> not a spoiler free blog < ¦ name ➵ april ¦ « so you’ve come to my hiding place. welcome. although typically only abject failures and social outcasts are allowed. » ➵ find me on ao3: drjemmanugent [ fandoms ] : bridgerton, p&p, awae, sense8, thg, pjo, aos, period dramas, musicals
posted on: april 6th, 2026
fandom: bridgerton
pairing: penelope/colin (polin)
rating: E
status: [ in progress 1/10 chapters posted ]
tags: Regency | Post-Canon Fix-It | Post-Season/Series 03 | References to Book 4: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton | Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington-centric | Married Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington | Childhood Friends to Lovers | Eloise Bridgerton & Penelope Featherington Friendship | Domestic Fluff | Fluff and Smut | Writer Penelope Featherington | Writer Colin Bridgerton | Colin Bridgerton Has a Hero Complex | Lady Whistledown Identity Reveal (Bridgerton) | Mirror Scene 2.0 Anyone? | Polin Week | Polin Week 2026
playlist: [ tba soon ]
summary:
“Colin, is this… is this real?”
He wears a soft expression on his face.
“This is real,” he assures her.
“And last night…?”
“Real, too,” he nods. “It is all real, Pen. Miss Cowper has no claim on your column, and the Queen will not stand against you operating it.”
“A better outcome than expected, is it not?” Penelope muses with a watery chuckle.
Colin considers her fondly—proudly, too, she realizes—and says, “Fortune favors the brave. And my wife is the bravest of them all.”
--
Or, taking place between the end 3x08 through to the s3 epilogue, see how Colin and Penelope take on married life, navigating the aftermath of the events of season 3, managing their own household, their impending parenthood, and reaching their individual pursuits together.
Submitted for Polin Week 2026: Day 1: "Polin Day" + Day 2: "Mirror"
STORY PREVIEW UNDER THE BREAK
“I can be discreet,” he declares.
She hums, scrunching her nose pensively. She makes a show of it, too, which he takes mock-offense to.
“I’ll have you know I excelled at hiding games with my siblings. It has been a renowned skill of mine since boyhood,” he states indignantly.
She giggles, pecking his chin—it is where she can reach easily without having to shift too much from her spot.
“That may be, my love, however you can no longer hide behind potted plants or secret corridors.” (He flushes at her saying that, for she knows of his infamous tactics to make use of the servant’s passageways—Eloise has accused him of it plenty of times over the years.) “You’re too tall for that now.”
“Ah,” he slants a finger, “but I have perfected the skill, you see. There is no need for physical vanishing when one can hide in plain sight.”
“You? Hide in plain sight?” Penelope regards him playfully.
Colin Bridgerton has always drawn attention to himself, being equal parts alluring and affable in his rapport in social circles. He commands attention, even if unintentionally—it is all part of his natural charm. Then there is the fact he is a Bridgerton of course, and Bridgertons are inherently meant to be noticed.
“You wound me, wife,” he frowns most adorably.
She tries to not let the wife deviate her from their jesting, but she does have the urge to kiss him silly because of it. She resolves to shift closer instead, holding onto the sheet around herself as she moves. Seeing her intentions plain, he readily makes room for her to lay more upon him, stationing her arm upon his chest to rest her chin.
“You must understand,” she explains with a rather lofty sigh, “a lady must be resourceful unto herself. I simply seek to ensure you are prepared to be deployed as my Lord Whistledown.”
His lips part at that, his eyes darkening in a promising way that makes her belly swoop.
“Your Lord Whistledown?” He smirks devilishly, his eyes clearly alight by the idea.
{ FULL LINK HERE: https://archiveofourown.org/works/82579641/chapters/217376946 }
I know there’s nothing more terrifying, but… well, once you have met that young lady who is meant for you, who challenges you, sees you as you are, you cannot let any amount of fear stop you from letting your heart speak.
