PUBLISHED: 23/05/2022

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 17

PUBLISHED: 02/06/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

READER'S POV

We cheered and passed the bottle of gin around as Goliath and Bonnie exchanged punches.

I watched as Bonnie sat back down in his corner, blood pouring down his face. Surely it would've stung. I caught his eye and he winked and grinned. I poked my tongue out. He was fine.

I realised that it was now the fourth round and grinned like a Cheshire Cat as the bell rang, signalling the start of the round. Bonnie hopped back up, and headed across the canvas, meeting Goliath in the middle.

I noticed Tommy and Arthur gone from their spots across from us.

"Polly," I began, catching the attention of the woman next to me, "Where are your nephews?"

She followed my gaze across the room and noticed them gone. She frowned, then got up.

"Stay in your seats, don't move," She instructed the rest of us, then strutted off.

I looked back across the room, catching Finn's eye.

"I'm gonna go see Finn," I mumbled to Lizzie, standing up and trying to ignore the pit in my stomach.

I walked around the ring, and in between the empty seats, sitting on Finn's lap.

"Do you know where your brothers are?" I asked him as quietly as I could, eyes back on the fight as I tried to drown out the screaming men around us.

It was loud in here. Loud enough that if someone hit the floor in another part of the building you wouldn't hear it.

"No," Finn replied, and I moved to get up, but he grabbed my waist, holding me in place.

I felt him shift restlessly under me, then stop as he gripped my waist tighter, and shifted me back so my back was flush with his chest, wrapping his forearm around my waist to keep me there.

I could feel the tension coming off of him in waves, and decided not to move. He'd probably pull me right back down anyway.

"If I have to move from this spot tonight, I want you to stay here, where there's people around you." Finn commanded, his breath hot in my ear.

"Come on, Bonnie boy! Bonnie, come on, kill him!" I heard dad call out, and Bonnie moved his arms from his face and started punching Goliath, moving forward and backing him into the ropes, landing a good hit each time.

"Come on, Bon, you can do this!" I called out, and Bonnie moved to knock Goliath out, uppercutting him then giving him a left hook which sent him right into the canvas.

I cheered for my brother, standing up and clapping, Finn doing the same behind me. Bonnie did a lap of the ring, then jumped up onto a corner, and the cheering in the room got even louder.

Dad came over and lifted him up, scurrying across the ring and putting him in the corner next to the one he was standing in.

I felt Finn move behind me, so I looked over and saw Tommy, no Arthur or Polly with him. He grabbed Finn and pulled him close, whispering in his ear.

Finn looked shocked as Tommy patted him on the chest and walked off. Finn sunk back into his chair, and put his head in his hands.

"Finn?" I questioned, getting no answer.

I knelt down in front of him, turning back to see Polly across the room, sitting next to a crying Linda.

"Is it to do with Arthur?" I asked the sandy haired boy in front of me, him nodding as he pulled his hands away from his face.

"Arthur's dead." Finn croaked, making my jaw drop.

"Oh, Finn," I began, reaching up to touch his face, but he slapped my hand away, tapping Isiah and whispering in his ear, then walking off, Isiah trailing behind him.

"Now I proper look like a whore," I grumbled as I followed the pair, dusting the dirt off my dress, and kicking off my shoes so they wouldn't clack against the floor.

Anyone would think I'd be sucking someone off with all the dirt around my knees from that fucking floor.

I headed down the same blue corridor we had been in earlier that night, and there was no sign of the boys anywhere.

There was a man I didn't know at the other end of the hallway. I gasped, and he perked up, turning around, only a cord in his hand.

He rushed me before I could get my gun out, wrapping the cord around my neck.

I leaned back into him, then jumped, sending him and I backwards as I threw him off balance. He hit his head hard on the floor, his chest cushioning mine, and I scrambled away from him, undoing the clasp on my purse and pulling out my gun, aiming it at him.

"Move and I'll decorate this fuckin' corridor with your brains." I hissed, and heard someone yell my name.

Finn. He came running, and put a hand on the small of my back, rubbing small circles, holding his own gun and aiming it at the Italian. I put mine back into my purse.

"I thought I told you not to move!" Finn snapped, "This doesn't fucking look like staying still, (Y/N)!"

"I was fine," I protested, conveniently leaving out the part where the man had a cord around my neck.

"You got lucky!" Finn hissed, "You could've died, like Arthur, or something else could've happened to you, because something always does when someone else isn't with you, and that's why I'm always up your arse, because that way I know you're safe, but if you don't stay with me or people you trust, you might not be safe, do you understand?"

I looked at the panting boy, and opened my mouth to reply then shut it again as I realised he was right. At the wedding, I was alone when Mum cornered me, at Watery Lane, I was alone when the Italians kidnapped me, and tonight I was alone when the man wrapped the cord around my neck.

"Fucking hell," Isiah breathed as he entered the corridor, then searched the man, finding a wire in his pocket.

I heard shoes up the beginning of the hallway, and looked up, Tommy approaching us.

"Tommy! We got the other wop," Isiah stated, then showed him the wire, "Cunt had a wire in his pocket."

Tommy was silent as he reached us, hitting the Italian across the head with the butt of his gun, sending him to the ground. I stepped away from Finn, standing on the other side of the hallway for breathing space as Tommy started kicking the man, making us flinch. He then moved away, looking at Finn.

"Right in the ribs," I advised as I gave him a little shove forward.

"Go on, Finn!" Isiah encouraged as Finn shifted from foot to foot, "Go on, Finn!"

Finn got in and started assaulting the man, but nowhere near as aggressive as Tommy was, nearly hesitant.

Isiah leaned down and grabbed the man, holding him, down.

"Take his eyes, Finn," Tommy commanded, "Do it for Arthur."

Finn looked up at Tommy then down at the man, seeming unsure.

"Take his fucking eyes!" Tommy yelled at his brother, making Finn take off his cap and get the razor out.

"You can do it, Finn." I muttered, and that was all it took for him to move forward and pierce the man's eyes with the razor blade, moving it across his eye, making him scream, then doing the other, making blood spurt up onto his cheek.

Tommy walked away before Finn even finished taking the second eye. Bastard.

Isiah moved to follow Tommy, leaving Finn and I alone, bar the man on the floor.

"You did good," I said to Finn, reaching up and wiping the blood from his cheek.

He leaned out of my reach and stormed off.

"Finn!" I called out as I followed him.

He walked past the ring and out of the door. I picked up my dress so the hem wouldn't get dirtied by the floor as I jogged to keep up with him.

"It isn't fucking safe out here; let's go back. There could be Italians crawling around out here," I suggested, putting a hand on his arm.

He yanked it out of my grip, and continued walking in silence down the sidewalk to our car, where he got in, and didn't even wait for me to do so before starting it and driving off.

My jaw went slack, and I heard gunshots sound in the building where the boxing match was being held, so I wasn't keen on going back in there. I pulled my own gun out of my purse, and stood flush against the wall, waiting for someone I knew to exit the building. I'd have been better off staying inside. The gown I was wearing was light, and wouldn't blend in with any of the buildings. If any enemies came along, I'd be fucked.

"Trouble in paradise?" A voice to my left asked, and I aimed my gun at them, then turned to look at who it was.

"Alfie Solomons." I greeted, putting my gun down, "Arthur's just been killed, but you'd know that if you stayed inside and watched the fight."

"I don't watch." Alfie said simply, walking up to me, his cane making a small noise every time it hit the concrete.

"Now, princess, seeing how your carriage has prematurely turned into a pumpkin, meaning fucking took off without you, can I be so kind to drive  you home?" Alfie offered.

"Only you and I in the car?" I questioned eyeing him up.

He nodded, "You can even hold the gun if it makes you feel better."

"I want to drive." I stated, making him look at me funny.

"You could crash us, I'm driving!" Alfie protested, making me raise my gun again, "Okay, you can drive."

He passed me his keys, and I gave a triumphant grin as he pointed out his car.

•••

After speeding from Camden Town to Birmingham, I got to my apartment in one piece, thanking Solomons for the ride.

When I got in Finn's door was shut. I noticed a bottle of whiskey gone from the liquor cupboard. I went and changed into pyjamas, opened window the tiniest bit, grabbed the bin from the bathroom, and my keys.

We both had a copy of each other's car keys, a key for the front door, a key for the door to our own rooms, as well as a copy of the key to the other's room, only to be used in emergencies.

I unlocked the door, and Finn was curled up under the blankets, only his face poking out, eyes red and puffy, and tear tracks down his cheeks. Finn Junior followed me into the room, heading over to his cat bed.

Finn watched me as I placed the bucket next to the bed, and went and sat at his feet. He took a swig of the whiskey, eyes still on me. His clothes were strewn around the room, and his wardrobe had a dent in the door that I was sure wasn't there before.

"I'm not moving," I informed him, wrapping my arms around the post next to me.

He sat up against the headboard, and held an arm out to me, and that was all it took for me to crawl up into his grip, sliding under the blankets with him. He put the cap on the whiskey, placing it on the bedside table, and shifted around so he was laying down instead of sat up with me, his head on my stomach and arms around my waist. I tentatively reached up and ran my fingers through his hair. He leaned into my grip, closing his eyes.

"Here, sit up for a bit," I commanded, and he did so.

I laid down, and pulled him down with me, letting him rest his head on my chest. We shifted silently until we were both comfortable. One of his arms was across my midriff, and the other was up under his currently unused pillow. Both of mine were around him.

"I like this pillow." Finn mumbled sleepily, nuzzling his face against me as I began playing with his hair again, making me chuckle.

I felt something wet hit my chest, and heard him sniffle, which sent a pang through my stomach. Poor boy.

"I'm here," I comforted, rubbing his back and he wrapped his hand in the clothes covering my midriff, gripping them tightly.

"Arthur left," Finn murmured, barely awake, making me nod, "He went to war, then came back, then went to the countryside with the boys, and Ada went to London and aunt Poll moved. Everyone left. You gon' leave me too?"

"If I leave I'll drag you along with me," I told the boy, who gave a sleepy grin.

Finn Junior hopped up on the bed and stood on the blankets next to Finn, tapping him with his paw concernedly.

"He's fine," I told the cat, who gave a pleased mewl and came and laid on the other side of me.

I traced shapes on Finn's back until I heard him quietly snore, and only then did I allow myself to fall asleep.

§§§

I live for clingy Finn

also why is ao3 so fiddly I just want to publish Contrary there as well someone pls help lmao

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 18

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 31

PUBLISHED: 03/07/2022

Part 1

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

READER'S POV

"Are we there yet?" Saoirse asked for what must have been the fiftieth time.

Finn had bundled us into the car and blindfolded us, telling us he had a surprise in store.

Finn chuckled, and I felt the car slow to a stop, "We're here, but don't take off your blindfolds yet. I'll come around the car and guide you both to where I want you to stand, and you can take the blindfolds off then."

"Okay," I said, feeling my curiosity eat me from the inside out.

The car door opened, then closed. I listened closely and could hear Finn walk around the car, stopping at the passenger side door. He opened it, and placed a hand on my head, then grabbed my hand with the other.

"Here, now watch your head, I've got my hand over it but you could still bump it," He said as he helped me out of the car.

Once I was standing he helped Saoirse out, then shut the door. He grabbed my hand, and lead me along. He was probably guiding Saoirse with his other hand.

"Okay, I'm going to stop walking now," Finn warned us, and I slowed down, coming to a stop next to him.

He wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Now, take off your blindfolds," Finn ordered lightly, and I wasted no time reaching up and pulling the fabric off of my face.

My jaw dropped at the sight in front of us.

"Is it ours?" I asked, watching as Saoirse skipped up the path towards it.

"Yeah, it's ours. I decorated it myself." Finn confirmed, "Let's go have a tour."

He then lead me up the path, and up the stairs, stopping on the porch, which was a wraparound. Next to the door was a porch swing, and a wooden rocking chair. He stuck his hand into his pocket, producing a key, and unlocked the door to our new house.

"We've an basement, which is where our washer and dryer is, first floor, second floor, and an attic," Finn announced as we walked through the door, his arm still around my waist, "It's half an hour from town, so we'll leave a bit earlier than needed. We're up with the roosters, though, so I don't think it will be a problem."

I hummed in agreement as I looked around. Through the front door was a small mudroom. I took off my coat, and placed it on a hook, then kicked my shoes off, sitting them by the door. Finn followed my lead, then Saoirse did the same.

"Have you picked out rooms yet?" Saoirse questioned as Finn led us into the living room.

"Yes. Yours has a bed right under the window, so you can lay in the sun, and the bed has things each end, so it's like a hideaway," Finn informed Saoirse with a grin.

She started squealing and bouncing on her heels. She loved beds between things. It made her feel secure. It also created more floor space in the centre of the room, giving her a bit more room to run around.

I stood on the threshold of the living room floor, facing the room, and looked around it. The walls were a champagne colour, bar the wall which held the fireplace, that one was dark blue. I hoped the rest of the house had champagne walls. In the centre of the left wall, there was a big, grand fireplace with a black grate covering it. On the mantle there was a radio. It front of the fire was two armchairs and two couches, the couches not parallel to each other, instead coming towards each other at the end, so the furniture made a sort of 'v' shape. They were a rich red in colour, and looked quite comfy.

The window facing the front yard was a bay window, and on either sides of the window and seat were huge book shelves. They weren't all filled with books, it was mostly books, but there were also photographs, board games, and other trinkets there as well. In front of the bookcase on the left was another wooden rocking chair.

A huge green rug lined the floor behind the couches, and a brown coffee table sat on top of it. Surrounding the coffee table were more rich red couches and armchairs, a couch on each longer side of the table, and an armchair on the shorter sides.

In the far corner of the room there was an upstanding piano, and some guitars and ukuleles. My fingers immediately itched for the string instruments. I loved playing them. I hadn't even had time to think about them since I got married to Finn, too preoccupied with everything else.

There was a door next to them. I assumed it was the one for the basement.

"You play instruments?" I questioned my husband, and he shook his head.

"No. Bonnie told me you played them," Finn informed me as he led us through the door on the right wall of the room.

I noticed a staircase in the corner of the living room, but I was content exploring the first floor for now.

We ended up in a hallway. He showed us the room adjacent to the living room. The kitchen, which also doubled as a dining room, with a door in the corner at the edge of the bench that held the sink that I thought would be a pantry. We had our kitchen bench on the right side of the room, the sink under the window, and an island next to it, which was practical. The kitchen half of the room was raised higher than the dining room half, having a small step leading up to it.

We had our dining table on the other side of the room. I noticed that the kitchen had linoleum flooring, and the dining room had wood, just like the living room. I had a suspicion that the rest of the house pile be wood flooring. The dining table and chairs was the same colour brown as our coffee tables. On the other side of the dining table was a fireplace, although not as big as the one in the living room.

Finn showed us the next room, which was an office with two desks. One for me and him. This room also had a fireplace. In between the office and the kitchen was  a small hallway with a door leading out to the porch.

The door across the hall to the office was our first guest bedroom. It had a king sized bed, a bedside table either side of the bed, a dresser, and a wardrobe along the wall that held the door. A fireplace was along the left side of the room, across from the bed. There was a window across from us. Finn told me that this was the smallest bedroom, and that the other guest bedroom upstairs was exactly the same, just a bit bigger, so we didn't have to bother going in there. The door at the end of the hallway was a guest bathroom. We backtracked down the hallway and walked up the staircase in the corner of the living room, and ended up facing down another hallway.

The first door on our right was the next guest bedroom. We didn't bother going in there. The next door on our right was Saoirse's room, the walls a plain white.

"I thought we could paint it together, have a spot of fun," Finn announced as he turned on the lights, and Saoirse said something in agreement as she walked over and laid on her bed, fiddling with the bottom of her curtains that covered the window.

Her bed had a ceiling to floor bookcase at the foot end, which had little toys like dolls and stuffed animals on it as well as books. She had a ceiling to floor wardrobe at the head of her bed. Her bed had little square shelves under it, which were empty. She'd probably put stuff in there. She was like me, loved collecting little knickknacks and trinkets. The bed also had a curtain in front of it, suspended from the ceiling, so she could draw it and be separated from the rest of the room if she was on her bed. On the floor next to her bed was a light blue rug which looked soft to the touch.

I walked into the room, dawdling around it. Next to the wardrobe, in the corner, was a light blue screen, for privacy when changing. Straight across from the door was a bench hung from the white ceiling, fake vines and fairy lights wrapped around the chains that suspended it from the ceiling. She had a white vanity next to it, with a little blue puff of a stool in front of it. She had a dresser and wardrobe along the same wall that the door sat on. There was a fireplace along the right wall, adjacent to the bed. The thing that surprised me the most, however, was that in the middle of the room, sitting on a blue pedestal, was a tiny carousel.

"Oh. My. God. You spoiled her," I accused Finn as I came back and stood next to him, making him grin.

"Nothing wrong with that, aye, Sersh?" Finn said, looking over at my sister.

"Nuh," She agreed with him, making me roll my eyes.

No wonder Finn was the fucking favourite uncle, he always spoiled the kids. I was just as bad, but I never did anything as big as this.

"Go sit on a horse," Finn said, nodding towards the carousel.

She wasted no time doing so.

"Oh Finn, it's not fully functional, is it?" I questioned, looking at my husband who was already crossing the room and flipping a switch on the bottom of the pedestal that held the carousel.

"It's fully functional," Finn said in a reassuring tone as the lights at the top lit up, and the horse that Saoirse was on jolted to life.

"Finn, what the fuck, what if that blows the power in the house," I demanded, watching as my sister rode her three horse carousel with absolute joy.

"Don't worry, I've fixed all of that, the bloke assured me it wouldn't happen," Finn said with confidence, and I gave my husband a look that said 'really?'.

"She'll have a go on it for a bit then she'll forget all about it, (Y/N), honest. And if it blows the power in the house you can say I told you so," Finn sighed, making me grin.

"And you'll be sleeping on the couch until I say otherwise," I added, making his jaw drop.

"Them's the rules," I told my husband, who rolled his eyes and nodded.

"At the end of the hall is a guest bathroom." Finn informed me, and walked across the hall and grabbed a stick with a hook on the end that was sitting next to the door that I assumed led to our bedroom.

He reached up and hooked it into a loop on the ceiling, and pulled, making a set of stairs come down.

"Attic. It's empty, but you can still have a look." Finn said, and I climbed up the stairs, just enough that I could poke my head up past the roof and see into the ceiling.

It had guardrails along the hole that the stairs came out of, and a big, circular window behind me and in front of me. I hummed and walked back down. Finn grabbed the bottom of the stairs and pushed them up, making them disappear back into the ceiling.

He put the stick down, and I looked over at Saoirse who was now looking at her bookshelf, grabbing a stuffed tiger, a bee, a turtle, and a butterfly down. Tiger, Turtle, Bee, Butterfly. The nicknames Dad gave us because of our favourite colours.

"You remembered," I said softly, looking over at Finn.

He looked away sheepishly. I could've kissed him there and then.

"Do you think she'll like it?" Finn asked quietly, and I could hear the worry in his tone.

I looked over at my husband, and placed my hand on his cheek, gently guiding his face so he was looking at me.

"Finn. She'll love it. You did absolutely fucking amazing." I said softly, then leaned up and kissed his cheek, "You've put so much thought into it."

When I removed my hand from his face he cracked a grin, and placed his hand on the knob of the closed door next to us.

"Our room, love." He announced, and opened the door.

The first thing I noticed was that we had a darker yellow on our bedroom wall, compared to the rest of the house.

To my left was a fireplace, with a door on either side.

"Door next to the window is a walk in wardrobe, door just next to us is an en-suite," Finn informed me as I walked into the room.

A white rug sat in the middle of the floor. A king sized four poster sat along the right wall, in the centre of the wall with a bedside table either side. On the wall in front of us was a window, and in front of that window sat a vanity. At the end of the bed was a rectangular ottoman. I noticed another wooden rocking chair in the left corner. Finn's side of the bed.

I headed into our en-suite. The tiles were white and lemon yellow. We had a big claw foot tub, and a big shower, the glass surrounding the mirror was reflective. In the corner, across from the tub, was a sink and mirror, a small bin sitting next to it. I looked behind the door, and there was our toilet.

I hummed in approval as I came back out to Finn, standing in front of him and wrapping my arms around his neck. He immediately placed his hands on my waist.

"You, Mr. Shelby, have outdone yourself," I mused, looking up at my husband.

"Does that mean we can christen the house as my reward?" He asked cheekily, making me roll my eyes but smile.

"Okay, but I'm being serious again. We've a stable behind the house, and a chicken coop in the backyard. Behind the tree line to the left of the house is a river, a clean one, so Aberama and the rest can stop there when they please." Finn informed me, then we heard a horn beep.

He walked over to the window and looked, "It's Ezzie and Isiah dropping off the paint."

I quickly made my way over to the window, and saw the pair carrying a tin of paint each. I stuck my middle finger up at Ezzie through the glass. She did the same once she saw me. I laughed and ran downstairs, nearly running into Ezzie as my feet hit the mud room floor.

"That happy to see us?" Isiah joked, and I shook my head.

"Happy to see the paint. Hey, did you know that Finn put a fucking fully functional three horse carousel in Saoirse's room?" I asked the pair.

Ezzie looked shocked but Isiah looked at Finn.

"Told you the girls wouldn't agree," Isiah sighed dramatically, which made Ezzie and I roll our eyes.

"You can carry this up to Sersh's room now," Ezzie told Isiah, handing him the paint tin, "I'll be out on the porch, waiting."

I started laughing at him as Ezzie spun on her heel and left through the front door, making him narrow his eyes at me.

"These are actually heavy," Isiah whined, holding one out for me to take.

"Oh, poor Isiah, being asked to do physical labour," I mocked, but took the paint tin anyway.

I tried not to show the boys that the tin was, in fact, quite heavy. I walked up the stairs and into Saoirse's room, Isiah hot on my tail.

"Hiya, Sersh." Isiah greeted, and Saoirse got off of the carousel, flipping the switch to turn it off, and ran over to Isiah, giving him a hug.

"Blue paint for your room, little Miss," I said as we placed the tins on the floor.

"Yay!" Saoirse squealed, bouncing up and down on the spot.

Isiah leaned back and looked down the hall, then faced us, grabbing our shoulders and bringing us closer, so we were huddled together.

"Now, I've got to ask you something," Isiah whispered seriously, eyes darting between us.

I had a strong suspicion of what direction this conversation was going in.

"I've gotten permission from Aberama, and Bonnie, and now all I need is you two's permission," He added, making Saoirse scrunch her nose up in confusion.

"Permission for what?" She asked, in a voice that definitely wasn't a whisper, making Isiah and I shush her.

"Permission for what?" She repeated, this time in a whisper.

"I want to ask you two for permission to propose to Esmeralda," Isiah stated, eyes darting between us.

"You have mine," I said, and he cracked a grin.

"Just don't break her heart. Do that and I'll break both your legs, and then some," I added, making him nod.

I was joking. Mostly.

"You can marry my sister, but if you hurt her, I'll tell our Aunt Cass, who'll tell her friend, Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben was a sniper in the war." Saoirse whispered with a straight face, and I bit back a chuckle at Isiah's expression as he realised the meaning behind my sister's words.

"Will this uncle Ben shoot me if I fu-stuff up?" Isiah asked, sounding a bit scared.

"Right between the eyes like he did to the enemies of the Crown," Saoirse hissed, narrowing her eyes at Isiah.

Well, she sure fucking picked up Dad's dramatic flair.

"Alright," Isiah said,  letting us go, "I've got to go now. No telling anyone, alright?"

"Telling anyone what?" I replied, tilting my head in mock confusion, making him smile.

He then walked down the stairs. I could hear him tell Finn that he'd be over for a visit soon. I popped my head out of the doorway, and Finn was coming up the stairs, holding paintbrushes in one hand, and a bag in the other. I could see a sleeve hanging out of the top.

"Ready to paint?" He asked, and I grinned.

"I was born ready," I replied with a smirk.

"What Bee said," Saoirse added, making me chuckle.

•••

"Well then. This was a smart idea," I snarked, looking down at my clothes that were now covered in light blue paint.

"Very smart," Finn agreed, nudging Saoirse, who was  covered from her neck down with paint.

"I wanna do it again!" She yelled, and I gave her a stern look.

"Go and get into that shower. Throw your clothes into the tub, I'll clean them later." I commanded her, and she nodded, ambling off into the bathroom next to her room.

We had painted her walls successfully, but then had a paint fight, started by Saoirse 'accidentally' flicking paint onto Finn. Finn, the overgrown fucking five year old he is, flicked paint back at her, then Saoirse flicked paint on me, and it was a blue blur after that.

"Do I have any in my hair?" I asked Finn, not wanting to wash it out if there was.

He inspected my hair, up in the messy bun.

"No, but there some right — there." He replied, rubbing his finger along my cheek.

I rolled my eyes, making him chuckle. I looked back at him. The low hanging sun filtering through the window, along with the blue paint under his eyes, made his eyes look a glorious blue, like the ocean. My eyes wandered over his face, and settled on his lips.

"(Y/N)," He said lowly, stepping closer to me and placing his hands on my waist.

My heartbeat sped up at the contact.

My eyes flicked back up to meet his, which were dark like they were last night as he went to kiss me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, "I know."

And that was all it took for him to lean down and brush his lips against mine, testing the waters. My heart skipped a beat as I shifted up on the tips of my toes and grabbed his shirt, pulling him down so I could place my lips on his properly.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach as one of his hands made its way around to the small of my back, and one came up to cradle my neck, gently.

His lips were soft against mine, moving slowly and delicately, as if he were scared to hurt me.

If I were to drop dead after kissing Finn, I'd die happy. In this very moment, nothing else mattered. Just this. Just him. Us. Together.

Finn pulled away, and rested his forehead on mine. I loosened my grip on his shirt, the left side still slippery with paint, so my hands were resting on the fabric instead of being scrunched up in it. Butterflies were going wild in my stomach.

"Fucking hell," He mumbled, his thumb rubbing circles on the side of my neck.

"That's how I feel," I murmured, feeling lightheaded.

"That's what all the girls say," Finn joked softly, making me snort.

"Keep telling yourself, that, Shelby." I replied quietly, making him chuckle.

"I've been waiting to do that for a very long time," Finn admitted, making my cheeks warm up.

"Me too," I confessed, making him grin.

My toes started hurting, so I shifted again so I was standing flat footed. Finn stepped back, dropping the hand that was on my neck down to his side, giving me a bit of breathing space, but still kept a hand on my waist. I looked at my husband, and brought my clean hand up and ran my fingers across my lips gently. I had just kissed Finn. And it was fucking amazing.

§§§

AHHHH THEY FINALLY KISSED!!

Also Esmeralda and Isiah 🥺🥺

Also: If I started writing one shots/taking requests from you guys for Peaky Blinder characters x reader would you guys like it or nah??

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 32

TAGLIST

@meadownicolee

@toothlessmcleod

@im-your-possession

@bethabear12

@paisley-37

@shelundeadxxxx

@bluehairdie

@krillfromsky

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 7

PUBLISHED: 18/05/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

THIRD PERSON'S POV

(A/N: I haven't been to a wedding in yonks so this and the next chapter is me really just making stuff up as I go lmao)

Today was the anticipated day. The union between (Y/N) Gold and Finn Shelby. You had woken up a nervous wreck.

You hadn't even been able to eat anything, not even biscuits with your tea, something that made Esmeralda and Saoirse concerned — you had always had an ungodly amount of biscuits, at least four, whenever you had a cup of tea. Once, Esmeralda was sure she counted twelve on your saucer.

It was now eight in the morning, and your sisters were begging you to eat at least one mouthful of the feast Polly had cooked for you and your bridal party. You had all slept at your residence, while Finn and his groomsmen were getting ready at Tommy's.

You picked up a pancake, and took a small bite — it was fluffy and soft. You chewed it, and mindlessly began drumming your fingers on the tabletop.

"So, I'm walking down the aisle with Arthur, Tommy with Lizzie, Bonnie with Ada, and Isiah with Ezzie." Polly reminded the girls at the table, who all nodded.

"And I get to throw the flower petals!" Saoirse cheered, making Polly chuckle.

"Yes you do, my dear." Polly said with a smile towards the small girl, who was now playing with a doll.

"(Y/N), go shower, we leave in three hours!" Ezzie hissed, making you hurry on eating your pancake.

"And Finn will be here in two and a half to drop off your something new," Ada pointed out, making you curious.

Once you were done your pancake, you walked to the bathroom, and had a quick shower, washing your hair and body with some nice smelling shampoo, conditioner and body wash set Lizzie had gifted you. You trusted her, she seemed to know what the men liked. You also quickly went over your legs and underarms with a razor, and brushed your teeth. You weren't that cruel to make Finn kiss you with morning breath.

You hopped out of the shower, dried yourself and wrapped a towel around your body, then wrapped your hair up in another towel, this one being a microfiber one to help it dry quicker. You walked to your room, where Ezzie was sitting on the bed.

"You're putting on that set," Ezzie said with a stern look on her face.

You knew that look. That look was the one she gave when she meant something was final. The first and last time you disobeyed that look, you ended up with a rather nasty bruise in the shape of her paddle brush. You didn't want another, so you begrudgingly put on the set of lingerie you had bought yesterday.

"It's not like he's going to see it," You grumbled, trying — and failing — to clip up your bra behind you.

Ezzie came over and wordlessly helped you, then handed you a bottle of lotion. It looked as if it came from the same set as the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, and as you opened the bottle and the smell hit your nose, your thoughts were confirmed.

You quickly put some lotion on, then put on your slip. You looked up at the clock.

Two hours left. You felt the pit in your stomach get deeper. What would happen after you and Finn officially got married? Would you continue on acting civil all your lives, never to love each other but being bound to each other for all eternity? Or would Tommy be kind enough to let you get with different people, and the marriage only be for show? It was all a big mess of confusion, and you hated it.

•••

"Your hair is going up today," Ezzie informed you casually, not bothering to look at you, making your heart stop.

"I can't do braids or anything," You said quietly, making Ezzie look at you.

"That's why I'll be doing it," She reassured, giving you a small smile, "It's only me."

You took a deep breath, but nodded. She was right. It was Ezzie. She wasn't going to hurt you.

"Come sit," She instructed, and you did so.

You handed her your hairbrush, and she started detangling your long, (H/C) locks, starting at the ends then moving up to the roots. Once your hair was knot free, she parted your hair in the usual spot.

In the reflection, you spotted Polly and your Dad come to stand in the doorway of your bedroom. The first thing Polly noticed as your sister started braiding your hair was how tightly you were gripping the legs of the vanity. Your knuckles were white. She noticed that you were sitting stiff as a board, as if getting ready to jump out of your chair at a moments' notice.

"Hi," You greeted your Dad softly, still unsure of whether you wanted to interact with him or not.

"Hello, Bee," Aberama replied, staying in the doorway, giving you a wide berth for your own peace of mind.

You grinned at the nickname. Your Dad had nicknamed all of you kids after something that was the colour of your favourite colour — you were Bee, Esmeralda was Turtle, Bonnie was Tiger, and Saoirse hadn't settled on a colour yet.

"You'd think her sister was about to murder her," Polly whispered to your Dad, who pursed his lips.

He sniffed and cleared his throat, "Marian, she — she would never let (Y/N) put her hair up, so it would get really knotted, I'm talking nearly matted, Polly — and then she would make (Y/N) sit as she would pull the brush through her hair and (Y/N)'s body would have no chance but to follow the brush and (Y/N) would be in so much pain and that slut would enjoy every minute of what she'd put my Bee through."

Polly put a hand to her mouth, horrified that someone could do that to their baby. She could never, ever imagine doing that to her Michael, or her Anna.

Aberama and Polly watched as Esmeralda carefully braided your hair into a crown, leaving wisps out to frame your face, then delicately put wildflowers into the braid.

Polly looked at the clock. One hour left. She quickly got the dress from your wardrobe, and Ezzie ushered you out of your seat, and Ezzie helped you into your dress. You weren't wearing shoes — high heels and yourself weren't the best of friends. You weren't even acquaintances.

•••

You were now pacing in your bedroom, waiting for Finn to come give you your something new. The pit in your stomach had gotten worse, and it was taking everything in you to not spit out your gum and start chewing your nails.

A knock sounded on your door. You stopped your pacing and spun around, facing the door. You took a deep, steadying breath.

"Come in," You called, your voice shaky.

The door opened, and there stood Finn Shelby.

You gasped softly. He walked in, shutting the door behind him. He looked a vision, standing there in his suit. You'd be lying if you said that you didn't find him attractive right now. You wouldn't mind someone painting a portrait of this moment in time so you could always look back at it, just to see this version of Finn again.

You realised you were staring, and quickly looked away.

Finn, however, was too busy admiring you to notice. This was the first time he had seen you with your hair up. You looked like some kind of angel, but not the ones he read about in the Bible with Jeremiah. The pretty kind. To him, in this moment, you looked divine.

"Hi, Finn," You said shyly, feeling awkward under his gaze.

"Hi, (Y/N)," Finn greeted, sounding breathless, "You look — amazing, honest."

"You don't look too bad yourself," You teased as you looked back at him.

He grinned, then remembered what he came for. He fished a small box out of his pocket.

"These are our something new." He explained as you walked closer to him.

He opened the box, revealing two silver pendants, each the shape of half a heart.

"They're beautiful," You stated, looking up at Finn.

He felt pleased that you liked it. He had out a lot of thought into it, and there wasn't really much good stuff a person could get in five days.

He gently grabbed the one with his initials out and handed it to you, "Yours. We wear each other's initials."

"Can you put it on me?" You asked, scared the clasp would get caught in your hair and you would ruin your sister's handiwork.

Finn nodded, swapping you the box for your necklace. He undid the clasp, and put it around your neck, then did it back up again. He saw your spine peeking out of the top of your dress, and couldn't resist softly dragging the tip of his index finger up it, which made you gasp and shiver.

"Sorry," He mumbled, not feeling sorry at all.

Your skin was soft. He wanted to feel it again someday. And, when he was this close, he could smell your perfume. He liked the smell of it. He’d have to buy you more.

"Would you like me to put yours on you?" You questioned, turning back around.

"Yeah, please," Finn replied, handing you the box.

You went and stood behind him, necklace in hand.

"Can you bend your knees a little?" You asked the brown haired boy — he was a little bit taller than you.

Finn did as you asked, and you put the necklace on him. He spotted your bridal bouquet on the vanity, Aberama's tie wrapped around it, and chuckled.

"What?" You demanded, peeking around him to look in the same direction.

"You have silver bells in your bouquet — Mistress Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty pairs all in a row," Finn recited, "You and Mary, you've both got silver bells and pretty maids both in a row and you're both contrary."

"I'm not contrary!" You snapped, frowning as Finn turned to face you, "I've got ... layers."

He nodded sagely, "Like an onion."

You gave him a funny look, "What the fuck are you comparing me to an onion for?"

"I don't know, the boys had fried ones for breakfast!" Finn defended, putting his hands up.

"Did you have any? I don't care that it's a wedding, I won't become lip locked with you if you've eaten onions this morning!" You threatened, jabbing a finger to his chest.

"I haven't!" Finn said truthfully, but you narrowed your eyes at him.

"Let me smell your breath," You commanded, and he  complied, breathing heavily your face.

"You're lucky," You warned after the minty breath entered your nose.

Finn chuckled, which made you realise how ridiculous you were being. You started giggling along with him, then the door was knocked upon.

"Finn's got to go!" Ada said through the door.

You looked at the door, then back at Finn.

"See you there," You said quietly, the magic of the previous moment gone as reality set back in.

Finn nodded, "See you there.”

He turned to walk out of the bedroom, and you had the urge to grab his hand to make him stop, but you ignored it. He exited the room, leaving you in silence once more.

§§§

THE NEXT CHAPTER IS THE WEDDING AHHHH — I apologise for not much Finn and reader interaction but eh

Love y’all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 8

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 3

PUBLISHED: 15/05/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

FINN'S POV

You and I were now sat around the fire with the rest of your family, having eaten our dinner of vegetable soup and flatbread. You were sitting next to Esmeralda, your younger sister Saiorse on your lap as she chattered about her adventures today. I was in between Aberama and Bonnie, a situation I very much wanted to avoid.

I looked at you as you flipped your hair back over your shoulder so it wouldn't be in Saiorse's way, then looked at your other two sisters. They looked one and the same, anyone would think that Saiorse was Esmeralda reborn. But you, you looked different — and you felt different.

Your eyes flickered over to me as you were talking to Esmeralda about someone named Brianna, and I felt my face flush as I realised I had been caught staring.

"Come on, we're talking a walk, Shelby." Bonnie's voice sounded from my right, making me look at him.

He was already standing up, lantern in his hand. I looked over at you, and you raised your eyebrows as if to say 'go with him'.

I stood up, and he wordlessly turned on his heel and went. I followed him, feeling entirely at his mercy. I heard from Arthur what he did to Billy Mills, and I'm nowhere near as good a fighter. I didn't even have my cap on me in case he made a move.

We walked a fair distance away from the fire before he stopped, and turned to face me, the lantern illuminating the scene around us making him look all the more scarier as he looked down at me. I drew myself up straighter, trying to make myself seem taller.

"You be gentle with my sister any way you can, you hear me, Shelby? Because if I find out you haven't I'll kill you and mail your body back to Tommy in fifty different parcels," Bonnie warned, "She doesn't need a harder life, not right now."

I nodded, the last bit of his statement making more questions than answers.

"I'm about to give you a photo, put that photo in your bag and show your brothers because the woman in that photo is not allowed to come near (Y/N) under any circumstances, and if I found out that she's come near (Y/N) I'll hit you so hard I'll send your nose up into your fucking brain, do you understand?" Bonnie stressed, and I could only nod.

He reached into his jacket, and produced a photo, handing it to me. I looked at it under the light of the lantern.

"Who's this?" I questioned, noticing how the woman in the photo looked somewhat like you.

"That's (Y/N)'s mother. She's a cunt, and the reason (Y/N) is the way she is. Her name is Marian Jones." Bonnie informed me, "She does more damage than good anywhere she goes, so keep her away from my little sister."

"I will," I agreed, knowing all too well what it was like to have a parent that hurt more than helped.

"I'm glad we could understand each other, Shelby." Bonnie said, grinning and clapping me on the shoulder as if he didn't just threaten to kill me, then led me back over to the fire.

•••

You and I were now in your vardo, under what seemed to be a million blankets, bar one thick, scratchy dark blue one you had hung up on the window above your bed to stop any light coming in. We had the window above the bench open, and the curtains partitioning your bed from the rest of the caravan shut, but you could still feel the fresh air.

It was a nice feeling, the cold air keeping my face cool while my body was warm under the covers. I could see why you liked sleeping with moving air instead of still.

"Your family's nice," I said as I stared at the star painted roof, trying to start a conversation.

You snorted, rolling over towards me and propping yourself using your elbow, "I could've told you that, Shelby."

I did the same, mirroring you so now we were face to face, "Yeah, but everyone says their family's nice."

"Not entirely true — anyway, I think Dad likes you, I'm pretty sure Bonnie and Esmeralda do too, and Saiorse hates you because you're, and I quote, 'stealing me away to live in your filthy house on Watery Lane'. So, all in all, you did good, Shelby." You announced, the corners of your mouth quirking up.

I huffed, thinking of Bonnie's chat.

"Bonnie has a fucking funny way of showing me he likes me," I grumbled, making you cock a brow.

I noticed a thin scar running through your brow as you gave me a look that said 'explain'.

"He threatened to kill me and send my body home in fifty different parcels, then threatened to hit me so hard he'd send my nose up into my brain if I didn't do certain things." I elaborated, making you shake your head, some of your hair coming over in front of your face.

You quickly flipped it back, tucking it behind your ears, "Bonnie's word is his law, Shelby. I suggest doing whatever he told you to do."

"Yeah well, my word's my law too, and I'll do what I said I'd do — that's a promise," I stated, looking you in your eyes.

You could only nod at the tone of my voice, one that meant business.

I yawned, and flopped down onto my back once more, closing my eyes, muttering 'goodnight'.

The last thing I heard before drifting off to sleep was you replying with, 'sleep well, Shelby'.

•••

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Finn didn't want to do it, but he did. He put my hand on your shoulder, and shook lightly.

"(Y/N). (Y/N), wake up." He whispered, making you stiffen, then sit up quickly.

"I'm awake, what's wrong?" You mumbled, eyes still closed as you leaned over Finn, grabbing a match and lighting the lantern.

It was obvious to Finn that you had done that many times, which concerned him slightly — fire and wood didn’t really mix.

Finn took a deep breath in, then let it out, "Nothing's wrong, I just need to piss, and I'm scared of going alone."

Your eyes snapped open, and you looked back at the brown haired boy in your bed.

"Finn, you better be joking, because if not, I'll smother you with the fucking pillows and throw your dead body into the cut." You cautioned, making Finn shake his head, blushing, the blush reaching the tips of his ears.

"Oh for fucks sake! Hurry up and put your boots on before I decide to stay in bed." You commanded as you crawled over the boy, out of the warm nest of blankets, quickly putting on your socks and boots, along with whatever coat was closest.

The coat smelled nice, you decided, although you couldn’t place the name of the scent, something which bothered you nearly as much as being woken up for nothing. Finn rolled out of bed and slipped his boots on, not having to bother with socks as he slept with them on. He picked up the lantern, and the pair of you left your caravan, the fire still roaring as a few of your uncles sat at it, keeping guard.

You led Finn just beyond the tree line, then stopped, "Pick a tree, any tree, I'm sure they'd be honoured to have a Shelby piss on 'em."

Finn rolled his eyes as he hooked the lantern onto a tree branch, making sure you had your back to him, then began to take care of business.

Finn fixed himself back up and grabbed the lantern off of the branch, "You know, I was thinking—"

"If you're anything like your older brother Tommy, that's a dangerous pursuit," You cut in, making Finn clench his jaw, but ignore your statement.

"—I was thinking that you could meet the girls, Polly,  Ada, and Linda, in the morning, after we settle you into home." Finn stated, turning to look at you.

His eyes widened once he realised you had on his coat.

You turned around to look at him, face blank, then nodded, making him grin boyishly, the light from the lantern glinting off of a small scar just above his lip.

"I suppose it's only fair, since you met my family. Now let's go back." You said stiffly, shoving past him and leading him back the way you came.

When you walked into your caravan, you kicked off your shoes and put the coat back down where you found it, and climbed back into your blanket cocoon.

Finn followed, blowing out the lantern and putting it on the table next to the bed, climbing up into the bed then pulling the curtains closed, slipping under the covers next to you once more.

You were already asleep by the time Finn had made himself comfortable, your hair covering your face. Finn gently ran a hand through it, pushing it back so it was out of your face, then stared up at the ceiling once more, counting the stars to help put him to sleep.

§§§

I’m so obsessed with enemies to lovers trope you don’t even understand how much fun I’m having while writing it lol

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 4

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 20

PUBLISHED: 11/06/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

THIRD PERSON'S POV

You woke up in the comfort of your vardo, looking up at the star covered roof, and hissed, feeling your head pound. You were grateful Finn slept in your bed, because it made you cover all of the windows for his comfort.

You had stayed the night at your family's camp, not wanting to stay around the family that made Finn believe that his brother was dead, not for longer than you needed.

It was unnecessary and cruel to him, and to you. You actually took a liking to Arthur, and that's saying something. You didn't like very many people, but Arthur, with his crude jokes and claps on the shoulder and always making someone move out of their seat so you, the wife of his kid brother, could sit down, had weaselled his way into your heart.

You'd have to admit that you also admired him for stepping up, and becoming a father figure to the younger Shelby siblings after their actual father had left them.

To your surprise, Finn begged to come with you, even after you asked him to stay so he could be with Arthur when Arthur woke up. Finn said that he'd just wake up early and take the car back to Tommy's. You ended up giving in, and letting him come, telling him you'd both take your wagon back to Tommy's in the morning, as Tommy had agreed to let your family camp there, as long as there was no conflict between yours and the Lee family.

You sat up and fumbled around for the canteen you had filled with water last night, finding it just above the cat and dog. Tuck and Finn Junior had gotten along well, which was another thing you were grateful for. You had a lot to be grateful for these days.

You uncapped the canteen, putting it to your lips and taking big gulps of the water inside, then closing it and laying back down, not feeling up to moving yet.

Finn shifted beside you and groaned, bringing a hand up to massage his temples. You wordlessly handed him the canteen, and he leaned up, then took a drink like you had just done, but managed to spill some, the drops rolling down his chest.

If you had looked a little longer than necessary at the droplets and the trails that they left along his sharp jawline and broad chest, maybe Finn was too hungover to notice. Or maybe he didn't care.

A knock in a particular pattern sounded upon the door of the vardo. You recognised the knock as Saoirse's. You looked at Finn, raising your eyebrows, and he nodded.

"Come in," You called out, and the door creaked open.

Footsteps padded along the floor, then the curtain separating your bed from the rest of the caravan was pulled back. Finn helped your little sister clamber up and over him, to go snuggle into your side. You jolted as her cold feet touched your legs.

"Hungry," She said simply, and you sat up, grabbing the biscuits that you stored in a blue tin on a shelf above your window, and sat them next to her.

"I don't want to eat your biscuits," Saoirse whined — she knew you loved them.

"I love you, I want you to eat well. Have these while I go cook," You commanded your sister, rubbing her messy hair.

"Is that why you cook for us all sometimes? Cause you love us?" Saoirse asked as she attempted to pry the lid off of the biscuits.

Finn wordlessly leaned over and did it for her.

"Yes," You replied truthfully, then prodded Saoirse's side.

"Thank you, Finn." Saoirse said, then bit into a biscuit as she sat up.

"It's alright," Finn replied, leaning out of the curtain and  scrabbling around, then produced a throw blanket, wrapping it around Saoirse.

"We gonna warm up the stew from last night?" Finn asked you, knowing it would still be out on the fire in the big cast iron camp oven.

"Yes — I'll grab the ferrets, there's rabbit holes around here, as you'd already know." You said, your lips turning up at the sides.

Finn groaned at the memory of him stepping in a hole last night, "It's not funny, I could've done my ankle!"

"Poor bitty baby," You pouted, then felt your own stomach grumble.

"You can take Daisy and Duke, they're under here," Saoirse offered, and you wiped the crumbs from the corners of her mouth, thanking her.

"I'll grab Daisy and Duke," Finn announced, sliding out of bed and standing up, waiting for a bit until he felt steady on his feet.

He loved those basset hounds. He pulled on his clothes, then his boots. You clambered out of bed, stretched, then put your own clothes on.

If Finn stared at you a bit too hard as you stretched, your nightgown clinging to your curves perfectly as you did so, maybe you were too hungover to notice. Or maybe you didn't care.

"You want to come with us or you want to stay here in the warm?" Finn asked your sister as you brushed your hair and pulled it back into a plait.

"Stay here in the warm." Saoirse decided, shooing Finn Junior away as the cat tried to eat a biscuit she was holding in her hand.

Finn handed her the water filled canteen and moved Tuck up next to her, where he promptly laid down and went back to sleep. You watched as he made your little sister comfortable, straightening up the blankets so she, and the dog, and the cat, was fully covered.

Even in the cold of your caravan, you felt a warmth spread through your chest as Finn asked your little sister if she needed anything more. After watching your sister shake her head, Finn pinched her toes through the blankets, making her squeal and roll around, messing up the perfect pile that Finn had just painstakingly crafted. You gasped, and, to your surprise, instead of getting mad, Finn just grinned down at her, chuckling as he pinned the curtains back.

You stood up and dusted yourself off, shaking your head to rid yourself of your last thought. Finn wasn't the type to get mad at little kids for being kids, you knew that. Kind. That's what he was. You were sure you'd never be able to say it to his face. You weren't very good with words.

"You're not to move from here while we're gone, until someone comes and gets you," You told your younger sister sternly as you and Finn exited your vardo.

She said something in reply, muffled by the biscuits, and you shut the door.

"Not allowed to move?" Finn asked as you headed over to Bonnie's vardo.

Bonnie owned the ferrets that you and your family hunted with, winning them in his very first scrap in a fairground.

"Dad used to scare us with stories of children stolen from fairgrounds because they left their caravans — children turned into pickpockets and whores. I still get scared, even when we're only camping with family." You admitted, and a shiver went up Finn's spine as you knocked on the door of your brother's vardo.

He had been told the stories too, by Aunt Poll and Uncle Charlie, then Arthur, to stay away from certain streets as the sun went down, because that's where kids from Watery Lane went missing. Maybe you two weren't as different as he thought.

•••

Saoirse danced happily around the fire as you finished skinning the last rabbit you had caught. Finn had ended up going back to get Saoirse as you two were the only two adults awake.

"Can you go and light the fires under the tubs?" You asked your husband, lighting the fire under the stew then starting another to cook the rabbits on.

Finn shifted his weight from foot to foot, "I forgot my lighter."

"Just use sticks," Saoirse supplied, now picking a bur out of Finn Junior's fur.

"I don't know how," Finn admitted, cheeks red.

You looked up at him, then stood up, telling your sister to watch the stew and the rabbits and warning her to not play in the fire or you would stew her dogs next.

"Cruel," Finn mused as you led him to the washtubs.

"It works," You muttered, then knelt down, a pile of kindling already under each of the two tubs.

Finn had fetched the water whilst you had skinned the rabbits, thankfully. He also put the curtains up around the tubs, for privacy.

"I'll show you how to light a fire with sticks, come here," You mumbled, grabbing Finn's hand and leading him to sit down next to you.

You demonstrated it for him, then watched as he attempted to do it under another. He sighed when his stick broke, and you silently produced another from your pocket.

"Try again," You encouraged, and Finn could hear the motherly lilt to your voice.

He tried it again, and he did it. You quietly cheered and clapped for him, mindful of everyone still sleeping. According to your watch, gifted to you by Bonnie with the winnings from his very first professional boxing match, it was only seven am.

Saoirse must have woken up early. You wondered who she slept with, because Ezzie wasn't home, probably with Isiah, Bonnie stayed at Tommy's, bedding one of the maids, and your Father followed Polly Gray home. Maybe one of your extended family looked after her.

"Sersh, who did you sleep with?" You asked your sister after you and Finn had trotted back over to the fire.

Finn rotated the rabbits on the spit. You'd probably end up eating it for lunch, on the road.

"I slept with Daisy and Duke in Dad's vardo." Your sister answered, making you look at Finn, who looked surprised as you, then at your younger sister, "What?"

"No one else had any room for me and Oscar has the flu so I couldn't sleep with him and Aunt Molly!" Saoirse defended, and you exhaled through your nose, and nodded.

Usually, she slept with you in your vardo, not wanting to sleep in Aberama's vardo now that she was 'bigger', but you supposed that she wouldn't want to sleep next to Finn.

"We would've had room for you," You insisted, and Finn agreed, making Saoirse look at him in surprise.

"The next time I'm here and there's no other place to sleep except for (Y/N)'s caravan, you come tell us. I'll sleep on the couch, and you can sleep with your sister, yeah?" Finn explained, and Saoirse gave a quiet 'yeah' in reply, bouncing on her heels.

You felt the warm feeling in your chest again as Saoirse sat down next to Finn, talking to him and asking him about his life as a non-traveller.

Finn was pleased too, that he was getting through to your sister. The last thing he wanted was another child like him, scrabbling around for a place to sleep that they didn't really want to sleep in. Scrabbling around to sleep in places that wasn't with their family, where little children belonged. Yes, your extended family was still family, but it wasn't the same. Finn knew it from the bottom of his heart, and was confident that you did too.

•••

After travelling back to Tommy's house in your vardo, Finn, your sister, your dog, and your cat sat in the seat of your wagon with you, you had one of your moments, ignoring Finn once more. That's how he ended up at the house, sat at Arthur's feet, sucking on a bottle of whiskey, while you were with your family down at the river setting up camp.

"Lady troubles?" Arthur asked gruffly, nudging Finn with his boot.

He always did know Finn the best.

"Yeah," Finn mumbled as Polly went and sat herself back in the chair across from Arthur's, her tea now made.

"Tell old Arthur what's happening. Maybe I can help," Arthur offered, and Finn sighed, taking a big swig of his whiskey then wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"(Y/N)'s cross, but I don't know what for, because she doesn't tell me!" Finn complained, throwing the hand that wasn't wrapped around the neck of the whiskey bottle up in annoyance.

"Do you ask her what's wrong?" Arthur prodded, and Finn suddenly felt stupid.

"No — But she's fine one minute then funny the next!" Finn added, "I don't know why she does it, and she always pushes me away from her and I don't like it. We're never going to get on well if this keeps on happening, honest."

"Well, next time you should ask her if she's mad at you or not," Polly said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Does she get violent with you?"

"She doesn't throw anything at me, but she does throw things around." Finn answered — He was confident that you wouldn't actually hurt him, you weren't that ill-natured.

"Well stay with her, son, how are you going to get it across that you like her otherwise?" Arthur questioned, making Finn roll his eyes.

"I do stay with her, I'm with her most of the day!" Finn exclaimed, and it was Polly's turn to roll her eyes.

"That's not when it counts. A fool could do that. You're not a fool, you're a Shelby. You stay with her when she's cross until she feels better or until she tells you to get your freckled face away from her, are we clear?" Polly instructed the boy, who swallowed and nodded.

"Good lad," Arthur quipped, clapping Finn's shoulder.

Finn leant into Arthur's hand.

"You remember your wedding?" Polly prompted.

Finn grimaced. How couldn't he? Polly asked some fucking stupid questions sometimes.

"You remember how her mother cornered her in that bathroom, Finn? What if she did that day in and day out to that poor girl, telling her she's unlovable and that's why she pushes you away?" Polly asked, taking a sip of her tea.

Finn didn't question her know all tone. If Polly said it like that, it was a fact.

He then thought for a few moments. It did make sense. But you should know that you weren't unlovable. Everyone loved you. You were even starting to grow on Finn.

"She'll know that you're not like Marian. She knows it in her heart, just like I know that I'm not in the tunnels anymore. But, like I do, she might get funny sometimes." Arthur said knowingly, making Finn think and nod at the pair's words.

He wouldn't leave you next time. Leaving was a horrible act, one that he didn't want to do to you anymore.

He stood up, leaning on Arthur's leg as he did so, and pulled on his coat, making his way to the door with the intention of going to you and staying with you if you wished it.

§§§

You guysss I'm sorry for the long wait lol — I've been really really busy

Thank you all for the likes on this series, for the new followers, and for the reviews that you guys give me!

Also I am once again begging for a beta reader lol if you're interested in becoming my beta reader for new chapters of Contrary please let me know!! I can send them to you via email (I have all of my work on a Google Doc), discord, screenshots through social media, whatever works lol

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 21

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 1

PUBLISHED: 15/05/2022

MASTERLIST

READER’S POV

(A/N: (H/T) = hair type, e.g. curly, wavy, straight, etc.)

I tucked my long, (H/T) hair behind my ears once more as I stood next to Bonnie and Dad at the fire.

Thomas Shelby had just passed a coin to Dad to toss for the yard. I knew damn well he wouldn't toss the coin when the price of losing was Tommy Shelby fucking my older sister. He adored her too much, not to mention how that would affect the family's image.

"Tommy Shelby, OBE, no wager today," Dad announced as he decided not to flip the coin, holding it high, "But with this penny I will buy a flower to put on your grave,"

Dad put the penny into his breast pocket, "When the time comes."

Tommy nodded, his blue eyes piercing us with their gaze, "And before that time, please don't again disrespect my friends or their valued property."

I nearly shivered from his icy gaze.

He placed a cigarette into his mouth, "We missed Christmas, let's have it now. Peace on Earth, goodwill to all men."

•••

I was now helping Bonnie brush my horse, Dad lighting his pipe behind us. Tommy Shelby entered the barn and put some bottles on the table, making Bonnie stop.

"She's a fine beast, this one." Tommy stated as he sat next to Dad at the table.

I felt pride swell throughout my chest as my lips curled up at the ends - yes, of course my horse was a fine beast. She was gorgeous, you'd have to be blind to not see it.

"Nothing you see is for sale, Mr. Shelby." Dad said, making Tommy open a bottle of whatever he brought.

"You know your grandfather camped with mine for a while?" Dad asked the man sitting next to him.

Bonnie kept on half heartedly brushing Charlotte, attempting to listen to Dad and Tommy's conversation, so I poked him, making him focus on how he brushed my horse.

"Yep, and it didn't last," Tommy answered, taking the cigarette out of his mouth.

"No, it ended badly in a pub called the Wenlock. We were owed money, still are." Dad replied.

"Is that why Dad doesn't like the Wenlock?" I whispered to my older brother, who hushed me with an elbow nudge as he stood up.

Tommy looked at my Dad with an unreadable expression, then spoke once more, "Other than money, and this scrapyard that's clearly not for sale, what is it that you want from me, Mr. Gold?"

"How do you know I want anything from you?" Dad shot back in reply, nearly making me snort.

Dad never did anything if it didn't benefit him.

"Well, because my company treasurer is a certified accountant and also apparently, a witch." Tommy answered, making me cock my head in confusion.

"You're a sporting man." Dad stated, making me look up at Bonnie, who grinned in reply.

"Yes I am," Tommy answered after a brief pause, clearly not knowing where Dad was going with this.

"And a gambling man." Dad added, then his eyes flicked over to us, "Bonnie, take off your shirt."

Bonnie did as Dad asked, walking up to the pair and started shadow boxing.

Dad looked at Bonnie, "What I want from you, Mr. Shelby, is for you to take a gamble on him. I want you to help my son achieve his ambition."

This statement made Tommy look at Bonnie too, who quickly finished shadow boxing.

"What ambition might that be?" Tommy asked sarcastically, making me snort.

•••

"Now (Y/N)," Dad started as we sat on the steps of his vardo, watching Bonnie shadow box, "I've made a business proposition with Tommy. It involves you."

I hummed as I brought my hair over my shoulder and brushed the knots out, not even minding that it hurt. My bare feet tapped on the wooden steps to no particular beat. Esmeralda laughed at my behaviour, but I didn't mind.

Bonnie had just been taken on by the Shelby brothers due to knocking out the Billy Mills, the former heavyweight champion of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Warwickshire.

"What do you think of getting married to Finn Shelby?" Dad asked, making me stop and freeze mid-brush, turning to look at him.

"What?" I asked incredulously, feeling sure I couldn't have heard him properly.

"Do you need to wash out your ears? You're marrying the youngest Shelby brother." Dad said, making me drop my brush, the wooden object clattering on the steps before hitting the grass with a soft thud.

"Can't I choose who I'm going to marry?" I asked softly, looking at Dad for any chance of him crumbling.

"Can't she grow up first?" Esmeralda asked angrily, pulling me so my back was flush with her chest.

Dad shook his head. Of course. He'd benefit from this, so of course he'd go through with it. He really didn't do anything unless it was for his business. He didn't care about any of us.

"You can't be serious — she's sixteen!" Bonnie said as I stormed over to my vardo, locking myself inside.

Dad couldn't be serious, surely. I was only sixteen, I deserved to live my life. A sudden burst of anger overcame me and I picked up a pillow and launched it to the other side of the van with a shriek.

This wouldn't do. I pulled on my boots, threading yellow ribbon through the laces, then grabbed my rifle, unlocking the door and walking down the steps, calling out to Tuck, my English Springer Spaniel, before setting off on Charlotte, ignoring my Dad's calls for me to come back, along with Bonnie and Esmeralda yelling at him for his deal.

•••

FINN'S POV

I stared down at my shoes, now dirty, wondering whether to clean them or not. Probably not. It's Small Heath, they'd be dirty again once I left the house.

I had just gotten back from burying the bodies with Curly, now sitting with Polly, Ada, Lizzie, and Linda at Polly's waiting for Tommy's next orders.

I heard the front door open, then came an, "Oi! Finn!"

"In here!" Polly called as she put out a cigarette.

"Tommy said you're to be married to that Gold girl!" Arthur said as he entered the room, making my heart drop and my mouth go dry, regardless of the tea I just drank.

"Who, the one Tommy wanted to fuck?" Lizzie shot back, making Arthur shake his head as he sat sext next to me on the couch.

"The youngest one, the one who had her hair down, (Y/N)." Arthur informed me, making me go pale.

"You can't be serious, Arthur, she's not yet eighteen, she's just a child!" Polly protested as I stood up, stumbling over my own feet as I went and stood on the other side of the room.

"So is Finn!" Ada added, coming over and putting an arm around me.

"I'm serious, all right — Tommy wants to strengthen the ties between us," Arthur explained, making Ada protest again.

"Don't I get a choice?" I asked, taking my eyes off of the floor and meeting those of my eldest brother.

He shook his head. What Tommy says, goes.

I pushed off of Ada and walked out of the room, Arthur calling after me, Polly telling him to leave me be.

I stumbled out of Polly's house, feeling numb, and staggered across the way to mine and locked the door behind me, grabbing whatever was nearest and throwing it as hard as I could at the ground. Bad decision.

Some of the shards of the vase came back and nicked the skin of my cheek, making me hiss. I could feel blood drip down. I walked into the dining room, pulling a chair out to sit on. I ended up pulling it too far, sending it flying across the room.

"Fuck!" I yelled, slamming a fist down on the dining table, then walking to the sitting room and dropping myself into an armchair.

I put my head into my hands. I didn't want to get married yet. And if I was going to get married now, she'd be my last choice.

I growled and jerked my leg, kicking the coffee table, then putting my hand under it and standing, flipping the damn thing.

"Crap table anyway," I muttered to no one in particular as I stalked to the kitchen to pour myself some whiskey.

§§§

I write too much fanfics lmao — feedback appreciated!! I’m also on Wattpad so if you see this fanfic pop up there under the same username don’t be too alarmed!!

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 2

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 40

PUBLISHED: 16/07/2022

Part 1

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

THIRD PERSON'S POV

You headed into the changing rooms, chattering to your teammates about how you won the game. Your netball shoes were perfect, having gel insoles. Finn knew what he was doing when he got them for you as a gift. You'd have to tell him when you meet up with him and Saoirse after you were done changing.

You were about to head into a stall, when someone tapped your shoulder. You turned around to see Dinah standing there, her braids up in a ponytail today.

"You grab the right sized dress today?" She  asked quietly, and you scrunched your eyebrows together in confusion.

"Yeah, of course," You replied equally as low.

"It's getting a bit tight, especially around the midriff," She advised you, making you scowl as you stepped into the stall and slammed the door shut behind you.

You looked at yourself in the mirror that hung up behind the door. Your stomach was bigger. But, you ate a lot, and you didn't do nearly as much walking as you did when you were a traveller. That would be why.

You'd tell Dinah that and make her apologise, you decided as you quickly changed.

•••

You and Polly sat at a table in a small café, heading there for your lunch break. Finn was outside, finishing off his smoke.

You tapped your fingers against your teacup, feeling content. Polly eyed you as you looked out of the window, lost in thought.

"Polly," You began, sounding far away.

Polly gave a hum of acknowledgment before finishing off her tea.

"You and my father — What's going on there?" You questioned softly, looking at Polly.

Polly shifted in her seat, not uncomfortable with the question, just caught off guard.

"We've got a thing," She admitted confidently, and you grinned at the woman.

"In your forties and still breaking hearts," You teased, making her smile, a faint pink tinting her cheeks.

Finn came back in, and slid into the booth next to you. You looked down at your cup, then took a sip and slid it over to Polly, who looked surprised.

"I've been eating more and someone even said that my stomach looked bigger. I don't want to go to the doctor if I'm not actually there yet. I don't think I am. I don't know if I'll ever be there. My parents, both of them, they don't have babies easily," You explained, dropping your voice low on that last piece of information, and Polly nodded understandingly as she grasped your cup.

Aberama had told her that. Finn had no idea that Aberama struggled, but seeing how Ezzie, Bonnie, and Saoirse were all spaced out it made sense. Traveller couples usually popped out a baby every year or so.

Finn slipped his hand into yours, and squeezed it three times, watching as his aunt looked at your tea leaves. He felt somewhat nervous. He thought that maybe you were pregnant; he noticed small changes, like the way you always got sick, and the way that everything made you feel sick. He noticed that you ate more and that you gained weight.

"You didn't tell me that," Finn murmured to you, feeling a bit disappointed that you failed to mention it.

"We'll talk about it later," You brushed him off, wanting to focus on what was happening now.

He nodded. He wanted kids, and he thought you did too, but that little tidbit that you (and anyone else who knew your family history) failed to mention threw him off, just a bit.

"What do you think, Finn?" Polly asked her nephew as she sat down your teacup.

"I think she's expecting," Finn answered honestly, making you look at him funny.

"I noticed that your," Finn trailed off and cupped his hands over his chest, as if he were holding two things up, making you snort and Polly roll her eyes at her nephew, "They got bigger."

"Boy. You could've just said her tits got bigger. And of course that's the first fucking thing you noticed. Boys," Polly commented, and you chuckled, bouncing your leg.

Polly's crimson lips curled into a smile.

"Congratulations. You're in the family way," Polly announced, and you felt your mouth go dry.

Finn felt breathless, as if he ran a marathon. He brought your now shaky hand up to his mouth, brushing it against his lips gently.

Ada and Ezzie were definitely going to kill the pair of you, and throw your bodies into the cut.

•••

You and Finn sat in your kitchen on the floor between the bench and the island, cups of tea and a plate of biscuits between the pair of you.

It was closer to sunrise than sunset, and the pair of you should've well and truly been asleep by now, but a visit to your family healers had you feeling fretful. And hopeful. You absentmindedly put a hand on your stomach, patting it. You hand told anyone that you were expecting, yet.

"Did you really think you wouldn't have a baby until later?" Finn asked softly, grabbing a biscuit off of the plate.

"Yes," You admitted, looking away from him, finding the cupboard handle very interesting, "I was ten years coming, Finn. Ezzie came easily but Bonnie didn't. After Bonnie, they kept trying. Another big gap there. Twelve years. And it certainly wasn't Rose who was the problem. The healers even said so."

Finn nodded, and considered reaching out to touch you, to reassure you some way, but decided against it. If he started reassuring you he wouldn't get out what he needed to ask.

"Did you ever think of telling me that you didn't think you'd have babies easily?" Finn questioned, leaning back on his palms.

You snapped your head in your husband's direction, narrowing your eyes.

"Fucking — Tommy knew. And he still forced us to marry. I don't even know why you're still on about the bastard, the healers said I'd be fine to get pregnant after this one. That I won't have any problems. That is that." You spat, and Finn's jaw clenched.

Fucking Tommy. He could have the big, happy family he wanted but would leave his brother to struggle if it came down to it. Unfair. It always was, Finn always got the short end of the stick. It didn't matter if you couldn't have kids. You could always adopt. What mattered is that Tommy didn't tell him something, yet again.

"Are you mad at me?" You asked your husband as you dipped a biscuit into your tea.

Finn didn't miss the vulnerable tone hanging off your words.

"Darling, of course not," Finn replied hurriedly, truthfully, his words like a bandage that stopped the guilt flowing from your wound.

He shuffled over and knelt in front of you, pulling you into a tight hug. You returned it, grasping his night shirt so tightly that you were slightly scared you might rip it.

"I love you," He mumbled against the crook of your neck, his breath hot and the words heavy.

"I love you too," You murmured in reply, and tried not to let your eyes fill up with tears.

You stayed like that until your knuckles couldn't take being curled up anymore, and released your husband, who shifted back so he was sitting on his heels.

It didn't last long, because he moved forward and tenderly placed his lips on yours, hands cupping the sides of your face as he did so. He wanted contact. To reassure you that he loved you, like he should've done earlier on.

You continued your tender touches and soft words well into the night, even after you moved up into your bedroom, your tea gone cold and poured down the sink and biscuits put back into the container, to be worried about another day.

§§§

we've got a proper pregnancy confirmation from none other than THE Polly Gray

Although you guys probably knew from last chapter lmao

I know my chapters are shorter than usual but you guys will get the long chapters again once I start writing about s5

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

TAGLIST

@meadownicolee

@toothlessmcleod

@im-your-possession

@bethabear12

@paisley-37

@shelundeadxxxx

@bluehairdie

@krillfromsky

@cucumberfingefsandwiches

NEXT PART

Part 41

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 26

PUBLISHED: 18/06/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

READER'S POV

I started squealing as we got into the carriage. I loved Ferris wheels, and heights. In the line, Finn and I had planned out the rest of the night.

I sat myself right against the wall, looking out at the people on the ground as we began our descent into the sky. They had gotten smaller and smaller. I looked out at the buildings. I noticed that we could see the Cut from here.

"Oh, Finn, look, there's Lizzie and Tommy," I pointed out the pair, on the ground near a cotton candy cart, and looked over at my husband.

He was puffing on a cigarette, eyes on me.

"Oh, Finn, what's the point of coming on the Ferris wheel if you don't enjoy the view!" I whined, making him chuckle as he pulled the cigarette from his mouth.

"I am enjoying the view." He replied with a grin, then winked, a cocky tone in his words.

"Shut up," I muttered, looking back out towards the scenery, feeling my cheeks get warmer.

I continued looking out at the scenery, watching the people mill around the fairground, and enjoying the funny feeling in my stomach as we spun around.

Soon enough, we got out, Finn threw any arm around my waist, leading us to the bumper cars using his map.

I spotted Ada and Karl in line, Karl with a balloon on his wrist.

"Fancy seeing you two here," I called out as we approached them.

"Don't you two look quite the cute couple," Ada greeted as we lined up behind her.

"Uncle Finn, uncle Finn, can you drive me?" Karl begged, and Finn shook his head with a small grin.

"I'm on a date with Aunty (N/N), sorry," Finn replied, pulling me in closer to his side.

Karl pouted, but nodded. I felt my heartbeat speed up at the use of my nickname.

"A date?" Ada asked, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, Lizzie forced us," I joked, although it wasn't too far from the truth.

I would be too, if we were being honest.

"Who knows, by the end of the night we might know each other in the biblical sense," Finn said cheekily, making me gasp and slap his chest.

"Finn!" I squealed, making Ada laugh and Karl look at us confusedly.

Luckily, I was saved by the person announcing for everyone to get out of their cars, and exit the ride. I started bouncing on my heels, making Finn chuckle.

I really did love fairs.

We moved up onto the black floor after Finn gave the man our tickets, and got into a yellow car.

"We gonna annoy Karl and Ada, love?" Finn asked as I pulled the padded bar down over our laps.

Love. My butterflies came back tenfold at the stupid little nickname.

"Yes — But Karl's driving so be careful," I begged, and Finn nodded.

"I will," He spoke simply, but the smirk on his face said otherwise.

After all of the cars had people in them, the ride started. We jolted forward, and Finn immediately started chasing Karl and Ada.

I felt someone ram into us from behind, making us jerk forward. I looked around and saw that it was Flo and Dinah, Flo cackling away as she drove, Dinah blowing us a kiss.

"Finn, get those girls back," I commanded, and he laughed as he started chasing them.

"Your wish is my command," He said, dropping a hand from the wheel and placing it on my knee.

I felt my heart speed up at the contact, making me grin.

•••

Finn and I had just come from the circus and our second Ferris wheel ride of the night. We were now making our way towards the giant slide, after our quick stop at a cotton candy cart.

"Okay, so we went on the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, flying swings, Helter Skelter, circus, thanks to your family for getting us seats in the front row, second Ferris wheel ride, carousel, haunted house, and now we're going to the giant slide. That leaves the stalls, one final ride on the Ferris wheel, then fireworks at midnight." Finn informed me, looking down at the map as I bit into the pink cloud in my hand.

I gave a hum of approval as we walked towards the wooden slide, me dragging Finn by the belt loop again. I had pulled my yellow sweater on after sundown, because the night air had a chill in it, even with all of the people moving around the fairground.

In the haunted house, Finn had put an arm around me 'in case I got scared', but ended up nearly pissing himself when a contortionist ran full pelt at our stopped carriage in a bridge walk.

We continued trotting along until we ended up in line for the giant slide. It was a big wooden slide, one you had to sit on a piece of hessian cloth to go down. We grabbed one each from the pile at the bottom of the slide. Once Finn and I got to the top of the slide, I placed mine down and sat on it, then waited for Finn.

"We should make it a race." I decided, "Loser does whatever the winner tells them to do."

Finn nodded, "I'd be up for that."

I waited until the employee told us that it was safe to go, then started counting, "One, two-"

"-Three." Finn said, then pushed himself off.

"Finn, you bastard!" I screeched as I slid down after him, leaning forward and making myself go faster, catching up with him.

My hair blew back from how fast I was going. I whooped as I grabbed my hessian mat tighter. Finn bumped into me, sending me spinning around; making me shriek, the world turning into a blur. I reached out and grabbed Finn, making him yell as we tumbled off of the end of the slide together.

"Holy fuck, never again!" Finn swore, making me cackle.

"I won that one; you cheated, so I won by default." I decided as we stood up.

Finn didn't protest as I threw our hessian cloths into the pile. He held a hand out, and I helped him stand up.

Someone cleared their throats to our right, making us look.

Tommy and Lizzie stood there, Lizzie with a knowing smile on her face.

"(Y/N). Finn. Nice to see the date's going good." Tommy said simply, his blue eyes burning holes through us.

"It's going great," I said, interlacing my fingers with Finn's, who gave three quick squeezes.

"We'll be off then," Lizzie said, pulling her husband away from us.

I waved to the pair as I lead Finn away to the stalls. I spotted a familiar pair of men, then tried to lead Finn the other way.

"(Y/N)! Come and see your old dad and brother!" Dad called out, making me groan as Finn lead me over to them.

They were running a stall where you had to knock the cans over. I noticed oversized bears handing from the top of their stall.

I pointed up at the light brown one, "Dadda, Bonnie, I want that one."

"No can do, sister. You need to win it," Bonnie replied, leaning back against the bench of the stall, grinning.

My jaw dropped.

"Why!" I demanded, and Finn slung his arm around me.

"What do you have to do to win one?" Finn asked, and Bonnie cocked a brow as Dad smirked.

"Knock each pyramid over. No rebounds, no bounces." Bonnie informed him, "3 shillings; 3 shots."

Finn pulled the money out of his jacket pocket and handed them over to Bonnie, who gave him three balls.

"And I thought all Shelbys were good for was pushing papers around," Bonnie mused, making me roll my eyes.

"Finn, darling, ignore those two." I told him, "They're just trying to shake you up to make you miss, show them what you're made of."

Finn smirked, and started throwing the balls up into the air.

"Where are we going to put that bear in our apartment, love?" Finn asked, juggling the balls.

"You haven't even thrown a ball yet," Bonnie interjected.

Dad watched on in amusement, and I stayed silent as I leaned against the bench, watching the pair.

"I don't need to just yet; because I know I'm gonna knock 'em down. So, again, where are we going to put the bear?" Finn asked, turning back to face me, a cocky smirk on his face.

"If you miss I'll make my daughter divorce you," Dad called out to Finn, making me give Dad a death glare.

"In my room, at the foot of the bed," I answered my husband, and that was all it took for Finn to straighten up his stance and focus, then throw the three balls lightning fast, effectively knocking over the three towers.

Dad's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Bonnie begrudgingly got the light brown bear down and gave it to me.

"I was just teasing, you know, didn't mean anything by it," Bonnie said to Finn, who gave him a boyish grin in return.

"I know, but what my wife wants," He then threw an arm around me, "She gets."

"See you later," I said as we walked along.

I looked around the stalls, trying to find something fun.

"Roll a penny, Finn I want to try it!" I pleaded, and he sighed but led me over there.

I knew that he thought it would just be a waste of money because it was a luck game but I tended to get lucky when it came to it.

Finn paid the girl running the stall, and I got three pennies.

I placed the little wooden wedge on the edge of the table, then dropped my first penny into the slot, then moved the wedge towards the paper, a bit towards the left, and dropped the penny again. I moved my penny right to the edge of the paper on the right, and dropped it into the slot, waiting for it to stop rolling and hit the paper with a clatter. I looked at my three coins. They all landed on 'WIN' squares.

"Congratulations, you can pick five prizes." The girl said blandly, sounding like she didn't even want to be there.

How boring. I'd want to be at a fairground working. You always got free rides.

"Erm, that sliding whistle, that plastic tiara, that bunch of temporary tattoos, and ... two of those friendship bracelets." I said, pointing to each one.

Finn grabbed the prizes off of the girl for me, putting the whistle, temporary tattoos, and friendship bracelets into his jacket pocket. He turned to me with the tiara in his hand, placing it onto my head gently.

"A tiara for the Queen of Onions," Finn dubbed gravely, then started laughing at my scandalised face.

"Queen of onions? Couldn't you have thought of anything better!" I exclaimed, watching him go red in the face as he cackled.

"It was either that or the queen of contrary ... ness. Contrariness." He announced after he calmed down, still giggling.

"For the last time, stop comparing me to an onion! And I'm not contrary!" I scolded, then spotted another stall and ran over there, Finn not too far behind.

"I'm no good at this one," Finn said as he forked over the money.

I handed him my bear, "Well lucky for you, I'm great at frustration."

I dropped the orange counter into the slot, and immediately started tilting the green bar using the knobs on either end, trying to get the counter to land in the notch in the middle of the bar. I tilted it left and right, slowing down every now and then as I thought it was going to land it the notch, then groaning as it didn't.

I tilted it towards the left quickly, then back towards the right, levelling it out. The counter landed in the notch and stayed there, making me whoop.

"Congratulations, pick a prize, pretty girl." The boy running the stall said, sending me a wink.

Finn stepped up and put an arm around me, "Yeah, pick a prize, love."

He then planted a kiss on the top of my head, making the employee drop his smile.

I smirked, and pointed to the giant bear, much like the one I already had, but this was a darker brown, "That one — For my husband, so we can match."

Finn grinned at me as the employee gave it to him, "Thanks, mate."

"Welcome," The boy replied, in a tone that told us that he was not, in fact, welcome.

"I think we've got enough material prizes, let's go try for money prizes," Finn decided, and I nodded, looping my elbow through his as both of us had our hands around our bears.

We didn't need money, we had enough, but it wouldn't hurt to win a few pounds, just in case.

I looked around for a fun stall, and Finn stopped, making me look up at him.

"Do you think I'll be able to make it up the unclimbable ladder?" Finn asked, nodding towards it.

"Nope." I replied, popping the 'p'.

You could make it up if you knew the tricks, but even then it was hard. Bonnie couldn't even do it and he was one of the most coordinated people I knew.

"If I win, will you give me a prize?" Finn asked, leading me over there.

"Sure," I answered, and Finn looked at me, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes," I affirmed, knowing he wanted a proper answer.

He grinned and stood in front of the employee.

"Pay a pound, try to climb the ladder. If you succeed, you win twenty-five pounds." The employee told Finn, a big million dollar smile on his face.

"Yeah, alright," Finn said, paying the employee, then giving me his bear.

"Want me to hold your jacket too?" I asked, and Finn nodded, taking it off and handing it to me.

I placed my bear on the ground and put his jacket on his bear, giggling as I did so.

"Wait," I said, making Finn look at me.

I fished a friendship bracelet out of the jacket pocket, then grabbed Finn's wrist, tying it on.

"For luck," I informed him, making him grin as he walked back over to the ladder.

Finn grabbed the sides of the ladder. He put both of his feet on the bottom rung, then lifted his right foot, moving his left hand as he did so, grabbing the side fabric of the ladder. I noticed that he put his feet at the edges of the rungs, not the centre.

Balance. That was the secret.

I watched him as he ascended the ladder, making it to the top with ease. I clapped, and the employee looked less than pleased as Finn dropped down onto the landing pad with ease, stretching his arms as he stood back up. I watched as his muscles flexed through the fabric of his shirt. It was a nice sight.

The employee grabbed the twenty-five pounds out of his pouch, handing it to Finn. Finn came over and I handed him his bear back, then picked up my own, and we began walking again.

How our legs weren't tired, I didn't know. Maybe we were too giddy to feel tired.

I noticed a man holding a multicoloured cube in one hand, and a pocket watch in the other, making me smirk.

"Finn, this way," I said, leading him over to that stall.

"Little miss! Do you want to try to solve this cube under one minute? You pay a pound and win fifty if you solve it under a minute," The employee said, and Finn bumped his side against mine.

I looked up at him.

"Are you going to get disappointed if you lose?" Finn asked, and I shook my head.

He grabbed a pound and handed it to the employee.

"Um, can you hold my bear please?" I asked Finn, who grabbed it off of me with a nod.

He started fishing around in his pocket again, and pulled out the other friendship bracelet. I grinned and gave him my wrist. He gently tied it around my wrist, leaning down and placing a kiss on my wrist after he was done, making my heartbeat speed up at the small gesture.

The employee cleared his throat, making me turn around and look at him, then gave me the cube, looking down at his pocket watch, "You can start — now!"

I started twisting and turning the cube, quickly solving the yellow side.

I went on and solved each side, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I raced to beat the time.

"Done!" I shouted as I finished the last side.

The employee's eyebrows shot up, "Forty seconds. You did it."

"Course I did," I shot back, making Finn chuckle behind me.

The employee reached into his pouch and pulled out the money. I gave it to Finn to put into his jacket pocket, zipping the pocket back up.

"Oi, mate, what's the time?" Finn asked, and the employee looked at him.

"Quarter to eleven," The employee said after checking his pocket watch.

Fuck me. We'd been here for a long time, but it only felt like five minutes.

"Is there a revolving bar here?" Finn asked, and the employee nodded, pointing him in the direction of it.

"I want to try that one before we go on the Ferris wheel, come on love." Finn said, leading me down towards it.

"Come on, hurry, I want to make the Ferris wheel before the fireworks are on," I urged, picking my pace up to a jog.

Finn jogged along beside me, and we made it to the stall. I looked at my watch. Twelve to. That gave us seventy-two minutes for Finn to do the bar, for us to ride the Ferris wheel one last time, and get back to the apartment building. We'd planned on sitting on top of the building to watch the fireworks.

The employee noticed us jogging toward him, and perked up, "Hello, lady and gent-"

"-Yeah, sorry for being rude, but how much is it." Finn cut in.

I had to bite my tongue so I didn't laugh.

"Pay one pound, win twenty-five if you manage to hold on for three minutes," The employee said.

Finn rummaged around in the pocket of his jeans, grabbing the money and handing it to the man.

"Okay, hop up!" The man said, grabbing out his pocket watch.

Finn put the bear on the ground.

"Finn," I said, grabbing his arm, making him turn and look at me.

I quickly stood up on the tips of my toes and placed a kiss on his cheek, right above the corner of his mouth.

"For luck," I said shyly, watching as a blush climbed up his neck and spread across his cheeks.

"I fucking feel lucky now," Finn muttered as he walked up to the bar.

The employee told him to hop up, and he did, holding on to the bar. The employee flipped a switch on the side of the stand holding the bar up, and the bar started to turn. I watched as he shifted his grip on the bar, huffing.

"You can do it, darling," I encouraged after the employee told him that he reached the one minute mark.

Finn continued to move his hands back and forth, his knuckles white. I was elated at the way his shirt was riding up ever so slightly, and the way it clung to him as he hung there, his muscles visible through the white fabric. The focus on his face was evident, his teeth clenched as he tried not to drop.

"Thirty seconds!" The employee said, looking up from his pocket watch.

I bounced on my heels excitedly as the employee counted down, reaching zero.

"You've won twenty-five pounds!" The employee said, grinning.

Finn dropped down, huffing. He fixed his shirt up and got the money off of the employee, putting it into the jacket pocket. At least one of us was smart enough to wear something with pockets that could zip.

"Ferris wheel, now, let's go!" I exclaimed after Finn picked his bear up, dragging him along.

•••

THIRD PERSON'S POV

You and Finn were currently ambling along the Cut, meeting Arthur halfway to your apartment building. You had half an hour before the fireworks started.

Finn was looking for good skipping stones to show off. He was great at skipping stones, one of the best in Small Heath. He found a heart shaped one, and quickly slipped it into his pocket.

"(N/N), look here, I reckon I can make twenty skips with this one!" Finn declared, making you look at him.

He was holding a perfectly circular one, and you urged him to try skipping it. He swung his arm back, then swung it forward and flicked his wrist, sending the rock skipping along. You both counted twenty-one skips before it sank, then cheered.

"That's impressive," You admitted, looking over at your husband.

He grinned back at you, feeling on top of the world.

"I can't skip stones," You revealed, making him gasp and place a hand on his chest, feeling completely and utterly shocked.

You looked away, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"I'll show you how while we wait for Arthur, come on," Finn said softly, realising his mistake.

You looked over at him, and he picked up some more stones. You walked over and stood next to your husband, putting your stuffed bear next to his.

He gave you a flat stone, standing behind you.

"Okay, so you always stand with your non-dominant side towards the water, so you can throw with your dominant hand," Finn explained, shifting your body so you were standing correctly.

He handed you a stone, "Then, you swing your arm, but flick only your wrist. You throw this at the water with your dominant hand, but you don't throw it down, you throw it across, but not too across."

You nodded at his safely advice, then tried it yourself, Finn whooping and clapping as you managed three skips with your stone.

"You're a natural, love," Finn told you as you spun back around and faced him, throwing your arms around his neck and pulling him down into a hug.

"It's only because you taught me," You murmured as you pulled away, looking up at your husband.

Your eyes flickered down to his lips, which were curled into a soft smile.

A car horn beeping pulled you back to reality, and you looked over to see Arthur in a dressing gown behind the wheel of his car.

"Come on, lovebirds, some of us actually need sleep!" He called out, but you knew it was good natured teasing.

You picked up your bears and ran over to the car, hopping in to the backseat.

You felt slightly disappointed that you didn't kiss Finn, but no matter. You'd have time in the future.

"Did you have an alright night?" Arthur asked you, looking at you two in the rear-view mirror.

"It was amazing," You spoke honestly, and Finn slipped his hand into yours, squeezing it thrice.

Arthur smirked at your answer. Tommy and Linda would owe him, (and others) money. They had a few bets placed on whether you and Finn would have a good time, whether you would kiss or not, whether you would shag or not.

They all had no intention of telling you and Finn, though. What you didn't know wouldn't hurt you.

You bounced in your seat as Arthur pulled up in front of your building.

"Thank you," You said hurriedly and followed Finn out of the car, shutting the door behind you.

You and Finn hurried up the first flight of exterior stairs.

"Here, Chuck us your bear, I'll put them inside, grab the food, you hurry up to the top," Finn said, and you gave him your bear, then sped along the balcony until you reached the door that took you into your apartment building.

There were four rows of apartments on each floor, two on the exterior of the building, then two on the interior, split by a hallway. You entered the interior of the building, running up the hallway and multiple flights of stairs until you reached the door that let you out onto the roof.

You opened it, then walked over to the edge, sitting on it and dangling your feet over the edge. You shivered. It was colder up here. You looked at the time. Ten minutes to go. You watched three minutes tick by until you heard the door to the roof open with a 'bang!'

You spun around, and Finn was stood there, a bottle of lemonade in one hand, what looked like water in the other, and something wrapped in a cloth held against his chest with his forearm. He had a blanket around his shoulders, making you snort.

He hurried over to you, sitting down next to you.

You had cut up tomato and cheese before you left, so you could make sandwiches before bed if you were still hungry.

All Finn had to do was butter the bread, put the tomato and cheese onto the sandwiches, along with salt and pepper, then cut his into squares and yours into triangles.

As soon as Finn unwrapped the sandwiches, your stomach growled. He handed you one of yours, and you thanked him, then devoured the small sandwich, grabbing the bottle of lemonade and taking a swig.

He produced a handkerchief from his pocket, along with the temporary tattoos, "Reckon you can give me one of those tattoos?"

"I'd love to," You answered, sifting through the pack.

You found one of a cartoon pistol firing.

"Take your jacket and the blanket off," You urged Finn, who did so.

You opened the bottle of water and shoved the handkerchief inside, then pulled it out and wrung it out over the side of the building. You placed the temporary tattoo onto his left arm, then placed the wet cloth over it, rubbing it to make sure the tattoo under it was completely wet. Finn watched you as he ate his cheese and tomato square.

He looked down at his watch. Two minutes to go. He pulled the blanket around the pair of you. You grabbed it and pulled it around you, shuffling closer to Finn so you both had more blanket. He threw his arm over your shoulder, you leaning in to his side.

"It's starting!" You gasped, wiggling on the spot.

You watched in awe as the first firework ascended, and burst into a brilliant ball of blue. You barely blinked as the dazzling display went on, eating your sandwich, but you couldn't even appreciate the taste due to all of your attention being on the fireworks.

Finn, however, was barely focusing on the fireworks. He continually looked over at you, your amazed expression at the way the fireworks painted Small Heath's streets rainbow.

The heart shaped rock felt especially heavy in his pocket as he looked back out at the sky, absentmindedly tracing patterns on your arm.

What he didn't know, however, was that you could feel him looking at you, and every time Le looked away you would peek at him, admiring him under the multi-coloured light.

He looked gorgeous.

As soon as the fireworks ended, you groaned, and bit into your last sandwich slice quite bitterly, making Finn chuckle.

"Before I forget," He began, making you look at him.

He pulled the heart shaped rock out of his pocket, and placed it into your palm.

You gasp, and Finn saw your eyes light up at the small gift.

"Oh, Finn, it's amazing! I'm going to put it on my vanity so I'll see it every morning," You informed him, which made him grin.

He felt invincible. You made him feel invincible.

•••

You groaned as Finn shook your shoulder.

"You're bleeding, love," He told you, making you shoot up.

You could feel a sticky substance between your legs, making you whine.

"Go have a shower, I'll put clean clothes in the bathroom and change the sheets," Finn said, and you stumbled out of your bed, and into the bathroom.

It wasn't even daylight yet.

Finn immediately stripped the sheets and doona cover, going and putting them into the laundry. He grabbed his own sheets and doona, then went and placed them on your bed, making sure to put the fitted sheet on properly. He rummaged through your closet and found you a clean nightgown and under layers, walking to the bathroom and dropping them just inside the door, making sure to look the other way so he wouldn't catch a glimpse of you in the shower.

He never understood why men would go and do whatever women wanted when they were bleeding, but as he put the kettle on to boil and started to make your tea just how you liked it, he understood. Understood that you deserved to be taken care of, to be shown love. He'd go and buy flour just to make biscuits from scratch if you came out of the bathroom and said you wanted them with your tea.

As the kettle continued to boil, he walked down to his room and marked the day on his calendar, then marked the six days after it, then counted twenty-eight days onwards and circled the week there, too. He knew that women's bodies didn't run on clocks, but at least this way he would know to stock the kitchen with your favourite food so you wouldn't be left without.

§§§

okay so if I stick to chapter plans I should be starting writing season 5 in chapter 48,,, we're going to get a lot of Finn and reader action before then lol

Did y'all like the date or nah??

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 27

TAGLIST

@meadownicolee

@toothlessmcleod

@im-your-possession

@bethabear12

@paisley-37

@shelundeadxxxx

@bluehairdie

@krillfromsky

ANGEL - SETH CLEARWATER X READER

PREVOUS Prologue

I

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Seth sat with the pack and the imprints after telling them about you — The little he knew anyways. He was still hung up on the fact that you would only be here for two months.

"Why don't you, I don't know, show up in the same places she is?" Embry suggested, throwing a baseball to Quil as they sat down, albeit carefully — Sam would kill them if they broke something.

Emily wouldn’t mind, but since she bought half of the stuff in the house Sam would break their fingers if they scratched even one thing.

"He's not a mind reader, Embry, God," Leah snarked, throwing an arm around her not so little brother's shoulders, pulling him slightly closer to her.

She smelled like home, so he nestled in a little closer, needing the comfort.

"But the little Cullen is, maybe Jake can ask them for some help," Embry shot back, and Seth looked elated, but then his face dropped.

"But I don't want her to think I'm a stalker or anything," Seth murmured defeatedly, and it was back to the drawing board.

The room went silent, Seth dragging the slightly good mood down with him.

"Adopt a dog," Quil suggested, and everyone looked at him.

"You said she has a dog — If you get one then you can take it for walks when she takes hers for walks. That's not that stalkerish. You have an excuse to be in the same place at the same time," Quil elaborated as he fumbled an extra hard throw from Embry, and Seth grinned so bright that it made everyone else crack a small smile.

"Quil, you're a genius! Now all I need to do is find a dog." Seth replied, his mind running wild as he pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts, wondering who to message.

Adopting dogs from the local shelter was really expensive, and he was saving for a new dirt bike. He only had $200 to go, and he really didn’t want to waste money on a new dog. Not when he could nearly taste the dirt bike.

"Rez dogs are having puppies all of the time man, but if you're that keen Miss Postoak is trying to get rid of her bitch since she can't afford her right now, she’s only a companion dog and the others are working dogs," Jared supplied before taking another bite of his blueberry muffin, courtesy of Emily, and Seth felt victorious as he clicked onto his Mom’s contact and called her, asking if he could get a dog for his birthday.

"You're picking up its’ crap, buying its’ dog food and leashes, and it is getting neutered, we have enough strays on the reservation as is, young man — and I'll help you set up the yard for it when you get it," She replied, then said 'love you' and hung up the phone.

Seth whooped, then calmed back down, looking around the room at his expectant friends.

"What the fuck do I need for a dog?"

Leah pinched her brother’s ear for his foul language, making everyone laugh.

•••

Thankfully, Old Quil owned many a dog in his lifetime, used for hunting, mainly, but most of them were now companions in their old age, the man hesitant to get another in case it outlived him. Young Quil helped Seth buy the needed supplies like leashes, a crate for inside, dishes for the food, a dog bed, and a vet appointment was set for Monday so the bitch that Seth adopted — named Missy, a Rottweiler Shar Pei cross (Rott Pei, Quil had helpfully given him the proper name for the breed of the mutt) could be checked up, seeing as she was due for one.

Seth and Quil now at the store, buying some dog food. The smell was still overwhelming, and mixed in with how all of the other store goers smelled it was nearly unbearable. He could even still smell the products they mopped the floors with. He put the last thing in the cart when he heard a familiar voice. You.

"Quil, shit man, that's her!" Seth whispered excitedly, then listened as you made your way through the aisles, talking about dog food for Cujo.

Quil watched his younger pack mate bounce on his heels as you approached, and tried not to laugh at how excited Seth was getting. The boy turned to face you as soon as you turned the corner, dragging your dad by his hand, a basket in your other hand.

"Oh! It's little Seth!" Alexander pointed out, making you look away from the tins of dog food on the shelf, and give him a friendly grin, dropping your dad’s hand in the process.

"Hello, hello," You greeted, and nodded towards his full trolley, "Stocking up for a vacation?"

Seth turned back at the groups of haphazardly stacked dry kibble bags and wet food cans, and numerous treat packets. Maybe he was going a tiny bit overboard.

"Uh, no," Seth admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a chuckle, "I'm getting my first dog and I think I got overexcited."

"Oh! Such a spoiled little puppy that will be! Maybe you and miss (Y/N) could take your dogs for walks sometimes! I think she gets sick of her old man slowing her down," Alexander offered, and nudged (Y/N)'s shoulder, "If you need help with the dog too, (Y/N) could teach you a few tricks. Should help her keep herself busy for the next two months."

Seth tried not to smile too hard as he agreed, but noticed that you looked less than pleased, but give him a tight lipped smile nonetheless.

"Dad, grab two dry bags of dog food," You commanded, and your father did your bidding as you somewhat aggressively threw some dog food cans into a basket, managing to dent one of them.

Your father suddenly looked less than pleased with your behaviour as you threw the last can and turned on your heel, shoulder checking him as you walked past him. Alexander looked back at the pair of boys and gave them a tight lipped smile and a small wave before leaving behind his daughter.

Seth cocked his head to the side, trying to drown out the rest of the store goers to listen to you. Quil immediately did the same.

“What in the Gods was that? Ridiculous behaviour for what?” Your father said gruffly, but not unkindly.

"Dadda, I don't want to go for walks with him!" Was the first thing Seth heard you say, which made his heart drop, but he kept on listening anyway.

"Nonsense, he seems nice! A friend wouldn't hurt," Your father tried to reason with you, but you huffed.

"If a friend wouldn't hurt we'd actually live in one place and not move around like nomads." You then let out a soft 'fuck!', most likely stubbing your toe on the stupid boxes near the mouth of aisle 2.

"Well, I'm sure this place is the place. Trust me, tiny child. If it isn't, I'll buy you your dream Dodge Challenger for a late birthday gift." Your father reasoned.

"Don't bullshit me," You snapped back, sounding like you were nearer to the doors.

"I'm not! Matte black Dodge Challenger with red under glow for your birthday, or we live here, I swear it on Cujo's life." Your father pleaded, and you sighed.

"Fine. I'll see if one of the workers knows how to get into contact with him. I'll try to find him on MySpace or Twitter or something." You relented, then the doors opened to the front of the store, and your scent was gone.

Your Father cheered and Quil put Seth into a headlock playfully, messing up his hair, making Seth laugh as he did so.

•••

You sat on your new bed, your dog Cujo, a black Cane Corso who was getting on in his years, shown by the grey fur on his muzzle, resting on the floor next to your bed, not being allowed on any furniture. Your father was doing research in his room.

You picked up a piece of mango and popped it into your mouth as you looked up the name of the place you were staying at on Facebook. You found the profile, and clicked into it, then went straight to followers. You couldn't find any followers with Seth's profile picture, so you went and looked up the name of the school, finding their profile and looking through the followings for Seth. No luck. Even searching his name up you discovered nothing. You stalked his school until you found his name on an old post where he had won an award for a spelling bee, also discovering his last name. Clearwater. Seth Clearwater.

You logged into your MySpace account, and looked for him, and surprisingly found him. His profile picture was a photo of him with a man, standing side by side, grinning.

You found it, and let held your arms up above your head in a victorious manner, looking around the room as if expecting someone to cheer for you, then focussing on your dog.

"See how fucking amazing I am, Cujo? The FBI needs to hire me as a detective," You said, then started scrolling through his profile.

Nothing overly fancy. Just some pictures of him, people you assumed to be his family, and some of nature around the area, alongside some photos of his adventures. You clicked the 'Add Friend' button, and decided to make a new friendship bracelet while you watched movies, heading off to your dad's room to go and ask him to start the bracelet for you.

•••

Seth was currently scrolling through Twitter at his desk as his Xbox 360 started up, Leah lounging on his bed playing Mario on his DS. Technically, he and Leah shared the Xbox, but he just kept it in his room as she didn’t really play it much these days, instead choosing to play his DS. He didn’t mind. Just as long as she stayed in his room so he knew it was safe. Missy was laying halfway under his bed, gnawing at a new chew toy Quil had picked out.

His phone beeped, and a new notification popped up. He walked over and slid onto the bed next to his sister. A new friend request. He looked, and his heart started speeding up as he looked at the profile.

“What?” Leah inquired, hearing the thrumming, looking over his shoulder.

“She added me on MySpace!” Seth told his sister excitedly, showing her the profile picture of you and a black dog, along with your Dad and a woman who looked a bit like you, and accepted your friend request, then started looking through your profile.

There were photos from all around the world. Australia, Sweden, Italy, France. Your father and you were the main focus of your photos, but your nature shots were a sight to behold. There were also some with people that weren’t your father, so maybe friends and relatives. The photos of the woman in your profile picture stopped around a year ago, he noted. Your newest photo was the Welcome to Forks sign, you and a huge black dog posing in front of it, the same one from your profile picture.

A message notification popped up. He opened it, and there was a message from you.

Y/N:

Hey

“Oh my goodness, she messaged me!” Seth nearly squealed, and Leah bit back a laugh at her little brother, knowing that laughing would probably result in him attacking her with a pillow covered in a Spider-Man case.

“Well don’t just ignore it, reply!” Leah urged, and Seth looked at his sister, eyes as wide as saucers.

“What do I say!” Seth panicked, and Leah rolled her eyes, grabbing the iPhone covered in a Spider-Man case and messaging her back.

Seth:

Hey

•••

You blinked at your laptop screen, your friendship bracelet forgotten. You didn’t expect him to reply so fast. You went down to the vending machine just outside of the office about ten minutes ago and he wasn’t there, instead there was a girl at the counter, talking on the phone as she painted her nails. Maybe his shift was over, and he was at home? You didn’t think on it much.

Your fingertips ghosted over the keys, then stopped, instead picking up your phone and logging into MySpace there.

“Dad?” You called out, and he ambled into your room, a sandwich with a bite taken out of it, jerking his head upwards slightly as he chewed.

“Seth messaged me and I don’t know how to reply,” You admitted, and your father chuckled as he came over and sat next to you, trying not to get any crumbs on the bed.

Cujo immediately came over and sat expectantly next to him on the floor, but your father shooed him away. Your baby walked over and laid in his crate, looking offended.

“What do you want to say?” He asked, pulling your phone into his hand, getting ready to type a message for you.

You leaned against his muscly arm, and shrugged. You weren’t very good at holding conversations.

“Why don’t you ask him about his new dog?” Your father suggested and you grinned victoriously, taking back the phone and sending him a message.

Y/N:

How’s things going with preparing for ur dog?

You hummed, feeling content, then sent the message. Seth started typing immediately.

Seth:

She’s good! We picked her up like an hour ago and she’s currently harassing my sister, lol

A photo came through of a dog that looked like a Rottweiler, but was wrinkly, and the tail curved upwards, sitting on the lap of a girl that looked a couple years older than you, playing a DS.

“Oh! Looks like a little Rott Pei! They’re stubborn little fucks,” Your father commented, still eating his sandwich, making you giggle.

Your aunty Lara had one, over in Italy. He tended to chew any shoes left outside, and didn’t like Cujo much.

Seth:

Her name is Missy :)

Y/N:

She’s so cute! Is she a Rott Pei? Dad says they’re stubborn lol

Seth:

Yeah, she is. I’m gonna try and take her for a walk tomorrow. She’s really good on lead, and well socialised. My sister Leah’s coming too, wanna come with?

Before you could type ‘no’, your father snatched your phone and sent a message.

Y/N:

That sounds good, when & where?

“Dad!” You hissed, picking up your stuffed Elmo doll from beside you and assaulting your father with it, making him drop his sandwich.

Cujo wasted no time in scrabbling over and eating it, making you laugh, but you quickly stopped as your phone beeped again, leaning over and grabbing it from your dad’s hand.

Seth:

Tomorrow, like 11am?

We can take out a picnic!

Me and Leah can come pick you up :)

You quickly positioned yourself so you could see Cujo in the background, your dad deciding to hop into the photo as well, holding up both of his thumbs and giving the biggest smile you’d ever seen.

Y/N:

Cujo & I are keen, so’s Dad apparently. See you then!

•••

Leah pinched her little brother’s cheek as he put the phone down, tittering at the way he blushed, the colour in his cheeks and ears becoming more noticeable with the red undertone of his blood rushing to them.

“My baby, all grown up! Going on a date with a girl-”

“-It’s not a date, Leah,” Seth said exasperatedly as he grabbed his phone and messaged Jacob, wanting to let him know first.

Seth:

(Y/N) and I are walking our dogs together tomorrow.

Jacob:

Good job bro :)

You should see if she wants to come to your birthday party tomorrow

Seth blinked. Tomorrow was his birthday. He’d be fifteen, and in two months he’d be starting tenth grade.

Seth:

I forgot about that haha

Are you and Ness coming?

Jacob

Wouldn’t miss it for the world man

I picked out a cool gift but Ness said hers is ‘practical’, or whatever

You know how she is

Seth laughed and sent back a thumbs up emoji, then leaned over and scritched Missy behind her ears, making her wag her tail contentedly. Today was a good day. Tomorrow was going to be even better.

•••

Alexander stood out on the porch of the cabin, facing the sea as he puffed on his Marlboro, the cigarette being his only source of light other than the moon, full and low over the sea.

A movement in the distance, over near some rocks, only just visible in the corner of his eye. His head snapped in the direction of it, his blue eyes nearly glowing in the dark.

Something was staring right back at him, its eyes shining green like a cat’s in the dark. A stare off ensued. Alexander moved ever so slightly, reaching for his crossbow, but the creature then spread its’ wings and took flight, the huge wing span nearly blocking out the moon as it ascended.

Alexander growled and put out his cigarette, dropping it into the metal trash can near his feet. He found what he was looking for. Now it was time to complete the rest of his mission.

•••

Mary Postoak stared at the moon through her kitchen window, opting to watch it as the sink filled up in front of her.

There was a flash of darkness in front of the moon, looking like a huge bird. She gasped, a hand going to her chest. It was bigger than any bird she saw, ever. And the last time she checked; birds didn’t have legs like humans.

A thud was heard in her backyard, and her dogs started barking, making her head for her back door, but a yelp cut her off. She instead turned on her heel, running towards her bedroom and grabbed her rifle, then ran through the hallway, throwing open the back door and loading the rifle.

She grabbed the flashlight from her deck table, and turned it on, shining it toward the scene, and gasped.

Something was hunkered over her dog, feeding from it. Upon hearing her, it looked up, blood covering its lower lip. It was hideous. Pale skin, and two enormous wings. It stood up at its full height, nearly ten feet, and stepped forward, making her drop her torch and point her rifle at it.

She fired it once, hitting it square in the chest. It growled, then lunged for the woman, attacking her before she could even scream.

§§§

Fun fact lol, Missy & Cujo are based on dogs I've owned. Again, not proofread so please kindly point out any mistakes!

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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