Work Text:
Sophie had been planning this Galentine’s Day for three weeks.
Which was exactly why Benedict had been gently, but firmly, escorted out of the flat at seven that morning with a coffee, a kiss, and strict instructions not to come back until “late. Very late. And be quiet.”
And now her flat looked like a craft store and a bakery had collided and then exploded.
Fairy lights framed the windows. Pink and gold balloons floated near the ceiling. Blankets and pillows had taken over the living room floor. The coffee table was buried under Sophie’s homemade cupcakes and chocolates as well as crisps, and an aggressively large charcuterie board Hazel insisted was “structurally necessary.”
And weaving happily through it all were two golden retrievers.
Apollo was currently stationed beside the snack table, convinced this entire event existed for him.
Calli had claimed the blanket pile and was accepting affection from anyone within reach like a benevolent queen.
Hazel crouched to scratch Calli behind the ears. “I feel like these two are the real hosts.”
“They absolutely are,” Sophie said, adjusting the GALENTINE’S DAY banner. “Apollo has already stolen two crackers.”
From the floor, Posy called, “Correction, three. He just took one directly out of Hyacinth’s hand.”
Hyacinth, sprawled on her stomach, pointed at the dog. “He made eye contact while he did it. That was personal.”
Hazel had started eating cheese straight from the board.
“You know,” she said, “most people just go out for drinks.”
“And pay £14 for one cocktail? Absolutely not.”
The door buzzer rang.
Hazel grinned. “Here we go.”
Kate and Anthony’s car service had barely left when Kate walked in carrying a bottle of prosecco and looking effortlessly put together, as always.
“For the host,” she said.
Behind her came Daphne, already taking her coat off and looking relieved. “I told Simon this is a no partners, no children, no emergencies unless someone is actively on fire and the only male in attendance was Apollo.” as she then bent down to greet the gentleman in question who was wagging his tail happily at all the new arrivals with Calli in tow.
Violet arrived next with a tote bag. “I brought candles. And face masks. And snacks. And backup snacks.”
Eloise pushed past her. “If this turns into a feelings circle, I’m leaving.”
“You say that every time,” Daphne said.
Francesca slipped in quietly behind them with a box from a bakery. “I know you are a baker Sophie and make amazing cakes and I am sorry but they had heart-shaped macarons and I couldn’t resist”
Within minutes, the flat was full, coats on chairs, shoes kicked off, music playing, someone already opening the prosecco and fizzy lemonade for Hyacinth.
Sophie stood in the middle of it all, smiling so hard her face hurt.
“Okay,” she announced. “Ground rules for Galentine’s Night.”
Eloise groaned. “Are there rules?”
“Yes. One: no talking about work stress after the first drink. Two: no talking about men unless it’s funny or a complaint. Three: tonight is strictly for hyping each other up.”
Kate raised her glass. “That’s a rule I support.”
They started with drinks and the charcuterie board, which Hyacinth immediately dismantled like a tactical operation.
Conversation bounced everywhere.
Daphne was telling a story about a chaotic school pickup.
Kate and Eloise were arguing about career ambition versus burnout.
Francesca quietly controlled the music playlist so it never dipped into anything awkward.
Violet kept refilling everyone’s glasses like a benevolent prosecco fairy.
Penelope and Posy had taken over the cupcake decorating station and were now covered in icing.
Apollo made multiple strategic snack thefts.
Calli fell asleep with her head in Kate’s lap when Sophie brought out the anonymous compliment cards.
Eloise protested.
Kate participated immediately.
Hyacinth wrote hers in thirty seconds and went back for snacks.
When the notes were read, the room softened.
“You make people feel safe.”
“You’re stronger than you think.”
“You notice when someone’s left out.”
“You make everywhere feel like home.”
One of the notes for Sophie read: You take care of everyone. Tonight you let us take care of you.
She blinked quickly and looked down. Hazel bumped her shoulder.
“True,” she said quietly.
By eleven, the living room had fully transformed into a blanket nest.
By midnight, the movie was still playing, but no one was really watching.
Hyacinth had fallen asleep first, curled against Daphne.
Penelope was half-dozing against Posy.
Eloise and Kate had clearly been mid-debate about something serious before both lost the fight with exhaustion.
Francesca slept quietly near the arm of the sofa.
Violet had drifted off with a contented smile.
Apollo lay stretched across three sets of legs like a furry weighted blanket.
Calli was curled against Sophie’s side protecting her in Benedict’s stead.
And Sophie herself had fallen asleep sitting up, her head tipped gently toward Hazel’s shoulder.
At half past midnight, the front door unlocked quietly.
Benedict stepped inside, carrying a takeaway bag and moving with the caution of someone who knew he was entering dangerous territory.
He stopped in the doorway to the living room.
The lights were low. The fairy lights glowed softly. The television flickered silently.
And the entire floor was covered in sleeping women, tangled blankets, empty glasses, and two extremely satisfied golden retrievers.
Apollo lifted his head, saw Benedict, and thumped his tail once before deciding sleep was more important.
Calli didn’t even move from where she rested on Sophie.
Benedict’s expression softened immediately as he saw his girlfriend there right in the middle of it all, surrounded by people she loved, one hand resting absently in Calli’s fur even in sleep.
He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, just taking it in.
Then, carefully, quietly, he pulled out his phone.
He stepped back to get the whole scene, the fairy lights, the blanket nest, the dogs, Sophie at the centre of it like the heart of the whole thing.
He took the photo.
Then he opened his messages and the group chat to his family.
Benedict: I’m not sure anyone is coming home tonight . It was worth being kicked out of my own flat at seven am. Look at them. 😍
He hit send.
Apollo thumped his tail again.
Benedict set his takeaway gently on the counter, grabbed an extra blanket, and crossed the room on quiet feet.
He draped it over Sophie without waking her.
Then he sat on the floor beside her, back against the sofa, careful not to disturb the sleeping pile.
Calli shifted, pressed against his leg.
Benedict smiled, lowering the lights just a little more.
And stayed there, guarding the quiet, until morning.