#polly pocket cars i guess???

[reicchel]

Get in loser! We're going shopping!

[look-at-the-soul]

Every little thing you do- Part 10

Tommy Shelby x reader

Series master list

Word count: 3,765

A/N: I was debating whether or not to take this turn in the story but here we are… tell me what you think, what will happen next? 😊 sometimes I get ideas from your comments✨ thank you for following this series!!

Y/N felt like she was in a dream as she looked at herself in the mirror, she was wearing a gorgeous dress in a creamy tone, her hair glamorously curled and pinned up and very little make up, but everything looked so put together.

She felt like a princess.

With a huge baby bump. She giggled, until she got dressed she didn’t think the dress would fit, but surprisingly it did… and it had a beautiful line full of small crystals right under her breasts and over her bump. She had been half twirling just to catch the light, it was beautiful and delicate and it had costed a fortune, but Polly insisted it was appropriate for the occasion.

Never in her wildest dreams, she could’ve afforded something like that, but Polly basically forced her to get it, she didn’t leave the boutique until Y/N nodded.

It had been a few busy weeks, the Shelby Fundation Dinner planning kept her so busy lately, she had several meetings with vendors to make sure everything would be perfect. Y/N personally supervised the menu, music and flowers, the party held at Arrow House a couple of weeks ago would look small compared to this Gala for the Institution.

Her baby startled wriggling a lot, so Y/N decided to pace around the room in an attempt to settle down.

Meanwhile, downstairs something entirely different was happening. Mary just learned that Mr. Davis -Mr. Shelby’s driver-, had been sneaking from Arrow House with a basket of food and other goodies under that intruder instructions to the Shelby Institute to give it to an unknown person that was living there. But other than that he refused to speak more. She felt upset, that Y/N felt with authority enough to feed someone else off Mr. Shelby’s pocket, because given the fact that Mr. Davis was trying to keep a low profile, when she asked if Mr. Shelby knew about it, the man shook his head.

But she’d reveal the truth and let her master know.

Running her fingers over the table, she checked it looking for any trace of dust. Pleased she then arranged the curtain and finally smoothing her apron, she waited patiently as Mr. Shelby parked his car outside.

“Mary.” He acknowledged her.

“Mr. Shelby I’m so glad you arrived… there’s something I need to tell you.” She explained while hanging his coat.

“Not now Mary, I’ve to get ready for the Institution’s Dinner.” Tommy replied taking the stairs.

“Oh.” The maid smoothed her apron. “Can I help you to get ready then?”

But Tommy was already shaking his head, but as he reached the last step, he changed his mind. “Actually yes, come with me.”

Mary could hardly hide the smirk of satisfaction playing on her face. Would she help him getting into the bath? Or pass down his tuxedo while he got dressed?

Her answer would come shortly as Tommy emerged from his dressing room with a black velvet box. “Go and find Y/N, give her this necklace and help her with the final touches for the Dinner.”

Disappointment flashed through Mary’s face as she stared at the box. “But…”

“Go Mary.” Tommy ushered her outside his bedroom without another glance.

Mary stomped her feet quietly and pursed her lips into a tight line, she didn’t want to help that sinful woman, but she had to obey Mr. Shelby.

“Come in.” Y/N stated when she heard the knock on her door. “Oh, Mary… I thought it might be Tommy.”

“Mr. Shelby is busy.” She clasped her hands together. As much as she disliked, Y/N looked good, her hair perfectly styled and the dress fit like a glove. But she didn’t deserve a compliment.

“Right. Well… guess I’ll wait.” Y/N mumbled starting to feel uncomfortable under Mary’s stare.

“I was asked to hand you this.” The maid explained under her breath. “I hope you really take good care of it, since it’s so expensive.”

The blue stone shone under the room’s light, making Y/N catch her breath.

Mary was still wondering what made Y/N so special to deserve a gift like that, according to her, she didn’t deserve it nor all the benefits she also got for being under Mr. Shelby’s protection.

Y/N looked down at her lap after being reminded once more of her place in Tommy’s life.

The feeling of the cold sapphire against her skin made her come back to reality. Staring back at her reflection, she felt as if the jewel was mocking her, like shouting how ridiculous it looked on her and a shiver ran down her body.

“Who are you hiding?” Mary asked raising her chin in a cocky way. “I know you’ve been stealing food from the kitchen.”

“No one.” Y/N’s words came out shaky as she gave the maid a nervous look.

“I wonder if Mr. Shelby knows…”

Worry flashed over Y/N’s features, she hadn’t got the chance to talk to Tommy about Frances yet, because he had been either at a trip, busy with some business, solving a family affair or visiting a factory. He hadn’t been involved in the Institution event either, he only managed to hand her a list of the important guests he wanted to attend. That led her to be in charge of most of the things, including the decision to help Frances without his approval.

“I think Mr. Shelby shouldn’t have give you so many liberties, you come and go as you please, have your relatives staying over as guests and now you’re feeding another mouth out of his pocket, how ungrateful and opportunist.”

Leaving Y/N to deal with her own guilt, Mary walked out of the bedroom.

She was used to Tommy’s unlimited generosity, he went above and beyond for her and her baby, but the maid was right, there was a thin line and sometimes it felt as if she was stepping over it, her baby would need food, clothes, medicines, it would be expensive and even though Tommy had made clear he was more than able to provide for everything, it felt wrong, it wasn’t his responsibility.

Another knock on the door startled her pulling Y/N abruptly from her thoughts.

It was Claire, the maid who was kind to her. “Miss Y/N, just wanted to let you know the car is ready… oh you look so pretty!”

The unexpected compliment made Y/N smile momentarily.

“Is everything alright?”

Blinking to push her emotions away, Y/N gave her a nod. “Just trying to find a way to put on my shoes, this belly is on the way.”

“Let me help.” The young maid offered without hesitation. “I heard Mary’s furious for being asked to help you so I decided to see if you needed something.”

Kneeling in front of her, the maid took her feet and placed the shoe against her lap, then the other.

“You’re so kind to me.”

Claire thought Y/N didn’t deserve to be treated the way she did by some people, she knew the reason she was living there was because her parents didn’t support her. And she had experienced a similar situation when her cousin Amanda got kicked out of her house, she went to her house temporarily and then got married to the father of her baby, sadly she passed away during the birth and the child got placed into an orphanage. But she refused to share that story, Miss Y/N didn’t need those kind of thoughts.

“It’s going to be chilly, you’ll need to wear the stole.”

A sigh escaped Y/N’s lips. Ada had lent her the hair clip she was wearing, a lipstick and the fur stole. To her it all seemed like too much, even Polly insisted on getting her a nice perfume, she didn’t dare to ask how much it was, she preferred to save that money instead, but to the Shelby family it was important, part of the image they wanted to portray for society and after all they had done for her it was at least she could do.

Her heart was drumming as she stepped at the top of the stairs, it was like a dream. So surreal, this kind of event was like the ultimate ball, it was crucial for the kids to get enough donations to run the Institute.

At the loud sound of a thunder, Y/N gasped.

“Is just the bad weather.” Mr. Davis informed her from the front seat.

“Right… I’m just nervous.”

“Miss Y/LN?” He asked with a hint of doubt in his voice. “Do you think you can speak to Mr. Shelby for me? I’m afraid of what Mary might tell him and I really need the job.”

Mr. Davis only helped her deliver the groceries and food to Frances on her behalf, he wasn’t responsible, so she assured him she’d explain everything to Tommy as soon as she could.

Tommy hurried across the room to tuck in his shirt, zipping his pants he then started fixing the cummerbund. Hair fresh from the shower, he sprayed some lotion.

Staring at the mirror, he skillfully tied the bow.

“Fuck.” He breathed out as he took a look at the clock, he wanted to arrive to the venue early to greet the guests. Placing the cuffs in place he stood in front of the mirror for a second to make sure his hair was perfectly combed.

The speech he had prepared was safely guarded inside the pocket of his jacket, now he just needed to get his coat from the downstairs closet.

“Jesus, you scared me Mr. Shelby.” Mary stated as he stormed off his bedroom. “Before you go, I need to tell you something important.”

Tommy rolled his shoulders as he made it halfway the staircase.

“Later, I’ve to go Mary.”

“I must insist, just want you to know Miss Y/N has been taking food from the kitchen to give it to someone, and there are some sheets and towels missing too.”

Tommy stopped abruptly to look back at her.

Pondering in his maid’s words he tried to find a way out.

“Don’t worry Mary, I’m aware.” He stated and then, continued to rush downstairs.

But he didn’t know and confusion invaded his mind as he put on his coat. Why would Y/N do something like that? It didn’t make sense, but right now he could only think of the event, he needed it to be perfect.

On his way to the vehicle, he thought of finding a way to make Y/N understand she could take everything she wanted or needed and she didn’t need to hide. But he couldn’t help but wonder who was that person?

“Hey.” She greeted him as he made his way into the back seat next to her.

Her genuine smile welcomed Tommy, instinctively he passed an arm behind her head to make her feel comfortable.

“Hello,” then he instructed the driver to go.

“I thought you wouldn’t make it.”

“Yeah something came up and I wasted some time, but here we go… are you ready for the big event?”

“I can’t wait.”

“Looking good ey?” Tommy couldn’t help but notice the subtle make up she was wearing and that glow she carried everywhere made her features stand out. “So fancy.”

He couldn’t see it in the dim light, but Y/N blushed, his words made her feel confident.

Y/N adjusted the stole around her shoulders.

“Ada said this would keep me warm.” She wasn’t used to this kind of luxury. “And she also lent me this hair brooch.”

Turning her head around, she showed Tommy.

“Hmm.” He hummed, taking in the little details Y/N was showing him, she sounded like a kid in a candy store. “I remember that, gave it to her for her 21st birthday.”

“I know, she told me.” Y/N explained fixing her eyes on the man sitting next to her, he was so selflessly generous, there was no one else like him. And he looked so handsome.

Over the years she had heard people speak of him out of fear, out of anger and resentment, and every single time she had jumped right there and then to defend him, because she only knew this side of him.

“Do you’ve the pendant?” He asked wriggling his eyebrows and with a playful smile growing on his lips.

“I’m terrified to lose it.”

Unconsciously, Y/N touched the cold stone hanging from her neck.

Tommy asked her to show it to him so she let the stole fall from her shoulders and threw her head slightly back so Tommy could have a better look of the present he gave her.

For a couple of seconds she held her breath as his eyes fixed on the necklace.

Then his eyes slid lower, to her cleavage, the valley of her breasts captured all his attention and it was Tommy’s turn to hold his breath. He couldn’t help but notice the evident change in her frame apart from the obvious bump… quickly he cleared his throat and looked away feeling guilty for the sudden turn his thoughts took.

“It’s heavy.” Y/N stated oblivious of what just crossed his mind, when Tommy shifted on his seat, she looked at him. “Are you sure it isn’t too much?”

As soon as the car parked, Tommy rushed to walk around the car to help her down. “It’s perfect.” He admitted focusing now on the ground instead of her.

“There’s Polly.” Greeting her with enthusiasm, Y/N praised her look and beauty, she was stunning.

“Let’s get inside, shall we?” She urged Y/N and offered her hand for her to take the steps.

“What are we gushing about?”

Polly’s smile grew impossibly big. “There’s a man that wants to do my portrait.”

“The painter from the party?”

Polly nodded as someone approached to get their coats.

But their chat was soon interrupted by the impressive decoration at the venue.

“Wow this is breathtaking.” Polly stated holding Y/N’s hand.

It was eye catching, the chandeliers on the bases and flowers looked so elegant, it was the perfect way to greet people.

Y/N felt so proud of what she had achieved after working for so long in this event, choosing the best flowers, the best dishes, selecting the greatest band in the city. And it was all paying out. Hopefully they’ll get a lot of people donating for the Institution.

Tommy who had been stopped by the entrance couldn’t stop his eyes from following Y/N. There was something in her that put him in some kind of spell.

“Oh, this looks lovely my dear.” Y/N’s grandma finally arrived, linking her arm to her granddaughter, she smiled proudly. “And why are you so beautiful?”

“Because I look just like you.” Y/N kissed her cheek lovingly and returned the compliment as Tommy walked towards them.

“I hope you’re planning to dance all night, eh?” He winked at Y/N’s grandma.

“Oh Tommy I wish… but now I’m old and I don’t want to look like a fool.”

“Grandma, none of that.” Y/N chuckled. “I’ll be right back to welcome the guests.”

“Well, well Tommy Shelby knows how to throw a party.” Ada tilted her head, she wasn’t surprised by her brother’s wealth, but his need to let everybody know.

He cleared his throat, aching for a smoke. “Money can get you anything, Ada.”

“Oh yeah?” Those eyes of hers reminded him so much of his mother. “And what about love, Tom? Can you buy a wife too?”

The truth in her words felt like knife opening his chest in two.

No, he could always for sex yes, but not love. Shifting his weight from one foot to another, his eyes found Y/N in the back of the salon greeting a guest and taking the envelope with the donation they promised.

As more guests joined them, Tommy moved from group to group, not really listening to what they were saying but he had to pretend.

“Tommy.” Y/N touched his shoulder. “He’s the leader of the Birmingham City Council.”

“Hello Tommy.” They greeted each other.

“Danny.”

Until they started chatting, she realized they already knew each other, but as Danny was explaining their business, Tommy’s posture changed and he got tense. Following his eyes, she found the man that visited at the Institute once.

Y/N couldn’t understand what that priest was doing there, she couldn’t recall having him in the guest list specially after Tommy asked her to be extra cautious when it came to him. But she couldn’t interfere either so she let Tommy deal with him, she still had to greet lots of people anyways.

“Oh hi Esme!” Y/N stopped for a second in front of John’s wife. “Look at you.”

But Esme’s attention was fixed on the necklace, the sapphire hanging from Y/N’s neck. She felt something indescribable and an urgency to stand as far as possible from it invaded her.

“Who gave you that?” She asked Y/N bluntly.

It was dark, sinister and she didn’t like it at all. Esme could barely stand to look at the stone.

Confused, Y/N frowned. “Tommy, why? It’s a gift.”

Worry installed in her heart, Esme could feel her throat closing, the energy coming off the stone made her feel dizzy and she could only see black dots blurry her vision, as Y/N called for John to check on his wife.

There was nothing Y/N could do, she felt bad for Esme not feeling well but sadly she needed to attend the guests.

A woman approached her with a foreign accent.

“I’m the Duchess Tatiana Petrovna.”

Once Y/N left behind her initial shock, she wondered how did she end up in the same room with someone who was part of the royalty. She tried to do a small curtsy, just like she was taught.

Tatiana smirked and noticed the necklace.

“You know I’m used to wear jewels all the time, it must’ve fascinating for you to have the chance to have it loaned.”

Y/N had to bit her tongue hard to remain quiet and don’t fire back as the Duchess deserved.

“I wonder what you must’ve done for Mr. Shelby to give you that.” Her words and tone clearly meant to humiliate Y/N but she was used by now and she wasn’t in the mood.

It was either her mother, Mary, the rest of the people and now a woman who owned a royal title who wanted to make her feel like she didn’t deserve anything.

“You can ask him why, Duchess.”

Tatiana watched her with wide eyes. “Oh, my my… you’ve character.”

With a sigh, Tommy joined them, now they wanted him to take the Duchess to the factory, he didn’t trust Father Hughes and he didn’t trust the Russians either.

“You should’ve kissed my hand.” Tatiana flirted openly, directing her eyes towards Y/N, she wanted to show her she was in charge and even a man like Thomas Shelby obeyed her.

Observing the interaction between them, felt a sudden urge to stand in front of the Duchess to place some distance between her and Tommy. She couldn’t hear the rest of their conversation, she was blinded by jealousy by the mere thought of them together but…why?

As Tommy noticed Tatiana’s intentions he motioned Ada to take Y/N away.

“There’s a Lady that wants to talk about a donation to the Institution, Y/N come with me?” Ada was suddenly leading her in another direction.

Tatiana was definitely after Tommy. If they got together, what would happen to her? Would Tommy still support her and her baby?

“If you excuse me, I’ll go to the powder room.” Y/N gave the woman and Ada an apologetic look and excused herself, feeling grateful for having a minute to calm down at the internal turmoil she was dealing with.

Tommy was looking for Y/N hysterically, heart pounding inside his chest, worry showing across his forehead. “Have you seen Y/N?” He asked Arthur, who only raised his hands and shook his head.

That sapphire is cursed by a gypsy.- Tatiana’s words repeating over and over in his head.

He didn’t believe in God anymore, he didn’t believe in fate either. But he religiously believed in gypsy curses.

He needed that fucking necklace off Y/N. Why the hell did he have to give it to her?

She must mean something to you if you gave her such a pretty jewel.- she had stated before explaining about the curse.

Suddenly people moved and he spotted Y/N talking to someone.

“Come with me.” He ordered pulling her by the arm.

“Calm down, what’s happening?” She asked with a frown.

“Give me the necklace.” His words came out rushed, he was desperate.

“What? Why?”

“Give me the fucking necklace. Now.” He barked confusing Y/N more.

Feeling overwhelmed by the strange situation, Y/N felt bothered and sensible.

“Why would you give it to me then?” She asked but Tommy interrupted her, his hands on her shoulders shaking her slightly.

“I need you to be safe, Y/N.” But he refused to explain further.

Locking his eyes with her, she couldn’t understand what was crossing in his mind.

“Fuck this, fuck these people… we don’t need it.”

Words wouldn’t come out as he wanted, he needed to rip off the necklace from her.

“But Tommy…” what did he mean about fuck this? The event she had worked so hard on?

What did it had to do with the necklace?

“Y/N… please?”

His grip on her shoulders got tighter. This abrupt need to protect her from all evil that it was baffling, it made him feel uneasy but at the same time it was relieving as she grinned and moved her hand back to take the necklace off.

“Damn you Tommy Shelby”

In matter of seconds, everything changed… there was a shout and commotion. Before Tommy could react, he realized Y/N was a death weight against his chest.

There was blood. A lot.

“Y/N?!” He shouted.

Tommy heard himself call for an ambulance but he wasn’t sure anymore.

“You’re going to be alright. Take it easy.” Gently, he caressed her face. “Save your energy.”

“Tommy? It’s getting dark…” Y/N mumbled.

“Don’t close your eyes Y/N… stay with me!”

Next part

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[theroyalbard]

**October 15th, 2016 - Spokane Washington**

I was staring at the sunlit streaked oak door with my ear buds in my ears and a double barrel shot gun in my hands. My sister was gonna be pissed if she came back from her camping trip to find silver buckshot imbedded into her daughters wall..I had Molly go out to the backyard with her brother to play while I mulled over how much I might be losing my mind.

Not over the idea that there was some horrible thing huddled next to my niece American girl dolls. I could hear the thing now, even as the song “Pocket full of sunshine” was blasting in my nock off AirPods. No I was loosing it over how stupid i was being going at this alone. If it was a vamp..I could probably get by, especially if it was young, weak, and stupid. But if I was staring down a kappa or even a blood fiend I might have some issues.

I had quit professional monster hunting 2 years ago and hadn’t planned on going back. But the universe loved throwing me curve balls so I guessed it was on me for trying.

I turned up the music in my headphones and kicked the door open with my Birkenstock sandals. Before me sat an older looking man..somewhere in his 70s dressed in a baseball cap and a Hawaiian shirt, he was missing a an arm and his skin was falling off in chunks. My shot gun barrel came up right as the undead launched itself at me, a Polly pocket car still grasped in its hands as the buckshot ripped through its head. It dropped as i backed up, my knees buckled as I hit mollys bed, sitting down to watch the creature struggling to get up, the silver making it hard for it to pull itself back together.

I dropped the shotgun and flipped my phone open to change the song. Sunlight wasn’t really going to work on this thing. I ended up settling on the song “Let it go” from the Frozen movie Molly liked so much. I personally liked the actress that sang this song in wicked the musical but the song did serve my needs. As the song played I tried to visualize myself shooting snow at the now wriggling corpse. Slowly the monsters body started to freeze and crack as it tried to move, casing the creature to remain still.

I thought about calling this in to local authorities but realized how much paperwork that was going to require..I sighed and flipped the phone contacts to the number that wouldn’t question how the zombie was frozen solid in a 76 degree room. And wouldn’t try and get on my case about leaving former profession when my “Musical talents” started to become a liability for my team.

“Hello? MHI? I have a report of a possible undead outbreak.”

[emi98338]

“AHHH! Oh, it’s just Skipper.. I thought we discontinued you..”

Story time! Growing up, my mom was firmly in the ‘Barbie adds nothing to society but giving girls body issues and the ability to leave 3,000 accessories around the house’ club so I had Polly Pockets growing up (just as bad but on a miniature scale might I add). My friend up the road though???? Ohhhhhhh man not only did she have almost every Barbie you could think of, she had the accessories, houses, cars, all in her very own tree/clubhouse. It had AC and a working phone and everything.

Well one day she and I are up there, and my little sister is kind of doing her own thing nearby. Well we’re INTO this game of Barbies and who should come along into the dream house, at the most dramatic moment, crying about how the baby was coming and 911 needed to be called? Dear old Skipper. My friend and I worked our little heart out to ‘deliver’ the baby when we hear a muffled “hello? Hello does anyone need assistance?!”

We look up and make eye contact with my sister, WORKING PHONE IN HAND, who had at our perceived request, called 911. Panic ensues and she hangs up while we freak out and start cleaning up all the Barbie’s (no baby no proof I guess lol?). By the time we were about done, the police had called back to the house and spoken to my friends mom about the situation, making sure everything was actually ok, who in turn called MY mom to let her know what had transpired. I think that was the only time I’ve ever seen her in more trouble than me, what a soap opera of the day.

[fanficwrit3r]

How They Propose - Peaky Blinders Preference

Hello everyone! I needed something easier to write, work has been absolutely crazy the last couple weeks. So, I thought I may as well write some preferences. Those who have made requests, they are coming! I try to write them typically in a one-shot format so they just take more energy.

I will be making most of the preferences I write gender-neutral.

Included in this will be Tommy, John, Michael, Arthur, Finn, and Ada.

To make a request, you can find prompts here and here.

Requesting guidelines here. You don't need to use a prompt to request.

You can even request preferences!

Masterlist

How they propose:

Tommy made sure everything was planned out in advance. He left no stone unturned when it came to something this big.

You had always imagined something big and flamboyant, even though Tommy tended to be a private man.

What you hadn’t expected was a large party celebrating the two of you being together.. without being engaged.

The party went off well, everyone toasted to the two of you, but there wasn’t a ring on your finger. Polly and Ada both gave you a wink anytime you thought Tommy was about to propose, but didn’t.

It took until the end of the night for Tommy’s plan to become clear.

He waited until you two were alone, gazing up at the stars on the patio before he pulled out a small box from his coat pocket.

Tommy got down on one knee, shadows dancing across his face as he gave you a tender smile. “Y/N.. will you do the the honor of becoming my spouse?”

John always wanted to do something big and romantic for a proposal.

But let's be real, nothing ever worked out the way John wanted them to.

On the way to dinner, it was pouring rain. The car got stuck in the mud and you two were a ways from town yet, so there was no choice but to just wait out the storm.

Thunder would boom so loudly you two could barely hear each other talk.

Finally, John gave up on waiting. He was already grumpy from his plans being ruined, he figured he may as well follow through anyway.

"Will you marry me?" He said right as thunder boomed so loudly it shook the car.

"What?" You asked him, raising your voice a little so he could hear.

John sighed heavily, taking a deep breath afterward. "Will you marry me?!" He shouted this time, but no thunder came.

Blushing deep red, John dug ni his pocket until he got out the ring. You started laughing, mostly just amused that he had to shout over the storm.

"Yes!"

Michael may be a man of riches and luxury, but he also took pleasure in the simple things in life.

You and Michael had been together for nearly a year, everything going by relatively smoothly. You had your hiccups, but who didn’t in a relationship.

The two of you were sitting around your living room, enjoying each other’s company. You had your head rested on his shoulder, a glass of wine in your hand. A fire was crackling in the fireplace.

“I’ve got something to ask you, it’s really important.” Michael finally mustered up the courage to start talking. Usually he was a smooth talker; confident. But now he was nervous.

“Is everything alright?” You asked him, concerned since he wasn’t behaving like himself.

“Well, yeah, everything’s alright. Or I hope it will be alright.” Michael rambled slightly, pausing to take a breath. “I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a while, I knew the moment I met you, honestly.”

“Michael, just say it.” You couldn’t help but grin ear to ear, able to guess exactly what he wanted to say.

“Will you marry me?” He finally blurted out, managing to make eye contact with you again.

You pretended to think about it for a moment. “Hmm.. I don’t know..” you teased a little, a huge smile on your face to show you were only messing around. “Of course I’ll marry you!”

Arthur’s proposal was a complete accident.

You had been together for a couple years, nothing too serious, but nothing just casual either.

You stayed late at the Garrison to help him balance the books. Numbers never came easy to him.

After a couple of hours of work, Arthur came in with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

“If you took that from the stock we have to include it in all the numbers now.” You told him, not wanting the books to be wrong.

“Yeah yeah, that can be a later problem.” Arthur shrugged, pouring you both a glass of whiskey. You rolled your eyes playfully, knocking back your glass in one go.

The two of you settled into silence again. You finished your book… and the book for him. Everything was caught up for the last several months.

“Done, now there’s nothing for Thomas to complain about.” You smiled, kissing Arthur’s cheek before pouring yourself a second glass of whiskey.

“Oh I could fuckin marry you.” Arthur laughed, pulling you into a hug. You blushed, setting down your whiskey glass. You saw the whiskey bottle wasn’t even that empty.. which meant he wasn’t drunk.

“You just messin around then?” You asked him, a small part of your heart hoping this wasn’t a joke.. though you knew it was.

Arthur saw the shift in your expression and made a split second decision. “Not messin around, darling… marry me?”

Finn wanted everything to go completely perfect, but nothing did.

First, you came home from work in a grumpy mood. Costumers had been rude all day and your shoes were covered in mud.

Second, the dinner Finn tried to cook for you ended up burning because he got distracted by god knows what else.

Third, Finn had outgrown the nice suit he wanted to wear. Of course he had his usual three piece suits, but he wanted to wear his fanciest of clothes. When he pulled on the shirt, he was disappointed to find the sleeves were a good two inches short and it wouldn’t even button at all.

So, the night had not started off too well.

Finally, once the dust had settled, you and Finn were both cuddled into a comfy chair. You had your head resting on his chest, listening to his heart beating.

“You know, I had this all planned out… I was going to make you a nice dinner, but it burnt.” Finn started to ramble. “I was going to wear my nice clothes, but they’re too small. And some arseholes decided to treat you poorly today.”

“Things don’t always go how we want them..” you mumbled sleepily, your eyes drifting shut as you cuddled. You could feel Finn shifting a bit on the chair.

“Well it can still end nicely… open your eyes, love.” Finn told you softly. You slowly opened your eyes again to see a ring in a box.

“Is that?…” you whispered in shock, sitting up more in his lap.

“Will you marry me?”

Your relationship with Ada was always much quieter than any of her family member’s relationships.

Ada’s proposal wasn’t anything planned, but it was completely spontaneous either. The two of you had been discussing potentially getting married sometime, but neither of you committed to the action of proposing.

You were both sitting in your foyer, reading your respective novels. Karl was at school, so you two had the house to yourselves.

Ada was reading a romance novel, which wasn’t completely typical of her. But she wanted to try something new. The two main characters were getting married.. and it warmed her heart.

“Y/N?” Ada spoke, her voice quiet and kind. You finished the sentence you were reading before making your page; closing your book.

“Yeah, love?” You asked her, adjusting the blanket you had tucked around your legs. Ada got up, moving over to your side of the couch, snuggling on in under the blanket.

“I think we should get married, truly. Not just talk about it.. but let’s go out and do it.” She told you, wrapping an arm around your waist.

“And what brought this on suddenly?” You asked, laughing as you kissed the top of her nose.

“Nothing in particular… I was just thinking. I want to spend my life with you. I love you, you’re gentle and kind.. and Karl loves you too, which is just as important.” Ada told you, her voice full of love and care.

“Well.. is it time you said the magic words then?” You looked at her, your words cautious but loving. You chewed your lip.

“Will you marry me?” Ada asked, giggling happily. You couldn’t help but burst out into laughter too.

“Yes, yes I will marry you.”

[oreomonsterhunter]

Life Sucks

Pairing: Lee Know x reader

Word Count: 10K (I know.....this was a surprise for me, too)

Genre: fluff, romantic comedy

Warnings: language (our characters have a tendency to curse, apparently)

Summary: Sunshine reader is in love with love, but hasn’t had much luck with it herself.  When she meets Minho, a self-proclaimed cynic and disbeliever of “true love”, she’s determined to change his life.  If she can’t find the love of her life, she’s going to try to find his.

This fic was inspired by a tag game once upon a time.  It was supposed to be a short drabble, but apparently I can’t hold back with Minho.  Tag game featured this specific Lee Know and just kinda spiraled from there lol

Nearing the end of January, winter sometimes seemed endless.  Yet when you stepped out into the morning chill, you were pleasantly surprised to find the snow banks melting a bit.  Your boots splashed through small puddles as you strode down the street, and you smiled softly at the lavender sky.  It was still early enough—for a Saturday—that the sidewalks weren’t too packed yet, so you indulged in a more leisurely walk than usual, dancing along to the music from your headphones.  You caught a few odd looks, but you simply smiled and waved at everyone you passed.  They could judge your happiness all they wanted, nothing could possibly spoil your day when it was off to such a good start—

“Shit,” you gasped, jumping back onto the curb as a car barrelled through a red light.  Had you been a second slower, you would’ve been a vehicular manslaughter case.  “Asshole,” you hollered after them, flipping two middle fingers in the air.

You exhaled a sharp breath through your nose, attempting to banish the exasperation and get back into your music again.  More careful this time, you double checked both ways down the street before entering the crosswalk.

Unfortunately, your streak of bad luck continued.  Just as you hopped off the street, a truck passed by behind you, tires bumping through a pothole.  And with the recent snowmelt, this resulted in a spray of cold water hitting the backs of your legs.

You froze, mind stuttering as you tried to comprehend how the morning had taken such a turn, all within your first five minutes outside.  Pursing your lips, you twisted around to inspect the damage.  The dirty water might stain your jeans, but the most pressing matter was the cold and wet denim now plastered to your legs from your calves to the backs of your knees.  You bit your lip, contemplating just turning back and spending the whole day in your apartment.  Pajamas, a blanket, hot coffee and tea readily available.  Maybe a movie, just because you could.

Then you shook your head, determined to make the best of the day.  You wanted a cappuccino, dammit.  And chocolate babka from the cafe.  No homicidal drivers or puddles could stop you.  It was a Saturday, just past sunrise, and you had a whole day ahead of you.  No need to wallow a few minutes in.  And besides, who knew what would happen.

You set off for the cafe, determination heavy in each step.  You forced a smile back onto your lips, though it was thinner than before.  You switched to a different playlist so that your boots could thump the concrete in time.  And you breathed, spooling calmness back into yourself.

It was a Saturday.  You might meet the love of your life today.  And nothing could stop you from finding out.

The bell over the front door jingled merrily, and you softened a little further, relaxing into the familiar surroundings.  You hardly even noticed the damp denim chafing your legs as you skipped up to the counter.

Ruth, currently manning the register, chuckled as she rang up another customer.  “Well would you look at that, the sun came shining right in our front door,” she said.

“Good morning,” you giggled.  You waved to Jonathan, Ruth’s husband, in the back.  The couple had been running the little cafe and bakery for years, and you were a faithful customer, coming by at least once a week since you first moved to the neighborhood.

“Morning, Sunshine,” he called, hands busy kneading dough for what would doubtless become something delicious.  You hummed thoughtfully, considering the baked goods in the glass case before you.

“Your usual?”

You tapped a finger on your chin, “You know, the poppy seed muffins look awfully tempting.  I might just have to switch it up today.”

Ruth nodded, tapping on the register.  You handed over the requisite bills and she shooed you off, sliding the muffin over the counter.  “Go on now, a table opened up by the window, perfect spot.  I’ll bring the coffee in a minute.”

“Thank you,” you said, but Ruth was already fussing over the espresso machine.  Shaking your head, you weave through the maze of tables and chairs, dodging patrons on your way to the window seat.

You had your eyes on the prize, and you were only a few feet from the chair when you pulled up short.  A stranger, their back to you, plopped down in your chair.  You blinked, suddenly and painfully aware of your wet pants, the muffin growing cool in your hand, the fact that you could give up now and walk home but perhaps you’d just get hit by a car and never get a chance to enjoy your breakfast.  You sighed deeply, breathing out through your nose as you closed your eyes, seeking inner peace or something.

“Can I help you?”

The voice knocked you out of your momentary meditation, and you looked at the table thief in surprise.  He loosened the fluffy scarf around his neck before sliding his arms out of his winter coat.  A beret, of all things, tilted dangerously to the side before he adjusted it on his head.  He looked like some kind of absent-minded professor, but for the youthful features that peered up at you.  A sharp nose, tinted red from the cold, and a soft mouth.  Dark and depthless eyes, paired with high cheekbones and a cutting jawline.

You realized you were staring when he waved at you, eyes widened.  “Hello?”

“Um, sorry, I just,” you stammered, lost for words.

“Do you want to sit or something?”

You stopped again, mouth dropping open.  You checked the time—you had fifteen minutes or so, enough time for another table to open up.  “Uh, sure, if that’s ok with you.  I was hoping for a table, I’m meeting someone,” you said, beginning to ramble.

“No problem, I don’t need all this space, and I’ll head out soon,” he cut you off, raising one brow at you when you continued to stand there, rooted to the spot.

Ruth’s arrival with your cappuccino was what ultimately forced your hand.  You sat down, gratefully accepting the drink, your smile less shaky with a taste of the familiar.

“I didn’t think they did table service,” the stranger mused.

“They don’t, I just know the owners,” you shook your head, cutting yourself off when you saw his disinterest.  “Sorry, I should introduce myself,” you switched tacks, giving your name with a bright grin.  So what if it was forced?

The stranger looked at you, and his lips twitched in a shadow of a smirk.  “Minho,” he responded.

Silence fell, heavy and awkward, and you found yourself leaning forward desperately.  “So how’s your day so far?”

Minho snorted, reaching for his own drink—an iced americano, you guessed, despite it being the middle of winter.  “Probably better than yours.”

“What?” your brows furrowed in confusion.

He gestured to your legs with one hand.  “Unfortunate accident this morning?”

Your lips tightened, holding back a frown, “Puddles, you know.”

Minho sighed, sounding sympathetic now, rather than snarky.  “Yeah, life sucks, doesn’t it?”  And there was the sarcasm again.

“One or two bad things doesn’t mean life sucks,” you countered, sipping your coffee.  “I’m excited about the rest of the day, it’s not even eight in the morning!  And it’s the weekend, and it’s sunny and warm, and I have hot coffee and a delicious muffin, and the world is out there and ready to be enjoyed,” you finished, lips curling up as you looked out the window at the sunrise, the horizon flaming golden.

“Sounds like you’ve never had a job,” a harsh voice cut into your admiration.  Your smile faltered as you looked back at Minho.  You gaped at him, brain processing the way this soft-looking boy sounded like the king of cynics.  The last thing you expected from someone wearing a fuzzy beret and looking like a sly teddy bear was this blunt conversation.  “No one’s that excited when they have to work fifty plus hour weeks to pay the bills.  Trust fund baby?” he inquired, sipping calmly.

Yep, there was no fighting the frown now.  “No, and I don’t appreciate the judgement.  Why can’t I just be happy?”

Minho smirked, “Never said you can’t.  I just wanted to see if you had a personality beyond being Positive Polly.”

Your eyes flamed, but your phone buzzed, distracting you before you could smite the snarky boy.  You fumbled at your coat pocket, whipping out the device to check for a new message.  You slumped—just a spam email.

“Waiting for something important?” Minho asked, tilting his head.

You huffed, shoving the device back in your pocket.  “As a matter of fact, yes,” you sassed, tossing your hair over one shoulder.  “I’m waiting for a date.”

He hummed at you, expression unreadable.  “You’re too excited.”

“What do you mean?” you asked, eyeing the clock on the far wall of the cafe.

“You’re significantly early, watching the clock like a hawk, and they haven’t even texted you an update.”  He took a long sip.  “What time is your date anyway?  Eight in the morning?  They’re not coming.”

Your smile faltered again.  Damn him, why was a total stranger dimming your joy?  You shoved your chair back, even though no tables had opened up yet.  You’d wait by the counter and chat with Ruth.  Anything was better than this asshole.

Minho glanced over his shoulder, checking the clock himself.  “Five past, and still nothing,” he commented.

“Fuck you,” you spat.

A spark appeared in his eyes, and he grinned.  “Good to see you have some backbone,” he commented.

You could’ve sworn steam was coming out of your ears, but your phone vibrated again.  You checked the lock screen, seeing a new text pop up from Jay: hey I can’t make it.  You swiped on the message, but nothing followed it.  Seriously?  That was it?  No explanation, and not even a half-assed apology?

“Told you so.”

You spun to face Minho, glare renewed.  “And what makes you so sure of yourself and my date?” you demanded.

He snorted, “Life sucks; so does dating.  The only thing you’re guaranteed is disappointment.”

Your anger faded slightly as you watched the boy sip his iced coffee, his silhouette stark against the snow outside.  When you took a breath to get past your own mingled frustration—both at Jay and your new snarky companion—you saw the tense lines of his face.  You wondered what disappointment had left Minho so defensive.

“Alright, enlighten me,” you said, throwing yourself back in the chair.  This time, you settled in, sliding out of your coat and leaning forward with your coffee.  “Who broke your heart?”

A look of disgust slid over those pretty features.  “No one broke anything,” he scoffed, turning to the window and giving you another dose of his sharp profile.  You rested your chin on your hand thoughtfully, just watching him and waiting.  “Stop looking at me like that,” he muttered.  “You’re not my therapist.”

“But I am a perfectly kind stranger.  And strangers are the easiest people to talk to,” you said sunnily.

“And don’t sound so happy.”

“No can do, people call me Sunshine for a reason.”

Minho gave a long-suffering sigh.  “I’m not calling you that.”

Now you were the one with a cocky smirk, “Why, does it hurt your delicate masculinity?”

A beat of silence, and then, “One of my best friends is called Sunshine.”  Minho looked at you sharply.  “I’m not calling you that,” he said again.

You waved him off, oddly touched in spite of his gruff tone.  This human version of grumpy cat had a best friend named Sunshine?  Incredible, and surprisingly soft of him.  “Ok fine, no arguments from me.  Tell me about her.  Or him, whoever it is,” you stumbled over your words.

Minho didn’t seem to notice your blundering.  He stared somewhere beyond your shoulder, “No one broke my heart.”  Then his eyes focused on you again as he asserted, “I’ve just experienced enough to know better than to hope blindly.  The world isn’t looking out for you.”

Humming, you folded your arms as you considered his statements.  “Well, I believe in true love,” you started.

“Why am I not surprised?”  Minho groaned, rolling his eyes.

“I also believe in the power of positive thinking,” you continued as if he hadn’t spoken.  Ignoring his dramatic moaning, you steamrolled ahead.  “Yeah, my morning turned out pretty shitty, but if I just go crawl back in bed, I’ll have wasted a whole day over something as silly as wet jeans.”

“Wet jeans and being stood up.”

“And being stood up,” you allowed, gritting your teeth to maintain a smile.  “But if I let that stop me from living my life, then I’ve let the negative win.  If I go check out a new dating app or two and keep trying, one day I’ll have something good.”

Minho put his coffee down, resting one hand on the table as he met your eyes, gaze hard.  “Listen, nothing good comes out of a dating app.  You’re wasting your time.  And didn’t you say you hate doing that?”

You wanted to argue, but your friends had told you much of the same.  Minho was just less polite in his delivery.  But you hadn’t had any luck with real life men, either.  Case in point: your irritating argument with the perfectly attractive guy in front of you.  So that left apps, even if the pickings were regrettably slim.  And only growing slimmer, if the ghost date was any indication.  You didn’t have the guts to tell Minho that this wasn’t the first time you’d been stood up.

Then you had an idea.  Your grin widened, and Minho’s irritated expression faded into apprehension.  “Well if I’m doomed to never find love,” you started, batting your eyelashes teasingly.  “Why don’t I look for the love of your life instead?”

Minho blanched, recoiling with enough force that his chair rocked back on two legs.  “Yeah, no.  I don’t think so, sweetheart.”

“I think it’s a terrific idea,” you beamed at him.  “I’ve been a successful matchmaker for a bunch of my friends, too.  I’ve just had trouble finding my own love interest.”

“What is this, a rom com?” he hissed.

You clapped your hands, overcome with excitement for the first time since the puddle.  “Oh, a romance, I wish,” you nearly swooned at the thought.  “I promise I’ll do my best.  You’d get along great with one of my friends, they’re just as irritable as you.”

Minho exhaled sharply, massaging his forehead with one hand.  He closed his eyes, muttering, “What am I doing here?”

“Wait, wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.  No matchmaking until I know you better,” you amended, whipping out a notebook and pen from your bag.  You had just about everything in there—you never knew what emergency might pop up, like brainstorming a match for a stranger.  “What are some of your hobbies?  Favorite color?�� Ooh, what about first date activities you love?  Oh my goodness, wait, are you looking for men or women?”

Part of you expected Minho to shove his chair back and leave.  You wouldn’t be too upset, that just meant you’d have the table to yourself, even if you weren’t waiting on a date anymore.  But you didn’t totally hate this guy.  And another part of you kind of felt bad for him.  He’d never experienced love!  Not that you’d had a taste of true love, either, but you knew what was out there.  And it was a shame that he didn’t see that too.  It was like...someone hating your favorite holiday—unacceptable, if only because you wanted everyone to enjoy it as much as you did.

You begrudgingly admitted that another teeny tiny part of you thought he was too attractive to be so cynical of love.  Some lucky girl out there was waiting for Minho, and you were gonna help her out, even if it meant dragging the man kicking and screaming towards her.

But Minho didn’t do what you expected.  He didn’t storm off, coffee in hand, scarf flapping in the wind dramatically.  He sighed and stood up, but made no move for his coat.  “If we’re doing this, I need more coffee,” he said, then turned and made a beeline for the counter without any further explanation.

You blinked after him, more than a bit surprised.  He was...going along with this?  You tapped the pen against your chin thoughtfully, watching his shoulders flex beneath his turtleneck as he talked to Ruth.  His head turned slightly, and you caught a glimpse of his smile—a real one—taking your breath away.

Now, if only you could get him to smile like that for any potential dates.  You clicked your pen with renewed vigor, laughing when Minho approached with a new coffee, exasperation written into every line of his face.

* * * * *

It was a lovely Thursday night, and you were curled up on the couch in your comfiest pajamas.  Your only companions were a blanket, a mug of tea, and your phone, which you checked every fifteen seconds.  The first time all week that Minho hadn’t answered your messages, and it was the night of his first date.  You were buzzing with anticipation, practically vibrating as you waited for news, not caring who it came from first.

Finally, you gave up waiting, throwing the blanket as you went to reheat your tea, since you’d let it grow cold while refreshing your messages.  The second you reached the kitchen, however, you heard a buzz.  You dashed to the couch, scrambling for your phone to find a text from Mari:

He had to dip early, lame date

You nearly screeched.  He left?  Your fingers pounded the screen:

What!?!?!! Did he say whyyy?

Mari’s response was short and to the point:

An “emergency”

You could read between the lines.  Mari was irritated, to say the least, since the blind date had been your brilliant idea.  But what on earth had happened with Minho?  Your stomach dropped, considering that he might have an actual emergency.  You quickly tapped out a message to him to check in, gnawing your lip in worry.

Hey, Mari said you had an emergency, is everything ok?

You waited what felt like ten thousand years before finally seeing the little bubbles appear.  His message, however, was not worth the wait:

Didn’t get on with her

You fumed, pressing dial on his contact with enough force, you were amazed your screen didn’t crack.  “You left because you didn’t like her?” you screeched as soon as he picked up.

“Yes.”

Gaping like a fish, you fumbled for words to explain how bad that was.  “You can’t just—”

“But I did,” Minho cut you off.

“But you can’t,” you said, exasperated.  “Jeez, I thought you knew what you were doing.  Obviously not.  You need a practice date or something so my friends don’t murder you.”

Now it was Minho’s turn to squawk indignantly.  “I do not need practice,” he started.

“Yes, obviously you do.  You might look like a player but you’ve obviously never talked to a girl for more than ten minutes,” you scolded him.  “Who leaves in the middle of a date?  With that bad of an excuse?”

“I hate wasting my time.  Didn’t we discuss how we should avoid doing that with our love lives,” he snarked.

You groaned, “There’s a difference between not wasting your time and being rude as heck.”

“So what?  She was abrasive, rude, cynical, and had a terrible sense of humor,” Minho said, as casually as if he was discussing the weather.  “I can’t believe you’re friends.”

“That’s a pretty great description of you, too,” you sassed back, irritation taking over.  “We might not be that close, but you can’t just insult everyone I set you up with.”

“Who said I wanted you to set me up with anyone?”

“I assumed you did, otherwise why are you going along with this?” you tried your best to calm down, lower your voice.  But something about Minho just put your back up.

“Uh,” Minho actually seemed lost for words.  Your ears perked up, eager to catch his answer.  “My mom wants to set me up with her friends’ daughters,” he tossed out at last.

Seemed a bit too easy.  “Sure,” you drawled, leaning back on the couch.

“Yes, really,” he sneered, and you giggled, picturing the exact expression on his face.

“Ok, whatever you say,” you allowed, laughing slightly.  “But you’re still going on a practice date.  Tomorrow night, six o’clock.  Meet me at the cafe.  If you’re not there, I’m gonna find your mom and help her out.”

You hung up on him before he could argue with you, grinning madly as you concocted your plan.

* * * * *

You half expected to wait for Minho to show up, much like your friend did, but much to your surprise, he was waiting for you under the awning when you arrived.  “You’re late,” Minho accused, and you grinned sheepishly.  You may or may not have lied about the time.  Just in case.

“The queen is never late.  Everyone else is simply early,” you quipped.  Minho rolled his eyes—absolutely what you expected.  You giggled, linking your arm through his and tugging him down the sidewalk with you.

“Woah,” Minho yanked at his arm, trying to free himself.  “If you wanted to hold hands, you could have asked.”

“You’re too much of a grinch, you’d just say no.”

“Exactly.  It’s called consent, sweetheart.”

He nearly fell at the sudden freedom when you released him, shoving your hands deeper into your pockets to escape the chill.  “Alright, follow me then, you unromantic dork.”  He muttered under his breath as you skipped away, having fun despite his attitude.  Time to show him what a real date looked like.

Five seconds later, and not even two blocks from the cafe, Minho groaned, “Are we there yet?”

“No.”

A pause, then, “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” you told him, not for the first time.  He’d texted you all night, demanding to know, but your lips were sealed.

Except a certain someone seemed determined to annoy the answers out of you.  “Are we there yet?”

You sighed, your skip feeling a little less peppy.  “No.”

“Are we—”

“Minho,” you ground out.  “If you ask me that one more time, I’m taking you to get your nails done.”

“Ok, sure.  I could use a bit of pampering,” he said, the epitome of casual.

You stared at him.  “This feels like a trick,” you said slowly.

A grin flashed, “That’s because it is.  It’s after six, they’re all closed by now.”  But then he frowned slightly.  “Now you have me wanting a manicure though, I’ve never gotten one.”

Your brows were practically in your hairline but you just nodded.  “Ok, another time, then,” you agreed.  You caught sight of a familiar street sign and quickened your steps.  “Almost there,” you were nearly vibrating in excitement.  You felt Minho’s eyes on you, your skin prickling with awareness, but you ignored him in favor of racing around the street corner.  And there it was—the zoo!  All lit up...all lit…...not lit up at all.  Your feet stumbled to a halt.

“So the zoo is open at night now?” Minho inquired at your shoulder.

You gaped at the dark expanse before you.  “But where are the lights?”  Because indeed, not a single light was on in the zoo.  You’d just visited, not too long ago, and they had been open for night visits, so guests could walk around and see the trees all lit up, and wave hello to a few animals in the enclosures.

“Lights?”

“The Christmas lights,” you cried out, frantic.  “They were up the last time I was here.”

“You mean a month ago?  For Christmas?  Back when it was still December?” Minho questioned you.  You nearly snapped back before you realized.  It was January.  February next week.  Of course the lights were down, what kind of idiot were you?

You groaned in defeat, slumping against the wall and sliding down to a crouch.  You threw your arms over your head.  “I don’t know what we’re going to do, then.  I’m sorry I made you walk all this way,” you mumbled into your knees, wishing you could disappear into the sidewalk.  Gosh, and you’d really dragged him along, hadn’t you?  He obviously hadn’t been that excited, and all of your mysterious “it’s a surprise” nonsense only made this a bigger disappointment.

“It’s a Friday night, things are still open, you know,” Minho pointed out.  “So what if you somehow forgot a whole month happened.  I forget the year sometimes.”

“What are you, an old man?” you tried to perk up, but the tease fell flat.

“I’m only twenty-two.  You must be ancient.”  You picked up your head to look at him.  A faint smile curled on his lips as he played along.

“Oh my gosh, I’m your noona.  If you’re a grandpa, then I’m practically in the grave,” you forced out a chuckle.

Minho’s smile grew, and he extended a hand.  “Come on, get up.  Night’s still young.”

For a moment, you simply stared at his hand.  Then you met his dark gaze, “You aren’t going to take advantage of this?  I thought you hated the whole practice date idea.”

He sighed, wiggling his fingers at you.  “I don’t hate spending time with you, alright?  Now get up or I’m leaving you here.”

Your mouth twitched, a true smile threatening to form, and not just a cover-up.  You slid your hand in his gratefully, and Minho pulled you to your feet with more strength than you thought he had.  You blinked at him, realizing he hadn’t let your hand go yet.  But the second his eyes followed your gaze, he dropped it, sliding his hands into his pants pockets instead.

“So where to?” Minho asked.

You opened your mouth to respond, remembering a pretty little outdoor skating rink, but the skies cracked open, interrupting you with a sudden deluge.  You gasped as the first fat raindrops splattered on your forehead, eyes widening before you made a mad dash for the nearest storefront, Minho already a few steps ahead of you.

You’d barely been in the rain for a minute, but the icy water had your teeth chattering already.  Had it been any colder, this would’ve been pretty snow.  Instead, you got an arctic firehose.

Arms wrapped tightly around yourself, you peered down the street.  Beside you, Minho checked a weather app, hissing through his teeth.  “Looks like rain all night,” he muttered.

You groaned again, wanting to cry.  You’d completely messed up the evening, first with the lights, and now by not checking the weather.  You’d planned an outdoor date, why hadn’t you checked?

A hand brushed your shoulder lightly, barely detectable through your coat.  “Um, this might not be what you had planned, but my apartment is actually on this street.  Wanna just order pizza?”

Your first instinct was a vehement “no”, but you stopped that answer on the tip of your tongue.  Minho wasn’t one of the sleazy guys you’d gone out with in the past, the ones who’d thought an apartment invite was more than that.  Plus, this wasn’t a real date or anything.  It was a practice date, just pals, nothing crazy about that.  So why couldn’t you grab pizza at his place?  Especially with the monsoon and a long walk back to your own place.  And no umbrella.

You found yourself nodding, shivers wracking your body.  Minho’s teeth flashed in another fierce grin, “Alright, sweetheart, let’s make a run for it.  In three, two, one—”

The two of you raced down the slick sidewalks, dodging lampposts and puddles alike.  You skidded to a stop at one of the apartment buildings, nearly slamming into Minho’s back as he yanked the door open, and the two of you tumbled into the warm lobby.  Once out of the wet, Minho shook his head like a dog, water droplets spraying everywhere, and you shrieked, hands coming up to protect yourself.

“Sorry,” Minho laughed, not sounding apologetic in the least.  “I’m on the sixth floor, so we can take the elevator,” he said, pointing you in the right direction.

The ride up was awkward; the only sound was your jacket zipper rattling from the force of your shivers.  Minho unlocked the door to his apartment, waving a hand dramatically.  You stepped inside tentatively, toeing off your boots by the door.  You watched Minho follow suit, then pad over to a closet along one wall.  Your confusion abated when he emerged with towels, passing one to you with raised brows.  The two of you were still soaking wet, and you didn’t want to track rainwater all over his apartment.

Minho was already drying his head off one-handed.  When he stopped, letting the towel slip down to rest on his shoulders, you giggled at the sight of his hair.  He made a face, only adding to the comic effect of his hair standing on end.

“I know you drink coffee, but what about hot tea?” he asked, making his way to the kitchen while you continued to dab at your clothes.

You nodded enthusiastically, eyeing the space from where you stood in the entryway.  It was pretty minimal, not a ton of color or anything, but cozy.  Black couch, gray curtains, some photos on the wall.  Fairly tidy, but definitely nothing out of a magazine.  A meow at your feet interrupted your train of thought, and you looked down to coo at the cats that were slowly approaching.  “Well aren’t you gorgeous,” you complimented the bravest of the three, who nosed at your hand gingerly.

“Soonie, Doongi, and Dori,” Minho said, pointing at each cat in turn.  He leaned on the counter while waiting for the water to boil.

“They’re adorable,” you beamed at him.  “And much more friendly.”

“Hey,” he narrowed his eyes.  “I’m friendly.”

“Yeah, right,” you laughed at him.  Your mirth was interrupted by a fierce shiver, reminding you that you might not be dripping wet, but your clothes were still icy cold.

Minho eyed you as you wrapped your arms around yourself.  “I have sweats you can borrow.”

You started to protest, but the next shudder of cold made you change your mind.  Besides, you didn’t want to get his furniture soaking wet.  So you nodded and waited while Minho disappeared into the bedroom.  You shuffled awkwardly to the kitchen, toes curling in your socks.

Minho reappeared.  “Here,” he said, voice gruff.  He pressed a pair of sweatpants into your hands, along with a fuzzy looking sweatshirt.  Your turtleneck wasn’t too wet, just a little damp along the neckline, but you slid the extra layer over your head gratefully.  Before you had to ask him, Minho pointed to a half-open door.  “The bathroom.  I’m going to get something dry on, too,” he added.

You smiled in relief, escaping to the small bathroom gratefully.  As soon as the door was shut, you were scrabbling at the soaking wet denim, peeling it down your legs.  You grimaced, not missing this experience at all after the last time.  Minho’s sweatpants were soft and oh so warm by comparison.  And fleece-lined, too.  You slung your jeans over the shower rod to dry, rolled the ankles of your borrowed pants—just enough so you wouldn’t be drowning in excess material—and went in search of that promised hot tea.

You found Minho on the phone in the kitchen.  When he noticed you, he waved you closer.  “Do you like anything on your pizza?” he asked.

“Um,” you scrambled to collect your thoughts.  “Cheese?”

Minho cracked a smile.  “Cheese it is then.  And peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil,” he rattled off what sounded like an entire grocery list.  When he noticed you staring, Minho raised his brows in confusion.  You shook your head with a small laugh, leaving him to it.  On the counter behind him, you found two mugs, tea bags already steeping.  You wrapped your cold fingers around one, humming in contentment.  Finally, the shivers stopped.

“Wanna watch a movie while we wait for pizza?” Minho asked, but then he froze, grimacing.  “Oh shit, sorry.  I mean, you can go home if you want.  I don’t mean to keep you if you don’t want to stay.  I have an umbrella, and you can keep the sweats I guess—”

“Sure how about a romance?” you interrupted him, grabbing your tea and making your way to the couch.  You plopped down, eyeing Minho, who was still stiff as a board by the counter.  You giggled at him, “Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from Mr. Darcy.”

That seemed to knock him out of his stupor.  An indignant expression wiped away any trace of sheepishness, and he stomped over to find the remote.  “Yeah right,” he scoffed.  “I’m not watching a romance.”

“A romantic comedy then,” you decided, snatching the remote out of his hands.

He grabbed it back, lightning quick.  “Action.”

You narrowed your eyes, crossing your arms defiantly.  “Drama.  Fight me and I’ll demand a Hallmark movie.”

Minho smirked, “Fight me and I’ll make it a horror movie.”

You groaned in disgust, glaring at him.  “Ok, fine, let’s fight over it.  Rock, paper, scissors?”

He rolled his eyes, but ended up on the couch beside you, holding one fist out to meet yours.  “Best out of three,” he smirked.  “Get ready for a zombie fest.”

After a crushing defeat, Minho slumped on the couch, moaning dramatically when you selected Pride and Prejudice.  You giggled at the grumpy man beside you, and his similarity to Mr. Darcy.  Most notably their matching pouts.

To your surprise, Minho didn’t interrupt the movie once.  Sure, he grumbled at first, but when you snuck a peek at him after about half an hour, you caught him watching intently.

You’d seen the movie at least a dozen times by now, but you still couldn’t resist the pull, and your heart fluttered at the brush of hands the way it did every time.  Your breath caught at every interaction, and you couldn’t tear your eyes away to save your life.  Until the pizza arrived, at least.  You were about to press play, two slices at the ready, when Minho looked over at you.  “Why are you so in love with the idea of love?” he asked.

You gaped at him for a moment, taken aback.  “What?”

“Not just the movie, but real life,” he said, twisting to face you fully.  “Why are you so determined to find Mr. Right?  Or to set me up on the perfect date?”

“Don’t you want to find someone?” you questioned him, backing away from the question.  “You can’t possibly be putting up with me just to avoid your mom playing matchmaker.  I’m literally no better than that.”

He scoffed, “You haven’t met my mother.”

“Maybe I should team up with her.”

“Oh please no.”

You grinned, grabbing a slice of pizza.  “Oh please yes,” you teased.  “Two matchmakers are better than one.”

Minho shot you an unimpressed look.  “I told her I already have a girlfriend, but I felt bad lying to her, so I’m hanging out with you instead.”

You nearly choked on your pizza.  So you were a pity friend, great.  Or worse, you weren’t even real friends, you were just a convenient excuse to alleviate Minho’s guilt complex.  You set the slice back down, no longer hungry.

“Hey, you know I’m joking, right?  That was a joke.  I’m sarcastic all the time, remember?” Minho nudged you.

“Yeah, sure.”

Minho sighed, leaning over to bump his shoulder into yours.  “I might not love the matchmaking, or this dumb movie, but I guess I’m glad we bumped into each other so I could tell you to dump ghost boy from Tinder.”  You snorted, biting back a small smile.  Noticing this, Minho forged ahead, “And this better not be part of the act to get me to forget my first question, because you still haven’t answered.”

“Minho,” you whined.  “Why does it matter?”

“Pretend it’s girls night.  We’re practically having a sleepover, minus the nail polish and braids.  This is the part where we talk about boys,” he smirked.

“I hate you.”

“Do we need to watch 10 Things I Hate About You next?”

Your brows rose.  “I thought you didn’t like romance, how do you even know that movie?”

“.....No reason.  Now answer the question already,” he huffed.

You sighed, curling up on your end of the couch.  “I guess it’s just something I’m not good at, so I can’t help wanting it to fall in my lap,” you said.  “I can’t pull all nighters to find love, that’s not how it works.”

“Well no, studying isn’t the answer,” Minho agreed.

“My parents have the kind of love I want.  I’m not rosy-eyed or anything, I know it’s hard work and commitment.  But the friendship—that’s what I love the most.”

The two of you sat in silence for a little while, Minho chewing on your words.  And you mused on your recent attempts to find a partner.  Perhaps dating apps weren’t the way to go, you admitted.  Not to Minho, though.  He’d never let you hear the end of it.

“Maybe,” Minho started.  “You should look for new friends instead of new boyfriends.”

“What do you think this is?” you laughed.  “I’ve been setting you up, not looking on Tinder or whatever for myself.”

“Good, you’ve wasted enough time on those trash apps already,” he groused.

You grinned at him, “So I guess you don’t want me to start looking for Bumble girls, huh?”

“Don’t even think about it.”

You giggled, but Minho pressed play on the movie before you could tease him any more.  To your surprise, he looked as interested in the ending as you were.  You doubted he was misty-eyed like you, though.

A yawn snuck up on you, and you glanced at the clock in surprise.  How had it gotten so late?  “I should probably be going,” you started.

“I’ll walk you home.  It’s late.”  Minho grabbed your dishes to bring to the sink, snatching them right out of your hands.  You blinked after him, then shrugged, making your way to the bathroom.

Unfortunately, your jeans were still damp, but they’d be fine for the walk home.  You squeezed yourself back into the denim, emerging with the borrowed sweatpants.  “Laundry?” you asked, since Minho was busy with the dishes.

“Just inside the bedroom, next to the door,” he gestured with his chin, hands still sudsy.

You slid the sweatshirt off as well, placing both in the hamper by the door.  Despite your curiosity, you didn’t linger, but you caught a glimpse of an equally tidy bedroom.  And a large bed with dark sheets.  Why was your heart pounding?  Mr. Darcy hadn’t been that distracting.  You shook your head, hurrying out of the room.  Only then you came face-to-face with Minho, and you had to fight a blush.  What on earth was wrong with you?

The awkwardness continued, and you felt strange and itchy the whole walk home with Minho.  You were hyper aware of how close you were under the umbrella, of the way your elbows brushed every few steps.  Minho was surprisingly quiet, as well.  Ordinarily, he’d be making fun of you by now.

As you walked the last block together, you tilted your head to look at him.  “So tonight was a fail,” you said.

“What the heck are you talking about?”

“The practice date?” you giggled at his expression.  “Total failure.”

Minho’s frown deepened, “I thought it was fun.  Even if you made me watch a period drama.”

“Oh no, it was wonderful, but the date part of it was a bust.  We need to do another, since tonight doesn’t count,” you told him, slowing to a stop in front of your building’s entrance.

“Well what does count?” Minho asked, exasperation dripping from his tone.

“Hmm, something in public.  No one ever does a private first date, and obviously that’s what you need the most help with,” you sassed.  “Maybe I’ll kick your ass in laser tag or something.”

“Maybe I should beat you in bowling,” Minho retorted.

You hummed, tapping a finger off your chin.  “You might be onto something, actually.  How about you come up with our next practice date.  That’s your homework.”

“Since when is this a class?  With homework assignments?” Minho demanded.

“Oh shut it, or I’m making profiles for you on every dating app I know.”

* * * * *

You looked over at Minho, suspicion tugging at you.  “So when you said you should beat me at bowling, did you mean it?”

“I’m going to try and win at whatever we do, I’m competitive like that,” Minho said, holding the door open for you.

“No, I mean, are you secretly a professional bowler or something?” you corrected, making your way towards the shoe rental.

Minho chuckled, “I doubt you’ll believe whatever I say.”

You opened your mouth to object, but decided he was right.  “You better not be hustling me,” you threatened, slapping cash down on the counter.

“Pay per game or pay per hour?” the attendant asked.

Minho cheekily slid a few bills beside yours.  “Best out of three?”

“Insufferable,” you muttered, watching as the attendant took his money instead of yours.

At least Minho looked just as goofy as you did.  The brightly colored bowling shoes looked very out of place against his “cool guy” outfit.  You’d already poked fun at him.  Who showed up to a date wearing sweats?  Not that he looked bad in them, but you had at least dressed up a bit.  Then again, you might not have worn a dress if you had known that bowling was on the agenda.  You tugged at the sleeves of your sweater dress, feeling a bit out of place as you looked at all of the other couples.  Jeans, slacks, more jeans...why had you decided to dress up?  You should’ve known Minho would pick something casual.

“Hey, you wanna go first, or should I?” Minho’s voice cut through your thoughts, and you shook the negativity away gratefully.

“You go ahead,” you called over to him, trying to find a smile.  What were you so worked up about?  It’s not like this was a real date.  You could have shown up in a potato sack if you wanted, you weren’t trying to impress anyone, least of all Minho.  On that thought, maybe he had the better idea after all.  You eyed his sweatpants enviously.  You knew how comfy they were, and they’d doubtless be better than the tights you were terrified of ripping.

“Ok sweetheart, prepare for a thrashing,” Minho joked, selecting a bowling ball from the rack.

“You prepare for a thrashing,” you countered, despite knowing it was an empty threat.  You probably needed the bumpers if you wanted anything but gutter balls.  Then you caught sight of the names on the board.  “Did you seriously make my nickname ‘Loser’?  What are we, five?”

Minho smirked as he passed you.  “We’ve been over this, I’m a grandpa, you’ve got one foot in the grave.  Childish antics are beneath us,” he said with a laugh.

“So you’re ‘Lee Know’?” you inquired, curious about his chosen nickname.

Minho turned to face you, tilting his head.  “Yeah, that’s what my friends call me.”

“...Am I supposed to call you that?”

“We’re friends, aren’t we?  Call me whatever you want.  Just not ‘asshole’,” he joked.  Your heart warmed, and a true smile found its way to your lips.  You watched as Minho wiggled a little, eyeing the pins at the end of the lane.  Then, to your utmost surprise, he turned around and rolled the ball between his legs.

“What?” you choked on a laugh, nearly falling over at the sight.  Minho backed up, and you both watched as the ball rolled down the lane, painfully slow.  It ended up knocking down half of the pins, much to your surprise.  Minho just looked proud as he picked up another ball.  Miracle of miracles, he wound up with a spare.

You had no words, didn’t even bother trying to explain how his technique had any sort of success.  Your own attempt was...pitiful by comparison.  Your form looked good, but both balls wound up in the gutter in a matter of seconds.

Minho didn’t waste the opportunity to gloat.  “Told you I’d beat you at bowling,” he said with a wink.

You grumbled, flopping down onto the bench next to him.  “I didn’t expect you to be successful at the toddler technique.”

“Give it a go, maybe we’ll change your nickname if you win,” he laughed, getting up for his turn.

Halfway through the game, you even tried the ‘toddler technique’.  This was also a fail, made worse with the mortifying realization that your underwear would be visible if you bent over too far.  When your attempt ended up in the gutter, you resolved to get bumpers for the next game.

But Minho had other plans.  You had just approached the lane when you felt a hand on your shoulder.  “Keep your wrist straight, you keep twisting it at the last second,” he said.

You turned to face him, finding him close behind you.  “Anything else, wise one?”

“Don’t overthink it,” he smiled at you.  This close, you could swear his eyes were twinkling.  “We can both go get bumpers next round, I need them almost as much as you.  I’m amazed at my own streak of luck tonight.”

“I’m terrible at bowling,” you whined, looking away from him.  Your cheeks felt warm.  Gosh, it was embarrassing to be this bad.

“We can go do something else, we don’t even need to finish this game, let alone all three.  As long as you’re having fun, I’m happy.”

You glanced at him from the corner of your eye, but looked away quickly.  He was watching you so intently, the flush burned hotter, threatening to run down your neck.  “I’m sorry you paid for so many games.  We can definitely finish them, it’s fine—”

“I’ll never make you do something you don’t want to do,” Minho murmured.  You looked at him in surprise, surprised to hear him sounding sincere rather than snarky.  “Otherwise, I’d be a shitty friend, wouldn’t I?”

“Right, yeah.  An asshole friend,” you agreed, nearly stumbling over the words.

“Ok, I’ll let you focus on your first strike of the night.  Don’t overthink it,” he reminded you, walking back to the bench.

You nodded, ignoring the tight feeling in your stomach that reminded you of disappointment.  And you sank another one right into the gutter.

Minho’s solution to the bowling fiasco was consolation ice cream.  Somewhat surprising, since a part of you had expected him to gloat.  Instead, he talked about anything and everything but bowling, entertaining you while you both sat at the window of the local shop.  You simply watched him, enraptured.  He had hardly opened up at all to you at first.  Visiting his apartment felt like the first peek into the real Minho.  The happy memories captured in picture frames, the handmade mementos here and there on shelves, all hints as to the soft interior of your once-prickly friend.  Now he was regaling you with stories of his best friends—brothers, by the sound of it.  Loving rivalry, playful banter, sibling torment.  And the look on his face...pride.  He was proud of them, his family.

Then you paused, tilted your head to look at him anew.  When had Minho stopped being prickly?  Where was the cynical, negative, angsty boy you’d befriended, partly out of spite?  When had he stopped trying to hold you back with barbed wire edges?

When Minho caught your gaze, he lifted one brow, mouth twitching into a crooked smile.  “See something you like?” he sassed you.  But his remark was devoid of bitterness.  It wasn’t mocking, it was warm, inviting.  It was asking you to join in on the joke.

“Yeah,” you said softly.  Then you turned up the wattage on your smile, grinning widely at him.  “What’s cookin’, good lookin’?”

Minho rolled his eyes at your antics, spinning his ice cream cone between his fingers.  But hidden behind your grin was more than a little truth.

* * * * *

You knocked on the door, stepping back tentatively.  You could hear raucous laughter on the other side, which would ordinarily have you curious, maybe a little excited to join in.  Not tonight.  Right now, standing in the hallway outside Minho’s apartment, you were nervous as hell.  And on top of it all, you were nearly an hour late, having dragged your feet the whole way there.

“Stop it, this is ridiculous,” you muttered to yourself, shifting from foot to foot.  It felt like meeting the parents, which was dumb.  Firstly, you and Minho were not dating.  Secondly, these were his best friends, not his parents.  And thirdly, you and Minho were good friends.  You had nothing to worry about.  Absolutely nothing.

Which was why you were currently worrying all over the place about meeting Minho’s best friends.  What if they hated you?  Or worse, what if they pitied you?  You thought you’d disappear into a crack in the earth if that happened.

Before you could spend too long contemplating your inevitable end, the door swung open, and a boy came rushing out at you.  You gasped, jumping back before he could run into you.

“Sorry, sorry, excuse me!” he blurted, skidding to a stop, then immediately taking off running down the hallway.

You blinked in confusion, but your eyes only widened when a second boy came barrelling out of the apartment after the first.  “Minho?”

Minho paused briefly, eyes alighting on your stiff figure.  “Hi!  Um, I need to take care of something, but I’ll be right back.  Go on in,” he waved at you, breaking into a jog, and then a sprint.

Immensely confused, you peered into the apartment, now that the door was wide open.  Now or never, you told yourself firmly.  Easing through the doorway, you caught sight of six more boys in various states of chaos.  Upon noticing your entrance, they all froze.  “Uh, hello there,” came a voice on your right.  You looked over to see two boys in the kitchen, appearing to be mid-struggle with a bag of popcorn.  “You must be Minho’s friend, he said you’d be coming.”

You gave a tiny wave, pasting on a sunshine smile.  “Hi guys, it’s nice to meet you, I think?  Should I be concerned about the escapee?”

Popcorn boy number two laughed, arms bulging as he ripped open the bag.  “Oh no, Hyunjin will be fine.  Minho hasn’t made him eat toilet paper in years, he’s above that now.”  You must have looked concerned, because the boy chuckled again, waving you off.  “It’s all empty threats with that one.  Mostly.  I’m Changbin, by the way.”

Popcorn boy number one stepped forward, extending a hand to shake.  “I’m Chan, and this is our menagerie of chaos.  Let me introduce you to everyone,” he offered.  You grinned at him, relieved.

By the time Minho returned, practically dragging Hyunjin with him, you were giggling on the couch with the rest of the boys, embroiled in a fierce MarioKart race.  With Hyunjin still trapped in a headlock, Minho paused to watch.  You just barely caught a glimpse of him from the corner of your eye, too focused on staying on the track.  Jeongin had chosen Rainbow Road for your first match, and you were determined to crush them in the dust.  Even if it had been several years since you last played.

You watched as your character was knocked off the edge, a cry of dismay falling from your lips.  “Dang it, I wasn’t even in first place, what gives?”

Han grinned victoriously, only to cry out when he accidentally drove over the edge as well.  “Friends fall together?” he joked.

“You made me go ziplining.  Alone,” Minho said, announcing his presence at last.

“Uhhhh,” Han fumbled for an excuse.  “You love me anyway, though, right?”

Before Minho could retort, Seungmin stood up.  “You can play next, if you want,” he offered.

The rest of you blinked at him in surprise, before looking at his screen and realizing he’d already won the race.  Jeongin groaned dramatically, flailing on the couch as he came in second.  You and Han just gave up entirely, letting your characters fall off the track once more.  Meanwhile, Minho finally decided to release Hyunjin, and the blonde escaped to the other end of the couch, diving into a bowl of chips like nothing had happened.

Felix looked excited, so you tossed him your remote for the next round.  “I believe I was promised food,” you said, arching an eyebrow in Minho’s direction.

“I believe I told you to arrive at six,” he fired back, stalking towards you.  He finally stopped a foot away, looming over you.

You smirked at him, “What did I tell you on our first date?”

The room went silent, and you froze, realizing your mistake.  “You guys are dating and you didn’t tell us?” Han exclaimed, eyes wide.

Your mouth opened and closed, but you couldn’t seem to find any words.

“Oh yeah, real fancy dates, too.  We had dinner at the Eiffel tower last week,” Minho drawled.  “Isn’t that right, sugar plum?”  The cherry on top was when he reached out, lightly pinching your cheek.

A stranger might have mistaken his dry tone for sincerity, but everyone in the room knew Minho’s humor well.  Half of the group dissolved into giggles.  Changbin rolled his eyes and threw a pillow, but Minho caught it before it could smack into you.  “No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend,” Changbin joked.

“All those promises and no follow through,” Han clucked his tongue in mock-disapproval, then ducked when Minho tossed the pillow at him next.

Your cheeks threatened to catch on fire again.  The situation only worsened when you met Minho’s dark gaze, his eyes ensnaring you.  “So,” you threw out desperately, clapping your hands together.  “The food?  Or am I going to starve?  Not very boyfriend-like,” you tried to laugh.  The joke must have been convincing, because the boys merely chuckled, going back to their game.

Minho still hadn’t moved from where he stood over you.  Instead of moving back so you could get up, he extended a hand.  You bit your lip, teeth digging in, but you placed your hand in his rather than make a scene.  The last thing you wanted was more attention, especially with your cheeks warming up past their usual temperature.

Fortunately, he released you as soon as you regained your footing.  Your fingers flexed lightly, hand falling back to your side.  You kept your chin high as you followed Minho to the kitchen, ignoring the prickling feeling that the boys were still watching you.

“Pizza?” you blurted out, incredulous.  “Don’t you eat anything else?”

Minho snorted, leaning against the counter.  “For the record, I do know how to cook.”

You snooped in the fridge, disbelieving.  “Of course, all evidence points to you being a five star chef,” you said, casting a pointed look at the empty shelves within.

He chuckled, folding his arms while he watched you investigate.  “Sweetheart, if you wanted me to cook for you, all you had to do was ask.”

You hummed, closing the refrigerator once more.  “I’m kinda afraid you’ll burn something, to be honest,” you teased, grabbing a plate from the cabinet and selecting a slice of now-cold pizza.  You popped the pizza in the microwave, then relaxed against the counter opposite Minho.  He was still watching you intently, and you frowned.  “What?  Do I have something on my face?” you asked him.

Minho shook his head wordlessly.  Self-consciousness took hold, and you looked down awkwardly, brushing your hair behind one ear.  “Hey, I’m sorry about what I said.  I totally didn’t mean it the way it came out.”

“I know,” he said, one corner of his mouth quirking up in a half smile.

You tipped your chin again, unable to look at him for long.  Even if Minho seemed to forgive your blunder, you still couldn’t believe you’d blurted that out.  Your hair fell in front of your face again, and you let it, happy to hide behind the locks.

Then another pair of feet appeared a few inches from yours.  Plain black socks next to your patterned ones, covered in cartoon rainbows.  Then a butterfly touch along the side of your face, soft enough that you almost doubted the sensation.  You lifted your gaze, but this time, Minho’s eyes weren’t on yours.  Instead, his laser focus was directed on the hair he was gently situating behind your ear again.

You realized you had forgotten to breathe when he finally took a step back, and your lungs remembered to inflate.

“For the record, you’re right,” Minho said softly.  “The queen is never late.”

* * * * *

It was nearing midnight by the time Minho’s friends started leaving.  You eyed the clock, then went to grab your shoes as well.  “I better get going, I want to get home sometime before dawn,” you joked.

“How close do you live?  Are you taking the bus?” Chan asked, worry evident in his tone.

You waved him off, “I’m just a few blocks away, not too long of a walk.  Bus doesn’t run after ten or so, anyway.”

Chan frowned, but Minho cut him off before he could say anything.  “I was going to walk her home, it’s pretty late.”

That was a surprise to you, but seemed to alleviate Chan’s concern.  The others waved goodbye on their way out, Chan following them.  “Nice to meet you,” he said, shooting you a quick grin before closing the door behind him.

“You really don’t have to,” you started.

“I want to.  It’s late,” Minho reminded you.

“I didn’t argue last time, but I didn’t want to steal your umbrella.”  You narrowed your eyes at him.  “I’m not some little girl in need of protection.  It’s a perfectly safe neighborhood.”

Minho didn’t look up, busy tying his shoes.  “I like walking.”

“At midnight?”

“Any time of day, really.”

You rolled your eyes.  “Do you walk Jeongin home, too?”

“Sure did.  He moved in with Han, though, so I don’t anymore,” he said simply.  “You don’t have a roommate.  If no one’s there to make sure you get home safe, I want to walk with you.”

You gaped at him, unable to fault his logic.  And not really wanting to.  “Thanks,” you murmured, scuffing one shoe into the floor.

Minho stood up again, a crooked smile on his lips.  “Don’t mention it,” he said, snagging his keys.  “After you.”

Walking home with Minho, you were reminded of the first time.  Then, you’d been so awkward, quiet.  Unsure of yourself.  You’d been worried that you were some kind of pity friend at first, but after getting to know Minho, you knew that wasn’t the case.  And now that you’d grown comfortable around each other, you could hardly get him to shut up.  Even now, he was talking about his dance team’s newest choreo, his words running together from excitement.

You smiled, just listening.  This was all you really wanted, if you let yourself admit it.  The Tinder dates were just a shit attempt at finding someone to sit and listen to for hours.  You wanted movie nights and quiet mornings with someone who cared about you.  You wanted a cute little house and kids and a dog.  Maybe a cat.  Maybe three.

Shit.

You were so wrapped up in your realization that you didn’t realize you’d reached your apartment building until Minho snagged your elbow to pull you to a stop.  “This isn’t a midnight hike, where do you think you’re going?” he asked incredulously.

You laughed nervously, “Oh, sorry, I was pretty lost in thought.”

“Apparently.  Were you listening to a word I said?  Some friend you are,” he snorted.

Friend.  Right.  Your realization didn’t mean much.  Why were you surprised?  You hadn’t had luck in the romantic department in years, why would that change now?  Minho was your friend, and it was obvious that his opinion of you wasn’t going to change.  Why would it?  He was way out of your league.

Gosh, now you felt like a fool.  You’d really just daydreamed about a happily ever after with him.  Why did you ever bother getting your hopes up?  You were always bound for disappointment.  Hadn’t your crappy dates taught you anything?

Minho called your name, bringing you back down to reality.  “Sorry,” you muttered, fumbling in your bag to find your keys.

“Are you alright?” he asked.  Shoot, now he sounded concerned.

You pasted a sunny smile on your face, “Totally fine.  Thank you for walking me back.  I won’t keep you any longer.”

You turned away to walk up the steps, but the smile fell as soon as he was out of sight.  How were you only just coming to the realization that you were halfway—or perhaps all the way—in love with him?  His face was burned into your mind’s eye.  Brows furrowed in confusion, slight pout, and those damned eyes.  You’d probably been in love with his eyes from the beginning.

“I only agreed to let you play matchmaker so I could see you again.”

You stopped at the top of the steps, not quite believing your ears.  Turning slightly, you looked at Minho over your shoulder.

Once he had your attention, he continued, “I bailed on the date with your friend because I knew you’d yell at me.”

Lips parting in surprise, you turned to face him fully.  Minho put a foot on the first step, gaze locked on yours.  You weren’t sure what he saw when he looked at you, but his mouth softened into a slight smile.

“I was going to do the classic move of teaching you to bowl, but I chickened out,” he said.  ���I wish I hadn’t.”

“What are you...why are you telling me this?” you asked, fingers curling nervously.

He ascended another step, “You only smile like that when you’re sad.  When you start getting in your own head about what you deserve.”  Another step, “And I’m tired of hiding.”

Now he was only two steps away.  Close enough to touch, if you dared to reach out.  You didn’t.  “We’re friends,” you said, voice small.

“Yeah, we are,” he agreed.  Then he bit his lip, drawing your attention like bees to honey.  You sucked in a breath, closing your eyes firmly.  When you opened them, Minho was on the step just below you.  “Tell me to stop,” he said, voice low.  You didn’t.

Your breath stuttered to a stop, your whole body stilling at the electric shock of his lips on yours.  For a moment, you were frozen, utterly focused on the whisper of a touch.  Then Minho pulled away, and you could breathe again, gasping for air.  But you didn’t want it to be over.  Your eyes fluttered open, finding his dark gaze melting into you.

This time, you let yourself fall into him, ignoring the voice in the back of your head that said this was a fantasy.  He caught you, one arm wrapping around your waist, his other hand coming to your jawline.  He ascended that final step, pulling your body into his.  His lips were plush, a little dry.  Real.  Minho was here, warm under your fingertips.

His hand slid up into your hair, slowly enough to make you shiver.  You sighed into the kiss, goosebumps appearing on your arms as his fingers gently tugged the strands.  And then his mouth opened beneath you, and you let yourself tumble into sensation, drowning in him.

You don’t know how long you kissed, but your heart was racing when you finally came up for air.  Minho panted, little breaths puffing against your lips.  He rested his forehead against yours, the weight somehow grounding you.

“Do you understand now?”  Minho’s voice was hoarse, deeper than before.  You shivered, just a bit, and the corner of his lips twitched up.

You couldn’t find words, unable to string any coherent thoughts together.  And you didn’t really want to, happy to have your mind all to yourself, no doubts in sight.  You leaned forward, placing a small kiss on the tip of Minho’s nose.  He scrunched his face up, making you giggle.  But you needed to know one thing.  “Are we—are things different now?”

“We’re dating.  Unless you don’t want that,” he backtracked, eyes wide.

You grinned at him.  “I do.”

He heaved out a sigh of relief.  “Thank goodness.  I thought I really fucked up there.”

Now you really laughed, head falling forward to rest on his chest.  Minho’s arms tightened around you, pulling you closer than you thought was possible.  You could hear his heartbeat, thudding just as fast as yours.

“You said the friendship was your favorite part of love,” Minho mused.  You hummed in agreement, nodding against him.  “Well I hope you don’t get sick of me.  I hear I’m pretty annoying.”

“Minho,” you rolled your eyes.

“I know you just rolled your eyes at me,” he teased.

“Well, you are annoying.  But I suppose it’s a part of your charm.”

He chuckled, “So that means you like my jokes?”

You smiled fondly, “Don’t push it.”

* * * * *

Masterlist

[shelby-love]

TOMMY SHELBY

Marrying Off for Love

Requested: yes (by anonymous)

Prompts: none

Warning(s): language

Word Count: 1.8K

Author's note: I made this as realistic as possible! It ends neutrally I think; not happily but not you know... It's an ending fit for the Peaky Blinders!

This is a Reader x OC / Tommy Shelby x daughter!reader one shot

~

Being free of the name was always a distant thought in your mind. You would weigh the good and the bad of having a last name with significant influence. The good somehow always overthrown the bad, leaving you with everything other than a clear, calm mind.

Sure, the luxury that came with being a Shelby was worth the sacrifice. So was your twisted family, you guessed.

At least until you met him.

A fine man with a heart of gold. Quite literally the only man in Britain worth your while.

He was perfect in every way with his looks and his manners… save for the name, of course.

Alessi Villin.

That was just your luck. Getting attention of your father's rivaling gangsters and falling head over heels in love with the man in charge.

So what does a girl do in that situation?

She chooses love of course.

***

"What the bloody hell is wrong with Y/N?" Asked Arthur after barging into the Garrison that was empty just several moments later. No man stayed upon hearing that the Shelby's were gathering for a meeting. The oldest of the brothers, and coincidentally your favorite one, leaned over the empty bar having decided to fix himself s strong drink.

"How's Linda?" Asked Polly instead, pressing her cigarette against the ash tray. She had left a few cigarettes burn themselves out until the smell started to dominate. Satisfied, she leaned back, never looking more imposing as she did right then.

"She's alright," he mumbled, swinging the glass so the drink practically flew into his throat like a rapid.

"Right," started Ava, discarding her coat on a lone chair before settling in the middle of the huddled Shelby family. "Family meeting."

"We can't start," Arthur announced suddenly, crashing onto a chair with a bottle of scotch in hand. "Y/N's not 'ere."

"Then where in the bloody hell is she?" Ada asked with a tired frown, knowing you were never late for the meetings. You showed your distaste toward them yes, but never in your life have you avoided or been purposely late to one.

It intrigued Tommy to know too. His daughter was his whole world. You were the piece of his past life that not even war could take away. Even though he didn't show it.

But the man shook his head, knowing one thing – his daughter wasn't a stupid girl. Like her aunts, she was every bit as cunning and smart. A true Shelby lady.

But still.

Where were you?

Only Polly Gray knew, but she wasn't going to say a word until it was deemed necessary.

***

The top of the grass hill has overlooked the forests for many years. The soft array of green grass and variously colored wildflowers goes on for miles all around. The air is cool against your skin, with a touch of humidity from the last night's rain.

Your legs stretch out in front of you like you've ran for miles. The blissful feeling from the position you're in eases your tense muscles. It's beautiful really, despite the slightly damp ground. Your back falls against the grass and hair spreads at the ground. The sky is clear, the perfect shade of light blue. It almost looks too good to be true. It makes you smile in delight, as you didn't really remember the last time you truly drew in a fresh breath of air.

The man who had brought you out too see this was even more beautiful. Alessi's carefree smile pursued by eyes the same shade as grass around you put your mind at ease. Helped you think clearly. Something you hadn't done in a long time.

You looked at him and saw what you wanted to be – someone free of chains that hold one's mind back from thinking out of the box. Someone loyal to a fault and loving.

 "Oi! Come here," you bellowed, sitting up and waving your hands in the air to get him away from the red wildflowers and into your arms.

Alessi didn't waste a beat and marched back toward you.

Wrapped in each other's embrace, and you never felt more at home.

That thought scared you. It scared you to know that now, there was another place you called home. In the arms of your father's rival none the less.

But that's what he gets for leaving you to your thoughts all your life. He let you be swallowed by the doubts and insecurities until he couldn't do anything about the said fact.

You had always told yourself; It's the war. The war had done that to him.

But shouldn't a father love his daughter more than anything in the world? Tommy is a complicated man that chose to move his family up in the world as a way to cope with the lingering nightmares of the war.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Alessi had asked, immediately pulling you out of the train of thoughts in your mind.

"That raspy voice of yours is the sweetest of songs to my ears," you mused with a smile, head against his chest that rose and fell with rhythmic ease.

His laugh broke out, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere.

You sat up and reached for his pocket, pulling out his favorite pocket watch to check the time. He had it custom made - the watch – wanting to have both of your initials on the front.

You melted every time you saw it.

"I missed the family meeting," you said suddenly, realization sinking in. Alessi met your eyes after you had finished quietly cursing the planet.

"I mean," you started, "It's not like I wanted to go. That's more of a formality I guess… Showing up and all."

He nodded in understanding but a question stood in front of the understanding, "Then why'd you fall in love with me? My family meeting was 2 days ago."

You bit your lip, not quite knowing how to answer.

Alessi didn't look any different than before asking the question as he stood up off the damp grass, fetching his waistcoat to put on. "What are you doing?"

"Preparing," he simply said, the thick Scouse accent breaking out with the word.

"Preparing for what?" You asked him, scurrying over to stand up.

"To ask you to marry me."

He appeared in front of you, and like a gentleman went down on one knee. There wasn't a gangster in him at that moment, the façade for the public disappeared to show something he showed only you.

Love.

Something you hadn't experienced in a long time.

"I don't care about your family, Y/N." Alessi said, "The only one I care about is you. I don't want to start a war with them because I don't want to see you get hurt. That's how much I care for you. That is just how much I love you."

Whatever happened in the next moments were true.

You had chosen to be someone's bride.

You had chosen a side you would stand by for the rest of your life.

***

The Shelby meeting could be thrown straight in the mud. Every family member went after their thing and the only thing that did seem to flow in peace was the alcohol.

"No, I really think someone kidnapped her." Arthur repeated for the 5th time, truly believing that someone had forcefully taken you as a leverage against them.

"She's not missing."

Polly saw no point in keeping your secret at that moment and so for the first time, you had given her the honors of revealing something instead of you.

"Then where the fuck is she, eh?" Arthur voiced.

Aunt Pol smiled down at Tommy who was holding the wooden chair in a vise grip, not saying a word for a few moments. Her lust for the dramatics only brought new tension into the room. "With the man she loves."

Polly's words shocked everyone present. Arthur choked on his alcohol; Ada's eyes went wide; Lizzie froze in her seat, her cigarette left and forgotten in her hand.

And as your father.

He wore a blank expression on his face even when he asked, "Who?"

Polly chuckled, "Alessi Villin, of course."

"Hold the fuck up!" Arthur butted in. "That bastard Villin we've been having trouble with?! What the hell happened with 'Don't fuck with the Peaky Blinders'? What the hell is wrong with 'er?"

"Y/N was never a Peaky," Polly told him, glancing at Tommy just as those words left her mouth. "But you knew that already, didn't you Tommy?"

"I suspected," Your dad admitted. "Just not with-"

"Your fucking competition…" Ada finished for him, clicking her tongue in pure disbelief, "I say good for her. She'll be the one that managed to get away from this twisted family!"

"Yea and then go to another one that's just like fucking us! Maybe even fucking worse!"

Both Ada and Arthur were shouting at each other now. The two were accompanied by Lizzie who had her own comments to add too.

Polly and Tommy stared each other down, "That boy loves her Tommy," Pol said. "She's his whole world. I saw it with my own eyes. And she loves him too."

Thomas said nothing as his aunt left the stunned family alone in the Garrison pub, ending the Shelby meeting with a single sentence.

***

You stood in front of your father's office door after being summoned the moment you were spotted back in Birmingham. With calm hands you twiddled the ring on your finger as a soon-to-be married woman.

You had a fiancé.

And you had to tell your dad about it.

But given that you missed the meeting, and Polly – the only person that knew – was there to fill in for your absence, you were sure the word has spread. Especially when you spotted Finn acting out the moment he saw you get out of the car. That boy can't keep a secret to save his life.

"You wanted to see me, Dad?" You asked once he called you in.

"Yes," he said, gaze locked on the papers. "Sit down."

You rolled your eyes at the tone and took a seat, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

"An expensive ring you have there," Your father pointed to your left hand with his pen. "Is that what you spend your money on?"

"Was there a reason you wanted to see me?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "I've decided that your engagement to Alessi Villin is a good thing."

Hope sparked at that moment, making you ignore the fact that he knew of the engagement before you even told him. "Really?"

"You have my blessing but should your engagement fail, there is going to be a war. But if you go through with this and marry him, our family and the Villin family will be united forever and this war will be over."

You hardly believed your ears. "Y-you…"

Your father said nothing. "I'm not marrying so you could do business in Liverpool!"

"The Mersey river is Alessi's territory," he tried to reason. "If you marry him than we can-"

"There is no 'we' anymore Dad!" You bellowed through sudden tears, surprising both Tommy and yourself with your voice's strength. "I'm getting bloody married! To the man that I love at last, and you're acting like we're signing a bloody contract!"

The river of words flew out your mouth, "Don't treat me like you treated John! My marriage isn't like his!"

"Now, if that's all," You stood up and fixed your skirt. "I'd like to leave. I have a wedding to plan."

You pressed your cigarette into his ash tray before turning on your heel and leaving your father for the first time in your life, to his own thoughts.

~

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MASTERLIST

[mxpseudonym]

Pairing: Tommy x Fem!Reader

Summary: Polly Shelby wants you, a shy, single, slightly anxious churchgoer, to meet her nephew, the dangerous gangster Tommy Shelby. He’s more than gentlemanly at first glance, which only adds to his attractive charm. After weeks of being on edge and going no farther than heavy petting, you finally decide to push for having Tommy devour you. However, entering the bedroom with Tommy Shelby means you’ll have to follow his saucy rules. Agreeing requires a verbal, enthusiastic, “Yes, Sir” and leaving your shame at the door.

Length: 2738 words (allegedly)

Warnings: 18+, NSFW, lite Dom/sub, Consensual as all hell

A/N: Sorry I’m late, but honestly that’s very me so. Anyway, hope you’re ready because I am y/n, you are y/n, we are all y/n this time round. 😏

"Need some help?"

You looked up from where you were kneeling on the floor to see none other than Polly Shelby. You'd pulled your rosary too tight again, and the thread snapped from the tension. Now, before you could stop her, Polly was kneeling and helping you pick them up. 

Polly was always kind to you. When needed, she shared her hymn book and complimented your church hats that matched your dresses particularly well. Even though you never had much to say, she was always casually chatting with you. 

"You're not seeing anyone, are you?" Polly asked, catching you off guard. Was this why she was so lovely? Two women in an empty church, and one of them confesses to the other. What would God say?

"I'm not."

"You should meet my nephew, Thomas. I think you'd make quite the pair." 

You smiled at the invitation. It wasn't out of flattery, per se, but more because you knew it must have been difficult for Polly to be an aunt taking on her duty as a familial matchmaker when her nephews ran the most dangerous gang in Small Health. Polly didn't seem like the type to let anything happen to you if things didn't work out on a simple date, and you felt indebted to her for being such a good friend to you. So you nodded. 

"Well, if he asked me to dinner, I'm sure I wouldn't say no." 

You didn't think much of it, quite frankly. In the year that you'd been in Small Heath, you'd turned down enough dinner invitations to be thought of as a godly woman and a prude. Not that you minded. You were single and childless in the newly bustling city of Birmingham, and living alone for the first time in your life was a luxury you didn't want to give up. You had your mother's pistol tucked in your bag and a vague idea of how to shoot it, so you were safe enough, but the added rumor that you were unapproachable was helpful.

If anything, what surprised you most was Thomas Shelby actually showing up to church that Sunday. Even leaning against the stone wall outside with a cigarette in hand was enough to cause a stir as the congregation poured out of the church. 

He was a handsome man, and his cool, certain eyes seemed to see right through you. Even with your heart thumping in your chest, gravitating towards him was only natural. He was waiting for you, after all. 

"Y/n L/n?" He asked, his voice deep and telling of his : upbringing. It fit him well, you thought as you looked at him from under your sun hat. 

"Mr. Shelby," you said with a nod. 

"My aunt seemingly won't rest until I ask you to dinner," he said, dipping a hand into his pocket to reach for more cigarettes. 

"Oh? Is this you doing it?" 

Tommy's head tilted at you as he took in your smile and looked you over. You were already a bit bold for someone who was meeting a hoodlum. A smirk crept onto his face. He wasn't complaining. 

"Ms. l/n, would you have dinner with me?" He asked. You paused, causing him to sigh and pull out his cigarettes. "My aunt promised I wouldn't get rejected by a beautiful woman if I got the courage to ask. Now I'm embarrassed."

"I'm sure you're not," you said, laughing to ignore the butterflies in your stomach. "But I will go to dinner with you, Mr. Shelby. I did promise Miss Shelby." Tommy looked you over again before nodding.

"I look forward to it."

                                              .:.

When Tuesday evening rolled around, Tommy was at your doorstep in a fine suit. If you had any doubt about your long, beaded dress being nice enough, Tommy pushed the thoughts away in an instant.

"You look stunning, Miss l/n," he praised you while holding out his arm. 

"Thank you, Tommy. You look very handsome tonight as well."

There was an air of authority about him, yet his gaze was soft when he met your eyes and smiled. The car ride was comfortable enough and did nothing to prepare you for the exquisite venue. The ceilings were high, and the decor was elegant. 

"It's my job to find a venue a quarter as lovely as the woman accompanying me, isn't it," Tommy said when you mentioned that it was possibly too fancy for you. 

"Oh please," you murmured, waving away the compliment. 

At some point throughout the night, you wondered if you'd been on a better date. Tommy took care of everything, from directing the butlers in their penguin suits to ordering things he seemed to know you'd like. ON your own, you'd have spent half an hour choosing a meal, and god only knew how long getting a server's attention. But tonight, you were left to focus on his witty storytelling that left you laughing behind your napkin. Tommy raised a hand and grasped yours. It was a small amount of contact but, perhaps the wine or the man himself made you want more of his warmth. All too soon, he gently pulled your hand down and into your lap.  

"Don't hide. I want to hear more from you," Tommy said. Your cheeks flashed hot as your mind took a naughty detour for a moment. 

"Okay, Tommy." 

It was after dinner that truly hooked you to the man. He wrapped you in his jacket before helping you into his car and driving you home. His hand rested on your knee on the way back. Yet, when he stood in front of your door, you were greeted with a hug. You didn't realize it until you leaned into his embrace that you were a bit anxious about a goodnight kiss or even Tommy pushing his way into your apartment. Gangster or not, he was a strong man with a domineering personality. He could have anything he wanted. You hadn't guessed that meant a simple hug and a request for a second date. Still, it left you smiling as you watched his car drive away from the entrance of your apartment. 

                                              .:.

"Ah, this is favorite."

"Really?"

"Winston Churchill himself recommended it."

You turned to Tommy with a skeptical eye. 

"Liar."

"How could I find the strength to lie to you, y/n?"

You rolled your eyes but turned back to the new gramophone in front of you. You had several dates with Tommy, and his gentlemanly behavior only continued. He never tried anything scandalous or forward, even as he managed to charm you to high heaven. There were times you wondered if, and perhaps even secretly hoped for, Tommy would move his hand up your thigh or kiss your neck. But it seemed that every date was an opportunity for him to learn more about you. He was more perceptive than you knew. He understood what you wanted and even made you feel like he could read your mind sometimes. 

You'd had partners before, even an adulterous ex-fiance, but with them, it felt like they were trying to learn your secrets to use against you. With Tommy, it seemed like he used that information to make you happy. Your eyes lit up when he brought you your favorite kind of pastry and a new scarf in your favorite color. 

His latest gift was the record player, and you shamelessly used the gift of music as an excuse to finally invite Tommy inside after a month of dating when it was clear he wouldn't do it himself. 

"You're quite the gentleman, Mr. Shelby," you mused as you slow danced in your living room. Tommy's hand flattened over your spine and pulled you closer. 

"I'd say you're bringing out the best in me yet, Ms. y/l/n."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently against yours. You moaned softly against his lips as your swaying left the rhythm of the song to match you and Tommy. There was a hunger in his kiss that made you wonder just how much he was holding back. He could have any woman he wanted, you thought, but he was patiently kissing you to your liking and no more. His hand moved to thumb the buttons on your dress, and you pulled away gently. A guiding hand on your lower back or a calloused hand helping you out of the Bentley made your heart flutter, yet you still hesitated to take things further. 

"Wait, Tommy."

"Hm?"

"Not yet," you said shyly, not able to look him in the eyes. Tommy smirked at you. Little did you know, this confirmed several things he knew about you.

"Good girl."

Your eyes shot up to his in shock. What was this? His choice of words, his praise, the feeling of your insides warming all filled you with a sense of wonder. There was something in his eyes that looked satisfied and almost like an invitation. Would you accept? Accept what exactly? 

Not knowing the question or your answer, you kissed him again. 

                                              .:.

Good girl. 

Those two words were planted in your mind like seeds meant to sprout a specific restlessness. 

You thought about it passively for a while. At first, you wondered if you should be upset. Was Tommy treating you like a child? But nothing he did ever made it feel that way. If anything, Tommy was the one person who treated you most like a woman. After a few weeks, you began to think of it too often. On your lunches with Tommy or when he took you to the horse races, you wondered if he'd repeat it. You were eager to hear him say it. 

When you thought about it alone in the bath, you realized you couldn't hold it together much longer. Your eyes fluttered closed as you remembered that night. But memories turned to fantasy, and you could feel his breath against your ear. 

"Good girl. You're a good girl, y/n."

Your hands moved before you could think much about it. It had been a while since you'd done this, sliding a delicate finger between your legs. 

"Good girl," you whispered, your voice echoing off the walls and sending the praise back to you. You swirled your clit and repeated it again. Thinking of all the ways Tommy had touched you, even innocently, remembering the feeling and that casual smirk he wore. "Tommy, fuck, yes, I'm a good girl- ah!"

Your thighs squeezed your hand as your hips jerked with a strong release. Your eyes opened, and you stared at the ceiling.

"This is getting ridiculous."

                                              .:.

Tommy was just a little too good at listening to you, you decided. Anything you told him not to do was met with praise, and he'd never do it again. You'd expected, based on past experiences with men, that Tommy would try to push you until you were just where he wanted you. Instead, you were the one spacing out during dinner while admiring how good he looked in his suit. Would you prefer it on or off if he were devouring you? 

Tommy asked if you felt alright, which made you ashamed to even think the way you were. When did you get so lewd? It was in your apartment that Tommy let you know he knew exactly what you were thinking. You sat next to him on your couch, handing him a nightcap of brandy. 

"Y/n, you know that I care about you, don't you?"

"Yes, of course." You nodded quickly. Was this actually the end of things? You hoped not.

"I care about you more than I thought I could. And one of those reasons is because you know what you want," said Tommy as he sat his glass down. 

Your brows furrowed at the words. You thought you were indecisive and unable to speak up. If only Tommy knew how you'd been suffering. He continued after reading the confusion on your face. 

"Whenever we come back here, you know how far you want to go, and you know when to make a man like me stop."

"Oh,"

"I won't push you, love. I'm as patient as ever, so if you want more or less, that's up to you. It's whatever you'd like."

Tommy leaned over and placed a hand on your knee reassuringly, though it only helped your heart beat harder. You shifted in your seat, uneasy with the amount of power you realized you had.

"I see." 

"If we do go further, I'd like to implement a few rules. How does that sound?" 

"Rules?" You tilted your head. You liked rules and systems. Even as a coat check girl, you were known for your orderly approach to things. 

"Yes, if you decide that's something you want to explore, we'll talk then. But no need to worry about it until you're ready."

"I actually wanted to talk to you about doing more," you said bashfully, though it was a lie. You'd planned to simply move Tommy's hand under your skirt and have him put you out of your misery.

"Come here, y/n."

Tommy brought you to sit on his lap. His hand caressed your thigh, and the other was around your waist. Your arms wrapped around him as your reveled in the feeling of safety.

"Alright, Mr. Shelby, what are they?" 

"I'm going to tell you them, and you need to remember the order, alright?" He asked, and you nodded, only to have him tsk you. "Ah, love, when I ask you a question, I want to hear your voice. I want to make sure you're sure. That's rule number one: everything we do requires a verbal agreement. Try it now." 

"Oh, then, yes. I'll remember the order, Tommy." 

"Good girl," he praised, making you smile softly. "Rule number two is that you can't cum until I tell you, alright sweetheart?" 

"Tommy!" You jolted in surprise. You didn't know what you thought he was going to say, but that was not it. He chuckled at your reaction and squeezed your waist. He would have stopped if you asked, but for now, he was well aware that you were already starting to squirm in his lap. His sweetheart liked being a little flustered, didn't you? 

"Rule number three is that I am in charge of your body. I have full access to it, and you, love," Tommy reached up and tilted your chin so he could give you a saccharine kiss, "you may not touch yourself unless I say." 

The mix of salacious words and tender caresses sent waves of desire straight to the apex of your thighs. Could Tommy tell that you'd been doing just that? 

"Rule four is that you have to tell me when you don't like something. You do that so well already, and I'm proud of you for that."

"T-thank you," you murmured. You couldn't help but bite your lip. Such simple words of praise were sending you into a mild frenzy. 

"When you want me to stop, just say 'no more, I'm satisfied.' Can you do that?" He asked you, and you nodded. This time, however, you quickly remembered what Tommy told you before. 

"Yes. No more. I'm satisfied," you repeated the phrase while wondering when you'd use it.

"You can say that for anything at all. If you're uncomfortable, or even just a little too tired."

"Okay."

You nodded in agreement, though you couldn't help be feel nervous. After weeks of nothing more than a mild groping hand, Tommy was proving to be this person? But maybe it was the way that you couldn't stop yourself from squirming, trying to press your legs together for some type of friction that made you equally excited. Tommy kissed you again and held your chin. 

"Sweetheart, I promise that I'll use these to make you feel really good. I hope you can trust me, and I trust you to use that voice of yours and tell me when you don't like something, yes?"

"Yes." 

"Do you agree then? Do those rules sound good to you?" He asked you directly.

"Yes," you nodded, then softly adjusted. Something in you made you want to add, "Yes, Sir." 

Tommy squeezed your thigh, and you looked to his eyes to see a burning fierceness in them. He really enjoyed that. It was nice knowing he wasn't embarrassing you. You were in this together.

"Good girl."

[naysaltysalmon]

I decided to introduce myself a little more by telling you some fun facts about myself:

Tagged by @lizard-dumbass​

Nay (Nayru Elric on my fanfic accs) | he/they/she | Pan/bi/queer | Genderfluid | Capricorn (☀️) Gemini (🌙) Scorpio (🌅)

~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~

🥮 My ancestors are primarily from the British Isles and the Iberian Peninsula. I think we were Second Generation Irish immigrants; some also lived in Puerto Rico more recently. It seems we never had any wealth to our name.

🥮 I have no idea what happened to my ancestors before they crossed the Atlantic to the United States. (I guess one of my surnames is a famous crest in Great Britain, though?)

🥮 Unfortunately, my father’s mother forbid her kids from learning Spanish from her husband due to Americanization / assimilation politics / racism. I’m doing my best to reconnect with my latine heritage by teaching myself and seeking out that side of my family now. I’ve also been teaching myself Japanese for a while.

🥮 I did English-style equestrian when I was 8-10 (hurdles, jumps, trotting, cantering). I was pretty good at it but never participated in any competitions. I miss barn/farm life.

🥮 I started learning piano when I was in kindergarten. That was over 17 years ago now. I haven’t been able to keep up with it as much since the start of college; my technicality has definitely suffered, but my musicality and intuition has improved greatly~

🥮 My family had a built-in pool when I was younger. I used to spend all my summers there – at least 2 hours a day, almost every day – up until I was about 10. I am the best swimmer I know. When I’m not near the ocean or some other large body of water for a while, I get very sad.

🥮 I grew up in the cold winters and sweltering humid summers of Minnesota. Some of y’all don’t know what true cold is; but I also can’t stand the heat, or being in arid climates for long. (I always get nosebleeds!)

🥮 I was that kid who used to love sitting alone laying out all my collections of rocks, books, legos, feathers, toy horses, polly pockets, littlest pet shop, small spoons, toy cars, etc. etc. just to see them in different color, size, alphabetical, numeric, thematic, etc. orders. I only just accepted that I’m autistic.

🥮 I’ve dealt with intense bouts of depression since middle school and crippling anxiety for as long as I can remember. My toxic childhood home life did not help with this.

🥮 Apparently I do a lot of different voices when I talk, imitating different caricatures of people when I quote them, something I didn’t realize until my last few partners started copying me!!

🥮 It’s always been really easy for me to connect with animals. They seem to latch onto my calm energy and immediately become interested in me and approach me. I go crazy if I’m not near nature (clear skies, clean air, wildlife) for an extended period.

🥮 I’m very interested in the connection between reality and the spiritual. I once wanted to become a scientist, until I realized that personal beliefs were deemed “irrational,” and supposed to be wiped clean from endeavors to understand observational truth. Science, desiring to perpetuate the human race, was blind to its own biases in assuming such an arrogant, detached position; but I think there is a lot that we cannot see at play in the world around us all the time. Things science can’t explain, but most of the scientists I grew up around were atheists who mocked anyone who believed in anything that couldn’t be observed in the data. It’s vomit-inducing.

🥮 I’ve always enjoyed animation over live-action media. Something about the inherent suspense of disbelief in a timeless art style, the carefully choreographed fluid and jerky movements... It invited me to go on a fantastical journey more than live-action could growing up.

~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~🪷~

I hope you’ll reblog and give a few fun facts about yourself so we can get to know each other a little better~! Open to all!

Tagging: @emiliosandozsequence @mirycactusito @stupidbluejay @mattbear-music-nz @jackshade21​ @spatialdecay

[professorrw]

Undeniable Feelings

Pairing: female reader x Sam Wilson

Warnings: swearing, fluff, friends to lovers

A/N: This wasn’t requested but I it was an idea I had written down and I finally had the time to write it. This is the longest one-shot I’ve done so far at over 3,000 words. I hope you all like it and if you did, heart, comment, and reblog! If you want to be added to a taglist feel free to ask! 

Next Up: Peter Parker x Reader fluff request

Your phone buzzes in your pocket. You pull it out to see a text from Sam.

“I gotta ask you something. I’ll come by later.”

You reply with a thumbs up emoji and put your phone away.

Huh, what did he want to ask you? You couldn’t imagine he would have time in his schedule to even talk to you now that he was Captain America. He sighed reminiscing on how far you both had come. You started out as some kids in the Air Force and now you were working undercover and Sam was Captain America. 

It felt like just yesterday when you and Sam decided to enlist. You were basically kids back then. It was astonishing you managed to stay friends through it all.

You were proud of Sam. He deserves recognition for all his hard work. You had read multiple articles on how people felt about a black Captain America and it was mostly positive, which was relieving. 

Your mind returned to the task you were supposed to do. You briskly moved past the pedestrians of New York and went into a small bar, rumored to be running an underground black market.

You got there just on time and waited in the corner as the first suspect rolled in. You approached the bar as the man walked in. He went to the end of the counter and you got as close as you could without being suspicious. The bartender came over and you ordered a beer, which you didn’t intend to drink.

The man next to you spoke to the bartender in a hushed voice, whispering things you could just barely pick up. You recited the words in your head as the suspect left the bar. You lingered for a few more minutes to receive your beer, which you gave to a woman that was a few seats down.

The sidewalk was packed as usual and you were shoved a few times on the way to your apartment. You shoved your key into the lock and opened the door to your average home. It wasn’t big by any means, but it was decent for New York City.

You relayed the information you gathered to your superiors, letting them know that you were done for the day.

You relaxed for a few hours, sitting on the couch and catching up on the shows everyone was watching. It was nearly eight when you got a knock on your door. It had a beat to it, only the type of knock you know Sam would do.

You don’t know why he even bothers knocking when he has a key. He didn’t live there but before he was Captain America and an Avenger he would come over all the time and you got tired of unlocking the door. You craned your neck as he walked in carrying a bag of takeout.

“I know you haven’t had supper yet so I stopped to get some. And it's your favorite, Chinese.” He flashes you a smile and sets the bag down on the coffee table in front of the couch. You don’t even wait for him to sit down before you grab a styrofoam container and plastic utensils. 

“Damn you're hungry.” He chuckles and tucks into the couch next to you.

“As always,” you reply.

Eating Chinese on your couch with Sam felt so normal. It was something you hadn’t done in a long time due to your jobs. No matter how far away you were, you stayed friends. Sam wasn’t the type to just lose contact with people, especially not his best friend. You could remember how long and lanky he used to be in high school and looking at him now you could see how much he had filled out.

“Whatcha watchin’?” He made a gesture toward the TV with his fork.

“Random show.” As you popped another piece of chicken in your mouth you remembered the whole reason he was coming over. “What did you want to ask me?”

“Oh yeah. Well…” he trailed off and gave you a cheeky smile. “There’s this ball I’ve been invited to. They said I could bring a plus one and I was hoping you would come with me.” He cocked his head to the side slightly and raised his eyebrows as if saying, “So how about it?”

You had been to a few ball type parties before for your job but you were never there for your own enjoyment. You would be going as Sam’s date. No, not date, plus one. You would be happy to accompany him.

“When is it?”

“Uh… Friday night.”

“Oh that’s soon, like, in three days.”

“I know it’s short notice. You don’t have to go with me. I can go solo.”

“No, no, I’ll go. I’ll go.”

He gives you a smile, showing the gap between his front teeth. He used to get picked on for it in elementary school but you thought it was cute. Sam in general was cute, more like hot honestly. Gosh, why were you thinking about your best friend that way? It’s normal right? You’ve known each other for so long it’s natural to think of him like that. You’d thought of him that way for a long time actually.

Before you went your separate ways career wise you liked him. You kept on telling yourself you would tell him but you never got the chance. And then you were both so busy with your jobs you didn’t think it would work out. You still to this day regretted never telling him. Him working with the Avengers and now being Captain America made it seem even more impossible.

Sam stayed for a few hours longer, leaving when both of your eyes were droopy. Before he headed out the door he hugged you. A really tight hug at that. You hadn’t seen each other in a while but why did he hug you like that? He usually stuck to a one-armed hug if anything. Maybe it was because you accepted his invitation?

“I’ll pick you up at seven. See ya bug.” He laughed as you tossed a pillow towards him. He wasn’t literally calling you a bug. The nickname came from your childhood fear of all bugs, even butterflies. He always teased you about it, finding rollie pollies and hanging them in your face while you squealed. He thought it was hilarious but young you found it very aggravating.

You went about the days until the ball normally, but when you weren’t focused on work your mind would drift to the ball. You were going to be Sam’s plus one. That meant you would have to dance together right? You felt butterflies in your stomach when you thought about Sam’s hands on your waist as you were pressed together. You felt like a giddy teenager again for the first time in years. 

You could remember in high school when Sam would ask his crushes out to dances and you would watch longingly off to the side with some random guy. For so long you were hopelessly in love with him, your best friend. 

Friday night eventually rolled around. Thankfully, you didn’t have work that day. By five o’clock you finally started getting ready. You took a shower, did your makeup, did your hair, and picked out your outfit. The dress you chose was one you’d never worn before. It was gorgeous and you never felt like the events you were attending would do it justice. You knew that tonight was the perfect time to wear it.

After you put on accessories you stood in front of your full length mirror. You weren’t one to boast but you looked absolutely stunning. You knew you would knock the socks off of Sam.

A short while later someone knocks on your door. This time you open it. As soon as the door opened you were both staring at each other. Your jaw almost dropped to the floor as you took in the way Sam looked. He looked finer than ever in a well tailored black suit and shoes. If you looked up the definition of sexy Sam’s photo would definitely be there. He wasn’t the only one that was ogling. In his eyes you looked like a goddess, so beautiful you seemed unreal.

“Wow- You- Wow. You look amazing.” He couldn’t take his eyes off you as you slipped an arm into his. 

“You’re looking pretty sharp yourself, Wilson.”

You got in Sam’s car and drove to the venue. The venue was magnificent. It was one of the few ballrooms you hadn’t been to before. Reports surrounded the building as you stepped out of the car, arm in arm with Sam. The flashing cameras nearly blinded you. Everyone wanted an exclusive photo of the Captain America.

Reporters thrusted microphones into your faces as you passed and one nearly smacked you in the nose. Sam pulled you closer and quickened his pace so you could get away from all the chaos.

The inside of the building was grand. The walls and ceiling were ornate with engravings and rich colors. Chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting the room in a dreamlike glow. The main ballroom was full and loud. There were definitely more than 300 people there. 

Sam’s arm left your waist and dropped to his side as he took in the whole scene. You were somewhat disappointed that he stopped holding you, but he didn’t know that.

You had barely made it through the doors when a robust man came up to you both. “Welcome! Mr. Wilson, or should I say Cap, I’m glad you could make it!” The man spoke with a Jersey accent and in a very animated way, hands and arms accentuating every word. Just from seeing and hearing him you could tell he was a character. 

Sam wasn’t deterred by the big personality and shook his meaty hand, “Thank you Mr. Gafner. It’s an honor to be here.” Unlike Mr. Gafner, Sam spoke with a cool confidence that made him seem even more suave than he looked.

“Ahh! You humble an old man! It’s an honor to have you. Now that the parties here we can get this shindig started. Shall we?”

Mr. Gafner clapped Sam on the back and sent a thumbs up to someone across the room. Not a second later music began to play from a group of people on the side of a stage. The music sounded familiar, classical music with a modern twist almost. It wasn’t your typical gala music, but it was far from rave music.

Mr. Gafner walked away to tend to other guests, leaving you and Sam to fend for yourselves. You didn’t recognize any of the people there. The mayor and a few other higher ranking government officials were the only ones you recognized. You guessed the rest or the attendees were also government officials and local socialites.

It was like being at a party where you only knew one person all over again. It was strange how often you had been feeling like a teen again recently. Maybe it was Sam’s close proximity in your life again. You texted and talked over the phone but it wasn’t the same as being in person and that must have been the reason for all these resurfacing feelings.

You didn’t know where to go or what to do. You never planned what you would actually do when you arrived. All you could think about was being with Sam. Luckily he was still by your side, but you assumed that wouldn’t last long.

Sure enough when other guests noticed him a flock of them came over. You thought you would be swallowed and then spit out on the other side of the room by the crowd but that wasn’t the case. Sam could sense your unease and made sure to keep you close, arm slinking around you once again. You didn’t know it but he was feeling just as lost as you were. It was all a part of his new job as Captain America.

Sam quickly became the center of attention. Even the mayor came to congratulate him. No one acknowledged you, and as the minutes passed you felt more like an accessory than a person. You were used to blending in, so why did this bother you so much? 

You were shuffling back and forth on your feet, eager to move yet unable to escape due to the bubble that surrounded you both. You literally let out a breath of relief when Mr. Gafner went on stage and spoke into a microphone.

“Welcome ladies and gentlemen! You all look lovely tonight, but I’m sure you already know that.”

A few chuckles came from the crowd, which was now moving to sit at the circular tables on the sides of the dance floor. There were place cards for everyone to find their seats and it seemed like you and Sam were the only ones that didn’t know where yours were located.

As your host continued to talk you finally found your spots, which happened to be near the stage. You both sat down and got comfortable, preparing yourselves to hear a long speech. You tuned back into Mr. Gafner’s just as he was saying, “We have a very special guest tonight, and no it’s not me, someone even more special. We have in attendance tonight, the one, the only, Samuel Wilson.”

Polite applause erupted in the room but quieted when the man resumed speaking. “If you would, Mr. Wilson, grace us with a speech?” Your eyes shot to Sam as he said that. You didn’t know Sam was supposed to make a speech and from Sam’s wide eyes you could tell he didn’t either.

He quickly fixed his face, standing up and making his way to the front. Mr. Gafner handed over the mic, giving Sam the floor. 

“Hello. As you know, I am Captain America, but formerly known as the Falcon. Since I took on this role I’ve been really busy. Steve never talked about the press conference side of things, unfortunately.”

There were a few laughs and Sam paused before he continued. As his speech went on you could tell he was getting a little nervous. He started talking faster, which was a tell-tale sign. You weren’t sure why he was nervous, the whole room was fully focused on him, listening intently as he talked. A reporter even managed to slip in with a camera and record. 

Sam’s gaze momentarily shifted to the side to look at you and in that moment you smiled at him. Sam’s nerves seemed to melt away, and he was back to his grinning self in a second.

“This is truly an honor and I have so many people to thank for this. I want to wrap this up with a simple and short, thank you. Thank you my fellow people, thank you to everyone on this Earth, and the biggest thank you to my best friend, who was there through it all.”

The room erupted in applause once again, but much louder than before. Everyone in general was clapping loudly but you had no doubt that you were clapping the loudest. You were so goddamn proud of him. 

He waved as he walked back to your table, beaming. 

“I don’t know how you do it.”

“Do what? Become Captain America or give a speech?”

“Low blow! I can give a speech now for your information.”

“You sure as hell couldn’t in elementary. You puked as soon as you got off the damn stage.”

You were both cracking up, paying no attention to the other people at your table.

Inevitably more people flocked to Sam, praising his speech. You were saved once again by the music picking up and people migrated to the dance floor. You sat watching the crowd as they slowly danced.

“You wanna dance bug?” Sam held his hand out, offering it to you.

“Sure, why not?” You did your best to act nonchalant. You couldn’t tell if Sam knew that butterflies were fluttering in your stomach.

You took his hand, letting him guide you to the middle of the room. He wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you against him. Your arms slid behind his neck and then you started to sway along with the music. You rested your head on his chest and were able to hear his heartbeat. It was faster than normal, but that might have been because he was still pumped from the speech.

You closed your eyes, allowing yourself to be fully in the moment. It was something out of a fairytale. You two in the middle of the dance floor swaying together. It fulfilled all your teenage dreams, but you found yourself wishing for the same things now as an adult. You wanted Sam. There was no doubt about it. The past few days just proved that even further. 

The song came to a close and couples started switching partners. You lifted your head to meet Sam’s eyes, which were already looking into yours. You wanted so badly to kiss him, to just lean forward and close that distance between you. After waiting for so long, for so many years, you were going to tell him. 

“Sam-” you were cut off by a woman tapping your shoulder. 

“May I?” she asked.

Of course that was just your luck. You felt dejected. You were finally about to tell him but you were interrupted. Maybe that was the world’s way of saying that it wasn’t supposed to happen.

You were about to let go of Sam when he spoke up, “Actually we were about to go outside for some fresh air. If you’ll excuse us.” You looked back at the lady as Sam pulled you along with a hand on your back. She looked dumbfounded, shocked that he would reject her.

Sam pulled you through the back doors and into the brisk night air. This area of the building was blocked off and could only be accessed by going through the hall, which meant that no paparazzi could get to you. 

You were only able to take one breath before Sam turned to you. “Y/N- I- I love you.”

It was so sudden you thought you heard him wrong. But no, you heard him right. He had a vulnerable look in his eyes, did he expect you not to reciprocate those feelings?

Your heart fluttered and you felt a trickle of relief flood throughout you. “I love you too.”

“You’re not pulling my leg?” His eyebrows were turned upwards in the middle from genuine worry.

“No Sam. I’ve loved you for years.” You were unaware that you were inching closer and closer to him but he wasn’t. You both wanted the same thing and so Sam went for it. He put a hand on your neck, thumb grazing your jaw. He took the last step forward and kissed you. It seemed the whole word lit up, fireworks going off just for you two.

Time stood still, the world was revolving around you and Sam, together at last.

Taglist: @bellamy1998​

[deepdonutkid]

Buy me a drink and let me tell you why I need it

Authors note

Thank you very much for the request    @caelys​ I had fun writing it and actually I thought about modern!au John way too much. Like I made a model for his apartment and a playlist and I could possibly draw ten more fan arts of him.

It takes place in a modern setting, but it starts before John goes to the military. He and Tommy still work in the Garrison, besides some other shadier jobs. Arthur is a car mechanic or something like that. Ada still goes to school and Finn too. Polly and Michael are not mentioned here.

Female reader x bartender!John BIG PUNK VIBES HERE!

Actually, this was going to be a multi-chapter fic with intense slow-burn, but whatever there it is. Just say one thing and I’ll write a second part!

tagging  @bonniesgoldengirl​

 Warning: drinking, drug use, marijuana, swearing, infidelity mentioned, a little bittersweet

Word count: 2348

 The garrison was not a pub for everyone. It was full of gangsters and other low-life scum. A woman was a curiosity. Working there wasn’t pleasant, but John didn’t complain.

It was the only legal job he got after graduating. He worked at the Garrison twice a week, usually on Friday and Saturday.

The nice thing about this work was the free beer and he could make as many cigarette breaks as he liked.

Nevertheless, John was a little pissed that night, because he could see his friends drinking over there and he had to stand behind the counter. Tommy’s orders!

“Fuck off, Tommy”, he mumbled while cleaning bar. Of course, his brother didn’t hear that, he was busy making some phone calls. John didn’t want to know, who Tommy was calling or why. Probably their next job.

But while he was still on the first one, he didn’t want to think about more work. He already had enough. It was past ten and John hadn’t eaten for hours.

At first, he was to occupied from his work to notice you. You sat down at the bar and cleared your throat. It wasn’t on purpose or to get the bartenders attention. Actually, you just wanted your peace. You hated being trapped in your new apartment, while everything was still so empty. Since you moved, so much changed in your life, but you still felt lonely.

That’s why, you walked straight into the nearest pub, when you couldn’t bear the weight of your own thoughts. But now you realized you hadn’t a penny left. Or at least not enough for a beer. “Get me a glass of water please.”, you said to the bartender, who kept starring at you. First you thought he was a little weird and also a little intimidating, but then you understood what he expected from you. An order, of course.

“A glass of water?”, he asked with a grin on his face: “Really? You know, where you are, girl?”

Now you looked confused. Maybe there was an unspoken rule, to not order a soft drink in this place, but how you should know? After all, you’ve been pretty new to Small Heath. Three days ago you moved into your new place. It was small, but it was yours. Your private space and your sanctuary. “A pub… maybe?”, you joked: “So what about the water?”

“Ah, I get it… It’s the end of month.”, he responded.

You laughed and shook your head. “I’m always broke. Money is not my thing.”

“Not mine either.”

Now he got your attention. You took a closer look at the bartender. He was somehow handsome. A pretty face for a fucked-up place like this. Then you noticed the tattoos on his arms, that peaked out of the sleeves of his shirt. “Dead Kennedys. Nice”, you mumbled and smiled slightly, barely visible.

He put a filled glass in front of you and smirked. “No need to pay.”

Your eyes widened. That bartender really surprised you. He was nicer than he looked like. You took a sip from the glass and nodded. “Thanks… I guess.”

The water was okay, but everything you wished for was a beer or a whiskey. Something to stop your brain from thinking. However, you nipped the glass very patiently, because you didn’t want to leave this place too soon. You didn’t know the neighborhood and chances were high, you got lost on your way around town.

The bartender seemed to notice your tension. “Do you want to drink something else?”

“A beer would be nice.” You croaked

The handsome man behind the bar nodded and pulled out a pint. “A beer, it is.”

You didn’t know it yet, but you were the only thing tonight, that made his work bearable. Everything else was so boring and you were new in town. Every little thing about you was so exciting for him. Staring with the fact that you stumbled into the Garrison without knowing its reputation. Then your little comment about his shirt, yes, he heard that. And your overall appearance was just the cherry on top.

The leather jacket, the ripped jeans and your washed-out Kurt Cobain shirt said a lot about you and John was ready to listen. What else should he do in the next couple of hours until his shift ended?  

“I’m John.”, he said and served you a beer.

You noticed the twinkle with his eye and replied with a shy smile. “Just call me Y/n”

The two of you shook hands and exchanged a strange glance. Was he flirting with you? No, of course not, you brushed it off. It was part of his job, to be nice to his customers.

After a few sips of your beer, you calmed down a bit, but not enough. You fumbled in the inside pocket of your jacket for your package. You smoked Dunhill and probably started way to early in life. An end of your smoking addiction was not in sight. The package was already half empty, when you opened it.

“Fuck” you cursed and signed. How could you make it to your next pay check with just a few cigarettes left? Maybe skip dinner a few times.

“Cigarettes are empty too?” he asked “I would give you one of mine, but they are empty too.”

“No, I still have some left, but not enough until July. Maybe not even enough for the rest of this night.”, you explained.

You took two out of the package and put it back. “Want one? I don’t have money, but at least I still have something to smoke.”

“Whatcha smoking?” “Dunhill”, you answered.

A wide grin appeared on his face. “Me too.”

“I know, I shouldn’t… but I just can’t quit.” You shrugged and lit your cigarette.

John brushed it off. “Fuck em. I think, I’m never gonna quit too. This shit just stays with you forever.”

“True”, you signed and took a deep drag from your cigarette.

“So… why am I the only girl in this place? Is there something I should know?”

“Nah, not really. It’s just…”, he began to explain, but then paused to smoke. You liked how he leaned against the counter. Like there was no cooler person in this room. “I don’t know… most women don’t like it here. Too filthy or whatever.”

You nodded and looked around. Everything smelled like ashtray and whiskey. There was dirt lying around. Nobody seemed to bother, so you chose not to either.

“And you are new in Birmingham?”, he asked: “All the locals know to stay away from this place.”

Again, you nodded and hid your smile behind your hand. “I just grabbed my bass and some clothes and left.”

“Bass?” Now, John was hooked. Since he could walk and talk, he had a thing for music. Especially rock and punk and he blabber about his favorite bands all day. Of course, he never learned to play an instrument, because his family was too poor, but he stole every record he could lay hands on. “You play bass?”

“Yeah, I can also play guitar, but I sold mine to get here. I started playing in a band now and I really hope this is going to work out… somehow.”, you explained

“Maybe.”, he said: “I can ask Harry, if you can play here. Live music would be great.”

You beamed and jumped almost over the counter. “Really?”

“But I need to listen to a song first. Otherwise, I can’t do it with good conscience.”

“Yeah, sure thing! When I get the promo tape, I’ll come back here.” Finally, some good news for you. After all you went though you really needed that and right now you just couldn’t stop smiling.

Three beers later, you were already in an in-depth discussion about music and which bands paved the way for punk.

After six more beers, you danced to the song he put on. John watched you with the purest joy. Nobody has ever danced in the Garrison. Good for him, that Tommy left, because “something important” occurred.

On beer twelve you sang for all the man to watch. The Shelby just could take his eyes off you, even when you didn’t hit the right tone.

He even caught you, when you fell over the counter.

But in the end the bar had to close and you still had nowhere to go, so you waited for him to finish his work. It took twice as long, because John kept staring at you in awe.

After everything was done, he asked, if he should walk you home and you agreed. Actually, you didn’t say yes, you hugged him and rubbed your cheek against his. Then you made a purring sound and told him your address.

You even hold hands with him, but that was mainly, because you were to drunk to walk straight. But you had plenty of time to sober up along the way.

Finally arriving at the front door, you had to stop laughing and catch a breath to manage to say something. “Do you…”, you began and paused, because you didn’t know how to phrase it.

Without hesitation he answered: “Yes! Yes… I mean, it would be cool.”

And again, you started laughing. “I was about to ask, if you want to watch the stars on my rooftop, but I didn’t know you were going to be so excited about this.”

He scratched his neck and chuckled. “Yeah, we were talking about the same thing.”

“Oh honey, I’m taken”, you explained

That last three words crumbled his hopes, that have been build up since you walked into the Garrison.

But he was a gentleman and he shouldn’t expect anything from a woman. After all, you don’t owe him anything. Even though he thought you were flirting with him the entire night.

He just bit his lip and shrugged. “No problem here.”

Then he added: “But we might not see the stars though all the smog and light pollution.”

“Let’s give it a try.” you opened the door and smiled.

You took the steps up to your apartment, John followed you closely. When the two of you entered the small flat, everything was still dark. The alarm clock next to your mattress said four in the morning.

John was so curious, when he looked around. “You really didn’t lie, when you said, you just took you bass and nothing more.”

“Yup”, you mumbled and walked to a pile of clothes. “Do you want to smoke one with me?”

When you pulled out the joint, John grinned at you. His cheeks were still red. “Why not?”

Climbing out of your window and onto the roof sounded way easier than it turned out to be.

But the view was great, and that was enough.

You lit the joint and inhaled the white smoke, just to blow it out again.

“No stars in sight, babe”, he noted while looking up

He was right, but you were still glad, that he came up here with you. You feared the moment of being alone again. “Yes, but the view… is amazing.”

You didn’t notice, he was glaring at you when he said: “Yeah, it really is.”

Then you turned to him to pass him the joint.

John took one drag and coughed. “That shit’s strong.”

At first you tried not to laugh, but ended up giggling anyway.

“What?”, he asked with blunt curiosity.

When you calmed down, you had to tell him the joke that just crossed your mind: “I like my weed like my sex… keeps me paralyzed for a while.”

That was the last thing he thought he would hear from you. He would believe his ears, if he hadn’t starred at your lips the entire time. “Uhm, okay.”, he whispered and hit the joint one more time.

The longer you sat there with him, the more comfortable you two got. After talking the whole night about music and artists and stuff, you finally opened up.

You told him why you left your home town and moved to Birmingham.

And he told you in return something you would have expected either. “Just a few more months and I’ll be in the military.”

John didn’t look like a soldier or somebody who took pride in defending his country. You couldn’t understand, how a wonderful guy like him ended up serving the forces. It just didn’t seem to fit in. But then again, you knew him for a few hours now, so who are you to judge?

“I’m scared”, he whispered: “that nobody but my family will write me… and I’m going to be all alone in the middle of nowhere.”

That feeling was all too familiar for you. Your heart ached, when you glared at him. “I write you.”, you promised. “And phone you and what else.”

“You would?” His voice was full of doubt. “We don’t know each other really.”

It was true, but you always kept your promises. You moved closer to him, to hold his hand and look him in the eyes. “I would. I know this feeling too well.”

For one second you thought he was going to kiss you, and you were ready. The drumroll played, like it always did, when the first touch of two pairs of lips, unknown to each other, was close. But the drumroll was all you were going to get tonight. You kept staring at his beautiful mouth and how would it feel, when his lips meet yours. Infidelity has never been your thing and you would stay true to yourself, even when the chance was so tempting.

“Can you hold me?”, you asked, while avoiding his eyes. You felt pathetic for being so needy in front of a stranger, so you added: “Just for a while.”

John didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. Instead, he just pulled you in arms and stroke your back.

The two of you felt all alone in this broken world, but right there you met and became friends. What a weird thing to happen.

[oddaodd]

Hi! I have an idea for a fic with Tommy so it’s Reader and his first wedding anniversary but of course he’s always doing business and he doesn’t have time for anything so she decides he deserves a break because he’s been working hard enough. She warns Polly, his brothers and they take care of everything Tommy was supposed to do. His wife prepares their beach house (in the south of England, close to the sea) and a few days before the actual anniversary, she tells him they have to go. He doesn’t have much information, he just have to go to the beach house. He’s a bit reluctant at first because “ I have business for to do blablabla” but she tells him to shut up and trust her. Anyway he hates holidays, he hates not working but his wonderful wife made everything perfect, she baked a cake, they went horse riding on the beach, they had picnics and watched sunsets, it was the best vacation ever and Tommy was so thankful! He was so much more happier and relaxed, far away from all the trouble and it gave them the opportunity to catch up and yeah loads of fluff and affection and love I need it lol thank you 💗

· Mementos Of The Sea ·

Author’s note: Thank you so much for requesting this! it allowed me to indulge in my sea cottagecore dream and I loved writing it! 🥰 I hope you enjoy it and have the loveliest of days. ❤️

Warnings: Mentions of smut. 

· 

“Can you really not tell me where we are going”

“Nope, you’ll find out when we get there” Smiled Y/N as she drove “Or well, maybe when we wet closer”

Tommy shot her a questioning glance.

“Just trust me”

Earlier that morning Y/n had rushed Tommy into the car telling him that she needed him to go with her someplace. At first Tommy had thought she would drive to small heath because something had gone wrong with business, but when the drive took way longer than their usual commute to Birmingham, his suspicions dissipated and his inquiries began.

An hour or so later into the drive and they hadn’t reached their destination yet, which prompted an anxious Tommy to speak again in irritation.

“Y/n, this mystery place you’re taking me is way too far and I have things to do”  

“You don’t have anything to do” countered Y/n “ I asked Polly and your brothers to take care of it all for a day or two… or three”

“Three days?!”

Y/N noddded “You need a break”

“I don’t need a break, love. What I need is to be back in Birmingham taking care of business” said Tommy trying to keep his frustration at bay. He knew Y/n’s actions came from love, but that didn’t change the fact that he didn’t like surprises.

“Your business won’t disappear. Three days won’t kill you Tommy” tried Y/N as they pulled up the old driveway she recognized “And you may have a guess at where I’m taking you now” she continued, trying to ease the tension she felt Tommy putting up.

Tommy took one look at their surroundings and recognized the place immediately  “What are we doing in Camber Sands?”

“I know you’re too busy to remember, but our anniversary is tomorrow, I wanted to do something nice” confessed Y/n as she parked the car in front of the house Tommy had bought her a year before, as a wedding gift.

Guilt immediately invaded Tommy’s senses “love, I…”

“It’s ok” she interrupted with a teasing smile before stepping out of the car. The warm sea breeze immediately engulfing her in a welcoming hug. “You can make it up to me in these next few days”

Tommy too, stepped out of the car and stared at the ocean in front of the property. Maybe three days wouldn’t be too bad.

“I didn’t pack anything” he realized out loud.

“Don’t worry, I did” she said walking over to Tommy and wrapping her arms around him “the suitcases are In the trunk”

“You took care of everything, huh?” He said with a much lighter tone before pecking her lips with a small kiss, giving in to Y/n’s surprise.

After settling into the house Tommy indulged in reverie of the day he bought Y/n the house. It wasn’t the biggest one and he had insisted they could afford something better, but Y/N had been enraptured the moment she saw the state and claimed it was meant for them.

“Lets go take a walk” said Y/N interrupting his reverie.

They walked along the shore and talked for what seemed like hours which had been a while since they last did. Tommy couldn’t help but feel guilty at how many things his wife told him about that he didn’t know. Unimportant things, musings of her day to day life that no one would imagine carried important wheight, no one but him.

The next day Y/N convinced Tommy to bake a cake with her. A lemon cake that just managed to turn out alright despite the playful nature with which it had been baked. When it cooled off Y/N decorated it with frosting and lemon zest as Tommy boiled some pasta.

When they finished prepping dinner, they put it all inside a basket along with a bottle of wine and headed to the beach for a picnic.

They laid a tablecloth on the sand in front of the sea and ate the food they cooked drinking from the bottle of wine and talking.  Everything was perfect.

Soon, the sunset painted the sky a pink hue and Y/n smiled at it. She had always loved the sea. Tommy, however couldn’t tear his eyes from his wife, a loving smile tugging at his own lips.

She felt his eyes on her and turned her attention to him, blushing slightly at the loving intensity of his stare. Even after knowing him for three years and being married to him for one, he could still make her blush, which Tommy found endearing.

Feeling desire burning inside him, he kissed her urgently. She complied immediately, her tongue wandering into his mouth as they both laid down on the tablecloth not caring about the wine bottle they knocked over with lustful movements.

On the last day of their vacation, Tommy pampered Y/N as much as he could. Bringing her breakfast in bed and humoring her by accepting to go into the sea with her.

“Here, have this” she said taking his hand in hers and placing a tiny seashell on his palm.

Tommy inspected the tiny object, a memento of the weekend.

“I chose a small one so you can always have it in your pocket and think of me” she smiled before kissing him softly.

He couldn’t believe how her, with the simple action of prying him away from work made him feel like the luckiest man alive. That weekend had made him feel happy and relaxed, both things which he had thought he would never feel again. And he wanted her to know.

At night they danced together to an old record that had come with the state when they bought it which Y/n loved immensely and Tommy considered weird sounding, but had grown to love because of her.

“Thank you” he whispered as they swayed.

“What for?” She asked

“This weekend, I really needed it”

“I did tell  you to trust me” she teased, looking into his eyes. “Didn’t I?”

“I love you” he professed instead of answering her rhetorical question. Feeling butterflies swarming inside him.

It had been a while since he had last said it. Y/N knew he loved her despite not saying it often which made his declaration significantly heavier in importance.

“I love you even more, Tommy”

·

@captivatedbycillianmurphy

@peakyxtommy

@nyotamalfoy

[cartooncenteral]

Chapter 2: Dates and Dragons

**Secret Base of Dimensions*

Anne: Alright Max, now that we are your new defenders, how are you going to alert us?

Max: With these watches!

[[Max gives Anne, Marcy and Sasha watches with a touchscreen]]

Max: Take these communication watches, they're buzz when i need to get in contact with you

Marcy: So cool, thanks

Max: Your welcome, now go on, and live life!

[[The girls started to climb back up to the surface, but Max says one more thing to Anne]]

Max: Oh and Anne, Sprig, and Polly can go with you too

Anne: No way! are you serious?

Max: I am very serious, unlike the calamity box, I don't have any restrictions on me.

Anne: Thank You, Thank You Thank You, you are the best!!!

Max: Pleasures all mine, now carry on with your day

[[Anne climbs back to the surface with Sprig and Polly behind her]]

Marcy: Hey Anne, You made it!

Anne: yeah just had a talk with Max, and he said that Sprig and Polly can stay!

Sasha: No way girl, that's awesome! anyway I got to get going

Polly: Aw, Cmon Sasha, we just reunited

Sasha: I know little dude, but I really gotta go, I got a date.

Anne: A date? with who?

Sasha: With Maggie!

Anne: Maggie? Maggie Margo? since when did you start dating her?

Sasha: Since 2 years ago, we both apparently applied at UCLA, we got the same dorm room together, and then we just kind of fell in love!

Marcy: Aw, that's adorable, congrats girl!

Sasha: Thanks Marcy, talk to your girls later!

[[ Sasha gets in her red car and drives off to go meet Maggie at the restaurant of her choosing]]

Anne: Well then, I guess it's just me and you Marcy

Marcy: Oh, Sorry Anne, I wish we can hang out, but I got to get back to work!

Anne: c'mon Marcy, can't you take off work for one day, please

Marcy: wish I could, but this isn't Amphibia where we have no choice but to hang out, I got a job, I have a dream, and right now, I got to accomplish that dream.

[[Marcy gets on her bike and pedals back to her Company's building]]

Sprig: what was all that about Anne?

Anne: Ah, it's just the reunion jitters, we're all good, Hey! I got something really cool to show you at my job! Do you want to see it?

Sprig: Sure, I down to see the surprise

Polly: If there is you haven't forgotten about Me, It's my taste in Surprises!

Anne: Great, I'll lead the way!

**the Museum, Amphibia Exhibit**

Anne: Alright, on the count of three, open your eyes! 1...2...3 Open!

[[Sprig and Polly open their eyes and see a Museum Exhibit with Leaves and Frog Displays]]

Sprig: What is all this?

Anne: It's my Amphibia Museum, I built it myself, I did it so that everyone knows about your world.

Sprig: Aw, how sweet,  but you didn't need to do that.

Anne: Hey, I saved both mine and your world, it's something I needed to do!

Polly: Well it's pretty amazing for you to cherish us like this

Anne: Thanks Polly, hey since we're still here, why don't we take a selfie together!

Sprig: Ah, Yes!

[[Anne pulls out her phone and takes a selfie with sprig and Polly in the Exhibit]]

**The Next Morning, Downtown LA**

[[Sasha is sitting outside a restaurant with Maggie and hears her phone buzzing in her pocket and takes a look at it, she sees Anne's Selfie and likes it]]

Maggie: Who was that babe?

Sasha: No One, Just a photo that was sent to me by a friend

Maggie: oh ok, Anyway, have you decided what to order yet?

Sasha: um... Not yet.

Maggie: So how was the Battle of bands? did you get accepted?

Sasha: no, I got there too late

Maggie: oh man that's a bummer, but you can bounce back though, I know you can!

Sasha: Oh you, I'm so glad that care about me!

Maggie: Hey, you said it yourself, I just needed a change!

Sasha: And I'm glad you did change!

[[Sasha held Maggie's hand and stared deeply into her eyes, they both start to close their eyes and prepare to passionately kiss each other on the lips, but suddenly, Sasha's Communication watch goes off, Indicating she had to go to Max in his Underground base]]

Maggie: What's that noise?

Sasha: Um... Maggie, I hate to do this to you, But I got to go!

Maggie: What! Why?

Sasha: I got to... Take my new dog for a walk, he's got low blood pressure and needs to go outside right now.

Maggie: You didn't tell me you got a dog?

Sasha: I got it last night, anyway, I gotta go

[[Sasha kisses Maggie on her right cheek and starts running in the direction of the Hollywood sign, she picks up her phone and Video calls Anne and Marcy]]

Sasha: Marcy, Anne, my watch just went off, did your's go off too?

Anne: Yes, do you think it's a test?

Marcy: Don't know, we'll know when we get there, see you guys there!

** The Dimensional Base**

[[Anne, Sasha, and Marcy enter the base and see books on the ground and max's machine destroyed]]

Anne: Oh my god! What the heck happened!

Marcy: This place looks like it got ransacked!

Sasha: Wait a second! Where's Trojan?

[[Max boots up with a little bit of glitchness]]

Max: She's... She's been kidnapped!

Marcy: What! How? I thought this place was hidden!

Max: It was, until it was found, by a masked intruder!

Sasha: A masked intruder, do you know where the person went?

Max: I don't know, the person hit my machine, I can't watch the dimensions now!

Anne: how do you purpose we find Trojan?

Max: Well first, you can't go searching for her without self-defense, So this Is what i need you to do, There is a Dimension called the Dragon Dimension, my old defender's deceased body is there, but he still got weapons next to him, I need you three to retrieve them, head back here and find Trojan.

Anne: Got It!

Sasha: That's something we can do! Max open the portal!

Max: Ok, but when I do this, I will be powered down until my machine is fixed!

Marcy: We can handle that, Open the portal!!

Max: On It,

Anne: Alright, Sprig and Polly, I need you to stay here and watch the place

Sprig: on it Anne,

Anne: And here, take my phone, if anything happens, call me, Marcy, and Sasha immediately!

Sprig: I will.

Anne: Alright Max, We're Ready!

[[Max opens a portal with his closed eyes, as Anne, Sasha, and Marcy enter a dimension with lava pools and smokey charcoal skies]]

Sasha: Oh yeah, this is a dragon dimension alright!

Marcy: let's search for the last defender's body, as gross as that might sound.

Anne: Is it in that cave over there?

Sasha: Let's check

[[The Trio enters the cave as they see a pool of lava with rocks over it horn statue with a flame of fire in the middle, and lastly, a skeleton in rock with a lavafall in front of it]]

Sasha: Well shit, we're screwed! How are we supposed to Get to the skeleton without dying, or attracting dragons?

Marcy: Hey Cmon guys, we went through temples, backstabbing kings, and even an infected moon, this will be a piece of cake!

Anne: So how about we do this, Sasha, since you are the most athletic out of all of us, you can parkour up to the rock, while Me and Marcy warn you about Dragons and lava!

Sasha: Um... Ok

[[Sasha walks up to the rocks and looks at the lava pool]]

Sasha: You're watching me? Right!

Marcy: like a hawk!

Sasha: Ok, Here we go

[[Sasha jumps the rocks one by one, and makes it to the underpart of the middle rock, then she climbs while holding her feet in place and keeping her hand on the sharper pieces]]

Sasha: Almost there!

[[The trio all of a sudden hears a loud road from outside the cave, from what they heard, the animal was big, and historic]]

Anne: Hurry Sasha!!! Dragons know where here!

Sasha: hold on, I'm on the rock! just gotta search for the supplies!

[[Sasha searches the weapons of the old defender, and finds three sets of weapons]]

Sasha: let's see, we have a Sword, made entirely out of Iron, a throwing spear, and a heavy mace!

Marcy: Sasha! get down here!

Sasha: Alright, I'm coming down!

[[Sasha jumps down to the underpart of the middle rock and jumps back to Anne and Marcy]]

Anne: Alright, Let's get out of here!

[[The Girls are about to run out of the cave, but then a huge black dragon blocks the entrance and enters the cave]]

Anne: guys, whatever you do! don't move a single inch of your body!

Marcy: Oh trust me Anne, I'm frozen like an iceberg!

Sasha: This is it, our first reunion mission and we're about to be made into toast!

[[The Dragon was about to breathe fire, but then stops and suddenly begins to speak!!]]

The Dragon: Toast? What's that?

Sasha: Um, did the dragon just ask us a question?

The Dragon: Yes, Yes I did!

Marcy: wow, I can't believe, more worlds with talking animals, this is truly incredible!

Anne: What's your name dragon?

The Dragon: My name? Oh, I totally forgot to tell you my name, It's Skylar, Skylar The Dragon!

Marcy: Well it's nice to meet you Skylar, I'm Marcy Wu, and this is Sasha Waybright and Anne Boonchuy

Skylar: Well nice to meet you three, anyway, do you want to tell me why you are here in my dangerous world?

Anne: We do, you see, we're here to get the weapons that a previous human had on that rock over there!

Skylar: Really? What for?

Anne: We needed them to get them because we work for some holographic human named Max, and his daughter got kidnapped by a masked intruder!

Skylar: Oh no! That's terrible!

Sasha: We know, that's why we're trying to get to our home in Los Angeles and...

[[Sasha is interrupted by the Ringing of Sasha’s Phone]]

Anne: Hello?

Sprig: Hey Anne, It's Sprig

Anne: Hey Sprig, what's Up?

Sprig: Well we got some good news and some bad news!

Anne: What's the good news?

Sprig: well Polly was able to fix Max's machine and he's up and communicating again!

Anne: That's good, and what's the bad news?

Sprig: Well the Bad news is that we found the Masked Intruder, and Trojan!

Anne: What!, Where are there!

Sprig: At the Aqarium, your Aqarium!

Anne: What! No No No No No No, Not the Museum!

Sasha: Anne, what's going on?

Anne: We need to go, Now!!! Skylar, can you give us a ride!

Skylar: You bet I can give you a ride! Hop on!

[[Anne, Marcy, and Sasha get on the back of Skylar and launch out of the cave]]

Anne: Sprig, tell Max to open a portal, and duck when we show up!!

Sprig: Ok!

[The Girls ride further away from the cave, then suddenly, a portal opens up and Anne, Marcy, Sasha, and Skylar ride through and made a big hole through the walls of the mountain]]

Anne: Skylar, Head for downtown!

Skylar: loud and clear Anne!

[[The Girls fly Skylor down to the surface of downtown LA, in front of the Aqaurium, they see nothing except Trojan tied up to the Aquarium’s sign outside]]

Marcy: Trojan! are you ok?

Trojan: Guys! don't come any close it's a trap!

[[The Museum's door was suddenly kicked open from the inside, and the person who kicked it down, was the masked intruder!]]

Anne: Hey you! let her down this instant!

Masked Intruder: Oh Anne, you don't get to decide the fate of what happens here, I do!

Sasha: Who the hell are you!! reveal yourself right now!!!

Masked Intruder: Wow, I expected better behavior from you three, you know, that type of attitude gets someone hurt!

Marcy: ok, what is that you want?

Masked Intruder: Easy, I want vengeance! you Anne Boonchuy, You singled handle ruined my life, you ruined my reputation! and you ruin me! and now, I am simply here to return the favor!

Anne: What are you talking about?

[[The Masked intruder reaches out of its pockets and pulls out a box of matches]]

The Masked Intruder: Hey Anne, you said you like to express your feelings by dancing! well, let's dance, With Fire!

[[The Masked intruder lights a match and tosses it in the museum as it starts to engulfed in flames!!!]]

Anne: Noooooo!!!!

[[The Intruder starts to run away as she turns around and throws a peace sign at Anne, Sasha, and, Marcy]]

Marcy: Anne, we can't do anything about it now!  we got to get Trojan untied and get out of here!

[[Anne collapses to the ground and starts to cry her lungs out, because she just realized the exhibit that she took so long to make, was just involved in an arson attack, caused by the Masked Intruder]]

Sasha: Here Trojan, hold on!

[[Sasha cuts the rope and gets Trojan, Marcy, and Anne out of harm's way before the Musuem exploded into a million pieces]]

Marcy: Anne, Im so sorry

Anne: *Sobbing* My Exhibit, My one-of-a-kind Exhibit, It's gone!

**Undisclosed Laboratory**

?: Did you get the job done?

Masked Intruder: Yes Dr. Frake, I accomplished the goal!

Dr. Frake: Good, now with got Anne Boonchuy's Attention, we can start getting the ultimate dish of revenge, on her, her friends, and her dimensional buddies from different worlds!

Masked Intruder: and I can get revenge on Sasha Waybright, my best friend who singly handly betrayed me, and left me to be forgotten by everyone!!!

Dr. Frake: Well then, How about it my masked-up friend, ready for a whole season of sweet payback!

[[The masked Intruder takes off its mask, and reveals itself to be a 23-year old girl with silver hair and a headband]]

Cheyenne: You better believe I'm ready!!!

[merakiaes]

First Impressions - Tommy Shelby

Pairing: Tommy Shelby

Requested: Yes. 

Prompts: None.

Warnings/notes: This might actually be the shittiest shit I’ve ever written. I’m posting it for now but I’m going to come back and re-write it once the other requests are done. Sorry if this sucks xD A short, hopefully better part three coming tomorrow.

Wordcount: 4360

Summary: Tommy invites you to meet the rest of the Shelbys and things get a bit out of hand, as they always do in the life of a Peaky Blinder. 

Part One - Nice To Meet You

Part Three - Salvation

The day Ada had been trying to avoid since you first met Tommy had finally come. 

After hanging around your shared home far more often than he usually would for two weeks straight, he had finally invited you to join their family for drinks at the Garrison.

You had gotten incredibly close with the Peaky Blinder leader since you met him two weeks prior, much to Ada’s dismay and everyone back in Small Heath was surprised to see how quickly he had taken a liking to you. He hadn’t even reacted that strongly when first meeting Grace and they hadn’t thought it would ever be possible for him to love anyone else that way again.

You were currently standing in front of the mirror of yours and Ada’s shared bathroom, putting in a pair of gold earrings and smearing a coat of bright red lipstick onto your lips while Ada and Tommy waited downstairs.

Karl had been dropped off at the babysitter’s house an hour before so that you and Ada would have enough time to get ready, and it was safe to say you were not going to be needing many drinks at the pub as you were both already slightly buzzed with the wine you had consumed.

Tommy had arrived only ten minutes ago, and you had yet to see him for the evening, but Ada had already started nagging his ears off downstairs, without a doubt about how to treat you, and the thought brought a slight chuckle from your lips.

You checked your reflection a final time, brushing your curled hair out of your eyes and straightening your red dress before finally retreating out of the bathroom and heading out into the hallway.

Already at the top of the stairs you could catch up snippets of their conversation, and even though you didn’t like eavesdropping, it was pretty much impossible to shut their voices out now that you were so close.

“She’s been good to us and I love her like my own sister.” You heart Ada say at the bottom of the stairs, her voice still slightly muffled. “If you ruin that I’ll kill you myself.”

Tommy’s voice followed shortly after, low and confident. “I would never do anything to hurt her.” 

Merely his voice managed to bring butterflies to your stomach. You were ashamed to say that you, a grown-up woman, had fallen for him in such a short amount of time. Hopelessly so.

“That’s what you always say.” Came Ada’s response, but they didn’t get to continue their conversation as Tommy finally caught sight of you coming down the stairs over Ada’s shoulder, a smile instantly rising to his lips.

The sweet sight caused your own lips to pull into one as well, and Ada to turn around, clearly hurrying to put on a strained smile to cover up the fact that she was undoubtedly not happy about the idea of you meeting her family. 

The very same family she had been trying to distance herself from ever since before Freddie had passed away.

You made it down the final step and your hand left the railing, and Tommy, who had already been holding your coat in his hands, wasted no time in coming over to you, opening the piece of clothing and helping you put your arms into the sleeves.

“Thank you.” You thanked him, smiling.

Once your arms were secured in the sleeves, he carefully reached his hands up to your neck and pulled your hair out, dropping the curls to your back. 

“You look beautiful.” He complimented, looking down into your eyes, and for a moment, you almost forgot that Ada was there too, standing to the side watching the scene unfold before her with crossed arms, lips pulled into a straight line and foot stomping on the floor impatiently.

But you were quickly pulled out of your trance-like state when she let out a loud clear of her throat. “Are you ready to go?”

You and Tommy turned your attention to her, taking a step away from each other. You nodded, smiling, and wasted no time in walking forward, hooking your arm with hers and pulling her out through the door.

The second you had gotten away from Tommy, her mood was lightened again, and the two of you skipped down to the car awaiting you while Tommy locked up the apartment, a cigarette now hanging from between his lips.

He kept quiet pretty much the entire ride from London to Small Heath, only speaking when you sparked up a conversation with him. 

Other than that, most of the ride was just you and Ada chatting and having fun, like you always did when you were together.

You reached your destination in a little under three hours, and by the time you were there, the dark had fallen outside, the clock now being around ten.

Tommy left the car first once you had stopped, helping his little sister out before moving on to you.

You smiled widely as you took his outstretched hand, thanking him quietly through your eyes and letting him help you down from the car.

Your eyes immediately looked around. 

It was sure to say Watery Lane was no London, but it did have its own charm to it. 

You thought so at least. Ada didn’t seem to care much for being back home, but you guessed you couldn’t really blame her after everything that had gone down in the past few years.

Ada started walking ahead, and you got left behind her with Tommy walking by your side.

“Are you cold?” He asked quietly after a moment of silence, his hands tucked into the pockets of his pants.

You turned to look at him at the sound of his voice and shook your head, but smiled gratefully. “I’m alright, but thank you.” You answered, and he smiled, before turning his eyes back forward.

Only three minutes later, the Garrison entered your field of view, and already from down the street you could hear the sound of loud singing, yelling and glasses clinking together. 

It all seemed a bit chaotic from what you could see through the window upon closer inspection, but you were still excited.

Ada entered first and her name was instantly called out by several voices. Once you reached the door, too, Tommy wordlessly opened it for you, letting you step into the warmth before stepping inside himself, closing the door behind him.

“There she is!” A voice you didn’t recognize called out the second you stepped inside, but once your eyes landed on the source of the voice you could instantly come to the conclusion that it belonged to Arthur.

Ada had shown you more than enough pictures of her family for you not to recognize them.

The smile that had previously been very bright on your lips turned into a more nervous one as the entire Shelby clan was now watching you approach with expectant smiles on their faces, all yelling out for both Ada, Tommy, and surprisingly, you, in their drunken states.

But then again, you guessed it wasn’t very surprising, at all. After all, they had known you would be coming along.

Before you had even had the chance to think about getting your jacket off, Tommy had already started pulling at it, and you let him, smiling and thanking him silently over your shoulder.

Upon reaching the table where his family sat, Ada had already found herself a spot and Polly was the first one who stood up to greet you.

Her arms wrapped around you in an embrace and you gladly accepted it.

“It’s nice to see you again.” She said, and you smiled, hugging her back.

“You too, Polly. It’s been a while now.”

She chuckled, pulling away and giving you a mildly amused look. “Someone has to keep these idiots alive.”

You laughed, and she sat back down, Finn and Isaiah being the next ones to stand up, both with wide smiles and wasting no time in hugging you. Isaiah first and Finn last.

“Nice to see you boys again.” You smiled, having to stand on your toes to reach them as they were both taller than you. 

As you broke away from Finn, you raised an eyebrow. “Keeping out of trouble, I hope?” You asked, bringing a hand up to the arm you had patched up when he had been shot, teasing him.

“Of course.” He agreed, but the smug smirk on his face said the opposite.

Finn sat back down, but Isaiah remained standing, holding his arms out for the man to his right. “This is my father. Dad, this is (Y/N).”

The man wasted no time in standing up, reaching a hand out for you to shake. “I’m Jeremiah Jesus. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

You took it in yours without a second thought, shaking it. “The pleasure’s all mine.”

He smiled and both him and Isaiah sat back down. Finally, after having hanged your coat on the back of an empty chair, Tommy pulled said chair out and offered you a seat.

“Thank you.” You smiled at him, sinking down in it. He sat down in the chair beside you and held a hand out towards John and Arthur, introducing them despite knowing you already knew who was who.

“This is John, and Arthur.” He said, and John wasted no time in straightening up in his seat, reaching over the table to shake your hand.

“It’s nice to meet you.” He said, a toothpick hanging from between his lips.

You shook his hand and nodded with a smile, and then moved on to Arthur as he did the same, reaching his hand over the table. 

“Nice to finally meet ya, love. Tommy boy hasn’t shut up about you for weeks.” He joked, causing everyone around the table to snicker.

You blushed at his words, expecting Tommy to make some kind of protest, but he did no such thing, simply throwing his arm around the backrest of your chair and smiling as he filled himself a glass of whiskey.

“A pleasure to meet you.” You answered both John and Arthur, trying your best to hide the faint blush rising on your cheeks. 

And you did an okay job. The room was very hot, which made it a pretty acceptable excuse that the heat in the room was the cause of the heat in your face.

Polly then put a hand on the shoulder of the boy sitting next to her, the only one who hadn’t been properly introduced yet. “And this is my son, Michael.”

Of course. You had heard enough about him to be able to recognize him from miles away.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.” You admitted, shaking his hand over the table like you had his cousins only seconds before, and he offered you a shy, boyish smile back, nodding his head.

“Likewise.”

“And you’ve met, Aberama.” Polly continued, waving a gloved hand towards the man in question.

You nodded. “Yes, I have. Nice to see you again, Aberama.”

“Likewise, miss (Y/L/N).” He answered, tipping his hat slightly but not attempting to shake your hand as you were too far away.

“How are your studies going, (Y/N)?” Finn asked then, being the first to spark up a conversation and very clearly proving the crush you had been told he had on you.

The thought made you snicker slightly. 

“They’re going great. If everything goes as planned, I should have my degree by the end of next year.” You smiled proudly, and Aberama was the next to talk, congratulating you.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” You smiled at him.

“What are you studying?” John pitched in, taking a drag from the cigar between his lips.

“I’m studying to become a surgeon.” You said, and when these words left your lips, Arthur’s interest was instantly piqued.

“Is that so?” He asked, and you nodded. But before you had time to answer, Finn spoke again.

“She’s got tons of books. I looked through them and I couldn’t understand shit.” He laughed, bringing everyone else with him.

“That’s because you can’t read, Finny boy.” Arthur turned his attention to him, teasing him, and at this, the light snickering broke into full laughter.

You joined in on the laughter, but felt bad as the youngest of the Shelbys burned bright red and turned slightly sour. “Don’t worry.” You assured. “I didn’t learn how to read until I was fifteen. I’ll teach you.”

He smiled, nodding in thanks.

“I’ve been able to read since I was eight and I can’t understand her books, either.” Tommy suddenly joined in from beside you and reached out to rub Finn’s head., having been quiet up until that point. “Just a bunch of Latin.” He chuckled, leaning forward to put out his cigarette on the ashtray.

At the mention of this, Ada finally joined in on the conversation, happily declaring. “She’s actually been teaching me some.”

“Yeah?” Tommy questioned, raising an amused eyebrow. “Like what?”

Ada smiled a crooked smile, repeating the phrase you had taught her some weeks before. “Verita Nunquam Perit.”

“What the ‘ell does that mean?” Arthur exclaimed, his face pulled into a mixture of a glare and frown, clearly confused.

“The truth never perishes.” She answered, but he only waved it off, turning to you.

“How do you say I need another drink?”

You chuckled. “Alio opus est bibere.”

“Well, I’m not repeating that.” He grumbled, causing everyone around the table to laugh. 

He turned his head to the bar, reaching his arms up in the air for extra emphasis and yelled. “Harry! Get us another bottle!”

After ‘Harry’ had signaled an okay to him, he turned back to you, threw back the rest of his current drink and said. “Nice to finally have some brains in the family.”

Tommy chuckled beside you as everyone else laughed and started chatting about everything and anything again, introductions now being out of the way, and you smiled at the feeling of Tommy’s hand slowly moving to rest on your shoulder, his thumb brushing against the bare skin.

Your hand instinctively moved up to hold his, and your other hand went to grab the glass of alcohol you were soon being served, wasting no time in bringing it to your lips.

You talked and laughed a lot with the Shelbys, getting on with every single one of them like you had known each other your entire life. 

But while you had fun with them, Tommy only ever chuckled beside you, only joining in when being directly spoken too, and you found yourself wishing he would have talked to you some more.

But you had known already before coming here that he was more of a ‘sit back and spectate’ type of man, so you guessed you shouldn’t have expected much more. He was much chattier when he wasn’t surrounded by other people.

A few hours and many drinks too many later, the entire pub had ended up gathered together, everyone standing with their arms thrown across each other’s shoulders and singing at the top of their lungs.

And you were no different, your drink raised high in the air as you stood between Tommy and Ada, singing along to some song you barely knew the words to. 

A drunken man had taken the lead on top of the bar, much to Harry’s dismay as he was kicking and knocking over several bottles and glasses.

You didn’t get much time to register what was happening but soon, as the song came to an end, everyone was nudging each other around and someone managed to nudge a man a little harder than meant to, sending him stumbling into your body from behind.

In your drunken haze, the force was enough to successfully send you into a table, the corner knocking into your hip uncomfortably and Ada going with you as you were still attached by the arms. 

When seeing you and his sister being pushed around, Tommy instantly reacted by pushing the man back the way he came from.

Too drunk to think by themselves, Arthur and John took this as an introduction to a fight, and wasted no time in running to their brother’s side, and the next thing you knew, the fun was thrown right out the window and the entire pub had erupted into a rowdy fight.  

“What the hell are you doing?!” You yelled out as you watched Tommy knock the man in the nose, you and Ada using each other for support to collect yourselves after the stumble. “Thomas, stop it!” You yelled again, eyes widening as he kept pushing people who came too close, the rest of them doing the same.

Polly and Aberama had retreated to the back, trying to stay clear of the flying fists, and Jeremiah and Harry were both trying to stop it by yelling.

But no one was listening. 

You wasted no time in leaving Ada’s side, despite her protests, and running for Tommy, grabbing the back of his waistcoat and trying your hardest to pull him back and out of the crowd. 

But he was much stronger than you and didn’t even seem to realize you were there in the state he was in, simply shrugging you off.

“Thomas!” You yelled again, but it did nothing, and upon closer inspection you noticed that John and Arthur were both smiling, hollering with laughter as they punched and kicked. 

They were having a jolly good time. A good time beating people up.

You had known what they did for a living ever since the start and knew that this was probably nothing in comparison, but still, seeing it with your own eyes made it all so much more real and left you shocked and horrified.

Realizing you wouldn’t have any luck with Tommy, John or Arthur, you instead hurried over to where Finn and Isaiah were fighting, and as they were both a lot smaller and less muscular than the oldest three of the Shelby siblings, you managed to pull them away from the crowd, taking them back to the table where Polly, Jerimiah, Ada and Aberama were hiding away, waiting it out.

“Sit down and stay there!” You instructed them, pushing the younger boys into their previous seats, much to the adults’ amusement.

They stumbled into their seats, landing rather roughly and in any other situation you would feel guilty and apologize for being so careless, but at this moment, you didn’t give a flying fuck. They had brought it onto themselves.

Once you were sure they wouldn’t be going anywhere and that they were supervised, you walked over to Ada, giving her a sad look.

“This is no scene for me. I’m sorry.” You shook your head, trying your hardest to ignore the sounds of fists hitting flesh behind you.

Ada only gave you a sorry look. “No, I’m sorry.” She told you, crossing her arms over her chest. “I told Tommy not to do anything like this and he didn’t listen.”

Her words drew a scoff from Polly’s lips. “What else is new.” She questioned, emotionlessly, taking a drag out of her cigarette. 

You really found it horrible that she must be so used to stuff like this happening that she didn’t even bat an eye anymore.

You sighed, grabbing your coat from the chair you had previously been sitting in before turning back to Ada. “I’ll see you at home.” You said, and she nodded, giving you another sad, disappointed look.

Turning to Aberama, Jeremiah and Polly, you forced yourself to smile politely. “It was nice seeing you again, thank you for having me tonight.”

All of them nodded, and you turned to Finn and Isaiah, giving them one last disapproving glare to which they looked up at you sheepishly, before turning on your heel and pushing your way through the fighting crowd in the direction of the door, luckily getting there unharmed.

In the middle of a fight, Tommy spotted the back of your head as you retreated in the other direction and lost track of what he was currently doing to call out for you from the end of the room, but the yelling and sound of breaking chairs and glass was too loud for you to hear him.

The last thing you heard before the door closed behind you was Ada yelling Tommy’s name with more anger than you had ever heard her use before.

You didn’t even bother putting on your coat once you made it outside, just letting it hang over your arm as you walked away from the pub with rushed steps, not really sure where to.

You didn’t make it very far before you could hear the door of the pub opening, however, and sighed in annoyance when you heard the footsteps coming after you.

“(Y/N)!” 

You didn’t turn around at the sound of Tommy’s voice calling after you, but rather picked up your speed and hugged your jacket closer to your chest.

Soon enough, he caught up to you and rounded you, coming to a stop before you. 

“Don’t go, please. I’m sorry.” He was quick to apologize, but you only glared at him.

“Why the hell are you apologizing to me for?!” You almost roared back, throwing an arm behind you. “Apologize to those men you just gave a beating for no reason at all!”

“He hurt you.” Was his only response, causing your eyes to narrow.

“It was an accident, Thomas! Those do happen!” You let out a dry laugh. “You may be a Peaky Blinder but you still can’t just go around starting fights with people without a reason.”

If you weren’t mistaken, you almost could have sworn that intimidation flashed through his eyes for a short moment. 

And you weren’t mistaken. All of the times he had spoken to you, you had been softer and kinder than anyone he had ever met. And now here you were, yelling at him and giving him a piece of your mind.

“You’re right.” He nodded, letting out a breath. “I’m sorry.”

You adjusted your coat over your arm, crossing your arms over the chest and pushing back the chill running through your spine. 

You stared him down from another moment, allowing yourself to calm down, before answering sourly. “Apology accepted but you’re not off the hook.”

His entire body relaxed at your words, but his eyes remained desperate as he reached his hands out to take yours in his. 

“Let me make it up to you.” He said. “I’ll take you to dinner, just you and me. Tomorrow.”

You snorted, letting your gaze run up and down his face, scanning him. “Better be one hell of a dinner.” You agreed, making the corners of his lips twitch upward.

“Will you come back inside?” He asked, squeezing your hand, and you raised an eyebrow, pulling it back and crossing it over your chest again.

“Are you gonna start another fight?” You challenged, and he instantly shook his head.

“No.”

“Is that a promise or just empty words?” You asked, not yet convinced.

But then he took a step closer, staring down at you with nothing but sincerity behind his eyes as he answered. “You have my word.”

You found yourself lost in his baby blues for a moment, the anger you had previously been fueled by melting right off you. 

Your body relaxed slightly at the feeling of his fingers brushing against your bare arm, but you didn’t let any emotion show on your face as you looked down and nodded, mumbling out. “Alright.”

That was all the confirmation he needed to take you under his arms and carefully turn you back to the pub, slowly leading you back.

You had to admit it was nice to come back inside into the warmth, the evening air outside having been a lot colder than you had expected, especially when not wearing anything but a thin dress.

Upon re-entering the Garrison, the fighting had settled down again, and judging by the look of Polly and Ada standing behind John and Arthur with their arms crossed over their chests, they had been the ones to sort everything out.

Everyone were back at their original tables, some people now nursing cuts and blackeyes but drinking and talking as they hadn’t just been shoving each other’s faces into the floorboards while hitting them upside the heads with bottles.

You could see all the way from the door that Ada was practically fuming where she stood, and John and Arthur were sitting in their seats with straight backs, looking down into the table sheepishly, clearly terrified of the Shelby women. Just as they should be.

Once said women noticed you returning, they slapped the two men upside the heads, causing them to look up at you. 

Both of them mumbled half-coherent apologized under their breaths, for having started the fight.

You only glared at them as you reached the table and Tommy pulled out your chair again, sinking into your previous seat and bringing the glass you knew was yours judging by the smudged lipstick on the edge closer to you.  

“You’re all brutes and you should be ashamed of yourselves.” You told them without missing a beat, still pissed beyond words at the fiasco you had just witnessed. 

But nonetheless, you tilted your glass slightly, looking at each and every one of the men around the table.

“Now who the hell’s going to get me another drink?” You asked, and all of those who had in one way or another participated in the brawl wordlessly got out of their seats and headed for the bar, Tommy included, while those whose hands were clean sat back down and made themselves comfortable, more than amused at the fact that you had only been there for a night and was already bossing them around – although more surprised than anything that they were already letting you.

So much for making a good first impression. 

Tagged: @thatlittlered​

[vanillann]

ew, it’s the government (spencer reid x reader)

hi!! after thinking about this i’ll be taking out the acab from the masterlist (nothing changing in the plot line) just so it doesn’t feel like an aesthetic!!

warning: swearing, mentions of crime and sex, enemies to lovers

word count: 1.6k

ew, it’s the government masterlist

chapter 7: in the wise words of jane austen

“You know, I wish my tax dollars went to those stupid pot holes.”

I rubbed my head from where it slammed into the roof of Agent Reid's car.

“Sorry.”

HIs voice was sincere as he quickly jumped from the driver seat once we parked and ran to my side of the car. I nodded my head, stepping out and I followed him to the trunk to grab both our bags.

I kept quiet, still shocked he was being nice considering how rude and cold I’d been, but I suppose some people were just better than me in that department. I didn’t want to but it felt like the right thing in a sense.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder, drawing me from the twilight zone I had fallen into.

“Here my key, D6. I’ll be up in a second I need to help Ms. Anderson feed her animals”

He didn’t wait a second as he dropped the keys into my hand and began walking to an apartment here on the bottom floor. I quickly caught up, running through the glass door just as they were about to close.

When I had made it in he had disappeared, I simply shrugged and made my way over to the elevator. The light elevator music calmed my nerves and I found floor D and smashed the button.

The light music that rang throughout was oddly calming considering I was in an FBI Agents apartment. The guilt slowly was slowly reaching me, as I know I haven’t been exactly the most inviting and they might be trying to help, but I couldn’t but think back to my poor sister.

The ding broke me from my daydream, shaking my head and looking ahead to the short hall. I slowly stepped from the elevator and spotted the Agent in question leaning against his door, hand in pocket as he waited.

“How did you beat me?”

“I took the stairs, much faster and safer.”

I watched him eye the elevator, the way he looked at it like one of those evil guys they catch. I was going to make a joke, but I decided maybe I should get nice for a few moments, as he hadn’t done anything to me personally I suppose.

I handed him the eye, his hands pulled themself from his pocket and let himself unlock the door. He held it open for me, which I returned with another nod and walked into the apartment.

It smells exactly like the sweater I still wore, the green walls with many bookshelves were a nice touch if I would say. I slowly made my way over to the couch, not taking a sit but setting my bag on the leather vintage material.

The clean atmosphere of the apartment was nice, and reminded me of Jerick almost and how he would come into my apartment when I was showering. I wonder how Jerick was enjoying himself with Polly Pocket. I snapped, trying to refrain from nicknames.

That when I spotted a large zombie looking head hanging from his bookshelf, smiling to myself when I slowly walked to it and pointed to it.

“What’s this?”

I turned, finding that Agent Boy, Reid, was nowhere to be seen. I frowned, letting my bottom lip lock out as I made my way around the apartment, looking from a pillow and a blanket from a nice cozy spot on the couch for tonight.

As I was looking under the old TV stand, that didn’t have a TV, may I say, I heard my name being called in a panic. As I went to stand up I felt my head slam into the top, a headache already forming as I fell back on my butt.

I heard footstep hurry to where I now sat on the ground, the mauve color converse caught my eye.

“I- are you okay?”

I nodded my head, slowly nodding as I rubbed it a few more times before looking up to him. He bent down, grabbing my face in-between his fingers. I went to pull back but he kept a firm grip on my face.

“I’m checking to see if you have a concussion,” his voice was from, causing me to stop my struggle and look into my eyes. I felt suddenly unsure, wiggling slightly as he held his finger out and slightly asked from my eyes to follow it.

“I didn’t know you were that type of Doctor.”

Shut up (Y/N).

“Huh?”

He let his finger fall, waiting for me to explain myself.

“You said you were a doctor, it was supposed to be a joke,” I casually explained, trying not to embarrass myself more the longer I spoke.

“Oh,” he slowly nodded, pulling his bottom lip in-between his teeth, sitting on the floor across from me as awkward silence filled the room.

“It was a bad joke,” I slowly stood up, feeling the pain in my head but ignoring it as I stood up.

“Uhm, where are the blankets?”

He looked up at me, slowly pushing himself from the floor as he examined me.

“Why?”

“So I can sleep on the couch tonight?”

I pointed over my shoulder in the direction of said couch.

“Oh no, you can take my room and I can make a pallet on the floor.”

While the gesture was sweet I felt like it was unfair to push someone from their own bed, especially with the way I’ve been acting.

“No i-”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave you out of my sight right now, with everything I mean and it’s fine really. I’ve slept in more uncomfortable hotels.”

His eyes scanned me as he rocked on his heels, slowly waiting for me to respond.

“Okay that’s fine.”

I turned around uncomfortable with the eye contact, the anger inside of me boiling. He was nice, but the system he worked from was corrupt so unless he realized that he was just as bad as the rest.

I noticed the grocery store bag on the counter, something I had completely forgotten about. I felt bad for the way I acted but I guess my attitude had become a part of me, which didn’t excuse it but it was the truth.

“Are we still making Shepherd's Pie?”

“Oh uhm- yeah sure.”

I didn’t wait for him to get up and I made my way to the kitchen. I heard his phone ding but I ignored it as I slowly took things from the bag and placed them on the counter.

“Garcia can’t find anything about Jerick from up til a few years ago,” Agent said, coming to the opposite side of the counter to me.

“Look under Jennifer, it’s his deadname.”

Spencer said nothing as he watched me, my anger boiling waiting from him to say something.

“I’m sorry we didn’t know he was trans,” he spoke sincerely, something I was grateful for.

“I’m not Jerick so I can’t accept this apology but you have been nothing but respectful to him so I doubt he would mind.”

Spencer nodding, texting the tech girl back quickly.

“Why didn’t she ask him herself?”

“Wanted to make sure it wasn’t something we should be worried about,” he answered quickly, shoving his phone back in his pocket while placing his hand on the counter.

“Okay where is the recipe book?”

“I don’t have one,” he brushed it off, reaching over and grabbing a few of the ingredients from in front of me and placing them in the bowl. I unwrapped the crust, looking at him with bewildered eyes.

“Why not?”

“I read the recipe in a bookstore years ago,” he brushed off like it was nothing, I had forgotten he was like Jimmy Neutron or something.

He suddenly laughed, something that shocked me.

“I had a friend that made me dress up as him from Halloween,” he spoke with nostalgia, something I hadn’t seen on him before. I mean I’d only known him from maybe a day but still, it was weird to say the least.

“My sister loved that show,” I spoke softly, almost sad to even bring her up.

“You have a sister?”

“Had,” I was quick to correct him, somewhat mad but more so sad.

“I’m sorry.”

He didn’t ask, which I was grateful for, just putting the ingredients in the crust and putting in the oven, which was apparently already hot.

“I’m sorry I was impossible to be around,” my words had no emotion but it was enough for him as he accepted the apology and said he understood.

*

I put the last dish into the sink and made my way to the bedroom, the sweater he had let him borrow discarded as I now wore my own. My footsteps were light, most of the apartment dark as we both decided to head to bed quickly with a “long day ahead of us” as he said.

Dinner was awkward to say the least, barely any talking just sitting across from each other and eating. Maybe it wasn’t that awkward but without my talking I couldn’t distract my brain from the seriousness of it all.

There was a murderer out there looking for me, and I couldn’t even tell anyone why because I didn’t even know. It was only a matter of time before the kills got more personally, as they were mostly people I’d only known somewhat.

I slipped myself into the bed, careful of Reid who slept peacefully on the floor beside the bed, a gun in his hand as he “protected” me.

As soon as my back hit the soft nature of the bed all the tiredness left me, which was more annoying than the fact it was an FBI Agent's bed.

I tossed and turned because I don’t know how long before Reid started talking in his sleep.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune-”

I registered that the words were from Pride and Prejudice so I ignored the fact that he most likely wasn’t asleep and let the words bring me from this cruel world into another, only in my dreams.

criminal minds tag list:

@itsarayofsunshine @m-n-m @aquarius-pisces-rose @victomizedbyreginageorge @avaxreid @erinxneil @cclovesanime

spencer reid tag list:

@writtenbywolfie​

ew, it’s the government tag list:

@thatsonezesty13 @spencerslatte @pianofirepirate @ellvswriting @peterspickledpepper @erinxneil @friendlyweirdobaby @thatsastro @acambridge @spideyparkerstark @ameliamonster @thecraziestcrayon @hurricane-abigail @linthebinbag @m-n-m @reid-lover @drreidshands @l0ve-0f-my-life @avaxreid @baby-iyania @victomizedbyreginageorge @gubler-io @duskangxl @bonitaangel @koc-help @liaabsurd @achieveonyourown @non-binary-nightmare @crimeshowtrash @libradolan @sataninsatin @martinafigoli @randogirlo-fando-main

[murderousginger]

Written In The Streets

Peaky Blinders fic

Cops & Robbers Part 4

Warnings: Sex. Murder. Fluff. Angst. They're criminals guys, they do bad things.

Words: 3.8k

--Note: Happy Tuesday! I had a 3 day weekend and got excited during a rewatch of Peaky Blinders season 1. This is a little spicier and violent, but it very much is in the realm of the show. Enjoy!--

Tagging: @imagine-that-100 @blinder-secrets @rae-you-gotta-be-kidding-me @theshelbyclan @peakascum @sweatydragoncloudknight

It was midday and you were busy about the house when a knock came upon your door. You paused, listening hard before you moved toward it. You hadn't been expecting anyone. You paused at the door, staring hard at it before you finally unlocked it and opened it a crack. 

"Come with me," Tommy said as he grabbed your hand and pulled you out of the sliver in your doorway.

"Tommy," you shrieked and fought back but his grip on your wrist was too strong. "at least let me lock the door."

He looked back at you and loosened his grip wordlessly. You turned and grabbed your purse from the hallway and locked the door, turning back to Tommy. He grabbed your hand again, this time with less strength, and led you to his car.

The ride was quiet and thoughts raced through your head. You stole a glance at Tommy, white knuckled and eyes locked on the road ahead of him. You had no way of knowing where he was taking you and you grew more worried the longer it was quiet. You itched to relieve the tension, but you feared it at the same time.

Tommy stopped the car at the side of a bridge over The Cut and got out of the car, rounding it to open your door. He held his hand out for you and you took it without hesitation, stepping out of the car and following him down a set of stairs to the canal. He stopped you a few steps from the bottom and sat you down, looking off at the water, his hand still holding yours. You watched him closely as he nodded out to the canal.

"This," Tommy said as he looked over the water, "is where I come to think sometimes. When it's quiet. When my mind won't be."

You sat quiet, watching his blue eyes scan the horizon. You looked out into the canal, surveying the waterway and the bend up ahead with fresh eyes to try to see what he saw.

"And this," Tommy rumbled, "here, here is how I found you and John." 

Your head snapped up to look at him, Tommy's gaze squinting over the water. You ripped your hand from his as if he burnt you. He pointed to the bank a few hundred feet down and nodded. 

"You came running into the water there," he said evenly. "Harping at John to turn his back as you threw off your dress." 

Your cheeks burned in embarrassment. Your head dipped when Tommy finally turned his attention to you.

"Nothing to see in the 2 a.m. black," he said softly before returning his attention to the riverbank and the story. "John turned, I'm guessing. Perhaps not. Your clothes went off, and that's when I realized you were the one occupying our John's nights."

"Our John," you repeated with mirth. "Your John. Esme's John. Not mine."

"He's as much yours as ours," he said. "There's few things he'd choose above you. More he'd fight."

"But he would choose above me," you said.

"Can't have that, can you?" Tommy teased dryly. "Our (Y/N)'s greedy."

"Business before me," you said stiffly. "Blood before me. Not a woman."

"Not a woman," Tommy said. "And when the business keeps the man from your bed? And coppers or Italians pull you from your door because they think they can leverage you from who you're fucking?"

"That life I know," you said softly. "As long as he's honest."

"If you want to work in my organization, you have to make sacrifices," he said. 

"All I've made is sacrifices," you retorted with a snort. "Who wants to date a Blinders girl, Tommy? There's always been rumors I'm either carrying a dick or being passed around by you lot. Any men that weren't deterred by that were sure as hell scared of you boys." 

"Well," he said with an amused look, "could always have left Polly's rule for search for a husband, if that's what you're after."

"I'm not after a husband, Tommy," you shot back. "My mother detests me I have no close kin, no husband, no love. Blinders are my life." 

Tommy reached for your hand again and slowly brushed his thumb along your knuckle. 

"You're family, (Y/N)," Tommy said quietly. 

"I'm not Shelby," you said. "You may be my boys but I don't belong."

"You'll always belong with us," Tommy said. "It's all about where you want to be."

"And where is it you want me to be, Tommy?" You asked softly.

Tommy let go of your hand with a pat and looked back out to the canal. All moments of softness hidden behind an air of business.

"I want to see what you're made of," he said. "I've paired you with John. Tomorrow you'll go with him to The Yard. Got a man named Wilks that works for us. Word is he's got loose lips on the whiskey. Find out who he told what to."

"You trust me with John?" You said with a raised brow.

"I trust that what's done might be done again," he said evenly. "But I trust he'll watch out for you more than anyone but me."

"Tommy--" you started.

"Go see him in the morning and do the job," Tommy cut you off. "To prove yourself."

"I've already proven myself," you argued. "Years ago."

"You proved yourself to Pol, not me," Tommy said cooly. "Pol's not running things anymore. And if you want to keep your place you'll need to keep up." 

"Fine, Tommy," you said with a sigh as you turned back to the canal. "I'll show you my worth."

"I've no doubt you will," he said as he looked over the water. 

----

The next morning you got ready in the twilight. You decided on a simple dress and boots and stuffed your pockets with a small knife each. You cursed yourself that you never got around to a gun, but you had never found a good way to conceal one and your shot needed work. 

When you were done, you slipped out of your apartment and headed toward John's home. You moved quickly through the streets as the sun rose and the birds started to sing their morning songs. After a few blocks, you looked up to John's house and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. 

A young girl opened the door and looked up at you expectantly. You nervously smiled. 

"'lo," you said, rubbing your sweaty hands along the front of your dress, "is John -- erhm your dad home?"

The girl eyed you shortly before opening the door the rest of the way and walking back to a seat next to a baby in a chair. Nothing was said as she went back to feeding the baby.

"John," you called, hesitating in the doorway before you walked in. "Where are you?"

Kids were all over the kitchen. One of the girls was perched on a stool cooking on the stove, two boys were wrestling on the floor yelling, and of course the baby being fed by the girl that let you in. None of them paid you much mind as you walked through the kitchen and into the other room. You saw a closed door, guessing it was a bedroom.

"John" you yelled and kicked the door with your boot. It gave way much easier than you expected and swung open to reveal the sight before you. 

Esme was on top of John, riding him like a prized racehorse. She barely stopped her rhythm as she wrapped the sheet around her more to hide her chest. John lay back grinning with his hands disappeared into the sheet. He laughed as she saw you in the doorway.

"Tommy finally get tired of interrupting us hisself?" Esme said in between breaths. 

Your eyes widened as you realized what you were witnessing. 

"Oh god--" you exclaimed and turned back around, walking back into the kitchen. 

You sat down on the other side of the table from the kids and waited, mouth shut as you tried to look anywhere but the doorway you came from. 

A sharp yell of passion erupted from the other room and you bit your lip nervously as you watched the girl at the stove. 

"You staying for breakfast?" The girl said, eyeing you as she stirred. You smiled nervously. 

"No thank you," you said quietly. "I'm just here to see your father."

Esme appeared in the doorway, still flushed but dressed in a navy flowy dress and shawl, and looked at you with an amused quirk of her lips. 

"Here to see John, eh?" She said over the scuffle on the floor as she wrapped the shawl around her shoulders tighter and sat next to the girl feeding the baby. 

"Boys, go wrestle elsewhere," Esme said sharply. 

They both sounded a "yes mum" as they got off the floor and pushed and shoved each other into the other room. 

"Yes," you said as the kitchen quieted. "Tommy sent me. I'm (Y/N). I'm s'pose to go with John to handle business at the dock."

"(Y/N)," Esme said as she looked at you. "His little friend from childhood? I've heard of you. Prettier than I expected, running with Shelby boys for so long."

You blushed and ducked your head with a murmur of thanks. 

"You're not one I should worry about, are you?" She said, leaning back in her chair and placing a hand on the table in front of her.

"No," you said with a laugh. "I'm not anyone's second priority. And you and the children are rightfully first." 

"Good," Esme said with a small smile. "I think I like you. It'd be a shame to kill you." 

"Knives or guns your specialty?" You asked with a grin. "You should have seen this man the other night when I threatened to cut off his balls."

You both laughed, equally relaxing in your seats.

"Is that my favorite girls getting along?" John said as he entered the kitchen while putting on his belt. 

John grinned at you as he put his arm around Esme, placing a kiss on her head. 

"Mornings are best when started with sex or breakfast," he laughed as he kissed Esme on the lips before turning to you. "When it's both it's better."

He nabbed a biscuit off the table and bit into it and winked at you.

"Shame you've been keeping us apart, John," you said with a look. "Esme and I could have been giving you a run for ages."

"Likely drive me mad," he said with a laugh. "Both of you on whiskey together would be more trouble than it's worth."

"Promise?" Esme said grinning. "We must have a night then, (Y/N)."

You nodded as John rolled his eyes. 

"Right, then," he said, ruffling his daughter's hair and giving Esme another kiss. "Let's be off before you can make more trouble in my kitchen."

You scoffed with a laugh as he shooed you to stand and pushed you out the door. 

"Nice to meet you!" You called behind you.

"You can't hide her anymore, John," Esme yelled as you both left. 

John guided you down to the car and opened the door for you. You smacked him as you climbed in. 

"What was that for?" He exclaimed and pushed your shoulder before he closed your door and made his way into the driver's seat. 

"I like her," you said. "And you're a dick." 

John chuckled and drove to the dock. 

----

John drove to The Yard and parked. You both got out of the car and made your way through the streets looking for the man named Wilks. 

"John boy!" A voice boomed. You both looked over to see a gruff older man with a big smile headed your way with open arms. 

"Uncle Charlie," John called back as he hugged the man. 

"I see you've got angel with you," Charlie said with a grin. 

You grinned back as Charlie let go of John to hug you. 

"Charlie," you said, "still up to no good?"

You both chuckled and John looked on at you quizzically. Charlie's arm hung around your shoulders as he faced John.

"Angel?" John asked. "You two know each other?"

"Your aunt Pol used to send this one down with orders," Charlie said, squeezing you in a side hug. "She refused to tell me her name for ages. Shy thing, she was. I told her angels had no names. So we all called her angel at the docks. Sweet thing she is, too sweet to run with you boys."

John's brows raised in shock. 

"Well aren't you full of surprises," he said as he grabbed a pick from his pocket and rolled it in his mouth. "You've got all kinds of names and secrets, it sounds like."

"And you're shortly learning them all," you grimaced. You turned your attention to Charlie. "We're looking for a man named Wilks, seen him?"

"Aye," Charlie said, watching you both closely before pointing. "He's down there by the dock."

"Right," John said. "We'll need to talk to him alone. Send the rest on break."

Charlie nodded and you all walked down, Charlie quietly sending the others away as he discreetly nodded to a pudgy man near the edge of the water. You both cornered the man, his eyes widened as he backed up and his heel teetered on the edge of the dock. You raised your hands to halt him. 

"We're only here to talk," you reassured with a smile. "Heard you might have gotten a little drunk at a pub. Told someone something you shouldn't."

"I didn't mean to," he said looking between you and John's stone faced expression. "Was just a drink or two and then he asked me a question I found odd." 

"Who?" You asked in a soothing voice, hands still up as you stepped forward. "Did you know the man?"

John watched you with sharp eyes as you got closer to Wilks as if walking to a scared horse. He chewed on his pick, letting you do the talking. 

"I didn't know them," he said, scared. "Just a man asking what it was like to work at docks. If we had any openings. If we moved anything odd. Anything to note."

"And what did you tell them?" John said, taking a step forward but still a good length behind you. You were nearly next to the man as his eyes darted between you both and behind him as he looked for an exit. 

"I told him we move the normal stuff," he said gruffly, "and sometimes we move what Shelby's ask. He perked up at the name. Said it must be exciting to work for criminals. Must see some crazy cargo. I shrugged. Just told him sometimes you have shipments. Anything from guns to medical rations. Told him a shipment went to Camden Town not too long ago."

"Shouldn't have done that, Wilks," John said darkly as he took another step forward. "We don't take kindly to business being passed around." 

"I didn't do nothin'," Wilks protested. "I've got a wife and kids to feed." 

"Should have thought of that before you went talking," John said. 

Wilks grabbed your wrist and swung your body around, his calloused hand gripping your throat and the other around your waist. John cut the distance in a stride and stopped as Wilks lifted you by the throat, pressing your back to his chest.

"I don't want no trouble," he said, eyes darting for an exit. "Let me go home."

Your hands flew to your throat and your feet kicked as he lifted you higher. You could barely breathe in through his grip.

"Shouldn't have done that," John said with a glint in his eye. He pulled out his pistol and aimed it at him.

"Shouldn't have brought a girl for a man's job," Wilks growled in your ear as he squeezed your throat tighter. 

John's eyes were dark as he tried to aim at the man behind you. His face cycled between fear and anger as you realized he wouldn't have a good shot with Wilks holding you so close.

You gritted your teeth and kicked again. You felt your heel connect with his shin and he squeezed your throat harder as he roared. You dropped a hand from your throat and elbowed his chest as you thrashed in his hands. You clumsily made way to your pockets and pulled out a knife as your eyesight started to blacken. John lowered his pistol as you pulled back and stabbed Wilks in the thigh, making the man drop you. 

You stepped out of his reach and John raged forward with his fist cocked back. John's fist connected with Wilks’ face with a crack and the man fell to the ground. John continued pummeling the man as he writhed on the ground, your knife still in his thigh. 

You touched your neck, feeling the bruising that was likely to occur. You breathed deep, feeling the oxygen rush through you as you tried to stay conscious. As oxygen came back you turned back to John beating the man and grabbed John's arm as he cocked it back to hit Wilk's face again. 

As you grabbed his arm, he twisted in your grip and was about to punch you when he realized who you were and stopped himself. Wilks was beneath his feet in a bloody pile, his face almost indistinguishable. John's eyes met yours as you held his arm and looked at the blood that had spattered on his face and the wild look in his blue eyes. 

"John," you said hoarsely. Your throat was scratchy from being choked. 

His eyes softened and he pulled you to his chest. 

"Don't fucking scare me like that, yeah?" He whispered into your hair as you clung to him.

"I'm fine," you said. "But we need him alive to ask, yeah?" 

John let out a sigh as he deflated. 

"Yeah," he said. 

You pulled away and looked at his blue eyes worrying over you. You patted his arm and stepped out of his embrace to lean over the half conscious man under his feet. 

"Wilks," you said with a low growl. "Who did you tell?"

Wilks cried out as John kicked his ribs, finally stepping to the side so he wasn't under his feet. 

"I don't know," he said, screaming as you grabbed your knife from his thigh and pulled it out. "I didn't know the man. He had longer hair maybe? An odd accent. I'd never seen him before, I swear." 

You scowled at him, wiping his blood off of your knife with his vest. You pressed the knife under his throat. 

"Are you sure?" You growled. 

"Sounds like it could have been an Italian," John said as he spit on the man. "Maybe a Jew."

"I don't know," he cried. "Please."

You pulled your knife away and hid it back into your pocket. You looked up at John as he glared down at Wilks. 

"Your call, Shelby," you said, voice still hoarse. 

"I'll kill him," he said, kicking the man again. 

"No," you said. 

John scowled down at you, his jaw ticked as he was about to talk. 

"I'll do it," you said, sounding stronger than you felt. "This is meant to be my proofing water." 

John started again to fight you, but you raised a hand while you fished your knife out. Wilks started to thrash beneath you and John stepped on his chest to hold him still. John's eyes looked conflicted as you pulled the knife out of your pocket again and ran a finger along the blade.

You had hurt men before, but you had never killed. Most of your experience was from self defense. Tommy wanted to prove yourself, so prove yourself you shall. 

"You don't have to," John said defeated. "I'll tell Tommy you did it. You don't have to."

"No, John," you said solemnly. "I do. You aren't saving me from it. This is mine." 

You turned to Wilks and cut his throat in a swift motion. Blood poured from his neck as the light left his eyes. You stood up and stepped back as John kicked Wilks into the water. You watched numbly, knife still at your side. 

"Hey," John said as he turned around and rested his hand on your cheek. "Is'aright. Come here." 

He pulled you into his chest and you teared up but fought the urge to cry. You gulped it down, feeling the pain in your neck again. 

"John," you whispered. 

He pulled back to look you in the eye, one hand on your cheek and the other on your waist. 

"Let's get you back to your wife, yeah?" You said as you tried to feign a smile. 

You rested your hand on his chest before gently pushing him away. 

"Yeah, (Y/N)," John sighed. "Okay."

The ride back was quiet. You looked straight ahead as John drove, even though you could feel his eyes on you from time to time. When he offered to drive you home, you declined, telling him you'd rather walk from his home. 

You hugged him goodbye when you arrived at his home, and breathed deep the smell of him. He always smelled of gunpowder and pine, and you breathed it in deeply to comfort yourself. You said your goodbyes despite his worried expression, and walked down the road in a daze. You weren't ready to go home just yet. 

You stopped at a local bakery and bought a small piece of bread and walked to The Cut. You sat on Tommy's thinking place stairs and looked out over the canal, thinking. You sat for hours in a daze, eating bread and trying to process your thoughts. As twilight began to tease the sky, you snapped out of your thoughts. You needed to get home. 

You walked to your apartment and at the last minute you were grabbed by your neighbor. Gail was an older neighbor that always treated you kindly. You often brought her teas when you found a new flavor she might like. 

"Men came through asking where you were," Gail said in hushed tones. "They claimed to be coppers. They're in your apartment waiting for you now." 

You thanked her and left quickly back into the streets. It was now dark and getting colder by the moment. There was only one place you could think to go, so you walked to Tommy's house. You snuck in to sit on his bed and waited for him to arrive home for the night.