Portrait-Benedict Bridgerton X Reader

Portrait-Benedict Bridgerton x Reader

(GIF credit to @gifshistorical​)

Masterlist

Requested by @peoniarose: I was wondering if I could request a Benedict x Reader that is angsty and fluffy.

Characters: Benedict Bridgerton x Reader, Daphne Bridgerton x Reader (sister-in-law)

Meanings: (Y/N)=Your name

Warnings: Angst, arguing, mentions of cheating, lots of fluff

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(Y/N) wandered around her new home, still trying to remember the layout and small details within the huge house. It was so different from the home she grew up in. She had been living there for only a week but it still wasn’t settling into her mind. She felt like a stranger, she felt like she was intruding. (Y/N) and Benedict had been married for the same amount of time, they didn’t have a long courting relationship either, there was still so much she had to learn about her husband.

He was a lovely, charming and kind man. (Y/N) could not deny that she liked him, and she did find him attractive, but as soon as her parents saw that she had been conversing with a Bridgerton they immediately sped up the process. (Y/N) also came from a rich family, and Anthony was determined to seal the deal (he saw that his brother could be happy with this woman, he would never have forced him into a marriage). But now that the exciting courtship was over, the rush of emotions was dying down. (Y/N) thought she would feel entirely different to this.

Perhaps it was because they lived with the rest of the Bridgerton’s, meaning it was very hard to find any private time. The only time they had together was in their own bedroom, but even that was an awkward affair. They slept as far apart as they could, not wanting to make the other feel uncomfortable.

However, (Y/N) recently noticed Benedict straying even further from her. She would wake up without him beside her, and sometimes even go to bed alone. He would lock himself up in his study, doing who knows what, slipping in and out, looking suspicious. She had tried to catch him out, but he was too quick for her. Although she didn’t know her husband well, she could spot a liar. Did he really not want to be around her? He would rather lock himself up in a room than speak with her?

“Daphne," (Y/N) broke the silence they had been sitting in as they continued their embroidery,"I don’t suppose you know what your brother has been up to recently?”

“I have many brothers, you might have to be a little more specific.” she joked.

(Y/N) smiled.“You’re quite right. I meant the one I’m married to.”

Daphne set down her work.“You know, I do seem to recall he has been rather reclusive. I can’t remember the last time I greeted him at breakfast.”

“Exactly. I’m worried.”

She looked at her sister-in-law, as if waiting for her to keep speaking.“There’s something else isn’t there? I can tell, your eyes hold a sadness behind them.”

“I do not want to burden your thoughts Daphne.”

“You’re my family now (Y/N),” she held her hand,“you can tell me anything.

(Y/N) wasn’t sure if it was entirely proper to involve her husband’s sister in their personal affairs. It was about their love after all, and she was scared that if she spoke the truth, Daphne may think ill of her; because what if she was overreacting? What if she was seeing something that wasn’t there?

"Please (Y/N), I am concerned for you.” Daphne urged her.

“When I have seen Benedict, I notice that he talks with the maids. And I’ve seen this many times. Then he locks himself away in his study all day. I used to stay awake waiting for him to come to bed, but now I just fall asleep because I know he’ll only leave again in the morning without a word to me. I fear that he detests me. I’m not asking for him to be undeniably in love with me, but I would like for us to at least get along.”

“(Y/N), my brother adores you. I’ve seen how he gazes upon you when you’re not looking. You turn him bashful, so much so that he can’t form a single sentence. I’m sure whatever he’s doing is for good reason.”

“But he’s acting so skittish. One time I saw him talking to a maid they seemed so deep in conversation, and when he saw me he immediately stopped speaking with her and scurried away, as did the maid.”

“That is rather odd behaviour for Benedict.”

“I want to ask him about all of this nonsense but I never have a chance.”

“Have you been to him in his study?”

“No. I’m afraid I will disturb him. What if he gets angry?”

“My brother would never be angry with you. Especially if you were there to express your true feelings.”

(Y/N) had a sudden confidence in her after she spoke with Daphne. She was in her right to confront her husband. She was being made to feel like an outcast here, Benedict was supposed to be their for her and help her ease into this new household and life. Instead he had cowered away. Her head was held high as she walked down the corridors with purpose. This would all stop now. The young woman was going to march up to her husbands study, waltz in and demand he explain himself.

It went differently than she had expected.

She came to a halt in front of the doors, arm raised to knock though she never made contact with the wood. Why was she so nervous? It was just Benedict, he was an absolute sweetheart. She assumed part of her didn’t want to enter in case her fears were true. However, standing there forever wasn’t going to solve anything, and she forced herself to knock firmly on the door.

Benedict huffed at the interruption. He was desperately trying to finish his work, it was taking him far too long to complete. Calling for the person to enter, he panicked when his wife walked in, instantly scrambling to put away what he had been working on. He clumsily stood, bumping back into his chair.

“(Y/N),” he stuttered,“what can I do for you?”

(Y/N) had a slight frown on her face, his nervous composure making her all the more suspicious.“I wanted to talk. I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

He hesitated before quickly shaking his head.“No, no you’re fine darling.”

She hadn’t heard that term in a while. (Y/N) walked further into the room, a sudden air of tension filling the space.

“Benedict, I don’t want to argue." 

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.“Well, neither do I. What would we argue about in the first place?”

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“No I haven’t.”

“Yes you have! I never see you when we wake, it seems that you’re up before any of the staff! And throughout the day, you go out of your way to not cross paths with me, all the while I see you flirting with the young maids, whispering to them in your charming manner. You know I’ve caught you, because you run away each time. I cannot believe the amount of disrespect you have for me Benedict! And I never see you when it is time to retire for the evening. You leave me all alone in this new house to sleep by myself, it’s as if I’m not even here!”

Both her and Benedict were surprised by her outburst. She hadn’t raised her voice but her tone was snappy. It was clear to see that she was frustrated and upset. Benedict felt a wash of shame and regret come over him, however, he was also angry, and shocked that she would think of him being unfaithful to her.

“I’ve been away from you because I am trying to complete a piece of artwork, and it is taking an infuriatingly long time to complete.” he quipped back.

“I understand your art is important to you, and you know I support you fully in that. But that’s not an excuse to ignore your wife and run around with other women.”

“I have done no such thing!” this time he raised his voice.

In his frustration, he forcefully turned around his easel with had a canvas resting on it. The wooden legs slammed against the floor as he stared at his wife. (Y/N)’s mouth dropped open when she saw what he had been sketching. It was her.

“I have only been able to finish your face.” Benedict was calmer now.“It’s the only thing I knew from memory because I stare at your beauty every day.”

(Y/N) couldn’t believe it. He was going to paint her.

“It was supposed to be a late wedding present. However, I realised we really don’t know everything about each other. And that’s why I’ve been speaking with the maids, because I thought they might know more about you than I, or at least observed you more. I was trying to find out what your favourite dress was, favourite flowers, anything I could add to this soon to be painting so you could understand how devoted I am to you.”

“Benedict…” (Y/N)’s words trailer off. She was in awe at his gesture.

“I’m sorry that I made you feel like I was ignoring you. I just wanted to get this right. And…and you must know that I deeply care for you. Those early mornings and late nights were to ensure I could get this finsihed on time, though obviously that never happened. But every time I woke up or just before I slept, I always kissed your cheek, secretly knowing that it was the only affection I had given you that day.”

“I feel terrible for thinking you would do something like that Benedict.”

“No, you had every right to think like that. When you explained yourself it was easy to see it from that perspective.”

(Y/N) clasped her hands together as she approached the canvas, standing beside Benedict.“Will you…will you finish it?”

She looked up at him, seeing he was already looking at her.“I will certainly do my best to capture your radiance.”

“Do you think I could sit for you? That way we could spend time together. And as you mentioned, we really must know each other better.”

He smiled.“I would like that.”

“Me too. You’re a very caring man Benedict.”

“Only for you my love.”