#guys esther needs love too i love her | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

muneca-lemon-steppa · 1 year ago

Text

Interviews for New Beginnings: Part 5

Alfie Solomons x Fem!Reader, Word Count: 5.6K

Warnings: Cursing

A/N: Oh my word guys!!! I'm so sorry this took so long but I was truly so stuck for some reason!! Anyway as always, I'm having so much fun with you guys. Idk why it sometimes feels like we're at a sleepover, anyone else? Also thank you so much to everyone who is sending in requests, I promise I'll get to them!! Have an amazing day, sending all my love!! - Mo

You could have killed him. You really could have. Truly. Truly you could have.

The ‘small apartment’ Alfie described was in fact a gorgeous row house about a block away from his own home, and two blocks away from the office. It had a beautiful garden in the back, with a dark red oak door in the front. Three stories. With enough room for each couple to have their own room, and Eli could finally have his own room instead of sleeping on the floor in the parlor. The home came fully furnished, and Alfie made sure that previous customers knew where to find your father and uncle, so the business could continue while the shop was being repaired.

And if he couldn’t have been more incorrigible, “someone” had “donated” three new dolls for Esther, which were perfectly placed on her new bed in the room you and her would share.

As your family walked around in awe of the rich space, you hung back, tight lipped. It was far too much. It was an enormous expense. And he acted as if he had nothing to do with it and it was nothing. You really could kill him.

“Alfie… how much does this cost you?”, you murmur to him, refusing to look at him.

“That’s none of your concern sweet heart.”

“It absolutely is. I balance the book.”

“And I correct your math.”

“Alfie this is far too-“

“It is exactly what is needed. I’m not about to argue with you in front of your parents.”

“We’ll never be able to repay you Alfie. It isn’t fair to you.”

“Woman the agreement is already made and it was a good agreement. Now I have someone who will fix my shirts since you refuse to.”

“Because I’m your secretary not your wife.”

Alfie scoffed and rolled his eyes, “You’re the source for every new ulcer, that’s what you are. Secretary is supposed to make my life better and she makes my life a living hell.”

You couldn’t help but smile. You let your eyes wander to him, to see that he was already staring at you, “What?”

He taps his cane against your ankle, “You like it?”

You nod, pressing your lips together. The cane touching your ankle and his body coming closer making your neck hot.

Alfie knew that he shouldn’t get closer. But your family was upstairs, no one would be a witness. He needed to be closer. You were barely whispering. He needed to get closer to you, “My house isn’t far. I’ll always be able to come. If you need me.”

“You said you would have someone outside every night.”

“They ain’t as good as me though yeah?”

“No.”

Your eyes needed to break from his gaze. It was becoming so warm in the house. His knuckles press your chin to look up at him, “I’ll always come. Understand?”

You nod again, unable to look away from his deep blue eyes, “Yes Alfie.”

The silence envelops you, and you feel something is about to be confessed, when Esther comes charging through, “Sissy! Sissy! Look at my new dollys! Mr. Solomons got me new dollys!”

She jumped into your arms, so ecstatic about her new treasures. They were beautiful, with silky hair and darling cotton dresses. She couldn’t have yearned for anything finer, “They are lovely my sweet girl! Have you thanked Mr. Solomons for the presents?”

Esther, ever the little spitfire, threw herself from your arms and into Alfie’s, causing him to drop the cane in the process to catch her, “Thank you Mr. Solomons! I really love them!”

Alfie thankfully got his footing right, boosting Esther more on his good hip, “Hush now chicken it had nothing to do with me! But I’m happy you like them. They’ll have a riot with you yeah?”

She nodded ferociously, “Mr. Solomons will you stay for our tea party?”

Your face flushed with slight embarrassment, Alfie Solomons has probably never been asked to a tea party in his life. Much less an Esther tea party. Which involved lengthy backstories and horridly torrid affairs for each doll. A party could last a whole afternoon. But Alfie Solomons merely chuckled, patting down the soft curls on Esther’s head, “Well chicken while that sounds absolutely lovely yeah, I unfortunately cannot make it today. You will have to let your guests know, and give them my apologies.”

Esther pouted, “Why not?”

He began to explain when you heard your mother call out, “Mr. Solomons! I hope you are not leaving already!”

You shut your eyes, hoping that this was a bad dream that you were going to wake up from soon. Up until this morning, you had managed to keep your life with Alfie and your life with your family separate. Both lovely and warm but incompatible in your mind. Your mother could not be seriously about to ask him to stay.

Alfie slowly set Esther down, mussing her short hair, “I’m afraid I must Mrs. Abraham. There’s business I must attend to and I don’t want to overstay.”

Your mother merely grabbed a hold of your father’s arm, “Mr. Solomons you have not eaten yet! It’s late afternoon and you must be exhausted as we are. Please let us make something, nothing too fancy but you should sit and let us make lunch for everyone.”

“Now really Mrs. Abraham I-“

“Mr. Solomons I know you are a big man but I really cannot let you leave without a meal. Now please sit down at this beautiful table you have gifted us and let us make you lunch.”

It was in that moment that Alfie noticed that you and your mother got the same look in your eyes when determined. The corner of your lip crooked the same. You surely didn’t notice, and Alfie would never tell you, but it was as though Alfie saw an image of you 20 years from now. Alfie smiled, “Alright alright if you insist. Mr. Abraham I hope I’m not inconveniencing yeah?”

Your father shook his head, “Not at all Mr. Solomons. Please, let’s get acquainted with this table together.”

Your mother said a simple lunch. But it turned into a whole affair. Alfie also failed to mention that the kitchen was stocked enough for a whole week. Your mother went above and beyond with you and your aunt and grandmother to make one of the most healing meals you had ever had. Roasted chicken and vegetables. Hot bread. Strong tea. You had even made a fresh apple tart for dessert, which Alfie helped himself to three slices.

You had never imagined this happening. But yet it was. Alfie was at your family’s dinner table. Laughing. Telling stories. Listening to others. Serving your grandmother and grandfather. If there wasn’t the base lie of you being under his employ, this would have felt so natural. Your mother sat him next to you, and your mind went miles and miles ahead. What it would be like if there wasn’t the lie there. If Alfie was there not as an employer but as a regular man. As someone who was sweet on you and wanting to be a part of this family. You yearned to reach your hand to his under the table, weaving your fingers together and feeling the callouses and scars of his knuckles.

Little did you know, Alfie’s thoughts were parallel to yours. You never noticed, but his eyes never left you. Watching the way you teased your family, doted on Esther, argued with Eli, laughing in that way that shook the walls. It made his heart race just watching you, seeing you be so free.

As the lunch turned into dinner and turned into evening, your father then asked, “Dearest, how far is your office from here do you think? Do you and Eli need to see what the walk will look like?”

Before you could answer, Alfie saved you from stammering, “Mr. Abraham, her boss is actually located right next to my bakery. If you’d permit me, I’d be happy to walk her to work and back. Just to make sure she’s safe?”

Your mother perked up,”oh would you Mr. Solomons? I hate to see her walking alone down the street.”

You raised your eyes at your mother, “Mama! Please I can walk myself to work!”

Your mother raised her hands, “This is a new neighborhood and you don’t know the way! Why would you dispose of a blessing??”

“Mama Mr. Solomons is very busy he does not need to trouble himself with me.”

You and your mother proceeded to volley back and forth. A common occurrence between you two, which no one cared to come between. It wasn’t until Alfie put his hand between the two of you that you settled, “Now now please Miss Abraham, your mother is quite right. It’s a new part of Camden for you, and you just experienced a terrible accident. I will not push it eh, you can make your own decision. But it will not be a trouble at all for me. And I’m sure your boss will be very invested in making sure that his nice secretary makes it to and from the office safely yeah?”

Alfie tried to hide his smirk as your nostrils flared, a habit that he noticed during one of your first arguments with him. He loved it almost as much as he loved your laughter. You finally relented after 3 beats, “If you believe it is best Mama, yes Mr. Solomons… I would be grateful for an escort to work.”

Alfie clapped his hands together, “Lovely. I will be here promptly at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Mr and Mrs Abraham, this was an absolute treat. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well. Ishmael will be downstairs keeping watch over the gate tonight. Shalom everyone, sleep well!”

Everyone gave their goodbyes, until your mother spoke up, “Dear please walk Mr. Solomons to the gate.”

You gave your mother a look, which she quickly reciprocated with more fervor. Inhaling deep you acquiesce, walking Alfie out to the gate, as if he would ever get lost.

Alfie chuckled as you opened the gate, “Thank you very much sweetie, I would never have found my way out.”

“I am so sorry for their behavior Mr. Solomons. I promise you will never have to endure that again.”

“Oh yes because I would never want to endure that again. A hot meal. People surrounding me that don’t want to kill me.”

“An impromptu tea party?”

“It was lovely actually. Esther is a very gracious hostess, you could take some tips.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, “oh I’m sure I could.”

You find that your eyes meet more and more now. And nothing makes you want to look away. You feel the bite of the cold wind on your shoulder, and you become keenly aware of the cold metal of the gate your rest your hand on. Alfie presses his lips together, and puts his hand on top of yours, rubbing his thumb over your knuckles. You barely hear the gravely murmur, “Get inside little viper. You’ll catch cold”

“I’m not cold.”

“Well your mother will worry.”

“It’s fine.”

He chuckles, “God you’re difficult…Shalom sweet heart. I’ll be here tomorrow.”

You nod, “Shalom Alfie.”

Your hand drags away from his, as you walk backwards back into the home. His eyes never leave your form until you cross the threshold.

As you lay in bed that night, all you can think about are those dark blue eyes. Those full lips shrouded by a coarse and wild beard. Those rough hands against yours. Your mind replayed the feeling of his hands on yours, memorizing the tough callouses and tender touch of his fingers. You told yourself that you couldn’t let your mind go and explore those secret desires. Those secret desires where he wouldn’t just touch your fingers. He’d hold your hand, letting everyone know that you were his. Those imaginings where he wasn’t just your boss, but yours and yours alone. Any moment you weren’t with him, you missed him. You wish that he could stay. Stay for the night. Stay for the morning. That you wouldn’t just give tea at his desk but at his breakfast table. Where he wouldn’t just let his hand hover over your jaw, but caress it. Where you could finally feel that god awful beard on your cheek. Your heart ached terribly. Wishing and wishing that it could be that way. That you could have him. And that he could have you. You tossed and turned, watching the moon make its way across the sky from the window in your room. Your hands clasped by your heart, still feeling the tingle of where his hands were.

Alfie in fact made it to the house at 7:15 the next morning. He emphasized that it was because he just wanted to make sure you weren’t left waiting, but he looked all too smug and comfortable drinking tea with your grandmother, having some of the fresh jam she had made just that morning.

As soon as you were out of window view of your house, you felt like you could finally breathe and speak freely. You were worried to a certain extent that Alfie would treat the relationship you had differently. As if you were some sort of charity case, or if you were a helpless bird needing attending to. But those fears were unnecessary, as Alfie jumped right into the agenda for the day. Rambling and cursing the names he had to meet with today. Though you would typically scold him for inviting bad luck onto business dealings, you couldn’t help but smile and laugh along with him. This was the thing that brought back equilibrium. Alfie made things normal, and made you feel like a normal person. Not someone who had just lost a childhood home. Not someone who was being targeted.

As you walked in together, many of the men who had already begun work said their hellos, and gave their sympathies. Alfie grumbled beside you, wanting to keep walking into yours and his little corner. It shouldn’t have bothered him. He knew it shouldn’t. You really didn’t belong to him. But he found that it was all too easy for the flame of jealousy to rise when he saw you give that smile of yours to anyone else. He loved that smile. He yearned for it and saw it as a previous jewel that he coveted and aimed for. And for anyone else to gain it, it felt like a quick stab to his chest. But he kept himself relatively quiet, trying to behave in front of his men. Not letting himself appear as soft, or compromised.

Finally you are able to make it to your desk, and Alfie hands you your calendar. As you touch it, you notice that he’s definitely refiled through it.

“You went through my calendar?”

“Well it is my calendar actually.”

You put the notebook down and turn to him quickly, “well it’s my notes! And I have personal notes in there too, it’s not just about you.”

“Well don’t worry darling your handwriting is so tiny it’s not even legible. I did see your little cartoons though. Very cute that is. But seriously yeah. I bought the calendar. It’s mine. It’s my business in there. And if you hadn’t left right? If you hadn’t left I wouldn’t have had to pilfer through it.”

You just put your head down. There really wasn’t much more to say. But Alfie knows exactly how to fill the silence doesn’t he? “Darling. Come into my office real quick yeah?”

You take your seat in front of him. Alfie at his desk. Still early enough in the morning where his shirt buttons haven’t been ripped off yet in anger. And his hair is set without raking his thick fingers through yet. He considers you for a long moment. Just studying your face. Noticing how you don’t fidget under his eyes anymore. Your breathing even and your back relaxed into the back of the chair.

He sighs, leaning forward on the desk, muscular arms holding himself up. “Treacle… treacle darling I think we need to talk about your place in the business.”

Your heart stopped… did he really just bring you to the office to fire you? “Alfie you are not firing me.”

His head jerked back, “What the… what the fuck are you talking about? Just.. shh be quiet. Shit treacle just let me speak!”

You settle back as you both readjust. Shaking his head he continues, “No no treacle. Listen… I’ve been thinking about last night. How much my… way of communicating scared you. And I just want us to… communicate… expectations.”

You nod slowly. Truthfully, no man has ever talked to you like this. He nodded back, “Alright. Well… darling. Shit how do people do this.”

He rubbed his face as if scrubbing it would bring out the words to the surface, “Ugh treacle listen to me. I am… a bad man. Ok? I have killed people. I have. I have tortured men. I have knocked out half of the men in London. And I love to be on the top. My life, is violent. Ok? I don’t want us to pretend that violence is not a part of this job. Are you with me?”

After assenting, he only continued, “Now, I cannot guarantee you that you will never see violence ever. But, I can guarantee you that I will do my very best to make sure that you see as little as possible. Does that work with you?”

You nodded, “I can agree to that.”

He nodded back, brows furrowed, and letting go of a breath he didn’t know he was even holding. “Excellent. Good good.”

Leaning back, finally relaxing, Alfie continues with his racing thoughts, “I’ve also been thinking treacle… that you need to be shown the other parts of the business yeah? Give you a little more responsibility around here. Let you in more on my other dealings.”

“Other dealings?”

“Well sweetheart you didn’t think the bakery talk was just for show did you? There is in fact a bakery next door. And we got the jewelry shop upstairs. I want you in on it, familiar with everything.”

Alfie begins to rise up out of his seat again, motioning to you, “Come on. Let’s take a trip darling.”

You didn’t know what you were expecting when you went down to the bakery. When he mentioned bakery you pictured… a shack. Something run down with stale bread pilfered from other shops.

But it wasn’t. It was a legitimate bakery. The air warm and full with the smell of hot loaves and cinnamon and sugar. Older grandmotherly women worked behind the counter, smiling and glowing. Alfie tipped his hat towards them, “Morning ladies. Looking wonderful this morning as always.”

They jeered and laughed at their rugged boss, calling him over to test out the newest recipes created. He gave limited critique for the women, sandwiched between loving praise for their work. You were given a loaf as well, told to come in any time you wished.

You then walked into the jewelry shop above the office, and you couldn’t help but feel out of place.

Wall to wall, glass cases of absolutely finery surrounded you. Perhaps it was to keep the sin of coveting at bay, but you tried to not look at jewelry. You tried to not think of yourself as a girl who longed for jewelry. But looking at the glittering jewels and chains, you couldn’t help but feel a thrill run through you. They were beautiful.

You hear Alfie laugh before you realize that your mouth had been gaping open, “Well go on then. Take a look around.”

Your fingers danced along the glass casing, staring at the fine pieces. Like glittering flowers on delicate flower beds, you couldn’t believe it. Long thick golden chains. Silvers bracelets. A diamond tiara even. It wasn’t until the end of the line did you see something that made your heart pause in your chest.

A small golden locket. Heart shaped, with engraved ivy around the edges. Holding it along was a delicate gold chain. It looked so soft, beautiful, and something you had always wanted to wear. You were so entranced by its simple beauty, you jumped when Alfie came behind you.

“You want to try it on?”

You shook your head vigorously, “Oh no no it’s ok.”

“C’mon you want to I know you do.”

“I can’t try on the merchandise!”

“I think I decide who can try on the jewelry yeah? C’mon just try it on. It’s been waiting for someone.”

You smiled, suddenly very shy, “Well… ok. Just for a second.”

Alfie unlocked the case, pulling it out gently, carrying it as though it was the diamond tiara in the case over. He motioned for you to hold your hair away, to let him clasp it around your neck. It was so silent, you being the only two in the shop. All that could be heard was your pounding heart and the sound of Alfie’s breath brushing against your ear. You felt the cool weight against your chest, with Alfie’s warm and heavy hands on your shoulders. He gently positioned you in front a mirror, letting you see it on yourself.

You looked beautiful. It looked like it always belonged to you. As though it was made for you and you alone. The scent of your soap and perfume filled Alfie’s nose, and he wished that all the air in the world was replaced by your smell. He couldn’t hold himself back anymore. He leaned into you, bringing his face to the side of yours. Cheek to cheek, letting his hands run up and down your arms. Feeling the shiver that ran up your spine. “It’s beautiful.” You whisper, suddenly feeling as though you couldn’t catch your breath.

Alfie pressed his lips to your hair, mumbling into you, “It was made for you.”

You feel yourself melt into him, your back falling into his chest, with his strong arms wrapping around you. You heart was pounding, and you could’ve sworn you felt his heart knocking into your back. Your chest was so tight, you felt like your whole body was on fire. Alfie couldn’t stop now. He pressed kisses to your temple, “Tell me to stop.”

You gave no response as you leaned into his touch, him never stopping, trying to restrain himself as he pressed his passion to your temples and cheeks, “Tell me to stop. I’ll never ask anything of you. Tell me you feel nothing for me.”

You gasped, it was too much, but you just wanted to press him closer to you. Wrapping his arms tighter around you, “Alfie..” you whispered.

He turned you around, whispering your name as he pulled you to his chest.

“Alfie?”, Ollie knocked on the door frame of the jewelry shop, concern, shame, and confusion thick in his throat.

Alfie shut his eyes tightly, and you feel the grip on your waist strengthen, “WHAT OLLIE?” He barked out, causing you to snort.

Ollie begins to stammer, “I- I’m sorry Alfie! It’s just uh… Mr. Shelby… he’s here.”

Alfie put his head onto your forehead muttering, “I’m going to fucking shoot him.”

Alfie guides you out of the door, and you can barely make out Alfie telling Ollie to start searching for another job.

Mr. Shelby looks incredibly comfortable in Alfie’s office. Before you can say hello to the man, Alfie butts in, “What the fuck do you want Tommy. You interrupted a very important meeting.”

Tommy smiled at you softly, then turning to Alfie, “Sorry Alfie, but this is about our club. I think you can make a little exception for me eh?”

Alfie just grumbled as he threw himself into his seat, using his pointer finger to direct you and Tommy to your seats. Tommy continued once he settled into his seat, “We’ve got an issue Alfie. Apparently, someone is not too happy about our little arrangement. And evidently… according to some sources… you roughed someone up last night. Which allegedly resulted in someone’s home going up in smoke.”

At this admission Tommy turned to look at you, “My condolences darling. Hope everyone is ok yeah?”

“Don’t look at my secretary. What the fuck are you talking about?” Alfie barks out.

Before turning back to Alfie, Tommy rolls his eyes and breathes in slowly, “Alfie. My men have gotten information that you, in all your wisdom, beat the living daylights out of some idiot. And that idiot, is the nephew of our good friend Mr. Sabini. Now, Mr. Sabini, was not just hurt that you nearly killed his nephew, but he was also hurt that your lovely secretary denied his nephew, and that we are working together, in direct competition with a bar he owns on the same street.”

Alfie felt his stomach drop.

He knew. He knew that it was somehow his fault. Because this is what happens isn’t it? Anytime he allows himself a small comfort or a small glimmer of a dream of something different, it hurts all those around him. It destroys them. It kills them. This time, he hoped it would have been different. That God maybe would have had mercy on him. Allowed him this tenderness. Found him worthy of you.

"Alfie?", you prodded gently. You had risen from your seat on the plush velvet couch to touch his shoulder. His whole body had tensed up at Tommy's admission of evidence. The admission was scary enough, to know that you put your family in danger for simply denying a man. But it wasn't Alfie's to feel guilt for. And you knew he was holding himself responsible. Because that's what he does. He carries the weight of everyone on his own shoulders. Under your touch you feel his muscle tighten and relax immediately. Alfie raised his eyes to stare back at Tommy, whose typically impassible face had the shadow of regret and concern underneath those cold eyes.

"Tommy. I'm not going to let this pass."

"I know you're not Alfie. I think the time has come for Sabini to be removed."

Alfie leans back into his seat, hands folded across his stomach. You removed yourself back to your seat, the real business needed air.

You had never met Mr. Sabini. But you had certainly heard of him. All the girls in your classes spoke about their own encounters with him. How he would corner them and say vulgar things, hoping to get an evening with them. You'd seen him in town on your laundry deliveries with Eli, and you always felt as though you needed to bathe after you locked eyes with him. Eli always walked in front of you, as if to announce that you weren't alone to be approached. And to know that his nephew was much of the same, and went as far as to punish those the way he did for denying him was a shock. The Sabinis had made themselves clear that they weren't above killing for disrespect.

And yet you feared more for the Sabini family than you did your own in this moment. You had seen Alfie be ruthless and loud. You had seen him scream to the point of men wetting themselves, and you had seen Alfie beat a man near death. But this Alfie... this Alfie made your blood run cold. Made you sweat underneath the lamp in the corner. He looked larger than normal. The muscles in his neck and arm twitching every so often. He was near silent. And when he did speak, it was low but rumbling. As if the plates of the earth were moving to the sound of his voice. This wasn't a meeting you took notes for. This was a meeting where the words soaked into your skin, into your bones as you listened to the methodical destruction of the Sabini company.

"Miss Abraham. Come here dear." Alfie called to you finally.

When you got to him, he brought you down to your level, whispering, "I want you to go with Ollie, and he is going to take you home. Go be with your family for the day, draw up some ideas for the gaming club for me alright?"

The way he whispered it so lowly, it was accepting no arguments, despite the fact it had not even reached lunch time yet. You nodded in assent, and he simply responded, "Good girl. I will see you tomorrow."

When you walked into the house, your mother was the only one home, placing the finishing touches on a dress to be picked up in the evening, "Oh darling! You're home early! You feeling alright? You look pale."

You shook your head, suddenly feeling a bit weak, "No mama I'm fine. My boss just heard about what happened and wanted me to go home."

"Mmm, well why don't you sit with me anyway."

You took a seat on the floor across from your mom. You had been sitting like this since you were a child. From playing dolls, to reading to her, to helping sew loose buttons on your family's shirts with her. It was where you gave your mother all your thoughts. All your fears and secrets. It was the confessional and threshing floor of all your worries.

Without looking up from her needlework your mother smoothly spoke, "That's quite a beautiful necklace darling. Did Mr. Solomons send you home with that as well?"

Your stomach dropped, and your hand flew to your chest.

You hadn't taken it off.

"Mama I-"

"My love how long did you think you were going to be able to keep up this ruse? You and I both know that lying is not your strong suit."

Your hands covered your face in embarrassment. "How long have you known?"

Your mother smiled, still not looking up from her work, "Oh since about the fourth week. You looked a little too giddy coming home the night before, so I assumed your boss was incredibly handsome. So I peeked out the window and saw him. I mean really darling did you even try?"

"Ugh... does Papa know?"

"Mmhmm. He was very cross for about two days, but I spoke with him."

"Are you still cross with me?"

It was only now that she stopped her steady work, "I'm only upset that you didn't feel as though you could trust me and your father. I understand darling, you wanted your independence and to figure things out for yourself. But we love you darling, and we want to know these things so we can just know you are ok."

You got closer to your mother, laying your head on her knees, "I just didn't want you to worry. I didn't want you to feel as though I was a burden."

"Oh hush." She said, smoothing out the hairs on your head, "You have never been a burden. And your troubles are never a burden. You need to believe that darling, you are not a burden to us. You don't need to shoulder everything on your own. Not when you have us."

You nodded, feeling the tears pool and gather on your mother's dress. The stress of the past 48 hours finally overcoming you. And you told her everything. About the day to day job. About the gaming club. About the fire. About Alfie. About what he made you feel.... you laid it all bare for your mother, who nodded and received it all. And you finally felt the weight of 1000 stones finally lift off your chest.

Back at the office, the room is full of smoke and two bottles of whiskey slowly depleting. Tommy and Alfie have drawn up a master plan of an offensive, a war to end it all. For 2 years they have dealt separately with Sabini. But to Alfie, this was a step too far. He targeted an innocent girl. His secretary. For what? To protect the 'honor' of a boy? It would not stand.

After the construction, Alfie and Tommy slumped in their chairs, mulling over the day. Thinking of everything to come.

"You love her don't you."

Alfie's eyes flicked to him, Tommy's cold eyes never shifting away , piercing him through the smokey haze. "None of your fucking business mate. She's just a good secretary. And a good girl. Doesn't deserve this."

"No. No a good secretary gets a raise every so often. A good secretary doesn't come into meetings and give advice. A good secretary doesn't get this protection Alfie."

Alfie didn't respond. Because if he did respond it would become real. It wouldn't just be something he could bury anymore. Once he said it, it would change everything. Tommy put out his cigarette, "You love that girl Alfie. That adds a whole new element to this game we are playing with."

"She is not a fucking pawn Tommy."

"Well to Sabini she is. Try as you might Alfie, that's what happens to men like us. Those we love turn into game pieces. This whole city is a fucking chess board."

"You are talking as if you're a god Tommy."

"And you are talking as if there is one to protect you, As if there is something to protect that girl."

"There is something to protect her you shit. It's me. I'll kill all of London before a single hair on her head is touched. That includes you mate, so don't talk to me about game pieces, or protection, or people dying alright? Because no matter what Sabini throws at us, not matter if this sick plan of our fails, no matter if all of London burns, I will make sure that she is safe!"

Tommy just smiles in the wake of Alfie's fury, lighting up another smoke, "And that is why I know we will not fail."

Taglist: @jokersqueenofchaos @hoodeddreams13 @satur9-saturnalia @autumnleaves1991-blog @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @character---obsessed @solomons-finest-rum @cookiez56-blog

#alfie solomons #alfie solomons x reader #alfie solomons x you #alfie solomons fanfic #alfie solomons x y/n #peaky blinder fanfic #Interviews for New Beginnings

246 notes · View notes

6okuto · 4 months ago

Text

hai everypony. used some of u and ur ocs as my muses for a little (big) (rough) spread :3 So u know u r perceived and enjoyed.

if ur surprised because we don't talk um. i recognize ur user and or did some tag lurking so. hey... um. Hey...... tags and notes under the cut!

@khalixvitae - KHALIX ! do not know this guy At All but i decided to mix things up and use him!! if u have any thoughts to share abt vil i'm all ears! >__<

@sweet-milky-tea705 - JAYCE! yasenia. smoking duck gif. is anything else needed 2 say... i didn't forget her ears i just. upside down. hair. and. giuspelazpe

@koyukiki - Leon Kennedy. LMAO he's literally the most random guy on here. "why hoseok da bus driver" vibe LIKEHEEBFHSB but u know. hiii koyuki!!

@shobvrry - wehehehe... hiii friend,, little shoto for u!! :3 do u like the placement of frozen joke bear. get it. bc. because. he. and. get it

@dira333 - kENMA!! this is evidently Not the thing i wanted to give u but. this has taken a while and i actually want 2 redo the other thing so. haii dira!! \o/

@satorisoup - tHe Only self ship other than me on here. based it on ur existing self ship comms and picrews.. R ur eyes green. like. ..IMCRYING . ROCK ON LENE!

@last0bread - !! azalea has SUCH a cool + unique design!! she's also quite satisfying to draw?? LOL. i also like doodling flowers so thanks for letting me do that :3 🩷 /silly

@mustddart - oh my god i didn't know u changed users and just got so scared. I rock w these guys. i don't know their dynamic i based it solely on this post (& it being percy) but I ROCK W THEM!!! U r one of the people i recognize by user btw. Hiiii stay awesome!!!! 🩷🩷

@luv-indigo - SOOO lovely!! loved reading about nadine and seeing her in each step ^__^ !! i recognize u by user too. Haiii all ur art and ocs r super nice and cool!!! 🙆🏻‍♀️🩷

@vaultureculture - bro i am rocking w this design so hard. elvia is stunning like okkk???!! leander i see u. i get u 🙂‍↕️🔥 phlomis is also Awesome i love the dynamics and story going on IM ROCKING SO HEAVY!!

@kandy-katz - omg. i did the chibi first and by the time i got to the last empty space i realized sol was the only one who was a sole (haha) chibi and !! 😭 i felt so bad bc his full design is SO SO cool so he's here twice. HE'S AWESOME!! 🩷🙆🏻‍♀️

@dreamtydraw - smoking duck gif. apple bag trio.. lOVE THEM!! 🩷💌 wasn't originally gonna do all 3 but i saw this pose and thought it was silly and fun.. yeagh. all ur ocs are always so lovely and unique!!! everypony reading this go check dreamty on itch.io and play all 5 games NOW!!!

@evanox - SARA RAAAHHHH!!!! saraahhhhh!!.???? haha get it. ...just looks like i spelt ur name wrong. Let's carry on. MAEHWA!!! 😭🩷🩷 worked off jayce's art I hope she looks ok. sage is drunk and saying something stupid /affectionate Idk what.. hehe she's lovely!!

@anonymous-eggy - Big Fan of masks and i love this one. HIS DESIGN IS SO FUN!! i finished drawing them the fastest fr fr i want that shirt so bAD and their hair is so nice yeahh i rock w az HEAVY!! 🩷🩷

@someiicecube - cannot overstate how heavy i rock w esther. u hooked me at an awesome stunning design and reeled me in w reading too many romance books and wishing it was him. so me. SO COOL!!! 🩷🩷

da process........

yeahgh. 👍 i wud like to draw some for real in the future but actually if i draw anything in the next few days my brain will explodeo.

#🖍️nia.draws #i have no idea what the saturation situation is going to be outside my laptop. whatevah...#this was suppossd to be simple little gifts so i refuse to look any longer. good god #Imembarrassed and shy so im going to queue this and pretend i didnt post it. i think u r all very cool and lovely and #i hope u have a good day!!! and remember people rock with u. yeagh #can everyone appreciate all the joke bears btw. i stopped myself from adding more.#** omfg tumblr user mustddart Soz i didn't realize i fucked up ur tag.

46 notes · View notes

melefim · 3 months ago

Text

Swearing in Dead Boy Detectives: God

Overview:

God was said 69 times, by 10 characters, and in all 8 episodes.

Uses Per Episode:

Episode 1: 4

Episode 2: 8

Episode 3: 7

Episode 4: 1

Episode 5: 17

Episode 6: 7

Episode 7: 10

Episode 8: 15

Uses Per Character:

Charles: 5

Crystal: 32

Jenny: 1

Niko: 8

Esther: 8

The Cat King: 4

Litty: 2

Kingham: 2

Maxine: 2

Maren: 4

Percent of Total:

God is said 69 times, which is 21.4% of all cursing in the show.

Variations:

There are 5 variations of the word God used in the show, with the most popular being God, which was used 30 times.

God: 30

Oh My God: 23

Oh God: 13

Thank God: 2

OMG: 1

Rankings:

Total Uses: God comes in 2nd place for total uses, being said 69 times.

Number of Episodes: God is one of only four words to be said in every episode, along with Fuck, Shit, and Ass.

Most Uses of a Word in a Single Episide: Fuck holds 4 of the top 11 spots.

Total Characters: 11 different characters say God, landing it in 2nd place.

Favorite Word: God is tied with shit for Crystal’s favorite word- she says them 32 times each.

It is also the favorite (and only) curse word for both Niko (8) and Maxine (2), as well as the favorite for Esther (8) and Maren (4).

Curse Word Variations: With 5 variations, God settled in at 4th place.

Lines:

Episode 1:

Crystal: Oh my god, why can't I remember?

Crystal: God! I just need a second, okay?

Crystal: God, I just want to take their heads and just crush them together, I am so mad!

Crystal: Oh my god, I never even thought about the fact that they could still be alive.

Episode 2:

Charles: Oh my god, here we go.

Crystal: Oh my god, holy shit! (Niko collapses)

Crystal: God, I feel lonely too.

Crystal: Oh my God! Holy shit, how does today keep getting more disgusting?

Crystal: God (After Edwin asks 'And were there any graves or decaying bodies near her in the woods?')

Crystal: Oh my god, Charles back me up.

Crystal: Oh my god, Niko! (Niko starts seizing)

Niko: Oh my god. Are these your friends?

Episode 3:

Crystal: I just heard some people talking about it in the um, God, it was the… malt shop and it sounded super crazy.

Niko: Oh my god, he is so in to you!

Kingham: God! (Niko throws sweater over jar)

Kingham: God! I hate you!

Crystal: Thank god, there he is.

Crystal: Oh my god. Son of a bitch owned an electronics store.

Charles: God, that must have been mental.

Episode 4:

Crystal: God, it's driving me crazy

Episode 5:

Niko: OMG it's…(Jenny's secret admirer)

Litty: Oh my god (Niko comes in room)

Litty: Oh my god!

Crystal: Oh god. Cash and condoms. Thanks.

Maren: Brad was my boyfriend. God, I miss him so much.

Maren: God, I shouldn't have left.

Crystal: Oh, no it's porn, it's all just porn. Oh my god.

Maren: And oh God, they, they… ugh, they humiliated him any chance they got.

Maren: Oh god I… I almost did it to you.

Charles: I've got some heavy shit that I need to sort out. I get it. Just… God, I really wanted them to be good guys

Maxine: God, I've always done this.

Maxine: Like… like what your pillow smells like. Oh god, I can't wait to smell it for myself.

Niko: What's happening? Oh. Oh my god.

Charles: God, you knobs really don't get it.

Charles: Oh god, I'm worried that maybe I'm like Brad and Hunter.

Crystal: I can't keep him out of my head. God, he just keeps coming, I don't… I don't know how to stop him. God, what if I can't?

Episode 6:

Crystal: God, I just want to be normal.

Esther: Oh, God, well without her precious little dead boys she'll be snake food in no time.

Esther: God! You're not going gaga for the uptight boy?

Crystal: God, I feel totally useless.

The Cat King: Oh God, the handsome face, the little kiss, bullshit astrology.

Esther: God, I love final moments.

Crystal: Oh my God, are you guys OK?

Episode 7:

Esther: Oh, god.

The Cat King: Oh god, they say that I'm a pussy.

The Cat King: Oh God.

The Cat King: God, I am such a romantic, I hate it.

Crystal: God, Edwin is my friend too, whether he likes it or not.

Crystal: God, if you really won't let me go, then I'll find my own way to Hell.

Crystal: God, that's fucking insane.

Niko: Oh my God! You're both still dead, and didn't get trapped in hell forever!

Niko: Oh, thank god.

Crystal: God, I gotta figure out what I'm going to tell her.

Episode 8:

Crystal: God, it's like being punched in the face and the stomach.

Esther: God, you're nosy.

Crystal: Mom? Oh my God. Mom is that--

Girl in Crystal’s Memory 3: Oh my God, did you guys hear? James got hit by a car.

Crystal: Oh, my God. Oh, I'm a fucking awful person. Oh, God, I'm the worst.

Crystal: God, I was a bad person before him.

Crystal: Because if you did, God, you'd hate me

Crystal: Oh my God, Jenny are you OK?

Niko: Oh my God. Am I dead?

Niko: Oh my God. Is that where the magic eight ball kept saying "outlook not so good"?

Esther: Oh, God! Oh, God, no, my face… Is fine.

Esther: Oh my God, my own sacrificial knife? I'm impressed. But I'm not fucking around that you're also gonna patch that wall before you die too.

Jenny: God, that sounds so fucking procedural.

Notes:

Goddamn was said six times throughout the show. These have been included in the count for Damn, which can be found here.

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

More Dead Boy Detectives Swearing Posts:

Masterlist

Swearing by Episode

Swearing by Character

Swearing by Word

All Swearing Posts

And if you like lists of things like I do, you can check out my other Dead Boy Detectives ones here!

When Charles’ Shirt Colors Change

George Rextrew’s Edwin comic inspo board

Full soundtrack with timestamps

Moves, Incidents, and Cases Masterlist

First pass at finding where the songs in the score are used- full post with timestamps in progress

31 notes · View notes

queerly-done · 6 months ago

Text

So my opinions on all the Dead Boy Detective/DBDA Characters

All of these are opinions as someone who has watched the show a few times now and also the Doom Patrol episode and I’ll give my opinions on the Doom Patrol versions at the end.

Spoilers for Dead Boy Detectives Show. And Doom Patrol season 3 ep. 3 and that episode alone

Charles Rowland

- Charles is such a sweetheart I love him. He’s always looking out for his friends and literally went to hell for Edwin, and kicked the Night Nurse for him. I just love him so much.

- I felt so bad for him in episode one when he says his dad, “wasn’t the nicest guy,” and in episode three when we see him break being forced to see a father k!ll his family over. I was actually crying with him saying he doesn’t “want to be a bad guy”! It broke me so badly, the abuse he went through and the fear he’ll become like his abusers is a very real thing and to see a character go through that makes the story feel more real, and makes me more sad. He could use some therapy.

- Him being the “brawn” of the team is pretty funny to me but thats most because if you watch the cast interactions you’ll see what I mean.

- All in all, I love him. He is loving, protective, loyal and has golden retriever with attachment issues energy mixed with scary dog privilege but the dog isn’t scary unless provoked.

Edwin Paine/Payne

- Adorable, get him some therapy please! He needs it! Man was so repressed for the first part of this show I thought I’d die before he confessed. But I don’t blame him honestly, his death was traumatic and being called a “Mary Ann” whilst being sacrificed likely would put a bad taste in your mouth about the idea of you being queer in any way shape or form. I am so proud of him good job!

- Honestly he just makes me so happy, and I love how he interacts with everyone and grows!

Crystal Palace

- I love her she is so bad ass and I hope wish the best for her

- She needs better taste in men, my suggestion date women

- I want to see a little more of her Nepo baby side of her past cause clearly that was a thing

Niko Sasaki

- Sweetie! I miss her! She was the only other person other than Charles to get Edwin out of his shell and it hurts me so much to see her be gone. Her death will forever haunt me.

Cat King

- I love him so much, he is my favourite kind of not evil but not good guy the kind that plays a game with people by flirting! Ahhh I love him! I don’t love that he falls for Edwin(I’ll make a separate post on this issue)

- Anywho I still love him he gives off chaotic gender neutral vibes and the song Sex With a Ghost was made for him, I just love him!

Monty the Crow

- Monty I love you but don’t kiss people without consent!

- Honestly he was very important, and sweet he didn’t deserve all the pain he’s been through, may better things come his way.

Jenny the Butcher

- Badass. I love everything about her. Her style, the way she gives advice, yes I just love her so much. I want to see more of her.

- Her episode made me so sad for her ;-;

Esther Finch

- Honestly I love her as a villain she was so evil, and a genuine threat. She is also so hot and scary I just love her.

David the Demon

- A creep I didn’t like him, I don’t know what else you want?

Doom Patrol versions!

Charles Rowland

- He was so funny in this, I loved him. I love how the show conveyed a mutual interest from him to Edwin they are both just too dense to say anything about it. I also love that it seems the only thing he knows about America is that they like baseball.

- They did have to go off and hurt me with the fear of water scene, but he was so sweet protecting Edwin from the Night Nurse(who in this is just 10 times scarier)

Edwin Paine

- Him not getting anything about modern times and brushing off his feelings for Edwin was so well done! I love how he tells Larry he “isn’t like him” saying he isn’t queer and that if he were that would be bad, he says this all in a very rude and brash tone and then proceeds to comfort Charles in the nicest to he is capable of.

- Beautiful 10/10

Crystal Palace

- Boss ass Bitch, girl boss. 8/10 I love her but no real opinions yet that is I may go back one day and edit this for her

I hope you liked this dumb post :3

36 notes · View notes

we-are-inevitable · 3 months ago

Note

Hi, Jac!! I am really enjoying reading "and the sun still sets the same" so far, and I would love to hear more about the frack au Jacobs siblings. Do Esther, Meyer, and Les live close to where the twins go to college? If not, what do they do to keep in touch (if they do keep in touch)? Does Les plan to go to college, and if so, what does he want to major in?

YESSSSS i adore them ugh. they are so so perf!!

so first things first, davey and sarah go to school about two and a half hours away from their family- close enough to go home if needed but far enough that they’re a little more independent.

davey has an INCREDIBLE relationship with his parents; he might be jaded and kind of prickly-looking, but he has evening yap sessions with esther nearly every day! he facetimes her while he cooks dinner, which just so happens to be when she’s cooking dinner as well, so he chats with her all the time. their dinner talks are something david tries hard not to miss!

i think sarah would definitely talk to esther a lot, too— maybe not as often as davey, but multiple times a week. i feel like that early morning talks while sarah’s on her morning run or just walking around campus would be their catch up time!

they both love mayer too obviously but he’s not a super big “use the phone” guy, so davey usually sees him in the background of facetimes (and he comes over to yap for about ten minutes or so) and sarah calls him on his lunch breaks at work!

their parents didn’t go to college, so davey and sarah are both first gen students, and esther and mayer can’t really afford to help that much but they do ALL they can. they don’t want their kids to struggle anymore than they have to.

they also both talk to les all the time. the jacobs fam is perfect in general but even MORE perfect in this au

les is around 12-14 in this fic (i havent decided yet) and he doesn’t really show up but i have thoughts. he’s the only straight Jacobs sibling, not that it matters bc he’s a middle schooler but it’s important to Me that you know that

les would be such a like….. sports marketing or business major. everyone thinks hes another frat bro douchebag because hes a straight guy business major but both of his siblings are queer and his parents didn’t raise a bitch

anyway i love them. im imagining esther and mayer being the two people that can make david smile and laugh like jack can and that’s a HUUUUGE thing that sarah notices when she first meets jack

esther thinks all of davey’s tattoos are so so cool and mayer was with him when he bought his first skirt. they completely support sarah’s love of fashion design and will even model for her if she has an idea for something they’d like. they are quite literally the best most supportive family on the planet

i could talk about them allllll day but alas, i will stop

#davey jacobs #david jacobs #sarah jacobs #the jacobs family #les jacobs #esther jacobs #newsies #livesies #uksies #92sies #jack kelly #ask a jac !#newsies musical #frat boy jack au

21 notes · View notes

cumulo-stratus · 1 year ago

Text

“There’s nothing wrong with being different.”

Pairing: Dad!Spencer reid x Dad!reader

Description: Spencer and his husband talk to their daughter when she gets in trouble for punching someone (daughter is 10)

Warnings: Little bit of homophobia, lemme know if there's anything else!

Flufftober day 8: Kidfic/Petfic

A/N: I feel so bad cus I'm like a week behind on flufftober but I'm trying guys I swear 😭 anyways proof read by the lovely @ssaspenceswife!! (Totally check out her works it's way better than mine lmao)

Y/n sighed as he stepped into the drivers seat of the car, spencer sliding in next to him. They had been enjoying their day off of work together, lounging while their daughter was at school for the day. That was of course until Spencers phone rang…

Spencer lounged on top of Y/n, practically flopped on top of him, the tv played some show quietly in the back round, but the couple were much too focused on each other to quite care. They had been discussing Poes works until spencers phone starts buzzing on the coffee table, alearting him of an incoming call.

Y/n looked at spencer curiously, silently asking him to pick it up, and find out what was going on. But when the familiar crease between spencers brow became apparent his husband frowned at the discontentment of his lover. Spencer gave Y/n the universal signal to wait and answered the phone.

“Hello?”

(hello are you doctor reid?)

“yes thats me, is there something wrong?”

(we apologize for interrupting your busy works schedule but you need to come pick up your daughter, shes been suspended.)

“Suspended?!”

This finally caught Y/ns attention as he looked at his husband confused. Spencer stared back equally puzzled and continued the conversation.

(She physically assulted another student, and is suspended until the end of the week. One guardian registered with he school may come pick your daughter up.)

"okay, thank you someone will be there to pick her up soon. Buh bye-"

spencer seemed to want the conversation over with as soon as possible when he said his goodbyes to the receptionist.

"Spence- what happened, was it the school? Is Esther okay?"

"she punched a kid.."

Y/ns face fell in disappointment- and then it turned to anger

"we taught her to never resort to violence?! What happened?"

Spencer just sighed and raised himself from his previous sitting position to start making his way to the door. "I'll go pick her up, we'll talk about it when we get back.

Needless to say the car ride home was silent. Spencer was angry but he knew better than to take it out on his daughter. It would only end in a fight, and that got them nowhere

finally they arrived at thé family's apartment- Esther's other father stood in the attached living room with his arms crossed over his chest. Esther only looked down shamefully, gripping the straps of her beloved astronaut backpack. Y/n sighed in resignation and invited his daughter to sit on couch; sandwiched in between her dads. Y/n started;

"Esther- I thought we taught you to be better this, you know better than that- better than violence."

"I know dad I'm sorry- but he deserved it!

this time it's Spencer's turn to speak, "no one deserves to be punched Esther- and you know that"

both Esther and her fathers attention are pulled away from eachother when they hear a snort/giggle from y/n after Spencer said no one deserves to be punched. Spencer gives his husband a warning glare and that in combination with the aforementioned husbands antics, lightened the mood enough to release a small giggle from the child. After Spencer pulled his eyes away from his husband and put the attention back on his daughter she started to explain herself ; " well this one deserved it- he always mean to you guys- I was just standing up for you!” the couple looked up from their daughter and at each other with confusion. Y/n was the first to shake off the confusion and ask Esther what she ment.

“How would he be mean to us, we dont know this boy?”

“he always says that having 2 dads is weird and un natural. and i always tell him its not and its normal but he wont listen! and then he kept saying means and untrue s stuff and i- i, i couldnt stop myself! he was just being such a dick!”

spencer sent esther a stern warning glare at her language before his and his husbands face softened. Y/n reached out and pulled esther in for a hug asking “bug, why didnt you tell us- we could’ve done something?”

Esther just sighs and hugs back before answering “i told the teachers, and they didn‘t do anything..” Esther voice was deflated and when she told her fathers about the schools lack of response to her cries for help, the men shared a look that said they’d talk about it later.

spencer joined the hug forming one big ball of reid family on the couch. When spencer and Y/n finally released their daughter from the binding hug spencer put one hand on each of esther’s shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes saying “having two dads, never a bad thing, and i dont ever want you to think anything different. Understand?” before Esther could respond Y/n cut in and said, “and theres nothing wrong with being different either- just look at your dad, he’s different and a hottie” Y/n winked at his husband and Esther just exclaimed “ewwww!!” loudly, making both spencer and Y/n laugh out loud. Hoping to lighten the mood spencer responded to his husbands comment with a “save it for later- handsome” and a mischievous smile.

After a family dinner, (with lots of subtle encouragement and affirmations) Esther was feeling better, but tired. So she climbed into bed, received a kiss from both her fathers, and promptly fell asleep before her dad could even turn on the night light. Y/n and spencer were thankful for her almost immediate restful state, needing a moment alone to finally process the events of the day.

when the couple retreated back to their shared master bedroom Y/n took the opportunity of his husband just standing there to engulf him in a big hug, needing the familiar comfort of his husband. And there they stood, for who knows how long. At least 5 minutes. maybe 10 if were being realistic. But hey what can I say, they hadn’t had a moment alone since their daughter to home and lets just d say they needed it.

Spencer was the first to break the comfortable silence, saying “i still cant believe the school didn’t do anything about it- remind me to call them tomorrow before we leave for work.” Y/n just nodded and gave spencer a chaste kiss on the lips- leading him over to the bed and pulling him down on top of him. spencer chuckled and reminded Y/n that they were still wearing their day clothes, and that dental health was extremely important yet they hadn’t brushed their teeth yet. Y/n chuckled and hummed all smiley at his husbands antics.

After brushing their teeth together and y/n (jokingly) trying to get spencer to sleep with no clothes- despite the not very well insulted apartment and the blistering cold just outside the apartment walls. Y/n’s defense was that he could keep spencer warm. needles to say Y/n didn’t win that argument. but the couple still went to bed smiling, curled up in each others arms, leaving the issues of the day for tomorrow.

The End

----------------------------------------------------

#bau #criminal minds #bau team #spencer reid #fluff #cute #gay #spencer reid x male reader #spencer reid fanfic #kidfic #spencer reid x reader #dad!spencer reid #Dad!reader #slight homophobia #flufftober #flufftober day 8 #flufftober 2023

132 notes · View notes

kellyscowboy · 8 months ago

Text

Jack Kelly wasn't a family guy, but he always wished he was. Not that he didn't believe that the newsies were his family, because they were. Just not in the way that he would've liked. Jack found often found himself needing a hug, some encouraging words after a long day at work, or even just a pat on the back. But he never received them. Not from the newsies, no. He was always the one offering, but he never received.

Not until he met David Jacobs. His first interaction with Dave's family had been slightly awkward. He observed as the family worked around each other, how they seemed to understand each other perfectly. It was as if Jack hadn't even been there. Never one to overstay his welcome, and not one to stay in a situation he felt out of place in, Jack left the second the opportunity came about.

The second time he was around the family, he felt much more incorporated. Esther bossed him around as if he were her own, and Mayer gave him the long-awaited fatherly pat on the back as he told Jack he was 'welcome to stay anytime.'

They took quickly to Jack; they insisted he came over during every holiday and there was never a day he visited that he didn't also stay the night. Soon enough, they were sending him daily lunches and attempting to enroll him in classes at David's school. And although Jack kindly denied the classes, he appreciated the sentiment more than he could express. He was never one who enjoyed being fawned over, but the feeling of familial love had started to change his mind on that fact.

After David and Jack's first fight (the first one post-strike), the latter was ruined. He felt as if he had no-one to turn to. Esther and Mayer had been there for him at every instance since he had met David. It didn't feel right to now talk to them.

Jack didn't know who to talk to, or where to go. He found himself wandering the streets. Beating himself up and wallowing in some form of self-pity. He hadn't even realized they had been in a fight until David had stormed off and told Jack to never speak to him again. It made the boy sick to imagine a life without the Jacob's family.

Santa Fe came to mind. All Jack had to do was run away and pretend like these people had never existed. And he almost did it too. Tears stained his red cheeks and his head pounded from how many times he had hit himself with his palm. Stupid, stupid, stupid, chanted aloud with each smack.

But as Jack counted his money and planned his escape to Santa Fe, a gentle hand grabbed his own. Through teary eyes, he looked up to see Esther smiling softly down out him. She kneeled down next to him and wiped at the child's cheek. "Oh, poor boy. Are you alright?"

"Don't need to do me more charity, Mrs. Jacobs." Jack replied coldly. "Dave already told me where I stand with your family."

Esther shook her head. "David gets passionate about things sometimes. You should know that best. You did lead a strike with him after all."

"Well, I guess I don't know 'im as well as I thought."

"Listen, Jack." Esther started, gently. "You're family now. Family doesn't abandon family. Do you think Mayer and I were entirely thrilled when David came home on his second day of work and told us he was involved in a strike?"

"... I 'spose not."

"But we backed him up anyways. No matter how scared we were. Now, family's fight. I mean, Sarah and David fight all the time! I mean obviously you and David had a different..." Esther paused, contemplating her words. "Relationship than them. But that doesn't mean that you two can just have one fight and never speak to each other again." She pushed Jack's hair back lovingly and rubbed his cheek. "Now let's get you up to the house and get this all figured out."

And just like that, Santa Fe had disappeared deep into the back of his mind. All it took was Esther's soothing voice and the caring touch of her hand.

#me after i write something that only makessense to me #didnt even edit this #sorry guys this is just me yappin!!!!!#newises #92sies #newsies 1992 #jack kelly #david jacobs #javid

32 notes · View notes

acheel-and-cat · 6 months ago

Text

Alrighty guys, I’ve added more to Vampire Monty! We have part one and two if you haven’t read those. Thanks @eat-the-lemons for the idea and thanks @parathepineapple for proofreading! Here’s part three of four in the Vampire Monty Au!

“Well do tell us your theory Crystal.” Edwin grabbed his notebook to take notes.

“He can’t eat normal food, he goes crazy blood, he’s got sunlight sensitivity, and fangs. That’s textbook definition vampire!” she said, proud of her deduction.

“That makes quite a bit of sense Crystal, well done!” Edwin told her, snapping his notebook shut.

“Wait, wait! I can’t be a vampire, I’ve never been bitten!” Monty was gobsmacked. His mind was racing and he like he needed to sit down.

“Being bitten is not the only way to be turned,” Edwin began, “Charles can you grab-“

“Vampires Vol. 1: How They Came to Be? Way ahead of you mate,” Charles interjected, setting the book on the desk.

“Let us see,” Edwin murmured as he began flipping through the book, “do you remember anything about your death and resurrection?” Monty shook his head.

“No, I just remember falling to the floor and then waking up and being human again.” He shrugged, internally cursing his lack of memory of the whole affair.

“Hold up mate, you said you fell? What happened?” Charles asked, concern lacing his voice.

“When Esther was dragged away our witch-familiar bond was destroyed and I died,” he explained sadly.

“God, that fucking sucks!” Crystal exclaimed.

“Alright, you were a crow, you died, and when you woke up you were human? Or, a vampire?” Edwin asked, writing in his notebook.

“Um, yeah. Sorry I don’t remember anything, I feel pretty useless right now,” Monty admitted.

“Nah mate, you’ve been brills. Maybe we could use our lovely psychic to investigate where you died?” Charles suggested, looking at Crystal.

“I have some money put aside but I don’t think it’s enough to get me to Port Townsend,” Crystal said.

“Well I’ve got some money. Esther sure doesn’t need it anymore and I found a job at the library too,” Monty offered and turning towards Crystal.

“Oh perfect, thanks Monty!” Do you want to start planning the trip?” Crystal asked Monty and grabbed her phone to start planning.

#monty the crow #vampire monty #dead boy detectives #edwin payne #charles rowland #crystal palace surname von hoverkraft #writing stuff idk #writing #acheel writes

15 notes · View notes

hellparkri · 4 months ago

Text

Kevin Stoley

-They are just bad dreams, nothing more. Just fall asleep at once, Kevin, you're almost eighteen, you're going to school and you have a girlfriend, you've got to grow up-...

These were his sister's words to reassure him after a nightmare. Kevin was a weird guy, but weird in a good way, Kevin was very interested in science fiction and comics. His room reflected this very well: From posters of giant Star Treks that filled the entire ceiling of his room, to a complete collection of Star Wars lightsabers. If you needed someone to tell you about a universe that involved a minimum of spaceships, whether it was any comic, book, movie or video game, chances are Kevin Stoley had you covered. This perhaps doesn't sound so bad; But Kevin's sister: Esther, I knew Kevin was a bit of a person... "Sensitive", Kevin used to present constant nightmares with monsters from video games and movies, this would not have any problem if Kevin was still in his childhood, but the problem that his sister had was that her brother was seventeen years old, this was just almost sad, and although Esther was always happy to comfort her brother, Even she was starting to get irritated from getting up at one in the morning every night to tell her brother that the stain wasn't real and that she wasn't going to kill him.

"I know, but you really have to treat me like a little boy because of that?"

-Listen, just try to fall asleep today without getting up, OK? I have an online exam tomorrow and I should be **super** rested. Esther smiled at her brother one last time and kissed his forehead.

-Argh! Esther, you know I don't like this, it's embarrassing and I'm too old for you to kiss me. Kevin complained while frowning a little. His sister still treated him as if he were ten years old. Although well, he was the one who asked her for help when she woke up from a bad dream

-Kevin, first of all I remind you that I still have to come to comfort you almost every night, second: You shouldn't act like that with those who give you love. His sister asked as she looked at him with that smile that his brother had seen so much before falling asleep.

-Well, obviously not... Maybe because she's not my sister! Kevin shouted in a friendly tone and somewhat sorry for having to wake up his little sister practically every night.

"Look, Kevin, you shouldn't feel ashamed that your sister shows you care, if she didn't, she wouldn't come to wish you goodnight. Besides, who knows if this will be the last time I'll see you, who knows and I'll die in my sleep. we should not be like this with anyone, much less your old reliable little sister! Esther made jazz hands while spreading a big smile on her cheeks. Kevin, on the other hand, just smiled and hugged his sister, that smile of Esther's had now stuck to him too, and he couldn't help but just hug his sister for a while.

"Esther, I promise I won't wake you up today, you always worry about me, it's the least I can do..." Kevin was about to shed a tear when his sister stroked his hair and said:

"Oh, Kevin, you don't need to, just for today, will you?" Someday I'm not going to be there for you, and I hope Red is there to take care of you, I don't know. I only ask you to give it a try tonight. His sister winked at him confidently and left his brother's room, but not before turning off the light in the room and closing the door.

The hours passed; Kevin was already asleep in a light sleep, barely four hours had passed since he had gone to sleep. It was two in the morning, that day it rained incessantly for hours and hours, from morning until almost sunset, it was really an extraordinary event, at first he was relieved not to have school, but "as happened to almost all the children in the town and its surroundings" he realized that the signal was unstable and the light was even worse, It was almost a miracle that their computer or TV had not short-circuited so many times that they were victims of sudden blackouts. That rain was an event that the whole town would remember for several years to come... And even more, he suffered the tragedy of not being able to play any of his video games for long and agonizing hours, he was truly sure that he had suffered more than everyone in the village combined.

But that didn't matter anymore; The rain had ended a few hours before he went to sleep and all he could hear now was only the loud barking of a dog that seemed to be trying to scare something away. Those loud screams were enough to wake Kevin, who had been sleeping too light for as long as he could remember, so anything no matter how insignificant it seemed was almost certain to wake him up.

"Hell, is it that no one is capable of going to calm their dog?" Kevin said quietly as he rubbed his eyes somewhat irritated. After a few minutes of trying to go back to sleep Kevin noticed that he was simply not able to do it anymore, but it did not seem strange to him nor was it like that in general, once something woke him up it was almost impossible for him to go back to sleep without someone asking him. That was mainly the reason why his sister always had to come and make him sleep. "Or at least that's what was always said in his mind."

Kevin got up: He was short in stature, his hair was straight but extremely soft, his face had some acne marks and he had to wear glasses because of his myopia. He wasn't the most attractive guy, but that didn't matter to him, Kevin used to be quite friendly with everyone around him and "even though he never wanted to admit it" he always thought of others and others thought of him. This had given him quite a few friendships and he was generally appreciated by everyone around him. Kevin put on his glasses and walked to the window of his room and silently admired the stars for a while; With his hands he began to draw the face of his beloved Red MacArthur in the air. She thought for a while what she would think of him if she found out that he still needed someone to comfort him before sleeping, that was the most precious secret Kevin Stoley had, because if someone found out, well... I only knew that at least I would be the laughingstock of the school for five painful months. He quickly shook his head and forgot about that thought, still in his pajamas he decided to go out to his backyard and walk around a little until he got sleepy. But even worse was that she felt that her sister was lying to her, she felt as if she only wanted him to grow up and stop waking her up every blessed night just because a dog barked too loudly or because she dreamed that a monster was devouring him alive. That was indeed the most troubled in his mind. The teasing was temporary, but feeling like a martyr to someone you love was truly the painful thing.

Again he tried to forget those intrusive thoughts and went down in silence so as not to wake anyone up to his backyard. He felt something strange in that place, the screams of that dog had stopped, there was not a single hint of sound in the whole place... Kevin felt a déjà bu, it seemed as if he had already experienced this before; In a dream from many years ago, perhaps. He could not remember for sure what it was that bothered him so much, he felt that he was going to die soon, that there was something extremely wrong in that tranquility of the night, he simply felt... false.

His thoughts short-circuited when he heard something go up near his house, he turned to his right corner; from where the sound had originated and he saw a person climb the fence. He stepped back a little frightened, but it seemed as if the person who had just crossed the fence of his home was not very uneasy or scared.

"Tally-ho, Kevin!"

"What, who the hell are you!?" - Kevin slowly backed away as he watched as the person approached him. It looked like it had some strange fake "wings" and "horns" on its back and forehead as it tried to hide its teeth with a short smile.

"Oh, don't you really remember my name?" Oh Kevin, look how much you've grown! Are you still with Red? Or even better, do you happen to know where Damien is?" said the intruder as he approached with a big smile; His teeth being somewhat long and even somewhat sharp, his clothes were too clean and shiny, but he noticed that there was a little bit of what seemed to be a strange black liquid in one of its corners.

"D-Damien!?" Eh-listen~ j-just get out of here! I-I'm going to call the police if you don't leave~-

"Oh Kevin, would you really do that with your old friend Pip?" I doubt it, now be a good boy and tell me if you've seen Damien anywhere, he's been spending a lot of time on earth and I'm starting to worry already!" Pip started to walk nonchalantly towards Kevin, staring at him, penetrating into Kevin's soul with is purple eyes, even when the boy with glasses tried to scream, Phillip was just getting closer and faster towards him, until finally stopping for a second; Kevin watched as Pip's expression for the first time denoted some anger and frustration.

-Kevin Kevin Kevin... Do you really not remember my name mhm? Okay, I get it, I was never the most popular or the most loved. That doesn't make me angry... What makes me angry is that you don't want to cooperate..." Pip quickly approached Kevin; Who, helplessly, looked at a great and sharp smile, the blond one formed on his face; his teeth opening massively until revealing that in his mouth there were only rows after rows of sharp teeth, Kevin heard how the jaw tore and stretched to inhuman reaches; Phillip's skin stretched and revealed Phillip's red-hot skin, you could even see Phillip's throbbing veins, the two long horned ones began to slowly expand on Pip's forehead as he laughed maniacally in an increasingly distorted and heartbreaking voice, two long tongues that looked as if they belonged to a snake peeked out before Kevin's helpless gaze; Who only tried to struggle in vain and scream for help.

It was a great and agonizing scream that woke Esther up: it seemed that it came from her backyard, but first she went to check her brother's room as a precaution. "He's not there..." she said to herself in her mind. But Esther didn't feel real panic, the fences in her neighborhood were not very long and this meant that rodents and other wild animals often scurried around the yards, Kevin was already quite afraid of animals such as raccoons and mice, so knowing his brother he had probably only met one of these animals and got a good scare... and, hearing no more screams, he assumed that Kevin had calmed down and probably only admired the nightscape.

She calmly went downstairs and turned on the lights in the living room, but her expression changed completely when she saw what appeared to be a monster on top of her brother's inert body.

That demon looked at her with blood in her mouth for a few seconds; Their pupils were extremely small and luminous: of which a mixture of purple and red light was visible through them. Esther screamed and rushed to save her brother, Pip on the other hand fled the scene quickly. But that was the least that could matter to Esther at that moment, she went to see if her precious brother was still alive, but a quick inspection of what was left of his face and torso was enough to confirm that nothing could be done to save him.

#hellparkri #pip pirrup #kevin stoley

8 notes · View notes

uhhhitsme · 3 months ago

Note

002: Barb Larvenor?

002 | Give me a character & I will tell you

How I feel about this character:

All the people I ship romantically with this character:

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

My unpopular opinion about this character:

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

my OTP:

my cross over ship:

a headcanon fact:

thank you snarky-wallflower the mutual of all time for sending me these i would die and kill for you

HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS CHARACTER: i am very genuinely truly in love with her. she is the light of my life. i cannot go a single day without thinking of her. i want her to kiss me on the mouth and then rant to me about some gadget i most definitely will not understand while i stare at her dreamily. she's just sososososo incredible i love her so much words cannot describe it. she's happy and smart and loves herself and talks too much and is loud and bold and brash i LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL THE PEOPLE I SHIP ROMANTICALLY WITH THIS CHARACTER: i am a spyentist truther til the day i DIE !! i know that half the people in this fandom dont see the point of it and i get it but i just fucking LOVE the idea of their dynamic!!! i also used to think her and the informant would also be a very funny pairing

MY NON-ROMANTIC OTP FOR THIS CHARACTER: carvenor save me carvenor carvenor CARVENOR!!!!!!!!! let them geek out about cool sciency things together while tatiana and curt stare in befuddlement!!!!!!!!!! let them be pathetic and bad and terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!! owen deserves friends barb deserves friends PUT THEM TOGETHER NOW. i also very much see them as two people who are outwardly very different but inwardly very similar and therefore they deserve to have each other.

MY UNPOPULAR OPINION ABOUT THIS CHARACTER: okay i wildly flip between the different options for this character, and i definitely see the bi vision, but i also really like the idea that she's a lesbian with the worst case of comphet known to mankind. i like bi barb a lot too but idk i like projecting on my characters actually she deserves a little bit of lesbianism. as a treat.

ONE THING I WISH WOULD HAPPEN WITH THIS CHARACTER: i need more content. i need it. i. RUAGHGHAHG. i would also love more art/content for her because she's so expressive and fun!!! honestly one of my favourite characters!!!!!!!! like she's so me in every single way (loud!! loves talking to people!!! enjoys whimsy and joy!!!!!!!!!!) and idk i love her so much guys please appreciate my girl please guys

MY CROSSOVER SHIP: hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm her and esther (solve it squad) would be interesting

A HEADCANON: hmmmmmm. hmmmmmmm. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. closing my eyes praying the vision comes to me. if you are nice to her One time she will be devoted to you because like. a lot of people arent nice to her and it sucks. also she's a sucker for cute romance books but absolutely adores horror. she's read all of HP lovecrafts books a million trillion times. also she loves making shitty bad science puns and pick-up lines.

#mars says stuff #barb is actually one of my favourite characters #genuinely #i love her more than anything in the entire world

7 notes · View notes

crowpickingss · 4 months ago

Note

monty x male reader

The reader is edwins brother and he comes looking for edwin but falls in love with monty

Love at First Sight

monty x male! edwins brother reader

summary: you go looking for your brother but instead find love

warnings: none

a/n: tysm for the request! love me a good wholesome monty fic

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—

When you first arrived you immediately started searching. You walked along the beach and in the library. You walked through the neighbourhood for hours just looking for a glimpse of something supernatural. You saw a boy and two girls walking into a butchers shop. You thought about it hard but followed them in.

You approached the two girls and the guy. “Uh hi I’m looking for my brother, his name is Edwin” The girl with bleached hair looked at you and then grabbed your hand “Come with me” She dragged you upstairs and you two were soon accompanied by the others.

“My names Nico, that is Crystal oh and that’s Monty” You looked at Crystal first and then smiled at Monty “You’re here for Edwin?” You nodded “I’m his brother, I have never heard of him but I’ve overheard my parents bring him up.

She squealed a then called out for Edwin and Charles. Moments later Edwin and Charles appeared. You stood by Monty when your supposed brother appeared “Hi Edwin, uh I’m your brother” You laugh nervously to see Edwin smiling “I knew that, I’ve been watching for a while” You tilted your head in confusion “Watching?” He chuckled “Yes, I’m surprised it took us this long to meet”

Monty shuffled on his feet getting slightly impatient “I’d hate to break up this moment but uh, I really need to go” Everyone smiled and waved as he left. As he exited the butcher shop he couldn’t stop thinking about you. Esther had told him the plan it was simple she had turned him human for Edwin so why was he suddenly so interested in you.

When he returned home Esther was happy to see him “Monty darling, how’s the plan going” She was filing her nails over the kitchen sink “There might be a slight roadblock” She snapped the file in half “Edwin has a brother, and he’s here” She sighed and brung her hand to her head “Focus on the plan Monty, I made you look good for a reason it was to lure the ghost not his brother”He pouted but nodded in agreement. That night he dreamed of you.

The next day he found you Edwin and Nico outside of the library “Monty, Hey” he waved back at you “What are you doing at the library” You handed him the book you were holding “It’s for a case, or at least that’s what Edwin told me” You both laughed and he handed your book back.

He pulled you too the side away from Edwin and Nico “Would you want to maybe get coffee this afternoon” You smiled “Sure, I love coffee” Edwin cleared his throat “Monty if your done with my brother, I do require him” He nodded and let you go.

That afternoon he waited outside of the coffee shop for you. When you arrived he smiled and walked over “You came” You smiled “You asked” The two of you sat down and ordered your drinks “So Monty can I ask you a question” He nodded “This might be a bit formal but, Edwin has a crush on you and I know it might be weird dating a ghost but you two would be really cute together”

He was a bit taken aback by your formal ask “oh yeah for sure, but to be honest I think I have a crush on someone else” You pout but eventually respect his decision “Well whoever they are, I hope they know that they are blessed” You chuckled and he did too “Well the I hope you know you’re blessed” You took a sip of coffee “Are you confessing your love for me Monty” He played with the sleeves on his jacket “Yeah uh sorry” You laughed “No need to be sorry, I want you too”

He grabbed your hand “But you just met me?” You smiled “I guess you could call it love at first sight”

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—

15 notes · View notes

muneca-lemon-steppa · 1 year ago

Text

Interviews for New Beginnings: Part 4

Alfie Solomons x Fem!Reader, 3.1k words

Warnings: talking about home fire, cursing, talking about trauma

A/N: Hi everyone! This chapter is a little different. It's more about developing our characters, understanding what exactly is going on, and setting it up for later events. I'm sorry if this isn't particularly exciting, but I feel like this was necessary for the storyline I'm going down? I don't know, if you guys have thoughts lemme know! As always, I love hanging out with you all on here. It is so much fun, and it's just a reprieve and joy. And if you're finding this for the first time hello!! If you want to catch the first parts just click the tags that say Interviews for New Beginnings, and itll all be there! I promise I'm going to make a masterlist! I just don't know how to hyperlink and it's stressing me out. Anyway I'm sorry I talk so much! Love you guys! - Mo

The tailor shop was not always your family’s tailor shop. When your mother and father first immigrated to Camden, it was the one shop that agreed to hire them. Mr. Kahn was the originator, an older gentleman with large round glasses, the most illustrious beard you’ve ever seen, and the most soothing voice. When he saw the the pitiful young couple that would one day be your parents, he not only opened the doors of his shop, but his arms and his heart and his home.

Your father had been a tailor by trade in his home country, and quickly picked up the new skills and tricks that Mr. Kahn had so generously gifted. Mr. Kahn had no children himself, and his whole family had to stay in his own country as well. Like two lonely ships at sea your parents and Mr. Kahn found each other, and built a a new family. He was there for the birth of you and Eli and your brother, and there for the arrival of your grandparents. And when he passed away, he gave the shop and the home above the shop to your family, his other family. In honor of Mr. Kahn, your father and uncle kept the name Kahn’s and Sons. Though people knew you weren’t the technical Kahn Sons, everyone gave their regards to the beautiful picture of Mr. Kahn that hung in the front. His bright and shining smile and twinkling eyes kept watch over the shop, your family, and anyone who crossed the threshold. Anyone who looked at the painting smiled, remembering his gentle voice and his grand laughter.

That painting is the only thing that survives the flames.

As the sky turns a pale white, all that can be heard above the shocked voice and the rises smoke are the screams and wails of your mother, screaming and asking God why why why? Your aunt and grandmother holding her and weeping as well, praying and begging for an answer. You sister Esther on your hip keeps whispering, “What happened? What happened to our store sissy?”

And you have no answer. You have nothing in your chest but a numb buzzing, and acid in your throat. You feel hot hot tears making canyons in the ash that covers your face. You see Eli, your father, uncle, brother, grandfather, and other neighbors trying to move out any molten machines from the wreckage. When you make eye contact with Eli, he just shakes his head, tears having wiped the majority of the ash away. He looks at you as if yo say, “I don’t even know why we keep looking.”

Esther begins to cry, the smoke bothering her eyes, and you just begin to rock her and walk down the street to take her away from the wreckage. No child should have to see something so horrible as this.

People begin to stop and ask what happened. Who did this? Why Kahn’s? Why your father’s shop? You just walked past them. How would you know? How could anyone know? All you knew is that your sister was crying and coughing too hard. You just needed to get away. You just needed to get away. Just away.

On the other side of Camden, Alfie Solomons walks in to the office, after a long night of praying and bargaining for his secretary to be at her desk when he came in.

Despite his pleas, he is not surprised to see that her desk has been untouched, the stove has not been lit, and the air is too cold to breathe in. He rubs his face roughly, more for punishment than for comfort, and caresses the calendar on the abandoned desk, before tenderly picking it up and taking it to his own desk. Alfie found himself soon flipping through those wrinkled and pressed pages. Noticing the arrows and tiny scribbles on your near penmanship. As he further explores he finds himself chuckling lowly at the small characters of Tommy, Ollie, and even him and Cyril. He notes the repetition of his own name, with a small delicate heart over the i. He nearly completely smudges away the small heart with his tracings when Ollie knocks him back to Camden, “Uhm Alfie…”

“What?”

And that’s when he noticed it… the silence. There were people in the bakery, same amount as usual all doing what the need to do. But he heard… nothing. It was silent. All he could hear were the scuffing thuds of work boots against worn down floor boards, and the moaning creaks of barrels being turned over. Alfie got up from his desk, brushed passed Ollie to look at his men. But they weren’t his men. These were phantoms wearing the clothes of his men. “What the fuck is wrong with them?”

Ollie tenderly stepped behind Alfie, “Alfie… there was a fire last night…”

The blood in his heart immediately froze. His lungs shrank in his chest, and the air was suddenly sucked out of the room. “Where?” Alfie asked, though he already knew.

“Kahn’s… Alfie it’s scorched.”

Alfie couldn’t even finish listening. He had to go. He had to go. Damn the secrecy. Damn what your family knew or didn’t know. Damn what the men would think, seeing him run to see if his w… secretary was hurt. That didn’t matter. The Mad Baker be damned. “Ollie. Get the car. Grab two men from downstairs. We’re going to Kahn’s now. NOW!”

Though the drive to your home from the office was merely 20 minutes, a drive he knew well, it felt as though it took years off his life. The closer the car got, the denser the crowds of people were. The more clearly he could see the dissipating smoke and ash.

When Alfie was a young child, he struggled with fear. Thunder sent him under the covers, loud fights sent him behind his mothers skirts. The dark petrified him, necessitating two candles to defend him from nightmares. This fear followed him through childhood until he was 10, when he was assigned to give a small speech in front of his class. Poor young Alfie Solomons, so terrified of the 20 pairs of eyes that stared at him, that he threw up. He fled in tears away from the gasps and laughter, and back into the arms of his mother. There he wept profusely, embarrassed but mostly angry about how cowardly he thought of himself. His mother, hushing and consoling him, was broken-hearted at her son’s agony. Her only child. Her pride and joy. “Ahhh varóbushik. You know… it is not bad to be afraid… fear is not a sin my love.”

His eyes, ocean like in his tears looked up at his mother, “But I need to be brave. Like papa was.”

She smiled softly, “Mm yes papa was very brave. But you know… bravery isn’t the absence of fear… no it’s… it’s surviving even when you are afraid. It’s doing what you are afraid of even when you are scared. That is brave. You are brave every day my sweet Alfie.”

Alfie curled closer to his mother’s side, rocking and swaying with her as she continued to stroke his unruly hair, “Alfie, I have a trick for when I’m scared. I used it when I was leaving my home country.”

Alfie looked up, hopeful for a spell or a tool to keep him from fear, “What is it mama?”

“I let myself be afraid for 10 seconds. I count backwards from ten, and let my body feel the fear. And with every breath, and every number, and release that fear. By the time I get to 1, I am no longer afraid. I push through it. If you can manage to push through to 1 every time… I think you will find that you can do anything my darling boy.”

Alfie nodded, and resolved to always make it to 1. Even as a Captain in the war, right before the charge, as he saw the enemy approaching, he started the count. He always made it to 1, and always won.

But the counting wasn’t working now. In the car to Kahn’s and Sons Alfie couldn’t make it past 5 before his mind fled to you, wondering why hadn’t seen you in the crowd yet. Why he hadn’t heard your voice above the engine of the car yet. Why he hadn’t heard you call for him yet.

The sick in his stomach almost made its way out of his mouth when he saw what was left of Kahn’s and Sons. The emerald green wood of the front had been destroyed, leaving a festering and open wound. The windows of the above apartment had been blown out, and he could see and smell charred wall paper and clothing. Anything that could be salvaged was already, piled up in a pathetic little hill to the side. The fire department had long left, the police wouldn’t be there for another day, and the neighbors could only hold who Alfie assumed to be your family, as they wept.

“Mr. Solomons?”

Alfie turned swiftly, as if he was afraid to miss your phantom’s last moments on Earth. But you were there, solid. As solid as the ask caked to your face. He willed his arms to stay at his side, so as not to crush you in his arms, or embarrass you. Your eyes begged him to say something, to say anything. To make sense of this. The fire. His presence. Your position. But what was he to say? What role is he to play in this? Esther looked at Alfie curiously her reddened cheeks pursued together, “Are you sissy’s boss?”

A million words could’ve been dictated from the stare you gave him. They can’t know… not now. Not like this. Alfie just smiled softly at Esther, “No little bird, I’m just a neighbor. Your sister’s boss is has an office near mine. But I hear she is a very smart sister. Is that right?”

Esther giggled and nodded, proceeding to babble at Alfie, competing with him in amount of words that could fall out of the human mouth. You couldn’t help but stare at this scene. The smoke and horror seemed to wash away, and all you could see is Alfie and Esther. Esther finally smiling after a night of pain. Alfie chuckling and playing with a small child, speaking with Esther as an equal. Teaching her a clapping game and asking her questions about her favorite dolls. It felt too natural. Too sweet and real and too tangible. It felt as if it was a window to a life you could have and wanted so badly but will never have. It was too much. Your strangled inhale brings Alfie’s eyes to yours, but before he can say anything of comfort your fathers voice booms over, “Mr. Solomons! My daughters are of no concern of yours! What could you possibly take from us at this time? Have you no compassion? No human decency!”

Your father pushed between you and Alfie, a formidable blockade. Alfie mad no move, essentially chest to chest with your father, staring right into his eyes. “Shalom sir. Was checking if the rumors were true. It’s a shame.”

“It is a shame, now please leave. There is nothing more you could take from us. This city is over run with your like, killing and blowing each other up, and what about us hmm?? We take the shrapnel. We either pay your protection fees and starve with a slightly better chance at surviving the blowbacks? Or we save our money to feed our children, and still suffer the consequences of your war? Now Mr. Solomons what more can you take from us?”

It was no longer a question where you got your mouth from. Your father was old, but in his eyes you saw the anger and fire of his youth, of a man out through war. Alfie typically wouldn’t allow this, by anyone. But frankly, what little memories Alfie had of his own father, he saw in yours. And he couldn’t help but feel as though this fire was his fault. Maybe if he hadn’t fought with you yesterday, this fire wouldn’t have happened.

Alfie swallowed down any regret of the night before. The time was not for regret. The time was for solutions. And if Alfie wanted to be a part of the solution, he needed to speak to your father. As businessmen, “Mr. Abraham. I am sorry for your loss. Despite your reservations, you still live in Camden. And as a resident of Camden right? You live under Solomons protection. Now this right here? This is wrong. And I’m going to personally right, see to it that it is resolved.”

Your father began to bristle at this, “The police will do an investigation. We don’t need a gangster mucking about.”

Alfie chuckled, “You know the police won’t do a fucking thing about this. They don’t care about these sort of things they’re in everyone’s purse. Fuck, some of them are in mine.”

“I will not be indebted to another tyrant.”

Your free hand flew to your fathers shoulder, “Papa please… if you won’t allow a mitzvah… please just… just speak business with Mr. Solomons.”

Your father turned to you, “This is none of your concern! Please go to your mother immediately!”

But you stood your ground, “Mr. Solomons is offering you a solution papa! You are impeding a solution and the possibility help and a necessary alliance! And for what?! Pride?! Look at this! We have nothing! The shop is destroyed and we out home is burnt! What other solution could you possibly have?”

Your father just stared at you, mouth open, the emotions of the day washing over him. It was true. There was no other choice. And you were too old for him to be able to shield you from that reality. You clutched a shocked Esther closer to your side, “Papa… just… listen to what Mr. Solomons has to say… He is a business man. He can be reasonable, that’s what people say.”

Your father looked at you, and in that moment he saw you as you fully were. No longer that small child that sat with him until the late hours listening to him read. Not the little girl who cried about hurt birds who didn’t have a papa to take care of them. But a full woman. A whole woman with a firm mind and kind heart and strong temper. In an instant he felt the joy of watching his child, the mourning of losing his little girl, and the wonder of who you became seemingly overnight. He nodded, and turned back to Alfie, who was hiding his smile underneath an unkempt beard. Your father straightened and said, “Well Mr. Solomons. What are your proposed terms for such a partnership?”

Your father proved to be a shrewd businessman, nitpicking with Alfie over every detail in this partnership, which according to the terms would be reviewed every 6 months, with an option of either side to cancel the business relationship at those meetings. But Alfie knew he was never going to be the one to cancel it, as long as it kept him tied to you. You were the assigned scribe to the terms, which you fell easily into like walking. Mr. Solomons would provide housing to you and your family for the time it took to repair your family's home. The home was a block away from his office and home, providing easier access and protection for your family while an investigation was to take place. The investigation, Alfie insisted, would be conducted by his own men, and any policemen in his purse. Alfie insisted to your father that this was more for his own benefit than your father's, as it would solidify his position as the protector and the owner of Camden town. Your father acquiesed to Alfie's demand that the perpetrator would be dealt with in his own way, not involving the actual legal system.

Kahn's and Sons would be repaired and restocked through the use of Solomons men and contacts, which would be completed within in the next two months. Upon the finished construction, two men would be on guard of the shop during the day and night, reduced to one man upon the capture of the man who committed the act. Payment for the housing, rebuilding, and protection would be based on the services of Mr. Abraham and his family. Information obtained during client conversations, as well as tailoring and laundry services necessitated by the entirety of the Solomons Company. Services would be traded according to the going rate of Kahn and Sons prices. And upon the equitable exchange, Solomons laundry and tailoring services would then be discounted at a 45% rate. At the end of the negotiation, both men shook hands, both fighting to keep pleased looks off their faces and keep the air of solemnity and certainty and expectance.

As soon as their hands released, they nodded and gave Shalom, with your father giving directions to his own family, and Alfie barking orders to Ollie and his men. You stayed firmly planted next to Alfie, Esther being taken by your father. You looked at him quizically saying to him, "That is the most generous offer you have ever given in your life."

Alfie gruffed, "You hardly have standing to say that seeing as you only been working with me for 7 months."

"Am I still employed?"

"You better. Or else the entire office is going to shit. Ollie is moping. I can't read your handwriting. And you messed everything up in my office I can't find anything."

You smirked, "I told you, you need new glasses and your office was a pig pen. You should be thanking me profusely."

Alfie just grumbled. He would never admit that the way you spoke to him now made him feel better than he had in the past 12 hours. You allowed your fingers to brush his and the rings stacked on them, "Thank you Alfie.", you let out in a whisper, not looking at him.

He took a quick breath in at the contact, immediately craving more. But he bristled out instead, "For what?"

Your eyes remained planted at the dirt on your shoes, "For coming. For... checking in."

Alfie gently brushed his finger tips against the top of your hands, hanging by your sides, the closest he could get to holding your hands, "I had to. Now get over there, your mother keeps looking over Eli's shoulder. I'll meet you all where you'll be staying."

You nodded, cheeks and hands hot, "Yes Alfie. Shalom."

"Shalom Darling."

Tag List: @jokersqueenofchaos @hoodeddreams13 @satur9-saturnalia @autumnleaves1991-blog @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @character---obsessed @solomons-finest-rum

#alfie solomons #alfie solomons x reader #alfie solomons x you #alfie solomons x y/n #peaky blinders #alfie solomons fanfic #Interviews for New Beginnings

198 notes · View notes