➟ all these centuries series - with the reappearance of deviants y/n and druig are forced to cross paths, memories and feelings venturing back into their hearts
summary - the winter season and shopping with your boyfriend
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The snow was fluttering through the air, small white ice crystals gathering together once reaching the frosted over grass. It looked beautiful on the bare trees and mixed with the bright decorations celebrating the upcoming holiday, one that was actually only two days away.
New York, Queens to be exact, was bubbling all around with families and friends rushing out for last-minute supplies, gifts, necessities, different things before the clock would run out. The stores were packed with the people pushing and shoving just to get that one expensive doll or freshly baked cookies.
“I’m not scared of you!” the man muttered, dressed in all black as he stood in between allies holding a woman by her waist and knife sticking at her back. He stood tall, eyes peering at the hero through the mask with holes cut out for his view. Though seeming confident it was clear the man wasn’t, his foot continuing to tap the pavement and eyes darting around.
“Just let her go,” Peter declared, a mask covering his own features as he stood with a hand in front, a pose ready to shoot a web at the right moment.
“All the little lady has to do is give me her cash and everything will be alright.”
“Okay,” the woman whispered, her eyes glossing over as she slowly went to reach down into her bag. “Here,” she took out her wallet and handed it to the man who tried to push her onto the concrete.
Before the man had a chance to snicker with his new finding, Peter shot the web out which caught the woman from her fall and soon another exited stealing the wallet back. He was able to navigate the woman to be safe behind him and with the wallet in her hands, he shot another sticky web that tied the man up and unmasked to reveal the similar nerved look on his features.
“Not very kind of you,” peter tsked, walking closer with his hands at his side. He bent down to examine the man more. “I mean it’s Christmas time! You’re supposed to be giving not taking!”
Peter shook his head before shooting another web to leave the scene, looking as the woman was motioning for an officer to come over. Swinging through the illuminated buildings he moved over to where a certain lady sat on a bench with bags covering her arms. Peter snuck into an ally, quickly removing the get-up into one of his normal outfits, running out to seat himself beside her.
“Hello, pretty lady,” a toothy smile overtook his features.
“If it isn’t my hero?” You smirked, putting some bags down and picking up the coffee that was on your side. “Where have you been?”
“I’ve been looking for a present for Aunt May!” he exclaimed, hands up and a pink dusting his pale cheeks. You smirked at his actions, reaching into one of the shopping bags and shaking your head.
“I was going to give this to someone else,” you began to murmur, pulling out a pair of red, warm gloves and placing them in his cold palms. “But it seems as if you could use them more.”
When you looked up at him, back at him, just at him at any time he couldn’t help but thrive on the way his heartbeat in a different way. It wasn’t confusing or overwhelming, it was a comforting reminder that he was with the girl he loved the most.
Maybe it was the way your hat was snug on your head, a fluffy beanie with a black ball on the top, adding to your festive image. Or the way you had gloves on that didn’t fully cover the tips of your fingers that allowed him to feel your skin on his while you gently fit his gloves on his hand. It could’ve been your long trench coat, something he knew held little candies and spare change in the deep pockets. In the end, it could’ve just been you.
“That’s nice, uh, nice of you,” he stuttered with his words, actually getting nervous with your kindness rather than a mugger pointing a gun at him. “Aren’t you cold?”
“I enjoy it, a different change in weather can be nice. It holds as a reminder of the holidays arriving,” you went back to your bags, looking for some other purchased gift just to pull out a secured black box, placing it in Peter’s hands.
The man froze, it was the same shape as a ring box, black and holding something with much meaning. He’d seen the movies, it’s a joyous moment, but shouldn’t he be the one asking you?
“For your Aunt May, do you think she’d like the ring? It has her birthstone on it, and your name encrusted in the inside of the silver,” you opened the box for him, now a large grin on your face as you awaited his reaction. “Might be better than the cheap, pink scarf you got her last year.”
“I’m bad with girl gifts!” he quickly tried to defend himself, laughing along with you and putting the ring closer to his face. “It’s perfect.”
“Great.”
“You look perfect right now,” he whispered, not on purpose, he just couldn’t stop the words slipping from his picked lips. He couldn’t stop them, he didn’t even register his words until he picked up on the facial change of yours. “Or not.”
“Not?”
“I don’t mean that! I just mean you look perfect all the time. Well, actually, perfect isn’t the right word because it’s overrated, nothing perfect. You look not perfect right now.”
“Not perfect? So I look bad?”
“What? No! No! Not that,” he was stammering, jumping from his seat and walking around in front of the bench with his hands in his hair and hushed words leaving his mouth to find the right one.
“I’m kidding Peter. I think you always look not perfect too, in a good way,” you took a sip of your drink as you watched him settle back down to his seat.
The man slyly leaning over to put a gloved hand on your cheek and use the other to push your cup down. He connected both of your lips, for a cold yet calming kiss, one where his covered fingers were still trying to draw small patterns into your skin.
“Do you mind if I come with you for the rest of your shopping?”
“Not at all, I’d be honored,” You used your hand to touch his ear, messing a bit with the hair right near it, something that was a habit.
“Then let’s grab your bags and get ready for the glide.”
“Glide?”
He stuffed the bags on his arms, securing them with a bit more web, and wrapped his arms tightly around your waist. With a quick look around and arm extended in the air, a web was flung and off you traveled into the cool air, feeling the snowfall a bit heavier and your own hands get a bit colder.
The feeling was indescribable, enthralling, and exhilarating, but what made it better was the proud look on your boyfriend’s face. Peter loved being the one to literally lift you off your feet and enjoyed it even more being able to do it in his own way.
The holidays were holidays, and in the end, it wasn’t the gifts that made it the happiest, it was the people you spent it with. Though the saying was cheesy and gifts were truly wished for, this year all Peter wished for was that he’d get a bit more alone time with you.
summary - a new journey awaits you all for getting phastos, and offers some time for you and druig to catch up
warnings - spoilers of eternals
apart of - all these centuries / former chapter - once again
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Amazon // Present Time
“Hello,” He dragged out the welcome, coming into full view in order to let his presence be clear and known. “Shall we chat my beautiful, beautiful Y/n?” Druig wondered, taking slow steps to come even closer to you, admiring the way you tried to hide the small, nervous grin that so badly wanted to sneak onto your features.
“Oh, um,” You stuttered, keeping a glare on him, your thoughts raced in your mind filled with words that needed to be said and some that should be kept in.
“Is he seriously trying to flirt after we just killed a deviant, and half of his village is destroyed?” Kingo questioned Sprite, lowering his voice and pointing over to both of you interacting.
“Destruction happens, you never seemed to mind it all those years with Ajack,” Druig replied, taking a step out of your way to bring his form closer to the other man. “You’d probably of filmed it,” His eyes glowed yellow causing Karun to rapidly swing his camera at Kingo letting it drift from his grip and be aimed at landing on Kingo’s face.
Kingo jumped out of the way just in time, brushing off his pants, with a scowl on his face. “You always are insufferable and don’t do that to my friend. I already told you!” He yelled, getting his own yellow energy ready letting small yellow glows build upon his fingertips. It was like the two men were preparing to have a little battle amongst themselves.
“Enough you two,” Sersi shouted allowing everyone’s attention to fall on her, she stood up and brushed away a clump of her wet hair. “How will we defeat the deviants if we are trying to defeat each other. We can catch up on the plane when getting Phastos. For now, we must find the others who probably are in a battle.”
The two men shut their mouths, allowing Sersi to lead the way into the forest as you all followed her directions, stepping over the branches and looking upon the life that was still somehow present despite all the destruction.
You followed the path for a little while before you came upon the spot that Thena and Ikaris stood, the goddess looked more melancholy than normal, her lips fully downturned and fresh tears still coating her rosy cheeks.
“What happened?” Sersi spoke up, looking around the scene where much change of the forest was present, patterns of the dirt showing someone had slid across it on their back, trees were folded and a dead deviant lied in the distance.
“Gilgamesh saved Thena but he wasn’t able to save himself,” Ikaris told you all, motioning over to where his body lay on the dirt and the goddess that could only stare at his form.
“Oh my,” Sersi placed her hand over her mouth at the image of another loved one dead. Ikaris walked over to place a hand on her shoulder and Sprite came next to the other side of him. Kingo couldn’t mutter any more jokes at the moment and pushed his friends’ mysterious appearance of a camera to the ground, as not to film this matter.
You were surprised, only chatting to this man minutes ago about how he was enjoying his new life, creating recipes, and caring for the one he worshipped the most. He was always kind, and held so much compassion for the woman, constantly putting his life at risk. That’s how you knew that their love was a true one.
“He shall have a proper send-off before we leave, something of the humans’ ways,” Druig announced, taking a step closer to your side as he viewed the man for himself. The mindreader didn’t truly have words, this was confusing and different for all of the Eternals, not used to experiencing close deaths.
“We must start a fire,” Thena spoke, getting up and moving away to pull out her golden sword, slicing through a tree that was now tumbling down. She walked near it, swinging the blade once again to cut it into logs, something that would work well for the fire she wished to create.
“I’ll go help her,” Sersi nodded to herself, making her way by Thena to pick up the wood and travel a bit farther into the forest where an image of a softer land and water could be seen. It was more peaceful than the area where he died.
“Us as well,” Kingo announced, mentioning for his friend to follow while Sprite grabbed onto Ikaris’s arm, tears glistening in her eyes as he lightly patted her head, keeping his glare on Sersi.
You didn’t know how to help at this moment, the tasks being taken up and your powers not being very useful to help with that. Instead, you moved over closer to the dead man, reaching for a broken branch of the tree and transforming its view to a wooden plank with handles, something that would be able to hold Gilgamesh to then transport him over by the water.
Druig walked right behind you, helping slide his body on the slab and lift it up. You both began to mend your way through, being careful not to damage his body even more before arriving onto the land and laying him down.
“With all the centuries of chaos we’ve watched ensue, I never truly imagined that our own would happen between us. I never thought that one of us would die.” You admitted, sitting down and moving your knees closer to your chest as your watched the fire grow tall and a hot heat emit from it.
It was as if at that moment you could see the wars and deaths play something like a movie in the fire, showing blood and bodies. You let your eyes fully close shut for just a moment, steadying your breath before opening once again to see the image disappear.
“Well now, I’d imagine we will be seeing much more of that,” Druig commented, seating himself beside you and turning to face your own features being illuminated by the orangish hue in front of you two.
You didn’t answer his words, you honestly didn’t wish to think of them, but they were the truth of your future, especially if following this plan. Druig hesitantly scooted his hand closer to your own, placing a finger onto one of your own and rubbing his skin against yours for a moment.
“I suppose you could say this reminds me of the time we watched that one dance.”
Spain // 1744
A large fire sat in the middle of the grassy land, wood chunks piled up to be lit and show a large glow that would allow the people of the small village to dance around and communicate with each other.
The village hosted events like this every year, trying to gather any extra foods to bake and share with each other while playing music and dancing around. It brought enjoyment despite the rough times and a reminder of the importance of hope.
“This is our first year with the village, you will be coming out, correct?” You brushed down your dress, taking out the small platter with freshly cut vegetables grown in your small garden to bring with you. Druig stood near the fire in your own small home, tapping his foot.
It had been a few years since seeing the man, ten to be exact, and his presence now being in the current village you were staying at was calming. He always brought a certain feeling with him that despite all the time you spent, it still confused you, different than what you’d had with any of the Eternals, or anyone for that matter.
“It’s shameful the leaders of this place let their people suffer like these village men and women do,” He spat, sitting down on the wooden stool near the heat, looking back at you. He was always vocal with distaste on your choices of life, your choice of wanting to experience some struggles first hand.
“I’m glad you came out,” You commented, trying to ignore his complaints, you placed the food onto your table before moving closer to him and keeping a hand on his shoulder. “It’s swell to have a chance to experience different things.”
“Shall we get going to this festivity?” He asked, standing up and turning around to open the door as you picked up your platter once again, beginning to follow him out. “I mean, we wouldn’t wish for your tasteful outfit to go to waste,” He winked, stopping his pace just to fully admire you.
“Let’s not be late,” You mumbled, pushing your way through him to then take the lead, trying to not allow his teasing to have an effect on you.
You both walked the small walk to the area where children were giggling and men were drinking. The area held benches that earlier had been brought out, allowing you to place your food down by the assortments of other scraps. After carefully choosing an item to try and tie you over for the moment, you looked at the only group of women who were all huddled around each other conversing. Deciding that you wished to be included in the activity, you moved near them and let Druig choose to sit where he wished. The man enjoyed this silence, rather hoping not to be too involved and be able to watch the way you worked with the village dynamic.
“Why, Y/n, is that your husband?” A woman named Maria had questioned, pointing back to Druig as a small child came running up to him with a toy. He was a young boy, overjoyed and waving it in the air as Druig just stared back at him silently. Druig just listened to the boy mumble on about it and other things.
“Oh, uh,” Your eyes widened and your mouth dried at the insinuation, it wasn’t abnormal but still not something that happened frequently. “He’s jus-”
“Well, of course, he is not. No one would ever wish to wed an improper woman like you,” Another lady laughed as more joined in with her action. “You haven’t been able to find someone for this long, that must mean he is one of the men you cater to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re certainly a prostitute.”
Before you could truly comprehend her words she was spilling a drink down her own dress and flinging herself onto someone other than her husband. It was embarrassing and would be devastating for her in the future. The man pushed her off with disgust as others around laughed and pointed.
Druig reached for your arm, wrapping his wrist lightly around it as the yellow glow was still present in his eyes. Soon enough the woman stopped and was left to try and recognize the actions she had just made. Druig pulled you away from the scene, bringing you up the road more and soon into a home where all of the people formally present disappeared.
“Why would you wish to stay in an area like this, with rude human beings who share no compassion?” He harshly questioned, tightening his grip in the slightest before recognizing his action and letting go. “They just fight and blame, and you have no intention in stopping it. I could stop the ones that torment my beautiful, beautiful Y/n in just a second,” His tone softened towards the end, trying to move a cold hand to cup one cheek of yours, his eyes filled with compassion that for a minute it seemed like the nicknames might hold true love within them.
“I don’t mind what they say, I shall not stay here for long,” You pulled your head away from his grip, remembering past words for past people about Druig’s true feelings regarding you. “There’s supposed to be a wizard in this village, and he’s written much. I will acquire his help to understand my powers and why my mist color differs from all of the other Eternal’s color,” You admitted, standing tall and looking down at your hand where you could imagine the purple color rising up.
“I could have easily acquired the man for you.”
“Yes, but it’s different doing it the normal way, it seems more real, the connections. Something like us.”
“Us?”
“The Eternals, how close we are to each other.”
“Hm,” He huffed, looking into your eyes for another hint of emotion you could be hiding. The man couldn’t have been more agitated in the way he didn’t have access to your mind as he had with almost everyone else, he wanted to know your true thoughts at the moment. “If you must be stubborn then just answer this, that woman asked you a question, you appeared stunned afterward, what was it?”
Druig knew the question, he saw your expression and listened to what was going inside the other woman’s head, the recent inquiry she wondered still echoing inside. But something about hearing the words slip from your lips enticed him. Marriage was something he never really bothered with, a human tradition of types, but more and more frequently with both of your visits, it seemed to hold more meaning.
“She wished to know if you were my husband,” You admitted taking a step back. “I was baffled at the unexpectedness, I couldn’t form an answer. Though the question was just to set me up, to mess with me. Yet none of that matters now as I’ll leave the village at dawn tomorrow, making my way to the wizard.”
“You understand there is a high possibility he is not that?”
“I must try, you can understand that,”
United States // Present Time
Transportation was something that varied on your trip to the next Eternal’s home. First taking a car, then plane, once again car, and finally train. You all were lucky that his home was near the station, meaning this would be the last uncomfortable seating you would have to deal with till meeting him.
The plane was quiet, you choose to use the moment to find a seat for yourself and sleep while the others tried to discuss happy matters in order to shield them from the recent situations that would have lasting effects. The car was uncomfortable and cramped, all piled onto each other in order to make it to your new destination.
Arriving to the train station, you all stood awkwardly besides each other, Sersi and Ikaris were arguing with a man who just wouldn’t sell the late notice tickets.
“This could be easy,” Kingo spoke, sending a glare to Druig as he sat on a bench with his friend admiring a broken camera besides him. “And we could see Phastos already.”
“You could’ve made this trip easier if it wasn’t with your incessant filming.”
“You broke many cameras!” Karun chimed in, still looking down with melancholy as he stood up to throw it in a nearby bin and walk over to a shop across the way.
“See what you did, mess with people and now my friend.” Kingo accused, pointing a finger at Druig before rushing after the man with yells that everything would be fine.
“Druig, can’t you just hurry this up?” Sprite groaned, staring over at two teenagers chatting as she crossed her arms. “This is embarrassing.”
“I haven’t seen anything as comical as this in a little bit. Ikaris’s face sure gains color when upset,” He snickered, watching the pale mans face gain a red hue as he stepped in between Sersi and the man.
“This shouldn’t be a huge ordeal! We need our tickets it’s a matter of emergency,” Ikaris tried to reason, Sersi walking back over to you and the others as you could hear threats of police on their way.
“I’m sorry, but with all the damage the earth has already forgone, I want us to travel the right way, normal. We will get there, and-”
“You’re nervous that he’ll say no, aren’t you? That’s why your willing to extend this adventure despite the fate of earth being in our palms,” Druig mumbled, leaning on one of the pillars with his black jacket adorning his figure, arms crossed and that infuriating smug grin.
“You haven’t done much to speed this up, have you?” She rebutdtaled, rolling her eyes and walking back over to Ikaris who was seeming to get more defensive.
He just let the smirk grow, subtly removing his form from the spot it was stuck in and sneaking over your way, plopping besides you on the uncomfortable teal bench.
Leaning over he whispered, “Couldn’t you obscure his view? Make it look like pieces of paper we have are the true tickets? I know it’s in the multitudes of your talents my beautiful-”
“It seems that your powers might be more well fitting in this situation. Shall you give it a try?” Crossing your leg, you let a tiny smile dance on your plush lips as he just stared down at it, watching it form with his not being so smug. The tips of his ears brightened in the slightest, and a small grunt fell before the man was stepping aside with no word, beckoning for you all to enter the train.
Sersi and Ikaris quickly entered the train, finishing up their ending words to the man with each other as Sprite eagerly followed to step right in between. Kingo and Karun arrived with a new camera shooting shots that were landing all over the area as they boarded.
Druig stood up, placing a hand in front of your view to reach before the common ring was echoing from the pant pocket. His arm fell to the side as your view was located to the noise, picking it up to try and subtly silence the call, standing up on your own and walking to a further distance.
It was clear you were trying to hide the contents of whose name was placed on that small device. Druig figured he could swiftly jump into the little boys mind as he bounced the blue ball. It somehow was thrown your way, allowing the boy to move closer and hear the conversation.
“I’m okay,” You breathed out, tapping your fingers at your side and looking over at Druig who stood oddly still. “They will both- and you, you all will be okay, I’ll make sure of it.”
There was some rambling on the other side, a masculine voice sounding anxious and terrified. He could see the boy peak at the phone to make out the first letter of his name.
“I have to leave, go, I have to go,” You quickly corrected yourself, trying to put on a smile despite the man on the other screen not being able to see it. You let the phone call end and handed the young boy his ball, moving to walk onto the train with Druig.
It was a small walk to find your seats, a couple mysteriously getting up to stand as you were able to sit on the now open seating. They looked at each other with passion once they gripped onto the support offered from above. It was clear they held much love for one another that a part of your heart tingled.
“Did you really have to leave all those centuries ago?”
summary - the eternals come to get you, taking you from your new life to now and get someone else from his
warnings - spoilers of Eternals, details of blood/fighting
apart of - all these centuries
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Korea // Present Time
“Thank you, that was a very helpful session,” You bowed, wiping away the nonexistent bead of sweat that should have fallen from your forehead, watching as the man you were once practicing with was slightly stumbling to his seat, exhaustion clearly all over his features.
You’d just finished an easy session of practicing your Taekwondo lessons, quickly advancing to a black belt due to your past of practicing with some of the key creators of the art. Yet, you still found enjoyment in going back and continuing to take the lessons, to see how the new humans would critique the old. You liked seeing how quickly they would allow you to advance, you feigning ignorance and innocence to then show perfection. It was a nice pastime when you weren’t off reading stories online about the recent year’s emergence of a new hero.
“Y/n, dear, you must find a different instructor. I can not keep up with you,” He spoke, sitting down and taking large gulps of water as you handed him a towel. Hiro was supposedly your instructor, yet he had nothing to teach you, so you just took lessons from him for fun. He was trustworthy, telling your secret of being an eternal was easy to let slip due to his kindness and understanding, he was almost like a family.
“That’s fine, I only wish to practice with you, ” You shook your head, sitting down across. “And I promise I’ll be nicer from now on,” He laughed a little at your comment, shaking his own head now. You had always gone ‘easy’ on him, your strength obviously outmatching his own, even with ignoring his age. But Hiro had always been a man who liked a good fight, always encouraging you to make the sweat fall and his breathing fasten, telling you it made him feel young.
You played with a mere strand of thread unraveling from your shirt, letting him catch his breath and regain energy. You’d known the man for years to then watch him grow up and be older than you.
“Is this really the place?” A deeper voice questioned as three new people walked into the building. It was clear they were unfamiliar, and their voices didn’t register at first, your attention too focused on the older man across and making sure he truly was okay.
“That’s what the landlord said,” Another that was softer responded, more feminine, the three walked into the limited lighting present in the rundown dojo, finally catching your and Hiro’s attention.
“What are you three doing here?” You quickly inquired, standing up and moving in front of Hiro to block his gaze from the three. Your hands were situated behind your back, and your glare set on the only other man present. It was unexpected, centuries from truly seeing the people you used to spend every waking second with.
“We need to speak to you,” Sersi swiftly stepped in front of the other two, fixing her coat, and looking upon you with care. “It’s important.”
“We split up, I’ve followed orders, there is nothing to chat about,” You shook your head, turning around and moving towards Hiro. “Come on, let’s get you upstairs to rest,” You grabbed his two hands, helping him up, and began to walk to the back of the building where the stairs would lead to the apartment above.
“Y/n, come on now,” Sprite groaned, quickly rushing forward. “Let’s talk now and worry about oldie later.”
“That’s disrespectful,” You shook your head, not bothering to even spare her another glance, this was not a confrontation you were hoping to have at the moment.
“Y/n, who are these people?” He looked up at you, whispering the words with slight fear in his eyes.
“College friends,” You smiled small, continuing to try and get him to the stairs. “They’re leaving.”
“Ajack is dead,” Ikaris finally revealed, stepping right by Sersi and placing a light hand on her shoulder. “The deviants are back, haven’t you heard about the earthquakes?”
“I don’t care to own a phone.”
“Well, Sersi defiantly does,” Sprite joked, trying to lighten the mood as you stopped your pace, finally turning back to face them.
“There is so much more we need to explain, we have to get all the Eternals back together,” Sersi went on, rushing closer. “Please, we’ve already retrieved Gilgamesh, Thena, and Kingo, we just have to get everyone else and you.”
“I don’t wish to go, I’ve gained a life here and that’s not my wish to go back and see more deaths frequent around me, I’m sorry about Ajack, it’s a shame.”
“Y/n,” She muttered once last time, looking expectingly at you. Sersi knew you would be more hesitant, just like another Eternal you’d always had a connection with. But she also knew you were realistic and had feelings for Earth and people present, giving her the opportunity to truly get through to you. “Let us have a moment to speak to you alone, fully explain the dire of this situation, please.”
You were a part of the Eternals, a key member in the dynamic, a powerful one. The powers you possessed granted you the ability to mend the world’s view. You could change the view of objects, allowing a puny rock to now be a large boulder, and once you were done it returned to its original form. This power also granted you to fully change the view of things, and permanently make them something else, yet it took much energy and practice. Psychokinesis was another talent you possessed, though one that you weren’t the most comfortable with.
Among friends and fellow people who had discovered your powers dubbed the name Mystique for you, due to mist appearing when performing some of these actions. You meditated to strengthen these powers, even strengthen the danger of your mist to hopefully one day become deadly if needed.
“I just don’t kno-”
“Auntie!” A young boy came running through the unlocked doors of the front building, pushing through Ikaris and Sprite to fling himself into your unprepared arms.
You caught him just in time. His smile was large as he basked in the feel of your arms, searching around the dojo for his grandfather’s face only to immediately see the others.
“Who are they?” He pointed a finger at Ikaris, a bit of a scowl on his face before sticking his tongue out at him. “He seems mean.”
“These are friends,” You softly told him, pinching a cheek as he shook his head back and forth, giggles erupting. “Help your grandfather up the steps and to his room, okay? I’ll be up soon.”
“Okay!” He jumped from your arms, now zooming to the older man who just turned his head with a wink and small laugh.
“Be careful my dear,” He muttered, allowing his grandson to lead him up, even despite being able to do the action on his own.
“You have a family? Oh my! This is something to tell the others, secret Y/n with more secrets!” Sprite began to scheme. “God imagine Druigs reaction.”
“Enough, let’s talk,” You waved your hand, a thick cloud of purple smoke appearing as the three around you coughed, trying to clear their throats. And as soon as it appeared, constricting their breaths and blinding their sights, it had disappeared, now allowing them to be inside a singular room with books lining the walls and a singular couch in the mere corner surrounded by dead plants and dirty tea sets.
“Y/n?” Sersi asked timidly, now looking all around the room as Ikaris was right by her side, clutching her hand as a way of safety and aiming his eyes at the fellow Eternal who was not present in the room. “We don’t want to fight,” She went on.
“I don’t either,” You appeared behind a shelf, shaking your head and tossing the book onto a table. “I wanted us to achieve some privacy. I haven’t had time to come in here and fix the place up, never expected guests.”
Soon Kingo exited behind a bookshelf with Karun coming behind him, shakily aiming the camera all around. They admired the new mysterious room, having no door to lead them out of it.
“Oh goodness there you all are. Where are we?” He questioned, rushing to the three as you took a seat on the couch.
“Guess the mist must’ve moved a bit outdoors, I didn’t realize you were so close Kingo. Why didn’t you come and say hello?”
“Y/n, this is truly amazing. Your powers would be great for the set design crew for my movies, have you seen them, oh this just looks so-”
“Realistic? Yeah, it is.”
“I thought it was only visions, temporary,” Ikaris wondered.
“You all can sense when something is temporary with my powers, correct? Well, are you feeling that now?”
“No?” Kingo questioned, looking at the three other Eternals for some sort of agreement.
“Then that answers it. This is the first time I’ve made something that will stay, even though it is not in a real area, yet somehow it works. I want to learn more of my powers and meet a certain someone on this planet. If the deviants are back that’ll destroy my chances. So, I’ll help,” You finally agreed, brushing down the pants you were wearing and extending a hand to your friend. “Maybe I’ve missed you a bit as well.”
She smiled, accepting the hand, Ikaris just scoffed as Sprite smiled at the reunion. You went up to bid your goodbyes to the young and older men, silently explaining your leave to the oldest as you slipped through the back door, joining the five in the car for their next eternal. The new trip to the new area welcomed a reunion with Gilgamesh and Thena A small new swell of hope infiltrated some of the Eternal’s hearts.
Amazon // Present Time
Yet, for those five Eternals, that new hope filling their chests quickly deflated upon their try of summoning the help of the mine controller, Druig. You decided not to partake in this recruiting, choosing to venture around the land and not having to meet the man. You were still a bit unsure of how to feel, and even a little anxiety seemed to flutter at the idea of more unexpected reunions.
Waltzing around the village, it was easy to take notice of their loss of control, they had some but not all. A young boy had walked over to you while you were seated on a wooden bench, he offered fruit before leading you back to an area where a small stack of wood lay. With a wave and a cloudy purple appearing, it was transformed into small little figurine toys of a car and trains.
The boy gasped in amazement, picking the new toys up and swinging them around the air before running to the other children nearby, showing off the new artifacts to them as they took their pick.
It was a sweet image, reminding you of the little boy at your recent home. He always was so kind to you, believing you were a true member of his family and fawning over any martial arts moves you showed off. He had the sweetest heart, and though you didn’t want to fully admit it, he and the other members staying where you stayed helped encourage you to help in the new daring activities.
You couldn’t help but currently feel the gazes of the children changing, ones of innocence now with intention. You could hear the loud slamming of a door not too far away, figuring it was due to the conversation with the mind controller you walked away from the confines of other people, wanting to move more towards the forest, alone.
“Y/n, where are you going?” Kingo questioned, rushing up to you as you continue your walk further into the forest. “Have we not decided to stick together? Are you already leaving?”
“There’s eyes all around, I don’t like it,” You huffed, slowing your pace so he could catch up. “What happened?”
“He does not agree with our choice, he wants to stay the way he is now. It’s not surprising you know how he acted when we were last all together. And he was even messing with my cameraman. But don’t worry, we didn’t mention already retrieving you,” Kingo reassured you, a light hand on your shoulder.
“Well, he practically knows, he’s just waiting. I don’t like not having my presence known when I don’t want it to be,” You mentioned, stepping over the prickly branches and ducking under the others.
“That’s why you are called Mystique, a perfect character for my movie that all would love. Though, getting you a new outfit would be important.”
“Bye,” You muttered, waving a hand as the trees bent, temporarily separating him from your path as you continued to make your way away.
The tree’s leaves slightly swayed from the wind, granting it to pick up your hair and make your extra breath that much more fulfilling. Everything felt like a lot for the moment, you’ve already seen many things but the recent news and change in your true objectives was confusing and annoying. Certain characteristics you stood by, like having the opportunity of mystery, were being taken away and it didn’t help.
The reappearance of Druig was not one you were ready to confront, for many reasons, and most importantly the annoying churning of your stomach at the thought of having to hold a true and honest conversation with him. It was annoying how despite not being human you still possessed the same feelings as them.
Muttering words in a comforting rhythm, you drifted up more into the sky, legs crossed and arms in lap as you kept with the words like lyrics to a song, one that would never leave your head. Though your moment of peace, clarity, was immediately interrupted, letting you land on your butt as the ground began to shake.
Quickly brushing your bottom off, you stood up, searching for the cause as a vicious beast soon appeared into your view, licking their grimy lips before trying to claw at you.
Jumping out of the way, your back hit the side of a tree. Yells and fighting could be heard in the distance, reminding you that others had come to infiltrate the area and were occupying your old friend’s time. Steadying yourself for a minute, you ducked as a large finger went for your head, you tumbled over to your right before getting back up with your hands ready.
Swirling a hand around the gas had appeared, clearing you from the view as the deviant kept stomping its way around, trying to make its height taller to be able to see through some of the gas. Placing a palm on the ground, you felt the dirt on your fingers, trying to allow the sight of a new tree, a specific one. You imagined the prickly one you’d acknowledged one summer centuries ago with Druig. The trees around soon transformed to this one, altering its original view and causing new branches to sprout, cutting through the deviant’s tail and arms.
As quickly as the tree appeared to falter the deviant’s strength, it turned into its original form, the deviant taking a step back as you saw a yellow glow from its body. It seemed to be healing itself in those damaged areas.
“What the hell,” You mumbled to yourself, watching the deviant come back to its original form. A part of you wanted to stare at it longer, try to get a closer look at the parts that were once cut being healed like Ajack was able to do. But the hand was swinging down, and your position wasn’t going to save you from its force.
Stomping on the ground allowed the image of ice to appear, letting you slide across the ground as the deviant had trouble getting situated to the new flooring, slipping up a bit before falling and cracking it. Sliding across, you moved your foot in a circle, now icicles moving up from the ice in a sharp shape, you sent them forward, plunging into the gross skin as a yelp was heard.
“Hello? Anyone?” You yelled, trying to look around the forest in your other moment of a breath, anyone to help you get this done a bit faster, you felt rusty at this moment. The deviant regained its balance, chasing towards you as the ice disappeared and the ground was its original image.
It quickly caught you off guard, the large mutant rushing towards you to land a nice punch-type feeling to your gut, sending you back a bit of way into a tree. Shaking your head and trying to steady your breath, it was making another move to try and continue beating you down. Your view moved to your shoe, noticing the knife hidden in the little pocket you kept on your calf. You grabbed the sharp object, and regained your balance, summoning up ground to give you leverage. Stepping on the now risen ground, you jumped on the back of the deviant, changing the view of the knife to a large spear and plunging it into its neck.
The deviant dropped down, blood spurting out and all over as your knife returned to its form and you left the odd feeling back.
“Shit,” Wiping your forehead, you were now feeling much different after this battle than at the dojo, now used to the human saying of a ‘good workout’.
Looking down at your form, you transformed the view of your clothing to one with less blood, dirt, and other substances you’d rather not imagine. Picking up the pace you rushed out of the forest to find the other Eternals all gathering together, admiring the view of a deviant being transformed into a tree.
“Oh?” The words left your mouth before you could stop them, causing glares to turn to you at the appearance of yourself.
“You really missed it, Y/n, there was this huge battle and the deviants came!” Sprite ran over to you, shaking you in the lightest that a small wince came out due to former pain from hitting the tree.
“How did you not hear? How are you so clean?” Kingo walked over, wiping his own forehead as he huffed. “You’re so lucky you didn’t have to beat one of those things.”
“I did,” You simply answered. “Not in that way though,” You pointed to the new tree, looking over at Sersi who held a gaze of confusion herself, though it was clear she had performed the action.
“I don’t know how I did it,” She commented, staring at the work, drenched from the former water that was consuming her.
“I see you’ve joined their plan,” Druig stepped more into view, a cocky smirk now taking over his formally plan look. “This is…. unexpected.”
“Hi.”
“Hello, shall we chat my beautiful, beautiful Y/n?”
summary - it is the beginning of a new season and hopefully a new love
status - unedited
apart of - secret heart
—————————
“Why Daph, I am absolutely horrified,” You whispered to your friend as she stood besides you, getting her corset fitted tighter.
“Why has that feeling overcome you?” She turned her head to the side, eyes falling on yours, as she winced in the slightest.
“This is yours and I’s first season. I hold no worries of you being courted but I have a few regarding me. Henri holds no knowledge on courting. He was only focused on finding a eligible woman for Patrick,” You complained, speaking of your eldest brothers.
Henri was the one assigned to help you find a man, your father away with his travels and mother having been gone for a while. You held little hope for the man, one who was too blind to try and find a lover for himself.
Last year he had gone mad trying to find a young woman who would be perfect for your other brother Patrick, just to learn she was unfaithful and her reputation was demolished. Patrick spent extra nights at home, tear stains on pillows.
You imagined that would be the end of the rendezvous of the heir to the family’s name, though that event just inspired him to keep continuing.
“Will he not focus on Patrick? Finding another woman for him to wed?” Daphne wondered, now getting her dress on, maids standing by and puffing it out to the desired look.
“He must. Last evening he wrote to Sébastian, hoping for advice on tonight’s events. The man is away at university, no worries of us and my courting, humorous that he would assume so.”
“Sébastian will return home soon? He always held trouble in his hands,” Daphne recounted the numerous times the older boy played pranks on her and her friend, scheming with her elder brothers as well, ruining their evenings.
“Lady Karington, your maid is calling for you to return,” A housekeeper arrived into the room, announcing for you as you bid a quick goodbye to your dear friend, leaving the home to retreat back to your own.
While descending down the stairs, mind focused on the events that would soon transpire, you bumped into a figure walking up the stairs. Bowing your head, a string of apologies left your lips before soft laughter fell from their lips.
“What has you all nervous Lady Karington?” The eldest boy of the Bridgertons questioned, taking a step back to open up more space between the two of you.
“I apologize, I must carry on with my daily plans. No time to chat,” You bowed once more, now fastening your pace away from the only man in the family that could truly cause something like heat to rise to your cheeks. The color wasn’t always noticeable, yet you could notice the feeling of it.
You lived only a door down, taking the short walk with your maid as she chatted to you about the dress that would soon be adorning your figure.
“I ought to take the prettiest of the group and have her breed my children within three days time, is that what you’re proposing?” You heard a voice yell, quickly their figure exiting the office with much fury.
“You sound ridiculous, I had not proposed that. You could breed children in a months time!” Henri yelled after the boy, paper in his hand with a quill as a boy ran off down the halls, a door slammed resounding though the halls. “Sister, you’ve finally arrived. The help are ready to attend to your appearance.”
“Henri, who was that?”
“Sébastian has arrived home for the new season. He must be married now, his time at university is limited.”
“Has he not still have studies to attend to?”
“Plans have changed, new times are arising and we must all prepare,” He hummed, searching through the list of papers in his hands and handing one to you. “A list of needed requirements for your appearance. One was handed to each of the maids.”
“You ‘ought to be joking,” You shook your head, reading through the carefully written list, lines and curves with precision. He had chosen everything, and when reading down you knew the items he had chosen, did not match with each other.
“Follow carefully, now go I must speak with Patrick,” He waved his hands, now setting his eyes on a new target as you moved up your own stairs.
When making it to your dressing area, discretely chatting with the maids and help you all concluded on going with a different look and pretending it were his choices.
The purple gown soon lay on your figure, beautiful violet with thread forming shapes of lavender scatter throughout the sheer purple sleeves. It was tighter fitting, and a bit lengthy, but truly showed your curves.
Your hair was high above your head, weaved into magnificent braids that were then tied together. The earrings put into the holes of your ears were family heirlooms, perfect for the events ahead, and other fancy jewelry scattered throughout your body.
It was a special view that you only wish your mother could have been here for. Thanking the maids and meeting down the stairs with your fellow siblings, soon gathering inside the carriage and making your way to the next extravagant home.
“You shall all wed this season,” Henri had eventually spoken up, fixing one of his cuffs as a new feeling had filtered into the little area.
“Most humorous brother, though I refuse. The last incident was enough,” Patrick commented, hitting his knee with yours so you’d chime in.
“Will you be wedding as well Henri?” You wondered, quickly making your view look out the window at the scenery of the town pass you by as you made your way to the ball.
“My duty is to focus on my siblings,” He responded, elbowing the side of Sébastian. “This lad shall find one before his adventure back to his studies.”
“You’re absolutely infuriating,” He mumbled, crossing his arms across his own chest. “My duties are to catch up with friends. Possibly have a glass or two.”
One walking into the large room, your eyes quickly drifted to the beautiful groups of people out on the dance floor, being spun around and smiling with joy. You wanted to rush down there and find a partner, have fun in the moment, yet your arm was pulled back by Patrick.
“We shall stand by each other, yes?”
“I think Lady Solanstine is staring over at you. Should you possibly indulge in a conversation with her?” You smiled as he rolled his eyes, the woman walking over with her own brother following behind. “Why look, we could marry siblings.”
His glare showcasing his annoyance was now caused by your teasing, a light kick to the side of your dress was caused by your brother who wiped a fake smile over his face once the two arrived closer.
“Lady Karington? May I have your first dance?” The man of their household questioned, you held up the sheet to him as he signed his name with joy and took your hand, beginning to lead you away.
“Lord Solanstine, please excuse me, I must steal her away for a moment,” Daphne snuck over, politely bowing her head and trying to take your other hand. “A woman’s issue.”
“Oh, yes. Shall we postpone this till later?” You smiled at him nodding, and letting the girl slowly pull you away only to quickly turn you around with a face of worry on her features.
“You’ve arrived late! I was in need of you earlier,” She quietly whined, shaking your hand a bit as her eyes were scanning all around.
“My brothers were arguing the whole ride. They led to Henri stopping the carriage. It was a disaster. What is the problem now?”
“Anthony.”
“Anthony?”
“He is much more of a disaster! No man is allowed to try and dance with me, he shoos them all away! You must help me, have a moment with him as I chat with others, I beg.”
“Of course, Daph, please inform me when. A few dances and I’ll happily oblige to this request-”
“Here he comes, converse, thank you,” She pushed you in the slightest towards his way and scurried off into the distance. You watched her gracefully slow down her pace and fix her dress, charming smile on lips as a man took her hand in his.
“Lady Karington, I noticed you arrived later than most,” Anthony walked over to your side, turning his full view onto you as he took in your image.
“Brothers,” You lightly chuckled, plastering a small smile as a large one took over his own lips, a soft laugh leaving them and a hand running through his hair.
“I understand. Why I have three troublesome ones as well,” He lightly nodded, looking down at his pants before slightly wiping his palms on it and turning his eyes back to your features. You looked around the room, almost expectingly, possibly trying to avoid a certain person.
“Lord Bridgerton, do you believe this shall be the season a young madame and her firstly mama will have their festivities with you?” You pondered, slightly rising your height as you whispered the statement, giggling in the slightest afterwards, “I could just imagine it now.”
“I do hope to focus on Daphne this season. I would assume she has already informed you of my adventures to help her.”
“Indeed,” You once again looked around the room, his gaze still lingering on your figure as you peered over at the front entrance. “I shall not waste your precious minutes with dull conversation.”
“I do not mind. Daphne is simply indulging in small talk, I feel we may as well,” He responded, eyes shining as he spoke in a slightly quieter voice. “You are to be courted this season?”
“Yes, that is the ideal.”
“I can not think of a man in the area willing to deal with your curiosity.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“You would always wonder to the pond as a child, your brother Sébastian pushing you in the slightest as you fell,” He laughed a little, reminiscing in the memory. “Who shall be around and pull you away?”
“I was merely a child, I’m much more grown now,” You huffed, eyebrows furrowing at his accusation.
“Or the time where you were chasing after Eloise, scratching your knee that I had to hastily bandage the injury up. I believe you were the age of four-ten,” He reminded you, stepping a little closer and taking the sheet that was snugged around your wrist into his arm.
“Lord Bridgerton?”
“This melody, one you enjoy? We both can avoid other matters for the moment, yes?”
You nodded nervously, letting your fingernails dig into your palm as he swiftly wrote his full name down, taking your hand lightly into his as you got into position.
Soon the twirling began, dancing around the outer circle of the room filled with giddy smiles and eager feet. Small laughter echoed about, watching the eldest Bridgerton show much concentration in the moves he was dancing. Your faces always a appropriate measure away, studying the little glint in his forehead at how much effort he was putting into this moment, it was flattering.
Though the action was enjoyable, it ended, and the idea of another was quickly pushed away as another man took your hand a whisked you away back onto the dance floor, muttering sweet words of his estates and your appearance.
Anthony caught his breath for a moment, standing by a table before picking up a drink and swallowing half the glass, eyes watching as you smiled politely at the new partner, nodding with kindness. He merely forgot about earlier statements of wishes to be unwed and not hold a relationship. It was odd how you elicited his attention so much he was willing to avoid the duties that came with being a older brother, duties revolving around Daphne.
The boy finally got a grasp on his original priorities and set himself off to be busy with his sister, attending to finding her a eligible suitor who might not be one of the young men at this current ball.
“Thank you once again Lord Billings, it was a splendid dance. I’m afraid my sheet has filled and I’m feeling rather fatigue. I’ll venture back to my brothers now,” You told the man, letting your hands fall back to your side and then fixing your hair as his hand was firmly lingering too close to the piece.
You felt the pressure of having taunting and mysterious men try to steal you away for their own pleasure, wanting to retreat to some sort of comfort for the time being. You searched around the large room for a familiar face, Daphne now conversing with what looked like to be the duke, and most of your brothers attentions stolen by a beautiful woman.
“Is there a problem?” Henri inquired, somehow by your side with the slight list in his hand. “Shall I help you find another for tomorrow’s events, another who will court you?”
You quickly shook your head, taking a step back. “No, that will not be needed Henri. I must be true with you. What has overcome you with all this eagerness? You’ve always been one for planning, this event isn’t as planned through as normal.”
“Father has informed me of wishes through a recent letter, wanting his children to be wed. His adventures becoming quite costly, yet important,” He revealed, slightly teetering on his own feet, a new image for such a poise and proper man. He’d always had everything in tight order and these new circumstances were throwing that off.
“Do the others know?”
“Sébastian, he does not do well with father. This shall remain a secret, and a wife will do him well. Having more boundaries with his recklessness away, venturing there for long enough.”
“You understand how much he wished to voyage.”
“He is immature, a rake, unfit for the standards are father has made for our family,” He shook his head, absolute disgust. “I care for you, and shall not force you to have someone’s hand. I do hope you just receive someones.”
“Excuse me,” You tell your brother, stepping away from his form and following over to a empty table and chair, beautiful treats lining the table across with breathtaking floral arrangements and such.
It was all so much, something you originally thought you were prepared for. Prepared to jump into this world of lavishness and find a great suitor, respectable suitor, keep the honor to your families name. Yet now, it seemed all so much more overwhelming.
“Your brother, Patrick, truly expresses his anger with Henri,” A Bridgerton commented, making their way to a open seat near you, older couples and such sitting around and across from the two of you. “The man wishes not to be wed so soon.”
“It’s a similar feeling in this family, to not be wed,” You mention, sighing slightly at the idea of having to be stuck with a unlovable man holding high finances just for your fathers happiness. “I do recall Eloise sharing that idea as well.”
“Yes,” Benedict chuckled, reaching for his glass. “I’d rather take time as well, Colin might be the most willing. I wish to take time on my artwork, I’m sure Patrick has complained about my rambling regarding it.”
“He has,” You honestly agreed. “I’d think this would be a fine time for Lord Bridgerton, to find a perfect young lady.”
“He feels the position of a holder to be his main duty. Keeping the family intact and says he has no desire to wed. Though if he received a moment for a breath and to think, he’d look at you,” Benedict revealed, soon standing up. “I see a kind lady, I might just ask for a dance,” He pushed in his chair, leaving you to sit and ponder about his last sentence.
You watched as he gracefully swooped into the young woman’s view, chatting with a small smile as her cheeks were painted in a pink. You’d know Benedict for a long time, the Bridgerton and Karington family always holding a close relationship due to the factor of having sons in the same age catagory, and you and Daphne.
Benedict had always been polite, besides a few tricks here and there, but held a kind smile. He knew how to be on time dispute the eldest for reasons you wished to refrain from remembering. He just had other passions, and sometimes you would listen to your brother whisper these passions of his, admiring the work his friend would create in private. It sounded like the second oldest Bridgerton could be quite a artist.
“Are you not supposed to be dancing near those ungrateful rakes?” Eloise inquired, plopping down on the seat besides you, moving her hand over to land ontop of a sweet treat.
“My feet have blisters lining their bottoms, I feel that my dance is at its end for the evening,” You replied, moving in your chair to stare at the girl who just looked at the crowd with disgust. “And you?”
“Dance with a man, one who doesn’t understand anything on how to treat someone well. I couldn’t fathom such a idea,” She shook her head. “Penelope could, she stand out by her sisters waiting for a animal to take her hand.”
“Penelope is like many girls here.”
“Like my sister,” She mumbled.
“You must allow your sister a pause, if anyone, you should know how brutal not finding a match can do to a woman’s status, her life.”
“Though that statement holds truth, Daphne enjoys this, wants to spend her life sitting in a nest, stuck and confined.”
“Many young ladies hope to hold a happy family like your parents. It is perfectly acceptable if they choose this as your choice shall be as well. I must excuse myself Eloise, and travel back to my quarters as the clock is looking untimely,” You stood up, bowing to the young girl who just lightly huffed and searched around for a family figure just wandering the crowds.
Your eyes soon landed on your brother Sébastian, standing with a woman by his side who was waving her fan near his face and chest pushed out.
“Why Lord L/n, you are very attractive compared to the frequent crowd,” She blushed, grabbing onto his hand as he quickly retracted if. “Oh!”
“I must take my leave,” He bowed, downing the last of his drink and grabbing your hand to help filter through the crowds where your other two brothers stood waiting. “I was not as successful as I would hope.”
“With finding a wife?” Henri wondered.
“Or just finding a gal to take home for the night?” Patrick laughed as he got slapped on the shoulder by Henri.
“You two are not taking this task seriously,” He shook his head. “Tomorrow you are to go and call onto two respectable ladies as I stand back to help Y/n with her callers.”
The awaited afternoon soon arrived, your brother Henri impatiently making the maids wake you up and touch up your look, needing it to be the up most presentable.
He complained and pushed while you thought back onto the words of the second eldest Bridgerton, words reveling the true feelings of Anthony and his goals for the future.
“Now you shall sit hear and abide to all the men who’ve traveled to court you. Use the most respectable smile and nice words. This is important,” Henri reminded you as you were seated onto the lush couch and the doors were opened, allowing young men to filter in with flowers and candies, cocky grins on their features.
The day seemed to be never ending, the men all went past their due time, lolling on about farm animals and hopes of children, only a select few wondering about you. It was not admiring in the slightest, making you want to huddle up in your room with a quill and write your feelings about the current moment.
“Lady L/n,” The man who tried to dance the night before bowed, taking a seat besides you with something different in his hands, a small journal.
Lord Solanstine stood before you, kind smile gracing his lips and a purple suit on his figure, he had gracious darker skin and a deadly wink, easily gaining any women he pleased as long as they would just try and chat with him.
He’d come from a wealthy family, and due to that became more reserved, limited friendships and spending most of his own time alone, but you’d chat with him once regarding his writing. That is what allowed him the confidence to try and dance with you last night until Daphne had news of a woman problem, steering you away.
“I hope you accept this journal, filled with a small writing I’ve been working on. Something I would be honored to have your comment on,” He sat down gently, placing it in your hand as for the first time that evening your mind drifted away from boredom and disappointment regarding Anthony.
“Mine? Are you positive?”
“When you originally read my other work, correcting me on one of the tasks the main character was doing, it revealed something new and inspired me to write more. You’re very intelligent indeed.”
“That’s, that is very kind of you,” You nodded, taking the notebook in your hands with a bashful smile.
“I hope I am not to late to try and help your heart. I noticed Lord Bridgerton taking his turn with you the evening before, had he arrived early? I didn’t catch him in the line.”
“Lord Bridgerton, he’s not a man who wishes to wed. He’s not a man for me,” You replied, more as if you were saying it to yourself, trying to convince yourself that it would never work out, the small words of Benedict meant nothing.
“Ah, I suppose there is truth to that, regarding his relationship with the young singer across town,” He had hummed, tapping his thigh before gently taking your hand in his. “I assure you, I have no such adventures.”
“Ah.”
You enjoyed the following moments with the young lord, he was filled with kindness and cared more for learning of you than chatting about himself. It was a nice breath considering how the air felt today, Henri standing in the corner watching everything go down and the absence of Anthony.
You made a promise to Lord Solanstine that you would chat soon, possibly over a cup of tea or frequent a park, letting him leave with a grin and you head to your chambers.
Sitting on the white comforter, so luxurious and soft, you knew that as soon as your body lay on the fluffed pillows your mind would drift off. Reaching over for the small quill and badly made notebook, you began to scribble down notes of the day, pros and cons regarding all the men who had arrived.
And soon the journal was being used to pour out words of upset with Anthony, how it was time to get over the little crush lingering for years. You couldn’t help but think that if he did hold something, he would’ve shown up, even if you didn’t end up fully marrying or even having a small relationship with each other in the future.
The news of him with the singer, you’d heard rumors from Daphne, always more careful with her words than Eloise who just blabbed, but it was still a bit upsetting.
Placing your journal to the side, you laid your head down, staring up at the cream colored ceiling and making the final decision to try and find some warm milk.
Rubbing your eyes and finding a new item of fabric to cover yourself more, you ventured down to the kitchen, fetching the kettle and milk, trying to learn how to heat the stove.
Unfortunately, while you were getting close to figuring out the new machine, a knock startled you. You clutched your heart, slowly turning around to find no one, and now grabbed your candle to move to the front door, peaking through the small window to sadly find a once wanted face.
“My lord you shall not be here at such a hour,” You whispered, poking your head around the home, only light coming from the small candle in your hand.
The large area adorning your front door had all its busy staff evacuated, returning back to their own rooms to get a nice rest.
“What if I wasn’t the one to answer?” You whisper yelled, staring down and then back at him.
“I wasn’t able to come and court you,” Anthony began, pulling out a bunch of flowers from behind his back, pushing them into your hands as you admired the vibrant colors and heavy scent. “I had other matters, most unfortunate I wasn’t here to do it the respectful way.”
“Lord Bridgerton, the flowers are a kind gesture. You must leave though, this actions of yours is inappropriate, we have no chaperone,” You whispered, placing the flowers onto the side table near your door.
“I shall be quick, I do have to return to my own home as well to finish up duties.”
“I have no use for your flowers, my lord,” You looked back at where they sat on the small stand, placing your candle there and picking them back up to place on his hands. “They deserve to be in another’s home, not mine. Goodnight.” You whispered, shutting the door lightly and leaving the man to stare into the dark brown door with confusion.
Stepping away, you scurried back up the steps, heart racing as you didn’t know if to regret or be thankful for your most recent decision.
summary - you’ve never been on a picnic and schmidt declares to make this the best one
warnings - drinking, mentions of sex
apart of - budding love series
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“Have you seen the announcement about the park opening up? We should all go! See the kids-”
“That sounds kinda of predatory,” Nick interrupted Jess.
“It does not,” She argued, crossing her arms as she sat by you on the couch. You shrugged your shoulders, helping clasp Cece’s necklace on before turning your attention back to the water you’d been drinking.
“Wanting to see kids, it kinda does,” Winston added.
“I’m a teacher! I work with kids!”
“Not worth the argument, Jess,” You intervene, putting a hand on her shoulder and shaking your head back and forth.
“Anything can be worth the argument, who knows this passionate fight can later lead to some passionate love-making,” Schmidt waltzed over, plopping down on the side right next to you, and throwing his arm over your shoulders.
“Jar!” The three roommates chimed, the man grudgingly removing himself and placing a ten in the glass container.
“We could have a picnic!” Jess suggested. “I can make mini sandwiches and-”
“If we’re doing a picnic, I would need to plan it. You don’t know your outdoor napkins from your indoor napkins,” Schmidt laughed, shaking his head. “It’s a disgrace to the exquisite dining on a picnic blanket. But I don’t feel like going through all that work.”
“We could play a game of football?”
“Last time I almost died,” Nick butted in.
“We can’t have another one of those,” Winston agreed, taking his sandwich and moving to a open seat on the couch. “Why do we have to go out, and do it all together? What if I want to hang out with my girlfriend and go to the park with her?”
“You hang out with her all the time,” Jess whined. “Come on guys!” She threw her hands in the air, soon burrowing her face into her palms. “I just want to have fun with my friends,” She mumbled into her skin.
“All of you just suck it up and go to the park. It’s not like anyone of you have anything better to do so stop being little bitches,” Cece announced, shaking her head. “Do something for the girl that keeps you all together.”
“If I wasn’t with Shelby, that would be very convincing,” Winston responded, taking a bite of the sandwich.
“I don’t have a shift at the bar tomorrow, and if you promise you’ll bring something to drink there, I’m in,” Nick decided.
“I’m not, I will not let the hotness of Cece get to me. I just don’t have the time with my work and everything to prepare a spec-”
“It doesn’t sound that bad, I’m in,” You cut him off, lightly smiling at your friend who’s smile just got even larger.
“Me too! Me too! I’ll start planning on what to bring. Y/n, which bread would you prefer focaccia or pita?”
You lied on Jess’s bed, watching her rummage through her closet for the perfect hat for this opening.
“It’s going to be amazing! The kids sliding down the slide, green grass, friendly new friends!” She beamed, spinning around and lying a round, big pink hat onto her head. “I feel this one says, ‘fancy and friendly miss pinkerton,’” She spoke in a accent.
“No, no. Jess, though this is a mediocre event, that hat should never come out,” Cece denied, taking the hat off as Jess let out a gasp of disbelief.
You laid on your stomach, messing with the ends of your hair as you watched the two of your friends interact.
“She could be going to a all pink party, that would be a perfect hat for that,” You giggle as Jess eagerly nods her head while Cece just sighs. “But, for Cece and her model stake, possibly choose a different one.”
“Ugh, fine,” She walked back into her closet, sliding the large metal door and turning to her collection. “Should I do a yellow one, or orange? The dress I was going to wear was pink, but now I should change it.”
“Yes, please!” Cece groaned, walking into the closet after the girl. “What about this one?”
“What are you ladies doing in here?” Schmidt waltzed in, plopping himself besides you. “Ready to get your picnic on?” He looked over at you, eyes gleaming with anticipation and happiness.
“I’ve never been on a picnic before, so, I guess.”
“You’ve- you have never been on a picnic?” He questioned, repeating your statement with a look of disbelief. “No guy has ever taken you, the smoking hot you, on a picnic date?”
“No, why is that so surprising?”
“Wha- why?! Jess! Jess!” He started to yell, your friend frantically leaving the closet with her dress on oddly, staring over at the two of you in fear as Cece popped her head out from behind.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“Y/n has never had a picnic before!”
“You haven’t? Oh my! This has to be the best one ever, I’m wearing the pink hat!”
“I have to go make sure I have the right spread and that the meats are sliced correctly along with the cheese tray,” Schmidt mumbled to hisself, leaving the room and back out to the kitchen.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” You sat up in the bed, fixing the way your jeans rested on your hips. “Don’t make this a big deal, please Jess.”
“Well, it’s your first, and special-”
“Jess!”
“Fine, fine,” She grumbled, placing down the frilly hat she was going to gift to you. “I’ll pick a different hat besides the pink.”
“I don’t think you should dress fancy anyways. Weren’t we going to play football?”
“Right! Oh! I have the perfect shirt for that,” She stuck her hand in a pile of clothes and pulled out a jersey looking shirt that said ‘Puppy Player’. “Got it from a student!”
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Nick questioned, you all stood outside of the car, holding onto different items and observing the land where the picnic was to be held.
The grass was a dirty color, nothing like a nice green. The park had been rusting, slide that was once silver was now more of a brown and the swing set was filled with cigarette buds all over the ground. The ladder leading to the slide held a woman chatting with another who sat on the steps with drinks in their hands. There weren’t any trees in the area, like the whole ‘park’ was cleared out of any signs of happy life.
“There are no friendly friends,” She huffed, turning back around to face all of you. “This is the correct address!” She grabbed the paper, tossing it Cece’s way.
“Where did you even find the paper?” Winston wondered.
“At the coffee shop, not to far down, the one that’s really cheap with the broken windows. The woman who takes my money always smiles and thanks me!”
“It says here, the opening was five years ago. You forgot to look at the year,” Cece revealed as noises of groans filtered throughout your area.
“Jess! How could this be, I worked hard to make this spread, filtering through many markets to find the best and now-”
“I’m so sorry, Y/n,” She mumbled, walking over and throwing her arms over your figure. “It’s my fault that you won’t be able to experience a picnic.”
“It’s not a big deal,” You lightly patted her head. “I’ll be fine.”
“It is a big deal, your first time should be great, amazing, not at this dump,” Schmidt cut in, as you sent him a glare when Jess tightened her hold.
“It’s not so bad,” Cece spoke, her face showing one of disgust but her tone kinder.
“Uh yeah,” Winston began. “At least there is enough room for us to set our blanket down.”
“We still have a pack of beer, those taste good anywhere,” Nick continued.
“Really?” Jess looked up in your hold, sad eyes.
“Yeah, this is just great. We still have the spread Schmidt made, right?” You turned to the man who was tapping his foot repeatedly, muttering words of frustration to himself and gripping the basket harshly.
“This is not the place where my spread should make a appearance. It’s not worthy of all the effort and time I’ve put into-”
“Right, Schmidt?” You repeated as you could sense Jess’s mood saddening, sending him a threatening glare.
“Yeah, this is fine,” He whispered, Jess letting you go to walk out and start to spread the blanket on the grass.
You all followed, settling onto the fabric as Nick started to remove beers from the container, passing them along your group to all hear the satisfying opening noise and take a chug. Schmidt placed himself on the side of you, hesitantly taking out his spectacular spread of foods, ranging from different breads to unique cheese and fine jelly.
Winston kept trying to grab some of the food only to receive a hand slapping as Schmidt continued his organizing, trying to perfectly place the edible items onto the tray.
“All done,” He stuck his hands out, listening to claps sound about and small whistles as a sort of congratulation. “You must go first,” He commanded you, as you reached your hand over, picking up a item and ate it with a satisfied look.
“M, this jelly is amazing!” Cece complimented, eating a bit more with the low calorie crackers, mentioning more comments on how she had to model the next morning.
“This meat is so, so eloquent, I’m, I’m amazed,” Winston mentioned, eating down more as Jess and nick dug in as well, the two truly enjoying the nice platter and items that were offered, all while everyone was nursing their beers.
“You did a good job with this, thanks,” You turned to Schmidt, complimenting his work as he cheeks lit up to a faint pink.
He shook his head back and forth a bit, picking up another piece of food and started to move it towards your own lips, you dodged out of the way, watching how he fell over with his arm now hanging in Jess’s lap and chest in yours.
You all broke out into laughter, you also scrambling to push him away as he just sat with a grumpy features, shoving the food into his own mouth.
Eventually, you had all gathered off into groups. Jess and Cece deciding on going to try and look at some plants a bit of ways, yet still able to see them. Nick and Winston went off with their drinks, offering some to the other women at the crusty park, laughing at stupid jokes as their brains were now muddled with the bit of amount of alcohol they consumed.
You laid out on the picnic blanket, staring up at the darkening sky with a beer in your hand by your side. Schmidt soon got into the same position, laying right next to you, staring over into your eyes as you kept your glare straight above.
“Did you know the moon makes me ever more irresistible?” He inquired, a smile tugging at his lips as you let a laugh leave your own.
“I thought every light did that,” You turned your head to face him as he now chuckled.
“Well, yes, of course. But the moon shines down on my beautiful features so greatly, it makes it hard for any women to resist me.”
“Is that so? I don’t believe you.”
“Aren’t you feeling the need to kiss my plush, red lips right now, ones that are ready to open up an-”
“If we were at the apartment, that would be a jar moment,” You sat up now, taking a sip of your beer as Schmidt went into the same position.
“You ruined the moment.”
“There was no moment.”
“There could’ve been if this park was a bit nicer.”
“You’re still upset about that? I like it, reminds me of my own childhood, kind of comforting.”
“This, oh no, how could this be comforting?” You shoved his arm, him falling back into the blanket to quickly regain his posture once again, brushing off his shirt from invisible things. “Not cool.”
“You did a good job, this is a nice first picnic,” You continued on. “Better than going to a crowded park, crazy kids running all around and loud, barking dogs and annoying yoga moms.”
“They are the best part!”
“For you. For me, just getting to drink with friends in peace is, well it’s not the worst.”
“You were going to say it’s the best. Meaning that I would’ve been the best. I mean, makes sense I have impeccable game in the lower area, something you will eventually find out.”
“Schmidt, if you don’t shut up I’m going to go and get drunk with those Russian moms over there, and they have the good vodka.”
“Fine! I’m going to be quiet now, just going to be thinking about us and how amazing you’d look under me in this lighting.”
“You just had to-”
“I just had to, and, I just have to do this,” He leaned over, cupping your cheeks and planting his lips onto yours, letting them take in the feels as yours and his loved with each other’s.
It was for a short moment, but when you departed the look on his face could only be described as pure shock. “What was-”
“This light really does do something! You, you enjoyed it, you were going to put that hand on my chest I just know it!”
“Shut up!”
“You were wanting some more of Schmidt Lovin’, you were lovin’ up on the spectacular Schmidt. Your face was literally melting into my hand and-”
“Look at the flower we got! Took a bit of the journey but the purple color is so pretty!” Jess exclaimed, seating herself in the middle of you and Schmidt as Cece sat on the other side. “It belongs in your hair.”
“Oh, uh, thanks you two.”
“Why does Schmidt looked like he just saw some mom in yoga pants doing laundry with fresh linens?” Winston chuckled, walking back over as Schmidt just stared over at you and Cece with a look of love.
“No clue, snap out of it Schmidt!” You quickly muttered, leaning over to smack his cheek lightly as he shook his head, looking back at you as your friend stared questionably.
“You okay buddy?” Nick now asked, leaning onto him as he took a seat on the large blanket right by him. “Is this blanket not some silk from India or something?”
“It’s actually made of fleece from a shop in Sweden, they make very soft blankets,” He corrected, looking at his friend. “I just am mesmerized by the moon, that’s all,” He laughed, pointing up at it as Jess ‘awed’.
“It is kind of pretty,” Winston admitted, the six of you all admiring the view now. “I haven’t seen something like this since that romance movie Jess made us watch.”
“It’s late, and we’ve all had enough drinks to make us do some silly stuff,” You laughed, standing up and brushing off your pants, bending back over to try and gather some of the utensils to put back in the basket. “Let’s head home, I’ve got uh, a bunch of things to do tomorrow.”
“I thought you were going to the movies with us tomorrow?” Cece wondered.
“Yeah! I have that free coupon for five movie tickets!”Jess reminded you.
“Well, hey, if you have five, and it’s free, I’ll come,” Nick spoke, laying next to Jess as you and Cece were the only ones trying to clean up a bit, along with Schmidt.
“I’ve got a date with Shelby,” Winston dragged out her name, winking at you five as Nick just rolled his eyes. “Meaning I can’t go, you know?”
“You weren’t even invited,” Cece commented.
“Well, if I was going to be, then I wouldn’t come. Okay?”
“I’m free tomorrow, I’ll take the last ticket and I make a killer movie snack to go bag,” Schmidt declared.
“Great, the whole gang! Minus Winston with the girlfriend,” Jess spoke in her funny voice. “We’ll all go see a romance movie, together!”
“Together? With the guys? Thought this would be a girls thing?” You tried to clarify.
“Yeah, with the guys, don’t be nervous,” Jess waved her hand, standing up as well as everyone was now helping to pack up. “It’ll be fun!”
“Guess we’ll see each other once more,” Schmidt smiled over to you.
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