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#and also. she’s right shelby has So Much Shit happening right now
vestaclinicpod · 1 day
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Audio Drama Sunday - 28th April ✨
Happy Audio Drama Sunday! I started two new shows this week and fell in love with both of them!! 
👻 @tellnotalespod (S2E8.5) ohhhhhh I’m so emotional. The end of this series is going to make me cry so many happy tears, I can just feel it. 
🌲 @hellofromthehallowoods (149) With the description this week, I think I truly realised just how scary-looking the pig man is 😰 Things are looking decidedly down for Shelby and Clem. Eek. God, Valerie!!! She’s such an interesting character because you can literally connect the dots of her trauma but still be slightly disappointed by the consequences on her behaviour! And the poor Mr Greenstreets ☹️ Raj is very Syrensyr coded?? Vincent as a grief counsellor makes me wonder… about who or what Voltaire is…. 
Also, I want the Auditor to be Polly so bad and I want Nikignik to get out of the interrogation by bargaining to reunite him with Yaretzi and Mort - PLEASE. 
🧳 Travelling Light by @monstrousproductions (19) I loved seeing our Traveller stand up for themself!! It’s always so fun to see characters who are usually soft gain a backbone of steel because their core values are tested. And the discussion of the nanobots was so interesting!! The laws on nanobots elsewhere when they are literally required for survival makes the entire person illegal. And we all know that’s not right!!! 
👁️ @malevolentcast (41) I’m thinking that maybe Rafters was an exception that proves the rule… Alexander the owl was creepy as anything and I hated the way he seemed to be guiding them towards the crack in the wall. Now we’re in a possible parallel universe, it feels like all bets are off and I’m scared to even consider what might happen to John and Arthur now! 
⚔️ @camlannpod (8) OUGH. Oh my god. Can’t they just have FIVE MINUTES to RELAX?? I actually snorted out loud at: ‘you’re good with an axe, right’. Pere is a little shit and I love that for them. Morgan!!! 🫨 And Dai!!! I’m so hopeful that starting down this path will lead to good (or, at least, a whole load of shenanigans for S2!) 
🖥️ The Magnus Protocol (13) It’s very interesting to me that we were able to listen in on Sam and Cecilia’s date… how did that work? There’s something here about gambling and chance with this story and the previous one about the dice rolling?? I’m connecting the dots (I’m not connecting shit). 
🌞 Small Victories by @wgc-productions is so good, I wish I’d started listening years ago. I love the 90s sitcom vibe and the intro/outro are so unique. I absolutely love shows that centre around character studies. Marisol’s story is so gripping and I love how the writing takes us right inside her brain as she justifies every decision (good or bad). It’s so clear how loveable she is and how much people around her want her to be okay (mostly), but don’t know *how* to get her to that place given the shit they’re dealing with themselves! I got up to 1.09 so . . . bit of a cliffhanger there!! I’m very excited to see how the story progresses. I’m rooting for you, Tiny!! 
🧋 I started @hinaypod and it’s safe to say that I’m in love already! Listening has given me the same amazing feeling of listening to Desperado - the sensation that the creators have opened up a door to a brand new world and I’m so happy to be in it! I adore Mari. Even from episode one, she has this quiet self-confidence in herself and her skills which is so refreshing. I also really like the horror writing here and I’m really looking forward to delving deeper into this story! 
Hope everyone has a good week! 💙
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fogwitchoftheevermore · 8 months
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thinking about nature wives in the blaseball au. im gonna have soooo much fun with them.
also did you guys know there’s a tag limit cause i decided to scramble my thoughts down in the tags so i would remember and that’s what i learned today.
#space rambles#mcyt blaseball au#vision for this is that shelby’s got a bit of a crush on katherine before she dies but she doesn’t really do anything about it#and then she gets to spend a couple decades ruminating on all the shit she never did in the hall#and so when she comes back she’s knocking all this stuff off her bucket list and one of those things is asking katherine out#however. problem with that.#one. it’s been a Fucking While since they last saw each other#two. joey’s here now and has been obsessively pining after her and she’s so fucking tired of romance right now#third. there’s so much happening All The Time Forever she has no idea if she can actually deal with a romantic relationship#within the context of blaseball#like she knows other people do it. so many people do. she just doesn’t know if SHE can. especially because shelby is uh.#actively banishing people to the shadow realm right now#(she’s not judging her for it but like. shelby maybe should be dealing with her own shit rn.)#and katherine tells her as such and shelby is cool about it of course#and also. she’s right shelby has So Much Shit happening right now#so shelby spends two seasons sending people to the shadow realm#and maybe she hits katherine once. whoops. (KATHERINE DOES NOT GET REDACTED.)#(ACTUALLY HM THINKING ABOUT IT. MAYBE SHE DOES BUT SHE GETS BETTER.)#(WE’LL REVIST THIS)#but at the end of season 15 (i fucked up it’s one season)#her debt gets rerolled#and then she goes to therapy for a while cause holy shit she needs it#and then like season 17 or 18 shelby’s at a party in new york and katherine pulls her aside#and shelby’s terrified that she’s gonna be really mad about the shadow realm thing and never want to speak to her again#but that is NOT what happens NOPE BABY#katherine’s like ‘hey i know it’s been a couple years since then but i’ve been thinking about what we talked about when you first came back’#‘and i think i am in a spot where i can handle a relationship alongside blaseball and i think i want to’#‘but also i entirely get it if you’ve moved on-‘#and shelby doesn’t know what to do with THAT ONE so she just kisses her#and they’re both like laughing when they pull away and then shelby asks her out for coffee :)
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dragonmasterkaylz · 1 month
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Don’t Mess with the Badger
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“Oh bloody hell…”.
Hermione looked up and saw Aurora walk to her table with a split lip and a bruise on her cheek. Harry then looked up at her before saying, “It looks like she got into a fight. Does Theodore know?” Ron looked over at the Slytherin table and saw him talking to his all of his friends. Hermione hummed and then looked over to see a Slytherin girl walk in, who looked a lot worse. “Bloody hell! Did Aurora beat her up? She looks bad”.
Pansy looked at the Slytherin girl before saying, “Oh dear, what the hell happened to you?!” “That fucking Hufflepuff, that’s what!” Then Crabbe and Goyle sat with the boys, looking a lot worse. Mattheo smirked at the two before saying, “Wow! Now, I want to know who did this and why, because this is so funny!” Ron then walked up and said, “Oi, Theo. You may want to check up on Aurora— woah! Bloody hell! Wait! What did you three do to piss her off that much?!” Mattheo stood up and looked at the Hufflepuff Table. “… Shit”.
Theodore’s eyes widened and then went dark when he saw the bruise on her face. Hermione, Harry and Luna also joined them. “Well?! Someone want to talk about what happened?!”, Hermione asked angrily.
“Well…”.
Aurora was walking to the Great Hall, when she had heard three Slytherin’s talking amongst themselves. A girl she didn’t know, along with Crabbe and Goyle.
“You know, Theodore’s no better than her! He’s now a Blood Traitor for dating a Mudblood!”, she stated. Crabbe said, “I wouldn’t go that far. It’s not like he’s a Weasley”. “No! But here’s the icing the cake, now Draco has a crush on Granger! Honestly! Shelby and her, are both filthy Mudbloods, and we shouldn’t be associating ourselves with them!”, she shouted, just as Aurora walked up to them. “Oh… fucking shit…!!!”
“What to say that again, you bitch?”, Aurora asked as her eyes darkened with rage. “Woah! I bet… you think you’re hot shit now! First, you date Theodore! Then you befriend all of Draco’s gang— I mean, are you trying to make us look bad, Hufflepuff?! You’re a fucking Mudblood! You know it would never work, you slut! You’re the reason Theo got disowned after all”. Then the blonde approached her and glared at her, with an angry look on her face. “Say that again. Call my boyfriend a Blood Traitor again… and you’ll see what happens when you piss off a Hufflepuff…”.
“Then I threw the first punch and she beat us up”.
Pansy looked shocked and she asked, “Aurora?! Are… you sure?! She wouldn’t hurt a fly!” “Oh really?!!! Just look at my fucking face!!!”, the girl shouted. Theodore then glared at her and said, “Just fuck off. All three of you. I never wanna see your faces again”. Silence just surrounded the table and Draco looked up at them all as he said, “We don’t say those words anymore. All of us are past that”. “Clearly, since you love Granger so much!!!”, the girl shouted just before leaving the table with Crabbe and Goyle. “Still though… she’s badass!”
Everyone looked at Mattheo. “Too soon…?”
Theodore stood up and walked over to Aurora before sitting next to her. “Teddy…?” He kissed her bruised cheek before asking, “Are you okay, cara mia? Y-You didn’t have to defend me like that…”. Then she rested her head on his shoulder and hugged his arm before saying, “I’m sorry. I just saw red”. “Don’t apologise. I love you”. She smiled up at him and said, “I love you too, Teddy~”. He leaned down before kissing her very gently. After they broke away, he grabbed her hand as he whispered, “I need to kiss you in private amore, right now”. She giggled and ran away from him. “Oi!”
“Get your cute arse back here!”
END
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amazingmaeve · 2 years
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GOLD RUSH
thomas shelby x fem!reader
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𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: being best friends with ada shelby was one of the best things that had happen to y/n. she knew of her brothers but never became close to them. thomas shelby was an enigma to her. everyone wanted him, everyone feared him, and everyone served him. however y/n hates that, what makes him so special. even though secretly there was a desire to get to know the man underneath the facade he put up.
𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: smut, angst, fluff, drinking, smoking, blood, death
𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 8.4
𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: this is for @runnning-outof-time halfway to 2k celebration so go and show some love. also gold rush by Taylor Swift. also set in season 1 but doesn’t follow some chronological times. also might make a part two tell me if you want that, and phew this took me some time.
𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐲 |
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KNOWING Ada Shelby and being her best friend was an experience that’s for sure. It was usually a good experience but sometimes these escapades her and Ada would go on would get them into deep trouble. Ada with her brothers and Polly whilst Y/N would get in trouble with her mother.
But luckily for her she turned 18 she got her own place with the money she got for working at the Garrison. The only downsides to that job is that she would have to see the one and only Thomas Shelby almost everyday. She didn’t have to see him for the most part when they went to war. That was the only thing she gave Thomas credit for, he did serve their country and now came back even more broken than he already was.
It’s not that Y/N had anything against Ada's older brother, what she had trouble with is the way everyone treated him. People wanted him, women specifically, they worshipped the ground he walked on. He didn’t have to pay for most of the shit he does, but that was mostly because people were scared of him but Y/N wasn’t. She rarely spent any time with the Shelby’s unless it was when she was sleeping over with Ada, so she didn’t speak to Thomas, Arthur, or John that much, but she had a few conversations with their aunt Polly. But for the most part she stayed out of their business.
Deep down though Y/N wanted to know the man under the mask of Thomas Shelby, what made him so desirable to everyone. But that was a secret deep down Y/N wasn’t ready to admit to herself.
So Y/N did what she did best when it came to Thomas she just avoided him and ignored him, she didn’t want to give him more of an ego than he already had.
Meanwhile for some time now Y/N has been covering for Ada as she was sneaking around with Freddie Thorne, who Y/N knew was Thomas’s ex best friend, the man who saved his life in France. She had warned Ada about getting involved with Freddie telling her that it would cause way more trouble, but Y/N thinks that’s why Ada did it.
Everything went down when Ada disappeared and she found out that she was pregnant through Polly.
“She’s what,” Y/N gasped as her blood ran cold.
“She’s pregnant and somewhere with Freddie,” Polly explained snidely, not wanting to repeat herself.
“Where is she,” Y/N asked quietly.
Y/N didn’t get an answer from Polly which angered her more. But underneath all that anger she was sad, sad that her best friend didn’t come to her with the news that she was pregnant and soon to be married.
On the walk to her home a few tears escaped luckily with the rain it covered up the pain in her eyes. But it didn’t help the pain in her heart. All her life she was loyal to Ada, helped her through everything and now she didn’t even know where she was. Maybe y/n thought, maybe she was too caught up in her own life to see what her friend was going through. Curling up into bed she let her mind drift into a peaceful sleep.
An abrupt knock jolted Y/N up from her deep slumber as she sat up right. Rubbing her eyes she looked at the time and realized it was only 8:30. Groaning out of frustration she got out of bed. Who could be at her flat at this hour.
“What,” Y/N snapped as she flung the door open, an angry expression written all over her face. But it was replaced by surprise as she saw Thomas Shelby standing outside her door. “What are you doing here especially at 8:30 in the fucking morning Thomas,” She sighed with irritation in her tone.
“Where is she,” Thomas snapped at her.
“If you’re talking about Ada and I’m assuming Freddie as well, your guess is as good as mine since I have no bloody clue where she is,” Y/N huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest as anger spread all over her body.
Thomas let out a sigh out of anger and walked past her, Y/Ns eyes widened at the audacity he had.
“What gives you the right to barge into my home and look for your sister,” Y/N yelled as he looked in her bedroom and the bathroom, the only two rooms she had. “Wanna check under the couch as well,” she asked as he came into her vision.
“If she’s not here you must know where she is,” Thomas let out a huff as he rolled his eyes.
“Well it seems like you’d be wrong since I didn’t even know she was pregnant,” Y/N answered, letting her arms fall down to her sides.
“And Freddie,” He asked, putting a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.
“Of course I knew about it, and before you get on to me about that if I had told you Ada would have hated me for the rest of our lives,” Y/N explained rubbing her fingers at her temples as a headache started to roam in.
“As opposed to where you are now,” Thomas calmly says as he lets out a puff of smoke. Y/N bit her lip trying not to let out a sarcastic laugh. “It seems like my sister was lacking trust in you,” He says as Y/N clenched her hands trying to control her anger.
“Do you speak to all women this way or is it just me,” Y/N let out a sarcastic laugh.
“I haven’t gotten a complaint yet,” Thomas sparkly replied as he went to exit the flat.
“Well this is me filing one,” Y/N shouted as he slammed the door rattling the pictures on the wall.
God she hated this man.
Y/N took some time off work, luckily Harry let her or Arthur since it was his up now. They had just hired another barmaid, Grace so she was happy to take some time to wallow. Maybe Thomas was right, Ada was lacking trust in her for some reason. Whatever it was that made Ada not tell her it made her sad. She’d always had Ada in her life and now she didn’t even know where she was.
Now a week later Y/N was feeling a little better as she returned to work. There was still a tear in her heart but she tried to brush that off. But she hoped that she wouldn’t see Thomas at the pub, she didn’t want to see his arrogant face at the moment.
Luckily she didn’t see him for a while and soon enough it has been months since she saw him. Most of her thoughts are swarmed on how Ada hadn’t contacted him once and soon the sadness turned to anger. Y/N trusted her with her life but it didn’t see reciprocated.
Wiping down the table she tried to not let thoughts run through her mind. Midway through cleaning there was a knock on the private room. Sighing, she opened the partition to see Thomas standing there.
“What do you want,” Y/N asked, annoyed as she stared up at him.
“You’re barmaid, bring me some whiskey,” Thomas ordered and knowing she would have to take it up with Arthur she complied. Handing him the whiskey and with a plastered fake smile on his face. As she was about to close the partition he stopped her putting his hand on hers.
“Come sit with me,” Thomas says.
“I have customers to serve other than you Mr. Shelby,” Y/N replied sarcastically trying to ignore the way his skin feels on hers.
“Grace is here. Come,” Thomas says as he closes the partition.
Maybe if she just talked to him this would be over, and she could go back to her job. Walking around the bar she opened the side door and saw him sitting there with a cigarette between his lips, per usual.
“What,” Y/N snapped as she took a seat next to him.
“I wanted to apologize about what I said, Ada does trust you more than us probably,” Thomas apologized looking everywhere but her eyes.
Y/N gaped at him with shock in her eyes. Never once in her life has she seen Thomas Shelby apologize to anyone. It’s also been so long she hadn’t even remembered what he had said. She didn’t even know what to say, this is the first time she has even been alone with him so it was a bit awkward.
“You don’t have to,” Y/N whispered, staring at the table in front of her. Her heart was racing.
“I know I just thought I’d let you know that you are an important person in my sister's life and she’d alway trust you,” Thomas explained.
“How do you know, I mean I haven’t seen her or Freddie in months. Maybe she just didn’t want to tell me things anymore or just didn’t care too,” Y/N explained pouring her heart out. She didn’t know why she was doing this but everything just came out.
“Truth is I don’t know just a gut feeling,” Thomas replied as he poured a glass of whiskey for him and got another out for her.
“Hopefully your gut feeling is right because I’m going on with nothing,” Y/N muttered, grabbing her glass and gulping it down and ignoring the sting. “Have you seen her,” She asked as she set down the glass.
“No the only person who has is Polly,” Thomas answered as Y/N let out a sigh. “I have seen Freddie,” He says and she looked at him with a concerned look in her eyes. “And no I did not kill him, don't worry.”
“I didn’t think that I just thought maybe you’d beat him to a pulp,” Y/N muttered.
“That was a thought in my mind but out of good conscience I didn’t,” Thomas let out a dry laugh.
Y/N let a smile crack as she never thought she’d be smiling at something that Thomas Shelby had said. But maybe perhaps she was wrong about him or there was something deeper to him than he let on.
“I thought Thomas Shelby doesn’t apologize,” Y/N teased remembering what he said when she was younger.
“I usually don’t,” Thomas gave her a tight smile.
“Am I just special or did you just feel bad,” Y/N asked, turning to face him.
“Just hadn’t seen you in sometime and didn’t want you to not be around because I made you mad,” Thomas explained taking a hit off his cigarette. “But then I thought maybe it’s because you hate me,” He says.
“I don’t hate you, I just hate the way people treat you,” Y/N corrected him, leaning over him to grab the whiskey and pouring herself another glass.
“How’s that,” Thomas asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Like you’re the knew Jesus Christ or something along the lines,” Y/N cheekily answered downing the shot glass.
Thomas hummed and nodded, budding out his cigarette, taking another sip of the alcohol that sat before him. While Y/N downed the 3rd glass.
“Okay I think that’s enough,” Thomas says, taking the bottle of whiskey out of her hand making Y/N pout.
“That sucks, I wanna get drunk,” Y/N explained.
“I think you’re already there love,” Thomas says, looking her up and down.
“Whiskey was always my weakness,” Y/N let out a little laugh. “You wanna know a secret,” She asked.
“What is it,” Thomas asked curiously.
“I don’t hate you I actually had a wee bit of a crush on you,” Y/N giggled as she felt more and more intoxicated.
Thomas’s face dropped as Y/N looked over at the clock and stood up and almost tripped. Luckily Thomas caught her and set her straight.
“Woah where are you going,” Thomas asked, a little concerned with her drunken state.
“Home my shift is over,” Y/N slurred as she stared up at him and tried to straighten her posture but ended up tripping on her own feet again. “Damn it,” She cursed as she grabbed Thomas’s shoulder trying to steady herself.
“Okay you can’t walk home now let me take you to Polly’s then you can go home tomorrow,” Thomas explained.
“No,” Y/N shook her head. But before anything could happen she felt herself tripping again Thomas picked her up bridal style.
“Okay you need rest and I don’t feel like walking miles,” Thomas gruffly replied
Y/N nodded resting her head on his shoulder letting her eyes close and fall into a deep slumber.
Around a week later Y/N still hadn’t shown up to work out of shame. She didn’t want to see Thomas after she had gotten drunk and he had to take her to his aunt's house so she could get some sleep. She was thinking about quitting and that was no joke.
In the middle of cleaning around the house she heard a knock on the door and her heart rate sped up a little. Knowing who it was she went up to the door and looked through the peephole.
“Hey Thomas,” Y/N greeted him while opening the door, letting him inside her home.
“Haven’t seen you in a while,” Thomas says with his hands inside his coat.
“Yeah sick,” Y/N lied while letting a fake cough out. Thomas rolled his eyes knowing she was lying. To be honest he kind of missed her presence around the pub. He would never admit it to her but the thought kept rolling around.
“I just wanted to invite you to John's wedding,” Thomas broke the awkward silence as he handed her the invention. Her eyes widened; she didn’t know John was getting married. But she felt a spark when he handed her the tiny paper.
“As a date,” Y/N blurted out. Thomas let out a chuckle.
“If that’s what you want it to be,” Thomas gave her a smile as he went to exit the house. “I’ll pick you up in a couple hours if you want to go,” He said before he left.
She stared at the invitation as her heart began to race at the thought of a date with Thomas Shelby. The same guy she couldn’t even be in the same room with not even a year ago. Biting her lip she pondered if she should go or not. Would it be inappropriate as Ada’s best friend to go with her elder brother?
Sighing Y/N looked at the piece of paper one last time, eyes scanning over it, before she put it down on her kitchen table. Burying her face in her hands, her heart and her head were at war at the moment.
Looking up at the ticking clock it says 11 am but he would be by to pick her up at 4pm. Usually Y/N doesn’t like to go out of her little bubble so this time she wanted to take a chance and go with her heart. Walking into her room she goes to her closet and looks through all the pieces of clothing trying to find the perfect thing to wear. Grinning ear to ear as she finds the dress she was intending on looking for. It was her favorite, not too showy but not too bland.
When the clock struck 3:00 she decided that she should start to get ready, deciding to do her hair first, then her makeup and finally she put the outfit on. Standing in front of the mirror she tries to not be too giddy. This might not even be a date to him so she thinks the worst so she doesn’t get disappointed.
A knock on the door interrupts her inner dialogue and she takes a look at herself in the mirror one last time.
“Coming,” Y/N shouted before running to the door and swinging it open and smiling when she saw him standing.
“Didn’t think you’d actually want to go,” Thomas clears his throat after looking her up and down.
“Well I thought about it and then realized I never wore this dress and soI thought this was the perfect occasion,” Y/N teases, giving him a smirk. “Do I look pretty,” She asks as her heart starts to race.
“The dress only adds to your beauty,” Thomas compliments, making her smile as goosebumps go up her arm. “We should get going, we're going to be late,” He says after looking at his watch. Y/N nodded, giving him a tight smile as he opened the door to the car and she hops in.
On the ride to wherever they were going Y/N and Thomas make small talk commenting on how rough the roads are. It actually surprises Y/N when he asks about her interest and what she does in her free time.
She happily answers on how she loves to ride horses, it was one of the best things she can do. Y/N talks about how she rode into the fields when she was younger and just watched the sunset. Thomas says that he has a horse and maybe sometime in the future they will go on a ride together. Biting her lip she nodded, almost feeling her heart jump out of her chest.
“Stay in the car I have to sort something out first,” Thomas orders before getting out of the car.
“What’s going on I thought this was just a wedding,” Y/N asks furrowing her brows, confused.
“Listen, don't tell anybody I told you this first, but John doesn’t know he’s getting married. I made a deal with the Lee family to settle our disagreement so we can take out Billy Kimber,” Thomas explains, giving her a stern expression.
Y/N gapes at him, a flabbergasted look spread on her face. Billy Kimber is someone you don’t mess with, that's what Y/N knows, he’s a very dangerous man.
“Thomas Billy Kimber is one of the most dangerous men I’ve ever heard. Why are you going against him and you better not be selling them those guns I’ve been hearing about,” Y/N snaps at him.
“If you hadn’t realized sweetheart, I’m a dangerous man as well,” Thomas replies with a small smile before walking towards the gaggle of men. Sighing she slumps back in the car rolling her eyes.
As the wedding starts Y/N stands by Thomas’s side after he comes to get her. But she is shocked when Ada shows up and Ada gives her a sympathetic look probably for not contacting her for months.
But the wedding starts before she can say anything to Ada biting her lip she shakes her head trying to keep the emotions from exploding out. Everyone claps as John and Esme kiss and Y/N smiles at the now married couple and claps along.
Later on at night everyone is either drinking or dancing with happy expressions on their faces. Y/N finds herself a seat so she can’t ponder. Why didn’t Thomas mention that Ada may be there? Maybe he didn’t know but she can’t be so sure.
A tap on her shoulder snaps her out of her thoughts and she looks up and sees Thomas standing there with a blank expression on his face.
“Mind if I sit?” Thomas asks, blowing out a puff of smoke.
“If you want,” Y/N mutters, putting her hand on the table and picking at a chipped piece of the wood. “Did you know Ada would be here?” She quietly asks.
“I didn’t know I had someone give her an invitation and I was hoping she would be here, that's what I thought you would want as well,” Thomas explains, sliding a drink towards her.
“Well I thought you’d give me a warning,” Y/N snaps, snatching the glass and gulping it up. “She hasn’t even talked to me Tommy I think she’s mad at me,” She whispers as tears gather in the corner of her eyes.
“Think she’s just feeling guilty about leavin’ you out of things,” Thomas reassures her putting his hand on top of hers. Feeling his hand on top of hers makes goosebumps arise again.
“Hopefully you’re right Tommy ‘cause I can’t take it when people are mad at me,” Y/N explains with a little laugh. “You know you��re not as bad as you let on,” She softly says, giving his hand a squeeze.
“Well I think you’re the only one who thinks that,” Thomas sighs.
“Come on Tommy I’m sure there’s a few people that think you’re pretty amazing,” Y/N tries to reassure him this time.
“I made a deal to keep Freddie out of town that’s why you haven’t seen Ada around that much,” Thomas blurts out making her eyes widen.
“Made a deal with who,” Y/N asks with a worried look on her face.
“The chief inspector. You hate me again,” Thomas says, rolling his head and looking her in the eye. His tone is almost as icy as his blue eyes.
“To me it seems like you’re just trying to get everyone to hate you. Am I right or am I wrong?” Y/N sighs looking at him giving his hand another squeeze. “Even though I spent most of my life hating you, I do know that you care about your family and you wouldn’t do these things if you didn’t care,” She explains.
“You’re one special lady aren’t you,” Thomas smiles at her softly.
“And you’d be the only one who thinks that,” Y/N returning a soft smile.
Before he can ask her what she means by that, Polly calls him over and Thomas lets out an irritated sigh. He gives Y/N a sympathetic look and she stands up letting go of his hand.
“Don’t worry I have to get home soon anyways, I’m feeling a tad tired,” Y/N says trying to uplift his mood.
“Okay but I’m going to take you on those horse rides one of these days,” Thomas says, reminding her of the conversation they had earlier.
“I don’t doubt it,” Y/N laughs. “Don’t take too long you’re my ride,” She says, taking a cigarette out of her purse and putting it between her lips. Searching her bag she tries to find a light.
“Here,” Thomas lights his lighter and puts on her cigarette. “I’ll be back, don't be too bored without me,” He teases.
“It’ll be hard,” She laughs, blowing smoke out of her mouth.
A minute passed by and the cool air blew her hair into her face. Her heart is still beating fast from the conversation she had with Thomas. She hated to admit but she loves his company and the way he makes her feel like she’s on cloud 9. She can’t wait to feel like that over and over again.
People yelling tore her out of her gaze and she turned around seeing Ada push Thomas. Y/N side putting the ashes on the ground and stepping on it. She has signed up for this drama ever since she was 10.
“Holy shit water,” Polly curses as Ada groans, putting her hand on her stomach.
“Bloody hell Ada, you do pick your times don’t you,” Arthur yells making Y/N roll her eyes. As Polly pulls Ada into the car along with Esme Y/N walks up to Thomas.
“You might want take me home before your niece or nephew is born,” Y/N says.
“Don’t you want to be there,” Thomas asks, confused.
“Don’t think she wants me there anyways she has Polly and Esme there to help,” Y/N clears her throat. She really wants to be there with Ada but she doesn’t want to put any more stress on her.
“I’ll have Johnny Dogs take you home. I may need to do something before the baby comes,” Thomas explains.
“Freddie?” Y/N questions raise an eyebrow.
“Maybe who knows,” Thomas gives her a cheeky smile before pressing a kiss onto her forehead.
The ride home was nice, Johnny Dogs wasn’t that bad of a person to talk to. He also commented on how close she had gotten with Thomas and Y/N just shrugged trying to sound convincing when she said there wasn’t anything between them. He just laughed.
A knock on the door disrupted her from her sleep and she looked at the time. It was only 1 am and she had a feeling on who it was.
Padding across the wooden floor she opened the door seeing Thomas standing there wet from the rain. He looked a bit sad and angry.
“What’s wrong Tommy, get in before you catch a cold,” Y/N sternly says/asks and pulls him inside into the warm comfort of her flat.
“They took him,” Thomas whispered.
“Who took who Tommy,” Y/N asks confused as he stood there breathing deeply.
“The police they took Freddie,” Thomas whispered, keeping his eyes on the ground. He didn’t want to see the look in her eyes, the same look in Pollys and every one of his family members.
“How,” Y/N says shocked as she crosses her arms over her chest.
“I don’t know, but everyone thinks that it was me but it wasn’t. I did not call them,” Thomas rushes out like he’s trying to explain it to her.
“They think it was you didn’t they,” Y/N questions after a few moments of silence. He takes a deep breath before walking around the couch to take it. Letting out a shaky breath he nodded.
“I don’t even blame them I could see myself doin’ that,” Thomas says rubbing his face with his hands.
“Want some tea,” Y/N questions trying to change the subject. “It may help calm your nerves,” She says going to her kitchen to make some at least for sure.
“Yeah sure,” Thomas says confused, why isn’t she mad him like Polly or Ada.
While the tea is brewing she walks to the couch and sits next to him. Taking a deep breath she rubs her eyes because she’s still tired.
“Sorry for waking ya,” Thomas apologizes.
“The second apology from Tommy Shelby I must be really special huh,” Y/N teases with a small grin resting on her face, it seems contagious because he lets one out as well.
“You believe me?” Thomas questions quietly rubbing his hand across his chin.
“My gut is telling me you didn’t but it does seem something you would do to protect your family,” Y/N explains. “But I feel like you wouldn’t do that, especially when Ada was giving birth,” She mutters.
“Well that makes you the only one,” Thomas murmurs leaning back on the couch. “You mind if I smoke,” He asks, trying to be polite.
“By all means I smoke here everyday,” Y/N replies and stands up abruptly when she hears the teapot wailing. Whilst she’s up Thomas takes a cigarette and lights a match and puts it on his cigarette.
“Here you go it might be that good, I’m not really good with a kitchen,” Y/N quickly says sitting back down next to him.
“It’s fine I have to be gettin’ home soon anyways,” Thomas reassures her.
Putting his hand on the cup he doesn’t wince at how hot it is which makes Y/N surprised. Gulping down the tea before she even picked hers up makes her shocked. Standing up he puts his cap back, before he could leave Y/N wraps her arms around his neck giving him a hug.
Thomas doesn’t respond for a minute before wrapping his arms around her waist leaning into the hug. Pulling away she presses her lips against his cheek.
“I’ll see you soon Tommy,” Y/N whispers, resting her hands on his arms.
After he left Y/N finally let’s a big breath out. Sitting down she enjoys the silence while taking sips of her tea before walking to her bedroom and lies down. Pulling her covers over her form she ponders on who could’ve taken Freddie.
For a moment she thinks it maybe Thomas, which makes her roll her eyes at her own stupid thought. It does seem like everything is pointing at him but can’t shake the feeling off that it’s not him. A year ago she would’ve completely thought it was him, but ever since she’s been spending so much time with him Y/N can’t help but think it’s not him.
Maybe it’s because of the underlying feelings she has for him but Y/N shakes her head, “Let’s just deal with this shit tomorrow,” She mutters to herself, before closing her eyes finally going into a deep slumber.
Over the next week she’s only seen glimpses of Thomas which confuses her. She thought that she’d be seeing more of him but maybe he just didn’t like her like that. For that reason her heart sinks to her stomach as cleans out a glass.
This past week's Y/N finally came to terms that she has been feeling something for Thomas and it scared the crap out of her. Thomas probably only sees her as his little sister, that’s how he’ll always see her and her heart hurts only at the thought of that.
That’s probably why he’s been avoiding her, because he knows she feels something for him and he doesn’t want to let her down or just plain up reject her. Shaking her head she tries to concentrate on her work but Y/N can’t help having her thoughts wander to Thomas.
“Snap of it Y/N,” She quietly chastises herself.
She bids goodbye to Grace as the blonde walks out of the now empty pub beside Y/N. It was closed which made her let out a sigh of relief, finally she can have some quiet time with just her and her own thoughts.
All night it was just filled with the town drunks who kept asking for drink after drink. And every time the door opened Y/N looked up to see if it was him and every time it wasn’t it made her heart break every time.
Putting the glass away a harsh knock on the door snaps herself out of her self pity. It was probably just some other drunk who thought the pub was still open.
Walking towards the door she opens it hastily getting ready to shout at the person standing there. But her eyes softened when she realized it was Thomas.
Thomas hastily moves past her and walks around the pub, frantically setting up chairs like he’s getting ready for something. Y/N eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Leave that open,” Thomas orders her while pointing a finger in her direction.
He walks around pacing as Y/N returns behind the bar looking at him worried as he breathes heavily. He takes his hat off putting it in his coat pocket. As she goes to pour a glass out for him he shakes his head.
“No,” Thomas rasps out.
“What’s wrong, are you waiting for someone,” Y/N asks, putting the lid on the bottle of alcohol.
“Yeah,” Thomas answers, pulling out a gun and loading it, making Y/N’s heart skip out of fear for a minute.
“This late at night,” She swallowed, trying to calm her heart rate.
“Midnight is as good an hour as any,” Thomas answers, putting the gun on the bar as Y/N lets out a shaky breath.
“What the fuck is going on Thomas,” Y/N curses as his behavior is starting to concern her. She’s never even held a gun this is the closest she’s been to a gun.
“When the St. Andrew’s bell strikes midnight, two IRA men are going to come through that door,” Thomas explains pointing at the door instead of answering her question. Walking around the bar he comes towards her side as he continues to explain. “When they have what they want, they plan to kill me.” He says while bending over picking up another gun from underneath the counter. She didn’t even know that was there. “It’s your job to stop that happening,” He concurs.
“You could’ve given me some warning before you sprung this on me,” Y/N snapped as her heart was about to leap out of her chest. She felt like she was going to have a heart attack.
“I just found out myself,” Thomas explains himself as he loads the gun and loads it. “They want to meet here alone.”
“And barmaids don’t count,” She questions.
“No. Barmaids don’t count.” Thomas answers walking around her and pointing to the back room. “Now, you’re gonna be in that back room. I’m going to be sitting there.” He points to the chair closest to the back room. “When I make a toast, you’re gonna come out with that thing raised.” He turned around to face Y/N pointing to the gun. Y/N stood there fear stricken as he explained all of this to her. “You don’t shoot, you just point. I’ll do the rest.” He reassures her as Y/N grabs the gun with shaky hands.
“Are you gonna kill them or just hurt them?” Y/N questions taking a deep breath.
“No, the police want them alive.” He answers, shaking his head.
“Do they know about this,” She questions, raising an eyebrow, confusion written all over her face.
“Look, just hold it up.” Thomas avoids the question and wraps his hand around her wrist having Y/N point at the wall. His breath on her neck made a shiver go down her spine. “Just point. Right?” He explains and his head snaps in the direction towards the door as the clock goes off. “All right, go.” He pushed her in the direction. “Go on. Go!” He exclaimed.
“I’m going calm down,” Y/N whispers running towards the back room as Thomas gets the glasses and some alcohol.
Y/N takes a deep breath leaning her head against the wall as she hears Thomas walking around trying to get everything ready.
As she hears the door open she lets a silent shaky breath out trying her best to not collapse in that moment. Their footsteps sound louder than they actually are and Y/N holds the gun close to her chest. Biting her lip she tries to stay as still as possible so no one suspects a thing.
To Y/N it seems like they’re doing a trade off, Thomas asking for cash she ponders on what it could be. He mentions them needing a shovel and Y/N prays its not a body they’re going to dig up.
The guys laugh which makes her posture go straighter than it already was. “You thick fucking tinker,” One of the guys spats out. “Did you think we’d let you live,” He questions.
“Make your peace Mr. Shelby,” The other guy says. Y/N wraps her finger round the trigger getting ready for those words.
“I will make my peace my own way.” Thomas tells them. She peeks out the door biting her lip to not let any sounds escape. Thomas sniffs and raises his glass, “To barmaids who don’t count.” He says.
Biting her lip Y/N makes herself knock raising the gun in her hands and she can feel her own shaky breath, hoping she wouldn’t need to use it. Her hands shake as she holds the gun up pointed at the two men. She can tell they’re shocked to see her there and when she sees one put a gun on their lap she pulls the trigger without thinking.
Y/N can tell Thoma’s shocked as he instinctively raises one of his arms above his head. As the guy lays dead there Thomas the other guy gets into a heavy brawl and she just stands there frozen with her gun still pointed at the guy.
When she does try to help she gets backhanded and this is when she realized she should’ve taken some lessons from Ada when she offered. When she does find the strength to get up she sees Thomas head but the guy he’s under.
Her eyes go wide as he grabs a bucket and repeatedly beats the guy up the head. Her mouth drops as she watches the scene before her. She’s never seen Thomas act like this even when they had to beat people up he never did something like this.
She leans against the counter somewhat afraid and somewhat worried about Thomas. As he stands up and takes a deep breath he closes his eyes and walks over to stand in front of her. She lets out a tiny breath as his hand ghosts over her cheek, where she was hit.
Thomas wipes a stray tear that trailed down her cheek. She didn’t even realize she was this close to crying. But somehow his touch made her calm down. Letting out a shaky breath as he grabs the back of her head.
“Why’d you shoot?” Thomas asks and she comes to the conclusion that he didn’t see a gun.
“He had a gun he was going to kill you or me,” Y/N hoarsely replies as more tears start to flow out. “I killed someone.” She whispers as it dawns on her. She had taken a life without thought. If she could do that, what else is she capable of?
“Now you’ve seen the real me,” Thomas whispers, holding her cheeks in his hands.
“I’m sorry,” Y/N whimpers as her hands find the lapels of his jacket.
He slowly brings her into a soft embrace and Y/N rests her head into the crook of his neck as his hand softly caresses the back of her head trying to calm her breathing down. She does the same, bringing her hand to his neck lightly, Thomas’s breath is shaky as he breathes in her ear.
They stand there for sometime just enjoying each other’s company and trying to calm down but her head perks up when she hears the door open.
Thomas reluctantly lets go and faces the policemen who stand there in front of them.
“You were supposed to come on the sixth chime.” Thomas snaps pointing a finger at the three men. “You were supposed to come on the fucking sixth chime!” He shouts as the men stand there unfazed.
Thomas rolls his eyes as the policeman walks to the body that he had beaten up.
“They refused to surrender,” Thomas says more calmly as he leans against the bar. Y/N stays back and lets him do the talk as her hands are still shaking. “They fought well. They were brave men.”
“Well, he looks like he was killed by a wild fucking animal,” The policeman says walking up to Thomas with a mocking tone in his voice. “Still. This never happened and they were never here,” He said. “Who cares?” He questioned.
“Get the bodies out of here,” Thomas quietly demands as he can’t even look at what he has done. Still a bit shaken up, she walks to stand beside Thomas.
“All right, are they making the lady uncomfortable?” He asks as he takes a look at Y/N who stands close to Thomas. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it, then, eh.” He says with a tone that made Y/N clench her jaw.
She stands next to him as the police take the bodies. Y/N gives Thomas a light squeeze for reassurance.
Thomas had decided to walk Y/N home which she was secretly thankful for. She was still shaken up at what just happened. There was this comforting silence between them as they walked side by side to her flat. Luckily the fresh air had managed to calm her breathing down.
As they stop in front of the building he hands her a cigarette he’s been taking hits off. She takes it without hesitance and takes a hit and blows the smoke out of her mouth.
“Thanks,” Y/N muttered under breath and handed the cigarette back to him, Thomas gave her a curt nod.
“Get some sleep you need it,” Thomas orders pointing to her door before turning around to walk to his home before Y/N could utter a word.
Walking into her flat was a little bit unnerving after the escapade that just happened. She sets her coat on her couch and decides she’ll just sleep in these clothes as she takes off her shoes.
She pads to her bedroom and lays on the soft comforter and pillow and she lets out a relaxed sigh. Y/N closes her eyes and tries to block out everything that had just happened. It felt like this whole nightmare and she would just wake up and everything would be fine again.
Soon enough her thoughts lead to her falling asleep in a deep slumber.
A couple days went by and Thomas stopped by one to see if Y/N was working and she was. He gave her a soft smile as she looked at him. Y/N returned the gesture and went back to work before he could talk to her, he understood. It was probably traumatic for her as much as it was for him.
When it became dark she saw Harry and Grace talking to each other and she let out a sigh as she poured herself a shot of whiskey. Y/N felt numb as those days went by and she didn’t really know how to feel.
The door chimed as Thomas walked into the pub and he looked at Y/N and she felt herself instantly calm down but her heart started to race again. Not the bad kind but the good kind. He gave a nod towards the private room to her and she got the message and followed him there.
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry for what happened the other night,” Thomas apologized.
“That’s the third time you apologized to me. I'm starting to feel lucky,” Y/N grins. “What’s wrong,” She asked when she realized something was off with him.
“I’m going to have to lie low for a while,” Thomas blurts out, making Y/N’s eyes widen a little.
“Why? What’s happened,” She questioned as anxiety started to naw at her.
“I lost my bargaining power,” Thomas says. “The copper I told you about, it’s just me and him now,” He explains. “When I get back I promise you we are going to go on that horse ride,” He promises her, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. Her heart felt like it could burst.
“I overheard Harry and Grace saying the police are already in Digbeth,” Y/N rushed out as she had just overhead the man and the blonde.
“Yeah,” Thomas nodded.
“Why did you come here? You could’ve gone somewhere where they couldn’t find you Tommy,” Y/N asks.
Before he could answer Finn opened the door and looked at the two with a scared expression on his face. “The police are in the lane, Tommy!” Finn expresses as he looks out of breath.
Before anyone could do anything she grabbed his hand and said, “Come with me.”
Y/N pulled Thomas out the back door and they rushed down the street in the back alleys to her flat. This is the only place she could think of that would be safe. At least at the top of her head.
Opening the door she holds it open for Thomas and he steps in and puts his cap on the kitchen counter. Turning on the light she can finally let a breath of relief out.
“Hopefully they won’t find you here, I haven't told anyone where I live,” Y/N reassures him, wrapping one of her arms around her body.
“They shouldn’t,” Thomas agrees.
“You want some tea,” She asks, walking towards him.
“Sorry yours sucked last time,” Thomas jokes, giving her a small smile. Y/N laughs gives him a playful shove before walking into the kitchen. “But I will take some whisky if you have it,” He says.
“Whiskey it is,” Y/N gets two glasses out and pours some for her and some for him. She gulps it down before taking a breath. “Sorry it’s been a few stressful days,” She says quietly.
“You got any food,” Thomas asks after gulping his down.
“No, I'm a terrible cook. I usually go to my mothers for food,” Y/N laughs. “She may be a bit annoying but her food is to die for.”
“What about your father,” He questions.
“He actually died before I was born so my mother raised me alone,” Y/N explains, circling her finger around the rim of the glass.
Feeling a bit nervous she goes to her window to see if there’s anyone there and she sighs of relief when she sees no one.
“Don’t worry when the trouble dies down I’ll let you be,” Thomas reassures.
“You don’t have to,” Y/N blurts out without thinking. He raises an eyebrow. “I mean you don’t have to let me be is what I’m saying,” She quickly explains.
“I’m flattered,” Thomas gives her a small smirk.
“You’d do the same for me right,” Y/N questions giving him the same look he’d given her.
“Couldn’t say no to you,” Thomas replies.
“When do ya think it’ll die down, I hate coppers,” Y/N explains and asks.
“Late I would say,” Thomas answers as Y/N wrings her hands in front of her.
“So not til the morning, that’s great I have to stay up worrying they’ll come and get you,” Y/N smiles to let him know she’s joking with him.
“I‘ll stay up with you,” Thomas reassures walking up to her. He puts his hand out. “Would you like to dance?”
“I have no music,” She laughs.
“Doesn’t mean we can’t dance and from what I remember from Ada is that you’re a terrific dancer,” Thomas tells her with a little grin at the corner of his mouth. His palm is still up right and she takes it.
“I’m not that good Ada was exaggerating,” Y/N giggles.
He wraps his arm around her waist and she puts her hand on his shoulder as they dance around her flat. She feels kinda stupid since there’s no music but as he looks at her with his ice blue eyes she feels happy.
He releases her hand and puts it on the other side of her waist and before she can say anything his lips are on hers. At first she's a little shocked but she snaps out of it and puts her hands on both of his cheeks as she kisses him back.
Thomas’s hands are caressing her hips as he guides her through her flat and towards her bedroom. She lets out a moan as his tongue slips in and once they’re finally in her room, she has to take a breath. Thomas uses this to unbutton her dress from the back and she takes his jacket off and then helps him take off her dress.
His lips returned to hers after he took off his shirt. He lies her down and her hand goes to his back as he goes to unbutton her bra. She can already feel how turned on from kissing she is and she’s a little embarrassed about it.
After he got her bra off his lips went to her neck kissing and nipping at the exposed skin that was exposed. She lets out a moan as his lips find her sweet spot. His hand goes to the right boob and uses his thumb to circle her already hardened nipple.
“Tommy,” She moans and arches her back. He continues to lick and nip at the spot that makes her go weak. His hand leaves her boob to go and take off her stockings and panties. Now fully naked Y/N can feel herself start to get embarrassed but before she can do anything his lips return to hers as he goes to unbutton his pants.
His finger swipes across her folds making her whimper as he starts to rub her clit. He flips them over so that she is on top and he continues to kiss her and harshly rub at her clit.
Thomas guides his length to her folds and she lets out a loud moan as he pushes himself in. Luckily she was wet enough and it started to feel good. She started to gyrate her hips and Thomas let out groans as she clenched around him. Y/N wraps her arms around his shoulder as he finally hits that one spot that makes whimper.
“That feel good love,” Thomas whispers in her ear, making her nod and moan louder. His thumb returned to her clit.
He’s close and she knows he is too as she started to gyrate faster and faster. “I’m close Tommy,” She moans in his ear as he grabs her hips to slam into her.
Y/N moans loudly into his ears as she clenches around his cock and cums. Hard. Thomas continues to slam into her until he groans spilling inside of her.
Rolling off of him she pulls the blanket over them both as she’s breathing heavily. Thomas pulls her closer so that she is resting upon his chest. Her fingers ghosts over the tattoo that rests.
“Like your tattoo,” Y/N whispers.
“I like your everything love,” Thomas whispers as he presses a kiss to her forehead. “Get some rest love,” he whispers and she nodded and closed her eyes.
Thomas soon shortly follows and closes his eyes trying to get rest.
When Y/N wakes up she reaches over to the other side she notes that Thomas isn’t there. Y/N sits straight up and looks around to see if he’s in the room. She holds the blanket close to her chest. Looking on the pillow he was sleeping on there’s a note.
Picking it up says. ‘Don’t worry love I’ll be back and we’ll go on the horse ride’ she smiles and brings it closer to her chest. She can feel it. She loves him and it took her sometime to figure it out but she loves him.
Laying back down she stares at the ceiling and can’t help herself when she thinks of the future. No matter what she’ll have the people she’ll always love.
867 notes · View notes
lilylilyloly · 10 months
Note
hi hi hello
i saw your headcanon post and wondered if you have more? (about nature wives btw)
ask and you shall receive!
-tortoise doesn’t really like anyone else but shelby at first but he gets really attached to katherine
-if you’ve read my fic “a very long night” you might remember how katherine’s curse turned her hand dead and numb. after it happened, kath starts wearing gloves to hide her cursed hand, but she takes them off around people she trusts (aka shelby)
-kath teaches shelby to dance
-skulkby (skulked shelby) is used to intimidating and scaring everyone away. the only person this doesn’t work against is katherine and it very much confuses her
-adding onto the last one, shulkby is all like idk really creepy shit and kath just does not care because that is her best friend right there and she’s not just gonna leave her like this and skulby is like ??? because she’s not used to being cared for
-dunno if i alr said this or not, but katherine embroidered the little flowers on shelby’s overalls and hat because she thought they’d look cute
-kath’s favorite thing is to pick shelby up and spin her around
-once when kath was monster hunting she got hurt very badly and shelby’s empire was the closest, so that’s were she went and found out that shelby is really good at stitching up wounds or whatever
-and now whenever she’s monster hunting and close to the evermoore (or if she just misses shelby) she’ll stop by with whatever excuse and shelby never complains because she’s usually pretty bored anyway and it gives her an excuse to take a break from whatever she’s doing
-also shelby is regularly up really late at night doing literally anything. maybe she’s studying for a test, maybe she’s rushing on an assignment she forgot about until the night before the due date, or maybe she has nothing to do so she busies herself with stupid shit like randomly deciding to build a mini house for tortoise or learning to bake or reorganizing her entire room. whatever it is, it’s usually not sleeping
-they go on little picnic dates
-remember when i said they’re each other’s first best friends? so like they both never really had a lot of friends as kids and they probably missed out on a lot of the kind of fun things you do as kids with your friends. yk, sleepovers, pillow fights, makeovers, late night talks, and whatever you do as stupid kids idk i didn’t have friends either
-so obviously they do all of it together. kath comes to shelby’s house with popcorn or whatever and they do each other’s makeup and laugh at stupid shit until the sun comes up and it’s super silly
-kath prefers reading shelby’s books because she likes seeing the little doodles and colorful annotations shelby puts in the margins
-shelby, being a witch, was one of the only people who didn’t shy away upon hearing about katherine’s curse when they first met and it didn’t seem like a big deal to her at the time but kath nearly cried right then and there
-katherine’s parents are probably really strict so they do the little cliché thing where shelby’s throwing rocks at kath’s window to get her attention and they run off together in the forest at night
-i’ve heard this one a couple times before, but kath is scared of heights and is super scared of riding with shelby is her broom at first. shelby lightly teases her about it and finds it so so cute
-in my last headcanon post i said before they started dating kath kept accidentally making shelby flustered and didn’t realize. i think after they started dating shelby starts making katherine flustered more with little surprises and sweet words and surprise kisses and it’s super sweet
-kath’s curse is easier to manage on some days and harder to manage on others and on the really bad days she asks shelby to come over so she’ll bring tortoise and make them tea and let kath lay her head on her lap and hold tortoise (because according to shelby cuddles with tortoise makes everything better) and they’ll just chill together and maybe watch a movie or read a book or whatever
-katherine talks pretty much nonstop about literally anything and shelby’s favorite sound in the world is her voice
-remember the sleepover thing ok so whenever kath sleeps over at shelby’s house she takes shelby’s sweaters because they’re warm and comfy and smell like her
i think i have a couple more of these so lmk if y’all want another headcanon post like this
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Watching Star Trek Picard s3 ep9 Vox
"No one has seen or heard from the Borg in over a decade" Guess Picard and friends didn't tell anyone about Jurati😂
Oh shit, Deanna having to bring up the protocols Starfleet has in place has me alarmed
Damn, Beverly really can't catch a break when it comes to her sons
Poor Jack, now he has a distrust in betazoids
"What about the protocols of a father? Or you never issued those?" Well damn
I would be angry too
Oh shit, he's taking over people's minds to escape
Poor Beverly
She's hugging herself 😭
I forgot Data was alive 😂
Oh shit what more could there be to Jack?
OH HELL
IT'S THE BORG CUBE
OH SHIT STARFLEET IS ALL IN ONE PLACE
"Um, smack dab in the middle of frontier day, where pretty much every Starfleet vessel is running exercises with our faces pinned to their dartboard?"
'Its our only option Captain."
"Of course it is
Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god
IT'S THE ENTERPRISE
Wait, i feel like we've seen Shelby before
It's beautiful 😭(all the fireworks)
Ooooooh now I remember her😂
Regenerati😂
Oh shit, it's the Borg Queen 👀👀👀
Damn, he can't kill her
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE HELL YEAH
Oh no
Oh no no no
JACK'S BEEN ASSIMILATED
Huh, guess Lt Broccoli was right to fear transporters
HOLY SH-
OOOOOOO it's so so pretty( the green orb)
SEVEN
My poor baby 😭(her head must hurt so bad)
Oh shit
Poor Mura
Shit, La Forge's daughters are being assimilated
This has to be one of Geordi's worst fears
Oh my god, my heart is shaking with how awesome Seven looks as she fights
Also, where the heck is Raffi? I just want them to reunite again 😭 Is that too much to ask for?
I'm cackling that Seven said to shaw about all the gray hair and how assimilating must have skipped a generation 😭😂
Guess we'll never know what the dude wanted his family to know
"I've never been so happy to see so many wrinkles." I love Deanna 😂
RAFFI!!
"The Robot's right." I'm cackling
Data and Geordi look so offended
"Data can you try to be a little more positive?"
"I hope we die quickly.😃"
Oh fuck
Shaw got shot
Seven said Raffi's name😭 she wanted her safe
"it's it's not my ship anymore. It's yours."
He said her name😭
Her real name
Annnnnd Shaw's dead
The way her eyes keep darting towards Raffi
Oh my god
Are they gonna use voyager
THEY'RE USING THE ENTERPRISE-D
"Obviously we can't use the Enterprise-E." The way everyone turned to look at la forge and worf😂
Oh my god
I'm getting hit with those memories watching Next Gen for first time
They're back where it all started
I love how Deanna chastised Worf
I love how Data said hello to his chair
Picard missed the carpet the most😂
IT'S THE VOICE OF MAJEL BARRETT! Oh how I missed it
"Jean-Luc, wherever you go, we go." I have chills
Annnnnd now I have to wait for next week's episode to find out what happens with Raffi and Seven 😭 but I'm holding out hope they'll end up together in the end
This episode was awesome
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cyberrgirlsblog · 1 year
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(TW bad words, idk what else)
Not beta read so sorry if this is shit, or if there are plot holes im trying
Part 2
Walking into the garrison pub i look around it's not crowded only a couple people are in here today i walk up to the counter and ask the bartender were tommy is
“He's in the booth’’ the bartender said, not looking up from the glass he was cleaning.
“Thank you,” I said.
I walked into the booth where Tommy was. I assumed there were more people with him but to my surprise it was just him. Which confused me since usually arthur or sometimes Polly was with him.
“Who was that, y/n” tommy asked, his cold blue yes looking at me unmoving
“What?” i said
“The romani boy in the caravan with you, he dropped you off, who was that?” he asked with a monotone voice.
A part of me didn't want to answer, a part of me wanted to win this mind game that Tommy plays but i didnt i know what was good for me at this moment.
“Just a boy I met along the road. I was gonna have to walk here but he drove me here instead of his name duke.`` I said with hesitance in my voice. Tommy nodded his head then spoke
“Hm, well do you have the opium?” Tommy said, looking at my bag.
“Yes sir” i said with a joking tone
Setting down the bag on the table opened it up and took out the bottles of pure opium.
“This is about 3 pounds of pure opium. It should be enough for right now. We're trying to expand our inventory of stuff but it's hard. Also there may be less opium due to the stock crash so the guy we get are shit from is upping the price.” i said looking at tommy
He took one of the bottle to look at it 
“Well that's to be expected when something like this happens.” he said while looking at the bottle
“If you want to make sure its pure you Should've brought Arthur he could have tested it out you know. Make sure it's pure.” i said in reality though it may not have been the best idea arthur has been spiraling because of this drug making a tasteless comment about it much less joke about especially in front of tommy. But you never cared too much about it Tommy didn't even flinch when you said it either which surprised you but it was also expected he was thomas shelby after all. A man with a heart turned cold as some would say.
“Well arthur has been clean for a week know” he said
“Has he, well that's good for him.’’ I said, to be honest though, I doubt it will last long knowing arthur. 
“Well Tommy, how has your family been? I've heard from Lizzie that ruby has been running around the house a lot. I've also heard from Polly that adas pregnant. Tho she hasn't said who the baby's father is'' i said while pouring myself a cup of wine.
“Yes theyve been good, Adas has been okay, though i have an idea of who the father might be but i think it'd be better to ask Ada herself.” he said looking at me and noticed a little smile when he mentioned his daughter. “And what of your family Y/n how have they been?”
I smiled a little but a smile nonetheless.`` They've been good ash is out doing God knows what and fez is meeting new people, building connections i guess you could say. I'm not surprised though he's probably the one that will take over the family business. Once well…” I trailed off. I didn't like to think about it but I knew her time would come soon. She's already been doing less and less. I'm not mad at my grandma. If I was her I would want to go out without fear of responsibility. I would like to go peacefully. I just hope she's able to be here for me and ashes 15 birthday.
 “I see, well y/n here's the money, about 100 pounds.” Tommy said, placing the money down on the table. I took the money and put it in my bag just as I was about to get up and leave. Tommy spoke.
“My cousin is coming into town. He's Polly's son.” Tommy said, I looked at him with confusion. I didn't get why he was telling me this. Until i put 2 and 2 together
“Oh shit he's the dude that didn't take out the stock right. And now yalls business is a lil bit shook from that.” i said, i started laughing until i remembered who i was talking to “hm i'm sorry i didn't mean any offense but my question is why are you telling Me this why not fez.”  I said looking up at him.
“I'm telling you this because he will be at the station. I want you to go with Polly and Ada to meet him. He's a part of the Shelby family, his names michael. You don't have to go but tell your brothers he's coming at least.” he said
“And one more thing don't over step with your jokes about my family.” he said looking at me with a voice you would use to scold a young child. I knew it wasn't a threat but it was a warning that I did know. All I could do was nod my head and walk out the bar.3
30 minutes later
Once I was able to see my house I started to do a light jog. Reaching the door I opened it only to hear yelling. I assumed it was fez scolding ash for some shit he did again. In the end though fez always took the blame for me or ash when we did something wrong. Walking to where I could hear the yelling more clearly I walked in the room to see fez on the phone. 
“I told you to leave us the fuck alone man. Okay i dont know what your talking about but i dont have them, we dont have them dont call this number again you fucking hypocrite ass bitch.” i heard Fez yell before slamming the phone back into place. Definitely gonna have to check if he broke it later.
“Fez who the fuck was that.” I said , looking at him with concern but a stern voice.
“No one you have to worry about.”  he said, walking away. I clenched my hands and dug my nails into my hands until I felt a sharp pain and blood roll down the back of my fingers. I try to understand why people do the things they do. I try to stay quiet and not question what people do. But when it's my own brother I can't understand. But I know if I ask him he'll just say some shit like.’it's for your own safety’ or ‘ I don't want to get involved’. But if that was true he would've never let me in the family business when I asked. 
I shook my head, walked up to the phone and dialed in the garrison's number to make sure the phone didn't break. I heard a ringing sound from the phone and then a voice.
“Hello, who is this?” It was the voice of Finn shelby. Finn was always silly to me hes was fun to hangout with but his new friend billy i didn't really like i could tolerate him but not like him and it wasn't just me it was the same with ash, i swear even though we're not blood related i feel like we have some type of twin thing with our minds. Sounds dumb ass fuck but i cant hellp think of dumb shit sometimes.
“Hello???” finn said again
“Hi finn sorry i was just checking to make sure the phone wasn't broken” i said with a laugh.
“Oh hi y/n, why would your phone be broken? Also ash is here at the garrison do you want to come to me ash isaiah and billy are here.’’ Finn said, his voice sounding a bit slurred.
“Shit um i'll see if i can go if i can't though please make sure ash doesn't do some dumb shit again. I don't want another call from Tommy and I don't want to hear fez and ash yelling at each other. Also don't worry about the phone i think the wire tripped that's all i'll see though if i can go, bye.'' I said before hanging up the phone I heard Finn say something but whatever it was it wasn't important to me. I paced around the room. I haven't gone out for fun in a while. I haven't seen Finn or any of them for a little while so it would be fun. Once I stopped pacing I set the bag of cash on the table.
“Fez can you drive me to the garrison ash there.” I yelled, a minute later I heard footsteps and saw fez leaning on the doorway. He looked at the bag of money then me. 
“Sure but if some du-’’ i cut him off
“Fez ash finn isaiah and..billy are gonna be there besides i'll be fine. Also I wanna make sure Ash doesn't do some dumb shit. It's weird. I know he's got critical thinking but he's always doing some dumb shit.” I said walking to the front door. 
“Nah Ash uses it thinking he just makes dumb decisions sometimes.” Fez said, opening the door and walking with me to the car.
“Hm, doesn't seem like it but as long as he doesnt kill anybody or do some fucked up shit then well i dont know to be honest as long as hes safe and not putting others in danger im good. '' I laughed, as much as I scolded Ash for his shit he was still my brother at the end of the day. But sometimes I feel more like his mother than his sister even though we are the same age.
—---- timeskip at the garrison
Once Fez parked the car we got out and walked to the garrison. Opening the doors I immediately went to the front of the bar and ordered a drink for me and fez.
“2 whiskeys please.'' I said to the bartender, his back was facing me as he grabbed glasses and poured a bottle of whiskey into each glass. Turning around he handed it to me
“Here you go ma’am” he said handing them to me
“Thank you” I said but just before I could get out the money to pay the side window opened. 
“Hello y/n don't worry about paying i'll cover it” i looked over and saw finn i grabbed the two glasses and handed one to fez and walked into the booth with fez following close behind me. I smiled once i saw everyone i walked to finn and gave him a hug
“It's been a little hasn't it, hows your wound huh. First ever gun shot wound your real peaky know aren't you finny” i said looking at him my voice light hearted. I heard laughing and looked to see Isaiah and billy.
“You could say that y/n but when are you gonna become one.” Billy said jokingly.
“Yea that's not gonna happen as long as i'm alive.” I heard Fez say. I looked over to see ash glaring at billy.
“Relax guys, it was just a joke.” Billy said, the room became thick with tension.
“Well know that everyones here, let's all drink.” Isaiah said, defusing the situation. I looked over at him and smiled.
 We all sat down and started drinking after about 6 drinks of hard whiskey most of them were shit faced. I was still on my first cup not cause I couldn't drink. Trust me I could. I just wanted to make sure nothing happened. I was dazed out of whatever conversation they were having. As my mind wandered I thought about the boy I had met. He was funny but also seemed cunning. I hope I'll be able to go to the fair. I really do want to meet him again. Even though it wasn't a strong feeling, I still felt a warm feeling in my chest when I was talking to him. I wondered if I felt like that with others I had met.  I hope I see him again. He seems nice and would be a good friend to have.
I was pulled out of my daze by Finn calling my name.
“Oy y/n whats on your mind” he said this time his voice extremely slurred to the point i had to lean forward to understand what he was saying. I sat back
“Nothing just tired, that's all.” I said quickly. I internally cringed at myself for how hasty my reply sounded.
“Hm well that's not what your face said, I swear you had a smile on your face so big I almost mistook you for the Cheshire cat.” Isaiah said laughing. I could feel my face heat up in embarrassment. I looked down at my drink and drank the whole thing. Soon enough I was as shit faced as everyone else. Talking about random shit and laughing at the dumbest jokes. 
—------------------ 1 week later
“Look fez all im saying is we get a house in small heath but keep this property to but like that way we can be able to send shit easier. You know”
“Y/n are you high?” fez asked but it wasn't really a question.
“...no, this is a thought I've had for a while dude. Anyways it will be easier for me cause i can like stay there and well have a place to stay if it gets too late at night or some shit like that ya know.'' I said looking at fez with eyes that looked like I hadn't slept in three years.
Fez sighed 
“Go back to bed y/n”
I looked him up and down 
“Whatever man, also have you seen ash?”
“Ash is upstairs,” fez said, sounding irritated at this point.
‘Mhm, oh also there's a fair going on this weekend do you think i can go”
“No,” he said, looking down at a piece of paper.
“What why it's only a little away.'' I was annoyed.
He didn't say anything, clearly stressed with whatever he was reading
“Look y/n just no” 
“Hm, yell you let ash go out and do whatever he wants why cant i go to a fucking fair.” i said my voice was rising in volume.
“Because there is less risk for ash, if he goes out” Fez said, looking up from his paper.
I looked at him with a perplexed expression
“The fuck are you talking about, one ash is the fucking risk and two what do you mean by that. Also i never said i was going by myself.`` I said I was yelling. I could feel my breathing become uneven with panic.
“Okay then whos going with you huh, who cause last time i checked you have barely talked to anyone out side of us and the peakys so who huh y/n fucking tell me.” he said his voice know rising, he sounded stressed but i doubt it was from this conversation.
I panicked. I couldn't say duke hell i didn't even know if i would see him there for god's sake.
“Ada, ada and her son Karl are coming with me okay. Look people may fuck with me but they wont fuck with Ada, she may have the last name thorne but everyone knows who her family is.'' I said walking closer to fez. Not breaking eye contact.
He paused for a minute seemingly thinking it over. 
“Shit y/n fine but if your lying to be your fucking done okay.” he said running his hand down his face.
I smiled and gave him a quick hug. 
“Thank you, thank you.” i said to him
___________________________ saturday 
After arriving in a small heath I walked over to the barnyard. My hands are slightly shaking. It's not the first time I've lied to fez before but when I did it was usually whenever me and ash went out to terrorize one of the kids that would either make fun of one of us. A lot of people say me and Ash are different but the reality is we're really not. Sure ash may act out alot and I may be more quiet but it's just because I keep my actions to myself. I keep the words I want to say to myself. When we were younger we would do the same exact thing as each other but getting older we changed. I would like to say I have more self control but that would be a lie.
I could feel the skirt I was wearing tighten around my waist. I was nervous but I knew that whatever happened today would be fun.. I hope so.
“Curly do have have her.’’ i said walking up to him
“Hello y/n y-yes I do.” he said, his accent was hard to understand, same with arthurs but i never said anything. Because most of my life I've been used to a US accent. 
“Here you go, does your brother know?” he said, handing me the horse. I rolled my eyes and smiled
“Yes of course he knows okay so you don't have to ask me okay. Anyways, here's the money.” i said to him handing him  the money
“Thank you curly.” I said before getting on the horse and riding off.
After a little while of riding I could see the top of the striped tents behind the trees. I quickened the speed of the horse and started to smile, excitement building up inside me.
Stopping by the entrance of the fair, I tied the horse around a post where other horses were being held. Walking into the fair I started looking around. I could see a vending station selling roasted cinnamon almonds. Going up to it, I ask the worker there for a bag of them.
“Here you go miss, that will be 0.10.” they said handing me the almonds. 
“Thank you” I said , handing them the change.
Walking around the fair I kept my eye out for Duke. I hoped I would see him soon but who knows. A couple kids ran past me accidentally hitting me in the legs almost making me fall over. I was able to catch myself by putting my hands between me and the ground, unlucky though my food had scattered on the ground.
“Shit” I grumbled under my breath getting up. I dusted off my skirt and picked up the bag to see if there were any left in it. Thankfully there were but not many
“Are you okay ma’am” I heard someone say I jumped before turning around and looking at the person.
“Duke!” I said a smile appeared on my face as I instantly pulled him into a hug. I felt him go a bit stiff and realizing what I had done I pulled away. My cheeks are burning with embarrassment. 
“Shit i'm sorry I don't know why I did that, uhh.” I said, grabbing my arm and looking down at the ground embarrassed.
“Hello to you to y/n” Duke said i looked up at him and saw his face plastered with a shit eating grin before he laughed.
“Didn't know you missed me that much.” he said with a laugh, i hit him in the side arm softly.
“No, I just do that with people i meet and feel a good vibe with them ya know.” I said , looking at him, keeping straight. I could see his smile drop a little.
“Well um anyways how have you been it's been a little.” I said while I started to walk, asking him to come with me.
—------------------------------------
“So duke, what do you usually do here?” i ask curiously looking at him
“Well i'll watch the horses and just do maintenance really nothing to interesting.” he said looking ahead
“Do you like working with horses, also do you like working here or nah.” I said this time looking forward.
“I like horses but I don't like working here. I want more for my life. I want to visit every mountain and go everywhere. I don't want to be here. I'm tired of working here.” he said with bitterness in his voice but a hint of hope.
“Well that sounds fun but be careful where you go. I don't know if there's still that like war between the irish or something but just be careful there. Ya know. Actually just be careful.” I said looking at him, I tried to hide the concern in my voice by masking it with humor.
“Hm calm down im gonna kill myself.” he said with a little laugh while looking at me.
“That's what they all say Duke but then they get carless, think they're all that then piss off the wrong people anyways if you wanna see the mountains who knows what's up there.” I said looking back at him. This time laughing.
“Hm, you seem to know a lot.” he said this time his tone was undetermined.
“Nah just knew people that did dumb shit either got locked up or killed. Not saying seeing nature is dumb is not.” I said trying to defend myself from nothing.
“I know what you. Tell me do you always worry this much for people you just meet.’’ he said looking at me. He had a little smirk on his face. 
“If ima be real no, but you're my friend? Were friends right duke.” i said looking at him with a hopeful expression on my face.
“...I mean if you want to be friends then yes.” he said he sounded caught off guard. But not in a bad way. I hope not in a bad way at least.
“Damn for real, okay well friend tell me more about yourself.” I said looking at him. A warm feeling spread throughout my whole body. Giddy with excitement and something else.
“You know duke you're the first friend i made that's not been through a business connection ya know.” I said excitedly.
“Business connection?’’ he said. Tilting his head slightly.
“Yea.. uh me and my family after we moved here we started making books and getting into stocks. Thankfully we pulled them out before the stock crash in the US.” I said looking at him covering up my word slip with a lie I was taught to say and rehearsed multiple times with ash and fez.
“Ooh okay okay. Well you're my first friend i've ever had.” he said with a serious voice. Looking back at me now we were walking out of the fair.
“You for real cause if I'm so kinda sad I'm not even gonna lie to you.” I said with a little smile on my face. Duke put his hand to his heart with a shocked expression.
“Do you think that lowly of me huh.” he said with an amused voice.
I turned to look at him and walked backwards.
“I was only joking, my prince.” I said with a sarcastic voice.
Duke smiled at me before running after me. I screeched before running away. I got about 20 feet away from him before I felt  a pair of hands grab me by the waist and slightly pick me up before pulling me into the chest of someone. I was about to scream before a hand was put over your mouth.
“You're really bad at running in grass, you know.” I felt Duke say into my ear his breath tickling my neck. I froze for a second feeling a slight shock up my spine before wiggling out of his grapes and laughing to the point my knees buckled.
“Alright Duke you win but Jesus dude I couldn't even hear you. If you were an asian i'm pretty sure big crime dudes would for sure hire you.'' I said getting up from the ground and whipping the tears from my eyes.
Dukes pov
I chuckled a little. “Who's to say I'm not one.” I said with a bit of humor in my voice.
She looked at me for a second and her eyes seemed to sparkle in the moonlight.
“Wouldn't be surprised if you were a duke. If not no but…” she said trailing off before checking her pocket watch.
“Oh shit I gotta get it, I'm sorry duke I really am but you see i may or may not have lied to even be here so i gotta go cause the person i said i was coming with doesn't even know i told my brother about them coming with me.” she said with a bit of panic in her voice. I felt a ping of sadness in my chest
“Oh uhm yea no no you should go. I'll see you…” I said this time it was me trailing off. 
“Hey uhm… thank you for meeting me here. I guess I met you here i dont really know but it was nice to see you again, Duke . Hopefully we'll see eachother again soon.” she looked at me, her eyes filled with hope. I felt my heart skip a bit. I shook it off as nothing special.
“Yea yea for sure i don't know when we'll have another fair here but when we do i'll probably be here. Also, are you sure you're good at going to your house by yourself?” I asked a hint of worry in my voice.
“Yea i should be okay. I'm armed just in case anything happens you know.” she said, with a reassuring smile. I wanted to question why but i didn't shit i mean i could see why seeing as where she lived and shit.
“You sure cause I can-” I said before she grabbed my hands and looked at me.
“Duke, you are too worried about me for only knowing me slightly and I'll be fine… also my brother would question why some guy is bringing me back home. Also I may have bought / rented a horse. Ima be honest though i don't really know.” she said, looking at me before disconnecting our hands. I missed the warmth of hers. His hands weren't rough but they weren't soft either.
“Right well I'll see you again someday Duke , be safe and I hope you get to achieve your dream.” she said before walking away to the entrance of the fair. I watched him walk away, air in the wind lightly blowing her hair.
I took one last glance at her before walking to the feeding area for us workers at the fair. Walking into the tent I saw esme right outside of the tent. Looking into the distance.
“Hello Duke.” she said bluntly, turning her eyes towards me. “Who was that person, thought you said you didn't have friends.” she said
“No one,” I said , looking at her. The truth was y/n wasn't no one to me but she didn't have to know that.
“Hmm we both know that is a lie Duke. What's her name?” she said looking at me
“Y/n” i said quickly, she seemed to freeze for a second like she was contemplating something.
“No last name?” she said
“Not that I know of,” I said looking at him before walking into the tent to get some food.
"Duke be safe okay." she said before leaving even thought i dont talk to many people esme is one of the people i can talk to she's gone through a-lot loosing her husband to a mafia and some gang related shit.
after getting my food i walked to my caravan. i thought about y/n i didnt know if i would see her anytime soon but i hoped i would
-------------
it would be a while before they saw eachother agian but the way they would meet agian would not be expected for either of them....
---------------------
sorry thats corny ash but i didnt know whta to put
—------------------------------------
Part 3 coming soon 
not beta read.
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The Singer - Part 6 // Tommy Shelby x OC
Summary: After her beat up, Tommy looks after Liv.
Warnings: Language, Fluff, Smut, Dirty talk
A/N: Jesus Christ, I didn't remember writing this story so detailed ;) So um, yeah...
Tags: @soft-valet-barrow
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Slowly and with an aching head, Liv opens her eyes. She is in a room that she recognises immediately. Her throat hurts, and it is dry. She spots Tommy sitting on a chair rubbing his eyes when she tilts her head a little to the side. He radiates despair.
Liv tries to say something, but nothing comes out of her mouth. Tommy has finally noticed that she is awake and immediately kneels to her.
"Hey, hey... Shhhh... Take it easy, Liv. Your throat is swollen. Try not to talk too much if you can, eh?" he says softly, and at that moment, he reminds her of her old Tommy again. The Tommy she loved.
The one who was caring and gentle. At least to her. He quickly reaches for a glass of water and holds it to her. Liv hesitantly sits up and takes it. Then she grabs her neck, which now begins to burn. Tommy sits down next to her on the bed and looks at her.
"Tommy..." Liv breathes and reaches out for him. Her voice is more like a croak than her usual beautiful voice. Tommy inwardly hopes her vocal cords aren't damaged because he loves to hear her sing, and it's her life.
Tommy takes her hand in his and gently strokes it with his thumb.
"Thank you," she breathes then, and a smile creeps across his face.
"'Don't mention it. Not for this." Tears gather in Liv's eyes.
"I thought..." she croaks, "I thought I'd lost you. I thought you didn't care about me." Her voice is no more than a whisper now. Tommy looks into her eyes and then brushes a tear from her cheek.
"I could never not care about you, Olivia James," he whispers. For a moment, the two look into each other's eyes.
Then Tommy leans forward and kisses Liv tentatively. It's only a light, shy kiss because he's not even sure she wants it. Liv closes her eyes and lets it happen. When he pulls away from her again, Liv bites her lips.
Tommy's face is inches from hers, and she can feel his breath on her lips. She wraps her hand around his neck and pulls him to her. Again their lips meet, but this time more demanding. She has missed him so much, but only now does she realise how much she has missed him.
A knock on the door pulls them apart. Tommy slides back a little as the door opens. It is Will. When he sees his sister is awake again, he smiles at her.
"I'm glad you're all right. Well, barring the obvious," he says, grinning at her. Liv looks at him questioningly. "Well, you look like shit, sister." Liv's gaze flicks to Tommy, who just rolls his eyes.
"What do you mean?" croaks Liv, getting out of bed. She looks in the mirror and is startled for once.
Her left cheek is adorned with a huge bruise and a laceration. Her neck also looks terrible, and her lip seems to have split open. Liv runs her fingertips over the wounds and then winces.
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A little later, Liv sits in the Shelby's kitchen, sipping her tea.
"It's good to have you back, Liv," Polly says, smiling at her. Liv tries to return a forced smile and then returns to staring at the table before her. When Tommy comes in, he sits down next to Liv.
"Well, I spoke to your friend Ayla. She's returned to London. Don't worry, she's fine. She's just still a bit shocked. I've explained everything, and she won't make a big deal about it." Liv raises an eyebrow.
"You mean you paid her," she says, then shakes her head. "Why did she go back to London without me?" Liv asks herself more than the others.
"Whatever... We both think you should lay low for a bit. And do it here until your injuries heal. In London, this would cause a scandal that you nor we want at the moment, Liv," Tommy explains to her, and Liv only listens with one ear.
She was clearly in it now and wouldn't be leaving Birmingham soon. She rubs a hand over her face and sighs.
"No point in me saying anything anyway, eh?"
Tommy moves a little closer to her and takes Liv's hand in his. "Will you give us a moment," Tommy then asks, addressing Polly and Will. The two nod and leave the kitchen.
"Liv... It's for the best." Liv finally looks Tommy in the eye.
"The best? For who, Tommy? For me? Or for you? I have a career to think about," Liv says, standing up.
"I know, and that's what I'm helping you with. But if Campbell can track you down even in London, I'd rather you be here. Here where I can protect you, eh?"
"I can look after myself. You know that, Tommy." Tommy snorts in amusement and then grabs her cheek.
"Didn't look like it to me after this." He lowers his hand again. "Liv... I... I was a dick, eh? Not just with Kimber but after the war. I didn't keep my word and regret it daily." Tommy lowers his head.
"You could have come any time, Tommy."
"Oh yeah?" he asks, looking at her again. "I was in London, Liv. I was looking for you, but when I found you, they said Olivia James was already taken." Liv lowers her eyes now, ashamed.
She bites her lips and takes a deep breath before speaking. "I would have chosen you," Liv whispers, "Always."
Liv barely realises what is happening so quickly as Tommy crosses the room and places his lips on hers. He holds her face in his hands and caresses her lips with his. As they pull away from each other, Liv smiles.
"I love you, Liv. I never stopped," Tommy whispers against her lips.
"I love you too, Tommy." Tommy takes Liv by the hand and pulls her upstairs to his room.
Behind her, he closes the door and begins to unzip her dress. He lets it fall over her shoulders and kisses her stormily. Liv now undresses Tommy and then slides his shirt over his head.
Tommy lifts Liv and holds her lightly against the door. He is in control. He has her right where he wants her. His rigid member digs into her. He carries Liv over to the sofa and sets her down there. His hand brushes over her breasts as he kisses her.
"Are you sure you wanna do this, Liv?" he asks as he stops.
"Yes," Liv gasps, pulling him closer to her to feel his body. To feel his taut muscles. He stands over her, looking her up and down.
"You are still incredible," he breathes out. Liv laughs at his comment and pulls him down to kiss him again. "I've never stopped wanting you, Liv," he confesses. "I've been thinking about this moment, about you." His hand travels down Liv's body.
"I've always wanted you too, Tommy," she replies, gasping as he touches her.
Long fingers trail over the blonde girl, wandering over the top of her purple lace panties.
"Tell me what you want, Liv," he growls in her ear.
Shit, she's not prepared for this. Liv isn't squeamish in the bedroom, having been adventurous with Tommy before. But maybe he just wanted to make sure Liv was still the same.
He feels her pause because she no longer responds to him. As he pulls back, he looks at her with a grin on his face. He enjoys watching Liv squirm.
"How would I know what you want if you didn't tell me, eh?" he asks.
He pulls her towards him and takes off her bra. He licks his lips at sight before him.
Liv suddenly realises that she is practically naked after all this time. Her body has changed a little over the years. She got a few cuts and scars when she worked as a nurse in France.
As if he could read her mind, he strokes her hair behind her ear.
"Relax, you're still as beautiful as I ever. So fucking beautiful."
Tommy tilts his head and kisses Liv's breasts. Slowly he licks over her nipples, gently moving them back and forth with his tongue. She moans softly as he pulls on them and bites her lip.
"Oh, you like that, do you?" he asks in a low voice, full of desire. 'Fuck it, go with it,' Liv thinks.
"Yes, Tommy, I like that," she responds to his touch and arches her back. He takes her other nipple and sucks on it gently.
"How does that feel?" he asks her. Liv doesn't recall Tommy being that naughty in the bedroom before. Of course, they had great sex, but this is something new. Something she didn't know about him. But she doesn't complain.
"I want you even more. It makes me wet," Liv moans into his neck.
"Good, I want you to be wet.", he says, running his hands over her panties again.
"Feel me, Tommy," she pleads, looking into his eyes.
"Is this what you want?" his pupils are vast, the desire prominent.
"Yes," Liv gasps, desperate to be touched now.
Tommy sits up and pulls her onto his knee so that she is straddling him. One hand grabs her ass. The other travels down Liv's body. He pulls at the top of her panties, and slowly, tantalisingly slowly, his hand slides inside.
"So soft," he murmurs. She can't remember the last time she was this aroused. It was probably with him too. His palm presses against her body, and his middle finger runs along her slit. Slowly he stops at Liv's entrance.
"Mmm, nice and wet, is that all for me, eh?" he asks. Liv nods and looks him in the eye.
"For you, Tommy, just for you, please," she rocks her hips against him, desperate for pressure, for touch.
"You asked so nicely, my love," he tells her. Again his hand dips into Liv's panties. She wants him just to yank them down and fuck her.
"I think you might come like this," he watches her squirm against him.
His middle finger dips into Liv's entrance again, and her tight walls enclose him. This way, he can easily reach her most sensitive spot. Slowly he pumps his finger in and out as the sound of Liv's wetness fills the room. When he withdraws his finger, she moans at his release.
"I want to taste you. Finally, again," he says, putting his fingers in his mouth to lick at the juices. He reaches for Liv's face and kisses her as he slides his tongue inside her so she can taste herself.
"So sweet," he says, pulling her by her ass. Tommy pulls her forward as she braces herself against him.
Without warning, he places his palm on her clit and presses against it. He creates pressure. Fuck, Liv isn't having long anymore.
"Come for me," he asks her. "I want to see your beautiful face when you do." Tommy starts rubbing her clit. She is just begging for him to touch her.
"Yes, Tommy, make me come," she says, and he rubs her clit with his thumb.
"You look so fucking hot. You know that?"
The Peaky Blinder is hard, so hard. It pulses around him. He's desperate to bend Liv over his sofa and fuck her hard. Gasping, he thrusts his middle finger into her even harder as she comes. Gasping for air, Liv buries her head into his neck.
"Holy shit," Liv breathes out. She straightens up in front of Tommy and takes him in her arms.
He stands over Liv, sitting on the bed, and pulls off her knickers with one hand. "It's like we never stopped," he says quietly, breaking the silence as Liv watches him.
She watches his upper body, which she loves. He, too, has added a few scars since Liv last saw him like this. The war wasn't gentle on him.
"It's somehow better than I remember… How comes?" asks Liv as she kneels on the bed before Tommy. Her hand strokes his muscles until she reaches her destination.
"We haven't seen each other in years, Liv. That's what time apart can do to people." His breath catches in his throat as Liv pumps him with her hand.
Liv slides down his body and takes him into her mouth. She can feel the scratching in her still sore throat, but she doesn't care. She holds the lower part of his hard cock as she sucks. She takes him in and out of her mouth. Liv feels him groan at the sensation he is enjoying.
"I missed this so much," he moans. She runs her tongue over his tip when she lets go of him gently, just like he did with her nipple. "Holy shit," he says. Liv takes him in her hand again and looks up at him.
"You like that, Tommy?" she asks innocently. She can feel the drop of pleasure running out of Tommy.
"Yes, but now I have to fuck you. I can't wait any longer." Liv watches him expectantly. "Do you still like it from behind?" he asks, walking towards her as if he's about to pounce.
"Yes," Liv manages to say.
"Is that how you want it? Tell me if you don't want it," his arms are wrapped around her again,
"I do," she breathes into his ear.
"Hold on to the headboard," he says, urging her to climb the bed. He kisses Liv's neck, and his hands slide between her legs.
"Your ass looks great," he says, feeling her up. Liv is wet again. "Relax," he says, sensing she's nervous.
Tommy bends Liv forward and slides into her. She's shocked at how good he feels. Like he's still meant for her as he fits perfectly inside her, he reaches where Liv needs him. He fills her.
Liv moans and screams his name as he fucks her. He whispers dirty things in her ear until she comes for him again.
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sleeppfordays · 2 years
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The Wilds S2 bad commentary Ep5 Once again I’m here to say my DMs are open you guys arent alone and I’m here even if you just want to rant and have someone listen
This was someone he admired and looked up to bad fucking call
I still feel like Agent Young is with us and he is helping the girls I aint giving up on him yet
I WAS RIGHT HE IS WITH US
IT WAS FUCKING SETH I WAS RIGHT THAT LITTLE BITCH
I’m sorry Josh’s parents paid for this research?
I say food baby :(
Shelby sharing her religion in a good way and not forcing it down someone’s throat really shows that YOU DONT HAVE TO FORCE IT DOWN PEOPLES THROATS
Not her admitting that same sex marriage is still not allowed in churches, she has grown so much
SHE GAVE HER THE CROSS NECKLACE
I SWEAR TO FUCKING GOD IF SHES ALIVE HOLY SHIT FLOOD
Is Kirin the Chef👀 did not expect that
Tired of Seth’s bullshit, now I only have Raf and Ivan and I dear god hope nothing happens
“My people” I love him
Kirin you kinda growing on me, take care of Josh please
HE DOESNT DESERVE SHIT, BRING HIS ASS TO JAIL AND TAKE THAT FREE REAL ESTATE AND MAKE HER FEEL GOOD ABOUT HERSELF FATIN
 Was I the only one that saw the disappointment in Fatin’s eyes when it wasn’t her Leah was thinking about
He reminds me of Toni, growing up to young because of shitty parents
He just cuts all the microphones? Does he think that will redeem him?
Nora’s burial hurts, she was my fav and I’m not giving up on her yet
When Rachel said she wanted time alone with Nora I almost stopped watching cause I felt like I was intruding
Ngl I really thought Dot was Gretchen’s daughter
I want to be dead to the world too
YES PROTECTOR KIRIN (He’s growing on me, even tho I cant get past that he sounds like Dave Goodkind
“My entire body is screaming” me when I do exercise
PUNCH THE SHIT OUT OF HIM KIRIN PUNCH HIM FOR US
Also that trivia for this scene “The girls found water 7 days in. The boys? 16” you can’t tell me that Gretchen didnt write that
The moment he said “When I was a young boy” I SANG IT I KNEW HE WOULD TOO
That kiss was abrupt
Holy shit I thought the boat thing would be that start of the angst but I guess I was wrong
ALSO I JUST FUCKING REALIZE SETH CUT THE MICROPHONES CAUSE HE DIDNT WANT GRETCHEN AND THE TO KNOW WHAT HE DID! IM SO FUCKING DUMB
Toni is so supportive, I love her and they really deserve each other
Detective Fatin I’m here for it
HE DID CUT THE MICROPHONES FOR THAT REASON
Raf baby please dont pick the wrong side
YES I KNOW I SHIPPED THEM I FUCKING TAKE IT BACK
I HAVE BOTH HANDS UP
NO RAF BABY WTF PLEASE
YEAH PACK YOUR FUCKING BAGS
OMG THE BACK WAS JUST SUSAN AND NOT NORA I will not give up tho, there is still hope
JUST YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY THE S WORD
Get that pedophile off my screen
DETECTIVE FATIN
That concludes Ep5 I WILL BE MAKING A SEPARATE POST ABOUT THAT LITTLE ENDING OF EP5 and I will also go to sleep and watch the rest tomorrow because it is 4 in the morning and I have work
I FORGOT TO POST THIS IM VERY SORRY
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heyyitza · 2 years
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The Wilds S3 Inside Man Speculation
Hi, yes, hello. I was actually never planning on posting anything The Wilds related. I was perfectly content just being part of the fandom from the outside. But, I finished the show last night and as I was sitting earlier today taking my exam, this wild thought came to mind. BTW, I don’t know if anyone has come up with this yet because I haven’t really scrolled through the tag so apologies if someone already came up with this.
I think the inside man might be Josh. Hear me out.
There’s no way in hell Shelby is the inside man, especially given the fact that we were shown she already started questioning the whole situation with Fatin right before they were extracted. She also made sure Leah knew she knew the whole situation was a setup. There’s no way in hell she would then backtrack and become Gretchen’s operative when she was trying to discreetly help Leah try and break them all out.
Also, the show has already shown us that they’re willing to use camerawork in order to mislead the audience. Back in season one, they showed Dot speaking with Gretchen, making it seem like she was the other operative apart from Jeannette, when the finale revealed it was actually Nora.
Also, the women have already had two operatives aware of the entire situation, albeit one of them died hours after landing on the beach. This makes me believe the operative is going to be a guy: Josh.
Now, I know y’all are probably like, “huh? Josh” yeah, I know. But I’ve been thinking.
Regardless of whether or not you like the guys, they were pretty fucking incredible with keeping Josh’s sa quiet because they promised him that they wouldn’t talk about it. They were so good at keeping it quiet that Gretchen and co. we’re freaking out most of the season trying to get the missing Day 15 information because they believed it could destroy their whole experiment.
And, if it weren’t for Josh, the boys could have most likely been the reason it would have gotten discredited.
And now you’re probably also asking, “if it weren’t for Josh what?”
Now, I say this because of that one montage (I think it was the second to last one, don’t @ me though) where Gretchen was talking about motherly instincts and all of that shit. The scene where we see her holding a bowl of gummies and walking into Josh’s room. When she walks out, almost all of the gummies are eaten and she has a million dollar smile.
I don’t know if anyone else thinks this, but I believe that Josh most likely told her about his sa, especially when she was asked what happened and she said something along the lines of “male problems” or some shit when talking about why the boys failed (FYI that’s such a fucked up way of calling sa, especially since not all assaulters are male).
Josh is… Naive? Gullible? We saw on the island he was willing to do what someone asked of him (cue the scene of Kirin telling him he failed his test of being independent). Gretchen knows this. And she can very much use it against all of them.
She can very easily manipulate him into thinking that what he’s doing, cooperating with Gretchen and telling her everything the group is doing, is to help out the group or whatever sick, demented way she can twist her logic.
Now, we know Seth’s bitchass is the other operative (can’t wait to see Kirin beat his ass again in season three when they all find out), but it’s just way too obvious to make him the only operative. Especially not when the boys and girls are finally together. There has to be another one. That’s why I think it’s Josh.
Obviously, this is all just theory and speculation. It would also be fucked for her to make both Josh and Seth the operatives, especially since she knows what happened, even though technically the operatives shouldn’t know who the other one is in fear of blowing the whole operation up.
Also, Josh could very easily fold when pressed for questions, but I don’t know, maybe the island changed him. I did notice a shift in demeanor in him when he was having his interview.
But it’s a thought. Let me know what you guys think.
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hollandorks · 2 years
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Shelby I haven’t been on my phone all day, I was about to fall asleep and I was like “there’s an update” now I’m half asleep and writing a small list of things I enjoyed because holy shit I’m sleepy and I haven’t been sleeping enough lately. Fuck. Okay.
-I love that she’s still giving Bruce shit about how they first met. I absolutely adore it. He regrets that piece of information and it amuses Alfred endlessly.
-I love how worried she is about him and how much she just want to protect him. It’s soft. I’m soft. Chefs kiss!
-Of course she made extra copies of the Batmobile key. I love that it’s not just a single copy. Copies. She has multiple. They’re hidden. Bruce wants to find them and hide them from her. Like elf on the shelf but cooler. Chefs kiss!
-I love that she knows something bad is going to happen. It could just be paranoia—after traumatic events it’s hard to think things could go back to normal. It’s Gotham however and I imagine being paranoid in that city is very helpful.
-I love the glimpse into her Gotham Project. The staff, where they came from, who they are. All of it. Chefs kiss!
-Her and Gordon are besties. He won’t admit it, but they are. I imagine them having coffee and just talking about life and stuff. He knew if he mentioned anything about the mayor to her she’d be there before Batman. Chefs kiss!
-I love that his name from his work number is a simple dark circle emoji. Chefs kiss! So fitting. I wonder what his name is with his regular phone?
-Does Gotham have a crime problem? Yes, of course. Does it also have a mayor problem? Absolutely. It reminded me of that Phineas and Ferb meme nickel meme. She was probably like “if I had a nickel for every time the mayor was murdered I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice, right?” Idk if you know the meme or not.
-OOFFTA I can’t wait for the angst that happens when she sees Bruce watching the footage back and she sees the boy. My heart! It’s gonna be soft. I bet Bruce will want to bottle up his feelings and she’ll be like “no.”
So far this story has been a gift, but that isn’t a surprise. Much love!
🦇
It’s time for my predictions—I think Bruce already knows someone is vigilante-ing other than him. Does he know it’s her? Probably on some level, but he denies it because he wants to think she wouldn’t put herself in harms way, and he also wouldn’t be able to see why she’d do it. When he meets Selina Kyle he’ll probably be like “it’s her.” When he finds out the truth boy will be heartbroken, angsty, and supreme emo.
Also idk if I’ve mentioned it or not but I can’t wait for the funeral scene. Idk if she’s gonna be in it, but I hope she is. I want her to interact with the penguin again, and I want her to at least kick him or something.
Also will we have some of Bruce’s pov in later chapters? I do love his emo mind.
Was this yet another instance of your sixth sense regarding updates? 😂
Also bestie you need to get some more sleep!! Especially before you start that new job! 😂
Bruce needs someones to give him shit. So obviously I'm having her give him shit constantly, but also constantly worrying about him!
Elf on the shelf but cooler 💀 yeah in my head she went ahead and had like....a stupid number of copies made. Like a dozen. And they're in increasingly random places 😂 One is probably actually in the Batmobile but Bruce doesn't expect that
And yeah I think her trauma lends to the paranoia! Things are getting worse despite the big Maroni bust, despite everything that happened in MOTN--so she feels like something in behind this even though it's mostly just Gotham being a shit place 😂
Her and Gordon are totally besties! Their dynamic is something I'm enjoying and can't wait to develop more. I love the idea of Gordon as almost a grudging mentor figure. My headcanon (for my own fic lmao) is that Gordon goes by the GP to see her but also to keep an eye on things 😂 despite her having fancy Wayne-funded security
Yes!!! The nickel meme! That's perfect!! 😂
Ugh I'n so excited to share more. Hoping to post ch 3 Thursday or Friday! 🥰
Love seeing your predictions again!! Also, yes to Bruce POVs! 👀 Probably won't have as many as in MOTN but only because we have his POV in the whole film. But I'm definitely including some fun ones! And yes she'll be at the funeral! 👀
Thanks for the love bestie, get some sleep! ❤️
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deepdonutkid · 3 years
Text
A new dawn
Pair: Tommy x female reader
Requested: yes, by anon
Summary: While is wife is in labor, Tommy prefers to stay away, because it’s women’s business, but when she called for him, he rushes by her side.
Author’s note:
This is not beta read and english is my second language..
It’s in the arrow house, meaning at least season 3 and John is alive, like in most of my stories!
Warnings: child birth, pain, drinking, swearing
Tagging: @retromafia​ @justalonelyslytherin​ @bonniesgoldengirl​ @theshelbyclan​ 
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With all his might, Tommy tried to ignore the distant screams of his wife, not because he didn’t care for her. He did, but she didn’t want him to be there, while she was still in labor. So, he did his best to stifle the urge to look for her.
Pregnancies have complications and these were not rare, not even with the latest medical achievements. Or so Polly has told him, when he learned about the gift his wife was carrying.
His neck was stiff the whole time, but he flinched every time, when he heard his wife yelling. Some might thing the Arrow House would be big enough to avoid the screams of his wife, but Tommy stayed close- just in case.
He poured a glass of whiskey to distract himself from thinking about the situation down the hall. And just when he was taking his first sip, he flinched again and the liquor was running down his hand.
“Fuck”, he grunted and put the glass down again, so he could fumble for his handkerchief. Hasty, he was rubbing his hand on the fabric of the tissue, while he heard his younger brother say. “You shouldn’t go there”
“I know you want to”, John added and gave him a piercing look: “But woman don’t want company during labor. Trust me, I already had the same situation five times.”
Tommy nodded, but it wasn’t quite honest, actually it was a sarcastic gesture, because he wasn’t really trusting his brother on this issue. “John, the pregnancy expert”, muttered Tommy. The corners of his mouth were twitching. Tommy was close to smiling, but didn’t, because he could still hear his wife moaning from pain.
His younger brother ignored the noises from the in-law and explained it even further: “Tommy, she doesn’t want you around and should I tell you why…. Because you will never look at her the same way, when you seem something coming out of her fun hole.”
Right at the tip of Tommy’s tongue was the urge to argue against the word ‘fun hole’, however he said something different instead. “I would be respectful enough to not look right at the center of action. Also… that something you’re talking about is my child.”
“Posh Tommy, talking like his head is up his butt, eh? Arthur?”, scoffed John and looked over to the oldest Shelby brother.
Arthur had way more problem acting like there wasn’t screams of pain just two doors away. He was even more sensitive than Tommy… and of course did Arthur worry, because his wife was pregnant as well. It was quite visible, that Arthur wasn’t mentally prepared to be a father now. The shock in his bones… and his forehead wrinkles.
“Yeah”, Arthur mumbled and glared around. Poor Arthur seemed a little bit lost now. “Is it true that woman shit themselves during the…”
“Labor?”, John was filling in the blanks. Just this once he was smarter than his brothers and he would enjoy it as much as he could. “Yes, they do, that’s why it’s woman’s business and we should stay here and drink.”  
A collective sigh left their lips, right before they started drinking again.
After this weird talk about pregnancies and labor, silence fell over the room. Nobody knew what to say and since the screams got louder, it got even more disturbing to have a little chat like nothing was happening.
John licked his lips and was about to say something again, when Tommy shushed him.
Everybody was listening closely to understand what his wife was screaming.
His name.
She was indeed calling for him. After everything John had told him, Tommy had actually doubted, he would go there, until it was over.
But right now, he didn’t hesitate and put his glass down, so he could sprint down the hallway.
Tommy didn’t even knock and entered the room right away, but he hid his face behind his hand, so he couldn’t, what he didn’t want to see. Maybe John was right with ‘fun-hole-thing” and Tommy wasn’t risking it.
Since he wasn’t looking, he had to feel the door handle to shut it. Once this was done, he was making slow steps towards his wife.
“Stop being a fucking child, Tommy”, Polly shouted and hit him: “She is your wife and you shouldn’t make a fuss about it.”
Because of Polly’s command, he pulled his hand away and searched for his wife. She was right in the middle of the room and her legs were covered with a blanket.
Maybe she didn’t want to see what was happening between her legs either. However, Tommy was grateful to be around.
He gave her a smile and walked over to her, so he could wipe of the sweat from her forehead. “How are you doing?”, he asked softly.
“I can’t”, she whined: “I can’t, Tommy, please, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t push anymore. It hurts so bad.”
Tommy thought, seeing the blood and the blood-covered new born would be the worst thing about it, but it was difficult to see the love of his life in so much pain… and he couldn’t even help her. “You have to”, he told her, grabbing her hand: “I’m here by your side, okay? I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere, but you have to push.”
She was shaking her head and crying even more. “I don’t want this anymore”, she squealed, while panting heavily: “If somebody told me, it would hurt this much, I wouldn’t agreed to try for a baby.”
“Love, it’s going to be alright. I’m here and I will hold your hand the whole time. And when the baby is here with us and you can hold it, you will forget about all this, okay?”, he tried to convince her to keep pushing, because the hard part was still coming… and Tommy couldn’t handle her screams nor her pain.
No matter what he said, she was still to afraid and nervous to keep going. Right now, she was just a crying blob with a panic attack. It was like she didn’t even hear him. But she couldn’t stop now nor was there any other possibility to get the child, at least not here.
Now, Tommy wished, he would have taken her to the hospital hours ago. The doctors would probably know what do to and Tommy certainly did not. He was already worried sick about her and he didn’t know, how much blood she has already lost. And his biggest fear was her dying right here, with nobody else to blame but himself, when he accepted her decision to get the child here and he should leave the room.
She had changed her mind on one thing and Tommy wished, she would have thought about the hospital thing a little longer. He knew, she was scared of going there, but nobody in hospitals was ever happy.
“Just think about the baby, okay?”, he tried once again: “Think about the tiny feet and the smile, when it’s going to look at you. Think about holding until it falls asleep peacefully. Think about, when it starts walking and talking… and it’s right here and it’s waiting for us, it’s waiting for you to keep pushing, because it wants to be in this world.”
Slowly she nodded, which was at least a little bit of progress. “Okay, I will try”
Polly was telling her to push and luckily, she did, but she was destroying Tommy’s hand in the progress.
However, Tommy stayed by her side, like he had promised to and when his aunt announced the head was visible, he knew it was almost done.
“I’m so proud of you”, he whispered to her: “You’re doing great, love. Just one last time.”
His wife was screaming louder than ever and pressing his hand, like her life was depending on it and right when Tommy thought, she had to do it once again, he heard a little scream. It was their baby, telling them it was alive and thriving.
Polly was wrapping the blood-covered thing into a clean cloth and announced: “It’s a girl”.
Then she was walking over to the fresh-baked parents and was handing the child over.
His wife was looking up to him, finally smiling: “She is so beautiful” Tommy nodded in agreement and asked: “How to you want to call her?”
She was admiring her baby for a while. Just like Tommy thought, she had completely forgotten the pain from minutes before and was happy to be with her baby.
Very quietly she said: “How about Cecilia?”
He was leaning in and taking the little hand of his daughter. His voice was so soft, it didn’t even sound like him, when he gushed: “Hello, Cecilia. Welcome to the family.”
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standingappablog · 3 years
Text
My interpretation of Toni and Shelbys relationship.
I am re-watching the wilds and I wanna talk about a few things I missed in my first viewing. 
Toni
Starting off in episode one, which I think a lot of us picked up on the gay vibe from both of them, was Tonis front with shelby at the beginning of the show. All talk, and takes no shit. But you can spot her flustered moment easily when Shelby puts her hands on her shoulders and when she begins to sing (while she pees yes lol) But you can just SEE IT on her face. This quickly subsides though as not long after Toni lets a tree branch fly back in her face.
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The writers also try confuse you and make you think the reason why Toni  dislikes Shelby so much (at least untill episode 6 before the homophobia) is becuase of her possibly stealing her best friend away. Which of course played a part in it too.
The scenes of her looking at Martha and shelby was a common 0occurrence. You notice though, in most scenes how Martha is sort of out focus and in the backround while shelby takes up most of the shot. Indicating that shelby is the person Tonis gaze is fixed on.
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I think the reason why Toni so strongly disliked Shelby in the beginning  is becuase she found herself attracted to her, which she obviously didnt like. With shelby having this happy go lucky optimistic front, and all the jesus talk really clashed with her pretty pesimistic personality. Not to mention how Toni thinks Shelby is extreamly privileged,which in a lot of aspects of her life she is. Considerably more after you find out Tonis backstory. So with that knowledge of her backround you could see why she would assume her life is better than hers. I mean she is a rich white girl from texas, so her assumption wasnt unreasonable. To Toni the idea of liking someone like Shelby is unexpected for her, so she does as much as possible to push her away. Explaining why she was pretty rude to her for the first half of the series. 
Along with Shelbys little “westburo baptist” moment Toni got pretty angry (rightly so) and this probably solidified the irationality of thease feelings she had for Shelby. Giving her even more of a reason to dislike her.
 Despite this Toni finds it in herself to try cheer her up when the two run into each other in the woods after Shelbys biggest insecurity is revealed by leahs theories. Tonis feelings for Shelby are on view a little bit here. Beforehand she barely could interact with her without expressing her dislike for Shelby.
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 Though the mood shifts again after Shelby brings up the subject of her views on being gay.
Right up until shelby kisses her, Toni outwardly berates Shelby on how medieval her veiws are, and what a priveleged life she leads. She tells her on this island they are free, and Shelby takes this opportunity to show who she really is.
The kiss the two share as we all saw was in no way one sided, Toni does kiss her back. Obvioiusly this shocks Toni, as well as shelby herself. WIth shelby running off as she tries to escape what she just did with a girl who she thought hated her.
You immideatly see Toni run after her. Her feelings for this girl who Toni thought hated who she was where reciprocated. In this moment her whole attitude towards Shelby changes as she begins to understand why she is the way she is.
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Shelby
Shelbys sexuality was pretty obvious to many of the LGBT viewers, we have all been there, obviously not the religious cult part, but putting up a front, hiding who we are. So it was easy to tell that she was gay from the beggining. Its also pretty common in the media to portray a closeted LGBT person like this. The question was how the writers where going to go about revealing the fact that she is gay.
You notice Shelbys attempts to be friendly towards Toni pretty early on with inviting her out to the first exhibition. Of course we all know it ends with her getting a branch to the face. But when questioned about the cut on her temple, she doesnt reveal that Toni was the one who caused it. 
Though as we all know as Shelby begins to become friends with Martha, Toni becomes increasingly more hostile towards her. Probably shattering the hopes of being friends. So we see less of Shelbys perspective of the relestionship between the two from her, and more from Toni. The two become pretty bitter with each other after the shelter building contest, the tension rising pretty quickly, although it seems that Toni is always the one who initiates the fights they have. Even after Toni destroys the hut and storms off, Shelby goes to find her and still tries to have a friendly conversation, possibly she went to comfort her, but of course we know from watching Toni interact with those around her she only initates in deep conversation with those she trusts, and the weird feelings she has for Shelby probably didnt help. 
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Fast forward to episode six and Shelby has her little moment when the others are joking around with the shellfish. Of course this one isnt as subtle as previous scenes but it shows Shelbys internalized homophobia.The gestures Toni demonstrated made her uncomfortable becuase she knew thats who she was, the idea of being gay freaked her out, so she did the only thing to stop it. To lash out and reveal how she truely felt about herself. She proably never intended on revealing this, becuase really she doesnt hate the fact that Toni is gay. She hated the fact that she is gay herself. This probably shattered any hope of frienship with Toni after this incedent. (She also mentioned to martha afterwards that she knew it would happen, this revealation pushed everyone away from her considerably for the rest of the season)
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When everyone begins to get sick, we see Shelby desperatly trying to prove to everyone and Toni that, she doesnt hate her. Ofcourse we knew by now that the two felt something for each other. In a way this was Shelbys feelings acting out. Her romantic feelings yes, but mostly guilt.Ignoring the others offers to let them give her the pill, instead she desperatly overcomes Tonis pride. Making her take the pill  forcably, so that she would stay alive.
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Just before the two share their first kiss, shelby finally opens up about how miserable she finds her life. Toni as we know with a troubled backround claims that she cant “out sad” her. The only thing that Toni has that Shelby doesnt is freedom. Toni seeing the solution around them points out she is more free than ever and that moment you see the contemplation in her face, you can almost see whats going on in her mind just before she leans in and impulsively kisses Toni.
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She then runs, obviously horrified with herself. The immeanse internalised homohpbia making her feel ashamed for following her heart.
I honestly loved watching this couple come together, their chemistry and writing was great and super intriuging to watch. I am glad a rewatched it again, there was a few things I missed out on in the first veiwing becuase i was too busy chanting “kiss! kiss! kiss!” everytime they appeared on screen together. This is completley my interpretation of their releationship and how the scenes are done, I honestly could be completley wrong and they are as they are shown to be on the surface. I just really enjoy delving deep into the motives and feelings of characters I enjoy watching. :)
*Edit* My apologies if this is written bad! At the time when I wrote this I was extremely tired. I hadn't slept the night before and I was just back from a full day of school.
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discopig · 3 years
Text
That other girl (Thomas Shelby x Reader) [Part 2/3]
Okay so I’ve made a few improvements, first one being I won’t be writing at 2 AM after 4 hours of sleep because I read back part one and honestly wanted to shoot myself, I also added paragraph/scene dividers because the first part was very messy and I kept fucking up the tenses! My imagination has been going wild for this fic so I need to calm myself. I don’t intend for this to be a long story, I hope to finish it by the next part. Hope you guys enjoy :))
Part 1 | Part 3
Warnings: implied family abuse, swearing (doesn’t even need to be a warning)
Word Count: 1,452
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You stared at the woman at the door, what seemed like millions of thoughts rushing through your mind at once. She was beautiful. Not to say you weren’t beautiful yourself, but insecurity seemed to be the main component of the blood flowing through your veins at the sight of her. She looked like the models you would see at the fashion shows your mother would take you to as a kid, and she made the plain barmaid’s uniform look like the most expensive piece Chanel could offer.
The woman’s eyes darted between you and harry as she spotted the two of you together.
“Thanks for the help” Harry said, taking the glasses from the basket the woman carried them in. As though he forgot something, he quickly turned around after placing them on the counter behind the bar. 
“Grace” he acknowledged the woman, “this is Y/N, your co-barmaid” he said, turning to you.
You were secretly hoping she was just here on delivery for the shop Harry had bought the glasses from, and wished so deeply she wasn’t the barmaid he had mentioned earlier, but alas, she had to be. 
“Oh, it’s very nice to meet you” she smiled extending her hand towards you
“Likewise” you gave her a small smile, taking her hand and shaking it
“Harry’s told me a lot about you, about how you help him around the bar and whatnot, how good you are at dealing with the rowdy customers” You picked up on her Irish accent
"Well, that’s nice to hear. Are you not from Birmingham?” you questioned
“Oh no, I’m not. I only got here about a week ago. I used to work at a bar in Galway, so I got quite lucky to be able to get a job at a bar here” she replied.
Quite lucky I sprained my fuckin’ ankle you mean. You mentally scoffed at her
“That is quite lucky” you laughed
By now Harry had left to sort out the glasses in storage, so you figured you might as well pry for something out of her
“So Harry tells me you’ve been serving the Shelby boys while I’ve been gone, you know they’re trouble?” You asked, staring into her eyes, trying to gauge any sort of reaction you could receive. She seemed unfazed.
“Well, they’ve been quite nice to me, given me lots of tips” 
“Is that so? Who’s been giving you tips?” They never gave you tips, even on the busiest of nights when you were running back and forth serving their requests for beer which seemed to come through ever 10 fucking seconds
“Uh, the tall one” John. Damn him.
“Ah, I see, hopefully it was good money” you ‘beamed’ at her, trying to be friendly 
“Good enough” she laughed back
“So what brings you to Birmingham?” 
“My father passed away and I just needed a change of scenery” she replied, her eyes showed sadness, so you figured her father passing couldn’t be a lie, but a change of scenery in Birmingham? Yeah right. Maybe on some farm surrounded by chickens and mosquitoes, or in some tropical American city, but not in Birmingham. Most people want out, not in, unless they have good reason to favour the latter.
“I’m sorry to hear that” 
“It’s okay, he was quite old anyways, I had expected it at some point” she replied with a half smile, eyes still sad.
You both sat in silence for a moment until you spoke “I’ll be back next week to help out” you looked towards the door, more customers starting to pile in, Harry back from the storage room, rushing to get their orders, and back at Grace “things are starting to get busy, I won’t hold you any longer. It was nice meeting you” you smiled at her, getting up from your seat and heading  out of the Garrison, trudging to the betting shop.
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The Shelby family were in the midst of a family meeting, discussing business you honestly didn’t care much about, thoughts racing with how you were going to have Thomas’ head on a stake. 
“That copper, is going to try and bring this family down with every fuckin’ cell in his body” Thomas exclaimed
“What copper?” you asked. Thomas looked at you like you had just asked him if the sun was a rock
“Campbell. We’ve been talking about him this whole meeting Y/N” you could tell he was annoyed, but you didn’t care
“When did he get here? When did this start?” you asked
“Why does that-” Thomas started
“Answer the fucking question Thomas Shelby” you interrupted
“About a week ago, he worked as a copper in Ireland, and has come with his troops to Birmingham to try and ruin all of my fucking plans. Keep up please!” He replied, clearly frustrated.
Ireland?
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You knocked on the door to Thomas’ office and waited before you heard a low “Come in”
You walked into his office, Thomas looking down at some papers, and sat down on one of the chairs at his desk
“How are you liking the new barmaid?” You asked, staring him down.
At the mention of the barmaid he looked up at you, a mix of panic and annoyance flashing in his eyes
“She does her job Y/N. What else can I think of her? He replied with a sigh at the end
“Oh I’m sure she does her job well enough for you to be having secret meetings with her” you replied, venom laced in your voice. You were starting to get angry, and him behaving as though he was annoyed by your presence wasn’t making it any easier
“Y/N what are you-” 
“Don’t fucking what me Thomas Shelby! Harry told me all about the lovely interest you’ve taken to her, enough so to meet with her every fucking day! Did you fuck her?! If you did you better tell me because so help me God if I find out from-”
“I did not fucking sleep with her Y/N will you PLEASE calm down?” Thomas yelled, his voice booming through the office
“If you didn’t sleep with her then what did you do?”
“We just talked” he answered, as though everything was normal
“Just talked?! Have you forgotten that you have a girlfriend Thomas, a girlfriend who had a sprained fucking ankle and couldn’t walk, who you could’ve come to any time to just talk?! You think I’m supposed to believe that’s all you did? Why would you just talk to her and not me?!” You were screaming again, your anger reaching a tipping point
“Because she isn’t like you Y/N!” 
You looked at him, visibly confused
“She didn’t grow up with daddy’s loaded bank account in some posh city, she’s genuine, like a breath of fresh fucking air in this place! She gets me, and I get her, and she happened to be there when I needed someone to talk to! Is that so bad?!” You stared at him dumbfounded, not only had he implied that he could not come to you -his girlfriend- when he needed someone to talk to, he also brought up your family and history, knowing damn well the riches your family had, meant nothing to you, constantly overshadowed by the yelling, bruises and loneliness.
The true weight of his words seemed to register with him as regret flashed in his eyes under your dumbfounded, yet angry gaze
“Fuck you Thomas Shelby. Fuck you. She’s working with that fucking copper”
He moved to say something but you quickly interrupted him
“I know you did your stupid background checks, I asked Arthur about it. She’s not from fucking Galway, she never worked in any bars, meaning she lied about everything, and she, your lovely Irish angel shows up at the same time that copper does, and you still willingly walk into her presence every damn day while your girlfriend is alone, to talk?! To fucking talk?!”
Thomas was visibly getting angrier as you accused her of working with Campbell, moving to defend her
“Don’t you think you’re going too far?! I get you’re jealous but you can’t just make shit up!”
You scoffed 
“Polly was right about men only being able to think with their cocks. Even you, the oh so smart Thomas Shelby, are a blind fucking idiot. Fuck you, I never want to see you again, you hear me? You can go talk to that fucking barmaid as much as you want” You spat, leaving his office with a loud slam of his door, catching John’s worried eyes as you stormed out of the shop. Your ankle was radiating with pain, but you ignored it as you stormed home.
Fucking Shelbys.
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snelbz · 3 years
Text
Life As We Know It {Chapter 19}
Summary: After the sudden deaths of Nesta’s sister and Cassian’s best friend, they gain guardianship of their nephew, Nyx.
Based on Life As We Know It (2010) and a prompt sent in by anonymous for our Nessian fanfic contest. This is a modern au.
Instead of doing a tag list for this story, we have decided to have a set posting schedule. Chapters will be posted weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Occasional surprise chapters could be posted at miscellaneous times. Chapters will be posted on both my and Tara’s blogs! >> @tacmc.​
Life As We Know It Masterlist
Shelby’s Masterlist
Tara’s Masterlist
A/N: Well, we promised a chapter today, so we decided to follow through on that. Even if we did post a surprise chapter last night. Oh, well. Enjoy! 🙃✨
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Cassian sighed as he opened his eyes.
Another year older, another year wiser.
Well.
Another year older, anyway.
He blinked as he looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand. 7:58. Two minutes before his alarm would have gone off.
He hated when that happened, when his mind woke him up just before his alarm went off. There was no time to go back to sleep, it was perfect sleeping time wasted.
It was bullshit.
With a yawn, Cassian swung his legs over the side of his bed and got up. He stumbled to his dresser and pulled on a pair of sweatpants, just in time for his alarm to go off.
“Fuck you,” he muttered, quickly turning it off before flinging open his bedroom door.
It smelled delicious.
He meandered down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Nesta was icing a giant cake.
Her eyes darted to his.
He blinked.
“Get out!” she ordered.
“What the hell are you-.”
“Out!” she ordered, yet again.
Nyx babbled something at the top of his lungs that closely resembled, YEAH!
He did as he was told, blearily blinking as he stumbled back into the living room. He dragged a hand down his face. “Can I at least have some coffee?”
“In a minute!” She called and he heard quick footsteps, followed by the back door opening and closing. It opened again and she said, breathlessly, “Okay. You can come in now.”
Tentatively, Cassian rounded the corner and he found Nesta placing a platter of cinnamon rolls on the counter in place of the—
“Where did the cake go?” He asked, raising an eyebrow as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
Nesta was lifting a cinnamon roll onto each of the plates in front of her, cutting the one for Nyx into tiny bites for him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He blinked again, half-wondering if he’d imagined the decorated monstrosity he’d seen on the counter, but he sniffed, smelling the air again.
It mostly smelled like the sweet and spicy scent of cinnamon, but—
No, that was definitely cake he smelled.
“Right…” he said, pulling forks out of the silverware drawer and setting one next to each plate. “You’re up early.”
“Had a lot to do before renovations start this morning. I’m meeting Helion and the contractor at the restaurant at nine.” She sipped her own coffee, not looking at him. Mixing truth and lies, it seemed, since he knew she was meeting the contractor this morning. As for a lot to do, he knew everything at the restaurant was already taken care of. She cleared her throat. “I wasn’t expecting you to be up so early either.”
Cutting into the gooey cinnamon roll, he said, “I gotta be at the bar in an hour. I’m talking with Kallias this morning before my shift starts.”
She set her coffee down and finally looked at him. “You have to work today?”
“Yeah,” he replied, popping the bite of pastry into his mouth. He resisted the urge to moan. “It’s Tuesday. I always work on Tuesdays.”
She hesitated, deciding whether she should speak or not. “But it’s your birthday.”
He couldn’t stop his smirk. He knew there had been a cake.
“And who told you that?” He asked, leaning over to wipe Nyx’s face off. The poor kid had icing all over his face, all the way up into his hair.
“That’s not important,” she said.
“Elain, then,” Cassian went on with a grin.
Nesta pretended like she hadn’t heard him and took a giant bite of her cinnamon roll.
“I’ll take Nyx with me to the bar,” Cassian said. “Viviane texted. She has the stomach flu.”
Nesta cringed. “That sucks. I...wait - you’re taking a baby to a bar?”
Cassian shrugged. “He’ll be fine. I only have to stay until two or so.”
“A baby,” she repeated, blinking. “To a bar.”
“You prefer to take him into a construction zone?” Cassian asked. “One that you’re in charge of? That sounds stressful.”
Nesta’s eyes narrowed. “I can ask Elain to watch-.”
“I’m taking him with me and he’ll be fine,” Cassian said, shaking his head. “I promise.”
Nesta narrowed her eyes. And he held up both hands. “I promise,” he repeated.
“Fine. But call me if you need to and I’ll come get him,” she sighed, shaking her head. “I’ll be in my office most of the day, so it’s not like he’ll be running around in a construction zone.”
“And I’ll take the carrier and physically wear him all day, so it’s not like he’ll be running around the actual bar.”
Nesta groaned. “Fine. Fine. But take the pack-n-play, his monitor and toys. He can entertain himself well enough.”
“Okay,” Cassian nodded, finishing off his cinnamon roll. He pulled Nyx out of his high chair, who was now playing with and wearing most of his food, rather than eating it, and said, “I’ll give him a bath while you get ready.”
“Okay.” He was nearly in the living room when he heard, “Cass?” He turned and looked back at her, still not completely used to the familiar nickname from her. She was blushing slightly. “Happy birthday.”
Smiling, he said, “Thanks,” and turned to head up the stairs.
Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all.
*
“Any birthday plans?”
“You’re looking at it.”
Kallias chuckled as he observed Cassian, a wiggly baby strapped to his chest, counting the liquor bottles that lined the wall.
“How old are you anyway?” he continued, wiping down the bartop. “Thirty? Thirty-one?”
“You wound me,” Cassian muttered, scribbling a number down on his clipboard, not bothering to tell Kallias just how close to thirty he was getting to.
“I would say we should do shots to celebrate your big day,” Kallias began, taking Nyx’s outstretched hand. “But, I think your little housewife would disapprove.”
Cassian snorted. “If Nesta Archeron ever heard you call her such a thing, you’d lose a very important body part.”
“Not interested in that, thank you very much,” he muttered. “She ever gonna stop in, so I can see this terrifying woman you’ve told me about?”
“About that…” Cassian pulled Nyx out of the carrier and carried him into the back office, setting him down in the play pen. Grabbing the baby monitor, he made his way back into the front room.
Kallias looked up from where he was cutting limes at the bar. “About what?”
He leaned a hip on the bar and crossed his arms over his chest. “Nesta is going to be expanding the restaurant, adding a bar. That’s actually where she is right now, why I’ve got the kiddo with me. Didn’t really want him in a construction site.”
“Hot nanny couldn’t keep him?” Kallias asked, grinning.
Cassian rolled his eyes. “No, she’s sick. But, uh-.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m gonna be leaving and going over there, managing for her.”
Kallias eyes widened. “Oh. Shit.”
“Yeah. And I’d like you to come over there with me. Be my assistant manager at the new place.”
Kallias stopped cutting, mid-lime. “You do realize we are two out of five people that work here, right?”
Cassian nodded, slowly. “Yeah, I do. And I also know we can hire more people here.”
Kallias looked back down at his half-cut lime. “Assistant manager, huh?”
“It’s in a great part of town, we’d get amazing tips on top of already being paid more,” Cassian said. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”
“So I’d be stupid to say no, then?” Kallias asked, continuing to cut his limes.
“Incredibly stupid,” Cassian agreed.
Nyx’s happy babbling came through on the baby monitor.
“I’ll think about it,” Kallias said, at last.
“Think about it, then tell me yes, because I’m not going there without you,” Cassian said.
Kallias snorted. “You’re a shitty liar. You’re going, whether I go or not.”
“And why wouldn’t you come with me?” Cassian asked, facing his friend. He and Kallias had worked together for years, since Kallias came in at twenty-one, during his senior year of college. “You want to be stuck in this dive bar forever? I know you. You’re a creature of habit. If I leave you here, you’ll be here for the next twenty years.”
Kallias didn’t bother telling him it wasn’t true. He just shook his head. “I guess we better start interviewing people, then.”
*
The day did not go as planned. Cassian had to stay and help out until nearly five-thirty, and by the time Cassian walked in the front door, Nyx was knocked out cold in his car seat. He gently set it down and unbuckled him, carrying him into the kitchen. It smelled divine, like roasting herbs and cooked veggies, even if he couldn’t see anything radiating the delicious smells.
Nesta was also nowhere in sight, so he took Nyx up to his nursery and laid him down, setting the baby monitor back up where it usually sat. He slipped the screen in his back pocket and made his way back downstairs, hurrying out to his truck to get Nyx’s diaper bag and the folded up playpen.
As he was setting it back up in the living room, he heard the sliding glass door open and close and made sure he was making enough noise to alert Nesta of his presence.
“You’re home,” she said, leaning on the doorway. “Nyx asleep?”
“Out like a light,” he said, tossing the few toys he’d brought with him back into the pen. “He had fun though.”
“Good. Dinner is almost done,” she smiled. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” he sighed and took another deep breath in. “It smells amazing.”
Turning, Nesta walked back into the kitchen. “Steak, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and green beans, and homemade rolls.”
He watched as she took the carrots and green beans out of the oven and placed them next to a plate of steak she must have just brought in from the grill.
Cassian’s mouth was damn near watering.
He looked at the spread as she spooned the mashed potatoes onto his plate. “I think I’m in love with you.”
Nesta tensed, then something like nervous laughter sputtered out of her mouth. “Well, I had to cook red meat for you on your birthday.”
“Does that mean you’ll be having yourself a steak, Archeron?” he asked, taking the full plate from her outstretched hands.
She gave him an amused look. “Hell no. You get both. I have a chicken kabob on the grill.”
Cassian licked his lips as he took his plate to the table. “Consider me a lucky man. Thank you.”
“Of course,” she said, clearing her throat. She piled her plate high with potatoes and veggies before going onto the deck and coming back with a grilled chicken kabob on her plate. She sat across from him. Cassian’s mouth was already full.
“How is it?” Nesta asked, cutting up a carrot before popping it into her mouth.
“Delicious,” Cassian said, mouth full. “So good.”
“If you don’t slow down, you won’t be able to enjoy the flavor,” Nesta said, knowing full well that he wouldn’t listen. Cassian practically inhaled everything on his plate within minutes.
He moaned, stretching back in his chair before running a hand through his hair. “I must say, Nes, you really outdid yourself.”
“Well, it was the least I could do after you worked and were on baby duty all day,” she said, popping a few green beans in her mouth.
They talked about their days as she finished eating. He told her about Kallias’ agreement to move to the restaurant, she told him about the beginning of construction.
They’d kept half the restaurant open, putting up a temporary wall to keep as much noise and dust out as they could, but the sooner the build was done the better. They both agreed on that.
“So, despite your switch with the cinnamon rolls this morning,” Cassian said from where he sat as she rinsed off their plates, “I’m fairly sure I saw a cake when I came downstairs.”
“Really now,” she said, and he saw the small smile on her face.
“Mhmm,” he nodded. “And, you know, I like cake.”
“And why, exactly, would I make you a cake?” She crooned, that little smile remaining.
“Because I’m the world's best roommate and uncle, obviously,” he said.
Nesta laughed as she stood. “Yeah, whatever.”
After exiting through the back door, she returned a moment later with a big, homemade cake.
It was exquisite.
Perfectly decorated and topped with vanilla and buttercream frosting, it read Happy birthday, Cassian!
As Nesta placed it on the countertop, Cassian asked, “Nesta, when the hell did you find time to make this?”
She shrugged. “Stayed up later and got up early. Didn’t have to be too early since you decided to sleep in today, but…” Her words trailed off. “I figured it was the least I could do.”
His mouth tightened, emotion he wasn’t expecting hitting him and he cleared his throat. “You gonna sing to me?” He asked, cracking a joke to break the tension that was slowly growing.
Nesta threw her head back and laughed. “Absolutely not.”
Cassian bit back his retort and the monitor in his back pocket went off, crying coming from upstairs.
“I’ll get him,” she said, standing up. “I’m sure he’s hungry. Will you cut up green beans and carrots for him?”
He nodded, the cake forgotten as he did what he was told, and Nesta returned with a bleary-eyed Nyx a few minutes later.
“Hi buddy,” Cassian said, chuckling at Nyx’s hazy expression. He was already sitting at the table with a plate of cut up food.
The second Nyx saw the display, he was whining and reaching for it.
“Slow down, you need to be buckled into your seat first,” Nesta said, shaking her head.
“I can’t blame him,” Cassian said, as Nyx was strapped into his high chair. “I’m starving when I wake up, too.”
Nesta rolled her eyes. “Men.”
The second Nyx’s diapered butt hit the seat, he was stuffing his mouth.
“I guess we should wait for him to eat the cake,” Cassian said, looking longingly at the cake.
Nesta chuckled. “No patience?”
“When it comes to homemade baked goods?” Cassian scoffed. “No.”
She snorted, which had Cassian raising an eyebrow. She looked at him. “What?”
“Nothing,” he replied, shaking his head. “That was just…cute.”
Nesta didn’t reply, but he swore she could see her cheeks heating as she turned to put the leftovers from dinner away.
Once Nyx’s plate was cleared, Nesta cut three slices of cake. One was barely a sliver, one was mostly icing and one was damn near a quarter of the cake. She took the one with extra frosting for herself, placing the small one in front of Nyx and the larger one in front of Cassian.
Again, Nyx wasted no time scarfing it down. Cassian didn’t either, helping himself to another, much smaller piece afterwards, but not touching it yet.
“You sure you don’t want to sing to me?�� He asked, taking a bite of the cake. “It would complete my day.”
Nyx, an impending sugar crash, was already dozing again. Apparently, his day with Uncle Cassian had well and truly worn him out.
She rolled her eyes and wiped the excess cake off of Nyx’s face. Pulling him out of his high chair, she said, “No, I think I’m good.”
“I’m just saying,” Cassian pushed. “If you wanted to really wish me a happy birthday, a song would do.”
Nesta snorted, taking Nyx in her arms and swaying, back and forth. “You’ve never heard me sing.”
“If your singing is as good as your cooking, it must be amazing,” Cassian promised.
Nesta rolled her eyes. “Have I told you that you’re full of shit?”
Cassian pretended to debate it. “Maybe once or twice.”
Nesta chuckled, and said no more about it. “Finish your cake, Nazari. This little monster is ready for bed. I’ll put him down. It’s your birthday.”
It wasn’t that putting Nyx to bed was exhausting. Although sometimes it could be a chore, Cassian nodded and took another bite of his cake as Nesta and Nyx disappeared.
In their absence, Cassian cleared his plate.
The cake was delicious.
He knew Nesta was an amazing cook, but didn’t know that her baking skills were just as good. It was the best cake he had ever eaten. He was even considering getting himself a third piece, but decided against it as she rounded the corner back into the kitchen.
She sighed, falling into her chair. “That may have been record time to get him down. He was practically asleep before I’d even pulled the curtains shut.”
“He had a big day,” Cassian said, eyeing the piece of cake on her plate that she hadn’t even touched. “Taught him how to make a mojito. He’s a pro. Maybe we should hire him on at the bar.”
Shaking her head, Nesta cut into her cake and took a bite. She chuckled. “I’m sure that doesn’t violate any labor laws.”
“Nah, we’re his guardians,” Cassian said, waving a hand. “We can certainly get some free labor out of him.”
She rolled her eyes. “I honestly can’t tell if you’re kidding or not.” She took another bite of cake, and Cassian’s eyes dipped to her mouth. He was quiet for long enough that she asked, “What?”
He hesitated but said, “You’ve got a little—”
He didn’t finish his sentence, instead he leaned forward across the small space between them and swiped the frosting that was on the corner of her lips away with his thumb.
Nesta didn’t move.
She didn’t push him away, didn’t tell him to stop touching her, either.
Cassian’s thumb lingered against her lips, and when she looked up, he was already watching her, quietly.
She opened her mouth to say something.
What? She wasn’t sure.
But, when her lips moved, Cassian’s did, too.
He kissed her, softly, slowly, and Nesta melted right into it.
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orionwhispers · 3 years
Text
Bravado // Tommy Shelby Imagine
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(A/N - its been a long ass time and i wanted to ease myself back into writing but this ended up being long and also super super angsty. sorry that this illness imagine came during covid idk whats going on with my imagination lol. love you guys SO much thank you for always being there. reblogs, comments and likes mean everything to me.)
trigger warnings - LOTS of angst. fluff. implied smut. my hc that tommy has a fear of illness, bad descriptions of hospitals. 
He knew something wasn’t right the minute his car pulled into the driveway and you weren’t waiting for him under the great concrete arch, with that smile on your face that made his knees buckle and heart race like he was a love struck teenager.
You were always there as soon as he came home. Barefoot in a broderie dress in the summer with tousled hair and baby pink toenails. Wrapped in a hand knit blanket with fire flushed cheeks and woollen socks in the winter - even running across the gravel and into his arms in the middle of a storm, the ice cold rain whipping across both of your faces as you kissed under the light of the moon.
No matter how shit his day or week or month was, no matter what stained his hands or darkened his heart, no matter what lay heavy and hard deep in his gut, seeing you made everything vanish in the night air like wisps of smoke. You made everything worth it.
He refused to give into fear, he wasn’t that kind of man, so he swallowed all of the nagging thoughts and apprehensions as he came up to the dark foggy windows and the iron cast door. It felt strange turning his key in the lock without the weight of you in his arms or the sticky peach kisses you left down his jaw and neck, the smell of the vanilla in your hair and lavender on your skin.
The second thing that sent a jolt of white hot electricity down his spine was Mary, watching him anxiously and wringing her hands in the hallway. Usually, she was calm and collected, taking his jacket and leather travel bag with her signature placid smile and gentle fingers. Usually she would return to the kitchen and finish up whatever she was making - a hearty roast lamb with rosemary and garlic and glazed potatoes or a pheasant pie with honeyed carrots, always followed by a three layer chocolate ganache cake that was so thick and rich you practically had to saw through the sponge. She would always have dinner piping hot and dripping with gravy by the time the two of you returned downstairs, no matter how many hours it took for you to get... reacquainted.
Now she looked sheepish and pale, her skin almost translucent under the syrupy yellow lights. There was something about the way she stood, as still as a wraith, that made his blood run cold.
“Mary. Where is she?”
“Mr Shelby, I - ” Her voice was strained and hesitant, like a slowly fraying rope.
“Where is my wife?”
She moved forward, creases forming around her eyes. “We tried ringing you in Liverpool but the hotel said that you had already left, so we...”
“You rang me? Why? What’s happened?” He couldn’t hold back the desperation in his voice, and it lingered and festered around them both like a poisonous gas.
“Mrs Shelby came down with something a few days ago, we thought that it was just a common cold but unfortunately she seems to be getting worse.”
He tore upstairs before he could even think, his shoes leaving perfect muddy footprints on the cream carpet. He almost slipped at the top, and he lurched forward, his hands reaching out and holding onto the portrait hanging above the stairs for stability.
It was the oil of the two of you. A soft, personal picture that revealed more than he ever possibly could. The love in your gazes, the hint of a soft, drunk smile on the dangerous gangsters face as you leaned into him, melting into him like butter, him holding onto you as though he couldn’t bear to let you go. It was his favourite photo, one that always washed a sense of calmness over him, a reminder of the woman that he loved and the way he felt around you. But now he felt as if was riding out a terrible storm.
He lived his life with no fear, he was capable and practical and used to the sound of bullets and the copper sweet smell of blood. There was really only one thing, one terrible thing that he couldn’t control, and that was what drove him crazy.
Sickness.
It gnawed at his insides like a rabid dog, clawed under his skin and settled behind his ribs. Losing someone he loved was like ripping out a piece of his heart straight from his chest, and he knew better than anyone what it was like to lose somebody to a violent, quick death - the pull of a trigger or the smack of a fist. At least in those moments he could lock them away in his mind, he could leap in front of a bullet or crack the neck of any man who dared to get too close to you, but there was almost nothing he could do to stop sickness, and the devastation it caused.
When you first met him it had been a surprise, almost amusing, that this powerful God of a man had these small little quirks. His house was always sparkling clean and smelling of Lysol, his fruit bowls were filled with citrus fruits and round, plump blueberries. He always made sure you were wrapped up warm in the winter, always placing his coat around your shoulders and bringing an extra pair of gloves in case you forgot yours. It was adorable, the way he took care of you,
It wasn’t till a little bit later when you learnt of those he had lost. His mother and his childhood sweetheart taken away from him much too soon. It broke your heart when he told you late one night of the sallow tint of their skin and the way he could almost see them vanishing from earth, the way that illness had moulded and changed those he loved the most.
You understood.
Your best friends older sister had died of tuberculosis when you were young. The elderly woman across the street from your first flat had passed away from a bout of horrendous smallpox. Your brother lost his first child to pneumonia. Times were changing but the fear of disease was ever present. Medicine was improving and so was knowledge, but still there remained a huge, dark cloud of what could happen, one that always hung around your husbands head.
——————————————-
All Tommy could think was the worst as he ran through the landing. His heart was in his ears and his bones felt loose, like the sweet liquorice the two of you would share at the pictures. He came to a stop by the bedroom door, tentatively pressing his palm onto the wood and ever so slightly pushing it open, listening to the gentle creak it made.
The room was warm. The lace curtains were pulled shut, and your favourite lavender candles were flickering on your vanity, casting syrupy shadows against the wall. He exhaled loudly as he saw you, bundled up under a mountain of satin sheets and hand crocheted blankets, your hair splayed across the pillows.
He moved to your bedside, pretending not to notice the large, untouched jug of water and the tissue box next to you, hoping and silently praying that you weren’t sick - just asleep and waiting for him, ready to wrap your arms around his neck.
You were silent, your lips parting every so often as you breathed, your chest rising and falling. He reached out gently, as though he was picking up shards of glass, and brushed his fingers against your cheek. Your forehead was beading with sweat, your cheeks flushed, and yet your skin was ice cold to the touch. He recoiled quickly, his heart dropping like a weight into his gut, and he inhaled a shaky, deep breath.
He saw something curled up beside your hands, a fluffy white cloud with sparkling emerald green eyes trained on him. Despite everything, he smiled. He thought of your birthday - of strawberry cheesecake and champagne, and surprising you with a ribbon wrapped little kitten as you woke up. He thought of that day often. How you smiled and leapt onto him with tears in your eyes, his whole world blissfully quiet as he spent the day in bed with you and your new best friend.
He would have preferred a big dog, one with sharp teeth and a menacing gaze to ward of visitors whilst he was away. But you were drawn to the tiny, malnourished runt of the litter who was scared of his own shadow. A kitten no bigger than the size of his clenched fist. A little white hairball who only ate and drank from fine pink saucers. A cat that had a very frustrating habit of crawling in the bedroom right as Tommy’s hand was up your skirt and his lips on the sweet spot of your neck, the tiny thing mewling and crying until you picked him up and nuzzled him into your chest.
He was a horse lover through and through, and never saw himself having time for any other pets. But in the summer when you saw the litter from one of John’s barn cats and fell in love with the sweet baby who mewled and cried and crawled right into your lap - he knew that he would give you anything and everything you wanted.
Including a cat who refused to accept that Tommy was the man of the house.
“Hello, boy.” He said, leaning over to scratch Comet under the chin, using a voice he only reserved for the two of you. “Have you been looking after my girl whilst I’ve been gone?”The cat meowed loudly in reply, pressing his head into Tommy’s palm but not moving from his spot beside you.
Tommy suddenly felt you shift under him and his heart lurched into his throat. He turned to face you, cupping the side of your clammy face as your eyelids fluttered open, blinking under the candlelight. A rush of red hot heat built up in his belly as you registered him, that angelic smile growing on your face, your tired eyes glimmering with recognition of the man you loved.
“Tommy?”
“Hi, Princess.”
You smiled sadly. “You’ve been gone for weeks - I missed you.”
He felt his brows crease as he rubbed along your jawline softly, trying to stop you from falling back asleep. He felt panic in his throat as sour as vomit, and he tried to bite back the nagging feeling that something was very wrong.
“No, sweetheart, I’m early. It’s only Thursday. I left on Monday.”
“Oh.” You said softly, your voice as gentle as the breeze rustling through the trees outside. “Well let me welcome you back properly - let me make you a lemon drizzle or a...” You lifted your head from the pillow and shuffled under your blanket, but he pressed his hands against your shoulder and held you down.
“No. You’re staying right here.”
“But - ”
“No.”
“Hmm. Don’t leave me, Tommy.”
“Never.” He said, his tone firm and cast like stone. He stroked your hair softly as your breathing slowed, but it didn’t nothing to quell the hard thump of his heart in his chest.
——————————-
Tommy left the room as quietly as he could after you had fallen asleep in his arms. He hadn’t wanted to move, not when you were pressed against his chest, looking ethereal but vacant, sweat beading under your brow and your face lacking colour. He wanted to stay with you, curled up by his side, his fingers laced through yours, the sound of your heart thumping in his ears.
But he was a man of action, and seeing you there - your lips cracked and dry, shudders passing through your body and goosebumps raised over your skin - he couldn’t fight the fiery urge to do everything in his power to make you feel alright again.
He found Mary waiting outside the door, chewing on the skin of her lips and swaying on the balls of her feet in anticipation. He grabbed her by the arm, harder than he meant to and something he would apologise for later, and pulled her downstairs, determined to let you rest whilst he got some answers. As soon as they reached the drawing room he spun her around, clenching his jaw and pointing a finger at the anxious maid.
“Where the fuck is the doctor? Why isn’t he here?”
“Mr Shelby.” She said, stepping forward calmly. “We phoned Doctor Moore and he came on Tuesday to see her.”
“Tuesday?” He seethed. “My wife has been ill since Tuesday and no one called me?”
Mary raised her hands in defeat, making it clear that the decision wasn’t hers to make. “He said it was nothing of concern . He gave her some antibiotics and told her to rest. She asked us herself not to call you, she knows how you.. worry.”
He ignored her sugar coated attempt to quell his anger, but if anything it made his vision darken. “When it’s my wife, It is always my concern.”
“Mr Shelby, we were just doing what we were told. As soon as we noticed she wasn’t getting better we phoned the surgery again, but Doctor Thomas was out for the day and said he didn’t think it was necessary to come round again, so we -”
“I don’t give a fuck. My wife is the number one priority. Ring every doctor in England if you have to, get somebody out here now to see my wife.”
He stormed away, anger pulsating through his veins, but he stopped suddenly, and threw out over his shoulder:
“And call Doctor Moore’s ’office. Tell him to expect a visit from the blinders soon.”
———————————————————
Once, when you were first dating, you found Tommy at the door to your flat at midnight, with scraped knuckles and blood dripping from his nose. You let him in, cleaned him up and sat with him in the bath until his skin was clear and his breathing was even. He knew that night, as you were pressed against his chest and his lips were pressed to your scalp that he was truly, madly and completely in love with you.
He remembered waking up the next morning, love drunk and blissful, and finding the bed beside him empty. He found you in the kitchen, wincing slightly and pressing a hot water bottle to your belly as you buttered a few pieces of toast. He rushed to your side with eyes as wide as saucers, concern lacing the features that were usually ice cold and hard as stone. You were completely baffled as he held you at arms length, his bright cerulean eyes trailing up and down your body for any signs of injury he might have missed. You were bewildered at the sight of the powerful man practically on his knees as he made sure you were alright, and you bit back a giggle as his warm palms spread over your abdomen.
“What is it? Whats wrong?”
“Tommy. Sweetheart.” You said softly, bringing his gaze level to yours. “It’s just - you know - that time of the month.”
He brushed off your embarrassment and ran his fingers through your hair, pressing a uncharacteristically gentle kiss to your forehead, sending a swarm of butterflies around the pain in your stomach.
“Do you need anything?” He asked, half ready to run down to the corner shop and buy any amount of painkillers or chocolate bars or your favourite lavender tea that you might need; not caring who saw the seemingly terrifying gang leader in the street with an armful of strawberry laces and salt water fudges.
You smiled like the summer sun and he melted, pulling you close as you whispered in the shell of his ear that you only needed him, and that was all you ever needed.
That was the first time you fully saw the extent of Tommy’s fear, but it definitely wasn’t the last. He knew he wanted you forever and always, and it took only six months of neck kisses and pillow talk, red hot jealousy and possessive hands across your skin and dancing in the rain and falling asleep under the pale yellow moon for him to put a ring on your finger. You were both consumed by your love, as though it was the only thing that mattered, it was insatiable and powerful - the wonderful mix of the devil and his sweet little angel.
And with that, came the good and the bad.
Like when you got food poisoning after Arthur cooked you a Sunday lunch to cheer you up whilst Tommy was gone. He came home to you retching over the toilet bowl with Mary holding back your hair, and swore that he would kill his brother with his own hands. Or when you slipped on ice and broke your arm while out with friends in London, and Tommy went ballistic and tried to ban you from ever leaving the house. It was just in his nature, how he always made sure you walked on the side furthest from the road, kept an arm slung around you whenever you were together, kept his eyes alert and vigilant no matter where you were - always looking out for his girl.
But he had never been like this.
———————————————————-
You were falling in and out of sleep. Waking up drowsy and heavy headed, squinting under bright lights, an ache in your skull and a burning in your throat. Every so often you felt a pinch in your upper arm, a squeeze on your palm, a kiss on your forehead - but you always drifted back into unconsciousness.
You weren’t sure how much time had passed when you woke up. The room was dark and you could hear the wind howling and whipping rain across the windows. You felt all too hot and all too cold at the same time, and the bed was damp with sweat. You struggled and tried to sit up, your head swaying and feeling as heavy as one of Tommy’s marble statues; as if you had been carved up and moulded. You could hear voices out in the hall, and unsteadily got to your feet, moving towards the noises.
“Pneumonia?” You heard through the thick wooden door, instantly recognising your husbands voice. “That’s impossible.”
“Sir...”
“Fucking. Impossible.” You knew his teeth were clenched.
The other man cleared his throat.“I know that it’s hard to hear, Mr Shelby, but your wife is very sick.”
“Just...” You felt your heart flutter and clench in your chest as the sound of his broken words, could practically feel his desperation and you wanted nothing more than to hold him. “Just tell me how to make her better.”
The second man spoke again, his voice softening and lowering, something you knew Tommy would hate. “Mr Shelby, the first round of antibiotics didn’t work and that means that it’s time for something stronger. Usually I would suggest the Birmingham hospital but I don’t think it’s equipped for...” He paused, trying to think over his words carefully. He wanted to convey the severity of the situation but also didn’t want to risk getting a bullet in his head from your very protective husband. “...This kind of reaction. I recommend we send her down to London for extra testing.”
“London? That’ll take two fucking hours. How the fuck can you recommend letting my wife travel that far? Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“I’m my opinion this is the wisest choice to make, but unfortunately that could mean your wife might get worse before she gets better.”
“Worse than she already is? That’s not an option.”
The man you assumed was the doctor was insistent, trying his best to portray the severity of the situation but failing as your hardheaded husband had already come to a decision.
“I’ll look after her here. She’s safest with me.”
Once Tommy had spoken that was the final result, and the doctor slinked away into the darkness and shook his head. You remained peering from behind the door, your tongue between your teeth and your heart hammering.
Tommy took one look at you and frowned, scooping you in his arms like a baby despite your protests. He ignored you, acting playfully and cheerful but you could feel his heated skin and the see flare of his nostrils. You wanted to help him but didn’t know how, and let him tuck you under the covers once again. He kissed your crown and stroked your hair and you wanted to speak but no words would leave your mouth.
“You stay there this time. You know I have no problem with tying you to the bed.”
You rolled your eyes as he left, and his clenched fists and tightened shoulders told you all you needed to know.
————————————————-
Comet watched from his spot beside you as Tommy wrestled with the fire. He had noticed you shivering despite your high temperature, and bundled you up in blankets whilst sparking matches beside the fireplace. There were raindrops across his shoulders, evidence that he had been outside and to the log store right at the end of the property - a job that had always been for the Groundskeeper. Your precious cat nudged the tips of your fingers as you sighed and watched your husband throw kindling onto the coal, a deep unease settling over your gut.
“Tommy, my love, I’m fine.” It wasn’t exactly true but you felt he needed to hear it. But you could practically see your words wash over him and evaporate like ocean spray.
He was shaking a metal tin in his palm as he worked, and you groaned and let your head hit the pillow as he pulled out two round chalky tablets. You winced as he placed them beside your glass, your mouth already tasting like the sour talc medicine you had come to loathe. He raised his eyebrows and shot you a look that told you he wasn’t far off plugging your nose with his fingers to force you to swallow, and you childishly stuck up two fingers as you took them.
Your stomach rumbled with nausea and you bit back the bile in your throat as you settled into the pillows. You watched your husband as he pulled off his crisp white shirt, revealing his taut tan stomach and the deep ink tattoos that you loved to trace with your fingertips and your lips. There was something about him standing there, with those damn cerulean eyes and hidden muscles, that boyish hair and slender fingers that you wanted desperately around your throat, that made a million tiny fireworks spark inside of you.
But instead you pushed him away from you despite your body wanting nothing but him wrapped all around you. “Don’t get too close. I might have something contagious. I can’t have you getting sick.”
He ignored you, smiling inwardly at the way you always put others before yourself. It was one of the million reasons he had fallen for you. You were sweating out a high fever and shivering in pain, and yet you always thought of him first. He pressed his lips to your temple and pulled you closer, knowing that skin to skin was a way to bring down a fever - even if it meant he had to restrain himself from tugging off your pretty little white nightgown and whatever frilly things you had on underneath.
“I’m not going anywhere. Fuck it if I catch anything.”
“That’s easy for you to say. I’m the one who will have to dote on you hand and foot, you big baby.” You teased, pressing yourself into him playfully, finally giving in.
He held you like a child, trying to hard to soften despite the way you felt underneath him. Everything on him was running a mile a minute, and he couldn’t help but want to try everything and everything to make you feel better. His hand was pressed against your temple to always try and measure your fever, his other palm across your chest to try and count your heart rate.
He could hear Mary treading across the landing carpet but he ignored his anxious maid, instead letting himself be completely consumed by the only thing that mattered - you.
This was something he had to do by himself. He was the only one who could care for you he reminded himself. And he let the words tumble over and over in his skull until they were all he could hear.
—————————————————————-
You had been asleep for a long time.
Every hour, after pacing the length of the hall and sanitising his hands and wiping the beads of sweat above your brow and above your breasts he woke you up and held a cool glass to your lips. You mumbled and moaned and pushed him away but he kept his fingers across your wrist - harsher than he ever had before - and kept you as close to him as possible.
He couldn’t remember the last time he had cooked. Perhaps it was last valentines when the two of you had camped out under the stars, drinking icy white wine and sharing stolen, day drunk kisses. That night he had roasted a chicken over the fire and it had burnt to a crisp as the two of you rolled around the grass, his head buried in your neck as you giggled at the poultry going up in flames.
He was trying now though, easy, plain substantial meals that wouldn’t upset your stomach. Boiled egg and dippy soldiers. Crackers with smooth cheese. Bubbly water and ginger biscuits. Each time he went upstairs you pushed him away, your whole body shuddering and almost retching, and he felt like smashing the plates against the wall at his defeat.
It had been almost thirty six hours since he had come home and it had been almost as long since you had eaten something, and his heart thundered and shattered in his chest when he found you gasping and wheezing over the toilet bowl when you had taken a bite of toast to calm him. He rarely left you alone, only for a few minutes to put the still full dishes in the sink, to ring Lizzie and tell her that he wouldn’t be coming for reasons that he refused to disclose, to smoke a cigarette under the grey stone archway, his shaking hands and bitten fingernails barely visible through the sleepy rolling fog.
He had grabbed handfuls of papers and the brass ink pen you had got him for your anniversary and broke his own rule - bringing work into your bedroom. It had always been a sacred space. For candlelight and soft laughter, aching hands and heart shaped bruises, a sanctuary for him to breathe and to love and to be loved fully in return. But he was afraid if he didn’t have a distraction, he might just completely lose it, and he had to be there for you.
So he sat squinting in his glasses, the room almost completely dark save for a few candles because of the migraines that had started to spread throughout your skull, and let himself be drawn into the mess of squiggly lines and numbers that suddenly didn’t add up, with you still centre stage in his peripheral.
After about forty minutes of rereading the same sentence a dozen times to try and make some sense of it, he heard your voice, like a small crack spreading across a sheet of ice, coming from the bed.
“Tom?” You sounded so weak, he practically flipped your cream vanity as he got to his feet and darted towards you. “I don’t feel well.”
He lifted you as you reached your arms up at him like a child. He almost gasped at the sweat pouring from your body but didn’t want to scare you, and instead held your shaking, shivering body against his own. How could you be so hot, yet so cold at the same time? Your skin was prickled with goosebumps yet you were burning with a fever, and for the first time in a long time, he had no fucking idea what to do.
He left you propped up against the headboard and he entered the bathroom. He ran over to the claw foot tub you loved, twisting the faucet and trying to find the perfect medium between boiling hot and freezing cold. He didn’t want to overwhelm you, just try and soothe your raging fever, and he ignored the shelves of expensive bath oils and scented soaps that you coveted, instead opting for a handful of something meant to ease tension - praying to whoever was listening that it would help you somehow.
There was a brutal, awful moment as he lifted you from the bed, limp as a rag doll, where he imagined what would happen if your heart were to stop. He couldn’t comprehend what it would be like to miss the weight of you in his arms, the smell of your skin, the feeling of your lips against him, the shovels stopping and fading into nothing. It hit him square in the chest, as merciless as a bullet, and he had to lean against the doorframe to stop the two of you from plummeting to the ground.
He undressed himself first. Tugging his white shirt off, sliding off his slacks and his underwear, keeping you as close to his chest as he could. Then he pulled your nightgown up and over your head. He gathered your hair and secured it up with a claw clip so that it was away from your face, the heat radiating off your neck as fierce as the fire now burnt down to ash in the bedroom.
He lowered the two of you into the bath, sinking down beneath the eucalyptus smelling lukewarm water, letting it wash over you both. Your teeth were chattering and you were barely awake. He gathered handfuls of water, letting it drip over your shoulders and pulse points, grabbing a washcloth and running it over your raised skin, hating how you barely registered his touch. As he scrubbed over your collarbones and up to your face he saw your lips had turned to an awful, silvery blue, as vibrant as a fresh bruise. He hissed and tugged on the plug, now determined to get you wrapped up in a fresh towel and tucked back into bed.
You were soft and placid and he helped you out, lacking the usual fire that he adored. Your eyes were glassy and missing their vibrance, like the vanishing spark of a lighter - and he felt miles and miles of invisible distance between the two of you. You were unsteady on your feet and he used his body to prop you up as he warmed your arms with a fluffy white towel. You suddenly stopped, lifting your hand to your mouth as you started to cough - a horrible, dry, gasping cough.
He noticed it almost immediately. His eyes darting to the splatter of red against the white, a smudge of crimson that was as loud and commanding as a siren, a warning signal that something was definitely not right. A bead of scarlet that would linger long behind his closed eyelids.
He managed to get you back into bed, remaining calm as he stroked your hair and kissed your temple. He tucked you under the duvet and waited for your breathing to even before he ran downstairs, his heart thumping in his ears as he practically ripped the phone off of the wall.
“Pol? Fuck. I think - I think I need help.”
—————————————————————-
The room smelt like bleach and metal. Unfamiliar and clinical. There was something hard on your chest and covering your mouth, it tasted like wet pennies and was as heavy as a hand over your throat, but for the first time in days you could finally breathe. You tried to sit up, but there was a needle in your chest, a gown you didn’t recognise cut straight down the middle to accommodate it. You struggled and lifted the thin bedsheet above your shivering torso, trying to look around the cold room.
“Careful!”
It was Polly, dressed immaculately despite her surroundings. She reached out and placed a manicured hand across yours, and you smiled at the woman who had always been a calming influence when you had joined the circus of a family. There was concern in her eyes, rimmed with black eyeliner and lifted lashes but still swimming deep around her pupils. That made you frown, and you moved as much as you could to face her.
“What happened?”
She ran her tongue over her teeth, choosing her words. “You gave us quite a fright, love.”
“I did?” Your memories of the past few days were much like a fever dream, blurry and distorted snapshots were all you could really remember.
“Your pneumonia got worse. A lot worse.” She paused, looking over to the door and you followed her gaze. “They found fluid in your lungs.”
“So...” You started, gesturing to the needle in your abdomen and the breathing apparatus around your head.
She nodded. “Yes. You were in surgery. It was touch and go for a little bit.”
“Really?” You were bewildered. You couldn’t remember anything, let alone having major surgery. You looked her straight in the eye, asking her the questions that had been on the tip of your tongue since you had woken up. “Where is he? Where’s Tommy?”
“He’s outside.” She clicked her tongue, reaching deep into her purse and pulling out some hand cream, gently rubbing your dry hands like she was your mother. You leant into her touch despite all of your questions.
“What? Why?”
“I think he blames himself. God knows what goes on in that mans head. All I really know is he was bloody terrified.” She paused, looking over in the distance. “I’ve never seen him so scared, not even on his wedding day.” She smiled sadly, trying to lighten the mood, but it soon faded. “He didn’t leave your side the whole time you were asleep.”
Your heart thumped in your chest, a soft aching that you knew all too well. “I want to see him.”
“I know you do. But right now...” She stopped right as a handful of nurses entered, clad in long blue dresses with white aprons, hair tied back and smelling of strong soap and disinfectant. You lost Polly in the bustle as one spoke softly to you before tugging on the needle right beside your ribs, your eyes just catching hers as she left, a promise to see you soon on her lips.
It wasn’t her you saw next, but Tommy.
The nurses had cleaned you up with wet flannels and bowls of warm soapy water. Your hair had been braided and your face washed, and walked you arm in arm over to the bathroom so you could relieve yourself. A skittish doctor followed after, his eyes darting across you and his touch gentle as he changed your dressings and took your blood - obviously under strict instructions from your husband, and despite everything, you smiled.
You were sat listening to the clock tick. A romance novel you had been given was dangling dangerously close to the end of the bed, but you were too tired to focus on it. You heard the door squeal softly, and the sound of familiar footsteps across the tiling, each small thud sending shockwaves across your spine.
“Tommy.”
He looked tired. Exhausted rather, as though he had been awake all the hours that you had been asleep. His eyes were bloodshot and his skin was sallow and bruised. His clean shaven face was dark with stubble and his hair was ruffled and unwashed. You longed to reach out to him and cradle him against you, but he stood in the doorway, lingering like a ghost.
“Tommy?” You repeated, your voice almost a whisper, breaking his already shattered heart once again.
“How are you feeling, my love?”
You smiled softly, like spun sugar and sweet honey. No hospital bed or itchy gown could dull your infectious light. “Better now.”
He approached you almost cautiously. He settled down on the hard chair beside your bed and stroked a line down from your temple to your lips, his touch setting you alight like an electrical storm. There was a sadness in his eyes that reminded you of how he got when things were bad, and you willed him to come back to you. His touch was tentative and he inhaled shakily as you cupped his hand with yours, pressing a tender kiss to the inside of his palm.
“Don’t scare me like that. Ever.” He was stern, as though hoping his words would make it true. “I mean it.” He kept his gaze on your pretty face, trying his best not to stare at the harsh bruising on your delicate flesh or the sickly tone of your skin.
“Tommy I’m going to get sick, even you can’t stop that.” You teased gently.
“I can bloody well try.” His hands cradled your face, pulling you into him and kissing you fiercely, still mindful of the wires and tubes taped to your body. There was something about the tenderness and deep longing in the kiss that when mixed with your total exhaustion and love for your husband prompted tears to start falling from your eyes. You sniffled as he pulled away, concern dripping from his beautiful features, his powerful mind wanting to do everything and anything to stop your hurting.
“Hey, hey.” He said, running his calloused fingertips under your eyes and wiping your tears away. You leant into his touch and he kissed your temple, squeezing you even tighter into him. “You know I hate it when you cry.” He toyed with your hair and winked playfully. “Besides, all you need to focus on is getting better. You’re going to have to take care of me when we get home, this week has given me a fucking stroke.”
You rolled your eyes, kissing the inside of his wrist. “You’re a idiot, Thomas Shelby.” You blinked at the clock looming above you both, wanting to stay in your blissful bubble but also knowing that Aunt Pol would probably be in the vicinity harassing a poor nurse over your results. “You should go and find Polly, let her know that everything’s alright.”
He shook his head and nuzzled his nose across yours, an act so innocent that your heart dipped and swooped in your chest. “Later.” He said, breathless and consumed by you. Everything had been too much. Almost losing you had been harrowing, it had punctured him completely and he just needed to feel his girl safe and warm around him. He needed to know that you weren’t found anywhere.
“I just want to stay here for a while. Just me and you.”
You grinned. “Always.”
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