#theatrebatch

I have two songs that encapsulate some of the feels for this fic. Girl Crush by Little Big Town, and Taylor's Wildest Dreams

“Kettle’s on,” Phe told her brusquely. “And I’ve set a tin of biscuits on the kitchen table—not that he deserves them,” she grumbled.

Vicki quietly laid down the law. “Phe, you’re going to behave nicely--for my sake at the very least. And if you can’t do that, then we’ll be leaving. Understood?”

Ophelia rolled her eyes and let loose an exaggerated sigh, “Alright. Whatever.”

“Whatever indeed, little sister.” She took Phe’s hand and squeezed it gently, “And please do keep in mind that he’s the man I love. As I’ve never loved anyone before—nor ever shall love anyone again.”

“Always so dramatic, Virgilia,” Phe scoffed, in such a way that Vicki knew her sister would try her best. “I mean, honestly, do real people actually talk that way?”

Vicki huffed a little laugh, draping her arm around Ophelia’s shoulders to tug her close. “In my line of work, and having fallen head over heels? We most certainly do.”

When Benedict wrapped on the door, Phe insisted that she answer it herself. “My place, my rules, sis.” To which Vicki conceded, lingering at the doorjamb of the kitchen, watching as her sister opened the door. Ophelia was positively grim, despite Vicki’s request. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, bucko,” she told him, without so much as a ‘hello’ or ‘please do come in’, “She’s had her heart broken more times than she cares to admit. Your intentions better be true, and you best not break her heart, or you’re gonna have me to answer to.”

A moment of shock shadowed his features, unprepared as he was for such a vehement reaction, but he recovered quickly and delivered a low-voiced assurance, “I swear to you, Ophelia—your sister’s happiness matters more to me than anything in the world.  And in just a few weeks’ time, the whole world is going to know it.”

“If you say so,” she groused, already turning her back on him, “But the proof remains in the pudding.” Phe crossed to Vicki, adding meaningfully, “And I’ll believe it when I see it.” The whistle of the tea kettle silenced anything further she might’ve meant to say, so that she edged by her sister into the kitchen to move it off the heat.

“Oh, Ben,” Vicki exclaimed softly, launching herself his way and right into his open arms. Once enclosed in their loving warmth, she laid her cheek against his chest and felt the worst of her fears begin to subside, replaced with relief and a renewed bloom of love. “We’ve mucked things up terribly, and for the life of me I can’t think of a way to make things right.” Vicki had vowed to be strong in his presence, but now that he was holding her, all that she wanted was to melt into his arms, while letting go of the façade that all would be well.

Benedict was slowly rocking her, soothing her as only he ever could. “Hush now, my darling…my love…my dearest Virgilia,” he crooned for her ears alone, “Put that aside for now, and just let me hold you a bit…” He cupped the back of her head in one hand and brushed several kisses upon her forehead. “It’s been far too long since we’ve had even a moment to be just…” he gave a ragged, weary sigh, “… just…us…”

She tilted her head back enough to look up at his face, giving him a wee smile. “Far too long,” she agreed, biting her bottom lip in an invitation to a kiss, “But you remind me now that your embrace is the cure for whatever ails me…”

His eyes had dropped to her lips as he lowered his face to hers; his breath tickled her skin as he hesitated long enough to answer, “As your kiss always does the same for me.” And then Benedict was kissing her with all the pent-up longing that filled both their waking hours. A low hum of satisfaction rose from his chest while they dwelled in their connection; a sound so familiar and dear to her, that Vicki moaned softly in reply. 

He tasted heavenly, as they delved ever deeper into their kiss; of the spearmint gum he habitually chewed, along with traces of tea with lemon. But best of all, of promises made and promises kept—the perfect reassurance despite the odds against them, that he would find a way…they’d find the way together…to the life they had been envisioning for themselves...

(If you’re curious, you can find chapters 1-18 on AO3.)