Most Ardently

by Gabe Cole Novoa

She hugged him tightly and whispered, “Anything for my little brother.”

It was a special thing, to have one’s reflection in harmony with who they were.

he quickly learned that most didn’t pay much attention to his face—once they saw the way he dressed, they made their own conclusions quickly.

“I was just asking Oliver if he’d be amenable to showing us around the fair,” Bingley said to Darcy. “He’s attended every year since he was a child, so he’s quite familiar with the goings-on here.”

What joy

Books were incredibly expensive—Oliver’s family, who did perfectly well for themselves financially despite not being particularly wealthy, could only ever afford to purchase one on special occasions. Ordinarily, Oliver got books from the lending library. Having his own personal library was an unattainable dream.

Wait till I tell you about the kindle

“I would love to,” Oliver said, and then the strangest thing happened. Darcy smiled. Just a little.

It was then that Bingley emerged from the Temple of Muses once more. “Apologies!” he said. “Did I miss anything?”

Yes, you are always coming out of stage right talking about “did I miss something” yes, you are missing everything. They are in love!!!!!!

“We’re permitted to bring a guest,” Darcy said. “We could bring a guest every week if we wanted to. I’d be happy to make you mine.” Oliver arched an eyebrow. Darcy’s face flushed pink. “My … guest. That is.”

Unfff - mommy like!

You said Darcy was a different person in the company of men—well, you’re a different person when you’re permitted to be yourself. You’re so much more at ease, so much happier. It’s not just that your clothes have changed, your entire demeanor is more authentic.”

So while I enjoy the trans representation and joy. I don’t know I am enjoying reading about it for like the 8th time. I get it. Please do not have asides every 7 minutes about it. Let’s get on with the love story.

“Then you should go.” Jane stood, dusting her hands off as if the matter was settled. And maybe it was.

“Try being concerned about me instead,” Oliver snapped. “I won’t submit myself to a life that would make me absolutely miserable, and you shouldn’t want me to.”

Hmmn

“Perhaps you’ve picked up that I’m a rather discerning individual.” “Discerning, yes. I suppose that’s one way to look at it. Some might say choosy, perhaps.” “Is that so wrong?” Darcy leaned back in his seat, his smile softening into gentle amusement. “I like to think it means that the people and things I do enjoy are special. I appreciate them more than I would otherwise, I think.”

“I try to enjoy as much of the world as possible. Life is short—what better way to spend it than try to find amusement out of as much as possible?”

“I’m glad to have met you, Oliver.” Oliver blinked at him with a slight laugh. “That’s a relief, given the circumstances. This would be an entirely different walk if you secretly disliked spending time with me.”

“You should know my name is Oliver. And I’m … I’m your son.” Mr. Bennet’s smile grew into a full grin, spreading across his face like a plant turning its leaves to the sun. “You most certainly are,” he said, and then his arms were around Oliver.

“Oliver, you didn’t really believe I never saw you climbing up and down the trellis from your room before tonight, did you?”

Got em

“I’m afraid Mr. Bennet has taken the second horse already,” Mrs. Bennet responded. “The walk isn’t terribly long, is it?”

What a cunt

Evidently growing bored, Caroline closed the book and set it on the table beside her. “I must say, there is nothing like reading! Truly, every other form of entertainment pales in comparison. One day when I am married and manage a beautiful home, I shall be utterly dejected if I haven’t an extensive library of my own.”

Bitches be crazy

“It’s a simple pleasure for simple ladies,” Caroline responded. Oliver couldn’t stop the look of revulsion that washed over his face. Even if he was a woman, he would never describe himself as a “simple lady.” Was this really Caroline’s best attempt at flirting?

Bitches Be Crazy

Darcy leaned back in his seat, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Is that truly why you’ve started this? Or have you convinced Elizabeth to take a walk around the room with you to catch my attention?”

Got em

“I understand your meaning. But, Mama, none of that is novel. I’ve always disliked those things.” “Precisely. Which is why I believe it is in your best interests to spend more time with proper ladies. Perhaps being a lady doesn’t come as naturally to you as it does your sisters, but that’s nothing that can’t be fixed. You just need the right education.”

Fuck this bitch

“You have such beautiful childbearing hips,” Collins said the moment they stepped into the center of the room, apparently managing to think of the worst possible thing to say.

I wish I had that for me

Oliver had just bitten into the thick crust when Collins waltzed into the room, shoulders back and head held high. Rather than taking a seat, he cleared his throat. “Good morning, everyone. I would like to request Elizabeth’s presence alone.”

Oh fuck… this dude is going to propose. Ugh!!!!!

Collins nodded once, the movement jerky. “As such, I’ve decided it would be in everyone’s best interest for me to marry one of you. Originally I thought Jane would be the ideal wife, but after I came to learn she was already nearly engaged to another, I realized the second-eldest daughter was also perfectly acceptable. Given that, I believe that we should marry.”

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck

“I just don’t believe any of us should have to accept circumstances that will stand in the way of our happiness,” he said at last.

She was right, Oliver knew. But marrying a man who would force him to pretend to be a woman, a wife, for the rest of his life didn’t feel like survival at all.

Okay so it’s painfully obvious, Darcy is gay, he’ll be okay with them marrying

Oliver sat up in bed, chest heaving. His hands leapt to his chest and the softness of his breasts curdled in his stomach like a glass of spoiled milk. The wrongness of it.

Yup. Being trans sucks homie. I feel it. I’d give a lot to have real breasts and a coochie to call my own. Maybe in the next life. Thankfully you are going to get a happy ending and I’m so excited for you.

“I can’t imagine,” Darcy said, “that you could ever be unextraordinary.”

“Oliver,” Darcy whispered, his breath hot on Oliver’s mouth. He swallowed hard. “Yes?” “I very much want to kiss you.”

Yes

And then Darcy released him and took a step back. His expression was closed off—something had shifted in his gaze. The warmth he’d seen there just moments prior was gone, replaced with something unreadable. “I’m sorry,” Darcy said stiffly. “I don’t know what I was—something came over me. I should go.” Oliver blinked. The shift in Darcy’s mood couldn’t have been more shocking if he’d dumped a bucket of ice water on Oliver’s head. “Darcy—”

No. You go right back and love that boy Mr. Darcy.

Wickham nodded. “I may only be a couple years your elder, but believe me when I tell you you’ll outgrow such childish notions. Of course you’ll marry, and of course you’ll become a wife and, one day, a mother. It’s the natural inclination of all females, yourself included.”

Ugh

This was the life everyone expected him to want, but he couldn’t bear the thought of it.

Yup. That horse is dead as fuck. Please stop beating its carcass.

“Incompatible!” Wickham laughed. “Nonsense. You have some unrealistic fantasies of the future, certainly, but what young girl doesn’t hold fanciful notions? It is a weakness of your sex to struggle to differentiate between flights of fantasy and reality. All the more reason why you need a strong husband to guide you.”

Jesus fucking Christ! This guy needs to drown at the bottom of the lake

The warmth in his father’s face alone made Oliver misty-eyed all over again. “I know you didn’t tell me perhaps the way you’d imagined, but I’m so glad to know you, son. No matter what, I will always fight for you.”

My heart!!!!

“So you’re telling me,” Darcy said, sitting in the grass, “that in my panic about kissing a boy, I ran off to ask a boy to marry me. Out of every possible socially acceptable person I could have asked in England, I chose the only one who wasn’t actually a girl.”

“I’d rather be secretly happy with you than openly living a lie.”

“What is it?” Darcy asked with a frown. “Is your family all right?” Oliver swallowed hard, forcing himself to lower the letter. “It’s Wickham,” he said, his voice faint. “He knows.”

No shit! Womp

“You have not heard the last of me, Elizabeth Bennet!” Lady Catherine screeched at his back. Oliver didn’t bother dignifying that with a response.

Team rocket blasting off again!!!!

A muscle in Wickham’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t deny it. “You’re a fool if you think your family will ever accept this nonsense.”

Get fucked

I admire you, Oliver Bennet. Your spirit, your wit, your open honesty—I have thought of nothing else since we first met.” Tears blurred Oliver’s vision, spilling hot over his cheeks and cooling in the rain. “Darcy—” “I love you, Oliver,” Darcy said. “Most ardently.”

I’m crying!! Mama is crying!!!!!!!! My heart!!!! My blood pressure!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh (also they said the thing)

“I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy,” Oliver said. “With my whole heart, I love you.”

Mrs. Bennet looked at Oliver, then Darcy, then back to her son before throwing the back of her hand up to her forehead and exclaiming, “My! This is most unexpected.” Her hand fell back to her side, before she added thoughtfully, “I suppose your vehement distaste for dresses makes all the sense in the world now.”

You stupid dumb bitch ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️🥸🥸🤪🤪🤪🤪🤯🤯😌😊🤬🤬😢😢😢😌😌😊😊😌

“And you!” Mrs. Bennet said, shrill, pointing at Wickham. “Attempting to swindle my son into an unhappy relationship for money? Have you no shame?”

OHMYGAWD THIS WOMAN. The whole GODDAMN BOOK. I can’t!!!!!!!!!!! With her!!!!!!