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fandomweekly2022-09-08 08:20 am
iluvroadrunner6) wrote in fandomweekly2022-09-08 08:20 am
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[#137] When I Closed My Eyes, I Was So Surprised (Original)
Theme Prompt: #137—Jumping to Conclusions
Title: When I Closed My Eyes, I Was So Surprised
Fandom: Original
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Bonus: Yes.
Word Count: 765
Summary: Amelia finds herself torn between what she wants and what’s best for her.
“May I have this dance?”
Amelia looks over at Gabriel, extending a hand out to her as she stands alone on the side of the ball. She doesn’t really feel much like dancing, if she’s quite honest, given the fight that she and her paramour have just had, but she doesn’t feel like she should punish Gabriel for Alphonso’s unacceptable behavior. She nods, swiping a hand at her cheeks before taking his hand and letting him lead her onto the dance floor.
He sweeps her into his arms and she follows along, the ease of the dance being familiar and settling. Gabriel keeps her close, as the dance requires, but it also allows him to whisper in her ear.
“That looked nasty.”
She purses her lips in response. “I’m fine.”
“Alphonso doesn’t treat you well, Mia. You realize that, don’t you?”
She knows that he’s only concerned, and that in the depth of her heart, she knows he might be right. But she can’t say that her heart will give up on Alphonso yet. She loves him, feels things for him she’s never felt for anyone else. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?
“You don’t know him, that’s all.”
“I think I’ve seen enough to judge his character.” Gabriel pulls back so that he’s meeting her eyes firmly. “I’ve seen him whisk you away into dark corners, with little care for your reputation or your virtue, and simply expect you to trail along after morsels when he’s offered you no promises.”
“He’s offered promises.”
“None of which he’s followed through on.”
Her jaw steels as he sweeps her into one of the steps, forcing them to detach and turn before she’s brought close again. She has faith that Alphonso will keep those promises, even if no one else does. Otherwise, why would he have made them.
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you?”
As the music ends, she drops his hand and stalks off the dance floor. She’s never appreciated being questioned about her choices, ever her mother’s daughter, but even as she walks away, she feels the twinge in her gut that maybe he might be right. And she can’t bear the thought that she executed her judgement so poorly.
“Amelia!”
His voice is a low hiss as he follows her off the dance floor, reaching for her arm before she can get too far.
“Let me go.” She tries to wrench her arm away, but he holds her firm.
“I am not trying to question your judgment,” he says, keeping his voice low. Gossip is often the currency of the land and she recognizes that he’s trying to prevent making her a spectacle. “I only say that even if he loves you, you deserve more respect than what he is offering you. You deserve the opportunity to be loved in the open, with all the world celebrating with you.” He pauses, his thumb brushing against the inside of her wrist. “If I loved someone like that, I would not settle for anything less.”
Her heart relents some, the sourness in her expression fading in response. He’s not wrong. It’s what she’s wanted from Alphonso for so long, but her beau has a way of dressing things up as though to appear that none of these things are possible. And she trusts him, because basking in his glow is better than not having it at all.
She opens her mouth, prepared to speak, when the music stops completely, and the duke stands at the front of the room, wineglass in hand.
“Come, friends—I invite you all to celebrate with me. One of my daughters is to be married.” He extends a hand to the young woman, pretty and blond, and draws her closer. Then, his hand continues to the man behind her, and Amelia’s heart sinks even further. “Please meet my new son-in-law, Alphonso de Moor.”
Alphonso strides onto the stage, handsome and dashing without a second thought. She knows from their conversations that his father had been fixing a match for him, but she had thought that he would appear despondent. Instead, Alphonso strides onto the stage with a bright smile, looking thrilled with the opportunity.
“Mia?”
Gabriel’s voice is soft in her ear, and when she turns to look at him, he seems concerned. She doesn’t know what to do next, so she does the only thing she can. She flees.
“Take me home? I think I’m done with the ball for the evening.”
Gabriel nods, and takes her arm to lead her towards the door. “As you wish.”
Title: When I Closed My Eyes, I Was So Surprised
Fandom: Original
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Bonus: Yes.
Word Count: 765
Summary: Amelia finds herself torn between what she wants and what’s best for her.
“May I have this dance?”
Amelia looks over at Gabriel, extending a hand out to her as she stands alone on the side of the ball. She doesn’t really feel much like dancing, if she’s quite honest, given the fight that she and her paramour have just had, but she doesn’t feel like she should punish Gabriel for Alphonso’s unacceptable behavior. She nods, swiping a hand at her cheeks before taking his hand and letting him lead her onto the dance floor.
He sweeps her into his arms and she follows along, the ease of the dance being familiar and settling. Gabriel keeps her close, as the dance requires, but it also allows him to whisper in her ear.
“That looked nasty.”
She purses her lips in response. “I’m fine.”
“Alphonso doesn’t treat you well, Mia. You realize that, don’t you?”
She knows that he’s only concerned, and that in the depth of her heart, she knows he might be right. But she can’t say that her heart will give up on Alphonso yet. She loves him, feels things for him she’s never felt for anyone else. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?
“You don’t know him, that’s all.”
“I think I’ve seen enough to judge his character.” Gabriel pulls back so that he’s meeting her eyes firmly. “I’ve seen him whisk you away into dark corners, with little care for your reputation or your virtue, and simply expect you to trail along after morsels when he’s offered you no promises.”
“He’s offered promises.”
“None of which he’s followed through on.”
Her jaw steels as he sweeps her into one of the steps, forcing them to detach and turn before she’s brought close again. She has faith that Alphonso will keep those promises, even if no one else does. Otherwise, why would he have made them.
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you?”
As the music ends, she drops his hand and stalks off the dance floor. She’s never appreciated being questioned about her choices, ever her mother’s daughter, but even as she walks away, she feels the twinge in her gut that maybe he might be right. And she can’t bear the thought that she executed her judgement so poorly.
“Amelia!”
His voice is a low hiss as he follows her off the dance floor, reaching for her arm before she can get too far.
“Let me go.” She tries to wrench her arm away, but he holds her firm.
“I am not trying to question your judgment,” he says, keeping his voice low. Gossip is often the currency of the land and she recognizes that he’s trying to prevent making her a spectacle. “I only say that even if he loves you, you deserve more respect than what he is offering you. You deserve the opportunity to be loved in the open, with all the world celebrating with you.” He pauses, his thumb brushing against the inside of her wrist. “If I loved someone like that, I would not settle for anything less.”
Her heart relents some, the sourness in her expression fading in response. He’s not wrong. It’s what she’s wanted from Alphonso for so long, but her beau has a way of dressing things up as though to appear that none of these things are possible. And she trusts him, because basking in his glow is better than not having it at all.
She opens her mouth, prepared to speak, when the music stops completely, and the duke stands at the front of the room, wineglass in hand.
“Come, friends—I invite you all to celebrate with me. One of my daughters is to be married.” He extends a hand to the young woman, pretty and blond, and draws her closer. Then, his hand continues to the man behind her, and Amelia’s heart sinks even further. “Please meet my new son-in-law, Alphonso de Moor.”
Alphonso strides onto the stage, handsome and dashing without a second thought. She knows from their conversations that his father had been fixing a match for him, but she had thought that he would appear despondent. Instead, Alphonso strides onto the stage with a bright smile, looking thrilled with the opportunity.
“Mia?”
Gabriel’s voice is soft in her ear, and when she turns to look at him, he seems concerned. She doesn’t know what to do next, so she does the only thing she can. She flees.
“Take me home? I think I’m done with the ball for the evening.”
Gabriel nods, and takes her arm to lead her towards the door. “As you wish.”