CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 41
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
You spritzed the vinegar in the spray bottle over your mirror, Saoirse wiping it up with newspaper. You and Saoirse giggled and giggled as you got the bottle of rubbing alcohol and dipped the cotton swab in it, writing your message for Finn onto the mirror, Saoirse grabbing her own cotton bud and dipping it into the liquid, drawing pictures to decorate around the message.
You worked quickly, then headed downstairs, shushing each other as you snuck back through your bedroom, trying your best not to wake Finn up as you headed downstairs and into the kitchen, starting up on breakfast.
Finn woke up to the smell of bacon cooking, which made his stomach rumble. He headed into the bathroom, turning the hot water on at the sink, washing his face and hands. He didn't like cold water, even in summer. It always had to be hot.
He went to look at himself in the mirror, but noticed the words in the fog on the glass.
'Happy Father's Day!
Thank you for everything you do for this family.
We wouldn't be here without you.
With love from,
(Y/N), Saoirse, Finn Junior,
Daisy, Duke, Charlotte,
Tuck, the chickens, and the twins'
Finn grinned widely as he read the last bit. You were having twins. Polly and Esmeralda saw it in a dream. You, surprisingly, had no dreams about your babies. It was everyone else.
Finn headed downstairs, already in a good mood. His good mood became lifted when he saw you and Saoirse arranging pancakes on a plate, everything already set out on the dining table. You looked over at your husband, and your eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"Good morning, my darling," You greeted, coming around the table and walking to him, hugging him the best you could with your stomach in the way.
"Good morning, my love," Finn replied, then placed a chaste kiss on your lips.
Saoirse gagged at the pair of you, making you chuckle as Finn pulled away.
"Good morning to you, little miss," Finn said, and Saoirse hummed in reply, mouth full with some of the strawberries that were meant to go on top of the pancakes.
Finn knelt down, placing a kiss on your very prominent bump and saying good morning to his 'daughters'. You were now at the beginning of your third trimester. Only a couple more months and they would be here, in your arms. Finn was excited — nervous, but mainly excited.
"We don't know if they're girls, Finn," You sighed exasperatedly, slightly annoyed with the way he insisted that they were girls.
"I feel it in my gut," He replied as he guided you over to the table, pulling out chairs for you and Saoirse before sitting down himself.
"I want girls too," Saoirse agreed, and Finn high-fived the girl, making you roll your eyes at the pair as you started filling a plate with food.
"I want healthy babies," You said simply, but you were hoping for boys.
Boys that could look out for their younger siblings. Boys that could be a good big brother, like Bonnie is to you.
“Well we already have two sons, let’s hope these two are girls to even it up, aye bubbas?” Finn said, rubbing your bump at the end of his sentence.
Finn felt a jolt under his hand, and beamed a million dollar smile.
“Are the babies kicking?” Saoirse asked hurriedly, leaving her French toast in favour of putting one hand on your stomach too.
“Medium Bee just kicked me,” Finn confirmed, making you snort and roll your eyes.
Since you were the original Bee, your babies were ‘Medium Bee’ (the more active twin, they kicked and moved more) and ‘Small Bee’ (the less active twin, they just relaxed — they moved, but not as much as medium bee, and their kicks and hits seemed to be less stronger). Saoirse, with the wonderful way her mind worked, came up with the nicknames first, and you and your husband followed suit.
Saoirse squealed in delight as she felt your stomach move under her hand, making you smile. Your husband retracted his hand and started eating his breakfast, your sister doing the same.
•••
You mixed the pasta salad around, getting ready to take it outside. Everyone was at your house for lunch once more. You had bought a dining set to have outside, so you didn’t have to drag your dining table outside all of the time. The outside one was much larger than your inside one, and sat on the porch, getting carried down the stairs and sat on the grass when needed.
“Everything ready, ladies?” Polly asked, and you all gave her words of confirmation.
“Well, let’s go then!” She said, clapping her hands then picking up the tray of cooked meat.
You grabbed the pasta salad, putting the bowl on your stomach, and giggling at how it balanced there, taking a few careful steps before Ezzie scolded you for playing with the food. You rolled your eyes, but grabbed it properly anyway, taking it outside and placing it on the table.
“Here she is! Woman of the hour!” Arthur said, raising his bottle of whiskey when he saw you, making you chuckle at the tipsy man.
“How’s Artie and Will?” He asked, referring to your twins.
“They’re fine and they’re not being named after you,” You replied, making him roll his eyes jokingly.
You didn’t know what the twins would be named yet.
“I just thought, being Finn’s favourite brother and all, that I’d get them named after myself,” Arthur said, moving his hands around in his drunken rambles.
Linda elbowed her husband and hissed a ‘shut up!’ to him.
Finn frowned, and took a sip of his glass of water. Arthur wasn’t his favourite brother. John was. Arthur knew that, and even though his eldest brother was joking, the words didn’t sting any less.
“Here’s an idea; you have yourself another baby with your wife and name him Arthur,” You snarked, sitting down next to your husband.
Finn placed a hand on your knee and squeezed it, a silent thank you, then started putting food on a plate for himself, then for you, making sure to stay away from anything that set off your ‘anytime sickness’. Saoirse was doing her own, now closer to nine than eight and wanting to do everything for herself.
You tried to focus on lunch and the conversation, but you knew that after everything was cleaned you’d be seeing the nursery for the first time, Finn promising to let you see it. Finn had started doing up the upstairs guest bedroom for the nursery, moving everything from that bedroom up to the attic. Finn wouldn’t let you see the nursery, even going so far as to lock the door so you couldn’t go in. You were annoyed, but excited.
After the other women cleaned everything up (you got out of clean up duties do to your baby bump), and everyone either went home or started relaxing either in the living room, garden, or guest bedrooms, Finn took you upstairs, covering your eyes as he lead you to the nursery door. He guided you to find the doorknob, and you twisted it, pushing the door open.
“And — open,” He commanded as he took your hands off of your eyes.
The wall in front of you had been repainted — a light blue. The rest were still a faint, barely there yellow. A rainbow with clouds on each sides had been painted on the wall, the window in the middle of the rainbow. In front of the two clouds were two cribs, each of them with a mobile. There was a chest of drawers in between the cribs.
Down to your right, there was a big, red armchair with a footstool, a bookshelf with baby books and stuffed toys on it between that and the crib on the wall adjacent. There was a change table closer to you, a bin next to it. On the floor, in the middle of the room, was a light grey rug. In front of you, next to the crib, was a rocking chair. Finn put his hand under your chin, and gently tilted your head so you were looking up at the roof. Your jaw dropped.
The roof was painted black, with yellow stars. A crescent moon sat near the light.
“Do you like it?” Finn asked softly, scared that you wouldn’t and all of his effort would be for naught.
“Oh, Finn — it’s perfect,” You gasped, tears filling your eyes and threatening to fall.
Your husband grinned, leaning down and kissing you on the temple.
“Finn,” You began, going and sitting in the red armchair — which was quite comfy, if you were being honest.
“Yes, my love?” He replied, coming to sit in front of you on the footstool.
You placed your hands on your stomach, a habit you gained in the past six months.
“What did you want to name our babies? And don’t just say girl names,” You warned as you took off your necklace, making the corner of his lips turn up.
“I like Elizabeth or Polly for a girl,” Finn answered, then added, “John or Isaac for a boy. Something biblical. And sort of like Isiah’s name.”
You ‘awwed’ at your husband. You could definitely see your baby with those names.
“I like Isaac for a first name, but remember, Esme’s already got John Junior. What if we use John as a middle name?” You pondered as you slipped your wedding band onto your necklace, and Finn hummed.
“I want to name them Rosie or Ezra, if they’re a girl, and Finley or Elijah if they’re a boy. Not your name, but a variant of it,” You explained, and your husband nodded, racking his brain for where he heard that phrase before.
He chuckle once he figured it out. Your wedding day, when you were naming Finn Junior, his big baby boy.
“Finley,” Finn repeated, testing the name on his tongue.
He grunted in approval. It sounded nice. Finley John. Even better.
You gave the necklace to Finn, who held it above one side of your stomach, the side that Medium Bee sat in. He knew what you were doing. He’d seen it done in Johnny Dogg’s camp when he was younger.
He held his arm absolutely still, and the ring started swinging back and forth in a straight line. You and him watched it as it did so, mesmerised. He stopped the ring, then moved it to the other side of your stomach, over Little Bee, letting it swing again. Another straight line, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
“Isaac Elijah doesn’t sound too bad, does it?” You asked, crinkling your nose up as your thought.
“No, it doesn’t,” Finn answered, feeling slightly dejected, but tried not to let it show.
“And Finley John. That’s a good name. A strong one,” You continued, tilting your head as your thought.
Finn chuckled as he undid the clasp on your necklace, placing your ring back on your finger gently, giving your hand a kiss, then putting your necklace back on you.
He stood up, then helped you out of the armchair. Instead of going and telling everyone the news of your discovery, you decided to go and have a nap, after a bathroom break of course.
Finn ended up with one less pillow than he would’ve liked, the pillow ending up supporting your stomach, but he didn’t mind. He dreamt good during his nap, dreaming of two little boys toddling after you in the garden, giggling and squealing as their feet got muddy.
§§§
The next chapter will be a doozy oof
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Part 42
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 36
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
As soon as your eyes opened you grinned. You dreamt of babies, mini versions of Finn and mini versions of you running amuck in your house.
Eyes still closed, you reached out, fully expecting to feel your husband next to you, but instead felt the cold sheets of the bed. You looked over, and he wasn't there. Odd. The curtains of the bed were also pinned back, signalling that he had been gone for a bit. You strained your ears for a sign of your husband moving around the bathroom or the closet. You could hear Saoirse's giggles coming closer to your room, and Finn shushing her, telling her that they needed to be quiet.
After a few beats, the door swung open, and the pair came through the open door carrying trays. Finn's tray was filled with food, and Saoirse's had drinks and biscuits on it. The animals trotted in straight after them, single file. You snorted at that sight.
You noticed a paper flower, which had been painted yellow with what looked like watercolour paint, in one of the glasses, making the corners of you lips turn upwards. That would have been Finn's folding skills and Saoirse's painting, for sure. You had given her watercolour paints for her birthday. It was good to know she was using them.
"Surprise! We made you breakfast in bed!" Saoirse announced, grinning.
You bit back a giggle at the sight of her missing tooth. She had a mishap on her play equipment yesterday, tripping and hitting her mouth on a bench, which knocked out a tooth on the bottom, right next to her front ones. You were just glad that it was a baby tooth, and that she didn't bust her lip.
She'd probably have to smile with her mouth closed for the photos today, but you didn't mind.
You shuffled over and helped the pair arrange the trays on the bed.
"Thank you, my darlings," You said to the pair as you settled back down.
"Do I still get money even though the tooth fairy isn't real?" Saoirse asked the pair of you as she poured herself some juice.
Finn looked at you as you piled your plate up with scrambled eggs and bacon, and you nodded.
"Yeah, why not," Finn chuckled, then pointed to the bedside table on the left, "Top drawer. In there's my wallet, you can grab yourself some money."
Saoirse whooped and rolled backwards off of the bed, then jogged around to the other side, opening the top drawer enthusiastically and shifted things around in her search for Finn's wallet. Once she found it, she held it up victoriously, beaming a smile. She moved to open it, but looked at Finn for permission. He nodded, and she opened it, getting herself five pounds, then placing it back in the drawer where she found it. She crawled over the bed to curl up next to you. You hissed as her cold feet hit your arm, immediately causing goosebumps.
"Sorry," She mumbled, wiggling around so her feet were now under the blanket.
"S'Okay," You replied as you passed your sister her plate, which was filled with pancakes.
She immediately started to scarf them down. You rolled your eyes at her behaviour. Anyone would think that you and Finn starve her with the way she was eating.
Finn repositioned himself so he was sitting up straighter, and so his side was tucked into yours. He had a plate full of French Toast, topped off with bananas, ice cream, and honey. He had cut everything up before he brought it up here, saving everyone the task of awkwardly attempting to cut stuff whilst sitting on the bed.
You all ate in a comfortable silence, bar the purring of the cat on the end of the bed. The dogs were all curled up on the floor together, in front of the fireplace.
Once you finished all of your drinks you stacked everything up on one tray and put the spare one under the other, ready to be taken back downstairs.
You crawled off the bed, stood up, and stretched, reaching straight up to the roof and standing on the tips of your toes, yawning as you did so. Finn watched you as you moved, your hair swaying with your every motion. You turned around and grabbed the trays, and Finn got ready to help you.
"I've got it," You reassured your husband, who nodded.
"If you give me a kiss I'll believe you," Finn replied, smirking.
Saoirse giggled as you leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his lips, then lifted up the trays, heading downstairs.
You managed to not drop and break anything in your trek down the stairs, making a feeling of success bubble up in your chest.
You started humming a song as you continued your walk to the kitchen, and placed the trays on the island, filling up the sink to wash up the dishes, putting your hand under the tap to test the temperature. You looked out the window, and grinned. Today would be perfect photo taking weather. You stopped the tap, then decided to put away the stuff that Saoirse and Finn used to make the breakfast first, making room on the sink for the rest of the stuff.
Once you were done, you grabbed the glasses and jugs, washing them up first, putting them on the rack, then did the dishes, and let the sink drain. You wiped the trays over with a wet cloth, placing them on the rack too, then went back upstairs. You peeled into Saoirse's room, and noticed that her bed was unmade. You made it for her, arranging her stuffed animals amongst the pillows the way she liked them, then went across the hallway to your own room, where Finn and Saoirse were fixing up the pillows on the bed, having just finished making the bed themselves. Saoirse was knelt on the bed as she adjusted the pillows, being too short to lean over it with ease like Finn.
You leaned against the doorway, watching as your sister sneakily grabbed the pillow closest to her, and moved it as if plumping it, gripping it tightly, then picked it up lightning quick, swinging it back then bringing it forward, connecting it to the side of your husband's face, sending him stumbling.
You gasped as your sister cackled, but Finn wasted no time grabbing a pillow of his own and returning the favour, sending Saoirse face first into the mountain of pillows she had just finished fixing.
You guffawed at this, then quickly clapped your hand over your mouth as Saoirse sat up, and looked at you. Finn also had his gaze set on you. Saoirse narrowed her eyes, and shuffled forward on the bed.
"Saoirse — no," You warned holding a finger up as she got off the bed.
"Saoirse; yes," Finn encouraged, making you glare at him.
"Hit me with that pillow and you're not getting any dessert for the next week," You warned, finger pointed at her.
She stopped her stalking over to you, and looked over at Finn.
"Hit her with that pillow and I'll give you two more pounds," Finn said, making your jaw drop.
"If I got hit, you do too," Finn stated, seeing your betrayed expression.
"Fucking — Saoirse, you'll not hit me with that pillow or you'll not be my favourite sister anymore!" You threatened, although it was empty; Saoirse knew you didn't have favourites.
"Bonnie's my favourite anyway!" Saoirse said with a shrug, before launching the pillow at your face, making you shriek and stagger back.
You pulled it off your face just in time to see Saoirse clamber back onto the bed, grab a pillow and pelt it at a laughing Finn, hitting him square in the forehead, throwing him off balance enough that he fell down into a heap on the ground.
While Saoirse was giggling with glee, you snuck up behind her, pillow in hand, and hit her across the knees, hard, making her stumble and fall onto the mattress with a squeal.
"That's what you get for hitting me first!" You declared, crawling into bed with her and tickling her, making her shriek with glee.
Finn, now up with the support of the bed, crawled onto it and started tickling your younger sister too.
"Say 'Finn and (Y/N) are the greatest and I'm sorry I ever hit you two with a pillow' and we'll stop," Finn told your little sister, who was wriggling around, trying to escape you and Finn, both of you with grins big enough to split your faces in two.
"Finn — Finn and (Y/N) — Are the greatest and — I'm sorry I ever hit you two with a pillow," Your sister said, the last bit of the sentence running together, making you and Finn immediately withdraw your hands.
She was now red in the face with tears slipping out of her eyes, huffing. You reached over and grabbed the bottle of water you kept on your bedside table, and offered it to your sister. She sat up and took it, having a few sips.
"So, Finn, when's the photographer getting here?" You questioned your husband, wanting to make yourself look presentable before they arrived.
"I didn't hire one," He said simply, making your eyes widen in disbelief, and your jaw drop.
"You didn't hire one after you said we could get family photos?" You asked disbelievingly, and Finn nodded, then put his finger up, signalling for you to wait.
"I decided that — wait for it — I would buy us a film camera and we take the photos ourselves! How good is that?" Finn replied, grinning, waiting for the reaction of the two girls.
"I like that idea," Saoirse agreed, face now back to normal.
"That is a good idea," You agreed with your husband, and got off the bed, heading to your closet.
"Finn, what's your favourite colour? I want to coordinate outfits with them all," You told your husband as you walked into the closet, immediately grabbing your yellow sundress.
"You won't be able to see it anyway," Finn pointed out, and you stuck your tongue out at him.
"Blue and yellow are fine," He decided, and Saoirse poked him in the arm.
"Finnegan Shelby-"
"My name is just Finn-"
"-Just Finn, everyone has a favourite colour, so what is yours," Saoirse prompted, and Finn shrugged.
"I don't know. Never really thought about it before. Blue and yellow," Finn answered, now deep in thought.
"Those are me and (Y/N)'s favourite colours, though," Saoirse huffed, and it was Finn's turn to poke her in the arm.
"Yes, but you two are some of my favourite people, so I can copy you two," Finn replied, making Saoirse grin.
Nobody else had favourite colours and stuck to them like you Gold children did. But, he had chosen yellow as his favourite colour long ago, when you had taken him to a paint store once. You had enthusiastically shown him all of the shades yellow came in, from a soft, parchment yellow to a deep, Dijon yellow. You chattered and chattered about the yellow, pointing out the shades you liked the most and the shades you liked the least.
He only added blue to his favourite colours after Saoirse moved in with the pair of you. She would always point out how pretty the blue sky to him, show him her favourite light blue dress, bring him home blue things that reminded her of him (his favourite one so far was a throw cushion from a market stall, bought because of how comfy it was, given to him in case he needed something to make his office chair more comfy).
Those two colours reminded him of home. The porch with paint on it from Karl and Saoirse going over the edge of their papers, the kitchen doorway which had all of the kids' heights marked on there, the living room with couches he always let the animals sleep on, even though you would tell him not to, and finally, the two people who helped him make this house a home. You and Saoirse.
•••
You had managed to colour coordinate your outfits well. Finn had on a yellow sweater and jeans. You had worn a yellow dress with a blue belt, and Saoirse had worn a blue dress with a yellow belt. All of you were barefoot, and with your hair down in its natural state, but you didn't mind.
You had ended up with thirty-six pictures. You took twelve, Finn took twelve, and Saoirse took twelve.
Your twelve consisted of;
- Saoirse laying amongst the wildflowers in your backyard, grinning widely, her two dogs laid on their backs either side of her. You and Finn had woven flowers into her curly hair. The sunlight shining down on her made her eyes look all the more golden instead of brown.
- Finn, leaning against the beam at the front of the house, Finn Junior and Tuck on the stairs under him.
- Finn Junior and Tuck resting in the sun on the porch.
- Finn and Saoirse on her play equipment, him pushing her on the swing set
- You, Finn, Saoirse (who had Finn Junior on her lap) on the porch swing, the dogs laid at your feet (this photo was achieved with the help of the self timer on the camera, which was sat on the top of the railing)
- In the field next to your house, you leaning back on one hand, looking down at Finn, who was laid with his head in your lap, one arm across his midriff, the other reaching up to play with your hair, and Saoirse leaned against your side, looking at the camera.
- Saoirse reading a book with Finn, the pair on the floor, leaning against the bay window seat
- You, Finn, and Saoirse holding hands and walking, Saoirse in the middle, the pair of you looking down at her and her looking at the animals (you had to bring a chair outside to achieve this)
- Saoirse on her carousel, reaching up and attempting to touch the lights that lined the top of it
- Your hand on top of Finn's showing off your wedding rings
- The three of you on the steps of your vardo (which you had moved next to the stables a while back)
- Saoirse feeding your chickens
Finn's twelve consisted of;
- You, leaning against a door frame with your arms by your side, smiling shyly up at the camera
- Saoirse petting your horse Charlotte
- You, sat at your vanity, brushing your hair (he managed to angle it so he was in the reflection of the mirror, camera to his face)
- You and Saoirse on his rocking chair, giggling, Saoirse in your lap
- The cat and dogs on the couch (you had scolded him after this one)
- Saoirse and you making a cake, you showing her the contents inside the metal bowl as she knelt on the kitchen island
- You, and him standing next to a tree in your orchard, looking up at Saoirse who was in the branch above the pair of you
- A mirror picture of the three of you in the guest bathroom downstairs, you leaning against the wall, plaiting Saoirse's hair, and Finn sat on the edge of the tub, Saoirse 'fixing up' his curls
- Saoirse, leaning against the couch with her arms crossed under her head, looking directly at the lens with a serious face
- You, playing guitar
- Saoirse playing ukulele
- Finn and you at the upright piano, Saoirse sat on top of it, legs dangling down over the keys
Saoirse's twelve were;
- Finn, sat up on Charlotte, you kissing Charlotte's nose
- You, spinning around in the field, so your dress was flared out
- Finn sitting in his rocking chair, lighting up a smoke
- You, brushing the cat's fur
- You and Finn, kissing in the backyard (she had giggled and giggled and giggled when she had took this photo)
- Daisy and Duke asleep in their basket
- You and Finn icing the cupcakes that you and Saoirse had made
- Finn, piggybacking Saoirse, Saoirse giggling
- You and Saoirse standing with your backs to the camera, your hands coming up to make a heart
- You, Saoirse, and Finn crouched (you two girls kneeling) in front of the small pond in your front yard, Saoirse pointing to a fish in the pond
- You, sat down in the field, weaving long grass into a basket
- Finn sat on a chair, his front against the back of it, watching you as you leaned towards a mirror, running a finger along your hair (This was Saoirse's favourite, because all you could see in Finn's eyes was pure adoration)
You had taken the film to town to get developed and buy photo frames, a trip which you all thoroughly enjoyed, especially because Finn ended up taking you all to get ice cream. It was a good day.
§§§
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Part 37
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MASTERLIST
First time creating one, also on mobile so here we go!!
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CONTRARY
CONTENT WARNINGS: Implied/referenced child abuse, implied sexual content (nothing graphic, just referenced)
When Finn Shelby and (Y/N) Gold are pushed into an arranged marriage, they agree to act civil towards each other. What happens when that civility turns into something more?
TAGLIST (Interact with this post to be tagged in the newest part of 'Contrary' whenever I update :)) )
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44
ANGEL
Prologue Part I
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 26
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
I started squealing as we got into the carriage. I loved Ferris wheels, and heights. In the line, Finn and I had planned out the rest of the night.
I sat myself right against the wall, looking out at the people on the ground as we began our descent into the sky. They had gotten smaller and smaller. I looked out at the buildings. I noticed that we could see the Cut from here.
"Oh, Finn, look, there's Lizzie and Tommy," I pointed out the pair, on the ground near a cotton candy cart, and looked over at my husband.
He was puffing on a cigarette, eyes on me.
"Oh, Finn, what's the point of coming on the Ferris wheel if you don't enjoy the view!" I whined, making him chuckle as he pulled the cigarette from his mouth.
"I am enjoying the view." He replied with a grin, then winked, a cocky tone in his words.
"Shut up," I muttered, looking back out towards the scenery, feeling my cheeks get warmer.
I continued looking out at the scenery, watching the people mill around the fairground, and enjoying the funny feeling in my stomach as we spun around.
Soon enough, we got out, Finn threw any arm around my waist, leading us to the bumper cars using his map.
I spotted Ada and Karl in line, Karl with a balloon on his wrist.
"Fancy seeing you two here," I called out as we approached them.
"Don't you two look quite the cute couple," Ada greeted as we lined up behind her.
"Uncle Finn, uncle Finn, can you drive me?" Karl begged, and Finn shook his head with a small grin.
"I'm on a date with Aunty (N/N), sorry," Finn replied, pulling me in closer to his side.
Karl pouted, but nodded. I felt my heartbeat speed up at the use of my nickname.
"A date?" Ada asked, sounding surprised.
"Yeah, Lizzie forced us," I joked, although it wasn't too far from the truth.
I would be too, if we were being honest.
"Who knows, by the end of the night we might know each other in the biblical sense," Finn said cheekily, making me gasp and slap his chest.
"Finn!" I squealed, making Ada laugh and Karl look at us confusedly.
Luckily, I was saved by the person announcing for everyone to get out of their cars, and exit the ride. I started bouncing on my heels, making Finn chuckle.
I really did love fairs.
We moved up onto the black floor after Finn gave the man our tickets, and got into a yellow car.
"We gonna annoy Karl and Ada, love?" Finn asked as I pulled the padded bar down over our laps.
Love. My butterflies came back tenfold at the stupid little nickname.
"Yes — But Karl's driving so be careful," I begged, and Finn nodded.
"I will," He spoke simply, but the smirk on his face said otherwise.
After all of the cars had people in them, the ride started. We jolted forward, and Finn immediately started chasing Karl and Ada.
I felt someone ram into us from behind, making us jerk forward. I looked around and saw that it was Flo and Dinah, Flo cackling away as she drove, Dinah blowing us a kiss.
"Finn, get those girls back," I commanded, and he laughed as he started chasing them.
"Your wish is my command," He said, dropping a hand from the wheel and placing it on my knee.
I felt my heart speed up at the contact, making me grin.
•••
Finn and I had just come from the circus and our second Ferris wheel ride of the night. We were now making our way towards the giant slide, after our quick stop at a cotton candy cart.
"Okay, so we went on the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, flying swings, Helter Skelter, circus, thanks to your family for getting us seats in the front row, second Ferris wheel ride, carousel, haunted house, and now we're going to the giant slide. That leaves the stalls, one final ride on the Ferris wheel, then fireworks at midnight." Finn informed me, looking down at the map as I bit into the pink cloud in my hand.
I gave a hum of approval as we walked towards the wooden slide, me dragging Finn by the belt loop again. I had pulled my yellow sweater on after sundown, because the night air had a chill in it, even with all of the people moving around the fairground.
In the haunted house, Finn had put an arm around me 'in case I got scared', but ended up nearly pissing himself when a contortionist ran full pelt at our stopped carriage in a bridge walk.
We continued trotting along until we ended up in line for the giant slide. It was a big wooden slide, one you had to sit on a piece of hessian cloth to go down. We grabbed one each from the pile at the bottom of the slide. Once Finn and I got to the top of the slide, I placed mine down and sat on it, then waited for Finn.
"We should make it a race." I decided, "Loser does whatever the winner tells them to do."
Finn nodded, "I'd be up for that."
I waited until the employee told us that it was safe to go, then started counting, "One, two-"
"-Three." Finn said, then pushed himself off.
"Finn, you bastard!" I screeched as I slid down after him, leaning forward and making myself go faster, catching up with him.
My hair blew back from how fast I was going. I whooped as I grabbed my hessian mat tighter. Finn bumped into me, sending me spinning around; making me shriek, the world turning into a blur. I reached out and grabbed Finn, making him yell as we tumbled off of the end of the slide together.
"Holy fuck, never again!" Finn swore, making me cackle.
"I won that one; you cheated, so I won by default." I decided as we stood up.
Finn didn't protest as I threw our hessian cloths into the pile. He held a hand out, and I helped him stand up.
Someone cleared their throats to our right, making us look.
Tommy and Lizzie stood there, Lizzie with a knowing smile on her face.
"(Y/N). Finn. Nice to see the date's going good." Tommy said simply, his blue eyes burning holes through us.
"It's going great," I said, interlacing my fingers with Finn's, who gave three quick squeezes.
"We'll be off then," Lizzie said, pulling her husband away from us.
I waved to the pair as I lead Finn away to the stalls. I spotted a familiar pair of men, then tried to lead Finn the other way.
"(Y/N)! Come and see your old dad and brother!" Dad called out, making me groan as Finn lead me over to them.
They were running a stall where you had to knock the cans over. I noticed oversized bears handing from the top of their stall.
I pointed up at the light brown one, "Dadda, Bonnie, I want that one."
"No can do, sister. You need to win it," Bonnie replied, leaning back against the bench of the stall, grinning.
My jaw dropped.
"Why!" I demanded, and Finn slung his arm around me.
"What do you have to do to win one?" Finn asked, and Bonnie cocked a brow as Dad smirked.
"Knock each pyramid over. No rebounds, no bounces." Bonnie informed him, "3 shillings; 3 shots."
Finn pulled the money out of his jacket pocket and handed them over to Bonnie, who gave him three balls.
"And I thought all Shelbys were good for was pushing papers around," Bonnie mused, making me roll my eyes.
"Finn, darling, ignore those two." I told him, "They're just trying to shake you up to make you miss, show them what you're made of."
Finn smirked, and started throwing the balls up into the air.
"Where are we going to put that bear in our apartment, love?" Finn asked, juggling the balls.
"You haven't even thrown a ball yet," Bonnie interjected.
Dad watched on in amusement, and I stayed silent as I leaned against the bench, watching the pair.
"I don't need to just yet; because I know I'm gonna knock 'em down. So, again, where are we going to put the bear?" Finn asked, turning back to face me, a cocky smirk on his face.
"If you miss I'll make my daughter divorce you," Dad called out to Finn, making me give Dad a death glare.
"In my room, at the foot of the bed," I answered my husband, and that was all it took for Finn to straighten up his stance and focus, then throw the three balls lightning fast, effectively knocking over the three towers.
Dad's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Bonnie begrudgingly got the light brown bear down and gave it to me.
"I was just teasing, you know, didn't mean anything by it," Bonnie said to Finn, who gave him a boyish grin in return.
"I know, but what my wife wants," He then threw an arm around me, "She gets."
"See you later," I said as we walked along.
I looked around the stalls, trying to find something fun.
"Roll a penny, Finn I want to try it!" I pleaded, and he sighed but led me over there.
I knew that he thought it would just be a waste of money because it was a luck game but I tended to get lucky when it came to it.
Finn paid the girl running the stall, and I got three pennies.
I placed the little wooden wedge on the edge of the table, then dropped my first penny into the slot, then moved the wedge towards the paper, a bit towards the left, and dropped the penny again. I moved my penny right to the edge of the paper on the right, and dropped it into the slot, waiting for it to stop rolling and hit the paper with a clatter. I looked at my three coins. They all landed on 'WIN' squares.
"Congratulations, you can pick five prizes." The girl said blandly, sounding like she didn't even want to be there.
How boring. I'd want to be at a fairground working. You always got free rides.
"Erm, that sliding whistle, that plastic tiara, that bunch of temporary tattoos, and ... two of those friendship bracelets." I said, pointing to each one.
Finn grabbed the prizes off of the girl for me, putting the whistle, temporary tattoos, and friendship bracelets into his jacket pocket. He turned to me with the tiara in his hand, placing it onto my head gently.
"A tiara for the Queen of Onions," Finn dubbed gravely, then started laughing at my scandalised face.
"Queen of onions? Couldn't you have thought of anything better!" I exclaimed, watching him go red in the face as he cackled.
"It was either that or the queen of contrary ... ness. Contrariness." He announced after he calmed down, still giggling.
"For the last time, stop comparing me to an onion! And I'm not contrary!" I scolded, then spotted another stall and ran over there, Finn not too far behind.
"I'm no good at this one," Finn said as he forked over the money.
I handed him my bear, "Well lucky for you, I'm great at frustration."
I dropped the orange counter into the slot, and immediately started tilting the green bar using the knobs on either end, trying to get the counter to land in the notch in the middle of the bar. I tilted it left and right, slowing down every now and then as I thought it was going to land it the notch, then groaning as it didn't.
I tilted it towards the left quickly, then back towards the right, levelling it out. The counter landed in the notch and stayed there, making me whoop.
"Congratulations, pick a prize, pretty girl." The boy running the stall said, sending me a wink.
Finn stepped up and put an arm around me, "Yeah, pick a prize, love."
He then planted a kiss on the top of my head, making the employee drop his smile.
I smirked, and pointed to the giant bear, much like the one I already had, but this was a darker brown, "That one — For my husband, so we can match."
Finn grinned at me as the employee gave it to him, "Thanks, mate."
"Welcome," The boy replied, in a tone that told us that he was not, in fact, welcome.
"I think we've got enough material prizes, let's go try for money prizes," Finn decided, and I nodded, looping my elbow through his as both of us had our hands around our bears.
We didn't need money, we had enough, but it wouldn't hurt to win a few pounds, just in case.
I looked around for a fun stall, and Finn stopped, making me look up at him.
"Do you think I'll be able to make it up the unclimbable ladder?" Finn asked, nodding towards it.
"Nope." I replied, popping the 'p'.
You could make it up if you knew the tricks, but even then it was hard. Bonnie couldn't even do it and he was one of the most coordinated people I knew.
"If I win, will you give me a prize?" Finn asked, leading me over there.
"Sure," I answered, and Finn looked at me, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes," I affirmed, knowing he wanted a proper answer.
He grinned and stood in front of the employee.
"Pay a pound, try to climb the ladder. If you succeed, you win twenty-five pounds." The employee told Finn, a big million dollar smile on his face.
"Yeah, alright," Finn said, paying the employee, then giving me his bear.
"Want me to hold your jacket too?" I asked, and Finn nodded, taking it off and handing it to me.
I placed my bear on the ground and put his jacket on his bear, giggling as I did so.
"Wait," I said, making Finn look at me.
I fished a friendship bracelet out of the jacket pocket, then grabbed Finn's wrist, tying it on.
"For luck," I informed him, making him grin as he walked back over to the ladder.
Finn grabbed the sides of the ladder. He put both of his feet on the bottom rung, then lifted his right foot, moving his left hand as he did so, grabbing the side fabric of the ladder. I noticed that he put his feet at the edges of the rungs, not the centre.
Balance. That was the secret.
I watched him as he ascended the ladder, making it to the top with ease. I clapped, and the employee looked less than pleased as Finn dropped down onto the landing pad with ease, stretching his arms as he stood back up. I watched as his muscles flexed through the fabric of his shirt. It was a nice sight.
The employee grabbed the twenty-five pounds out of his pouch, handing it to Finn. Finn came over and I handed him his bear back, then picked up my own, and we began walking again.
How our legs weren't tired, I didn't know. Maybe we were too giddy to feel tired.
I noticed a man holding a multicoloured cube in one hand, and a pocket watch in the other, making me smirk.
"Finn, this way," I said, leading him over to that stall.
"Little miss! Do you want to try to solve this cube under one minute? You pay a pound and win fifty if you solve it under a minute," The employee said, and Finn bumped his side against mine.
I looked up at him.
"Are you going to get disappointed if you lose?" Finn asked, and I shook my head.
He grabbed a pound and handed it to the employee.
"Um, can you hold my bear please?" I asked Finn, who grabbed it off of me with a nod.
He started fishing around in his pocket again, and pulled out the other friendship bracelet. I grinned and gave him my wrist. He gently tied it around my wrist, leaning down and placing a kiss on my wrist after he was done, making my heartbeat speed up at the small gesture.
The employee cleared his throat, making me turn around and look at him, then gave me the cube, looking down at his pocket watch, "You can start — now!"
I started twisting and turning the cube, quickly solving the yellow side.
I went on and solved each side, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I raced to beat the time.
"Done!" I shouted as I finished the last side.
The employee's eyebrows shot up, "Forty seconds. You did it."
"Course I did," I shot back, making Finn chuckle behind me.
The employee reached into his pouch and pulled out the money. I gave it to Finn to put into his jacket pocket, zipping the pocket back up.
"Oi, mate, what's the time?" Finn asked, and the employee looked at him.
"Quarter to eleven," The employee said after checking his pocket watch.
Fuck me. We'd been here for a long time, but it only felt like five minutes.
"Is there a revolving bar here?" Finn asked, and the employee nodded, pointing him in the direction of it.
"I want to try that one before we go on the Ferris wheel, come on love." Finn said, leading me down towards it.
"Come on, hurry, I want to make the Ferris wheel before the fireworks are on," I urged, picking my pace up to a jog.
Finn jogged along beside me, and we made it to the stall. I looked at my watch. Twelve to. That gave us seventy-two minutes for Finn to do the bar, for us to ride the Ferris wheel one last time, and get back to the apartment building. We'd planned on sitting on top of the building to watch the fireworks.
The employee noticed us jogging toward him, and perked up, "Hello, lady and gent-"
"-Yeah, sorry for being rude, but how much is it." Finn cut in.
I had to bite my tongue so I didn't laugh.
"Pay one pound, win twenty-five if you manage to hold on for three minutes," The employee said.
Finn rummaged around in the pocket of his jeans, grabbing the money and handing it to the man.
"Okay, hop up!" The man said, grabbing out his pocket watch.
Finn put the bear on the ground.
"Finn," I said, grabbing his arm, making him turn and look at me.
I quickly stood up on the tips of my toes and placed a kiss on his cheek, right above the corner of his mouth.
"For luck," I said shyly, watching as a blush climbed up his neck and spread across his cheeks.
"I fucking feel lucky now," Finn muttered as he walked up to the bar.
The employee told him to hop up, and he did, holding on to the bar. The employee flipped a switch on the side of the stand holding the bar up, and the bar started to turn. I watched as he shifted his grip on the bar, huffing.
"You can do it, darling," I encouraged after the employee told him that he reached the one minute mark.
Finn continued to move his hands back and forth, his knuckles white. I was elated at the way his shirt was riding up ever so slightly, and the way it clung to him as he hung there, his muscles visible through the white fabric. The focus on his face was evident, his teeth clenched as he tried not to drop.
"Thirty seconds!" The employee said, looking up from his pocket watch.
I bounced on my heels excitedly as the employee counted down, reaching zero.
"You've won twenty-five pounds!" The employee said, grinning.
Finn dropped down, huffing. He fixed his shirt up and got the money off of the employee, putting it into the jacket pocket. At least one of us was smart enough to wear something with pockets that could zip.
"Ferris wheel, now, let's go!" I exclaimed after Finn picked his bear up, dragging him along.
•••
THIRD PERSON'S POV
You and Finn were currently ambling along the Cut, meeting Arthur halfway to your apartment building. You had half an hour before the fireworks started.
Finn was looking for good skipping stones to show off. He was great at skipping stones, one of the best in Small Heath. He found a heart shaped one, and quickly slipped it into his pocket.
"(N/N), look here, I reckon I can make twenty skips with this one!" Finn declared, making you look at him.
He was holding a perfectly circular one, and you urged him to try skipping it. He swung his arm back, then swung it forward and flicked his wrist, sending the rock skipping along. You both counted twenty-one skips before it sank, then cheered.
"That's impressive," You admitted, looking over at your husband.
He grinned back at you, feeling on top of the world.
"I can't skip stones," You revealed, making him gasp and place a hand on his chest, feeling completely and utterly shocked.
You looked away, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"I'll show you how while we wait for Arthur, come on," Finn said softly, realising his mistake.
You looked over at him, and he picked up some more stones. You walked over and stood next to your husband, putting your stuffed bear next to his.
He gave you a flat stone, standing behind you.
"Okay, so you always stand with your non-dominant side towards the water, so you can throw with your dominant hand," Finn explained, shifting your body so you were standing correctly.
He handed you a stone, "Then, you swing your arm, but flick only your wrist. You throw this at the water with your dominant hand, but you don't throw it down, you throw it across, but not too across."
You nodded at his safely advice, then tried it yourself, Finn whooping and clapping as you managed three skips with your stone.
"You're a natural, love," Finn told you as you spun back around and faced him, throwing your arms around his neck and pulling him down into a hug.
"It's only because you taught me," You murmured as you pulled away, looking up at your husband.
Your eyes flickered down to his lips, which were curled into a soft smile.
A car horn beeping pulled you back to reality, and you looked over to see Arthur in a dressing gown behind the wheel of his car.
"Come on, lovebirds, some of us actually need sleep!" He called out, but you knew it was good natured teasing.
You picked up your bears and ran over to the car, hopping in to the backseat.
You felt slightly disappointed that you didn't kiss Finn, but no matter. You'd have time in the future.
"Did you have an alright night?" Arthur asked you, looking at you two in the rear-view mirror.
"It was amazing," You spoke honestly, and Finn slipped his hand into yours, squeezing it thrice.
Arthur smirked at your answer. Tommy and Linda would owe him, (and others) money. They had a few bets placed on whether you and Finn would have a good time, whether you would kiss or not, whether you would shag or not.
They all had no intention of telling you and Finn, though. What you didn't know wouldn't hurt you.
You bounced in your seat as Arthur pulled up in front of your building.
"Thank you," You said hurriedly and followed Finn out of the car, shutting the door behind you.
You and Finn hurried up the first flight of exterior stairs.
"Here, Chuck us your bear, I'll put them inside, grab the food, you hurry up to the top," Finn said, and you gave him your bear, then sped along the balcony until you reached the door that took you into your apartment building.
There were four rows of apartments on each floor, two on the exterior of the building, then two on the interior, split by a hallway. You entered the interior of the building, running up the hallway and multiple flights of stairs until you reached the door that let you out onto the roof.
You opened it, then walked over to the edge, sitting on it and dangling your feet over the edge. You shivered. It was colder up here. You looked at the time. Ten minutes to go. You watched three minutes tick by until you heard the door to the roof open with a 'bang!'
You spun around, and Finn was stood there, a bottle of lemonade in one hand, what looked like water in the other, and something wrapped in a cloth held against his chest with his forearm. He had a blanket around his shoulders, making you snort.
He hurried over to you, sitting down next to you.
You had cut up tomato and cheese before you left, so you could make sandwiches before bed if you were still hungry.
All Finn had to do was butter the bread, put the tomato and cheese onto the sandwiches, along with salt and pepper, then cut his into squares and yours into triangles.
As soon as Finn unwrapped the sandwiches, your stomach growled. He handed you one of yours, and you thanked him, then devoured the small sandwich, grabbing the bottle of lemonade and taking a swig.
He produced a handkerchief from his pocket, along with the temporary tattoos, "Reckon you can give me one of those tattoos?"
"I'd love to," You answered, sifting through the pack.
You found one of a cartoon pistol firing.
"Take your jacket and the blanket off," You urged Finn, who did so.
You opened the bottle of water and shoved the handkerchief inside, then pulled it out and wrung it out over the side of the building. You placed the temporary tattoo onto his left arm, then placed the wet cloth over it, rubbing it to make sure the tattoo under it was completely wet. Finn watched you as he ate his cheese and tomato square.
He looked down at his watch. Two minutes to go. He pulled the blanket around the pair of you. You grabbed it and pulled it around you, shuffling closer to Finn so you both had more blanket. He threw his arm over your shoulder, you leaning in to his side.
"It's starting!" You gasped, wiggling on the spot.
You watched in awe as the first firework ascended, and burst into a brilliant ball of blue. You barely blinked as the dazzling display went on, eating your sandwich, but you couldn't even appreciate the taste due to all of your attention being on the fireworks.
Finn, however, was barely focusing on the fireworks. He continually looked over at you, your amazed expression at the way the fireworks painted Small Heath's streets rainbow.
The heart shaped rock felt especially heavy in his pocket as he looked back out at the sky, absentmindedly tracing patterns on your arm.
What he didn't know, however, was that you could feel him looking at you, and every time Le looked away you would peek at him, admiring him under the multi-coloured light.
He looked gorgeous.
As soon as the fireworks ended, you groaned, and bit into your last sandwich slice quite bitterly, making Finn chuckle.
"Before I forget," He began, making you look at him.
He pulled the heart shaped rock out of his pocket, and placed it into your palm.
You gasp, and Finn saw your eyes light up at the small gift.
"Oh, Finn, it's amazing! I'm going to put it on my vanity so I'll see it every morning," You informed him, which made him grin.
He felt invincible. You made him feel invincible.
•••
You groaned as Finn shook your shoulder.
"You're bleeding, love," He told you, making you shoot up.
You could feel a sticky substance between your legs, making you whine.
"Go have a shower, I'll put clean clothes in the bathroom and change the sheets," Finn said, and you stumbled out of your bed, and into the bathroom.
It wasn't even daylight yet.
Finn immediately stripped the sheets and doona cover, going and putting them into the laundry. He grabbed his own sheets and doona, then went and placed them on your bed, making sure to put the fitted sheet on properly. He rummaged through your closet and found you a clean nightgown and under layers, walking to the bathroom and dropping them just inside the door, making sure to look the other way so he wouldn't catch a glimpse of you in the shower.
He never understood why men would go and do whatever women wanted when they were bleeding, but as he put the kettle on to boil and started to make your tea just how you liked it, he understood. Understood that you deserved to be taken care of, to be shown love. He'd go and buy flour just to make biscuits from scratch if you came out of the bathroom and said you wanted them with your tea.
As the kettle continued to boil, he walked down to his room and marked the day on his calendar, then marked the six days after it, then counted twenty-eight days onwards and circled the week there, too. He knew that women's bodies didn't run on clocks, but at least this way he would know to stock the kitchen with your favourite food so you wouldn't be left without.
§§§
okay so if I stick to chapter plans I should be starting writing season 5 in chapter 48,,, we're going to get a lot of Finn and reader action before then lol
Did y'all like the date or nah??
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 27
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@im-your-possession
@bethabear12
@paisley-37
@shelundeadxxxx
@bluehairdie
@krillfromsky
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 2
Part 1
MASTERLIST
Arthur was now dragging me down to the Garrison. Apparently (Y/N) and her elder sister Esmeralda were there, waiting for us. Fuck 'em. I didn't want to see any of those Golds, especially the one Arthur told me I had to marry. This would be the first time I'd be seeing you properly.
"Why the fuck are we meeting at the Garrison? She's too young to drink anyway," I complained as Arthur fixed my suit as we walked down the cobblestone streets, feeling slightly buzzed from my whiskey.
"She can drink if she wants, I wouldn't be surprised if she could drink you under the table - and behave, you're going to be tied to this girl until one of you die because Shelby's. Don't. Divorce." Arthur warned before we walked in.
Arthur strutted in, and I followed, automatically reaching up to touch the bottom of the door jamb, then we walked to our private booth, passing Harry and saying hey on the way.
You were there, looking out the open window, your hair shielding you from my gaze (and Arthur's), your hand near your mouth. From the soft 'click', it was safe to assume you were chewing your nails.
I closed the door and locked it behind me, making sure no one could enter. Your sister nudged you, saying something softly, making you tuck your hair behind your ears and look at us. Your eyes met mine, and breath caught in my throat. The sun coming through the window made your eyes look like they were glowing.
You scowled, then faced the window again.
Arthur ushered me into the chair and I slid across, stopping next to the window. I immediately started bouncing my leg. Arthur sat down next to me, saying greetings. Esmeralda replied, but not you.
"Have they organised a date for the wedding yet?" Esmeralda asked Arthur, her eyes flickering to me and back.
"Sometime next week, I suspect. Don't worry, we'll get a seamstress to sew her up a nice dress." Arthur reassured the pair of you — mainly Esmeralda.
"I don't want a white dress," You spoke, turning to look at Arthur, "I like yellow — I want yellow. If I'm going to get married against my fucking will, It's it going be in my favourite fucking colour."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully, "That can easily be arranged."
You settled back into your seat, looking somewhat content at the little say you had, "Good."
We fell into an awkward silence.
"I'll go get us some drinks," Esmeralda said, slipping out of the chair and out of the booth.
Arthur shifted uncomfortably as you openly glared at us now that your sister was gone.
"I hate you both," You announced, then looked back out the window.
I opened my mouth to say something back but Arthur raised his eyebrows at me. I quickly shut my mouth, knowing he would tell Tommy.
Esmeralda quickly came back in, a jug of beer and four glasses on a tray. Arthur flew up to help her set the tray on the table without breaking anything.
"Have they told you of your new living arrangements?" Esmeralda asked her sister as she poured her a glass.
You shook your head slowly. I perked up in my seat as Arthur slid me a glass, wondering what was going to happen. Esmeralda nodded towards Arthur.
Arthur pointed to himself, and Esmeralda nodded. You cocked a brow as you crossed your arms over your chest.
Arthur cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably, leaning his arms on the tabletop, "You're moving to Watery Lane — with Finn. Orders of Tommy and your father. You're expected to move as soon as possible."
Your jaw dropped, as did mine.
"Fuck off!" You said at the same time I whipped out my pocket flask and took a long, hard swig of the whiskey.
This was the first I was hearing about it.
You stood up and stepped up onto the chair, then the table. You kicked the jug, effectively shattering it, making us all shout. Drops of beer landed on the yellow ribbon intertwined with your shoelaces, but you didn't seem to care as you walked down the table and hopped down onto the ground, and walked out of the booth.
"I'm sorry," Esmeralda said hurriedly as she got up and followed you.
Quite a fucking exit, if I do say so myself.
•••
I locked myself in my vardo, this time I was adamant about not coming out. This was my home, not some cobblestone street where all the houses looked the same.
"(Y/N)! Get out here, girl!" Dad called out, knocking on the door again for what must have been the eighth time in two hours, "I'll tow this fucking vardo into Watery Lane if I must!"
The thought of my precious home touching that filthy street made me blanch, so I quickly got up off my bed and stepped across the van to the door, taking a deep breath in through my nose and letting it out of my mouth before I swung the door open.
There stood Dad and none other than Tommy and Finn Shelby. I grimaced at the trio. Finn didn't have his cap on, the sun shining freely on his face. I could see the freckles spread across his pale skin. Tommy continued puffing on the cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.
"What are you lot doing here?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Finn's staying the night with you, so hand over your weapons." Dad ordered, stepping past me and grabbing my rifle and knife, "Tommy was kind enough to let you have one last night in the vardo."
My jaw dropped once more. He couldn't be serious! I looked at Finn, who looked away.
Oh, he was very fucking serious.
"We've decided you're to get married on Friday, five days' time — we'll do it here, at the camp, and you're going in to get your yellow dress on Tuesday, in two days' time. Sound alright?" Tommy questioned as Dad stepped back down the stairs.
I didn't have very much of a choice, did I?
"Sounds divine." I said through gritted teeth, making Tommy nod and walk off.
Finn stood there awkwardly, hands clasped around the black bag.
I stepped back and opened the door to the caravan wider, tilting my head to the side, "Take your boots off on the stairs. I don't want mud."
Finn handed me his bag, and I went and placed it on the table. He sat on the stairs, slowly unlacing his boots and removing them, then stood up and came in, reaching up and touching the top of the doorway as he did so, looking around.
I sat on my bed, watching him as he trailed a finger along the table and looked at the trinkets I collected at fairgrounds lined up on the shelf on top of the stove.
"So?" I asked, cocking a brow.
He turned to face me, looking confused.
"Do you like my caravan?" I elaborated impatiently, feeling slightly nervous.
He nodded, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"It's nice, really — just not what I'm used to," He replied, settling himself down on the seat next to the bed.
His leg immediately started bouncing. We settled into an awkward silence, and I brought my hand up to my mouth out of habit, making Finn reach over and grab his bag. He rummaged around for a bit then threw a little packet onto the bed.
I looked at it, and opened it. Chewing gum.
"To save your poor nails," He explained as I ripped the foil off of a piece and popped it into my mouth.
I pulled another piece from the packet and threw it to him. He unwrapped it carefully and placed half of it into his mouth and bit down, then threw the remaining half into his mouth, chewing like a cow.
I opened the window above my bed wider, to let breeze in more. I could smell something cooking on the fire, probably soup and flatbread again.
"Erm, should we figure out who's doing what role in the wedding?" Finn asked, scratching the back of his neck, leg bouncing a bit faster.
"No, not now, not ever." I hissed, glaring at the boy.
Finn threw his arms up, "Fuck me, (Y/N), I'm just trying to make things easier on us!"
I scoffed in disbelief as Finn ran a hand over his face, "They're marrying us off together because it's for the good of our families, (Y/N), can't you do this for your family?"
I closed my mouth, halfway through thinking of an insult, then opened it once more, "How will it help my family? I'm not doing it if it's not worth it, Shelby."
"I don't know, you can figure it out and we can make it happen. Tommy wants me to marry you because we could use a strong family like yours tied to us." Finn said, using his thumb to twirl the ring on his index finger around.
I thought for a bit.
"Can — can you keep the Lees away from us when we're passing through, keep it civil when we're camped close? Can you use Dad whenever you can? And can you promote Bonnie to the best of your ability?" I asked as the boy leaned back onto the seat.
Finn nodded, "I'll pass the message onto Tommy."
I thought about it for a bit, then narrowed my eyes at the boy, "How will it help me?"
"It doesn't, I think. I don't get many benefits either." Finn said softly.
I nearly felt sorry for him as I turned my head away to look out of my window, staying silent for a few moments.
"I'll do it for my family, don't think for one second that this is for you. And I sleep on the right side of the bed, with the window open. I can't stand a still room." I stated.
"Well, can we keep the curtains closed at night? I can't sleep with light." Finn informed me, making me groan and roll my eyes.
We weren't even properly married yet and I already hated it.
§§§
Chapter two done and dusted
Also - I find that Peaky Blinders continuity is a bit iffy, so I’m playing around with it, which in turn may make a few things feel funny time-wise.
Feedback is appreciated :))
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 3
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 TAGLIST
Interact with this post if you’d like to join the taglist for my Finn Shelby x Reader, ‘Contrary’
Joining this list is absolutely optional, and you can come and go as you please :))
Love y’all ❤️
- Sunflower x
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 10
Part 1
MASTERLIST
It had been a week since you and I had tied the knot, and you adopted Finn Junior. In that week, you had pulled me closer and pushed me away as you pleased. I was sick of it, and glad that I was going back to work today so I could get away from it. Tommy had called me this morning to tell me to be at Charlie's Yard in an hour.
Tommy had wanted you to come along as well, but I told him that you weren't well enough. Aberama had waxed poetic about your skills with guns, knives and even bow and arrows, and Tommy believed every word. I did too. This morning I had witnessed you stick a fly darting around to the kitchen ceiling with a knife because the buzzing annoyed you.
I didn't need you bothering me though, so you would be heading to Polly's after we went shopping. It was hard enough to try to get anyone older than me to take me seriously, but with you constantly belittling me it was an impossible task. I had no doubt that you would overshadow me too, and that was a big no-go.
I wrote the list out, and called out to you. You walked into the kitchen, Finn Junior hot on your heels, the bell on his little red collar tinkling. He had a little name tag, and our names on it in case he ever got lost, not that he ever would. He'd follow you everywhere, the Garrison, the betting den, Charlie's Yard, around the neighbourhood.
He'd never come near me voluntarily, though. He hates me, and I hate him. I nearly threw him out the window yesterday, because I turned my back on my cup of coffee for five seconds only to find him drinking it. You said that it was my fault for leaving the cup alone, but I'm positive that it's your fault for not training that fucking monster properly. He never ever tried that with your food either, it was always mine. I felt like you two had some sort of secret agreement to drive me mad.
"Let's go, you're reading the list." I instructed, throwing you the folded up piece of paper.
You blanched, but put it into your pocket. I rolled my eyes. I wouldn't have told you to do it if I didn't think you could. It was only four things, anyway. I put my cap on, and threw you your — our — brush, and you fixed your hair. It became our brush after you used mine to brush the knots out of Finn Jr's fur.
We started our walk down the street, to the market, you chewing your gum as usual. Once we entered, I grabbed a basket.
"What's the first thing on the list?" I asked, making you roll your eyes.
"You know damn well what's on the list, you wrote it!" You complained, but fished the list out of your pocket.
"Reading practice, won't hurt you." I replied as you came into step with me.
"I'm not sounding anything out," You warned, looking at the first word. "Erm, bread."
I nodded, and made a beeline for the bread aisle. I grabbed two loaves, knowing we were going to babysit Karl tomorrow and he was obsessed with jam sandwiches at the moment.
"Tea, coffee," You read out the next two items, and I put an arm around you and guided you to the aisle containing tea and coffee as you stared down at the page, trying to figure out the last word.
"What's the first sound you're sure of?" I questioned as I grabbed teabags and a jar of coffee.
"Bis," You answered as I grabbed your shoulder and started guiding you again.
"What do we eat a lot of, starting with 'bis', that we might need to top up on?" I prompted as we walked through the store.
"Oh, um, biscuits?" You replied unsurely, looking up at me, making me nod.
"Biscuits. Good girl," I praised as we reached the biscuits.
You blushed and looked away as I grabbed three packets. I lead us to the checkout and placed the items down. You made small talk with the cashier as she added up the cost of everything. I paid her, then we walked back to home. I could see Tommy, Arthur, and Isiah walking up the street. I looked down at my watch. Oh fuck, they left five minutes early.
"I've got to go with Tommy, I'll see you later, don't leave the Lane." I commanded, handing you the bag holding our groceries.
"Why?" You demanded, adjusting your grip on the brown paper bag.
"Family business," I brushed you off, adjusting my cap.
You stopped, and I turned to look at you.
"What?" I said impatiently.
"I'm part of the family now, so what business are you attending to?" You questioned, "Or are you not telling me because I'm a Gold?"
"It's complicated," I answered, not wanting to start up on the street.
"Fuck you, Shelby." You spat, walking past me and into our house, slamming the door behind you.
I ran to catch up to the other boys, patting Arthur on the back once I caught up.
READER'S POV
"Fuck Finn Shelby and the other Shelby's, and fuck the Peaky Blinders!" I swore as I walked to the kitchen.
"Is that any way to speak about your husband?" I heard a familiar voice speak.
I looked up, and Mum was sat at the kitchen table, stroking Finn Junior.
"If you try anything, I'll kill your cat," She said coolly.
I had no doubt that she would, so I sat across the table from her, tucking my hair behind my ears.
"What are you doing here?" I asked carefully, watching her as she scratched him behind the ears and made him purr.
Little grey traitor. I should've let Finn leave you at the yard.
"I'm doing a favour for some people." She replied, and I heard a car pull up outside, making my blood run cold in my veins.
"Leonardo, now!" Mum commanded, and I heard the floorboards creak behind me.
I quickly got up, and swung the chair that I was sitting on around, hearing it crack and break as it made contact with a man. I felt long nails scratch my scalp as Mum grabbed my hair from behind, yanking me back and making my back hit the table. She kept her hold on me, and no amount of thrashing could free me from her hold.
The man, Leonardo, stood back up and grabbed a wooden pole from the back of the chair. The last thing I felt before I fell unconscious was the pole cracking across my face and Mum letting me go, making my head connect with the kitchen bench, then everything went dark.
•••
FINN'S POV
I aimed at the group of men on the bridge, finger on the trigger, willing myself to pull it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it. If you were here, you'd probably be telling me to grow a pair and pull the trigger before you did it yourself. Then, you'd probably grab the gun off of me and proceed to do it yourself.
"Too late to back out now, mate." One of the men said, making me breathe a sigh of relief as I lowered the rifle.
"It's a fucking decoy!" I heard Tommy yell out, making my eyes widen, "Bring the car around!"
I started running to the apartment that Arthur was in, unloading my rifle and pocketing the bullets.
"Arthur!" I called out as I ran along the pathway in front of the apartments, and opened the door to the apartment that held my eldest brother.
"Arthur, they're not here for you. It must be Michael." I said, panting, eyes flickering from him to the woman.
He took a breath in, then grabbed the tablecloth, shoving it off of the table.
"You fucking bitch!" He roared as everything clattered on the floor.
"You set me up, eh?" He said, pulling out his gun, "you set me up!"
He flipped the table, then stepped closer and grabbed the woman by the shoulders, "I know!"
"Arthur, you need to get to the hospital now." I stated, walking over and grabbing his shoulder.
"Fuck off!" He grunted, tearing himself from my grip, making me stumble.
I walked back over to the door. He looked back at the woman and growled. She was damn near crying.
"If your faith is real," She began shakily, "I've got all the kids!"
Arthur put a hand on her face and pushed her away, heading to the door, but not before kicking a teapot and shattering it, making her gasp.
"If you're here in one hour, I swear to God — I will cover you in tar and fucking feathers." Arthur threatened, pointing at her, then spinning around and pushing past me.
"Come on, Finn, let's go," He commanded, and as we walked away I could hear the woman start to sob.
We piled into Tommy's car, and Tommy began speeding through the streets. The car was silent, the air heavy. When we arrived I nearly tripped as I rushed out of the car, Arthur helping me to find my feet.
Tommy lead us to Michael's room, my heart pounding so hard that I thought it was going to come right out of my chest. Tommy stopped in the corridor just outside of Michael's room, then burst in, followed by Arthur, then me, Isiah and Johnny waiting in the car.
Michael was sitting up peacefully reading the paper.
"What's wrong?" He asked, looking at us in confusion as he lowered the paper.
"The Italians — They had a decoy, they was meant to attack Arthur but they didn't," Tommy explained, making Michael's eyes widen.
I had a funny feeling in my stomach. I didn't like this. I spotted the cup of tea and biscuits next to Michael and my mouth went dry.
"Tommy," I began nervously, "What if they went to Watery Lane; after the girls?"
I watched as all the colour drained from Tommy's face, and he got up from the chair he was sitting on and told us to get our asses back into the car. I didn't waste any time running through the halls. Isiah and Johnny were leaning against the car sharing a smoke. Johnny quickly put it out when he saw us, and hopped into the back, followed by Isiah.
I clambered into the back after passing Isiah the shotgun, Arthur putting the seat up and hopping in, and Tommy getting into the drivers seat, starting the car and speeding to Watery Lane.
I found myself twisting my wedding band around my finger, a habit I picked up when I was nervous. Tommy came to a screeching stop in front of Polly's, and I couldn't get out of the car quick enough, running down the street to our house, and opening the door.
"(Y/N)!" I called out, scanning the room.
Finn Junior was laid on the coffee table, and he got up and strolled over to me, rubbing against my legs, making my stomach drop. Something was definitely wrong.
I ran upstairs, and you weren't there. I stumbled back down the stairs, and into the kitchen. A chair had been broken, and there was blood on the edge of the kitchen bench.
"Fuck!" I hissed, looking around the room. I spotted an envelope on the kitchen table.
I snatched it up, and ran back out to the street.
"Where's your wife?" Tommy asked, looking me up and down.
"She's gone," I snapped, handing him the envelope I found.
He tore it open.
"What does it say?" Polly asked, coming to stand with us.
"That Luca Changretta is keeping her until he kills one of us, and if he can't kill one of us, he'll kill her." Tommy said, his face unreadable.
I suddenly felt nauseous, and doubled over, my breakfast making a reappearance on the cobbled street. Arthur started rubbing my back. This was unfair, you were innocent. You didn't have anything to do with this.
As I heaved for air, I came up with one thought; if I had taken you with me this morning, you would be fine. This was all my fault.
§§§
OOOOH IT FINALLY HAPPENEDDDD
I've been waiting to write the kidnapping for agesss
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 11
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 5
Part 1
MASTERLIST
Finn could hear you chattering away to the girls most of the day. You bonded more with them than you did with him, and it was safe to say that they adored you, and you them, bar Linda. He was slightly grateful, because it would make your transition into the family easier on you if you were liked.
You had become a good use in the betting shop, whispering in the men's ears on which horse you thought would win. Who would be stupid enough to ignore a traveller girl with a nice smile?
Little did the men know, you were making sure Shelby Company Limited would earn all the men's money by telling them to bet their money on the losing horses. Polly admired your cunningness.
It was now the end of the day, the shop just closing. You were sat on Polly's desk, chewing gum, laughing at some story Polly was telling you about your Dad. Finn was stood in the doorway, watching the pair of you, feeling envious at how Polly had managed to worm her way into your good graces and he was stuck being called 'Shelby'.
Linda pushed past Finn to show Polly something or other.
"You can't read it, you're not part of the business," Linda said to you, dropping the file onto Polly's desk just behind you.
"You're acting all high and mighty for someone who joined the business five seconds before I came through the door," You replied breezily, "And besides, I can't read — or write — anyway. I can do my name, and Dad says that's enough."
That didn't come to a surprise to Finn, he only learned how to read when he turned seventeen last year, and he still wasn't the best at it, even though he practiced reading the Bible every night with Jeremiah Jesus.
Linda scoffed, rolling her eyes, "Doesn't your family care about you children enough to teach you how to read?"
You stopped chewing your gum, and pursed your lips, looking at Linda.
"What did you just say?" You asked calmly.
"I'm just saying, if you want a respectable job and not one as a whore or a hit man your father should have taught you how to read," Linda stated, opening up the file.
One moment you were sitting there as Linda started explaining what she was showing to Polly, and the next you and Linda were on the floor, you on top of her punching her relentlessly with no sign of stopping.
"Oh, fuck," Finn gasped, hurrying over to pull you off of Linda, who had blood pouring from her mouth and nose.
Polly made no move to grab you, just watching it unfold. In her opinion, you could say whatever you wanted about a person, but you left their family out of it.
You threw your right elbow back, hitting Finn square in the nose, sending him stumbling back. He was dazed for a few seconds, but quickly recovered, grabbing you by the collar and dragging you back off of the poor woman. He could feel his nose dripping blood.
You thrashed around in his grip, trying to get him to let you go.
"(Y/N), if you hurt Linda any more it'll make it harder for Tommy to consider your terms for the marriage — Bonnie and safety when passing through, remember?" Finn cautioned, making you stop your thrashing.
"Don't you ever talk about my family like that ever again, you Christian slut!" You shrieked at Linda, who was rolling on the floor, holding a hand on her face and groaning.
Finn helped you up roughly, his nose still pouring blood. He lead you to the bathroom, where he grabbed some toilet paper and dabbed under his nose. He looked in the mirror, thankfully it didn't get onto his shirt. You turned on the tap and started washing your hands.
Finn pinched his nose shut, making sure to lean slightly forward as he looked at you in the mirror.
"Linda's not in the bridal party then?" Finn asked, words barely decipherable.
"Absolutely not," You spat as you grabbed paper towels to dry your hands, "I want Polly to be there, and Lizzie — Your sister Ada can be there if she wants. That makes four bridesmaids with Ezzie, Saoirse can be the flower girl."
Finn nodded, then thought about groomsmen. Thomas, Arthur, Isiah, and someone else. Michael would still be in hospital. Maybe Bonnie? Karl could be the ring bearer, he was the right age for it.
"Erm, can Bonnie be one of my groomsmen? And can my nephew Karl be the ring bearer?" Finn asked, watching as you took deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth to calm yourself down.
"I'm not Bonnie's fucking mother, he can do what he wants!" You barked, "And yes, your nephew can be the ring bearer, now fuck up and leave me be!"
Finn gave you an awkward thumbs up, not wanting to nod. You would've laughed at the sight if you weren't still mad.
Polly entered the bathroom, looking at Finn then at you, "I'm about to take Linda home, everything alright in here, no trouble in paradise?"
You nodded, "I'm gonna stay in here for a bit until I cool down. He's just taking care of his nose. You, Lizzie, Ada, all have a spot in my bridal party do you wish, I will not have that cunt anywhere near me on Friday, if she's near me I might stab her with a spoon."
"Oh god, you've definitely got your Mother's anger issues," Polly muttered, making you frown, "Alright, tomorrow we'll leave nine o'clock to go to the seamstress here in town, sound good?"
"Sounds good," You confirmed, and Polly spun on her heel and walked out, her boots clacking against the floor.
Finn looked at you out of the corner of his eye. As he eyed you up, decided that you were more than capable of taking Linda out with a spoon.
You and Finn stood in silence for a few more minutes, you managing to get your anger under wraps. You spat out your gum into the bin, and Finn threw the bloody toilet paper in there as well.
"Come on, let's go home, I've got stuff to do," Finn commanded lightly, leading you out of the bathroom.
The pair of you passed the dining room, where Tommy was waiting.
"Finn! (Y/N)!" He called out, making you both turn, "Come here."
You followed Finn hesitantly, a big contrast to his confident walk. You were sure that Tommy was about to yell at you for hitting Linda.
"How was your day?" Tommy asked, his eyes flitting between you.
"Yeah, it was okay," Finn answered, conveniently leaving out the part where you thrashed Linda.
"I had fun bonding with the girls," You admitted, following Finn's lead and ignoring the elephant in the room.
"And Finn!" You added hurriedly as an afterthought.
"Good people. Well done. No trouble?" Tommy questioned, dropping his to his side, flicking the ash off the end of the cigarette.
"No. No trouble." Finn responded, shaking his head.
"What's this I hear about your fiancée flogging Linda, then?" Tommy asked, looking directly at you.
"She suggested my Dad was negligent. I wasn't having it," You answered simply, looking right back at him.
You were feeling nervous, even if your actions didn't show it, with the way your heart was palpitating you had no doubt.
"I know, and I think she knows that now too. Try to keep punches between you and any member of the Shelby family to a minimum from now on, yeah?" Tommy said, and you knew even though it sounded like a question, it was a command.
"Yeah." You agreed quietly, stepping back.
Finn let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as Tommy nodded.
"Erm, after we get married, (Y/N) wants some stuff to happen, Tom." Finn cut in, making Tommy cock a brow, but gesture for him to continue.
"She wants you to hire Aberama whenever you can, because he'll be family and we take care of our own. She wants you to promote Bonnie as best as you can, and for the Lees to leave the Golds alone whenever they pass through here," Finn concluded, looking Tommy in the eyes.
Tommy took a draw from his cigarette, then nodded, "I'll see what I can do, I should be able to fulfil your wishes. You can go now, I'll lock up."
You and Finn nodded, and turned to go.
"Oh, and (Y/N), good job on getting everyone to bet today, Poll told me. It'd be good if you can do the same tomorrow." Tommy added, making you throw a 'yeah' over your shoulder as Finn opened the door for you.
"What business do you have to do?" You asked Finn curiously as you set off down Watery Lane.
"Reading lessons, I have them every night if I have the time." Finn replied, "I learn from a preacher. He's my best mate's dad."
You nodded thoughtfully as you popped another piece of gum in your mouth.
"Would — would I be able to join?" You asked, looking at him, trying not to sound too hopeful.
"Of course you can," Finn reassured, making the corners of your lips quirk up.
You walked in a comfortable silence to Jeremiah Jesus's home, where Finn knocked on the door in a particular manner.
Isiah Jesus opened the door, and grinned at his best mate, then saw you behind Finn. He quickly stepped aside and let the pair of you enter his home.
"Finn, nice to see you again," Jeremiah greeted as if he hadn't seen the boy in ages, when in reality Finn was at his house two days prior. "Here for another reading lesson?"
"Yeah, and it's always a pleasure to be here. Isiah, Jeremiah, this is my fiancée (Y/N)." Finn introduced you to the men, "She doesn't do handshakes, or any touching."
You nodded in greeting, Isiah and Jeremiah nodded back and saying their heys.
"Would it be alright if she joined in our reading lesson?" Finn asked Jeremiah, who grabbed his Bible, along with some pencils and pieces of paper.
"Of course — Come sit down, Isiah go out the kettle on." Jeremiah commanded his son as you Finn sat either side of the man at the small, rectangular dining table.
Jeremiah told Finn to start reading a particular Bible verse out loud, then turned to you.
"Do you know how to say your alphabet?" Jeremiah asked you, sliding you a pencil and piece of paper.
You nodded, placing your hands on the table unsurely.
"Know how to write it?" Jeremiah continued, making you shake your head.
"I'll write the letters and you copy them underneath," Jeremiah said, quickly writing the twenty-six letters on the page, then drawing small arrows next to the letters to show you which way to direct your pencil on the page to form the letters.
He then pointed to the first one, "This is 'a'. Now, write it on your page."
You grabbed your pencil hesitantly, feeling embarrassed.
"Hold it like this," Jeremiah advised, picking up his own pencil.
You adjusted your grip, and placed your pencil on the page, writing a shaky 'a' then looking at Jeremiah, who smiled at you.
"Well done, (Y/N)." He praised, making you smile from ear to ear.
Finn looked up at you from across the table, stopping reading momentarily. This was the first time he'd seen you properly smile, the happiest you had ever been since he met you. In the moment before he started reading again, he decided happiness looked nice on you.
§§§
I'm coming out of isolation tomorrow so Contrary probably won't be updated as frequently!!
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 6
CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 28
Part 1
MASTERLIST
TAGLIST
Your husband leaned down, breath hot on your ear as he promised to be back soon. You gave a hum of acknowledgement and continued talking to one of Tommy's friends in high places. What Tommy brought you and Finn to this dinner party for, you didn't know. Tommy was bringing his new business partners (Bonnie, your father, and your sisters) to meet some of his uppity friends over a dinner party, therefore the senior Shelbys were in attendance as they all had important positions in the company, but you and Finn weren't senior Shelbys. If you were being honest, you and Finn didn't even have proper positions in the company, just doing whatever bits and bobs Tommy told you to do. You supposed it made sense, but also didn't make sense at the same time.
Finn handed you his glass of whiskey, and walked off, happy to be out of that damned room but feeling slightly guilty for leaving you alone.
He headed towards the nearest bathroom, wanting a few moments of privacy to settle his nerves — and to play in the snow.
He knocked twice on the bathroom door, and no answer came. He tried the door but it was locked, making him frown. He hoped that no one was inside and unconscious. He put his ear up to the door and knocked again.
A faint, sniffly 'hello?' came through, making his heart drop. He knew that voice anywhere. Saoirse.
"Sersh, it's Finn. Can you open the door?" Finn asked, trying to sound calm.
She should have been well and truly snoring by now, tucked safely into bed, under the watch of her nanny, who Bonnie was so generously paying for.
Finn heard the door lock jiggle, then the door opened just enough for Saoirse to slip through and hug Finn in a bone crushing hug. He quickly wrapped his own arms around the child, rubbing her back comfortingly, her nightgown smooth under his hand.
"I got scared because it was a new room and I was going to ask Pippa for a nightlight because the shadows looked scary but I couldn't remember if she went right or left or what bell to ring to call her and I tried to find her but I couldn't and I ended up in there," Saoirse explained through sniffles, breathing quick and shallow, "She does it a lot but she usually puts a light on so I'm not scared."
"I'm here now," Finn reassured, making a mental note to tell Bonnie to get rid of that nanny.
Saoirse nodded, breathing still uneven.
"Take a few big, deep breaths — like this," Finn demonstrated, then gestured for Saoirse to do it.
Saoirse did so, clinging on to Finn as she did it, as if she was scared he was going to run away as soon as she turned her back.
Finn waited patiently until Saoirse was calm, then pulled his handkerchief out and told her to blow her nose with it, and she did. He suddenly heard the rapid 'click-click' that your heels made when you walked. He spun around, and you were hurrying over to the pair, dress bunched up in your hands so you wouldn't trip over it.
"What's she doing here? She was meant to be back at camp with Pippa," You said softly, giving her a hug and leaning down to place a kiss on her forehead.
"She just said that Pippa put her into one of the guest rooms," Finn replied, reminding himself to unclench his jaw, trying to keep himself standing in a relaxed way so Saoirse wouldn't see how stressed he was becoming.
"Fucking — I knew she was mad on that butler, wouldn't think she would do that to my sister because of it," You grumbled, frowning, "She'd be better off fucking living with us, honest."
"That can be arranged," Finn said, making you stop and look at him.
"That isn't a five second decision!" You hissed, not wanting to get Saoirse's hopes up.
Finn nodded, taking off his jacket and placing it around your sister, who must have been cold in her little blue nightgown.
"Want to stay with us tonight, at our house?" You asked Saoirse gently.
She nodded, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of Finn's jacket.
Finn handed you the car keys, "You go put her in the car, I'll go tell Tommy."
You nodded, and Finn turned on his heel and went to go find his brother.
You were concerned. You had gotten Saoirse a nanny so she wouldn't be left alone, with all of you going and doing business most of the day. Your father and Bonnie having a bit of an erratic schedule making it hard for them to be home, and Ezzie was usually in town with Isiah making lesson plans for the kids so they could learn too, which, knowing her, could easily turn into a night over at Isiah's house. That was where Pippa came in useful, caring for your sister when you all couldn't, but now you were wondering how many times Pippa actually left your sister alone and unsupervised.
By tomorrow, Pippa would be lucky if she had her eyes.
You walked down the corridor and turned to your right, holding Saoirse's hand, then heard a giggle. You looked to your left, and, there was your brother, talking to one of the butlers, a smirk on his face.
"Bonnie!" You said sharply, making him look at you and drop his smirk.
"What's she doing up?" He asked you, shoving the butler into the room and closing the door behind him, walking over to the pair of you.
"The nanny you hired has been leaving her unattended," You explained, making Bonnie's eyes widen.
"What about the dogs, her dogs, Daisy and Duke, don't they stay with her?" Bonnie questioned, reaching an arm out for Saoirse, who shook her head and pressed herself into your side even more.
"That's not the point-" You began, but Bonnie cut you off,
"-We always had the dogs and no babysitters-"
"Yes but we were older and we had each other, she's got no one, we're not camping with family now!" You snapped, and Bonnie pursed his lips and nodded, seeing your point.
You sighed, ushering Saoirse along the corridor and promising to see Bonnie sometime soon, when he wasn't busy.
•••
A week after Pippa was fired — and you took her eyes, cheered on by Finn — you sat with Finn, Saoirse, Ezzie, Aberama, and Bonnie at your dining table, Finn Junior on Saoirse's lap.
You drummed your fingertips against the tabletop, your nails clicking against it. Finn found the noise irritating, so he clamped his hand around yours and brought it back between the pair of you, giving it three quick squeezes
Saoirse's eyes went from you and Finn, to Aberama, and back again. You noticed that she hadn't even taken a sip of her tea, or had a biscuit. Nervous. She felt nervous.
"You can choose whatever you want, my darling Butterfly," Aberama said in a reassuring tone, smiling fatherly down at his youngest child.
Butterfly. Saoirse had finally picked a favourite colour. Blue.
"Want to stay with Bee and Finn for a bit," Saoirse admitted, making you freeze, "See what it's like."
Your husband noticed this and dropped his hand, rubbing your leg in a reassuring manner.
"We'll give you my room," Finn told Saoirse, making her grin, "And enrol her in school today, we've got time."
Saoirse's grin dropped, and she looked over at you.
"You're going if you're staying here," You told her, and she huffed, hugging Finn Junior and rubbing her face against his fur, but protested no more.
The only options were school, or a nanny, and you didn't want to hire a nanny after that last incident. You could have gotten her a governess, but you wanted her to have some interaction with other children.
Aberama looked at you and your husband. He noticed that your hair was down, which was unusual. You rarely had it down anymore. A big change from when you first got married and rarely had it up. Maybe it was a sign of growing up. He wished you had your hair down more if it was.
"We'll need to get her clothes from my vardo sometime soon, then," Aberama said softly, making you nod, the check the time.
You still had time to enrol her today.
"I've got to go see Tommy, I'll see you two back at camp," Bonnie said, standing up from the table and wiping the nonexistent dust from his clothes.
"And I've got to go and make schooling packs, I don't know when I'll be back at camp," Ezzie excused herself, Bonnie pulling her chair out and helping her stand up.
Your father wordlessly stood up, and tucked his chair in. You frowned. He always said see you later before standing up from his chair, then once again whilst leaving.
"Dad? What's wrong?" You asked carefully, not wanting to upset him.
"You're all growing so fast, at the start of the year I had you all with me but now you're all going and growing up," Aberama admitted, making you feel slightly guilty.
You didn't see your father as much as you wanted now that you lived with Finn.
"I'll never grow up," Saoirse piped up, making you all chuckle.
"Maybe all of your kids should spend one last night in camp with you — not one last night, but just one night together before Sersh comes to stay with us for a bit," Finn suggested, making your heart flutter.
He could be proper considerate sometimes.
"Yes, tonight," Ezzie agreed, and looked at Bonnie, who grinned and nodded.
"It's settled then," You stated, looking at your father who looked more upbeat than he did before.
"Tonight," He nodded, grinning from ear to ear, "I'll see you, you'd do well to get Saoirse enrolled today."
You hummed in agreement as you stood up from the table, taking the empty cups to the sink, Finn getting up and helping you.
Your sister, father, and brother moved towards the door, saying see you later, then left you, your husband, your cat, and your younger sister in the apartment. Saoirse was finally eating her biscuits and drinking her tea.
Finn walked over and phoned Poll, who agreed to go for a drive and get him the enrolment forms and help him fill them out, no questions asked. That's what he liked about Polly. Always doing things for the people she loved.
"Finn, she won't be where she's supposed to be up to in school, what if she gets bullied?" You asked your husband lowly as you stood next to him at the sink, looking over at your shoulder quickly, peeking at your sister.
She picked up things quick, being a kid, but you were sure she wasn't where she needed to be, and you knew just how vicious kids were.
"Then we'll pay someone to get her up to speed in the afternoons," Finn reassured you, leaning down and planting a kiss on your forehead, then grabbed the tea towel and started wiping up.
Finn listened to your soft humming as you moved around the room, and headed down the hallway to his room. You were probably beginning to move his clothes into your room. Neither of you had much clothes, so you'd be fine sharing your wardrobe and chest of drawers with him.
"Finny?" Saoirse's voice snapped him back to reality, and he spun around, raising his eyebrows and jerking his chin up.
"Can I get a nightlight for a bit?" She asked, shifting in her seat.
"Of course," Finn reassured, "We'll track one down after we get your enrolment form."
Saoirse grinned toothily at this statement, then put the cat down, walking over and laying in front of the fireplace, which was roaring. Even though it was getting warmer, it was still cold in the apartment, especially in the rooms. Finn wouldn't mind having a place that had a fireplace in each room. Maybe an extras room, too, so no one would have to move rooms in case guests came.
"Need help!" You called out, and Finn moved down the hallway, then backtracked, turning on the radio and finding a station for Saoirse, then moving down the corridor again.
He walked into his — now Saoirse's — room, and saw that you had all of his clothes out on his bed.
"What do you need help with?" He asked as he leaned against the doorway.
"Darling, can you take those ironed clothes and put them where ever you want them? I'll take these and put them wherever they'll fit," You said, and Finn felt his heart skip a beat at the pet name.
"That I can do, love," Finn said, crossing the room and grabbing the ironed stuff by their hangers, then walking them into your — his, now, too — rooms, going and putting them into the wardrobe, noticing his list for you pinned on the door.
He noticed the heart shaped rock on your vanity, and beamed a smile.
"What's got you smiling?" You questioned as you went and put Finn's folded clothes into your chest of drawers.
"The rock," Finn admitted, blushing, making you chuckle as you stood up, then crossed the room, leaning up and planting a kiss on his cheek.
He wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you into a hug. He took a deep breath in, and caught your scent, making his shoulders drop in relaxation. Your scent always calmed him.
"It's going to be odd, sharing a room," You said, but felt excited.
You'd be sharing a room with your husband, finally. The thought of waking up, tangled in the sheets with Finn as the morning light filtered through your window made your heart beat just a little bit faster.
§§§
Heyyy long time no see
What did you think of this chapter??
Some of the events in this chapter was meant to happen in chapter 30 but oh well lol
Love y'all ❤️
- Sunflower x
Part 29
@meadownicolee
@toothlessmcleod
@im-your-possession
@bethabear12
@paisley-37
@shelundeadxxxx
@bluehairdie
@krillfromsky
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
fanfiction writer who is open to requests20 years oldnew to tumblr so pls be patient!!MASTERLIST
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