(A/N Hello again. So this is 98% dialog, and I've no idea if I'm going to continue it. That said, I know I'm about 6 years late to the LBD fandom, but I discovered the series and I loved it!
Anyway, this is a take on how Lizzie might have better handled the end of the holiday season.
I own nothing.
Hope you enjoy!)
"Lydia, can we talk? No cameras, no advice, no gifts. Just...please?"
The door cracked open, "No veiled insults?"
"It was veiled enough that I didn't see it when I said it. I see why you're angry and I'm sorry for my lack of tact. I just...I worry about you."
"Because I'm a stupid whorey slut?"
"Oh Lydia. No. No. You're my sister. I worry about you because you're my sister. And I never should have said those things. I am so, so sorry. I- I had no tact and no right to give you that. The sentiment was meant to be that I want you to be safe. I'll walk away if that is what you need me to do. You can hate me if that is what you need to do. But know that I love you. I wasn't asking you to change you, I was asking you to change some of your choices. Because you do make dangerous choices."
"I said I'm fine!"
"You'll have someone with you, if not me? You'll be smart and pay attention? I know you can, I've seen you spot bad news a mile away, but it only takes one bad decision."
"And that's all I can do? Make bad decisions."
"No. That trophy belongs to me. I've made so many bad choices-even just in the past few months-but I don't want one to lead to losing you. I love you, Lydia."
This made Lydia pause. She looked around for something to focus on, trying not to see Lizzie. "You and Jane were always sisters, you know?"
"Uh...yeah. Since I was born."
"No. I mean- You were always two peas in a pod and I was...well the baby. I didn't want to be the baby, I wanted to be the three musketeers. I wanted to join in. So I… I tried to act older, more mature… It didn't have the intended affect, but then I had a reputation and I thought I might as well own it, right?"
"Oh Lydia! I didn't-I never-"
"It's okay. I just… I don't know. I guess we never clicked."
"I'm sorry."
"I found it pretty easy to fit the 'whorey slut' role."
"No-"
"Lizzie, you were always there. You kept the assholes away from me. You got me home when I couldn't. I just- I don't want that book, I want you."
A few tears left Lizzie's eyes as she pulled her sister into a hug. "If you ever need me, ever, I will be there as soon as I can."
"Friends?"
"Sisters."
They shared a giggle, both with tears.
"You're so sappy. I can't believe you just said all that."
"Confession? It wasn't all me. I called a few friends and told them what I wanted to convey and asked for help in explaining it."
"You're such a nerd." They laughed again. "Who did you call?"
"Well, Jane and Charlotte, obviously, also Mary and Fitz. Fitz apparently had me on speaker with Darcy there. He didn't say anything though-at least not to me."
"Darcy?"
"Yeah. That was..."
"Weird?"
"Yeah. Fitz credited him with some...more insightful suggestions than I thought he'd have. And I was entirely mortified when I learned." Lydia laughed at her again. "So...do you understand?"
"Yeah… I kind of did before-hence the plan to do the exact opposite. I just wanted to show you… I don't even know."
"That my baby sister is kickass and can take care of herself?"
"Yeah."
"That means being responsible."
"Yeah…"
"So, your New Year's plans?"
"I'm...still going to go. But I'll be careful."
"Will you give me the information of who you're going with?"
"Hmmm…. If you can answer me honestly."
"Oh boy."
"Darcy really affected you, didn't he?"
"Oh. I- Yeah. I guess he did… It was only after everything that I realized I never really knew him, and it wasn't my place to judge him."
"Do you regret Hunsford?"
"I mean, he insulted you and Mom and Jane. I might have been wrong about his character, but...we're kind of a package deal."
Lydia snickered before shaking her head "You, and all of us, have said the same things aside from the cryptic Jane remark. It's just wrong because he's not one of us. But relations aside, how do you feel about him?"
"I… I just told you I don't know him. But I… I wish I did. Which is- I mean- It's impossible now. And that's okay."
"Lizzie, have you ever had a second date? I mean, really! A guy goes straight to telling you he loves you…'
"We Bennet sisters have always had our role to fill. I do hope you change yours, but I...don't think I can change mine."
"Jane changed, too."
"I'm not sure I know how."
"It starts with something you're already good at: Don't listen to Mom." More peals of laughter.
"Nahw, Lizzie," she began in her mother's drawl, "I know you're not as priddy as our Jane, or as intresin' as Lydie here, but surely we'll find somethin' to work with. After all, even a blind chicken can find the feed."
"Lizzie!" They dissolved into giggles. "She's wrong." Lizzie shrugged and Lydia perked up. "Oh, and you know how you said no cameras?"
"You wanna costume theater our make-up?"
"No," she pointed, "I was already live streaming and thought you were going to be more of an ass for my vlog."
"Lydia!" Her pale face was gaping as she realized their entire conversation had been streamed onto Lydia's vlog. No editing. No choice. No filter. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"I kind of forgot about it when you started being nice."
She ran both hands down her face and turned to head back to her own room.
Lydia bounced on the balls of her feet and flashed the camera a spectacular grin, before turning off the stream.
(A/N I don't know if Lydia actually 'streamed' her videos, but they weren't edited nearly as much and it fit here.)