#I live Finn so much and I’ve never posted about him on here

[sneakyblinders]

the royal wedding of small heath

A/N: I was going to post this in one big fic but it’s so long... and I’m not finished quite yet lol enjoy pt 1. PT 2 HERE warnings: soft tommy. for my tommy and his darling wife!au. language, mild sexual themes.  1.9k words

The Garrison was bustling with people. People milled about, this way and that, people Tommy recognized, and people he didn’t. The musicians that Arthur had hired for the event were fantastic, just the exact music Tommy had wanted. None of the new stuff, and all of the stuff Tommy and his brothers held dear to their hearts.

Family members from near and far gathered here today after the rehearsal to celebrate with Tommy and his bride.

He made his way over to the bar, where Harry was rapidly pouring shots for a group of men lined up at the bar Tommy could only assume to be some of your cousins. Not men he knew. “Gentlemen,” he greeted them.

“Mr. Shelby, we appreciate your generosity tonight.” The oldest of them said, leaning over the other two to shake Tommy’s hand.

“It’s my pleasure.” Tommy told him before asking Harry for another bottle of whiskey for the table.

“She looks mighty pretty tonight, Mr. Shelby,” Harry told him, handing him the bottle.

“That she does, Harry. That she does.” Tommy glanced back over his shoulder, hearing your laugh as your sister told some ridiculous story from when you were children to John and Finn.

He turned back towards your table, bottle in his hand. He made his way through the crowd, beginning to itch in his suit. He was far too worn out from all the people that were abso-fucking-lutely everywhere this week. People from your side of the family had started pouring in on Monday from all over England, the United States and fucking France to witness the Shelby wedding. The Royal Wedding of Small Heath is what the Birmingham papers had called it when your engagement announcement ran in the papers. Your mother had bought every paper she could get her hands on and sent the clipping to every family member she could think of.

“It’s pretty rare that someone like us marries someone like Thomas Shelby.” your mother had told you, eyes peering at you over her glasses.

Someone like us.

You’d been raised in London, your parents both modest people. Your father has worked as a banker ever since you could remember. He made a decent living, but with you, your older sister and brother and mother to take care of, there was never really much extra money to go around. You lived well, and had everything you needed, but the wants were never really attended to.

So when you accidentally met Tommy one evening on your way back home in London, your mother insisted it was fate. And a few months later, you deemed that she was right.

Tommy returned to your table, setting the bottle of whiskey down. John snatched it up and poured his and Arthur’s glasses full once more. “Are you doing alright, Sweetheart?” he asked, adjusting in his seat, his arm around you.

“Yes,” you beam up at him. “Are you?” you ask, a hand on his thigh.

“Never better.” he told you, love pouring from his chest.

“If I see a more lovesick man I’ll drag him here so you can have a competition,” John laughed. Esme elbowed him in the ribs. “What? I’ve never seen ‘im like this.” John told his wife.

“Pay him no mind, love.” Esme told you. You giggled, squeezing Tommy’s thigh under the table.

“I generally don’t.” you told her.

“And that, Tommy, is why we love her!” Arthur cackled, raising his glass to his lips and throwing back the whole glass of whiskey.

Your mother apprehensively approached the table. She’d been here for a bloody week and a half and Tommy had barely been able to get his hands on you for fear of her popping up and claiming your whole relationship to be an absolute travesty. “Dearie, your father and I are getting quite tired, would it be alright if we retired for the evening?”

Tommy sighed when you stood up to hug your mother. “Of course, of course. Tommy,” you turned to look at your fiance. “Would one of your brothers escort them to their lodgings?” you asked.

“I’ll do it, love. Happy to.” Arthur told you, standing up. “Anything for you, love.” he threw you a tipsy smile.

“Thank you, Arthur. Mother, remember, we must be at the estate by nine.” you reminded her.

“Yes, of course. We will be there.”

Your mother hugged you goodbye, your father waiting patiently by the door. Arthur lumbered after them, making sure they got there safely. It was only a block away, but stranger things have happened in Small Heath.

After your parents left, other guests started to trickle out of the Garrison, whether to settle in for the night or go get rowdy somewhere else, no one knew. Tommy quietly observed the rest of the people, smoking his cigarette, arm around your shoulders as you talked to your sister.

“Are you ready, sister?” Emile asked.

“For what?” you asked with a confused look on your face.

“To be a wife, of course. And all it entails.” she told you, a suggestive tone in her voice.

“Emile!” you scolded her, eyeing Tommy, who acted as if he wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to your conversation. “Not here!”

“Thomas, wait ‘till you see the things our cousins from France bought her.”

“Emile!” you scolded again, cheeks flushing hot. Thankfully John and Finn had gotten up to fetch more beer.

“It’s alright, love, everybody knows you won’t be out in public for at least a week after tomorrow.” Tommy told you, a devious look on his face.

“Thomas!” you scolded, a look of disbelief on your face. “Ganged up on by my sister and fiance. Unbelievable.”

“We’ve been in cahoots this whole time, sister. How do you think he picked the ring the right size?” Emile asked, peering at you over her wine glass.

You look at Tommy, who was smirking. “She’s right, love. Phoned her and asked the second I knew I was going to propose.”

“Which was when?” you asked.

He leaned in closer to you, lips to your ear. “That night after I took you to that restaurant in London–what was it called–”

“Wiltons.” you reminded him.

“Ah, yes, Wiltons. I took you back to my hotel and–”

“Okay, I know what day you’re talking about now.” you tell him, pulling away from his lips. He’s smirking at you. “Cheeky man.” you tell him as he lights a cigarette.

“Only bad thing about him, he smokes like a freight train.” Emile joked.

Tommy smiled, cigarette in his mouth. “You get used to it.” you tell her, thankful Tommy was tolerant of your sister's childish remarks.

You sat in silence, Tommy’s thumbs drawing sweet circles on the back of your hand as your sister went to find your brother. “Do you think everyone will behave tomorrow?” you ask Tommy.

“They will, my love. I will make sure of it.” he tells you, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Where is Ada?” you ask, suddenly noticing her absence.

“She said they will not be making an appearance until tomorrow.” Tommy said, rolling his eyes.

“Because of Freddie?” you ask.

“Yes, because of Freddie.” he confirms, putting the butt of his cigarette in the ash dish.

“It’s not fair to Karl, keeping him from his family.” you tell Tommy, snuggling closer into his side.

Tommy sighs. “I know, my love.”

Polly comes over towards the table, a smile on her face. “Are you two ready for tomorrow? Dress all picked up?”

“Yes. It’s hanging in the room at the estate.” you tell her.

“Thomas, did you pick up–”

“Our tuxedo’s from Mr. Zhang, yes, Pol. I did.” he says flatly.

“The baker came to me this morning and said he would deliver the cake around noon.” she rattled off all the delivery times of the various things. Flowers by nine, musicians would arrive by four, and the estate would be bathed with white roses and greenery by one in the afternoon. Polly had been an integral part of the wedding planning, going with you to every dress appointment, every catering and cake testing. Tommy waved it all off, telling you, “Whatever you want, Darling, all I care about is the bride at the end of the aisle.”

A little before midnight, the party came to a close. Everyone left, leaving you, Polly and Tommy to discuss various particulars of the impending wedding day. The musicians packed up their things, and Tommy handed them a rather thick wad of money.

“Thank you, Mr. Shelby.” the bassist said.

“Thank you, you all did a wonderful job tonight.” Tommy told them sincerely, showing them to the door and locking it behind them.

“Alright, you two might as well start saying your goodbyes. Can’t see each other until she walks down the aisle, Thomas. It’s bad luck.” Polly told him. “I’ll wait outside, love.” she told you, walking to the car that John was waiting in. You were going to spend your last night as a single woman at Polly’s place, sleeping in Thomas’ old bedroom, that he had only just vacated, telling you his wedding present to you was rather grand.

He stood up and walked over to the old gramophone and began to play one of John’s new records. Some of the slow jazz that was popular then. “Will you dance with me?” he asked, turning to you, eyes straining to make out all your features in the dark.

A few lonely candles were still lit, giving the pub a warm glow. “Yes, Mr. Shelby, I will.” you stand up to meet him in the middle of the pub.

He pulls you into his chest and you rest your head against his heart. “I swear to you,” he whispers lowly. “I will spend all my life loving you, and you alone. You are the single best thing to happen to me, my angel.”

You smile against his chest, feeling his heart beating in his chest. “I love you, Thomas Shelby.” you tell him, melting into him.

“I love you.” he whispers.

Your ring sparkles in the faint rays of light, casting small rainbows on the ceiling. It was far bigger a diamond than you thought practical, but Tommy would not hear of a smaller diamond. You were quite nervous to see the wedding band he had picked but he assured you that you would love it.

“I can’t wait to see you in your tuxedo tomorrow.” you tell him, looking up at him.

He smiled softly at you. “Enjoy every minute of tomorrow, Sweetheart. Anything you want, you can have, okay?”

“Will life always be like this?” you ask.

“Like what?” he asked in return.

“Anything you want, in the blink of an eye. The snap of my fingers.” you say, still in disbelief.

“That is my goal, love.” he tells you, reaching down to kiss your lips.

The kiss is cut short by John bursting through the doors. “Will you let her come on? Polly won’t quit complainin’ about the cold. You have your whole lives to kiss.”

Tommy kissed you again, John throwing his arms in the air and huffing before turning around to walk out the doors again. You hear him faintly yell to Polly, “He won’t let go of her, Pol!”

“I better go.” you chuckle, looking into Tommy’s eyes.

“Sleep well, my blushing bride.” Tommy teases you, pressing one last kiss to your lips.

“Goodnight, Thomas.” you tell him.

He walks you to the car, where John is thoroughly annoyed now. “See you tomorrow!” Tommy says, a mischievous grin on his face.

[castlebyersafterdark]

“Look at Millie's personality and look at Finn's life? Do we honestly honestly think they click off set? Do we think she's hanging out with most of these people? I just don't think she has the same interests or things in common with her cast mates in her age group and I'm not her fan but I honestly don't hold that against her, she's her own person with her own interests and friends outside of the show. That's totally. Ok”

I don’t think anyone expects them all to be literal best friends in terms of hanging out everyday, (Finn always clicked more with the IT cast and his alt friends anyway, and he seems to be super tight with Gaten), but it is a little sad if they aren’t even friends at all, y’know? I guess everyone defines friendship differently and one person’s mere acquaintance or colleague is another person’s friend without hesitation, even if there’s no active hanging out involved.

But a wedding is a big deal, no? It’s (ideally) something that only happens once. I would go to a wedding for a friend or acquaintance who invited me, let alone someone I grew up with, someone I’ve been playing an on-screen romance with on screen since 2016 (Byler/M11 wars aside). I do think some of the magic of the final season being this huge victory lap in their lives, which presumably will be portrayed in the S5 documentary, is lost if Finn is out here openly skipping Millie’s wedding. That definitely sends a message, undeniably. Especially given the celebrity context of it all. It’s one thing to skip a random acquaintance’s wedding. It’s another thing to truly not give af if people talk about it in a celebrity context.

I know there are plenty of shows and movies where the cast doesn’t really get along or maybe even hates each other, and the final product is still good. But ST feels different, you know? They all came-of-age together…

Yeah, I sort of feel bad for playing it up as a total non issue maybe as someone who's gonna have their own wedding, don't want to be a hypocrite. So I'm lessening any bad vibes my tipsy posting is spreading - so I get it, the feeling sad over him not going to it if it was this weekend (several people said it's pretty much confirmed by spotting people or tabloids and I'll believe yall!! I get all my info from tumblr and saw no one I follow sharing wedding details so I was skeptical it actually happened, but I guess it was just that secret? Apparently?) I guess I just try to bring a realistic approach to the cast, trying to assuage (yall it took me 10+ times to try to type that and have that word not look like sausage lol) the sadness over the whole cast not being besties 4 lyfe. I know it's been this long ass decade of filming and I'm both too romantic and on the flip have to also be too much of a realist - with that long to grow close, there's also that long to develop a non-closeness with people. Maybe I'm just as interested in the film set dynamics of those with animosity as well as those who are super close. Just a neutral statement.

I guess my takeaway - is there's already so much speculative negativity over everyone constantly saying that the cast hates Noah and he never hangs out with anyone and we know it's not the case but there's probably people in the cast he's not super close to having nothing to do with what occurred online last year. And thus, I'd hate for this narrative to turn to Finn "oh he's an asshole for not going to the wedding, he hates Millie, he ruined everything now" where - I doubt he hates her, but literally maybe they have zero relationship. Or something else, but I really don't think it effects how we should view the show. We're all just very very invested in these inner workings. That's all. I don't know.

[peakyswritings]

Alright Brummie, I’m so late and I’m so sorry, but I wanted to take the time to enjoy and only focus on this beautiful last chapter

First of all, I’m so sorry to hear your dog has passed🤍 It was a beautiful way to say goodbye, the scene with Arthur was really sweet and full of meaning. I can’t lie, it made me tear up.

The way you represented Tommy at the beginning of the chapter made me melt, so disheveled and almost vulnerable. He’s always so put together that something we tend to forget he’s human as well. And despite the way I’ve despised him throughout the chapters, I’m glad he was finally able to get some sleep. He has suffered too, after all.

The fact that he called the Post Office manager so that she would have the job is a sign of growth. He was finally able to stop being selfish and let her do her own thing.

That moment between them was so sweet, my heart was about to burst I swear. I loved how you portrayed the longing they have for one another, it felt so true!

And of course Arthur would do something. He’s been our king👑 throughout the chapters, BUT MAYBE IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT MOMENT.

" I've gone legitimate darling" Tommy said as you crossed your arms furrowing your brows. " My lock picking days are over"

Sounds like you’re enjoying this a bit, Tommy.

The references to their past had me screaming, they were so clever!

" You told Finn she was a witch. Finn told every living person he could find, which caused a small gathering of panicked old ladies to demand Father Wells pay her a visit and cleanse her mind, body and soul of evil"

This had me cracking up.

The following scene was, again, so beautiful. You perfectly captured how drawn they are to one another, even after all these years. Now that they seem to have finally stopped the war between them, it is even clearer that they feeling are just as strong as years ago, if not more.

But then, OF COURSE HE WOULD SAY SOMETHING WRONG. This man has a talent. A very frustrating talent.

Was you being irrational, were things moving to fast? Or were you trying to find a reason, any reason to halt your fragile relationship from rekindling, afraid the past would repeat itself?

Alright but this is so realistic. It’s reasonable to feel like this, especially after all that has happened since Grace came to Birmingham.

I might have said this already, but I love Arthur and (Y/n)’s relationship. You did an amazing job at portraying how much they care for one another. I loved the fact that you chose to represent Arthur’s softer side. We only see glimpses of it in the show, and you were able to explore it and make something beautiful out of it!

" Trouble, I've been saying it for years " your mum scowled as Tommy eyed up the tea towel sat on top of her weeks shopping in the woven basket resting on her forearm, knowing his turn to feel the back of it was long overdue.

This gave me such a nostalgic feeling! Tommy’s interaction with (Y/n)’s mum was everything. The bickering was funny and sweet at the same time, something tells me that - even though she’d never admit it - Tommy did win her over after all.

“Two peas in a bloody pod" she huffed as she marched off down the street a small smile making itself known as she looked up at the sky. "Isn't that right my love..."

Ohhhh this made me tear up🥺🥺

I squealed when he finally told her how he felt - AND HE SAID SORRY. At last, he did one right thing. I was almost losing hope! The last scene was so sweet. Again - I loved the parallels, and I truly hope things will be different from now on!

Thomas Michael Shelby, the man who had enough stubbornness to endure five years worth of self-inflicted heartache finally felt at peace, the one person he had dreamt to hold in his arms again now permanently by his side.

Seeing Tommy’s pov here was beautiful, seems like he finally realised that he was causing not only (Y/n)’s pain, but also his own.

Brummie, what a perfect ending for a perfect series! It was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I’m so glad you chose to share it with us! You’re such a talented writer and I can never have enough of your beautiful fics. This series surely has a place in my heart, I loved it.

Amazing work, darling!🤍

PREVIOUS PART

Hopelessly Devoted (PART SEVEN/ FINAL CHAPTER)

Summary: After Tommy's apology you find yourself back at Watery Lane with the intention to thank him for the flowers he had left you when the eldest Shelby brother unintentionally breaks a tender moment in a bid to help reunite you both, doing more harm than good. Will you and Tommy finally rekindle your strained relationship or is all hope lost?

Warnings: Language, angst, fluff, smut (Minors DNI)

Authors note: In this final chapter there is a small cameo from a four legged darling dear to my heart. My dog. A few weeks ago my sweet boy passed away at the old age of thirteen. This way my way of saying goodbye to him through the words of our dear ol' Arthur.

Walking down Watery Lane a feeling of hesitancy overcame you. You never thought you'd step back onto this street, not after you and its most infamous resident who just so happened to be the man you had been hopelessly devoted to for the past five years had a blazing row in front of everyone in the very same spot only a few weeks ago. But here you were, and as you eyed up the betting shop in the distance a ball of nerves started to bounce unforgivably around in the pit of your stomach making you feel less than confident about your descion to turn onto the notorious road. You couldn't quite pinpoint why you felt so anxious, you was supposed to be hating the man who had broken your heart more times than you cared to admit. But since that day when he had unexpectedly turned up at your front door, since he had willingly admitted to his wrongdoings, since he had left the posy of flowers on your bedsit stairs that were sitting in a vase on your kitchen table resembling a rather miserable bunch of weeds than the sweet handpicked arrangement of foliage he had left for you, something had changed. You had desperately kept the small bouquet alive for as long as you could, afraid that the sentimental gesture and the meaning behind it would die along with them. Was it a fluke? Did Tommy mean every word he had said? You thought to yourself as you approached the door with the intention to thank him for the flowers and the phone call he had placed to the manager at the Post Office in regard to the job interview he had for all intents and purposes, sabotaged. Admittedly, after everything he had done and put you through he didn't deserve a thank you let alone one in person. But in a turn of events and unexpected forgiveness on your part your anger towards him suddenly didn't hold weight any more. You found yourself wanting to see him, wanting to be near him as if the past five years hadn't happen, as if this was the very moment you had been desperately holding out for.

" Is Tommy about?" You asked as you walked into the busy betting shop. Monaghan boy was set to race later that day and half of Small Heath had scrambled into the small converted terrace house eager to place their bets on what was set to be the biggest race of the month, one Tommy had undoubtedly fixed in his favour of course. With no answer and not one single Shelby in sight you headed behind the curtains and made your way up the old rickety staircase. It had been so long since you had ventured up to the second floor of Watery Lane. But even now you still remembered where and where not to step on the creaking wooden steps from the countless times Tommy had sneaked you up to his room to spend the night. And just as you did all those years ago you found yourself biting your bottom lip in anticipation that at any moment Polly would shout down from the top of the stairs at Tommy to stop corrupting any innocence you had left, the memory of the days when your biggest worry was not getting caught making your stomach fill with a youthful fluttering of butterflies you never thought you'd experience again. " Tommy?" you called out as you stood in the hallway when you turned your head to the sound of his bedroom door opening.

"Hey" he said putting his head through his white under shirt, pulling his suspenders over his shoulders as he walked out into the landing. It was nine in the morning. Tommy was known to get up at the crack of dawn, had he just woken up? "Had a lie in" he said, surprised by his own omission as he reached for his back pocket for a cigarette. " First time in years" he added placing it between his lips as he lit a match. First time in five years to be exact or to be even more accurate, the third time since he had turned up at your place. Tommy had, for the first time in years slept the whole night through. His worn body aching for the extra time he had let himself have, for the time you had let his restless thoughts unburden themselves of the regret and guilt he had been carrying around for the past five years. Shaking the flame from the small stick of aspen he looked over at you, a faint smile playing on the edge of his lips at your flustered face. Flustered was an understatement, you looked like a dear caught in headlights. Not only was you mentally unprepared to see him half naked after all these years, you couldn't remember the last time you saw him so...relaxed. You had become so accustomed to his usual tightly wound up demeanour that he had unexpectedly caught you off guard making you loose track of what you had planned to say.

" Is everything alrig..."

" I wanted to say thank you" you blurted out cutting him off as Tommy furrowed his brow in surprise.

" Thank you? For what?" he said stepping closer as your eyes briefly darted up to meet his before returning to look at the floorboards beneath you. You felt like a teenager again, and like any teenager standing in front of whom they believed to be the love of their life, the nerves currently coursing through your body seemed to have stopped any previous ability you had to talk let alone think. You had become a fumbling mess, and it hadn't gone unnoticed.

" Y/N?" Tommy said as he ducked his head down trying to catch your line of sight when you failed to elaborate.

" For the post office job" you replied as he looked down at you watching him roll his cigarette between his thumb and forefinger.

" You would have had that job if it wasn't for me" he acknowledged, exhaling a cloud of smoke up to the ceiling.

" And for the flowers" you said finally making eye contact as you lifted your head.

"Flowers..." Tommy replied, suddenly remembering the small bouquet he had thrown in a panic after seeing, was it Harry or Henry? God, the date was such a bore you still wondered if the whole evening had be a figment of your imagination.

" Oh fuck..Tommy they weren't for me were they? I just thought with the note, with the .." you trailed off into a incoherent mumbling of words you and nobody else could understand as you covered your eyes and turned for the stairs. Your humiliation never ceasing to make itself known by your increasingly reddened cheeks.

" Y/N wait" Tommy said grabbing your arm stopping you and your attempts to flee the awkward situation." Of course they were for you" he smiled as his hand rubbed up and down your arm in a bid to reassure you. "What other woman in Small Heath let alone the whole country likes a bouquet with only three flowers eh? " he chuckled trying to ease the pressure that had suddenly encapsulated you both.

" I do" you said as you looked up into his crystal blue eyes, finding yourself slowly getting lost in his gaze.

" You do" he smiled closing the gap between you both as his thumb came up and tenderly brushed along your check. " I should have given them to you in person" he said as he cupped your face, your fingers finding their way up his chest, turning one of the buttons on his cotton shirt as you looked up at him through your lashes. Apprehensively leaning into you, Tommy's lips ghosted over yours, his thumb still stroking gently against you skin as you both waited for the other to make the next move when a heavy footed second Shelby came stomping up the stairs breaking the long awaited moment between you both.

" Right. I've bloody had enough of this I have" Arthur said as he stormed up the stairs, throwing open the closet door next to you, pushing you both inside and locking it before either of you had the opportunity to react." 'Bout time you both sorted out..." Arthur said as he waved his hand in front of the door, his face scrunched up in deep concentration as he tried to look for the missing word. "... well, whatever this is" he finished as he nodded his head, satisfied with his spontaneous plan of action, one he would later learn did more harm than good.

" Arthur open the fucking door! " Tommy shouted as he rattled the handle, the distant sound of his brother whistling merrily as he made his way down the stairs only infuriating his efforts.

" Did you set this up? " you snapped stood back as you shook your head, a scowl settling on your face as the tender moment you had both shared mere minutes ago started to fade into what was set to be another match of bickering. This is definitely something those two little shits would have conjured up. You thought to yourself as you glared at the only other person in the cramped space, all your anger now directly aimed at him.

" Me?" Tommy scoffed as he reached into his back pocket pulling out his pack of cigarettes only to find he had already smoked the last one. " Only that daft bastard downstairs could have thought of doing something like this" he huffed throwing the empty carton on the floor as he leaned against the door.

" Well.." you said motioning behind him.

"Well what?"

" Aren't you going to get us out of here?" You replied moving him out the way as you gestured at the lock when a small laugh caught in his throat.

" I've gone legitimate darling" Tommy said as you crossed your arms furrowing your brows. " My lock picking days are over" he reiterated as he leaned back against the door giving into the situation he's idiot brother had put you both in. There was no way of getting out of this, not unless you had a spare key hidden in that ample cleavage of yours that was now pressing against his chest. Tommy thought to himself as the temptation to look down was almost too much for him to refuse.

" Pull the over one Tommy" you frowned rolling your eyes at his chilled state. Anyone would think he was happy about this, and to some degree he was.

" So what do we now?" you said as you moved back the few centimetres between you and the metal shelving behind you, shifting your arms back and forth in attempts to put some space between you both.

" Well, I'm guessing we wait" he said as his eyes darted around the dark room that looked suspiciously like the one you had both found yourselves in ten years ago.

" Fuck sake" you mumbled under your breath as you looked up at him, still convinced this was his doing. "You're suffocating me, move back" you sighed blowing the lone strained of hair in front of your face away from your eyes as Tommy let out a loud huff in response, silently cursing his brother for managing to ruin the very moment he had been envisioning for the past five years, and your lesser than pissed off mood with him.

" Tighter squeeze than it was ten years ago" he said as he cleared his throat, a cocky smirk playing on the corner of his mouth.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" you asked, daring him to say what you already knew he meant as you crossed your arms in front of you, forming or rather forcing a barrier between you both as Tommy grunted at the sudden impact, your own subdued by the cushioning of your assets. The very same assets Tommy wished he had never mentioned now your elbows were digging into his chest.

" I'm only teasing Y/N" he surrendered, a sudden sense of seriousness over coming him after seeing the frustration rising in your face at the unexpected predicament. In any other circumstance he would have been more than happy to be stuck in a closet with you again. But the scowl on your face said enough for him to not worsen the situation with any more jokes. Instead he attempted to change the mood with a different subject of conversation and break the awkward silence that had descended on you both. " Your mum keeping well?"

" My mum?" You laughed, surprised be the very question you thought you'd never hear leave his lips considering their mutual despise for one another. " Well thanks to you she had a visit from Father Wells"

"From St Mary's ?"

" Yeh. Oh, didn't you know? She's been named the wicked witch of Small Heath" you said as Tommy furrowed his brow in confusion. " You told Finn she was a witch. Finn told every living person he could find, which caused a small gathering of panicked old ladies to demand Father Wells pay her a visit and cleanse her mind, body and soul of evil" you said as Tommy let out a scoff of a laugh at the idea his tall tale had caused quite the commotion with the senior citizens of Small Heath. "Anyway" you said letting your own amusement slip in the form of a small giggle as you looked around the room, a sight Tommy never got tired of seeing, his fingers itching to trace the curve of your smile, desperately wanting to repeat the broken moment you had shared.

" Have a look in there for something, to pick the lock with " Tommy said clearing his throat as he nodded towards the small box precariously sitting on another large stack of cardboard boxes in attempts to snap him out of his day dream your small giggle had let him wander in to. Manoeuvring your arm between the tight squeeze of your bodies pressed together you looked through the small box pulling out a book on the poet " Sir Edmund Spence" as you turned to face Tommy with a look of confusion on your face at the strangest discovery you had ever made in the Shelby home.

" Arthur reads, apparently" Tommy said, as you turned your head back to the box of items, a smile on you lips at your endearing affection for the eldest Shelby and his ever growing list of new hobbies when you leaned forward and a sharp tug on the back of your head had your wincing in pain.

"Great... My hairs stuck" you whined reaching behind your head trying to loosen your locks from the metal shelving pushing into your back. " Tommy! My hairs stuck!" You reiterated, when he didn't automatically jump to your add.

" Bloody hell. Stay still" Tommy said as he reached behind you pressing his chest into your face.

" You're squishing me " you said looking up at him as his eyes stayed fixed on the task Intrusted to him. With his attention else where you took the opportunity to take in every small detail of his face you had been missing for the past five years. Each freckle you used to spend countless hours counting when he'd sleep, his long lashes every girl south of Sparkhill envied, his plump lips that..."Ouch" you shrieked when he pulled harder than expected on your recently coiffed locks.

"Do you want my help?" He replied cocking a brow as he continued to unhook your hair from the shelf you had managed to get it knotted in.

"Just pull it out" you huffed wriggling in place.

" Fuck sake Y/N, I would if I could but it's stuck. If you'd stop bloody moving I'd be able to slide it out"

" Tommy..." you whined getting progressively inpatient as he loomed over you, increasing the already stifling heat your two bodies had managed to create in the small cramped space.

" Keep that whining up and you'll attract the rats"

" What rats?!" You yelped as your eyes darted around the room when Tommy finally unhooked your hair and sent you a wink, your face quickly dropping from a panicked wide-eyed stare into a small smile. Thank god you fell for that one, Tommy thought to himself. Watery Lane had become a new home to half the rats of Small Heath no thanks to Finn and his adamant goal on training them to do tricks for the small rodent circus he envisioned them performing in, much to Polly's dismay.

" Thanks" you said smoothing down your hair as Tommy moved his hand around from behind your head, his fingers lingering on the side of your cheek as he brushed the few whispers of hairs away from your face.

"Y/N..." He sighed cupping your cheeks in both his hands as you stood there patiently waiting, expecting him to pick up where things had ended out in the hallway. Had he lost his nerve? What was it about closets that always had this man lost for words? Either way you was not going to wait any longer to find out.

" Fuck it" you said pressing your lips to his as Tommy instantly dropped his hands to your hips pulling you closer into his hold.

" I've missed you" Tommy mumbled between breaths not wanting to part with the embrace any more than essentially necessary, the intensity of the moment catapulting you both back ten years as if you was kissing for the very first time. And just like all those many moons ago the years of suppressed need and desperation for eachother was making itself known quickly, very quickly.

" Tommy please..." You breathed heavily against his mouth as you pulled his suspenders down his arms, both lost in the moment of finally feeling each other, holding each other. As you both fumbled to undo his suit trousers a strained gasp left Tommy's throat when you slid your hand down into his briefs, the sudden feeling of your fingers wrapped around his hard length causing Tommy to stumble forward as his hand reached behind you grabbing the shelf to steady himself from the intense feeling of your touch.

" Fuck...I can't wait any longer" Tommy moaned as he reached under your dress moving your underwear to the side, his fingers ghosting over your wetness as he teased the entrance, making your head spin with desperation to feel him inside of you. Quickly pushing his trousers down, Tommy hitched up your dress as you wrapped your arms around his neck, his darkened stare filled with lust and need catching your eye as you hooked your finger into his briefs and pulled them down.

" Tommy, I..I need you..." You trailed off at the feeling of him grinding his length slowly through your wet folds as he looked down at the very sight he had spent nights fantasising about, trying with all his will power to not cum right then and there. It had been too long, too fucking long since he had last felt you.

" Fuck sweetheart" Tommy moaned, spreading your legs further apart with his knee as he lined himself up and push the head of his length inside of you." Holy...shit, you feel just as I remembered." Tommy breathed out as he pressed his forehead against yours. "Been thinking about this every night for five years" he groaned against your lips, his eyes squeezing shut as he pushed even further when his words suddenly snapped you out of the intensity of the moment.

" Wait stop, stop!" you said pushing him out of you as Tommy groaned at the loss of your heat around him, inches from being fully bottomed out.

" What...what's wrong?" Tommy breathed heavily as he looked at you pushing your dress down.

" This was a mistake." You said straightening out your clothes as his words ringed in your ears. He'd been thinking about this every night, even when he was with her, Grace. He had been wanting you every night but went to her instead. You wasn't naive enough to think that they had never had sex, but you suddenly felt sick at the mere thought of it.

" A mistake? Y/N, talk to me, what's going on?" He said pulling his trousers up as he stood behind you confused as to what he had did, what he had said.

" Every night you thought about me, every fucking night!" you cried as you slammed on the door. " Arthur open this fucking door!"

" Of course I did. What the fucks wrong with that? Didn't you think about me ?" He said trying to turn you around to face him.

" I did but not with someone else laying beside me Tommy!" You cried as you pushed his hands of you. "Did you fuck her thinking of me?" You sobbed disgusted by your own question, one some might be happy to hear that even whilst he was with another woman his thoughts were with you. But it seemed to have the opposite effect on you, you was revolted by the image of you on his mind as he fucked another woman, the same woman that had done nothing but belittle and humiliate you. Was you being irrational, were things moving to fast? Or were you trying to find a reason, any reason to halt your fragile relationship from rekindling, afraid the past would repeat itself?

"Jesus Christ" Tommy huffed as he pinched his brow at the sudden change in mood.

"Well?"

" Of course I fucking didn't! She meant nothing to me, I regretted it the momen..

" Only after then " you said cutting him off not wanting to hear anything he had to say about his time with her.

" You're twisting things" when had he become so bad at formulating the right words. He was beginning to think it was a skill he had perfected only for you.

" Arthur!" You banged loudly on the door, desperate to be the furthest you possibly could from the very man you had dropped everything to go and see that day.

"What in seven hell was that?" Polly said as she walked into the living room pulling the pin out of her hat as she placed her bag down onto the coffee table.

" Y/N and Tommy are working through their... differences" Arthur replied sat in an arm chair with the mornings paper on his lap.

" Oh Arthur what did you do? Actually don't tell me, I already know. You locked them in the bloody cupboard didn't you?" Polly replied as she looked up at the ceiling, your banging on the door rattling the paper thin walls.

" It's for their own good"

" Arthur, did it ever enter your new founded brilliant mind that they were actually on the right path? Tommy had apologise to her you berk! "

"How was I supposed to bloody know, I've been in London haven't I. I can't keep up, their spats change with the bloody wind! Arthur huffed throwing the Birmingham Gazette on the table in front of him.

" Jesus Christ, why do I live in a house of bloody halfwits?" Polly said shaking her head as she clutched the cross around her neck." Give me the key else we'll be calling the undertakers within the next ten minutes"

" Tom would never hurt her"

" It's not Tommy I'm worried about" she said as she hurried up the stairs holding the bottom of her dress.

" Y/N would you calm down" Tommy pleaded as you continued to hysterically pound at the door when the lock turned on the opposite side and you pushed it open, running past Polly and down the stairs out onto Watery Lane.

" What did you do now?" Polly said quirking a brow as she stood in front of the door with her arms crossed.

" At this point, breathed" Tommy huffed as leaned against the shelving in the small closet looking up at the ceiling as he finally puzzled everything together, the sudden realisation as to what his words may have meant to you, words he would have reacted as equally as angry to if he had been on the receiving end of them. It had been a one time thing, a drunken mistake he had regretted instantly. Not that his confession would ease the disgust you now felt for him. Even know you weren't together at the time, he had in that very moment when he sat at the end of the bed felt like he had cheated on you. Betrayed every declaration of love he had ever made to you, leaving him feeling physically sick with guilt as he bolted away and out the presence of the very woman he had just been intimate with.

" Penny for your thoughts?" Arthur said as he turned the corner onto the back alley of your flats a few days later.

" You don't want to hear my thoughts Arthur, and they're definitely not worth a penny" you replied sitting on the brick wall along the path, biting into an apple as you watched your freshly hanged laundry dry. Riveting.

" Why are they naughty? " he grinned as you scooted over to make room for him to sit down.

" No, murderous"

" These murderous thoughts wouldn't happen to be about a beloved brother of mine would they?" He laughed taking the apple from you as you rested your hands on the brick wall, swaying your feet back and forth as Arthur took an abnormally large bite from the last of your lunch leaving nothing left for you." Go on, tell old Arthur all about it" he said mouth half full as you scrunched your brow in amazement watching him eat down to the very core.

" Tommy's been looking for me and I've been avoiding him" you replied tucking your hair behind your ear as you looked down at the ends of your shoes.

" And why's that ay?" He asked already knowing your likely response.

" Because what's the point Arthur? We're never going to get back to how we were, back to being madly in love. Too much has happened. He did too much" you said turning your head sniffing back your tears.

" Are you pulling my leg? Back to being madly in love...you are madly in love! " Arthur chuckled as you snapped your head to him.

" I'm not joking Arthur, there's nothing left to fix" you pouted as you blinked away your tears, refusing to admit to yourself that the love you had for him was as strong as it was back then. Albeit an angrier close to committing murder kind of love.

" Ay, come on you" he sighed putting his arm around your shoulder as he watched your white linen table cloth blow in the gentle afternoon breeze. " Never seen two people in love as much you both. Even after five years of putting all us through the ringer with his bullshit Tommy never went a day without mentioning you Y/N, even if half the time it was him whinging about how you broke his poor old bloody heart first" Arthur said rolling his eyes at the very words you were convinced Tommy never went a day without letting you hear.

" Well I'm glad I wasn't the only one that had to hear that for all those years " you sniffed as a small laugh escaped your lips.

" He loves you Y/N. He's just been shit at showing it" he said as you looked up at him smiling back to you. "Please, put us out of our misery ay. I don't think I can do another five bloody years of this" he said as he squeezed you into his side rubbing your arm up and down like he was trying to start a fire with his bare hands. It was blunt, but it was to the point. Making more sense to you than the countless hours you had spent mulling in self-doubt and pity. Arthur was right could you go through another five years of this?

" Ello mate, where you been then? Out chasing rabbits old boy" Arthur said, both of you welcoming the change from the heavy conversation you'd just had as he dropped his hand down to a black and white dog slowly approaching him, his muzzle greyed by the years he had gracefully earned. " Begging now are we?" Arthur added as the four legged animal sat down in front of him, lifting his muddy paw whilst he eyed up the apple core in Arthur's hand. " Ere, you scruffy mutt" Arthur chuckled as he threw it to him, the dogs aged reflects seemingly unaffected when it came to all things edible. " Gone on, I'll see ya later" Arthur said nodding to the empty path as the dog trotted off, content with his late super firmly grasped within his mouth.

" New friend ?" You asked as you watched Arthur smooth down his stache, a smile poking through the whispers of hair.

" Gave him some leftovers few weeks back, now he won't leave me alone. Gangly looking thing ain't he? All legs and big ears" Arthur said as he watched the dog make his way down the alleyway, the sun setting down at the end of the cobbled path reflecting off the small puddles his four legged friend tip toed nimbly around.

" Bit like you then. No wonder you get along" you laughed as you looked up at the blue skies, nearly two months worth of rain finally easing up.

" Cheeky mare" Arthur said nudging his shoulder with yours as he rolled his eyes.

" How old is he?"

" Well I've counted the spots on his back, but he looks like he's been dipped in paint so I don't know"

" Arthur, he's not a ladybird"

" You're too easy Y/n " Arthur chuckled, thinking he had fooled you with his joke you was sure he had been waiting to make the moment he had conjured it up. "Nah, he's alright. He's a good boy" Arthur sniffed looking down to the end of the path as the dog stood there patiently waiting. " It's alright boy, you can go" Arthur called out with a quick nod of his head, reassuring his furred companion he'd see him again soon as he watched him walk over the small hill into the sunset disappearing from sight. " Right. Come on you. No more faffing about, let's go have a cuppa while we wait for Tommy ay? " Arthur said jumping off the wall putting his hand out for you to take as you both made your way through the alleyway, hopping over the puddles as you both giggled like two children making their way home before dark, the welcome heat of the fading sun beaming on your faces.

All day, all bloody day he'd been looking for you. Tommy thought to himself as he walked past the Garrison, the smell of beer and liquor tempting him to drown in his sorrows and abandoned any hope of finding you.

" Still breaking my Y/N's heart" he heard a voice call out on the opposite side of the street as he turned the corner onto Watery Lane, the same voice he'd been intentionally avoiding at all costs for going on five years.

" Don't you have a broom to catch?" Tommy replied as he slowed his pace, keeping a safe distance between him and the fire breathing dragon you just so happened to call mum.

" Trouble, I've been saying it for years " your mum scowled as Tommy eyed up the tea towel sat on top of her weeks shopping in the woven basket resting on her forearm, knowing his turn to feel the back of it was long overdue.

" I hope your dealings with the devil don't run in the family, because I plan on marrying your daughter and I don't fancy having to deal with her temper when it's a full moon and you lot come alive. Tommy said with a chuckle as your mother's eyes widened at the sheer cheek of the boy she'd been trying to keep you away from for as long as she could remember, for when you were together you were an unstoppable force she had no hope of winning. " Ta ra!" Tommy waved above his head as he opened the door to Watery Lane leaving your mum standing there, damning the day you and him had met.

"Two peas in a bloody pod" she huffed as she marched off down the street a small smile making itself known as she looked up at the sky. "Isn't that right my love..."

"Ay up" Arthur said over his tea cup as Tommy came stomping through the front door of Watery Lane, hair disheveled a look of shear frustration on his face as you looked up from your lap.

" Been giving me the runaround all day eh?" Tommy said as he threw his cap on the table, brushing his hand threw his hair with the other.

" I don't know what you're talking about" you replied complacently as you leaned back into the plush armchair whilst Arthur stood in the corner, a smirk on his lips as he watched the drama about to unfold over the warm cup of tea in his hands.

" Right. Enough" Tommy said pointing his finger at you as he marched over. " Stand up, come on, up" he said pulling you to your feet by your arms. " I'm sorry alright, I'm fucking sorry. For all of it" he said cupping your cheeks in his hands as he dipped his head down to look directly into your eyes. " Just one more chance ey? God knows I'm a miserable bastard without you..."

" Ain't that the bloody truth" Arthur interrupted rolling his eyes as he poured two fingers of whisky into his drink.

"... sweetheart, please" he said rubbing his thumb across you chin as he leaned in and rested his forehead on yours. " I can't do this without you Y/N " he said quietly squeezing his eyes shut as he waited for a response, feeling like it was the longest wait of his life than the few seconds it actually took for you to respond.

" One more chance " you replied as Tommy's eyes flew open.

" Yeh?"

" Yeh" you smiled as Tommy crashed his lips onto yours holding you tightly in his arms.

" 'Bout bloody time" Arthur cheered raising his tea that contained more whisky than it did anything else into the air.

" I love you Y/N Y/L/N"

" I love you Thomas Shelby" you said wrapping your legs around his waist as he lifted you up into his body, lips intertwined in an unstoppable embrace.

" Right, I'm off out then" Arthur said raising his brows as he downed his drink as quick as humanly possible " Make sure you turn that gramophone on ay, nobody wants to hear five bleeding years of making up" Arthur chuckled as he scrambled for his coat and hat heading for the door having already seen enough of your and Tommy's passionate display of reconciliation. Together at last. All it took was five years and some wise words from a gangly Shelby who had made it his life mission to not only never let your smile fade but to bring you and his baby brother back together, even if it did mean locking you in a closet.

" Tommy" you said, your head resting against his bare chest and his lazily stroked up and down your back.

" Mmm?" He hummed, his eyes shut, a content smile on his face as sleep beckoned him. He wasn't a young adult anymore, five years of making up had exhausted him. He was convinced he had beat an all time world record in the past twenty-four hours something he was now secretly proud off, maybe his greatest accomplishment yet. At Least now he could say his little white lie ten years ago had been achievable.

" What do you think we'll be doing ten years from now?" You said as Tommy opened his eyes turning his head to you.

" How did I know you was gonna ask me that ey" Tommy replied, brushing his nose with yours as he cupped the side of your face.

" Tommy.."

" The same thing sweetheart, cross my heart and all that" he said feeling his eyes get heavy with sleep again.

"I'm serious Tommy"

" So am I. No more looking back eh? Only looking beside me, you next to me holding my hand like it should've always been. I promise you that" he said pecking his lips to yours as he brought you further into his body, not only promising to you but himself to never let the past repeat itself. Thomas Michael Shelby, the man who had enough stubbornness to endure five years worth of self-inflicted heartache finally felt at peace, the one person he had dreamt to hold in his arms again now permanently by his side. He may not have shown it how he'd intended to do to, but he had always, and would always be, hopelessly devoted to you.

The End.

There we are everyone, we've come to the end of the story for Y/N and Tommy. As always, I want to thank you all for the love you have shown this series. I know I say it all the time but you have blown me away with your incredible support, I appreciate it more than you can imagine. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments on the ending of this rollercoaster of a story. Thank you to each and every one of you, my lovely readers.

Brummie xxx

Tag list: @cosniffee @jonsncws @powellssaturn @jessimay89 @bruher @riseandreigns4u @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @chimchimjiminie16 @gaslysainz @calicoootalks (unable to tag) @weaponizedvirtue @vlryexsworld (unable to tag) @shittyprofilebutfuckit @peakyswritings @kammsinn @mysticalbouquetwolf-posts @cherryslyce @esquivelbianca @taliawz (unable to tag) @answer-the-sirens @dielgonacoffee @cicilysgrace @nadloves @beeposstuff @fanatics30 @httyd-marauders @yeppaweshallsee (unable to tag) @ja-4-leyvam (unable to tag) @xmariakx @slighltyaboveaverageiq (unable to tag) @fairypitou @youngbananamilkshake @call-sign-shark @peakyltd @jeysbae @muhahaha303 @mornixgstar18 @adaydreamaway08 @atomicsaladapricotcreator (unable to tag) @1lellykins @duckybird101 @warrior-of-justice @amberpanda99 @mrstargayen09 @synx-h (unable to tag) @gypsy-girl-08 @in0320 @sherbitdibdab @vizzzashley @cinematicdilfs (unable to tag) @twlegit @strangeobsessed @vizzzashley

[halseybellaclementine]

i linked my account since halsey does tumblr as well! so i’m back :) i love my job it’s really great money so doing well there. i bought myself a car in december - a honda which i really love ! my son is almost 17 now and he has a job as a cook and i couldn’t be more proud of him!! we have a new dog (Finn- he’s actually my sons dog) we got 2 years ago when Sparky passed away. that was a sad time. also Bella, my most beautiful baby girl- my best friend in the entire universe, passed in September. it’s been so hard without her here. but she gives me strength every day. having her was a complete blessing because she got me through the most difficult times of my life!

lately i’ve been traveling to Nashville, Atlanta, and recently to Fort Lauderdale for concerts (halsey twice) and to visit my family in Tennessee. last year i saw halsey and i was in the pit at the stage and let me tell you it was insane and so amazing!! unfortunately i caught covid after that! but it wasn’t as bad as others have experienced thankfully and i didn’t pass it to my family cause i’m a germaphobe lol. before that concert i had surgery on my right wrist because i ruptured all of my ligaments & dislocated my midcarpal joint. sadly it was from abusive relationships that i was in, and it wore down my ligaments and what-not down so far, that when i got my job with amazon, it was just a disaster and sadly had to leave that place cause i can’t use my wrist the same way anymore. constant pain so it sucks but it’s okay. i learned to deal with it. i went to occupational therapy which was nice cause i had muscle atrophy so that was wild.

i’m also very thankful i ditched all of the toxic people & things that i had in my life. i lost a lot of good people due to that whom i miss dearly and think about all of the time. i hope they’re okay but hey i know it was my fault because i let others dictate me and my life. i was too scared to stand up for myself & i paid the consequences.

in 2020 i was hospitalized once again but they diagnosed me with borderline personality disorder & it really just made everything make sense. i had to go through numerous therapy classes like s*xual assault, EMDR, DBT, grief therapy, etc. it took a long time to get on the right track but i’m finally here. it’s crazy looking back on my old posts because i honestly never thought i’d be here- i never thought that i could get to a happy place. of course life isn’t perfect, as nothing is, but i’ve learned how to cope and manage. i feel like a completely different and new person now.

anyways june 23 i flew to fort lauderdale to see halsey with a live string ensemble! it was a really awesome show! i was on the floor section in row 7 and i just so glad to have been able to see her again. the hard rock hotel and casino down there was so huge in my opinion! it was soooo amazing! the weather was extremely hot and i vowed to accept the hot weather up where i live (which wasn’t as hot as down there) but when i came back we have been under a heat wave from texas and the temperatures have been scorching hot! way worse than south florida haha! can’t wait to see halsey again!!

soon i’ll be picking up my son from work & then heading to bed! by the way i love my new bed i bought last year! so comfy 😆

wow i still can’t believe how far i’ve come. my daddy and Bella would be so proud!! anyways i should get off here. there’s so much good that has happened i’m sure i’ll post more soon.

sorry for the long post and thank you to those who took the time to read :)

[unwantedcrow]

The party just got into a fight with a bunch of orcs. I (elven cleric) gets knocked down two zero hit points two different within the combat. I am rolling death saves and one of the orcs places his axe over my neck and say if anyone moves, I die.

The barbarian, thinking he was fast enough, attacked anyway.

The orc swung for his two attacks…

And rolled two nat ones.

So my poor DM now has to orchestrate why this super strong orc was unable to hit the unconscious 4’10” body of my cleric.

It was the best revenge

[calzonekestis]

No but the way ST is the biggest project so far that Grace has been a part of… that she got to work with actors she respected and who respected her… play a character and dynamic that left such a resonance despite being limited to a single episode…

She is absolutely allowed to enjoy that and the fact people have tainted the experience by being so fucking heinous and despicable is something I’ll never forgive.

Because like yes she is loved and knows she is loved, but the fact people are just. So dedicated to trying to tear or down and make her seem like a bad or creepy person.

When she is literally just the sweetest and probably most unproblematic person who just wants to live her life and play her games and cuddle her cat and eat noodles.

And enjoy the success and acclaim and fan following that she has absolutely earned and deserved.

That people make false, seriously horrifying claims about her character… while she out here just trying to vibe.

Like I know we should choose Love over Hate, don’t stoop to their level, but no fuck that I hate y’all.

If you dedicate your day to trying to tear down someone and run a smear campaign again against then - idc if they’re a celebrity or not - because you can’t stand to see them happy and living their best life? The life they deserve?

No, go fuck yourself.

If you prioritize fictional characters relationships over treating someone with just basic human decency.

Bitch I’m unhinged. Like don’t go calling me ableist, bc I legit have mental health struggles and like… that’s no excuse.

I don’t even know what the hell these people are.

A pathetic and broken excuse for a human being, I guess.

It doesn’t matter how much love, support, and solidarity is thrown Grace’s way. It doesn’t erase the abuse and bullying.

What should be one of the highlights of her life and career is forever tainted bc no matter how fondly she remembers it or loves the fans or has pleasant experiences with them - she won’t forget the absolute bullshit the twitter demons have put her though.

All this over fictional characters. Who are fucking dead within the canon, anyway.

Meanwhile her costar is even louder these days with his praise for, both her and for the ship… yet he’s infantilized and needs to be protected from his friend because she’s some sort of creepy stalker fan for being proud of the work they did together.

The man is out here with his whole chest talking about how his character had a crush, how those feelings informed his arc and how he played the character. You treat him like an infant who is babbling nonsense.

The woman shares cute fan art. She’s the antichrist, apparently.

I’m mad as hell.

Honesty, I’m glad she and Joe aren’t on the show anymore - because while I love their characters, this is the most Extreme fandom I’ve ever seen. The lovely people are so lovely, angelic. The bad apples are just.. demons. Literal actual demons. I can’t say I’m sad the show is ending, because Jesus Christ on Fire.

The way some of you people treat the cast.

Y’all making gross claims, throwing around the word “p*do” at people for shipping two high school seniors who are legally old enough to consent. Their is nothing illegal or immoral about that fictional relationship. There is no power imbalance.

The maximum age difference is 2 years… between two people who would both be adults by the time graduation came around in like two months.

Meanwhile, y’all been sexualizing Millie and Finn since they were like 13 years old.

Somehow Grace is a stalker for hanging out with a co Star a few times nearly two years ago.

Yet having notifications on for someone you hate, screenshot thing her story, and dragging her on twitter all within the span of 2 minutes of her posting it… that’s completely normal human behavior.

Again, go fuck yourself. With a cactus.

[vcg73]

Free Kurt - Wedding Edition

OK, so I never made it all the way through the episode, so this is off the cuff. But in the spirit of ‘canon is bullshit and Kurt deserved better’, here is my shot at Carole saving Kurt from that absurd S6 wedding per this request:  https://www.tumblr.com/elledelajoie/697137179001028608/free-kurt-challenge-3?source=share

TITLE: Mother May I

~*~*~*~*~

“Excuse me. Can we talk for a minute?” Carole asked, knocking softly on a support post next to the hale bale on which sat Pam Anderson, Blaine’s mother.

The dark-haired woman smiled, looking relieved to have company, and it was then that Carole realized that this woman was a stranger to everyone here, excepting her son and Kurt, and had probably been feeling a little bit lost amongst the twittering throng of wedding guests, and friends and family of the two young brides.

“Of course!” she said, scooting over a few inches to make room on the blanket covered bale. “It’s Carolyn, right? Kurt’s mother?”

“Carole, actually,” she corrected with a smile, trying not to let her puzzlement show. Surely Kurt had, at some point in his relationship with Blaine, met the other young man’s parents. And hadn’t Blaine ever talked to his mom about his boyfriend’s family? She could remember Finn excitedly babbling away about every little detail of his girlfriends’ lives when he had dated, alternately, Quinn and Rachel. And Kurt had told Burt and her all about Blaine. Even before they started dating officially, every visit home from Dalton Academy had been full of information on Blaine, the information frequently seeming to burst out with his enthusiasm to talk about the other boy.

Pam shook her head. “Right, I’m so sorry. I’m terrible with names. I’ve met so many new people today that all of the introductions have flown right out of my head.”

“Are you friends with the brides’ mothers?” Carole asked, momentarily distracted from original intention in seeking this woman out.

Pam blushed. “Actually, no. My son recently broke up with the young man he’d been living with and I was coming as his, and I quote, ‘emergency plus-one’. But then he and Kurt unexpectedly got back together yesterday, so I was going to bow out, but the boys said I should come anyway. Since I’d already bought the dress and all.” She laughed a little awkwardly, seeming to only just notice that her dress and Carole’s were very alike. “I see we have similar good taste. We almost look like we should be mothers of the grooms, instead of guests of the brides!”

The other woman laughed again, but Carole felt like her thoughts had just screeched to a halt. “They just started seeing each other again? I thought my step-son was still dating that older gentleman that he met online.”

“Oh, no. I think they were just friends. That’s what my son told me,” Pam said. “Blaine broke up with Dave last week because he said he felt like he and Kurt had worked things out, but as far as I know it didn’t become official until yesterday.”

Carole’s brow creased. She suddenly felt rather suspicious of this odd chain of coincidental timing and events. “Something is very wrong here,” she said slowly. “And I think it may be partially my fault. Earlier, Kurt was saying something to his dad and me about how he had almost gotten married last year and what a young and foolish decision that was at the boys’ age. We should have just agreed, but instead we started waxing on about how you had to grab every moment of life and make the most of it. I’m afraid I may have inadvertently projected my regrets for the opportunities my son Finn never got to have onto him.”

Pam reached out, giving Carole’s hand a wordless squeeze of sympathy that told her the other woman had heard the tragic news of Finn’s passing.

“And Kurt takes everything to heart, doesn’t he?” Pam said with a small sigh. “He’s such a sweet young man. I never did get the full story on what broke them up the first time, but I regretted losing him almost as much as Blaine did.  I love my son, but I know he isn’t good at taking responsibility for his actions, and I suspect he was at least equally at fault in whatever happened. Blaine has a bad habit of assuming that circumstances will always fall in line to suit his preference, and he becomes oblivious to anything that doesn’t fit that narrative. Those two have broken up and gotten back together so many times that I’m starting to believe Blaine’s in claims about destiny and soulmates.”

Carole sighed. “I’m not sure that I agree. Sometimes couples break up because they just aren’t suited for each other, no matter how strong the love is.  And now Brittany is trying to convince our sons that they should get married in a double ceremony today. I overheard Sue Sylvester talking to Brittany just now, and I believe the idea originated with her. That woman has an unhealthy obsession with Kurt, and lately she’s been fixed on the idea of ‘Klaine as endgame’.”

“She what?” Pam nearly screeched the words, standing abruptly. “They can’t do that. The first time they got engaged, they’d been back together for a day, and look how that turned out!  Maybe they’ll work out in the end, and maybe not. I hope they do, but not like this!”

“Agreed,” Carole said, glad to have an ally in this. She would not hesitate to take on that track-suited maniac for Kurt’s sake, but she could not honestly claim that she wasn’t a little bit scared to do it alone. “Brittany apparently thinks that having two gay weddings at one time will counteract the bad luck of her and Santana having seen each other in their bridal wear before the ceremony.”

Pam’s face froze in a quietly baffled expression, looking so much like her son for a moment that Carole had to smile. Jumping up, she grabbed the other woman’s hand and gave her a tug. “Come on. We have a wedding to save, and another one to stop.”

A few minutes later, after a hurried conference with Mirabel Lopez and Whitney Pierce, the posse of Glee moms descended on the small room where the would-be brides and grooms, along with the still looming presence of Sue Sylvester, were waiting. Each mother drew her child aside for a serious heart to heart talk.

“Kurt, I know I’m not actually your mother, but I’m going to speak to you now as if I were,” Carole said, taking Kurt’s hands in both of her own. “This is a mistake. You and Blaine started dating under less than ideal circumstances and your entire high school relationship was a series of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, usually with you paying the price to end things peacefully. I stayed out of it then, feeling that it wasn’t my place to interfere, but Finn told me a lot, and I need to apologize if I ever made you feel that I was unapproachable. Maybe if I had tried harder to let you know that you could trust me, and that you had someone you could talk to when things got rough, you never would have felt like you had to do everything on your own. Or felt like you had to give and give until there was nothing left.”

Kurt gaped at her. “But, I…” He trailed off, unable to deny that he had done just that. “Things are better now.”

“Are they?” she said, looking into his eyes and nodding to herself when he flinched away from her intent gaze. “Or do you just want them to be better because you’re in love?”

“It hurt when he was gone,” Kurt said softly.

She impulsively gave him a hug. “I know it did. Letting go of someone we love, someone we put all our hopes and dreams into, does hurt. It hurts a lot. Believe me, I know. But your first true love doesn’t have to be your one and only. You and your father taught me that.” Letting go, she led him to a handy bench to sit down. “Honey, you can’t just ignore your problems, or magically make everything okay by wishing everything was good again. If the past year of grief counseling has reinforced any lesson for me, it’s that one. You broke up for valid reasons. Maybe you worked those problems out, and maybe you didn’t. Only you can answer that for sure, but when you and Blaine got engaged, it was essentially by ambush after you’d only just become a couple again, and I don’t think you were ready for that. And now, after another breakup, you’ve gotten back together yet again, and now someone else is trying to ambush you into a wedding. Someone else’s wedding, that you’re being forced to gate-crash no less!  Does that seem like an ideal situation, or something that will work out well for you?”

Kurt’s blue eyes were welling up with tears. “No,” he whispered. “I feel like Alice from ‘Alice in Wonderland’, like random things just keep happening to me with no rhyme or reason, and the more I try to go along and make everyone else happy, the more lost and confused I feel. But Carole, what if I call it off and I lose him all over again?”

“If you can’t be honest with him, and with yourself, you’re going to lose a lot more than that,” she said gently. “For now, Brittany and Santana just need to know that they’re stronger than a little bad luck, and that today should be their big moment; a special day just for them. Their moms will figure out what to say to make that right. As for you and Blaine, just tell him that you want to date for a while. You two have always been in such a hurry for a big grand gesture to somehow prove your love, and you don’t need that. Just spend time together. Maybe go back to New York and try leading individual lives, different apartments, different jobs, different schools, and make sure everything between you is open and honest this time. But be a couple in all the important ways. By the time you graduate college, if you’re still on the same page, then set a date and plan out the wedding you want. Not this.”

The tears were trickling down Kurt’s face now, but he looked so relieved that any doubts Carole had harbored about interference vanished. He had not been born to her, but Kurt Hummel was her son just as much as her darling Finn had been, and her love for him was true motherly affection. She hugged him again, tightly.  

“I love you, Carole.”

She smiled. “I love you too, honey. Now, let’s go see how the others are coming along, and get this wedding back on track before all the guests get bored and stage a giant musical revolt that makes ‘Les Mis’ look like a summer picnic.”

Kurt laughed and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, blotting away his tears and blowing his nose. “They would do it, too. You can’t put that many divas in one room and not expect fireworks.”

In the end, only one couple tied the knot that day.

Brittany’s fears of bad luck were lifted by all of the gathered glee club members and guests forming a giant circle around the couple and singing Elvis Presley’s “Good Luck Charm”. (Which somehow everyone knew, including Brad the pianist, who magically appeared at the Indiana barn just in time to accompany the group.)

Sue Sylvester’s bad temper was soothed by a personal invitation from Kurt to be the officiant on his next wedding day – regardless of when and where that happened to take place, or whomever he ended up marrying. At this promise, Sue abruptly decided that she did not particularly care about the identity of his groom, and that really, Blaine was too short for him anyway. He needed someone tall and statuesque. Someone who would look good on a cake topper. Someone not unlike a young male version of Sue Sylvester. Porcelain would be receiving texts and emails of prospective hotties every week for the rest of his single life.

Blaine Anderson picked a fight with Kurt over the drinks table for embarrassing him and ruining his big moment yet again. He whined so loud and snarked so annoyingly, that Burt Hummel abruptly had a change of heart and decided that Kurt had been right all along to dump him. In celebration of this moment, the two Hummel men shook hands and proceeded to dump a bowl of bright red, hair-gel melting, icy punch right over the top of his head.

Pam Anderson bonded with Carole, Mirabel, and Whitney, drinking and dancing the night away, and putting down the roots of a great friendship and a killer ladies bowling league. The next day Blaine - newly single and still showing blotches of a peculiar shade of pink here and there due to Brittany having made the punch out of double-strength Kool-Aid - drove his still happily inebriated mother, who had partied until dawn, home to Ohio.

Kurt returned to New York, much more happily single. Two months later, he went on a blind date set up by his best friend Elliott, and they hit it off immediately. According to Kurt’s very pleased father, the guy wooed his son like romance was a National sport and Kurt’s heart was the pennant. 

Brittana lived and loved happily ever after.

THE END

[xxblackballoonxx]

Electric: Chapter 7

Modern John Shelby AU

This fic is being posted simultaneously on FanFiction.net and Ao3. Classy smut warning beginning with Chapter 5.

Chapter 6 J&Gem Chats 6 J&Gem Chats 7 Chapter 8

Electric

Chapter 7: Minor Chords

Gemma stood outside Julia’s front door, takeaway bag in hand. John had gone home early afternoon, after spending the morning together. Mostly in bed. Gemma could still feel the imprint of his hands on her skin, his lips on hers. The way his eyes burned into her, looking down, the feel of his weight above.  

“Gemma! Come in.” Julia exclaimed as she opened the door and broke Gemma out of her haze.

She followed Julia into the lounge, placing the takeaway bag on the table. Julia took her jacket and then looked at her expectantly.

“So what was the rush, everything alright?” Julia asked worriedly.

Ever since Gemma had moved to Birmingham, they’d been meeting up every other week or so for drinks or dinner, and they had another dinner on the books in just a few days. Gemma had called Julia a few hours earlier, asking to come over.

“I have something to tell you, nothing bad, promise. I just need to tell someone who would actually get it.” Gemma replied.

“What’s going on?” Julia asked as she unpacked the takeaway containers.

“You know how last week, I went to see Coventry? I met someone at the show.” 

“That’s great! Tell me about him.” Julia said, digging into her dinner.

“That’s the thing … Jules, it’s John Shelby.” Gemma said slowly, watching for the reaction she knew was to come.

Julia dropped the fork into the container and set it down, a shocked look on her face.

“John. Shelby. As in, John Shelby of the Peaky fucking Blinders?!” Julia shrieked making Gemma laugh.

“Yes, the one and only. Turns out, he owns The Garrison, and happened to be bartending that night.” 

“Holy fuck. My sister would freak if she heard this, she loved them back in the day. Tell me everything.” Julia said excitedly. 

Gemma filled her in on what happened since, leaving out the finer details of the tragedy the family had suffered. She couldn’t believe it had only been a little over a week since she’d met John, it seemed like so much longer.

“You’re here, what, 3 months? And you’re dating John Shelby. I’ve lived here my entire life and I can’t even find one decent guy. You have to tell me how he is in bed.” 

“Jules!” Gemma replied in mock horror.

“Oh come on, the man is gorgeous. He just spent two nights at your place. Please tell me the sex is incredible, because I need to live vicariously through you.” Julia replied, hands on her hips, expecting a response.

“Honestly? Best ever. I have never liked someone this much, and never this fast. It feels crazy but not?” 

Julia shrieked again and Gemma couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s excitement. It was nice to have someone to talk to who actually understood what dating John Shelby meant. She had told a couple of friends back home in the US, but they didn’t know the context.

“The other thing is … I want to hear their records. I asked John and he was ok with me listening to them, since I know everything that happened now. Figured we could pull up the archive files at the label?” Gemma asked.

“I can do better than that, girlie. I’ve got the original CDs, hold on.” Julia replied.

After a few minutes of sifting through a near bursting cabinet of CDs and records, Julia pulled out two cases and handed them to Gemma. She flipped the first one over to see the back cover artwork, and found herself looking at a young John with Tommy and Arthur.  

“He’s so cute in this, and has only gotten better looking with time.” Gemma said dreamily.

Julia smiled and put the first album in her CD player as the two sat back and listened.

************************************************************************

John sat in the back booth of The Yard with Finn and Arthur, for their standing Sunday dinner.  Any Shelby in town on Sundays was welcome to attend, but these days it was usually just the three of them and Uncle Charlie.

“So where is the lovely Gemma tonight?” Arthur asked as they all sipped from their pints.

“She’s having dinner with a friend. To ah, listen to the Blinders records, actually.” John responded.

“You’ve told her then.” Arthur responded, brow raised.

“Yesterday, yeah. I know it seems really early, but I haven’t felt like this since … “John trailed off.

“Well, I really like her.” Finn commented, trying to steer the conversation away from John’s grief.

“Me too. You tell Tommy?” Arthur replied.

“Not yet … Ada knows 'cause she figured something was up. I need a little more time before I tell Tommy. I don’t want to wreck this if he starts meddling.” John said.

“You know it will be worse if he finds out on his own, you should tell him soon.”  Uncle Charlie added in as he took a seat at the edge of the booth.

“I know. I want things to be a little more established between me and Gemma. Trying to ease her into the Shelby family.” John said, laughing a bit.

“Invite her for dinner tomorrow, John.” Finn suggested.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I know you’d love that and I would, too. I’ll be sure to find a reason to go out so you two can be alone.” Finn joked as John’s face went red.

John pulled out his phone and messaged Gemma.

Gemma grinned as she messaged with John, while the final track on the first album finished.

“I can’t believe how good they are.” Gemma said as Julia got up to switch over to the second Peaky Blinders album.

“I know, it was shocking enough when they went on hiatus, but for it be 10 years now? Crazy. And such a tragedy, what happened in that accident. My sister was devastated about the band breaking up, and she knew both Greta and Martha a bit from going to shows. The news hit hard here.” 

Julia looked over at Gemma’s phone, catching a glimpse of the conversation.

“Well look at that. Not only do you have John Shelby on his knees, you’ve got Finn Shelby right behind him.”

“Jules! Finn’s barely 18! He’s a sweet kid, and a great musician from what I saw, but no! No no.” Gemma said while laughing.

“Well, you’ll have to report back to me about this double Shelby dinner. I need details. All of them.”

************************************************************************

The following evening, Gemma met John outside her building. He kissed her and then slung her overnight bag over his shoulder before taking her hand.

“How are you, love?” He asked as they headed in the direction of the Shelby house.

“Best part of my day so far. How was your day?” Gemma said smiling.

“Eh, the usual Monday at The Garrison, a bunch of old men and no pretty girls.” John replied, winking at her.

“So I’m just here for my looks? I see how it is.” Gemma joked and knocked his hip with hers.

“Oh you’re here for it all, darlin’. ” John responded confidently and it made her feel warm inside.

“You’re very old school, J, and I’m into it. Carrying my bag, walking on the outer part of the sidewalk, picking me up. It’s cute. And hot. Not many men like you today, Mr. Shelby.” Gemma commented and watched John smile in response.

“Well thank you, Ms. O’Neill. All in a day’s work, so you’ll sleep with me later.” He said raising his eyebrows suggestively.

Gemma burst out laughing and John could feel his heart healing just at the sound of her happiness. 

It was a short 15 minute walk from Gemma’s flat to the Shelby house. John opened the door for her, guiding her inside with his hand at her lower back.

“Finn? Haven’t set anything on fire, right?” John shouted.

Finn came out from the kitchen with an annoyed look on his face.

“I will have you know, Gemma, that I’m a really good cook and I haven’t set the stove on fire in at least 5 years.” Finn replied smugly.

“Well that’s good to hear, Finn. What are you two cooking anyway?” Gemma said as John led her into the kitchen.

Finn picked up a cookbook that was laying on the counter and showed her the open page.

“This looks really good, and really involved. How’d you two get so good at cooking?” 

“We started cooking a lot when I was younger, when it was just me and John mostly. We’d pick out a couple of recipes a week to make. We both ended up really enjoying it.” Finn responded.

Gemma looked up at John, who put a hand on his brother’s head and rubbed it affectionately.  She could see a glint of sadness in his eyes, but Finn’s grin back at John was so profoundly lovable. It was obvious the two were very close.

John was slumped on the couch one Tuesday afternoon. He’d done everything he could to avoid drinking that day, but wasn’t good for much else. He heard the front door open and Finn came running into the room, launching himself on top of John.

“Hey, mate. How was school?” John asked as he hugged Finn before the younger boy sat up next to him.

“It was boring. Mrs. Changretta gave us too much homework and I have to read a whole book this week!” Finn pouted.

“A whole book? You better start on that tonight little buddy.”

“I’m hungry, John. What are we having for dinner?”

John groaned internally. He had meant to do a food shop that day but it had slipped his mind somewhere between eating breakfast and the hours spent on the sofa.  

“How about some takeaway? And I’ll go to the store tomorrow?” 

“I’m tired of takeaway. Can’t you cook something?”

John pulled himself up into a sitting position and put an arm around Finn, who leaned into him.

“How about we get a takeaway tonight, and then after supper we pull out some of Mum’s cookbooks and pick out something to make? I’ll get all the ingredients tomorrow and we’ll make it together, promise.”

Finn nodded and reached over to hug John. It pained him so much sometimes, to see his little brother without a mother.  He knew he was doing far better for Finn than their father, but he was no substitute for their mother.

“John?” Finn asked in a small voice.

“Yeah, mate?” 

“Are you sad because you miss Martha and the baby?”

“Yeah.” John said after a moment, trying to compose himself. 

“I miss her too. And Ada and Tommy and Arthur.” Finn replied and hugged John tighter.

“I know, bud. But we’ll see Ada, Tommy, and Arthur this weekend, yeah?”

With Ada at university, Tommy lost in his own grief, and Arthur drinking away survivor’s guilt, John had somehow become the most stable presence in Finn’s life. And Finn would realize as he got older just how much he had helped John through the worst time in his life.

John worked on the finishing touches of the meal while he sent Finn and Gemma to set the table in the other room. Gemma set down plates at each place setting, while Finn followed her with silverware.

“I know it’s early days, but you make John really happy. He said he’s told you everything?” Finn said quietly, smiling at Gemma.

“He did. He makes me happy, too. I’ve never felt like this.” Gemma commented back, keeping her voice low.

“Ask him to play for you. He needs it. He still has a small studio upstairs.” Finn responded.

Gemma nodded and looked up to see John carrying in a serving platter.

************************************************************************

Shortly after dinner, Finn carried the plates into the kitchen and announced he was going out with some friends. John and Gemma said goodbye, both smiling at how obvious Finn was being, and how endearing it was.

“We can clean up later. Why don’t I give you a tour?” John said, taking Gemma’s hand.

He showed her around the first two floors of the house, and then led her up to the third floor.

“Ada’s redone most of the house by now, there’s just one room and a bathroom up here to do up. This is my room over here.”

John opened the door to his bedroom and led Gemma inside. It suited him perfectly, muted blues and mid tone wood, a window overlooking the street below, a small ensuite bathroom. John walked towards the bed and sat down, looking up at Gemma. His hands ran up to her hips and she leaned down to kiss him.

John lay back and pulled Gemma on top of him, wrapping his hand in her hair as the kiss deepened. She kissed his cheek and then moved her lips to his neck, working her way down to the skin showing through his unbuttoned collar.

“There’s something I want you to know.” He whispered.

“What’s that, babe?” She responded as she worked her way back to the spot behind his ear, that she already knew drove him crazy.

“No other girl has been in this bed or this room in ten years.” He admitted, watching as she looked up in surprise.

“I just … never wanted to bring someone here who wasn’t the one. You know?” He continued, slipping his hand under her shirt, needing to touch her.

“I understand, J.” Gemma replied softly, holding his face gently.

He closed his eyes and felt her kiss him again, her hair swinging down around his face, her fingers against his neck. And he was glad that she would be the first to sleep in his bed in a very long time.

“Hey, John?”

“Yeah?” He said, opening his eyes.

“Would you play for me?”

He thought for a moment, as she waited patiently, sitting up with her legs still straddling his. It had also been a long time since a girl he felt something for had asked him that.  

“Sure. Come with me.”

John led Gemma back down to the second floor, to the one door they hadn’t gone into. Inside was a small studio, immaculate, with several guitars and a keyboard lining one wall, posters of the Peaky Blinders on another.  He motioned for her to sit on the small corner sofa, and then pulled a guitar out from the rack nearby.

John sat on a stool in front of her, tuning the guitar a bit, and started to play. Gemma was mesmerized, watching his forearm as he strummed, his fingers moving across the frets. It was a haunting melody, mostly minor chords, and she could feel everything that he was trying to express.  

John looked up at Gemma watching him, and it gave him the confidence to do something he hadn’t done in front of anyone else in years. Sing. He closed his eyes for the rest of the song, focusing on the words and melody. 

“John Shelby. You didn’t tell me you could sing like THAT.” Gemma said, shocked. She’d heard his voice in backing vocals on the records, but this was a very pleasant surprise.

He shrugged with a small smile on his face, and went into another song, feeling inspired.

************************************************************************

“I didn’t think you could get any hotter, but listening to you sing and watching you play, I wanted to jump you right there.” Gemma murmured into his ear as they made out, half dressed on his bed.

“And to think, all I did was serve you a Coke and you were hooked.” He responded, smirking against her collarbone as she laughed.

John unhooked her bra and rolled over so that she was beneath him. He worked his way slowly down to her underwear, and dragged them down her legs before removing his own boxers. He kissed up her thigh, pushing her legs open further, as she gripped his hair.  

He slid his tongue into her wet center, and sucked gently. Her fingers tightened against his scalp, and after a minute she pulled him up. He had noticed this their first night together. Coming back to that later, he thought to himself, and worked his way back up to her breasts before sliding into her.

John pushed himself in completely and gripped Gemma’s hand beside her head. Gemma sighed his name into his neck, she didn’t think she’d ever get over how incredible it felt to stretch around him. He moved slowly, drawing out each stroke as much as possible, running his lips across Gemma’s skin. She dug her nails into his shoulders as he built up the pleasure she was feeling. 

Gemma wrapped her legs around his back, and he slid in even deeper, earning a sharp inhale as John moaned loudly. He could feel her breath pattern change and the sounds she was making were going to send him over the edge.

“Come with me, love.” He said in a low voice in her ear.

He moved faster and harder as Gemma held the back of his neck tightly, looking into his eyes. Her head rolled back and her back arched as she felt her orgasm rip through her. John couldn’t take his eyes off her as he released into her, saying her name with every pulse.

Later, as she slept curled into him in one his t-shirts, he knew he’d made the right choice in never inviting random girls home. He only ever wanted Gemma in his bed now.

[fangirlshrieks]

Spring Break part 2

a/n: Thank you to everyone who liked my story. I'm very excited for you to read part 2. Also there will now be 3 parts. I am new here and didn't know that there was a word limit to my posts so expect a third part. I also forgot to mention this is basically a self insert of me, but aren't all Y/N stories self inserts. Anyway I hope you enjoy.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Word count: 6,326

Pairings: Neville Longbottom x female reader

Warnings: smut!, fluff!, mentions of plant boy's insecurities, mentions of nudity.

The lake house had actually been in the countryside of London and a little farther from your home than you had expected. Because of this you were not so surprised when Neville's grandmother had sent an owl saying to pack an overnight bag. She obviously trusted you and her grandson to act responsibly during this trip but you were secretly thankful for her naivety. 

The weather had been forecasted to be cloudy and rainy that week so there was much hope to spend most of your time indoors secluded from everyone but that would only add suspicion. You would have to come up with a better plan.

You had arrived at the adorable two story house at about 11 in the morning. You wore your old rain boots perfect for the weather and your jeans were tucked into your boots. Your coat wrapped tightly around you keeping you warm along with the knitted sweater you wore underneath. 

You walked up to the porch that seemed to wrap around the entire house. You knocked on the front door. No answer. You checked to see if it was the right address. It was. Then you rang the doorbell and heard footsteps rushing to the door. 

Neville swung the door open and smiled once he saw it was you. 

"Y/N you're here!" 

"Hi Neville." You said, giving him a firm hug. He gave you a peck on the lips before letting go.

"Oh wait, before you go in make sure to wipe your shoes. Gran made it very clear to me that I would be dead by morning if the carpet got dirty." 

He saw something behind you and looked over your shoulder. "Oh you brought a bag?" He raised his eyebrow in confusion. 

"Yeah, didn't your gran tell you that she asked me to spend the night? You know this place is not as close to my home as I thought." You said as you wiped your boots on the welcoming floor mat.

"She hasn't actually. I guess this is a surprise?" He didn't know what intentions his grandmother had with allowing you to spend the night but it made him a bit nervous.

Neville grabbed your lugged and let you in, closing the door behind you.

"Gran Y/N's here." He called out for his grandmother as he carried your luggage to the living room. 

"Oh she's here!" Augusta Longbottom said from  the kitchen. She ran out the kitchen along with the women who owned the lake house. 

"Hello Mrs. Longbottom" you greeted Augusta with a smile and hug. 

"Hello my darling." She returned your smile and hug.

"Oh she is very pretty." The lady next to her stated.

A blush crept on your cheeks at the complement. "Thank you." 

"I told you." Augusta replied to her friend. "Y/N this is my dear friend Nancy Evans. We used to go to Hogwarts together." 

You extended your hand towards Nancy. "Nice to meet you Ms. Evans." 

"Why hello Y/N. I have heard so much about you in the past week, especially from Neville. And can I just say you are just a beautiful young girl." She turned towards Neville. "Neville you are truly a lucky boy." 

Neville smiled bashfully at her remark. "Yes."

"Neville, why don't you take Y/N's luggage to the extra guest bedroom down here." Augusta ordered Neville. He did as he was told and went to the bedroom. 

"Y/N why don't you go unpack your things and meet us in the kitchen when you are done." Augusta stated.

"Sure" and with that you followed Neville into your room. 

"Wow this place is awesome!" you exclaimed as you entered the room taking off your coat and placing it on the bed.

Neville jumped a little having not heard you follow him in the room. "Oh yeah it's great but all I've been able to do is walk around the lake by myself." He laughed a little. "There's not much to do. But grand has been having the time of her life getting back together with Ms. Evans."

"Yeah?" you asked, opening your suitcase on the bed and unpacking. "What do they even talk about?" 

"It's not what they talk about, it's who they talk about. They mostly catch up on gossip. I even caught Gran talking about me once when I was walking into the kitchen. I couldn't believe it. They even changed the subject when I entered the room. Unbelievable." He rolled his eyes at his grandmother's gossiping habit. 

"What did they say about you?" 

"I don't really know. But I can tell it was something embarrassing by the way they both tried to stop laughing once I left." 

"It must have been something from when you were little then." You teased. 

He just glared at you sarcastically. 

"What? I love when your gran tells me about your childhood. Even more when she has pictures to go along with the story." You place your clothes into the empty drawers.

He blushed furiously at your comment. You smiled up at him and wrapped your arms around his waist. You loved the effect you had on him. 

"Come on let's go to the kitchen before they start getting suspicious." You raised your eyebrow teasingly. You didn't expect your words to affect him as much as they did. 

He was even more red and he began to sweat a little. Although you were not sure if that was due to his knit sweater more than your words. 

The real reason was because he had been thinking about you all week before you had arrived. He was a little more relaxed knowing that you would only be staying for the day but as soon as he found out you would be spending the night he became increasingly nervous. 

"I'm only kidding" You gave him a worried look. "Is everything alright?" 

"I'm fINne…." His voice cracked and he coughed clearing his throat. "I'm fine." He stated a little quietly. 

"Ok." You gave him a questioning look. You felt as if there was something he wasn't telling you but right now we not a good time to bring it up.  "Should we go?" You pointed towards the direction of the kitchen.

He nodded a yes refusing to speak fearing that he would just embarrass himself more. You intertwined your fingers with his and led him to the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen the two of you stood awkwardly by the middle island. That's when Augusta heard you walk in and turned towards you.

"Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry but me and Nancy had made plans to go see a play in the city." Augusta stated unapologetically.

"Yes, we will be meeting an old friend who lives in the city nearby. He invited us to go see a new musical of some kind." Nancy added.

"Yes and I'm afraid we will have to push our picnic to tomorrow. Is that alright?" Augusta asked.

"Oh that's perfectly fine with me. I hope you enjoy yourself." You gave her a smile.

"Such a sweet girl." Augusta returned your smile. 

"I can show you all the cool plants I found by the lake if you'd like?" Neville asked beside you. 

You smiled brightly at him and nodded a yes.

"Great now that that's settled we will be leaving in about 20 minutes. He sent his flying carriage to come pick us up." Augusta and Nancy got up and headed towards the living room to grab their bags. 

"Isn't that so nice of Henry" Nancy stated. 

The two ladies began to chat about their city friend Henry. You were amused by their constant chattering. 

"I wished they had told me about this. Sounds like they had been planning to leave me by myself." Neville whispered to you.

"At least we'll have the house to ourselves." You gave him a discrete wink, which made him flustered. You laughed at your boyfriend's embarrassment. It was becoming more and more easy for you to rattle him recently. You definitely needed to talk to him once the older ladies left. 

"Neville" Augusta called from the living room. 

"Yes Gran." Neville rushed to meet his grandmother in the living room. You followed not far behind.

"Neville if you and Y/N go out, do not track in mud in the house. Do you understand? It would be embarrassing for me to have to explain to Nancy why her white carpet was completely ruined by my grandson. You know this carpet was imported from a wizard in Russia. It takes a special kind of magic to clean it." She ran on a tangent. 

"Yes ma'am." Neville answered her.

"Mrs. Longbottom I promise we won't get a single drop of mud on this carpet." You piped in.

"Good." Augusta was more relaxed with your input. She trusted you to keep the place clean but was wary about Neville. "We'll be back by 8pm. Knowing Henry he will have a whole day's worth of events planned." 

She waved goodbye to the two of you as she entered the carriage and flew off to the city. The two of you sat on the porch steps watching the carriage fly out of sight and into the gloomy clouds.

"Do you want to go out to the lake?" Neville asked.

You sighed to yourself pretending to think. "Yeah" you said, smiling at him.

The two of you got up and walked hand in hand around the house and towards the lake. There was a bit of awkward silence as you walked through the forest. You wanted to ask what was wrong and why he was so fidgety all of a sudden. You felt like your constant teasing was making him uncomfortable. You were about to ask but he spoke first.

"Look, a bird's nest" He pointed up at the tree. There was a blue bird in the nest resting cozily. 

"Awe. It's so cute." You smiled up at Neville who was still looking at the bird. You found his child-like admiration for the bird adorable. 

As you got closer to the lake it got colder and started sprinkling. Neville stopped to point out some of the plants he had never seen before. It honestly felt like an educational field trip but you didn't mind because you were absolutely in love with the teacher. This went on until you reached the lake.

You had walked under a particular low tree right by the edge of the lake. When Neville followed you. His tall stature had caused a few leaves to get caught in his hair. You noticed them when you turned around to ask him about a plant you had found in the water. 

"You got something in your hair." You smiled up at him and reached to get the leaves out of his hair. He stepped closer to you so that your faces were mere inches away from one another. 

"There" you whispered once you got the last leaf out of his hair. 

The way his doe eyes looked at you like you were the most beautiful person in the world made you weak in the knees. You couldn't help but lean in for a kiss. His lips were soft to the touch and warm compared to the rest of his body, which was cold from the rainy breeze. You abruptly stepped back and devilishly smiled at him. You ran away quickly, daring him to come chase you.

"Wait that's not fair." He called out to you as he began running after you. 

He eventually caught up to you and wrapped his arms around your middle and lifted you up, spinning in a circle as he did. You both laughed at your childish ways. When he put you down you turned around and he pulled you in for a passionate kiss. His hands were on your hips while you cupped the side of his face. Neither of you pulled away until you needed to breathe.

"You know I love you, right" you looked into his eyes with a warm smile. 

He looked at you with a love sick expression and smiled happily. "I'm yours forever." He truly meant it. He leaned in again for another kiss. 

When the two of you finally parted you walked hand in hand along the edge of the lake. That's when you decided to ask what he was bothering him.

"Neville, you know you can tell me anything, right?" You cautiously stated. 

He looked at you surprised by your sudden words. Then he realized that you had noticed his nervous state. "I… I know." 

"Cause I feel like you're hiding something from me." You bit your lip nervously. "Every time I tease you, you seem a little on edge. I can stop if that makes you uncomfortable." 

"Oh no it's not that it's… it's just that… I… well I don't know" he was stumbling over his words and didn't know how to explain his thoughts. His face grew redder by the second. The two of you had stopped walking and ended up in the middle of a huge mud pile under a tree.

You stood in front of him holding his hand, squeezing it to show your support. You looked up at him but he avoided your gaze instead choosing to look at his thumb which was rubbing the top of your hand. 

The rain started to come down a little harder creating more ripples in the water. The tree hardly protected the both of you.

"Neville?" 

"I… " he became even more flustered and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He quickly regretted his decision to tell you what he was truly thinking and let go of your hand and slowly back away from you. As he did he slipped in the mud falling flat on his back. 

"Ahhh!" Mud had splattered in the air, some landing on you. 

"Oh my gosh, Neville are you alright?" You tried concealing a laugh. 

"I'm ok" He laid flat on his back with an embarrassed look on his face. 

You kneeled beside him to help him up. He was almost stuck to the ground as you tried pulling him out of the mud.

"What did you fall in, superglue?" You chuckled.

He laughed along with you. Just as he was getting up you slipped and fell on your butt. 

"Achh!" You fell with a splat. 

"Ahh! I'm so sorry" He said as he helped you up. 

Your bottom and the back of your legs were covered in mud. However it was not as bad as Neville's back side. His entire back side was covered in mud from head to toe. It looked as if someone had painted one side of his body. 

"Neville, What's gotten into you?" Concern filled your voice. "Honesty, you're worrying me." You cupped his cheek into your hand. 

"I'm sorry Y/N. It's just…" he sighed in defeat. "I've been thinking about what we talked about a couple weeks ago, you know about taking our relationship to a more intimate level. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Well actually I haven't been able to stop thinking about how terrible I would be. I really don't want to disappoint you." 

"Oh Neville. Is that what all of this was about?" You gave him a soft smile. "Neville you could never disappoint me. I guess I haven't been so discreet about my intentions for coming, have I?" You giggled. 

He gave you an apologetic look. You always knew how to defuse the tension. "No not exactly." 

"You know that the first time is always awkward right? I mean, I will try to make you as comfortable as possible but just remember to relax."

You wrapped your arms around him to comfort him. You felt the sleeve of your sweater get completely covered in mud as you did. 

"Oh forgot" you said as you removed your arms. 

"Sorry" Neville apologized. He furrowed his eyebrows. He seemed to do that whenever he was flustered, worried, embarrassed, or any other case when he was stressed. 

You reached up to gently message the tension out of his eyebrows. "Relax." 

He smiled down at you. Your sleeve touched the side of his face getting mud on his cheek. That gave you a funny idea. You pulled your sleeves up and rubbed the excess mud on his cheeks. 

"Hey!" He chuckled. "You know two can play at that game." He bent down and grabbed a handful of mud and flung it up at you. 

"Ahh" It had splattered all over your sweater. You retaliated by throwing mud at his face. 

The two of you continued your game and were soon covered in mud. Your hair was a mess and your clothes were absolutely dirty. The same could be said about Neville but probably worse. It started to rain harder than before creating more mud. 

Neville was finally at ease about the whole situation. You always knew how to calm him down and make him feel confident in himself. It was one of the things he loved most about you. You were happy to see your boyfriend more calm and sure of himself than before. 

Once you heard thunder in the distance that's when you stopped. You turned to look at him. "I think we should head back don't you?" You said a little breathless from play fighting. 

"Yeah ok, we better head back before it gets worse out here." Neville said looking up at the sky.

"I'll race you there?" You challenged him. But before he could say anything you were off running back to the house. 

"That's cheating!" Neville chased after you screaming.

Your laughs could be heard all throughout the forest as the two of you ran back towards the house. Once the house was in sight, you sprinted faster towards the porch. You stopped running when you touched the back door. You rested leaning over the railing glad that the roof of the porch had stopped some rain from falling on you. Neville was not far behind and sat on the porch steps catching his breath.

"I win…" you said breathlessly. 

"Yes you did…" he laughed. 

Neville turned to look at the back door, then his eyes went wide with terror. He remembered what his grandmother had told him about not getting the carpet dirty. Then he looked at himself and then at you. Your boots were covered in mud. Some mud had even gotten into your boot. His boots were much worse. There was a tear in one of them, showing his pinky toe covered in a now muddy sock. 

"Oh my god!" He placed his hands on his head. "Gran's gonna kill me if we get mud on the carpet!" His breathing quickened. "What are we gonna do?" 

That's when you realized you forgotten about your promise to Mrs. Longbottom. You were not about to break your promise. You had to come up with a solution and fast. The lake was too far to go back and wash up and the rain seemed less harsh now. You looked at Neville then to the door and then back at Neville and back at the door again. 

"Do you have a bathroom in your room because there isn't one in mine?" You asked Neville.

"Yeah there's a bathroom in my room. Why?" He raised an eyebrow at you. 

"Well we could leave our clothes out here and rush up stairs to your room. Do you have any towels in your room?" You smiled sheepishly at him. 

Neville was caught off guard by your proposal. He couldn't seem to close his mouth; it was trapped open. He had barely registered that you had even asked him a question. 

"I… I… do actually." He finally responded in almost a whisper.

"Great. Then it's a plan." You stated confidentiality, but the confidence was more of an illusion. 

"It's a plan." Neville repeated your words in shock. He couldn't believe what was happening although he was not entirely sure what this meant or if it would lead to anything. He was also very relieved that there were no houses nearby to see the strip show. Luckily the closest neighbors were about 5 acres away and the trees surrounding the house provided some privacy.

You began untying your shoe laces and talking off your boots. He followed your actions and took off his socks as well. Your feet were clean and so were Neville's. That was the good part. He began to unbuckle his belt and hesitantly dragged them down them down to his ankles. You took your knitted sweater off revealing your tan bra. Neville turned red at the sight of you and quickly turned around to give you some privacy but tripped over his own pants that were still around his ankles. He grabbed onto the railing before he could fall and stepped out of his pants. He felt completely exposed and cold. 

As Neville turned around you got a great view of his ass. He had on dark blue boxer briefs that hugged him perfectly showing off how round his butt was. You bit your lip and felt your face heat up at the thought. You then unbuttoned your jeans and slide them right off, placing them with your sweater and socks.

Neville had discarded his sweater and under shirt that hand somehow managed to get muddy as well. He was now just in his underwear and freezing. When he turned towards you he was met with the sight of you taking off your jeans. Your cheeky pink underwear almost gave him a heart attack. Your body was so perfect in every way and you were just so beautiful. He felt himself grow a little hot in some areas of his body and mentally chastised himself to not embarrass himself. Then he felt a wave of self consciousness as you turned to look at himself. He tried to cover his stomach and crotch area at the same time and not look awkward while doing it but failed. 

When you turned your heart fluttered in your chest. He was the most gorgeous person you had ever laid eyes on and your love for him grew by the second. You noticed his actions and stepped closer to him and grabbed both of his hands. They were freezing and he visibly shivered. You rubbed your hands with his to try and build up some heat.

"We better get inside quickly." You said leading him towards the door still holding his hand. 

The two of you were fairly clean besides your heads which were basically covered in dry mud. There were a few patches of dried mud around your bodies but they wouldn't touch the carpet so that was not a problem. 

You opened the back door and stepped inside testing to see if you left a mark of some kind. when you didn't the two of you entered the house. All the lights in the house were off making it dark and gloomy. You let go of Neville's hand to turn around and close the door behind you. So far the carpet was not marked up or dirty. 

"Alright I think we're good." You said grabbing Neville's hand again and leading him upstairs. As you walked in front of him, he couldn't help but stare at your ass that was barely covered by anything. He blushed furiously as your movements made your butt giggle a little.

At the top of the stairs he led the two of you to his room. Upon entering the room you closed the door behind you and locked it, but Neville didn't seem to notice you licking the door. The room was very cozy. Only a lamp that Neville had forgotten to turn off gave the room light. The windows were shut and the sound of rain hitting the glass could be heard from outside. Neville had walked near the bed holding himself to keep warm and stood there not knowing what to do. Then you finally spoke.

"Where are the towels?" You asked. 

"In… in the closet." His teeth were chattering and his lips were blue. 

You ran up to him and grabbed his hands again. "Oh my gosh your freezing. You should go and take a shower first."

"No you should… You're my guest… You go first..." His sentences were slow due to how cold he was.

"Neville, you're obviously cold you should go first." 

"Aren't you cold?" He worried.

"Yes, but my face isn't turning purple." 

"Y/N I'm fine. Seriously. You go ahead." He was stubborn and so were you. 

When he wouldn't go in first, you had an idea. 

"Fine I'll go first." You walked towards the bathroom and turned on the lights. Then you turned back to look at him standing underneath the doorway.

"You can join me if you'd like?" You felt your cheeks warm up.

His eyes widened and his mouth slowly gaped open to respond but nothing came out. 

"It's just, I don't want you to be waiting for me out here for me to get out. You're all wet and freezing. I don't want you to get sick." You had hoped your excuse would persuade him to take a shower with you. You were really trying to set the mood for your later plans. When he didn't answer, you quickly try to push those thoughts to the back of your mind. 

'Shit did I misunderstand him at the lake. Maybe he needs more time. Did he mean that he wanted to do this another time. Oh fuck, he did.' you thought to yourself.

"I mean you don't have to. We don't have to do anything if you don't want to." You said blushing furiously. 

"No!" He replied more quickly and a little louder than he anticipated. "I mean yes. Yes, I would like t-to join you." He gulped a little at his last statement.

You smiled up at him happy that you didn't misunderstand him. "Ok. Great. Uh… Let me go turn on the shower." As you left into the bathroom. Neville let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. 

'Ok. Just keep calm. You got this' Neville internally monologued. 'This is actually happening. Now. Just relax. Relax.' He heard the sound of running water coming out of the bathroom and his heart started racing. 'Why can't you relax.'

You came out of the bathroom and walked towards his closet. "I almost forgot the towels. You go ahead and get in. I'll meet you in a little bit." You instructed. Really you were buying yourself time to work up the courage to be naked in front of him. 

"Ok." His voice was a little shaky and too quiet for you to hear. He walked into the bathroom and quickly looked at himself in the mirror. There were patches of dried mud covering most of him, but that didn't seem to help his nerves. 

He tried to remind himself that his body was ok. 'Y/N likes me, there is nothing to be scared about.' He removed his underwear and checked himself out in the mirror one last time. The stretch marks around his stomach became more visible. He usually never noticed them but now they were all he could think about. He thought it looked weird that the only areas without mud were in the places he wished were most covered. 

Intrusive thoughts filled his head, but the worst one popped into his head. 'Oh no, what if she thinks my penis looks weird?'

"Ahem." You made a small noise telling him that you were right at the entrance of the bathroom. He quickly covered his front and turned his head to face you only to see that you were completely nude holding only two towels in your hand. You had also removed your undergarments before you got the towels from his closet. You smiled shyly and blushed at the sight of him. 

His blush had instantly grown all the way to his ears and neck. He smiled shyly at you. He couldn't believe how beautiful you were, even with dried mud in your hair and on small parts of your body. It was a complete fantasy right in front of him. He really couldn't believe that he was even with you, despite all the efforts you made to show him that you loved him. He honestly thought you were way out of his league. He desperately wished that he wouldn't get a boner, already embarrassed by his own body. But to be honest his dick was already half hard. 

As he trailed his eyes up your body he eventually landed on your eyes which were looking right back at him. They were warm and full of love. You looked as if cupid had struck you with an arrow. He relaxed a bit then.

"You look beautiful." You said with utter adoration for the boy.

He laughed a little nervously. "Really." His mind was going a hundred miles an hour. 'She thinks I'm pretty.' He thought to himself. He felt like he could melt into a puddle and be fine for the rest of his life with just your words.

You nodded a yes.

"You look more beautiful." He replied with the same adoration for you. The butterflies in your stomach seemed to move even faster than before as you became more excited. You were internally screaming at his comment. 

Neither of you could pull your eyes away from the other's body. That is until you noticed the steam. "We should probably get in before all the warm water gets used." 

"Oh right." He slid the shower door open and entered first. You followed him in once you set the towels down and closed the door behind you. Once in the shower you let the water run over your body. You noticed that he tried to keep a good distance away from you. You didn't mind but you had hoped he would touch you or at least try and look at you again. He was staring at the wall with his hands folded in front of him. You switched places so that he could wash the mud out of his hair. You poured shampoo in your hair and washed it. He had his back towards you and you watched the water droplets make little streaks on his skin. You couldn't help but notice how cute his butt was. It was actually very plump. You would never let Neville know but you actually really loved his ass. 

Neville was focusing really hard to not get a boner, afraid it would ruin the moment and he would just embarrass himself. He thought if he avoided looking at your body then that would help, but the image of your nude body from a few minutes ago were still stuck on his mind. He was all but very awkward and was sure you could hear his heart race, with how loud it seemed to him. He turned his head slightly and noticed you were staring at him.

"Do you need to use the water?" He asked thinking that was why you were staring. His question pulled you out of your thoughts, embarrassing you at having been caught staring. 

"Uh… yes." 

He moved out of the way and let you under the water. He then proceeded to wash his own hair with shampoo. His body was turned a little so that you could finally get a good look at his dick. You bit your lip a little, looking at the way it seemed to sway slightly as he washed his hair.

As the suds from the shampoo ran down your chest and stomach. He couldn't help but try and catch a glimpse or two. He desperately wanted nothing more than to wash your body and explore every curve, but with that way his hands were shaking he figured he could barely hold anything.

Neither of you seemed to know what to say. Just sharing a few glances at the other. You moved closer to him, in an attempt to grab the washcloth and soap that were behind him. Your sudden close proximity startled him and he backed himself into the shower door, nearly falling in the process. You quickly grabbed his forearms to stabilize him, while he grabbed onto yours in return.

"Are you ok?" You said trying to hide a small laugh. 

"Yeah. I'm alright." You thought he could get any redder but he somehow managed to. 

Your hands stayed on his forearms and you couldn't help but notice how cute he looked with soap suds around his head. You didn't realize that your hands trailed up his arms so that they rested on his shoulder. His hands were now under your elbows. 

Both of you stared into each other's eyes and couldn't help but smile. Neville was the first to break out in laughter. You couldn't help but giggle with him. The awkward silence was replaced with sounds of joy. 

"I'm so sorry." Neville looked as if he had tears from laughing so hard. Although you couldn't tell if they were tears or if it was just water.

"For what." Your confusion made you laugh even harder.

"I don't know."

The two of you relaxed a little more at each other's touch. Each of you taking the time to look at the other's body fully. Neville was no longer concerned about not taking in your gorgeous body. The way you carried yourself confidently, not afraid to be around him nude had encouraged him to feel a bit more confident in his own body as well. He decided that there was no need to be nervous anymore. You loved him and respected him, so he knew that there was no need to be ashamed of his body. 

He stared down at your breast. 'I'm the luckiest guy in the wor…' his train of thought was cut off when he felt a sharp pain in his eye. 

"Ahh" he tried wiping away the shampoo that had made its way to his eye, but made it worse. 

"Oh my gosh. Here, come to the water." You lead him under the shower. He washed the soap out of his eye and hair. 

As he did so, you retrieved the washcloth and  poured body wash onto it and started to wash your body. Once Neville was done washing his hair he grabbed his washcloth and did the same, scrubbing his entire body to get rid of all the mud.

"Is your eye alright?" You said trying to make some small conversation.

"Yeah. It was just soap." The two of you continue washing the mud off yourselves.

However, you wanted to move things a little more quickly but didn't really know how until an idea popped into your head. You had already scrubbed all the mud off your body and returned to your breast, messing them more than necessary. Neville was completely star struck at the sight in front of him and he could feel himself becoming more aroused by the second. He wanted to be the one to touch your body.

"Neville, do you mind helping me wash my back?" He smiled at you and nodded a yes.

You handed him your washcloth to use and you turned so your back was facing him. He was a little hesitant on how to wash your back but, he eventually gently massaged the washcloth on your skin. He started at the top of your shoulders and made his way down to your waist. He followed the cure of your sides slowly making sure to memorize the way the arch of your back felt. He dangerously massaged close to your bum, making the two of you more aroused. Although it was more apparent to see Neville's arousal than yours.

You looked over your shoulder when he was done. He looked at you with doed eyes as you turned slowly and walked closer to him. You couldn't help it anymore. The feeling of wanting more overtook you and you pulled him in for a kiss. Neville dropped the washcloth and wrapped his arms around you pulling you close to him. You pushed your chest up against his, desperate for his touch or any contact with him. Your chests were so close you thought you could hear Neville's heart beat racing. Although you were not sure if it was his or yours you were hearing. Your hands wrapped in his hair pulling lightly, causing him to moan softly into the kiss. His hands rubbed up and down the small of your back, giving you goosebumps and causing you to sigh. You wanted him to touch you properly so you led his hands to cup your breast. His bottom lip quivered slightly as he finally felt the weight of your breast in his hands. He messaged them gently loving the feeling. You moaned into the kiss causing him to whimper.

This is what you too have been waiting for since the day you began dating and it was absolutely perfect. 

You felt his tongue slid across your bottom lip. You opened allowing him entrance. The feeling of his hot wet tongue against yours was intoxicating. You moved the two of you under the water to let it wash away the soap on your bodies. You could feel Neville's growing erection against your thigh and his moans became louder every time he came in contact with your thigh. You moved your hand down to his hips and pulled them closer to yours encouraging him to rub himself against you. He groaned at your forceful movements. He eventually broke the kiss when he couldn't breathe anymore. Both of you were panting like crazy. 

"Do you want to continue this on the bed?" You finally spoke.

"Godric yes!" He breathed.

[that-was-anticlimactic]

sk8 headcanons because i am Bored

autistic langa likes frozen fruit a lot—strawberries are his favorite—because he likes the cool texture

reki has lip freckles that really stand out after he’s been in the sun a lot ! there’s like four or five of them :)

just thinking about “all those friday nights / under the lights / under the bleachers together / you and i were meant to be something more than a faded memory / till you and i / something divided us” but matchablossom,,,

“but i’ve already lost it once / what i already won / i’ve lost too much now to care / but i know that something’s still there” ,,, matchablossom,,, ahhhhh

miya and shadow being besties,,, shadow being miya’s parental figure and miya being his adopted nb child,,,

shadow being the first person miya comes out as nonbinary to,,,

adam going to jail,,,

reki having a stuffed animal collection and letting miya name some and then realizing that miya never had a stuffed animal growing up so reki gives miya one of his older ones that he loved as a child and then buys them a new one too… and miya asks reki to name it for them because sentiments,,,

after seeing the girl he had a crush on kiss someone else, shadow takes out his feelings on the only thing he knows how to—skating at s but he’s not in a good mind and he feels sick because he thought he thought he thought he had a chance and he doesn’t pay close enough attention and gets hurt and miya calls him an idiot and patches him up and shadow feels like a kid again but it’s kind of nice to have someone else actually help with his wounds instead of just attempting to wash them and then cover them with makeup by himself,,,

joe and shadow bonding over hating the feeling of loneliness so they make up for it the only way they know how which is being loud and being extra because they don’t feel as lonely if they’re loud

reki, miya, and cherry = adhd club

cherry and reki drawing together… and reki teaching cherry how to be more loose and carefree when he draws and cherry teaching reki how to add more structure to his art,,,

langa stealing and wearing reki’s headbands,,,

langa with glasses

reki’s sisters doing cherry and joe’s hair,,, or even reki, langa, and miya doing their hair and shadow just watches and takes pictures and reki puts cherry’s hair in fishtails because he had practice with his sisters and cherry secretly likes it (and so does joe) and miya and langa just. completely messing up joe’s hair and putting hair clips in it and langa attempts a ponytail kind of like how cherry does his hair at s (and no cherry did Not find it very attractive shut up)

shadow being a scrapbooker and having like ten scrapbooks from his life,,,

shadow not being as good of an artist as cherry or reki but he does it because he enjoys it and when cherry and reki find out they invite him to draw with them

the crew / sk8 fam all going to shadow’s house and doing a couple scrapbook pages together and it’s a mess but it’s them and it’s one of shadow’s favorite pages because he’s never scrapbooked with anyone before

langa is just naturally beautiful and photogenic so the art squad always asks him to model for them if they want to draw people

joe has depression because i want him to

and shadow has anxiety

because i do Not want any of them to be neurotypical

yeah so joe has depression, shadow has anxiety, cherry has add and anxiety, miya had adhd and separation anxiety, langa is autistic, reki has tourette’s and adhd and depression ✌🏻

when miya gets old enough, shadow gets them a part time job at the flower shop

miya likes a lot of pillows

langa sleeps with no pillows (unless reki is partially his pillow)

thinking about after reki’s second beef with adam,,, joe after he tells adam off and they’re away from the crowd, he passes out because let’s be real—there is absolutely no way he didn’t get injured and the worse one is probably a broken nose and a huge gash at the back of his head with like skin peeling and stuff like need stitches so the gang all goes to cherry’s and they help patch reki up

somewhere in that time the love hotel gets brought up and by extension getting hit by the car and getting beat up and joe and shadow are on the verge of slamming their heads against the wall at reki’s nonchalantness

and reki’s p injured so he’s laying in the couch with his head resting in langa’s lap,,,

joe tells everyone embarrassing cherry stories from school like all the time (but joe was a foolish child so cherry gets revenge)

miya likes crime documentaries

joe unironically watched supernatural and that’s part of the reason why he and cherry broke up

(maybe joe just thought dean was attractive—sue him!)

lol wait what if cherry sued adam to pay for reki’s medical bills since they inevitably had to take him to the hospital

cherry constantly tells joe that he will sue him

joe may unironically watched spn, but cherry unironically watched glee

langa wrote destiel fanfiction once upon a time

langa wrote cas bakes dean a pie--

miya is carla’s favorite (after cherry)

cherry and langa with weighted blankets also

sometimes reki steals langa’s but only if he stays the night or langa brings it over and usually if he “steals” it, it’s them sharing it or reki needs the comfort of the weight if he’s not having a good time mentally lol

joe with depression,,, i just think about that a lot sometimes,,, sometimes cooking feels meaningless and, like langa, he only feels something when he skates but it’s only this temporary feeling of joy and life,,,

and shadow with anxiety,,, over-compensating his anxiety by being shadow at night and being over the top and sometimes mean because internalized ableism,,, and if he pretends he doesn’t have anxiety then maybe he won’t feel it late at night or when everything seems to go wrong during a shift at work and he keeps dropping flowers because his hands are shaking and girls don’t like guys with anxiety, right ??? so shadow thinks that he CAN’T have anxiety :/// poor dude

miya with separation anxiety pushing people away before they get attached because if they push them away before they become friends, then they wouldn’t be able to leave them,,,

langa always bouncing his foot in class and all the time because it’s his main form of stimming (look at that boy and try to tell me he doesn’t bounce his legs like there’s no tomorrow i dare you) and sometimes it makes his legs sore and cherry and joe once recommended using a heating pad if it got really sore and langa does sometimes and it makes him happy

reki with ts having anxiety when he has to speak in front of the class / do presentations because he’s hyper-aware of his tics,,, so he always meets langa’s eyes and watches langa the whole time and langa sometimes mimes taking deep breaths which really helps but honestly just seeing langa makes reki feel like he can do anything (because he would do anything for langa)

cherry doodling to stim as a child and always getting in trouble for it because teachers used to like get pissed when students doodled (or maybe they still do and it’s just always been pissy teachers and not specifically teachers when our parents were kids) and eventually cherry got fed up with getting points docked for doodling so he started writing lists and stuff and been realized he had impeccable handwriting (also joe let cherry doodle on his hand during classes they had together so cherry wouldn’t get in trouble)

cherry once had a dream that he was rachel berry and joe was finn uhh *insert last name here* from glee and joe had a beautiful voice when they sang duets in his dream so he managed to convince joe to sing in reality and turns out joe cannot sing and cherry’s glee dreams were never the same (look i am tired lol)

joe likes being the strong one in the group and he enjoys being able to mess around / show off by just casually picking people up (he also does it as an expression of love because they’re basically hugs depending on how he holds you) and one day cherry is like… done with it ??? and just strolls up to joe and just throws him over his shoulder or something and joe combusts because he did Not know cherry can do that and no his face isn’t red shut up he doesn’t find this attractive what’re you talking about

miya wants a sword and keeps trying to convince everyone to get them one for their birthday but no one will agree because ‘they’ll hurt themselves and everyone else it does not matter that all your favorite characters have swords that does not mean You should have one’

langa is the kind of person that puts peanut butter on a cheeseburger

reki’s love language is a mix of gift giving and acts of service, but he tends to lean more towards giving gifts. his receiving love language is words of affirmation but he does Not know that yet (langa does—hence his constant “you’re amazing, reki”—and eventually so does the rest of their gang lol)

shadow likes theatre

miya has internet friends,,, so does cherry,,,

joe posts those affirmations on his story all the time

reki’s texts are sometime hard to read because a) his hands get injured a lot and b) tourette’s but langa (and soon the others) learn how to read reki texts

langa sleeps with a fan on for white noise

shadow was worried (and feeling a little left out but if he doesn’t acknowledge it, then that emotion is not real… that’s how that works, right???) since he was in the hospital when reki skated against adam the second time, so when they all went back to cherry’s to tend to reki’s numerous wounds and also celebrate friendship, miya kept shadow on a face time call the entire evening

langa has an android phone

reki is super comfortable with periods because he lives with five girls—he also usually has a couple of pads and tampons on him at all times because he’s the older sibling lol

langa wears socks with sandals,,, so does shadow,,,

shadow’s feet get cold easily so he wears fluffy socks a lot

cherry keeps his fingernails at the perfect length to dramatically tap them against the table (also to freak people out by doing that)

miya is Not a morning person

miya also likes having the windows to shadow’s car rolled up because their hair gets in their face otherwise but shadow likes them down so it’s this constant struggle

i still stand by cherry suing ad*m and using the money he won to pay for reki’s medical bills (… and shadow’s… and langa’s if he needs any)

i just feel like many people have reason to sue ad*m

ponytail langa rights

joe had really bad acne as a child and teen and cherry helped him feel less self-conscious about it and helped him embrace having acne and that’s one reason why he exposes so much skin as joe because it’s a reminder of personal growth <3

also joe has acne scars on his chin and cheeks

joe has cherry’s calligraphy all over his walls

ik i already said so in reki with ts headcanons but he doodles pictures for everyone in the sk8 fam and they all keep each and every one and shadow even puts them in his scrapbook

let langa punch adam 2k21

let reki punch adam 2k21

actually they All deserve to punch adam 2k21

miya’s favorite movie is coraline

langa can’t snap his fingers

joe and cherry always argue over whether even numbers or odd numbers are best

miya does esports

joe was in marching band and was in drumline

cherry stays up late to look at the stars and he had those plastic stars taped to his ceiling as a child

reki eats tomatoes like apples and it makes joe want to cry

okay if the atla & and the sk8 characters became internet friends… these are who i think they’d be internet friends with…

cherry: katara

joe: suki

langa: sokka

miya: aang

reki: zuko

shadow: toph

note: suki, joe, miya, and aang are all actually besties. aang is the kind of person that would usually annoy miya but they just can’t dislike aang no matter how much he may want to and they somehow find themselves attached

but suki and miya would also get along really well because I know they would and aang and joe would just have fun and like it’s what they deserve so they are interchangeable / all besties

also sk8 characters if they were benders...

cherry: fire or waterbender,,, cannot decide

joe: earthbender

langa: waterbender

miya: firebender

reki: resident nonbender

shadow: earthbender

[theshelbyclan]

Childhood Sweethearts

Summary: You and Finn had been together for a while now and it was all going great. The only problem was, all of the brothers didn’t know yet

A/N: Requested by a lovely anon: hey can i request a Finnxreader where Finn got her pregnant and her brothers come in the Garrison with guns and all and are like "We dont care who you. That you're a shelby, but you got her pregnant and you're gonna marry her" and than Finn has to explain to his bros that he is kinda dating her for a year and some fluff please??? I got so many requests for my baby Finn and I’m ignoring how they changed him in season 5. Hope you like it!

Words: 2605

***

When you’d first met Finn, he’d been boxing. You had only been fourteen at the time and he was only thirteen, but he was a Shelby, so there were expectations. “Call yourself a Shelby?” the owner had kept on shouting out at him. And you could see Finn was really trying, but he just wasn’t that type of Shelby. 

Your brothers were at the gym as well, which is why you were there. Women weren’t allowed, no exceptions. Well, except little sisters. You were let in when you came to pick them up and the youngest Shelby sister couldn’t be kept away, but apart from that, no women allowed.

And then it’d happened. Arthur went feral, everyone went crazy and Finn reacted like no one else could. And you watched him, calmly, but with interest. Afterwards, you handed him a towel. He suddenly looked young, not at all like he had seemed while fighting, and he’d said: “No women allowed.” You had smirked and replied, “Then go.” *** And so the two of you had become friends. First it had just been talking on the streets about brothers and life in general. Because if there was one thing the two of you had in common, it was the burden of having too many older brothers. While the Shelby’s had big plans with young Finn, yours seemed to want to keep you ‘sweet and innocent’ for as long as possible. Neither fit the pair of you really.

“What would you do?” Finn asked you one day, “You know, if you could do anything.” “Hmm…” you thought out loud, while trying to balance on some forgotten piece of scrap, “I could open a salon, or make ice-cream all day, or I could fly a hot-air balloon to Paris!” You were always the one making up stories and Finn would just sit there and listen. He was definitely the quiet one. In his world of chaos and violence, he could do with a bit of imagining. “I could buy a camel!” you laughed out loud, “Go to Egypt dressed as a man and raid one of the pyramids. I’d become the richest woman alive and no one would ever even know that it was all stolen, including my fake name.”

Finn grinned, “You’d probably get away with it too…” “Or, I could steal some expensive jewels and seduce the man guarding them,” you spun around a lantern post feigning seducing it, “I’d kiss him when he’d catch me and tell him I’ll split the profit with him. I’d say to meet me in Paris at midnight, but never show up. Then, years later, after I’ve come back from Mexico…” “Mexico?” Finn called out, enjoying this story way too much. “Mexico, obviously, where I’ve been hiding?” you replied with a face like it was obvious, “After Mexico, I’d go back to find this man and tell him to follow me. He would, of course, and I’d tell him to meet me in London. Then, and this is the best bit, I go back to Paris to get the jewels and blame it on him!” Finn grabbed your hand and spun you around, both laughing, “Y/N? Ever thought of becoming a Peaky Blinder?” “That!” you joked, “If I could do anything, I’d take over the Peaky Blinders and…” “Move to Mexico,” he finished. “Move to Mexico,” you said softly, because the two of you were suddenly no longer dancing. Standing closely, noses almost touching, you were, for the first time, lost for words. “Ask me,” Finn practically whispered. You raised your eyebrows slightly in question. “Ask me, Y/N,” he repeated, “What I would do if I could do anything.”

You indulged, “What would you do, Finn?” “I’d marry you.” “But we’re only fourteen,” you blushed a little. He was completely serious however. The two of you were always laughing and playing, but his eyes were no longer sparkling with childhood joy. Something else had settled in there, “Then I’ll wait, for now.” After that one evening, the two of you became inseparable. ***

Sneaking out at night was easy, especially after the two of you just watched how Ada did it. As you got older, your games of truth or dare became more and more dangerous. Late at night, you met in dangerous places and together, you grew up at midnight. Making love under the bridge, kissing quickly in the Garrison when no saw and holding hands under the table, it was all still a game to you. But the love, that was real, and it only kept on growing. How no one found out about it was a miracle and a tragedy at the same time. You’d grown up with five older brothers and a part of you now wondered if they even acknowledged your existence. Surely, you two were not that subtle? And besides, you had the horrible habit of talking too much and had often divulged a little, but they never picked up on it. Guess they were too busy with their own lives, which was just as well, because loving a Shelby was not a preferable situation. But sneaking off to secret rendezvous was easy, concealing love was also manageable, but hiding a belly with a baby inside of it? That was going to be hard. “They are literally going to kill me, Finn,” you sobbed. Why did you even sob? You never cried before. “Don’t worry,” he put his arms around you and spoke soft and lovingly, “They’ll kill me, not you.”

“That is not fucking helpful!” “I know,” he looked down, “Sorry…” The two of you were sitting in a closed Garrison. Luckily, the pub was never truly closed for a Shelby. Here you could find some peace at least and no one there to disturb you. “A baby though, Y/N,” you could see the sparkle in his eyes, “Our little baby!” You sighed deeply, “I don’t think you understand how serious this is.” “I don’t think you understand how wonderful this is!” “Finn…” “No,” he interrupted you, which he never ever did, “We made that.We did. Like, I loved you so much and you put up with me for so long and then this happened. Can you imagine? That’s amazing, isn’t it?” You couldn’t help but smile at his awkwardness and excitement, “Someone did tell you where babies come from, right?” He smiled broadly and kissed you suddenly. “Finn?” you asked, a little unsure, “I think my mum knows I’m pregnant.” “How would she know?” “She knows these things,” you shrugged, “She had seven kids.” Finn frowned, “What do we do?” “Well, if she knows, we’ll find out soon enough.” You hadn’t even finished your sentence properly, when a loud noise came from the door of the Garrison and five big men walked in. They didn’t look pleased. “On your feet, boy!” one of them bellowed. Finn had no idea what to do, so he decided it would be best to get up.

“This him?” one of your brothers now turned to you.

You nodded solemnly, “This is indeed Finn Shelby.” Another asked, “This the one that knocked you up?”

“That’s a charming way of putting it…” you protested. “Well, how do you want us to put it?” “You could ask me if I’m alright?” you suggested, “Or: is this the boy of your dreams? Or: is this the man who will take you to Mexico? Or…” “Alright, we get the fucking idea, Y/N,” your eldest brother interrupted you, “No need to get poetic about it.” From the corner of your eye, you could see Finn had sat back down again. While you and your brothers continued arguing, he started downing whiskey. Did you blame him? Not really, what else was there for him to do but wait really.

And suddenly one of your brothers turned away from you and pointed at Finn, “Right, now I know you’re a Shelby and we know how you do things!” “Do things?” Finn genuinely didn’t understand. “You’ll not be taken our sister to some fucking doctor.” “Finn wouldn’t,” you quickly said, “He’s not like that.” Finn still didn’t understand though. “You don’t even know him,” your brother said, “Just because he fucked you…” “Oi!” Finn called out suddenly, lifting one hand to his cap. But your brothers were big and annoyed, so they picked Finn up like it was nothing and simply placed him outside the pub. If you weren’t pregnant and miserable, you could’ve died of laughter.

“Okay, listen…” you started, but they didn’t let you finish. Through the door they started shouting at Finn about taking responsibility and pretty soon you decided it was no use trying to get them to listen. So you rolled your eyes, sat back and waited for the storm to be over. And then there were more voices coming from outside the pub and you sat up to try and get a look at them. An angry voice seemed to be reprimanding Finn and a calm, low voice kept on interrupting the other. Without warning, the three oldest Shelby brothers barged in. Now, this was all you needed: more brothers in the room. There were eight now, all yelling, and slowly, you could see Finn moving back in through the door. You two exchanged glances, admitting defeat and decided to just wait.

“I don’t give a fuck who you people are…” one of your brothers was now actually screaming. “Let’s not play games, eh?” Tommy replied calmly, “You know exactly who we are.” “He will do the fucking right thing!” “And he will!” “That little rat may have thought he could just have his way with her and not carry the consequences...” “WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU CALLING A RAT…” Finn crept down next to you and leaned over to whisper in your ear, “Should we tell them?” “How?” you mouthed back, “They’re kind of busy right now, wouldn’t you think?” “Let’s wait,” Finn suggested. So, the two of you got back to watching eight grown men bicker like small children.

“This was never her idea!” “Wasn’t Finn’s either, he doesn’t even know how to spell his own name, isn’t that right, Arthur!” “She’s nineteen! She’s just a child!” “She might be your sister, but she’s a grown woman.” “Okay, why the fuck are we talking about Y/N? Heis responsible and he is going to marry her.” “I agree,” Tommy suddenly said. So, Finn decided this was the best time to try again, “Actually, if you’d all listen for a second…” “I think you’ve done enough, mate,” one of your loudest brothers interrupted quickly. “But, me and Y/N…” Then Arthur was the one to push his little brother back in his seat, “Shut up Finn and let us handle this. Full of frustration, the youngest Shelby sat back down, only to stand back up again. He picked up another bottle of whiskey and started pacing the room a little. “Stay off the whiskey, Finn!” one of his brothers scolded, “Here, eat this,” and he handed him an apple. With eyes wide, he stared at the sudden piece of fruit in his hand and exclaimed, “I’m not a fucking child anymore, John.” But his brother just winked and said, “Apparently,” and went back to arguing. So Finn walked and bit his nails and paced and pondered and decided there was nothing left to do, but eat the apple and jump in the Cut.And you couldn’t help yourself. A small giggle escaped you mouth and soon after you could no longer contain yourself and burst out laughing. “What’s the matter with you?” Finn hissed. “Don’t know…” you hiccupped, “but by the time they’ve finished I’ve already given birth probably!” And out of nowhere, all the brothers fell silent. Tommy, as always, took the word, “Right, this is how we’ve decided to do it…” “You’vedecided?” you repeated angrily. “Shut up, Y/N, you’re in enough trouble as it is,” one of your brothers bit.

But the great Thomas Shelby held up a hand and silenced the room with a gesture, “We’ve decided that the two of you are getting married. Now, you might hardly now each other, but the damage is done, eh?” “Actually…” “Finn, shut up, I’m still talking. Now, don’t worry Y/N, Finn will take good care of you. And Finn, you do the deed, you pay the consequences. The marriage is in a fortnight. Congratulations.” The room went quiet again and all eyes were on the two of you. You could now actually taste blood and realised you’d been biting your lip to keep from laughing a little too hard. Finn looked like he was either going to explode or just disappear. Almost inaudible, he muttered, “In a fortnight…” “Yes,” his brother confirmed, “Gives you a chance to get to know your bride.” “I’VE KNOWN HER FOR FOUR FUCKING YEARS, TOM”

So he did explode. “EVER SINCE SHE WAS FOURTEEN AND I WAS THIRTEEN, WE’VE BEEN TOGETHER.” “Finn, babe,” you put a hand on his arm, “Calm down.” He turned to you, his eyes still hilariously wide, “Why the fuck do they never listen? Pinch me or something… can you even see me? Am I real? Am I a ghost?” So you did as any woman would and slapped him in the face, “Stop the dramatics. You’re here.” “Ask her,” one of his brothers urged him, “Ask her properly.” Finn sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair, “I did ask her ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO.” You nodded wisely, “He did.” “Well, what did she say?”

“That we were too young?” ‘Too fucking right!” one of your brothers shouted out. Within seconds, eight men were once again yelling without listening to each other, and the Garrison became chaos for a second time.

“Okay, wait!” you held up both hands and much to your surprise, everyone stopped talking. Guess there really was power in being pregnant, “This is good news, right? We both want to get married! Yay?” And then they all started again! New subjects for arguments were found in the fact that you’d been sneaking out, that they let their brother be with you, where the wedding would be and who with, and there seemed to be no end to it. So, Finn put the apple in his pocket and with a sudden certainty to it, grabbed you by the hand and marched you out the door of the Garrison. There, in the filthy streets of Small Heath, he kissed you long and deep. “How about it then?” he asked. You smiled back at this wonderful boy and said, “No, let me do it. You already got to do it when we were kids.” “Okay,” he agreed at once. “Finn, if you could do anything, what would you do?” “I’d marry you in a fortnight!” he almost shouted out. And you deeply into his eyes, wondering how you’d even managed to find such a soft, sweet and still strong man, and finally said, “Will you marry me?” “Yes,” he said almost before you could finish the question. After another long, long kiss he got this sudden twinkle in his eyes and suggested, “Let’s go home.” “Home?” you laughed.   “Yeah,” he pointed to the Garrison, “They’re all busy in there, right? The house is empty…” You looked down at your bulging stomach and joked, “Damage’s already done.”

Hand in hand you walked through the streets, feeling like the king and queen of Birmingham.

“Mexico then?” a small smile was tugging at his mouth now too. You nodded, feeling more in love than ever, “Mexico.”

*** Masterlist

[auroracalisto]

Hi! Ooo Can I please request a Kol x human!fem!Gilbert reader where she’s Jeremy & Elena’s younger sister & when the Mikaelsons come to Mystic Falls, she meets Kol & they have a flirtation with each other that grows into a relationship (bf & gf). He asks her to be his date to the ball at the Mikaelson’s mansion (Damon, Elena, Stefan, & Jeremy would be shook when she walks in with Kol as I’m sure they told her to stay home). Later on, she overhears her siblings’ plan to kill Kol & Finn, so she calls Elijah to warn him that Finn & Kol are in danger & runs out of her house to meet Kol outside (before he reaches the Gilbert’s door) to keep him from coming into her house because she knows it’s a trap. Y/n is able to convince him not walk into the trap and he vamp speeds her to the Mikaelson’s mansion where the rest of his siblings are.

i’m sorry this took me so long, love! </3 but i hope you like it, anyway!!  here’s another tux! kol for this post, pls forgive me for taking so long

When Kol first asked you out, you knew you should have just said no.  After about a month of straight-on flirting between the two of you, you both knew that the feelings were mutual.  However, despite what your siblings and their friends would say, your heart won.  You said yes to the vampire.  

When Kol asked you to the ball, you knew your siblings would be furious.  But you couldn’t keep yourself from saying yes.  Kol was so kind to you—not to mention the fact that you thought he was one of the best-looking people in Mystic Falls.  And despite what you knew would eventually happen that night at the ball, you told your boyfriend yes.  

As soon as the night came around, you attempted to avoid your sister.  She thought you had been acting odd and she had questioned you just hours before—but you ignored her.  You had to get ready for the ball, after all.  You couldn’t show up looking like you had just rolled out of bed.  However, one of the things that Elena had said stuck in your mind: “Don’t come to the ball.”

Your family had all left their separate ways to get ready for the ball.  So you had all the time in the world, or rather, about two hours, to really get ready without any kind of interruption and any kind of speculation on your siblings’ part.  

Arriving at the mansion was the easy part; the hard part?  Was finally coming to terms with the fact that your family would have to see you and your boyfriend for the first time.  But you no longer felt guilty about it—no, you just knew that they would give you hell once you were alone with them again.  

Spotting Kol from across the room, you could feel your heart pounding.  You smiled in his direction, sure that he could hear your heart from where he stood.  

Kol smiled in your direction and came over, gently taking your hand.  He pressed a soft kiss to your knuckles.  

“I do wish that you would have allowed me to come and pick you up,” he said.  

“It was better for me to just drive myself,” you said, grinning up at him.  “Besides, wouldn’t it have been obvious when an Original vampire showed up at my doorstep?”

Kol rolled his eyes and smiled at you.  “Come.  Rebekah has been asking to see what dress you chose.”

You laughed in response and let him lead you along.  It only took a couple steps before you saw Elena and Stefan, watching you in the corner of your eye.  Your heart pounded and Kol just squeezed your hand.  

[]

“Are you serious, [Your name]?!” Elena shouted at you, throwing her hands up as she stared you down.  “The very people who are trying to kill all of us?!  And you’re fucking one of them?  Who the fuck do you think you are?  You’re risking everyone!”

No one stepped in to stop her.  Stefan and Damon just let it happen, and Jeremy just stood by.  There was nothing they could do to calm a raging Elena, anyway.  

“Okay, okay, fair, but why in the hell are you with Stefan?  Why are you friends with Damon?  No fucking offense, but the two of them have killed people too!  Hell, Damon killed someone just the other day!  But because I’m dating Kol, suddenly the world is going to end?  Asking who the fuck do I think I am,” you stared your sister down.  “I’ve never asked why you are friends with the people you’re friends with.  Don’t do the same to me.”

Without allowing her another chance to speak, you rushed off to your bedroom.  You locked yourself in it, not wanting to hear your sister speak anymore.  

[]

It was only about a day later that you heard them talking.  It wasn’t like you had meant to eavesdrop—it’s kind of hard when they talk so damn loud and you’re cooking food in the kitchen. 

They had a plan.  

To kill both Finn and Kol.

Your heart dropped to your stomach when you heard your boyfriend’s name.  You turned off the stove, trying to calm yourself down.  No one came to check on you.  You haphazardly pushed the pot off of the burner and you calmly walked up the stairs, to your room.  As soon as you had shut the door, you grabbed your phone and called the first contact you saw; Elijah.  

For as long as you have dated Kol, you had been friends with his siblings.  They were each lovely to you... even if they did some questionable things.  But Stefan and Damon did, too.  What was the difference?

“Hello?” Elijah’s voice sounded in your ear. 

Your heart pounded.  “Hey, Elijah,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.  You didn’t know if anyone was listening to you.  “I...  I needed to tell you something.  My family.  And... and Stefan, and Damon.  They’re planning something.  They.. want to kill Finn and Kol.  You need to get them out of Mystic Falls.  Keep them somewhere safe—”

You could hear Kol’s muffled voice in the background.  

“What the fuck?” he stared his brother down.  “I’m going to her.”

“Kol, no—“ Elijah started, but before he could say anything else, Kol was gone.  He frowned deeply and continued to speak on the phone.  “I would imagine he’s coming to you.  Please.  Stop my brother.  We will be there momentarily—”

“—no,” you quickly said.  “I’ll get him back to your house,” you said.  You hung up the phone and rushed down the stairs.  Your siblings were still in the living room, talking to the Salvatores.  You watched them for a moment.  They were ready for anything.  Kol would be ambushed if he came into the house.  

You ran through the front door, shutting it as quickly as possible as Kol came up to the property line.  

“Kol,” you choked out, quickly rushing over to your boyfriend.  “Kol, please.  We need to get you back to your house, it isn’t safe here for you.”

Kol went to move past you, but you quickly attempted to stop him, placing your hands on his chest.  

“No,” you breathed out, tears forming in your eyes.  “If you go in there, they’re ready to kill you.  I don’t know how they have it, but I saw it.  I saw the white oak.  We need to get you out of here.  Please listen to me.  I can’t lose you.”

After just a second of debating, Kol looked down at you.  His eyes softened when he saw just how distraught you were about it.  

“Okay,” he said, kissing your forehead.  “Okay.  But I’m taking you back with me.” 

“Please,” you said, managing to grin up at him at this point.  

Kol pulled you into a tight hug, hiding from your line of vision as he glared at the Gilbert household.  He then lifted you up, bridal style.  

“Hold on tight, okay?”

You wrapped your arms around his neck and buried your face in his chest.  Only a moment later did you feel the wind whipping around you.  But you knew one thing was certain.  Kol and his family deserved to live just as much as Elena believed the Salvatore’s deserved to live.  You would do anything for Kol.  You knew that the pounding of your heart was no longer because you were scared for Kol or of your siblings, but that your love for him was stronger than any love you had for your sister and brother.  You would protect Kol, and Kol knew that that was exactly what you did today.  

[fruitcoops]

Could you maybe write a “73 questions with Sirius Black” Vogue one? Or something like that.

Yes! I had never seen these videos before and it was a fun challenge to write. Hope you enjoy! Sweater Weather credit goes to @lumosinlove!

The house is large, two stories tall and painted a soft gray with white trim around the windows. Holiday lights have yet to be taken down and shine in all colors of the rainbow from the eaves as the camera crew walks up the front steps. The curtains in the window tremble for a moment, then a dog pokes her head through—she is all-black and curious, and looks quite large.

Dorcas Meadowes knocks on the front door; a moment later, it swings open and reveals Sirius Black. “Hey, guys, come on in! You can leave your shoes by the door inside.”

“Thanks, Sirius.” Dorcas kicks off her flats and follows him inside as he sets a dish towel on the end table and leans against it. “How are you today?”

“I’m doing pretty well. Morning practice was productive and I’m feeling good about our upcoming game.”

“We’re here today to ask you 73 rapid-fire questions while you lead us around. Sound good?”

“Sounds good. You can all come inside instead of freezing on the porch,” he laughs, waving them closer. The door shuts with a gentle click.

“First question: on a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about life right now?”

“Hmmm. A solid seven.”

“Do you have any pets?”

“I do!” Sirius leads them into the other room, where the dog is curled up on the couch below the window; he picks her up and gives her a kiss on the head. “This is Hattie and I love her very much.”

“Cute! If you could do a dramatic love scene in a movie with anyone, who would it be?”

Sirius sets the dog down and thinks for a second. “Aside from my fiancé, I’m going to say James Potter. We would kill it and I don’t think it would be that awkward.”

“What’s the origin of your name?”

“Pretty much my whole family has star-themed names. Sirius is the dog star from Canis Major.”

“Brightest star in the sky, too. What’s one thing people don’t know about you?”

“I’m an introvert. Lots of people assume that I’m super social because of my job, but I’m very quiet in real life.” He walks back out to the entrance and takes the towel off the table, then moves into the kitchen. It’s well-lit and painted a deep, warm red. The countertop is scattered with knickknacks and picture frames—clearly, this is a place people spend a lot of time. Hattie, who followed them in, lays down by the oven with a heavy sigh.

“What’s your wakeup ritual?”

Sirius reaches up and pulls two mugs out of the cupboard. “I wake up around seven am and make coffee while Re is in the shower, then rinse off and get dressed while he makes breakfast. It’s a good system. Want some tea?”

“Sure. What’s your bedtime ritual?”

“I don’t think I have one,” he says as he puts the kettle on and ignites a burner on the stove. “Usually we read or watch a movie, then go up to bed and talk for a while. There’s not a big routine or anything.”

“Sounds nice. What’s your favorite time of day?” Dorcas sits on the other side of the kitchen island while he takes a box of peppermint tea down.

“That’s a tough one. I like the in-between spots, like just after sunrise or dusk. Three in the afternoon is usually pretty chill as well. Does anyone else want a cup?”

There are a few murmurs behind the camera and he takes two more down. “What is one thing no one knows about you?” Dorcas asks.

He raises an eyebrow. “If I told you, everyone would know, and it wouldn’t count.”

“Fair enough. Dream country to visit?”

“Anywhere. I think I want to go to Ireland first, though.” Small wisps of steam begin curling out of the kettle, but it doesn’t whistle.

“Do you ever feel pressure to post things on social media?”

Sirius makes a face. “I used to. Eventually I just got tired of it, you know? The whole point of social media is sharing bits of your life with people and it makes me happy to show off my dog, or Re, or my friends. I post things just for fun now.”

The kettle begins to hiss and he reaches back to turn it off. “Sneakers or skates?”

“Skates.”

“Vintage or new?

“Vintage, especially for t-shirts and sweaters.”

“Who is your biggest role model?”

“Pascal Dumais.” Sirius stops pouring for a moment to look up at the camera. “If you ever get a chance to meet him, listen to what he has to say. You’ll be better for it.”

“Wise words. How do you deal with negativity? Oh, thank you.” Dorcas wraps her hands around the mug and takes a small sip while Sirius passes the other ones to the crew.

“Honestly? I don’t give a shit. It used to really bother me, but I’m happy, I have a job I love, and my family cares about me. Why should I care what people I’ve never met think of me?” He sits on the counter and rests his elbows on his knees, blowing on the hot water.

“What are three things you can’t live without?”

“My dog, Remus, and my family.” There is no hesitation in his voice.

“Not hockey?”

“I’d be devastated if I couldn’t play, sure, but it’s not the central focus of my life anymore.”

“What’s one ingredient you put in everything?”

“Does salt count?” He winces as he takes a drink. “Ugh, burned my tongue. I put salt on a lot of things because I drink so much water that it throws my balance off.”

“What is something you’re completely bored of right now?”

Sirius rolls his eyes. “Gossip columns and tabloids in general.”

Dorcas hums in agreement. “What’s your biggest fear in life?”

“Losing my loved ones.”

“Window or aisle seat?”

“Window. Anyone walking by always steps on my foot or hits my elbow if I’m in the aisle. Plus, I get a good view and an easy nap spot.”

“What’s your current TV obsession?”

“Avatar: The Last Airbender, which I’m watching for the third time already.” He shakes his head. “It’s just so good.”

“Favorite app?”

He takes a second to think. “Spotify.”

“Secret talent?”

Sirius looks at her over the rim over his cup. “This is going to shock you. Ready?”

“Ready.”

“Hockey.”

“You’re the worst.” Despite her words, Dorcas smiles. “What the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?”

“Uh, probably going to Europe with some of the guys last year. We had a lot of fun, but it was crazy.”

“I can imagine it was. How would you define yourself in three words?”

“Tall, dark, and handsome.”

“And apparently not humble,” Dorcas teases. “Favorite piece of clothing?”

“Hoodies.”

“Clothing item everyone should have?”

“Hoodies.”

A door opens behind them and the camera turns; Remus walks out of the basement, covered in sweat as he wipes his forehead with the hem of his shirt and holds his skates in his other hand. “Baby, have you seen…” he trails off when he sees the group of people in the kitchen. Hattie’s tail thumps on the floor. “Um. Hello.”

“Hey, Remus, how are you doing?” Dorcas asks mildly.

The camera pans out to catch both Sirius, who is laughing quietly, and Remus, who flushes pink. “I’m good. I thought you were coming at ten?”

“It’s ten-thirty, sweetheart,” Sirius says, hiding his smile in his tea.

Remus glances at the clock before giving an awkward nod and walking toward the stairs. “I guess I’ll take a shower, then. Sorry about that. Uh, carry on.”

“What’s a superpower you would want?” Dorcas asks as soon as he disappears.

Sirius shakes his head with a grin. “Uh, teleportation. That would be really cool.”

“What’s inspiring you in life right now?”

“Ah, une grande question.” He thinks, then tilts his head toward the staircase. “Moments like that. And the Stanley Cup, of course.” He reaches back and knocks on the wooden cupboard.

“What cause is closest to your heart?”

“LGBT+ rights, especially trans rights. I’m privileged enough to have a platform and I intend to be loud as hell about that.”

“Good.” Dorcas sets her almost-empty mug on the table. “What’s one thing you’d say to your teenage self?”

Sirius lets out a long breath and drums his hands on the light blue ceramic of his cup. “I would say…it gets better. It really, really does. You’re going to feel super shitty for just a little bit longer, but then I promise you will be so incredibly happy that you wake up every morning and it hits you all over again.”

Dorcas nods, and the kitchen is quiet for a moment. “What’s a book that everyone should read?”

“The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien.”

“What would you like to be remembered for?”

“This is going to sound so corny, but I want to be remembered for just being a good person.”

“That’s not corny. How do you define beauty?”

“Remus Lupin.”

“That’s corny,” she laughs, making him smile. “What do you love most about your body?”

“I’m a big guy, which can be a little bit intimidating, but it means I give really great hugs. I’m sure everyone saw the video that went around a while ago.”

“Cap Cuddles?”

He snorts. “Right. You’ve got Finn O’Hara to thank for that.”

“In your opinion, what’s the best way to take a rest or decompress?”

“Being alone,” Sirius says. “There is literally nothing better than getting home and sitting down with a book or something while I can hear Re doing his own thing and Hattie’s napping. It’s one of my favorite parts of the afternoon.”

“That’s the most introverted thing you’ve ever said.” Dorcas grins and finishes her tea just as a faint beeping noise begins in another room. “What’s your favorite way to experience art?”

“Through music, for sure.” He slides off the counter and walks down the hall, leading them toward the laundry room. He gives the camera crew a look as he pulls dry clothes out of the machine and heads back to the living room. “What? Did you think I didn’t do my own laundry?”

“You lost a sock,” Dorcas informs him, picking it off the ground and laying it on top of his head.

“Thanks, D.”

“What question do people ask that you wish they wouldn’t?”

“Lots of people have asked me when I decided to be gay, which is wrong on so many levels.”

“If you could master one instrument, what would it be?”

“Guitar or piano.” He dumps the load of laundry on the couch and opens the back door, holding it for the crew as they walk out into the sunshine. Hattie weaves through their legs and disappears into the bushes along the back.

“I might have to take your dog home with me. If you had a tattoo, where would it be?”

Sirius mock-glares at her. “Let me have my girl! Um, I would love to have a tattoo somewhere on my arm.”

“This might be a hard one. Dolphins or koalas?”

“Oh, that is hard. Probably dolphins. The ocean is terrifying but those little guys are just having a blast.”

“What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?” Dorcas asks as he picks up a tennis ball and throws it across the yard. Hattie emerges from the bushes and races after it in a blur of black fur.

“An engagement ring.”

“Yeah, it was.” Remus walks into the backyard and kisses Sirius’ cheek before bending down to catch Hattie in his arms. His hair is still damp from the shower. “Hello, sweet girl!”

“Who’s your favorite musician?”

“Queen.” Sirius laughs at her surprised look. “I’m gay, what did you expect?”

“True. What’s your favorite board game?”

“Monopoly.” Remus and Hattie disappear from the frame, but the bouncing sound of the tennis ball creates some background noise and Sirius watches them for a moment with pure affection.

“Favorite color?”

“Blue.”

“Least favorite color?”

“Orange.”

“Bowties or knot ties?”

He frowns. “Don’t they all have knots?”

“Smartass.”

“Yep! Uh, regular ties.”

“Bowties are superior!” Remus calls.

“Get your own questions!” Sirius laughs.

“Going off your music answers: records or CDs?”

“I don’t own a lot of records, so I’m going to have to go with CDs. I love the way vinyl sounds, though.” His eyes widen as he looks to the side. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” Remus wheezes. “I didn’t need those ribs anyway.”

“For the viewers, the dog just football-tackled him into the grass,” Sirius says, and Dorcas snorts.

“Your hair is famously luscious. Blow-dry or air-dry?”

“Air dry.”

“Coffee or tea?”

“Coffee, but tea is nice in the evenings.”

“What’s the weirdest word in the English language?”

Sirius laughs. “There are so many. Uh, ‘jeez’ is the one that comes to mind first.”

“What about the French language?”

“Oiseaux,” he says in a crisp accent. “It means ‘birds’, and you pronounce about three of the actual letters.”

“Good to know. Do you prefer dark chocolate or milk chocolate?”

“Dark chocolate.”

“Stairs or elevators?”

“Elevators. I don’t want to walk up three floors after playing hockey for two and a half hours.”

“Summer or winter?”

Sirius bites his lip in thought as they walk around the yard, where small flowers line the fence in beds and colorful pots. “I love summer because I have actual free time to be with my friends, but winter is hockey season. I don’t know, next question.”

“What’s a dessert you don’t like?”

“I’m not a huge fan of caramel. It’s too sticky.”

“A skill you’re working on mastering?”

“Will you ban me from more interviews if I say hockey?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, I’m working on keeping plants alive, as you can probably see.” He taps the nearest flowerpot gently with his foot; it has ‘Harry’ painted across it in sloppy blue letters. “My godson made that for my birthday.”

“What’s the best thing to happen to you today?”

“This, for sure,” he says with a smile. “I haven’t seen you and Marley in ages.”

“We missed you, too. What’s the worst thing that happened to you today?”

He pouts slightly. “Burning my tongue on tea.”

“Hugs or kisses?”

“Hugs! Though I’ll accept kisses from a few very specific people.”

“Do you have a favorite smell?”

He pauses and cranes his neck to look behind the cameras. “Re?”

“Yeah?”

“What shampoo do you use?”

“Uhhh…” There’s a moment of quiet. “It’s something with lavender, I think.”

Sirius turns back to Dorcas. “Something with lavender.”

“How specific,” she laughs. “What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?”

He smiles to himself. “There was a young woman, maybe sixteen or seventeen, that came to one of the games earlier this season. I saw her standing with a puck and went over, and while I was signing it she looks at me and says, ‘you are exactly what I wish my older brother was like’. Turns out, she was bisexual and her brother wasn’t super accepting of her. That was…” He shakes his head. “That meant the world to me. I’ll never forget it.”

“You’ve definitely made a big impact on the community,” Dorcas agrees. “What’s the last piece of content you consumed that made you cry?”

“I watched ‘Soul’ the other night and almost had to pause it at one point to pull myself together.”

“Do you prefer animated movies or live-action?”

“Animated, mostly because I wasn’t allowed to watch Disney movies as a kid, so I’ve been catching up as an adult and they rock.”

“What’s your nerdiest quality?

“I love watching documentaries.”

“Sweet or savory?” The back door creaks a bit as they walk back inside and the camera catches a few frames of Hattie and Remus running around the yard together.

“Sweet.”

“In ten years, you have a daughter. What age do you let her date?”

Sirius gives Dorcas a look. “Whenever she wants to. I’m going to impose curfews and stuff, but I’m the last person on the planet to police her love life.”

“Good answer. What’s a song you can listen to on repeat?”

“Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. Absolute banger.”

“If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be?”

“Arthur Weasley,” he says after a moment. “I would love to know what it feels like to get up in the morning and know you’re about to spend another day wrangling our team. It’s a miracle he hasn’t killed us all with his clipboard.”

“How do you know you’re in love?”

“Oh.” Sirius blinks at her in surprise at the sudden topic change. “Well, for me, I think it’s just…being comfortable around someone. Being able to spend time with them without saying anything and knowing you’re safe, no matter what. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

“What are you most excited about at this time in your life?”

A slight smile crinkles his eyes. “Getting married. That’s going to be awesome.”

“Who is your go-to for having a good laugh?”

“James Potter. He’s the best, and I love him.”

“Last question,” Dorcas says, sliding her list into her pocket. “Many LGBT+ people, especially teenagers, have spoken about how you’re an inspiration. Any words for them?”

Sirius hums in thought. “First of all, thank you for being so open and welcoming. I would never have expected the sheer force of people’s love to come through like that when so many people were saying horrible things. Second, to any kids out there who need to hear it: I’m proud of you. It takes a lot to be true to yourself and even if you’re still in the closet, you’re just as valid as the rest of us. Stay proud.”

“That’s a wrap.” Dorcas gives him a quick hug that he happily returns. “Thanks for letting us crash your morning, Cap.”

“Any time. Thanks for tuning in to Lion Pride, everyone!”

[fleetingpieces]

My Two in a Million

Hold your horses, I finally finished writing something! I know it's probably not what you expected and it's definitely not one of my best works, but I feel that if I don't post it now, I will never get out of the slump.

So apologies in advance and I hope you enjoy it a bit anyway! <3

Thank you so much for being so patient with me :)))

Thanks to @knittingdreams @donttouchmycarrots @inloveoknutzy and @asunshinepuff for all your help, love you guys <3

Ao3

Characters belong to @lumosinlove !

Chapter 1

“Lily, why the hell are we out here?” Logan asked, wrapping his arms around himself. He glanced around the hall at the other party guests that were milling about—all of whom had costumes more fitting for the cool weather—and grumbled as he leaned against the wall, a hiss escaping his lips when the cold material touched his bare back.

Lily glanced at him, amused. “It’s not my fault you chose to show off your body when it’s fucking freezing outside.”

“No, it’s Finn’s. He had it stuck in his head that we just had to wear sexy costumes,” Logan rolled his eyes; though he couldn’t deny that he’d been more than happy when he first saw Finn that night. His breath had completely left his lungs when the redhead had stepped out of the bathroom wearing a Spartan costume, smiling like a little kid at his fake sword, his firm abs on display, a familiar trail of red hair disappearing under the wide belt and—

Logan gulped and tried to remember that he was at a party full of people, willing his mind not to think about how he’d felt. Or about how much he was dying to get Finn out of that damn skirt.

“Still, that doesn’t explain why we’re out here instead of inside, where it’s warmer and I could be in my half-naked boyfriend’s arms.”

“Just bear with me, ok? It shouldn’t be long now.”

Logan sighed; he knew better than to try to argue with his friend. “So how’s your business going?” he asked instead.

“Oh, it’s great!” Lily replied, her face lighting up with a smile. “We received a shipment of rare books today, there’re a few that I’m sure Finn would love. I will separate a few—” she stopped in the middle of her excited explanation as she looked towards the elevators, her smile going wider. “Remus!” she yelled and, without another word, pushed against the wall to walk ahead.

Frowning, Logan grumbled and followed behind a moment later. Had she been waiting for someone? Perhaps this meant that he could go back inside and get out of the cold. Halfway there, he looked to see who Lily had called for, noticing two people waiting but focusing mainly on one of them as his eyes fell on a long set of legs. Damn, this guy is huge, he thought as his gaze wandered slowly up the dark ripped jeans and comfy looking jumper.

The guy jumped slightly and dropped some keys he was holding. Logan didn’t get to see the face under the mop of blond hair as he bent to pick them up, but noticed how red his neck was and chuckled softly.

Cute.

Then the boy straightened up and Logan almost choked on his laugh as their gazes locked. His eyes were the bluest he’d ever seen, like staring at an open sky, contrasting with the blush on his cheeks—whether from the cold or from embarrassment, Logan wasn’t sure. He seemed slightly guarded, which made Logan cock his head wondering why. As a few more seconds passed and he didn’t break eye contact, some of the tension left the boy’s shoulders, the corner of his mouth lifting up in a shy smile as he ruffled his hair, the gesture going straight to Logan’s gut.

Shaking his head, he focused on the floor as he reached Lily’s side. The man standing next to the blond—Remus, most likely—was talking with Lily, but Logan could barely process what they were saying in the middle of the turmoil that was his head. With great effort, he tried to keep his eyes down, but his gaze kept wandering back to blue.

He was pulled out of his musings when Lily placed a hand on his shoulder and tilted her head towards the tall guy who, Logan noticed, had his eyes now trailing down Logan’s arms. “Hi, I’m Lily and this is Logan,” she said with a smile.

The blond —Logan cursed himself for not catching his name— gave him a sheepish wave and another small smile, and Logan found himself returning it as a tingling sensation spread through his body, starting from his mouth and going down to his toes.

“Salut! Are you guys joining the party?” he asked hopefully.

“Ah, sorry, but well… we don’t really have costumes,” Remus replied and the other guy turned to look at him with a scowl. It looked like he wanted to argue with his...friend? Logan had no idea what they were. Or who they were, for that matter.

But he kinda wanted to.

“Costumes are not mandatory. C’mon, I promise you’ll have fun,” Lily turned pleading eyes to Remus.

The newcomers glanced at each other, an unspoken conversation being held between them. Taking a sip from his drink, Logan stared at the floor again and, when he looked back up, the blond had his head tilted down, his bottom lip jutting out, eyes big and begging and blue, and it was so fucking adorable that Logan almost spat out his rum.

He turned to the side and coughed discreetly just as Remus gave in and Lily started happily guiding them into the apartment.

All the way there, Logan kept wanting to ask for the guy’s name as they stole glances at each other, but he didn’t want to show just how little attention he’d been paying. Or maybe where his attention had been. Once inside, they were welcomed by the much needed heat, low lights and a playlist that was without a doubt put together by Talker. Natalie, Marlene and a few other people were dancing to the beat, but Logan knew where he would find most of the gang: in the living room, exactly where they’d left them.

The thought of who would be waiting for him there felt like a bucket of cold water thrown in his face, making him falter in his step. What the fuck had he been thinking? Frowning, Logan hid his tightly closed fists inside his pockets, waiting a few steps back while Lily filled two cups with some orange beverage and handed them over to Remus and his companion.

As soon as they stepped into the living room, his sight landed on Finn playing against Thomas and Kasey, his wild auburn hair falling into his eyes, completely focused on the task at hand as he tapped buttons and whooped when he managed a combo.

Finn.

Logan made a bee-line for him, desperate to feel his boyfriend’s warmth, have him close after the jarring emotions that had assaulted him just now. He also left his cup at the table for good measure—maybe he’d been drinking too much.

Burrowing into his boyfriend’s side, he tried to leave as little space between them as possible, which made Finn chuckle and shiver slightly.

“Honey, you’re freezing,” he said as he nudged him with his head.

“Blame Evans. She forced me to stay out so she could wait for her friend.” His thoughts went back to the other person that had come with them, but he avoided the urge to look for him.

“Friend? Who was it?” Finn asked, not taking his eyes away from the screen as suddenly James’ character stood still and they started losing. “Pots, focus!”

“Someone named Remus? I have no idea.”

“Wait, no no no!” Finn screamed and punched the buttons harder, but James was not helping at all and they were both knocked out. “Oh, come on!” Everyone laughed as Finn threw the controller on the table and turned to playfully glare at Lily, who was sitting on James’ lap. “Lily, what did I tell you? Don’t distract him when he plays on my team!”

“Stop crying and pay up, O’Hara!” Kasey grinned and high-fived Thomas.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re just lucky Lily was on your team as well,” Finn mumbled but threw the twenty bucks in their direction before turning to Logan with a smile. “Hey baby.”

Next thing Logan knew, there were lips pressed against his. He smiled into it, bringing a hand up to brush Finn’s hair out of his face, letting the feel of his body ground him again.

As they pulled apart, he caught the blond guy staring, their eyes meeting only for a second before the boy looked away. His jaw was set in a hard line, so different from the expressions he’d shown Logan out there, and suddenly he was flooded with guilt at the pull that kept tugging in two different directions.

He felt completely thrown off. His feelings for Finn were as strong as ever, but he was still very intrigued by this other person. There was something that made him want to talk with him more, ask about his life, check if those long arms could envelop him whole as it seemed. To just go over there and introduce him to Finn.

What kind of shitty person was he?

“Everyone,” Lily said then, grabbing everyone’s attention, “these are Remus and Leo. Remus is Sirius’ new neighbour, so be nice to them!” She pierced them with her best and-if-you-don’t glare that all of them knew well, making some of the guys gulp.

Leo, Logan thought. It fit him, somehow.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” Remus said.

“Hello,” Leo smiled brightly at whoever was sitting to their right and Logan felt Finn freeze for a second as the corner of his mouth lifted in a silly smile.

Well, at least he knew Finn found Leo attractive as well.

His boyfriend turned to him, tilting his head to the side. “I’ve run into that Remus guy in the hall before, but who is that?”

“His friend?” Logan said, trying not to sound too interested. “I don’t know, it doesn’t seem like they live together.”

“Yeah, no, I mean… I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere?”

Logan frowned. “I don’t think I saw him in the building before. I would remember someone that tall.”

“Oh baby, are you grumpy cause you hurt your neck when you looked at his face?” Finn teased as he petted Logan’s hair.

“Shut up, I’m not that much shorter than you.” Logan crossed his arms over his chest, turning his face away from Finn.

The stupid ass laughed and kissed his temple, which admittedly always managed to make Logan melt and lean into him, but he still made a ‘hmph’ sound, pulling another laugh out of Finn.

While both of them were distracted, the rest of the guys started setting everything up to play a new game which Remus seemed interested in. And then, out of nowhere, Sirius was asking Remus to play with him.

Finn and Logan looked at each other, wondering what the hell Sirius was up to. It was rare for him to want to play with some random guy, especially when most of the people in the room already had a hard time beating him. They even had a bet going about who would be the first to get five wins over Pads and so far, no one had managed it. Remus had absolutely no chance against someone that did this for a living.

But as it turned out, it was a very heated competition that had everyone watching closely. Logan wasn’t sure that he’d ever seen Sirius like that. He could tell he was focused, yes, but he was also excited, even if he was hiding it on the outside. In the end, Remus kicked Sirius’ ass.

“Yes!” both Remus and Leo yelled and then hugged, laughing. Leo put a hand on the back of Remus’ head and bumped their heads together. The gesture showed just how close they were, how comfortable they felt with each other, but what really had Logan’s attention was that wide, unbelievably happy smile that showed off his—

“Finn...dimples,” he whispered, though probably not as quietly as he should have, given the way Kasey snorted.

That in itself wasn’t a weird thing to say. Finn and Logan were open with each other. They talked about everything and had no secrets between them, because talking with Finn was as easy as breathing, and as vital too.

Logan trusted Finn. With his whole heart.

He knew he could talk to him about other guys that he found attractive and that Finn could do the same, ‘cause they weren’t possessive or so blinded by jealousy that they couldn’t separate things. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d had a talk like that either.

This was different though.

It’d been a very long while since Logan had been struck like this. Probably since the first time he’d laid eyes on Finn; he’d had no words to describe the feeling at that moment either. But there was something about those blue eyes and the way he’d held Logan’s gaze, about that shy but steady demeanour. And that smile.

Fuck, that smile.

Logan didn’t even know him, and he already knew that he’d love that grin here or in any other universe. And just how fucking weird was that?

Maybe he could ask Leo to play a game with him next, get to know him, make him feel comfortable. But he couldn’t get his attention, Leo’s gaze kept evading him, and Logan felt something like dread at the possibility that Leo might be doing it on purpose.

He didn’t get much of a chance anyway. After a bit of teasing about Padfoot, Remus stood up to defend him before trailing off in the middle of his speech, a faraway look on his face. Then he rushed out of the room, leaving a tense silence behind and Leo staring helplessly after him.

Lily was the first one to approach him, placing a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I… I will go check on him,” he smiled sadly and nodded to the room in general. “Thank you for inviting us.” And with that, he exited without a second glance back.

Logan wasn’t sure how he should feel about this kind of departure, or at the realisation that he might not see Leo again. Maybe it was a good thing; if his emotions could get stirred just by some glances, what would it be like if he actually got to know him?

Perhaps it was better to leave things as they were.

***

Shit shit shit shit.

It was late. Leo was so, so late.

He skidded around the corner and took the next hall at a light run, trying to avoid the other students, which luckily weren’t that many. Of course, he thought bitterly, that’s probably because other people manage to get to their own classes on time.

He still wasn’t sure what had happened, he was convinced he’d set his alarm for today, but clearly he hadn’t or he wouldn’t be running. His commute was quite long as it was, which meant that if he missed the train—like today—he was inevitably late unless a miracle happened.

Maybe he should really take Remus up on his offer to move in with him. It would also mean spending more time with his best friend, since between attending classes, doing homework and the time it took to get back home, he didn’t have many opportunities to see him lately. But there was no way Leo could afford that flat, and he didn’t want to take advantage of Remus.

Finally, he reached the door to his classroom and, after allowing a few seconds to let his breathing go back to normal, he went in as quietly as possible. The Professor had her back turned to him, so he quickly scanned the room and sat at the nearest empty seat, at the very back.

Sighing in relief that he didn’t seem to have missed too much, he opened his bag and took out his copy of Pride and Prejudice and the rest of his stuff. He was in such a hurry to catch up with the class that he knocked his pencil off the table, sending it rolling on the floor. Cringing at the sound it made, Leo bent to pick it up, only to find that another hand was already there.

He leaned back, blinking at the hand offering his pencil back, then followed the lines of the arm under the green, long-sleeved shirt, up to a familiar face and there Leo had to do a double-take.

Straightening up, he raised his eyebrows, making Finn laugh, his smile lifting to the side as he waved the pencil between them.

“Um, thanks,” Leo whispered, taking it and turning back to his notes with a frown.

Had he and Finn always shared a class together?

Since this was a course he was only taking for credits, Leo didn’t know many faces here and was usually so enthralled by the lecture that he didn’t pay much attention to his surroundings.

Finn hadn’t shown any signs that he’d recognised him at the Halloween party a week ago either. Though, if he was being honest, Leo had especially tried to avoid looking at them after he’d seen him hugging and kissing Logan.

Ugh, that memory… it’d been on his mind more than he cared to admit.

Leo didn’t want to think about how stupid he’d felt that night. He’d been shocked the first time he saw Logan, how his costume showed off his shoulders and thighs, the way he carried himself, the slight pout of his lips as he made his way towards them.

He didn’t want to think about how Logan’s eyes had started travelling up his body, making him panic and act like a fool. Or how despite that, Logan had also seemed a bit shy and fucking adorable and damn it, Leo had thought he was interested in him. But then they’d gone into the flat and Logan all but ran to Finn’s side, and Leo was left feeling like the biggest idiot in the whole damn world.

He hadn’t stayed for long after that. Worried as he was about Remus, he’d followed him shortly after he’d left and hadn’t talked with anyone else at the party. He’d thought that’d be the end of it. It was weird now to sit next to Finn when he’d been checking his boyfriend out just a few days ago.

The sound of a pencil tapping against wood brought Leo back from his musings. He peeked to the side and caught Finn with his chin perched in one hand, the other playing with the thin stick at a high speed. Leo followed the movement, back and forth, back and forth, and then up as Finn raised his hand and brought the pencil to his mouth, the bottom end tugging his pink lip down and then letting go.

The rest of the room quieted down as Leo stared. There was something about the way Finn held the pencil in his long fingers, how the sun coming in from the window seemed to hug him, the specs of dust dancing in the air by his head. How his eyes looked brighter and the strands in his hair lit up like fire.

Finn looked like warmth.

Something like a chill ran down Leo’s back and he quickly averted his eyes.

Though he couldn’t keep them away for long. Apparently, Finn was one of those people that couldn’t sit still and, now that Leo’d noticed, he couldn’t ignore every little movement coming from him, his bouncing leg, how he shifted in his seat and that damn tapping again.

He tried to pay attention to class, he really did, but he was so aware of the boy sitting just a few inches away, that his eyes kept going back to him and all those little movements.

Not able to take it any longer, Leo leaned in and placed a hand on top of Finn’s, feeling him going still under his touch. “Stop it,” he whispered, their eyes locked. The other boy didn’t say anything, just glanced between Leo’s eyes and their joined hands.

Blushing, Leo pulled away and tried to focus on the front of the room, the heat from Finn’s hand still tingling at the tip of his fingers.

Stop this right now, Leo scolded himself. He has a boyfriend.

A boyfriend that he’d also felt attracted to. What the hell was wrong with him?

Determined to keep his mind out of troublesome boys, he managed to listen and take notes for about ten minutes. But then he felt eyes on him. He pretended not to notice as Finn kept stealing glances, no doubt trying to be inconspicuous about it, but, apparently, Finn was as subtle as a flying brick.

The thought tugged a smile out of Leo, who quickly schooled his expression back to one of polite interest. You just grabbed his hand out of nowhere, of course he’s staring, he sighed.

At the end of the class, the teacher wrote a list of things on the board and turned to face them. “This assignment will be the first big one you’ll have, and it will determine 10% of your score, so don’t slack off! Pair up before you go and remember, your deadline is in two weeks.”

There were a few groans at the prospect of having to do something in pairs, but everyone started gathering their things anyway and talking with each other, already forming their teams.

A nudge on his shoulder made Leo look to his left and then he had to fight the urge to jump back. Finn was leaning towards him, that crooked smile on his face again and, this close, Leo could see the freckles sprinkled over his nose and cheeks.

“I’m sorry, what?” he asked, a light blush colouring his face when he realised Finn had said something but he hadn’t listened.

Finn’s head tilted a bit to the side, the other corner of his mouth going up too. “I said, do you want to pair up with me?”

“Oh,” was all Leo could reply. He imagined working together for hours, maybe alone in a secluded part of the library… How would he ever concentrate on their work if he couldn’t even pay attention in class when they were sitting next to each other? On the other hand, Finn seemed like a nice guy and surely Leo had enough self control to keep a cool head. Just because he was slightly attracted to him it didn’t mean that things would escalate further, especially not when he knew nothing could ever happen.

“I mean, if you already have someone—” Finn started when Leo didn’t reply for a while.

“No, no, sorry. Yeah, that would be nice,” he smiled.

“Sweet. Are you free right now? My next class is in the afternoon, so we could go back to my place and get started, if you want.”

“That…” Leo hesitated, but then hardened his resolve. He could be friends with Finn, right? It would be nice to make new acquaintances at school and there was always the chance that he might see him and Logan again at Remus’ building. He could forget about one or two silly crushes, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d had to do it.

“That sounds good.”

[slipping-through-my-fingertips]

If Glee did a Taylor Swift Tribute Episode...

Just my opinions, feel free to add on to them. I know I have some fellow gleek swifties following me. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Obviously they have to do some of the hits but I think some people would have some out of the box picks.

*This post assumes all Taylor songs are available to choose from as of May 14th 2021 but focuses on Taylor’s first 6 albums (if you want more glee and Taylor I have fics with that; LOVER and FOLKLORE) and takes liberties with where this episode’s placement is in terms of canon. But since it’s all made up anyway who cares (but Blaine’s involved so I guess season 3 idk).*

Okay, trying to do a full plot here (completely inspired by @kurtdeservesbetter head canon posts. I hope this lives up to her fabulous posts). This will be my version of glee so everyone gets solos and Rachel can’t hog the spotlight. Also, this is about to be super long (both post wise and episode wise).

Let’s open the first episode with

...Ready For It because the New Directions are in their reputation era. Santana does the opening cough centerstage. Everyone in black and/or camo green outfits (can you just see Kurt in a dark green bedazzled snake jacket, Santana in a black leather dress, and Tina digging out some goth clothes for people to borrow?), snakes everywhere, but probably no Karyn (she just wouldn’t fit on the auditorium stage). Santana takes the first verse but we have Blaine step up for verse 2. (I just love their friendship in the Michael tribute, cute little badasses are BACK. Also him singing “Burton to this Taylor” is such a Klaine thing to do).

Everyone is still dressed in their rep outfits but we’re in the choir room now. Mr. Schue is talking about why Taylor had to disappear and clap back with rep, how rough the industry is for women and tries to uplift the ladies in the room and encourage them to not silence their voices (cue snarky comment from Santana about Rachel needing to be silent).

Then, Mr. Schue goes on about how you can only understand how Taylor got to her rep era by studying her earlier music. So we have a performance of Tim McGraw. Simple, front of the choir room performance, maybe Puck does guitar, and sitting on stools.

Everyone is surprised to find out how pumped Sam is for this assignment but he is all over it. “It's about time we did some country in this room.” Cue Sam and Quinn at her locker talking about their ‘date’ last night, Sam’s all cute and teasing and Quinn is not into it. She tells him it was fun but she was wrong, they shouldn’t do this again. In turn, he does a wonderful performance of Bye Bye Baby. He thought it was more but clearly he’s “a part of her past.”

Then, we’re in the empty choir room. Tina and Mike are there. (I love their cutesy duets) They sing Everything Has Changed and it’s utterly adorable. Can’t you hear Mike asking Tina if she’s “good to go” like Ed does? And while we’re on the subject of cute duets and RED, we flash to the courtyard to see Santana and Brittany. They turn Stay Stay Stay into a duet. “I’ve been loving you for quite some time,” “before you I only dated self-indulgent takers who took all their problems out on me,” “no one else is gonna love me when I’m mad, mad, mad,” and “it’s occurring to me that I’d like to hang out with you for my whole life” it’s perfect for them. Adorable ladies kisses are had.

Let’s toss in some boy drama for fun. Idk shit about football but somehow Puck is praised by their coach over Finn, which gets him all pissy, and Puck’s upset and jealous because Finn is back with Quinn now (this is why Quinn shut Sam now earlier, she changed her mind). Can we say duet of Bad Blood? “So if you’re coming my way...just don’t.”

After their dramatics, we have a Brittany solo in the choir room. It’s after school at this point (or whenever glee club is). Brittany does You’ll Always Find You Way Back Home.

When she finishes Mr. Schue tries to explain that it’s a Hannah Montana song. Britt injects that it’s confusing how she’s really Miley Cryus “like how can you be two people at once?”. Before Mr. Schue can continue, Kurt pipes up “you never specified that the songs had to be sung by Taylor Swift, just that they were her songs.” Mercedes adds, “yeah, Mr. Schue, Taylor wrote that song.” Mr. Schue concedes that he has once again been outwitted by Kurtcedes. The friends do their little hand shake thing.

With a sigh, Mr. Schue asks Mike if he’s ready to go and Mike asks to take things to the auditorium for some dancing room. Everyone’s on stage with him and it’s kind of a group number but Mike is the focus. It’s Shake It Off. All inspired by the music video. He’s tried to fit in elsewhere (i.e. football, with the smart kids, etc..) but he’s really himself in glee when he’s dancing.

Part 2 of Taylor Tribute Episodes

We begin with an ALL GIRL NUMBER of A Place In This World. Just because.

Glee is dismissed and we zoom in on Artie. He’s watching Tina with Mike and Brittany with Santana. Both Tina and Britt have broken his heart by this point. So, he’s rolling down the halls singing A Perfectly Good Heart. While Artie’s soloing, we cut to Rachel watching Finn and Quinn chatting. Artie’s song playing over this scene. Rachel is feeling similar to him at the moment.

She’s pretty sure Finn dumped her to be with Quinn again even though Kurt and Blaine told her they saw Quinn and Sam at the movies last night together making out in the back row. Fine, if that’s how he’s going to be, she doesn’t need him anyway. Cue Mr. Perfectly Fine. Uber dramatic solo performance walking around McKinley’s halls watching Finn and Quinn together ending in the auditorium alone. (see what I did there, both broken hearted peeps singing a song with Perfectly in it (this was not at all planned, actually, happy accident))

After some good old heartbreak, we have Kurt and Blaine on screen. Blaine walks into the auditorium to see Kurt sitting on the edge of the stage. “What’s all the fuss?” he asks from the door. Kurt had texted him “EMERGENCY.” The band starts to play and Kurt just starts singing, Enchanted. It’s time to profess their love for each other, just like they sing Perfect together in the car, this duet needs no audience. Blaine catches up and sings while walking towards his boyfriend. It’s very reminiscent of past New Directions competitions where they come in from the back and make their way to the stage. “Wondering if you knew I was enchanted to meet you?” Kurt and Blaine both know the answer to that question now but just a few months ago they were both wondering that exact thing.

They kiss before we cut to Kurt and Blaine walking hand in hand into the choir room where everyone else is already. Mr. Schue is praising the performances thus far and of course asks Rachel if she’s ready to solo (some practice for her completion solo). This causes an uproar from Mercedes and Santana. Another classic argument of how she gets too many solos. Mr. Schue tries to shut them both down but Santana tells Rachel to watch her back, and we get three very different reactions to this. 

All three girls storm out.

First, we visit Mercedes alone in the courtyard. This solo is all about being hurt over this great thing in her life (glee) and her being denied happiness within that club. Thus, Cold As You. (mostly to indulge myself because she’d blow us away with this song).

Next, Rachel in the auditorium. A huge bridge on stage (very Speak Now Tour of her), belting out Better Than Revenge. Santana’s dropped the last straw (the humiliation, name calling, Finn at one point and now solos,) it’s too much this time.

And finally, Santana walking around McKinley, showing us flashes of Rachel ‘outshining’ her and the rest of glee and Mr. Schue being unfair, while singing Look What You Made Me Do.

Tina walks out at the same time as Rachel, Mercedes, and Santana but no one seems to put two and two together. She feels just as underutilized as the latter two do. She ends up in an empty classroom and sings The Outside. “Nobody ever lets me in” and “on the outside looking in.”

Once the 3, err 4, divas have left the room, Finn sticks up for Rachel. Quinn, of course, has something to say about this along the lines of “you always defend her.” Finn, intimated by her ‘scary Quinn’ fumbles and blurts “because she’s my girlfriend” WHICH IS NOT TRUE AT THIS POINT. Quinn dumps him on the spot, cuts quickly to Blaine and Kurt sharing some ‘oh my god, can you believe this’ expressions, and vanishes from the room.

By this point, Rachel is long gone from the auditorium but the bridge is still there.

Here’s where we go way off script but imagine, Quinn has decided to just quit boys. They’ve all failed her anyway, she’s better off being alone. She walks up the bridge and thinks to herself “god Rachel’s so dramatic, where did this thing even come from” before it hits her “fuck, I’m as bad as Finn. I want her.” Then, she starts singing Clean to herself in the auditorium, likely tearing up throughout and ending with a good cry. (Because Dianna would DELIVER with Clean.)

While Quinn is having a sexuality crisis, the rest of glee is still happening. They’re discussing upcoming competition and debating solos and songs.

Kurt’s all: “Mr. Schue, if I may” and performs a lovely rendition of Call It What You Want. Those opening lines are too good. “My castle (ie McKinley) crumbled overnight, brought a knife to a gun fight (ie couldn’t fight off Dave Karofsky), “I’m doing better than I ever was ‘cause my baby’s fit like a daydream,” and “at least I did one thing right.” When he’s done, Blaine’s a mess in the back of the choir room, and Mr. Schue says: “not really what we’re looking for but very nice, Kurt” however, Kurt’s too busy sitting beside Blaine teasing him about blushing.  

Then, the missing girls return to the room having sung out their emotions. Quinn, having realized her feelings for Rachel, ends up soloing You Belong With Me to the New Directions in the choir room. Odd looks all around, no one knows what’s up with her and why does she keep glancing at Rachel? (Faberry just fit so well I had to add it, don’t know if I’m a shipper or not but it’s here now) (also thanks to @spicygemini for pointing out the obvious “Quinn would have ate YBWY”).

Mr. Schue wants to move the group to the audition to perform their final number of the Taylor Swift tribute well but Tina asks to sing first. He’s surprised but allows it, taking a seat with the rest of the New Directions.

Tina sings Beautiful Ghosts. “Watch from the dark, wait for my life to start” because New Directions is refusing to use her talents AGAIN. She’s singing this to Rachel and the girls who were in the Treble Tones. Because she absolutely SMASHES this number, the glee kids agree she gets solo for their next competition (and they deliver on that promise).

To conclude Part 2 of the Taylor tribute episode, we have a group performance of Long Live. “One day we will be remembered”, “all the years we stood there on the sidelines wishing for right now”, “for a moment a band of thrives in ripped up jeans got to rule the world” ie wining completions, “when they look at the pictures please tell them my name...”

[lovemeleo]

New York State of Mind (Part 2)

I had planned to have this posted earlier but here I am, right before the end of our Peanut’s birthday. Whoops. Here is Part 1 if you haven’t read it yet.

These OCs and their world belong to @lumosinlove.

cw: mentions of food

_________________________________

It took the three of them around 30 minutes to finish getting ready with only minimal interruptions, which honestly wasn’t bad. Sometimes they could take an additional hour if they were distracted enough. But once Finn was reminded of the plans, he was not going to get off track. 

Finn knew people didn’t think he was good at presents. They honestly weren’t wrong, he was really bad at buying gifts. He never knew what to buy. But experiences. That he could do. He liked planning things that he thought the people he cared about enjoyed. And his boys. He knew his boys better than anyone. So when it got close to Leo’s birthday, him and Logan sat down and began planning. While Leo was easy to please, and would’ve probably been happy just having dinner at their house, this was 20th birthday. It had to be perfect. And it honestly had been so far.

He watched as his boys pulled on their jackets, tucking wallets and phones into pockets, “Don’t forget gloves. And a hat. Not a snapback, Lo. An actual keep your ears warm hat. We’re walking and I’m not gonna give you mine when you get cold.” Finn announced, pulling his own hat down over his hair. He also made sure to grab a small backpack, just in case they purchased anything while out and that way it was all easier to carry.

“How far we walking, Harz?” Leo asked as he pulled his gloves out of his suitcase, tucking them into his pocket as he followed the other two out of their room to the elevator.

Finn hummed, glancing up from his phone, “Ah, less than three miles. But we’re going to make some touristy stops on the way to the final destination.”

Raising an eyebrow, Leo glanced over at Finn, “Final destination? Sounds sorta ominous, mon rouge.” He said as they made their way out. A wall of cold air hit them as soon as they walked out of the hotel.

Finn began leading the way to 7th Ave, tucking his phone back into his pocket. This was his city, he knew where he was going. 

Him and Logan had taken turns planning days during the trip, and today was his day. It was probably his favorite one that he planned. He even kept most of it a secret from Logan.

As they walked down the sidewalk, Leo’s head was constantly on a swivel as he took in the huge busy city. He had been to New York for games, but he never really got to look around or do any of the fun touristy stuff that everyone talks about.

“I know where we’re going.” Logan shouted as he looked around, recognizing the area from when Finn had shown him around. “We’re go-” 

A swift elbow to the ribs cut him off as Finn gave him a look, “Don’t tell him!” He interrupted, hooking his arm through Logan’s as they kept walking. 

Letting out a chuckle, Leo looked up ahead to see tons of lights and people. His eyebrows furrowed before his eyes lit up with recognition, “That’s Times Square, isn’t it?” He asked, bouncing excitedly on his toes as he picked up the pace a bit.

Finn grinned, dragging Logan along as they tried to keep up with the giant speedwalker, “You got it, baby. We’re gonna do a longer stop here later in the week to look around and shop and such but I figured you’ve gotta get your tourist in Times Square photo to start out with.”

As they finally got into the square, Leo couldn’t help himself as he stopped right in the middle, spinning a bit to try and get a look at everything. He’s seen it in movies and pictures, but those could never do it justice. “This is insane! There’s just so many people.” 

Finn took a couple pictures as Leo looked around, a grin spreading across his face, “Peanut, this way. I’ve got the perfect place to take a picture.” He insisted before he began leading the way.

“The top of these stairs is the perfect spot. You can get like all of downtown in the background.” Finn explained excitedly as he led Logan and Leo up to the top. The two boys shared a look as they followed him up, a warm smile on both of their faces as they listened to him talk. “So first we’ll do Leo by himself for his birthday, and then we’ll ask someone to take one of the three of us, okay?”

Leo smiled, making his way up carefully, “Sounds good, sweetheart. This a good spot? Can you get everything in?” He asked, as he leaned on the railing. Finn leaned back with Logan standing behind him to make sure he didn’t fall.

“That’s great, Nutter Butter. Now gimme a big smile!” Finn said, unable to hide the giant grin behind his phone as Leo smiled. He loved that smile. It took over Leo’s face, lighting up whatever area he was in. You couldn’t help but smile right back at him.

Him and Logan both quickly looked at the pictures, smiling as they scrolled through to make sure they came out okay, “Perfect, Sunshine.” Finn said with a soft smile as he looked up at his boyfriend.

As he showed Leo the pictures, Logan found a lady to take the pictures for them. She followed him up the steps with a grin, “Alright, who’s phone should I take it on?” She asked.

Finn quickly switched over to the camera app and handed it over, “Mine please. Thanks so much.” The three of them moved to the top again with Leo in the middle as she situated herself to get the best picture.

“Alright, boys, smile!” She said with a grin. Logan couldn’t have picked a better person, as she seemed to take a bunch for them, moving to get better angles and everything. When she handed the phone back to Finn, there were at least 20 photos taken.

Finn scrolled through them, setting his favorite one as his background before looking back at her, “These are perfect, thank you so much.” 

She shrugged with a smile, “It’s no problem at all. Hope you guys have a good rest of your day.” They watched as she headed back to her group.

“Can you send me all of those please?” Leo said, resting his chin on top of Finn’s head as he looked at the cute shots of them. Finn had already created an album on his phone just for pictures from this trip, so he added Logan and Leo in so they would have access.

Looking at his boyfriends, Finn smiled happily, “Y’know, we’re pretty fucking adorable.” He said, holding up his phone background.

Logan shook his head with a laugh before pressing a kiss to Finn’s cheek, “Well yeah, mon rouge. I could’ve told you that.” He said with a smile. It was still weird to be able to kiss or touch in public without worry. They had only come out a month or two ago, so there was still that brief moment of panic of ‘Oh no, did anyone see?’ before realizing that it didn’t matter if they could. It was nice. 

“Alright, let’s keep moving. If you see anywhere you want to stop today, we can. We’re actually a bit ahead of schedule.” Finn said as he glanced at his watch. They made their way down the stairs and continued heading down the street.

They hadn’t even made it two blocks down 7th Ave when Logan let out a gasp, his eyes wide as he clutched at Leo’s hand. The taller boy followed his gaze before letting out a laugh. On one side of the street was Hershey’s Chocolate World. The other had M&M’s World.

“Guessing you wanna make a stop, Lo?” Leo asked, squeezing his hand.

Logan looked over at Finn, puppy eyes in full effect, “Pleeeeease, baby. You know how much I love chocolate and it’s Hershey and M&Ms, I promise I won’t be too long! Please please please!” He begged, his hands coming up to squeeze Finn’s cheeks.

Letting out a laugh, Finn nodded, “Of course, Lo. But what if we just do one today? We’ll be coming back this week and that way you don’t have to rush through both of them?” 

“Yes! Hershey’s it is! Let’s go!” Logan cheered, quickly making his way to the shop. Leo and Finn quickly walked after him, following his red hat as he ran through the doors. When they got inside, he had stopped in the doorway, eyes practically the size of saucers. The store was covered in different types of Hershey’s chocolate, as well as things like caramel apples covered in Hershey’s chocolate. 

Finn chuckled softly as he watched Logan’s face, quickly snapping a couple of photos of the awe on his face. Fingers intertwined with his as Leo came up next to him, snapping a couple pictures of his own, “I’m gonna send a picture to Loops. He’s going to be so jealous.”

“Lo, you okay? I think this might be the quietest I’ve heard you.” Finn asked, nudging his other boyfriend with his hip.

Logan turned to him, eyes still wide, “I think this is heaven.” He whispered.

The two boys couldn’t hide the giant smiles that formed as they watched the shorter man start to wander the store. After the fourth bag of candy was handed to them, they finally relented and grabbed Logan a cart.

“Lo. Babe. Love of our lives. My backpack is only so big. Where do you think we’re going to put all this chocolate?” Finn asked as he leaned on the cart.

Logan shrugged, putting an XL KitKat bar into the cart, “It’s alright, Harz. The nice Hershey’s lady told me I could leave it here and pick it up later.” 

Throwing his hands in air, Finn let out a laugh, “Of course she did. Is she gonna let us use the cart to carry it to the hotel?” He shared a fond look with Leo over the cart. In all honesty, he would carry all of the chocolate in the world on his back if it kept that smile on Logan’s face.

After around 30 minutes in the store, Logan had fully filled their cart as well as got on first-name basis with the ‘Nice Hershey’s lady’ who’s actual name was Liz. Now he was finally finished. They left his treasure of treats in the capable hands of Liz before heading back out to the road.

“Alright, now we’re heading to the surprise. It’s about 30 minutes, but it’s a nice walk. We go past part of the park.” Finn said, fixing his hat over his hair again.

They started their trek, stopping every once and awhile to take pictures at various spots like Strawberry Fields and The Dakota. Then they finally arrived, Finn stopping abruptly in front of a cool looking building. He was practically bouncing in place.

“We’re here!” He said, gesturing to the building.

Leo looked up, reading the name across the side of the building, “Rose Center for Earth and Space.” His eyes widened as he turned to look at Finn.

“C’mon then, it’s almost time for our turn.” Finn said with a smile, opening the door for them. 

As they walked in, smaller versions of the planets were above their heads. Finn walked up the front desk, talking quietly with the man at the desk who smiled. He looked back at Leo and Logan, “You guys ready?”

Leo was clutching Logan’s hand as he looked around before nodding, “I mean it’s hard to be ready when I have no clue what’s about to happen, but let’s go.”

The man behind the front desk led them to a dark room that had a theater set-up, “Welcome to the Hayden Planetarium. You guys can sit wherever you’d like.”

“Where’s everyone else?” Leo asked as they sat near the middle, staring up at the huge screen.

Smiling, the man shook his head, “This is everyone. You have it to yourselves. Enjoy.” He said before walking out.

“Mon dieu..” Logan said, eyes wide as he looked around. 

Finn fiddled with his shirt as he watched their faces, “They were advertising their newest show on the hotel website.. This one is called Journey to the Stars.” He shrugged before looking up at Leo. “Told you I’d bring you the stars, Le.”

Reaching forward, Leo quickly pulled Finn in for a kiss, “Sweetheart..” He murmured, resting his head on the other boy’s forehead.

They pulled apart as the show began to start, sitting back in their chairs. Logan smiled softly, reaching across the back of Leo’s chair to grab Finn’s shoulder, “I don’t think anyone can say you’re bad at gift-giving anymore, Harz.” He whispered. 

Leo sniffled softly as he watched the solar system spread around him, the planets and the stars right there in front of him. Finn really got him the stars. His boys took him to New York just for his birthday. The amount of love he felt for them was overwhelming while also never being enough. He would spend the next 20 years and all of the years after that giving his love to these boys. 

Watching as the entire universe flew in front of their very eyes, Leo smiled. 

Because he already had his entire world. Right next to him.