Chapter Text
Typically Simon’s first thought on hearing his alarm was annoyance; no one would ever mistake Simon as a morning person. With a coffee in hand, he could fake it to some degree but first thing, just steer clear.
So it was odd to wake up to his alarm feeling content. In his confusion, he attempted to burrow deeper into his bed. Which was when he realised there was another body in his bed, and the events of the night before came rushing back to him.
Simon let his eyes open as he propped himself up to check that what he was remembering actually happened. That Daphne was actually in his bed. Of course, all his moving around was enough to wake Daphne from her sleep.
Daphne was seemingly just as momentarily confused before remembering her own recollections of the night before. Greeting Simon with a content smile as she stretched out before sitting up herself.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning Daphne.”
“I'll make the coffee,” Daphne spoke, sliding out of bed and heading towards the door.
While it was the first time Daphne had stayed over in the same bed as Simon it, wasn’t the first time she had spent the night. She knew Simon needed his morning coffee.
Soon the coffee was made; they had both showered Daphne, changing into some spare clothes she had left behind.
Simon found her in the kitchen, helping herself to some breakfast. Simon was awake enough now to realise he wasn’t dreaming. Daphne had agreed to be his girlfriend.
Simon walked up to Daphne in the kitchen and placed one hand on her waist. Turning her towards him. One of Daphne’s hands came up to rest on Simon’s arm. Simon made his intent clear giving Daphne time to pull away if she so chose as he lent in for a kiss.
It was a sweet kiss, both using it as a way to reassure them this was happening this was real.
“Can I take you out on a date on Saturday night?” Asked Simon as he pulled back from the kiss.
He couldn’t help the smile when seeing her blush at his question. Daphne happily accepted, and Simon told her he would make all the plans, and Daphne just had to be ready by six.
He was unsure what the date would be yet, but he was looking forward to planning a proper first date that Daphne deserved.
Daphne went through her day in a great mood; she was just trying to enjoy the moment for what it was and not overthink. So it wasn’t till she was passing Anthony in the hall that night that she thought about what her and Simon’s relationship actually meant.
She pulled her phone out to send a text to Simon.
‘I just realised Anthony technically is responsible for us getting together. HE CAN NEVER FIND OUT.’
Anthony was the whole reason she even knew Simon.
Anthony and his overprotectiveness was the entire reason she and Simon became friends.
It was thanks to Anthony that Daphne had been able to realise she had feelings for Simon.
It was thanks to Anthony that Simon realised he had feelings for Daphne.
Anthony was her elder brother; he would be insufferable with his gloating if he ever found out that he was responsible.
Her phone started to ring as Simon called her.
“I 100% agree. I took Anthony’s advice once in high school; he turned outright. And he still holds it over me.” That was how Simon started the conversation.
“Good good we agree then.” Laughed Daphne.
“You have to admit, though, it’s pretty hilarious how this whole thing has turned out. Did you know Anthony thought we were dating? Apparently, people have thought we were dating for months?”
“He said the same to me. Do you think he was right? Can you date someone without knowingly dating someone?” Daphne had been wondering, and it had just led to her going around in circles in her brain.
“I’ve been thinking about it. I don’t think it counts. I think it’s a good basis for us going forward as a couple. Clearly, we have chemistry, we enjoy spending time together, and we already have a good level of physical intimacy. But you can’t date without intent. I'm planning on romancing you like you deserve, and believe me, you are going to know we are dating.”
Daphne was so glad they were having this conversation over the phone. She was a blushing mess at Simon’s words.
She could already start to tell the difference between friend Simon and dating Simon. He had never spoken to her in that smooth tone of voice before.
Daphne suggested to Simon that they not mention to anyone they are dating yet.
Her family were nosy overprotective busybodies. And she just wanted to adjust to dating Simon without all eyes on her.
Simon agreed, saying if everyone thought they were dating already. Why bother telling anyone at the current moment in time.
The following few weeks were bliss. Their first date was a complete success. They had gone to dinner at a restaurant they had both been wanting to try. Simon had brought Daphne a gorgeous bouquet.
And the transition from friends to dating was natural.
There were slight awkward moments because life was real, and they were both new to this. But they were able to move forward.
There was a trip to the theatre, multiple dinners, and other outings. There were plenty of nights at Simons where they would cook together and then quietly hang out together while they worked on their own stuff.
Simon loved the physical intimacy before they started dating; it was Daphne who instigated the majority of the time. But since they started dating, Simon had no hesitation pulling her close.
Holding her hand as they walked. Being the one to pull her in to snuggle. Dropping kisses on her lips or cheek as he walked past.
To Daphne, the most significant change was being more open with Simon. And allowing him to be there for her. She was learning it was okay not always to know everything that he liked the real messy version of her.
A couple of weeks into dating. Daphne was having a really shit day. She was struggling with her assignment, it just wasn't coming together, and it was a large percentage of her grade.
There was an issue at work in her department. And while she wasn't directly responsible more than her share of the blame was being heaped on her shoulders. She knew it was because she was a Bridgerton. But it was still unfair and stressing her out more.
Home was just adding to the stress. She seemed to be the only one not in the epic bank battle between her siblings. They were all taking it way too seriously, and it was becoming ridiculous. She had been at Simon's most nights this week as a result. But she didn't want to overstay, so she stayed at home last night, which resulted in being woken several times throughout the night from pranks.
It turns out choosing to stay home when Mum was out of town on business was terrible.
But the result was she had barely slept. Then, as a result, she slept through her alarm and missed breakfast.
She had missed lunch as well and was running off coffee and a couple of snack bars she had found in her desk draw.
She was hungry, tired, stressed, and it was leaving her feeling like an anxious mess.
By the time she got to her car, she knew she shouldn't drive. In the past, she would have just sat in her car till she could calm herself down enough to drive. Or if she was really anxious, call an Uber and then hide in her room till she could shove the emotion down.
But she didn't have to be strong and perfect for Simon. She felt comfortable enough to call him; she could hold it together enough to call him. But as soon as he said her name she started to cry.
She was able to stammer out she was in her car at work. And Simon was on his way, keeping Daphne on the phone just talking to her, trying to distract her as he made his way to her as fast as he could.
It took almost fifteen minutes but by staying on the phone the whole time. He was able to calm Daphne down enough that she was just quietly listening. No longer crying by the time he arrived.
As soon as Simon pulled up, he pulled Daphne into his arms, giving her a big hug. Before locking her car up and helping her into his.
As they drove to Simons, he continued just to try and distract her. He waited until they were home, and he was able to pull her into his side on the couch to ask her if she wanted to talk about it.
Feeling safe, Daphne was able to let out all her stress and frustrations. Simon could do nothing to help. Besides letting her know, she couldn't possibly outstay her welcome.
But just him being there for her. Just giving her the ability to vent to someone who cared and wanted to listen was enough for her to feel better.
Everyone who had assumed they were dating just now thought they were getting more serious. As it was noticeable, there had been a change in their relationship, and they had been even happier.
It was no doubt to anyone who saw them that they were good together.
It was time for another Bridgerton family brunch. Simon just kept turning up since he went to the first one. No one had asked him why he was there, and it was good food, and especially since he and Daphne started dating, he enjoyed spending time with her at them.
Daphne had spent the night at Simon’s the night before, so they had both turned up to brunch together; they were both in an excellent mood; it had been a slow start to the morning with Simon convincing Daphne to stay in bed.
Everyone was sitting at the table enjoying their own conversations. No one seemed to be paying attention to anyone else. So Simon thought nothing of leaning over and whispering into Daphne’s ear that they should have stayed home in bed nothing important seemed to be happening today.
Daphne blushed at his comment. Before she could reply, Hyacinth, who was sitting across from her, dropped her cutlery onto her plate, causing a ding as it hit the plate.
“That’s it. I don’t see how there is any question they are dating. I’m the youngest, and clearly, Simon and Daphne are together. Look at them. They are gross, and they are making me lose my appetite.” Exclaimed Hyacinth, Colin just reaches out to try and grab her plate in response. With Hyacinth hitting the back of his hand and glaring at him.
Everyone else in response just talking over each other, and it is hard to work out what anyone was saying. Violet spoke up and managed to quiet them all. She was admonishing Hyacinth, reminding her and everyone that they had agreed not to speculate.
Eloise pipes up, saying, “Please, I am the least romantic one of all of us and even I can see the heart eyes they have for each other.”
Daphne and Simon were just laughing at the chaos. Simon apologised for disrupting Hyacinths appetite.
Daphne speaks up, saying, “ Sorry, we didn't think we had to say anything apparently; everyone just accepted it as fact; we thought you all knew.”
Anthony looked between them both before saying, “Wait, wait a minute, you were both in denial, deep in denial when I spoke to you. I am the reason you two are now together.” As Daphne and Simon had expected, Anthony seemed very smug at the thought.
Simon immediately added, “No, no and no, we are the reason we are together; if anything, it’s your fault we took so long to get together.” In reply, Anthony raised his eyebrow, not believing what Simon was saying he was 100 per cent going to take the credit.
“So, how long have you been together?” Asked Benedict.
Simon and Daphne share a look before Daphne answered. “now that we cant settle on. Public opinion has us together several months before we got together. I say we go with the date we got together. Simon wants just to say we should pick a date that goes more in line with what public opinion is.” It was a date they had been having since the beginning.
Simon looks at Daphne, saying. “I keep telling her she needs to look at the bigger picture. You never know when it may come in handy for us to have been ‘together’ longer than we have.”
Simon was thinking along the lines of down the road. If he proposed at nine months, that would seem like they were rushing. There would be more judgement, but a year well, that’s just more romantic lot’s of people get engaged on or around their anniversaries.
And if they went with the earlier date, Simon would be able to propose three months earlier.
While he was enjoying them dating and just being together, Simon had no doubt Daphne Brigerton was it for him. He had started to think about what it would be like to be married, for her to move in, the idea of having kids with her.
Yes, Simon was a big fan of having their getting together date be three months earlier.