related to your (extremely valid) rant that Benedict is So Tired And Done, can I request a fic of Benedict and Sophie the moment that our poor boy gets a moment to rest and Sophie being gentle with him? he definitely deserves a nap, ideally in her arms
The word "betrothed" comes out of his mouth slightly slurred, and Sophie knows instantly that whatever fumes Benedict has been running on are swiftly running out.
They dance in the terrace, and she teases him gently. By the time she promises him forever, he is quite literally ready to drop.
"Benedict," she whispers after their kiss. "How long has it been since you have had a real night's sleep?"
He looks at her in confusion, his green eyes a little dazed. "Mm?"
"You need rest."
"I am well." He looks around and holds her closer as a cold wind blows through and he shivers.
"You are about to drop and I cannot carry you," Sophie argues gently. "I am taking you to bed."
"Are you?" He slurs out flirtily.
She rolls her eyes and takes his hand, tugging him gently into the house and up the stairs. Thankfully they don't run into anyone, and the walk to his bedroom is quiet.
His room is blissfully warm, as one of the staff has come through and lit the fire, but even so, he shivers again, clearly just too tired.
Sophie works to undo the buttons on his clothes. She unties his cravat and carefully pushes his jacket off of him. She pushes his suspenders off of his arms and then gently pushes him to sit on the bed.
"Boots off," she orders softly.
He nods and tugs them off clumsily, and when he's done, she tugs his shirt over his head.
It amazes her how much older his clothes make him look. Sitting like this, his hair mussed, and eyes drooping, his torso bare, he seems so vulnerable.
Sophie strokes his hair and he leans into her touch, his eyes slipping closed.
She drops a kiss on the top of his head and then helps him out of his breeches, leaving him in just his pants.
"Lay down," she tells him.
"Hold on," he mutters, getting to his feet again.
"Benedict-"
"You cannot sleep in a ballgown, and I do not wish you to leave," he tells her, pulling a shirt from his armoire and then stepping back over.
His attempts to undo her dress are slow, but he does manage it, and it soon joins his clothes on the floor, along with her corset.
Sophie goes to clean it all up, and he stops her by slipping the shirt over her head.
He stands back and gazes at her, sighing softly. "If I were not so exhausted, I would ravish you."
She smiles and flushes, snuggling into the shirt, and then pushes him down onto the bed. "A full night's sleep."
Benedict pulls her in, settling her on his lap. "I am well."
"You did not answer my question from before," she chides. "The last real night's sleep?"
He looks at her sheepishly. "The last time we spent the night in this room together."
She stares at him in surprise. "Benedict."
He shrugs.
She sighs and kisses him tenderly. "Lay down."
They shift around together and eventually wind up under the covers. She strokes his hair as he starts to fade out.
"Do not leave me," he mutters.
"I am not going anywhere," Sophie promises. "You will wake up and I will be right here."
She gets no response. His breathing deepens in sleep, and she curls in agsinst him.
