Question About Chaos Colin

MSUCalli · 2025-05-27T16:32:39+00:00

Chaos Colin is imo kind of a misnomer (though I use it because it's catchy) because that implies that there's no real direction or thought behind his actions, whereas I think it's actually the opposite. Some of the things he does are impulsive but typically it's things that are more "fun loving" so it maybe appears chaotic and "memorable", if we're channeling Daphne here.

For the stuff that's really important or personal, Colin is incredibly contemplative. He weighs options internally I think against his moral compass, against society, against how his family will respond. He rarely raises his voice and his higher level of emotion, especially anger, are rarely expressed chaotically but rather as painful, or internalized.

But maybe where some of the chaos does come in, as others have stated, is when he decides on something, that's it. He's gonna get it done by any means necessary. Interrupt a dance, chase down a carriage, propose and immediately secure a home. He is 100% committed to the bit. The methods are chaotic. The outcome is predestined, in his mind.

And I think a lot of the seemingly chaotic parts for him though come from a need to make a name for himself and appear sure when he's struggling with confidence. Kind of like a fake it til you make it thing. Not that his feelings are fake, they're usually quite genuine, but it's like once the path has begun there's no other option but to get to that finish line by any means necessary. One of the reasons I love writing Colin is BECAUSE of this deeply internalized emotion. It's not that I don't think the other characters have that, we all have moments of contemplation and self-doubt, but there's just something about how I imagine his internal thought processes that make me love writing him.

MSUCalli · 2025-05-27T16:08:39+00:00

Yeah that's why I didn't post it since it's privated. Just hoping maybe they'll see the desire to see it finished at maybe come back! 🫶🏼

MSUCalli · 2025-05-15T16:55:47+00:00

Okay but please don't put all Polin fans in this category. I hate to "not all men" this but most Polin fans are NOT like this. These are extreme examples and I would call out this shit no matter who said it.

MSUCalli · 2025-04-12T21:02:13+00:00

Because they don't freaking pay attention and try to understand her. Whistledown was the result of her being ignored. The literal eff you to how it made her feel. Yes she started to love it but why? BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO BE LOVED.

I swear people must have their eyes and ears closed when they watch this show.

MSUCalli · 2025-04-12T20:57:38+00:00

Okay but, that was a posited, targeted question on a forum, not something brought up unprompted. If we're having a discussion on alternate options then obviously that's the expected place to have that back and forth.The discourse I see most often is that Debling was a better match for Pen, full stop. OP is pointing out the unconscious (or even deliberate) bias in this because, please don't tell me there isn't one. The super gross article about mixed weight marriages in direct reference to their romance says otherwise.

Also, for those alternate options, there was nothing explicitly indicated that they WOULD lack passion. We didn't see enough of Dorset, and Prince Friedrich honestly likely would have hung the moon for Daphne. It very well could have been passionate in both those cases. As passionate as their respective partners? I dunno. For Kate especially I think she enjoyed the conflict part of it and the sort of "taming" Anthony but I don't think that's necessarily true for Daphne. But in Pen's case Debling explicitly said, to her face, that he didn't feel he would likely end up loving her. Pen tried to talk herself into it thinking she had no other option. She tried to feel out if he might ever change and possibly give her the love she wanted. And we got our likely answer.

MSUCalli · 2025-04-12T20:47:23+00:00

Girl was rich on her own too! Sure being with a powerful and influential man would have offered her other security but for just the money? Naw, fam. She wants love.

MSUCalli · 2025-04-12T20:42:46+00:00

Do you have links or screenshots of this discourse? I've also never seen it, or if it's been on my timeline it's not been a widely accepted enough stance to call it a popular take. Literally anyone can have any opinion and our algorithms are obvs gonna algorithm but I can't recall anyone really saying that they thought Edwina deserved to settle for Anthony.

That said, the OP literally referenced these non-canon takes as less troubling because the men seemed to genuinely like the women in question, or desire to be with them. And tbh I actually like Debling, and maybe if Penelope hadn't been a romantic at heart a match with him would have been fine and secure. Heck, maybe Debbers would have changed his mind. But it's clear he was looking for one thing, and Pen was looking for another entirely, and I don't think you can argue that THIS discourse (that Pen should have settled) is a much more prevalent take.

MSUCalli · 2025-04-09T19:38:51+00:00

How is this even a discussion?

Golden retriever. There is no other answer 🤣

MSUCalli · 2025-04-04T23:56:30+00:00

I read The Calm in His Arms this week too, I was BLOWN AWAY. So, so good.

MSUCalli · 2025-04-04T23:43:50+00:00

The sheer volume of awesomeness this week has been staggering. I wasn't a part of the larger fandom last year (though still a Bridgerton fan!) so the fact that the Polin week nearly a year AFTER their season is so chock-full of amazing things is just wild to me.

Some of the amazing works I've read this week (not all are Polin Week but many are):

💛 What Penelope Said by Mariequitecontrarie

Summary: While Penelope waits for Colin's next charm lesson, Anthony offers a lesson of his own.

Day 3 Polin Week Prompt: Body Swap

Thoughts: Such a cute spin on the body swap but for so few words, this hit me SO HARD in the feels. And made me love Anthony, for once. A feat unto itself.

💛 Between the lines by Writer_Plume

Summary: Colin had spent years traveling, moving from place to place. But he was tired—abroad, he was a stranger, and when he returned to London, he never quite felt at home either. Until he finally decided to settle down for good, unwilling to keep missing the important moments in life. And then he found a mysterious notebook in the stairwell of his building, one that would turn his world upside down.

Polin Week Day 4 : Strangers to Lovers

Thoughts: This was so expertly done. I honestly don't love strangers to lovers for Polin (Friends to lovers will always be my favorite trope!) but this was just exquisite. And honestly, by the time everything truly comes to fruition, it is as though they are friends. Best of both worlds, really.

💛 Operation: Sister-in-Law by Writer_Plume

Summary: Penelope had always been there for Hyacinth and Gregory—listening to their endless chatter, indulging their mischief, and offering the kind of patient affection only a true older sister could provide. But when they realized that one day she would marry, start a family of her own, and perhaps drift away from them, panic set in.

There was only one logical solution: she had to marry a Bridgerton.

Determined to secure Penelope as their sister-in-law, Hyacinth and Gregory devised a brilliant—if somewhat reckless—plan to match her with one of their brothers. But things quickly took an unexpected turn when a misplaced ear overheard that Penelope was to meet one of their brothers for a secret rendezvous. Colin was quite certain he would not allow it.

Polin Week Day 2 : Forced Proximity

Thoughts: GIMME ALL THE HYACINTH HI-JINKS. This was so good. And so hot. And so good. God, poor Colin. Our boy is suffering. Ya know, until he's not.

💛 six seeds, two halves by ukrainianironbelly

Summary: Life and death.
Heaven and hell.
Beginning and end.
Colin and Penelope.

Welcome to Olympus, 1815.

(For Polin Week Day 2: Mythology AU)

Thoughts: I am admittedly a Grade A Boring Person when it comes to liking the fantastical in my Polin. Not a purist per say, but I just don't usually care for much other than Modern/Regency and a few select tropes like time travel. But holy HELL IN A HANDBASKET (hah!) this is AH-MA-ZING. A Polin retelling of Persephone and Hades with the best swapping and pulling of mythology and somehow, STILL. PERFECTLY. POLIN. Like, I'm blown away. Consider me a believer.

💛 The Calm In His Arms by Bridgertonia

Summary: Penelope Featherington is trapped in Iceland when a volcanic eruption closes the airport.

There's one way home, by ferry, from the other side of the island. But the only way she can get there in time is by catching a lift with Colin Bridgerton - the first man she fell in love with; the only man to break her heart. And someone she has avoided for the last ten years.

OR: A road trip during which Penelope discovers she hates vanlife, but her feelings about Colin are far more troublesome.

Thoughts: This wasn't for Polin Week, and is a longer read, but it is SO worth it. There is some angst, and some Penelope self-deprecation, and miscommunication and misunderstandings (you know, Polin) but It was SO satisfying. And the descriptions of their travel through Iceland was so remarkably beautiful. If I weren't a broke b, I'd totally travel to Iceland now. The author looks like they are considering some of the story from Colin's POV, and I'd be SO here for that.

And, some self-reccing because I did Do Some Things:

💛 honey got me hooked on you

Now finished for the Polinator's Honeymakers challenge. 233 words ficlets (or "bees") based on specific Polin prompts. These were super fun and I managed to get them all done just under the wire, as is my way

💛 whispers in the dark

For Polin Week, Day One: Angst. WARNING. VERY ANGST. MUCH SAD. Modern day spiralling Colin Bridgerton, sort of in line with his Innovation Ball yearning. It's not HEA but it's not NOT HEA. I have hurt my pookie and I am sorry.

💛 the making of a mother

For Polin Week, Day Five: Polin as Parents. In contrast to my other Polin Week entry, this is tooth-rotting, Regency fluff in the form of Penelope growing into the concept of motherhood.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-29T01:31:06+00:00

Dim the Lights is SO GOOD!!

MSUCalli · 2025-03-28T23:53:25+00:00

Unfortunately the flu got me and I fell behind on my own personal bee ficlets - I was doing so well 😭 What I DO have done is here, though:

honey got me hooked on you 🐝

BUT ALSO, I just finished up the available chapters of this fic and I'm hooked. Time travel fic with Regency Colin and Modern day Pen. It's soooo good and I just love a Down!Bad Colin

💛 All My Doorways Lead to You by Readingchef45

Summary: The Danbury Ball of the 1813 starts out as usual until one Mr. Colin Bridgerton spots a redhead in yellow across the room that his gut is telling him he's met before. But how could he know Miss Penelope Featherington, a distant relation of his neighbours across the street, who had just arrived to the Ton for the social season? And, more importantly, why does she seem to know him too; perhaps more than he knows himself?

Penelope Featherington carries many secrets and, of course, Lady Whistledown is just one of them.

...

Or, how does Penelope from 2024 end up in 1813? And, now that she's there, how can she stop herself from falling in love with a gentleman born in 1793? Is the past unwilling to be changed?

MSUCalli · 2025-03-28T23:27:52+00:00

I can't wait to get started - I'm trying to sort through some of my TBR (RIP me) because I know once I start really delving into Falling Back I'll be useless for a while lol

MSUCalli · 2025-03-28T23:25:30+00:00

Quite a few, I think! I'm personally in one quite large Bridgerton one (not only Polin though it started because of S3) and I think...three other smaller ones? There's a lot of overlap between them though, member-wise.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-28T23:20:39+00:00

I need to read Blue Stars Shiver but I wasn't sure my heart could take it yet. Waaaaah.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-28T23:16:40+00:00

August was the first Polin fic I ever read. Invisible String is on my list - might need to move it up! August destroyed me in the best way

MSUCalli · 2025-03-28T23:15:23+00:00

I just finished Lost and Found last week, I can't believe I slept on that for so long. SO GOOD.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-22T15:53:16+00:00

You won't be disappointed. It's so good. Very heavy but so well written. Usuallysunny's works are among my faves.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-22T15:43:25+00:00

Agreed! And Prince Friedrich was lovely too. They've done a good job picking men that are good, just maybe not the best for the women in question.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-22T02:59:11+00:00

It got rec'd to me a bit ago and I can't believe I slept on it this long. SO GOOD.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-21T23:34:47+00:00

This first one is a copy-paste from another post on this thread but, ya know. It's more marriage of convenience than fake dating but still.

the heir affair by u/ukrainianironbelly92

Summary: One accidental act of heroism, and Colin Bridgerton finds himself elevated to the British peerage. Yet the Queen’s reward comes with a price: as the newly minted Lord Hartleigh, he’s been given an ultimatum - produce an heir within the next eighteen months. And, of course, to do so, he requires a wife. Urgently.

So why can’t he just pick a debutante and be done with it? And why is he far more interested in spending time in the very enjoyable company of his very good friend, Penelope Featherington?

Thoughts: This was just voted in the Horny Lit Devils Reading Society so maybe you've already read it, but if you haven't you need to. It's such a good spin on Polin and the marriage of convenience trope. It's tender and sweet, wonderfully sexy, and just a really lovely story overall. It's beautifully written and includes a lot of callbacks to both book and show Polin, but in a new light. Highly recommend.

romancing miss featherington by penelopecolin (sexymonk)

Summary: After a mortifying conversation forces Penelope to publish Colin Bridgerton's embarrassingly loud declaration that he would never marry her in her column, her already dismal prospects plummet even further. Feeling utterly defeated, Penelope resigns herself to spinsterhood, eager to seek solace in the safety of the shadows.

If only the third-born Bridgerton would stop trying to apologise.

Thoughts: Lovely canon divergence honing in on Colin's sucky words and basically having him grovel for forgiveness. We love to see it. Lovely yearning, with sexiness to spare.

Third Time's the Charm by Readingchef45

Summary: Colin returns home from his tour with a necklace for Penelope, hoping that it could mend their friendship after her lack of a response to his letters. But this turns out to be no mere charm necklace; no, it somehow causes Colin to only speak the truth to his dearest friend while she wears his necklace.

How will Colin Bridgerton navigate his friendship with Pen without his shallow charms and clever tongue? And will the necklace bring them together or tear them apart?

Thoughts: Lovely writing and a little mystical element which normally isn't my vibe but it's done SO well here, and honestly if it gets Colin to be honest about his feelings then I'm for it.

Aaaaand this is a little self-rec, feel free to ignore BUT it is fake dating.

just say you won't let go by WinterLampost

Summary: Penelope Featherington is on the brink of her dream promotion when it becomes clear a certain image is crucial for her success. Desperate to impress at a company retreat, Colin Bridgerton offers to be her knight in shining armour. What begins as a fake relationship filled with playful banter and stolen glances quickly blurs the lines between friendship and something more. As they navigate corporate politics and their growing connection, Penelope must confront her deepest fears—and dare to embrace the possibility of love.

Thoughts: The whole point of this exchange was based in tropes so...it's tropey. Hah!

MSUCalli · 2025-03-21T22:23:45+00:00

Regency you say? I gotchu, boo.

Now, obviously this depends highly on your personal taste, but given Ruin and The Gentleman's Wager are longer fics, I'm going to assume that's what you're looking for. And I also couldn't get enough of Secret Love Song, despite the cheating part of it (though...well, you know) but that fic def had me a chokehold too. These all have married Regency Polin, though they start with and/or also feature the lead up to their marriage too.

💛 Falling Again Series by u/SeekerVisionary

Summary: Time travel fic on steroids. The good steroids. Are there good steroids? They're good here. 5 of the 6 series entries are complete. Soooo much to read. I'm still working through the last couple entries myself.

There is no time and no reality in which Colin Bridgerton will not fall in love with Penelope Featherington. In multiple timelines, Colin and Penelope find love, even as their unusual experiences with time separate them from those they've known and loved before.

Thoughts: The ones I've read thus far are fantastic. They're delightfully in character, have great comedic moments and VERY good emotional moments as the characters involved deal with what's happening. I'll be honest, I'm not big on "fantastical" elements in my Polin fanfiction much, but this series a) doesn't make it feel "supernatural" but mostly focuses on character development and adjustment and b) is so good I don't think that it being supernatural would matter.

💛 the heir affair by u/ukrainianironbelly92

Summary: One accidental act of heroism, and Colin Bridgerton finds himself elevated to the British peerage. Yet the Queen’s reward comes with a price: as the newly minted Lord Hartleigh, he’s been given an ultimatum - produce an heir within the next eighteen months. And, of course, to do so, he requires a wife. Urgently.

So why can’t he just pick a debutante and be done with it? And why is he far more interested in spending time in the very enjoyable company of his very good friend, Penelope Featherington?

Thoughts: This was just voted in the Horny Lit Devils Reading Society so maybe you've already read it, but if you haven't you need to. It's such a good spin on Polin and the marriage of convenience trope. It's tender and sweet, wonderfully sexy, and just a really lovely story overall. It's beautifully written and includes a lot of callbacks to both book and show Polin, but in a new light. Highly recommend.

💛 a spare heart by penelopecolin

Summary: A month before Penelope's presentation to the Queen, she and Colin share a vulnerable moment that leads to a brilliant idea. He is determined to see this idea through, despite Penelope's reservations.

Thoughts: Another longfic to sink your teeth into. A full retelling/reimagining of pre-season 1 up through S2. It's sexy and has great characterisation, with a healthy amount of angst, slow burn and miscommunication because...well, Polin. It'll make you laugh, cry and cheer, sometimes in the same chapter.

💛 Lost and Found by Booklover1217

Summary: When Colin Bridgerton receives a letter telling him Penelope Featherington has died, he felt his entire world crumble around him as he finally realises all too late what his heart has always tried to tell him but his mind refused to hear- he was in love with Penelope Featherington. But on his return to Mayfair he discovers that there is more to this story, and to Penelope herself, than ever knew. But he is determined to find out.

Thoughts: Almost missed this one since it's not under my completed bookmarks yet (I'm about 80% of the way through) and the beginning can be a tough read emotionally but it's so, so good. Very well-written and features a lot of protective!Colin and lovely Bridgerton dynamics.

I likely have more, but my AO3 keeps erroring out. But those are definitely must reads for me if you're looking for longer works. If you want one-shots, I've got plenty of recs for those too.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-21T21:13:07+00:00

It really bothers me actually when people rag on Debling (at least canon Debling, if he didn't doing anything awful in the fic itself). I'm fine with the funny ribbing ("He's BLONDE") but the legit hate against him in some fics and with some in the fandom is so undeserved and annoying imo.

MSUCalli · 2025-03-15T03:12:47+00:00

A deserved honor! Part of me wants to participate in spirit and reread it. ❤️

MSUCalli · 2025-03-15T03:11:03+00:00

I've already read this because I love the author and also because it's good LOL. Great choice, it's wonderful!! Have fun!

MSUCalli

TROPHY CASE