#finley could be cute 🥺 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

thecaptainsgingersnap · 2 years ago

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Okay now I have to ask, from that list I made or absolutely any other ideas, so you have any thoughts on crossovers between our ocs? 🥺

Omg! Hold onto your hat! This is gonna get weird!

Roni Tanner

Mia Queen- I feel like they could develop like kind of a sister-y relationship when the Gambit goes down since Oliver is kind of the brother Roni never had and she feels a duty to look out for his kid sisters.

Rose Smythe

Annika Webster- I see potential for superhero girl shenanigans! And also meddling and matchmaking attempts!

Kelsey Doyle- they seem to have similar vibes and I feel like they would be wonderfully chaotic together!

Kris Smythe

Sadie Maddox- I think these two could get along and maybe cause a little trouble together

Carli Tanner

Ophelia Wayne- she seems like exactly the kind of boss bitch Carli would love to have in her corner

Ruby Fitzherbert

Finley Rider- I feel like we could play up the angst with this. Sisters separated by circumstance and whatnot

Piper Pan

Finley Rider- I also see a lot of potential for mischief and shenanigans here

Winnie Pan- another possible awesome sister duo! I see a lot of adventure potential with these two

Regina Grimhilde

Violet Kingsleigh- I feel like these two could have similar paths of being sent to Auradon with ulterior motives then (presumably) realizing things aren't what they've always thought

Bobbi LaCosta

Jane Forester- I see a whole"best friend's brother" situation developing with them and Dean

Charlotte Howard-Danes- I'm seeing bonding over dancing and flighty absent moms!

Sam Gleason- with the way Miss Patty kind of mothers Kirk, I assume she does something similar with Sam. I see that leading to a sister/bestie bond

Lila Lupin

Gemini Black- I think these two could have a very interesting friendship. Their personalities seem like they would compliment each other will

Athena Prewett

Bobbie Fortescue- This could be an interesting pair. Both war orphans (well half orphan on Athena's side), both cousins of people directly In The Drama, both separated from their families by their sorting. I see kindred spirits here

Phoenix Dumbledore- I just wanna see what these two would get up to since the Beauxbatons stayed with the ravenclaws.

Venus Malfoy- Athena would be the friend supporting her to rebel against her parents.

Stella Knight

Atalanta Jackson- As the two girls closest to Jason I feel they're constantly tag teaming to keep him alive 🤣

Cassandra Aelius- People think Stella's kind of crazy for trying to tell the future using the stars so I feel like she would at least listen to her prophecies even if she doesn't always believe them

Alexa Cantwood

Crystal Solace- I feel like we've discussed these two before and I still want them to be besties

Elyana Chase- we're always here for half sister adventures!

Stella Beauregard- I think that these two would be friends. I also think Stella would see Alexa and Lucian and be like "Ugh you guys are disgusting" because that's how cute they are

Victoria Blofis- She seems so chill and I think that could have that kind of friendship you can only have with people you've known through all your awkward phases.

Gwen Macintosh

Brandy Hayes- I'm seeing these two being like parallel "one girl field agent" type of friends who can bond by laughing at/bitching about their teams together

Xenia Hart- I'm guessing she's Harry's daughter so I see them being best friends since babyhood and the ultimate agent team when their grown up. We'd either have to give one of them a new codename or we could play with the hilarity of two Guinevere's on top of the two galahads

Rikki Lane

Chloe Grace Routledge- I see these two acting as literally ALL of John B's impulse control.

Cody Maybank- These two and Kie would be terrifying together. I can already tell. I don't know why though.

Jo Clark- Rikki would totally be sympathetic to Jo running to the Cut to get away from her problems. They would bond over being kook defectors and Rikki would offer to let Jo stay with her or borrow clothes or anything

Sharon Henderson

Beth Munson (Thompson?)- I feel like Sharon would be like the Dustin to Nancy, Beth, and Barb's Mike Lucas and Will. The one who joined the squad late (sixth grade) but blended in flawlessly

Cara Henderson- can you say ultimate big sister duo? From what I can tell, Cara would be the athletic sister to Sharon's need sister and I love that!

Samantha Mayfield- They would totally team up to kick monster ass.

Sidney Hopper- These two and Jonathan would have totally been like the three musketeers growing up so I could see a besties turned worst enemies and back progression with them.

Stacy Byers- Similar to Sidney, I'm seeing a "sisters in all but blood" situation

Roxy Winchester

Ainsley Winchester- Roxy always wanted a sister so I think she would love Ainsley. I can see them trying to be the peacekeepers of the family and rolling their eyes at the boys constantly.

Deborah Winchester- these two would have either been best friends or constantly at each other's throats after John found Roxy. Either way, I think they would have loved each other. I could see them being a formidable hunting team to rival their brothers.

Elle Winchester- the adopted sisters with the secret pasts? I love it!!! Potential for lots of drama and shocking reveals!

Esther Cott- I'm not sure exactly what these two would do together but I feel like they would make interesting friends

Drea Jones

Ana Andrews- Total parallels for their brothers. They have the brain cells. Do not get paid enough for this shit.

Charlotte Jones- The female role model Drea needs in her life. Sister Bonding (TM). Will fuck you up.

Delaney Carlyle- Chaos. All the chaos. I like it!

Fallon Parris Jones- You know that part in The Parent Trap between Annie and Hallie realizing they're twins and the end of camp? I feel like that's these two when Fallon comes back to Riverdale

Harper Harrison- These two would be great friends. Drea is totally the kind of friend to learn sign language along with Harper so they can talk shit about people without anybody knowing. Also was Riverdale High Drama Department's designated choreographer, she would talk about musicals all day with her

Kris Keller- As Kevin's best friend, I could see Drea becoming a regular fixture in the Keller household to the point where Tom will walk into one of the twins' rooms to find Drea sprawled on the floor with her sketchbook and just be like "yeah sure why not?"

Lyra Lovell- Creative dancer girls!!! Will spill blood for Jughead Jones. Exhausted by Gladys Jones.

Tanya Conway- As someone who loves a good mystery and, thanks to Archie, never really believed Svenson was the Black Hood, dress would totally help Tanya prove her dad's innocence.

Roni Stark

Alessia Stark- We could do some interesting things here with both of them having the serum used on them. Plus I've never considered Roni having a big sister. Could be fun!

Adelaide Stark- Roni would absolutely ADORE Adi! She'd be the cool aunt who took her on trips aunt bought her whatever she wanted. She'd also be the one to bake cookies and make pillow courts for movie marathons.

Aris Stark-- Much like with Adi, Roni would be Aris's ultimate supporter growing up. When the boys go to space and the girls are left behind, Roni tries to guide Aris through developing unexpected superpowers. She's been there herself so she should be able to handle it, right?

Athena Stark- Ultimate Aunt Roni would help her ambitious niece get anything her little heart desired

Ava Potts- Ava describing Roni "my aunt who's not really my aunt bursts into flames. Sure why not?"

Cora (& Orion) Royce- Roni would totally love this little girl and her determination to help protect her family. She'd do everything she could to help her

Zora Wright- I could see these two being great friends

Cora Hargreeves

Alice Hargreeves- Cora likes to think she was the empathetic sibling growing up. She tried to include Viktor as much as possible and would have treated Alice no different. When they grow up and find themselves the most stable of their family, they're have to be the brain cells to help keep everyone focused to stop the apocalypse

Andromeda Hargreeves- Cora would try to help Andromeda develop her powers by levitating small objects around her for her to try to catch. She doesn't blame her for leaving and welcomes her home

Audrey- They would totally bond over music and being the "artsy" siblings

Cassie Hargreeves- Oh this could be fun! Cora's psychic but she has a lot of trouble with that part of her powers do when cause around he uses Cora more for her telekinesis. Then when caddies gone he would push her more to have visions.

Cleo Sullivan- Anyone who can work with Diego on a regular basis and not kill him is immediately a friend of Cora's. She'd be glad to have another girl around who knows how to fight

Kamaria Hargreeves- We love a long lost sister in this house! I see a lot of room for shenanigans here

Max Carmichael- Cora would either love Max or she would annoy the hell out of her. I'm not sure which. Maybe both

Mira Hargreeves- "My thirteen year old brother and his eighteen year old daughter just fell through a time portal to stop the apocalypse. Sounds about right." -Cora Hargreeves

Mireille Labonair- Cora would probably be wary of anyone who agreed to work with her father but once she got past that, she'd love that Luther had someone who made him happy

Odessa Hargreeves- Cora would hate having her sister resent their family but she wouldn't her.

Poppy- Cora would love Poppy! She adores Grace so having a sister like her would be awesome. When they grow up she would love getting to finally show her the world!

Sierra Nearing- Cora actually works at Griddy's after leaving the Academy. Sierra would probably be her first real friends and I love that! Cora would show her all the sculptures she works on when she's not at the diner. Curiously, her shifts never line up with her siblings' visits so she still doesn't know Sierra knows them beyond what's she's told her. Even Diego and Klaus who she actually sees regularly.

Vienna Montgomery- As Diego's designated favorite sibling, Cora would have met Vienna and immediately love her. They would be great friends and cora would only be mildly surprised but not unhappy when Vienna shows up to the funeral.

Virginia West- Cora would absolutely love Ginny! Books are some of her favorite things and watching Ginny literally bring stories to life would be like magic to her.

Wilhelmina Hargreeves- Cora might resent Willa a little bit for leaving, but she still loves her and understands why she did it. When she comes back for the funeral, Cora is glad to see Willa just like all the others.

Mickey Daniels (& Melissa van Aren, Emily Kirkpatrick, and Amy Turner)

Alyssa Solomon- If there's one thing Mickey Daniels loves, it's a challenge. Befriending Alyssa Solomon has proven to be one of the bigger challenges Mickey's encountered. The girl has secrets on top of secrets. Lucky for Mickey, secrets are her chosen trade.

Annalise Goode- Mickey's part of the welcome committee for new students so she'd be totally excited to meet Annalise! I could see them being like workout partners and training together

Leia Gallagher- Mickey would think it's so coul that Latoya is a direct descendant of Gilly! They'd probably spend a lot of time talking about places they've travelled and having parental figures who are always away.

Sami Upton

Abbie Hudson- These two would totally have been best friends growing up! They would have spent all their time practicing gymnastics moves and driving Finn and Noah crazy. They probably would have decided to join Glee together just to try it and both fell in love with it.

Christina Hummel- Sami doesn't agree with the way the football team treats the Hummel twins. She also doesn't do much to interfere for fear of losing her own social standing. As an original Glee member, she's been friends with Kurt and at least frenemies with Christina since freshman year.

Joy Schuester- Sami would totally be the friend Joy would look at when Will does something crazy/stupid/embarrassing like "Do you see what I have to deal with???" Only for Sami to sheriff and start laughing like "I'm sorry I can't help you, but this is hilarious."

Kendall Pierce- Sami would love Kendall because she too would see no reason to choose between cheer and Glee. I could see them being kind of a mirror for Quinn and Britt

Ok finally done!!! Wow that was a lot.

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theshelbyslimited · 2 years ago

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THE WAY I RAN TO READ THIS NEW CHAPTER! I didn't expect my commentary to end up this long but I hope it's not too burdensome 🙈

"Martha struggled to get Will dressed. The toddler was particularly rambunctious that morning, half crawling and half walking around the cabin while Martha chased after him. She swore to herself as Will crawled under the table, and John held back a laugh. Will was his son, that was for sure." WILL! YOU LITTLE TERROR 🤣 definitely takes after his papa 🤣🙈

"Your brother is a little terror, Kitty Kat. Hopefully you'll be a bit easier to handle." highly unlikely 🤣

"You have to get dressed now, mate, we can't have you meeting someone with no clothes on. Especially a lady." 'especially a lady' I mean John boy ain't wrong 🤣

"I'm not sure I've ever seen a more lovely couple, Bridget was right. We're going to have a grand time, you two, and your parents are going to have a nice day together." YES Mrs. Finley, BLESS YOU MA'AM 🥺

"It would really be a crime if we didn't take advantage, you know, without little ears listening. That's our life now, Johnny, finding the moments between." YESSS AKSHDLSJ

"Through her haze, Martha realized that he was still protecting her, making sure she wouldn’t be hurt by the rough tree bark." THE MAN JOHN IS THOUGH 😭 MY EXPECTATIONS 📈📈📈

"You've exceeded my expectations, Corporal." NO BUT RLY. HE MAKES MY EXPECTATIONS FOR REAL MEN SO DAMN HIGH, NO ONE COULD EVER MEASURE UP 🤣😭

“It’ll be you and me, and the kids, and we’ll be together every day. As long as we have that, everything will be ok.” OUCHHHH 😭

“I can see four or five. We’ll know what the right number is when we get there.” you'll have a whole army of them I tell you 🤣

“He takes after me, so he’s surely charmed her. You know I have a touch with the ladies.” he ain't wrong 😏🙈

"Dada! Horseys!" I AM SO SOFT FOR THESE LITTLE SHELBYS 🥺

"Ow?" "Close, mate. Cow. Cow." TOO DAMN CUTE ASKHDHLSJ 🥺

"The mundane didn't feel so mundane, with the peace she felt of her children sleeping with their father in the next room. That they were all together, safe and sound." I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. IT RLY IS THE LITTLE THINGS 🥺😭

"She walked back into the living area to find all three Shelbys asleep, John holding Katie to his chest, Will curled up against his other side." MY HEART BURSTS AS I IMAGINE THIS IMAGE 🥺😭

"He placed a new letter at the top of Martha's bundle, tied with one of her hair ribbons, closing his eyes as he held the bundle to his heart." MY HEART JUST CANNOT DEAL W ALL OF THIS 😭

"I'm coming back to you, my Kit Kat. I love you." "I have to go now, Will. Like before. But I'll come back and we'll go see the horses and the cows again, alright? Love you, mate." I KNOW I KEEP SAYING IT BUT MY HEART CANNOT COPE W ALL OF THIS 😭 MY HEART FOR THIS FAMILY.

"I'll always come back for you. Be good for your Mummy, ok? Finn promised he'll play with you every day." I adore the relationship that Finn + Will have w each other 🥺

"As the train left the station, he could see Martha's white skirt and blonde hair in the middle of the crowd of crying women, screaming children, somber men. He focused on that image, her blonde hair cascading down as she'd kissed him that morning in bed, laying on top of him. The white skirt he'd watched her put on after, remembering how her bare thighs felt under his hands. The parts of her he had only ever seen. The images looped over and over in his mind, all the way back to France." THE BEAUTY OF THIS PARAGRAPH 😭

I find I get more and more anxious as this story goes on bc although I love reading the love story of John + Martha, I can't help but worry when M's inevitable death will come. I know it's irrational (at least I feel like it is) but I just love these two so much and I can't bear to imagine the heartbreak that will come eventually. this was such an amazing chapter though and my heart truly beats for this little family 😭

The Heart Underneath: Chapter 25

***This fic is being posted simultaneously on FanFiction.net and Ao3. I originally began it in 2016, and then life was life, and now I’m bringing it back because it deserves to be finished! Rating M as of Chapter 10 ***

Chapter 24: J&M Letters 5 THU Masterlist

The Heart Underneath

Chapter 25: September 1916 (20 and 21)

By the time his September leave came around, John was ready to take a train to anywhere that was cold. Siberia? The North Pole?

He'd give anything for a Birmingham winter after the heat they'd endured that summer, as the Battle of the Somme began. Stop by to pick up Martha and the kids, take a train to quiet and cold. That's what he wanted.

In lieu of that, he was happy to find himself back at the cottage, all arranged by his family and Mrs. Averill once again, her sister in law even offering to watch the children one day. John felt torn, he wanted to spend every second with them, but he knew it was important for him and Martha to spend time alone together as well.

"We'll see the babies in the morning and then we'll be back for supper. It'll be a good thing, love, you can relax a little more, just me and you for the day." Martha had said quietly as they lay in bed together the first night of his leave.

The war was a full weight upon John now, Martha could see it in how he carried himself, the way he scanned his surroundings, the way he held her close at night. She touched his cheek gently, his face still so young even with the jagged scar on his chin, and the strain of the past months was clear in his eyes. They were sad and scared, tired and lost.

"I could use a day with just you." John replied, smiling at her at last, reaching out to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

They both knew that every leave could be his last, with how things were continuing on. Neither could bear to speak of the possibility, but it was one they acknowledged to each other silently. John needed every happy memory he could get, because it was what he lived on in the hours between battles, the minutes between shouting orders to his troops, the seconds between the bullets flying past his head, the machine gun fire deafening.

And so John found himself sitting in the kitchen of the cottage, the second morning they were there, holding a sleeping Katie while Martha struggled to get Will dressed. The toddler was particularly rambunctious that morning, half crawling and half walking around the cabin while Martha chased after him. She swore to herself as Will crawled under the table, and John held back a laugh. Will was his son, that was for sure.

Katie opened her eyes and looked up at John, smiling at him as he kissed the top of her head.

"Your brother is a little terror, Kitty Kat. Hopefully you'll be a bit easier to handle." John commented as he watched Martha finally wrangle Will.

"This child hates wearing clothes, and listening to his Mummy. Come on, Will, we've got a visitor coming. You have to wear something." Martha said.

"Here, take Kate, and I'll grab him." John replied.

Martha smiled gratefully as she took Katie from John and he reached down with one arm to grab Will, who wasn't expecting the parent switch. He giggled as John swung him up into the air and then placed him on the table.

"You have to get dressed now, mate, we can't have you meeting someone with no clothes on. Especially a lady."

Will pouted at being caught and John laughed to himself as he pulled Will's clothing on. He was having flashbacks to trying to dress a toddler Finn in the morning, which was often a nightmare. Martha watched John and their son fondly, her own memories of taking care of Finn when he was a baby coming back to her as well. Her and John would tag team in the morning to take care of him, before school or work. Looking back now, it was even more clear how they'd already been married, in some form, for many years.

"There you go, ready to meet your new friend!" John said cheerily as he pulled Will into his lap.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Averill's sister in law, Mrs. Finley, arrived at the door.

"It's a pleasure to meet you two at last, Bridget just adores you all. And who is this cutie pie?" Mrs. Finley exclaimed as John motioned her inside.

"Nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Finley. This is Will. Can you say hi, buddy?"

Will looked at Mrs. Finley, unsure at first, and then greeted her with a wide smile.

"Mrs. Finley, so nice to meet you. Thank you for letting us stay here. This is Katie." Martha said, walking over to the entryway.

"Well aren't you beautiful, little one? We're so happy to share this place with you, you are always welcome. Now, why don't you two get ready to go out, and I'll watch these two." Mrs. Finley replied, as Martha gently placed Katie into her arms.

Martha gathered the last of the lunch she was packing, while John picked up a folded picnic blanket. They were planning to make the most of the weather, walking down to a private swimming hole they'd visited after their wedding. John felt nervous to leave his children behind, but took Martha's cue to remain light and upbeat. He knew she was a little nervous as well, but it wouldn't help for the kids to feel that.

"Alright, my darlings, we'll be back in a bit. Be good for Mrs. Finley." Martha said with a smile as she kissed both Will and Katie on the cheek.

"Be a good boy, Will, have fun. Kitty Kat, I'll see you soon." John followed Martha and touched each child lightly on the head, Will beaming back at him.

Mrs. Finley waited until the door was closed and the couple walked down to the lane before commenting to her charges.

"I'm not sure I've ever seen a more lovely couple, Bridget was right. We're going to have a grand time, you two, and your parents are going to have a nice day together."

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

John held Martha's hand as they cut through the brush into the forest, following a loosely marked path to the swimming hole. He had flung the blanket over his shoulder and carried the basket, leaving Martha to stroll dreamily through the woods, swinging his hand back and forth. He couldn't help but smile as he looked down at her. She was lost in her thoughts, reaching out to touch a flower here or a branch there.

"What are you thinking about in that pretty head?" John asked casually.

"Hmmm? Oh, I was just thinking about how wonderful it is to be here with you. Alone." Martha replied, an eyebrow arching suggestively, squeezing his hand.

"I do so enjoy when you have naughty thoughts, Mar." John replied back with a grin.

"It would really be a crime if we didn't take advantage, you know, without little ears listening. That's our life now, Johnny, finding the moments between."

John pulled Martha to a stop and put down the basket and blanket. Martha laughed as he pushed her gently against a large tree trunk, resting his hand next to her head. The laugh died down into shallow breathing, as his eyes locked with hers, hand on her waist, desire pumping through his veins.

He kissed her hard, pressing his body up against hers. She could feel him seep into her, his mind letting go, no longer worried about scanning their surroundings. Back to himself, if even only in this moment.

Martha wrapped her leg around him and he pulled it up higher around his waist, closing the remaining space between them. He managed to unbutton his pants while picking her up, as Martha hiked up her skirts and wrapped her other leg around him.

John propped her up between the tree and his body, leaning forward until there was no space between them at all. Through her haze, Martha realized that he was still protecting her, making sure she wouldn’t be hurt by the rough tree bark.

He sank deeply into her, the sound of Martha sighing his name cutting through him like always. This was something neither of them had ever experienced anyone else. But from the whispers amongst Martha’s friends and tales John had heard from fellow soldiers, they both knew their connection wasn’t common, it was rare and unknown to most.

While John never spoke of him and Martha’s sexual relationship, despite being pestered almost daily by his fellow soldiers, he knew from what he’d heard that he was lucky. That they were the luckiest. His wife was beautiful inside and out, but more than that, his girl wanted him just as much as he wanted her, which often was not the case.

The deepest, darkest part of him knew that no other man could make her feel this way. He could barely admit it to himself, but there was a satisfaction in that, if something happened to him and he didn't come back from the war, that no other man could do this.

As John's breath became ragged, his movements faster, Martha had a similar thought. Not that she would ever truly expect John to stray from their relationship, but she knew that she had him. That he didn't need to go anywhere else to satisfy himself, because she more than satisfied him. There were stories about British soldiers visiting French whorehouses, and it pleased her immensely that John wouldn't even think of it. Besides the fact that he found the profession demeaning, he had all he needed, all he wanted.

"I only want you." John whispered, as if he'd read her mind.

Martha nodded and held his gaze, John forcing his eyes to stay open as they came together, her legs shaking around him. He felt like he could drop to his knees at any moment, but held her steady, leaning forward to keep her up against the tree.

"Was that what you had in mind, darlin'?" John asked with a chuckle, touching Martha's flushed cheek.

"You've exceeded my expectations, Corporal." Martha replied with a grin.

John laughed and stepped back, holding Martha against him as she reached between them to button up his pants. He carefully set her down, watching as her skirts fell back into place, covering up her bare legs that he'd gripped just minutes before.

“Let’s get there so I can see you undress again.” John said cheekily, Martha lightly smacking him as she laughed.

Fifteen minutes later they reached the swimming hole, sun glinting off the water and several large trees providing some shade and privacy. They had spent a few memorable afternoons there on their honeymoon, and they smiled at each other remembering it.

John spread out the blanket under one of the trees and set the basket down on top of it. He turned to find Martha watching him, her eyes locked on his as she reached out to unbutton his shirt.

Birds chirped above as Martha slowly undressed him, stopping to run her fingers over a few newly acquired scars. She stood on tiptoes to gently kiss the scar on his chin, John’s eyes watering at how she always spoke to him most clearly through her touch. He took a deep breath and let himself give into her completely.

Martha removed her own clothes, never breaking eye contact with John as she dropped the last garment onto the blanket. She took his hand and led him to the water, her hair swinging down against her back. John reached out to touch a blonde wave, the scene permanently engraved in his heart.

They walked into the water until it was deep enough to lay back and float, Martha shrieking at the temperature. John dove into the deeper part, his body finally cold the way he wanted.

He popped up and pulled Martha into him, holding her as her feet could no longer touch the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head against his shoulder, taking in every second they were alone.

“I love you.” He whispered, rocking her slowly side to side.

“I love you.” She whispered back.

After an hour of splashing and swimming around, John carried Martha out of the water on his back, setting her down the blanket. They laid down to dry off, John on his side.

“What do you think it will be like? When the war is over and we go back to our regular lives?” John asked, tracing her hip bone.

“It’ll be you and me, and the kids, and we’ll be together every day. As long as we have that, everything will be ok.” Martha replied.

“I still want to buy us a house out here somewhere.”

“I would love that, and the kids too.”

“How many do you think we’ll have?”

John watched Martha’s face as she thought, his hand moving to rest on her lower stomach. She placed her hand over his, smiling softly at him.

“I can see four or five. We’ll know what the right number is when we get there.” Martha replied.

John leaned down to kiss her and was surprised by Martha pulling him down on top of her. Her hands ran down his sides and he was pretty sure he would never be able to get enough of that feeling, how his skin reacted to her touch.

“I want you every hour of every day, John. I think about having you like this every night, alone in our bed.” Martha murmured in his ear.

Her words traveled down at the same time as her hand, stroking him. He moaned quietly into her collarbone as she pulled his head in against her chest, rubbing the back of his neck as he took her breast into his mouth, sucking gently.

She was still nursing Katie several times a day, but once Martha had gotten over the initial odd feelings about it, she’d found that John touching her like that was such a turn on she craved it constantly. Much to John’s own delight.

Martha kept her hand on his hard shaft, guiding him into her as she shifted her legs further out. She thought of how she would give anything to keep him there for eternity, safe and in her arms.

John wanted to stay forever, in this forest, by the water. Naked on a blanket with the love of his life, being young and free, listening to her saying his name in ecstasy, bodies melded together.

Remember this.

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

The pair ate their packed lunch in the mid afternoon breeze, only putting on the most essential clothes. As always, Martha had put great thought into the food she made for John, and he ate to his fill.

“I wonder how the kids are doing.” John commented.

He leaned back against the tree and pulled Martha into him, arm around her. She settled in against his side and thought about how lucky she was that John cared so much for their children.

“Either Will’s been a nightmare or he’s completely charmed Mrs. Finley.”

“He takes after me, so he’s surely charmed her. You know I have a touch with the ladies.” John joked.

“We’re in trouble if that’s the case, ‘cause you know exactly how to charm your lady, Corporal Shelby.” Martha said with a smirk.

“Ah, so you find me charming, love?”

“I do have the most handsome and the most charming husband, that’s no secret, Johnny. I know there are a lot of jealous girls at home.”

John laughed at the irritated look on Martha’s face.

“You know I only see you. I only want you. We belong to each other and no one else.” John said, his tone becoming serious.

“I know, love. I will never want to be with anyone else, either.” Martha replied, kissing his cheek.

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

They arrived back at the cottage in the early evening, and John stopped Martha before they walked down the front pathway.

"Thank you for today, Mar. I really needed that. In several ways." John said suggestively before smiling at her.

"You're welcome. It's nice, having time alone. I love us being together as a family, but I don't want you and me to be forgotten." Martha replied.

"We won't let that happen. You're too important to me for that."

Martha nodded as John pulled her into him for a quick hug, before taking her hand and walking to the cabin. They opened the door quietly, correctly assuming that Katie was asleep. Will was sitting with Mrs. Finley at the table, looking through a picture book they'd brought from home.

"You both look rested, did you have a nice time?" Mrs. Finley asked.

"We certainly did." Martha replied, biting her lip as she looked at John, who was trying not to laugh.

"Dada! Horseys!" Will exclaimed, pointing at the book in front of him.

John relieved Mrs. Finley of Will and sat down at the table, flipping through the book and pointing out other animals. Mrs. Finley and Martha watched for a moment, each in their own thoughts about the scene in front of them.

"Thank you again, Mrs. Finley. We appreciate it so much."

"Of course, dear. Any time. You have lovely children, who love their father very much. That's very special." Mrs. Finley commented, giving Martha a knowing look.

Martha smiled and nodded back, seeing Mrs. Finley out the door as John and Will said goodbye from the kitchen. Martha checked on Katie, who was still sleeping, and then went into the kitchen to start putting together supper.

"Do you know what animal this is?" John asked Will as he pointed to a picture.

Will shook his head and stared up at John, waiting for an explanation.

"That's a cow. I think Mrs. Finley has some at her farm, we'll take a walk tomorrow and find them, yeah?" John replied as Will stared at the page.

"Ow?" Will repeated.

"Close, mate. Cow. Cow. Let's help Mummy with supper, ok?"

John placed the book on a small side table and set Will on the floor. He watched Martha standing in front of the oven, stirring something in a pan on the stove top. Truth was, as much as he'd needed their day together, he'd needed this just as much. Sitting with his family before supper, watching Martha cook, the small movements she made as she stirred and reached for something on the counter. The way her hair swung to the side with every move, the fact that she'd never pinned it up again after their swim. The small moments between the big ones meant just as much.

Later, John sat in an armchair with Will falling asleep against him. Martha sat in the chair across, rocking Katie to sleep after she'd nursed. She caught John's eye and he nodded with a small smile, shifting Will in his lap so that he could hold Katie in a free arm.

Martha went into the kitchen to clean up and prepare a few things for the next day. The mundane didn't feel so mundane, with the peace she felt of her children sleeping with their father in the next room. That they were all together, safe and sound.

She walked back into the living area to find all three Shelbys asleep, John holding Katie to his chest, Will curled up against his other side. She watched from the doorway for a long time, hoping that John would always come back. That their children would always know how much he loved them, and how they adored him right back. Will was enamored with John, and Katie was already a daddy's girl, Martha could tell. She always relaxed instantly around John, smiling when he called her pet names, falling asleep easily when he held her.

Martha had greatly enjoyed her day with John, she would always enjoy time spent alone with her favorite person in the world. But she loved this part just as much, because Will and Katie were a part of her and a part of John together, forever.

Remember this.

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

On his final day of leave, John carefully opened a tin box that was in the top drawer of their dresser at home. In it were the "what ifs." The letters, instructions, and money, if something happened to him and he didn't make it back. He'd been updating his letters as the war went on, a small stack now for Martha, a few each for Will and Katie, his siblings, and Aunt Polly. It was important to him that if these were to ever be read, they would be written in his final hours at home, that Martha and the kids would know he was thinking of them in those minutes.

He placed a new letter at the top of Martha's bundle, tied with one of her hair ribbons, closing his eyes as he held the bundle to his heart. He knew what the letters said, what they all said. That he loved her more than anything in the world, that he was sorry he didn't come back, that he wanted her to be happy. It pained him to write that last part in every letter, because he didn't know what he would do if the reverse happened. How would he be able to go on? Still, it was encouragement he had to write.

In next went a new letter each for Katie and Will, along with another envelope containing a small stack of bills. He would not leave his family scrambling to survive if he died, that he could not bear.

That afternoon, the train platform was a sea of people, the desperation more palpable every time John left Small Heath. Who among these men would not come back? Who among the families left behind would suffer devastating grief? These were questions John tried to push out of his mind and only focus on the present.

In the present was Martha, gripping his arm so tightly that in a different scenario he would've joked that she was cutting off his circulation. Perched in the same arm was Will, his terror of the crowd seeping into John's skin, as he whispered soothingly to the toddler. In his other arm, Katie looked up at him with the green eyes that matched Martha's, breaking his heart as her little hand reached out to his face.

"I'm coming back to you, my Kit Kat. I love you." John whispered to Katie, kissing her cheek.

"I have to go now, Will. Like before. But I'll come back and we'll go see the horses and the cows again, alright? Love you, mate." John said to Will.

Will started crying, hands locked tight around John's neck. Ada reached for Katie, letting John rub Will's back as he whispered to him again.

"I'll always come back for you. Be good for your Mummy, ok? Finn promised he'll play with you every day." John said, trying to remain upbeat as his throat tightened.

John looked up to see men starting to board the train. Damn this war. He leaned down and kissed Martha, and then held her tightly to him.

"Love you, Mar. Forever." John said as she looked up.

"I love you, too. It's me and you always." Martha replied with a shaky smile.

She reached for Will, as John pried his small hands off his shirt, kissing Will's cheek one more time. He looked back at his family, Finn and Ada, Aunt Polly now holding Katie, Martha struggling to contain a shrieking Will.

"I'll see you soon." He said, squeezing Martha's hand, holding on as long as he could, their fingers touching to the very end.

As the train left the station, he could see Martha's white skirt and blonde hair in the middle of the crowd of crying women, screaming children, somber men. He focused on that image, her blonde hair cascading down as she'd kissed him that morning in bed, laying on top of him. The white skirt he'd watched her put on after, remembering how her bare thighs felt under his hands. The parts of her he had only ever seen. The images looped over and over in his mind, all the way back to France.

Once more unto the breach.

#ch: john shelby.#tv: peaky blinders.#c's fic recs.#series.

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