idek anymore
For the record, I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE, INCEPTION FANDOM. You have my heart for as long as you'll have me.
It's just, I AM COMPELLED TO WRITE HORRIBLY CLICHE'D REGENCY ROMANCE. Seriously, this is so, so ridiculous, but a;fkdgkd THANK YOU to everyone who has been commenting. I don't do WIPs, but there's a first time for everything.
An Impetuous Affair
Danny/Steve | PG (this part) | 2000 words [WIP]
part one | part two
Three weeks after the night of the ball, Daniel’s uncle decided he felt up for a trip into town. He hadn’t been out of the house in months, and he told Daniel it was high time he get some fresh air.
Daniel knew better than to argue with him; once a Williams made up their mind, there was no changing it. So he’d bundled his uncle up in his warmest coat (even though the day was sunny and just edging into spring) and helped him into their modest carriage. Their cook, Sampson, drove them in to town--they had been unable to afford a proper footman for some time now, which was one reason why Daniel avoided the city. He did not want more rumors about his uncle’s deteriorating health and finances.
They rode to a lovely park that had been his uncle’s favorite for years, a prime spot for feeding the geese this time of year. Sampson parked the carriage and told Daniel he would walk downtown get some supplies, giving them ample time to enjoy the outdoors. Daniel nodded his thanks, clapping Sampson on the shoulder, and helped his uncle down to the pond, where a stone bench stood, surrounded by birds.
He sat quietly as his uncle murmured to the geese, smiling contentedly to himself. Not far away he could see a little girl playing with a King Charles’ Spaniel puppy as her parents watched on. He wondered what it would be like to have a beautiful child of his own, to love and protect at all costs. Then he saw the girl’s mother lean into her husband, who placed a loving kiss to her temple. They looked happy and deeply in love.
Daniel let out a long sigh, and let himself briefly long for things that were beyond his reach.
“I say, you are but one step away from becoming friends with those birds, aren’t you?” a painfully familiar voice called.
Beside him, his uncle laughed and waved. “Hello, Steven! You are looking quite fit this afternoon!”
Daniel inwardly groaned, trying desperately to suppress the sudden, uncontrollable blush that leapt to his cheeks. He turned to see Steven strolling up the path to them, his dark hair tumbling about his forehead in the breeze. His top coat billowed about him, his collar open, and he looked every bit the carefree bachelor. When Daniel met his eyes, something hesitant and almost wary flickered in Steven’s gaze.
“Hello, Mr. Williams,” Steven said primly, bowing his head slightly.
Daniel’s uncle snorted. “No need for such propriety, Steven, for heaven’s sake!”
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “All right, then. Daniel, how are you?”
He wished he did not secretly crave the way Steven said his name. Daniel cleared his throat, said, “I’m well, thank you. Yourself?”
“Just taking a lovely walk and enjoying the return of spring. My lord,” he addressed Daniel’s uncle, “I’m pleased to see you up and about again.”
“I am not an invalid, I don’t care what the society pages say about me!” The old man stamped his cane into the ground. Daniel couldn’t help but smile with affection. “I asked my dear nephew to take me to see the geese, for I have not seen them in many months. The world takes on a sheen of brilliance and beauty when one is kept locked away too long.”
“You make it sound as if I were holding you against your will,” Daniel replied good-naturedly.
“It is not your fault, my dear boy, that my body has decided to betray me to old age.” He patted Daniel’s cheek, who laughed and gave his uncle’s knee a light squeeze. When he glanced up, Steven was watching him with an intense look.
Daniel instantly fidgeted. “Are you--that is, are you merely passing through?” He did not know what else to say. I think about our kiss far too often was not the most appropriate thing to blurt out.
Steven shook his head. “I did not have a set plan when I left the manor, just that I wanted to stretch my legs. Encountering you and your uncle was pleasant fate.”
“Do you believe in fate?”
“At times.” Steven shrugged. “Why, you do not?”
“It’s a very romantic ideal, and I find that if I think too long on the concept of having no control over my will and my destiny whatsoever, I begin to despair at life in general. We cannot live out our days to the whim of some unforeseen force.”
A slow smile spread across Steven’s face. “Why does it not surprise me that you’ve given far too much thought to such whimsical things as destiny?”
“I’d hardly call destiny ‘whimsical.’”
“Perhaps not, but I doubt there are very many things in this world that haven’t garnered your close attention.” He laughed, ducking his head in a far too adorable display of self-deprecation. “Except me, of course.”
Daniel’s heart began to race. He looked away, flustered, only his uncle snorted again and said loudly, “Of course you garner Daniel’s attention! You are courting him, after all! And Daniel has sought your attention since he was a boy, I’d wager, always following after you.”
If it were possible, Daniel would have curled into a tight ball and disappeared instantly, such was the overwhelming wave of embarrassment that rushed over him. He did not look at Steven as he rubbed awkwardly at his cheek and said sharply, “Uncle, we really should be getting you back to the--”
“There is something I wanted to share with you both,” Steven interrupted. “I’ve decided to have a party at my country estate in two week’s time. An excuse for everyone to celebrate the season, get away from the city. You’re both invited, of course. I should have formal invitations delivered by this weekend.”
Daniel swallowed hard, and against his better judgment, glanced at Steven. He was looking away from Daniel at his uncle, his expression one of polite neutrality.
“Wonderful!” his uncled cried. “I know Daniel will be pleased to accompany you!”
“Oh, he doesn’t need to worry about that, my lord. If Daniel should like to bring a guest of his choosing, he’s welcome to do so.”
Daniel’s stomach gave an odd flip. Was Steven honestly suggesting he bring someone else to his own party? Then again, they were no longer carrying on the charade of courting, no matter what his uncle liked to think. Daniel had made that clear, hadn’t he?
“Thank you,” Daniel said, ignoring the irrigating prick of disappointment settling at the back of his mind. “I’m sure your party will be splendid.”
“Indeed it will. The McGarretts know how to host a festive occasion.” He winked at Daniel, but there was hardly the flirtatious glimmer that was normally present in every one of Steven’s looks, especially when directed at Daniel. Steven bowed to both of them, adding, “Enjoy your afternoon, gentleman,” before heading off down the path.
His uncle preened. “Such a lovely young man,” he said happily. “I could not have picked you a better match.”
Daniel stared out over the pond and said nothing, feeling unsettled and anxious.
//
There were very few true friends in Daniel’s life. He didn’t mind this fact, because he felt it was safer to trust a small few than a great many. The closest of these friends was a woman who had grown up not far from the manor where Daniel lived as boy, before his parents died. Miss Rachel Edwards was still unmarried at the age of nineteen, and she preferred it that way, much like Daniel; but unlike Daniel, her parents humored her desire to be single in society, given that she had three sisters her senior who were all happily married. Daniel envied her in many ways.
He had not initially intended to ask Rachel to accompany him to Steven’s party. Daniel had not even convinced himself to even attend (although deep down he knew it was not a question--his uncle would insist, and Daniel had not yet found a way to tell him Steven McGarrett was not actually courting him), but during his weekly breakfast engagement with Miss Edwards the subject happen to come up.
“I’ve learned that Steven McGarrett is holding a party at his country estate,” Rachel said casually, although her tone was one of impish curiosity. She raised an eyebrow at Daniel, who immediately dug into his eggs benedict, head bowed.
“Yes, I’ve heard. The invitation arrived just yesterday.”
“Has he asked you to attend?”
“He’s asked Uncle and me, yes.” Daniel carefully did not meet her eyes. She knew all about the failed arrangement with Steven, seemed to practically delight in discussing the horrid details.
Rachel leaned forward expectantly. “And?”
“And what? I haven’t decided yet if I shall attend.”
“Oh Daniel, honestly.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head in dismay as she sipped her tea. “Must you delude yourself at every turn? The ball was not the end of the world by any means.”
Daniel pointed his fork at her. “You were not there, you cannot possibly know the--” He stopped, glaring down at his plate. “I’ll not go through that sort of humiliation again, Rachel. Especially at his own estate.”
“Darling.” Rachel reached across the table and patted the back of his hand. “You mustn’t be so hard on yourself. It’s quite apparent to me that he is very taken with you, perhaps has always been taken with you. There is a softness about him when he looks at you--don’t scoff, I’ve seen it!”
“You’ve seen amusement, nothing more. Steven doesn’t know the first thing about softness.”
“Would that I had a man who looked upon me with such affection, I might reconsider my resolve to never marry.”
Daniel sighed heavily. He set his fork down, feeling quite pensive suddenly. “It’s not--it’s not simply the affection. Anyone can feel such an emotion toward something--a horse, a servant, a casual acquaintance. I don’t want affection. I want--I want something so much more than that, something that is so, so overwhelming in its intensity that one cannot help but know it’s love. Something that steals the breath, humbles you until you are never the same again. That is what I want, and Steven McGarrett would never dream of such a thing.” He flushed, unaccustomed to being so earnest. And yet, he could not stop thinking about the couple in the park with the little girl, and how much he longed to have their lives, even a tiny fraction of it.
Rachel was quiet for a long moment, and eventually Daniel went back to eating his eggs in silence.
Finally, she said quietly, “You should go. You will regret it if you do not.”
Daniel shook his head. “I have no escort. I cannot show up at his party alone, he’ll--”
“Then take me. It is common knowledge we are friends. Perhaps seeing me on your arm will make Steven realize exactly what he wants.”
Daniel nearly choked. “I’m not going to make him jealous. That is absurd.”
“Perhaps. But at the very least it will give me an excuse to have a new gown made. Please give my poor bored tailor a job to do?” She batted her eyes at Daniel playfully.
He could never deny her anything, even as children. Against his will, Daniel found himself laughing, which made Rachel beam at him.
“See? You’re going to be fine,” she said, then leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. “Now, let’s finish up and go pay a visit to my under-worked tailor. We’ll need to find you something to wear as well...”
It's just, I AM COMPELLED TO WRITE HORRIBLY CLICHE'D REGENCY ROMANCE. Seriously, this is so, so ridiculous, but a;fkdgkd THANK YOU to everyone who has been commenting. I don't do WIPs, but there's a first time for everything.
An Impetuous Affair
Danny/Steve | PG (this part) | 2000 words [WIP]
part one | part two
Three weeks after the night of the ball, Daniel’s uncle decided he felt up for a trip into town. He hadn’t been out of the house in months, and he told Daniel it was high time he get some fresh air.
Daniel knew better than to argue with him; once a Williams made up their mind, there was no changing it. So he’d bundled his uncle up in his warmest coat (even though the day was sunny and just edging into spring) and helped him into their modest carriage. Their cook, Sampson, drove them in to town--they had been unable to afford a proper footman for some time now, which was one reason why Daniel avoided the city. He did not want more rumors about his uncle’s deteriorating health and finances.
They rode to a lovely park that had been his uncle’s favorite for years, a prime spot for feeding the geese this time of year. Sampson parked the carriage and told Daniel he would walk downtown get some supplies, giving them ample time to enjoy the outdoors. Daniel nodded his thanks, clapping Sampson on the shoulder, and helped his uncle down to the pond, where a stone bench stood, surrounded by birds.
He sat quietly as his uncle murmured to the geese, smiling contentedly to himself. Not far away he could see a little girl playing with a King Charles’ Spaniel puppy as her parents watched on. He wondered what it would be like to have a beautiful child of his own, to love and protect at all costs. Then he saw the girl’s mother lean into her husband, who placed a loving kiss to her temple. They looked happy and deeply in love.
Daniel let out a long sigh, and let himself briefly long for things that were beyond his reach.
“I say, you are but one step away from becoming friends with those birds, aren’t you?” a painfully familiar voice called.
Beside him, his uncle laughed and waved. “Hello, Steven! You are looking quite fit this afternoon!”
Daniel inwardly groaned, trying desperately to suppress the sudden, uncontrollable blush that leapt to his cheeks. He turned to see Steven strolling up the path to them, his dark hair tumbling about his forehead in the breeze. His top coat billowed about him, his collar open, and he looked every bit the carefree bachelor. When Daniel met his eyes, something hesitant and almost wary flickered in Steven’s gaze.
“Hello, Mr. Williams,” Steven said primly, bowing his head slightly.
Daniel’s uncle snorted. “No need for such propriety, Steven, for heaven’s sake!”
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “All right, then. Daniel, how are you?”
He wished he did not secretly crave the way Steven said his name. Daniel cleared his throat, said, “I’m well, thank you. Yourself?”
“Just taking a lovely walk and enjoying the return of spring. My lord,” he addressed Daniel’s uncle, “I’m pleased to see you up and about again.”
“I am not an invalid, I don’t care what the society pages say about me!” The old man stamped his cane into the ground. Daniel couldn’t help but smile with affection. “I asked my dear nephew to take me to see the geese, for I have not seen them in many months. The world takes on a sheen of brilliance and beauty when one is kept locked away too long.”
“You make it sound as if I were holding you against your will,” Daniel replied good-naturedly.
“It is not your fault, my dear boy, that my body has decided to betray me to old age.” He patted Daniel’s cheek, who laughed and gave his uncle’s knee a light squeeze. When he glanced up, Steven was watching him with an intense look.
Daniel instantly fidgeted. “Are you--that is, are you merely passing through?” He did not know what else to say. I think about our kiss far too often was not the most appropriate thing to blurt out.
Steven shook his head. “I did not have a set plan when I left the manor, just that I wanted to stretch my legs. Encountering you and your uncle was pleasant fate.”
“Do you believe in fate?”
“At times.” Steven shrugged. “Why, you do not?”
“It’s a very romantic ideal, and I find that if I think too long on the concept of having no control over my will and my destiny whatsoever, I begin to despair at life in general. We cannot live out our days to the whim of some unforeseen force.”
A slow smile spread across Steven’s face. “Why does it not surprise me that you’ve given far too much thought to such whimsical things as destiny?”
“I’d hardly call destiny ‘whimsical.’”
“Perhaps not, but I doubt there are very many things in this world that haven’t garnered your close attention.” He laughed, ducking his head in a far too adorable display of self-deprecation. “Except me, of course.”
Daniel’s heart began to race. He looked away, flustered, only his uncle snorted again and said loudly, “Of course you garner Daniel’s attention! You are courting him, after all! And Daniel has sought your attention since he was a boy, I’d wager, always following after you.”
If it were possible, Daniel would have curled into a tight ball and disappeared instantly, such was the overwhelming wave of embarrassment that rushed over him. He did not look at Steven as he rubbed awkwardly at his cheek and said sharply, “Uncle, we really should be getting you back to the--”
“There is something I wanted to share with you both,” Steven interrupted. “I’ve decided to have a party at my country estate in two week’s time. An excuse for everyone to celebrate the season, get away from the city. You’re both invited, of course. I should have formal invitations delivered by this weekend.”
Daniel swallowed hard, and against his better judgment, glanced at Steven. He was looking away from Daniel at his uncle, his expression one of polite neutrality.
“Wonderful!” his uncled cried. “I know Daniel will be pleased to accompany you!”
“Oh, he doesn’t need to worry about that, my lord. If Daniel should like to bring a guest of his choosing, he’s welcome to do so.”
Daniel’s stomach gave an odd flip. Was Steven honestly suggesting he bring someone else to his own party? Then again, they were no longer carrying on the charade of courting, no matter what his uncle liked to think. Daniel had made that clear, hadn’t he?
“Thank you,” Daniel said, ignoring the irrigating prick of disappointment settling at the back of his mind. “I’m sure your party will be splendid.”
“Indeed it will. The McGarretts know how to host a festive occasion.” He winked at Daniel, but there was hardly the flirtatious glimmer that was normally present in every one of Steven’s looks, especially when directed at Daniel. Steven bowed to both of them, adding, “Enjoy your afternoon, gentleman,” before heading off down the path.
His uncle preened. “Such a lovely young man,” he said happily. “I could not have picked you a better match.”
Daniel stared out over the pond and said nothing, feeling unsettled and anxious.
//
There were very few true friends in Daniel’s life. He didn’t mind this fact, because he felt it was safer to trust a small few than a great many. The closest of these friends was a woman who had grown up not far from the manor where Daniel lived as boy, before his parents died. Miss Rachel Edwards was still unmarried at the age of nineteen, and she preferred it that way, much like Daniel; but unlike Daniel, her parents humored her desire to be single in society, given that she had three sisters her senior who were all happily married. Daniel envied her in many ways.
He had not initially intended to ask Rachel to accompany him to Steven’s party. Daniel had not even convinced himself to even attend (although deep down he knew it was not a question--his uncle would insist, and Daniel had not yet found a way to tell him Steven McGarrett was not actually courting him), but during his weekly breakfast engagement with Miss Edwards the subject happen to come up.
“I’ve learned that Steven McGarrett is holding a party at his country estate,” Rachel said casually, although her tone was one of impish curiosity. She raised an eyebrow at Daniel, who immediately dug into his eggs benedict, head bowed.
“Yes, I’ve heard. The invitation arrived just yesterday.”
“Has he asked you to attend?”
“He’s asked Uncle and me, yes.” Daniel carefully did not meet her eyes. She knew all about the failed arrangement with Steven, seemed to practically delight in discussing the horrid details.
Rachel leaned forward expectantly. “And?”
“And what? I haven’t decided yet if I shall attend.”
“Oh Daniel, honestly.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head in dismay as she sipped her tea. “Must you delude yourself at every turn? The ball was not the end of the world by any means.”
Daniel pointed his fork at her. “You were not there, you cannot possibly know the--” He stopped, glaring down at his plate. “I’ll not go through that sort of humiliation again, Rachel. Especially at his own estate.”
“Darling.” Rachel reached across the table and patted the back of his hand. “You mustn’t be so hard on yourself. It’s quite apparent to me that he is very taken with you, perhaps has always been taken with you. There is a softness about him when he looks at you--don’t scoff, I’ve seen it!”
“You’ve seen amusement, nothing more. Steven doesn’t know the first thing about softness.”
“Would that I had a man who looked upon me with such affection, I might reconsider my resolve to never marry.”
Daniel sighed heavily. He set his fork down, feeling quite pensive suddenly. “It’s not--it’s not simply the affection. Anyone can feel such an emotion toward something--a horse, a servant, a casual acquaintance. I don’t want affection. I want--I want something so much more than that, something that is so, so overwhelming in its intensity that one cannot help but know it’s love. Something that steals the breath, humbles you until you are never the same again. That is what I want, and Steven McGarrett would never dream of such a thing.” He flushed, unaccustomed to being so earnest. And yet, he could not stop thinking about the couple in the park with the little girl, and how much he longed to have their lives, even a tiny fraction of it.
Rachel was quiet for a long moment, and eventually Daniel went back to eating his eggs in silence.
Finally, she said quietly, “You should go. You will regret it if you do not.”
Daniel shook his head. “I have no escort. I cannot show up at his party alone, he’ll--”
“Then take me. It is common knowledge we are friends. Perhaps seeing me on your arm will make Steven realize exactly what he wants.”
Daniel nearly choked. “I’m not going to make him jealous. That is absurd.”
“Perhaps. But at the very least it will give me an excuse to have a new gown made. Please give my poor bored tailor a job to do?” She batted her eyes at Daniel playfully.
He could never deny her anything, even as children. Against his will, Daniel found himself laughing, which made Rachel beam at him.
“See? You’re going to be fine,” she said, then leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. “Now, let’s finish up and go pay a visit to my under-worked tailor. We’ll need to find you something to wear as well...”