Kathony

Kathony is the het ship between Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton from the Bridgerton fandom.

Canon
Kate and Anthony meet when she comes to England to marry off her sister. Anthony first sees her when he is riding in the woods. Charmed by Kate’s witty persona and her impeccable riding skills, he seems to take an interest in her. At the party later that day Kate overhears Anthony talk to other men. She is appalled at what he says, about valuing practicality and convenience in marriage over love. When he cachets her, she berates him and leaves him in astonishment in the cold air alone.

In honor of their annual ball, Anthony has invited the Sharmas to stay for a few days. The Bridgertons and the Sharmas play a game of pall-mall that leads to a vigorous competition between Anthony and Kate. Tin order to retrieve the balls, they go into the thicket where they end up in a pool of mud, joking and laughing. The Bridgertons and the Sharmas later dine at their estate, and everyone expects Anthony to propose to her that day. Anthony contemplates it, but reconsiders it and doesn’t follow up.

The morning after, Kate and Anthony hold a conversation about the night before. As usual, they start arguing, when Anthony sees a bee fly to close to Kate’s exposed skin. Anthony has a panic attack as he remembers what happened to his father after a bee stung him and fears that Kate might follow the same fate. She soothingly puts his hand up to her chest so he can feel her heart beating. He calms down, but then they both realize what compromising position they are in and hurry to break apart.

Kate and Anthony’s rivalry makes Edwina interfere and ask them to spend some time together, to warm up to each other. They go hunting. When Anthony tries to teach Kate how to hold a British gun, they share a physical moment, but unable to act on their feelings as they are interrupted. Later that evening, when alone together, Anthony taunts Kate and almost makes her admit her feelings for him. They are interrupted by Dephne and Kate doesn’t say anything. The next morning Anthony makes a hasty decision and proposes to Kate’s sister.

Anthony and Kate meet later in the woods. Anthony says he cannot marry Kate’s sister, but Kate begs him to make Edwina happy. She believes that whatever that feeling they have between them will pass, and the only thing she wants is to make Edwina happy. Anthony seems unhappy but he complies and leaves. During the wedding ceremony, Edwina notices the way Kate looks at Anthony and caught in feelings flees her own wedding. Later she calls it off. When Kate and Anthony meet at the chapel, they share their first passionate kiss.

Fanon
Kathony is one of the most popular Bridgerton pairings. They were also a popular ship in the Bridgerton book series, and were the main couple of The Viscount Who Loved Me novel. It is the most written ship on Archive of Our Own in the fandom tag. About a quarter of all fanfics are Modern Day AU stories. Fandom seems to have taken a liking to the ship from the first interaction, since the couple portrays a rather popular “Rivals to Lovers” trope. Some even compare Kate and Anthony to Lizzy and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.

Fandom
FAN FICTION 

TWITTER