Chapter Text
Ages 16 and 18:
When anybody asks Kate how she and Benedict became friends, her answer would be that he bullied her into it. However, anyone that knows Kate Sharma knows that, unfortunately, she could never be bullied into anything.
The truth is that they became friends because Benedict was relentless, recently lost a father and wasn't afraid to use his personal trauma to get the upper hand via pity - which is exactly what he had done to befriend his Chemistry classmate, the dark curly haired Indian girl who made boys (upper- and underclassmen) stare when she passed through the hallways.
But the fact that Kate Sharma was pretty was the least interesting thing about her.
She once accidentally set fire to a teacher's lab coat during their Chemistry tutorials and somehow managed to make it the teacher's fault - which is coincidentally why Benedict decided to befriend her.
He was grieving and needed someone to glue his feet to the ground and Kate was a force to be reckoned with.
The first months after his dad's death, Benedict felt like Kate was the only real - living - breathing -person around him. Everyone else was a mannequin with performatory functions and forced smiles that made him feel like he was suffocating.
And so, a tentative friendship was formed during year eleven of secondary school.
"Is that your girlfriend?" His older brother, Anthony, smirked nudging Benedict's scrawny shoulder as he nodded towards Kate - who was playing volleyball on their lawn very aggressively, if Benedict might add, with Willa, Mark and their younger sister Daphne.
"Who? Kate?" Benedict asks in disbelief, turning to Kate who was yelling at Mark for missing a serve at the top of her lungs. "Of course not. If we were dating, she would have incentive to kill me even more than usually."
Anthony only chuckles in response, eyes briefly studying Benedict's friends before returning to watch Greg paddle around in shallow end the pool with his floaties secured on his arms and Francesca trailing after him in the water to make sure he doesn't drown.
"Her dad died too." Benedict blurts out. "Two years ago."
He doesn't know why he says it. Maybe because he wants to talk to his older brother so badly but doesn't know how anymore. Their father's death feels like the only thing they have in common nowadays.
He and Anthony used to be best friends, now Anthony is different and Benedict doesn't know how to thread around this new Anthony. The one that broke Grace's heart by kissing someone else, the one that drinks too much at every party he goes too and the one that begs their mother to come out of her room, then gets angry at all around him because things are too hard on everybody and for once, the know-it-all Anthony doesn't know what to do.
"Ah." Is all Anthony says - fair response as it is a weird fact to throw around during introductions.
"Yeah." Benedict shrugs, snickering at the way Kate's hair frizzed up in the humid air. She was in a phase where she hated her curls and religiously used a hair straightener. "She's cool though."
Anthony grunts in response and Benedict's shoulders slump as the conversation comes to a close.
Kate's shriek at Mark as Willa and Daphne get another score in the background makes both of them wince.
Anthony looks in her direction before turning to Benedict with a crinkled nose: "Bit annoying though, yeah?"
Since their father passed away, the house has been so quiet apart from Hyacinth's cries. The Bridgertons were no longer used to loud noises.
"I guess." He shrugs. Kate is annoying but in an endearing way. "She's on the volleyball team and then the debate team and then the math team and every other fuckin' team the school has to offer."
"Dad would say that she's the type of girl you should be looking to marry. Career woman and all."
Benedict rolls his eyes, "You marry her then."
"So I can go deaf before thirty?" Anthony scoffs, "No thanks."
Ages 17 and 19:
"God, Ben, your brother is so hot."
Benedict scrunches his nose turning to Jennie who stares dazedly somewhere behind him. "Colin?"
Kate and Benedict turn in unison where an oblivious Colin is eating a sandwich, standing next to Penelope Featherington against the kitchen counter like two wallflowers.
Jennie does a double-take before glaring. "Obviously not Colin. Your older brother."
All three turn towards the object of Jennie's dramatic affection.
Anthony stands next to the stairs leading up to the second floor, a pretty girl wrapped under his arm as he laughs with Simon about something.
It was a small get-together at the Bridgerton house since their mother decided to go to Kent for the weekend with the kids and the oldest foursome got the house to themselves.
Since Anthony was the boss - being the eldest and all - the living room was filled mostly by his friends but Benedict and Colin got to send out a couple of invites as well. By order of hierarchy - Benedict got the open kitchen area while Colin's friends got the connected dinning room.
The two groups ended up mingling in the end but nobody dared to cross over to Anthony's territory just yet.
Daphne didn't get to invite anyone. Anthony said she was too young but he still allowed her to hang out with Colin and Penelope for whole two hours.
"Please do not tell me stuff like that. It creeps me out." Benedict tells Jennie with disgust. He turns to Kate looking to be backed up just to find her intently staring in Anthony and Simon's direction.
Benedict nudges her.
"Right. I think Simon is hotter." Said Kate with a jutted out chin.
"You would like Simon." Jennie snorts while Kate frowns.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, just that you would like the mysterious fuckboy. You like solving fucked up puzzles." Benedict cringes.
"Is Anthony not a fuckboy?" Kate asks dryly before glancing at Benedict, "No offense, Ben."
"None taken." He replies, feeling as if he shouldn't be a part of this conversation.
"What are you saying no offense for? Benedict is the biggest whore out of all of us." Jennie giggles and Kate pursues her lips. Benedict can tell she's biting back a scalding retort.
"I am not." Benedict just lost his virginity a couple of months back. He was far from a whore much to his displeasure.
"Whatever, you two are boring." Jennie disappears to join Mark and Willa.
Kate waits for her to walk away before throwing a glare in his direction; "Why did you even invite her?"
"She overheard when I was inviting Willa and practically invited herself. It would've been rude to tell her she couldn't come."
They stand side by side in the kitchen, bopping their heads to the music.
"Do you really think she'd make a move on your brother?" She asks suddenly and Benedict shrugs.
"How should I know? I wouldn't put it past her, she does whatever she wants it seems."
Kate nods, taking a sip of her beer.
The first time Kate got drunk was with Benedict last summer - he still mentions that she puked in the bushes.
"Why?" He asks, curious of her sudden interest in what Jennie was up to.
"No reason." She shakes her head before chuckling, "Just thought it might be funny to see your prickly brother turn her down, is all."
They were at Kate's house studying for their A-Level exams that evening.
Her baby sister Edwina was watching Teen Wolf in the living room and vehemently defending the show every time Benedict would make fun of it just to rile her up. Soon enough, he grew bored waiting for Kate and decided to go seek her out in the kitchen.
"-I don't like him." Kate's voice stops Benedict in his place, "He is cruel and obnoxious and cold. And he makes fun of me and makes me feel like a child."
"My goodness," Mary, Kate's step-mother, laughs, "That handsome, is he?"
There is a moment of silence in which Benedict contemplates entering the room but Kate's groan of frustration stops him: "You have no idea, Mary. He is so wonderful. Even his hair is lovely."
Mary's laughter is loud at that.
Benedict's brows scrunch up and he retreats to the living room to sit with Edwina again - as another episode of Teen Wolf plays, he wonders who Kate is talking about. His friend has a crush on someone and never told him.
When they start practicing Calculus problems - he wonders how someone could be cruel and wonderful at the same time.
Was she talking about Simon? Simon was hardly cruel. He was quiet and rude sometimes.
Lovely hair though.
But Simon shaved off all his hair when he started University. Benedict knows that because Anthony teases him now for being bald but the girls - apparently - adore it because it makes Simon look rough and rugged.
Maybe Kate liked them bald too...
Once he returns home, on the way to his bedroom with his backpack slung over one shoulder, he passes the open door of the bathroom on the second floor where Anthony stood - styling his chestnut colored curls.
Ages 18 and 20:
Kate still straightened her hair and Mary hated it but told Benedict that Kate had to accept her natural curls on her own terms because it builds character.
So, Kate's hair got frizzy easily even when it was straight but she stubbornly kept pulling strands through the hot iron as Benedict spoke on the phone with Anthony:
"How's it going with the A-Levels?" His brother's voice could be heard through the speaker, ruckus following in the background which caused him to yell at someone to 'shut up!'.
"Fine." Benedict mutters, lounging on Kate's bed, "Kate and I are studying together."
"Yeah? Does she plan on going to Cambridge too?"
"Oxford." He replies, immediately causing Kate to turn away from the mirror to look at him, "She'll get a scholarship."
"Don't say that! You'll jinx it!" Exclaimed Kate with a huff.
"If you don't get a scholarship, who else stands a chance?" It's true. Kate's grades are immaculate, for a reason of course - she works harder than anyone Benedict knows.
She once told him that she has to get a scholarship for the Oxford program so she can get a degree from a good University, get a decent paying job and make sure Edwina has the opportunity for a prestigious University too.
Mary was a teacher and they receive a monthly check from the pension of Kate's late father but University is expensive and money is always lacking. And Kate thinks that solving everyone's problems is on her.
A dangerous, exhausting combination.
"The lawn looks nice. Mum really went all out." Said Anthony, more shuffling is heard in the background. The words made Benedict's resentment skyrocket.
"Yeah? And how would you know?" He spat, "You haven't been home in five months."
His brother is quiet on the other line. "She sent me photos."
"Mmm."
"Ben, I'm busy with Uni. The coursework this year-"
"Oh, bullshit, Anthony! You and Simon study the same fucking thing and I see him at home all the time." Benedict says, not caring if his words hurt because he, himself, has been hurting for a long time now. "He hates his family and he's still here more than you."
"I just need some space, alright?" Anthony exclaims just as harshly, "I just need some-...Just..."
"Just some time away from all of us, yeah?" Benedict supplies him with the words.
"I didn't mean it like that and you know it."
"Whatever, Ant." He decides that the conversation is wrapped up, "Will you be coming to the graduation party mum is hosting, at least?"
Anthony is silent and for a moment, Benedict hopes his brother will say he won't be able to make it just so he can have a reason to hate him. "Of course."
He hangs up after they say their goodbye's and Benedict throws his phone on Kate's comforter.
She is looking at him in that way where it's obvious she's concerned but she doesn't know whether she's supposed to do anything.
He gives her a break.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Alright." She looks around her room, "Do you want to go to Dan's for fish and chips?"
Benedict nods.
On the walk to the small dingy dinner, Kate tells him: "For the record, I think your brother cares about you very much. No one that doesn't care makes the effort to call as often."
"He's just calling because he feels shitty he doesn't visit."
"Perhaps. Perhaps he really just does need some time to himself, Ben." Said Kate softly, shrugging when he frowns at her; "He spent more time down here than at Cambridge last year. Now that your mum is feeling loads better, maybe he just wants to catch up on everything he missed? It's his first time at Uni too, y'know?"
"Kate! You look lovely!" Violet exclaims when she sees Kate walking through the backyard gates. Her mother and sister follow behind her, all carrying Tupperware containers in different sizes. More food wasn't necessary, Ben's graduation party was just another excuse for Violet to show off her hosting skills.
"Thank you, Mrs. Bridgerton." Kate has still not taken to calling mum by her first name no matter how much she insists.
"Hi, Kate." Gregory shyly greets from behind Anthony's legs, cheeks already going red.
"Hello, Greg. You look very handsome." Kate said pinching his cheek and tugging on the red bow tie crookedly wrapped around his neck.
Greg looked properly disheveled and beet red in the face as Kate stepped away causing Anthony and Benedict to snicker.
"She's too old for you, mate." Anthony informed Greg when Kate was no longer in ear shot but Gregory was found to be staring after her with all the yearning a five year old can possibly muster.
"And fancies Simon." Benedict adds without much thought. Over time, telling Kate's business to anyone willing to listen has become a pastime.
"What?" Anthony laughs incredulously, looking at Benedict like he was crazy: "Kate doesn't fancy Simon, don't be ridiculous."
"Uh, yes she does. I heard her talking to her mum about him like last year." Helpfully says Benedict as they both watch Kate smile at Simon before leaving Daphne and Edwina to join Anthony's friend.
There's still a barely there half-hearted smile that's close to melting off on his brother's face and furrowed brows as he stares at Kate, in a lilac dress that reaches just past her knees and hair woven into a braid, siting next to Simon who - for once - doesn't scowl when someone decides to bother him.
Benedict frowns at his brother's odd reaction.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Kate won't make a move. She's got it in her head that since she's definitely leaving for Oxford now she will not be pursuing any boys from around here."
"I wasn't worried." Anthony quickly interjects, "Why would I be worried?"
"Um, worried that things would get awkward if your friends started dating?" Asked Benedict bemusedly.
"Kate isn't my friend." Said Anthony.
Ages 19 and 21:
Benedict didn't have a hard time his first semester at Uni. Deciding to major in graphic design happened by a fluke - he didn't get accepted into the Art Academy which felt like the second biggest tragedy of his life - but he found out pretty soon that it was the good kind of tragedy. He liked what he was studying now even more.
He shared a flat with Anthony who introduced him to his own friends so Benedict had people to hang out with and parties to go to until he met some people of his own which was never a problem for him.
Kate, on the other hand, was struggling at Oxford.
Her choice of career was strategic - Electrical Engineering. She lived in the dorms and was lonely.
"You know I always had trouble making friends." She said one night when they were on the phone. "It's not that I don't want to try, it's just that it's so fucking hard.
"Have you tried joining a club?" He wryly asks because he cannot exactly relate. Benedict was a social butterfly.
"I don't have time for clubs, my classes take up most of my time and after that I spend hours in the library. But anyways, enough about me. What's it like at Cambridge?"
Benedict tried to call regularly or at least text but soon enough his own life and obligations took up most of his time. Kate didn't hold it against him.
When he saw her during Christmas, her eyes were sunken and lips chapped. She seemed exhausted, she lost weight and had small pimples from stress lining her chin. Even her hair, usually straightened, was pilled up on top of her head in a messy bun.
"She doesn't seem to be adjusting to Uni so well." Anthony commented with an amused smirk that made Benedict elbow him.
"Don't be fucking rude." He grumbled before making his way to Kate.
Eloise ran squealing towards the door because mum allowed her to go with Edwina to a party. Mary was waiting outside in her car as she dropped Kate off.
"You look like shit."
"Thanks." Kate acknowledges him with a glare before throwing her arms around him. He hugs her back.
They've seen each other a couple of times during the break already but he can't remember Kate looking this bad.
"Kate, for real though, are you alright?"
"No." She chuckles and Benedict stares horrified, realizing that she's on the verge of tears. "It fucking sucks, Ben. Everything sucks."
"Why? What?" He splutters out, not equipped to deal with crying girls even if he does have four sisters.
"It's so hard. I knew it was going to be hard but I didn't think it would be like this and...and...I feel so bloody alone and...-"
"Come with me." He pulls her through the crowded living room.
They end up in their padded winter jackets, sitting on the chairs on the balcony of Benedict's room and sharing a bottle of white wine that he found in the kitchen.
"They guys...they're all fucking arseholes." Kate laments, taking a gulp from the bottle, "They undermine you because you're a girl and think they're smarter than you. It makes me so angry that it's come to a point where spite and pettiness is my drive to study just so I can beat them with my scores."
Benedict shrugs, "Well, that's not a bad thing. Who cares what drives you, as long as it gets the job done."
"I suppose."
"But there isn't anyone you fancy?"
"No." She chuckles bitterly. "I imagined Uni much differently than this."
"Mmm."
"What about you? Anyone you fancy?"
"Oh, plenty." He smirks and Kate rolls her eyes. "Anthony has so many hot friends and they're very slutty - and before you start a lecture - I mean that as a compliment."
"Of course you do, even though it's still not a compliment but I'm to drunk to chastise you for it." She mutters to herself shaking her head. "And Anthony? Does he have a girlfriend?"
"God, no." Benedict laughs, "He goes through girls like socks."
Kate stares at the label on the wine bottle for a long, hard moment.
That summer is the first one since they were sixteen that Benedict and Kate don't spend together.
She is in India for three whole months. Benedict goes to Spain with Anthony and their friends. And then, they go to Italy for another vacation only this one is for Bridgertons only.
They don't see each other until September and it's only lunch at Dan's with its greasy yet classic fish and chips and a quick drink at a bar afterwards.
Age 20 and 22:
Benedict had a girlfriend. Her name was Genevieve, she was French, had a nasty temper and most importantly - she was excellent in bed.
Anthony was confused by that recent development for two reasons: 1) He found being tied to one girl to be something unfathomable and 2) For years - apparently - he thought Benedict was in love with Kate.
"You know, the thought of guys and girls not being able to be just friends is slightly sexist of you." Benedict commented to his brother who only rolled his eyes in response.
"I don't think members of the opposite sex can't be friends, Ben, I just thought there was always something between you and Kate. You were up her arse for the entirety of Sixth Form."
"Correct, I was up her arse for the entirety of Sixth Form but it was because she's fun and a cool person. Not because I was pining after her."
"Whatever you say."
The summer after their second year of Uni was the time Kate finally decided to throw her hair straightener into the rubbish.
Benedict didn't see her for the entire spring semester but once she returned home - he noticed the slight changes in his friend.
She lost all her baby fat and her features were sharper and more defined. Her figure was leaner too - she took up running each morning around campus, she said. But other than that, Kate was somewhat lighter.
His friend was always very independent but something about this year in particular really made her come into her own. She had two very good friends - an Emily and a Doyeon (one was British, the other was British-Korean), had a couple of hobbies now like running and roped climbing and...has finally learned how to dress?
Kate's style was always ripped off of the pages of teen magazines and whatever was trending at the moment - whether it was flattering on her or not.
Now, her jeans were more fitted and skirts clung to her hips, showcasing her long legs. Dresses complimented her brown skin tone and little purses hung from her hand.
Benedict didn't know if this was all Kate finally discovering her style or what having girl friends that actually liked you does - but she looked quite lovely and very chic.
Kate was always a beautiful girl but it seemed like, that year, she blossomed even more.
The biggest difference was the-
"Your hair." Is the first thing Anthony says once Kate and Benedict walk into the crowded backyard of the Bridgerton family home where they decided to host another get-together since they were all in town. His eyes are stuck on the dark waves billowing over Kate's shoulders and framing her face.
She blinks at him. "Yeah, I stopped straightening it."
Anthony stares for a second longer before clearing his throat. "Looks nice."
"Thanks." Said Kate, eyes glued to his brother for a moment too long before she turned to Simon. "Hi, Simon."
"Hello, love." His brother's friend wraps her in a one-armed hug.
She kisses him on both cheeks in greeting before turning to the rest of them, "I'll go get myself a drink."
"I'll come with." Anthony quips up, already leading Kate, who was positively confused as to why Anthony was going with her, through the throng of people.
"Well, that was fucking weird." Benedict comments to Simon after having witnessed the whole interaction.
Simon snorts in response before shaking his head and taking a sip of his beer. He lightly smacks Benedict's shoulder before motioning with his head that he is to be followed, "Come on, let me introduce you to some people."
Not even an hour later, Kate stormed up to Benedict's side looking frazzled.
He was talking to a couple of guys he didn't get a chance to see since secondary school but the moment he saw her, Benedict pulled her aside.
"Kate?" He asks concerned once he notices her watery eyes, "Kate, what's wrong?"
"I'm going home." She says, blinking away her tears.
"Wait. What happened?"
"Nothing. I just want to go home."
"Do you want me to drive you?"
"No, I'll-"
"Kate!" Anthony's voice is heard and Benedict's head whips confusedly in the direction of his brother who walks up to them, "Kate, I was only teasing. You misunderstood completely, I didn't mean it like that."
"Of course, you didn't. You never do. Fucking dick." She snaps but it barely holds any anger only...hurt?
Benedict is shocked to see Anthony bite his lip in distress, staring at Kate who is shuffling through her purse.
"What did you do?" He accuses with a glare and his brother opens his mouth to defend himself but Kate beats him to it.
"He made sure I know my place as someone who will never be good enough for his friends or brothers."
Anthony stares at her horrified just like Benedict.
"What?!" Benedict exclaims at the same time as Anthony:
"That is not what I said at all and especially not what I meant!"
She scoffs, "Whatever, Anthony. I don't care anymore." Before turning to Benedict, "Willa is parked outside, I'm leaving with her. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
His mouth is open but his brother is still going, "Kate, for fuck's sake, you're being dramatic. Don't...don't leave."
"Fuck off." Is all she says before pushing past both of them.
"Kate!" Anthony calls after her one last time but gets nothing in response.
When he turns to Benedict, the other man is already glaring at him with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow. He knew Anthony was never fond of Kate but - to Benedict's knowledge - he never went out of his way to hurt her.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! I was teasing her about her stupid crush on Simon!"
"And how, pray tell, did the conversation evolve to her not being good enough for your friends or brothers-"
Anthony's face darkens, "I never said that. I would never say that. She misunderstood and blew everything I said out of proportion."
His brother stews in anger for a moment longer before cursing; "Fucking drama queen." And stalking off back to the party.
Kate and Anthony don't have a civil conversation for a long time after that.
Ages 21 and 23:
"Can you lower the volume, Kate's calling me." Said Benedict to Anthony, wiping the grease from the pepperoni pizza off his fingers with a napkin before grabbing his phone.
His brother rolls his eyes, muttering something under his breath before reaching out for the remote to turn down the sound of the shitty horror movie they were watching.
Benedict swipes green on the screen. "Hey, Kate. What's up?"
"I think I'm going to have sex with Matt tonight." Anthony almost drops the TV remote in his hand.
Dammit, the volume on his speaker was turned up to the highest setting.
Cautiously, Benedict glances at Anthony - who is suddenly very interested in the movie that he can't hear anymore - before he is swiftly thumbing down on the volume so he could speak to Kate.
"Uh, congratulations?"
"I just thought you should know. I already told the girls and well...y'know...you're one of the girls too, Ben."
"Oh." He echoes, oddly touched by the sentiment, "Right I am."
"So..."
"This is the Matt you were telling me about over Christmas break, right?"
"Yeah. He's sweet and gets on every one of my nerves at the same time which is, like, a perfect combination."
"Right. Right." He nods attentively, "You always did love men you wanted to beat the shit out of."
"We've been going out for two months now and, well, he invited me over to his place tonight for a dinner and a movie."
"That's cool. So, you've decided to get to know him in the biblical sense tonight."
"What the hell does that even mean?"
"Ah, forgive me. You'll be making sweet love to him? Bumping uglies? Doing the hanky panky? Playing hide the sausage? Doing the no pants dance? The bow chicka wow wow? The-"
Anthony lets out a tortured groan next to him and Benedict smirks.
"Oh my God, shut the fuck up." Kate's voice comes through the other line, "You just made me not want to do it. Ever."
"Don't let me stop you, I'm sure Matt wouldn't appreciate that."
She's quiet for a second.."Are you alone?"
He glances at Anthony who eyes him warily back. "Yes."
(Benedict is too lazy to go into the next room)
"I've never...uh...well, I've never quite-..." Suddenly, the whole thing - which was supposed to be very fun because teasing Kate is always a good time - is feeling incredibly awkward.
His mouth forms an 'o'.
"Ah." Is all he says.
She clears her throat, "Any tips?"
He thinks for a second.
"Well, make sure he uses a condom. If he doesn't want to - leave. Make sure goes down on you. If he doesn't then, also, leave."
"Leave?"
"Yes, if he's against eating pussy he's not worth your time."
"God, kill me now." Anthony mutters, pressing a pillow down on his face. Benedict ignores him.
Kate and Benedict have crossed all boundaries when she walked in on their old classmate Jennie with Benedict's cock in her hand at last New Year's Eve party since then there has been no shame between them and Benedict will probably call Kate first thing in the morning to ask for her first impression of sex - it's not their fault Benedict's grumpy older brother is caught in the crossfire.
"I'm sure he won't be against it." He can almost picture her frown as she says it.
"Make sure he uses his fingers-" Anthony swiftly stands up and leaves the room. "-and if you go down on him, watch your teeth. If you're feeling extra freaky you can play with his balls. Also, if he knows what he's doing, he'll place a pillow under your bum but if he doesn't - you do it."
Knowing Kate, she might be taking notes.
"And the most important thing-" He pauses for dramatic effect, "-is make sure you have fun."
"That was surprisingly mature advice from you. Could've found it on any online forum but still, surprisingly mature." Said Kate.
"What am I? An amateur?" He scoffs.
"Aren't you?"
"I won't bother dignifying that with a response."
She sighs nervously.
"Kate, for fuck's sake, just trust me. You're overthinking this. I know it feels like a big deal but once you do it, I swear you'll realize how you were fretting over nothing." He adds, "That is, if you decide to do it." He frowns, "Don't let him pressure you into anything."
"No, he won't. He hasn't. I...I want to."
"Well, okay. Good luck then."
"Thanks." She says, "I have to go get ready."
"I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay, bye."
When Benedict is on his second slice of pizza, Anthony returns to the living room.
They're both quiet for a moment, the tv is no longer on mute - there's screams and sounds of someone getting butchered in the background.
"That was terrible advice. I hope you never speak to our sisters of sex." Anthony breaks the silence.
"Are you mad?" The thought alone almost ruined his appetite. "Why would I ever speak to them about that."
"I know," Anthony cringes, eyes on the plasma TV, "Don't know why I said that."
Silence again.
"What advice would you have given?"
"Not 'have fun'." Anthony smiles sarcastically.
"Well, it's important!"
"Now that I think of it, I don't know what I would've said." His brother snorts, "I guess it's much different for girls, there's...so much more to think about."
"Right." Benedict nods eagerly as he chews.
Then they turn back to the movie.
"So, Kate has a boyfriend?"
"I guess." Benedict shrugs, "Some guy named Matthew from one of her classes this year. They've been going out for two months, she says."
"Ever met him?"
Benedict shakes his head, "But I saw an Insta photo. He's good looking."
"Ah."
"Does roped climbing too so he's ripped."
"Right."
"Smart too since he's studying EE just like her."
"Mmm."
"Why do you ask?" Ever since The Huge Kate and Anthony Argument Of The Summer When Benedict Was Twenty, his older brother and Kate couldn't be in the same room for more than two hours without going for each other's throats.
"No reason." Said Anthony, taking another slice of pizza and relaxing into the couch.
"When do you think you'll find yourself a girlfriend?"
Anthony smirks at him, "What, you find yourself one French girlfriend and suddenly everyone around you needs to settle down?"
He shoves him, "You know what I mean."
"Dunno." Sighed Anthony, "I'm not really interested in anyone like that."
"Did you know Grace Wilson is engaged?"
"Huh, good for her."
"What you did to her was fucked up, you know."
Soon after their dad died, Anthony kissed someone else at the same party his girlfriend of one year was at.
"I was seventeen."
"I know but saw her at Tesco's last week - she still hates you."
"Yeah, I suppose that was the point."
"How do you mean?" Asked Benedict, now curious.
"Dad died and I was...heartbroken and she was so fucking sweet and supportive. God, it sounds horrible saying it out loud," His brother chuckles but it lacks any humour, "She was pretty serious about me and I was serious about her too but...dad's death changed everything. I guess I wanted to let her down early on so she wouldn't expect anything from me after that."
"There were less painful ways to do that, Ant." Benedict frowned.
"Never said I was smart about it." Anthony replied. He scratches his brow. "I feel bad about it, obviously. It was a dick move but at the time I didn't think about anyone else's pain but my own. I apologized though just before I moved for Uni."
"And?"
Anthony grins, "Told me to fuck off."
The conversation comes to a close then and there and Anthony grabs the remote to start flipping through the channels. It was a Friday night and they were spending it on their couch - how distinctively pathetic.
"Oh, leave that!" He smacks the remote out of Anthony's hand once some music channel showed up on screen. "Kate loves this song!"
Anthony turns up the volume.
We look for love, no time for tears, wasted water's all that is and it don't make no flowers grow, good things might come to those who wait, not to those who wait too late, we gotta go for all we know, just the two of us, we can make it if we try, just the two of us, building them castles in the sky