Work Text:
"I don't have time for a real relationship. I'm finishing my medical degree, I do not-"
Anthony looked up from between her legs, annoyed that he had not distracted her well enough. Kate breathed heavily.
"That's fantastic. May I continue?"
Fresh out of Cambridge, Kate decided to go to London with a few classmates. Her last night of freedom before starting the medical part of her degree
Sitting at the bar, she noticed the handsome man next to her. He looked annoyed as the bartender listened to him rant about his sister's engagement.
"I feel bad for the man your sister is with," Kate snorted.
Anthony looked at her, "He was my best friend and my little sister!"
"If they love each other, then what's wrong with that? Scared she may get treated the way you treat other women?" Kate challenged. Most men were always terrified of that prospect.
But he smiled at her, narrowing his eyes in interest, "I will have you know, I am a perfect gentleman."
"I'm sure," Kate agreed sarcastically.
"I'm Anthony," He introduced, "See? Gentleman."
"Kate." She replied.
"What are you drinking to?" He asked, noticing her cocktail. As he moved closer, he inhaled the smell of her. Lilies. It was nearly intoxicating.
"I have just graduated. Starting medical training in September," Kate explained.
"Congratulations! That calls for a drink. On me." Anthony said. Sexy and smart? He liked her already.
"What about you?" Kate asked, seeing his glass of whiskey.
"I am… just drinking,"
"I'm sure that's just alcoholism."
They both grinned and laughed, "No, I, um, it's been a shitty few months. Fighting with my sister and my best friend. My fiancee broke up with me," Anthony took another sip, "I have everything, but my life is a mess,"
"I'm sorry," Kate said, genuinely feeling bad for him.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine, I think." Anthony waved her off, "I have my family to focus on,"
"I get that. I always worry about my little sister." Kate agreed, "And my mum,"
"I have seven siblings to worry about," Anthony said, and her eyes widened.
"Well then, I think we'll need more drinks."
They were still talking and drinking even as other patrons left.
"You are so bloody arrogant," Kate said to him.
"Never had a complaint before," Anthony said with a wink. He tapped his black card against the reader, "Come home with me?"
She raised an eyebrow but followed him out anyway.
That's how it started. Neither would say it meant anything. Merely two older siblings who needed relief in their busy lives.
Kate finds out who Anthony is when they re-settle in Mayfair. It was coming home after two decades to the house and estate her parents left her for Mary. She didn't exactly want it, but she wanted her girls looked after.
"I love it!" Edwina ran inside the large house, Newton scampering behind her, "I get first dibs on rooms!" She ran up the staircase.
"It's like a mausoleum," Kate said. Mary wrapped her arm around her eldest.
"That was my parent's style." Mary agreed, "But we will brighten it up. I fear Edwina has already planned to paint the whole place yellow or pink."
"I'm so here for that," Kate said, and they laughed.
"Mary!" There was a sharp knock at the open door, accompanied by a cheery voice and a cheerful woman in a floral dress carrying two large cake tins.
"Violet." Mary grinned and hugged her old friend.
"I have brought cake. Victoria sponge, made by me." Violet gave her one, "And the other is full of cookies and macaroons from that bakery," She clicked her fingers, "Anthony! Darling, where is that bakery again? The one Eloise and Frannie love?”
"Near Hyde Park, mother," A deep, familiar and amused voice followed by Anthony himself. He is holding a basket of flowers.
Kate and Anthony stared at one another as their mother's chatted. He was her fucking neighbour?!
"Ah, this is my eldest, Anthony. Anthony, you remember Mary, do you not?" Violet introduced.
"Wow, the last time I saw you, you were so little," Mary gushed at the Viscount, who smiled politely, "This is Kate, my eldest-"
"Amma, I called bagsy on the room with the view of the gardens! It has so much space for my books!" Edwina came barrelling down the stairs, smiling at the new people.
"This is my sister Edwina," Kate introduced her sister, who smiled brightly at Anthony, "And this is Newton." The puppy barked at Anthony, causing him to step back, and Kate smiled, satisfied.
"Why don't I help you with your boxes? You can show me this room you've baggised," Anthony said to the younger sister, who grinned and nodded, putting down Newton and dragging him with her.
"Oh, such a sweet man. But that's the Viscount. He still reads to Hyacinth before she goes to sleep. He can't resist helping a younger sister." Violet gushed to Mary.
"Viscount?" Kate asked, startled.
"Yes, darling," Mary confirmed, "Oh, sorry, yes. Violet is the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton."
"But please, call me Violet because that is a mouthful." Before walking through the house, the women laughed, discussing what Mary would do with it.
Kate hated him. Oh, she really hated him.
But it turns out disdain makes for great sex.
Marina knew. She had a second sense of her friend's well-being in every sense. When they were helping Marina paint the living room of George and her's new home.
Kate leaned back when she noticed her friend sniffing her, then scanning her with a critical eye.
"You're having great sex," Marina concluded as she continued painting the mantle place.
Kate spluttered, "How do you-?! What are you, a sex sniffer dog?" If her friend ever thought about quitting dance, she would be an asset to Mi5.
"Because as cute as that shirt looks on you, it's a few sizes too big, and you smell like Tom Ford," Marina said. Then her eyes widened, "Which nepotism lawyer are you sleeping with?"
"None of your business!" Kate said defensively. "Her friend simply smirked. She would find out, somehow.
In fact, when Kate and Sophie were going home, Marina texted Kate:
"Anthony Bridgerton is a good choice. Proud of you x.'
She was going to kill George.
After Sophie outed her at dinner, Mary wanted to talk to Kate
"Anthony Bridgerton," Mary hummed as Kate dried dishes and put them away.
"Mama…" She didn't want a lecture.
Mary laughed, however, "No, I don't mind it, honestly. He would make a good son-in-law," She teased.
"We're just," Kate shook her, "It's not that serious, just a bit of stress relief. Neither of us has time for that,"
"You forget, I met your father when I just finished med school," Mary pointed out, "He had a charming little girl who he looked after, whilst doing his PhD, then remarried, and we moved to a different country afterwards. Multi-tasking is in your blood, chellam"
Kate smiled, "Edwina-"
"Will come out when she's ready. We should not worry about it unless this girlfriend breaks her heart." Mary said, and she had to agree. Her younger sister was a romantic. If she broke, she would shatter.
"You deserve happiness and respect," Mary said gently, brushing Kate's hair back, "Do you have that?"
She thought that even after sex, they would watch something, playfight, order in or go out for dinner. Anthony knew her, and she knew him.
"I do, amma," She whispered.
"Do you want to go to dinner?" Anthony asked her when she came by his penthouse in the evening. He was still in a suit, obviously just coming from work.
"Uh, sure," Kate replied, confused. They usually had food afterwards.
"Great, I made reservations," He smiled.
"Do I need to change?" Kate asked, looking down at her dress under her coat. It was a simple summer dress"
"You look beautiful"," He assured her sincerely. She always looked beautiful.
They walked down the busy streets of London. Anthony talked about his day, how Gregory is doing better at school, and that Hyacinth still wants a pet after killing her goldfish. Kate spoke about her upcoming tests, and that's when it hit her"
"Anthon"." She stopped walking. He turned to her, concerned.
"What are we doing"?" Kate asked desperately"
"Going to dinner. You mentioned you wanted to try the place a few weeks back"-" Anthony explained, confused by her questioning."
"Exactly! Why do we remember these things? Why do I know that you hate bees and secretly like sugary caramel lattes? Why do you keep the soap and the perfume I use at your place"?" Kate asked" "What are"
"Kate"…" Anthony whispered. "I'm not good at this. I can't even pretend I am. I have a failed engagement. 'I'm not perfect. I know that. Do you want to stop"?"
"No, Kate shook her head" "But can't ignore how I feel and just... I don't want to ruin this."
"So we can just be us." Anthony concluded, "But I'm not going to pretend that U don't feel strongly for you. That I seem only to be able to breathe around you. And this has always been more than sex."
She reached up and kissed him, her hands cupping his face. His hands wrapped around her waist, holding her close.
"So, is that a yes?" Anthony asked.
"Come on, buy me dinner"," Kate smirked, holding his hand "And maybe you will get something in return.