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fuckingthefictional · 4 years

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All I want- Part 3

Pairing: Michael Gray x reader

All I want: masterlist

Warnings: mentioned suicide (Graces first husband), possible spelling mistakes and errors.

A/N- Thank you, Thank you, Thank You for the overwhelming support on this book- I’m so glad that you’re all enjoying it! Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist. Hope you’re all staying safe! Xx

Y/N remembered the first time she ever met Henry. They must’ve both been about 4 years old- it was strange really, he just sort of turned up in their tiny town.

It wasn’t every day that a sleek black car pulled up outside of your neighbours house, especially when the passenger was a small boy.

He had no belongings from what Y/N could make out - and it appeared that he was living with the Johnsons.

They were a kind couple, they always offered to help others in any way that they could.

Mrs Johnson ran Sunday school at the local church and and Johnson ran the local grocery shop- Y/N liked the kind old man because he snook her sweets over the counter.

But it was obvious that they both had a sadness around them-they always longed for a child of their own, and this blonde haired boy had to of been their chance of becoming parents.

Y/N remembered the first words that he ever spoke to her- he was shy, he was almost constantly behind Mrs Johnson’s figure only peering out as he spoke.

“This is for you.” He’d said before he then handed Y/N a bunch of daisies.

It didn’t take long for the two to become friends. As the two grew closer together, flowers became a communication of sorts.

If they’re had an argument- flowers were the peace treaty.

One of them had a bad day at the school house- a bunch of flowers acted as the perfect pick me up and a silent exchange of support.

And although it only happened once- If Henry wanted to confess his feelings for Y/N- then the flowers just deepened the meaning between the pair.

What could Y/N say even at the young age of four- she was a sucker for blonde boys and flowers.

“Duck!” An excited cry sounded from inside Matthew’s side of the double pram.

Looking down Y/N watched as her baby boy clapped and squealed excitedly at the prospect of seeing the birds on the pond.

It was difficult to get over the fact that Matthew was beginning to talk and understand the world around him a little bit more.

A part of Y/N wanted her baby to stay just that- a baby, a sweet, cherub faced infant.

She didn’t want him to grow up, but that was how life was. Y/N would make the most of her time with Matthew- creating memories for both of them to look back onto.

“Duck! Duck!” The baby’s chubby fingers pointed towards the duck pond.

“That’s right my darling- there are ducks, what does the duck say?”

“Quack!”

She laughed at his enthusiasm, she turned to Charlie who was chewing on his fist and looking up at the autumn leaves.

Y/N had been working for Tommy and Grace for almost 6 months now. It was safe to say that she enjoyed it and had the passion for the work that she did.

New York also never seemed to get old either- despite being in the city for over half a year she could always rely on the bustling streets, towering buildings and the constant hum of cars and traffic to excite and inspire her.

Things were also way more relaxed in the states, it was the jazz age- the age of liberation and Freedom from stereotypes that once held people in shackles.

Y/N was in shock at the amount of people in her social class that were accepting and happy at the prospect that she had a child.

Some even went as far to give her tips and tricks they had heard or used.

But despite her more than welcoming and kind experiences with Americans- it made Y/N miss her life in London even more.

She missed having tea and gossip sessions with Ada. Reading James’ latest articles and poems, watching Karl and Matthew play together happily. Y/N was even missing her old bed.

She’d just missed having familiarity around her, something that was difficult to come by in New York.

The young woman pushed these thoughts out of her mind, deciding that if she continued thinking about London any more- then she was only setting herself up for feeling terribly homesick later on.

Instead she kept her focus on the two boys in the pram, watching as they took in the world around them.

It didn’t take long for Y/N to circle back through the park, and end up back at the temporary Shelby residence.

When she opened the door however, her good mood was dampened. As she saw several stacks of trunks and suitcases lying by the door.

“Y/N,” Tommy was stood in the entrance to his office, “I need to talk to you.” He gestured to his office.

“Can I have fifteen minutes- to sort the children and settle them down for their nap?” The girl waited for a response, which came in the form of a short nod from her employer.

Y/N continued to walk down the hall, pushing the pram ahead of her as she did so.

When she entered the nursery, she closed the curtains. Casting shade and dimness across the room. The young woman began the routine of putting the boys to bed.

She cranked up the music box, allowing a soft melody to flow through the room- it never failed to soothe both babies.

And as the music succumbed to their senses, it wasn’t mere minutes until soft snores filled the room and both boys were fast asleep in their cribs.

Y/N wasted no time as she swiftly exited the room, making sure to close the door softly on her way out.

Knocking on Tommy’s office door, she waited until she could hear the older man invite her in.

As she heard a hum of confirmation, Y/N entered. Tommy was sat at his desk, a cigarette in his mouth, furiously scribbling what it seemed was a letter.

Y/N coughed, letting her presence be known, “You asked to see me Sir?”

“What did I tell you about that?” He said in a deadpanned voice.

She repeated the urge to roll her eyes, “That I should call you Tommy.”

“And...” He beckoned her on

“That Mrs Shelby-“ Tommy looked up at Y/N, eye brow raised, “Grace, is comfortable and happy with me calling her by her first name.”

Tommy nodded, “now that that’s been cleared up- I need to discuss some matters with you.”

Y/N felt her stomach lurch in panic, had she done something wrong? Was she about to be dismissed as Charles’s nanny?

“You might’ve noticed that our trunks are by the door. That’s because we are planning on moving back to England next week.” Tommy licked his lips, “You may have also noticed that Grace has been absent today.”

Y/N nodded, it was strange without the blonde Irishwoman. She always provided the apartment with a certain joy. It was no wonder the apartment felt emptier.

“That is because she’s attending her late husbands funeral.”

“Pardon?”

“Let it be known Y/N that I’m only entrusting you with this information because I trust you. I trust you as an employee, as someone who cares for my son and I trust you as a friend.” Tommy’s cold blue eyes pierced into her, “Grace’s was married to another man when Charlie was conceived- the man in question committed suicide after finding out that Grace had a child with me.”

“So why are we running?” Y/N questioned.

The Brummy chuckled, “I am aware of some family that Grace’s husband had strong ties to. Said family is apart of a strong gang here in New York- I’m taking the precaution of moving us all back to England in case Grace becomes a suspect in the death of her late husband. I’m willing to miss out on some potential business if it means that those I care about are slightly safer.”

“Who would’ve known,” Y/N chuckled, “Thomas Shelby has a heart.”

Taglist

@soleil-dor @redperson58 @xshinytrashcanx @peakyxtommy @staygold-bebold @peakascum @http-cherries @lovecatystuff

#peaky blinders #peakyblinders #peakyfookinblinder #peaky blinders x reader #peaky blinders imagine #peaky fucking blinders #michaelgrayxreader #michael gray x reader #micheal gray #michael gray #all i want

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merakiaes · 3 years

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Hello! Can I get Marvel, Harry Potter, Twilight, Stranger Things, The Witcher, Peaky Blinders, The Walking Dead, Suicide Squad, Game Of Thrones ship? 💖 179 cm tall; dark brown, past shoulder-length hair with bangs; blue eyes (the left eye is mixed with hazel, aka, heterochromia iridium); heptagon face shape with dimples; rectangle body shape. Hufflepuff. INFP-T. Bi-curious. Pisces-Aries cusp sign. ”Looks like could kill you, but is actually a cinnamon roll.” At first, I may come off as reserved, shy, yet polite. I, as many of us, have a resting bitch face, that’s why people may think that I’m in a bad mood. It takes me a lot of time to warm up to somebody, cause I have social anxiety. Hate small talk, or speaking in front of the public. When I’m nervous, I tend to mess up my words or forget what I was supposed to say. I’m usually playful, dirty-minded and goofy around close friends. I’m the so-called, ”fashionista and mom” from my circle of friends. A perfectionist, punctual, over-thinker, slight control/clean freak. Stubborn in some situations. If I’m annoyed or getting impatient, I can say something witty or sarcastic. I’m constantly fighting an inner battle with myself, trying to accept myself. I don’t like to smile or laugh in public, cause of the small gap between my front teeth. I really hate taking selfies or somebody else taking pictures of me. The clothes I wear depends on my mood (and the weather outside), but it’s always a mix of smart casual or comfortable. Don’t like doing things out of my comfort zone, prefer to stay indoors. Dislike asking people for help (it makes me feel uncomfortable). I don’t like arguments, but I will square up if they come for my family or I snapped. I’m a kind-hearted person, always ready to help someone in need, quite modest as well. My hobbies include listening to any type of music, reading, watching movies or tv shows, traveling (if given the chance), and cleaning. Have a thing for writing. Very protective of my family. Divorced parents. Motherly towards kids and friends. An old soul, and the ”black sheep” of my family. A feminist, support LGBTQ+ community. Sometimes I like to try and cook easy recipes. Dislike black coffee, prefer tea or orange juice. That’s it, - thanks!

MARVEL

I ship you with Bruce Banner!

He would be kind of wary and scared to talk to you to a start. The other guy may be big and strong, but he’s not. He doesn’t have much confidence in himself when in his human form and he would be intimidated by you at first glance, but once he actually works up the courage to come and talk to you, you’d get on great.

He knows what it's like to struggle with social anxiety so he would be patient and need some time to become comfortable with you, as well, scared of messing things up by saying the wrong thing and/or sharing too much.

Like you, he rambles when he’s nervous so that’s just another thing you have in common, but once he’s comfortable with someone, he’s more than happy to participate in some sarcastic, dirty-minded banter.

He’s very reserved and, like earlier mentioned, doesn’t have much confidence. He would never understand how someone like you would want someone like him but he would be so in awe of the fact that you did want him.

He knows all too well what it’s like to be at odds with yourself and accepting who you are so he would be very understanding and supportive of that, and he’d comfort you about your insecurities and let you know that you’re more than good enough.

You’re also very similar in that you prefer to stay indoors, away from all kinds of social activity, and not go out of your comfort zones while, as well as the way you’re both more than willing to help other people in need while disliking asking for help for yourselves.

HARRY POTTER

I ship you with George Weasley!

George is the literal definition of a cinnamon roll. He’s so kind, caring and thoughtful, and I feel like we don’t talk about that nearly enough.

You’re shy and reserved, and he’s forward and energetic. You struggle to warm up to people, and he has no problem whatsoever getting to know new people. So I feel like it would be a good match. He would kinda just force all his energy onto you so that you, as a result, wouldn’t feel as anxious about meeting someone new, you know?

He could help you let loose a bit more, and I mean that in the most respectful way possible; not because you’re uptight, but more so to help relieve some of that stress and pressure that everything always has to be perfect.

He’s so loud as a person that neither you nor anyone else would even notice your mistakes, like messing up your words, because George and his twin just take the stage wherever they go.

George loves pushing his limits and discovering new things so I feel like he’d definitely try to get you out of your comfort zones on some occasions, but at the same time, he’s a lot less pushy than his twin and would give up if he noticed that you really didn’t want to do something, whereas Fred probably would’ve just dragged you along by your arm and bugged you until you gave in.

He’d find your shy personality adorable to a start but once you got comfortable enough to show your playful, dirty-minded and goofy side, he would just be amazed and get even more excited around you.

And knowing him, he’d love both your heterochromia and the gap between your teeth. He would find your eyes the most fascinating thing in the world, and he’s just generally a person who loves “different” and finds it beautiful.

Being protective over family and loved ones is a plus for any of the Weasleys, seeing as the most precious thing they have is just that; family. So the fact that this is a quality you have would make George even more attracted to you, as would your motherly instincts.

TWILIGHT

I ship you with Embry Call!

Like Bruce, Embry probably would’ve been a bit intimidated by you on first sight. Not only because of your resting bitch face, but also because he just has no experience with girls, whatsoever.

After much encouragement from the other boys, however, he probably would’ve been able to work up the courage needed to approach you and most likely, knowing him, he would’ve stumbled over his words and completely messed up, so you’d never have to worry about messing up like that, yourself, because he would just be such a mess that it would be hard to beat.

Embry is, like you, playful, dirty-minded and goofy when he’s in the right company, but he’s much quieter and shyer than the other boys on the reservation, as well as reserved in general - like you. He’s also a lot more caring and loving than his pack members but, like the rest of them, he’s very protective of family, which is just another thing the two of you share.

Embry is a wolf so, obviously, he enjoys being outside and participating in fast-paced activities, but I don’t think he’d mind staying inside with you, watching movies, or just listening to music and hanging out. His mom definitely wouldn’t mind, as he’s technically grounded for life for sneaking out every night, which he keeps ignoring much to her dismay.

He’s just so kind and humble. He’d be so sweet and supportive about your insecurities and never force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with, and he’d be all over your cooking, no matter how good or bad you are at it!

STRANGER THINGS

I ship you with Jonathan Byers!

Jonathan knows everything about being the black sheep. He had to find himself and learn his value completely on his own, so he knows what it’s like to be at war with your own mind in accepting who you are.

He believes that people should be judged by their ability to work rather than by what gender they are and that women should be respected just as much as men, as seen when he disapproved of how Nancy was being treated by her co-workers, and therefore also shares your feminist ideals.

He would be the sweetest to you about your insecurities and tell you that it’s okay to be different no matter what and that you’re beautiful and enough just the way you are.

He’s introverted, asocial and kind just like you, cares very deeply for family and knows what it’s like to have divorced parents.

He’s very much into music just like you are and is not very fond of small talk nor fighting either, so I feel like you would have a really calm and stable relationship.

THE WITCHER

I ship you with Jaskier!

Jaskier is a little like George Weasley in the way that he always steals all the attention whenever he walks into a room. He’s got a very loud personality and for the same reasons I think you’d be good with George, I think you would be good with Jaskier!

Unlike you who prefer staying within your comfort one, Jaskier might care about that a bit too little. Let’s just say that he would never bother you about not being more adventurous, because he’d be far too busy stepping out of his comfort zone and getting into trouble, himself, to notice.

Jaskier is also a big fan of writing, reading and, of course, music, so I think you’d be able to have some really good times together.

PEAKY BLINDERS

I ship you with Ada Shelby!

Being the only woman as well as the only really sensible member of a family full of gangsters for sure puts a person under the “black sheep”-category, so Ada knows all about feeling out of place.

She’s the only member of the Shelby family who absolutely hates violence which is one of the main reasons I think you’d suit each other, seeing as you don’t like arguments. Just like you, she will square up if she absolutely has to in order to defend herself, but she’d much prefer not to.

She’s very level-headed and tries her best to stay well clear of all the illegal activities that her family get up to, instead, putting her focus into activism and trying to improve equality for everyone, as well as trying to embrace the beautiful and sensuous things life has to offer.

She has a natural instinct to take care of those who can’t look after themselves, she’s kind-hearted and humane, accepting and understanding, so she would be very patient with getting to know you and let you take the time you needed.

Out of all the Peaky Blinders characters, I can almost guarantee you that Ada is your best shot at getting a peaceful and unproblematic life.

THE WALKING DEAD

I ship you with Daryl Dixon!

Daryl may be brave and good at surviving, but he is, at the same time, constantly facing challenges from his past as an abuse victim. Because of his trauma, he’s very socially awkward and doesn’t really know how to connect with other people, even though he does seem to have the desire to do so. For example, at the beginning of the apocalypse, he often spoke to people without making eye contact and cringed away from physical touch, with little to no social skills, and even though he has definitely gotten better at it, the struggle is still there to some extent.

His childhood trauma is also the reason for his insecurities, of which the biggest one is his scars. He’s ashamed of them and every day he’s reminded of the fact that he, through all his life, has been nothing and no one. He often shows signs that he considers himself to be worthless as well as depressed, and shows clear discomfort and distrust for people he’s not all that familiar with.

Because of the discomfort of being around people, he prefers to keep his distance from groups, because he functions best when he’s either alone or in the company of just one or two people; preferably the former. So naturally, he’s very quiet, not at all fond of small talk. Even with people he’s comfortable being around, he’d rather sit in a comfortable, mutual silence than speak.

You have all these things in common; finding it hard trusting and opening up to people, being over-thinkers, disliking small talk, constantly fighting inner battles with yourselves and struggling to accept yourselves, disliking asking people for help, as well as having big social anxieties in general.

But what you also have in common is that you’re very protective of family. Daryl may prefer to keep to himself, but he doesn’t hesitate to risk his life in order to save the members of his group. He’s incredibly selfless and loyal to a fault and would stop at nothing to protect his people as well as help people who can’t protect themselves.

As a result of his abuse, he also an extreme attentiveness to others. He’s so hypervigilant that not only is he always prepared for zombies, but he can also attentive to the emotions of people. So even though he might struggle with communicating sympathy verbally and through touch, he will go to great lengths to use his special skills to help those in pain, this meaning - you wouldn’t have to communicate your feelings through words every time since he’d most likely pick up on your body language, which can be a really big relief when you’re self-conscious about stumbling over words when nervous and struggle with social anxiety.

He would just be very understanding of your social issues in general and as he absolutely hates when people try to pry into his life before the apocalypse, he would never put any pressure, whatsoever, on you to open up to him in anything other than your own time. If anyone knows what it’s like to feel out of place, it’s him.

SUICIDE SQUAD

I ship you with Rick Flag!

It’s no secret that Rick is very serious and short-tempered when in combat and on the job. His personality is usually described as sturdy, stoic and serious and he’s been trained to serve and follow orders without questions. He takes his responsibilities very seriously and gets frustrated when others don’t pay him the same respect.

But away from his job, Rick also has a softer, more vulnerable side and is capable of warming up even to enemies through his ability to see things from different perspectives, as seen when he happily hugs Floyd after defeating Enchantress. He’s deeply protective of those he loves and would go to unthinkable lengths to protect them.

He isn’t a person who willingly goes out of his comfort zone either; on the contrary, it’s usually something he’s pressured to do by other people who, often, have some kind of leverage on him.

So had he only been presented with the choice, I think he’d really be into the idea of a simple life with no drama, no danger. Just him, his significant other, living together and going about their ways either separately or together, before having dinner and falling asleep together in front of a good movie or tv show. He’d be more than happy living a life as simple as that.

Underneath that whole military attitude, he also has a sense of humor hidden away; the goofy and playful one, just like yours. And I think that you would be really good together in that sense.

GAME OF THRONES

I ship you with Jon Snow!

Jon is known to be humble, calm and withdrawn and would, at least after the events of the last season, much rather live a calm, simple life than one full of adventure and challenged limits since he’s so clearly shown to be burdened by the constant danger and responsibility.

All his life, Jon has lived as an outcast; a bastard, and the black sheep in a family of wolves. Because of Catelyn’s consistent hatred and torment, he never felt anything other than hatred, self-doubt and shame toward himself and has never felt like he belongs anywhere, with anyone.

He was forced to quietly wrestle with dejection and loneliness his entire life; always among them, but never really one of them, and because he never quite fit in, he was naturally more susceptible to anti-social behavior, as shown in the way that he always tends to mind his own business, prefers to stay within his comfort zone and also in the way that he isn’t big on small talk.

He was so ashamed of himself and who he was that he pledged himself to the Night’s Watch in order to escape the label of a bastard, so he knows better than anyone what it’s like to try and accept oneself.

To finish it off, he’s the ultimate feminist, who takes powerful women for what they are and understands the importance of lifting them up. He encouraged Arya and her proclivity for archery and combat and he admitted to his misjudgments and faults without being derisive or sexist when Sansa outsmarted him and saved his ass in the Battle of the Bastards so he doesn’t consider it to be emasculating to be equal, or even inferior, to a woman, and doesn’t pick and choose what kind of woman to support. He supports all of them and their individual strengths, whether it be physical power in combat, or mental power in politics.

FAST AND FURIOUS

I ship you with Leon!

Little is known about Leon since he was only in the first movie with minimal screentime, but I have, over the years, built my own opinion of him through his way of behaving in the moments we actually got to see him.

My first thought on him was that he’s a bit of the lost loner type and that he’s much more rational and level-headed than the others.

He voices his disapproval to Dom on several occasions and got shut down every time, which showed that he didn’t really trust him to keep them safe and out of handcuffs, and that he wasn’t comfortable with how far they were taking things.

This, to me, equals that he’s not a person who is very fond of stepping out of his comfort zone and would much rather play it safe and stick to the things he knows.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a coward, but he’s definitely more cautious than the rest of the squad. Rather than getting high off the thrill, he just seems like he’s along for the ride, without actually needing the excitement like the others do. Plain and simple: he’s a tag-along:er, not an adrenaline junkie.

In the scenes he’s in, he was always the one to, in one way or another, look out for the well-being of the others, and I can imagine, since he and Jesse met before the two joined the squad, that he looked after Jesse for a long while, as well.

Jesse had pretty severe ADD as well as slightly faulty instincts and understandings in some social settings both because of his ADD and because he was raised by his criminal dad to know no better, so looking out for him would probably take a little bit of work since I’d guess that he got himself into trouble a lot.

Because of this, I’ve kind of put him in the “caretaker”-category, since he seems to be so much more genuine and caring than the rest, and that, in turn, is why I think he’d be a good match for you.

I also think that you’d be good together because of the fact Jesse shares a lot of qualities with you; a bit reserved, stuttering when nervous, and being generally anxious around strangers. Since Leon has experience with this, he wouldn’t judge you but rather know how to handle it, support you and make you feel more comfortable.

His mother left him when he was still young and he has clearly been struggling to find a place where he belongs. He thought that he found it with Dom’s crew, but when Jesse died and Vince and Letty got seriously hurt, he obviously had enough, decided that the heat had become too risky and that he didn’t want anything more to do with the illegal activities.

Once again, after Jesse’s passing, he was left alone, and I’m one hundred percent sure that he left the crew to go live a safer, calmer life because, like Rick Flag, he just seems like the type to want a quiet life with a like-minded significant other, maybe some animals and/or a kid or two. Basically just a “perfect, happy family”-situation with no risk-taking, just staying safe within your comfort zones.

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ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes · 4 years

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Field of Poppies Part 1

Summary: After being apart for six years, childhood friends Tommy and Amelia reunite under odd circumstances. Tommy is an outspoken young man and Amelia is pregnant and out on the streets. The bond of family can be unbreakable but it is tested often. Especially when Europe descends into war.

Thank you to @justanothershelby for helping me out with this. And with pretty much everything.

When someone got the chance to leave Small Heath, they never returned. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, a chance that others didn’t get. However, sometimes life was unfair and fate sent a person right back where they started.

1909 Small Heath

Tommy Shelby was well known in Small Heath. The nineteen-year-old had a penchant for getting into mischief with his brothers. Still, his neighbors knew him as a kid who smiled often and had a good sense of humor. In fact, not everyone thought Tommy was a bad person. Everyone in the area had varying opinions on the entire Shelby family. The police thought they were a family of troublemakers. Some were skeptical of their background as Travelers. Many women revered Polly Gray for being near-mythical and often went to her to have their tea leaves read, even if it was behind their husband’s backs. And nearly every girl up and down the streets fancied at least one of the Shelby boys. They would giggle to each other when one passed by. If Tommy tipped his hat at them, they nearly fainted. Besides, what was better than a pair of blue eyes and a reputation?

Nineteen and a bit too big for his britches, although they were hand-me-downs, Tommy walked through Small Heath with a confident step. As he continued down the block, one of his neighbors called out.

“Up to no good, Thomas?” Mrs. Banks was on the front step of her home watching her two children playing on the street.

“Just getting some shopping for Polly.” Tommy grinned, always amused by her disapproving shake of the head.

“Hi, Tommy!” The Banks’ oldest child, Robert, greeted despite the glare from his mother. He kicked his football forward sending it careening toward Tommy.

He knocked it back toward the other children with his heel as he headed on his way.

“’Morning, Tommy.” The pretty blonde from down the street caught his attention only a few yards down the sidewalk.

“Violet, you well?” He put on a charming smile and stopped to chat. Polly wouldn’t mind if he was a bit late. Well, she would but Tommy didn’t care if he got scolded.

“Better now that you’re here.” She looked at him coyly. “I haven’t seen you though. Thought you were avoiding me.”

“How could I avoid you?” He tilted his head to the side. “Doesn’t sound like me, does it?”

“Alright.” She playfully twisted a lock of her hair around her finger. “You could take me out tonight, then.”

“I think that could be arranged. I-” Tommy happened to glance over Violet’s shoulder and caught a glimpse of someone familiar. Someone he hadn’t seen in years but could never forget even if he tried. “I uh-we’ll talk soon, yeah?” He slipped past Violet even though she protested. Walking toward the figure, he could hardly believe his eyes. For more than one reason, it felt like he was seeing things. “Amelia.” He called out before he reached her.

The woman looked up; her eyes widened in surprise when she saw who was calling her. “Tommy.” The name left her lips in a soft gasp. “Wh-” It was quite a silly question to ask him, they were on Watery Lane. The only person who didn’t belong was her.

So, Tommy asked the question for her. “What are you doing here?” The last time he’d seen his childhood best friend, she was at the train station. They were only thirteen at the time and Amelia’s family was moving to London. Her father had gotten hired somewhere with a salary that was unheard of in Birmingham. Naturally, that meant they could afford to live somewhere nicer, somewhere where his daughter wouldn’t have to play on the dirty streets with kids like Tommy Shelby.

Amelia’s mouth opened but she couldn’t find the words. She had only been in Birmingham less than an hour after stepping off the train from London. It had been less than a day since she’d been banished from her parents’ flat. Her wounds were still fresh and she still hadn’t managed to piece the words together. So instead, she moved her suitcase to the side. “I-I’m pregnant.”

Tommy stared at her for a long moment. The fateful meetup had suddenly taken a strange turn. He didn’t understand the explanation. Pregnancy didn’t equal moving back to Small Heath.

“I’m sorry that was so sudden of me to say and-” She put a hand to her forehead in disbelief. “I just don’t know what to do, my brain’s all…I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for.” It certainly wasn’t how Tommy imagined reuniting with her. Sometimes he thought about her and wondered if she was well. Thought that maybe their paths would cross again and they’d talk about all the fun times they spent together. Instead, Amelia was stood there in front of him, suitcase at her feet, pregnant, and devastated.

Talking about it appeared to be too much for the young woman. She wrinkled her nose and bit her lip to keep from crying. “I’ve nowhere to go now and I hardly have any money.”

“What about your parents?” Tommy reached into his pocket to retrieve a handkerchief for her.

“They don’t want anything to do with me after-well.” She took the small square of cloth and dabbed her watery eyes.

“You always have a place with us.” He insisted. “Polly’d never let you live out on the streets. Come stay with us.”

“There’s no reason for you to offer me something like that.” It had been years since they’d seen one another, she never expected anything from the Shelby family.

“I’ve more than enough reasons,” Tommy replied and picked up her suitcase. “C’mon. We have a lot of things to catch up on.” He offered his elbow to her.

Still teary-eyed and clutching his handkerchief, she linked arms with him. She swallowed and began walking back to Six Watery Lane with him. “Like how tall you’ve gotten?”

He smiled. “Told you’d I get taller one day.”

“Well, I always knew you were destined for great things.”

With a chuckle, he sidestepped a puddle of murky rainwater. “Guess we’ll see, aye?”

~~~~~~~

When they arrived, Polly was a mixture of disappointment and happiness. She was dismayed by Amelia’s fate and irate that her parents would ever do such a thing. And yet, she was happy to see the young woman again. The little girl who was a staple in the household for so many years was all grown up.

“Pregnant and kicked out.” She shook her head as she prepared tea. “Pregnancy isn’t a curse, it’s a fucking blessing.”

Amelia looked small in the chair, even if she had grown a bit since she was thirteen. Before, she used to be a loud, outgoing girl who made her presence known in the household. With no siblings of her own, she gravitated toward the Shelby children who gladly adopted her. Six Watery Lane had become a second home to her. But things had changed so much.

During her time away, she’d grown meek and withdrawn. Especially after news of the pregnancy, which she tried desperately to keep from her family. A whole month she went without telling anyone but the father of the child. It had taken such a toll on her that she was nothing like her former self.

“Pol, it’s alright.” Tommy could see how uneasy Amelia was, sat across from him at the table.

Polly didn’t pick up on the hint though. “It’s not alright.” She reaffirmed. “It’s a disgrace. She’s nineteen, Thomas, just a child!”

“Pol!” He urged again.

His aunt turned around and saw Amelia’s head hanging low. She sighed and went to sit beside her. “You keep your head up now.” She touched her shoulder. “You’ve got a responsibility but you’ve also got support here. You’ll take Tommy’s room upstairs. We’ll fix it up nice for the baby. There’s enough room for a cot in the corner. It’ll be alright.”

“Oh, Polly, I couldn’t just step in an-and make a fuss. I’ll find work and I’ll be alright.” Amelia tried to assure her.

Polly raised an eyebrow. “Raising kids is tough work, young lady. Isn’t a walk in the park. Who’s gonna be watching the child when you’re off at work?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“It takes a village, my dear. Luckily, you’ve got enough hands around here to help.” Polly stood up, leaving the conversation as is. There was nothing else to argue. What was done was done.

Amelia opened her mouth but decided the opportunity was too good to pass up. Without the Shelbys, she really was lost and would probably be out on the streets doing lord knows what for work. And while it wasn’t in her nature to rely on others to take care of her, it would have to do for the time being.

Tommy smiled, apparently pleased that they were helping out. Maybe even that his old friend was back too. Not in the circumstances he’d been expecting but back all the same. “I’ll bring your things upstairs.” He said and jumped up from the table.

“You’ve still got errands to run, young man, you’re not off the hook for that!” Polly called after him.

“Got it, Pol!” He sounded in a considerably better mood now once Amelia showed up.

Polly just sighed and smiled. “You’ll be okay.” She promised Amelia. “You’ll stay as long as you need to. We’ll help get you a good job, you won’t have to worry about being without.”

“I don’t know how to thank you.” While she was filled with relief that she would have a roof over her head for at least the night, she was worried about the future. It had been six years since she’d been in Birmingham and while she wanted to trust the Shelbys, people changed. It would be reckless to be carefree. She was pregnant and that was something she had to take seriously. But she tried to just focus on the current moment. “Where’s Mrs. Shelby?” She wondered.

A look of grief passed over Polly’s face. “Oh, dear, I suppose there is a lot to tell you about.” She admitted. “She passed away, ‘bout six months ago. Gave birth to another son but couldn’t recover from the labor.”

It only solidified the fact that things had drastically changed in the time Amelia was away. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She said quietly.

There was a soft wail from upstairs and Polly stood up. “That’ll be him now, our little Finn. I’ll be right back.

Tommy came back downstairs, causing the creaky floorboards to make a fuss. He stopped in the kitchen. “Finn’s up.”

“Yes, yes, I hear him. Now get a move on unless you lot want to starve tonight.” She shooed off her nephew.

~~~~~~~~~

By dinnertime, Amelia was a little more comfortable being back in Small Heath. She tentatively unpacked her things in Tommy’s room even though she offered to sleep elsewhere. On the couch or on the floor, but Polly wouldn’t hear it.

Amelia helped with Finn where she could. However, the infant was a stark reminder that she would be looking after her own child very soon.

Ada came home from school and was delighted to see Tommy’s old friend. She used to admire the older girl because she wore bows in her hair and could do a perfect cartwheel. Now Ada was twelve and apparently had so much to tell Amelia. She sat on the kitchen counter as Amelia helped Polly cook dinner.

“And I’ve learned to canter on a horse. Uncle Charlie says I’m really good, better than John is. I ride a horse named Tippy. I can braid her mane really well. She kinda looks like the horse that’s in the book I’m reading.” As Ada rambled on happily, the front door opened and closed with a slam.

The eldest Shelby came marching in with Tommy behind him. Arthur, now in his early twenties, looked pissed as he dragged along a disheveled John. The teenager was sporting a bloodied lip and a bruise was starting to form below his left eye.

Polly looked displeased but not the least bit shocked. “What happened?”

“Found him scrapping down by the docks,” Arthur replied.

“I didn’t fucking start it!” John protested.

“You get into a fight then use that sort of language around your sister?” Polly pointed a knife at him. “Go get cleaned up for dinner before I send you off with nothing.”

John wrinkled his nose but listened and trudged upstairs, earning a smack in the head from Tommy as he passed by.

When Arthur stepped further into the kitchen, he looked surprised. “Is that our Mellie?” He chuckled.

Amelia smiled a little sheepishly. She hadn’t been called that in quite some time. “Hello, Arthur.”

“Found her earlier today.” Tommy sat down at the table. “She’s gonna stay with us for a bit.”

“Really? Thought you’d become a posh London girl.” Arthur teased. “Too good for us Brummies.”

“Of course not.” She felt a little strange, not knowing whether she should be open about the pregnancy or not. It was only a matter of time before people started asking the tougher questions. Who was the father…where is he…what happened…it was all embarrassing to her. She met Tommy’s eyes and he gave her a comforting smile.

“Well, s’nice to have a familiar face.” Arthur apparently didn’t need much of an explanation.

“Maybe she’ll bring some class to this household.” Polly scolded. “You know your brother fights because he wants to be like you two. He’ll do anything to be like you and it’ll get him killed!”

“Relax, Pol, he’s just being a kid.” Tommy struck up a match to light a cigarette.

“Yeah, one of these days we’ll teach him how to fight proper.” Arthur grinned and playfully socked his brother in the arm.

“Enough.” Polly snapped. “Dinner’ll be done soon. Go wash up.”

The boys jostled each other as they left the kitchen, pretending to box like pros.

Amelia smiled and gathered the dishes to start to set the table. “So seven settings, Polly? Mr. Shelby will be home soon?”

“Oh, no, dear I wouldn’t expect him around.” Polly gave her the correct number of settings. “He isn’t around often.”

It was another change that Amelia didn’t expect. Arthur Sr. was never a loving, caring father. In fact, she remembered being frightened by the man. He had a loud voice and would often send Amelia home so he could punish his children. But he wasn’t absent, at least not as far as she could remember.

“Polly, can I help feed Finn?” Ada asked, hopping down from the counter.

“Of course, love, go get your brothers and we’ll say grace.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

After dinner, Amelia didn’t stay up long. She was emotionally exhausted and felt the best course of action was to retire to bed early. She wished the Shelbys goodnight and went up to Tommy’s room. The bed was made, no doubt Polly had made sure Tommy cleaned his room for Amelia’s sake.

It smelled distinctly of the young man. The smell of cigarettes was mixed with some sort of fresh, clean scent. Maybe a soap or aftershave. But it was strangely comforting and made her feel a bit more secure, protected even.

Even though thoughts were running through her head like a herd of wild horses, she managed to fall fast asleep relatively quickly.

But she couldn’t stay asleep. Around midnight, she found herself awake again. She soon became restless and unable to ignore her thoughts. There was so much that she needed to plan for but she had such little resources. How could she provide for a child in Small Heath? How could she manage to raise a child at all? It was all so foreign and frightening.

With her anxiety bubbling up in her throat, Amelia had to get up out of the small bed. It was as if she were trying to escape her thoughts, by leaving the room and wandering downstairs. She winced at every creak in the floorboard, hoping she wouldn’t wake the rest of the family.

She passed the sitting room and saw Tommy curled up on the couch. It didn’t look very comfortable but he didn’t seem bothered.

That is, until she walked by and landed on a particularly loose floorboard.

The squeaking noise woke Tommy up and he blearily rubbed his eyes. For a moment, he couldn’t make out the shadowy figure in the doorway. In his sleep-addled state, he almost forgot that Amelia was there. But then she stepped a little closer and his eyes adjust. “Oh, Mel, it’s just you.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” She apologized.

“S’alright.” He yawned and sat up. “Can’t sleep?”

“Not really.” She admitted and lingered awkwardly by the door.

“Do you want to talk?”

She let the question hang in the air for a bit. There was so much they could talk about. Years of events and happenings that they needed to fill each other in on. But it all seemed so overwhelming that she couldn’t even find a place to start. So, instead, she sat down in a nearby armchair. “I’m sorry about your mum.”

Tommy paused and swallowed. The death of his mother was still very fresh. Six months wasn’t enough to mourn the gentle woman who selflessly took care of them all. “Oh, yeah, thanks.” He mumbled.

“She was a good person.” Amelia had very fond memories of the dark-haired woman.

“Yeah.”

She looked down; a bit ashamed that she couldn’t properly comfort her old friend. “I should let you sleep.” She stood up and headed back toward the stairs.

“Amelia.” He stopped her. “I’m glad you’re back. I know that…the circumstances aren’t great, or whatever. But I’m really glad you’re here again.”

She nodded. “Good night, Tom.”

//If you’d like to be notified of future updates, drop me a message and I’ll add you to the tag list. Or if you want, you can be added to the permanent tag for every Peaky work I post.

Permanent Tag: @papa-geralt-of-cirilla @giftofdreams @biba3434 @kimmietea @karmezii @enrapturedbythemoon

Masterlist

#peaky blinders #peaky blinder imagine #peaky fookin blinders #peaky blinders fanfiction #fanfiction #ofc #oc #arthur shelby #john shelby #polly gray #finn shelby #ada shelby #pre canon #pre season 1 #pre ww1 #cillian murphy #cillian murphy character

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jazziehart · 4 years

Text

What caused Quinn’s breakdown in Season 3?

Hello again everyone and welcome back to another lovely blog post.

In this post I’m going to be discussing Quinn’s breakdown and what I believed caused her to go from fine at the end of the Season 2 finale to Punk Quinn at the start of Season 3.

Let’s start off with what I believe started it all, Quinn’s breakdown in New York. This is the first glimpse of what would be her storyarc for the first half of Season 3. Quinn at this point has lost pretty much everything in her life. It started off with her quitting Cheerios in the Sue Sylvester Shuffle, something that first made her insecure leading her to cheat on the first good relationship she had with Sam. She wanted to choose Sam after realizing that he loved her and only her while Finn was torn between her and Rachel, unfortunately for Quinn, she didn’t get to make that choice since Sam found out about her cheating and broke up with her. This quickly sent her into a depression which can be noticed during ‘Blame It on the Alcohol’ when she is constantly looking at Sam with other girls and is upset by it. However, things seem to be looking up for her when she gets back together with Finn. For the first time she seems mildly happy though she is still insecure about him and Rachel especially during ‘Original Song’. She tries to befriend Rachel and support her original song idea to keep her away from Finn. She admits that she and Finn are together and tells Rachel that she’s better than this town leading Rachel to write a song that helps them take Regionals. However, during Regionals, Quinn is once again hurt seeing how Finn looks at Rachel and how he is around her. She continues to be insecure about her retlationship with Finn throughout the entirety of their relationship. Her past gets out in ‘Born This Way’ which makes her even more hurt but Finn is actually supportive of her through this telling her that she looked beautiful and it was the first time that he really saw her. However their relationship backslides during Rumours. Quinn has been helping out Sam by babysitting his siblings since his family recently lost their home and they are now living in a motel. Quinn agreed to keep Sam’s secret which ended up making Finn insecure thinking she was cheating on him by being at that motel with Sam. Finn goes to spy with Rachel which infuriates Quinn leading the two to perform ‘I Don’t Wanna Know’ for a duet. After the duet Quinn demands that Finn not have any more duets with Rachel feeling like she can’t trust Rachel. Rachel retailates singing ‘Go Your Own Way’ to Finn which further upsets Quinn. The truth finally comes out about Sam and Finn realizing he was wrong feels bad about it. The next episode of ‘Prom Queen’ further hurt Quinn when she lost her dream of being prom queen to a lame prank by other students electing Kurt as the prom Queen. Not only that but the entire night Finn seems more interested in Rachel than Quinn which leads to Quinn saying that her losing is Rachel’s fault, angry at the fact that Rachel has two guys interested in her while Quinn feels like no one cares about her all over again on the one night she wanted everything to be perfect. Her breakup with Finn in Funeral also leads to this breakdown. Finn tells her that she feels nothing anymore and that he’s still in love with Rachel which clearly upsets Quinn who feels like she loses everything to Rachel including her boyfriend.

All of these event set the stage for Quinn’s breakdown in New York leading her to say she just wants to be loved, frustrated that almost everyone else seems to have someone. Quinn gets a haircut and seems slightly better, especially being at Nationals. However, her happiness is shortlived when the New Directions lose nationals coming in twelfth place. When we go to the choir room when the New Directions get back, Quinn actually seems in a good place and even calls Finn and Rachel into the choir room clapping and smiling, so how did she go from that to what happened in Season 3?

The answer is simple if you think about it. During the summer Quinn once again suffered a loss, Sam moved away. I know what you’re thinking ‘But they weren’t together and Sam was dating Mercedes’. It’s all true but I think Quinn leaned a lot on Sam’s friendship and still had feelings for him even though he was with someone else. I think losing Sam sent Quinn over the edge and made her start to focus on everything she didn’t have thus leading her to her breakdown in Season 3.

Does anyone remember when the breakdown stopped? It was when Sam had returned to McKinley. She was still going through it when he first got back but it seemed like the combination of him returning plus him turning her down and giving her a reality check finally sent Quinn on her way back to normalcy. I know people will argue that it was Rachel who brought her back but honestly, I don’t think so at all. Yes, Rachel tried to get her not to tell about Shelby’s hookup with Puck but Quinn went to tell Shelby that she was going to tell the school about it leading Shelby to leave. Quinn on her own decided not to tell and after winning Sectionals, realized what really mattered her senior year with her friends something Shelby actually said to her.

So that was my take on Quinn’s breakdown. It might be inaccurate but this is what I believe caused it and what I believe ended it and brought the real Quinn back. Let me know if there are any other subject you would like me to cover :)

#quinn fabray #quinn fabray glee #glee #glee season 3 #punk quinn #skank quinn #fabrevans #fuinn #Sam and Quinn #quinn and sam #sam evans and quinn fabray #quinn fabray and sam evans #quinn and finn #finn and quinn #quinn fabray and finn hudson #finn hudson and quinn fabray #glee season 2

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peakyblinderswhore · 4 years

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Can you do a Thomas Shelby imagine where he and the reader have been in love with each other since they were teens since the reader is Ada’s best friend and they finally get together when the reader sides with Tommy about the whole baby situation with Freddie and just as the smut was gonna ensue his family ruins it? It’s not a complete smut request since his family ruins it before it gets real good

A/N: hi! this is my first one and i’m pretty excited about it! how is it?

W/C: 2.5k

You’ve always known Tommy. In fact, you can’t remember a time where you didn’t know him.

There was a brief amount of time where you’d managed to stumble across his sister, Ada, when you were fourteen and had no idea of who she was or who she was related too but soon enough Polly had convinced Ada to bring you round so she knew who her niece was hanging around with.

Being a few years older than Ada had drawn her to you like a moth to a bulb (but in a much nicer way) and she knew right then and there that the two of you would be the best of friends – even Polly gave the approve on you!

Ada had been the one who mentioned the fact that you and her brother Tommy were close in age (specifically halfway between him and Ada) and that caught your attention.

You thought about that day, secretly admiring Tommy’s face in your mind before being pulled out of thoughts when you stumbled as you and Ada walked down the cobbled street towards a space of greenery.

“Ada, I haven’t seen you all week! Why won’t you tell me about your new lover that you’ve ditched me for,” you joked.

Ada giggled, “If you must know,” she pauses momentarily, making sure to have your full attention, “it’s Freddie Thorne.”

You gasp, the heels of your boots stopping their clicking against the cobbles, it was a hard enough job when there weren’t any surprises being thrown your way, “You’re a cunning little minx, aren’t you, love!”

Ada rushes in front of you, her hair swaying into her face as she holds her hands out to stop you from going any further, “You mustn’t tell Tommy; you know what he’ll say…”

Folding your arms across your chest to hold your coat much tighter in the February cold, you frown slightly at her words, knowing why she wants to keep it a secret, “Ada, you know he was Tommy’s closest friend before the War and you know that he wouldn’t approve! Not to mention he’s a Communist so he’s constantly scuttling out of the way of the coppers.”

Ada sighs, her eyes watering, “I-I love him… what do you want me to do about that?”

Your eyes widen, “Ada… are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll support you, however, don’t go making babies cause those little devils scream the house down and I most definitely won’t be able to hide that from Tommy,” you laughed.

She stayed quiet.

You knew something was up, “Ada… is there something that you’re not telling me?”

“Oh,” she slumped her shoulders, “you know me too well…I’m fucking pregnant!”

Grabbing Ada’s arm, you pulled her over to the wall of a building that you were walking past so you could whisper-yell to her somewhat in private.

“Ada! What were you thinking?”

“That I loved him and was enjoying myself..”

“Is that where you’ve been these past weeks? We’ve no idea where you’ve been but you always show up so we don’t question it any further.”

She whimpers, “Yes.”

“And you want me to keep this a secret from Tommy?”

“Yes,” she says, her eyes begging you to not say a thing.

“Jesus Christ, Ada. What am I going to do with you?”

Without another word the two of you walk back the way you came, deciding that your day had been mildly ruined and that some fresh air just couldn’t settle the feeling in your stomach.

Almost two weeks later the feeling still hadn’t settled and you had avoided Tommy at every turn on every corner of every street that you possibly could. You made up excuses of being ill so you couldn’t make the occasional family meeting and told them to stay away in case they caught whatever you may have.

You walked into the betting shop, scared out of your mind of what Tommy might say to you.

“Hello, love, looking for Tommy?” Polly asked.

“Yes, know where he is?”

She nodded her head to a closed-door and smiled, “Behind there, love, he’s in a bad mood so he’ll be happy to see you.”

Inwardly you panicked, what if he knew?

You pushed the door open and pulled off your coat before Tommy called out, “Did nobody ever teach you to knock?”

You ran over to him as he turned around and practically bowled him over when you wrapped your arms around his torso. He grunted when you hit him but put one arm around your back as he had a cigarette in the other.

“Where you been, eh? Had me worried but Ada refused to let me visit you in case I caught whatever you had.”

“Oh Tommy, I need to tell you something and it’s eating me from inside out!” The worry was evident on your face.

He put his cigarette down in the ashtray so he could focus on whatever you were about to say. He wouldn’t admit it but deep down, he loved you and wanted to give you his undivided attention for whatever was worrying you so bad.

Before Tommy could even speak the words at the back of his throat you blurted out, “Ada’s in love with Freddie Thorne and she’s pregnant with his child…” you pause, worried about your next words, “and I’ve known for two weeks but could bear to break your family apart but she wouldn’t let me tell anyone.”

Tommy’s jaw gritted and his eyes went stormy, “So she told you to avoid me.”

“Or words to that effect, yes.”

“I fucking knew it,” he growled, picking up his cigarette, “I fucking knew it and she lied to my fucking face!” he took a long drag from his cigarette, “That’s what Pol was blabbering on about when she handed me this letter,” he mumbles.

“What?” Alarm bells were going off in your head, worried as to what he might do.

Tommy walked off silently raging, the cigarette between his lips once again as he stormed out of the shop.

Polly comes running in moments later, trying to figure out what was going on but you merely shrug your shoulders and wallow in your self-pity. You could only assume Ada would hate you for this. Deciding that you wanted this no more, you went home and cried yourself to sleep – what was Tommy doing to Freddie? To Ada?

The next day you pulled yourself out of bed and put on a new dress, one with buttons up the back, deciding that if you were going to be exiled from what you’d always considered family, then you were going to do it in your nicest red dress.

You took your time walking over to the betting shop, psyching yourself up for what was to come once you got there.

Coming through Polly’s front door, you walked through to the betting shop, eyeing Polly hunched over a book.

Her head snapped up to the sound of your boots making contact with the wooden floorboards in the betting shop and snarled, “You bitch. You wretched bitch! Tommy’s only gone and burnt our Ada’s letter to Freddie about him being the father to her unborn child.”

Your heart beats one hundred times a minute at Polly’s words, the adrenaline pumping through your veins enables you to exclaim, “Ada shouldn’t be sleeping around behind our backs!”

“Sleeping around! Do you think she’s some kind of whore?” Polly stands from her seat, with her hands on her hips bending forward just close enough to be in your space and make you uncomfortable.

“Freddie wasn’t the right man – ”

“How would you know, little miss wannabe-Shelby?”

Anger flowing in your veins, you take one step forward, practically spitting in Polly’s face as you say, “Because he’s constantly hiding from the police. Do you want that for our Ada? For Freddie to be taken away and for her baby to be left without a father? Who knows how many things could go wrong!”

Polly says nothing so you continue, “If Tommy burnt the letter then there must be a good fucking reason for it! Clearly, he agrees with me on the subject!”

Polly seethes at you and goes to lift her hand at you but Tommy walks in, “Now, now, Pol, if you lay a hand on her, you know that we won’t be on good terms.”

Polly snarls at you and spits at your feet before turning and walking away from the two of you.

You let out a breath that you didn’t know you’d been holding and turned to face Tommy. Seeing his face made yours fall, knowing what he’d done, and you buried your face into his chest, “Thank you, Tommy. For sticking up for me.”

“Always,” he said and placed a kiss on your forehead.

He walked you home as it was getting dark and then went back to his.

Soon after, Ada arrived, a sorry smile on her face, “I heard what Aunt Pol said… I-I’m so sorry.”

You pulled her into a tight hug, “I’m sorry for telling Tommy,” you replied, tears filling up your eyes.

“He loves you, you know.”

“What, I ruin one relationship and so you move on to me? That hardly seems fair,” you giggle into her hair before pulling away, wiping the flowing tears as you do.

“You were looking out for me; now I’m looking out for you. Go to him, he needs you.”

You parted ways with Ada and once you had reached Watery Lane, you took in a deep breath before you went into Tommy’s. Unsure of what you were going to tell him, you just hoped that he couldn’t see the worry on your face straight away. After building yourself up, you walked straight in.

Tommy was nowhere to be seen.

“Tommy, are you home?” You called out.

“Upstairs,” he called back.

You walked through his bare kitchen and past his minimal furniture an up the stairs. It looked so empty that thieves would just go back home empty-handed. You had been banging on at Tommy for years to decorate it, even if it was a nice picture on the wall, you wished that it would brighten up the house. He had taken your words into account and hung up a picture in a frame of you and him at the docks where you’d begged him to get your photograph taken together.

Secretly, you loved that it was his only decoration on the wall as it reminded you of simpler times before the War.

“Tommy,” you sang out as you were climbing the stairs, “I’ve something to ask you.”

You reached the top of the stairs and as you looked around, you saw nothing.

Walking over to where he kept his shaving cream, he jumped out from behind the door and grabbed your waist, picked you up and spun you around.

Squealing, from the surprise you latched onto his neck, arms tightly holding on, face hiding in his neck. You knew you loved him because he made you feel like nothing less than the best in moments like these. He was dressed in his undershirt and trousers, most probably getting ready for the night ahead.

Placing you back down on the floor, he leant his forehead against yours, smiling – a rare sight to anyone but you. His cologne filled your lungs and you sighed in content, feeling like ypu were at home.

“I’ve something to ask you too,” he said, his blue eyes flickering to your lips.

“What is it?” you whispered against his lips unapologetically staring down at them, wanting him to close the distance between your faces.

“You were fucking amazing back there…”

“That’s not a question, Tommy,” you giggle, blushing at his words referring to earlier with Polly.

“Can I kiss you, right now?” he breathes out.

“Of course,” you whisper back.

Tommy grins and pulls you in by his arm that he effortlessly looped around your waist, the other one grabbing your face as he held you there, making sure to get everything out of this kiss. He dipped you Smiling into the kiss you giggled.

“You caught me off guard, Shelby.”

“Oh yeah?” Tommy replied, peppering kisses along your jaw, down your neck and to the valley of your breasts.

You threw your head back, the sensation on your skin rippling through every nerve in your body as he worked his way back up to your neck, in the little soft spot between your shoulder and your neck his nibbles on your skin, surely leaving a mark later on.

He slipped your coat off of your shoulders and tugged on the neckline of your dress, wanting to pull it off. “Tommy,” you moaned out, “what if Finn comes looking for you?”

“Don’t worry about it, love.” Giving in, you grabbed his face and pulled it up from your neck smashed your lips against his, professing your desire through the passion in your lips. He pulled away and quickly spun you around so he could unbutton the dress and pull it off. Instead of fiddling, he ripped the fabric in two different directions, popping all of the buttons off and sending them flying to all corners of the room.

“I fucking love red on you… but this needs to go,” he says, his voice threateningly low.

He was hungry for you.

You gasp as he throws you onto the bed, now in your undergarments, exposed to the cold air. Tommy lowers himself onto the bed, kissing your mouth full-on before sucking on your neck, on the other side this time, and begins to make his way further down. Just as Tommy gets to the goods, there’s a loud banging from the door outside.

“Tommy!” You could hear Finn yelling, “Tommy! Tommy!”

He groans as he regretfully pulls himself off of you and goes to the window, “What, Finn, what?”

“Polly’s yelling bloody murder down the Garrison and wants to see you! She said something ‘bout that woman you fancy too, er, something ‘bout wanting to kill her!”

Tommy sighs, “Alright Finn, I’ll be there soon, just give me a minute.”

Finn runs off down the street and when Tommy turns back to you, your face is flushed red yet you’re grinning from ear-to-ear, “You fancy me, eh?”

Tommy leans back over you and watches your lips move from a very close distance, “The fuck did you think I was trying to do? You’re mine now, those marks say so.”

Subconsciously, your hand goes up to your neck where he’d bruised the skin, not once, but three times.

You smiled, “I think I like the sound of that.”

You kiss him one last time, you hand on the back on his head, holding him close before he pulls on a jacket and goes to sort out Polly.

You stand at the window to watch him walk off.

“And don’t you go anywhere,” he calls back, “I’m coming back to finish what I started.”

#Tommy Shelby #thomas shelby #peaky blinder fanfic #new fanfic #new fanfiction #peaky blinder imagine #imagine #Peaky Blinders #romance #oneshot #reader x tommy shelby #reader x thomas shelby #polly gray #aunt polly #polly shelby #love #littlemissshelbyreplies

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chlobenet · 4 years

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VIOLENT DELIGHTS ASK DROP 💀🖤

I’ve not been online for a hot minute and I’ve come back to 50+ Gennie asks so lets just get straight into another ask drop under the cut ♡

I need some inspiration on what to write next so I will definitely add this to the maybe list - open to more suggestions as well!

Ooooh Polly 10000% has a soft spot for Gennie, and Gen looks up to Poll so so so much, honestly she lowkey idolises her. I do think some earlier season Gen could be fun to write so i’ll definitely keep these ideas in mind!

The only specific scene that comes to mind at the minute is the scene with the italian that tommy kills in the kitchen when the chef is like “my hands have blood” and tom says “so have mine.” I think gennie would be pretty shocked by this side of thomas that she has absolutely never seen before. For the most part though, I do think that the boys successfully keep gen away from the gory truth of the peaky blinders - but she does hear about it a lot of the time, and sometimes it makes them feel lowkey bad because they never want gen to be disappointed in them, or even worse...scared of them.

Gen and tom aren’t even a romantic coupling at this point but I can 100% get behind thomas standing up and even physically shielding her from the police with his own body - blocking them from getting to her. At the time gen wouldn’t even realise what he’s doing because she is just so shocked by the events that are unfolding infront of her. After a while they’re the only ones in the room and she would just be blinking at him, confused, upset, hurt. He’ll just stare back at her for a long time “dont look at me like that Gennie...”

listen buddy, pal, my guy...i love her too sm and I love that you love her and that means that I love you! As for this scene, it’s definitely one i’ll hopefully be able to incorporate into a chapter of violent delights because the way gen and tom are together compared to tom and ada for example is extremely different and it would be a fun contrast to see.

same so much...gen is... baby🥺

now I’M crying at the thought of tommy introducing gen as his wife to people and oh GOSH.

Listen Gen mad or upset is the absolute worst because she doesn’t scream and shout at you, she doesn’t throw things around the room or show any kind of emotional at all really. When gen is mad, she gets real real quiet and she probably wont speak to you for a while and she’ll be damned if she looks at you because honestly looking at you when you’ve hurt gen physically hurts her heart. There’s no greater pain in gennie locks eyes than betrayal or someone doing something knowing that it is going to hurt you - so yeah she doesn’t get into a slanging match with tommy and in some ways he thinks it’s so much worse. She will talk things through though, after she’s had time to collect her thoughts and sort of...evaluate how she’s feeling about situations.

Tommy knows that gen wants kids and he knows with every fibre of his being that she would make the most amazing mother. I don’t think gen would ever really talk about it because she knows tommy already has children and she doesn’t ever want him to think she expects things of him but yes she wants kids more than anything on earth. It’s just sort of an unspoken thing between them, they know it’s going to happen - but they’re not rushing it, when it happens it happens and it will be magical.

Honestly I dont actually think gennie does realise just how much tom does love her, even though he does tell her. She just can’t fathom that someone could possibly love her, little gennie lock, that much. But he does.

Gennie, John and Archie are all the same age. A lot of people thought Gen and Arch were twins in school but nope, just cousins!

Gen worries about Arthur, she really does. I think that she would maybe try and discuss it with tommy but he would explain that arthur is the kind of man that needs to have a purpose and sometimes arthurs only purpose in life is doing business for the peaky blinders. If he wasn’t given something like that to focus on then he would be left to his own devices and even gennie herself knows that has the potential to be so much more dangerous.

Oh my goodness I love this. I do love the idea that gennie is so gracious that she gives off this air of sort of...not importance but you understand what I’m trying to say. I love the idea of the line you’ve come up with for tom and lowkey might steal it. I think the only thing that would ever give gennie away is the fact that although she is well spoken, and extremely intelligent she does still have her birmingham accent - and that’s just a dead giveaway right there.

I think I’ve answered something similar to this previously but basically alfie and gen have this strange sort of ~respect~ for one another. Gennie appreciates that he’s a dangerous man, but she also feels fairly safe in his presence. He makes it very clear early on that she has absolutely nothing to fear from him and she believes him when he says it. That doesn’t necessarily mean she likes him (initially at least) nor does she really trust him, but...yeah she respects him.

Tom would definitely be the one out of the pair of them to admit his feelings first, but he’s also got a whole world of respect for both gennie and his brother so it would be a bit troubling for him when he realises that wow he’s in love with little gennie lock from down the lane. I think he would tell her, but not exactly openly it would be more of a “please, stay...” kind of moment, where he reaches out and takes her hand. They’d both look down and their hands, and then back up at one another and gennie would just nod “okay.”

Hmmm good question, I’m undecided. There may well be a “its you, little gennie lock it’s always been you.” sort of line, maybe on their wedding day but I’m not sure. I’m not even entirely sure thomas knows that’s how he’s always felt so WHO KNOWS - what do you think??

I don’t think so you know! Not through lack of suitors, because lets be honest gennie lock is an absolute catch. But she’s also extremely sentimental and loyal and she is pretty sure that john shelby is the love of her life and even though she’s resigned herself to the fact that they will never be together because of esme and her respect for their relationship - that doesn’t mean that she stops loving him, or that she can look at anyone else in that way. We love one (1) loyal princess.

Listen, tom and gennie talk. They talk a lot more than he talks to anyone else and he’s told her about the war and he’s told her about the dreams he has and sometimes he doesn’t even know why he’s telling her but she’s just so easy to tell and god is she an excellent listener. She doesn’t judge him. She understands that sometimes tommy needs to forget and he needs to sleep and she wants nothing more than for him to feel happy and safe and comfortable so if that’s what he needs then so be it.

I think if I wrote a scene where tom was having one of his grace moments and gennie entered then I’d write it as though grace sort of ... evaporated or disappeared the second gennie enters the room. Even if grace is midway through saying something, gennie is enough to push the thoughts or the hallucinations away and tom might stare dumbfounded at the wall for a hot minute in astonishment but then he’ll look at his wife and he’s just like #of course.

hahah i love this headcanon and I also think that gen would love to watch tom be around/talking about horses because he’s just so in his element and so...at peace?

I think after tommy refuses to go and see lizzie then polly would suggest to gennie that she go and see thomas. I think she’d consider sending lizzie, but then deep down polly knows that tom needs a sort of emotional support that lizzie isn’t capable of providing. You have to remember as well that gennie has lost archie who was the most important person in her life, she knows grief and she recognises that in thomas but there’s more to it than just grief. I think initially tom would try and push her away but..she’s not having any of that!

honestly idk if hair dye was actually a thing then?? so either gen darkens her hair as the seasons go on or...it’s more of a metaphorical thing. S1 gennie is brilliantly blonde, this wide eyes innocent little girl from birmingham who has absolutely no idea what she’s in for. By s5 gen has dark hair and it’s reflective of how her innocence has been tarnished by the peaky blinders as the years have gone on. She’s still an inherently good person, but s5 gen and s1 gen are two very different women.

#gennie asks #violent delights #gennie lock #thomas shelby #john shelby #grace shelby #ok i didn't answer all 50 because i am TIRED but you get the idea #i will do another drop soon :)

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selenecrawford · 5 years

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The Odd Pair 11

Warning: None on this chapter

Selene's eyes started to open slowly, the soft sound of the rain hitting rhythmically against the window. It made her wish to stay more time in bed. She felt warm, comfortable, the sound of her pillow was pleasant. (Wait, my pillow does not not have a sound). Without thinking, she awaken on a jolt sitting on bed. Suddenly, she felt her body going for one direction, her soul trying to go to another, the vertigo hitting full force. A pair of hands got her steady before she went to the other side of the bed.

“Hey, are you okay Princess?” Shingen's voice was soft, caring, with a hint of worry.

Selene hold her head closing her eyes momentarily to gain some stability. She felt Shingen's hands and arms holding her gently. Leaning against his chest, a pounding headache started to hammer her head without mercy.

“Oh, God what happened? I'm feeling like a a truck run me over several times.”

Blinking softly she finally focus her sight on Shingen's face which was closed to hers. One look at his eyes, let her she saw how concerned he was. For a few moments they stared at each other, the sound of their own breathing mixed with the rain as their only company. A sudden sharp pang on the head broke the moment.

“Ow, what is wrong with me?.” holding her right side of her head.

“You drank an entire bottle of whiskey with cookies.” Shingen's response was soft a whisper. Taking a look at Selene, he saw her confused and vulnerable. A bit hesitant, Shingen started massaging her nape softly to alleviate part of the tension. He waited for her reaction which seemed to be a bit slower than usual.

“Wait, WHAT?” bad move, as soon as Selene shouted her eyes shut closed, her hands went for her head at the intense pain she felt. Shingen hold her close to his chest a soft kiss on top of her head while massaging her nape once again carefully.

“Shh, easy, Princess.” he smiled softly. His heart skipped a beat the moment she opened her eyes and looked at him.

Feeling her against him made him cautious, the hangover was his ally for the time being. If he played his cards right, he could turn this around and do what? His thinking stopped at the sudden realization that he wasn't sure what he wanted to do once they stopped this situation. Finding himself against a wall Shingen decided to first help Selene feel better then he will see what course of action he will take.

“Selene, come on. Let's get you some pain killers and food. Also, try not to shout.” he brush a soft kiss against her ear.

The kiss made her skin crawl, in a good way. When the pain lessened she sighed relieved. Shingen came back with a cup of coffee, pain killers and some light breakfast. Folding a small table, he sit next to Selene giving her some pain killers with water. Selene took the medicine, then got a sip of coffee. The situation felt awkward, stealing glances at Shingen, she noticed he was doing the same. He slowly took one of her hands in a reassuring touch. Both stayed in silence not knowing what to do next. For both, this was a new territory, a place where they could choose to be either at peace or at war. The main question now was which one will it be?

“ I know is too early to ask for this. But I hope you can forgive me one day.” Shingen looked Selene directly into her eyes.

Another silence, Selene was in awe to see Shingen, not concealing his feelings like before. He seemed more cautious but at the same time, having a hang over wouldn't let her be as sharp as usual.

“Okay, can I ask you something?” her reply was both an answer and a question.

“Sure, ask me.” Shingen gave her a tender smile encouraging her to keep talking.

Selene's cheeks colored with a faint pink, clearing her throat she asked before losing her courage. “Did I run around naked?” she looked at Shingen expecting the worse. Instead Shingen had to hide his face on his hands, his shoulders were shaking. He was trying so hard not to laugh, in the end he failed. A low chuckle was followed by a loud deep laugh. Selene could only looked amazed how beautiful he looked laughing. Soon she was giggling with him with some wincing from the hangover. The laughter died little by little, until the silence came back.

“To answer your question, no you didn't run around naked. But, you were pretty chatty, and loud.” he replied with a smile.

Looking at her feet, she asked again. “Did I said something embarrassing?” by now her cheek turned up a darker shade of pink.

“No, you were sincere with me. I was jealous, and taking it against you was not the way to do it. Nobunaga, also meddling was not nice either. Anyway, why don't you stay in bed a bit more to rest. I will get you some more water. Today seems to be a day to be at home.” Shingen turned toward to the window.

After this incident both on a silent mutual agreement decided to have a silent truce. Selene took to visit the car repair shop during the day. Shingen kept working on the office at home with the door closed. The pillows went back to their place but during night Selene will just stared at the wall, while Shingen on the other side will do the same.

When Selene arrived to her father garage it was dirty and dusty, it took her several days to put the place in order. Cars were a way to connect with her father but now it was a way for her to organize her thoughts. After leaving town Selene had rough lessons to learn. She noticed how protected she had been, how bruised her self esteem had been. Blaming others was not the right path to take. She had to started from scratch building herself up. When she met her father twenty years later, he barely recognized the woman she was in the present, calmed, collected, even emotionally controlled. His father was shocked to see how much she had changed. It took some work but he learned to accept the new her. Working as a designer had got her great rewards but at the end of the day it was going down the garage and work the motors while listening to the classics that will make her happy. The knock on the entrance took her out of her thoughts.

“Hey Lass how are you?” Masamune entered with a bag from his restaurant.

“Hey, nice to see you too. How is Marlene?” she gave him a quick hug with a soft smile.

“She is good, she wants you to come to dinner at our house soon.” Masamune put the bag on the front desk. Turning around he crossed his arms looking directly at Selene.

“Ok, what is really going on?”

“I'm sorry I don't follow you? Is something going on?” Selene tried to maintain a calmed tone, but this was Masamune. Since children he knew when she was lying or not.

“Oda called me. He told me what happened? So either you tell me what is really going on or I'm going to ask him directly.”

“Ok, Shingen and I had a big disagreement, so we kind of have a silent truce.” her eyes aimed to any place except to looking at Masamune's eye.

“Selene, what do you really want to do?”

“The truth is I don't know, after I left the town I worked hard to make a name for myself. I really don't know what dad was aiming to when he made this testament...” the sound of her voice was tired.

“Shingen, might be on the same boat as you, don't you think?” Masamune took the bad of food and started serving the plates. “Come on, you can't think on an empty stomach. Eat something I made you some rice with beef, if I remember that was your favorite.” his smile made Selene more at ease. Taking a plate Selene started to dig on the food with appetite.

It was passed six when she went back home. She passed the supermarket to buy some ingredients for a new cake recipe she wanted to try. Arriving home she noticed the house was dark, Shingen might still be working at the office. Leaving the groceries at the kitchen she went looking for him. Knocking on the door, she waited for him to say “Come in”, before opening the door.

“Hey, just wanted to see if you need something?” the room was a mess with papers everywhere.

“I'm ok just finished for today. How was your day?” Shingen was polite like always. With a smile she know recognizes as a fabricated one.

“It was ok. I'm done cleaning the garage I might start working on the Shelby. It looks that you and dad stopped working on it long time ago.”

“Yeah, when I decided to go to college, then start the company I spent some years out. How is the car?” the question made her giggle.

“It's fine, still needs work.” after a pause Selene couldn't stay silent.

“It's been a while since I saw your smile. You look beautiful.” Shingen smiled softly making her cheeks blush a bit.

The spots of silence was the only thing making the situation a bit tense.

“What do you want to do with this situation Shingen?” Selene looked at him directly.

“So far I'm doing this so you can keep your things,...” with a shrug Shingen didn't added anything else to the conversation. “What you want from this Selene? Will you like to keep this after the year is over?” Shingen threw the question back at her.

Taking a gambling at the situation Selene, was about to answer when the phone started to ring.

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Notes: My apologies for the late posting. I’ve been having overtime at work and dealing with some writer’s blocking. I hope you guys like this chapter and thank you for the support. ^^

@elievalentine @colivara @notsafefortum-blr @datemasamunemaiwaifu @unstoppablelinda @epicdragonlady @yeshasays @masa-little-kitten @mikamiw @kimi00twin @kouei116 @blue-bean-exe @mitsuhidethesnek @la-piperina @pirateprincessyuki @jennacat84 @valfraeyja @little-blue-octopus @sengokuotaku82 @serenity-writes @xathia-89 @shouta-bakugou @cailannuesugi @kitsune-mana @atatera-blog

#ikesen #ikesen shingen #fanfic #fanfic ikesen

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bluboothalassophile · 6 years

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Somewhere To Be Home...

Guess who finally caught up on RHatO!? And Guess What I Have To Say!?:

FUCK DC! I have no fucking clue what the fuck they’re doing, but those fuckers are fucking with shit that ought not to be fucked with! Worse, the worst fucking part! They present Bruce And Jay On A Good Start To Reconciling! And THEY FUCK IT UP! PRESENTING IT AS IF WILLIS WAS MISUNDERSTOOD RATHER THAN THE ABUSIVE FUCK HE WAS! THEN DESTROYING WHAT POSSIBLE RECONCILIATION B AND JAY COULD HAVE HAD! FUCK YOU DC! FUCK DC!

End rant! And now, my retaliation for this nonsense DC is doing, for which is infuriating my bloody temper!

Also, beware this is SPOILERS FOR HOPES FOR A BASTARD.

Jason winced as he limped through Black Gate Penitentiary as he made his way to the seat. Sitting down tenderly he waited a bit before he came face to face with his biggest nightmare.

It was a bit before the large nightmare was escorted out, and directed to the seat across from him. Jason watched as the man’s brown eyes widened as he came to sit. Jason picked up the phone, ignoring the throbbing of his face, and split lip, and the overall stabbing pains of his body from the fight he’d had escaping. The pain was not new, it wasn’t even interesting, it just was.

Willis Todd, a huge man, thick with muscles, and curly, graying, brown hair. There was nothing small about his father, and the man had beady brown eyes that always made Jason think of a rat, it was that look which fill the eyes of cowards, and traitors, it was that look which was the look of a man who’d kill anyone in his path.

“So, the prodigal son has returned?” Willis boasted.

Jason said nothing as he assessed the sperm donor to creating him. The man was nothing.

“Aren’t you gonna speak up or something? Or are you as weak as your mother?” Willis growled.

“Don’t talk about mom,” Jason coldly stated; his voice still ragged from nearly dying, the look of shock lit Willis’ eyes briefly. Jason continued to assess his father very carefully, and saw nothing of the nightmare that had terrorized him as a child. “You don’t ever speak about mom.”

“Or what?” Willis sneered.

“Or I’ll rip your tongue out and wrap your entrails around your head before lighting it on fire,” he warned seriously.

There was a flinch from his father. He was not the scared nine year old his father would remember.

“Why are you here boy?”

“Wouldn’t you be relieved to know that the rabid dog you sent after your kid didn’t succeed in killin’ him?” Jason asked dryly.

Willis blinked, the man’s lips opened and shut, and Jason frowned a bit. He winced internally at the pull from the wound not fully or even partially healed splitting. “You…!”

“I know everything Willis,” he stated icily. “I know how you knew about Alina Shelby, I know how you’ve survived this long without being shanked to death, I even know you’re a rat for the feds in Two Face’s and Black Mask’s organizations. I know you worked for Penguin as the inside man, and your letters about being desperate for supported mom and I to be a lie.

“I. Know. Everything,” Jason growled. “What I don’t know is how you got the Joker in your pocket.” He felt the damp roll of blood and fluids from the wound on his cheek.

“And what’s it to you?” Willis sneered.

“Nothing,” Jason answered. His father’s lips twitched and Jason kept his face impassive.

“I never wanted you, you sniveling brat, but Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, all she wanted was a fucking baby; must’ve been that Catholic Irish in her; that naïve good girl,” Willis sneered. “Dumb bitch couldn’t have kids, then there was Sheila. Stupid slut gets knocked up, one night of rebellious drinking and comes to me in a panic.

“She wanted to get rid of you, but I saw a solution; one to shut the nagging wife up and get rid of the dumb slut.

“I made a deal with her, five grand for the kid, she thought I was nuts; I paid for all the damn medical too. But five grand and she’d walk away, never see her again; she’d finish whatever the fuck it is she was doing and I’d shut Catherine up.

“Easy fucking fix.

“Then you grew up, became the big bad Red Hood, the Robin who couldn’t stay dead.”

“I’m allergic to death,” Jason retorted at Willis’ disdain.

“Guess it’s something we got in common.” Willis sneered as he glowered at Jason, Jason just stared levelly back at his father, and felt nothing for the man. “Your first death, it’s not a secret, Joker boasts about it, calls you his ‘ickle robin’ and ‘broken robin’. Once I found out who the Red Hood was, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who the Bat was, and Bruce Fucking Wayne had ruined my fucking life, so I’d ruin his; again, and enjoy every fucking minute of it.

“Getting the Joker wound up was simple, he’s never been very bright, give him something to focus on though, and wind him up and watch the carnage. Joker’s a mad dog, but the Jokerz that follow him are so fucking loyal, all for a madman who can’t even tie his shoe. Directing him at Mariah was easy, just kill the dumb bitch and take the kid, everyone knows Hood would do anything for kids. Once caught, Joker could do whatever he pleased with you, so long as you broke and died watching yourself fail to save the bastard daughter of Bruce Fucking Wayne; your beloved father,” Willis sneered.

“So you went after me to destroy B?” Jason asked softly.

“Rich fucker could afford it.”

“I see,” Jason nodded in resign.

“You have nothing left to say?” Willis sneered. Jason’s eyes flicked to his father again.

“Why do you hate me so fucking much? I didn’t ask to be born.”

“I don’t hate you, kid. I look at you and feel nothing, see nothing, you are nothing, nothing more than an inconsequential accident meant to keep my wife happy. You are nothing. That’s all I see.”

“Well then you’re going to watch, as I tear about your world and set it on fire, Willis. Brick by brick, dollar by dollar, body by body. You see nothing when you look at me, and that will be your greatest mistake,” Jason stated as he hung up and stood before walking away. Willis roared after him, but Jason kept walking.

He made it outside of Blackgate Prison and was greeted by Bruce.

Bruce was leaning on his black Audi, looking calm as could be. It wasn’t as if Gotham was encased in mist and grim and rain as November rolled in to destroy everything as it always did here on the east coast. Jason winced a bit at the cold slicing through his chest; feeling as if he’d never be warm again, and slowly; with all the damn dignity he could muster limped to Bruce.

His father’s blue eyes were void of any emotions, or tells which could reveal to Jason just what B was thinking about this little rendezvous he had had with Willis.

“I’m here to take you home,” Bruce said as he approached.

“I got here by myself; I’ll get myself home,” he huffed once he was near Bruce.

“You did,” Bruce agreed.

“I’m not helpless, I can get home,” Jason grounded out about to shove past Bruce, B caught his arm then.

“And where’s home Jason? Some safe house in a shitty part of Gotham? Or in the New York safe house which Lian and Roy have repeatedly pointed out that you’re not returning to?” B asked. Jason flinched a bit at the guilt that was laced in his voice.

“I’ll be fine,” he stated darkly. “Always am,” he tried to shrug Bruce off then.

“You’re not,” Bruce stated.

“That’s fucking rich coming from you!?” Jason roared.

“I picked you Jason,” Bruce snapped, which had his head snapping over to B. His body ached, and he glowered at his father. “I. Pick. You.”

Jason looked down, staring at his boots. “I’m not worth anything though.”

“You’re my son, MINE, you were always mine. And I have failed at showing it over the years, but goddamn it, you’re mine,” he snapped.

“I’m NOT!” he shouted back shoving weakly at Bruce as the tears welled up in his eyes. “Willis didn’t want me, Shelia hated me, you picked the Joker, Dick wanted me gone, Tim replaced me, I don’t fucking matter! None of you picked me! No one wants me! I’m No One’s!” he roared as he threw a punch for Bruce’s face only to find himself wrapped up into a tight embraced.

“You’re mine, you’re mine, I’m picking you Jason, from now on, you’re mine,” Bruce murmured. “You’re my son, my boy, mine,” he promised. A ragged sob escaped Jason as he sagged onto B as he just slumped on his father and the last year of agonies finally had him breaking.

“I just want to go home,” he wept as buried his face in B’s shoulder.

“I’m taking you home,” his dad promised as he kissed his head. “We’re going home Jase, we’re going home.”

#bluboothalassophile #fanfic #one shot #jason todd #bruce wayne #willis todd #hopes for a bastard #hopes for a bastard universe #hopes for a bastard spoilers

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hethrewmyheartinthecut · 6 years

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All right girl here you go. Virtues - fiercely protective and loyal, compassionate, good cook. Vices - too many to mention :) Year of the Goat.

@twistedrunes sorry this archenemy, fuckbuddy, best friend, soulmate request and I’m so sorry I didn’t just do it sooner but here it is, with me vaguely in there as a friend of yours because I am bored and wanna experiment w/ new styles:

Best friend: Polly. You strike me as a really friendly and supportive person to have around, and Polly needs that in her life; meanwhile, her iron will and no-fucks-given attitude really leads her to protect you in the rough streets of Small Heath. It’s a very complementary friendship. Sometimes she’ll get you presents and you know better than to ask where she got them from. In really dire moments, she’ll drop Finn off and not say why or when she’ll be back, and you’ll make him sandwiches and take him to the library. I work at the library and I give you great book recommendations to help Finn get interested in reading again. He’s not a huge fan, but he’s getting better at it. Polly appreciates everything you do, and she also gives you fashion tips.

Archenemy: Tommy. You’re fucking annoyed at him every time you meet him, and you can always feel a bit of tension between him and Polly, even though she loves him, and so you don’t trust him, either. You hear all the stories. You get the feeling that he resents your friendship with Polly, especially since you occasionally look after Finn even though you’re not technically “part of the family.” Honestly though, fuck that guy. You’re really too polite to have a knock down drag out fight with him over his passive aggressiveness, but goddamn if you don’t occasionally passive-aggressive right back at him every now and then when you come across each other in the hallway. You should have me over

Fuckbuddy: Alfie, Tatiana. Listen…listen. This is not how you usually do things, let’s make that clear. Like, they’re bad ideas. They really are! And yet, and yet, and yet. Polly invites you to one of these gorgeous fundraisers, said that if she’s going to put in all this work, she wants at least one person in the audience who can appreciate her good taste, and hey, free food, free booze. You steer clear of Tommy and straight into Alfie, spill champagne on his shirt, and, well. Tatiana just looks at the two of you and laughed. She was acting pretty drunk before this point, but when she laughs, you can tell from her sharp eyes that she’s more sober than she appears. Some sort of power play goes on with Tommy in some backroom as you blush and try to eat your feelings via two or three of the bonbons Polly had specially ordered, but then you disappear. I’m honestly not quite sure what happens next–I’m over in the corner having myself a chat with Esme–but I know you leave in a different car than the one you came in. With Alfie, or Tati, or with both? I don’t know. But the way you look the day after, I’m willing to bet you had orgasms in the multiple. Well done, you.

Soulmate: Jeremiah. It’s a long, slow, build with you two. He’s so hesitant after the loss of his first wife, and he doesn’t want to lead you on. He knows it’s not a life of palaces for you, being with him, but at the end of the day, he’s a good man, and specifically, he’s good to you. Kind, and gentle, and understanding. With so many stories about the wider world and everything that’s out there. He appreciates your friendly and compassionate nature, and you both find a lot of pleasure in a variety of different dates, ranging from the extremely laid-back (picnic, falling asleep in the afternoon sunshine) to the extremely…not (emergency first aid when Isaiah & his buddies come home all banged up). Speaking of Isaiah, it took you much less time to click with him than his dad; Isaiah wasn’t one of those kids that was sullen or held a grudge or fumed about things for a long time. He just looked you up and down, asked you a handful of rather intrusive questions, and then decided he liked you, as long as his dad was happy. While he focuses his community efforts on his church, you focus yours on early childhood education, and together you help out at a dog shelter. Y’all are so cute, I could die. Don’t mind me, I’m just over here getting into a fistfight with Michael over some dumb argument. But girl, I’m happy for you. The wedding’s gonna be amazing. I’ll be your sous chef and you can order me around the kitchen while we whip up stuff for the reception dinner, stuff so good that every single Shelby woman approves of it, even Polly, and Lizzie asks you for one of the recipes later. The honeymoon is set to be in Paris, and Jeremiah has already started to teach you the little French that he knows.

(Note: I started off like “ugh I gotta get this done” but by the end I GOT SO ATTACHED TO THIS OMFG YOU’RE ADORABLE)

#archenemy fuckbuddy best friend soulmate #ship request #twistedrunes #correspondence

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peaky-yamyam · 6 years

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The Call to Arms - A John Shelby Story (Act One)

<< Part One | Part Two: Cold Walks | Part Three >

1900

It was cold as they walked the streets to school, John’s legs erupting in goosebumps despite his thick socks as the first winds of autumn whipped around their ankles. Arthur had got his head down, his feet skipping rapidly to and fro every few seconds as he ran through silent boxing steps. Tommy was balancing along the very edge of the curb, his slender arms stretched out either side of him.

“Are you scared John?” he asked, his focus never faltering from his steps.

“No,” John retorted quickly, jogging a few paces to catch up with Arthur, as if being in his shadow would shield him from Tommy’s teasing. “Mom says she’s been told I’ll be fine.”

He didn’t miss Tommy’s glance to Arthur, his cheek caught between his teeth and his brows furrowed, but with a wave of his hand Arthur dismissed it and Tommy returned to his teasing.

“You are scared.”

“Am not.”

“Well you should be. The teachers are going to hate you. They’ll probably pick you out as soon as you walk in and give you the cane.”

John glanced up at Arthur for reassurance, but despite straightening up, it seemed he wasn’t paying attention to the conversation.

“They’ll have you practicing your letters till your fingers bleed and they won’t let you out for morning break,” Tommy added, hopping back onto the pavement so he could walk in line with John. “They’ll have your bread and jam as well so you go hungry, won’t they Arthur?”

The two older boys met eyes and with the slightest flicker of his lids Tommy had won Arthur round.

“Yeah Tom, especially if they catch his scuffed up shoes.”

“Stop it. You’re fibbing Tommy!” John said, a slight wobble to his voice despite trying to be brave at his eldest brother’s lack of support.

“Am not,” Tommy parroted back.

“You are! Arthur,” John pleaded tugging on Arthur’s sleeve until he gave in.

“Tommy, maybe you should leave it now? He’s already got himself into a state this morning.”

“You know it’s true though Arthur, John’s going to hate it.”

Another tug on Arthur’s sleeve and another wobble of his bottom lip and John had managed to pull Arthur back completely to his side. “Tom enough now, if he gets himself shit scared and won’t go in, I’m going to tell mom and dad it was all your fault.”

“Fine,” Tommy replied, his annoyance evident in his tight lipped expression, but the thought of dealing with their dad angry was enough to make him back down.

Tired of the chatter, Arthur turned his head back to boxing, his long legs quickly pacing him in front of Tommy and John.

“I wasn’t messing John I swear.”

“Tommy!” John whined, knowing now that Arthur was done trying to defend him.

“I wasn’t trying to scare you though… Only a little bit, but I really wanted you know what it’s like because Arthur didn’t tell me anything.” Tommy’s voice had softened and his piercing eyes held no hint of torment. “The teacher’s aren’t going to like you because you’re a Shelby and they don’t like us.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re gypsies.”

John had never realised their heritage would reflect negatively on them. He’d never questioned the trips to the countryside in the caravans, the songs and stories told around the fire or realised that being a gypsy could be considered a bad thing. He was innocent to it, ignorant to the looks and whispers that circulated behind their backs. Clearly Tommy had more of an idea than him.

“Why don’t they like gypsies?”

Tommy shrugged. “They say dad does what he does because he’s a gypsy.”

“What does dad do?”

“Not sure. Aunt Polly says it’s nothing to do with him being a gypsy though. She says dad’s just a fucking idiot, but other people don’t realise it. But he makes people really angry.”

“Dad’s angry,” John mumbled, making Tommy smile.

“Thomas what the fuck are you doing? What the fuck is all this mess?” Tommy imitated getting their father’s voice so perfect that John broke out in a fit of giggles which only served to spur Tommy on. “I swear to god Thomas, I’ll smack you so bloody hard you won’t sit for a week boy!”

“Tom, shut up!” Arthur called from ahead of them, never impressed by Tommy’s mocking of their father.

With a roll of his eyes and a snort Tommy ceased and held his hand out to stop John in his tracks, spinning him by the arm so they were face to face. “Sorry I scared you John-boy. They won’t make you write till your fingers bleed, you’re too little. They will give you the cane though, I bet a bag of suck on it. But it’s not too bad, just make sure you don’t cry. They like it when they make you cry.”

John nodded and pursed his lips, trying his hardest to mimic the stoic face he’d seen Tommy pull many times in front of their father.

“What about my bread and jam?” he asked, suddenly remembering the other threat Tommy had spoke about.

Rummaging in his satchel, Tommy pulled out his own neatly wrapped package. “You can have mine. Here,” he said, tucking into the inside pocket of John’s waistcoat. “They won’t find it there and then it won’t matter if they take yours.”

“What will you eat?”

“I’m alright, it’s Monday so Arthur will walk us to the suck shop at dinner break. Won’t you Arthur?” he shouted ahead.

Arthur shot back a mumble agreeance and Tommy turned with a broad smile to John.

“He will. Stay still,” he added, kneeling in front of John so he could buff the dirt from the toes of his shoes. “Give them one less thing to hit you for. Come on, let’s catch up.”

They both jogged forward to Arthur who had barely noticed their absence, nor acknowledged their playful grins, his focus more strongly directed the large gated building at the end of the street. “I’ll see you at twelve o’clock. Tommy remember what mom said. ‘Don’t-”

“Don’t forget to wait for John by the door. I know. See you later Arthur.”

“Good luck John, you’ll be fine.” With a quick wave Arthur was gone and before John could even begin to process what was happening, Tommy had led him through the gates.

“You need to go that way John,” he prompted, pointing to the side of the building where a collection of younger boys were waiting nervously.

Without thinking, John grabbed Tommy’s hand, squeezing tightly as to stop him escaping. He knew Tommy wouldn’t like it, especially not as he’d spotted Freddie walking over to them, but instead of being shoved away, Tommy squeezed it back.

“You’ll be alright John. Just remember, don’t cry. Or piss yourself.”

As Freddie got close enough to greet them, Tommy dropped John’s hand and suddenly he felt lonely and out of place, forced to walk toward the group of children alone, with little more than a smile from his brother. He patted the bread and jam squashed tight against chest and whispered Tommy’s words to himself.

“Don’t cry, don’t piss. Don’t cry, don’t piss.”

“Hello,” a chipper voice interrupted.”I like your hat.”

John pulled it further over his eyes, trying to cement it to his head in case the boy tried to steal it and examined him. Although he was wearing essentially the same clothes as John, they seemed too big and his shorts were thin and stained on the knees. His dark hair peeked from beneath his felt cap and his full cheeks were pink and ruddy in the cold. He was a little taller than John and bigger too, but he smiled a lot and John liked him instantly.

“ I’m Edward Sheffield. What’s your name?” Edward continued.

“John Shelby.”

“Was that your brother over there?”

“Yeah, his name’s Tommy,” John replied, relaxing the iron grip on his hat.

“His hat is nice too. Are you on your own as well?”

“Yes.”

“Want to walk in with me?”

“Okay.”

“I think we need to wait over here,” Edward said, throwing his arm around John’s shoulder and pulling him towards the door.

John smiled, with someone to walk through the doors with, the building seemed to shrink, the iron railings that surrounded the grounds seem to wither slightly and he noticed that there were no dark clouds hanging over them as he’d imagined. The hand on his shoulder melted away the loneliness his family’s absence had left and “don’t cry, don’t piss” seemed much more manageable.

All until he came face to face with Mr Bassett.

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#peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders fanfic #john shelby imagine #john shelby fanfic #peaky blinders fanfiction #john shelby fanfiction #the call to arms

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cathygeha · 3 years

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REVIEW

Up In Smoke by Annabeth Albert

Hot Shots #4

This book left a smile on my face. It was a steamy-sweet romance between two men that so deserved to find happiness. No major drama for the couple though taking on the care of an infant baby girl was definitely not easy…but so much easier together than it would have been for either to do alone. It almost had a fairytale feel to it and was perfect reading for me the day I read it!

What I liked: * That the backstories of the two men had commonalities

* That I felt both men were “equal” and brought qualities that would support the relationship

* That the two men communicated openly and maturely

* Shane: good brother, musician, loving uncle, has goals and dreams, a good person

* Brandt: firefighter, a bit of a rambler, professional, caring, team player, a good person

* The growth in both main characters

* How the two dealt with the situation they found themselves in

* That they were there for Jewel, the baby, and for one another

* That there was no major drama between the two men

* That it felt believable – mostly

* The fairytale feel of the story that might have been less believable but that was very nice indeed

* The happy ending

* Seeing/hearing about some of the characters from previous books in the series

* Wondering if there will be more books in the series

* That there was no “bad guy”

* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:

* Being reminded that firefighters have a tough life and that they sometimes die as a result of the job(s) they do.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Up in Smoke by Annabeth Albert is available in eBook, mass market paperback and audiobook formats on April 27th!

Book Description

Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career—and his own happiness—on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday—and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: he very well might be a dad.

Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind—even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.

Hotshots

Book 1: Burn Zone (available now!)

Book 2: High Heat (available now!)

Book 3: Feel the Fire (available now!)

Book 4: Up in Smoke (coming April 27)

Read on for an excerpt from Up in Smoke.

Brandt’s deep chuckle rumbled straight through Shane. Damn. This was torture. Then the other man wrapped an arm around Shane, positioning his muscled forearm where Shane could see his fancy-looking watch gadget. “Now this is my altimeter. It tells me when we’re at five thousand feet and ready to deploy the chute.”

“Got it.” Shane wasn’t about to study that meaty arm any more than he absolutely had to.

“Okay, it’s go time.” Dallas’s voice echoed though the room. Brandt quickly unclipped them, but as soon as he stepped away, Shane’s pulse kicked up. Maybe he couldn’t do this. Jump out of a plane? Who was he kidding? He was a ground dweller, through and through.

Right when he was about to turn away, though, Brandt grabbed his biceps. “Nerves hitting you? Trust me. You’ll be just fine. I haven’t lost a jumper yet.”

Shane barked out a laugh. “Not exactly making me feel better.”

“Listen, I can tell you all day about how awesome this is.” Brandt looked him dead in the eyes, gaze serious for once, all his charm turned to raw intensity. “But until you do it, you’re gonna think it’s all BS. Sometimes you gotta take a leap of faith.”

“Not very good at those,” Shane admitted quietly as he stepped free of the other guy’s grip. He couldn’t keep meeting his eyes either. Too much power there, like a shot with an extra kick.

“Okay. You want me to tell Dallas you want out?”

A yes was right there on the tip of Shane’s tongue, but then he heard Shelby’s laugh ring out. She’d love it if he chickened out. Not only would she get bragging rights for all of eternity, she’d get what she’d wanted and get to go with Brandt. And for whatever reason, Shane hated that most of all. “Nah. I’m going.”

He white-knuckled his way out to the small plane, spared a nod for the female pilot, and squished his eyes shut until Shelby jostled him into looking at the valley underneath them, the green canopy of the national forest contrasting with the pristine blue sky. Random snippets of lyrics danced through Shane’s head, ways that he might try to describe this view. But then, right as he was settling into something resembling comfort, everyone started shuffling around, getting ready to go. The wind rushed in as the hatch opened, and a full-body shiver raced through Shane.

Then Shelby gave him and Brandt one last coy grin before she and Dallas were away, her whoop echoing across the sky.

“Ready? Here we go.” Brandt nudged Shane closer to the open hatch. Shane wanted to say no, wanted to drag their clipped-together bodies back inside the plane, wanted to both hurl and yell. But in the end, all he could do was nod. Only one way down.

His knees had locked up even as his thighs trembled. Behind him, Brandt was sure and solid. He could push Shane out the hatch pretty easily, but he didn’t. He was letting it be Shane’s choice. And somehow that patience and restraint gave Shane a jolt of courage. One step into nothingness. That was all it took.

Brandt was right behind him, smooth as if they were on a dance floor, not open sky. And now they were falling. Falling so fast. Faster than a car on the interstate with the windows all down, faster than a dirt bike on a steep incline, faster than the whoosh down a water slide. There was no describing the feeling of the wind on his cheeks, the roar in his ears, the shout that probably belonged to him, the adrenaline that crashed through him as he tried to remember what they’d practiced about positioning. Damn. Hard to think.

Which was funny because that was the one thing he was good at. Shelby was forever teasing him about overthinking. But now, his brain couldn’t even pull two words together as they rushed through the air. Brandt yelled something, but Shane was too busy hurtling through the sky to focus on it. And then he was pulled backwards, a hard yank as the parachute deployed. No more freefall. And the oh-my-God-about-to-die adrenaline quieted enough that he could look down, really look.

“Oh my word. It’s… .”

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Brandt’s voice was deep and rich, like warm honey over Shane’s still jangling nerves. Now that the air wasn’t rushing so fast, he could hear him better. Almost too much better, because it felt like they were soaking up each other’s awe and wonder. Sharing something warm and tender and perfect.

“Yeah.”

“Nothing like it.” Brandt whistled low, a sound that hit Shane somewhere soft. “Never gonna get tired of this view.”

“Me either.” Shane almost didn’t recognize his own voice, up this high, this far removed from everything that usually weighed him down.

“Hey, Superman. You want a turn steering?” Brandt didn’t wait for Shane to reply, grabbing his arms, guiding his hands.

“Whoa. Wow. I’m doing it. Look at us.” They swooped gently from side to side, and it was quite possibly the best feeling Shane had ever experienced.

“Look at you. Didn’t know your smile muscles even worked.”

“Screw you. I can smile.” Shane was feeling so good that he had to laugh.

“Well, then get ready. The landing crew will snap your pic as we land. It’s your rock-star moment.”

“Feels like it,” he said right before Brandt took over and set them down softly in a clearing, barely even jarring Shane’s knees. “Damn. That was…”

“It was something.” Brandt was looking right at him, like he could see straight through Shane’s layers, strip him bare. And Shane held his gaze, held the moment as long as he could.

Add Up in Smoke to your Goodreads!

Buy Up in Smoke by Annabeth Albert

Harlequin.com: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335484727_up-in-smoke.html

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335484727

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Up-in-Smoke-Paperback-9781335484727/771807836

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Up-Smoke-Firefighter-Romance-Hotshots-ebook/dp/B08K3GLM91

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/up-in-smoke-annabeth-albert/1138801894

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/up-in-smoke/id1533416234

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Annabeth_Albert_Up_in_Smoke?id=EEv_DwAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/up-in-smoke-27

About Annabeth Albert

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

Connect with Annabeth Albert

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabeth_albert/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert

#Annabeth Albert #Hot Shots 4 #LGBTQIA #Romance #Fiction #Fire Fighters

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olookitsrosa · 6 years

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On the Town

Hi everyone! This is my first theatre review on this blog so I hope you enjoy!

On the Town

On March 24th I went to my old high school, Central Regional High School, and saw the production of On the Town (Book and lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, Music by Leonard Bernstein). I went to support many for my highschool friends and my little brother, who is performing in his first high school play.

On the Town is a story about three sailors who have 24 hours in New York before they have to leave to go back to the navy. When they were on the train, young sailor Chip (junior Jake Wilfrid) raves about seeing all the sights and visiting every street in New York. His two friends, Gabey (senior Adam Plaza) and Ozzie (junior Jake Hamstra) roll their eyes at him. In the midst of their conversation, they are rudely interrupted by a person on the train (my brother) that talks about Ivy Smith, the winner of the June “Miss Turnstile” competition. The three sailors then spend the next 24 hours looking for Miss Ivy Smith. Along the way, Chip meets Miss Hildy Esterhazy (senior Bri Dorso) and Ozzie meets Miss Claire DeLoone (junior Shannon O’Connell). The five of them search New York City all day and all night until they finally meet at Coney Island.

In a long journey of cop chases, age appropriate strippers, and basic musical theatre choreography, On The Town has a spot in my heart. When walking into the theatre you are greeted by the proscenium stage that wasn’t lit but you could still see the playing space. On the railings on both sides of the stage was a city skyline. However, there was no information about the plot of the show itself in the playbill to help understand the time era of the play, though you can tell it could be taking place in New York by the song title “New York, New York” although you can’t make the assumption that this is where it takes place.

I thought the principles in this show were very well played by the actors. Their chemistry was undeniably realistic and you can tell these actors worked hard on their relationships. The singing, however, could use a little more work in the Tenor department. Some of the notes were a little bit too high for some of these baritone based boys. The girls however, blew me away by their belting, including the music teacher, Madame Dilly (Junior Shelby Morris), Diamond Eddie’s main girl, (sophomore Marcella Raiola), Diana Dream (junior Marlene Fernandez), and Senorita Dolores Dolores (junior Sam Seiser) . Who knew that such small girls had such a big voice?

The acting by the ensemble, however, could use some work. In high schools, directors typically cast everyone in ensemble and they don’t make cuts unless it’s due to lack of attendance, so ensemble acting, singing, and dancing, typically isn’t broadway material. Lots of the ensemble are more experienced than the rest so they had small speaking, singing and dancing solos, but others would be placed in the back row or just single the ensemble parts. Some of the ensemble speaking parts such as Flossie (Freshman Cassidy Martin) and Flossie’s Friend (junior Jessica Bryk) were super hilarious, any time these two appeared on the stage, I knew I was going to laugh.

The only negatives I have about this play were mostly music, tech, and dancing based. The acting was phenomenal by all the leads, supporting, and featured characters. The ensemble at times looked very bored however not too noticeable unless you were specifically looking at them like I was, however, they did not pull attention away from the scene. The music in the show dragged on for way too long, of course this isn’t the actor’s fault, it was the composer’s, and the orchestra played them as written, I just felt like it was too long and drawn out at points. However the dancing didn’t make the drawn out instrumentals any better. For some of the singing songs that drawn out too long I was able to disregard it and focus on the actor’s vocal technique but for the instrumentals there was nothing but dancing.

I’ve been seeing shows at Central for the past 5-6 years and four of those years with the same choreographer, and with the same choreographer comes the same choreography. Unless you’re an avid musical theatre watcher and performer at Central Regional High School, like myself, you won’t be able to notice the same sashay-ball change technique used in every big ensemble number, or the dramatic lift sequence used in the big lead couple duet dance, and we can’t forget about the classic kick-line! In some of the big ensemble numbers, the less experienced group of kids were not on time and it was only noticeable to me because I was looking for it, the kids that had no rhythm were also strategically placed in the back. The microphone’s also had a lot of issues, when the kids would get too close to the speakers it would have an awful feedback that would shake your brain around.

The overall conclusion that I have for this play is that it was a very well done high school production. There wasn’t specifically any bad parts that I could recall and the play to me seemed very well executed and very mature for high schoolers. I would definitely go see another production of this play. I am also very proud of all the kids that I grew up with, have done shows with, and taught, and I’m very excited to see where they go in the future.

#theatre #theater #theater reviews #high school theatre #high school theater #on the town #musical

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ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes · 4 years

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Blue Eyes Part 9

Summary: After the Garrison is shot up, the youngest Shelby daughter finds a new home in London. She strips herself of her last name and tries to live a peaceful life far away from her brothers’ chaos in Birmingham. But fate leads her right back into it after she runs into Alfie Solomons.

Part 9: While Tommy’s healing, he’s plotting and inexplicably brings both Alfie and Ella into his plan.

“I don’t want to go back,” Ella whispered to Alfie.

Six simple words that led Alfie to shelter her in his big coat and escort her out to the car. After requesting to be brought back to his flat, they were quiet during the drive. But he kept a comforting hand over hers. They arrived and Alfie helped Ella step out of the car. He wished his driver a good night and led her inside.

Cyril was ecstatic to see the young woman again. It had been so long since he’d seen her. His tail was practically a blur from wagging so fast. He trotted up to her and pushed his face against her hand, itching for a pat.

Ella smiled and fussed over him for a few minutes, cooing softly to him and ruffling his ears.

Alfie took his coat from her shoulders, hanging it up and retiring to the kitchen. “Want me to put the kettle on?” He offered.

“Sure.” She responded and made her way into the parlor, Cyril following at her heels. She’d only ever been in the front room of Alfie’s flat. It was very interesting to finally see inside his personal space. You could tell a lot about a person by their home. Even little bits that they themselves didn’t notice. Habits they hardly even realized anymore.

Alfie was far neater than she was. Maybe it was because he was always working and hardly ever home to make a mess. The room was fairly sparse. Cyril jumped up onto a well-loved couch that the large dog decided to claim as his own. His long legs sprawling out as he fit into the perfect mold he’d created in the cushions.

Ella continued wandering around the room, passing by the tall bookshelf. She’d never been much of a reader. She learned her alphabet and arithmetic in the betting shop. Her brothers would often tease Ada for being a bookworm and she didn’t want to be made fun of either. So she pretended she was too tough for school and anything that came with it, including reading. But she secretly adored when Ada would read to her at night.

Her fingers grazed across the bookshelf as she ambled over to a large but handsome looking radio. One that was surely top of the line. She smiled because she never imagined Alfie listening to music in his free time. They’d go to the club together but he never mentioned ever enjoying what the bands played. Toying with the dials for a moment, she wondered what sort of music he listened to. Classical would surely bore him, wouldn’t it? A man who got his kicks from large amounts of money and guns. But she couldn’t picture him listening to popular jazz music either. He wasn’t one to follow trends of the modern age. He was so deeply set in his ways.

“Here we are.” He entered the room and set down two teacups. “Cyril…” He rolled his eyes at the dog that had taken up the entirety of the couch. But he had too big of a soft spot for the mutt that he didn’t shoo him off.

Ella knelt down and started tuning through the radio waves to find a clear music station.

“Hardly use that thing.” He admitted, lingering behind her. “Waste of fucking money.”

When she found a good song, she stood up and turned to face him. “I don’t think so.” She smiled and stepped toward him.

“Yeah, why’s that?” Like a magnet, she drew him closer. It became instinct, upon hearing music, to automatically take one hand and rest another on her waist.

She melted into his embrace, wrapping an arm around his neck and resting her cheek on his chest. “Because what else would we dance to?”

His chuckle sent vibrations through her. “S’pose that’s a good enough reason.”

They fell quiet, simply listening to the music and swaying together, somewhat out of sync from the song. It was their own rhythm that they found together. It was enough to push out the rest of the world. For at least one song, they could pretend like everything was okay. There was no harm or foul being so close. She wasn’t a Shelby, she was simply Ella and he was simply Alfie.

After at least five songs, and long after Cyril had fallen asleep on the couch, Alfie’s lips grazed over Ella’s ear. “Should take you home, love.” He murmured. “Getting late.”

“I am home.” She replied stubbornly.

He really wished she were home there in his arms. Forever nearby. “I’m sorry.”

“Just one more song.” She pled. Both of them were aware there wasn’t much they could do about the reality that awaited them outside. Still, Alfie didn’t have the heart to tell her no. So they danced one more song.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Tommy was released from the hospital, he returned to Arrow House and requested Ella follow. She insisted she had a job to keep but he assured her the law firm wouldn’t dream of firing her.

“Are you saying you lot are threatening them?” She retorted sternly and helped Tommy tug on his coat.

“Don’t need to.” He shakily stood and took Ella’s hand for support. "Don't need to threaten anyone, El."

Since Tommy would be on his own at Arrow House, Ella decided it might be a good idea to accompany him even for a week. She wanted to help tend to Charlie and make sure that her brother was healing. Their siblings were all too busy with their jobs regarding the upcoming robbery so it was left to Ella and the staff of Arrow House to take care of him in the last stages of his recovery.

Being in Warwickshire allowed Ella to clear her head. Being away from London’s smoke and soot and breathing in some clean air did wonders for the brain. She thought about the shit her brothers were getting into and how it affected her and the rest of the family. Whether it was fair or not really wasn’t an issue anymore. They’d done what they’d done and now they’d all have to deal with the consequences.

Ella knew that it was nearly impossible to escape the reality of her family. Unless she skipped across the Pond and established herself a new life somewhere in Boston or New York. Maybe even as far as California. But she would miss everyone far too much, Alfie included.

So perhaps it was wiser to simply find her niche in the Shelby world. Tommy could have his fun but she could establish herself as a Shelby too. A Shelby who decided her own fate. And if she damn well wanted that fate to include Alfie Solomons, then she would. Tommy and the rest of them would just have to deal with it. She had plenty of ammunition to retaliate with if they ever tried giving her shit.

She just needed to convince Alfie that they could find their way in such a chaotic world.

Weeks passed and Tommy recovered steadily. Ella had fun bonding with her young nephew and spending time with the dappled gray that she had nicknamed Bean for the little bean-shaped mark on his chest.

Tommy rolled his eyes whenever she called the gelding that but never protested. He was just glad his sister was sticking around. Things were about to get more complicated but he needed to get the ball rolling. He wanted that damn priest dead and wanted his share of what Tatiana promised him.

One of his more difficult bits was approaching and he wanted Ella to be there instead of hearing about it later. Bad blood would have to be put aside and that wasn’t a strong suit in his family, especially for Arthur. Maybe the Christianity thing would help.

~~~~~~~~~

“El, I’m going to sit outside for a bit!” Tommy called upstairs.

“Oh,” His sister came to the top of the stairs. “I have the paper, do you want it?” She asked.

He grimaced. He’d already tried reading the paper that morning but was unsuccessful. Something from the injury messed with his eyesight and he couldn’t make out any of the printed words. “No, thank you. Just going to enjoy the sun.”

“I saw Johnny outside, has he brought a new horse?” She wondered hopefully.

“’Fraid not. Here on different business.” He explained. “Charlie’s up, right?” He asked.

“I think he’s with Mary. He’s been pestering her all morning for sweets.” Ella walked down the stairs with the newspaper in hand.

Her brother chuckled. “Cheeky rascal.” He shook his head and started to make his way towards the patio door. “He’s starting to act like you. Wonder why.”

Ella grinned and followed him. “I have no idea what you’re on about.” She paused in the hallway. She noticed Johnny Dogs out in the lawn, basking in the dull English sun. “Business ‘bout the robbery?” She wondered.

“Putting things into motion.” He nodded.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek and rolled the newspaper up to occupy her hands. “Are you going to need me to do anything?”

“Not unless you want a job. Rather keep you out of this one.”

She lingered by a portrait of one of Tommy’s racehorses. “I’ve been thinking, Tom. Maybe…if there’s something I can do.”

He held up a hand to stop her. “No need. Things are already planned.” He assured her vaguely. But he didn’t elaborate any further. Instead, he opened the glass French doors to step outside.

“What do you mean?”

“All in due time.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Worried that Tommy acquired more brain damage than previously believed, Ella lingered on the first floor of the manor. Charlie was still with Mary so she didn’t have to look after him. She was too confused by Tommy’s hint to really focus her energy on anything.

A knock at the front door officially sparked Tommy’s plan. Mary opened the door but passed by Ella as she was going to alert Tommy.

“Who’s here?” The younger Shelby wondered.

The maid looked perplexed. “Your brothers are downstairs, but there’s another man who’s arrived asking for Tommy.” She answered.

“Huh.” Ella walked by Mary, letting her outside. She made her way into the front room and was stunned to see who was standing there. “Alfie…”

The man turned away from the many portraits on the wall adjoining the stairs. He looked just as surprised to see her. “El…”

“I uh-” She paused and tried to dig up some words. But it had been nearly a month since she last saw him. All the while she was thinking about him nonstop. “Tommy didn’t tell me you’d be here.”

“I thought you were in London.” He admitted. “Tried calling you.”

Her lips parted and she suddenly felt stupid for failing to tell him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d be here this long. You…you tried calling me?”

A sheepish smile crossed his face and he tilted his head to the side. “Well, s’pose we left things a bit open-ended.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to complicate things.” She ushered him into the big room to talk. “But I’ve been thinking.”

Alfie wandered over to the window next to Tommy’s leather desk chair while she sat. “What’ve you been thinking ‘bout?” He wondered.

“If I must be a Shelby, then that’s what I’ll be.” Ella crossed her ankles and held her chin high. “But that doesn’t mean my brothers control me.”

His blue eyes studied her face, overshadowed by the brim of his hat. “That’s brave of you, innit?”

“Think I’m brave to still want you too?”

He chuckled and ran a hand over his beard. “Extremely brave.”

“Then I’m brave.” She spoke softly. “But I don’t care. S’long as I’ve got you.”

The gangster took a big breath, his broad shoulders lifting a weighted burden along with the inhale. He opened his mouth to speak but Tommy decided at that moment to walk in.

“Ah, good, you’re both here.” He nodded complacently and went for the liquor table.

Ella raised an eyebrow. It was a strangely calm reaction from her brother after seeing her with Alfie. “You’re not supposed to be drinking.” She reminded him. "Not with the medication you're taking."

“El, do you mind giving Mr. Solomons and me a moment alone?” He ignored the concern about the whiskey in his hand. He also failed to mention he wasn't taking the medication prescribed by the doctor.

She glanced at Alfie who looked similarly confused. But the Jewish man nodded subtly. “Okay…” She stood and left the room, heading downstairs to greet John, Arthur, and her cousin.

~~~~~~~~~~

Tommy poured himself a drink and held out the bottle to Alfie. “Drink?”

“Nah, don’t touch it, mate.” Alfie tried to shake off the feeling of seeing Ella. He couldn’t be in that mindset while conducting business, especially with someone as shrewd and cutthroat as Tommy. “Why’m I here, Tommy?” He asked bluntly.

“Do you know something, Alfie, This morning I tried to read the paper and I realized that the only consequence of my terrible accident is that I now need glasses.”

Alfie furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “Right…” He walked around the desk and sat down next to the Shelby man. “Well, I know a man who can make you a pair of these.” He held up the glasses that always hung around his neck. “He’s a magician, mate. Not only will you be able to read your newspaper but you will also be able to see the future. Now I know this, ‘cause he made me this pair here. And I’ve seen what you’ve been up to.” He leaned back and dropped his glasses. “You’ve been fucking with Russians, aye? Silly boy.” He spat sternly.

Tommy just looked mildly amused. “If you can see the future, Mr. Solomons, then you’d know what I’m about to offer you next.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

After greeting her brothers, Ella sat on the stairs fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. She couldn’t hear what Tommy and Alfie were talking about and she was growing increasingly nervous.

There was the sound of a bell and a few moments later, John, Arthur, Michael, and Johnny came up from the kitchen. Johnny smiled and tousled her hair affectionately before entering the big room. She smiled weakly and stood up.

Arthur was last to walk in the room but after only half a second in there, he turned around to exit. His sister looked confused before she heard Tommy beckoning their eldest brother back inside.

He glanced at Ella for a moment, debating ignoring his brother. He huffed out a sigh before turning back around and going into the room, closing the door behind him.

Ella frowned and wondered if she was still asleep and just having a strange dream. What an odd day. She sat back down on the stairs and waited for the door to open again. Instead, less than five minutes later, she heard Arthur and John loudly protesting something.

“Are you fucking mad?”

“What the fuck? You’re kidding, right? You're just having a laugh.”

Alarmed, Ella stood up and reached for the door handle. It turned before she could get to it and Arthur threw open the door.

“Arthur, come back,” Tommy commanded in a stern voice.

“No, you think this is a fucking game? You’re going to hand her over like she’s one of your horses?” He shouted in response.

“What’s going on?” Ella demanded, raising her voice to be heard over them.

John looked ready to strangle Tommy. “They really fucked up tryna put that brain of yours back together!” He snarled.

Ella pushed her way into the study and saw Alfie sitting by the desk. The man looked out of words, something extremely rare in the presence of Tommy Shelby. He always seemed to have something to say to the Blinder. “What’s going on?” She asked again.

“He’s going to pawn you off like he did to me!” John answered angrily.

“What?”

Alfie slowly stood, his blue eyes flicking to her and back to Tommy. He simply shook his head and walked out of the room without another word.

“Tom…”

Her brother finished off a cigarette. “You’re getting what you want, El. I’ve offered a union between the Camden Jews and us.”

Ella’s stomach dropped in realization. He was going through with what she mentioned to him. He was going to arrange her marriage to Alfie. “Wh-why?” She had no idea what to feel at that moment. So many emotions mixed together to create something inside that made her entire body go stiff.

“Because he’s drunk with power!” Arthur yelled.

Tommy didn’t seem too bothered by his brothers shouting left and right. He maintained eye contact with his sister. “Because I can’t have him double-crossing me this time.” He said steadily. "He's not going to fuck me over, not with so much on the line."

Confused tears started to form in her eyes. “So you’re leveraging a deal with me as some collateral damage?”

“You wanted to be with him, you’re getting your wish.”

It infuriated her to no end that he kept his stony composure, not even showing a lick of emotion. “Fuck off.” She spat and left the room before she further deepened the rift in their already fragile relationship.

~~~~~~~~~~~

She hurried outside to find Alfie walking towards his car waiting in the drive. “Alfie!”

He stopped and turned. “El, I don’t know what to fucking say.” He muttered in an apologetic tone. “I didn’t know he’d pull something like this.”

“Well, he didn’t tell me either so that makes the two of us.” Ella crossed her arms over her chest. “But I…” She sighed and shook her head. Her mind was a mess.

“I want to be with you, love.” He whispered, his forehead creased in concern. “But I ain’t doing it on Tommy Fucking Shelby’s terms.” He jabbed a finger angrily towards the house.

“W-we can do it on our terms.” She stammered. “It doesn’t matter what he says. We’ll do it our own way!” She stepped towards him.

“You saw their fucking reaction, Ella!” He laughed bitterly and threw up his hands. “Think I want to marry into that? Not to mention you ain’t even Jewish.”

She recoiled a bit. “I didn’t know that would be an issue.”

Wearily, he ran a hand over his face. “There are a lot of issues, love. Lots of fucking issues. I can’t…I need to take some time. Tell your brother I’ll help him with the jewelry but as far as that there ain’t anything else I can do right now.” He opened the car door.

“So you’re going to leave me here?” She demanded, her voice rising in pitch. “What does it matter what they think? When did Alfie Solomons care what other people thought?”

“Call me when you’re back in London.” He replied. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing else he could do. He loved Ella more than he could ever express to her. But he wasn’t going to jump when Tommy Shelby commanded him to. There was no way he’d marry her in a business transaction.

So he closed the car door and instructed his driver to bring him back to London. Leaving Ella standing in the driveway.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Tommy wouldn’t miss his Bentley. Or at least he wouldn’t miss it until he noticed it was gone. Disappeared from the garage along with his sister. Despite his brain injury, Tommy was convinced Ella was the source of all his migraines.

“That fucking girl is going to put me in an early grave.” He muttered with a cigarette already in his mouth. Mary had just reported that the Bentley was seen driving away by one of the stable hands.

Arthur was still cooling off after the inflammatory meeting. He held a glass of whiskey so tightly in his hand it seemed like just seconds away from shattering. His foot tapped impatiently on the floor, hard eyes staring across the room. His face was still slightly red from shouting. “Where’d she go?” He demanded.

“How would I know, Arthur?” His younger brother replied and leaned against his desk. “Probably skipped back to London after you lot were screaming.”

The eldest Shelby let out a sarcastic bark of a laugh. “We’re the ones that drove her away? John and I? Really? Don’t fucking think it was that you were trying to dangle her in front of that psychopath like bait?” He growled.

“Arthur…”

He slammed his glass down and stood up, ready for round two of an argument. “She can get over him but you’ve got to keep pushing the issue. Luring her back to him to help you out with business?” He jabbed a finger at him.

Tommy just calmly blew out a breath of smoke. “This deal with the Russians is more dangerous than I think you realize. She’s going to keep going back to her. Look at us, aye? Family of addicts. She won’t quit him and he won’t quit her. Might as well speed up the process and get to the point to where he’s family. We’ll be bound by blood and he won’t dare to cross us.”

Arthur made a disgruntled noise to the notion of Alfie ever becoming blood. “He’ll fucking break her heart, you want that to happen?”

“He wouldn’t do anything of the sorts. He’s weak for her, Arthur, anyone could see that.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What the fuck are you on about?”

Tommy took a drag of his cigarette before explaining himself. “After I caught them together, I went to Camden to tell him to stay away from her. He pulled a gun on me but didn’t shoot.”

“Didn’t shoot you ‘cause he knew what would fucking happen if he did.” Arthur didn’t see the correlation.

“Exactly. Ella would never give him the time of day if he shot her brother. She’s got a hold on him, like nothing I’ve seen before. So excuse me for trying to make sure the man doesn’t use this robbery for his own personal gain.”

Arthur felt his stomach churn. “You’re using your own sister to drive a man to his knees.” He spoke with a hint of disgust behind his voice.

“Considering what I’ve done, I think it’s pretty mild.”

“Oh fuck off.” He spat and returned to his seat on the couch. With an angry swig, he finished the whiskey. “So she’s gone off to find him.”

“People in love are fairly predictable.” Tommy finished off his cigarette and went to get himself a whiskey and to refill his brother’s glass.

Arthur snorted. “Love, ain’t never gonna convince me that that animal could love anyone.”

“I’m sure he’d say the same about us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

��As Tommy predicted, Ella drove the Bentley right to Alfie’s. She was relentless, banging on the door. It was hard to pin down the exact emotion she felt. There was anger for her brother’s audacity, defeat when Alfie left her, confusion because she didn’t know what she wanted anymore, and overall exhaustion.

Alfie knew who was at the door but answered it anyway. He wasn’t going to leave her standing outside in Camden Town. Plus, Cyril was barking up a storm when he heard the knocking. Perhaps the mastiff knew who was on the front stoop as well.

Upon opening the door, Ella inundated him with a strange question. “How do I convert?”

He frowned and grabbed Cyril’s leather collar before the massive dog could go bounding out of the flat. “Pardon?” He had no idea what she was talking about.

“You said since I’m not Jewish it wouldn’t work out, we wouldn’t be able to get married. How do I convert? How do I become Jewish?” She repeated herself.

Alfie sighed and ran a hand over his face. These Shelbys were relentless. So was Cyril, who was practically choking himself on the collar trying to get to Ella. “Fucking hell, just come in.” He said so his dog wouldn’t suffocate himself.

Ella stepped inside and knelt down to greet the excited Cyril.

Alfie sat on the stairs and took a deep breath. “Love, I don’t want you to convert.”

“Why not? Wouldn’t that make things easier? I wouldn’t be a Traveler girl. I-I could be Jewish and no one would care if we got married. Anything I have to do, I’ll do it for you.” She insisted. Her blue eyes looking up at him with a glimmer of sadness.

It made his gut wrench. He’d left this woman, a woman who was willing to change religions for him, alone and without explanation. “I ‘ppreciate that, Ella, really I do.”

“Don’t…don’t say that it wouldn’t work out.” She begged quietly and stood up. She stepped in front of him and reached for his hands. “It could, Alfie.”

He took her hands, encasing them in his calloused hands and bringing them to his lips. His eyes closed for a moment and he took in her familiar scent. He wanted it to envelop his flat, take over so he would become so accustomed to it that he would notice when she wasn’t around. Wanted to sense it on the pillow beside him, in the sheets, on the couch by the radio. The rose and honey aroma he craved to have permeate his very existence. Wanting it to linger even when she was gone.

“S’pose I told you I wanted to adopt your way of life. Said fuck it and became a gypsy. Converted, were a Catholic like your aunt.” He looked up to her. “That wouldn’t really be me, now would it? Your kin would still think of me as that Jewish man.”

Ella swallowed because she knew what he was getting at. That she could convert to Judaism but she would still be an outsider. “Then how can we make it work?” She usually didn’t like to accept defeat, just like her brothers and just like Alfie. In a lot of ways, they were all on the wavelength but there were still huge obstacles that separated them.

“I love you.” Alfie prefaced and opened his hands to gently kiss her knuckles. “I do, El, but what your brother is doing is…well s’fucking insane, innit?”

“I didn’t ask what Tommy did. I know what he did. I’m asking what we’re going to do.” She insisted.

His eyes were steady on her and he lifted a hand to cup her cheek. “If I said fuck tradition, right, fuck Jewish law, and we got married tomorrow, Tommy gets it his way. He gets me, yeah, in a fucking headlock, don’t he?”

“That’s not how it has to be. He is not a part of this relationship!” Ella grew increasingly frustrated.

“But he just made himself a part of it. By giving me your hand like he were giving me some sort of contract to sign. I marry you, right, and he gets to hold that against me whenever he fucking pleases.”

She bit her lip until she tasted blood on her tongue. “I can tell him to forget it. Forget the deal, forget everything. We don’t have to get married tomorrow, but I want to be with you.” Stubborn as a mule, she persisted on.

“I want you too.” He admitted and smoothed his thumb over her cheekbone. “We can work something out.” It would be nearly impossible to turn her away. He’d done it more than once and it physically pained him to see the look of betrayal on her beautiful face. The tears in those Shelby eyes. “We can be together here and me business with Tommy can be separate. He don’t even have to know.”

Ella got a bad taste in her mouth and she wrinkled her nose. “So I’ll just be your whore?”

“What?”

“The woman who comes by every so often, never causing a fuss, never taking her ‘round the people you love and care about or being around the people she loves and cares about.”

“Ella, for Christ’s sake what do you want from me?” He raised his voice in frustration. Dropping his hand from her face and looking up to the ceiling as if searching for answers. “I tell you I love you but that ain’t enough? You want me to have fucking tea with your brothers twice a week, play nice, be in all the family portraits, why don’t I just change me last name to Shelby. Would that make you fucking happy?”

“Don’t yell at me!” She snapped back at him. “You can tell me you love me all you want but given the opportunity to marry me, you balk! Love is just a word, Alfie, it loses its meaning the more you keep saying it and keep doing nothing to back it up!”

The gangster pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned as if the conversation was causing him enormous pain. “That wasn’t a marriage proposal, Ella, that was a business proposal. You want that to be the story you tell your kids? How mum and dad got together? Oh me fucking brother chucked me onto the auction block and Alfie Solomons took home the prize!” He announced sarcastically, throwing his arms up. “Tommy don’t fucking care about your feelings!”

“Yes, he does!” She shouted tearfully. “What do you know?”

“If he cared then he would’ve given us his blessing, right, ‘stead of an ultimatum. Marry me sister but never fuck with me again or you’ll be sorry.” Alfie laughed bitterly.

“Why would you even want to do that? You and Tommy aren’t fighting anymore, you don’t have to double-cross him. Things could work out, you just keep focusing on the wrong part of it!”

He bit his tongue, actually thinking before he spoke which wasn’t typical. But he couldn’t tell her that he had buyers lined up for whatever he’d find in that jewelry vault. Buyers that Tommy had no idea about. Buyers who were well aware of the robbery and would exploit it in a heartbeat. It was far too late to take that back even if he did agree to Tommy’s terms. Everything would backfire in his face in the end. Maybe that’s why he turned her down. “Things you don’t understand, El. Things you ain’t ever gonna understand. You can bounce back and forth ‘tween Birmingham and London but you still won’t understand the things your brother and I do.”

Ella fought against her instinct to burst into tears. It would only prove his point that she was just a naïve woman who didn’t know anything. “I…” Her ability to speak started to deteriorate in front of her. She felt scorned, taken advantage of by her brothers and Alfie. Lined up for failure, poised to hit a brick wall. None of it was fair. But she couldn’t go crying around about things being unfair. Or she’d just be little baby Ella who thought the world was always against her. Poor baby Ella. Doesn’t understand the real world.

“Well, I’ll tell Tommy that he can take his offer and shove it.” She muttered and turned away. Cyril was sitting near the stairs, his sad eyes following her as she went for the door. “Told you I’d do anything for you and now I know you’d do absolutely fuck all for me.” This time, she left Alfie alone. Sitting on the steps, forced to listen to the door slam closed. Forced to sense her perfume fading away.

~~~~~~~~~

It was late afternoon when Ella returned the Bentley to Warwickshire. She parked it up front and kicked the door closed with a frustrated grunt.

Tommy was waiting by the front door, having seen his missing car pull up the gravel drive moments earlier from his study window. His hands were deep in his pockets, eyes watching her mumbled obscenities under her breath all the way to the front door.

She passed by him, shoving her shoulder forcefully against his. Pushing her way into the big room and going right for the liquor cabinet.

He silently followed her. Taking in her upset nature as she disregarded a glass and grabbed his most expensive whiskey, popping the cork and drinking right from the bottle.

She didn’t need him to start up the conversation. “So this is my life now.” She said between large drinks from the bottle. “Yo-yoing back and forth between Alfie Solomons. Dealing with me fucking brothers. That’s it. God fuck it all.”

Tommy sat there without speaking for a moment, letting her go on if she needed. Instead, she just kept drinking. Finally, he had to step in and pry the bottle out of her hands. “C’mon now.” He scolded sternly when she went to take it back from him. “Guess what, you were born into this family. Sorry, that’s what fate gave you. You fell in love with a man like Alfie. Can’t tell you why. But you’re a Shelby.” He reminded her firmly. “You play the hand you’ve been dealt. We were born into nothing. Barely enough to eat. You wore all of our hand-me-downs, not just Ada’s. You wore Arthur’s old shirts as nightgowns. We lost mum before you could even know her. Our father beat us while you and Ada and Finn were there crying your eyes out in the room.”

Ella’s throat tightened and she finally let the tears she’d been holding in front of Alfie began to flow freely down her cheeks.

“But we kept surviving. We did what we had to do and now look where we are now. Look what you’re wearing and what you’ve got. I promised you all that I would take care of this family until the day you burn me body. You may not understand my methods or question if what I’m doing is good. But that doesn’t matter at the end of the day when we’ve all got a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep on, and food to eat.”

Ella sank into a chair and wiped at her eyes. “Why’re you telling me this?” She whimpered weakly.

“Because,” Tommy knelt down in front of his sister. “I’ve asked Alfie to help us and if he crosses me, then he crosses all of us. He could ruin this family with the things he knows. I know you love him, but you don’t know some of the things he’s done. He loves you, and I know he wouldn’t hurt you ‘less he wanted to sign his own death certificate. This proposal was to keep this family safe.”

“Well, he doesn’t want it. Doesn’t want to marry me.” She sniffled. “Am I stupid, Tommy? I thought he loved me enough.”

Her brother sighed and pulled her into a comforting hug. “Doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.” Even though he hated to admit that fact. “Means he hates me enough to spite himself and push you away.”

Ella couldn’t think straight anymore. She just fell into a heap of tears on the floor in Tommy’s arms. He gritted his teeth and knew he had to pay a certain someone a visit in London very soon.

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masterlistcrawford · 5 years

Text

The Odd Pair 11

Warning: None on this chapter

Selene’s eyes started to open slowly, the soft sound of the rain hitting rhythmically against the window. It made her wish to stay more time in bed. She felt warm, comfortable, the sound of her pillow was pleasant. (Wait, my pillow does not not have a sound). Without thinking, she awaken on a jolt sitting on bed. Suddenly, she felt her body going for one direction, her soul trying to go to another, the vertigo hitting full force. A pair of hands got her steady before she went to the other side of the bed.

“Hey, are you okay Princess?” Shingen’s voice was soft, caring, with a hint of worry.

Selene hold her head closing her eyes momentarily to gain some stability. She felt Shingen’s hands and arms holding her gently. Leaning against his chest, a pounding headache started to hammer her head without mercy.

“Oh, God what happened? I’m feeling like a a truck run me over several times.”

Blinking softly she finally focus her sight on Shingen’s face which was closed to hers. One look at his eyes, let her she saw how concerned he was. For a few moments they stared at each other, the sound of their own breathing mixed with the rain as their only company. A sudden sharp pang on the head broke the moment.

“Ow, what is wrong with me?.” holding her right side of her head.

“You drank an entire bottle of whiskey with cookies.” Shingen’s response was soft a whisper. Taking a look at Selene, he saw her confused and vulnerable. A bit hesitant, Shingen started massaging her nape softly to alleviate part of the tension. He waited for her reaction which seemed to be a bit slower than usual.

“Shh, easy, Princess.” he smiled softly. His heart skipped a beat the moment she opened her eyes and looked at him.

Feeling her against him made him cautious, the hangover was his ally for the time being. If he played his cards right, he could turn this around and do what? His thinking stopped at the sudden realization that he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do once they stopped this situation. Finding himself against a wall Shingen decided to first help Selene feel better then he will see what course of action he will take.

“Selene, come on. Let’s get you some pain killers and food. Also, try not to shout.” he brush a soft kiss against her ear.

“ I know is too early to ask for this. But I hope you can forgive me one day.” Shingen looked Selene directly into her eyes.

Another silence, Selene was in awe to see Shingen, not concealing his feelings like before. He seemed more cautious but at the same time, having a hang over wouldn’t let her be as sharp as usual.

“Okay, can I ask you something?” her reply was both an answer and a question.

“Sure, ask me.” Shingen gave her a tender smile encouraging her to keep talking.

Selene’s cheeks colored with a faint pink, clearing her throat she asked before losing her courage. “Did I run around naked?” she looked at Shingen expecting the worse. Instead Shingen had to hide his face on his hands, his shoulders were shaking. He was trying so hard not to laugh, in the end he failed. A low chuckle was followed by a loud deep laugh. Selene could only looked amazed how beautiful he looked laughing. Soon she was giggling with him with some wincing from the hangover. The laughter died little by little, until the silence came back.

“To answer your question, no you didn’t run around naked. But, you were pretty chatty, and loud.” he replied with a smile.

Looking at her feet, she asked again. “Did I said something embarrassing?” by now her cheek turned up a darker shade of pink.

“No, you were sincere with me. I was jealous, and taking it against you was not the way to do it. Nobunaga, also meddling was not nice either. Anyway, why don’t you stay in bed a bit more to rest. I will get you some more water. Today seems to be a day to be at home.” Shingen turned toward to the window.

“Hey Lass how are you?” Masamune entered with a bag from his restaurant.

“Hey, nice to see you too. How is Marlene?” she gave him a quick hug with a soft smile.

“She is good, she wants you to come to dinner at our house soon.” Masamune put the bag on the front desk. Turning around he crossed his arms looking directly at Selene.

“Ok, what is really going on?”

“I’m sorry I don’t follow you? Is something going on?” Selene tried to maintain a calmed tone, but this was Masamune. Since children he knew when she was lying or not.

“Oda called me. He told me what happened? So either you tell me what is really going on or I’m going to ask him directly.”

“Ok, Shingen and I had a big disagreement, so we kind of have a silent truce.” her eyes aimed to any place except to looking at Masamune’s eye.

“Selene, what do you really want to do?”

“The truth is I don’t know, after I left the town I worked hard to make a name for myself. I really don’t know what dad was aiming to when he made this testament…” the sound of her voice was tired.

“Shingen, might be on the same boat as you, don’t you think?” Masamune took the bad of food and started serving the plates. “Come on, you can’t think on an empty stomach. Eat something I made you some rice with beef, if I remember that was your favorite.” his smile made Selene more at ease. Taking a plate Selene started to dig on the food with appetite.

“Hey, just wanted to see if you need something?” the room was a mess with papers everywhere.

“I’m ok just finished for today. How was your day?” Shingen was polite like always. With a smile she know recognizes as a fabricated one.

“It was ok. I’m done cleaning the garage I might start working on the Shelby. It looks that you and dad stopped working on it long time ago.”

“Yeah, when I decided to go to college, then start the company I spent some years out. How is the car?” the question made her giggle.

“It’s fine, still needs work.” after a pause Selene couldn’t stay silent.

“It’s been a while since I saw your smile. You look beautiful.” Shingen smiled softly making her cheeks blush a bit.

The spots of silence was the only thing making the situation a bit tense.

“What do you want to do with this situation Shingen?” Selene looked at him directly.

“So far I’m doing this so you can keep your things,…” with a shrug Shingen didn’t added anything else to the conversation. “What you want from this Selene? Will you like to keep this after the year is over?” Shingen threw the question back at her.

Taking a gambling at the situation Selene, was about to answer when the phone started to ring.

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Notes: My apologies for the late posting. I’ve been having overtime at work and dealing with some writer’s blocking. I hope you guys like this chapter and thank you for the support. ^^

#ikesen #ikesen sengoku #ikesen shingen #fanfic #fanfic ikesen

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