Work Text:
"Mama, why can't I come with you?" Colin reluctantly follows his mother, Violet.
At ten years old, Colin's classes typically ends at this hour, however, his mother is a teacher at his school which means she needs to stay for some administrative works after teaching hours. For Colin, it means he needs to stay behind and wait for his mother.
Another option is that he could go home but his elder brothers are now nineteen, and seventeen; ages where they have completely different interests with Colin. His younger sisters on the other hand typically attend extracurricular activities which leaves Colin on his own.
"It is a meeting, Colin. Besides, I have already asked Portia to look after you for a while. You know her right?" Violet grabs Colin's hand while they are walking, he maybe ten now, but for her he would always be his baby.
"Mrs. Featherington? Of course I know her, Mama. She is Daphne's teacher." Colin replies.
"Good. I will be done before you know it." Violet stops in front of Portia's home room, she pinches Colin's chin. "Be a good boy, okay?"
"Of course." Colin steps in followed by his mother.
"Oh. Is that Colin now?" Portia bends to pinch Colin's cheek, greeting them. "He's grown so much."
"That is true." Violet laughs. "He's taller than his brothers when they were his age."
"He looks like Edmund." Portia laughs, standing straight then touches Violet's arm. "Has he met Philippa?"
"No." Violet puts a hand over Portia's, squeezing it lightly. "But I must say, I think he would be the happiest to meet your youngest."
"My youngest?" Portia blinks.
Violet gives Portia a look that Colin could not comprehend.
"I see." Portia winks. "Her classes will end in a while. Maybe today is the day?"
"Perhaps." Violet smiles. "I'm afraid I need to go."
"Go now." Portia waves her off. "I'll take care of him. I already have the biscuits ready."
"Biscuits?" Colin's eyes sparkle.
"Bye, love." Violet gives him a kiss before she leaves.
"So." Portia claps. "I need to review some test papers. You can sit there and eat your biscuits." Portia points at a little corner near the window where a small circular table with two seats is located.
"Thank you, auntie." Colin smiles. "Are my biscuits there?"
"Yes, sweetie." Portia kisses the top of his head.
Portia goes back to her desk and starts to work. Colin, on the other hand, sits on the longue area. He grabs a biscuit and starts to read his book.
A chapter in and ten biscuits gone, the sound of loud steps caught Colin's attention.
"Mama. Can we go now?" Penelope huffs after throwing her backpack on the ground. The bag might have been slightly opened as its contents flew around the room.
"Penelope!" Portia scoffs."Have you forgotten your manners?"
Eight-year old Penelope pouts. "I want to go home."
"I have work to do, Penelope. You can read your book there." Portia points at where Colin is sitting.
It is just then that they've noticed that some papers flew to where Colin is, and one particularly lands on his face.
Penelope and Colin stare at each other.
Penelope could feel her bloody skin heating up, she knows she is blushing profusely. How could she not? She is staring at the most handsome boy in the whole universe. He looks like a prince, too bad she has embarassed herself.
Colin blinks. This must be a dream right? A fantasy that a ten-year old boy could possibly create, because how on earth would a fiery angel be here in the same room with him?
Penelope definitely thank her angels for saving her because it is Colin who speaks first.
Looking at the paper on his hand, Colin chuckles to break the ice. "Your writing... it is beautiful."
Penelope blushes. At her age, she has decided to create her own fairytale by writing it. Apparently, a chapter landed on Colin's face.
"Penelope?" Portia gives Penelope a gentle push on her shoulder. "Go then." She then bends down to pick up her daughter's things.
Penelope walks to where Colin is, however, her shyness took over and she sits on an armchair three seats away from his seat. "Hi."
"I'm Colin." Colin waves.
"I'm Penelope." Penelope bit her lower lip, testing the waters. This prince looks kind.
Portia goes back to her papers but subtly listens to the two children.
"Penelope. I shall call you Pen." Colin grins but then his smile falters as fast as it came. "Can I?"
Penelope tilits her head. "Why?"
"You writing is beautiful... you are like... a Pen." Colin holds his breath for her reaction. He cannot believe how an angel gets to talk to him.
Penelope laughs, she laughs so hard that her Mama clears her throat. "That is funny." She then moves to the next chair, being two seats away from Colin.
"I'm glad you laugh. My siblings thinks my jokes are lame."
Penelope stomps her tiny feet. "That is untrue! You are funny... and handsome." She covers her mouth in embarassment.
Colin blushes. "Thank you, Pen." He fidgets his fingers, forming his hand into a fist. The angel thinks he is handsome.
"Sorry... I stutter, you look like an angel. Beautiful." Colin rambles his inner thoughts.
Penelope pushes some stray hairs behind her ear. "Am I?"
Colin nods. "I like your hair."
"Its red." Penelope pouts. "I am too white."
Colin shakes his head. "It is perfect. It's brighter than the sun." He beams. "That is why you looked like an angel when you walked in."
Penelope transfers to the next seat, now, only a seat is between them. "Maybe because your a man." She crosses her arms. "My Mama said men are liars."
"But I liked your mind first." Colin smiles. "Would you tell me more about your writings?"
Penelope covers her mouth while giggling. "Silly you, it is a love story."
"I like love stories." He raises the book he was reading to show it to her. "See?"
Penelope gasps. "Emma!" She claps. "Can I borrow it?"
"Of course, Pen." Colin offers his hand. "We are friends, right?"
"Friends." Penelope approaches Colin to shake his hand.
"Are you going to sit here, now?" Colin taps at the seat beside him.
"Okay." Penelope giddily takes the seat. This prince is like the one she writes, charming and kind.
Colin places a hand on the top rail of Penelope's chair. "Tell me about your story, Pen." He could smell the angel and she smells heavenly indeed.
"You like to hear my thoughts?" Penelope blinks while looking up to him. She maybe the youngest in their household but rarely does anyone actually listens to her, this is new.
Colin pushes Penelope's stray curls away from her face. "I could spend my day, listening to your thoughts, Pen."
Penelope giggles, she covers her face with her palms. "Coliiiin!"
Colin grabs her wrist to remove the hand on her face. "Stop that, Pen. Your face is meant to be looked at."
"Nooo." Penelope puts back the hand on her face. "Thats your charming face that should be looked at!"
Colin blushes. "Then lets look at each other."
Penelope slowly pulls her hands down, revealing her face slowly from the forehead down to her chin.
"See? Your an angel... and a Disney princess at once." Colin looks deep into her eyes. "You can play with us at Bridgerton House."
"Oh yeah?"
Colin nods. "I don't want to share you... but maybe you'll be happier with girl plays."
"Could you join?" She touches his chest.
"But they play house." Colin pouts.
"Colin."
"Yeah?" Colin hums.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No." Colin frowns. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No." Penelope shakes her head. "Mama says to finish my study so that I would not rely on a man."
"Oh." Colin looks curious. "How can I be your boyfriend then?"
Penelope shrieks, clearly elated. "You want to be my boyfriend?"
"Yes." Colin nods. "Actually no." He pauses. "I can be your husband."
"Ow." Penelope claps. "We'll have a house!"
"With a garden."
Penelope gasps. "Can we get a dog?"
"Sure, wife." Colin winks.
"I want babies."
"Me too." Colin admits. "A ginger bubba."
"With your locks." Penelope then touches his curls.
"Colin?"
"Yes?"
"Will you kiss me?" Penelope bravely asks.
"Okay." Colin dips his head and lets their lips touch.
As if planned, Violet enters the room.
"We can go home-" Violet's sentence was cut off by the seeing the scene before her.
It was just then that Portia raises her head from the papers, equally gagged by what is happening.
Portia and Violet shares a look.
Violet smiles. "Is this a success then?"
Portia returns the smile. "I guess it is."