[The Lizzie Bennet Diaries Fic] White Blank Page
Title: White Blank Page
Fandom: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Characters: Darcy/Lizzie, Fitz, Catherine De Bourgh
Word Count: 2,484
Rating: PG
Warnings: Slight spoilers from Episodes 60, 61, and 68.
Summary: Darcy writes a letter to Lizzie before leaving back to Los Angeles. Several weeks later, the two cross paths once more.
Notes: For the November Nano Failure Ficathon and the prompt I wrote for is Darcy/Lizzie and the Mumford and Sons song White Blank Page. Also for
cottoncandy_bingo's prompt "Internet/Social Media".
Unbeta'd save for me looking through the story a couple times, so there are most likely several mistakes concerning characterization and grammar/tense, ack. Last line in the letter got it from the original Pride and Prejudice novel, otherwise I tried to have the letter fit within the context of the series.
Not long after his confrontation with Lizzie at Collins and Collins, Darcy headed to a nearby café. He hoped a drink would clear his head, but while sipping his coffee he kept reflecting back to their meeting.
It was expected she wouldn't take his visit kindly and some sharp words would be exchanged. The discussion, though, went worse than he predicted. Would things turn out differently if he revealed his feelings to her sooner? Perhaps not. Earlier Lizzie mentioned videos posted on the internet and he thought over whether to watch them or not. A part of him was afraid what harsh stuff Lizzie had said, though she made that clear to him already.
Finishing the coffee he had ordered, he decided to find out what caused her to feel detachment towards him.
The next day at the same café, Darcy brought his laptop and watched the videos. Inside was fairly crowded and several people were chatting one another, so he used his earphones to block their voices. Apparently she had started this project of hers for a while already--might take some time to get through them all, but he didn't mind too much. He was now at the episode where Charlotte and Jane were acting out what happened during his visit at Carters. It was a very accurate portrayal in his opinion, especially at the part where he fixated on Lizzie for a while and Caroline noticing that.
"Oh, you're watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries?"
Startled by the voice, Darcy swung his head to see a young woman at the table behind him looking at his laptop.
"Um...yes, I am," he said and offered her a warm smile.
"Don't mind if I sit with you for a bit?"
Darcy hesitated at first, but he then said, "No, not at all."
"I'm Jessie." Jessie held her hand out to Darcy for him to shake.
"My friends call me Dar..." Not wanting to slip in his real name, Darcy already thought up a fake one to use. "Daren." He shook her hand.
"I can't wait for the next video. Finally everyone gets to see Darcy."
You're already looking at him now, Darcy thought to himself. Feeling his stomach flipped, he already had an idea that their meeting was going to be shown to the public, to the whole world, very soon and not looking forward to that.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy that," he said and forced another smile.
"Have you been following the videos for a while? I started a few weeks ago."
"Actually I just found out about them today and only watched the first few videos so far. Guess I need to catch up before Darcy’s appearance.”
Jessie chuckled. "It seems many people are hearing about the series just now." She stopped to check her watch and gasped. "Sorry, but I need to go now. It's fun talking with you, Darren. If you want to talk some more here's my number."
Once Jessie took out a business card and pen from her purse, she wrote on the back and handed it to Darcy. She rose off from her seat, waved to him goodbye, and headed off. Darcy glimpsed at the front of the business card, which had the number of the office she worked at. He shook his head and tucked it in the pocket of his dress shirt. Checking the time on his watch, Darcy remembered he was scheduled to meet Fitz in half an hour, so he turned the laptop off, put it back in the case, and left the café.
+++
Darcy was able to watch through all the videos four days later. The last few he saw them inside his room at Aunt Catherine’s house. Seeing him and Lizzie arguing again made his throat tightened, and by the time he finished watching that particular episode he was at a loss of words.
As he was bike riding the next morning, Darcy reflected over everything he had saw and gathered his thoughts. He admitted he could've complimented her more instead of criticizing her family and their social status. It stung a little hearing Lizzie calling him newsie and a robot, but it was understandable. Darcy was also wrong about Jane and that she loved Bing very much. However, he wasn't sure how serious the two wanted their relationship to go and still stand by his decision.
His mind then drifted to the first sight of Lizzie at the wedding, hearing her laugh with Jane back when they were staying at Netherfield. Sometimes he imagined how her lips tasted like sweet fruit and her heartbeat racing faster than his. Such childish fantasies in the end.
He wanted to apologize, but how? He could visit Collins and Collins to see if Lizzie was still there and talk to her or have his aunt invite her to dinner. The problem was she most likely never wanted to speak to him again. He recently followed Lizzie on Twitter and could communicate with her there, but she might avoid his posts. In the end he decided on writing a letter as it was the most heartfelt and genuine way to apologize.
In the afternoon he went back home and in the study room to find the necessary materials--paper, pen, envelop, and wax seal. The first several minutes he tapped the pen loudly on the desk and stared at the white blank page, unsure how to approach the letter.
He could begin explaining as to why he separated Bing and Jane and then reveal the true story behind Wickham. That was what Lizzie wanted to know in the first place, so he started the letter telling those things. He wrote in cursive, which he felt more people should relearn--such a shame it was rarely used now these days. Sometimes he took long pauses to think over his words careful. Around two hours later he wrote down the last two paragraphs.
This, Lizzie, is an accurate telling of everything we had gone through. Assuming you don’t believe all of this to be made up, I hope at least you’ll forgive my rudeness towards Mr. Wickham. I’m not sure what other false statements he said to you, only that to take his success with a grain of salt. I can’t blame you, though, for not picking up anything unusual about him.
You are pondering as to why I hadn’t mentioned any of this to you a few days ago. As I wasn’t aware about the videos until now, the reason isn’t because of your audience. The mere fact is during the filming I couldn’t decide what I should or should not reveal to you. From what I laid out in this letter, my dear friend Fitz, who, from our very close friendship, and, even more so, as someone who got along well with my father, is very familiar with all the specifics. In the circumstance your distaste of me makes my claims insignificant, you can’t avoid the same account when meeting Fitz. And if there is a chance of you seeing him, I’ll seize the opportunity of giving this letter to you when you next shoot another video. I will only add, God bless you.
--WILLIAM DARCY
Once he was done with the letter he folded it in half, sealed it in an envelope, and stamped the seal straight in the center. Tomorrow he would go down to the office and send it to Lizzie, praying she would take the time to read it.
+++
During his last night at the compound, he remained inside the living room to type the report on Collins and Collins up on his laptop. He stopped briefly when he saw Aunt Catherine approaching him. She cuddled her dog, Annie Kins, against her chest and petting her gently.
“Are you almost done packing up for Los Angeles?”
“Just a few more things. I’ll be ready before I leave for my flight in the afternoon.”
“And the elevations?” Aunt Catherine asked in a demanding tone. Her dog barked.
“Fitz and I will have those done tomorrow too, don’t worry.”
A huge smile stretched onto Aunt Catherine’s mouth. “Splendid. You know, it’s a good thing you’re going back to Los Angeles so that you don’t have to get too close with Miss Bennet.”
Darcy frowned. He already knew that his aunt didn’t think highly of Lizzie and he being with her was the last thing she wanted to see; until recently he would’ve trusted her criticisms.
“That’s probably for the best.”
Instantly the dog growled and that caused Aunt Catherine to look at Darcy suspiciously. “Annie Kins thinks you’re not being honest. Don’t tell me you still have feelings for her?”
Mentally cursing to himself, Darcy forgot Annie Kins could sense when someone wasn’t telling the truth.
“I’m certain we won’t be together in a relationship after that incident. I feel, though, I was being harsh on her and I’m leaving with us on the wrong foot.” If they were to indeed not see each other again, the letter he wrote was as close to closure between them as it possibility could.
“I wouldn’t be upset about that anymore if I were you. Let me put it this way: you’re an executive of your late father’s entertainment empire and Miss Bennet’s still a graduate student.”
“She’s in her last semester,” Darcy said even though it probably meant nothing to his aunt.
“It doesn’t matter. Point is you’re just wasting your time on her.” Aunt Catherine yawned, and so has her dog, before saying, “Annie Kins and I will be going to sleep now. I look forward to that report soon. Good night.”
As soon as the both of them left Darcy alone, he went back to writing the report. He didn’t think he was wasting his time on Lizzie, just that he should’ve opened up to her more.
+++
Darcy had been busy at Pemberley Studios the last few months. Several movie and television contracts had been made and another portion of those deals were being negotiated. This was good as it meant having his attention on his job and not thinking when he would see Lizzie again. Before he knew it, though, that time came fast approaching.
On the day Fitz was visiting the company, he told Darcy how he found Lizzie with her professor after the two were being taken on a tour. They were in the lounge, Fitz eating the plate of cookies left on the coffee table.
“So she’s actually in this building at this very moment?”
Fitz nodded and took another bite of his cookie. “Lizzie is only staying around a month for her project. Hey, I was just as surprised as you were.”
Sighing in a deep breath, Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. He recalled from Lizzie’s videos that Charlotte suggested her that. Sometime told him, though, that she wasn’t aware of his connection to this company.
“Is Lizzie expecting me or is she about to leave soon?”
“She’s waiting inside your office and wants to speak with you. You should go, dude.”
Darcy considered a brief moment whether to go see Lizzie or not. Knew running away wasn’t the best option, he thanked Fitz for informing him and used the elevator to go up and meet her.
By the time the elevator reached the eighth and last floor, he went straight to his office and was welcomed upon the sight of Lizzie sitting on the couch. She rested her hands on her lap, a soft but nervous expression showing on her face.
“Hi, Darcy.”
“Hello to you, too.” Already Darcy felt unusual speaking to Lizzie, like wearing clothes that were too short for him and everyone staring at him. He sat down beside her. “I have been informed you’ll be working here for a brief period.
“Sort of. I’m shadowing different companies and analyzing them.”
“That’s perfectly fine.” Darcy cleared his throat. “I can tell you weren’t expecting me as the person overseeing Pemberley Studios. You wouldn’t have come in the first place, otherwise.”
Lizzie lowered her eyes in sadness, as if ashamed to admit that. “I was surprised when Fitz told me you’re the executive and showed me your picture on the first floor. You have a very nice office.” Darcy caught her glimpsing at the large antique desk placed at the end of the room and the shelves behind there.
“I inherited my father’s company shortly after his death.” That got back Lizzie’s attention. “During my undergraduate studies I went through several positions to familiarize myself with the media industry.”
“I see. That makes sense.” She paused. “About the letter you gave me…”
“No need to explain,” Darcy interrupted her. “I was actually hoping you would vaguely mention some of the details concerning me and Mr. Wickham.”
A stunned look spread across Lizzie’s face. “Oh. I thought your side of the story needed to be told. Still think it’s odd you wrote it in cursive instead of typing it.”
Not offended, Darcy chuckled. “I’m happy at least you were grateful for that letter.” His smile quickly faded and he frowned. “I know I should’ve been more courteous, Lizzie. It was wrong of me to treat you harshly the last few months.”
“Well I wasn’t Miss Perfect, either.” A small smile pulled on the corner of Lizzie’s mouth. “We both need to learn to not judge one another so hastily.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I only hope it’s not too late for us to get to know one another better.”
Lizzie shook her head. “We can still do that.”
Darcy gazed at Lizzie for a while. He was glad they were able to converse civilly for once. There were many more words he wanted to say to Lizzie not mentioned in the letter, lovely, courteous words, and he let those be known with a tender kiss. He heard a confused sound left her throat, but she didn’t resist and instead looped her arms around his neck as Darcy settled his hands on her hips. Lizzie’s lips weren’t anything like sweet fruit and more like strong coffee, although in the end it didn’t matter. They eventually parted from their kiss, Darcy still feeling his heart beating wildly against his chest. Lizzie’s cheeks flushed and she looked to be in a dreamlike daze.
“There is a quiet and pleasant restaurant not far from here we can head to.”
“Are you asking me out on a date?” Lizzie arched a playful eyebrow at him.
“If you prefer to call it that, then I have no objections. Shall we?” Smiling, Darcy rose up from the couch and held out his hand to Lizzie, which she accepted.
“Sure.”
They left the office together and headed to the elevator. Darcy thought this was moving towards the right direction and that soon he and Lizzie would be much more comfortable together.
This entry was originally posted at http://bay-alexison.dreamwidth.org/87753.html. Feel free to comment wherever you like!
Fandom: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Characters: Darcy/Lizzie, Fitz, Catherine De Bourgh
Word Count: 2,484
Rating: PG
Warnings: Slight spoilers from Episodes 60, 61, and 68.
Summary: Darcy writes a letter to Lizzie before leaving back to Los Angeles. Several weeks later, the two cross paths once more.
Notes: For the November Nano Failure Ficathon and the prompt I wrote for is Darcy/Lizzie and the Mumford and Sons song White Blank Page. Also for
cottoncandy_bingo's prompt "Internet/Social Media".
Unbeta'd save for me looking through the story a couple times, so there are most likely several mistakes concerning characterization and grammar/tense, ack. Last line in the letter got it from the original Pride and Prejudice novel, otherwise I tried to have the letter fit within the context of the series.
Not long after his confrontation with Lizzie at Collins and Collins, Darcy headed to a nearby café. He hoped a drink would clear his head, but while sipping his coffee he kept reflecting back to their meeting.
It was expected she wouldn't take his visit kindly and some sharp words would be exchanged. The discussion, though, went worse than he predicted. Would things turn out differently if he revealed his feelings to her sooner? Perhaps not. Earlier Lizzie mentioned videos posted on the internet and he thought over whether to watch them or not. A part of him was afraid what harsh stuff Lizzie had said, though she made that clear to him already.
Finishing the coffee he had ordered, he decided to find out what caused her to feel detachment towards him.
The next day at the same café, Darcy brought his laptop and watched the videos. Inside was fairly crowded and several people were chatting one another, so he used his earphones to block their voices. Apparently she had started this project of hers for a while already--might take some time to get through them all, but he didn't mind too much. He was now at the episode where Charlotte and Jane were acting out what happened during his visit at Carters. It was a very accurate portrayal in his opinion, especially at the part where he fixated on Lizzie for a while and Caroline noticing that.
"Oh, you're watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries?"
Startled by the voice, Darcy swung his head to see a young woman at the table behind him looking at his laptop.
"Um...yes, I am," he said and offered her a warm smile.
"Don't mind if I sit with you for a bit?"
Darcy hesitated at first, but he then said, "No, not at all."
"I'm Jessie." Jessie held her hand out to Darcy for him to shake.
"My friends call me Dar..." Not wanting to slip in his real name, Darcy already thought up a fake one to use. "Daren." He shook her hand.
"I can't wait for the next video. Finally everyone gets to see Darcy."
You're already looking at him now, Darcy thought to himself. Feeling his stomach flipped, he already had an idea that their meeting was going to be shown to the public, to the whole world, very soon and not looking forward to that.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy that," he said and forced another smile.
"Have you been following the videos for a while? I started a few weeks ago."
"Actually I just found out about them today and only watched the first few videos so far. Guess I need to catch up before Darcy’s appearance.”
Jessie chuckled. "It seems many people are hearing about the series just now." She stopped to check her watch and gasped. "Sorry, but I need to go now. It's fun talking with you, Darren. If you want to talk some more here's my number."
Once Jessie took out a business card and pen from her purse, she wrote on the back and handed it to Darcy. She rose off from her seat, waved to him goodbye, and headed off. Darcy glimpsed at the front of the business card, which had the number of the office she worked at. He shook his head and tucked it in the pocket of his dress shirt. Checking the time on his watch, Darcy remembered he was scheduled to meet Fitz in half an hour, so he turned the laptop off, put it back in the case, and left the café.
+++
Darcy was able to watch through all the videos four days later. The last few he saw them inside his room at Aunt Catherine’s house. Seeing him and Lizzie arguing again made his throat tightened, and by the time he finished watching that particular episode he was at a loss of words.
As he was bike riding the next morning, Darcy reflected over everything he had saw and gathered his thoughts. He admitted he could've complimented her more instead of criticizing her family and their social status. It stung a little hearing Lizzie calling him newsie and a robot, but it was understandable. Darcy was also wrong about Jane and that she loved Bing very much. However, he wasn't sure how serious the two wanted their relationship to go and still stand by his decision.
His mind then drifted to the first sight of Lizzie at the wedding, hearing her laugh with Jane back when they were staying at Netherfield. Sometimes he imagined how her lips tasted like sweet fruit and her heartbeat racing faster than his. Such childish fantasies in the end.
He wanted to apologize, but how? He could visit Collins and Collins to see if Lizzie was still there and talk to her or have his aunt invite her to dinner. The problem was she most likely never wanted to speak to him again. He recently followed Lizzie on Twitter and could communicate with her there, but she might avoid his posts. In the end he decided on writing a letter as it was the most heartfelt and genuine way to apologize.
In the afternoon he went back home and in the study room to find the necessary materials--paper, pen, envelop, and wax seal. The first several minutes he tapped the pen loudly on the desk and stared at the white blank page, unsure how to approach the letter.
He could begin explaining as to why he separated Bing and Jane and then reveal the true story behind Wickham. That was what Lizzie wanted to know in the first place, so he started the letter telling those things. He wrote in cursive, which he felt more people should relearn--such a shame it was rarely used now these days. Sometimes he took long pauses to think over his words careful. Around two hours later he wrote down the last two paragraphs.
This, Lizzie, is an accurate telling of everything we had gone through. Assuming you don’t believe all of this to be made up, I hope at least you’ll forgive my rudeness towards Mr. Wickham. I’m not sure what other false statements he said to you, only that to take his success with a grain of salt. I can’t blame you, though, for not picking up anything unusual about him.
You are pondering as to why I hadn’t mentioned any of this to you a few days ago. As I wasn’t aware about the videos until now, the reason isn’t because of your audience. The mere fact is during the filming I couldn’t decide what I should or should not reveal to you. From what I laid out in this letter, my dear friend Fitz, who, from our very close friendship, and, even more so, as someone who got along well with my father, is very familiar with all the specifics. In the circumstance your distaste of me makes my claims insignificant, you can’t avoid the same account when meeting Fitz. And if there is a chance of you seeing him, I’ll seize the opportunity of giving this letter to you when you next shoot another video. I will only add, God bless you.
--WILLIAM DARCY
Once he was done with the letter he folded it in half, sealed it in an envelope, and stamped the seal straight in the center. Tomorrow he would go down to the office and send it to Lizzie, praying she would take the time to read it.
+++
During his last night at the compound, he remained inside the living room to type the report on Collins and Collins up on his laptop. He stopped briefly when he saw Aunt Catherine approaching him. She cuddled her dog, Annie Kins, against her chest and petting her gently.
“Are you almost done packing up for Los Angeles?”
“Just a few more things. I’ll be ready before I leave for my flight in the afternoon.”
“And the elevations?” Aunt Catherine asked in a demanding tone. Her dog barked.
“Fitz and I will have those done tomorrow too, don’t worry.”
A huge smile stretched onto Aunt Catherine’s mouth. “Splendid. You know, it’s a good thing you’re going back to Los Angeles so that you don’t have to get too close with Miss Bennet.”
Darcy frowned. He already knew that his aunt didn’t think highly of Lizzie and he being with her was the last thing she wanted to see; until recently he would’ve trusted her criticisms.
“That’s probably for the best.”
Instantly the dog growled and that caused Aunt Catherine to look at Darcy suspiciously. “Annie Kins thinks you’re not being honest. Don’t tell me you still have feelings for her?”
Mentally cursing to himself, Darcy forgot Annie Kins could sense when someone wasn’t telling the truth.
“I’m certain we won’t be together in a relationship after that incident. I feel, though, I was being harsh on her and I’m leaving with us on the wrong foot.” If they were to indeed not see each other again, the letter he wrote was as close to closure between them as it possibility could.
“I wouldn’t be upset about that anymore if I were you. Let me put it this way: you’re an executive of your late father’s entertainment empire and Miss Bennet’s still a graduate student.”
“She’s in her last semester,” Darcy said even though it probably meant nothing to his aunt.
“It doesn’t matter. Point is you’re just wasting your time on her.” Aunt Catherine yawned, and so has her dog, before saying, “Annie Kins and I will be going to sleep now. I look forward to that report soon. Good night.”
As soon as the both of them left Darcy alone, he went back to writing the report. He didn’t think he was wasting his time on Lizzie, just that he should’ve opened up to her more.
+++
Darcy had been busy at Pemberley Studios the last few months. Several movie and television contracts had been made and another portion of those deals were being negotiated. This was good as it meant having his attention on his job and not thinking when he would see Lizzie again. Before he knew it, though, that time came fast approaching.
On the day Fitz was visiting the company, he told Darcy how he found Lizzie with her professor after the two were being taken on a tour. They were in the lounge, Fitz eating the plate of cookies left on the coffee table.
“So she’s actually in this building at this very moment?”
Fitz nodded and took another bite of his cookie. “Lizzie is only staying around a month for her project. Hey, I was just as surprised as you were.”
Sighing in a deep breath, Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. He recalled from Lizzie’s videos that Charlotte suggested her that. Sometime told him, though, that she wasn’t aware of his connection to this company.
“Is Lizzie expecting me or is she about to leave soon?”
“She’s waiting inside your office and wants to speak with you. You should go, dude.”
Darcy considered a brief moment whether to go see Lizzie or not. Knew running away wasn’t the best option, he thanked Fitz for informing him and used the elevator to go up and meet her.
By the time the elevator reached the eighth and last floor, he went straight to his office and was welcomed upon the sight of Lizzie sitting on the couch. She rested her hands on her lap, a soft but nervous expression showing on her face.
“Hi, Darcy.”
“Hello to you, too.” Already Darcy felt unusual speaking to Lizzie, like wearing clothes that were too short for him and everyone staring at him. He sat down beside her. “I have been informed you’ll be working here for a brief period.
“Sort of. I’m shadowing different companies and analyzing them.”
“That’s perfectly fine.” Darcy cleared his throat. “I can tell you weren’t expecting me as the person overseeing Pemberley Studios. You wouldn’t have come in the first place, otherwise.”
Lizzie lowered her eyes in sadness, as if ashamed to admit that. “I was surprised when Fitz told me you’re the executive and showed me your picture on the first floor. You have a very nice office.” Darcy caught her glimpsing at the large antique desk placed at the end of the room and the shelves behind there.
“I inherited my father’s company shortly after his death.” That got back Lizzie’s attention. “During my undergraduate studies I went through several positions to familiarize myself with the media industry.”
“I see. That makes sense.” She paused. “About the letter you gave me…”
“No need to explain,” Darcy interrupted her. “I was actually hoping you would vaguely mention some of the details concerning me and Mr. Wickham.”
A stunned look spread across Lizzie’s face. “Oh. I thought your side of the story needed to be told. Still think it’s odd you wrote it in cursive instead of typing it.”
Not offended, Darcy chuckled. “I’m happy at least you were grateful for that letter.” His smile quickly faded and he frowned. “I know I should’ve been more courteous, Lizzie. It was wrong of me to treat you harshly the last few months.”
“Well I wasn’t Miss Perfect, either.” A small smile pulled on the corner of Lizzie’s mouth. “We both need to learn to not judge one another so hastily.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I only hope it’s not too late for us to get to know one another better.”
Lizzie shook her head. “We can still do that.”
Darcy gazed at Lizzie for a while. He was glad they were able to converse civilly for once. There were many more words he wanted to say to Lizzie not mentioned in the letter, lovely, courteous words, and he let those be known with a tender kiss. He heard a confused sound left her throat, but she didn’t resist and instead looped her arms around his neck as Darcy settled his hands on her hips. Lizzie’s lips weren’t anything like sweet fruit and more like strong coffee, although in the end it didn’t matter. They eventually parted from their kiss, Darcy still feeling his heart beating wildly against his chest. Lizzie’s cheeks flushed and she looked to be in a dreamlike daze.
“There is a quiet and pleasant restaurant not far from here we can head to.”
“Are you asking me out on a date?” Lizzie arched a playful eyebrow at him.
“If you prefer to call it that, then I have no objections. Shall we?” Smiling, Darcy rose up from the couch and held out his hand to Lizzie, which she accepted.
“Sure.”
They left the office together and headed to the elevator. Darcy thought this was moving towards the right direction and that soon he and Lizzie would be much more comfortable together.
This entry was originally posted at http://bay-alexison.dreamwidth.org/87753.html. Feel free to comment wherever you like!