I saw you like well-developed, researched, authentic sapphic historical fiction (such as Summerland) and I've just gotta ask you: have you heard of Burn the House Down by Kenna Jenkins? It's an alternate history novel abt the 1st woman president in 1945 and her secret interracial sapphic relationship and her bearded marriage with her mlm best friend/biggest foil. It also has a subplot about arson at the White House, ft. an entirely queer main cast and really fleshed out characters, and has a really satisfying ending!
I hadn't heard of it but thank you for the rec! I will add it to my list.
The most unbelievable thing about Summerland (2020) wasn’t interracial cottage core lesbians being brought back together by fate and living happily ever after while raising their son during WW II. The most unbelievable part was that I was supposed to buy Gemma Arterton as a frumpy, haggard spinster when they did nothing to change her ridiculously stunning face.Â
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Their Finest (2016)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Tom Buckley/Catrin Cole
Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley
Additional Tags: Romance, Marriage Proposal, Happy Ending, Sickfic, Character Death Fix, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Domestic Fluff, Romantic Fluff, Fix-It
Summary:
What if Catrin Cole had asked for one more kiss before she let Tom Buckley run off to handle Hilliard for her?
The way she fought to not run her hand through his hair in that last gif 🔥... and can we all agree we know what Edward was up to when he put her on that piano even though we never see it? Vivian deserved.
Cate and Julia Roberts seem to pals in real life so what if Lou and Tess get along really well to the point of making Debbie jealous and Tess sees it as an opportunity to make Debbie admit she wants to be more than con partners with Lou
“You know, every time I head over there to listen to Danny’s newest pitch, I think, god, Danny couldn’t be more of a jerk if he tried,” Debbie sighed as she walked into the apartment, throwing her peacoat on the poker table. “And then, he outdoes himself.”
Debbie looked down at her blouse, fingers toying with the top button.
“Careful before you strip down in the living room, love,” Lou smirked, her blue eyes twinkling. “We’ve got company.”
“And before you insult my husband again,” a familiar voice teased. “Your sister-in-law is the company.”
Debbie let out a sheepish grin as she blushed. “Hey, Tess. Look, I’m sorry. I just—“
“Are you kidding?” Tess snorted. “You’re in good company. We all know what a jerk Danny can be, especially when it comes to sharing. But it is my duty to defend his honor and all,” she grinned, flashing her diamond at the brunette.
“So, I take it we’re not doing the job?” Lou asked, eyebrow raised.
“Oh, we’re doing it,” Debbie smirked. “We’re just doing it my way.”
“You stole his watch again, didn’t you?” Lou beamed, proud of her partner.
“Of course,” Debbie glowed, sitting down in Lou’s favorite armchair as she surveyed the two women on the couch. “What have you two been up to?”
“Oh you know the usual,” Tess laughed, waving her hand around. “A little making out, painted each other’s nails, baked some cookies together.” She elbowed Lou’s side with a wicked grin as the blonde let out a stream of giggles that Debbie rarely saw.
“Lou doesn’t wear nail polish,” Debbie grumbled, rolling her eyes.
“But the making out and cookie baking is alright with you?” Tess winked. “Alright, Lou. You heard the lady. Duly noted.”
“Actually,” the Australian chuckled, standing up. “Tess and I were waiting for you to get back so we could grab something to eat. You up for dinner? Your pick.”
“Sounds good,” Debbie decided, stretching out her legs and flexing her feet. “Just give me a few to change. Don’t want to go out like this.”
“You look fine,” Lou promised, brushing it off.
“Well, if I only look fine then it definitely isn’t good enough,” Debbie sang, sending Lou a wink.
“Take your time, honey,” Lou laughed. “Was just about to head out for a cigarette anyway.”
“I’ll go with you, Deb,” Tess offered, her eyes flickering between the blonde and brunette trying to assess something Debbie didn’t quite understand.
“You ladies take your time,” Lou spoke, headed towards the sliding door as her boots clicked across the floor. “I’ll be waiting when you’re ready. Can one of you just grab my blazer off my bed?”
“Of course, baby,” Debbie nodded before headed to her room, Tess close on her tail.
She closed the door, headed for her closet as Tess flopped down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
“Don’t know what you’re thinking for dinner, but if we’re going fancier, you’ll definitely have to let me borrow a dress or something,” Tess called from the bed as Debbie rummaged through the closet with a hum.
“I’ll bring out some options for you,” Debbie nodded, pushing through the hangers to find her black dress Lou liked.
“So how long have you two been a thing?” Tess called, making Debbie stop in her tracks as she held the dress gingerly between two fingers, wondering what Tess meant.
“Who two?” Debbie laughed, sticking her head out of the closet.
“Honey? Baby? Love?” Tess quipped. “Practically ready to strip down naked the second you walked through the door.”
“I was too hot in that blouse,” Debbie sighed, throwing the dress onto the bed. She unbuttoned the blouse in question, stepping out of her slacks, standing near the bed as she considered her jewelry box for a moment.
“That wasn’t my question,” Tess pointed out, absolutely amused. She sat up slowly, shaking out her auburn hair before studying Debbie as she looked at her own reflection as she switched her earrings out.
“And I repeat, who?” Debbie rolled her eyes, even though her cheeks were burning. She knew exactly who Tess meant. Lou.
“Lou,” Tess whispered softly. “You’re not together?”
“Of course not,” Debbie spat, almost too quickly. Too defensive.
“Well, why not?” Tess laughed, standing as she walked towards Debbie’s closet to peruse on her own. She held up a merlot dress that Debbie hadn’t even ever remembered wearing and waited for Debbie’s nod of approval before shimmying down to her own underclothes and slipping on the dress. “Zip me up?”
Debbie paced over to her sister-in-law, trying to not let her mind or heart race too much as she repeated Tess’s question over again in her head. How many times had she asked herself that question. Why wasn’t she with Lou? Wasn’t it the most obvious thing in the world that they wanted to be together? Or was she making things up in her head? If Tess had seen it, then surely…
The brunette’s careful fingers moved the zipper up slowly before closing the hook and eye in place. She pat Tess’s shoulder to tell her she was done. Debbie could feel Tess’s observant eyes on her once more as she slipped into her own dress, already zipping it before Tess could offer. She was used to doing things alone.
“I don’t mix business with pleasure,” Debbie shrugged as Tess choked down a laugh. They both knew her dating history consisted 90% of fellow cons and criminals. But maybe that was part of the problem. “And besides, I don’t see Lou that way.”
“No?” Tess asked, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.
“Definitely not,” Debbie lied, checking the time on Danny’s watch before she gestured towards the door. “We should go.”
“Don’t forget to grab your girlfriend’s blazer,” Tess smirked.
Debbie rolled her eyes, but stopped in the adjacent bedroom to snatched the blazer off of the bed, storming out into the living room where Lou was waiting. Tess watched quietly as Lou smiled at Debbie with a “thank you, honey” and a wink and then as Debbie straightened the lapels of the blazer before tossing Lou her car keys.
“Ready to go?” Lou asked, looking between the other two women. “I assume by the dress, Deb has chosen our favorite Italian place.”
“Our favorite,” Tess whispered, elbowing Debbie in the side before moving away so Debbie couldn’t swat back at her. She decided to milk the evening for all it was worth to see if she could get some honesty out of the younger Ocean. She may have been a talented con, but Tess knew she couldn’t hide her heart forever.
The trio headed outside and Tess took the opportunity of Lou opening the passenger door open to slip in front of Debbie and slide into the seat, touching Lou’s cheek and thanking her for being so chivalrous. After some giggling in the lounge where they waited for a table, Tess dragged Lou to the seat next to her, the duo sitting across from Debbie. Tess was playing a game, Debbie knew. Lou was just going with the flow but she always knew what made Tess smile and laugh. The two had always been close. It used to make Debbie warm and happy to know that they got along so well, but now, for some reason, it drove her up a wall.
The Ocean’s skin was crawling. They had inside jokes. They shared their entrees. They split dessert. They kept filling Debbie in on jokes and stories she’d missed from the afternoon and Tess could practically see the steam coming out of Debbie’s ears.
“You okay, love?” The blonde whispered to Debbie, lingering outside the car after Tess got in.
“Yeah,” Debbie lied, blinking away tears.
“Not gonna get away with conning me that easy, Ocean,” Lou smiled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind Debbie’s ear. “Talk later?”
“Yeah,” Debbie repeated numbly.
“Promise?” The Australian whispered, putting her pinky out.
“Promise,” Debbie blushed, her smile turning to a scowl as Tess gave her a look as she clambered into the backseat.
“I’m gonna head home, ladies,” Tess announced as they got out of the car. “Should get home to Danny. But it’s been fun playing hooky with you both. Lou? You owe me a game of strip poker.”
Debbie looked like she was going to explode.
“Give me a second?” Tess asked Lou. “Have some sister business to discuss,” she grinned at Debbie.
Lou waved goodnight to Tess and told Debbie she’d be in the kitchen before heading into the apartment. They both watched her leave and then Tess was looking at Debbie with a sad smile.
“You should tell her, you know,” Tess whispered.
“Tell her what?” Debbie sighed.
“That you’re in love with her.”
“I’m not—“ Debbie started, but she couldn’t deny it. Something was tugging at her heart strings. Why couldn’t she deny it really?
“She loves you too, Deb, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I mean I’ve thought about hooking up maybe but like I said I don’t mix business and pleasure. And I don’t think that I lo—“
“Don’t you though?” Tess smiled, her eyes following Debbie’s as they looked past the cars to the apartment, as if she could see Lou still. “You’ve been doing it for so long I don’t even think you realize.”
That last moment they had with Abigail admitting to her mother that she's scared and being able to do that without fearing Petra would find her weak and Petra expressing her own fears in return and both of them allowing themselves to be vulnerable with each other and not have to put on some show of strength to mask their fear and uncertainty
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