My Heart, My Future

My Heart, My Future

Prompts: ‘Hands clasped as you dance’ + ‘Ring slipping onto finger’ and “How long have you had this planned?" "Since the moment I fell in love with you." Requested By: Two different Anon's; combined requests.

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x GN!Reader

Warnings: None! Just a lot of fluff and romance (a couple kisses too)!

Words: 1.4k

General Taglist: @criminaly-supernatural, @caswinchester2000, @imaginesfire Bridgerton Taglist: @magravenwrites, @fandomfoodiedancer, @girl-next-door-writes, @savagejane1

*I can't remember if engagement rings are a thing during this time/in the show, but just go with it.

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No matter how many times you attended a ball, you were always astounded at the amount of jewels, flowers and flowing gowns that surrounded you. The music was light and effortlessly flowed throughout the large home. People chatted and danced, girls glanced flirtatiously at the single men, hoping they would ask them to dance.

Your own eyes sought out a familiar head of dark hair in the crowd. As you spotted it, you smiled to yourself, but it faded quickly as you saw the concern and stressed look on the pairing face.

But as his eyes moved through the crowd, before landing on you, you felt a small wave of relief when his troubled face quickly turned into a gleaming smile as he spotted you.

Saying a quick goodbye to his brother Anthony, who had been beside him, he made his way to you. Meeting him halfway, you smiled brightly at him as you met. He gave you a quiet hello as he pressed a quick kiss to your cheek.

You slid your arm through his as you moved further into the room. "Is everything okay Ben? You seemed to be having a rather troubling conversation with Anthony."

Benedict gave you a quick look, in which you saw subtle surprise. He quickly hid it with a smile and a shake of the head. "Nothing you need to worry about my love, I assure you." You squinted at him a bit and he let out a soft laugh and pulled you toward him a little. "I promise."

You smiled lightly. "Alright, I'll believe you, for now."

During your first dance of the ball, you had already forgotten what had happened. You and Benedict shared fond and loving smiles as your hands were clasped tightly together, dancing around the ball-room. You talked about the ridiculous hats some of the mothers were wearing, the usual tricks younger girls used to gain the attentions of suitors, and laughed at your own private jokes.

After your first dance, the rest of the night went as per usual. You and Benedict danced multiple times, and you spent time talking with Daphne and Eloise. But continuously throughout the night, you could not stop troubling yourself with the apparent change in demeanor Benedict had.

All night, he glanced nervously around him, the shared looks he had between his brothers seemed to hold secrets you could not understand. You knew something was happening, but what you did not know, was why Benedict would not tell you. You told each other everything, you had since before you ever started courting.

Flinching slightly when a hand settled on your back, you let out a soft relief sigh when you met Benedict's eyes. He laid out his hand and smiled at you. "One more dance?"

You smiled and nodded as you took his hand, following him into the adjacent room. As the dance began, you decided to ask him one more time if everything was alright.

As you met in the middle of the dance, you quickly spoke, though quietly so no one nearby would hear. "Are you sure everything is alright Ben?"

Ben watched you with a look of indecision as you separated, watching each other as you danced around the others. When you met again, he whispered to you. "Am I really that obvious?"

You smiled softly and met his eyes. "Only to me."

He smiled in return, and you stepped back from each other again. Your eyes kept catching each other as you moved through the dance. You spared each changing partner a smile, but you waited impatiently for when you and Benedict would meet again.

When you did, the song was coming to an end, and Benedict whispered in your ear. "Take a walk with me in the garden?"

You nodded softly, and when the dance ended, you slowly left the house together. You began to stroll the well lit garden together, a few couples and groups nearby.

"So?" You finally asked when you were a distance away from anyone.

"So." He breathed out, and you could tell there was something important coming.

Stopping abruptly, he turned, looking around. He made sure no one was watching before he quickly grabbed your hand and dragged you down a nearby path.

A few turns later, you were deeper within the garden, it was not as well lit, and the sound of the ball was faint. "Dear God Ben, what is it?" You asked almost panicked.

Before you could say more, Benedict pulled you towards him, into an abrupt and deep kiss. For a moment, you got lost in the moment, forgetting where you were, and why you had separated yourself from the crowd.

When he pulled away a few moments later, you were both breathless. He stared into your eyes, and you saw his thoughts turning. "Benedict, what's going on?" You asked softly.

You saw his lip turn up slightly as he stared deeply into your eyes. "I love you." He said softly.

He saw confusion cover your face as you shook your head. "I know that Ben. You're worrying me, what's happening, talk to me."

He let out a soft laugh as he gently placed his hand on the side of your face. "I'm sorry for worrying you, I have no intention of doing so. I promise nothing bad is happening."

"What about the nervous looks, and the hushed conversations with your brothers?"

"That was all about this." He said as he motioned to around you.

You looked around the darkened garden, before meeting his eyes again and letting out a soft laugh. "What?"

"Wanting to get you alone." He took a step back, as he pulled something out of his pocket. Your heart began to race as you began to realize what was happening. Seeing him pull a ring from his pocket, your breath hitched in your throat as you met his eyes again.

"The nervous looks and hushed conversations were me trying to figure out when the best time to get you alone was." He raised his hand, and you saw the ring fully.

You let out a shaky breath as you met his eyes. "Ben. How long have you had this planned?"

He smiled softly "Since the moment I fell in love with you." He continued, his voice clearly nervous. "I've loved you for years. Even before I finally found the courage to ask if I could court you. In all honestly, I knew I wanted to marry you since we were children." You both chuckled softly. "When I learned that you had felt the same for just as long, I felt as though I wasted so much time. But I don't want to wait anymore. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't want to wait for moments alone when I can truly show how I feel about you. I want everyone to know, to see how truly happy we are. You hold my heart, you are my heart, my future. Will you marry me?"

You hadn't noticed the tears that filled your eyes as he spoke, or the utter joy that filled your heart as it beat heavily in your chest. You could barely find your voice as you nodded your head. "Yes, of course I will marry you Benedict. Nothing could stop me."

A grin spread across his face as he grabbed your hand. You watched as he slid the ring onto your finger. Lifting your hand up, he pressed a kiss to your hand.

Quickly, you threw your arms around his neck, and his arms wrapped around your waist as you embraced. "I love you Ben." You said softly into his ear.

Pulling away, he brought his hands to your face, as he wiped away a stray tear. "I love you more." You met in a deep and passionate kiss as you held each other, embracing the pure moments of happiness that wrapped around you.

You weren't sure how long passed before you finally made your way back towards the ball, hands intertwined. Your ring was no longer on your hand, but tucked away safely. You did not wish your moment of bliss to be interrupted with congratulations and wedding plans just yet.

That would be saved for the next day, when you could announce it to your families respectively, but just for now, it would be a secret happiness kept between you. Well, as well as between Anthony and Colin, who, upon seeing your entrance back into the ball, and the looks of hidden joy on your faces, knew Benedict had succeeded.

xx End xx