Work Text:
Benedict cannot believe he they lost. “We will need to regroup,” he retorts.
It’s Wednesday night which means it’s Whistledown Pub’s Trivia Night, and his team just lost. Losing isn’t even the worst part of it. They lost to their own B-team.
“We don’t need to regroup. You need to split that team up,” Anthony raises his voice so he can be heard over the cheering of their neighboring table.
When Buscombe Financials downsized and moved across town so did their trivia team and with them Benedict’s chances at trivia night glory. He never figured that his own secondary team would be his own undoing, but he should’ve known better once Eloise, Colin, and Penelope agreed to join.
“You said, and I quote, ‘C’mon Kate, they’ll probably spend the entire time gossiping.’ That they were just bodies to keep this thing from ending prematurely,” Kate huffs. She hates losing as much as Anthony.
“I want it on record that I opposed this whole “B-Team” idea from the beginning. Those three are too good,” Sophie muses. “I should’ve joined them when they asked.”
“Did you sabotage this for us?” Anthony whirls around to face Sophie. “I want a redo. Ben, ask for a redo on grounds of sabotage.” He bangs on the table.
“I saw the emcee step outside. I’m gonna ask for a redo,” says Kate and she’s rounding the table before Ben can say anything else.
“Wait for me. There’s more legitimacy if more than one person complains,” Anthony grumbles and hurries after Kate.
Benedict’s frown deepens when he sees the trophy being walked over to the B-Team table, he’s still miffed about it.
“This is kind of your fault you know?” Sophie leans over so she can be heard over the B-Team table revelry.
“I can acknowledge my fault in this and still be unhappy about it,” Benedict begrudges. “I really did think they would just drink and talk to each other.”
“That doesn’t sound like the patented Bridgerton competitive spirit I’ve heard so much about,” Sophie is fully leaning her weight on him, and he doesn’t mind it at all. “Phillip looked scared when Eloise lunged at him to ring the bell.”
It’s only her second time at trivia night after finally agreeing to his invitation but he’s never seen Sophie like this; a little flushed, a bit loud. She might be a little buzzed, so he’ll have to make sure she gets home all right when the night ends. Benedict looks over to the B-Team table in time to see all two of the four members of the B-Team take a shot. Colin and Penelope will definitely be feeling that in the morning. He notices Eloise and Phillip doodling something on a napkin with a pen they definitely swiped from a server at some point. There are a few other faces scattered around the bar that he recognizes from work and he’s happy to see that they all seem to be having a good time.
“Stop trying to distract me, Benedict,” Eloise shouts at the small group gathered around the pool table. “I’m still going to win.”
“Your angle seems a little off from where I’m standing,” Sophie adds. She makes little show of tilting her head and closing one eye as she bends down to gauge Eloise’s next shot.
Eloise groans and straightens to her full height. “Would you like to join Colin and Penelope in exile?” She looks at Sophie and points her pool cue to the table where the aforementioned duo is giggling over something on Penelope’s phone.
“El, just take your turn,” Benedict laughs into his beer. “It’s not Sophie’s fault you suck at this game.”
Eloise is about to let him have it when Phillip steps between them and takes the shot sending the 5-ball into the corner pocket.
“Technically not my turn but I figure if Sophie is going to clean us out, I’d rather make it a little difficult for her,” Phillip quips. “Your turn, Benedict.” Phillip goes to take the final swig of his beer and stands next to Eloise. Benedict can admit that pool is not his forte when he sends the 3-ball bouncing off the table.
“We are stripes,” Sophie lets out above where he is leaned over the table. “Not sure what you were aiming for there.”
“I did suggest darts,” he object. “Eloise would’ve wiped the floor with us but at least I wouldn’t be making such a fool of myself there.”
“We’ll save darts for next week, then,” Sophie goes to retrieve the ball. “Do you think they’d notice if I took this next shot?” She gestures at Eloise who is currently crowding a sitting Phillip.
They look cozy. Benedict discreetly snaps a picture with his cellphone to pester her with later.
“We could leave, and they wouldn’t notice,” Benedict waves Sophie to take the remaining shots and end this game.
Sophie laughs and moves around the table sending every ball into a different pocket before sinking the 8-ball into the corner opposite from where they are both standing.
“You’re okay to get home, right?” Benedict asks. “I could call you a car or something.”
“That is very sweet, but I already promised Kate we’d take the tube back together,” Sophie offers. “Thanks again for this fun night. I’ll see you tomorrow around the office, yeah?”
Benedict nods and watches Sophie turn back towards the tables near the entrance. He needs to find Anthony and head home as well. He notices Penelope and Colin arm-in-arm near the exit still talking like they haven’t seen each other in months. Eloise and Phillip are now at the darts board where she is once again crowding Phillip. She grabs his arm with both of hers to position him at a better angle before his dart goes flying only to land at their feet. Eloise lets out laugh that has her wrapping her arms around Phillip’s middle that seems to catch Phillip off guard by the way his face flushes. He’ll leave those two be for tonight. Benedict makes his way to the bar in search of Anthony who has been missing since he declared their pool game rigged. He manages to catch sight of Sophie near the bar and makes the choice to join her again.
“Any luck tracking down your tube buddy?” Benedict jokingly asks.
Sophie shakes her head and glances down at her phone again. “She wouldn’t leave without letting me know, right?” Benedict scans the bar again in search of either Kate or Anthony and comes up empty.
“Do you want to check outside?” Benedict offers. “Maybe she’s waiting out there.”
Benedict lets Sophie lead the way but come up empty again. Sophie is about to suggest they head back in when a group of teens jog past them, forcing Benedict to grab her and pull her back against him to avoid her getting shoved.
He’s about to ask if she’s okay when Sophie looks up at him and motions for him to be quiet. Benedict is a little sad when she pulls away and moves to round the corner from where they are standing. He doesn’t have time to join her before Sophie is desperately pushing him back towards the entrance of the bar.
“Oh my god,” Sophie breathes out. “Oh my god.” Sophie offers nothing else, so Benedict goes round the corner as well but is stopped by Sophie gripping his arm and coat as she shakes her head.
“I’m going to yell if you continue getting in my way,” Benedict replies. “What is going on over there that has you like this, huh?” He jokes.
Sophie lets go of his arm and brings her finger up to her lips in the universal “be quiet” sign. She presses her back against the wall and motions him to do the same. Sophie crouches down a bit and cranes her neck around the corner so Benedict goes to do the same and what he sees has him snapping back out of sight. He must have hit his head because what he just saw makes no sense. Benedict peers around the corner again and he is now sure he did not imagine Anthony and Kate making out like teenagers against the wall.
“Oh my god,” he breathes out. Benedict really cannot think of what else to say. Kate and Anthony had been at each other’s throats since the moment they met and now they’re actually at each other’s throats.
Benedict and Sophie stare at each other in silence as they process what they’ve just seen. Sophie brings her hands up to her mouth to cover up her laughter and Benedict pulls her further away from the corner and towards the underground.
“C’mon, let’s get you home,” Benedict laughs. “Wait, where is home for you?”
“You don’t have to do that,” Sophie argues. But Benedict wants to do this for her. “It’d be a waste of your time.”
“Nonsense,” he replies. “Now, which way are we headed?”
He sounds so sincere that the only thing Sophie can do is answer. “Camden. If it’s too far I can go on my own, really.”
Benedict says nothing and starts walking towards the nearest station. They’ve just managed to get into the waiting car when the doors close behind them. Benedict finds himself with the urge to break the silence between them he just has no idea how. He’s so busy trying to come up with something to say when Sophie starts laughing next to him. Benedict cannot help himself and starts laughing too.
“I can’t believe Anthony and Kate were making out,” Sophie wheezes. “I thought they hated each other.”
“At the very least strongly disliked each other,” Benedict replies. “I guess all that animosity was just a front for how they really felt.”
“Or maybe they were just drunk,” Sophie adds.
Benedict hums his agreement.
“Next stop: Camden Town.”
Sophie doesn’t say anything when Benedict follows her off the train and up the stairs. She seems to be enjoying the silence between them as they walk to her flat.
“I live in Chelsea,” Benedict blurts. “Thought you’d like to know.”
Sophie nods and stops in front of a renovated townhome with a bright red door.
“This is me,” she says. “Thanks again for the invite tonight. I had fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” Benedict adds. “Could we maybe keep the Kate and Anthony thing between us for now?”
“Of course,” Sophie agrees. “Listen, would you ever want to possibly go-,” Whatever Sophie was about to say gets cut off by the front door swinging open to reveal a very tired looking young woman on the other side.
“Soph, finally! Before you get upset, just know I worked another 18-hour shift, and the hospital has been short staffed with the flu going around. So, I wasn’t fully awake when I accidentally knocked your toy thing off the table and I’m sorry. Oh, hello,” The woman seems to finally acknowledge that Sophie is not alone.
“Evening, sorry for keeping her out so late. I’m Benedict Bridgerton,” he extends his hand toward the woman.
“The Benedict Bridgerton, huh?” She gives Sophie a smile and goes to shake Benedict’s hand. “I’m Posie. Sophie’s stepsister. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Posie, I’m sure it’s okay,” Sophie rushes out. “Just let me…” She waves her hands, and Sophie must understand because she bids them both a good night and walks back into the house.
“Stepsister, huh?” Benedict grins.
Sophie nods.
“And she knows about me?” Benedict cannot help how big his smile grows.
“She knows of you,” Sophie interrupts. “Just like she knows about other people around the office. Stop smiling. I do not gush about you, okay?” There’s a very adorable blush working its way up her face.
“I’ll see you around the office tomorrow,” Benedict says. “We can find someone else for you to gush about.”
“Ha, ha. I should head in and assess whatever damage Posie inflicted on my things,” Sophie says as she widens the front door and peeks into the dimly lit hall.
“I can help you clean up if you need?” Benedict offers.
“No, no. You’ve already helped enough. I’ll just sweep up all the Lego pieces and deal with the rebuild tomorrow,” she remarks. “You should probably head back. I’ll see you around tomorrow, yeah? Good night, Benedict.”
Benedict wants to follow up on the Lego bit, but Sophie has already said her good-byes and closed the door. It would be stupid to knock on her door just because he has a hunch about a gift someone put a lot of thought into. Oh, he’s already knocking because Sophie opens the door and looks at him a bit confused.
“Benedict?” Sophie asks. “Did you forget something?”
“Was it you?” he rushes out. “The Secret Santa thing from last year. Was that you?”
“Yes,” Sophie replies. “Is everything okay?”
“No. Yes, everything is-. Why didn’t you say anything?” Benedict asks.
“About what?” Sophie asks again. “Benedict, what is going on?”
Benedict must make quite the sight pacing back and forth in front of a woman’s door at this late of an hour.
“Benedict?” Sophie says again, trying to get his attention. “Did the gift upset you? Your mum swore that you’d like it. I can see now how it could be perceived as hurtful. I mean what was I thinking getting you something that would probably bring up painful memories of your dad?”
“Wait, when did you talk to my mum?”
“Um, a few days after I drew your name on that site Phillip built. I ran into her on the lift, and she caught a glimpse of your name on my phone,” Sophie explains. “It just kind of spiraled from there. I truly am sorry if I upset you.”
“What, no. It was really thoughtful,” Benedict clarifies. “I’ve been trying to figure out who gave me the gift in the first place and all this time it was you. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I thought you knew,” Sophie answers. “I know that defeats the purpose of the game, but I put my name on the gift bag. I assumed you hated it and moved on.”
“Would you like to get a coffee with me tomorrow?” Benedict asks from seemingly out of nowhere.
“I’ll meet you in the lobby and we can go from there,” Sophie answers. “Good night, Benedict.”
Benedict wants to say more, he should say more but it is difficult to speak when you’re grinning from ear to ear. This isn’t a date, it’s just coffee. But it feels like something else entirely. Benedict spends the train ride back to his side of town brimming with excitement for the following day—he has a good feeling about it. He only has a few stops to go when he feels his phone buzz in his jacket. He fishes it out expecting to see a message from Sophie when he realizes he doesn’t have her number—it’s from Anthony.
Meant to track you down and tell you I left early. Felt a little off. See you at the office tomorrow. -Ant
Benedict cannot wait for tomorrow.