CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 47
PUBLISHED: 26/07/2022
(I forgot to copy some chapters onto here shhh)
THIRD PERSON'S POV
You woke up to an urgent pulling of your hair, and sat up. One of the twins. Isaac. He gave you a cuddle, and you held him a bit tighter than necessary, then got out of bed, balancing him on your hip. You headed into the bathroom, washing your face, and wiping Isaac's with a baby wipe. The house was painfully quiet.
You poked your head into the nursery as you passed it. Rosalie was gone. Finn probably had her. Or Isiah. He had come to stay at yours for a bit. It was too painful for him to stay there, at the house that he and Ezzie had made their own. You didn't blame him. You hadn't been in Bonnie's apartment or vardo yet. You didn't want to.
You headed downstairs, sighing at the fact that there was no noise. Saoirse would usually be humming, or giggling, or reading a story to the babies and animals, or playing an instrument, or singing, or talking. Just making noise. But the only noise was the cat meowing. You shook your head to rid yourself of the sad thoughts, not wanting to ruin your day before it started.
You hummed, although it wasn't nearly as nice as Saoirse used to, and entered the kitchen, where your daughter was up in her high chair, and your other son was sat at the table, both of them eating toast. Your husband was sat with a vacant look on his face. He looked more than tired. He looked exhausted, and you knew it wasn't just a physical one. Finn had lost two of his best mates in the one go.
"Finn?" You said softly, putting Isaac next to Finley, who gladly grabbed some of his brother's honey covered toast, even after Finley tried to swat his hands away.
"Just — tired," Finn explained hoarsely, and you pursed your lips and nodded.
You made your way around the table to your husband, and leaned down, giving him a quick kiss, then pulled him into a tight hug.
Finn placed a hand on your knee, and squeezed it thrice, grabbing his coffee with his other hand.
"I love you too," You replied, grabbing the mug next to his own and sipping it, knowing it was meant for you.
"You staying home again?" Finn asked, feeling a bit more normal after his cry.
"Yeah, I think Jeremiah has things to do so one of the girls and I will be watching Jeremy and Bon-Bon." You explained, and your husband nodded.
Isiah needed a bit more help with the babies now that Ezzie was gone, and you were all too willing to help out with your niece and nephew, and so was the girls from your netball team. They were all absolute godsends, always bringing around food and offering to watch the babies and taking Saoirse to and from school, even though it was all out of their way.
"It's Poll's birthday today," Finn informed you, and you swore, then walked over to the fridge, grabbing a small box off of the top of it.
"Can you give her this just in case I don't see her?" You asked, and Finn nodded.
Rosalie, now done with her toast, squealed, wanting to get down.
"No, you're in baby jail because you keep on opening the baby gates!" Finn chastised his daughter, wagging a finger in her direction, and Rosalie giggled.
"Oh, Finn, don't put her in baby jail! She's just exploring, right ring-a-round the Rosie?" You defended jokingly, going and getting your daughter out of your chair, bringing her over to sit on your lap.
Finn reached over and grabbed the boys' toast, and told them to come around the table to the three of you. They did so. Finn balanced the pair of them on his legs, and listened as Rosalie babbled to the twins, and Finley babbled back to her, throwing in some of his big boy vocabulary in there, telling her about his adventures with 'Untle Tarl' in the 'orch' (they picked 'appas' together, according to Finley).
You scolded Finley when he said a certain four letter word starting with 'f', Finn just laughing, knowing that his uncle Arthur most likely taught him it (you had walked into Linda and Arthur's once and caught Arthur encouraging Finley to swear — "Come on, Finley, say 'fuck' and I'll give you a chocolate!" "...Buck." "Close enough, mate.")
"We'll get through this," You told your husband, who nodded, but you weren't sure how you would or how long it was going to take.
You just knew that you'd get through it somehow.
•••
Thomas and Polly approached the group gathered in Charlie's yard.
"Happy birthday, Poll," Finn greeted, giving his aunt roses and a kiss on the cheek.
He then fished around in his pockets and gave her the box.
"From (Y/N) and the rest," He said, then stepped away from Polly, and Curly approached her.
"You grow grand in the horse shit, Poll," He congratulated in his own little way.
"Curly, pour some beer, aye?" Tommy asked, and Curly scuttled off to do it.
"The train to London leaves in an hour. Arthur, Michael, you're coming with me," Tommy said, trying to light his smoke.
"Tommy, I have to take Gina to the hospital today." Michael interjected, and Finn tried not to roll his eyes.
"A week ago, three members of our family were killed by Jimmy McCavern. The man we're going to speak to in London is establishing a relationship with Jimmy McCavern," Tommy took the beer that Curly offered, "So, cancel your appointments, and Ada can take Gina to the hospital."
Isiah bristled at this information, and Finn put a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to go with them too, but he knew that it wasn't the right time, or that he wasn't the best man for it.
"'Cause that's what women do," Arthur added, making Isiah scoff as he took a draw from his cigarette.
"Clean that shit off your shoes before you get in me car, aye?" Tommy told his cousin, taking a puff of his own cigarette.
Michael looked at him in a way that said that he wasn't impressed with his older cousin.
"Michael, they will give it and give it until your case is proven, and then they'll take it. From you, but mainly from me." Polly said, looking at her son, then at her nephew.
"Polly, you go to the hospital and speak to Aberama Gold. You tell him there is a strategy in place to avenge the death of his son and daughter, so not to do anything rash. And take with you the heartfelt condolences of the whole family," Tommy instructed his aunt, making Isiah frown.
Isiah knew Tommy meant his words, that he was truly sorry that Esmeralda and Bonnie had died, but couldn't the man say it with a bit more emotion?
"Why me?" Polly questioned as Tommy took a sip of his beer.
"Because Aberama Gold is in love with you. He even got an haircut," Tommy replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "And the smell of your perfume might help ease his pain."
Finn's mind drifted to you teasing him about Aberama being his 'favourite uncle', and he fought the urge to snicker.
"Tommy, I'm forty-five years old today." Polly informed her nephew, clearly not having it.
"Forty-five years old and still breaking hearts, eh?" Tommy said, and Arthur said a 'yeah' in agreement.
"To Polly," Tommy announced, raising his glass.
Everyone else followed suit, raising a toast for the matriarch of the family.
"Curly, organise two wagons to take the souls of Esmeralda and Bonnie Gold's souls to heaven," Tommy commanded, and Curly nodded, "Isiah, fetch his boxing gloves from the gym to burn with his body. Grab anything from your house that Esmeralda would want gone up in the smoke with her."
"Ezzie," Isiah muttered softly, knowing how much his wife hated being called by her full name.
Finn clapped Isiah on the shoulder, and led his best mate to his car, not wanting to leave him alone.
•••
You bounced Rosalie and Bonnibel on your knees as you read them a story, the boys drawing on a piece of paper with Dorothy. A car pulled up outside, and the dogs started barking. Finn Junior hopped up onto the bay window seat to see who it was.
Dottie walked over to the window to see who it was.
"Mary Bone and her baby," She announced, and grabbed the girls off of you, allowing to go and answer the door and tell the dogs to stop barking.
Mary came up the walk, the setting sun making her look all the more gorgeous, cradling a baby wrapped in a purple blanket. You welcomed her in, and ushered her to the kitchen, putting on the kettle for the pair of you.
"Is this bubby then? Oh, gorgeous!" You cooed, and she chuckled, turning the baby in her arms so you could see them better.
"Her name is Cara," Mary stated, and you cooed even more, telling her how pretty and romantic her name sounded.
"She's going to be a heartbreaker when she gets older," You said jokingly, going and grabbing two teacups and putting sugar and teabags in them.
"Hope not — I hope she'll be like her father, falling in love with the one woman and staying with her," Mary replied, and you grinned at her.
"Who's the father? You didn't tell me you were in love!" You complained, going and grabbing the biscuits from the pantry.
"I'm not the one he's in love with," Mary admitted, and you clucked your tongue sympathetically.
"Oh, Mary. Any man would be lucky to have you," You consoled, and grabbed the chocolate you stashed earlier, then going and sitting back across from her, snapping it in half and giving her the big piece.
She took it gratefully, and you pulled over Jeremy and Bon-Bon's stroller, Mary setting Cara down in it after you reclined the back of it. You got up and poured the now boiled water into the teacups, and milk, then carried them back over to the table, setting Mary's down in front of her.
"I didn't just pop around for a visit," Mary said as you settled back into your own chair.
"Oh?" You asked, confused, looking over at the woman as she rocked her child back and forth in the pram.
You picked up your teacup and took a sip.
"Cara; she's," Mary began, but paused, then sighed, looking away from you, "She's Finn's."
You gasped, and your grip on your teacup loosened, sending it clattering onto the table, sending lukewarm liquid pouring across the table and into your lap.
"What?" You questioned, your voice quiet, eyes narrowed at the woman across from you.
"She's Finn's," Mary repeated, still not looking at you.
"How dare you," You said through gritted teeth, standing up and making you way around the table to her, stopping in front of her.
She still didn't look at you.
"As if Finn would touch the likes of you — He has a wife. My husband would never," You spat, "And the next time you accuse my husband of that shit, you look me square in the eye."
Mary looked at you, and smirked, "Well then maybe you don't really know your husband, because on those nights you'd stay home while he and Isiah were out drinkin', he'd come and seek me out, and we'd head to darkest corners of the bar."
You scoffed, rolling your eyes as you picked up the teacup in front of Mary.
"I'm serious, (Y/N)." Mary continued, standing up, following you across the room to the sink, "He wanted to feel the touch of a real woman. One he wasn't forced to marry."
"Well, he seems to enjoy my touch, we've got three kids to show for it," You snarked, not missing a beat, turning to face Mary, "And you'd hardly be able to call yourself a real woman after saying you slept with my husband."
"Oh, but I am," She replied, feeling terribly bold, "See, the difference between me and you, (Y/N), is that you're a girl, and I'm a woman. You dress yourself in whatever's fashionable, change with the trends you know, you paint your nails silly colours-"
"Yellow's my favourite colour," You interjected quietly, looking down at your now cracked nail polish.
"-And you're still graceless. Awkward. However, I, the proper woman I am, I don't keep up with the styles. I dress in clothes that suit me and my body, I don't change just because something new is in style it all cycles back anyway, I paint my nails sensible colours, not childish yellow, of all things, and I have grace only you — and other little girls — could dream of," Mary finished, and you looked down at the ground.
What she said was true. She was five years your senior, three years Finn's senior. She was Ezzie's friend first, but got roped into your friend group easily. You never got on with her as well as the others, just because of your age difference, and partly because you were jealous of her.
She never walked into a room, she floated, her dress billowing around her, she never talked, she chimed, her voice sounds so angelic that it would be a crime to say she just talked, and every move she made was so precise, so calculated, that you'd think she was dancing. She never missed a beat, stepped out of formation. She was perfect, in every sense of the word.
Now that you were thinking about it, Finn could've slept with her. You wouldn't blame your husband, either, if you were single and she swung your way you'd try to bed her without hesitation.
She was gorgeous. You doubted her story of her sleeping with Finn a little less now.
"Here's what we're going to do," You said abruptly, wanting to stop your train of thought before it got worse, "We're going to get a blood test, to see if the baby has a blood type that could make her Finn's daughter. If she does happen to have a blood type that could make her my husband's daughter, then we're going to get Polly Gray to do paternity test. Our way. The gypsy way."
Mary nodded.
"If, and that's a big if, Cara is Finn's daughter, then I'll make sure you get money. I'm bad but I'm not fucking cruel," You reassured her, then dipped your finger in her tea.
After finding that it was lukewarm, no longer boiling hot, you threw it on her, the soggy teabag hitting her square in the face.
"Now, you absolute harlot, get the fuck out of my house before I grab a knife from the drawer and stab you with it," You threatened, placing the teacup into the sink, and she nodded, scurrying across the room and picking up her daughter, then hurrying out of your house.
You watched her leave out the window, and sighed, going over to the table and packing everything up, washing up the teacups and wiping up the spilt tea with a wet rag. You sniffled as you did so.
"Fuck Mary Bone, fuck her and her being so fuckable — and fuck anyone else who looked at my husband!" You ranted to the four walls as you scrubbed at the floor violently, then threw the rag up into the sink.
You were too mad to cheer when it made it in.
"Dot, you alright in there? I just need a minute!" You called out, your voice cracking as you did so.
"Yeah, they're all getting tired now, you're right!" Dorothy hollered back, packing up some of the toys the kids were using.
You thanked God that you had a friend like Dot, then the phone rang. You sprung up to answer it.
"Hello?" You croaked, and winced at how bad you sounded.
"(Y/N)! Baby!" Finn shouted, and you sighed, knowing your husband was probably off his face on booze and snow, "Solve an argument between me and Billy here, yeah? Now, when you mop, you - you vacuum the floors first, right?"
"Yes, Finn, you vacuum the floors first," You huffed, wiping your eyes with the back of your hand.
Finn whooped over the other side of the phone, "I told him that! Hey — you don't sound too good. D'ya need me home?"
"I'm fine, you stay out," You reassured your husband, not wanting him to come home yet.
"Okay. Love you, see ya when I lay eyes on ya next," Finn said, then hung up the phone before you could even reply.
You tsked, and sighed, heading out of the kitchen and up to your room to change clothes.
•••
Finn stumbled into the stables, to the cot you always had set up for him when he came home shitfaced. He woke up still drunk this morning, so he decided that it was best to sleep it off before going to you and the kids. He had to tell you that Tommy wanted Billy to stay with you and him, so he could keep an eye on the man.
Finn heard someone clear their throat, and he looked up. You were sat on the cot, an unimpressed look on your face.
"Hi," Finn greeted quietly, and you gestured to the bale of hay next to you.
He went and sat there, confused. Usually you'd just leave him be.
"Finn, in ten days' time, you're getting a blood test because Mary Bone came here yesterday and said that her new baby was yours," You told your husband, not wanting to beat around the bush.
"What?" Finn asked, feeling dread creep up inside of him.
"She said you slept with her, and that her child is yours," You repeated, looking at your husband, "She's wrong though, isn't she?"
Finn studied your poker face, and shrugged, making your jaw drop.
"I'm fairly sure she's not," He said hurriedly, "But I'm usually too shitfaced to remember anything."
"Finn Theo Shelby!" You thundered, "If you got her up the duff I'm taking the kids on the road!"
Finn stood up, albeit with a struggle.
"You can't do that to my kids!" He protested, and you scoffed.
"I can and I will," You challenged, "I've got more right over them than you do, and you know it."
Finn stayed silent, mulling over your words.
"And if you have a problem with it, then you should go to Tommy, although I don't think Tommy would care about it," You snapped, and Finn looked utterly wounded.
You touched a nerve. You knew it.
"Get out," Finn hissed, and, instead of apologising, you plumped Finn's pillow and walked out of the barn, leaving your husband there in his misery.
§§§
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CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 19
Part 1
MASTERLIST
I stood next to you in the field as everyone placed their items in the wagon, to go up on the smoke with Arthur. You had placed an envelope in there, and wouldn't tell me what it was, as well as some flowers. We had bought two windowsill planters, like you wanted to, and set one up in your room, and hung the other on the outside of our lounge room window.
You were looking around, as if expecting someone. I nudged you, and you ignored me. I huffed and looked over to my left, and my jaw dropped.
Esme was approaching us with her kids, along with two women. I recognised one as your cousin Jenica, the other I didn't know. You walked up to her and hugged her, thanking her for coming. I looked around. Charlie, Tommy, Polly, Ada, Lizzie, and Linda all looked just as surprised.
You and the others approached our group.
"I'm here only to watch Arthur go up on the smoke. Then, me and the kids, we're leaving." Esme spat as you came and stood back at my side.
Tommy nodded solemnly, his gaze cold and calculating as he looked as Esme, then at you. You stared right back at him, defiantly unafraid.
"How did you manage this?" Tommy asked you lowly, watching as Esme and the kids put flowers, drawings, and personal belongings on the wagon.
"I whispered it into the breeze and she carried it all the way to Esme for me," You replied, not even bothering to look at the man.
Tommy gave a short grunt, then walked off, knowing that was all he was going to get from you.
"Does Jenica have anything to do with it?" I questioned croakily, wrapping an arm around your shoulder.
You leaned into my side, bringing your own arm around me, "Yes. Jenica's sister, she ran off and married a Lee, one of the same ones that Esme and the lot are travelling with. Jenica got a message to Esme for me, through her sister. Esme called Jenica's apartment when I was there and I begged and begged, saying that John's kids deserved to see their uncle off, and Esme agreed to bring them."
I looked at you in surprise. You looked back up at me, and raised your eyebrows, as if to say 'what?'. I leaned down and placed a kiss on your forehead, silently thanking you. If I spoke I'd be crying in seconds.
"It's alright." You murmured, rubbing my back, "It wasn't that hard to do."
I snorted. Tracking down people who didn't even know where they were going to be in twenty-four hours seemed an impossible task. But, if one person could do the job, of course it'd be you, using one of your many tricks that you had up your sleeve.
I turned to watch Uncle Charlie and others put gasoline on the logs below the wagon, my chin still sat on your head.
I noticed something that wasn't tears in the corner of my eye, and turned my head to look, you doing the same.
Audrey Changretta was approaching us, carrying a white flag. I stood up straighter as someone called out 'Tommy!'
"It's all right, let her come," He announced, holding a hand out to stop anyone from doing anything.
Your free hand found mine, and you squeezed my hand. I gave it a squeeze back as Tommy said something to Audrey.
•••
You, Tommy, Polly, and I were now in Linda's living room, Audrey Changretta sitting across from us, sipping her tea as if she just popped in to discuss the weather. Tommy said you could come along because you deserved to know what was going on, especially because you were thrown in the deep end by both the kidnapping and when he needed your help in the Square.
You were sat on a cushion on the floor next to Polly's feet, because Tommy knew that she'd be able to hold you back in case you tried to hit Audrey. You wouldn't dare hit Polly, you admired her too much. He knew that you'd probably give me a shiner without a second thought.
But I knew that you weren't stupid. You knew what importance this meeting held, and how important it was to keep your hands to yourself, to stay calm. Tommy didn't know. Or, he didn't care. It was hard to tell.
"Your note talked about making terms for peace," Audrey began, "But my son says there are no terms. You took my husband and my son. We took two of your brothers."
"The vendetta is done," Tommy said solemnly, nodding.
"We say the vendetta is won," Audrey interjected, "We will take everything you have. All your businesses, signed over to us. You agree to this, or my son will kill you all, one by one."
"The vendetta is won." Tommy agreed, making my blood run cold, "That's it. No more killing."
"Who do you think you were, Mr. Shelby?" Audrey spat, and you rested your head on Polly's leg, watching as she and Tommy stared at each other in an act of dominance.
Tommy blinked and looked down at the glass in front of him, picking it up, and throwing it back in one go. You looked at me and raised your eyebrows as if to say 'what now'.
I unclasped my hands and grabbed my own glass next to me, shaking my free hand. 'I don't know'. You sighed, and pursed your lips, looking away.
•••
We were stood in Tommy's warehouse where he brewed his gin, looking at Luca and his gang stood across the room from us.
I noticed one man with a fucked up eye, a big scar running across it. It looked recent, but not fresh. He was looking at you angrily with his good eye. You just gave him a smile.
It clicked it my brain; this was the bent bastard who tried it on you.
Luca spoke in Italian, then you snapped, "Look at us what?"
The Italians looked shocked. Luca quickly regained his composure, and ignored your little outburst.
"All that's left of the Peaky fucking Blinders." He said, then approached the table.
He snapped his fingers, then another man brought a briefcase forward, pulled papers out, and placed them on the table.
"I've had my lawyer draw up these papers," Luca announced, stepping back over to the table, "Cover every enterprise in your possession. Bars, restaurants, warehouses."
He gestured widely, then down to the papers, "Every fucking thing that you've taken all these years to gather together."
"You will sign them all over," He walked over to be face to face with Tommy, "to my family, or you're gonna die. Right here."
They stared at each other for a bit.
"I would've buried you all, but my mother, she uh, she knows you, she said, it'll be worse for you if I let you live, and take away everything that you have." Luca said, then raised his hands and placed them on Tommy's shoulders, who held out his arms.
"Search them," Luca commanded, then pulled out Tommy's hand gun, passing it to another man in his crew, and went and stood in front of Polly, "Especially don't trust this bitch."
He reached up and ripped open her blouse, and I could feel you stiffen next to me. I nudged you with my foot. I felt the same way, but we couldn't do anything about it. A man moved forward and yanked you away from me, patting you down. I raised my arms as someone came and checked me, but kept my eye on you, even as they took away my handgun.
The man pulled out a hunting knife from your sleeve, and kept on patting away. He placed the big knife on the floor, the jagged edge catching the light. Your eyes widened, then you slapped the man across the face, making Luca turn to you and the men at the back raise their guns.
"You should tell your men not to get too handsy, that's what made your friend lose his eye last time," You hissed, and Luca simply nodded, turning to the man you slapped.
"She's a kid. Behave," He warned, and the man nodded, then finished patting you down.
"She's a good kid too. Pity you can't sign her over," Luca mused, and I felt my heart stop.
Surely they couldn't ask for you, could they? Yeah, your father married you off but it wasn't a contract.
The men all went back over to the other side of the room once they were done, and you returned to my side. I grabbed your hand and held it tight. There wasn't any hand squeezing, any silent reassurances that it would be alright, because we weren't sure if it would be.
They could take you back to New York and we wouldn't be able to do a damn thing.
"So," Luca began, looking at Tommy as he grabbed a pen out of his coat pocket, "Sign. Every fucking one of them."
He dropped the pen on the table, then leaned over it, putting his hands on the paper, "You can sign them on your knees. On the floor."
Luca then flipped the table, making you gasp.
"Get on your fucking knees and sign!" He growled, and Tommy knelt down, looking up at Luca.
"A friend of mine once said," Tommy stated, pointing a finger at Luca, "Big fucks small. So I had to find someone bigger than you. Now, you may know there are two families in Brooklyn, who want to take over your monopoly on the import of liquor into New York."
"But if they move against you in New York, they'll start a war between the families." Polly interjected.
You looked up at me unsurely, and I shook my head. I didn't know what the fuck was going on. As usual. I tried to put on my business face, to make it seem like I was in on the secret.
"But if you were to die in a vendetta with some fucking bookmaker in Birmingham, they could take over your business without a war." Tommy announced, looking up at Luca, who seemed less than pleased.
"We also contacted a businessman in Chicago." Polly continued, "He's also interested in moving into the liquors business in New York."
"His name is Alphonse Capone." Tommy declared, and Luca's facial expression changed.
"You been talking to that fat fuck?" Luca questioned, and I could hear his voice shake.
"You see, all the blood relatives you brought with you from New York, they're all dead, Mr. Changretta." Tommy stated, "And these men here, they work for money, for the highest bidder. They now have new orders."
"Is that right?" Luca asked, turning around to face his men, "Is that right?"
They all shuffled backwards. Luca turned back to face us, nodding.
"Hey ... Very fucking–"Luca cut himself off, reaching into his coat for his gun.
Tommy picked up something from the floor and hit it out of Luca's hands, then quickly got up, grabbing him. Luca forced him back against a pipe, and Tommy head butted the Italian, then pushed him towards a drum of gin, sending a punch fair across his face.
Luca picked up the rod that Tommy had hit the gun out of his hands with, and hit Tommy with it, then took another swing, Tommy dodging this one.
Luca backed him into the pipe again, and started hitting him over the back with the rod. Tommy put his arms around his midriff, and pushed Luca back into a table holding bottles of gin, smashing his face into them repeatedly.
The door opened, and I gasped. In walked Arthur, as alive as I was.
He raised a revolver, and shot Luca in the head, the bullet busting the barrel of gin behind him.
"Tell your people in Chicago that Michael Gray will sign the import license to New York." Tommy commanded, "Three hundred barrels of English fry gin a month."
"Leave. All of ya," Arthur ordered the men, and they started filtering out of the door.
"You! One eye! Get back here, now!" I hissed, making the man stop, and turn around on the spot.
"Finn," Tommy warned, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I yanked it out of his grip, leaning down and picking up my handgun.
"Come on." Arthur commanded gruffly, leading everyone, bar you, out of the warehouse.
"I want to take his eyes, and his hands, can I do it?" I asked, turning to you, my eyes immediately meeting yours.
You pursed your lips, but nodded, "Do it, Finn. Just— don't carry on with it. Make it quick."
I nodded, turning back around, and shooting the man with one eye in the knee, making him scream in pain as he buckled. I picked up your hunting knife and stalked over to him, crouching in front of him.
"You're either very brave or very stupid to fucking follow Luca here. I, and my wife over there, believe it's the latter." I said, grabbing his face and looking him in the eye.
"You know what happens to people who touch my family, my wife without their permission?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"They lose their hands," I snarled, pushing him back, making his back hit the concrete with a crack.
I scrambled to stand over him, and started hacking off his left hand, making him shriek as I sawed through the bone, and pulled his hand free, throwing it .
"Holy fuck," I heard you breath behind me as I threw his dismembered hand away, then started on his right hand.
He was losing blood quickly, his skin turning pale and clammy as I finished the second, standing back up and looking down at him.
I pulled my cap off, and ripped the razor blade free from the inside of the brim, then leaned down, and sliced through his good eye, making him bleed.
"Always take the eyes first, never forget where you come from," Tommy said, making me turn around.
He was stood in the doorway that everyone left out of.
I nodded, and you came up to stand next to me.
"Let's go home, clean you up. You did good, Finn." You advised, leading me out of the building.
I realised once the sun hit my face that I hadn't hesitated like I did when I had to blind the Italian that helped 'kill' Arthur. I didn't think at all. I was just mad. Maybe that's the secret.
•••
You looked down at me from your spot in your armchair as I laid on my back in front of the fire, bottle of whiskey sitting just beside my left hand.
"You should be getting drunk at the Garrison with your family." You stated, petting the cat as he came and rubbed against your legs.
"Fuck my family," I grumbled, sitting up with a struggle, "I should've been told Arthur was alive."
I went to go take a sip of the whiskey, but found the bottle empty. I stood up, and threw it at the protective grate in front of the fireplace, making you jump as it smashed.
"Fucking hell, Finn, if you've got a problem-"
"I have a problem, all right!" I hissed, kicking the coffee table with enough force to flip it up onto the couch, "Arthur's my fucking brother too, I deserved to know that he was still alive!"
"You're right," You admitted, making me stop and look at you.
You never admitted to being wrong, even if you were.
"What they did was wrong. They should've told you that he was alive, you're old enough to be trusted with that information. But, that's not the way things happened, and if you have a problem, you should go and tell Tommy instead of taking it out on the poor furniture." You said calmly.
I scowled and sat back down on the floor. You came and sat next to me, bringing your bottle of gin down with you.
You lifted it to my lips and I took a sip. You took a sip yourself, then put the cap on it. I watched as your wedding ring caught the light from the fire, then closed my eyes and took deep breaths to calm myself down.
You started humming a tune you had heard on the radio the other day, which then turned into mindless humming. I listened to that, the crackling of the fire, and the purring of the cat. Home.
"We gonna go to Tommy's and have a few with Arthur?" You asked, making me open an eye to look at you.
"I can drive us there, I only had that one sip." You said, and I opened my other eye and nodded.
"If we get too drunk we can sleep at Tommy's," I muttered as I got up and grabbed our coats, passing you yours, then putting on my boots.
You chuckled as you grabbed the keys, and said see you later to the cat. I grabbed your hand and lead you out to the car, feeling excited to go and have a drink with my not-dead brother.
§§§
Okay so I finished stranger things s4 and I told my friend that Two was kinda cute and she replied 'why do you only like fictional white boys that look like rats' AND IM STILL CACKLING but also how dare she 😭😭 but shes not completely wrong tho ahskdhsh
Also I'm loving Robin and Nancy's newfound friendship heck yeah
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 41
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You spritzed the vinegar in the spray bottle over your mirror, Saoirse wiping it up with newspaper. You and Saoirse giggled and giggled as you got the bottle of rubbing alcohol and dipped the cotton swab in it, writing your message for Finn onto the mirror, Saoirse grabbing her own cotton bud and dipping it into the liquid, drawing pictures to decorate around the message.
You worked quickly, then headed downstairs, shushing each other as you snuck back through your bedroom, trying your best not to wake Finn up as you headed downstairs and into the kitchen, starting up on breakfast.
Finn woke up to the smell of bacon cooking, which made his stomach rumble. He headed into the bathroom, turning the hot water on at the sink, washing his face and hands. He didn't like cold water, even in summer. It always had to be hot.
He went to look at himself in the mirror, but noticed the words in the fog on the glass.
'Happy Father's Day!
Thank you for everything you do for this family.
We wouldn't be here without you.
With love from,
(Y/N), Saoirse, Finn Junior,
Daisy, Duke, Charlotte,
Tuck, the chickens, and the twins'
Finn grinned widely as he read the last bit. You were having twins. Polly and Esmeralda saw it in a dream. You, surprisingly, had no dreams about your babies. It was everyone else.
Finn headed downstairs, already in a good mood. His good mood became lifted when he saw you and Saoirse arranging pancakes on a plate, everything already set out on the dining table. You looked over at your husband, and your eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"Good morning, my darling," You greeted, coming around the table and walking to him, hugging him the best you could with your stomach in the way.
"Good morning, my love," Finn replied, then placed a chaste kiss on your lips.
Saoirse gagged at the pair of you, making you chuckle as Finn pulled away.
"Good morning to you, little miss," Finn said, and Saoirse hummed in reply, mouth full with some of the strawberries that were meant to go on top of the pancakes.
Finn knelt down, placing a kiss on your very prominent bump and saying good morning to his 'daughters'. You were now at the beginning of your third trimester. Only a couple more months and they would be here, in your arms. Finn was excited — nervous, but mainly excited.
"We don't know if they're girls, Finn," You sighed exasperatedly, slightly annoyed with the way he insisted that they were girls.
"I feel it in my gut," He replied as he guided you over to the table, pulling out chairs for you and Saoirse before sitting down himself.
"I want girls too," Saoirse agreed, and Finn high-fived the girl, making you roll your eyes at the pair as you started filling a plate with food.
"I want healthy babies," You said simply, but you were hoping for boys.
Boys that could look out for their younger siblings. Boys that could be a good big brother, like Bonnie is to you.
“Well we already have two sons, let’s hope these two are girls to even it up, aye bubbas?” Finn said, rubbing your bump at the end of his sentence.
Finn felt a jolt under his hand, and beamed a million dollar smile.
“Are the babies kicking?” Saoirse asked hurriedly, leaving her French toast in favour of putting one hand on your stomach too.
“Medium Bee just kicked me,” Finn confirmed, making you snort and roll your eyes.
Since you were the original Bee, your babies were ‘Medium Bee’ (the more active twin, they kicked and moved more) and ‘Small Bee’ (the less active twin, they just relaxed — they moved, but not as much as medium bee, and their kicks and hits seemed to be less stronger). Saoirse, with the wonderful way her mind worked, came up with the nicknames first, and you and your husband followed suit.
Saoirse squealed in delight as she felt your stomach move under her hand, making you smile. Your husband retracted his hand and started eating his breakfast, your sister doing the same.
•••
You mixed the pasta salad around, getting ready to take it outside. Everyone was at your house for lunch once more. You had bought a dining set to have outside, so you didn’t have to drag your dining table outside all of the time. The outside one was much larger than your inside one, and sat on the porch, getting carried down the stairs and sat on the grass when needed.
“Everything ready, ladies?” Polly asked, and you all gave her words of confirmation.
“Well, let’s go then!” She said, clapping her hands then picking up the tray of cooked meat.
You grabbed the pasta salad, putting the bowl on your stomach, and giggling at how it balanced there, taking a few careful steps before Ezzie scolded you for playing with the food. You rolled your eyes, but grabbed it properly anyway, taking it outside and placing it on the table.
“Here she is! Woman of the hour!” Arthur said, raising his bottle of whiskey when he saw you, making you chuckle at the tipsy man.
“How’s Artie and Will?” He asked, referring to your twins.
“They’re fine and they’re not being named after you,” You replied, making him roll his eyes jokingly.
You didn’t know what the twins would be named yet.
“I just thought, being Finn’s favourite brother and all, that I’d get them named after myself,” Arthur said, moving his hands around in his drunken rambles.
Linda elbowed her husband and hissed a ‘shut up!’ to him.
Finn frowned, and took a sip of his glass of water. Arthur wasn’t his favourite brother. John was. Arthur knew that, and even though his eldest brother was joking, the words didn’t sting any less.
“Here’s an idea; you have yourself another baby with your wife and name him Arthur,” You snarked, sitting down next to your husband.
Finn placed a hand on your knee and squeezed it, a silent thank you, then started putting food on a plate for himself, then for you, making sure to stay away from anything that set off your ‘anytime sickness’. Saoirse was doing her own, now closer to nine than eight and wanting to do everything for herself.
You tried to focus on lunch and the conversation, but you knew that after everything was cleaned you’d be seeing the nursery for the first time, Finn promising to let you see it. Finn had started doing up the upstairs guest bedroom for the nursery, moving everything from that bedroom up to the attic. Finn wouldn’t let you see the nursery, even going so far as to lock the door so you couldn’t go in. You were annoyed, but excited.
After the other women cleaned everything up (you got out of clean up duties do to your baby bump), and everyone either went home or started relaxing either in the living room, garden, or guest bedrooms, Finn took you upstairs, covering your eyes as he lead you to the nursery door. He guided you to find the doorknob, and you twisted it, pushing the door open.
“And — open,” He commanded as he took your hands off of your eyes.
The wall in front of you had been repainted — a light blue. The rest were still a faint, barely there yellow. A rainbow with clouds on each sides had been painted on the wall, the window in the middle of the rainbow. In front of the two clouds were two cribs, each of them with a mobile. There was a chest of drawers in between the cribs.
Down to your right, there was a big, red armchair with a footstool, a bookshelf with baby books and stuffed toys on it between that and the crib on the wall adjacent. There was a change table closer to you, a bin next to it. On the floor, in the middle of the room, was a light grey rug. In front of you, next to the crib, was a rocking chair. Finn put his hand under your chin, and gently tilted your head so you were looking up at the roof. Your jaw dropped.
The roof was painted black, with yellow stars. A crescent moon sat near the light.
“Do you like it?” Finn asked softly, scared that you wouldn’t and all of his effort would be for naught.
“Oh, Finn — it’s perfect,” You gasped, tears filling your eyes and threatening to fall.
Your husband grinned, leaning down and kissing you on the temple.
“Finn,” You began, going and sitting in the red armchair — which was quite comfy, if you were being honest.
“Yes, my love?” He replied, coming to sit in front of you on the footstool.
You placed your hands on your stomach, a habit you gained in the past six months.
“What did you want to name our babies? And don’t just say girl names,” You warned as you took off your necklace, making the corner of his lips turn up.
“I like Elizabeth or Polly for a girl,” Finn answered, then added, “John or Isaac for a boy. Something biblical. And sort of like Isiah’s name.”
You ‘awwed’ at your husband. You could definitely see your baby with those names.
“I like Isaac for a first name, but remember, Esme’s already got John Junior. What if we use John as a middle name?” You pondered as you slipped your wedding band onto your necklace, and Finn hummed.
“I want to name them Rosie or Ezra, if they’re a girl, and Finley or Elijah if they’re a boy. Not your name, but a variant of it,” You explained, and your husband nodded, racking his brain for where he heard that phrase before.
He chuckle once he figured it out. Your wedding day, when you were naming Finn Junior, his big baby boy.
“Finley,” Finn repeated, testing the name on his tongue.
He grunted in approval. It sounded nice. Finley John. Even better.
You gave the necklace to Finn, who held it above one side of your stomach, the side that Medium Bee sat in. He knew what you were doing. He’d seen it done in Johnny Dogg’s camp when he was younger.
He held his arm absolutely still, and the ring started swinging back and forth in a straight line. You and him watched it as it did so, mesmerised. He stopped the ring, then moved it to the other side of your stomach, over Little Bee, letting it swing again. Another straight line, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
“Isaac Elijah doesn’t sound too bad, does it?” You asked, crinkling your nose up as your thought.
“No, it doesn’t,” Finn answered, feeling slightly dejected, but tried not to let it show.
“And Finley John. That’s a good name. A strong one,” You continued, tilting your head as your thought.
Finn chuckled as he undid the clasp on your necklace, placing your ring back on your finger gently, giving your hand a kiss, then putting your necklace back on you.
He stood up, then helped you out of the armchair. Instead of going and telling everyone the news of your discovery, you decided to go and have a nap, after a bathroom break of course.
Finn ended up with one less pillow than he would’ve liked, the pillow ending up supporting your stomach, but he didn’t mind. He dreamt good during his nap, dreaming of two little boys toddling after you in the garden, giggling and squealing as their feet got muddy.
§§§
The next chapter will be a doozy oof
I hope you all enjoyed this one :))
Love y’all ❤️
- Sunflower x
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@im-your-possession
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Part 42
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 39
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You sat at your dining table, listening to the noise coming from inside as Finn, Saoirse, Daisy, Karl, Aberama, Bonnie, Isiah, and Oscar all worked together to cook breakfast — brunch, now, you mused as you looked at your watch.
It was Mother's Day today, and Finn and Saoirse were originally going to cook just you breakfast, but then Saoirse wanted to cook something for Ezzie, and Polly, and Ada, and Hilda. Jeremiah, who Isiah always celebrated Mother's Day and Father's Day with, was also invited. That was how that lot, as well as Isiah, Aberama, Karl, and Daisy ended up here. Saoirse then called Bonnie and demanded that he come and help cook or he wouldn't be a part of the family anymore (an empty threat, of course, but the cooking would feel incomplete without him). He ended up bringing Oscar, who was a welcomed addition.
You ended up taking the table outside so you could enjoy the weather, which wasn't all that bad at the moment.
You could hear your father instructing Saoirse on how to scramble the eggs properly. The smell drifted down to you and made you feel queasy, so you drank some of your ginger beer to fight it. This didn't go unnoticed by Polly, who poured you a cup of tea.
"Try some tea, love. Maybe it'll settle your stomach," She suggested, pushing the cup towards you.
You took it gratefully, sipping away.
"You're not reading my leaves, though," You warned the woman, seeing right through her antics.
She sighed, then looked at Esmeralda, who cocked an eyebrow as if to say 'I told you so'.
"What are you two on about?" You demanded, feeling terribly left out.
"Nothing," The two replied quickly, making it know that they were very much on about something.
"Oh, god, what's wrong with (Y/N)?" Ada questioned, knowing that the only time Polly read leaves was when someone had something big happening to them.
"Something's wrong with (Y/N)?" Hilda asked hurriedly, eyeing you worriedly.
"She looks fine," Jeremiah commented, sipping on his coffee as he read the newspaper, not even bothering to look at you or entertain the women's antics.
"Nothing's wrong with me!" You snapped, a bit louder than you should've, waking Finn Junior from his nap at your feet.
He yowled in protest, swiping at your ankles, making you yelp.
"Tell me what you two are going on about before I take your eyes out with a spoon," You threatened, narrowing your eyes at the pair sitting across from you.
Ezzie and Polly looked at each other, then back at you.
"I had a dream that you gave birth," Ezzie admitted, making you scoff.
"Your dreams are always hit-and-miss," You pointed out, she didn't always have dreams that came to be like you did.
You conveniently left out the fact that you also had a dream that you went into labour. It didn't feel like a prophetic dream. Just a normal dream. Wishful thinking. You knew the difference.
"And that is why I want to read your leaves," Polly added, making you huff as you tipped the remains of the cup out onto the ground, leaves and all, then slammed the cup back down onto the table, hard.
You were surprised that the cup didn't break.
The pair took that as a sign to take a step back. Hilda placed a hand on yours, and squeezed it comfortingly.
"If she was having a baby she would've told you all," Jeremiah pointed out, placing his newspaper down, not seeing any point to the women's nonsense.
You all sat tensely, waiting for brunch to be cooked and brought out.
"Is something burning?" Ada broke the thick silence, and you went to snap at her for saying something so ridiculous, but you soon smelled the scent yourself.
You all quickly looked back over at the house, and through the window you could see Finn, now rushing around with a smoking frying pan, everyone else in the kitchen laughing at him.
He left through the kitchen door, and after a few beats he appeared through the side door, rushing to the railing and throwing the burnt stuff onto the ground.
"What did you manage to burn, Finny boy?" Jeremiah called out to the boy, and Finn rolled his eyes.
"He burnt the onion!" Saoirse yelled out of the window, giggling.
"You shush, little miss," Finn commanded, pointing the frying pan at her, but grinned as she still giggled away.
"Finn, I was looking forward to having onion on my hamburger. Bee, divorce your husband," Ezzie joked, and you chuckled.
"I shall have to, the smell of burnt stuff stinks," You complained, screwing up your nose as you took a sip of your ginger beer.
"You know, they sort of look like you, (Y/N)," Finn said as he looked down at the burnt mess, then up at you.
"Finn Theo Shelby, stop comparing me to fucking onions! Push my buttons again and you're sleeping on the couch tonight," You said to your husband, narrowing your eyes at him, and the people around you started cackling.
"Love you," Finn threw over his shoulder before walking back inside.
•••
You all had a good brunch. Oscar and the kids had washed up and put away, and now you were all scattered around the house, either napping or relaxing. The kids were out on the play equipment with the cat and dogs.
You were stood in the kitchen with Ada, eating some leftover muffins, pencilling in Saoirse's next dentist appointment on the calendar. Ada came over and bumped you to the side, then started flipping around the calendar herself.
"What in the fuck are you looking for?" You asked her as she counted days, flipping back and forth between the pages.
"Couldn't find it, doesn't matter," She replied, and you rolled your eyes, downing the last of your drink.
"You right watching the kids? I feel tired," You said, and she nodded telling you to go and sleep and that she'd get the kids inside to colour so she could nap too.
You walked out to the hallway, and stuck your head through the doorway of the living room, where all of the couches were taken. Oscar and Bonnie were asleep on the couches in front of the fire. Hilda and Jeremiah were asleep on the couches surrounding the green rug.
You headed down the hallway to the smaller guest room, and stuck your head in the doorway there. Isiah and your sister were sound asleep, your sister snoring softly. You looked across the hall. Polly and Aberama.
You walked back down the hallway, into the living room and up the stairs, going down to your own room.
Finn was making himself comfortable in the bed, eyes half closed as he did so. You wasted no time kicking off your shoes and crawling into bed with him.
Finn quickly moved so he was flush against you, humming contentedly as you drifted off to dreamland, your husband not far behind you.
§§§
Chapter forty is next — it feels surreal to have a fanfic with such a high chapter count lmao
Also, honest question to you readers; Would you prefer me to follow the plot of the show and kill off Bonnie, or leave him alive?
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@im-your-possession
@bethabear12
@paisley-37
@shelundeadxxxx
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@krillfromsky
@cucumberfingefsandwiches
Part 40
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 35
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
Finn and I had already been to camp (after showering together, of course) to get breakfast and pick up Saoirse. Now we were in the living room, hanging up the paintings that Billy had given us for Christmas. He had given one to each of us, then one to all of us.
I had no doubt that Linda thought of the gift. She may have been a bitch, but she sure knew how to pick presents.
It was a good thing, too, because they made our walls look all the less bare. We didn't have many photos. Finn's parents weren't overly worried about taking photos of him, and we could rarely get near a camera to take photos of Saoirse, having to draw or paint her instead. In fact, the only photo Finn and I had together, as well as the only one all three of us had together, was ones from our wedding.
I frowned as I adjusted the painting on its hook and made sure it was level, then stepped back, going and curling up in my armchair.
"What's wrong, my love?" Finn asked from his spot on the floor next to Saoirse, practicing a song she taught him on the ukulele as she read a book.
"We don't have any family photos," I huffed, and Saoirse stopped reading to look at me.
Finn shrugged one shoulder, as if he couldn't care less, making me scowl. He cocked a brow and waved a hand, showing him to not worry about it.
"We should get some?" She suggested, although it sounded more like a question than a suggestion.
"We can book a photographer for our wedding anniversary," Finn added, eyes still on me as he studied me.
"I'd like that idea. But it's ages away though," I complained, throwing my arms up in annoyance as I shifted so I was dangling my legs over the side of the chair and my upper half was hanging over the other side of the armchair.
"It's in nine days, on the tenth," Finn pointed out as I listened to the fire crackle, and my eyes widened.
"Like fuck it is," I protested, rolling out of the chair, landing on my hands and knees with a 'thud' then standing up and marching over to the door leading to the hallway, making my way into the kitchen.
I headed towards the fridge, where we had a calendar hung up on it, and looked at the January page.
My eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Oh, fuck, it is."
"Told you," Finn replied as he came into the kitchen, making me roll my eyes.
I kept on looking at the calendar as Finn pottered around.
"Your birthday is on the third?" I asked, turning to face my husband, "How come you never said anything about it."
He paused, mouth open as the arm holding the cookie he was going to bite stopping in its tracks, and shrugged, then bit half of the cookie clean off.
I gave him a deadpan look, clearly not impressed with his response, and grabbed the pen from the top of the fridge, then wrote in my birthday, placing the pen on top of the fridge once more.
"Well, when's yours then?" He questioned, mouth still full of cookie.
"On the fourth," I answered, and walked over to the island to grab my own cookie out of the jar.
He swallowed the food in his mouth, looking at me in bewilderment, "Of January?"
"Of January," I confirmed, and took a bite, humming at the taste of it.
They were homemade, I made them yesterday before we started partying.
Finn's eyes kept on flickering to my bracelet as he nibbled on his second biscuit, and I nudged him with my foot.
"What, Finn?" I sighed, feeling slightly frustrated, and he held a finger up as he continued chewing, then swallowed, and wiped his lower face with the back of his hand, ridding it of any crumbs.
He hesitated, putting his cookie down. He opened his mouth and closed it. I fought the urge to cross my arms impatiently, instead deciding to reach out and grab his hand, rubbing the back of it with my thumb. The action made his cheeks tint pink.
"Erm — I was looking at the rose charm," Finn admitted, leaning back against the island and hoisting himself up to sit on the bench.
I did the same, swinging my feet and waiting for him to continue.
"Well — I know from how all of the kids talk that Aberama and Rose never actually separated and that your father never actually got with Marian. And I'm confused about how you even ended up with Aberama." Finn said, the words tumbling out of his mouth and nearly running together at some points.
I nodded slowly, "How about a cup of tea?"
Finn immediately leaned over and switched the kettle on, as I wiggled around and made myself more comfortable, leaning back on my palms.
"So — where should I start?" I asked my husband, looking up at the roof so I wouldn't have to see him looking at me.
"At the start," He replied, barely giving me time to finish my own sentence.
I took a moment to think, before starting to speak.
"Rose and Aberama were on again off again, although everyone knew they belonged together. They had Esmeralda a good six years before me, then Bonnie followed three years after. In an off again stage, Dad met Marian at a fairground, and they got to know each other in the biblical sense. Eight months later, I came along, and with the help of some healers from the Gold family, I survived." I said, racking my brain for what Dad told me about my early years.
"Eight months?" Finn asked incredulously, eyes wide, "Is that why you're so short?"
I could feel my cheeks growing warmer.
"The healers said it was an effect of coming into the world too early!" I snapped, and Finn said a quick 'Sorry'.
"Anyway. I lived with Marian, and Dad would come and visit when he could, taking me on the road when Marian let him. Sometimes Marian even came with. Her and Rose got on well, as well as her and the older two, until they found out what she was really like, of course. He had eyes in the neighbourhood, other travellers that had settled down, so he knew how I was faring, somewhat. Uhhh — I never went to school. Marian didn't want to send me, instead I just ran amuck around the neighbourhood, playing hopscotch, making friends, eating apples from our neighbours' orchard — just having fun." I paused as the kettle stopped boiling.
Finn got up and started making us tea.
"Keep going," He requested as he grabbed the biscuits.
"Marian was forever nasty when I was a child, only nice when we had company. It got worse as I got older," I recounted, my hand absentmindedly going up and rubbing the small scar going through my eyebrow, "When Saoirse came along, after I turned eight, Dad and Rose came to visit us with her. That was probably the first time Dad, and the older two, actually ever saw firsthand how Marian treated me. Dad didn't take too kindly to it, and tried to take me off of Marian, but Marian had a lot of friends in high places, friends that wouldn't mind turning a blind eye to the way she treated me."
Finn grimaced as he brought my tea and biscuits over to me and sat it on the bench next to me, then taking the time to press a kiss to my forehead and hold it for a while, before moving to get his own tea and biscuits.
"Erm, it all came to a head when I turned nine. Dad, Rose, and the kids all came over for my birthday and it turned to shit. There was a lot of things thrown, words said, and tears. I don't like talking about it. No one does. Dad took me away that day, saying he'd shoot Marian if she tried to stop him, and I believed it. I visited her once again when I was thirteen, but other than that I had no contact with her, and didn't see her again until the wedding," I finished, and Finn took a long, slow, sip of his tea.
"It wasn't all bad," I added, "But you know how it is."
"We tend to focus on the bad parts," Finn said understandingly, nodding.
I gave him a small smile, and took a sip of my own tea.
"Erm — is Marian the reason you got funny over family photos?" Finn asked carefully, and I let a long breath out through my nostrils.
"She — she didn't have any photos of me, but she always had her and everyone else she knew up in the walls," I explained, and Finn frowned, leaning over and placing a hand on my knee, then squeezing it.
"Now, Mr. Shelby, what was your life like?" I inquired, and Finn chuckled, dipping his biscuit into his tea.
"Can we finish our tea first?" He asked, and I nodded, grabbing one of my own biscuits.
•••
THIRD PERSON'S POV
You and Finn decided to celebrate your birthdays together, on the fifth of January, with a lunch at your house, in the garden, with everyone bringing a dish of food.
It was a joyous occasion, with quite a few people in attendance. Esme and her brood even attended it, to your surprise.
If you could make a day happen again, the fifth of January, 1927, would be your first choice.
§§§
Short lil chapter because it's sorta kinda a filler lol it was meant to go in a different direction but it didn't go in that direction so eh
Also I'll give you guys from five days to a week to pick baby names from the list in the previous chapter (voting ending on the 14th of July at the latest lol)
Also — If some of you eagle eyed readers noticed that the first set of baby names were all variants of Finn's name, there's a reason for that.
If you go back to chapter nine, you'll see a scene where the reader says that she would never name her child 'Finn Junior' if she was naming them after Finn, instead using his first name as a middle name or using a variant of his name for the first name 🤭
Anyways — The rest of the chapters between now and when I plan to start writing about season 5 may all be shorter than usual, due to being fillers/not being overly important to the plot, just being more of Finn and the Reader's relationship lol
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
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Part 36
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 29
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
I fixed my hair for what had to have been the millionth time as Finn tied off Saoirse's braid. Today was her first proper day of school. Finn, Polly, and I would be taking her. Dad was off doing dirty work for Tommy, so he couldn't come. He would be back later today, though, and Saoirse and I would be sleeping at camp.
Her teacher, Miss Elliot, had picked out a buddy for Saoirse to play with for her first day. I hoped that the buddy would be nice. Saoirse could hold her own against other kids but she was never confident enough to do so in new environments.
"You look fine, (Y/N)," Finn sighed, and I rolled my eyes, turning to face the pair.
"You're only saying that because you're my husband," I said, and he shook his head, then nudged Saoirse.
"Tell her how pretty she looks, Sersh," Finn encouraged, making her turn around in her chair and grin up at him, then turn back to me.
"You look gorgeous and Finn is very lucky to be married to you," Saoirse said, deadpan, making him grin and rub her cheek with his knuckles affectionately, not wanting to mess up his handiwork.
"I am lucky to be married to (Y/N)," Finn agreed, making me blush.
"Shut up," I muttered, but a small smile crept onto my face, showing the pair that my words were good natured.
"Never," Finn and Saoirse said in unison, then looked at each other in surprise.
I chuckled at their antics, then looked at the clock. Polly would be here any minute now. I looked at the pair, and hummed in approval. They looked decent. I'd be damned if I wasn't going to make a good impression on her teacher. I didn't need her thinking that we were negligent.
Saoirse looked down at her feet and brought the tail of her braid over her shoulder, playing with it.
"(Y/N)," She began uneasily, looking up at me, "What if no one at school likes me?"
I open my mouth to tell her to not be silly, then shut it again.
"You'll be fine," Are the words I decide on, "There's a lot of different people there. You'll make a friend before the school day is out."
Saoirse nodded, still not looking sure, and Finn stepped up to talk.
"You have your buddy, too, remember Miss Elliott telling us the other day?" Finn asked, making her look up at him and nod wordlessly, "Well, your buddy probably already has loads of friends. Show them your juggling skills, or something. Juggling's pretty neat."
Finn had taught her to juggle a couple of days ago. She was a natural at it, juggling anything she could with ease. She juggled oranges while I tied her shoelaces this morning, Finn and I cheering her on.
"Juggling is impressive," Saoirse admitted, making Finn crack a small grin and rub his knuckles against her face softly once more.
He leaned down and positioned his mouth next to her ear, then put his hand in front of it so I couldn't see what he was telling her.
"And, if anyone bullies you, you just tell them that Finn Shelby will take their parents' eyes," Finn added in a faux whisper, making her giggle.
My jaw dropped as I looked at him incredulously.
"Finn Charles Shelby!" I shrieked as I crossed the room, and gave him a slap on the back, making him laugh as he stood back up.
"I'm just joking, love," He said, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close.
"Some fucking joke," I murmured as I laid my head on his chest, allowing him to hug me, wrapping my own arms around him.
Saoirse spun around in her chair, kneeling on it and resting her chin on the back of it, watching us. I felt some sense of déjà vu as I realised I had been in Saoirse's exact position years ago, watching Dad and Rose as they danced in my old kitchen. I had wanted a love like theirs. Any sane person would.
"You'll be fine, Sersh, honest," Finn comforted, "Every one of the Shelby children went to school there, even Michael — except me."
Saoirse nodded, looking slightly more confident than she was before.
"Why didn't you go to school?" Saoirse questioned, and I opened my mouth to scold her for her lack of tact.
"My mum had it hard by the time I was born. By the time I was school aged no one was focused on getting me to school, they had other stuff to focus on," Finn explained, making Saoirse nod.
"And my friend Hilda sends her daughter there, and she really, really, really loves her daughter, so she wouldn't send her daughter there if it was a bad school," I reasoned, head still on Finn's chest.
The door was knocked upon, making me call out, "Come in!"
The doorknob jiggled and the door swung open, revealing Polly. I stepped away from Finn, who grabbed my hand and squeezed it three times.
"Ready to go?" She asked, looking at Saoirse.
"Do I have to?" Saoirse replied quietly, making my heart break the tiniest bit.
"How about you try it for a week and if you don't like it we'll get you a governess?" I suggested, and Saoirse grinned, then nodded, picking up her rucksack from next to her feet as she stood up.
We all exited the apartment and walked along the balcony. My heels clicked against the ground as I walked. Saoirse was walking silently next to Polly, no skip in her step.
I looked at Finn worriedly, who squeezed my hand once more. It's fine.
I hummed in acknowledgment as we walked down the stairs, our shoes clanging against the metal. I hated that sound. It made me miss our Watery Lane house, because we never had that problem there.
Maybe Finn and I could get a bigger house somewhere down the line. Preferably one with at least three rooms, so Finn and I could share a room, and Saoirse could have one for herself, and we could have guest bedrooms.
I was snapped back to reality by Finn opening Polly's car door. I slid into the back with Saoirse, while Finn and Polly sat in the front. Polly stuck the key into the ignition, and started the car, then drove off, heading towards Saoirse's school.
Saoirse wiggled in her seat, looking out the window as we travelled down the road.
"You feeling excited?" Polly asked, catching Saoirse's eye in the rear view mirror.
"Sort of," Saoirse answered hesitantly, clutching her rucksack so tightly her knuckles turned white.
I leaned over and placed my hand over the pair of hers, making her loosen her grip.
"And remember, when you eat lunch, we all put notes in your lunchbox," Polly reminded her, making her grin.
Polly, Ezzie, Isiah, Bonnie, Finn, Karl, Dad and I had all put little good luck notes in her lunchbox. It was originally only going to be my family but I had wanted Karl to put one in for her, knowing she'd be gutted if he didn't, then Finn and Isiah put one each in to show Saoirse their support. I had no doubt that she would read Karl's note first, though. They had become fast friends, and were quite adorable together. He was coming to sleep over at our apartment on the weekend, to spend time with Finn and to help her settle in.
Polly finally parked the car in front of the school, and we all got out, Saoirse grabbing my hand when I walked around the car. I helped her put her rucksack onto her back instead of her holding it by the straps, then we all walked up to the gate, where Miss Elliott was standing with a familiar little brown haired girl.
I noticed some of the children stop what they were doing and look at us. Some even started whispering amongst themselves.
"Saoirse Fury-Gold! Hello and welcome to your first day at Small Heath Primary School," Miss Elliott greeted, far too cheery for half-past eight in the morning, "This is Daisy Wilkinson, she's going to be your buddy for the day."
Daisy waved at Saoirse, a big smile on her face. Saoirse waved back shyly.
"I like your dress, it's a pretty blue," Daisy said softly, and Saoirse grinned, all teeth.
"My Dad bought it for me," Saoirse replied, and Daisy's head bobbed up and down in acknowledgment.
"Want me to show you to our classroom so you can hang your rucksack up?" Daisy offered, and Saoirse nodded, then Daisy started walking, waving for Saoirse to follow.
Saoirse looked up at me, and I nudged her forward.
"Go on then," I encouraged, and she nodded, then ambled off after Daisy, who started chattering about what they were doing in class today.
"She's in good hands, don't you worry, she could make friends with a rock if she tried," Miss Elliott reassured after seeing Finn's worried expression.
"She'll be fine, that's Hilda's daughter," I informed Finn, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Netball Hilda?" He asked, and I nodded, making him make a noise of surprise.
"I play netball with Daisy's mum," I explained to Miss Elliott.
"I knew that," She admitted, "That's why I made Daisy her buddy. That and how friendly she is. I don't think there's a bad bone in her body."
I nodded, and relaxed my body slightly. Of course she'd choose a friendly person, she wouldn't put a child with a bully.
"We'll be off then, see you at three," Polly said, and I looked over at the playground.
Saoirse was already jumping rope with Daisy and another girl. She noticed us still standing there. I waved bye, and she waved back, then Daisy tapped her on the arm, saying something to her.
Finn grabbed my hand, squeezing it three times, then we walked back to the car.
•••
I cackled as I threw a King down on the pile, "You dickhead! So you were talking to these two girls and you didn't even bother to ask if they were related?"
I picked up a card, making sure I had three in my hand.
Dad threw down a ten, then pushed the pile to the side, then threw down a three, "Well I didn't find out they were related until I saw them at the fairground that night — one of them lived with their mother and the other lived with their father. Didn't help that they looked different."
He then picked up two cards, and Bonnie threw down a five.
"Bet you this taught you to ask who their parents were earlier on," Bonnie sniggered as he picked up a card, and Ezzie threw down a Jack.
"Sorry, Sersh," Ezzie said lazily as Saoirse scooped the pile up.
"(Y/N)'s my favourite sister anyway," Saoirse said, making Ezzie gasp.
I shoved Ezzie jokingly then threw down a four.
We were all in Bonnie's vardo, which was the biggest one in our little encampment. He had gotten Dad's old vardo after Rose passed away. Dad didn't want to sleep there anymore, so he and Bonnie swapped vardos.
We heard a wagon pull up outside and momentarily stopped our little game. Saoirse clambered up onto the bench to look out of the window and see who it was.
"It's Aunty Cass." She informed us, and Dad excused himself from his spot on the floor.
"Can I go and see her?" Saoirse asked, and Dad nodded.
"She's staying overnight, so you'll have all the time in the world to see her," Dad replied, but still let her walk out of the door first.
"We'll see her later, Pa." Ezzie said as she straightens up the cards.
Dad nodded, then walked out of the vardo, shutting the door behind him. I felt slightly bad about not going out there to see Dad's sister, but she could wait.
"So, how have you and Finn been after your date?" Bonnie asked, "I heard you had all of Esme Lee's kids over to visit the other weekend. Surely that's a good sign."
"She organised it," Ezzie cut in, making Bonnie grin.
They often asked me how I was with Finn because we were forced to marry, but as of late I've had no complaints about him.
"Shut up," I muttered, but felt a smile creep onto my own face, "Finn loved it. I loved it. It's starting to feel like we're an actual couple instead of two people being forced to marry. The only thing I don't like is our apartment. Feels too small for three people and a cat."
Bonnie and Ezzie nodded understandingly.
"Now, give us the juicy details, have you fucked him yet?" Ezzie asked, making me shriek her name and swat her on the arm, making her laugh uproariously.
"Well, have you?" Bonnie inquired, brown eyes wide with curiosity.
"I think it's a bit weird that you two are so invested in my sex life," I said stiffly, "But no. We haven't even kissed yet."
"How boring," Ezzie commented, and Bonnie hummed in agreement.
The fact that we haven't kissed yet was also annoying me.
"Hey!" I said, feeling outraged, "You probably haven't even shagged Isiah yet, and you don't even have a girl!"
"If Jeremiah knew what happened on his dining table, he'd burn it," Ezzie said simply, making my jaw drop.
"And who said I liked girls?" Bonnie joked, but quickly realised his mistake.
He stood up, ready to walk out the door but I dived and grabbed his ankle, making him stumble.
"What the fuck does that mean, Bon?" I demanded, making him flush.
"(Y/N), leave him," Ezzie scolded, but even I could see the confusion on her face. Bonnie yanked his ankle out of my grip, but I made no move to grab him again as he stood there, facing the door. I retracted my hand and brought it back to my side.
I watched him carefully as he stood there, most likely contemplating whether to leave or to stay.
"You don't have to tell us if you're not ready, Bon," I soothed from my spot on the floor, still splayed out, watching him.
"You can walk out and we can pretend that this part of the conversation never happened," Ezzie added, ever the peacemaker.
Bonnie shook his head as he sat down, still facing the door. I reached back out and brushed my hand against the back of his shirt, making him shiver as I touched him through the cotton.
"I don't like girls. Never have. I tried and tried but it just didn't — didn't work," Bonnie explained softly, and I nodded in understanding even though he couldn't see me.
"Does dad know?" I asked, and Bonnie shook his head, turning around to face us.
I took a deep breath before speaking again, "If you told Dad-"
"-Dad wouldn't understand! I'm his only son, I've got to be normal, go and settle down and have kids!" Bonnie snapped, making me frown, "Ezzie's the oldest and I'm the only son, we've got to be normal, you got away with it because you're not important like us! You're just another bastard gypsy girl."
As I looked up at Bonnie, laying upside down, I felt like I was thirteen years old again and Marian was scolding me for kissing the girl next door. That's what she always called me when she was mad. And Bonnie knew it. Everyone knew it. They had heard her call me it when Dad took me away.
"Bonnie!" Ezzie said sharply, coming to sit down next to me, but the damage was done.
"I'm going, see you two later, Aunt Cass will want to see me," I said as I stood up, stepping over Bonnie who started to apologise, but I ignored it and walked down the steps, and over to the fire, standing next to Dad and wrapping his arm around me.
Time felt funny as I stared at the fire, blinking back tears which I blamed on the smoke from the fire hitting my eyes. Aunt Cass didn't question but Dad looked at me with concern.
§§§
I feel like I should do a backstory on how the reader ended up with Aberama sometime soon, would you guys like that?? Or nah, keep it vague??
Thank you to all new (and old) readers for voting on chapters, and commenting!! I love reading comments/feedback
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 30
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CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 15
MASTERLIST
I twirled my finger in the telephone cord nervously until I heard Lizzie's 'hello?'
"Oh! Lizzie, it's (Y/N), I've just had a dream, and I needed to tell you because you were in it," I rambled as Finn Junior came and weaved between my legs.
'Was it a vision, like the ones Polly has?' Lizzie inquired, and I shrugged.
"I'm not sure, but it felt real enough," I admitted as Finn came down the hall, just waking up, his curly hair all over the place and only wearing boxers and a singlet.
Finn jutted his chin up, and I mouthed 'Lizzie', making him nod as he put the kettle on to boil then reached up to grab two mugs. I watched him as he did so, revelling in how the skin tightened over the muscles in his upper arm, showing them off.
'Tell me about it,' Lizzie demanded softly, bringing me back to reality and making me avert my eyes from Finn.
"You had a baby, and she grew up to be gorgeous, like someone you'd see in the pictures. Her name was Ruby," I stated, leaning back against the bench, smiling slightly, "And I saw her father, too. The blue eyed devil. You know exactly who I'm talking about."
'Tommy Shelby,' She sighed, then took a slight pause, 'It's true. I am pregnant, and he's the father. He doesn't know yet.'
"Are - Are you keeping her?" I asked, shifting my weight from one foot to the other, Finn now going over and relighting the fire.
'Yes. I want a baby,' She states, making me grin.
"Well then, Miss Stark, congratulations. I'll knit you some baby boots, beanies, and a blanket." I informed her.
'I don't need them just yet!' Lizzie protested with a chuckle.
"It'll be good to have them on hand," I pointed out, making her hum in agreement.
'I'm feeling a bit tired, I reckon I need some more sleep, see you at the shop?' Lizzie said, then yawned.
"See you at the shop. Talk to you later," I replied, then Lizzie hung up.
"Who's the father of her baby?" Finn questioned, and I put my finger to my lips, signalling that it was a secret.
Finn huffed, but nodded as he came back over and grabbed a spoon out of the drawer and put sugar into his blue mug.
"I'll take Jenica's cake tin back over to her," I said as it caught my eye on the bench.
"Who the fuck is Jenica?" He asked, pouring the now boiled water into his mug.
"My cousin, Jenica Palmer. She's probably your distant fucking relation too, with how big and connected gypsy families are," I remarked, then chuckled.
"I'll come with you," Finn announced after pouring milk into his cup.
"You've been in my pocket ever since I got back, Finn Shelby, I don't think so," I warned, wagging my finger.
Finn nodded, knowing not to push my limits, then handed me the tin, "Take a gun with you, put it in your bra or something. City's still dangerous."
"I will," I snapped, frowning as I turned on my heel and went up the corridor, grabbing Finn's handgun off of the table, unloading it then putting it into my bra.
I grabbed the silencer too, putting it into my bra.
I knew that we were in trouble, it held on to the Shelby's like a bulldog. I didn't need reminders every five seconds. I grabbed my socks and put them on, then grabbed my boots, pulling them on. I looked over at my vanity, and decided that the walk was too far away, instead grabbing the hair tie on my wrist and scraping my hair up into a bun, grabbing my coat, and walking back out to the living room, where Finn was frying, eggs, sausages, and tomatoes in a pan, cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.
"I won't be long," I informed him, making him nod.
I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down a reminder to knit the stuff for Lizzie, and one to buy our own cake tin, then left the flat, borrowed cake tin in hand. I walked along the balcony in front of the apartments, humming a song I had heard on the radio.
I went upstairs, then entered the building, taking the internal stairwell instead of the fire escape for once, sick of the clanging sound it made with my boots.
I walked up to the fifth floor, and headed to the third door on the right, knocking on it.
Jenica opened the door, baby Violet on her hip.
"Cousin," She greeted warmly, pulling me in for a hug.
"Hello, cousin. I brought your cake tin back," I said as I released her from the hug, handing it to her, "I've got to get back to the apartment before Finn sends out a fucking search party, I'll come visit you and baby soon."
I pressed a kiss to Violet's forehead, making her giggle.
"All good, see you then." She said, and shut the door.
I walked down the internal staircase, and heard a familiar voice yell; "Everyone stay indoors! Stay down! By order of the Peaky Blinders!"
"Oh, fuck," I muttered, yanking the gun out of my bra, "I should've stayed home."
As I was putting the silencer on the gun, I looked down, and Tommy was coming up the stairwell.
"Thomas!" I hissed, making him look up, "What's going on?"
He ignored my question as he approached me, grabbing my arm and dragging me along with him.
"Why do you have a gun like that? Are the Italians here?" I questioned, and he shushed me as he continued to lead me God knows where.
My heart started racing. I didn't know these buildings like the back of my hand. I wasn't a Shelby, born and raised here like he was. I felt blind.
He stopped and leaned against a wall, panting. I started panting too, although it was from nerves instead of being out of breath. I reloaded my gun, then watched as Tommy reloaded his gun, then I pocketed the empty cartridge, making him look at me.
"You've been pushing papers around for too long, that could lead them to us!" I busted quietly, making him nod.
We heard voices in the stairwell, so he lead me through the door on our right. He lead me through the building to a fire escape, and looked around quickly. He lead me downstairs. I noticed someone walking down the street, and aimed my gun at them.
"Oi!" I called out, making him turn around, revealing the gun at his side.
I took one shot, sending a bullet through his head, watching as he fell to the ground in a heap.
"Stay here, watch my back, and if Luca comes, I get that shot," Tommy commanded, and I did so, kneeling down and pressing my back into the window behind me to make myself less visible from the street.
My hands were shaky, and cold. I heard someone speaking Italian as Tommy stepped off of the bottom step, and peeked over the edge of the landing, watching as Luca Changretta took shots at Tommy. I kept my eyes on the pair as they exchanged shots, then as Luca's gun ran out of bullets.
He put the gun down, and walked towards Tommy, and another Italian appeared from around the corner. I steadied myself, then took a shot and killed the other Italian, making Luca jump as his crony hit the ground. I let out a breath, then ran back upstairs and in the door Tommy and I just exited, making my way back to my own apartment.
I tried the front door, and found it locked.
"Finn!" I called out desperately as I knocked on the door, feeling shaken.
Finn opened the door, and I pushed past him, tripping over my own feet as I run to the bathroom, and knelt in front of the toilet, where I promptly vomited. I didn't even have anything to eat yet, so it felt horrid.
As I dry heaved, I felt a hand rub my back. Finn.
"What happened? Italians?" He asked, and I nodded, flushing the toilet.
"Tommy — I came across him when I was coming back from Jenica's. He had Italians after him, and he dragged me along with him. I don't know these streets, I don't know these buildings, I was fucking blind, thrown in the deep end!" I spat, feeling tears well up in my eyes, "If I knew what was happening and if I knew these buildings I'd be fine, but fucking hell, he just ordered me about like I was a soldier under his command, never again!"
I wiped them away angrily with a sniff, then heard stuff hit the sink, and the sound of something filling up. I looked up to see Finn offering me the cup that our toothbrushes usually sat in, but filled with water. I took it, muttering a quiet 'thank you' and took a sip, swishing it around my mouth then spitting it into the toilet, repeating the action until my mouth felt clean. I handed the cup back to Finn, who sat it on the sink, then helped me stand up on shaky legs.
"Feeling sick still? Want to eat breakfast?" Finn asked, and I shrugged.
"I'll keep it warm on the fire until you feel alright. You should shower, I've got a feeling we're going to have a family meeting soon." He stated, and I nodded, turning the water on.
"I'll set you out some clean clothes," Finn mumbled as he exited the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
I stripped down and hopped into the shower, welcoming the feeling of the warm water on my skin. I had washed my hair last night, so there was no need to do it now. I stood under the hot water for a bit, waiting until I felt all of the tension wash off of me, then moved to clean my body, deciding to use Finn's body wash instead of my own. Once I was done, I turned off the shower and leaned out, grabbing my towel off of the rack and drying myself, then wrapping it around my body. I put my dirty clothes, bar my coat, which had been washed yesterday, into the laundry basket behind the door, picked up my boots, and walked to my room, shutting the door behind me.
I spotted the clothes Finn put out on my bed, walking over and drawing the curtains closed, then quickly got dressed, then put my boots on. I walked over to my vanity and grabbed my brush, undoing my bun with one hand, and pulling my hair over my shoulder, detangling my hair then pulling it down into a plait, in case I had to do any more fighting today.
I walked out of my room, down to the kitchen. The smell of food didn't make my stomach turn, a good sign. Finn was plating up the food. I walked over to the cupboard and grabbed my yellow mug down, making myself a cup of tea.
"You feel alright now?" Finn asked, and I nodded.
"Fuckin' nerves making me sick, that's all it was," I grumbled, taking a sip of my tea.
I grabbed my plate from Finn and carried it over to the table, placing it and my cup down, then headed over to the cupboard, grabbing a tin of cat food out and putting it into Finn Junior's bowl. I was surprised to learn that, while I was with the Italians, Finn had gotten the cat bowls, beds, blankets, and even a litter box with the cat's name on it. And the pair of them still hate each other.
I put Finn Junior's bowl down at the end of the bench, and he got up from his place in front of the fire and sauntered over, purring as he swayed his tail.
I sat at the table, next to Finn instead of across from him, and started eating, thanking him for the food first. We ate in a comfortable silence, and once we were done I took everything to the sink and washed them up, leaving them in the rack to dry.
The phone rang, and I picked it up.
"Hello?" I greeted my hand coming up to fiddle with my half heart pendant.
'(Y/N)? Family meeting, one hour. Polly's house.' Tommy said, then hung up.
"Fuck!" I bellowed, slamming the phone back down.
"What happened?" Finn asked, coming to stand next to me.
"Family meeting, one hour, his house," I mocked in a deep voice, making Finn chuckle.
"We can't even take the car because you got sick in it last night and it still stinks," I grouched, making Finn blush.
He was absolutely legless, Isiah had to call me to come get him from the Garrison. I should've left him there on the floor, or behind the bar.
"I'll call Arthur to come pick us up," He stated, making me nod, "I'll go have a shower, I'll be ready to leave in fifteen, I can read you some of the paper before we leave if you want."
I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why are you being nice to me? Is it so I won't be mad at Tommy?"
He looked taken aback, then narrowed his own eyes at me, "Am I not allowed to be nice to my wife? Would you rather be a drop dead cunt?"
"No — But you were never nice before I got taken!" I defended myself, making Finn roll his eyes and turn on his heel, heading to his room.
"You are worth the effort, fuck what anyone else told you before," He threw back quietly over his shoulder, then added, "If you weren't so contrary all the time we'd probably be an alright pair."
I scowled and picked up the pan that Finn had used to cook the food, and launched it after him, "I'm not fucking contrary! I'm complicated!"
He just laughed me off, "Yeah, you've got layers; like an onion."
"Stop comparing me to an onion!" I shrieked, before regaining my composure.
I looked down at Finn Junior, who was looking up at me with a funny look on his face.
"Don't stare at me like that."
•••
"They're here," Polly announced, looking out of the window and seeing Arthur, Linda, you, and Finn in Arthur's car.
You were poking Finn in the side of the head, talking animatedly. Polly wouldn't be surprised if you were arguing about something. Again.
Finn hopped out of the car, helping you out, then all four of you crossed the street, heading to Polly's. Once inside, you sat at Polly's dining table. There were only four seats, Arthur and Johnny Doggs took two, Lizzie and Finn taking the other. Finn pulled you down to sit on his lap, and, to everyone's surprise, you stayed there, not protesting as he sat a hand on your hip.
You were glad Finn let you sit in his lap, because nothing could make you stand next to Linda. At least this way Finn could hold you back if you tried to hit her. Standing on the other side of Charlie meant standing behind Johnny Doggs. Finn figured that this way was the best bet.
"So," Arthur began, tipping the contents of a small blue bottle onto the table, "What the fuck happened today, Tom? We all heard, shooting in Artillery Square."
Tommy nodded softly, "Yeah, there was. Today I killed two men. (Y/N) killed two as well. Now our enemies will have to wait."
You saw out of the corner of your eye the other three sat at the table looking at you in disbelief. You didn't blame them. You didn't look all that threatening, but that's precisely why you were dangerous. No one would expect the gypsy girl to be wielding a gun.
"I suppose they uh, I suppose they took you by surprise, did they?" Arthur questioned, tapping his blue bottle on the table one last time.
"No. They took (Y/N) by surprise; I knew they were coming." Tommy informed the group, making you and Finn side eye each other.
Why weren't you told that Tommy was going gallivanting in your backyard; with all guns blazing? You two could've helped, or hid.
"Just after Christmas I received a letter from Luca Changretta, offering to spare my son if I gave up Tommy. And I gave Tommy up." Polly said, making your eyebrows shoot up.
She was either very stupid or very brave to do that. You thought the latter.
"Because that was the plan that Polly and I agreed on," Tommy added, "I knew that Luca would want to pull that trigger himself, so I used the set up as bait to bring him in. (Y/N) just happen to be in the wrong place at the right time, and thank fuck she had a gun."
Finn squeezed your waist at this statement.
"Never again, I went in blind. I didn't know what the fuck was happening, or why, and I didn't know that building. Next time you need my help, you tell me beforehand," You warned Tommy, who nodded.
"You're a fucking idiot, Tom." Arthur said, sniffing and jerking around in his seat, the snow probably already taking its effect.
"Look, I didn't get Changretta, but I got two and (Y/N) got two, together we got four. All right? That's it, that's what happened." Tommy said in his 'that's final' voice.
Charles came into the room, and Tommy picked him up.
"Aye, but he's right. I mean, it thought you'd gone soft." Johnny Doggs said, standing up from the table and chuckling, "So you got two? And the lass did too?"
"Yeah, I got three. She only needed one shot each, fucking good aim on her." Tommy said, adjusting his son on his hip.
"Well, I'll drink to you, Tom, you mad bastard. And to you, (Y/N), for your services." Charlie said, raising his glass.
"You make it sound like I'm a whore." You said blankly, making Lizzie chuckle, "No offence, Lizzie."
A laugh went around the room, Finn pulling you in so you were leaning against his body.
"Pretty soon, you are gonna get the shakes when your blood cools down. Now, let's go get a drink," Arthur said to his brother.
"Dad, you got four what?" Charles asked, a big grin on his face.
"I got four shillings for a three-shilling horse." Tommy stated, making you chuckle, "Now, my boy, you come with us, huh?"
You watched as all of the men walked out of the room, bar your husband.
"You going to drink with them?" You asked Finn, who shook his head, "I've got whiskey here."
You hummed in agreement, watching carefully as he poured you a glass, and topped his up. You missed the knowing look that the women down the other end of the table shared.
§§§
Ooof long chapter lol
I have a personal Tumblr blog where I post my photography if you all are interested in keeping up with me, I only started using it today tho lol (I also plan on posting other stuff too lol but I'm new to Tumblr so eh)
@naiwillalwaysloveyou
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 16
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 4
Part 1
MASTERLIST
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping, Saoirse giggling and a dog barking.
I looked over at you, you were still asleep, hair still the way I adjusted it last night. You looked peaceful and calm, a big contrast to your sour ways during the day. Most of all, you looked at home. I felt a pang deep in my chest as I realised you would probably never think of a house as home, just like Esme. Maybe you could visit your family and stay with them whenever they came through, if Tommy allowed.
I rolled over and pulled the curtain back a tiny bit, revealing the early morning light filtering through the window above the bench, lighting the caravan and making it feel even more homely. This was the earliest I had woken up in months but the first time in a long time that I'd felt well rested.
I felt you move, so I looked back over to you. You had shifted so you were leaning back on your forearms, now awake.
"Morning," I greeted you quietly, letting go of the curtain, sending the bedroom part into darkness once more.
"Morning," You mumbled, bringing one hand up to rub the sleep out of your eyes, "Have a good sleep, Shelby?"
"Yeah, yeah I did," I admitted as you crawled out from under the blankets and took the blue blanket off of your window.
"I'm an early riser and I'm going to take my dog for one last walk before I go anywhere near your family, I'm not going to babysit you so do what you please until I come back," You stated as you clambered over me, exiting the bed altogether.
I heard you hiss as your feet hit the wooden floor of the caravan.
"Can I come?" I asked, throwing back the pile of blankets and sitting up, pushing the curtains to the side to look at you.
"If you want," You said, pulling on your boots then tucking your hair behind your ears.
You reached over and touched my coat, then drew your arm back as if you had just touched a pile of shit.
"Is that your coat?" You asked, looking around the van for yours.
I nodded as I jumped down and grabbed my boots, pulling them on and double knotting the laces as you wove yellow ribbon through yours. I picked up my coat and shrugged it on, finding your coat under mine.
"No wonder the sleeves kept on covering my hands, then," You murmured as I handed you the brown item of clothing wordlessly, and watched as you drew it around yourself, buttoning it up to the very top button, then pulling your hair out from under it.
"Look out," You commanded , nudging me out of the way.
I sat on the bench as you opened a cupboard under your bed and grabbed a hairbrush, quickly running it through your hair until it was knot-free, then carefully placing the wooden item onto the shelf once more, closing the cupboard door.
"Let's go," You instructed, leading me out of the caravan.
I touched the door jamb as I exited, grabbing the brass handle on your door and swinging it shut behind us.
Your siblings and your father were already up around the fire.
"Tuck! My boy!" You said joyfully as a brown and white dog came barrelling over to you, barking happily as you crouched to the ground, scratching behind his ears.
I tried to figure out where I had seen a dog like yours before, and it clicked; John had some of the same breed. He even let me name one.
I felt a lump form in my throat as my eyes welled with tears. I quickly brought my hand up to wipe my eyes, my ring feeling cold against my face.
"Shelby? What's wrong?" You asked, standing back up, one hand still on Tuck.
I shook my head. If I started talking I'd cry, and you seemed like the type of person to sit there and laugh if I did.
You pursed your lips, shifting your weight from foot to foot, "You should sit over near the fire, get some food into you. They'll take care of you."
I nodded, knowing if I talked my voice would fail me. You told Tuck to stay, and grabbed my sleeve, leading me over to the fire, to a seat next to Esmeralda, Saoirse sitting on the ground in front of her as Esmeralda checked her hair for lice. Bonnie was frying some eggs and bacon, thick slices of bread on a tray next to him. Aberama was pouring some tea into a mug.
"Take care of him, I'm taking Tuck for a walk." You commanded.
Saoirse nodded rapidly, her hair bouncing up and down.
"Alright — Bonnie, scramble me some eggs and cook a piece of bacon for Tuck!" You called out over your shoulder as you spun on your heel and went, Tuck trotting happily next to you.
I pulled my sleeve over my hand and roughly wiped my face again as I sniffled. How could a dog have me sitting here crying, in front of Tommy's business partners no less?
"Are you okay, Shelby?" Saoirse asked, fiddling with the hem of her skirt as she looked up at me with her big, doe-like brown eyes.
"It's Finn, don't be like (Y/N)!" Esmeralda scolded the smaller girl, smacking her on the shoulder.
I chuckled at the statement as the smaller girl mumbled a 'sorry, Finn'.
"Here, boy, get this tea into you," Aberama said, making me look over at him.
He offered me the mug he just poured. I took it, nodding in thanks.
"John — He had some dogs like Tuck," I explained, the words sounding like sandpaper.
Aberama nodded, clapping a hand on my shoulder. I took a sip of the tea, savouring how sweet it was before swallowing.
"Do you want some scrambled eggs?" Bonnie asked as he cracked two eggs into a bowl, mixing them together with a fork.
I nodded, and he added another two eggs into the bowl, as well as some milk, making sure to mix it thoroughly.
It would've been nice if the girl who was going to become my wife was here to comfort me.
I took another sip of tea, trying to wash away the lump in my throat with it, but instead of sweet, it now tasted bitter.
•••
You and I were now sitting in my house, back in Watery Lane. Aberama and Bonnie had bought us into town with a caravan, as they were heading to Charlie's yard. I had calmed down, but was sure I had a splotchy face.
You had picked out a bedroom for yourself, the one across from mine, saying you weren't keen on sleeping in the same bed as me ever again.
I checked my face in the mirror, making sure I didn't look like I was crying, and put on my cap, ready to go down to the betting shop.
"Ready to meet the girls?" I asked you, looking at you in the reflection as you sat on the floor, chewing gum.
"Ready as I'll ever be," You stated, hopping up.
You clasped your hands together behind your body, and shifted from foot to foot.
"Do I — Do I look okay?" You asked unsurely, looking down at the floor, then up at me.
I opened my mouth to reply, but got cut off by a gunshot ringing out.
"You look fine, they'll all love you more than they do Arthur's wife, stay inside," I commanded, opening the front door and locking it behind me.
Tommy came out of his house, looking bewildered, gun in hand, "Finn?"
"It came from Arthur's house," I told him, making him run to our older brother's front door.
He slammed his palm on the door repeatedly, then stepped back, "Arthur!"
He waited for a few seconds, then did it again.
Linda opened the door.
"Where is he?" Tommy asked, not waiting for an answer as he shoved past the blonde woman.
I waited, then Tommy re-emerged from the house.
"Arthur's not going to work today, he's sick, you're in charge of the betting den. Take (Y/N) with you, think of this as a bonding experience." He informed me, walking back to his house as if nothing happened.
I spun on my heel and went back to my house, unlocking it. You were nowhere to be seen.
"(Y/N)?" I called out, making you poke your head down from upstairs. "Everything's fine, let's go."
You nodded, and came down, walking past me and into the street.
"I think I would've been safer in my caravan than here," You grumbled, wrapping your coat tightly around you and tucking your hair behind your ears.
"No harm will come to you on Watery Lane, especially when I'm here — we're partners and we need to look after each other," I assured you, making you nod.
If you got killed then the deal would go tits up and I firmly believe that Aberama would turn his men against us and kill us.
"Now — for my sake and yours, we should try to be civil around the women — they're a lot harder on people than the men and won't hesitate to tear us to bits, yeah?" I said, closing the door behind me.
"Yeah — But sometimes I'm not nice and I can't help it," You admitted, putting your hands in your pocket.
"If it's warranted, I'll try to defend it." I stated, thinking about your outburst at the Garrison.
We walked in silence to the den, where I tried the door, and it swung open. I tsked and walked in, you hot on my heels.
"The rule is that door should always remain locked until 9:00am." I announced, leading you to sit down in Tommy's office.
"Right. Boy. Boy, where are you going?" Polly asked, stopping me in my tracks.
I stopped and spun around, putting a hand on your waist and guiding you around me, "Well, Arthur's not coming in today. He's taking the day off. So..."
"So what?" Lizzie asked, arms crossed.
"So, today, Tommy said that I'm in charge." I announced, matter-of-fact.
I could hear you snickering behind me, but you quickly hid it with a cough. I squeezed your waist, hoping you'd get the message and stay silent.
"Sorry, you're in charge?" Polly asked unbelievingly.
"Yeah. That's what he said." I reiterated, feeling warmth in my chest.
He actually trusted me with this.
Polly unplugged her phone and marched it over to Linda, "All right, sweetheart."
She then strutted over to stand in front of me.
"Ladies, let's give our boss a first day that he'll never forget." Polly said, adjusting my tie and grinning, peeking around me to wink at you, making you giggle.
I rolled my eyes and guided you to stand next to me, "This is (Y/N) Gold, my soon to be wife."
"Charmed," Linda said, turning back to her desk and fixing things up.
"Polly Gray, and that's Linda," Polly said, extending a hand for you to shake.
You nodded in acknowledgment, "Birdie Boswell's daughter, I've heard the tales. You'll have to forgive me, I don't do touching."
Polly retracted her hand, unfazed, "Aberama did mention that."
I dropped my hand from your waist at that comment. No one mentioned it to me.
"Lizzie Stark," Lizzie said, waving with a small, polite grin.
"Pleased to meet you all," You said, then smiled a sickeningly sweet smile, "I especially enjoyed Linda's warm welcome."
"I'll give you a tour of the place," I said hurriedly, wanting to move you before you got more snippy and an argument started.
"Come on, Finn, let us get to know her!" Lizzie protested, leaning against Linda's desk.
"You can do it at the wedding," I pointed out, making Poll roll her eyes.
"Yeah, you'll be too busy wanting to jump each other's bones for us to talk to her then." Poll replied, chuckling as she lit up a cigarette.
"I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole," You protested stiffly, screwing up your face.
"It's a natural thing to do, don't be scared," Linda said, turning in her seat to face us, a shitstirring grin on her holier than thou face.
"I'm not scared, I know what it's like," You snapped, sending my eyebrows up in shock, "And I'm fairly sure someone as high standing as Finn Shelby would know the pleasures of a woman, right, Shelby?"
You looked up at me, and my face went red.
"I, uh—" I stumbled over my words, feeling stupid under everyone's gaze.
"He's not been with a girl!" Poll crowed, clapping her hands, "Oh, little Finn's a virgin! (Y/N), dear, you're going to have to show him the ropes!"
It was at this comment that I turned around, ready to go to Tommy's office, not caring if you were following me or not. It seemed like today you were going to bond with the girls more than me.
"If you're that upset about it Finn I'm sure (Y/N) wouldn't mind spending some alone time with you before the wedding," I heard Linda tease, making the other girls giggle.
That was the last sound I heard before I shut the door behind me. So much for Tommy's orders for us to bond.
§§§
Lolll I love Polly stirring people up so much
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 5
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 22
Part 1 MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
I sat across from my dad in the snug of the Garrison. He said that he had something important to tell me, but I wasn't sure what it was. I sipped on my glass of water, waiting for him to speak to me. It was too early in the day to drink, even though it was the weekend.
He looked at me, his brown eyes boring holes right through me. I shifted in my seat, feeling uncomfortable.
Dad reached for his mug of beer and took a drink, then placed it back down on the table, taking a deep breath in.
"I'm sorry," He said, "For putting you through this."
My jaw dropped. Maybe I should have gotten alcohol.
"What do you mean you're 'sorry?'" I demanded, jabbing a finger into the table as I looked at him.
He wouldn't be sorry. Not now, not ever. What's done was done.
"I am — Sorry. For making you get married. I was thinking about myself. I thought about the good of the family, and not what was good for you. I'm a terrible father." Dad admitted, and I narrowed my eyes at him, then raised my hand, swinging it at him.
However, my palm never made contact with his cheek because he grabbed my wrist, stopping me.
"You can't go and get physical whenever you're mad." Dad warned, and I swung my other hand, loving the sound it made at it connected with Dad's face.
"I don't forgive you, what's done is done, and I'm going home, to my husband." I gritted out, standing up and storming off.
I walked outside, and to my car, getting in it and starting it. I pulled a piece of gum out of my pocket and unwrapped it, throwing it into my mouth and chewing angrily as I sped off.
He may have been sorry, but he shouldn't have married me off in the first place.
I drove in an angry silence, bar the aggressive chewing of my poor gum. Once I reached Finn and I's apartment building, I shut off the car, and took a deep breath to calm myself, not wanting to blow up on Finn. I continued taking deep breaths, then got out and walked up to our apartment, where Finn was stood out on the balcony having a smoke, leaning against the railing with his feet crossed, watching the kids play out on the street.
"Not good," I answered Finn's question before he could get it out, heading inside.
He followed me, hot on my heels, as I headed for the kettle and put it on the boil, grabbing my mug, and his, and twelve biscuits, splitting them evenly onto each side of a plate. I spat my gum out into the bin.
Finn stepped up next to me and silently made the two cups of tea as I grabbed a chocolate from the basket on the bench and started eating it. I broke off a piece and held it out to Finn, silently offering it to him. He took it, grabbing the end of it with his teeth and pulling back, then tilting his head up and letting it drop into his mouth.
I chuckled as the kettle started whistling. He pulled it off the boil, then poured it into each of our cups, then poured the milk. I grabbed my own cup and the plate of biscuits, and we headed over and sat on the floor in front of the fire.
"What happened?" Finn asked, watching me as I dunked my biscuit into my tea.
"He said sorry — which I'm grateful for," I stopped to bring my now soggy biscuit out of my tea, and eat the soggy half, "But it doesn't fix anything. It doesn't turn back time and change anything, it doesn't unmarry us. And then he had the nerve to tell me to not get physical whenever I'm mad just because I went to slap him!"
Finn nodded, then took a sip of his own tea. "Um, (Y/N)?"
"Yeah?" I replied, pulling the soggy second half out of my tea then eating it.
"First up, unmarry isn't a word. Secondly — He's right. You can't just get physical any moment of any day. Yeah, he deserved it, and I reckon that you're in the right for slapping him, but you just can't act on it all the time. Being mad is fine, being physical with the people you love isn't." Finn said, making me scowl.
"I know that!" I snapped, taking a sip of my tea to calm myself down.
I closed my eyes and hummed in contentment after I swallowed it, feeling it warm me from the inside out.
"I don't mean slapping and being physical with other people — You do it with objects too, throwing them around, and I do it when I'm drunk but I'm not fond of it, I'm scared it might turn in to something else," Finn confessed, making me open my eyes and look at him.
"Why are you saying this?" I asked him carefully, eyeing him as he picked up one of the oval shaped biscuits and flipped it around in his hand.
"Well, what if we make it a rule? So we can stop it before it gets really bad. I'm not saying that it will, but it could. And what if we blow up in front of Tommy or the kids? That'll fuck us right over." Finn stated, dipping the biscuit into his own cup.
I watched as he moved it up and down, making sure it was soggy, but not enough to break, before pulling it out of the cup.
"That'll be a good rule, but what if we get proper cross and can't help it?" I questioned, grabbing two biscuits and dipping them.
"We should get away from the situation before we get that mad. Go on a walk or something," Finn supplied as I ate the soggy parts of the biscuits.
"What if it's Tommy or someone bigger than us and we can't just walk out?" I pointed out, making him frown.
"We can walk out, they can't keep us there. If you want me to, I can come and get you and say that you need to help me with something." Finn suggested, and I hummed in agreement as I dunked two biscuits again, "It's a hard skill to master but I reckon we'll be able to do it."
I moved them around in my tea, making sure to soak them, "I'll do the same for you. But how am I supposed to know when to get you out of there?"
"I'll — um, I don't know. Wave at you?" Finn decided, and I nodded.
He never did it any other time, so it would be an easy sign that he needed me.
"Shall I do the same?" I said, before dipping my final biscuit.
"Yes," Finn answered, standing up and grabbing the paper and pencil from the mantle, "That way it'll be easy. A universal signal. I'll write it down in our rules."
"Erm, can I write it?" I questioned, feeling slightly embarrassed to be asking a question like that.
Finn just grinned as he slid the sheet and pencil over to me.
"Number six. No throwing or kicking stuff around when cross. Number seven. When the other gives you the signal, you go to their aid." I said as I wrote them down.
Finn looked at the sheet, and nodded in approval, "Your writing's gotten a lot better. It's even clear upside down."
I felt pride bubble up in my chest.
"Thank you," I mumbled as I stood up and placed the sheet back on the mantle.
"Anytime," Finn said, grabbing his last biscuit and breaking it in half, then pouring some of his tea onto the plate and placing a half in it.
I watched as Finn Junior came over and started lapping up the tea. Finn hesitantly reached out and stroked the cat, who continued purring. Finn Junior leaned into Finn's touch, and I smiled.
Maybe my two boys would get along.
•••
I walked with Jenica and Ezzie down to the netball courts. The other day, Ezzie and I signed up and joined the team. Today, we'd have our first practice. I decided to join some club so I wouldn't be stuck at home bored all the time, just until Tommy found some position for me to work in. Even so, I'd still probably play netball, so I was active. I couldn't stand not doing anything. When I camped out, I was always doing something. Hunting, cooking, playing with the kids, walking my dog, doing chores, messing around with the animals, but in our apartment if I swept the floor one more time I'd go mad.
I convinced Ezzie to join with me because it would bring her into town more often so I, Jenica, and Isiah, could see her more often.
We played netball at our camps, because it was quite an easy game to set up, and the rules were sort of simple, but I wasn't the best at it, being a bit on the shorter side, especially compared to the other girls.
Finn didn't know that I joined the team yet. I wanted to make some friends of my own, friends that weren't Finn's friends. Finn's friends were alright, but I needed some of my own so I wasn't hanging off my husband all of the time.
"Ladies! This is Esmeralda and (Y/N)." Jenica said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I looked around, and the first thing I noticed was how big the range in ages was. There were girls that were as young as me to girls that were Ada's age. There was one woman who looked to be Polly's age, standing there and holding a whistle. I quickly counted. There were nine girls on the court, not including the woman holding the whistle, twelve girls if you included Jenica, Ezzie, and me.
"The Golds, our newest recruits. I'm Coach Lynnette, but you can call me Lynn," The woman with the whistle said, giving us a motherly smile, "There's a pile of dresses here. Go take a few into the change rooms over there and try them on, see which fits you best."
"Yes, Coach." I said, giving her a grin as I stepped forward and and grabbed a few of the blue dresses that looked my size.
I waited for Ezzie to do the same, and we walked to the change rooms together. I stepped into a stall, placing my rucksack down on the ground, getting out of my red dress, shoving it into my rucksack, along with my flats, and tried on the first blue dress there. It seemed to fit. I stepped out of the stall and moved my arms around. It fit just fine.
I grabbed my rucksack and got out my leggings, slipping them on under my dress, then putting on proper socks and a pair of canvas shoes that Jenica leant to me to practice in.
I pulled my water bottle out of my rucksack and waited for Ezzie. She soon emerged from her stall, her own rucksack over her shoulder. I picked up my rucksack and the other dresses, then we headed back out onto the court, where the other girls were warming up. I put my rucksack and water bottle down on the bench, next to Jenica's, and began to warm up next to Ezzie and Jenica.
"Girls! Fall in!" Coach Lynn commanded after a short while, and the other girls immediately stopped what they were doing and ran over to Coach, standing in a semicircle in front of her.
I stopped and went and stood at one end of the semicircle awkwardly.
Ezzie and Jenica went and stood at the other end. Traitors.
"Now, as you can see we have two new players. Esmeralda and (Y/N)," Coach Lynn began, bouncing the netball she held in her hands, then quickly threw it at me.
I caught it, making an 'oof ' sound as I did so, the ball managing to wind me. For an older lady, she was a lot stronger than she looked.
"Good catch," She praised, then looked back at the other girls, "Now, make them feel welcome. Introduce yourselves."
The one next to Ezzie spoke, "Hiya. I'm Florence, but you can call me Flo."
She looked nice enough. She also looked to be my age, her face still retaining the fullness of youth.
"Hilda." She looked Lizzie's age, and very motherly.
"Dorothy — Dottie for short." She was stunning, a bit older than me, and Ezzie.
"Elsie." She looked Ezzie's age, easily.
"Winnie." She looked older than Ezzie, but younger than Hilda.
Her skin stood out the most, white patches against her chestnut coloured skin.
"Ivy." Another angelic face, with a name easy enough to remember.
If I wasn't married to Finn I'd probably try my luck with some of these girls, honest.
"Emily." She was another who still had the childish roundness to her face.
Her voice sounded settled, though, so it was safe to say she was older than me.
"Sarah." She grinned at me, a shy one.
I returned it, making her smile wider. I reckon she'd be a good mate.
"Dinah." I looked at her, standing next to me, and her flawless brown skin and her brown curls up in a bun.
She looked my age, another good person to try and befriend.
"I'm Jenica, but of course you already knew that," Jenica said, making us chuckle.
"Now, girls, we'll start off with warmups, then move up from there. Grab a partner and a ball, practice your passes." Coach commanded, and I moved to go grab Jenica or Ezzie.
Ezzie paired off with Dottie, and Jenica paired off with Ivy.
I suddenly felt like a fish out of water.
"Hiya. Want to be my partner?" Florence — Flo — asked cheerfully as she strolled up to me.
"I'd like that," I replied, and we walked over to one side of the court.
"Are you Finn Shelby's wife?" She asked, and I nodded.
"Cool." She said, "Now, we're going to do a passing drill. You have the ball, and you have to pass it to me. I've got to keep my hands by my sides while you chest pass it to me. I can only move my hands once the ball is in the air and the pass is in progress."
I nodded, and passed the ball to her. She quickly caught it, making my eyes widen. Her reaction time was crazy fast.
I'd have a bit to learn.
•••
I sat with Jenica and Ezzie in my apartment, listening to Jenica pack her nail polish away, the glass bottles clinking against each other like the marbles Bonnie and I used to play with.
Violet was down in my room napping, thankfully. The girls went and grabbed Violet from the babysitters and had showers, and I made cupcakes and put them in the oven before I showered. They were done now, and I whipped cream up and made them butterfly cakes.
"So, you and Isiah, what's been happening?" I demanded, making Ezzie blush.
"Ooooh, yes, tell us!" Jenica added, coming to sit on the floor next to me.
I sat my freshly painted nails on my lap, trying to keep them free of smudges.
They were nearly dry, but I didn't want to risk anything.
"It's been going good. I ring him and he comes to see me and I go to see him and we go for walks or to dinner or to the pictures. I think I really like him," Ezzie confessed, making me 'aww'.
She had never said that about any boys before Isiah. She never blushed around about any boys before Isiah. She was utterly head over heels.
"He's cooking me dinner tonight. I'm having dinner with him and his father." Ezzie added, making my jaw drop.
"You two are that serious?" Jenica questioned, and Ezzie nodded.
"Fucking hell. You must love him a lot to settle down for him," I joked, making the girls laugh.
I was glad that Ezzie was feeling this way about someone. She deserved to be loved.
We heard a cry come from my room, and Jenica hopped up and rushed down there, coming back out with baby Violet on her hip.
"I'll take her home now, she might be hungry." Jenica muttered, and I nodded, standing up, Ezzie doing the same.
"I'll go to hers too, sister, see you later." Ezzie said, gathering her belongings, as well as Jenica and Violet's.
"See you. Call me and tell me how it goes," I demanded as they headed for the door.
"I will!" Ezzie promised, then held the door open for Jenica and Violet.
Jenica headed out first, then Ezzie, then Finn came inside, saying bye to the girls and shutting the door behind him.
"Nice nails," He said after he came and sat in the armchair in front of me.
"Thanks," I replied, then he spotted my rucksack and shoes next to the couch, as well as my netball dress and leggings on the clothes horse in front of the fire.
"What's that for?" He nodded towards them.
"I play netball now." I informed him, and he hummed in acknowledgment.
He leaned back in the chair and took off his cap, "When's your first game?"
"Saturday, two o'clock, at our courts, against a team from Camden town." I replied, moving to the kitchen and grabbing two cupcakes from the tray.
I bit and pulled the paper down on one with my teeth then bit into the cupcake as I walked back over and handed Finn the other.
"You spoil me," Finn commented, making me chuckle.
"I'll make sure to make your game." Finn promised, then took a bite of his own cupcake, "Holy fuck. Can I take some to work tomorrow? I want the lads to know that none of their girls can bake like you."
I rolled my eyes, "Yes, Finn, you can take some to work tomorrow."
§§§
Please note — I do not play netball outside of sports/PE lessons lol, I do know the basics and stuff but I don't play it enough to know *everything*
What do you guys think of the reader joining a netball team to make new friends? Yay or nay?
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@shelundeadxxxx
@bethabear12
@im-your-possession
Part 23
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 38
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You watched as Saoirse flitter around the park in her pretty pink dress, giving Valentines Day cards to her classmates, chattering away as she did so. Today her class had their Valentines Day party and picnic, and parents and guardians were invited along to attend.
You and Finn had gotten permission off of Tommy (who may have gotten a telling off from Lizzie) to go. The pair of you were slightly nervous. Finn Junior, who was lazing at your feet, made you slightly more nervous. No other parents had a pet that followed them around like yours did.
You, stood in your red dress and brown coat, was the youngest guardian there, barely seventeen. That, along with the fact that you were Saoirse's older sister, a traveller, and married to Finn Shelby, were the only concrete facts that everyone knew about you. You knew that the rumour mill was probably in overdrive right now. You fiddled with the charms on your bracelet, and tried not to think about it.
Everyone knew of the reputation of the Shelbys, Finn was the youngest of them, and there was rumours that he had followed in their footsteps, even though he was a part of their legitimate business. Even with people saying that the two of you were fine, the parents were all still a bit on edge.
Hilda noticed the disapproving, and curious, looks the other parents were giving you and your husband, and sniffed. Ever the motherly person, she gathered some of her brownies on a pink paper plate and put her million dollar smile on, then walked briskly over to the pair of you.
"Finn, (Y/N)!" She said, catching your attention, "I baked brownies for today, here, try some!"
She held the plate out to you both. You took it and gave her a grateful smile, Finn verbally thanking her. You balanced the plate in the same hand as your cup skilfully, a talent you had learned after beginning your work in the office and using smaller purses to fit in.
You could barely fit anything in your purse, having to carry everything in your hands. You were glad that you had been to a seamstress to make you skirts and dresses with pockets, as well as make pants that looked like skirts with pockets deep enough to hold whatever you liked. You even got new coats with pockets galore. Those coats were useful for pickpocketing, although you didn't need to do it much these days.
With your free hand, you lifted a brownie up and went to bite into it, but Finn grabbed your wrist and guided the brownie up to his own mouth, making you tsk but you let him bite the brownie, giving it to him to hold. You picked another up, this time your husband left you alone, content with his own brownie.
"How's Daisy's leg?" You questioned before nibbling on your own brownie.
She had fallen over in the last netball game she played, her leg was still badly bruised. Hilda looked over at her daughter, the bruise still very prominent on her shin. Finn winced at the sight of it.
"It's fine, the doctor said it's only a really bad bruise," Hilda replied, giving her daughter a wave and blowing her a kiss.
Daisy pretended to catch the kiss and put it in her pocket. For a split second, Finn imagined you doing that with your daughter. His daughter. He shook his head to rid himself of the thought.
"That's good to hear," Finn said, taking a sip of his cordial then grimacing.
It was too sweet. Way too sweet. No wonder Saoirse was running around the way she was. Finn pitied their poor teacher, who had to take them back into class after this. Twenty kids, all hopped up on cordial and sweets. They had sandwiches laid out, too, but they were untouched by the kids, only the adults grabbed some. Finn wished he was still eight so he could've grabbed all sweets. It just wasn't acceptable as an adult.
You brought a hand up to your mouth after a sip of cordial, the sweetness a bit too much for you. Hilda noticed this and quickly offered you her cup of water. You took it and drank the whole thing.
"Sorry. Everything seems to make me feel sick these days," You complained halfheartedly, and Hilda gave you a knowing look.
"You should go and see a doctor about it soon then," She advised as Saoirse and Daisy came prancing over, arms interlocked.
You nodded, but knew it was probably nothing. If you were anything like your mother and her mother before her, any children would be a long time coming.
"Bee, Bee, I've given out all of my cards!" Saoirse announced, "And Daisy helped!"
"She gave one to every single person in our class, it was annoying walking all around to them," Daisy groaned, making you all chuckle.
Daisy had also given one to each of their classmates, but she was smart enough to put their cards into their cubbies, which is what you told Saoirse to do too. You supposed that she got carried away with the excitement of the picnic, which was fair enough.
"Here comes Dick!" Daisy said, pointing to their classmate as he approached your little huddle, parents in tow.
You had heard a lot about him from Saoirse and Daisy. He was Saoirse's desk mate. He had a stutter, and he could draw the best, and did the best knots with shoelaces. He wasn't very good at maths, but he really tried, and he was getting a little better, but not a lot. He was happy to swing the rope at skipping if the teacher couldn't, even if it meant that he didn't get a turn, but Saoirse or Daisy always volunteered to swing it for a bit so he could have a go.
"His name is Richard! Richard!" A blushing Hilda hissed lowly at her daughter, making you and Finn cover your mouth with your hands as you snickered, "Do not call him that blasted name that all of the others call him!"
"Hi, Richie!" Saoirse greeted cheerfully, and you were internally relieved that she picked a decent nickname to call the poor boy.
"H-Hi Sh-Sha-Sha." Richard greeted in reply, shifting from foot to foot as he adjusted his glasses.
He looked up at his mother, then his father, who gave his blond hair a ruffle.
"Richard has something to tell you, Saoirse, and you too Daisy," His father prompted him, and he looked back at Saoirse and Daisy.
"Th-Th-Thank you both for-for the c-card," Richard said shyly, his face turning pink.
You laid your head on Finn's upper arm, watching the scene unfold in front of you.
"You're our friend, you deserved a card," Saoirse said firmly, and looked at Daisy, who nodded.
Richard flushed once more, and looked down at Finn Junior, who was now rubbing against Saoirse's legs. You were happy that you had made her wear stockings the colour of his fur.
"Do you want to play with him? He's friendly. He goes on the big circle swing, do you want to go on there with him?" Saoirse offered, and Richard nodded hesitantly, and that was all it took for Saoirse to reach over and grab his hand, then lead him towards the swings.
Daisy caught up to the pair and grabbed Richard's other hand, Finn Junior trailing behind.
"She's such a nice little girl. They both are," Richard's mother sighed, watching the group as they put the cat into the swing, then Richard.
You and Finn felt a bit of pride well up in your chests.
"They were the only two to give my Richie a card, thank you," Richard's mother said, turning to face you.
"It's no problem, honest. Saoirse knows that with things like this it's either everyone or no one," You reassured, giving her your soft, friendly smile, then extending a hand for her to shake, "I'm (Y/N)."
"Penelope," She supplied as she shook your hand, giving you a small grin back.
"Gary," His father greeted as you shook his hand.
He had a businessman's handshake, you noticed. You and Finn got to talking with the pair, talking about everything from the weather today to a potential play date for Saoirse and Dylan (and Daisy, of course).
After seeing Penelope and Gary go over to the pair of you, more parents came over to introduce themselves.
Hilda hummed to herself as she walked away from the group to get more water, feeling victorious as you and Finn chuckled along with the rest of the parents, finally 'in' with them.
•••
The crowd was wild, everyone screaming for Bonnie. If you were out there you'd probably be screaming with them. But no, you had to go and grab Oscar, and take him to where you were all sitting.
You headed down the hallway to the room where Bonnie was getting ready. You walked through the open door, and the first thing you noticed was an unfamiliar, handsome, brown haired boy sitting back to front on a chair, watching Bonnie shadow box. Your father was leaned against the wall, a cigar hanging out of the corner of his mouth as he watched his son, and how his son's newfound 'friend' looked at his son.
Aberama was very sure that his son's friend wasn't even a friend at all, that the boy was something more. It surely seemed so, especially with the way the pair went on when Oscar was wrapping Bonnie's knuckles. The pair spoke softly to each other, giggled, turned red, and Oscar was ever so gentle when he was wrapping Bonnie's knuckles, asking if the fabric was too tight or too loose. Aberama felt like he was intruding on something whilst he was watching the pair. And, as well as all of their other actions, they were doing a lot of 'not looking'.
'Not looking' (verb): The act of staring at the person you are infatuated with until they look at you, at which point you tear your gaze away and pretend to focus on something else. A sign of certain romantic attraction.
Aberama was tempted to ask you about the pair, but he knew that if you knew you wouldn't say anything, forever loyal to your brother.
But Aberama knew 'not looking' all too well, having done it when he had little schoolboy crushes. You didn't do it to just a friend.
"Save something for the fight, Bon," You teased your brother, and he immediately stopped, looking towards you, then running over and pulling you into a hug.
He hadn't seen you in two weeks. That was the longest you had ever been apart ever since you moved in with your father. It was wearing down the both of you.
You chuckled and hugged your brother back tightly. After a few moments, you let each other go. You waved at your father, having seen him only that morning when you went to Polly's for tea.
"And you must be Oscar," You greeted the man sitting backwards on the chair.
He stood up and swung his leg over, walked over to you, and shook your hand, saying his greetings.
"We'll go and head off to our seats, aye? Fight's about to start soon," You said, and Oscar nodded.
"We'll see you later," You said over your shoulder to your father and brother, Oscar waving goodbye to Bonnie, who looked slightly disappointed to see him go.
You walked down the hallway, heels clacking with every step. Oscar followed you somewhat awkwardly. You stopped suddenly, and spun to face the boy, checking your surroundings to make sure no one else was near.
"Listen closely, Oscar," You began, looking the boy in the eyes, "If you hurt our Bonnie in any way, shape, or form, whether it be physically or emotionally; I will kill you. I know where you live, I know where your family members live, I know where your friends live, I know where you go for drinks of a Friday night — Fuck, I even know where your employer lives. So, again, if you hurt Bonnie, I will hunt you down, and paint your surrounds red with your blood. Are we clear, Oscar Boswell?"
Oscar, who was now considerably paper than before, gulped and nodded. Bonnie had told him that you would probably threaten him, but fuck, he didn't think you'd be that scary.
"Good. Now, let's go, I've got you caramel popcorn because Bonnie said you like it," You told him, spinning on your heel and strutting off again.
Oscar sighed heavily before following you to your front row seats. You gave him his popcorn and his drink, chattering away. Oscar was somewhat more comfortable with you now that you were surrounded by people.
Finn was across the ring, watching you as you sat with Oscar. You caught your husband's eye and winked at him, blowing a kiss. Finn chuckled and took a swing from his flask, admiring how the dress you were wearing fit you in all the right places.
•••
Bonnie had won the fight, of course, and you all went out to drink to celebrate. Your brother was pleased to hear that, other than threatening Oscar like he knew you would, the night went smoothly and the pair of you got on with each other quite well.
Your father approached you as you sipped on your gin.
"Bee, my girl," He began, making you jerk your chin up as if to say 'what?'
"Bonnie and Oscar, are they ..." He trailed off, but vaguely gestured with his hands so you knew what he meant.
You shrugged one shoulder lazily, "Dunno. Should ask Bon instead of me."
Aberama nodded and you handed him your bottle of gin. He took a swig and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, giving the bottle back to you.
He looked over at his son and Oscar, the pair standing so close you'd think they'd be joined at the hip.
He chuckled to himself as he settled down in the booth next to you.
Forever loyal to your brother. He couldn't even be annoyed at you for that. You were a good person, better than he ever would be at seventeen.
§§§
Okay so this chapter came much easier than the last one lol
I'm getting closer and closer to when I start writing abt season 5 Finn and i am DREADING it
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
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Part 39
fanfiction writer who is open to requests20 years oldnew to tumblr so pls be patient!!MASTERLIST
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