CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 21
Part 1
MASTERLIST
CONTRARY TAGLIST
THIRD PERSON'S POV
You and Finn were sat at either end of your dining room table in Artillery Square, you in a pair of jeans and a yellow sweater, and him in a grey suit that you helped pick out of his wardrobe, only just getting home from work. He had asked your opinion on his clothes, which you found funny. He never did it before. He told you that he wanted to look decent for an important meeting with Tommy, which was fair enough.
You had stayed at home, going shopping, reading books, and practicing mathematics, which bored you endlessly. Maybe you'd join a club, so you'd have something to do until Tommy decided you were of use.
It had been a couple of days since your family had started camping on the grounds of Arrow House, and a couple of days since you and Finn had taken Saoirse clothes shopping, so you could have fresh clothes at your apartment if you and him ever needed to look after her. You did the same for Finn's nephews and nieces, making sure to get sizes bigger than they needed as well, knowing how quickly children grew. You had also bought a trundle bed for each of your beds, in case you ever needed to babysit a lot of kids at a time. You had a feeling that they were going to get some good use.
If Esme replied to your latest message to her, you'd have all seven of her and John's kids here sometime soon, for a two day visit, watched closely by Jenica's sister, Tatiana, and the Lee boy she ran away with. His name was Trevor, according to Tatiana, who told you last Sunday after church, when you went over to Jenica's for a cup of tea.
Finn picked up his pencil, and you did the same, still confused as to why he sat you at the table in the first place.
"We are going to make a mind map," Finn announced, "One for me, and one for you."
You wordlessly wrote Finn's name on the white sheet in front of you, him doing the same.
"Now, you're going to write ten things that you think describe me. I'm going to do the same. After we're done our ten things about me, we'll do ten things about you, then show each other." Finn announced, and you nodded, already writing the first word about Finn down in your neat print.
He had learned this exercise from Uncle Charlie, not long after Finn moved in with him.
Kind :)
Throughout this whole ordeal, Finn was kind to you. Most of the time. He was kind to your family, all of the time.
Attractive
You'd be stupid to not write that one down. Finn would be stupid to not see it. You wondered if he got his looks from his mother or his father. You hadn't ever seen a photo of either of them. He didn't have any. You were sure he didn't want any.
Brave
He was brave. Braver than you'd ever be, you were sure.
Confident
You saw the way he walked — no, strutted — around Small Heath as if he owned it. He may as well have, being a Shelby. It was attractive, his confidence.
Considerate
Always buying more biscuits, buying more beds, buying clothes, bringing home yellow things that he said reminded him of you. Your favourite thing that he was brought home was a painting of a sunflower, which now sat on the mantle of your fireplace, bringing some life to the dull place.
Loyal
He'd die for his family if he had to. You hoped that he never would die for them, but instead die peacefully, after living a life that he wanted.
Adaptable
Moving around houses after his family moved away, getting married to you, doing business when Tommy asked him to then going back to being the useless younger brother — none of these things seemed to faze him all that much. They did faze him, you knew that; but he didn't show it much. Maybe he was used to it.
Trustworthy
You'd trust him with your life. You have trusted him with your life. He takes care of you as much as he can, but he's still only just a child too.
Reliable
He showed up for the family company, whenever they needed him to. He was there for you too, most of the time.
Charming
You couldn't deny it. His boyish smile, nice words, and the way he managed to do things just right so everything would go his way — it was his charm.
"Done." You said, looking over at Finn, who was staring down at his piece of paper in frustration, brows furrowed.
"Start yours, then," Finn muttered as he penned down another word.
You nodded, and wrote your name down on the other sheet of blank paper.
Unkind
That was an easy one. You didn't mean to be; you just were. It was as hardwired into your system as your need to travel.
Rude
You tried not to be. A lot. But it always slipped through the cracks and you were snapping at people who didn't even deserve it.
Aggressive
You were forever snapping at people, forever throwing stuff around. You tried to stop but you just couldn't. You were only sixteen. You could grow out of it if you tried. You probably should try.
Aloof
You had friends, yes, but you were sure that they didn't like you nearly as much as you liked them
Callous
Other people's suffering didn't bother you. Not all that much.
Petulant
Childishly rude. Something you had yet to grow out of. Something you weren't sure you would ever grow out of.
Moody
Your moods changed more than Tommy Shelby's.
Half the time you weren't even sure why. They just did. Most of the time you couldn't identify them.
Resentful
Resentful for a lot of things. Your father ever letting you live with her, your father forcing you to get married.
Impatient
There were many things you were. Patient was not one of them.
Unlovable
She always said that you were. She wouldn't say it unless it was true, surely.
You placed your pencil down, and looked over at Finn, who finished writing and flipped his pencil around in his hands.
"You done?" He asked you, and you nodded.
He gathered his two sheets of paper and got out of his chair, going and standing in front of the lit fireplace. The cat hissed and swiped at his ankles, obviously not pleased with Finn standing so close to the cat bed.
"I'll throw you in the fire!" Finn bellowed, nudging the cat bed away from him with his foot.
The cat gave a not-so-pleased mewl and curled back up on the bed, purring. You rolled your eyes at the squabbling pair and went and stood up next to your husband.
"We swap lists," He informed you, and you nodded, handing him yours with one hand and grabbing his with the other, still feeling confused.
You read his mind map about himself first.
Likeable
Adaptable
Ambitious
Handsome - you rolled your eyes at that one. Cocky prick.
Strong
Trustworthy
Funny
Helpful
Selfish
Greedy
You let out a small 'oh', and looked at your husband.
"You're not selfish or greedy." You protested, looking at your husband.
He was anything but, and you knew it.
"You think I'm attractive?" Finn asked, smirking at you, ignoring your statement completely.
Once you rolled your eyes he straightened up and cleared his throat, knowing you were serious.
"It's — I am sometimes. No one's all good, or all bad. It's impossible." He explained, and you nodded, understanding.
You felt more bad than good, though, and your sheet of paper with your name on it reflected that.
You read through his list for you, and felt your heart melt inside your chest.
Kind
Patient
Loving
Affectionate
Compassionate
Loyal
Reliable
Patient
Attractive
Loveable
You felt your eyes well up with tears and quickly brought the sleeve of your sweater up and wiped the stray tears away with the cuff.
"Are you alright?" Finn asked, eyeing you carefully.
You felt compelled to go and lock yourself in your room, feeling awkward under his gaze, but kept your sock covered feet firmly planted on the rug covered ground.
"Yes — fine." You said feebly, then cleared your throat, "You're — You're too kind, describing me like that."
"It's true," He insisted, and you shifted from foot to foot disbelieving his words.
"You're only saying that because you're my husband." You objected, making him furrow his brows together, and hold up the list that you wrote about him.
"Did you only say these things because you're my wife?" He questioned, and you shook your head.
He really and truly was all of those things. If you weren't his wife and still managed to find your way into his life, you'd write the exact same things, over and over again.
"Exactly — We don't actually do anything out of marital obligation, do we? So, it must be truthful." Finn finished casually, and you agreed with that statement.
You didn't feel it yet, but you agreed with it. You watched as he switched the pages, looking at your mind map about yourself. He frowned, and handed it back to you.
"The only fucking fucking true words on that list is petulant and moody. I'm petulant and moody. Any growing person is petulant and moody." Finn stated, and it was your turn to frown.
Who was he to tell you how you saw yourself?
"Just hear me out for a few seconds, yeah?" He said, raising his arms, and you folded yours across your chest and nodded, "How much of that is you talking about yourself and her words about you?"
That made you stop and think. She called you all of those words, not you. She called you those words enough that they got jumbled into your thoughts and you couldn't think of yourself any other way.
What did you think of yourself? You weren't entirely sure. That didn't sit right with you.
"Can I throw this list into the fire?" Finn asked, holding it up, "It's not truthful. Doesn't count."
You sighed, but nodded. He folded it into a paper plane then threw it into the fire, cheering as it caught alight. You laughed at your husband, then held up the two sheets he gave you, "What do I do with these?"
"You can throw the one about me out, I don't want that — You can do whatever you want with the one about you," Finn replied, heading down the hallway and into his room.
You stood in front of the fire, and somehow felt lighter, as if a weight was lifted off of your shoulders. You placed Finn's list on the couch, not really sure what to do with it just yet. You started humming as you reread the list, then suddenly felt wrong.
Surely that wasn't how Finn saw you. Surely he didn't like you that much. You weren't that nice.
Finn noticed your lack of humming and went back out to the living room, where you were stood in front of the fire, arms crossed on your chest, deep in thought.
Finn knew that face. That was the face you always had on before you got cross and pushed him away. He wouldn't let it happen this time.
"What's wrong?" He asked, making you turn and face him, "Are you cross at me or at something else."
"I don't know," You answered sourly, making his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
"Do you know why you're cross?" Finn asked carefully, placing his hands in his pockets.
You shook your head, feeling lost. You looked down at the carpet, and stamped your foot. Finn watched your every move.
"This is why I didn't want to marry you. I'm no good as a person." You grumbled, "Can't even get cross the right way. I don't deserve this. You."
Finn felt a pang in his chest. You deserved whatever you wanted, especially with the way your life turned out. He'd give you whatever you wanted, if it made you stop thinking of yourself in that way.
"I'll take care of you," Finn vowed, looking you in the eyes, which made you scowl and turn your back to him.
He watched your shoulders rise and fall as you took deep breaths.
"Taking care of me is rotten work!" You protested, spinning around on the spot to look at your husband, then bringing your hands up and swiping forcefully at your eyes with the back of your wrist.
"Not to me. Not if it's you." Finn softly replied, stepping over towards you, holding a hand out.
You could tell by his tone that he truly meant it. You met him in the middle and fell into his embrace. He hugged you tightly, and you did the same, gathering the back of his coat in your tight grip.
"It's going to be hard." You informed him, the words muffled by his chest, "For me and for you. I didn't get to grow properly."
"I know. We'll help each other learn, though," He cooed, rubbing your back, "And you can grow here. With your family. With Aberama, Saoirse, Bonnie, Esmeralda, Tuck, and that mangy little cat who always spills my tea."
"And you?" You asked, looking up at him.
He thought you looked beautiful, with the way your tears clung to your eyelashes, framing your gorgeous (E/C) eyes.
"And me," He confirmed, "And Polly and Arthur and Lizzie and whoever else you want to grow around."
You have a hum of agreement, laying your head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat.
"It's really fucking hard, Finn. I wasn't allowed to have feelings so I don't know what the fuck to do with them. She always said that's why I was unlovable." You admitted, and you could feel Finn tense under you.
"She's horrid and if I ever see her again I'll take her eyes and throw her into the cut." Finn swore, holding you a bit tighter than he was before.
You listened to Finn hum as he shifted on his feet, and managed to calm down.
"I — I won't be able to stop seeing myself like that straight away. Rome wasn't built in a day." You said, staring into the fireplace, watching as the flames danced.
"I know, but it would be a good time to start now." Finn replied, and in that very moment, you decided to keep the mind map he gave you, to pin it in your wardrobe so you could see it every day.
To remind you what you were really like, not what she said you were like. She didn't even really know you anyway.
§§§
I literally love this chapter I got the idea from this end of year activity that a support learning staff member at my school made us do and omfg I do it whenever I feel bad about myself (ask my friends what they think of me) and I am then ultimately reminded that I have a skewed view of myself because I am much harder on myself than needed
Also I feel like we're all on the same level but I'll draw a floor plan of the Artillery Square apartment soon lol I feel like it could confuse some of you
You guys have no idea how hard it was for me to make up names and ages for all of John's six, soon to be seven kids lmaooo — literally only one has a name (Katie) and there's no ages stated.
Also!! Would anyone want to become mutuals on social media lol
Also part 3 — Would anyone like to become part of a tag list for this work?? I’ll make a post after this and you guys can like it or whatever to let me know that you’re interested - I’ll also add it to my masterlist + the top of this post + other posts so it won’t get lost
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 22
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 20
Part 1
MASTERLIST
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
Part 21
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 15
MASTERLIST
I twirled my finger in the telephone cord nervously until I heard Lizzie's 'hello?'
"Oh! Lizzie, it's (Y/N), I've just had a dream, and I needed to tell you because you were in it," I rambled as Finn Junior came and weaved between my legs.
'Was it a vision, like the ones Polly has?' Lizzie inquired, and I shrugged.
"I'm not sure, but it felt real enough," I admitted as Finn came down the hall, just waking up, his curly hair all over the place and only wearing boxers and a singlet.
Finn jutted his chin up, and I mouthed 'Lizzie', making him nod as he put the kettle on to boil then reached up to grab two mugs. I watched him as he did so, revelling in how the skin tightened over the muscles in his upper arm, showing them off.
'Tell me about it,' Lizzie demanded softly, bringing me back to reality and making me avert my eyes from Finn.
"You had a baby, and she grew up to be gorgeous, like someone you'd see in the pictures. Her name was Ruby," I stated, leaning back against the bench, smiling slightly, "And I saw her father, too. The blue eyed devil. You know exactly who I'm talking about."
'Tommy Shelby,' She sighed, then took a slight pause, 'It's true. I am pregnant, and he's the father. He doesn't know yet.'
"Are - Are you keeping her?" I asked, shifting my weight from one foot to the other, Finn now going over and relighting the fire.
'Yes. I want a baby,' She states, making me grin.
"Well then, Miss Stark, congratulations. I'll knit you some baby boots, beanies, and a blanket." I informed her.
'I don't need them just yet!' Lizzie protested with a chuckle.
"It'll be good to have them on hand," I pointed out, making her hum in agreement.
'I'm feeling a bit tired, I reckon I need some more sleep, see you at the shop?' Lizzie said, then yawned.
"See you at the shop. Talk to you later," I replied, then Lizzie hung up.
"Who's the father of her baby?" Finn questioned, and I put my finger to my lips, signalling that it was a secret.
Finn huffed, but nodded as he came back over and grabbed a spoon out of the drawer and put sugar into his blue mug.
"I'll take Jenica's cake tin back over to her," I said as it caught my eye on the bench.
"Who the fuck is Jenica?" He asked, pouring the now boiled water into his mug.
"My cousin, Jenica Palmer. She's probably your distant fucking relation too, with how big and connected gypsy families are," I remarked, then chuckled.
"I'll come with you," Finn announced after pouring milk into his cup.
"You've been in my pocket ever since I got back, Finn Shelby, I don't think so," I warned, wagging my finger.
Finn nodded, knowing not to push my limits, then handed me the tin, "Take a gun with you, put it in your bra or something. City's still dangerous."
"I will," I snapped, frowning as I turned on my heel and went up the corridor, grabbing Finn's handgun off of the table, unloading it then putting it into my bra.
I grabbed the silencer too, putting it into my bra.
I knew that we were in trouble, it held on to the Shelby's like a bulldog. I didn't need reminders every five seconds. I grabbed my socks and put them on, then grabbed my boots, pulling them on. I looked over at my vanity, and decided that the walk was too far away, instead grabbing the hair tie on my wrist and scraping my hair up into a bun, grabbing my coat, and walking back out to the living room, where Finn was frying, eggs, sausages, and tomatoes in a pan, cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.
"I won't be long," I informed him, making him nod.
I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down a reminder to knit the stuff for Lizzie, and one to buy our own cake tin, then left the flat, borrowed cake tin in hand. I walked along the balcony in front of the apartments, humming a song I had heard on the radio.
I went upstairs, then entered the building, taking the internal stairwell instead of the fire escape for once, sick of the clanging sound it made with my boots.
I walked up to the fifth floor, and headed to the third door on the right, knocking on it.
Jenica opened the door, baby Violet on her hip.
"Cousin," She greeted warmly, pulling me in for a hug.
"Hello, cousin. I brought your cake tin back," I said as I released her from the hug, handing it to her, "I've got to get back to the apartment before Finn sends out a fucking search party, I'll come visit you and baby soon."
I pressed a kiss to Violet's forehead, making her giggle.
"All good, see you then." She said, and shut the door.
I walked down the internal staircase, and heard a familiar voice yell; "Everyone stay indoors! Stay down! By order of the Peaky Blinders!"
"Oh, fuck," I muttered, yanking the gun out of my bra, "I should've stayed home."
As I was putting the silencer on the gun, I looked down, and Tommy was coming up the stairwell.
"Thomas!" I hissed, making him look up, "What's going on?"
He ignored my question as he approached me, grabbing my arm and dragging me along with him.
"Why do you have a gun like that? Are the Italians here?" I questioned, and he shushed me as he continued to lead me God knows where.
My heart started racing. I didn't know these buildings like the back of my hand. I wasn't a Shelby, born and raised here like he was. I felt blind.
He stopped and leaned against a wall, panting. I started panting too, although it was from nerves instead of being out of breath. I reloaded my gun, then watched as Tommy reloaded his gun, then I pocketed the empty cartridge, making him look at me.
"You've been pushing papers around for too long, that could lead them to us!" I busted quietly, making him nod.
We heard voices in the stairwell, so he lead me through the door on our right. He lead me through the building to a fire escape, and looked around quickly. He lead me downstairs. I noticed someone walking down the street, and aimed my gun at them.
"Oi!" I called out, making him turn around, revealing the gun at his side.
I took one shot, sending a bullet through his head, watching as he fell to the ground in a heap.
"Stay here, watch my back, and if Luca comes, I get that shot," Tommy commanded, and I did so, kneeling down and pressing my back into the window behind me to make myself less visible from the street.
My hands were shaky, and cold. I heard someone speaking Italian as Tommy stepped off of the bottom step, and peeked over the edge of the landing, watching as Luca Changretta took shots at Tommy. I kept my eyes on the pair as they exchanged shots, then as Luca's gun ran out of bullets.
He put the gun down, and walked towards Tommy, and another Italian appeared from around the corner. I steadied myself, then took a shot and killed the other Italian, making Luca jump as his crony hit the ground. I let out a breath, then ran back upstairs and in the door Tommy and I just exited, making my way back to my own apartment.
I tried the front door, and found it locked.
"Finn!" I called out desperately as I knocked on the door, feeling shaken.
Finn opened the door, and I pushed past him, tripping over my own feet as I run to the bathroom, and knelt in front of the toilet, where I promptly vomited. I didn't even have anything to eat yet, so it felt horrid.
As I dry heaved, I felt a hand rub my back. Finn.
"What happened? Italians?" He asked, and I nodded, flushing the toilet.
"Tommy — I came across him when I was coming back from Jenica's. He had Italians after him, and he dragged me along with him. I don't know these streets, I don't know these buildings, I was fucking blind, thrown in the deep end!" I spat, feeling tears well up in my eyes, "If I knew what was happening and if I knew these buildings I'd be fine, but fucking hell, he just ordered me about like I was a soldier under his command, never again!"
I wiped them away angrily with a sniff, then heard stuff hit the sink, and the sound of something filling up. I looked up to see Finn offering me the cup that our toothbrushes usually sat in, but filled with water. I took it, muttering a quiet 'thank you' and took a sip, swishing it around my mouth then spitting it into the toilet, repeating the action until my mouth felt clean. I handed the cup back to Finn, who sat it on the sink, then helped me stand up on shaky legs.
"Feeling sick still? Want to eat breakfast?" Finn asked, and I shrugged.
"I'll keep it warm on the fire until you feel alright. You should shower, I've got a feeling we're going to have a family meeting soon." He stated, and I nodded, turning the water on.
"I'll set you out some clean clothes," Finn mumbled as he exited the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
I stripped down and hopped into the shower, welcoming the feeling of the warm water on my skin. I had washed my hair last night, so there was no need to do it now. I stood under the hot water for a bit, waiting until I felt all of the tension wash off of me, then moved to clean my body, deciding to use Finn's body wash instead of my own. Once I was done, I turned off the shower and leaned out, grabbing my towel off of the rack and drying myself, then wrapping it around my body. I put my dirty clothes, bar my coat, which had been washed yesterday, into the laundry basket behind the door, picked up my boots, and walked to my room, shutting the door behind me.
I spotted the clothes Finn put out on my bed, walking over and drawing the curtains closed, then quickly got dressed, then put my boots on. I walked over to my vanity and grabbed my brush, undoing my bun with one hand, and pulling my hair over my shoulder, detangling my hair then pulling it down into a plait, in case I had to do any more fighting today.
I walked out of my room, down to the kitchen. The smell of food didn't make my stomach turn, a good sign. Finn was plating up the food. I walked over to the cupboard and grabbed my yellow mug down, making myself a cup of tea.
"You feel alright now?" Finn asked, and I nodded.
"Fuckin' nerves making me sick, that's all it was," I grumbled, taking a sip of my tea.
I grabbed my plate from Finn and carried it over to the table, placing it and my cup down, then headed over to the cupboard, grabbing a tin of cat food out and putting it into Finn Junior's bowl. I was surprised to learn that, while I was with the Italians, Finn had gotten the cat bowls, beds, blankets, and even a litter box with the cat's name on it. And the pair of them still hate each other.
I put Finn Junior's bowl down at the end of the bench, and he got up from his place in front of the fire and sauntered over, purring as he swayed his tail.
I sat at the table, next to Finn instead of across from him, and started eating, thanking him for the food first. We ate in a comfortable silence, and once we were done I took everything to the sink and washed them up, leaving them in the rack to dry.
The phone rang, and I picked it up.
"Hello?" I greeted my hand coming up to fiddle with my half heart pendant.
'(Y/N)? Family meeting, one hour. Polly's house.' Tommy said, then hung up.
"Fuck!" I bellowed, slamming the phone back down.
"What happened?" Finn asked, coming to stand next to me.
"Family meeting, one hour, his house," I mocked in a deep voice, making Finn chuckle.
"We can't even take the car because you got sick in it last night and it still stinks," I grouched, making Finn blush.
He was absolutely legless, Isiah had to call me to come get him from the Garrison. I should've left him there on the floor, or behind the bar.
"I'll call Arthur to come pick us up," He stated, making me nod, "I'll go have a shower, I'll be ready to leave in fifteen, I can read you some of the paper before we leave if you want."
I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why are you being nice to me? Is it so I won't be mad at Tommy?"
He looked taken aback, then narrowed his own eyes at me, "Am I not allowed to be nice to my wife? Would you rather be a drop dead cunt?"
"No — But you were never nice before I got taken!" I defended myself, making Finn roll his eyes and turn on his heel, heading to his room.
"You are worth the effort, fuck what anyone else told you before," He threw back quietly over his shoulder, then added, "If you weren't so contrary all the time we'd probably be an alright pair."
I scowled and picked up the pan that Finn had used to cook the food, and launched it after him, "I'm not fucking contrary! I'm complicated!"
He just laughed me off, "Yeah, you've got layers; like an onion."
"Stop comparing me to an onion!" I shrieked, before regaining my composure.
I looked down at Finn Junior, who was looking up at me with a funny look on his face.
"Don't stare at me like that."
•••
"They're here," Polly announced, looking out of the window and seeing Arthur, Linda, you, and Finn in Arthur's car.
You were poking Finn in the side of the head, talking animatedly. Polly wouldn't be surprised if you were arguing about something. Again.
Finn hopped out of the car, helping you out, then all four of you crossed the street, heading to Polly's. Once inside, you sat at Polly's dining table. There were only four seats, Arthur and Johnny Doggs took two, Lizzie and Finn taking the other. Finn pulled you down to sit on his lap, and, to everyone's surprise, you stayed there, not protesting as he sat a hand on your hip.
You were glad Finn let you sit in his lap, because nothing could make you stand next to Linda. At least this way Finn could hold you back if you tried to hit her. Standing on the other side of Charlie meant standing behind Johnny Doggs. Finn figured that this way was the best bet.
"So," Arthur began, tipping the contents of a small blue bottle onto the table, "What the fuck happened today, Tom? We all heard, shooting in Artillery Square."
Tommy nodded softly, "Yeah, there was. Today I killed two men. (Y/N) killed two as well. Now our enemies will have to wait."
You saw out of the corner of your eye the other three sat at the table looking at you in disbelief. You didn't blame them. You didn't look all that threatening, but that's precisely why you were dangerous. No one would expect the gypsy girl to be wielding a gun.
"I suppose they uh, I suppose they took you by surprise, did they?" Arthur questioned, tapping his blue bottle on the table one last time.
"No. They took (Y/N) by surprise; I knew they were coming." Tommy informed the group, making you and Finn side eye each other.
Why weren't you told that Tommy was going gallivanting in your backyard; with all guns blazing? You two could've helped, or hid.
"Just after Christmas I received a letter from Luca Changretta, offering to spare my son if I gave up Tommy. And I gave Tommy up." Polly said, making your eyebrows shoot up.
She was either very stupid or very brave to do that. You thought the latter.
"Because that was the plan that Polly and I agreed on," Tommy added, "I knew that Luca would want to pull that trigger himself, so I used the set up as bait to bring him in. (Y/N) just happen to be in the wrong place at the right time, and thank fuck she had a gun."
Finn squeezed your waist at this statement.
"Never again, I went in blind. I didn't know what the fuck was happening, or why, and I didn't know that building. Next time you need my help, you tell me beforehand," You warned Tommy, who nodded.
"You're a fucking idiot, Tom." Arthur said, sniffing and jerking around in his seat, the snow probably already taking its effect.
"Look, I didn't get Changretta, but I got two and (Y/N) got two, together we got four. All right? That's it, that's what happened." Tommy said in his 'that's final' voice.
Charles came into the room, and Tommy picked him up.
"Aye, but he's right. I mean, it thought you'd gone soft." Johnny Doggs said, standing up from the table and chuckling, "So you got two? And the lass did too?"
"Yeah, I got three. She only needed one shot each, fucking good aim on her." Tommy said, adjusting his son on his hip.
"Well, I'll drink to you, Tom, you mad bastard. And to you, (Y/N), for your services." Charlie said, raising his glass.
"You make it sound like I'm a whore." You said blankly, making Lizzie chuckle, "No offence, Lizzie."
A laugh went around the room, Finn pulling you in so you were leaning against his body.
"Pretty soon, you are gonna get the shakes when your blood cools down. Now, let's go get a drink," Arthur said to his brother.
"Dad, you got four what?" Charles asked, a big grin on his face.
"I got four shillings for a three-shilling horse." Tommy stated, making you chuckle, "Now, my boy, you come with us, huh?"
You watched as all of the men walked out of the room, bar your husband.
"You going to drink with them?" You asked Finn, who shook his head, "I've got whiskey here."
You hummed in agreement, watching carefully as he poured you a glass, and topped his up. You missed the knowing look that the women down the other end of the table shared.
§§§
Ooof long chapter lol
I have a personal Tumblr blog where I post my photography if you all are interested in keeping up with me, I only started using it today tho lol (I also plan on posting other stuff too lol but I'm new to Tumblr so eh)
@naiwillalwaysloveyou
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 16
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 4
Part 1
MASTERLIST
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping, Saoirse giggling and a dog barking.
I looked over at you, you were still asleep, hair still the way I adjusted it last night. You looked peaceful and calm, a big contrast to your sour ways during the day. Most of all, you looked at home. I felt a pang deep in my chest as I realised you would probably never think of a house as home, just like Esme. Maybe you could visit your family and stay with them whenever they came through, if Tommy allowed.
I rolled over and pulled the curtain back a tiny bit, revealing the early morning light filtering through the window above the bench, lighting the caravan and making it feel even more homely. This was the earliest I had woken up in months but the first time in a long time that I'd felt well rested.
I felt you move, so I looked back over to you. You had shifted so you were leaning back on your forearms, now awake.
"Morning," I greeted you quietly, letting go of the curtain, sending the bedroom part into darkness once more.
"Morning," You mumbled, bringing one hand up to rub the sleep out of your eyes, "Have a good sleep, Shelby?"
"Yeah, yeah I did," I admitted as you crawled out from under the blankets and took the blue blanket off of your window.
"I'm an early riser and I'm going to take my dog for one last walk before I go anywhere near your family, I'm not going to babysit you so do what you please until I come back," You stated as you clambered over me, exiting the bed altogether.
I heard you hiss as your feet hit the wooden floor of the caravan.
"Can I come?" I asked, throwing back the pile of blankets and sitting up, pushing the curtains to the side to look at you.
"If you want," You said, pulling on your boots then tucking your hair behind your ears.
You reached over and touched my coat, then drew your arm back as if you had just touched a pile of shit.
"Is that your coat?" You asked, looking around the van for yours.
I nodded as I jumped down and grabbed my boots, pulling them on and double knotting the laces as you wove yellow ribbon through yours. I picked up my coat and shrugged it on, finding your coat under mine.
"No wonder the sleeves kept on covering my hands, then," You murmured as I handed you the brown item of clothing wordlessly, and watched as you drew it around yourself, buttoning it up to the very top button, then pulling your hair out from under it.
"Look out," You commanded , nudging me out of the way.
I sat on the bench as you opened a cupboard under your bed and grabbed a hairbrush, quickly running it through your hair until it was knot-free, then carefully placing the wooden item onto the shelf once more, closing the cupboard door.
"Let's go," You instructed, leading me out of the caravan.
I touched the door jamb as I exited, grabbing the brass handle on your door and swinging it shut behind us.
Your siblings and your father were already up around the fire.
"Tuck! My boy!" You said joyfully as a brown and white dog came barrelling over to you, barking happily as you crouched to the ground, scratching behind his ears.
I tried to figure out where I had seen a dog like yours before, and it clicked; John had some of the same breed. He even let me name one.
I felt a lump form in my throat as my eyes welled with tears. I quickly brought my hand up to wipe my eyes, my ring feeling cold against my face.
"Shelby? What's wrong?" You asked, standing back up, one hand still on Tuck.
I shook my head. If I started talking I'd cry, and you seemed like the type of person to sit there and laugh if I did.
You pursed your lips, shifting your weight from foot to foot, "You should sit over near the fire, get some food into you. They'll take care of you."
I nodded, knowing if I talked my voice would fail me. You told Tuck to stay, and grabbed my sleeve, leading me over to the fire, to a seat next to Esmeralda, Saoirse sitting on the ground in front of her as Esmeralda checked her hair for lice. Bonnie was frying some eggs and bacon, thick slices of bread on a tray next to him. Aberama was pouring some tea into a mug.
"Take care of him, I'm taking Tuck for a walk." You commanded.
Saoirse nodded rapidly, her hair bouncing up and down.
"Alright — Bonnie, scramble me some eggs and cook a piece of bacon for Tuck!" You called out over your shoulder as you spun on your heel and went, Tuck trotting happily next to you.
I pulled my sleeve over my hand and roughly wiped my face again as I sniffled. How could a dog have me sitting here crying, in front of Tommy's business partners no less?
"Are you okay, Shelby?" Saoirse asked, fiddling with the hem of her skirt as she looked up at me with her big, doe-like brown eyes.
"It's Finn, don't be like (Y/N)!" Esmeralda scolded the smaller girl, smacking her on the shoulder.
I chuckled at the statement as the smaller girl mumbled a 'sorry, Finn'.
"Here, boy, get this tea into you," Aberama said, making me look over at him.
He offered me the mug he just poured. I took it, nodding in thanks.
"John — He had some dogs like Tuck," I explained, the words sounding like sandpaper.
Aberama nodded, clapping a hand on my shoulder. I took a sip of the tea, savouring how sweet it was before swallowing.
"Do you want some scrambled eggs?" Bonnie asked as he cracked two eggs into a bowl, mixing them together with a fork.
I nodded, and he added another two eggs into the bowl, as well as some milk, making sure to mix it thoroughly.
It would've been nice if the girl who was going to become my wife was here to comfort me.
I took another sip of tea, trying to wash away the lump in my throat with it, but instead of sweet, it now tasted bitter.
•••
You and I were now sitting in my house, back in Watery Lane. Aberama and Bonnie had bought us into town with a caravan, as they were heading to Charlie's yard. I had calmed down, but was sure I had a splotchy face.
You had picked out a bedroom for yourself, the one across from mine, saying you weren't keen on sleeping in the same bed as me ever again.
I checked my face in the mirror, making sure I didn't look like I was crying, and put on my cap, ready to go down to the betting shop.
"Ready to meet the girls?" I asked you, looking at you in the reflection as you sat on the floor, chewing gum.
"Ready as I'll ever be," You stated, hopping up.
You clasped your hands together behind your body, and shifted from foot to foot.
"Do I — Do I look okay?" You asked unsurely, looking down at the floor, then up at me.
I opened my mouth to reply, but got cut off by a gunshot ringing out.
"You look fine, they'll all love you more than they do Arthur's wife, stay inside," I commanded, opening the front door and locking it behind me.
Tommy came out of his house, looking bewildered, gun in hand, "Finn?"
"It came from Arthur's house," I told him, making him run to our older brother's front door.
He slammed his palm on the door repeatedly, then stepped back, "Arthur!"
He waited for a few seconds, then did it again.
Linda opened the door.
"Where is he?" Tommy asked, not waiting for an answer as he shoved past the blonde woman.
I waited, then Tommy re-emerged from the house.
"Arthur's not going to work today, he's sick, you're in charge of the betting den. Take (Y/N) with you, think of this as a bonding experience." He informed me, walking back to his house as if nothing happened.
I spun on my heel and went back to my house, unlocking it. You were nowhere to be seen.
"(Y/N)?" I called out, making you poke your head down from upstairs. "Everything's fine, let's go."
You nodded, and came down, walking past me and into the street.
"I think I would've been safer in my caravan than here," You grumbled, wrapping your coat tightly around you and tucking your hair behind your ears.
"No harm will come to you on Watery Lane, especially when I'm here — we're partners and we need to look after each other," I assured you, making you nod.
If you got killed then the deal would go tits up and I firmly believe that Aberama would turn his men against us and kill us.
"Now — for my sake and yours, we should try to be civil around the women — they're a lot harder on people than the men and won't hesitate to tear us to bits, yeah?" I said, closing the door behind me.
"Yeah — But sometimes I'm not nice and I can't help it," You admitted, putting your hands in your pocket.
"If it's warranted, I'll try to defend it." I stated, thinking about your outburst at the Garrison.
We walked in silence to the den, where I tried the door, and it swung open. I tsked and walked in, you hot on my heels.
"The rule is that door should always remain locked until 9:00am." I announced, leading you to sit down in Tommy's office.
"Right. Boy. Boy, where are you going?" Polly asked, stopping me in my tracks.
I stopped and spun around, putting a hand on your waist and guiding you around me, "Well, Arthur's not coming in today. He's taking the day off. So..."
"So what?" Lizzie asked, arms crossed.
"So, today, Tommy said that I'm in charge." I announced, matter-of-fact.
I could hear you snickering behind me, but you quickly hid it with a cough. I squeezed your waist, hoping you'd get the message and stay silent.
"Sorry, you're in charge?" Polly asked unbelievingly.
"Yeah. That's what he said." I reiterated, feeling warmth in my chest.
He actually trusted me with this.
Polly unplugged her phone and marched it over to Linda, "All right, sweetheart."
She then strutted over to stand in front of me.
"Ladies, let's give our boss a first day that he'll never forget." Polly said, adjusting my tie and grinning, peeking around me to wink at you, making you giggle.
I rolled my eyes and guided you to stand next to me, "This is (Y/N) Gold, my soon to be wife."
"Charmed," Linda said, turning back to her desk and fixing things up.
"Polly Gray, and that's Linda," Polly said, extending a hand for you to shake.
You nodded in acknowledgment, "Birdie Boswell's daughter, I've heard the tales. You'll have to forgive me, I don't do touching."
Polly retracted her hand, unfazed, "Aberama did mention that."
I dropped my hand from your waist at that comment. No one mentioned it to me.
"Lizzie Stark," Lizzie said, waving with a small, polite grin.
"Pleased to meet you all," You said, then smiled a sickeningly sweet smile, "I especially enjoyed Linda's warm welcome."
"I'll give you a tour of the place," I said hurriedly, wanting to move you before you got more snippy and an argument started.
"Come on, Finn, let us get to know her!" Lizzie protested, leaning against Linda's desk.
"You can do it at the wedding," I pointed out, making Poll roll her eyes.
"Yeah, you'll be too busy wanting to jump each other's bones for us to talk to her then." Poll replied, chuckling as she lit up a cigarette.
"I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole," You protested stiffly, screwing up your face.
"It's a natural thing to do, don't be scared," Linda said, turning in her seat to face us, a shitstirring grin on her holier than thou face.
"I'm not scared, I know what it's like," You snapped, sending my eyebrows up in shock, "And I'm fairly sure someone as high standing as Finn Shelby would know the pleasures of a woman, right, Shelby?"
You looked up at me, and my face went red.
"I, uh—" I stumbled over my words, feeling stupid under everyone's gaze.
"He's not been with a girl!" Poll crowed, clapping her hands, "Oh, little Finn's a virgin! (Y/N), dear, you're going to have to show him the ropes!"
It was at this comment that I turned around, ready to go to Tommy's office, not caring if you were following me or not. It seemed like today you were going to bond with the girls more than me.
"If you're that upset about it Finn I'm sure (Y/N) wouldn't mind spending some alone time with you before the wedding," I heard Linda tease, making the other girls giggle.
That was the last sound I heard before I shut the door behind me. So much for Tommy's orders for us to bond.
§§§
Lolll I love Polly stirring people up so much
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 5
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 34
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You, the rest of the Golds, the Jesuses, the Shelbys, and Johnny Doggs' tribe were all in the dining hall of Arrow House, eating lunch. Tommy was hosting a Christmas lunch, and everyone stayed over the night before. The kids had all opened the present at the crack of dawn. You and Finn still had a handful of presents for Saoirse to open when you got home.
She had opened a few at Arrow House, her favourite one so far a kaleidoscope. She loved bright colours.
"Nice nails, there Finny boy," Arthur snickered, looking at his brother's purple nails.
Finn flushed but continued scooping potato salad onto the plate for Saoirse, who was fiddling with her new kaleidoscope, looking at the lights with it. You watched your sister as she looked up at the ceiling, and giggled at how the lights made the mosaic of colours all the more vivid. Saoirse heard Arthur's remark, and wasted no time narrowing her eyes at Arthur from across the table, and tightened her grip on her kaleidoscope. You snatched it out of her hand, knowing she was most likely to throw it at Arthur's head.
The older man shifted uncomfortably. At eight (and one month and a bit), your sister had already mastered many stares. The one she was giving Arthur now was her death stare. It even made Polly and Tommy uncomfortable sometimes.
"Can I help you?" He asked, sounding slightly disturbed.
You glanced at Finn, who gave a shrug after he placed your sister's plate in front of her.
"You think Finn's nails are funny," Saoirse replied in a matter of factly tone, a tone that gave no room for questioning.
Arthur moved in his seat, sitting himself up straighter than he was before. You resisted the urge to snicker at his discomfort. Finn was now biting his fist to try not to laugh.
"Well yes," Arthur said, moving his hand as he talked, "Us Shelby men think painted nails are for girls."
"They were done by a girl," Saoirse said shortly, obviously not impressed with Arthur, "My other best friend, Daisy. And she's better than all of you Shelby men combined, and worth her weight in gold."
You bit back a snort and rattled your sister's kaleidoscope, making her look at it and grab it back off of you, proceeding to look down at her plate of food with it.
Arthur cleared his throat, spearing a piece of his potato salad with his fork, and nodded.
"Fair enough, I believe ya," He replied, and Saoirse nodded, then had some of her own macaroni and cheese.
That was another trait of Arthur's you admired. He never spoke to children like they were stupid, and took their words into account. A trait that not many people possessed.
You knew Saoirse liked it. She would always complain about Linda, who treated her and Karl like they were still five, but you understood Linda's perspective as well.
You pushed the thought away as you had some of your own macaroni and cheese. An odd choice for Christmas lunch, but Charles was going through a phase where he wanted it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so he requested a dish of it be made. Lizzie told you that it was driving her mad, and if anyone offered her the dish in future she'd shove the dish and spoon they were serving the food with up the person's arse.
You ate the rest of your lunch without anyone making any remarks about Finn's nails, then got ready to leave, saying your see you laters to everyone. Finn got a maid to go and grab the containers of food he had put away, and you ushered Saoirse to the car, her presents already been put in the trunk and backseat by a butler.
You were dreading the drive home. You had to go the long way to go back home, because the road from Birmingham to your house was flooded and boggy. Damn unsealed roads.
The drive was going to take a couple of hours, and you weren't keen on driving it because you had such a long day already. You knew that you had to go home, however, you didn't want the roads to be closed and for you to be stuck away from your house. You were grateful that Tommy had given your family food from the lunch to have for dinner, saving you having to make a meal from scratch.
You looked at your sister in the rear view mirror, who was looking at the rain covered window through her kaleidoscope, and the corners of your lips turned up.
Finn placed a hand on your knee and squeezed it. You jumped slightly at the temperature difference between his hand and his wedding band, but as you relaxed yourself into the seat, listening to the rain pattering on the windows of the car and your sister's humming, you felt entirely at home.
The car ride wasn't as bad as you thought it would be. You got home in one piece, which was good, and ate your dinner, which was even better. Now you were in Saoirse's room, sitting on her bench with your husband softly swaying back and forth, watching her as she sluggishly played with her toys. Finn placed his glass of whiskey down in between the pair of you.
"I'll go run the shower for her," Finn told you, getting up from the bench.
You hummed and moved to pick out Saoirse's bedclothes, and stoke the fire. You were the first person to have a shower, having one as soon as you got home. You could hear the shower turn on, so you grabbed Saoirse's hairbrush and undid her braids; then pulled her hair up on top of her head in a bun. Finn came back and leaned in against the doorframe, arms crossed against his chest, watching you and your sister.
"Don't wet your hair," You told your sister, who nodded as she stood up, taking her bedclothes in hand and heading to the bathroom.
"I have a present for you," You informed your husband, picking up his glass of whiskey and crossing the room to meet him.
He moved to grab his glass from you, and you held it out behind you, raising your eyebrows. Finn cocked an eyebrow, and you tapped your lips with the pointer finger of your free hand, making him roll his eyes at your antics, but still lean down and place a kiss on your lips.
"That wasn't so hard, wasn't it?" You asked you husband teasingly, handing him back his glass.
The corners of his lips quirked up as he chuckled at you, then followed you to your shared bedroom, where you got a present out of the drawer of your vanity.
"Merry Christmas, Finn darling," You said with a soft smile upon your lips.
Finn came over to you, throwing back the last of his whiskey as he walked, then placed the empty glass on your vanity, taking the present into his hands and ripping it open. He opened the box, and there was a gold watch. He took it out of its box, and inspected it. He turned it over in his hands, and saw that on the back was an inscription;
'For Finn.
I will keep loving you even
after this watch stops ticking.
Always and Forever, (Y/N)'
"It's from Cartier. Do you like it?" You asked your husband, shifting from foot to foot, watching him as he rubbed his thumb gently over the inscription.
"I love it," He answered honestly as he put it on, "The inscription, it's really nice. Thoughtful. Endearing."
You felt your cheeks warm at his words. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"It fits perfectly. How the fuck did you know my wrist measurements?" Finn questioned, and you gave him an all knowing look.
"It came to me in a vision whispered upon the winds of secrets," You answered dramatically as you went and sat on the ottoman.
Finn gave you a look that told you that he didn't believe your obvious lie.
"You sleep like the fucking dead. I measured your wrist while you were sleeping, there." You admitted, and Finn started chuckling as he headed into the walk in wardrobe, and grabbed a bag from the top shelf, right at the back.
He had hidden it there because he knew you were too short to reach it there.
"Finn, if it's not fragile, throw," You requested, holding your hand out, ready to catch it.
You were forever impatient when it came to gifts.
Your husband obeyed your request, tossing it to you, offering you a 'nice catch' when you caught it. You knew just by the blue colour of the bag, without even looking at the writing on the front of it that it was Tiffany & Co.
You opened the bag, and found a box inside it. You took it out of the bag, and opened it, finding a silver charm bracelet, and a note.
You looked at the note first, instantly recognising Finn's handwriting.
'To (Y/N)
My friend, my love, my partner, my wife — I'm forever grateful that I have you in my life.
I love you, Always and Forever.
- Finn'
You 'awwed', and looked at the charm bracelet. It was silver. You were glad. You preferred silver jewellery. The charms were coloured, though. A bee, yellow and black, a tiger, orange and black, a green turtle, a blue butterfly, the letter 'A', which was gold, a red rose, a grey cat, a brown and white dog, an onion, and a silver 'F'.
A bee for you. A tiger for Bonnie. A turtle for Esmeralda. A butterfly for Saoirse. 'A' for Aberama. A rose for Rose. A cat for Finn Junior. A dog for Tuck. An onion for you (you snorted at this). And finally, 'F' for Finn.
"It's gorgeous, Finn I love it." You murmured, scared of being loud in case your voice cracked.
You looked up at your husband, who was surprised to tears welling in your eyes. He quickly moved to kneel in front of you.
"I'm fine. Just emotional," You said, then chuckled.
Finn chuckled along with you, helping you put the bracelet and note back into the bag, ready for you to wear tomorrow. You yawned and stumbled into the walk in, changing for bed, then staggered to bed, crawling under the covers, your husband following suit.
"I love you," You mumbled to your husband as a goodnight, eyes already shut as you made yourself comfortable.
"I love you too," Finn murmured, reaching out to touch you before succumbing to sleep.
•••
New Year's Eve. A spectacular occasion, one your family celebrated like no other. They pulled out all of the stops. The Fury family also joined in your celebration this time round, something you loved. You rarely got to see that side of your family. And fucking hell, if you thought that the Golds knew how to party, you obviously had never partied with the Fury family.
Finn had had a good time, so far, part of which he was pinning on the green leaf he had smoked in a glass pipe with Bonnie and Aberama earlier on in the night. That and all of the short, electric touched and charged stares you and him had been giving each other all night were entwining inside of him and building up to something unbearable.
Finn looked at you through the flickering flames of the bonfire in front of him. You looked different. A good kind. You had your hair done up high in a messy bun, showing off your new ear piercings. Your nose piercing flickered in the light of the fire. Finn's eyes wondered downwards, to the dress you had on. It was a deep, dull red, and came off the shoulder, showing off your shoulders and a great expanse of chest, as well as some cleavage. You looked divine.
You reached up and let your hair down, the Fury girls either side of you helping make sure it looked okay as you took a swig of the bottle in your hand. One of the girls whispered something to you as she sat back down, and you looked over at him, and winked, then went back to talking to her, laughing at whatever she said before. He watched your lips as they moved, and found himself licking his own.
Finn could feel the heat pool in his gut, his ruddy cheeks flushing a deeper red. He wanted you. He stood up abruptly, giving the bottle he was nursing to the person next to him, and making his way over to you. You noticed this, and nearly tripped over your own feet getting up and rushing around the bonfire to your husband.
"(Y/N)," He said, placing a hand on your arm.
You shivered at the contact, and looked up into your husband's dark eyes.
"You've been staring at me all night like that, Finn," You murmured, then looked away, trying to rid you head of the thoughts you were having whilst you were in company.
"Because I want you," He breathed in reply, making you snap your head back to look at him, eyes wide.
You looped your finger through the loop of his jeans and dragged him away from camp, back towards your house. As he stumbled along, Finn could hear someone say that they only had a minute of this year to go.
Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight.
You stopped, and Finn took that as his chance to push you up against a tree, lips connecting with yours, hands exploring your body over your clothes. You wasted no time letting your hands wander over his body.
"Finn, what if people find us?" You gasped, and he leaned down to nip at your neck.
Thirty-seven, thirty-six, thirty-five.
"Let them," He said simply, breath hot against your flesh, feeling painfully in the moment.
"What a way to start the new year," You mused as you helped him out of his shirt.
Twenty-one, twenty, nineteen.
As the people in your camp reached zero, you and Finn were already tangled up in each other, the worry of someone discovering the pair of you far gone.
•••
Bonnie walked into your house, head still pounding. He was coming to tell you that breakfast was ready, even though it was closer to lunch than sunrise.
The dogs barked at him, making him wine. He grabbed the dog food out of the pantry and poured it into each of their bowls, and did the same with the cat and his cat food, then put the food away and continued his task of finding you and Finn.
He made it up the stairs without falling back down them, a feat he was proud of his still drunk self for doing, and used the wall as support as he made his way to your bedroom door.
He opened it, and was surprised to see your clothes, as well as your husbands, discarded on the floor around the room.
He looked over at your bed, and saw the bruises littering Finn's chest, and snickered, closed the door back up, knocking on it. He listened carefully, and heard some shuffling in the room, then your voice, then Finn's.
He waited a few beats, then the door was opened, a half dressed Finn standing there, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Breakfast is ready back at camp." Bonnie said simply, then flicked his eyes down to Finn's chest, "You might want to put a shirt on before you come down, through."
Finn flushed and nodded, shutting the door, then Bonnie spun on his heels and went down the hallway, snickering to himself.
§§§
Okay I have a VERY important question for you dear readers that I would please like a few people to answer; since the reader and Finn are going to have babies, I would like you guys to help me pick out the baby names lol.
Which baby names do you prefer? (Please either reply or send me a message or something lol)
First child:
Finneas
Finch
Finley
Second child:
Isaac
Elijah/Eli
Ezra
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@im-your-possession
@bethabear12
@paisley-37
@shelundeadxxxx
@bluehairdie
@krillfromsky
@cucumberfingefsandwiches
Part 35
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 27
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You adjusted the dish filled with sweets on your coffee table for what felt like the millionth time as you waited, Finn pacing back and forth in front of the door.
The cat even looked agitated, kneading at his pillow impatiently.
A knock sounded upon the door, and you flew up, walking over to the door, Finn already opening it.
There stood Tatiana, who you assumed was Tatiana's husband; Trevor, and John's six kids, each of them, bar the baby on the oldest one's hip, carrying a rucksack.
Esme was pregnant with his seventh and last, soon to give birth. You had a dream that her and Lizzie went into labour on the same day, Lizzie having Ruby and her having a little boy named George the day after. You hoped it was a vision and not just a dream.
"Uncle Finn!" One of the older ones said as she ran up to him, hugging him.
The rest followed suit. The two adults stepped through the door, and you told them to make themselves comfortable, going and putting on the kettle. They went and sat at your new dining table, one that was big enough to accommodate you, Finn, and the six kids, not that Sophie would need her own seat, you and Finn would probably sit her on your laps.
"This is my wife, (Y/N)," Finn introduced you to the kids, "And this is our cat, Finn Junior."
You waved and gave them what you hoped was a motherly grin as you hurried over and grabbed the dish from the coffee table, holding it out for one of the children to take.
One of the younger ones came and took it, uttering a 'thank you.'
"I'm Katie, and this is Colin, Mary, Lachlan — Lockie, John Junior — JJ, and baby Sophie," Katie said, then nudged the baby on her hip, waving towards you.
The baby grinned and did a hand clenching and unclenching wave, making you chuckle.
"Does your cat scratch?" Mary asked as she walked over to Finn Junior.
"Only when he needs too, if he starts to walk away from you that's a good sign he wants to be left alone." You advised, going back over and helping Finn make the cups of tea, one cup of coffee for Trevor, and carry them over to the dining table, then sitting down next to your husband.
Trevor had taken the head of the table, with Tatiana to his right, and you and Finn to his left. It was a smart move, taking the head. To you, that was where the host or the person with the most power in a situation sat. Trevor definitely had the authority here.
"Your beds are in the last room down the hall on the right, me and (Y/N) have made up baskets with your names on them full of fun stuff, she evens knitted you all a sweater each," Finn informed the kids.
They all rushed down the hall to go check it out, followed by the cat.
They'd be sleeping in Finn's room, on his bed and the two trundles. Most of his bedroom floor was taken up by the beds, but he didn't mind, not if he got to see his nephews and nieces again. It had a plus side too; he'd get to sleep with you. He usually did, but this would be different. He had an excuse not to sleep in his own bed. He liked sleeping in yours, getting to wake up to you in the mornings.
"So. Esme has rules for her kids staying here," Trevor began, making you and Finn nod.
"Rule number one, also the only rule, no other Shelby family adults coming to see them, especially not Thomas Shelby. The kids, their cousins, can, but not the adults." He announced.
Finn sighed, but nodded. Annoying rules, but at least the kids were here. Maybe, if this visit went well, you'd be able to get the kids again.
"How has Esme been?" You asked, wanting to move the conversation so the atmosphere wouldn't become stuffy due to uncomfortable conversation.
"Good," Trevor replied, leaning back into chair, making himself comfortable, "She's due with the baby soon."
"I had a dream about the baby. She'll have a boy, with curly brown hair and blue eyes. Shelby eyes." You replied, making Finn freeze.
This didn't go unnoticed by you, who easily shifted your teacup into your other hand, taking a sip, and with your free hand sitting it just above your husband's knee and rubbing his leg reassuringly.
Trevor nodded, unperturbed as he drunk his own coffee.
"How does it feel? To be married to someone you don't love?" Trevor asked, making Tatiana choke on her tea at the lack of tact her husband had.
You quickly moved around the table to help your cousin, but Trevor just looked between the pair of you, brown eyes unforgiving.
"We don't hate each other anymore, so it's easier." You replied as you stepped back around the table and settled back into your chair, drinking the last of your tea in one go.
"But it was a nasty thing of our families to do." Finn added, taking the first sip of his own.
Trevor smirked, "I wouldn't expect anything from a Gold. Marrying his children off into a diddicoy family."
You squeezed Finn's thigh, a sign for him to stay silent. You knew if you took the bait Trevor would pack up the kids and take them away just as quickly as he brought them here.
"It was only so she didn't end up with the likes of your younger brother," Tatiana shot back gently, reaching up and pinching her husband's ear playfully, making you and Finn's eyebrows rise up.
It was news to him, and to you. But, it made sense. If your father didn't want Bonnie to be successful so badly, then maybe you'd be married to one of the Lees to quell the fighting going on between your families. Or maybe a Fury boy, to tighten alliances. Hell, you swung both ways, maybe your father would send you off with a girl from either families. But, as you sat next to your husband, you were glad that you ended up with him.
You weren't stupid. You knew your dad was going to marry you off someday, like he was trying to do with Ezzie. You were women, expected to go settle down soon. If anything, Ezzie was overdue to settle down. Bonnie and your father were lucky. They were men. They got to do whatever they wanted.
"You've broken his heart, you know," Trevor mused, a smirk playing upon his face, "But, I suppose, with the way you and your husband oh so dearly love each other, I can forgive you."
You chuckled, and internally cheered. You won this round. He saw you and Finn as acquaintances, rather than annoyances for taking away his little cousins. For that, you were thankful.
The kids came back out with their baskets, talking amongst themselves. Finn hurriedly drank the last of his tea and went over to them, grabbing Sophie off of Katie and grabbing a toy out of Sophie's basket, showing it to her.
You watched at how your husband effortlessly interacted with the kids, and wondered; would that be him and your kids one day? Would you have kids one day?
"How's Bonnie's boxing going?" Tatiana asked you, making you look back at her.
"Oh, it's going well. Thomas and Arthur, they're good at promoting him," You answered, sounding far away, and Tatiana kicked your foot under the table, raising her eyebrows.
You were flustered. Six new kids in your house, ones that you only just met. And, to top it all off, you had to make a good impression on them. They were Finn's family. You knew he cared for his nephews and nieces much more than he cared for his brothers and sister, so you had to make a good impression. You didn't want to think about what would happen if they didn't like you.
You heard a knock on the door again, and got up, hurrying over to it, opening it.
Karl, Saoirse, Charlie, and Billy were there, with Jenica.
"Just came to drop these four off," Jenica said before the kids pushed past you and entered your apartment.
"The wife and I will be off then," Trevor said, making you spin back around to see him rinsing his and Tatiana's cups.
Tatiana came over and embraced you, saying see you later. Trevor told the kids that he would be going, but the kids barely even looked at him. He and Tatiana left your apartment, shutting the door behind them. They would be staying at Jenica's for the weekend, just in case anything happens to the kids.
You went and stood by the open living room window, looking out of it and breathing in the fresh air. Finn noticed the bothered look on your face and came over.
"What's wrong, love?" He asked quietly, making you turn and face him.
"It's just sort of — stifled in here. We've only a small apartment, Finn. And — what if the kids don't like me?" You said, lowering your voice at the last part.
Finn chuckled, making you frown.
"(Y/N), they'll love you. They'd be mad not to." He reassured, and Sophie reached out towards you, wanting to be held by you.
You grabbed the baby, and she clapped her hands in glee, then leaned up and gave you a kiss on the cheek, making you giggle.
"See? One down, five to go." Finn said, putting a hand on your upper arm and leaning down and placing a kiss on your forehead, then rubbing your arm comfortingly.
"(Y/N)! Mary and Katie want to know if you'll braid their hair!" Saoirse called out, "And I want you to do mine too!"
You looked over at the girls, who quickly looked away.
"Of course I'll braid your hair, do you girls have brushes?" You replied, going and sitting down on the couch.
"Katie packed them," Mary said, making Katie look at her funny.
"No, you said you were because I was finding Sophie's shoes!" Katie pointed out, making Mary frown, but nod.
"No worry, we'll buy a brush later for you two if you wish it," You said, waving your hand in a 'don't worry about it' motion, "Sersh, go and get my brush, comb, hair tied, and ribbons off of my vanity please."
Your sister nodded, running down the hall.
"Have you lot had lunch yet?" You asked Katie, who shook her head.
"Well, after I do your hair, how about we go and have a picnic at the park?" You suggested, and the children cheered.
"Can we bake cakes and take them with us?" John Junior questioned, momentarily looking away from his new toy horse.
"Of course we can, let's go pick some cake mixes." Finn answered, picking the boy up and carrying him to the kitchen.
Saoirse came back with everything you asked for, and placed them next to your feet.
"Me first!" Katie shouted, sitting on the floor between your legs.
"My hair's a bit knotty," She added as an afterthought, "I had my hair down and it was windy."
As you gently undid her bun, you could see that her hair, was, in fact, very knotty. You grabbed your brush and started at the very ends of her hair, grabbing her hair at the nape of her neck to make sure you dragging the brush through her hair wouldn't pull her head back too much. You slowly worked your way up, making sure to not hurt her scalp as you finished detangling her hair, then parted it down the middle.
"Do you want a normal braid or a reverse braid?" You questioned, and she shrugged.
"I'll give you reverse braids; grab the jar and pick out ribbons for me to tie your hair with at the end." You instructed softly as you used the rat tail comb to help section her hair.
Finn watched you as you did the three girls' hair with patient, feather soft touches, and felt his heart flutter. He felt lucky to have you, with all of your kindness and patience, as his wife.
•••
You now sat in the park, watching the older children run around. Soon you would all be going down to the netball courts so you could play netball. The kids were keen to see you play. Colin loved netball, apparently. Katie had just finished painting your nails, they were now covered in black polish. Billy and Sophie were sat on the blanket with you and Finn, playing with their toys. Charlie and John Junior were on the edge of the blanket, petting a very content Finn Junior. Sophie was dressed in her pretty pink sweater that you had knitted for it, the pink complimenting her brown hair and light brown eyes. You were leaned back on your palms, and Finn was laid down with his head on your thigh.
You felt good. Today had been a good day. You watched Finn's nephews and nieces, along with your sister, as they kicked Karl's soccer ball around. The sun was out, but it wasn't overly hot. Just warm. Nice. You tilted your head skywards, closing your eyes so you weren't momentarily blinded by the sun, feeling the warmth hitting your face. It felt good. You listened to the sound of the kids running around, the babies babbling to each other, the boys petting your purring cat, your husband's soft humming, and smiled. A very good day indeed. You felt content, and this contentment was one of the ones that you felt right down in your soul.
"(Y/N)?" You heard a voice that you identified as Lockie's, making you open your eyes and look at the boy who was stood before you.
"Yes, my dear?" You replied, watching as he shifted from foot to foot.
He looked back over to the other children, who had momentarily stopped their game to watch him.
"Go on then!" Colin encouraged his brother, making you feel slightly confused.
Locking looked back at you, and stopped shifting from foot to foot, now fiddling with the hem of his sweater, "Erm, can me and the others call you Aunty (Y/N)?"
You looked down at Finn, who nodded, then looked back at the nervous boy before you.
"You and the others can call me whatever you're comfortable with. (Y/N), (N/N), Aunty (Y/N), Aunty (N/N), Bee, Aunty Bee — As long as you don't feel forced to say it," You informed him gently.
He gave you a big grin, and you noticed a tooth missing from the bottom row. You were taken by surprise when he suddenly leaned down and hugged you, then ran back off to the others calling out 'She said yes!'
He checked his watch, then sat up, "Five minutes and we're going to watch (Y/N) play netball!"
Sophie came over and plopped herself down into your lap, followed by Billy. You cuddled the two and gave them kisses, feeling joyous.
Finn noticed your small smile as you looked back at the group. He was right. They did love you, but nowhere near as much as he did.
§§§
you guys aren't even ready for chapter thirty lmaooo a lot happens there
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 28
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@im-your-possession
@bethabear12
@paisley-37
@shelundeadxxxx
@bluehairdie
@krillfromsky
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 39
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You sat at your dining table, listening to the noise coming from inside as Finn, Saoirse, Daisy, Karl, Aberama, Bonnie, Isiah, and Oscar all worked together to cook breakfast — brunch, now, you mused as you looked at your watch.
It was Mother's Day today, and Finn and Saoirse were originally going to cook just you breakfast, but then Saoirse wanted to cook something for Ezzie, and Polly, and Ada, and Hilda. Jeremiah, who Isiah always celebrated Mother's Day and Father's Day with, was also invited. That was how that lot, as well as Isiah, Aberama, Karl, and Daisy ended up here. Saoirse then called Bonnie and demanded that he come and help cook or he wouldn't be a part of the family anymore (an empty threat, of course, but the cooking would feel incomplete without him). He ended up bringing Oscar, who was a welcomed addition.
You ended up taking the table outside so you could enjoy the weather, which wasn't all that bad at the moment.
You could hear your father instructing Saoirse on how to scramble the eggs properly. The smell drifted down to you and made you feel queasy, so you drank some of your ginger beer to fight it. This didn't go unnoticed by Polly, who poured you a cup of tea.
"Try some tea, love. Maybe it'll settle your stomach," She suggested, pushing the cup towards you.
You took it gratefully, sipping away.
"You're not reading my leaves, though," You warned the woman, seeing right through her antics.
She sighed, then looked at Esmeralda, who cocked an eyebrow as if to say 'I told you so'.
"What are you two on about?" You demanded, feeling terribly left out.
"Nothing," The two replied quickly, making it know that they were very much on about something.
"Oh, god, what's wrong with (Y/N)?" Ada questioned, knowing that the only time Polly read leaves was when someone had something big happening to them.
"Something's wrong with (Y/N)?" Hilda asked hurriedly, eyeing you worriedly.
"She looks fine," Jeremiah commented, sipping on his coffee as he read the newspaper, not even bothering to look at you or entertain the women's antics.
"Nothing's wrong with me!" You snapped, a bit louder than you should've, waking Finn Junior from his nap at your feet.
He yowled in protest, swiping at your ankles, making you yelp.
"Tell me what you two are going on about before I take your eyes out with a spoon," You threatened, narrowing your eyes at the pair sitting across from you.
Ezzie and Polly looked at each other, then back at you.
"I had a dream that you gave birth," Ezzie admitted, making you scoff.
"Your dreams are always hit-and-miss," You pointed out, she didn't always have dreams that came to be like you did.
You conveniently left out the fact that you also had a dream that you went into labour. It didn't feel like a prophetic dream. Just a normal dream. Wishful thinking. You knew the difference.
"And that is why I want to read your leaves," Polly added, making you huff as you tipped the remains of the cup out onto the ground, leaves and all, then slammed the cup back down onto the table, hard.
You were surprised that the cup didn't break.
The pair took that as a sign to take a step back. Hilda placed a hand on yours, and squeezed it comfortingly.
"If she was having a baby she would've told you all," Jeremiah pointed out, placing his newspaper down, not seeing any point to the women's nonsense.
You all sat tensely, waiting for brunch to be cooked and brought out.
"Is something burning?" Ada broke the thick silence, and you went to snap at her for saying something so ridiculous, but you soon smelled the scent yourself.
You all quickly looked back over at the house, and through the window you could see Finn, now rushing around with a smoking frying pan, everyone else in the kitchen laughing at him.
He left through the kitchen door, and after a few beats he appeared through the side door, rushing to the railing and throwing the burnt stuff onto the ground.
"What did you manage to burn, Finny boy?" Jeremiah called out to the boy, and Finn rolled his eyes.
"He burnt the onion!" Saoirse yelled out of the window, giggling.
"You shush, little miss," Finn commanded, pointing the frying pan at her, but grinned as she still giggled away.
"Finn, I was looking forward to having onion on my hamburger. Bee, divorce your husband," Ezzie joked, and you chuckled.
"I shall have to, the smell of burnt stuff stinks," You complained, screwing up your nose as you took a sip of your ginger beer.
"You know, they sort of look like you, (Y/N)," Finn said as he looked down at the burnt mess, then up at you.
"Finn Theo Shelby, stop comparing me to fucking onions! Push my buttons again and you're sleeping on the couch tonight," You said to your husband, narrowing your eyes at him, and the people around you started cackling.
"Love you," Finn threw over his shoulder before walking back inside.
•••
You all had a good brunch. Oscar and the kids had washed up and put away, and now you were all scattered around the house, either napping or relaxing. The kids were out on the play equipment with the cat and dogs.
You were stood in the kitchen with Ada, eating some leftover muffins, pencilling in Saoirse's next dentist appointment on the calendar. Ada came over and bumped you to the side, then started flipping around the calendar herself.
"What in the fuck are you looking for?" You asked her as she counted days, flipping back and forth between the pages.
"Couldn't find it, doesn't matter," She replied, and you rolled your eyes, downing the last of your drink.
"You right watching the kids? I feel tired," You said, and she nodded telling you to go and sleep and that she'd get the kids inside to colour so she could nap too.
You walked out to the hallway, and stuck your head through the doorway of the living room, where all of the couches were taken. Oscar and Bonnie were asleep on the couches in front of the fire. Hilda and Jeremiah were asleep on the couches surrounding the green rug.
You headed down the hallway to the smaller guest room, and stuck your head in the doorway there. Isiah and your sister were sound asleep, your sister snoring softly. You looked across the hall. Polly and Aberama.
You walked back down the hallway, into the living room and up the stairs, going down to your own room.
Finn was making himself comfortable in the bed, eyes half closed as he did so. You wasted no time kicking off your shoes and crawling into bed with him.
Finn quickly moved so he was flush against you, humming contentedly as you drifted off to dreamland, your husband not far behind you.
§§§
Chapter forty is next — it feels surreal to have a fanfic with such a high chapter count lmao
Also, honest question to you readers; Would you prefer me to follow the plot of the show and kill off Bonnie, or leave him alive?
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@im-your-possession
@bethabear12
@paisley-37
@shelundeadxxxx
@bluehairdie
@krillfromsky
@cucumberfingefsandwiches
Part 40
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 29
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
I fixed my hair for what had to have been the millionth time as Finn tied off Saoirse's braid. Today was her first proper day of school. Finn, Polly, and I would be taking her. Dad was off doing dirty work for Tommy, so he couldn't come. He would be back later today, though, and Saoirse and I would be sleeping at camp.
Her teacher, Miss Elliot, had picked out a buddy for Saoirse to play with for her first day. I hoped that the buddy would be nice. Saoirse could hold her own against other kids but she was never confident enough to do so in new environments.
"You look fine, (Y/N)," Finn sighed, and I rolled my eyes, turning to face the pair.
"You're only saying that because you're my husband," I said, and he shook his head, then nudged Saoirse.
"Tell her how pretty she looks, Sersh," Finn encouraged, making her turn around in her chair and grin up at him, then turn back to me.
"You look gorgeous and Finn is very lucky to be married to you," Saoirse said, deadpan, making him grin and rub her cheek with his knuckles affectionately, not wanting to mess up his handiwork.
"I am lucky to be married to (Y/N)," Finn agreed, making me blush.
"Shut up," I muttered, but a small smile crept onto my face, showing the pair that my words were good natured.
"Never," Finn and Saoirse said in unison, then looked at each other in surprise.
I chuckled at their antics, then looked at the clock. Polly would be here any minute now. I looked at the pair, and hummed in approval. They looked decent. I'd be damned if I wasn't going to make a good impression on her teacher. I didn't need her thinking that we were negligent.
Saoirse looked down at her feet and brought the tail of her braid over her shoulder, playing with it.
"(Y/N)," She began uneasily, looking up at me, "What if no one at school likes me?"
I open my mouth to tell her to not be silly, then shut it again.
"You'll be fine," Are the words I decide on, "There's a lot of different people there. You'll make a friend before the school day is out."
Saoirse nodded, still not looking sure, and Finn stepped up to talk.
"You have your buddy, too, remember Miss Elliott telling us the other day?" Finn asked, making her look up at him and nod wordlessly, "Well, your buddy probably already has loads of friends. Show them your juggling skills, or something. Juggling's pretty neat."
Finn had taught her to juggle a couple of days ago. She was a natural at it, juggling anything she could with ease. She juggled oranges while I tied her shoelaces this morning, Finn and I cheering her on.
"Juggling is impressive," Saoirse admitted, making Finn crack a small grin and rub his knuckles against her face softly once more.
He leaned down and positioned his mouth next to her ear, then put his hand in front of it so I couldn't see what he was telling her.
"And, if anyone bullies you, you just tell them that Finn Shelby will take their parents' eyes," Finn added in a faux whisper, making her giggle.
My jaw dropped as I looked at him incredulously.
"Finn Charles Shelby!" I shrieked as I crossed the room, and gave him a slap on the back, making him laugh as he stood back up.
"I'm just joking, love," He said, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close.
"Some fucking joke," I murmured as I laid my head on his chest, allowing him to hug me, wrapping my own arms around him.
Saoirse spun around in her chair, kneeling on it and resting her chin on the back of it, watching us. I felt some sense of déjà vu as I realised I had been in Saoirse's exact position years ago, watching Dad and Rose as they danced in my old kitchen. I had wanted a love like theirs. Any sane person would.
"You'll be fine, Sersh, honest," Finn comforted, "Every one of the Shelby children went to school there, even Michael — except me."
Saoirse nodded, looking slightly more confident than she was before.
"Why didn't you go to school?" Saoirse questioned, and I opened my mouth to scold her for her lack of tact.
"My mum had it hard by the time I was born. By the time I was school aged no one was focused on getting me to school, they had other stuff to focus on," Finn explained, making Saoirse nod.
"And my friend Hilda sends her daughter there, and she really, really, really loves her daughter, so she wouldn't send her daughter there if it was a bad school," I reasoned, head still on Finn's chest.
The door was knocked upon, making me call out, "Come in!"
The doorknob jiggled and the door swung open, revealing Polly. I stepped away from Finn, who grabbed my hand and squeezed it three times.
"Ready to go?" She asked, looking at Saoirse.
"Do I have to?" Saoirse replied quietly, making my heart break the tiniest bit.
"How about you try it for a week and if you don't like it we'll get you a governess?" I suggested, and Saoirse grinned, then nodded, picking up her rucksack from next to her feet as she stood up.
We all exited the apartment and walked along the balcony. My heels clicked against the ground as I walked. Saoirse was walking silently next to Polly, no skip in her step.
I looked at Finn worriedly, who squeezed my hand once more. It's fine.
I hummed in acknowledgment as we walked down the stairs, our shoes clanging against the metal. I hated that sound. It made me miss our Watery Lane house, because we never had that problem there.
Maybe Finn and I could get a bigger house somewhere down the line. Preferably one with at least three rooms, so Finn and I could share a room, and Saoirse could have one for herself, and we could have guest bedrooms.
I was snapped back to reality by Finn opening Polly's car door. I slid into the back with Saoirse, while Finn and Polly sat in the front. Polly stuck the key into the ignition, and started the car, then drove off, heading towards Saoirse's school.
Saoirse wiggled in her seat, looking out the window as we travelled down the road.
"You feeling excited?" Polly asked, catching Saoirse's eye in the rear view mirror.
"Sort of," Saoirse answered hesitantly, clutching her rucksack so tightly her knuckles turned white.
I leaned over and placed my hand over the pair of hers, making her loosen her grip.
"And remember, when you eat lunch, we all put notes in your lunchbox," Polly reminded her, making her grin.
Polly, Ezzie, Isiah, Bonnie, Finn, Karl, Dad and I had all put little good luck notes in her lunchbox. It was originally only going to be my family but I had wanted Karl to put one in for her, knowing she'd be gutted if he didn't, then Finn and Isiah put one each in to show Saoirse their support. I had no doubt that she would read Karl's note first, though. They had become fast friends, and were quite adorable together. He was coming to sleep over at our apartment on the weekend, to spend time with Finn and to help her settle in.
Polly finally parked the car in front of the school, and we all got out, Saoirse grabbing my hand when I walked around the car. I helped her put her rucksack onto her back instead of her holding it by the straps, then we all walked up to the gate, where Miss Elliott was standing with a familiar little brown haired girl.
I noticed some of the children stop what they were doing and look at us. Some even started whispering amongst themselves.
"Saoirse Fury-Gold! Hello and welcome to your first day at Small Heath Primary School," Miss Elliott greeted, far too cheery for half-past eight in the morning, "This is Daisy Wilkinson, she's going to be your buddy for the day."
Daisy waved at Saoirse, a big smile on her face. Saoirse waved back shyly.
"I like your dress, it's a pretty blue," Daisy said softly, and Saoirse grinned, all teeth.
"My Dad bought it for me," Saoirse replied, and Daisy's head bobbed up and down in acknowledgment.
"Want me to show you to our classroom so you can hang your rucksack up?" Daisy offered, and Saoirse nodded, then Daisy started walking, waving for Saoirse to follow.
Saoirse looked up at me, and I nudged her forward.
"Go on then," I encouraged, and she nodded, then ambled off after Daisy, who started chattering about what they were doing in class today.
"She's in good hands, don't you worry, she could make friends with a rock if she tried," Miss Elliott reassured after seeing Finn's worried expression.
"She'll be fine, that's Hilda's daughter," I informed Finn, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Netball Hilda?" He asked, and I nodded, making him make a noise of surprise.
"I play netball with Daisy's mum," I explained to Miss Elliott.
"I knew that," She admitted, "That's why I made Daisy her buddy. That and how friendly she is. I don't think there's a bad bone in her body."
I nodded, and relaxed my body slightly. Of course she'd choose a friendly person, she wouldn't put a child with a bully.
"We'll be off then, see you at three," Polly said, and I looked over at the playground.
Saoirse was already jumping rope with Daisy and another girl. She noticed us still standing there. I waved bye, and she waved back, then Daisy tapped her on the arm, saying something to her.
Finn grabbed my hand, squeezing it three times, then we walked back to the car.
•••
I cackled as I threw a King down on the pile, "You dickhead! So you were talking to these two girls and you didn't even bother to ask if they were related?"
I picked up a card, making sure I had three in my hand.
Dad threw down a ten, then pushed the pile to the side, then threw down a three, "Well I didn't find out they were related until I saw them at the fairground that night — one of them lived with their mother and the other lived with their father. Didn't help that they looked different."
He then picked up two cards, and Bonnie threw down a five.
"Bet you this taught you to ask who their parents were earlier on," Bonnie sniggered as he picked up a card, and Ezzie threw down a Jack.
"Sorry, Sersh," Ezzie said lazily as Saoirse scooped the pile up.
"(Y/N)'s my favourite sister anyway," Saoirse said, making Ezzie gasp.
I shoved Ezzie jokingly then threw down a four.
We were all in Bonnie's vardo, which was the biggest one in our little encampment. He had gotten Dad's old vardo after Rose passed away. Dad didn't want to sleep there anymore, so he and Bonnie swapped vardos.
We heard a wagon pull up outside and momentarily stopped our little game. Saoirse clambered up onto the bench to look out of the window and see who it was.
"It's Aunty Cass." She informed us, and Dad excused himself from his spot on the floor.
"Can I go and see her?" Saoirse asked, and Dad nodded.
"She's staying overnight, so you'll have all the time in the world to see her," Dad replied, but still let her walk out of the door first.
"We'll see her later, Pa." Ezzie said as she straightens up the cards.
Dad nodded, then walked out of the vardo, shutting the door behind him. I felt slightly bad about not going out there to see Dad's sister, but she could wait.
"So, how have you and Finn been after your date?" Bonnie asked, "I heard you had all of Esme Lee's kids over to visit the other weekend. Surely that's a good sign."
"She organised it," Ezzie cut in, making Bonnie grin.
They often asked me how I was with Finn because we were forced to marry, but as of late I've had no complaints about him.
"Shut up," I muttered, but felt a smile creep onto my own face, "Finn loved it. I loved it. It's starting to feel like we're an actual couple instead of two people being forced to marry. The only thing I don't like is our apartment. Feels too small for three people and a cat."
Bonnie and Ezzie nodded understandingly.
"Now, give us the juicy details, have you fucked him yet?" Ezzie asked, making me shriek her name and swat her on the arm, making her laugh uproariously.
"Well, have you?" Bonnie inquired, brown eyes wide with curiosity.
"I think it's a bit weird that you two are so invested in my sex life," I said stiffly, "But no. We haven't even kissed yet."
"How boring," Ezzie commented, and Bonnie hummed in agreement.
The fact that we haven't kissed yet was also annoying me.
"Hey!" I said, feeling outraged, "You probably haven't even shagged Isiah yet, and you don't even have a girl!"
"If Jeremiah knew what happened on his dining table, he'd burn it," Ezzie said simply, making my jaw drop.
"And who said I liked girls?" Bonnie joked, but quickly realised his mistake.
He stood up, ready to walk out the door but I dived and grabbed his ankle, making him stumble.
"What the fuck does that mean, Bon?" I demanded, making him flush.
"(Y/N), leave him," Ezzie scolded, but even I could see the confusion on her face. Bonnie yanked his ankle out of my grip, but I made no move to grab him again as he stood there, facing the door. I retracted my hand and brought it back to my side.
I watched him carefully as he stood there, most likely contemplating whether to leave or to stay.
"You don't have to tell us if you're not ready, Bon," I soothed from my spot on the floor, still splayed out, watching him.
"You can walk out and we can pretend that this part of the conversation never happened," Ezzie added, ever the peacemaker.
Bonnie shook his head as he sat down, still facing the door. I reached back out and brushed my hand against the back of his shirt, making him shiver as I touched him through the cotton.
"I don't like girls. Never have. I tried and tried but it just didn't — didn't work," Bonnie explained softly, and I nodded in understanding even though he couldn't see me.
"Does dad know?" I asked, and Bonnie shook his head, turning around to face us.
I took a deep breath before speaking again, "If you told Dad-"
"-Dad wouldn't understand! I'm his only son, I've got to be normal, go and settle down and have kids!" Bonnie snapped, making me frown, "Ezzie's the oldest and I'm the only son, we've got to be normal, you got away with it because you're not important like us! You're just another bastard gypsy girl."
As I looked up at Bonnie, laying upside down, I felt like I was thirteen years old again and Marian was scolding me for kissing the girl next door. That's what she always called me when she was mad. And Bonnie knew it. Everyone knew it. They had heard her call me it when Dad took me away.
"Bonnie!" Ezzie said sharply, coming to sit down next to me, but the damage was done.
"I'm going, see you two later, Aunt Cass will want to see me," I said as I stood up, stepping over Bonnie who started to apologise, but I ignored it and walked down the steps, and over to the fire, standing next to Dad and wrapping his arm around me.
Time felt funny as I stared at the fire, blinking back tears which I blamed on the smoke from the fire hitting my eyes. Aunt Cass didn't question but Dad looked at me with concern.
§§§
I feel like I should do a backstory on how the reader ended up with Aberama sometime soon, would you guys like that?? Or nah, keep it vague??
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Part 30
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CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 1
MASTERLIST
(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.
•••
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
Part 2
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 32
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You watched as your sister and her husband finished signing the last paper that they had to, using the bay window seat for help.
“Congratulations. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal this union with a kiss!” Jeremiah said, grinning widely at his son and his new daughter-in-law.
You, your Dad, Bonnie, Saoirse, and Finn cheered, clapped and whistled as the pair kissed each other in their nightclothes.
Your cat let out a yowl of protest at the noise, and your dog just barked happily along with you all.
Ezzie and Isiah hadn’t wanted to have a big flashy wedding. They decided to just sign the papers to make it official. A split second decision, of course, made at ten o’clock at night, which is why those two, you and Finn (the witnesses), as well as Jeremiah (the officiant), and your immediate family were now standing in your living room in your sleep clothes, the clock on the wall saying that it was closer to midnight than eleven o’clock.
Ezzie had called you at half past ten, pulling you out of your slumber and telling you to wake the fuck up and get ready because she was going to get married and you were going to be a witness. You had to put Finn’s Wellington boots on to go down to the river, a lantern in hand, to go and wake your father and brother up to tell them that Ezzie was coming to get married.
Your brother was annoyed, asking ‘Couldn’t it wait until sunrise?’
Your father had just chuckled and said ‘Apparently not.’
After getting back to the house, your brother and father in tow, you found Finn standing at the foot of the stairs, having woken up worried because he you weren’t by his side.
You had told him to go wake up Saoirse, and bring her downstairs, because Ezzie and Isiah, along with Jeremiah, were coming so Ezzie and Isiah could make the marriage official. He thought it was a dream until you took off his boot and whacked him with it to prove otherwise.
The room felt slightly cold, even with the fire starting to warm it up.
Jeremiah was smart enough to grab his fluffy black robe to cover himself, along with a pair of brown slippers to keep his feet warm. Your father never seemed to be bothered by the cold, hardened by many nights camping under the stars. Ezzie and Isiah were barefoot on the cold wooden floor, same as Finn. Saoirse and Bonnie were sharing the blanket from her bed, sitting side by side on the green rug. You had on a pair of socks, not liking having cold feet. You could stay warm if you feet were warm. Once your feet were cold, you were done for.
“Can the rest of the celebration wait until morning?” Saoirse asked sleepily, leaning against Bonnie, who chuckled and wrapped the blanket around his youngest sister.
“We’ve got voting for Tommy in the morning,” You reminded Saoirse, who nodded, eyes nearly closed.
You wouldn’t be able to vote, being sixteen, but everyone else in the room, bar Saoirse, could.
“We gonna have a drink before we go to bed? Or do you two just want to go straight home?” Bonnie asked his sister and his new brother in law.
“Let’s just have a cuppa, aye, Esmeralda?” Isiah asked your older sister, who nodded.
“Save the drink for tomorrow, Lord knows we won’t need any before then,” Your sister muttered, making you all chuckle.
You all moved into the kitchen, where Bonnie had started the fire after coming into the house. It was already roaring, the kitchen warm enough.
“The kettle will be boiled, I put it on just after making the fires,” Bonnie stated, helping Saoirse into a chair at the table.
“Good lad,” Your father said, clapping him on the shoulder, making your brother grin.
Bonnie had lit the fire in both of the guest bedrooms, too, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to walk back to camp after this. The cold night air would fuck him right up, he’d probably fall asleep on the way to camp. The ground was soft enough for him to do so.
You grabbed a few mugs and passed them out, Finn doing the same. You grabbed the chocolate powder out, as well as the tea and sugar. Saoirse would most likely have hot chocolate, and go straight to bed.
Everyone made their cups of tea, chattering away. Isiah was a bit quieter than usual, feeling slightly guilty that every other member of the Shelby family couldn’t come, but he remembered Ezzie’s words that it just wasn’t possible to get them all there without a struggle. It was true. The rest all had kids, and it was a big day tomorrow.
He had his best mate, the youngest Shelby sibling, here with him, and that was all that really mattered.
Saoirse was finally asleep in her chair, her hot chocolate finished.
“I wish I was still seven so I could get carried to bed,” Bonnie whined, head laid on the table as he bounced his leg to keep himself awake.
“I feel you,” Isiah replied, barely keeping himself upstanding as he leaned against your kitchen bench.
Finn snorted from his spot next to the cat in front of the fire. He could’ve fell asleep right there and then, the warmth washing over him proving to be an amazing feeling.
“Should we all just sleep here and fuck off in the morning?” Ezzie suggested from her spot next to her husband, and everyone said tired words of agreement.
“We’ve two guest bedrooms, and Saoirse’s got a king sized bed, but we can put her in with us to make room.” You said, rinsing all of the mugs, the warm water running over your hands making you feel sleepy.
“Jeremiah and the newlyweds can take the guest rooms, son and I can take Saoirse’s room,” Aberama announced, and Bonnie got up from the table, supported by Aberama, and headed upstairs.
Bonnie, in his sleepy state, could’ve laughed as Aberama helped make him comfy in the bed. He supposed you were never too old for your dad to tuck you in.
Ezzie and Isiah headed to the downstairs guest bedroom, and Jeremiah went to the upstairs one. Finn lifted your sister bridal style with ease, and took her upstairs. You ushered the animals upstairs, and they went to their beds in your room. You settled in to bed next to your sister, Finn already snoring on the other side of her, and as soon as your head hit the pillow, you were asleep.
•••
“You don’t fuck about, that’s for sure,” Polly said, chuckling as Ezzie showed the older woman her new diamond ring.
It was a small diamond, but a diamond nonetheless. Ezzie hadn’t wanted a big diamond, anyway, Isiah knew that. She only wanted him.
You were all at Polly’s house, in the sitting room. Ezzie and Isiah went to Polly’s, and announced their marriage to the older woman, who then called everyone else over so the pair could tell them the good news. You, Finn, Aberama, Bonnie, Jeremiah, and Saoirse had come to Polly’s not long after, having to get into town to vote, anyway.
Once Isiah and Ezzie told the rest of the family, Arthur, Tommy, and Ada were overjoyed. They had watched Isiah grow up. He deserved a good woman, and a good woman your sister was. They could only stay for about fifteen minutes before going back to their respective houses and hotel suites, having to get ready for voting today.
“Did you have any time to consummate the marriage, then?” Polly teased, making Ezzie and Isiah shake their heads.
“We were too tired. We were fucking lucky to walk to bed,” Isiah answered, Ezzie laying her head on his chest.
“I think we only got about seven hours sleep last night,” Ezzie murmured, tapping her fingers against the green mug in her hands.
“Half ten at night they woke me up,” You complained, but grinned, showing the group it was good natured joking, “And then they decided to invite themselves to stay the night, the nerve of these two!”
“Ah yes, how annoying of us,” Your sister replied, coming over and pinching your cheek, the tea she had in her hand smelling amazing.
“Getoffofme,” You said, trying to squirm out of her iron grip, “I’ll mess your hair up.”
“You’ll not touch your sister’s hair, behave,” Your father warned the pair of you as he sipped on his third cup of coffee, an arm slung lazily around Polly’s waist.
You leaned down and took a drink of your sister’s tea, making her flick your forehead.
“Next time, ask,” Esmeralda scolded you, making you roll your eyes.
“Worse than fucking schoolchildren,” Polly snorted, and watched as you and your sister got closer to her lamp as you roughhoused playfully, “Watch out for that lamp!”
But, it was too late. You had yanked your face out of Ezzie’s grip, and your body followed, colliding with the lamp, sending it down to the floor with a dull ‘thud’.
You winced, looking down at the lamp, then over to the brown haired woman who looked less than pleased.
“Sorry, Poll,” Ezzie apologised as you picked the lamp up and put it where it belonged.
Your husband and Ezzie’s husband sniggered at you and Ezzie’s antics from their spot by the fireplace. Saoirse was dead to the world, curled up into a ball on the couch with Isiah’s coat covering her. Bonnie was laid down in Polly’s bedroom, sleeping his life away. Jeremiah was back at his house, twisting his hair again to make it look fresh.
“It’s alright, love,” The woman spoke, smiling softly at her.
Ezzie returned the grin, then looked at you.
“Now you apologise,” Ezzie demanded, making you look at you in shock.
“Me? You knocked over the lamp!” You replied, a bit too loudly.
Saoirse shifted in her sleep, making you all stop for a few seconds until you knew she’d stay asleep.
“You started it!” Ezzie hissed softly, making you roll her eyes but apologise to Polly for ‘Ez making me knock over your lamp’.
Finn went and sat down on the armchair. You followed your husband, sitting on the arm of the chair. Saoirse shifted once more, and stretched, then rubbed the sleep out of her eyes whilst yawning.
“Dadda?” She called, and Aberama was at her side in an instant.
“I feel like hazelnut chocolate spread,” She stated, making you all chuckle.
“Shall I go and get you some, then?” He replied, smiling at his youngest, who nodded.
Your father was forever wrapped around his children’s fingers. Whereas you scolded Saoirse for eating the hazelnut chocolate spread straight from the jar, Aberama just grabbed her a longer spoon so she could reach the bottom of the jar. He even spoon fed her the spread when she asked him to.
“I’ll go to Bonnie’s and get it, I’ll be back,” Aberama informed her, kissing her head, and Finn threw the man his car keys.
Saoirse whistled a three note whistle, making you look at her in confusion as your father returned the whistle.
“What does that one mean?” Polly asked, coming to sit on the arm of the couch, next to Saoirse.
Saoirse sat up, and snuggled into Polly’s side.
“Three notes, three words.” Saoirse mumbled, still half asleep.
Ezzie came over and put her mug under Saoirse’s mouth, knowing that the child must have been thirsty. Saoirse tilted her head back, and Ezzie followed with the mug, letting Saoirse drink the rest of her tea.
“I love you?” Polly questioned in reply, and Saoirse nodded.
Three notes, three words. You looked at your husband. Three squeezes, three words. You shifted so your mouth was next to your husband’s ear.
“Finn? Do your three squeezes mean three little words?” You asked the ginger haired boy, who blushed, not expecting to get caught out so soon.
“Yes,” Finn breathed in reply, turning to look at you.
“I love you too,” You murmured, and wasted no time closing the gap between his lips and yours.
“Since when the fuck do you two kiss?” Ezzie demanded to know, making you break away from your husband.
“Erm, since you and Isiah dropped the paint off. That day,” You informed your sister, feeling annoyed at how she ruined the mood.
“What? And you didn’t tell me?” She whined, feeling slightly betrayed.
“Yeah, Finn, why didn’t you tell us?” Isiah added, half joking.
You told Ezzie everything, and Finn told Isiah everything, but the pair of you had forgotten to pass on that little tidbit.
“Well you know now,” Finn grumbled, not feeling pleased at the way your sister had interrupted you and him.
“Love you,” Your sister said, grinning cheekily, making you roll your eyes.
She annoyed you, sometimes, but you truly did love her.
•••
You stood with Lizzie at the end of the staircase. She stayed outside with Ruby, in case she fussed inside, and you offered to stay with her, not wanting her to be alone, listening to the voice behind the closed door in anticipation.
“Ronald Carr, Conservative, 3,412. Bernard Hall, Liberal, 4,015. Michael Ross, Communist, 6,406. Thomas Shelby, Labour Party, 48,564.” The voice announced, and you cheered, giving Lizzie a side hug.
The crowd inside the hall went wild, cheering and whistling. The doors opened, and out came Tommy, followed by the rest of the Shelby family, as well as the Golds and the Jesuses.
“I now declare Thomas Shelby to be the new Labour Member of Parliament for the constituency of Birmingham South.” The voice continued as Tommy grabbed his handgun off of one of the doormen, putting it into its holster.
Lizzie made Ruby wave to her dad, then passed her to him once he came to a stop in front of her. Your own husband came and grabbed your hand, bringing it up to his mouth and giving your knuckles a soft kiss, then squeezed your hand thrice, a grin on his face.
You giggled at his antics, squeezing his hand three times in return, then followed the rest of your big, newfound family down the stone staircase.
§§§
Season 4 officially finished!! I’ll be writing some more fluffy chapters between reader and her family, then starting season 5. I’m dreading writing about season 5 though because A) everyone dies lol and B) Finn turns into a little shit.
Also; I have decided to start taking requests for Peaky Blinders x reader one shots; I’ll be taking requests for any of the characters
Love y’all ❤️
- Sunflower x
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Part 33
fanfiction writer who is open to requests20 years oldnew to tumblr so pls be patient!!MASTERLIST
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