it is not a bother at all.” He replies, smiling more at you.
The two of you make chitchat for a while, watching the younger y/l/n children play together happily, passing time surprisingly pleasantly.
“I shall leave, I have had a wonderful afternoon with you my lady. I do hope you’ll consider perhaps courting me this season?” He asks and you feel your smile slipping at yet another sort of proposal.
“Perhaps yes, I shall need some time to consider.” You reply, watching as he accepts the excuse, kisses your hand and leaves.
Your smile falls, watching out the window as the sun falling slowly.
Your eyes dart to the ground when another carriage arrives and you’re quick to sit back down, your mama and your papa, who had just come in from his study, both giving you looks of confusion.
“Another caller I think. We shall see who it is in a moments time.” You grin, hope still heavy in your heart.
Your sister runs over to you and takes a seat next to you, playing with your skirt but you ignore it, watching the doorway intently.
“The viscount Bridgerton is here for you my lady.” He says and your grin grows all the bigger.
“Send him in!” You say with as much eager energy in your voice as your mother had early on.
And so, in walks Anthony, with a large and stunning bouquet of his own and a smile you couldn’t compare to any of the other gifts you’d received today because if you even tried, the rest would never hold a chance.
“My Lord.” You smile, bowing low to him. “I do believe I said this morning.” You tease as you rise, speaking low so your parents cannot hear.
He smiles wider at your cheeky tone. “Yes, I do apologize for the late hour, I had difficulty getting anything appropriate from the florist, so many desperate suitors looking for their own and of course I needed one that could compare to your on beauty though I realize that to be nearly impossible.” He explains and you purse your lips as though thinking whether to believe him or not.
“Lord Bridgerton.” Your mother greets him, bringing your attention to the fact that you are not alone.
“Lady y/l/n, a pleasure. And lord y/l/n, it is an honor to see you again.” Anthony greets both your parents, making your glee spread that much more.
“You as well lord Bridgerton.” Your father says, standing to shake his hand.
“I actually have some matters I’d like to discuss with you my lord. Shall we excuse ourselves?” Anthony asks and your father nods. The men take their leave to the study, your little brother chasing after them, eager to listen in. Your mother tries to stop him but he ignores her and she’s clearly too tired to try anymore.
“Might I ask dearest, what it is that prompted the Viscounts call?” She asks you, raising an eyebrow.
“I believe it was Lady Danbury’s revelations after we shared a dance last night. It would seem his mother and her ladyship have noticed something that myself and Lord Bridgerton have not. Until now that is.” You smile, keeping the true reason a secret for Anthony and yourself to hold tight.
“I see…” She hums unsurely, still going back to her needlepointing rather than investigate any longer.
You remain playing with your younger sister, waiting eagerly for the men to finish their business, wishing nothing more than to be a part of the discussion.
In your own frustration and excitement, you barely notice Anthony’s returned to the room. Instead of telling you, he is mesmerized by watching you and your sister, smiling fully at the sight of you with a child. He had seen you interact with them before of course, but with the chance to finally have you for himself, Anthony couldn’t help picturing you as a mother and he couldn’t be more pleased with the idea.
Settling down was never something that had been on his mind, especially with romance actually taking part in it. He had always pictured a loveless marriage with many kids and his duties to keep both him and his wife occupied. But never in those images did he picture you as his wife. He pictured you with a prince or someone more worthy of your love, never himself. But the idea wasn’t unpleasant to him, instead it was a great joy to picture.
“Lady y/l/n, might I have a moment?” He asks and you gasp, jumping to your feet out of surprise.
“Yes of course lord Bridgerton.” You smile, your face once again flushed, causing him to stifle a chuckle.
The two of you enter the corridor, where he takes your hand in his. Your breath hitches and your heart is pounding in your chest.
“I have done as you asked. I have made myself look a bit of a fool in your honor, I have done the thing I never once imagined myself doing, and I have fallen in love with you. Love in a marriage has always been a great virtue but I never pictured it for myself until last night. I can see us starting a family, I can see us happy together. Lady y/l/n, y/n, would you allow me to ask for your hand? Your papa has agreed so long as it is in your wishes. I’m sure your mama would agree as well. There would be no greater honor for me.” He finally asks, making you giggle with excitement, real excitement this time.
“Anthony, you are the only man who causes me true and real joy. I know you to be a good and kind man. Yes I will marry you.” You smile, giggling as he hugs you tightly, trying hard to stick to your honor.
“That is good because I did see Lord Ambrose leaving earlier and I must tell you, he is something of a cheat. Cannot be trusted.” He says jealously and you scoff, giggling again.
“I believe I am the one who has you flustered this time, by the way.” He murmurs as you walk back into the drawing room to announce the news to your family.
“I believe that both of us have that challenge covered this time my lord.” You challenge quietly just before you declare your engagement to your family, leaving him both in want of you and puzzled by you all at once, just as both of you know you’ll likely do your whole marriage.
YOU GUYSSSSSSS I can’t believe how popular this fic has gotten, I love you all so much thank you for reading ❤️❤️
Summary: the Quarter Quell takes a toll on everyone, but especially on lovers…
Pairing: Finnick Odair x reader (the reader is referred to as female for the purpose of sticking with the themes but it is not concretely finnick x female!reader)
Warnings: angst, mentions of murder, reader throws a vase so I guess violence
Finnick it’s about to start!” You shout from the sitting room anxiously, watching the symbol of the Capitol float on the screen, hugging a pillow to your chest tightly.
Ever since the fateful year his name was called on that stage, your stomach carried a knot the size of your head whenever you heard the Panem anthem, especially when the time came for the annual hellfest. Yours had once been called too, you were the victor of the games directly following Finnicks. the two of you had met in victors village and fallen in love, though no one really knew about it.
“Did I miss anything yet?” He asks, sitting down next to you and pulling you in towards him. You snuggle up to him, holding onto him for dear life.
“Nothing yet. The reaping hasn’t started yet.” You murmur, biting at your lip. He tugs at your chin gently, pulling it up to look at him.
“Hey. It will be ok. I promise. We’ve both been called already, we’ve both been through this. They can’t do it to us again, ok?” He assures you.
“Finnick we agreed not to lie to each other. We both know that Snow never keeps a promise. Nothing is set in stone with him.” You sigh, a stray tear rolling down your face.
“I know… I just can’t stand to see you upset.” He sighs, rubbing it away with his thumb.
You nuzzle up close as possible to him in response, watching as president Snow starts his yearly speech.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 75th year of The Hunger Games and it was written in the charter of The Games that every 25 years, there would be a Quarter Quell to keep fresh for each new generation the memory of those who died in the uprising against The Capitol.” Snow begins, addressing the nation with a voice meant to invoke a fear like no other.
“Each Quarter Quell is distinguished by Games of a special significance. And now on this the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion, we celebrate the 3rd Quarter Quell as a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of The Capitol.” Both you and Finnick hold each other even tighter at the thinly veiled threat, staring at the screen, unable to look away.
“On this, the 3rd Quarter Quell Games, the male and female Tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of Victors in each district.” He finally announces and you let out a loud cry, burying yourself in Finnick’s arms as he stares onward, completely taken aback by the words coming out of the snakes mouth.
Your staggered sobs continue as Snow’s voice does too. “Victors shall present themselves on Reaping Day-regardless of age, state of health or situation.” He says and both you and Finnick know that at least one of those things was an attack on at least two other past victors from district 4.
“No… no no no no NO!” You sob. “He can’t do this to us again! he can’t!” You murmur, throwing a vase off the coffee table and at the nearest wall.
Finnick holds you tighter, saying nothing at all, clearly in shock.
“I-I can’t do it… I can’t do it again, I can’t do it if you’re there, I can’t fight these people or kill anyone again.” You cry, your lip trembling in a mix of anger and fear.
“I know. Me neither. But we will find a way! We will get through this somehow, I know it baby.” He says into your hair, stroking it soothingly.
You knew he was hopeful for the uprising coming, you were too but there was no way it would come soon enough to save you from the arena. They were still preparing, no one was going to be ready to protect the victors and risk coming out of the shadows so soon. If they did, it would be an instant death sentence. No, you knew that at least one of you, if not both of you were fated to die in that arena this time around.
“Hey, hey, don’t go thinking about it too hard alright sweetheart? We’ll be ok, there’s still 2 other female victors from our district, you aren’t the only one.” He promises with a forced smile.
“But you are.” You whimper sadly, looking into his eyes with your glassy sad ones.
“And I will do whatever it takes to get out of there and back to you. But you have to trust me right? We both have to believe it. We will both be safe my love, no matter what, I promise.” He says soothingly, placing a delicate lasting kiss on your forehead as you nod quietly with a sigh.
“Finnick, I can’t bear the idea of going in there and killing our friends. We’ve known these people for years, they’ve lived through the absolutely traumatic games just like we have. Why is he doing this?” You ask quietly, playing with his fingers.
“Because he’s a snake. Because he’s scared and wants to gain control on the rebellion but doesn’t know how. Because he’s pure evil.” Finnick answers bitterly, staring at the Capitol symbol in spite.
The two of you lay curled up with each other quietly for a while, taking in the horror show that was just unleashed on you.
“Let’s get married. It doesn’t have to be anything public, just for us. I just want to be us, you and me forever. No games, no death, no destruction, no public stunt. Just concrete love between two people. Between us.” Finnick says suddenly, holding your hands in his own carefully.
You giggle in disbelief, glancing up to see his expression, only to find he is dead serious.
“You’re serious? Not public, not a play for the games… just us?” You say hopefully and he nods with a smile, beaming at your soft voice. “Ok, let’s do it. Let’s get married. Before the reaping, before anymore of this chaos.” You agree, giggling louder as he grins in the small victory, pulling you tightly to him and hugging you tightly from behind.
“Right now?” You ask, grinning gleefully at him as he nods, the smile on his own face growing.
“And when we both survive this, because we will, we’ll have such a fabulous party even the Capitol will be jealous. We deserve it honey.” He promises, kissing your knuckle.
You both get up, going into his room to change. You kept most of your clothes there, rarely spending time in your own house other than to check in on your family.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this. Does this make us crazy?” You ask, still smiling.
“Maybe, but there’s no shame in that.” He says and you can hear the smirk in his voice as you pull on your finest clothes. Both of you had fairly rich looking clothes, mostly meant for public appearances. Heaven forbid you ever leave a hair out of place in the eye of Panem.
Once you’re both changed, the two of you go together hand in hand to the center of the district, quickly finding someone you trusted and knew was an officiant. Weddings weren’t uncommon in the District but still, on a day such as this, every district was clouded with a certain bleakness. This made it shocking to your friend when you had told him you intended to celebrate your love for each other in the face of such imminent danger. Still, he agreed and walked with you down by the water, where the two of you were joined in marriage.
There was no other people around really and it wasn’t the warmest of days but neither of you would’ve had it any other way than being with the person you most loved in the place you both so loved, feet wading in the water as you shared your first kiss as a married couple.
—————————————–
Reaping day…
The love celebrations had ensued for a few days but as reaping day approached, your glee slowly faded into fear and anxiety. Finally it was there and you couldn’t help but be relieved it was finally going to be over with, despite knowing it was only the beginning.
Your districts name puller was much less flamboyant than some such as Effie Trinket, often opting to wear minimal makeup though it was still bright. She also chose to wear more muted, pastel colours. The one similarity was the ridiculous wig resting on her head, a vibrant shade of blue, probably to represent the water for District 4.
‘How clever’ you thought to yourself sarcastically, more bitter now than you had been when the announcement was first made.
“Ladies and Gentlemen of District 4 it is my great pleasure to choose your tributes for this years very special Hunger Games.” She announces in her own over the top Capitol accent.
“We will start with the gentlemen.” She states and really you’re more surprised than anything else.
You watch her anticlimactic pull from the bowl, watching the single slip that would ruin your life for good get plucked up and read out loud.
“Finnick Odair.” It reads, as expected but that doesn’t stop tears from streaming down your cheeks, watching sadly as he walks up to the stage, calm and masked as possible, avoiding your eyes.
You had both decided it would be best to act more stoic and not give the cameras the satisfaction of seeing you get emotional over each other. You refused to truly give into their hunger for a romance to shake things up, opting to be less entertainment skits for them and more for each other.
“And now for the ladies, how exciting!!” The chirpy woman trills and you have to disagree.
“Annie Cresta!” She announces and you turn a sympathetic glance to the redhead next to you. She has clear tears in her eyes as she starts to messily cry, making her way to the stage. You want so badly to volunteer, to stop her flow of tears and save the poor mad girl from the cruel fate awaiting her but you had promised Finnick if your name wasn’t called, you wouldn’t do anything selfless. And the two of you never broke your promises.
Still, Annie was a sweet girl, you knew this. The games had messed up her head more than they had anyone else’s. Her name even being in the draw at all hardly seemed fair but neither did anything the Capitol did.
Annie begrudgingly climbed the stairs to stand beside Finnick but then came along Mags, who was almost too selfless for her own good. She quickly volunteered for the girl, who fell into a heap of sobs of gratitude, tightly hugging the older woman with affection. Mags’ smile alone made you want to volunteer on the spot but you resisted that urge.
The woman on the stage announced the volunteer and you tuned out the rest of her speech, choosing to instead stare down Finnick with love eyes until she finished. She asked for applause but to District 4′s credit, not one citizen clapped even a little. The bright woman awkwardly moved on.
You waited until the square was starting to clear a bit to fully make your way to the visitors station to say goodbye but you gasped in surprise to see Finnick with a slightly busted lip and being dragged to the train.
“Stop! Let me go, I get a goodbye for godsake!” He shouts, trying to fight out of the Peacekeeper grip but they keep pulling, unphased by his argument. When he finally catches your shocked eyes in the crowd, he fights even harder, even more desperately.
“I LOVE YOU! I WILL WIN THIS FOR YOU Y/N!” He shouts, desperately needing you to hear. You nod franticly to prove you do and he shouts a goodbye your way, followed by another I love you as he’s thrown onto the train along with Mags and the chipper Capitol announcer.
“I love you too… Goodbye Finnick.” You whisper as the train rapidly pulls away, your eyes welling with tears as it takes away your favorite person, not knowing whether it would dare to bring him back again.
Summary: who’d have thought a dance with the Viscount could lead to such shocking revelations?
Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton x female!reader
Warnings: none!! Pure fluff!!!
You smoothed down the soft jewel toned dress you wore as your mother grabbed onto your arm, all but dragging you into the ballroom.
An abundance of eyes rested on you but not one pair had your interest. In fact, you were rather appalled by the idea of being traded to one of these lords for just a sizeable dowry.
“Darling, I expect you’ll be polite. Your future husband could be gracing this room with his presence as we speak.” Your mother murmurs in your ear and you force a stiff smile to your lips, taking a deep breath through your nose as you simply nod in response.
As you gracefully trapse down the stairway in lady Danbury’s home, you try your best to pretend you’re nowhere near here, like you’re instead at home, in the drawing room with your family.
“Lady y/l/n, would you care to dance with me?” A young man you barely recognize asks politely, stepping directly in front of you as you reach the bottom step, leaving you with a small height advantage to the man in front of you.
You look to your mama with a pleading look, giving it your all but she simply gives him a wide grin and nods, shooing you off her arm. You on the other hand, would rather hide behind her and grab hold of the entrails of her skirt like a shy child.
You take his hand hesitantly, letting him fill out your dance card with a look of despair, glancing around the grand room for anyone you could possibly recognize. You noticed a few of the Bridgertons gallivanting about, including Eloise, one of your dearest friends. You decided then and there you would make your escape to her soon enough, after one dance with the Lord Norton, as you finally read his name to be. Surely she would come up with a plan to get you out of there in one piece and with no suitors in tow.
The young man grabbed stiff and awkward hold of your hand and waist, making you want to wince though you know your mother would later scold you for it if you did, so you remained of neutral face.
“I have heard you are quite the dancer lady y/l/n. Perhaps you could show me so tonight?” He suggests and you force yet another kind smile and a nod.
“Yes perhaps so.” You say meekly, trying to withhold the frown you wanted to let free.
The song went on for a painfully long time and when it ended, you couldn’t get away fast enough. You pretended to notice someone new and excused yourself, slipping through the crowd of people to the outskirts of the dancefloor where Eloise is standing, watching everything with a disgusted look.
“My thoughts exactly.” You say dryly, moving to stand next to her, happy to slink in the shadows for the remainder of the evening.
“It is dreadful isn’t it, being thrown into the ton like cattle to be bought or won? I mean really, how ladylike is that truly?” Eloise asks you, earning some looks from the surrounding Mamas.
The two of you stand in silence for a minute after that, holding in giggles until they’ve dispersed and forgotten about you.
“My brother is a part of it this year. As are you. I suppose the two of you should form some sort of amicable alliance, protect each other from the upcoming stampede of desperates?” She suggests.
“Careful, my mama may hear you and believe that to mean you’re offering me a Bridgerton husband on a silver platter.” You laugh, giggling along with Eloise. Your laughs quiet down as Anthony himself approaches, as though he sensed his presence in the conversation.
“Have you filled your card so soon Lady y/l/n? A shame, I was to ask you for a dance to rid me of the swarm that seems to follow my every step.” He says with a small grin, making you grow a real smile.
“Perhaps there is room for one more partner, though you’ll have to take my wrist to find out, I realize that comes as a difficulty to you lord Bridgerton.” You tease back, noticing the eyes of lord Norton calling to you. You ignore the patronizing look, instead choosing to further tease the viscount by raising your arm so your dance card dangles right in front of his face, raising a challenging eyebrow to him.
The two of you had been performing this rouse with each other for longer than you could remember. The friendships between your families went back years, long before you or Anthony were even a faint thought and so, you’d known each other quite literally your whole lives. Instead of a fast friendship though, you challenged each other at every event, taking turns teasing the other and leading them to a sort of trap. Typically, whichever of you blushed or flustered easier was the loser of the little game you played.
“Well lord Bridgerton? Will you accompany me to the dance floor, or shall I do something truly improper and heaven forbid request your sister’s company instead?” You grin wickedly, watching him roll his eyes as he gently takes your wrist and tickles your gloved hand with the end, writing his name in the second space.
As the current song falls to an end, you take the Lord Bridgertons hand in yours before he even has the option of taking yours first. He looks slightly shocked for a moment but then smiles mischievously before taking strong hold of your waist, pulling you that much closer to him and earning a small gasp in return.
“Were you not expecting that?” He asks, faking confusion as you shake your head with a laugh.
“You are nothing like these mamas think you are viscount. You’ll likely corrupt their poor young ladies with the most miniscule of grins.” You say cheekily, earning a chuckle from him.
He twirls you around and right back into his chest.
“Perhaps I like being an element of surprise in this traditional stiff game.” He suggests, his own eyebrow raised. You scoff a laugh, getting another eyebrow in return. “Do you find my statement humorous?” He says directly into the shell of your ear.
You turn yourself around, back to his hand in yours and the other resting on the small of your back as you sway.
“Not at all, I merely find it untrue. You are a perfect gentleman, a true nobleman and a good man to your family. You, just as the Duke of Hastings was, are every mamas dream. Good looks, good societal stature. I’m surprised my own mama has not yet thrown me at you herself.” You explain.
“You must have spoken too soon, your mother is hastily making her way to us as we dance.” He smirks back, releasing you from his grasp just as the song comes to an end.
“Y/n!” Your mother hisses, carefully and somehow gracefully storming up to you.
“Yes mama?” You ask sweetly, letting her guide you off to the side, a more private place to chat.
“What on earth are you doing? You are to be meeting potential husbands, not off with the viscount again. You make this same attempt every event. Unless you intend to court him, you must demonstrate your availability to the eligible young men who are truly interested.” She scolds, making you bow your head with a sigh.
“Mama I was being polite. Lord Bridgerton asked me to dance and I obliged out of duty. If I had turned him down, imagine how I would appear to all others!” You insist, coming up with excuses on the spot. She sighs and waves you away, walking off to gossip with Cressidas mama some more.
You groan quietly, carefully making your own way over to the refreshments, grabbing a glass of lemonade and taking a delicate sip.
“Tart is it not?” A voice asks behind you, taking you by surprise.
You turn to find Lady Danbury herself and you smile kindly, letting your shoulders rerelax themselves.
“Yes my lady. I believe it is one of the best batches yet.” You say with a grin, getting one right back from her.
“I noticed you having a beautiful dance with lord Bridgerton. Am I right to assume there may be a flame between the two of you? A viscount is quite the prize to win, I’m sure your family would be proud.” She suggests with a knowing grin.
“Oh! no, no. You should have us mistaken Lady Danbury! The viscount and I are merely old family friends. There is no courtship there.” You chuckled, astonished by the accusation.
“Really? I mean are you sure? Perhaps it is more to him than ‘tis to you but I did see a very particular glimmer in both your eyes as you danced. He shall remain at least a little jealous of the suitors you gain from that little dance.” She smiles, patting a hand over your own thoughtfully.
You, too stunned to speak, simply nod politely and excuse yourself, turning to make your leave and instead bumping right into Anthony Bridgerton himself.
“My apologies.” You mumble, your face flushed as you rush the other way, completely puzzling the man.
You practically all but ran outside, gathering your billowing skirt and making your way through the maze of a garden. Your head felt fuzzy and full, you didn’t know what to think.
“Lady y/l/n!” A familiar voice cries after you.
“Leave me to my thoughts Mr. Bridgerton!” You plead, running a hand over your face.
“Perhaps I may help? Come please… y/n we’ve known each other too long for you to dismiss me in such a manner. What troubles you? Is it the lord Norton, because if it was, I shall have a word with him.” He says, suddenly very protective of your integrity.
You snort again lightly. “Lord Bridgerton it is nothing of the sort! In fact, it is the affections of another that leave me so perplexed.” You sigh, shaking your head as you let out a breath.
“I see… and which gentleman may that be?” He asks, hiding the smidge of jealousy that dares to ring in his voice.
“It is not my place to say. Perhaps he could tell you himself, he is standing in this very garden after all.” You joke, a frown taking its place on your lips.
You laugh stiffly as he turns his head every which way, looking for the man in question.
“Lady y/l/n, there is no other man around… or is it too dark for me to possibly notice him?” Anthony asks, clearly completely clueless to what you’re explaining.
“You! I am referring to you Lord Bridgerton!” You decree, turning round swiftly to meet his wide eyes with your own troubled ones.
He remains silent, staring back at you, mouth agape. Anthony was used to such proclamations from random young women in town however you were no ordinary young woman. You were lady y/l/n. You were the lady he had so admired, so come to love. Since the moment the two of you reached an age where you developed feelings for the other gender, he was enamored by you. There was no other who smiled, laughed, joked or looked at him in such a way as you did and that held his affections more strongly than anything else could.
His inability to speak left you with a deep frown of your own, your lip quivering slightly as you bow your head in embarrassment.
“Very well, I see I was led astray. No need to fret, plenty of suitors anyway so no matter.” You say, your cheeks once again flushed.
He quickly recovers from his own daze at the sight of you turning away from him once again, carefully grabbing your wrist and pulling you back towards him.
“Anthony we should not even be out on our own, with no chaperone in sight… it is improper, you know this.” You say, trying to find any possible way to excuse yourself from the conversation you’d started.
“Just as improper as dropping the formalities before so much as the suggestion of courtship?” He challenges, making you go silent.
“Y/n I have never once denied an attraction to you. Do you truly believe me to be such a fool that I would not see your exquisite beauty?” He asks thoughtfully, catching your attention once again, your lips parted in complete surprise at his words. Your face is crimson without the need for the rouge on your cheeks, and you laugh out of sheer confusion.
“Honestly? Yes, I believed that perhaps your affections are captured by another young lady from the town. Possibly the young opera singer…” You suggest, laughing at your own joke.
“Sienna is… she is important to me yes but I’ve only been with her because I believed you to be promised to another, though I now see your hand is not yet taken.” He hums, smiling lightly at you.
“Lord Bridgerton… I do not have words that could respond to your advances… it seems highly inappropriate.” You say, going to turn away again, breaking the remaining hold his hand has over the cuff of your gloves.
“Y/n please drop the title. I see it as meant for those who do not truly know me however we are both very aware of the fact that you and I know each other perfectly well.” He says, gently lifting your chin to make eye contact with him once again.
“Very well, Anthony. This is highly unlike you. I’ve never seen you lose your proper language and tone before, not at public events anyway.” You state, fully aware of your close proximity to the viscount.
“On the contrary I do like to play the wildcard from time to time. And I regard you in too high a manner to pretend we are nothing less than the normal.” He says, moving in closer to you, taking your breath away.
He continues his approach, making you bite your lip with the widest of eyes, unable to speak.
A moment later you return to your senses, blinking out of your fairytale moment.
“We cannot go any further… not unless you’re prepared to propose.” You say, backing up to build distance.
He continued to stare you down, trying to convince you to return his affections with only a look.
“You should like to paint a picture.” You joke in attempts to lighten the mood.
“Y/n if that is all it takes, I shall marry you in a few months time.” He announces, pulling you into his arms and swinging you around with joy.
“What a very romantic proposal, I may just swoon.” You say sarcastically, laughing as he puts you down with his own perplexed look.
“Whatever do you mean y/n? You asked for a proposal and i obliged.” He says, making you let out a snort.
“You obliged?! As though proposing to take my hand is some sort of duty you are ‘obliged’ to do. When I said proposal I meant a truly proper one. You must ask my father for permission to propose, you must bring flowers and be in the drawing room when we announce it as official.” You explain. “I am shocked you did not think of it, you were so very insistent upon it when it came to your own sister last season.” You scoff.
“If you should truly mean what you are asking, you shall be at y/l/n house tomorrow morning to treat me as the lady I am rather than a common whore you wish to trick. Understood?” You ask before he gets the chance to object your ultimatum.
He gulps and then nods rapidly, afraid to speak in case of offending you or further entangling the web of your relationship, watching you smile back at him and walk away, back to the party and away from him.
——————————————————
The next morning…
The very next morning, all of the eligible ladies of the ton are eagerly waiting for their dukes and viscounts and gentlemen to come calling. The center of London is bustling with activity of carriages, footmen and of course their gentlemen calling on the women they seek.
You are among those not so patiently waiting. Since you’d woken, you were in the drawing room, pretending to be distracted by books and needlepoint but in reality, being completely anxious for the day to come.
After you’d left Anthony and returned indoors, the night was somewhat of a blur. Your thoughts remained on Anthony but your physical presence was there, on the floor, where another gentleman, though much older than the others who seemed to fancy you, had asked for your third dance. You agreed, not wanting to be impolite or for your mother to have reason to invoke her rath.
So, you danced with the lord Gillington, and it was all fine but you held no interest in him, nor in Lord Newton, who apparently was to stop by today as well.
When the third dance ended you faked a headache and feigned fatigue to your mother, who reluctantly agreed. There were other eyes on you and she would have preferred you have at least one more dance but you had done as she asked and that was all she could hope for.
You arrived home early but that wasn’t to say you slept well. You were restless, worrying over the possibilities for the next day. Surely Anthony would never lead you on in a way such as this for your silly little game but there was no certainty there. Still you took comfort in knowing that he was typically a man of his word.
But now, as you sat twiddling with your thumbs, you weren’t so certain. He was as he liked to put it now ‘a wildcard’ when it came to romance and you had never actually attempted such a thing in your relationship.
You ignored your nerves and smoothed down your silky day dress and took yet another deep breath, getting ready to settle back in when one of your staff enter the room. Quickly you rise to your feet.
“A gentleman is here for ms. Y/l/n.” He announces and you smile wide at your mother.
“Send him in then!” She urges, just as excitedly.
He obliges and a minute later a man enters but your face falls as you see its not who you’d hoped.
“Lord Newton.” You greet, pasting as much of a smile as you can muster on your face, taking the delicate bouquet he holds into your own hands and giving them a polite smell.
“Lady y/l/n. You look beautiful, as always.” He greets back, lightly kissing your hand. Your mother looks ecstatic but you couldn’t be less so.
You knew it best to keep your options open but it wasn’t your nature. You were interested in one man and one man alone and it was all his own fault.
“Thank you lord Newton, that’s very kind of you. Would you like to sit?” You ask, sitting back down on the chaise, patting it lightly for him.
He graciously accepts, sitting next to you.
“I have come to ask if you should like to court, lady y/l/n? I do not wish to be too forward however I am quite taken with you my lady.” He states, smiling back at you and you don’t even have to look at your mother to know she’s likely bouncing with joy.
“I-” You start but he is quick to interrupt, something you don’t take kindly to.
“You need not make haste with your decision, I’m aware you will have more suitors throughout the day. I only wish to make my intentions known.” He says, once again kissing your hand. “I shall take my leave. Lady y/l/n. Lady y/l/n.” He says, bowing before walking out the door.
“Oh dearest! That is practically your first proposal! Of many I am certain.” Your mother cheers, hugging you tightly, laughing with joy.
You nod meekly, trying to stay somewhat happy for your mothers sake.
Throughout the day, callers come and go, bearing gifts and kind words nonstop. The room is a festival of colours and chatter and the sweet fragrance of florals everywhere. And yet, no Bridgerton caller had arrived thus far.
“Perhaps Lady Whistledown shall write bright things about our home this week! You are getting plenty of attention from the best of the gentlemen.” Your mama says as the latest of the male callers take their leave.
“Yes perhaps this is true mama.” You say with another smile.
As you take a seat, another caller arrives and you stand yet again with a weak smile, tired of the anticipation of the days end drawing near.
“Lord Ambrose for you my lady.” The staff announces and you smile as you dismiss him.
“Lord Ambrose how delightful to see you.” You greet, taking a seat with him. In that moment, your youngest sister runs into the room, chased by your younger brother.
“Children!” Your mother warns, trying to toss them out of the room.
“It is no bother mama, they may stay. That is if it does not displease you Lord Ambrose?” You ask, turning to him for answer.
“Certainly not, I do love children, it is not a bother at all.” He replies, smiling more at you.
The two of you make chitchat for a while, watching the younger y/l/n children play together happily, passing time surprisingly pleasantly.
“I shall leave, I have had a wonderful afternoon with you my lady. I do hope you’ll consider perhaps courting me this season?” He asks and you feel your smile slipping at yet another sort of proposal.
“Perhaps yes, I shall need some time to consider.” You reply, watching as he accepts the excuse, kisses your hand and leaves.
Your smile falls, watching out the window as the sun falling slowly.
Your eyes dart to the ground when another carriage arrives and you’re quick to sit back down, your mama and your papa, who had just come in from his study, both giving you looks of confusion.
“Another caller I think. We shall see who it is in a moments time.” You grin, hope still heavy in your heart.
Your sister runs over to you and takes a seat next to you, playing with your skirt but you ignore it, watching the doorway intently.
“The viscount Bridgerton is here for you my lady.” He says and your grin grows all the bigger.
“Send him in!” You say with as much eager energy in your voice as your mother had early on.
And so, in walks Anthony, with a large and stunning bouquet of his own and a smile you couldn’t compare to any of the other gifts you’d received today because if you even tried, the rest would never hold a chance.
“My Lord.” You smile, bowing low to him. “I do believe I said this morning.” You tease as you rise, speaking low so your parents cannot hear.
He smiles wider at your cheeky tone. “Yes, I do apologize for the late hour, I had difficulty getting anything appropriate from the florist, so many desperate suitors looking for their own and of course I needed one that could compare to your on beauty though I realize that to be nearly impossible.” He explains and you purse your lips as though thinking whether to believe him or not.
“Lord Bridgerton.” Your mother greets him, bringing your attention to the fact that you are not alone.
“Lady y/l/n, a pleasure. And lord y/l/n, it is an honor to see you again.” Anthony greets both your parents, making your glee spread that much more.
“You as well lord Bridgerton.” Your father says, standing to shake his hand.
“I actually have some matters I’d like to discuss with you my lord. Shall we excuse ourselves?” Anthony asks and your father nods. The men take their leave to the study, your little brother chasing after them, eager to listen in. Your mother tries to stop him but he ignores her and she’s clearly too tired to try anymore.
“Might I ask dearest, what it is that prompted the Viscounts call?” She asks you, raising an eyebrow.
“I believe it was Lady Danbury’s revelations after we shared a dance last night. It would seem his mother and her ladyship have noticed something that myself and Lord Bridgerton have not. Until now that is.” You smile, keeping the true reason a secret for Anthony and yourself to hold tight.
“I see…” She hums unsurely, still going back to her needlepointing rather than investigate any longer.
You remain playing with your younger sister, waiting eagerly for the men to finish their business, wishing nothing more than to be a part of the discussion.
In your own frustration and excitement, you barely notice Anthony’s returned to the room. Instead of telling you, he is mesmerized by watching you and your sister, smiling fully at the sight of you with a child. He had seen you interact with them before of course, but with the chance to finally have you for himself, Anthony couldn’t help picturing you as a mother and he couldn’t be more pleased with the idea.
Settling down was never something that had been on his mind, especially with romance actually taking part in it. He had always pictured a loveless marriage with many kids and his duties to keep both him and his wife occupied. But never in those images did he picture you as his wife. He pictured you with a prince or someone more worthy of your love, never himself. But the idea wasn’t unpleasant to him, instead it was a great joy to picture.
“Lady y/l/n, might I have a moment?” He asks and you gasp, jumping to your feet out of surprise.
“Yes of course lord Bridgerton.” You smile, your face once again flushed, causing him to stifle a chuckle.
The two of you enter the corridor, where he takes your hand in his. Your breath hitches and your heart is pounding in your chest.
“I have done as you asked. I have made myself look a bit of a fool in your honor, I have done the thing I never once imagined myself doing, and I have fallen in love with you. Love in a marriage has always been a great virtue but I never pictured it for myself until last night. I can see us starting a family, I can see us happy together. Lady y/l/n, y/n, would you allow me to ask for your hand? Your papa has agreed so long as it is in your wishes. I’m sure your mama would agree as well. There would be no greater honor for me.” He finally asks, making you giggle with excitement, real excitement this time.
“Anthony, you are the only man who causes me true and real joy. I know you to be a good and kind man. Yes I will marry you.” You smile, giggling as he hugs you tightly, trying hard to stick to your honor.
“That is good because I did see Lord Ambrose leaving earlier and I must tell you, he is something of a cheat. Cannot be trusted.” He says jealously and you scoff, giggling again.
“I believe I am the one who has you flustered this time, by the way.” He murmurs as you walk back into the drawing room to announce the news to your family.
“I believe that both of us have that challenge covered this time my lord.” You challenge quietly just before you declare your engagement to your family, leaving him both in want of you and puzzled by you all at once, just as both of you know you’ll likely do your whole marriage.
You and Liv had just been working on a long and exhausting case the night before and you were close to dropping from exhaustion.
With your hair pulled back and concealer weakly covering the dark circles on your under-eyes, you trudged back into the office, waving over at Liv with a tired smile.
As you sit down at your desk, you barely have time to put your things down and get settled before there’s a faint shadow casted over you. You smile a little to yourself, turning to find which of the boys it was. There was always at least 1 or 2 of them hanging around you. They were great coworkers but in all honesty, you wanted them as more than that. You just weren’t sure which of them you wanted more.
“Hi Nick.” You greet with a small smile as you see his sweet face looking back at you.
“Hey y/n, brought you a coffee from the shop down the street.” He says, placing a steaming cup down on the counter of your desk. You breath in the scent of that which brings you back to life and let out a contented sigh, making him chuckle.
“My hero. I was definitely about to pass out without this Amaro, so I thank you.” You giggle, making his smile grow.
“Yo y/n!” Finn says, appearing behind you, holding a small paper bag in his hands.
“Morning Finn. You’re looking cheerful this morning.” You smile over at him with the same warm affection you gave Nick, not seeing the level of growing tension in his face.
“That is because I brought my favorite girl a breakfast pastry from the bakery by my place. They taste amazing so I’m sure you’ll like it.” He says, placing the bag down beside the coffee.
“Real sweet of you Amaro.” Finn notes, his voice full of a kind of bitterness as he looks at the coffee cup.
“Could say the same for you Tutuola.” Nick growls back, forcing a smile at him, clearly tense in the jaw which makes you frown, unsure of what exactly is going on.
“Boys boys, you spoil me. I will be able to get through the day now thanks to both of you.” You smile, giving them both a look of gratitude.
“My pleasure.” They say at the same time, giving each other a look of disgust before walking away tensely to their own desks.
“Morning everyone. Y/n, I meant to ask, did you finish that case last night? Looked rough so I was going to ask if I could help out, get some weight off your back.” Munch says as he waltzes into the office, beaming with a grin at you in particular.
“Morning John. Yeah it was tough but me and Liv managed to pull through. I may have to hold you to that sometime though, it was definitely a rough night.” You laugh, making Munch smile even wider.
“I look forward to it, I love to help out.” He promises, walking over to his own desk after waving a small goodbye to you, earning his own glares from both Fin and Nick.
“Is it just me or are the guys acting particularly… weird today?” You ask Liv in a whisper. She chuckles a little and nods in a show of agreement.
“Very weird.” She whispers back as she continues on her way, moving past you to her desk.
“Carisi you’re late! we’re supposed to be on a case together today, think you can handle that?” You tease as you see the cocky newer member of the team. The two of you had a quick bond and you were often found together for drinks after work which, without your knowledge, made the other males on the team increasingly angered.
After a few hours of sitting at your desk and filling out your report of your case with Olivia, you walk over to Cragens office and knock on the door, walking in when he beckons you and carefully placing it on his desk.
“That was a difficult case, you sure you got every detail into the report?” Cragen asks, giving you ‘the look’.
“Yes captain, I’m sure. Cross my heart.” You joke, grinning back at him. He nods to say you can leave, a small smile on his own face.
“Get that report done y/n? I’m sure it took a while, I know you’re pretty slow.” Carisi jokes, making you roll your eyes.
“You know Carisi, you’re probably slower than I am. I mean I’m not gonna race you or anything but I can go pretty fast…” You joke right back, smirking at his small blush and coy grin at the insinuation. You loved to mess with the guys when they gave you a hard time, it was just how your dynamics worked.
A few moments later, you’re sitting at your desk, analyzing the file for your new case when Rafael walks in with his usual swagger. You glance up from your papers to wave at him with a small smile and he does the same, a grin spreading at the sight of you.
But a mere seconds later you’re left confused when he makes a B-line to your desk rather than to Livs. He was collecting what was needed for the court order and bringing her usual coffee order, so it made no sense to you why he was coming to you.
“Good morning Raf. Shouldn’t you be with Liv or the Captain? Was there an issue with the paper work?” You ask with an eyebrow raised, taking a sip from your coffee.
“Oh no, nothings wrong. I’m actually about to go meet her right now to go over the details. So no need to worry bella.” He promises, making you blush as his accent alters and he says the term of endearment.
You supposed that was part of why you liked both him and Nick so much. They were both spanish and in truth, the accents made you go weak in the knees.
“Actually, I came over to ask if you would like to go out at all? I understand if you’d like to say no but I’ve decided it’s a good time to ask. You are an amazing woman and anyone would be lucky to take you out but I hope you’ll give me the chance to be el afortunado.” He states, kissing the top of your hand and leaving your mind in a bit of a frenzy.
You’d never been given the option as to which of the boys you would actually go out with any of them. The idea of choosing one of them seemed crazy only because you’d never had the opportunity to do so.
You look up at him, stunned.
“Well I would-” But before you can continue, Nick jumps out of his chair and comes storming towards the two of you.
“You really think some spanish love words are going to make her pick you? el burro sabe mas que tu!” He shouts, and you look back at him in shock. You already knew that one meant ‘donkeys know better than you’ because Nick had taught it to you months ago when you had begged him for a Spanish lesson when you were sitting at the bar.
Rafael scoffs a laugh, rolling his eyes in disbelief at him. “As if you haven’t had countless chances? Y/n isn’t a piece of meat Amaro, she’s not a bone to fight over like wild dogs.” He states, still laughing at Nick.
“Guys what the-” You start but this time Finn jumps in and joins them.
“If you two idiots get a chance then so do I!” He states loudly, getting right in Amaros face.
“Hey back off of her alright, she can decide for herself which of us she likes!” Carisi defends, jumping in himself and shoving Finn off of him.
You’re watching in shock at your favorite people fighting each other like frat boys and over you of all things. It was a ridiculous idea really, this was seemingly a thing of most girls dreams but for you, this was an absolute nightmare come true. Despite your love for them all, you never wanted to be put in this kind of position.
“Hey! Guys cut it out!” You cry, trying to get in between them.
Munch jumps in and you think he’s about to stop them but he joins in the chaos instead.
“If she’s going to choose anyone it’s not going to be you knuckleheads.” He scoffs, glaring at them all.
You watch as the argument ensues, the more time passing, the more physical it seems to get. Finn nearly punches out Carisi, Nick and Rafael are getting right in each others faces, shouting spanish profanities at each other and taking turns backing each other into walls and desks and chairs and Munch is shouting at Carisi with Finn.
People around the precinct are starting to stare, civilians look completely spooked by the scene and you stand in the middle, staring in horror, red as a tomato.
“Hey!” Cragen shouts from the doorway to his office but still, the attraction continues. Finally, after about 2 minutes of him shouting back at them he pulls out a whistle from his pocket and blows it hard. You can’t help but compare him to a kids soccor coach.
“I hesitate to ask what’s going on here. Are you all dogs? Did I really just have to blow a whistle to get your attention?! You’re all adults! Act like it!” He shakes his head, shutting the door behind him with a loud slam. They slowly go back to bickering but this time you’ve absolutely had enough.
“Cut it out! This is ridiculous! If any of you really liked me like I do you, you would’ve just asked me out! Rafael is right, I’m not a bacon treat for you to squabble over. Just stop!” You shout exasperatedly and they all stare back at you, mouths agape in shock.
You barely noticed you’d slipped your secret with how tired you really were.
“Which one of us?!” They all scramble to demand to know at once and you let out a sigh.
“Not the point! Get it together or it’ll quickly become none of you.” You warn, walking away and knowing they’ll be whisper arguing when you leave.
Liv comes to check on you and to voice her opinions and you agree and nod quietly but you silently work out the hunch that you were going to have a lot of trouble very fast…
Summary: Wanda hits you hard in the heartstrings with her new reality
Pairing: there isn’t exactly one??? I guess platonic!wanda x reader, platonic!monica x reader, a little Pietro x reader
Warnings: Mentions of death, reader gets restrained at one point, kinda sad lol
AN: just letting you guys know that I’m POTENTIALLY changing the layout of my intro to stories a little, as you can see NO MORE BANNER!! it was just getting to be a big hassle switching devices and with storage so I’m changing it up a bit but let me know if you do prefer it the old way or have suggestions to make it better!!!! I love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Everybody, shut up! Darcy, what’s happening?!” You demand, leaning over her shoulder towards the monitor.
“I’m not sure. She seems almost confused? That shouldn’t happen for the writer of the show should it?” She asks, staring down the screen just as much as you.
You watch carefully as Wanda opens the door, shaking your head slowly to answer the question. “I don’t understand, why doesn’t Wanda know what’s going on?!” You ask, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
“I don’t know! She should know what’s happening in her own show, shouldn’t she?” Darcy sighs, staring down the screen.
But then, the head of silver hair is clear across the screen. Your breath hitches in your throat and your eyes widen.
“She didn’t- she couldn’t have gone back for his body- not after so long.” You say, tears filling your eyes.
“Who?” Darcy asks, looking slightly confused.
Before you can answer, a face is put to the hair. You feel your fists clench in anger.
“Holy shit! She recast Pietro!” Darcy exclaims, trying to zoom in on the face.
You take a couple deep breaths, trying to keep your cool but watching her embrace him as though he really is Pietro, YOUR Pietro is too much. You let out a small cry and turn away from the screen, your powers starting to take control.
You notice your hands glowing the familiar violet shade and you make your way out of the lab as quick as possible, shoving past everyone and racing outside. You let yourself collapse into the grass of the surveillance field, tears running down your cheeks. As soon as your hands touch the ground, a blast of energy goes with them, shattering several vehicle windows and probably some lab equipment and nearly knocking over several of the army level vehicles in the near vicinity.
“Y/l/n, calm yourself down. You can’t help anyone if you don’t control your emotions.” A male voice calls out.
“Leave me alone Hayward.” You breath, eyes still closed, your voice a tone of warning.
“I’m not gonna do that y/n, you’re a member of this team and we need you capable of working.” He says, inching closer.
“I don’t care! Leave Wanda to do as she pleases with her husband and their kids for all I care! But she does NOT get to forget the real Pietro. She does NOT get to act like recasting him like some character is bringing him back!” You cry, glaring over at him from the ground.
“She’s holding a town of at least 3000 people hostage in there y/l/n, we have bigger problems than just her brother.” He sighs, moving even closer.
“That is NOT her brother! That is a look alike, he is not Pietro and never will be!” You scream, a blast of your powers taking over again. Hayward is knocked easily to the ground and so are several stations of the base.
Suddenly you feel a prick in your arm. You look down and see a small dart there, implanted in your skin. As you go to rip it out, you fall over and everything goes black.
———————————————————————
“Let me go!” You scream, yanking on the restraints against your arms. Hayward sighs, running a hand through his hair tiredly.
“You could’ve killed me and everyone on this base with that blast of power y/l/n. This is for everyone’s safety, including your own.” He explains but you merely glare in response.
“Director Hayward, you’re needed in the lab.” Some woman says as she enters the room. He nods and steps out, ignoring your cries of protest.
“Y/l/n please calm down.” A soft voice says as they enter the room. You look over to see Monica standing there, cautiously entering.
“Captain Rambeau, I’m restrained for a reason. I can’t hurt anyone with these on. You can come in.” You mutter dryly.
“Thank you.” She says, coming to sit next to you. You blink at her, not wanting to be the first to speak.
“What was the freak out over there all about?” She finally asks. You sigh, looking away and letting a curtain of your y/h/c hair cover the side of your face to shield from her piercing gaze.
“I was an Avenger, I’m not sure if you knew that.” You start and Monica nods to show she did. “Well, when ultron came along I was around the same age as the twins, about 17 or so. Still a kid. The rest of the team didn’t want me there, they didn’t want me getting hurt or killed or something. But I insisted on going. Fury allowed it because I’m useful in some situations, as I’m sure you can tell by now.” You continue, glancing down at your hands for emphasis.
“My powers are from the same experimentation as the twins but mine were forced on me. They knew I was like a kid to some of the avengers and HYDRA took advantage of that. They kidnapped me while I was on my way home from school and they experimented on me, tortured me and changed me over the course of a year or two. That’s why I was on that mission. To get rid of them for what they’ve done.” You explain, biting your lip at the memories.
“Wanda stuck with Ultrons plan and with him for the most part. But when Pietro found out about me he got really curious. He came to our base looking for me. He didn’t care what everyone else on the team thought, he said he just felt like he had to know me. And he got to know me too. I told him how my powers are a more train wreck like version of Wandas because I wasn’t in the experimentation willingly, how sometimes I get bits of his powers in moments of anger. It’s odd but it’s true. He was fascinated. He flirted, I tried to a little bit.” You say, smiling softly at the thought of his smirk.
“And we really quickly fell in love. It was essentially like love at first sight. He called me his princessa and he would tell me things would be ok when he sensed I was scared. It got a little hard while they were still teamed up with Ultron but when his sister finally came around, he was glad to be able to be us more often. Wanda of course didn’t really approve, she thought he was being seduced for the sole purpose of getting him on our side. But we didn’t care. We still cuddled together and held hands and spent every moment together, even if she was around. It was almost like there was no one else in the world but us.” You giggle quietly, the image of him speeding around you to make you dizzy just so he could hold you still etched clearly in your mind.
“Then, when Ultron took Nat, it turned to chaos. Everyone was trying to find her, to find him, to find out his plan. We got separated, so did he and Wanda. They’d always taken care of each other so I know it was difficult for him. But then in the chaos, he had to be a hero. He went back to help save that kid. And he was killed because of it.” You sigh, staring down at your hands as a small flicker of purple flashes on your finger tips.
“Oh y/n… I had no idea.” Monica says remorsefully. You shrug it off, trying to play it cool.
“It’s fine. No one did really. It was just between us and the other Avengers. It wasn’t a publicity thing, it was a love thing.” You sigh, smiling sadly in her direction.
“But that’s why I freaked out. She replaced Pietro, the love of my life and her brother, with a look alike and acted like it was no big deal. That hurts me, Monica. It burns right in my heart.” You explain. She nods, obviously understanding what you mean.
She looks around and grabs something from the drawer of the nightstand across the room.
“What’re you-.” You start but she shushes you, coming over and using the key in her hand to undo the restraints.
“Monica that’s a bad idea. I’m not in my right mind-.” You start again but she shakes her head.
“You’re grieving. And it’s not like you have a town of 3000 people at your disposal. You just need to keep taking deep breaths.” She explains.
“You’re right. Thank you.” You say, quickly wrapping your arms around her in a hug.
“Did you guys have any luck identifying the phoney Pietro yet?” You ask as you stand up, wanting nothing more than to slap the red headed witch. You knew this was how she was coping but it was getting way too far.
“No. It’s like he doesn’t exist in the real world. Wanda couldn’t have made him out of thin air though so it’s strange.” She sighs, looking puzzled.
“Everything about Wanda Maximoff is strange.” You grumble.
“She could probably say the same about you.” Monica laughs with a shrug.
You just shake your head, biting your lip again. “No, my powers have differences to hers. She can clearly morph and alter reality, I merely have a strong telekinesis ability because of it. Wanda… Wanda is something else.”
The two of you find Darcy and Jimmy in a group meeting where Hayward is going on a mini tangent. When he sees you, he starts to freak out.
“Do you know how dangerous it is to let her out?! She was in hysterics not even an hour ago!” He demands, storming over and grabbing you harshly by the wrist, trying to pull you back out into the hall.
“Director, I wouldn’t grab a person who was “just in hysterics” so harshly if I were you, it seems rather stupid.” You growl, yanking your hand away.
“Besides, I can keep myself in check if it means getting Wanda out safely. She’s created this world as a form of escapism, it’s just gotten too far. Believe me, Wanda killed Ultron because he wanted to destroy the human world. She isn’t a typically violent person. This is grief.” You explain, walking away from the speechless man and stopping at the computer screen, watching Wanda greet the imposter Pietro again.
“You are here as a tool in case she does get violent, you don’t have the clearance to engage with the research portion.” He shouts, clearly getting fed up with it.
“Fine. You don’t want me to look at what you’re actually trying to do? Then let me engage with Wanda. I can get through to her in a way you know you can’t. I want to go in, and you cannot stop me.” You challenge, standing again and storming out, walking in bold steps towards the Hex’s barrier.
Hayward chases after you, yelling orders and eventually profanities, Darcy is close behind him followed by Monica and Jimmy, all three of which are shouting their worries and warnings but you don’t stop. The rage in your body has taken the reigns and is walking you closer until you’re right at the edge, hand to the red screenlike wall, pushing forward against the pressure of the altered reality.
Without a second thought, you walk through into Wanda’s sitcom-like dream world.
Do you guys like that I use a banner style thing to do a summary of the story or would you guys like it better if I just started doing that in the little descriptor thing at the beginning? I think I may start doing that just because it takes up a lot of space on my iPad and Its kind of annoying switching from device to device lol
it’s impossible to think of everything faced by people in the disabled community because we truly are so diverse.
I’m not blind, so I’m not going to pretend to understand that experience. I’m not intellectually disabled, so I’m not going to pretend to understand that experience.
just because you have a disability does not mean you get to speak for everyone with any disability at all. you still need to be careful to unlearn ableism and to listen to the stories of people who have experiences outside your own.
