#Anna Strong X Selah Strong

[annastrxng]

This boy could be an Annlah child- baby George Washington Strong

[melpomeneprose]

O, say, bonny lass, will you go into battle?

Where the drums are beaten and cannons loud rattle.

O, yes, my bonny lad, I will share all thy harms.

[honorhearted]

TURNsgiving2023 Day 2: Least Favorite Ep/Season

Honestly, Turn is one of those (very rare) shows where even if I'm not overly invested in an episode, I still don't dislike it. The only reason I'm voting for S02E07 is because of a simple answer: no Ben. I have a very low bar, apparently, 'cause no Ben automatically means "least favorite" for me lol. I also don't find Turn's GWash terribly interesting or likable, so having an entire episode focused on him makes the temptation to skip pretty strong.

Sorry, sir.

By that same rule of thumb, S2 features Ben the least, and harps on that snooze-worthy love hexagon (Mary x Abe x Anna x Selah x Simcoe x Hewlett) that I couldn't care less about, so I've gotta vote for S2 as my least favorite. Historically speaking, Anna was a very cool gal, so I hate that she was reduced to "resident love interest" for any top-billing male character. She had so many spying opportunities in the tavern and Strong Manor, so Idky instead, we were forced to watch "romantic" tug-of-war for three seasons. I only truly started liking her character in S4, which is when she was FINALLY free of any romantic plotlines, and thus, able to shine as her own person.

As I said: I don't dislike 2x7 or S2! I just return to these eps the least, because truly, the primary Ben moment I flat-out love from S2 is 2x4. It was the only time he seemed genuinely light-hearted, so I kind of cling to that scene and shape my pre-w.ar Ben characterization around it.

[musicboxmemories]

TURN 4x1 / 4x5

[floralcyanide]

Double-Crossed

Chapter Two - A Familiarity in Felony

rating: adult; injury, mentions of torture, mentions of sexual assault, violence.

word count: 2563

pairing: benjamin tallmadge x original female character

A/N: hiii everyone, sorry the chapter was late, July has been A Month to be honest. tumblr wouldn’t let me post or reblog on desktop for a week or so, my mom got very ill, had surgery, and is now about to begin chemo treatments. I am currently starting my sophomore year in college, so updates might be a little slow but I won't give up on this story because I love it too much. it's like my child lol. if you all enjoyed this chapter, please let me know in the notes and leave a like, and maybe ask to be tagged if you want? (: much love!! -ana x

                                      »»————-　★　————-««

"You can jail a revolutionary but you can't jail the revolution." - Huey Newton

The fireplace crackling and pattering of rain cuts through the ringing silence of the house. I'm seated on the settee in my nightclothes, anxiously waiting for Abe to return, hopefully alive. The sound of the back door creaking open alerts me, and I slowly put down the book I was reading. My head snaps up to see Abe sneaking inside, with his face bloodied and his upper body hunched over.

I gasp quietly at the sight, "Abraham?" my eyebrows furrow. He raises his head carefully in response.

He winces as he shuts the door behind him, and I jump up from the settee.

"What did they do to you? You're hurt," I ask, reaching a hand out toward his ribs.

He hisses and clamps his fingers around my wrist, to which I smack his hand and rip my arm from him.

"Mary is going to be so angry with you," I shake my head, grabbing Abe's hand and turning to walk back to the fireplace. I try to push away my own feelings about the situation.

I was terrified he wouldn't come home, and that he would've been hanged and we wouldn't have known until after the fact. I was terrified I was going to lose my brother and had to help raise Thomas without a father. I was terrified I'd lose a brother again.

"I'm fine, I'm home now," my brother reassures me as he limps behind me until he's seated with an exhausted sigh.

Heavy footsteps echo in the hallway, and our father makes his way to us. He sits in his chair next to the hearth before looking up at Abraham and me. I stand up to leave as I know father wants to speak to Abe alone on this matter, however, I never completely leave the conversation. I never do, but they don't know that. I walk upstairs and take heavy, obvious steps towards my bedroom before removing my slippers and tiptoeing back to the guard rails. I begin listening in just as father asks Abraham why he took money from Selah.

"Neither a lender nor a borrower be," Abraham says.

I suddenly remember I left my book on the seat downstairs and tiptoe back to my room and heavily walk back across the upstairs. I slowly descend the stairs, two pairs of eyes landing on me and a pair of smiles flashed as if nothing were being said prior to my arrival.

I smile back and bend next to Abe, grabbing my book, "Nearly forgot this!"

"Good night," father smiles at me, bringing me in for a cheek kiss and I pat Abe's face gently as I walk past. I am sure to tread with volume before sneaking back to my previous spot above the stairs.

"I'll speak plain now," father says, and I roll my eyes. Of course he will.

"Legacy is everything," he continues, "The Smiths, the Strongs, the Tallmadges, they chose the wrong side."

"I wasn't choosing sides," Abe says quietly, "I was just tryin' to do right."

I slowly rise from my sitting position and walk softly to my bedroom. I've heard enough. Climbing into bed, I realize I'm a lot like Abe; I don't have a side in this war. I never really had one to begin with, despite my parent's and late brother's opinions. Abe and I choose to do what's morally right, and for him, I am proud.

---

It's right before dawn that I open the chifferobe in front of my bed to dig out my quiver. No one in my family except Abe knows that I make arrows and hunt game. I usually make good money or fair trade in return for rabbits and squirrels, especially from the lobster backs. They used to turn away the squirrel and preferred the rabbit, but since resources have been a little more scarce, the squirrels get me some coin for books or fruit. The clean wounds of the game keep people in town quiet from telling my father about it.

I sit on the bench at the foot of my bed, pulling on some of Abe's old boots before getting up to walk. As quietly as possible, I press my feet from heel to toe against the floor in a slow manner down the hallway. I have the stronger spots of the stairs memorized so they don't creak as I descend them. The old boot heels make quiet thuds against the stark silence. It's still dark out; the downstairs is blanketed in black autumn warmth without a soul awake. I wrap my entire hand around the doorknob at the back door, turning it tremendously slow. I step outside and pull the door closed, letting out a relieved breath. I begin to jog to the treeline, my boots and dress hem is wet with morning dew. As I walk through the forest I think about what happened a few days ago at the tavern, and how Abe easily could've gotten himself hanged. If it weren't for our father and his position, God only knows where we'd be right now. I'd have not one, but two dead brothers. Especially with Abe's narrow mind and decision making skills. Come to think of it, I haven't really seen Abraham since that night. I hope he isn't getting into trouble again. After walking for about an hour, I'm deep enough into the woods that the redcoats shouldn't spot me.

Kneeling behind a large tree, I retrieve my bow and arrow from the quiver, along with the burlap sack I use to carry the animals in. As I'm sliding the arrow into its position, I hear a rustling in the distance, prompting me to pull the bow draw and aim. A few moments pass and a small wild rabbit hops from behind a tree. I still have my bow drawn back, and the arrow is pointed directly at the rabbit. Taking a deep breath, I focus on the small animal and prepare to release the spear. Behind me, a twig is snapped, causing the rabbit to bolt immediately. In reflex, I turn around with the arrow but quickly toss it away when I see the barrel of a gun aimed at my own head.

"Lay down your weapon at once! You're under arrest by the Continental Congress for illegal hunting!"

My hands fly into the air above my head in surrender with eyes wide as tea saucers, "I-I'm sorry I'm just-"

"No excuses, missy, just stay silent," barks a dark-haired man as he pulls me up by my elbow. I look up to see another man in our presence, who is holding a shotgun in his hand. He looks to be a little younger than me, but his eyes are cold. These men appeared to be a part of the continental militia.

Tears well up in my eyes from fear but I clench my jaw to will them away as the man binds my wrists together with rope, shoving me towards the other soldier. The younger one begins his trek through the woods in the direction of the rabbit, and the older one remains behind me to make sure I don't run. I was paralyzed with fear, so I just press my lips together and do as I'm told. I must've walked too far into the woods. I was far enough from the British but too close to the Continental Territory to be completely safe. The three of us walk for only 20 minutes before I begin to hear shouting and smell the smoke of a fire. I tense in fear and I must slow down my pace because the soldier behind me grips my forearms and pushes me forward. Before we break the edge of the woods, the burlap bag I had prior is shoved over my head. I can't see where I'm going and can only depend on the man behind me to guide me wherever we're going. A few moments later, we stop walking.

"Watch your step, little miss tory," the older man gruffs in my ear and holds my wrist as we walk down a set of stairs- or maybe a ladder of some sort- into a hot and muggy room. I'm then shoved onto the ground and the sack is ripped from my head, some of my hair coming with it.

I bite my lip to keep from screaming, my shoulders jerk and my hands staring against the binds as I try not to reach up at my head. The door to the makeshift prison slams shut and I'm alone.

---

I fall asleep at some point and am awakened by shouting and the sound of water splashing.

The young male soldier from earlier sees me shuffling around and walks over to me as another soldier is holding a man's head down in a water bucket.

"It's your turn next," he says with his cold eyes boring into mine. I say nothing and keep eye contact, which angers him. He slides his right hand into my scalp, grips a fistful of my ginger hair and yanks me up.

"Tory whores like you think they're somethin' huh?" He snarls, his spit landing on my cheek. I wince and this only angers him more. But before he can raise a hand to me, someone comes barreling down the stairs.

"Enough! That's enough!"

I'm unhanded and the sloshing of water nearby stops, the man is gasping for air as he's shoved onto the ground, a burlap sack similar to mine suctioned to his face.

"I know him, he's not a spy. As for her, she's nothing to worry about. She'd not hurt a fly," the tall man says, and I furrow my eyebrows. I carefully eye him from across the chamber and I notice he's wearing one of the fancy Continental uniforms. He must be important, still, I wonder how on Earth he knows me, though.

The man who was being waterboarded begins to cough as the officer walks toward him. The two men who were here before begin to walk up the ladder and shut the door to the bunker.

"Your name came through dispatch, Mr. Woodhull."

My eyes widen in horror as panic rises up my throat, "No! No! Don't hurt him, he's my brother!" I cry, wriggling around in the corner, trying my hardest to stand up to run to Abe.

Oh God, what did he do to end up here? Is this where he's been the last few days? What's father going to do when he finds out? Especially when he finds we've both been here?

The officer walks to me and unties my hands, pulling me up into a standing position. I'm finally able to see who the voice belongs to.

"Ben?" I barely whisper his name, shocked.

"Tallmadge is that you?" Abe calls from across the room. Ben walks over to him and snatches the burlap from his head.

I shakily walk over to Abe, who is still recovering from being submerged underwater.

"What the hell are you doing here, Virginia?" Abe asks incredulously, his gaze moving back and forth from Ben and me.

"I set out from camp immediately," Ben says, pulling Abraham up from the ground before I can answer.

"It is you. It is you, thank God!" Abe says, wiping his face of water.

I hurry to his side, hugging him immediately and he wraps his arms around me protectively, "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

I shake my head, looking over at Ben, who's smirking at our revelation of him being here.

I silently peel my arms from Abe and move forward to hug Ben, "Thank God it's you," I pull away, "Can you get us out of here?" I look up at him, staring directly into his eyes.

"Of course he can, look at him," Abe is still gaping at Ben, running a hand through his hair as he studies the blue coat and gold buttons laid upon the tall man. The same tall man we used to play with as children back in Setauket, who is now here in the Continental Army fighting for our freedom.

"Alright, just slow down-" Ben begins, but Abe interrupts him almost hysterically.

"Ben you know me, I'm no smuggler. And whatever Virginia did, well, you know how she is. She probably meant no harm," Abe begs, following Ben around as he paces the cell. I raise an eyebrow at Abe for his remark, but he doesn't see.

"This is the first time I've ever-" Abe pants, and it's Ben's turn to interrupt him.

"I know that, I know-"

"...I've never even attempted-"

"I told them you were a man of integrity," Ben turns around and pats Abe's face, "and that you'd make every effort to cooperate."

"Thank you," Abe sighs in relief, but I caught what Ben said and I move in front of my brother defensively, "Cooperate?"

"They need to know who his contact was, to make sure you weren't giving aid to the enemy. As for you, they need to know who you were hunting for, Vinny."

I stand back as Abe and Ben bicker back and forth, mentioning that both sides close an eye to illegal trade and illegal hunting. I try to go over everything that's happened today in my head so I wouldn't think it was another nightmare later. Which it may very well be.

"What's your true purpose here?" Abe asks after a pregnant pause, "You didn't ride all this way to get us out of trouble."

Ben gives no hint as to what is going on inside his head and gives Abe a letter, explaining it was a pardon for our release. They begin arguing about negotiation, and I get impatient quickly, wanting to go home and fall asleep in the warm bath.

"Look, Ben, we're not giving up people who are just trying to get by at this time, just let us go," I say, and Abe is pacing around again behind me.

"Vinny is right, they don't deserve to be thrown in this hell by the same congress who declares for our freedom! We won't do it." Abe backs me up, spitting attitude at Ben, and pulls me into his side defensively.

Ben looks down, smirking lightly, and Abe and I study him for some sort of answer for why he's truly here.

Taking a look around the room to make sure no one is listening in nearby cells, Ben comes closer to us, "We're in the mind that if you two can sneak and smuggle, you can do the same with something more valuable; information."

"You've come to enlist, huh?" Abe shakes his head, pulling me closer to him.

"Not to enlist, but to recruit."

Abraham laughs at Ben like he's a sort of idiot, which he is if he thinks Abe is a spy of any sort.

"We don't ask anyone to fight for us."

"I'm asking you. Come on you two, we grew up together. I remember who you were even if you've forgotten," Ben steps closer to us, and I keep my gaze locked on him.

He was right about one thing- Abe surely has forgotten who he is, but I, on the other hand, have not forgotten who I am.

[angelabowermicelli]

I posted 2,210 times in 2021

100 posts created (5%)

2110 posts reblogged (95%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 21.1 posts.

I added 1,111 tags in 2021

#turn amc - 186 posts

#community - 180 posts

#annie edison - 123 posts

#jeff winger - 117 posts

#anna strong - 115 posts

#edmund hewlett - 103 posts

#jeff x annie - 94 posts

#turn: washington's spies - 74 posts

#annlett - 61 posts

#the mandalorian - 58 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#and like not to call myself out but i was starting drafting something not exactly like this but i feel like this is so ambitious how could

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Alright I have a question y’all...

So I thought stays were kinda the historical equivalent of a bra or shape wear almost- either way- meant to be worn as an undergarment. However, I have seen 2 instances (that I can recall) where women are wearing stays as their outermost garment and I can’t get it out of my head.

Exhibit A: Anna Strong, AMC Turn- set in revolutionary-war America. Anna primarily works in a tavern in a small coastal town and is seen many times in outfits like this.

Exhibit B: Cinderella, Into The Woods- okay yeah, I know, it’s fantasy and a musical or whatever, but like still she’s doing the same thing with her clothes and she’s basically a servant.

Maybe I’m dumb and these aren’t stays and are a completely different item of clothing. But my interpretation is that maybe this is a thing that working women did just because it was faster & required less layering???

I am new to historical dress, so I don’t know. Fashion historians of Tumblr help me out!!

46 notes • Posted 2021-01-04 01:58:17 GMT

#4

that is all. thank you

51 notes • Posted 2021-02-07 00:52:28 GMT

#3

like i don’t know who y’all are out here claiming that Anna didn’t love Hewlett. like she was prepared to move to Scotland, leave frickin Abe, Abigail, Selah, and everybody she knows, her home, her hometown, and literally everything just so that Abe couldn’t kill Edmund. and if that’s not love I don’t know what is.

61 notes • Posted 2021-07-18 01:39:14 GMT

#2

why does Tumblr give me a notification when I reblog my own post, like...?

132 notes • Posted 2021-05-17 19:37:04 GMT

#1

if the only use for opposable thumbs was to rub the back of someone’s hand who you were holding in yours…it was worth it.

173 notes • Posted 2021-07-31 03:26:13 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[ao3feed-turn]

Do You Ever Find Yourself Nostalgic For the Life You Never Got To Have?

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2qV0f6z

by LibertyKingdom

An Answer to this Title's question

Words: 265, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Turn (TV 2014)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Anna Strong

Relationships: Edmund Hewlett/Anna Strong, Anna Strong/Abraham Woodhull, Anna Strong/Selah Strong

Additional Tags: Annlah, Annlett, Anna X Abe

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2qV0f6z

[annastrxng]

My Headcanon:

Anna's beloved father passed around the same time Abraham broke off their engagement. In her time of grief, Anna was left completely and utterly ALONE with Ben in University, Caleb off adventuring, Abraham now settled with Mary, and having his own home. Everyone was moving forward but her. Still, Selah took mercy upon her. He gave her strong arms to cry into, gave her the motivation to keep pushing forward.

[annastrxng]

Grief

@honorhearted​ continues X

                         Ever prevailing, without hope of reprieve or shedding, guilt hangs like a winter haze over her. There isn’t a moment when Selah’s absence can not be felt. It loomed, larger than life, in every corner of Strong Manor and the tavern. The vacuous silence swallows with reckless abandon all the places that had once felt familiar. It is especially evident at night when she returns to a frigid, empty bed. 

Unenviable and untenable is this sort of ensnared existence, where grief maintained a ferocious chokehold. The emotional paralysis comes in wakes, taking with it any resemblance of true stability. Anna finds herself anchorless, so adrift she must ask the question for it haunted her almost as intensely as the words ‘he’s dead’. 

Fingers snare in the fabric of her skirts, praying that perhaps, that it would gift unwavering resolve. She could almost sense it, the mocking almost damnably humorous glint in his eyes which causes her gaze to avert, to focus anywhere other than Tallmadge.

Dipping her head downwards, Anna finds herself sucking in a tremulous breath. “At least you or Caleb could have--- protected--- him. Could have---” Her voice hitches hard, crumbling as with the rest of her strength. Wetted lashes blink, trying to cast away the oceans sweeping over her maple orbs. A part of her knows that Selah may have suffered and died all the same. 

Anna jilts as Ben’s hand finds her shoulder, but then she sinks into it. Slinks into a touch that is welcomingly warm, that promises no ill-will. Her teeth graze the cherub-like lower-lip and she scantly bites back an acrid, self-loathing retort. “It was for my honor that he was remanded.” And she had petitioned till her lungs ached for his release, but her entreaties had fallen upon deaf ears. The ears of men hell-bent on furthering the King’s will. She had taken him food but had it snatched up by pot-bellied guards. “I should have gone, should have taken his place. It -- it wasn’t---” Wasn’t fair, wasn’t right. Nothing about this conflict had been. 

“I can’t---” Her eyes turn up to him, haphazard and hesitant. “I can’t stay here.” She announces. “I can’t stay in the rooms he used to occupy. In --- in our bed.” It’s slowly eating her up. Dissolving her spirit like sugar into tea. “Please,” her voice comes out fragile and worn, “don’t ask me to.”

“Take me with you.”

[annastrxng]

This blog supports my homegirls- aka the historical wives of the Culper ring.

Martha Washington, Anna Strong, Mary Woodhull, Ann Lewis, Mary Floyd Tallmadge, Mary Hilton Tallmadge, and ladies like Abigail, and Eliza Hamilton, Abigail Adams

[annastrxng]

Did anyone notice this scene?

The way Anna’s eyes flash up to Selah, quietly entreating for him to stop when he starts marching towards DeJong? This is almost a repeat of the Captain Joyce incident in the pilot where Selah got himself arrested for brawling. She’s scared that Selah’s temper is going to get the best of him. If that happens, she’s going to lose him again just minutes after having him back. She���s like don’t do this to me a second time. 

[annastrxng]

Omg Annlah Scroll Annlah Scroll *slides you a $20* 😂

Your prompt:

Person A: Three words. Say them and I'm yours.

Person B: Three words.

Person A:

[annastrxng]

[annastrxng]

My edits: Selah Strong 

“I survived because the fire inside of me burned brighter than the fire around me.”

[floralcyanide]

Double-Crossed

Chapter One - A Dream, A Deal, A Fight

rating: teen; description of nightmare, anxiety, violence

word count: 2224

pairing: benjamin tallmadge x original female character

A/N: This is to all of my friends I've met over the past year, who have helped me grow as a writer and as a person. I love all of you. To everyone in You’re A Cool C(h)at and Turn: Rat King Spy & Co. ♥

                                       »»————-　★　————-««

"Every revolution begins with a spark." - Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

The sudden feeling of weightlessness jostles me awake and the warm, humid air wraps around me like a sticky blanket. I'm in someone's arms instead of my bed, and it doesn't feel safe. Fear surges up my throat and a cry escapes my lips, and all I want is my big brother to come help me. I scream his name as loudly as I can although I can't recall it, my brain fuzzy. I don't care if I wake others in the infirmary as I belt out a, "Help!"

His name leaves me in a shrill cry as I kick the man carrying me as hard as possible. I count ten paces until an ill frame of a boy appears, barely standing in the entryway to the clinic tent as he trembles with fever. It's my brother paralyzed in shock as he watches the man in a cherry red coat take me away towards the boat dock. He struggles to walk as quickly as possible towards us, his body swaying from malaise and exhaustion. He can't do much of anything in his condition- all he can do is muster up my name as he collapses on his knees, my burning screams for help bouncing in his head. I try to wiggle my way out of the man's arms, sobbing for my brother as the giant ship comes closer into view.

"Brother, no!"

"Virginia!"

My eyes fly open and I sit up abruptly, shooting forward in my bed and inhaling deeply as I'm met with my older brother, Abraham at my side. My breathing is erratic and my body and shift are soaked in a coat of sweat, my heart about to burst from its cavern in my chest as my hand subconsciously finds his.

"You were screamin', so I came in here to see what was the matter. You were hollerin' someone's name it sounded like," Abe furrows his eyebrows in concern, placing a hand on my shoulder for comfort. I realize I'm squeezing his other hand incredibly tight, so I let it go and brush the loose hair from my face, trying to steady my breathing.

"Just a nightmare is all, Abe," I give a somewhat reassuring smile, knowing it wasn't just a nightmare. This nightmare happens very often, and I don't know why.

"Who were you dreamin' about?" Abe asks, and I get an odd feeling in my stomach, like the boy in my dream was someone I knew and had to protect.

"I don't know," I shrug, sniffing as the winter chill hits my sweaty skin, my arms wrapping around my knees.

Abraham decides not to push further, seeing me begin to shiver, "Do you want me to stay here for the rest of the night?"

Aware of the dampness of the sheets and my body, I turn down the offer as I didn't want him to feel or smell the evidence of my nightmare, "I'm alright, not tonight." I press my lips together in a grateful manner as I sink back down to a laying position. The weight of my brother's body lifts from the bed with a barely audible, "Alright."

He softly pads his feet on the cold hardwood toward the door and shuts it quietly behind him. I lay awake until morning, a sheen layer of sweat blanketing me all night and the remnants of the dream keeping me company.

It's nice having Mary, Thomas, and Abraham home for harvest as it makes the Whitehall house less lonely and cold. The liveliness of a toddler waddling around and Mary's bright smile made it warmer somehow and having my brother around made me feel at peace; even if I wake up every night from dreams that scare me to death. I'm still curled in a ball in my musty quilt long after the sun rises, unmoving until Aberdeen knocks on my door and enters promptly.

"Oh sweetheart, bad dreams 'gain?" she frowns at my state, motioning for me to get out of bed.

I stay silent as I stand in the middle of the room shivering violently, arms around myself as Aberdeen strips the sheets and quilt from my bed.

"Lemme make you a warm bath an' I'll wash these up for ya, okay?" she smiles sweetly at me, her hand on my shoulder as she guides me down the hall to the washing room.

My mouth remains closed as I stand in the doorway, Aberdeen retrieving the filling bucket, my brain still foggy from sleep, or lack thereof. I barely move out of the way in time before she makes her way towards the hall.

"Are you alright?" she frowns, resting the back of her hand on my forehead to match my possible fever to my odd behavior.

I nod, revealing a small smile much to Aberdeen's relief. With that, she walks down the stairs and I'm alone in the room. I needed to get out of this haziness before going downstairs to greet everyone or they'd think I were ill like Aberdeen.

I wash up quickly, scrubbing the grime off my skin and rinsing my hair before dressing for the day. Feeling better after being clean, I bound down the stairs to the living room where Abraham sits on the floor by the fireplace, toddling with Sprout. A smile brightens my face as Thomas spots me from where he's being held up by Abe, a smile mirroring his own little face.

"Sprout! Come here, you!" I coo as I walk up to him, a toothless grin and giggle emitting the blonde boy.

"Good mornin'," Abe says, getting up from the floor and standing in front of me with his hands on his hips like always, "Did you sleep any better?"

"No, but I'll say 'yes' if that makes you feel any better," I joke, bouncing Thomas on my hip as Abe rolls his eyes.

"You know if you need anything from me, I'm here for you, Vin."

I look directly into his eyes and sigh in defeat, nodding my head. Before I can say anything, Abe looks around briefly before leaning closer into me.

"I'm headin' to town to Selah's in an hour if you want to go see Anna. Have some business to take care of," Abe says, and I look at him weirdly. What kind of business? Before I can even ask, Abe eyes me as if to tell me, don't ask.

"That'd be great, yeah." I smile instead, a little excited to see Anna. We were best friends growing up but drifted apart when the war began, as our families didn't see eye to eye.

Abe nods curtly and pulls Thomas from my arms, "Time for a little nap, Sprout."

I watch the two ascend up the stairs silently before wandering outside to see what Mary was up to. Maybe she knew what the situation with Selah was all about?

"Mary!" I call out, my hand shielding my eyes from the sun as I spot her in the yard speaking to a yard worker.

"Oh hello, Virginia. Is everything okay? You slept quite a while this morning," Mary frowns, lifting her skirts and walking towards where I stand.

"Yes, just didn't sleep well I'm afraid. Is everything okay with Abraham? He seems a little off today."

Mary's face falls briefly, "The crop isn't fairing well, and I suggested we come here to speak with your father about it."

My brows raise in concern, "Really? Is it maggots? I've heard they're a problem for everyone this year."

Sighing with a small nod, Mary steps closer to me and whispers, "Abe said he was taking care of it. So, don't mention anything to your father yet."

Before I can respond, the back door creaks open to reveal Abe with his beanie cap on, his head peeking out from inside the house, "Alright, Vinny, it's time to head out."

I turn back to Mary who is staring at me, and her eyes beg my silence.

                                                              ---

The ride into town was quiet, with the exception of the birds and the horseshoes clicking on the dirt road. Abe picked up a few soldiers on the way in and I tried not to let their wandering eyes sting me. I breathe a little easier once the red coats vacate the boot, and Abe and I tie up the horses. Everyone is trading their wares from the past season, and Abe is empty-handed. It worries me a little, but Abe always comes up with a solution to his troubles.

The moment we walk into the tavern, the smell of ale and stale sweat and dirt fills my nose, and the mix of loud cheering and shouting deafens me. I stand to the side as Abe approaches Selah, but keep an ear out for what they could be saying.

"I thought you didn't like my tavern," Selah begins snarkily, cleaning out some glasses and glaring up at Abe.

Abe pulls a small pouch from his coat, dropping it onto the table before Selah.

"I said I would repay my debt, this is only half of what I owe."

"Loopers or maggots?" Selah mumbles angrily after a moment, and I try to keep from butting into the conversation. So that's why he was stressed.

Before I could listen in more, Anna makes her way down the stairs and towards us.

"Abraham, Virginia? To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"They were just discussing maggots," I clear my throat as I walk next to Abe, who shuffles uncomfortably next to me.

"Maggots? I've heard they've been dethroned as Setauket's reigning pests," Anna quips, eyeing the British soldiers seated across the room.

I scoff and Abe lightly elbows me, "Well, we were about to be heading out, so."

"Now wait a minute," Anna says softly, grabbing Abe's shoulder and stopping us before we begin to leave, "We hardly see you all anymore. How is everyone?"

Abe glances at me and then the floor, shuffling around, "They're doing well, we should really go-"

"You two should come for dinner, at our house. The four of you," Anna suggests, and Selah says her name under his breath in a disapproving tone.

Abe mentions it wouldn't feel right as he owed Selah a debt and would feel ashamed to let Anna cook for us while in hot water. A part of me knew he was right, and another part of me selfishly wanted things to feel normal again despite the war and to spend time with my old best friend.

"I didn't know about this-" Anna starts, but is interrupted by the taverners in the next room beginning to yell.

"Bloody news! Bloody news! Where are the rebels now?"

Everyone in the tavern stops to listen to the ramblings of the drunkard as he climbs onto the table. He reads off the newspaper, and Abe and I watch uneasily while the Strong's begin to visibly tense. My stomach turns at the part about Mrs. Washington, and how disrespectful it was. It gets worse when a joke about General Washington is read aloud, and Selah tosses his washcloth down on the table, "Go upstairs," he says to Anna and me before hastily walking towards the drunkard and his redcoat friends. Of course, we don't and instead stand and watch as he walks toward the group.

"Get out Robeson," Selah rolls his eyes, standing in the doorway.

The dingy man then insults Selah and his views, which only makes him angrier than the moment before.

"You offended my wife and her friend, now, leave!" He sneers at Robeson.

Abe slowly backs away towards the entrance, moving Anna and me with him before something happens and we need to run.

"Drunk," Selah snarls.

"Whig," Robeson retorts and then shoves Selah, who in response shoves him back, causing his drink to splash onto the soldier behind him. Silence covers the tavern like a thick blanket.

Anna steps forward once the Captain stands up from his seat, about to assault Selah when he is accidentally pushed into the table, his hand slices open.

Someone asks, baffled, "Did he just hit Captain Joyce?"

The alleged Captain Joyce then plunges Selah into the floor, drawing his sword.

I look at Abe, panic on my face at the scene unfolding before us. He eyes the knife on the table for a moment before snatching up the cloth parallel to it and quickly walking over to the Captain.

Abe offers to clean up his hand and tries to take off his coat for him, only for it to rip quite loudly.

A tall, wide-eyed man places a shotgun flush against my brother's neck, his voice is soft, unlike his demeanor, "Release the captain, please."

I can hear my heart roaring my ears, but I try to contain my heavy breathing, as not to draw attention. Joyce kicks Abe hard in his groin, sending him into the floor as Joyce plows his foot into his stomach.

I jolt forward to stop him, but Anna pulls me by my wrist as the rest of the soldiers join in on kicking the hell out of my brother. The large-eyed man stares at Anna and me from across the room as Abe cries out pitifully. His eyes bore into mine as if to dare me to do something next.

                                                                ---

hello everyone! it’s been a good minute since I’ve posted any of my writing here. I had a year long hiatus, and a lot has been going on in my life from my grandfather passing, to my uncle passing, to college and work, to my childhood dog passing and my mom being diagnosed with lung cancer and her surgery. (she is now cancer free!) I began thinking of possibly writing something for a fandom I’ve had one foot in and out of for a while. I have an elaborate plot-line for three books within a series called Shades of Blue. even if you’re a here from my previous work and don’t watch the tv series, I encourage you to read this anyway. you can learn of the characters solely off of how I wrote them. I’m working very hard on this and hope anyone who does decide to read it, enjoys it.

I’m currently not writing as much for queen\borhap these days, but one day I do plan to pick back up on my series’ I had planned. I still love the movie, the band, and the people within them and everyone I’ve met because of them.

so, welcome to chapter one and welcome to this story (: the first chapter is a little dusty but all first chapters usually are. I've been working on this story and the characters for going on 9 months now, so I hope you all enjoy and love it as much as I do. I'm going to start chapter two soon and will get it out if the demand for it is high. so, if you enjoyed this chapter and want more, please let me know in the comments and leave a vote, and maybe be interested in being tagged in future posts? (: thank you all so much for 100+ reads already on wattpad! have a good day/ night -ana x

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My Turn Text Meme: Annlah- my historical OTP @selahstrxng